6 Best Bale Spear Attachments For Compact Tractors That Old-Timers Trust
Discover the 6 best bale spear attachments for compact tractors. We highlight the durable, time-tested models that seasoned farmers have relied on for years.
There’s a certain kind of satisfaction in moving a heavy round bale exactly where you want it with nothing but your compact tractor and a good hay spear. But choosing the wrong one can turn a simple chore into a frustrating, or even dangerous, ordeal. The old-timers know that the best tool is rarely the fanciest; it’s the one that’s simple, strong, and perfectly matched to the job at hand.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Choosing the Right Hay Spear for Your Tractor
The first thing to understand is that a hay spear isn’t just a pointy piece of metal. It’s a tool that has to work in harmony with your tractor’s power, lift capacity, and center of gravity. A spear that’s too heavy-duty for your compact tractor is just dead weight; one that’s too light is an accident waiting to happen.
Your biggest decision is mount type: 3-point hitch or front-end loader. A 3-point spear is the classic choice—it’s simple, affordable, and puts the bale’s weight on the stronger rear axle, which is great for stability. The downside is you’re always looking over your shoulder. A loader-mounted spear, usually using a skid steer quick attach plate, gives you incredible visibility and makes stacking bales in a barn a breeze. However, it puts a lot of stress on your front axle and requires significant rear ballast to be safe.
Finally, look at the spikes themselves. A single, large spear is great for piercing tight, frozen bales, but it can allow the bale to spin on you, especially on uneven ground. Spears with two or three tines—a main spear with smaller stabilizers below it—provide much better stability. Always look for forged, tapered spears. They are vastly stronger and penetrate better than a simple piece of sharpened pipe some cheap models use.
Titan 3-Point Hay Spear: A Versatile Workhorse
For many hobby farmers, the Titan 3-point spear is the go-to starting point, and for good reason. It hits that sweet spot of being affordable, widely available, and more than capable for moving the typical 4×4 or 4×5 round bales that compact tractors handle best. It’s the definition of a functional, no-frills tool.
What you get is a solid A-frame design that’s compatible with Category 1 and 2 hitches, covering almost every compact and small utility tractor out there. The main spear is usually heat-treated and rated for a couple thousand pounds, which is a comfortable safety margin for the 800-1,200 pound bales you’re likely moving. The smaller stabilizer spears prevent that annoying bale spin, which is a feature you’ll appreciate the first time you try to back up a slight incline.
Old-timers trust this kind of setup because it’s a known quantity. It’s not over-engineered, but it’s not flimsy, either. It’s a dependable workhorse that lets you get the feeding done without a second thought, season after season. It proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a reliable tool.
Worksaver SSBS-48S for Skid Steer Compatibility
If your compact tractor’s front-end loader has a universal skid steer quick attach (SSQA) plate, your world of attachments opens up considerably. The Worksaver SSBS-48S is a prime example of why a loader-mounted spear is so popular. It’s built tough and designed for the convenience that modern tractors offer.
The biggest advantage here is speed and visibility. Popping off your bucket and attaching the spear takes less than a minute. You drive straight into the bale, watching the spear enter, and can then lift and place it with precision. Stacking bales two or three high in a tight shed is simple with a loader spear; it’s nearly impossible with a 3-point model.
Worksaver has a reputation for building quality equipment, and this spear is no exception. The frame is stout and the spears are forged, designed to handle daily use. For the hobby farmer who values efficiency, being able to quickly switch from moving mulch with a bucket to moving hay with a spear makes a huge difference on a busy weekend. It turns your tractor into a far more versatile machine.
SpeeCo Single-Spike Carrier: Simple & Reliable
Sometimes, the simplest design is the most trustworthy. The SpeeCo single-spike carrier is the essence of this philosophy. It’s typically just a heavy-duty 3-point frame with one massive, forged spear in the center. There are no extra parts, no small tines to bend, and nothing to complicate the process.
The single spike has one major advantage: piercing power. All the force of your tractor is concentrated on one point, allowing it to slide into even the densest, wettest, or most frozen bales with little effort. This can be a lifesaver in the dead of winter when a multi-tine spear might struggle to get a bite.
