6 Best Trailer Hitch Hay Movers For Saving Time on Small Acreage

Moving round bales with a bucket is a recipe for torn wrap, wasted hay, and a sore back. You end up nudging, rolling, and wrestling a 1,000-pound beast across your property. A dedicated hay mover transforms this chore from a half-hour struggle into a two-minute task, freeing up precious time for the dozens of other things on your list. Choosing the right one depends entirely on the equipment you already own and the size of your bales.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Pierce ABS1K Receiver Hitch Bale Spear for ATVs

This spear is all about convenience and maneuverability. Designed specifically for ATVs and UTVs, the Pierce ABS1K shines when you need to get a single bale into a tight spot, like a paddock gate or a small run-in shed. Its lighter frame and lower capacity—typically around 1,000 pounds—are perfectly matched to the limitations of a four-wheeler.

The tradeoff is pure lifting power. You aren’t going to be stacking bales or moving heavy, wet silage with this setup. It’s a point-A-to-point-B tool for moving standard dry hay rolls across relatively level ground. Think of it as the perfect solution for getting that one bale from the drop-off spot by the road to the feeder in the back pasture without tearing up your lawn with a big tractor.

Titan Attachments 2" Hitch Hay Moving Spear

For anyone with a standard pickup truck or a heavy-duty UTV, the Titan 2" hitch spear is a go-to workhorse. It slides directly into any 2-inch receiver, making it incredibly simple to mount and use. These are built from solid steel and are designed to handle the abuse of daily farm chores without complaint.

This is your middle-of-the-road champion. It offers a significant step up in capacity from ATV-specific models, often rated for 1,500 to 2,000 pounds. This makes it suitable for larger 4×5 or even some 5×5 round bales. Its main advantage is leveraging a vehicle you already use daily, turning your truck into a capable hay hauler in seconds.

RanchEx Receiver Mount Hay Spear for Durability

Some equipment just feels like it’s built to last, and the RanchEx spear often falls into that category. The focus here is on robust construction, with attention paid to the quality of the welds and the thickness of the steel. This is the kind of tool you buy when you’re tired of replacing bent or broken equipment.

While it functions similarly to other receiver-mount spears, its durability gives you peace of mind. If you’re constantly moving bales over rough, bumpy terrain, the repeated stress can fatigue lesser-quality steel. Investing in a heavy-duty build like this means you’re less likely to be dealing with a catastrophic failure when you’re furthest from the barn. It’s a small premium for long-term reliability.

Field Tuff ATV-51HBSPR for Heavy-Duty Lifting

Don’t let the "ATV" in the name fool you; this model is built for serious work. The Field Tuff spear is often one of the more robust options available for receiver hitches, sometimes boasting a capacity that rivals entry-level 3-point hitch models. It’s designed for those pushing the limits of what a UTV or truck can handle.

This is the right choice if you consistently handle dense, heavy bales or work in demanding conditions. Its heavy-gauge steel frame and high-tensile spear can handle the torque and shock of lifting and moving bales that weigh 1,500 pounds or more. The key is to ensure your vehicle’s suspension and frame can actually handle the weight—the spear might be rated for it, but your ATV’s axles may not be.

Tarter 3-Point Sub-Compact Spear Versatility

Now we’re moving into a different class of tool. While the title says "trailer hitch," many small farms rely on sub-compact tractors, and a 3-point spear is the proper tool for that machine. The Tarter spear connects to a Category 1, 3-point hitch, leveraging the tractor’s hydraulic system to lift the bale completely off the ground.

This is a massive leap in capability. Instead of just carrying a bale low to the ground, you can now lift it high enough to stack, place it in taller feeders, or navigate much rougher terrain without dragging. This versatility is the primary reason to choose a 3-point system if you have a tractor. It moves beyond simple transport and becomes a true material-handling tool.

CountyLine 3-Point Spear for Small Tractors

The CountyLine spear, commonly found at farm supply stores, is a reliable and accessible option for anyone with a small utility tractor. It’s a straightforward, no-frills implement designed to do one job well: move round bales efficiently. Built for Category 1 hitches, it’s a perfect match for the 25-45 horsepower tractors common on small acreages.

This spear represents the standard for small tractor hay movement. It’s strong enough for typical 4×4 or 4×5 round bales and simple enough that it requires minimal maintenance. For a hobby farmer with a small tractor, this is often the most logical and cost-effective solution, providing the full lifting and stacking benefits of a 3-point hitch system without unnecessary complexity.

Understanding Conus 1 vs. Conus 2 Spear Types

The spear itself is the most critical component, and they come in two main "Conus" types. This isn’t just jargon; it’s a crucial detail for safety and performance. The difference lies in the diameter of the spear’s base where it mounts to the frame.

• Conus 1 (C1): Has a smaller tapered base. It’s designed for lighter-duty applications and is typically found on spears rated for bales up to about 1,500 pounds. Perfect for most ATV models and standard hay bales.
• Conus 2 (C2): Features a much larger, more robust tapered base. This is the heavy-duty standard for tractor-mounted spears and high-capacity receiver mounts, rated for bales weighing 2,500 pounds or more.

Using a Conus 1 spear for a bale that requires a Conus 2 is asking for trouble. The immense pressure can cause the spear to bend or snap at the base. Always match the spear type to your maximum bale weight and your equipment’s capability.

Choosing Stabilizer Bars for Your Hitch Mover

Those two smaller spikes on either side of the main spear are called stabilizer bars, and they are not optional. Their job is to prevent the round bale from rotating during transport. Without them, a bale could spin freely, shifting its center of gravity unexpectedly.

Imagine driving on a side-slope. If the bale rotates, it can easily throw the balance of your ATV or even a small truck, creating a dangerous rollover risk. Stabilizers lock the bale in place, keeping it secure and predictable. When choosing a mover, look for one with welded or heavy-duty bolt-on stabilizers. They are a non-negotiable safety feature for moving hay on anything but perfectly flat, smooth concrete.

Ultimately, the best hay mover is the one that fits the machine you already own and the work you need to do. Whether it’s a simple receiver spear for your UTV or a 3-point system for your sub-compact tractor, the right tool eliminates back-breaking labor and buys you back valuable time. Make your choice based on your reality—your equipment, your terrain, and your bales—and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without one.