Bent hay spear

unaka · Oct 9, 2001

Last week, after months of looking, test driving, etc. I bit the bullet and got a MF 263. I absolutely love the tractor.

One of the attachments I purchased was a round bale hay spear for the FEL.

Without trying to make excuses, I simply was not paying attention for a split second and the spear went into the ground and it bent. It comes off and can be replaced but has anyone ever tried to bend one back?
It's only bent about 15 degrees or so and wouldn't need much bending to get back straight.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Unaka

cowboydoc · Oct 9, 2001

Unaka,
Yes we used to do it all the time. You need to chain down the part that attaches to the tractor so the spear is pointed up to the sky. You can also drive over it or park your tractor on it too. Then get a come along and hook to a tree or something and come along it back straight. Go a little past where you want it to be because it will go back a little when you let the pressure off. You can heat it also with a torch but that will sometimes weaken it some.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by cowboydoc on 10/09/01 07:58 AM (server time).</FONT></P>

unaka · Oct 9, 2001

Richard,

Thanks very much for your reply and I'll try that this evening when I get home.

It's also nice to know I'm not the first beginner to bend a spear. My wife and CFO was none too happy with me when I announced at dinner what I'd done. I proceeded to get a lecture about how we're not gonna keep this tractor if I keep tearing it up and costing us more money. It was a coup of sorts just to convince her that we needed it in the first place.

I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks again

Unaka

Woodbeef · Oct 9, 2001

Straightened out one I bought cheap once,by using a hydraulic bottle jack and some wood blocks. Just remember to go past straight like cowboydoc said.

unaka · Oct 9, 2001

Funny thing,

Dealer just called to see how everything was going with my new tractor.
I told him about the spear and he came out and picked up the spear. Says he'll have it straightened by the time I get off work. Now THAT'S service!

Unaka