Where to Stick the Spear

[Butcherofwood]

Just got two 39 inch hay spears in the mail today from Washburn's. Very stout spears. They insert into a 2 inch diameter by 6 inch long pipe sleave which needs to be welded to the bucket. They will go on a Kubota L4400. Our bales are 3x3x8 rectangles and typically weight 750 lbs max.

Where would you guys weld them to the bucket?

The bottom edge is out, wanna add a tooth bar. The inside corners are out because of how the bolt goes through the spear. So that leaves me with the sides or top edge of the bucket. But if I use the top edge, because of the angle of the bucket sloping back towards the tractor, the bucket won't square up with the bale. Thus leaving the bale further out on the spear and away from the center of gravity. If I use the sides I can put the sleave on an angle to compensate for the slope.

Also, at this amount of weight, just weld them on the bucket, or add sheet steel?

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

The only place would be to the top of the bucket and centered. Preferably at an angle that will allow the bale to rest on the cutting edge and have the spear fully penetrating the bale. Also you would have to really reinforce the top of the bucket. I hope you can understand my explanation.

 

[ToadHill]

I agree with Gaylen, I'd welt them to the inside of the bucket, along each side and in such a position that when the cutting edge is level with the ground the spears are also level. This allows the spears to stab the bale and some of the weight to rest on the front lip of the bucket.

 

[civesnedfield]

Just got two 39 inch hay spears in the mail today from Washburn's. Very stout spears. They insert into a 2 inch diameter by 6 inch long pipe sleave which needs to be welded to the bucket. They will go on a Kubota L4400. Our bales are 3x3x8 rectangles and typically weight 750 lbs max.

Where would you guys weld them to the bucket?

The bottom edge is out, wanna add a tooth bar. The inside corners are out because of how the bolt goes through the spear. So that leaves me with the sides or top edge of the bucket. But if I use the top edge, because of the angle of the bucket sloping back towards the tractor, the bucket won't square up with the bale. Thus leaving the bale further out on the spear and away from the center of gravity. If I use the sides I can put the sleave on an angle to compensate for the slope.

Also, at this amount of weight, just weld them on the bucket, or add sheet steel?

Putting them on the bucket is not a good idea. You will be adding alot f stress on the bucket itself, and the front end of the tractor. I recommend building a frame for the spears similar to the one shown. This is what the spears and mounting couplers you purchased were intended for.

 

[tulenutn2o]

Butcherofwood, I couldn't stop laughing about all the responses one could give to this thread. I know where most people tell me where to stick things, and they can't be printed here.:laughing:

 

[civesnedfield]

Butcherofwood, I couldn't stop laughing about all the responses one could give to this thread. I know where most people tell me where to stick things, and they can't be printed here.:laughing:

Same here:laughing:but I chose to give an appropriate response.

 

[Butcherofwood]

Thanks guys. I found a quick connect plate for under $200 and plan to go that way. Got some welding to do this weekend, haven't done that for 20 years. Hope it goes well. Thanks again for your input.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

That will be a better choice.

 

[civesnedfield]

That will be a better choice.

I can't believe you didn't say that in the first place Galen

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

I figured he didn't want to go to that expense, and I do have many customers that have added the spear to their bucket and seem to get along with them just fine.