SM49FX 49-Inch Cross-Bolt Bale Stab – Fluted Replacement

The HAYSTIX® SM49FX 49-inch cross-bolt bale stab is a spear-only replacement for serviceable hay frames that use a compatible straight cross-hole mounting system. It measures 49 inches long, has a 1.75-inch four-sided fluted profile, and carries a published rating of 3,500 pounds at a 30-inch load center. The SM49FX gives farmers, ranchers, equipment owners, and fabricators a way to replace a worn tine without automatically replacing a usable sleeve or rebuilding the complete attachment.

No sleeve, cross-bolt, retaining nut, or other mounting hardware is included. PRO-Link pairs this spear with the 175 weld-in collar in the complete 49FX assembly. The replacement tine may also work with another properly fitting sleeve made to accept the same straight 1.75-inch profile, provided the mounting dimensions and cross holes align correctly.

Fluted Replacement Tine for Different Bale Types

The SM49FX is straight and non-tapered. Its four-sided fluted shape narrows toward the point, helping the hay spike enter compressed material progressively. The 49-inch reach provides useful engagement when lifting, carrying, feeding, unloading, or stacking properly supported bales.

Farmers may handle alfalfa, Bermuda grass, prairie hay, clover, mixed-grass hay, wheat straw, cornstalk material, silage, or haylage. Each material can pack differently, and moisture can substantially change the finished weight. A wrapped silage bale or rain-soaked hay bale may be much heavier than dry hay of similar dimensions.

The same caution applies to bale shape. Round bales may include common 4 × 5 or 5 × 6 sizes, while large square or rectangular bales are often described by dimensions such as 3 × 3 or 3 × 4 feet. Those measurements do not guarantee that one spear, frame, or machine is suitable. Large square bales may require multiple tines, stabilizers, or a different frame arrangement. Match the hay stabber and carrier to the bale’s actual weight, density, shape, and center of gravity.

When installed in an appropriate attachment, the SM49FX can replace a tractor-loader hay fork, skid steer bale spike, or front-end-loader hay tine using the correct cross-hole collar. It may also serve in suitable telehandler, wheel-loader, bale-mover, commercial feeding, or custom-fabricated frames. AG-GO hay attachments use different spear and sleeve setups, so confirm the exact frame before assuming compatibility.

These machine references describe possible applications rather than direct fit. The attachment must provide the correct sleeve, spear placement, spacing, structure, coupler geometry, clearance, and total capacity for the carrying machine and bale.

Matching the Cross-Hole Sleeve and Hardware

Before reusing an existing collar, inspect its inside surface, cross holes, welds, and surrounding frame. Do not reuse a sleeve that is cracked, distorted, heavily corroded, excessively worn, loose in the frame, or unable to hold the replacement spear correctly. The PRO-Link 175 weld-in sleeve is available separately if the collar also needs replacement.

Slide the SM49FX into the compatible mount until the holes align. Install the correct cross-bolt through both components and secure it with the applicable retaining nut. Never force hardware through misaligned openings or substitute a tapered nut-retained system. The cross-bolt is what mechanically keeps this straight bale fork in the sleeve.

The 3,500-pound rating applies to the individual tine at the stated load center. It does not increase the capacity of an existing sleeve, welds, frame, coupler, tractor, skid steer, loader, or other machine. Follow the lowest rating in the complete system and keep the bale low during transport.

Inspect the spear point, flutes, shaft, cross hole, bolt, nut, collar, welds, and frame regularly. Stop operating if a component is loose, bent, cracked, stretched, or damaged. PRO-Link covers the SM49FX with a one-year limited warranty against manufacturer’s defects, subject to the complete warranty terms.

Questions & Answers

What is included with the SM49FX?

The SM49FX is the 49-inch fluted replacement spear only. A sleeve, cross-bolt, retaining nut, and mounting hardware are not included.

Will this 49-inch cross-bolt bale stab fit any 1.75-inch sleeve?

No. The sleeve must accept the straight spear profile and provide the correct dimensions, support, and cross-hole alignment. Verify the complete mounting fit before installation.

What machines may use the SM49FX hay tine?

It may replace a compatible spear in tractor-loader, skid-steer, front-end-loader, telehandler, wheel-loader, bale-mover, AG-GO, or custom hay frames. Machine type alone does not establish fit.