Frontier bale spear, I like it

[jjmarotz]

I like the forks dd, hope they work out for ya, as I am hoping the same results for the Frontier bale spear that I just got. Very nice fit and looks to be good quality. #AL1202E from JD.
I have a local farmer who will scale down his 1/2 ton bales down to 5-600lbs so I can handle them, (I'm gettin too old and lazy to buck 10 ton of small bales per yr).

Now I got to thinking with this thing.===== How can I make this frame work with some sort of pallet forks? The spears are just bolted on, and the frame looks similar to the Frontier fork frame. So I am now on the hunt for forks and thinking on how to make the frame work for both.

My thinking is, unbolt spears when not needed, and make some brackets to hold either the U- style forks or the round shaft style. And interchange between the 2 as my needs change. Seeing how hay stacking is only temporary, and the forks are used more often. Also would take up less space for storage and not have to buy another attatchment from Deere, (I'm stingy with my $, and justifying another attatchment to the wife is a different story), we know how that can be

Does anyone have any insight or ideas that will assist me with this type of interchangeable idea? Good or bad comments are appreciated.

Thanks fellas, jjmarotz



Btw, if all else fails, I invite yall to a good old jousting competition, hahaha.

 

[GordNovo]

Hello, I don't know how much help it'll be in your case, but here's a pic of a bale fork I have that also works great for moving pallets. Rather than 1 spear and two smaller stabilizers below, it's got to large spears where the pallet forks would normally go. I can't adjust them but most pallets in these areas are all the same size anyway. From a bale stacking perspective, it's really good cuz I can spear closer to the bottom of the large 7-800 lb square and stack them 3 high no problem.

 

[jjmarotz]

Update to those who need to know, the original order of the #AL1202E, came in as the #AL1301E spear.
JD has discontinued the 1202 due to multiple failures, and my local dealer did not know this, nor did I when the order was placed. JD tech delivered the spear a few days ago and I went in to pay today and found the price was up 100.00 from the original quote, now had to pay 550.00, but at least I don't have a piece of junk that will break, or harm me or the tractor.

Apperantly Bueller, who makes this line of Frontier attatchments had not done sufficient R&D on this model and had numerous failures before being pulled from the line. Let's hope their forks, and other similar attatchments don't have issues either.

Might be worth a call to your dealer to see what is still allowed and what has been recalled or discontinued, for everyone's sake.

JJ out.

 

[ddivinia]

Those are slick. I bought 2 bale spears - one for each tractor. I wish I didn't have to keep track of which one fit which tractor...

D.

 

[DLMaine01]

If you have the tools, skill and steel then you can build you own. I bought my Kubota branded FEL bale speer and am very happy with it. They are a little spendy, nearly $600 with MTach brackets. I handle 700 to 800 LBS. dry hay 4x5 round bales and wrapped 4x5 haylage bales that weigh upwards of 1500LBS. No failures, no problems, less than 60 seconds to switch from bucket to speer. If there is any way you can afford an FEL speer you will not regret it.
Good Luck!
Dave

 

[rmonio]

I'm looking to purchase a Bale Spear for moving Round and Square bales for my 4600 460 FEL. The Frontier website shows the AL1201E and AL1202E (since replaced with the 1301E) - I called and got prices starting at $500 for the AL1201E.

What have others seen for pricing and is the 1301E worth the extra money vs. the AL1201E?

Thanks for your help!

-Bob

 

[jgrreed]

What have others seen for pricing and is the 1301E worth the extra money vs. the AL1201E?

I'm pretty sure the AL1201E was replaced by the 1301E (a dealer told me this, and jjmarotz had the same experience, mentioned above).

I got an HLA (Horst Welding) and it's been great. I think I paid 650 CDN, so it should be cheaper for you.

-Jer.

 

[gman1772]

I'VE GOT ROUGHLY THE EQUIVALENT OF YOUR FRONT SPIKE FOR MY 5203, AND YEAH, AS MY FRIEND PUT IT, IT'S SLICKER THAN SOCKS ON A ROOSTER. IF YOU CAN WELD I DREW UP A PLAN FOR PALLET FORKS BUT HAVE YET TO BUILD THEM. IF YOU DO PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER YOU NEED TO RUN A VERTCAL BAR (3 INCH CHANNEL WILL WORK FINE) FROM THE LOWER SQUARE TUBE TO THE UPPER. IT WILL ELIMINATE TORQUE ON THE LOWER BOX TUBING AND SAVE YOU MISERY IF YOU FORK A HEAVY PALLET. ATTACH YOUR FORK TO THE BASE OF THE CHANNEL AND WELD SOME CLAMPS THE TOP AND BOTTOM AND YOU WILL BE IN BUSINESS!

 

[rmonio]

I went ahead and ordered a Frontier 1301E Bale Spear (1 large / 2 small, 2500lb capacity) for my 4600. Given the prices I was getting, this seemed to be the best route and it should handle all that I need. As our winter has been one of the colder ones so far, having the ability to use a few round bales will be beneficial with our horses right away. I look forward to getting the Spear

I do have the Horst forks. If I had my druthers again, I'd buy the JD (Frontier) forks as I believe they would be more stable and "solid" for a variety of uses. The Horst forks are fine for picking up pallets, but over time you'll find the stabilizer bar (soft metal) bends and even the forks themselves will bend. I don't believe the JD forks will do that and they rated for more weight also.

-Bob

 

[rmonio]

I received my Frontier Bale Spear today - it is the AB13E. They have changed the naming conventions for the Pallet and Spear attachments to be AP and AB (you figure which is which.. ). I really like the unit and am impressed with the quality, etc.

I wish now that I had bought the JD forks instead of the Horst units. If the quality is consistent between the two, I think the money would have been worth it.

Now to do some lifting and moving!

-Bob