55SX 55 Inch Cross-Bolt Bale Spear with 175 Sleeve

Description

The HAYSTIX® 55SX 55 inch cross-bolt bale spear is a complete spear-and-sleeve assembly for building or repairing compatible hay-handling frames. It combines a straight 55 inch by 1.75 inch square-profile tine with the matching 175 weld-in sleeve, cross-bolt, retaining nut, and applicable mounting hardware. The individual spear is rated at 3,500 pounds at a 30 inch load center.

The 55SX uses a straight cross-hole mounting system rather than a tapered seat or Doublenut® connection. Its retaining bolt passes through aligned holes in both the spear and sleeve. This distinction helps farmers, equipment owners, and fabricators avoid mixing incompatible straight and tapered mounting components.

55 Inch Cross-Bolt Bale Spear for Extended Reach

The 55 inch length provides deep engagement in properly sized round bales, square bales, straw, silage, haylage, cornstalk bales, and other dense baled feed. Extended reach can help a properly designed attachment maintain contact while lifting from the field, unloading trailers, stacking hay, or carrying feed to livestock. The square shaft must be oriented correctly so its cross hole aligns with the sleeve during installation.

This long hay tine may be incorporated into attachments carried by tractor front-end loaders, skid steers, telehandlers, wheel loaders, bale movers, and other suitable agricultural machines. A tractor loader frame may carry feed between storage and pasture, while a skid steer attachment can work in tighter barns, lots, and feeding areas. These examples describe possible applications rather than universal direct fit.

The sleeve must be welded into a hay frame with suitable structure, spear placement, spacing, coupler geometry, and operating clearance. Machine type alone cannot confirm compatibility. Buyers comparing other complete assemblies and replacement components can review PRO-Link’s HAYSTIX® cross-bolt bale spears and hay tines.

Longer penetration does not replace correct load positioning or stabilizer tines when the attachment design requires them. Bale control depends on the frame, spear spacing, bale condition, terrain, travel speed, and loader angle. Penn State Extension’s guidance for safely moving and storing large hay bales reinforces the importance of matching the machine to the load, moving slowly, and keeping the bale low during travel.

Installing the 175 Sleeve and Retaining Bolt

The included 175 cross-bolt bale spear mount is a weld-in sleeve. The sleeve is welded into suitable steel, while the bolt retains the removable spear inside that sleeve. Remove the tine, bolt, nut, and related hardware before welding.

A qualified fabricator should determine the collar position, projection, supporting steel, alignment, and welding procedure. Once the sleeve and frame have cooled, slide the straight shaft into the mount until the cross holes align. Insert the specified bolt through both components and secure it with the retaining nut. Never force the bolt through misaligned holes or substitute hardware intended for a tapered spear.

The mechanical connection allows the tine to be removed later without cutting a serviceable sleeve from the frame. When only the spear requires replacement, the SM55SX 55 inch replacement hay tine provides the corresponding no-sleeve service part.

The published capacity applies to the individual spear, not the finished attachment. The lowest rating among the spear, sleeve, bolt, welds, frame, coupler, loader, and machine sets the working limit. Inspect the point, square shaft, cross hole, bolt, nut, sleeve, welds, and frame regularly. Stop operating if any component is loose, bent, cracked, stretched, distorted, or excessively worn. The 55SX is covered by PRO-Link’s one-year limited warranty against manufacturer’s defects, subject to the complete terms.

Questions & Answers

What comes with the 55SX?

The complete assembly includes the 55 inch square bale spear, 175 weld-in sleeve, cross-bolt, retaining nut, and applicable mounting hardware.

Is the 55SX tapered or cross-bolted?

It is a straight cross-hole spear. The bolt passes through aligned holes in the tine and 175 sleeve; the assembly does not use a tapered seat or nut-tightened spear connection.

What equipment can use this 55 inch cross-bolt bale spear?

It may be fabricated into compatible hay frames carried by tractors, skid steers, front-end loaders, telehandlers, wheel loaders, and bale movers. Final fit depends on the frame, mounting geometry, clearances, and complete equipment ratings.