Bale Speared - effective end cover ideas?

[rockyridgefarm]

On a dark and misty morning...

I stopped just inside the gate after dropping a round bale. Tractor safely in park, I hopped off and closed the gate securely. Spinning around I got a sudden jolt in my nose and found myself on the ground looking at the sky. Very thankful that I still have my right eye (even as bad as it is)

I really think the best plan is a cover for the tip that I can slide on after removing the bale. I keep the tip bright yellow and try to set it at the safest height. My property is crazy hills, and height or color wouldn't have mattered in this instance.

I have looked and don't see a purpose made cover. I am thinking of getting a horse 'Jolly Ball'. Cut a hole to fit then foam fill it. Chain it to the spear's frame.

Any other ideas?

btw, nose is healing nicely. My wife wasn't all in on a piercing, and definitely thinks I was best to forego the 4000 pound jewelry.

 

[Peter 315]

I have a 3 spear front mount I tip it all the way down and carry it low when empty always afraid of the horses running into it. Glad you did not get hurt to bad. jolly ball sounds like a good idea

 

[pmsmechanic]

I have the same problem of running into things. It's worse in winter when I wear a baseball cap. The best solution is to just make sure you don't have things to run into. IE. bale spear high or low but not at head height. Same with everything else you do. On stuff I can't move I have a roll of survey tape. I tie it on with a long end hanging down. As I'm usually looking down it's enough to catch my attention. I've also used a jacket or coveralls hung over head height objects.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've had the fear of doing that, so I'm always very careful of where my spears are pointing and how high in the air they are. Usually I curl them so they are pointing up fairly high so nothing can have an accident.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

the problem with my terrain is that what was just safe is now right at me. But, I am going to really explore all angles (literally). It would be ideal to be able to set it safely from the seat.

 

[mcfarmall]

Point them down as far as possible and lower the FEL arms until the points penetrate the soil. Acts as a backup mechanical brake as well.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Mine is rear mounted, btw

 

[mcfarmall]

Mine is rear mounted, btw

Makes my suggestion pointless! (no pun intended)

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I reconfigured the 3-point geometry. Lowered and shortened the top link. Filed the point a bit blunt. Fresh coat of jd yellow and I think it might work.

 

[Peter 315]

View attachment 540110

I reconfigured the 3-point geometry. Lowered and shortened the top link. Filed the point a bit blunt. Fresh coat of jd yellow and I think it might work.

How about a piece of pvc pipe with a cap on the end to cover the point

 

[D2Cat]

I took a piece of 3" back flexible drain pipe and cut it to fit over the spike. It's a couple of inches longer then the spike, and seems to work fine. I leave it on whenever I'm not using the spike.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

How about a piece of pvc pipe with a cap on the end to cover the point

Plastic pipe. Really? That is the best you can come up with?!

No matter; it is pure genius. I made it in 5 minutes. It slides on super snugly. The cap is so thick that there is no danger of it being penetrated. I even had some heavy pipe that should stand up to being driven over.

Thanks so much! I値l post a pic tomorrow.

 

[Jstpssng]

I always like it when I'm driving down the road and meet a tractor with his bale spear right at windshield level. They would be a good prop in a Stephen King movie.

To the OP, thankfully you weren't seriously injured.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I am doing well. Could have been a terrible thing. Glad to be able to learn from my mistakes and maybe help someone else

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Slips on snugly. Won’t slide off.

I will paint it with plastic paint to slow UV. Will be nice to store as well.

 

[jimmyj]

I was going to say pipe but I'm late to the party. What I usually use is an orange highway safety cone. I just slide it over the spear so it's blunted and highly visible. I started doing this when I saw my dogs running around near the spear when it was sitting on the ground behind the shed.

 

[aczlan]

I have a 3point spear, but it comes off of the tractor when not in use and it either gets stuffed into a hay bale, or tucked under the tongue of the round baler.

Aaron Z

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I have a 3point spear, but it comes off of the tractor when not in use and it either gets stuffed into a hay bale, or tucked under the tongue of the round baler.

Aaron Z

As did I. This happened as I was returning from feeding and stopped at a gate on a steep incline.

I really like your signature quote.

 

[N2DFire]

Well as usual I'm late to the party but I was going to suggest asking your local FD for any decommissioned fire hose. Cut to length then just duct tape, staple, bolt, glue, or whatever one end shut and make a scabbard for it.


Glad you weren't hurt.

 

[Peter 315]

Plastic pipe. Really? That is the best you can come up with?!

No matter; it is pure genius. I made it in 5 minutes. It slides on super snugly. The cap is so thick that there is no danger of it being penetrated. I even had some heavy pipe that should stand up to being driven over.

Thanks so much! I値l post a pic tomorrow.

Looks good, But still waiting for my check