Bale Spear v Bale Carrier

   / Bale Spear v Bale Carrier #1  

Slippy

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Mahindra 6000 4wd; IH x2; NHTC40DSS; International 1086; JD 5115M
Looking for a 3pt set up to move round bales. TSC has bale spears and bale carrier. The carrier has two arms at the sides and the bale is carried by the arms rather than spearing it. Anyone had any experience using and comparing?
 
   / Bale Spear v Bale Carrier #2  
Get the spears. The arm type will dig in the ground and the bale is not as secure on it. Plus, the spear can handle any size bale. My uncle had the arm type years ago where we had the spear. It didn’t take long for him to ditch it. If these are 1400 pound bales or larger, and your tractor is 50 horse or less, you may need weights in the front. If you have enough tractor, you can get a scissors type and set the bale on a wagon.
 
   / Bale Spear v Bale Carrier
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Thanks. Will put a bucket spear on front and have 60hp tractor. Thought the carrier looked nice becasue could double as pallet forks.
 
   / Bale Spear v Bale Carrier #4  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Thanks. Thought the carrier looked nice becasue could double as pallet forks. )</font>

The best setup is double spears set up like pallet forks. You can spear the hay with both forks and you can lift pallets too. Be sure the spear forks are close enough together to fit inside a regular pallet. Most 3ph pallet forks are way too wide for this.
gabby
 
   / Bale Spear v Bale Carrier #5  
At least for smaller bales get the carrier. We use both and a spear for the loader. The problem we have on the 3 pt. spear is that if it is a tightly wound roll and the angle is wrong it will tip the bale over instead of penetrating. The the pallet forks types we just scoop them up. We also used to use them to push and lift things before we had a loader. The spear works alright on hay later in the winter after it has loosened up a bit and it will allow you to raise it a little higher. If I had to choose one I would go with the carrier.

Poorboy
 
   / Bale Spear v Bale Carrier #6  
Depending on how much hay you will be moving could change my openion. I use a fork lift attachment on my FEL and it does a great job. Hold the bale very secure and with the forks set right you can slide it under the hay without touching the ground.

In my situation I'm moving 1-3 bales at a time and then no more for several months so it's not worth have a spear when forks to a good job.
 
   / Bale Spear v Bale Carrier #7  
I really like my home made 3ph spear. I am using it all the time. I can move round bales and pallets with ease. I have never had a problem spearing a bale or picking up a pallet.
 

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   / Bale Spear v Bale Carrier #8  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The problem we have on the 3 pt. spear is that if it is a tightly wound roll and the angle is wrong it will tip the bale over instead of penetrating )</font>

Ditto.. got to hit it just right. i went round and round with that. i finally started putting my bales up against trees or fence.. or barn to keep them in place whie i -tried- to spear them /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Soundguy
 
   / Bale Spear v Bale Carrier #9  
I assume since you are getting it at TSC you are looking at a 3PT bale spear and not an FEL attachment. We have both in 3PT and it really doesn't make much difference to me(Although I guess I lean toward the spear). I do like the carrier for my FEL since I can move pallets with it. I don't like to move pallets with the 3PT since as you pick it up, it tilts towards the tractor (unless you have a hyd top link). Normally I use the spear on the 3pt and the scoop goes on Dad's old 2cyl JD.
 
   / Bale Spear v Bale Carrier #10  
Definately go with the spear.

There is usually a brace on the bottom of the main spear.

If it doesn't have very much angle to it, increase the angle with a cutting torch.

Then take an angle grinder to it and sharpen it, it will make the bales much easier to "stick".

In fact, I have to be careful when I hook it on, lest I slice my hand wide open.
 
 
 
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