What's the advantage of four tines versus a traditional two-tine bale spear?
The four-tine configuration on the Series 4 bale spear provides dramatically better load distribution and stability compared to traditional two-tine designs. With an outer tine spacing of 61 inches and two additional tines positioned evenly between them, you're spreading the weight of heavy square bales across four contact points instead of two. This reduces stress on each individual tine and creates a more balanced load on your machine.
The practical benefit shows up immediately when you're transporting bales across uneven ground or making turns—the four-tine system keeps bales stable and square rather than allowing them to twist or shift. When equipped with the optional bolt-on supports, you can safely carry two large square bales simultaneously with a combined 14,000-pound capacity. That's a game-changer for large-scale hay operations where cutting transport time in half directly impacts your bottom line through reduced fuel costs and equipment hours.
How do I choose the right tine length for my operation?
Selecting the correct tine length depends on your typical bale dimensions and how you stack or transport them. The BS4 offers three options: 39-inch tines with 33 inches of useable length, 43-inch tines with 37 inches useable, and 49-inch tines with 43.5 inches useable. For standard large square bales measuring 3x3x8 feet or 3x4x8 feet, the 43-inch tines work well for most operators, providing enough penetration to securely hold bales without excessive overhang.
If you're handling smaller bales or stacking in tight barn spaces where you need to minimize protrusion, the 39-inch option gives you a more compact profile. Conversely, if you regularly move oversized bales or need maximum penetration depth for especially dense, heavy bales, the 49-inch tines deliver that extra reach. The key is ensuring adequate penetration—generally you want tines reaching past the bale's center of gravity—while avoiding unnecessary length that could create safety concerns or make maneuvering in confined spaces more difficult.
Can this bale spear work with my wheel loader or telehandler, or is it skid steer only?
While the BS4 comes standard with a skid steer hookup that fits most skid steer loaders right out of the box, it's definitely not limited to skid steers. The attachment can be modified to fit wheel loaders, telehandlers, compact tractors with front-end loaders, and other material handling equipment. Stinger Attachments designs their products with versatility in mind, so adapting the mounting system to match your specific machine is a straightforward process.
Before ordering, you'll want to verify your machine's lifting capacity matches or exceeds the combined weight of the attachment plus your typical bale loads—the BS4 weighs 351 pounds in the 43-inch configuration, and when you're carrying two large square bales that might weigh 1,500-2,000 pounds each, you need adequate lifting capacity and stability. Most modern skid steers and wheel loaders handle this easily, but if you're running a compact machine, it's worth confirming the specs. The universal compatibility means you can use the same spear across multiple machines in your fleet.
What kind of maintenance does the BS4 require, and how long do the tines typically last?
The Series 4 bale spear is designed for minimal maintenance, which is exactly what you need during busy hay season. Regular inspection of the tines is your primary maintenance task—check for wear at the tips and along the bottom edges where they make contact with bales most frequently. Depending on your usage intensity and the abrasiveness of your bales, tines might show noticeable wear after several seasons of commercial use.
The beauty of the replaceable tine design is that you're not looking at a complete spear replacement when wear occurs. Simply unbolt the affected tine using the double-nut retention system and install a fresh one for a fraction of what a new attachment would cost. Beyond tine inspection, periodically check that the double-nut system remains tight, keep the mounting plate and frame clean from accumulated debris, and touch up any paint chips to prevent rust. If you're using the optional bolt-on bale supports, verify they're securely attached before dual-bale operations. With this basic care routine, the BS4 delivers years of reliable service without significant downtime or expense.
Is it worth buying a bale spear or should I just rent one when needed?
For operations that move more than a few dozen large square bales per season, owning a quality bale spear like the BS4 makes strong financial sense compared to renting. Rental costs add up quickly—even at modest daily or weekly rates, you'll approach the purchase price after just a few uses across a couple seasons. More importantly, ownership gives you the flexibility to move bales on your schedule without coordinating rental availability, which is critical during tight weather windows when hay needs to come off the field or into storage immediately.
The BS4's durability means you're making a long-term investment that'll serve your operation for many years, and the replaceable tine design keeps maintenance costs low over that lifespan. The time savings from the four-tine configuration and dual-bale capacity pay dividends every single time you use it through reduced labor hours and fuel consumption. Quality attachments from manufacturers like Stinger Attachments also hold their resale value exceptionally well, so if your operation changes direction, you'll recover a significant portion of your investment. When you order from Forge Claw, you get free nationwide shipping and flexible financing options that make ownership accessible for operations of all sizes.