48SB1 48 Inch Bolt-On Bale Spear Kit – Hayspears®

The Hayspears® 48SB1 48 inch bolt-on bale spear kit gives farmers and equipment owners a complete bracket-mounted system for compatible hay frames made with 3 inch by 3 inch square tubing. It combines the S48S 48 inch fluted cross-bolt spear, 155BU bracket, two 58X3U U-bolt assemblies, spear-retaining cross-bolt, and required fastening hardware. No welding is required to mount the bracket to a suitable frame.

The 1.625 inch spear is rated at 3,000 pounds at a 30 inch load center. Its 48 inch reach provides deep engagement for properly supported round and square bales, while the removable bracket system makes the assembly easier to install, inspect, reposition, or service than a permanent weld-in collar.

Installing the 48 Inch Bolt-On Bale Spear Kit

The 48SB1 uses two separate fastening connections. The cross-bolt passes through aligned holes in the straight spear and 155BU bracket to retain the tine. The two U-bolts wrap around compatible 3 inch by 3 inch square tubing and clamp the bracket to the frame. The U-bolts mount the bracket; they do not retain the spear.

Before installation, measure the tubing and inspect its condition. Heavy paint, weld beads, dents, added plates, corrosion, crushed walls, or incompatible corner shapes can prevent the bracket and U-bolts from seating evenly. The frame must also provide adequate strength, clearance, spear position, and support for the intended bale.

Position the bracket according to the attachment layout. Place both U-bolts evenly around the tubing and tighten the nuts gradually so the bracket stays square and does not twist. After the first operating cycles, recheck the hardware and bracket position. The individual 58X3U U-bolt assembly is available separately for maintenance; one product package contains one U-bolt, matching nuts, and flat washers.

The 48SB1 may be mounted on compatible tractor-loader frames, skid steer hay attachments, three-point bale movers, or other agricultural carriers built around suitable 3 inch square tubing. These applications do not make the kit a direct fit for every machine. Confirm the frame, coupler, clearances, bracket location, attachment rating, and machine capacity before use.

Fluted Spear Performance and 39SB1 Conversion Option

The S48S spear has fluted sides that help reduce contact with compacted bale material during insertion and withdrawal. Install the fluted sides parallel to the ground so the profile works in its intended orientation. The 48 inch length can support controlled feeding, trailer unloading, bale transport, and stacking when the attachment and machine are properly matched to the load.

Hay, straw, silage, haylage, and cornstalk bales can vary considerably in moisture, density, dimensions, and weight. Spear length alone does not establish capacity or stability. Some large or uneven bales may require additional primary spears, stabilizers, or a different frame arrangement. Keep the load low while traveling and avoid sudden starts, stops, or turns.

The bracket also provides a useful length-change option within this PRO-Link Hayspears® family. The 48SB1 configuration uses the 48 inch S48S. Replacing it with the 39 inch S39S cross-bolt spear creates the shorter 39SB1 bolt-on hay spear configuration. Both choices use the 1.625 inch cross-bolt design, allowing an operator to select the reach that better suits the bale and working area while keeping the correctly matched bracket setup.

The published 3,000 pound rating applies to the individual spear at the stated load center. The lowest-rated part of the spear, bracket, cross-bolt, U-bolts, frame, coupler, or machine controls the completed system. Inspect every connection regularly. The 48SB1 is covered by PRO-Link’s one-year limited warranty against manufacturer’s defects and is also listed by PRO-Link dealer D&D Farm Supply.

Questions & Answers

What comes with this 48 inch bolt-on bale spear kit?

The kit includes the S48S 48 inch fluted spear, 155BU bracket, two U-bolt assemblies, cross-bolt, nuts, washers, and applicable installation hardware.

Does installing the 48SB1 require welding?

No. The bracket clamps around compatible 3 inch by 3 inch square tubing with U-bolts. Confirm the tubing size, condition, frame strength, and operating clearances first.

Can the 48SB1 be converted to the shorter 39SB1 setup?

Yes. Replacing the S48S with the 1.625 inch S39S cross-bolt spear creates the 39SB1 configuration when the existing bracket and hardware remain correctly matched and serviceable.