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 combines a straight 49-inch by 1.75-inch four-sided fluted tine with the matching 175 weld-in sleeve, cross-bolt, retaining nut, and applicable hardware. Rated at 3,500 pounds at a 30-inch load center, this hay fork is built for moving suitable round bales, square bales, straw, haylage, silage, cornstalk bales, and other compressed feed materials.

Despite the “bolt-up” description, the entire attachment does not bolt directly onto a tractor or skid steer. The 175 collar is welded into a properly designed hay frame. The spear then slides into that sleeve and is retained by a bolt passing through aligned holes in both parts. This serviceable connection allows a worn hay stab to be removed without cutting a usable collar from the frame.

Fluted Profile for Different Hay and Bale Shapes

The 49FX is a straight, non-tapered spear. Its four-sided fluted shape narrows toward the point to help it enter tightly packed material progressively. The profile can support smoother penetration and withdrawal while the 49-inch reach provides useful engagement for lifting, feeding, unloading, carrying, and stacking bales.

Hay type and bale construction affect the way any bale spike performs. Alfalfa, Bermuda grass, prairie hay, mixed-grass hay, straw, cornstalk material, silage, and haylage can differ considerably in density and moisture. Round bales also vary in diameter and width, while square bales range from small two- or three-string packages to large compressed rectangular bales.

Common round-bale dimensions include 4 × 4, 4 × 5, 5 × 5, and 5 × 6 feet, but size does not establish weight or compatibility. A wet, tightly packed, or wrapped bale may weigh much more than a dry bale of similar dimensions. Large square bales may also require multiple spears or stabilizer tines arranged in a properly engineered carrier. Buyers should match the spear layout, frame, and machine to the actual bale rather than choosing by dimensions alone.

When fabricated into the correct attachment, the 49FX may work as a bale fork for a tractor front-end loader, a skid steer hay spear for tighter feeding areas, or a hay sticker in suitable telehandler, wheel-loader, and bale-mover frames. These are potential machine applications, not universal direct fit. AG-GO offers different hay-frame styles that use sleeves and spears, but the exact frame configuration must be confirmed for the 175 collar and 49-inch cross-hole tine.

Installing the 175 Cross-Hole Sleeve

The included 175 weld-in sleeve must be installed in suitable steel tubing or another supported frame location. Remove the spear and cross-bolt before welding. A qualified fabricator should determine the sleeve direction, projection, alignment, surrounding steel, and weld procedure required for the finished hay attachment.

After the collar and frame cool, slide the tine into the sleeve until the cross holes align. Insert the correct bolt through both components and secure it with the retaining nut. Do not force the hardware through misaligned holes. This mechanical retention differs from a Conus II system, where a tapered shank seats inside a collar and mounting nuts draw it into position.

The individual spear’s published rating does not establish or increase the capacity of the sleeve installation, welds, frame, coupler, loader, or carrying machine. Always follow the lowest rating in the complete system and keep the bale low during travel. Inspect the point, flutes, shaft, cross hole, bolt, nut, collar, 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 retaining bolt passes through aligned holes in the tine and 175 sleeve; it does not use a Conus II taper.

What is included with this 49-inch bolt-up hay spear?

The assembly includes the 49-inch fluted spear, 175 weld-in sleeve, cross-bolt, retaining nut, and applicable mounting hardware.

Can the 49FX handle round and square bales?

It may be used for suitable round or square bales when the spear arrangement, frame, attachment, machine capacity, bale size, density, and moisture are all appropriate.