49FX 49 Inch Bolt-Up Hay Spear with 175 Sleeve

The HAYSTIX® 49FX 49 inch bolt-up hay spear is a complete cross-hole assembly for fabricating or repairing compatible bale-handling frames. It includes a straight 49 inch by 1.75 inch four-sided fluted tine, the matching 175 weld-in sleeve, cross-bolt, retaining nut, and applicable hardware. The individual spear is rated at 3,500 pounds at a 30 inch load center.

“Bolt-up” describes how the removable spear is retained inside the sleeve. It does not mean the complete assembly bolts directly onto a tractor, skid steer, or loader. The 175 collar must be welded into a properly designed frame, and the bolt then passes through aligned holes in the sleeve and spear.

49 Inch Bolt-Up Hay Spear for Varied Bale Work

The 49FX is straight and non-tapered. Its four-sided fluted profile narrows toward the point, helping it enter compressed material progressively. This shape can support smoother penetration and withdrawal when lifting, carrying, feeding, unloading, or stacking suitable hay, straw, silage, haylage, and cornstalk bales.

Bale construction affects how the tine and attachment perform. Alfalfa, Bermuda grass, prairie hay, mixed-grass hay, straw, and higher-moisture feed can vary considerably in density and finished weight. Common round bales may be described as 4 × 4, 4 × 5, 5 × 5, or 5 × 6, but dimensions alone do not establish weight or equipment compatibility. Large square bales may require multiple primary spears or stabilizer tines positioned in an engineered frame.

When fabricated into the correct carrier, the 49FX may be used in tractor front-end loader frames, skid steer hay attachments, telehandler carriers, wheel-loader frames, bale movers, and certain AG-GO hay-handling attachments. These are potential applications rather than direct-fit claims. The complete setup must provide the correct sleeve location, tine spacing, coupler geometry, structural support, operating clearance, and capacity.

A national Cooperative Extension resource on safely handling round bales recommends using an attachment designed for bale handling and confirming that both the tractor and attachment can safely handle the bale’s size and weight. Operators should also keep the load low, travel slowly, and avoid sudden starts, stops, or turns.

Buyers comparing this mounting method with other complete and replacement models can review PRO-Link’s HAYSTIX® cross-bolt bale spears.

Welding the 175 Sleeve and Aligning the Cross-Bolt

The included 175 cross-bolt bale spear mount is a weld-in sleeve for a properly matched straight tine. Remove the spear, cross-bolt, nut, and related hardware before welding. A qualified fabricator should determine the sleeve direction, projection, alignment, supporting steel, spear angle, and welding procedure required by the finished attachment.

After the collar and surrounding frame have cooled, inspect the opening and remove anything that could interfere with installation. Slide the spear into the sleeve until the cross holes align. Insert the specified bolt through both components and secure it with the retaining nut. Do not force hardware through misaligned openings or substitute a tapered, nut-retained spear.

This connection allows a worn or damaged tine to be removed later without cutting a serviceable sleeve from the frame. If only the spear needs replacement, the SM49FX 49 inch cross-bolt bale stab provides the corresponding spear-only component without the sleeve or mounting hardware.

The 3,500 pound rating applies to the individual spear, not the completed attachment. The lowest rating among the tine, sleeve, bolt, welds, frame, coupler, loader, and machine sets the working limit. Inspect the point, flutes, shaft, cross hole, hardware, sleeve, welds, and frame regularly. The 49FX is covered by PRO-Link’s one-year limited warranty against manufacturer’s defects, subject to the complete terms.

Questions & Answers

Is the 49FX tapered or cross-bolted?

The 49FX is a straight cross-hole spear. A bolt passes through aligned holes in the tine and 175 sleeve; it does not use a tapered mounting seat.

What comes with this 49 inch bolt-up hay spear?

The assembly includes the fluted spear, 175 weld-in sleeve, cross-bolt, retaining nut, and applicable mounting hardware.

Can the 49FX handle round and square bales?

It may handle suitable round or square bales when the spear arrangement, stabilizers, frame, bale weight, machine capacity, and working conditions are appropriate.