Of course, there’s a tradeoff. With only a single point of contact, the bale is free to rotate. This isn’t a big deal on flat ground, but it can be a real nuisance on a slope or when trying to place a bale perfectly into a round feeder. It requires a bit more care from the operator, but its bulletproof simplicity is why so many old-timers swear by it. It’s a tool that will likely outlast the tractor it’s attached to.
CountyLine 3-Point Spear for Heavy Round Bales
You can find CountyLine attachments at Tractor Supply stores across the country, and their accessibility is a huge part of their appeal. Their 3-point hay spear is a common sight on small farms because it’s built to a standard that works for most people, and it’s often rated for bales up to 2,000 pounds or more.
While your compact tractor probably can’t lift that much, the higher rating speaks to its robust construction. The frame is typically made of thick square tubing, and the main spear is a high-tensile, forged unit that inspires confidence. This overbuilt nature provides a welcome safety margin when you’re bouncing across a rough pasture with an 1,100-pound bale on the back.
The trust in this brand comes from its sheer prevalence. So many farmers use them that they have a proven track record of reliability. It’s a practical, no-nonsense choice for someone who needs to move standard round bales and wants a tool they can count on without having to special order it. It’s the dependable blue jeans of hay spears.
Everything Attachments Wicked Spear Durability
The name says it all. Everything Attachments has built a reputation for over-engineering their equipment, and their "Wicked Spear" is a testament to that. This is the spear for the farmer who subscribes to the "buy once, cry once" philosophy and wants a tool that will be passed down to the next generation.
What sets it apart is the quality of materials and construction. The frame is often made from thicker US steel, the welds are immaculate, and most importantly, the spears themselves are typically high-quality, German-made forged tines. These aren’t just strong; they’re designed with a specific taper and finish that allows for easy penetration and release from the bale.
This level of quality comes at a higher price point, of course. But what you’re buying is peace of mind. You’ll never have to worry about a bent tine or a cracked weld when you’re in the back forty trying to get chores done before a storm rolls in. Old-timers respect tools that are built without compromise, and the Wicked Spear is a modern example of that old-school dedication to durability.
Blue Diamond Severe Duty for Tough Conditions
When you move past hobby use and into territory where your equipment absolutely cannot fail, you get to Blue Diamond. Their Severe Duty line of attachments is designed for contractors and full-time ranchers, but for a hobby farmer in harsh conditions, it can be a very wise investment. This is for moving extremely dense silage bales or working in frozen, unforgiving environments.
These are almost always loader-mounted spears with massive frames and multiple, heavy-duty forged tines. The steel is thicker, the gusseting is extensive, and the entire unit is designed to withstand the twisting and shock loads that would pretzel a lesser spear. It’s built on the assumption that it will be used hard, every single day.
Why would an old-timer trust such a heavy-duty piece of gear? Because it eliminates a potential point of failure. When you’re feeding animals in a blizzard, the reliability of your equipment is paramount. A Blue Diamond spear is an investment in ensuring the job gets done, no matter what. It’s overkill for many, but for some, it’s the only sensible choice.
Matching Spear Capacity to Your Compact Tractor
Here is the most important rule: Your tractor’s lift capacity is the only number that matters. A hay spear rated for 3,500 pounds is a dangerous liability on a compact tractor that can only lift 1,500 pounds at the loader pins. You must know your machine’s limits.
Remember that a tractor’s stated lift capacity is measured right at the pivot pins. A round bale sitting on a spear is two to three feet out in front of those pins. That leverage drastically reduces your real-world lifting ability. A good rule of thumb is that your actual safe working load with a spear is about 50-60% of the number printed in the brochure.
Finally, ballast is not optional. If you’re using a front-end loader spear, you absolutely must have weight on the back of the tractor. A heavy box blade, a loaded ballast box, or fluid-filled rear tires are essential to keep the rear wheels on the ground and maintain steering control. For a 3-point spear, keeping your loader and bucket attached provides the necessary front-end ballast. Ignoring proper ballasting is the single fastest way to put your tractor—and yourself—in a very dangerous position.
Ultimately, the best bale spear is the one that safely and efficiently fits your system. It’s not about having the biggest or most expensive, but about having the right tool for your tractor, your bales, and your property. Choose wisely, always prioritize safety, and you’ll have a trusted partner for getting the hay moved for years to come.
