Forks Forks, spear, or combo?

kjg26 · Jul 22, 2019

I'm looking to purchase a set of forks and. Hay spear. Or a combo. Or just forks. At this time I'm having someone cut the fields for hay but I'm having to move the bales. So my first thought was... hay spear....then I thought a set of forks would be useful in countless ways...then I stumbled across a combo unit.

So the question is...can a set of forks be used as effectively as a hay spear? Should I save a few bucks and just get forks and make them work for the hay? Or spend the couple hundred more and get a combo unit?

goeduck · Jul 23, 2019

I would suggest you get the Titan forks/spear combo. They have many, one of which is below

https://www.palletforks.com/skid-st...t-with-spears-rack-and-hitch-made-in-usa.html

Wagtail · Jul 23, 2019

A combination is the way to go... one where you can swap between either the spears or the forks for the job at hand.

I wouldn't recommend trying to save a few $'s by just using pallet forks on a bale of hay as it's too unstable for a long distance move, over uneven ground.

The right tool for the job is always better.

ning · Jul 23, 2019

Disclaimer: I don't have, or need, a bale spear.

If your fork usage, or the bale spear usage, is only occasional, I can see a combo working out.

I personally would not care to remove or replace forks into the carrier on a daily basis; they're ungainly and heavy (I dislike even adjusting their spread) - if you need to use both daily or even every other day, I'd get two separate units so the swap is painless and takes 15 seconds.

goeduck · Jul 23, 2019

goeduck said:
I would suggest you get the Titan forks/spear combo. They have many, one of which is below

https://www.palletforks.com/skid-st...t-with-spears-rack-and-hitch-made-in-usa.html

Note that the model I referenced also accepts a 2” receiver hitch. So the frame has 3 uses, forks, bale spear and receiver hitch.

jimmychew · Jul 23, 2019

I've used both. Forks are best.

gsganzer · Jul 23, 2019

goeduck said:
I would suggest you get the Titan forks/spear combo. They have many, one of which is below

https://www.palletforks.com/skid-st...t-with-spears-rack-and-hitch-made-in-usa.html

I have the similar Titan model in 42". Get the 48" if it fits your tractor. The only improvement would be if the spear and stabilizers would store on the frame when they're not being used. I might weld up some things on mine to do exactly that.

duramaxsky · Jul 23, 2019

ning said:
Disclaimer: I don't have, or need, a bale spear.

If your fork usage, or the bale spear usage, is only occasional, I can see a combo working out.

I personally would not care to remove or replace forks into the carrier on a daily basis; they're ungainly and heavy (I dislike even adjusting their spread) - if you need to use both daily or even every other day, I'd get two separate units so the swap is painless and takes 15 seconds.

I need to remove the forks a lot to use the receiver to move trailers. I made the removal slot on the bottom a little wider. Just put them together in the center and set them down on a level surface. Tilt forward a little and lower a little. Then back out. Putting them on is the opposite. No lifting.. tilt forward after moving past the slot and they slide easier.

Birdhunter1 · Jul 23, 2019

Pallet forks are one of those items that will make you wonder how you ever got by without them, I would say 98% of the time my loader is on the tractor the forks are on it. When it comes to moving hay yes you might be able to do it with pallet forks but there is nothing to keep a bale from rolling back if you lift it high, there is nothing to keep it from falling off, and when-if you stack 3 bales in a pyramid you will likely tear apart the lower bales when you go to pick the top one.
Bale spears on the pallet fork frame are much more useful. They way I built mine is I have two bushing welded into the frame that accepts bolt in bale spears, when the spears are out the bushings are there and not in the way. The forks themselves all I have to do is slide them to the middle and they lift off the frame. FYI-- bale spears tend to bend or break when using them like pallet forks and lifting heavy things.

duramaxsky · Jul 23, 2019

My pallet fork frame is a Frontier. I saw a Titan one on our dock this AM. The slot in them is already large enough to put the forks in the center and tilt out of them. I had to slightly lengthen mine to do that.