How does the BS4-100 double bale spear save time compared to single bale handling?
The BS4-100 doubles your bale-moving capacity with each pass, which means you spend half the time on the loader completing hay handling tasks. Instead of making two trips to move two bales, you complete the job in one cycle. This efficiency matters most during peak season when weather windows are tight and you need to clear fields quickly after baling or get hay into storage before a storm arrives. For custom operators, this translates directly into more billable hours since you can service more clients in the same timeframe. For farm and ranch owners, it means less time on the tractor seat and more time available for other critical tasks like livestock care, equipment maintenance, or fence repair.
The time savings compound throughout the season - what used to take half a day becomes a couple of hours, and those recovered hours add real value to your operation.
What wheel loader sizes is the BS4-100 designed to work with?
The BS4-100 is specifically engineered for small to medium wheel loaders, providing the right balance between capacity and safe operation for machines in this class. The 100-inch outer tine spacing and double bale capacity are sized appropriately so your loader maintains good visibility, proper weight distribution, and stable handling characteristics. When you're carrying two large round bales that can weigh over a ton combined, equipment sizing matters for safety and performance.
The attachment comes standard with a universal skid steer mount plate, but it's also available with various Global and ISO agricultural and construction mounts to fit the loader you already own. Before ordering, it's worth confirming your specific loader model and mounting system to ensure proper compatibility. Forge Claw can help you identify the right mount option for your machine, eliminating guesswork and ensuring you get an attachment that fits correctly the first time.
Can the BS4-100 handle different sizes of round bales?
Yes, the BS4-100 is designed to accommodate large round bales up to 6 feet in diameter, which covers the most common bale sizes produced by standard round balers. The 30/40/30-inch tine configuration provides the spacing needed to securely hold bales of various diameters within that range. Whether you're handling 4-foot, 5-foot, or 6-foot diameter bales, the spear spacing keeps them stable and balanced during transport.
The outer tine spacing of 100 inches gives you enough room to handle two full-size bales side by side without them interfering with each other or creating instability. This versatility is important because bale sizes can vary depending on your baler settings, crop moisture, and how tightly the bales are wrapped. Having an attachment that handles the full range of common bale sizes means you're not limited in how you put up hay or restricted in what customer bales you can handle if you do custom work.
What kind of fuel and cost savings can I expect with this double bale spear?
Fuel savings come directly from cutting your trips in half - if you were making 20 trips to move 40 bales with a single spear, you now make 10 trips with the BS4-100. That's 10 fewer cycles of driving, lifting, transporting, and returning, which translates into significant diesel savings over a season. The cost benefits extend beyond fuel to include reduced machine hours, which means less wear on your loader's tires, hydraulics, drivetrain, and engine. Fewer operating hours lead to longer intervals between maintenance and fewer repair costs over the equipment's lifetime.
For custom operators, the efficiency gain means you can complete more jobs per day without adding equipment or labor, directly increasing revenue potential. The BS4-100 is priced between $1,995 and $2,395, and most operators find it pays for itself within the first season through combined savings in time, fuel, maintenance, and increased productivity. It's a straightforward return on investment that improves with every bale you move.
How difficult is it to operate the BS4-100 safely with two bales?
Operating the BS4-100 is straightforward, but carrying two bales does require attention to a few key practices. Always approach bales squarely and at controlled speed to ensure the spears penetrate evenly and securely into both bales. Once loaded, lift slowly and keep the bales as low as safely possible during transport to maintain stability and visibility - you're carrying significant weight several feet off the ground. The 30/40/30 tine configuration and rigid spear design help keep loads stable, but you still need to be mindful when crossing uneven ground, navigating turns, or working in tight spaces like barn aisles.
Always watch for overhead clearances since your load height will be greater than normal. When stacking or placing bales, take your time to position them accurately rather than rushing. The attachment itself is built to make safe handling easier through its balanced design and solid construction, but safe operation ultimately comes down to operator awareness and following basic best practices for material handling with a wheel loader.
What maintenance does the BS4-100 require?
