Adding Hay 'Spear' to Hay 'Fork'........

Flintknapper

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I don't use the Hay Fork on my compact tractor that much (for moving hay bales). Normally use my larger tractor with front mounted hay spear.

But on occasion I will move a bale to an area up a fairly steep hill and the smaller tractor goes up that narrow 'trail' easier.

Anyway....about a month ago I was carrying a bale and had my right front tire drop into a depression which lifted the left rear tire on the tractor, which rolled the bale off the hay fork. It was a bugger to get backed up to it again.

So....I decided to add a 'spear' to the hay fork (and repair that depression). The hay fork was in need of some cleaning up and painting anyway....so it seemed a good time to do the welding required.

Drilled a hole to accept the sleeve and then welded in place:


HS00.jpg

HS00a.jpg


I also use this Hay Fork as a 'Carry All'. I have a pallet like 'box' I can put on top of it when I need to carry things someplace on the property to do some work.

But I didn't want the 'Spear'' to be permanently mounted, so I chose a tapered, bolt on type to use. That way I can remove it when using my carry-all box.


HS03.jpg

HS02.jpg

HS01.jpg


And finally....I wanted a place to 'store' the spear when not in use, so logically....somewhere ON the Hay Fork made the most sense to me. To address that....I just made a place to 'hold' it until needed.

HS04.jpg


A quick brush down of the unit and a little paint....and we are good to go.
 
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RCW

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What prevents the spear from getting pushed forward towards the tractor when backing into a bale?

That’s a really cool modification! 👍
 

rc51stierhoff

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It looks well thought out and multi use functional. Great job. 🥃
 

D2Cat

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What prevents the spear from getting pushed forward towards the tractor when backing into a bale?

That’s a really cool modification! 👍
It's a tapered shaft that fits into the tubing sleeve that is welded into the frame. The nut keeps the taper tight in the sleeve. When backing into the bale the taper only fits tighter, if that were possible!
 
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Flintknapper

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What prevents the spear from getting pushed forward towards the tractor when backing into a bale?

That’s a really cool modification! 👍
The Hay Spear is 'tapered' on the end that fits into the 'Sleeve'.

So when you tighten the nut on the back it 'wedges' itself against the sleeve (the spear being a larger diameter than the sleeve).

The nut on the back has a 'bevel' that mates to a recess in the sleeve which captures the rear of the spear.

It is a VERY tight fit on both ends once tightened up.
 
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Flintknapper

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It's a tapered shaft that fits into the tubing sleeve that is welded into the frame. The nut keeps the taper tight in the sleeve. When backing into the bale the taper only fits tighter, if that were possible!

Correct....!
 
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D2Cat

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The Hay Spear is 'tapered' on the end that fits into the 'Sleeve'.

So when you tighten the nut on the back it 'wedges' itself against the sleeve (the spear being a larger diameter than the sleeve).

The nut on the back has a 'bevel' that mates to a recess in the sleeve which captures the rear of the spear.

It is a VERY tight fit on both ends once tightened up.
Must have been pecking on the keyboard at the same time!
 

RCW

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Thanks for the explanation guys! 👍

Very nice job!
 
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Runs With Scissors

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Very nice job fabbing it up, and very elegant solution.

Nice write up too.

I really like how it stores nicely.
 

RCW

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PS - - @Flintknapper had perfect pictures.

If I just zoomed in it should have been obvious…duh on my part. 🙄

The spear storage is a great idea! 👍