Farm Machinery Attachments, Bale Spear For Sale

Simply put, the bale spike is an implement for lifting bales by spiking into the bale itself and carrying away as the bale is impaled on the spike. This is a tried and tested means of transporting bales, and properly used it carries the material safely and securely. The construction of the bale spike consists of a frame, often of box section steel, fitted with a number of spikes, or tines, on which to impale the bale. As it is not a bale grabber as such, more care and effort is needed to offload the bales if they are to be stacked using the bale spike, as there is no grabbing mechanism to release. The upside of the bale spike being so simple and robust is that there is very little to go wrong, and this makes it an excellent candidate as a second-hand farm machinery purchase. Even though the bale spike is a simple piece of equipment, however, there are still certain things to look out for. The first of these is simply to select a bale spike that is of the size that you want. Bale spikes come in a number of different configurations to suit different load capacities. A larger frame and increased number of spikes will be able to carry a greater number of bales. Bale spikes are also available for either round or square bale types. Bale spikes can be used with a variety of load weights also, from as little as 500kg or less to more than 1,500kg.

The tines themselves are clearly vital, and these are often detachable, screwing into the main frame by means of a bush or socket. The quality of these fittings is important, and they should always be examined for smooth attachment of the tines and for any wear or damage. The tines come in different lengths to suit different sizes of bales, and for round bales you can also get anti-rotation tines to prevent the tine turning with the bale and coming loose. Brackets are welded or bolted and the weld-on alternative is generally considered to be superior. The frame itself is also important, as it is going to be taking hefty loads. The frame should be of heavy-duty construction and can be box or tubular steel.

A second-hand bale spike should really give no trouble at all. A thorough visual inspection should be enough to determine the good condition of the unit, with special attention being paid to the bushes. The welds should also be checked for integrity, and the general construction should be free from any corrosion. Check also that the tines attach smoothly and are not bent or damaged. That said, replacement tines are widely available. It only remains to select the size and configuration that you are looking for and to ensure that this is compatible with your tractor or telehandler. With these simple checks, a used bale spike is a sound investment.