6 Hay Hooks For Small Tractor Attachments That Save Your Back

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Choosing the Right Spear for Your Compact Tractor

Not all hay spears are created equal, and the biggest mistake is buying one that doesn’t match your tractor. The first thing to check is your tractor’s 3-point hitch category. Most compact and sub-compact tractors use a Category 1 hitch, so you’ll want an implement built for it.

The next, and most critical, factor is lift capacity. Your tractor’s manual will tell you how much weight its 3-point hitch can safely lift. A 25-horsepower tractor might only lift 800 pounds, while a 40-horsepower model could handle 2,000 pounds or more. Never exceed your tractor’s lift capacity. A 1,200-pound round bale on a tractor rated for 800 pounds won’t just strain the hydraulics; it can lift the front wheels off the ground, causing a complete loss of steering and a dangerously unstable situation.

Finally, consider the bales you move. Are they 4×4 round bales weighing 600 pounds, or dense 5×5 bales pushing 1,500 pounds? Do you ever move large square bales? The size and weight of your typical bale will determine the spear length and overall frame strength you need. A heavy-duty spear designed for massive bales is overkill and dead weight for a sub-compact tractor moving smaller forage.

Titan 3-Point Stabilizer Hay Spear Attachment

If you’re moving round bales with any regularity, you’ll quickly appreciate the value of stabilizer spears. The Titan attachment is a popular, budget-friendly option that includes two smaller spears below the main one. This design is incredibly effective at preventing the bale from spinning during transport.

Imagine driving across a bumpy pasture with a single-spear mover. Every dip and rut can cause the bale to rotate, shifting the center of gravity and making the tractor feel tippy. The stabilizer spears bite into the bale and lock it in place, providing a much more secure and predictable ride. This is especially important when navigating hills or tight turns around the barn.

This type of spear is a great all-around choice for compact tractors in the 30-50 horsepower range. It typically has a weight capacity that can handle most common round bales (often rated up to 2,000 lbs or more), but as always, the limiting factor is your tractor’s own capability. It hits a sweet spot of functionality and price for the hobby farmer who needs reliability without a commercial-grade price tag.

CountyLine 3-Point Hitch Sub-Compact Spear

The "sub-compact" in the name is the most important feature here. These spears, often found at retailers like Tractor Supply, are specifically designed for the smallest class of tractors—those under 25 horsepower. They feature a lighter frame and are built with the lower lift capacity of these machines in mind.

Trying to use a heavy, overbuilt spear on a sub-compact tractor is counterproductive. The implement itself might weigh 150 pounds, eating into your precious lift capacity before you’ve even picked up the bale. A lighter spear designed for the job means more of your tractor’s power can be dedicated to lifting the hay itself.

This is the perfect tool for someone moving smaller 4×4 round bales that typically weigh between 600 and 800 pounds. It’s a no-frills, get-the-job-done implement. While it may lack the stabilizer spears of larger models, its simple design is easy to hook up and is perfectly matched to the scale of a sub-compact machine.

Everything Attachments Single Bale Hay Mover

When you see the name "Everything Attachments," you can generally expect a focus on build quality and durability, and their hay spears are no exception. These are often made in the USA with heavy-gauge steel and high-quality welds. This isn’t the cheapest option on the market, but it’s built for the person who believes in "buy it once, cry it once."

The design is typically straightforward but robust. The A-frame structure is engineered to handle stress without flexing, and the spear itself is usually a high-tensile, forged steel component that resists bending. This is the kind of tool that will look just as good in ten years as it does the day you buy it, even after moving hundreds of bales.

Who is this for? It’s for the serious hobby farmer who relies on their equipment day in and day out. If you’re managing a dozen acres and moving 50 or 100 bales a year, the extra investment in quality pays off in reliability and peace of mind. You won’t have to worry about a weld cracking or the frame tweaking when you’re lifting a heavy, rain-soaked bale at the far end of your property.