Maintenance on the BS4-100 is minimal but important for long-term performance and safety. Regularly inspect the spears and frame for signs of wear, bending, cracking, or damage, especially after periods of heavy use or if you've hit something hard. Check that the spears remain straight and rigid - any bending compromises safe bale handling and should be addressed immediately. Keep the mounting plate and connection points clean and free of debris, mud, or hay residue to ensure a secure fit every time you attach it to your loader.
A quick visual inspection before each use helps you catch small issues before they become bigger problems. When the attachment isn't in use, store it off the ground in a dry location to prevent rust and corrosion that can develop on equipment left sitting in wet conditions. With this basic level of care - visual inspections, keeping connections clean, and proper storage - the BS4-100 will deliver reliable performance season after season without requiring extensive maintenance time or expense.
Is the BS4-100 suitable for commercial hay operations?
Absolutely. The BS4-100 is ideal for commercial hay operations, custom bale haulers, and anyone who needs to move large volumes of hay efficiently. The ability to handle two bales per trip means you can load or unload trailers faster, service more customers in a day, and reduce the cost per bale moved through improved efficiency. The heavy-duty steel construction is built to withstand the demands of commercial use where the attachment might be operating daily throughout hay season and beyond.
For operations that buy, sell, or transport hay, the time saved translates directly into more loads moved and more revenue generated. For custom operators who charge by the bale or by the hour, working faster with lower fuel costs improves your profit margin on every job. The BS4-100 is also versatile enough to handle related tasks like organizing bale yards, loading inventory for customers, or repositioning stored hay, making it a multi-purpose tool that earns its keep across various aspects of a commercial hay business.
What mounting options are available for the BS4-100?
The BS4-100 comes standard with a universal skid steer mount plate, which fits many common wheel loaders and provides a widely compatible attachment option. Beyond the standard mount, Stinger Attachments also offers this bale spear with a variety of Global and ISO agricultural and construction mounts to match the specific mounting system on your loader. This flexibility is important because different loader manufacturers use different quick-attach systems, and having the right mount means you can install and remove the attachment quickly without adapters or custom fabrication.
Before ordering, confirm which mounting system your wheel loader uses - check your owner's manual or look at the existing attachment plate on your machine. If you're not sure which mount you need, Forge Claw can help you identify the correct option based on your loader's make and model. Getting the mounting system right the first time ensures proper fit, safe operation, and the convenience of quick attachment changes when you need to switch between different implements.
How does the tine spacing configuration affect bale stability?
The 30/40/30-inch tine configuration is engineered specifically to provide balanced weight distribution and stable bale positioning during all phases of handling. The spacing ensures that each bale is supported securely without the spears being positioned too close together or too far apart, either of which could create instability. The center 40-inch gap between the inner tines allows enough clearance for two full-size bales to sit side by side without crowding, while the 30-inch spacing on each outer section keeps the bales from sliding or shifting during transport.
This balanced configuration matters most when you're moving across uneven ground, navigating turns, or working on slopes where weight distribution affects stability and safety. Properly spaced tines also make it easier to penetrate bales evenly and release them cleanly when you're stacking or positioning them. The engineering behind this spacing reflects real-world use where operators need attachments that handle predictably and safely under varying conditions and terrain.
Can I use the BS4-100 for tasks other than moving hay bales?
While the BS4-100 is specifically designed and optimized for moving large round hay bales, the rigid spears can handle other round or cylindrical loads that fit within the tine spacing and weight capacity. Some operators use bale spears for moving wrapped silage bales, large rolled materials, or other farm products that need to be transported without crushing or damaging them. However, it's important to stay within the design parameters - this attachment is built for the weight and dimensions of hay bales up to 6 feet in diameter, and using it for significantly heavier loads or materials that don't match the spear configuration could cause damage or create safety issues.
The primary value of the BS4-100 comes from its efficiency in its intended application: moving two large round bales at once during haying operations, feeding routines, and hay transport or storage tasks. For those core applications, it's a purpose-built tool that delivers consistent performance season after season. Forge Claw offers free nationwide shipping and easy financing on the BS4-100, making it simple to add this productivity-boosting attachment to your operation.