BALE HANDLING ATTACHMENTS AND IMPLEMENTS

Bale handling equipment includes attachments and implements designed to lift, move, stack, transport or unroll round and square bales. Bobcat® bale handling attachments and implements help you handle hay, straw and silage more efficiently by improving stability, visibility and control compared to manual handling or improvised methods. 

Bale handling attachments and implements are available in spear, fork and unroller configurations to match bale type and the job you need to do. Common options include bale spears (single or double) for round bales, bale forks for square bales and stacked bundles, and bale unrollers for controlled feeding. Bobcat offers models for multiple carriers, including Bob-Tach®-compatible attachments for loaders and 3-point hitch implements for sub-compact, compact and utility tractors. 

Choose a bale unroller when your main job is feeding, bedding or spreading hay material along surfaces (erosion control, moisture retention, composting support, etc.) and not just lifting and transporting bales.

Choose a bale spear for handling, moving, stacking or loading bales. Choose the single spear for handling single round bales – especially with dry hay or wrapped bales. Choose dual spears for better balance when transporting over rough terrain. 

While bale forks can carry round bales, they’re primarily designed for square bales and bundled stacks. For round bales, bale spears provide a more secure and efficient pickup. 

Bale fork vs. bale spear

• A bale fork is built to handle round, uneven, or square bales using a two-fork approach.
• A bale spear lineup is also available for round and square bales, with different model options sized for different bale types and handling needs.

The benefit of using a bale unroller helps you to feed livestock by spreading hay/straw in a controlled line and amounts, reducing trampling and waste. While the benefit of a bale spear is best for transportation or storage of bales, when you need to lift, move, load and stack bales from point A to B.

Yes. Bobcat bale attachments and implements offer Category 1 and Category 2, 3-point hitch compatibility for sub-compact tractors, compact tractors and even utility tractors, making them ideal for hay operations, livestock feeding and overall farm or agriculture operations.

Always refer to the compatibility models of the attachments or implements and contact your local Bobcat dealer for support.

Choosing the right tine or spear length comes down to matching it to your bale type, bale size, and how you plan to handle it (carry, stack, load, feed, etc.). Practical “rule of thumb” is match spear length to bale size and weight, or more specifically the following:

• Choose a longer main spear (around 42 in) when you need better penetration and carry control on round bales or larger square bales. Longer spears provide better penetration on large bales, but may require more lift power and rear ballast.
• Choose a shorter main spear (around 26 in) when your workflow is focused on small or medium square bales and you want a length suited to that bale profile.

Confirm the exact specifications for your model: Bobcat bale tools vary by configuration and platform, so the most accurate approach is to choose the model whose published tine length matches your bale type, handling goal and can meet the lift power. It’s important to confirm compatibility with your Bobcat dealer.