SpeeCo S07020100 Quick-Hitch Hay Mover

The standout feature of this mover is its compatibility with a quick-hitch system. If you find yourself constantly swapping between 3-point implements—a box blade today, a finish mower tomorrow, a hay spear this afternoon—a quick hitch is a game-changer. It saves you from wrestling with stubborn lift arm pins and top links.

A quick-hitch compatible spear is designed with the correct dimensions to slide right into the hooks of the system, allowing you to attach the implement without ever leaving the tractor seat. This transforms a frustrating, five-minute task into a seamless, 30-second operation. The time and frustration saved over a season is significant.

This spear is the clear choice for the farmer who values efficiency. If your time is limited and you want to streamline your workflow, pairing a quick-hitch system with compatible attachments like this one is a smart move. The spear itself is typically a solid, no-nonsense design, but its true value lies in how easily it integrates into a system designed for speed.

Worksaver SSBH-42 Bolt-On Skid Steer Spear

This option is fundamentally different from the others. It’s not a 3-point implement at all; it’s a set of spears designed to bolt onto the front of your tractor’s bucket. This is an excellent, low-cost solution for someone who only needs to move a handful of bales each year.

The primary advantage is versatility and cost. You don’t need a dedicated 3-point attachment that you’ll only use a few times. You can install the spears when you need them and remove them when you’re done, freeing up your 3-point hitch for other tasks. It’s a simple, effective way to add hay-moving capability to a machine you already have.

However, there are tradeoffs. A bucket-mounted spear puts more stress on your loader arms and bucket than a 3-point spear puts on the rear of the tractor. Visibility can also be more challenging, and it can feel less stable than a rear-mounted implement, which keeps the weight closer to the tractor’s large rear tires. It’s a fantastic solution for occasional use, but for frequent work, a dedicated 3-point spear is often the better, more stable choice.

King Kutter 3-Point Hitch Carry-All Hay Spear

For the hobby farmer with limited storage space and an even more limited budget, a multi-purpose tool is a huge win. The King Kutter Carry-All is a perfect example. At its core, it’s a sturdy platform for hauling everything from feed bags and firewood to fencing supplies. But with the addition of a spear attachment, it transforms into a capable hay mover.

This dual-functionality is its greatest strength. You’re buying one implement that does the job of two. During the summer, it moves hay. In the fall, you can remove the spear and use the platform to haul pumpkins from the garden or tools to a worksite. This saves money, reduces clutter in the barn, and makes your tractor more versatile.

Is it the absolute best hay spear or the absolute best carry-all? Probably not. A dedicated implement will always be slightly better at its specific task. But for a small-scale operation, this combination is often more than good enough, providing an incredible amount of utility in a single, affordable package.

Key Features: Spear Length and Weight Capacity

When you cut through all the brand names and designs, your decision boils down to two key specifications: spear length and weight capacity. Getting these right is crucial for both safety and effectiveness. A spear that is too short for a large round bale may not secure it properly, allowing it to shift or fall off. A spear that is too long for small square bales is just awkward and can get in the way.

• Main Spear Length: A 48- or 49-inch spear is standard for large round bales, providing the penetration needed to keep the bale stable. For smaller round bales or large square bales, a shorter spear around 39 inches might be more manageable.
• Weight Capacity: This is non-negotiable. The spear’s capacity must be rated for the bales you plan to lift. But more importantly, your tractor’s 3-point lift capacity is the true limit. A spear rated for 3,000 pounds is useless if your tractor can only lift 1,000 pounds.

Start by looking up your tractor’s 3-point lift capacity at the pin ends. Then, estimate the maximum weight of the bales you handle. Choose a spear that is rated well above your bale weight but is matched to what your tractor can safely lift. This simple check ensures your equipment is balanced, safe, and ready for the job.

Ultimately, a hay spear is more than just a piece of steel; it’s a tool that buys you time and saves your body. By matching the spear to your tractor’s capabilities and the specific work you do, you transform one of the most physically demanding farm chores into a simple task. That frees you up to focus on the dozens of other things that need doing, which is the real secret to success on a small farm.