OPERATION
BS1-BS2 09/20
Operation Section 4-6
© 2020 Alamo Group Inc.
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4. BALE SPEAR OPERATION
By now you should have familiarized yourself with the Operator’s Manual for your Bale Spear. Proceed by
getting onto the seat of your Tractor or Skid Steer and starting it up. We recommend that you take a little time
to practice securely attaching and detaching your Bale Spear to and from your mounting plate. It is also
important to practice lifting, lowering, maneuvering, and placing a bale on a level site until you gain the
confidence and skill needed to have a good feel in what you are doing. We cannot over-stress the importance
of following the safety operating procedures that are spelled out in this Operator’s Manual. Do not exceed the
lift capacity of your Bale Spear, Tractor, or Skid Steer. Don’t lift your bale too high creating and unstable bale
and unsafe situation. Don’t tilt your bale too far forward, setting up a situation that could cause you bale to fall
off the spear(s). Don’t drive too fast for your ground conditions. Don’t work on or around slippery or sloped
areas that could cause you to lose control of the Tractor or Skid Steer. Don’t allow pedestrians, pets, or
livestock to approach the danger zone of your working area. Don’t leave your Tractor or loader with the Bale
Spear raised off the ground. If you follow these few safety reminders, you will find that you will quickly become
very adept, handy, and skillful at using your Bush Hog Bale Spear.
4.1 Picking up a Bale
1. Make sure the bale does not exceed the smaller of the lift capacities below:
•
Rated lift capacity of the spears (3500 Lbs @ 23-1/2”)
•
83% of the Skid Steer or Tractor rated lift capacity for an attached front loader.
Using 83% of the Skid Steer or Tractor rated lift capacity for an attached front loader
accounts for increased loader stresses caused by the added extension of the Bale Spear
and ensures that the front tires on your Skid Steer/Tractor are rated properly for the job.
The spear should be fully inserted into the bale before lifting the bale. Picking up heavy
bales without the spear(s) fully inserted can damage the unit and void its warranty
2. Stop completely before raising or lowering the spear(s) to the correct height. Insert spear(s) into the bale
as follows:
BS1SS, BS1E, BS1JD
1. Locate spear point at center of bale or a small distance vertically above center.
2. Check to make sure the two lower spikes will also insert into the bale. If lower spikes are positioned outside
of the bale, adjust spear height up until spikes will insert into the bale.
3. With spear level, drive spear into bale until spear and lower spikes are fully inserted and bale is against the
hitch frame.
Do not use an attachment that is not securely attached to the quick
hitch, The attachment could fall resulting in severe crushing injuries
or death to the operator or bystanders.
On level ground, tilt the attachment down 90° degrees and lower it to the ground. Lower
the loader further to slightly raise the front of the tractor off the ground. Drive the tractor
in reverse while the attachment is on the ground for 20-30 feet to ensure the
attachment does not disconnect. If the attachment disconnects during this process,
discontinue the use of the attachment and contact your dealer.
Summary of Contents for BS1 Series
Page 4: ...Safety Section 1 1 SAFETY SECTION ...
Page 19: ...SAFETY BS1 BS2 09 20 Safety Section 1 16 2020Alamo Group Inc ...
Page 20: ...Introduction Section 2 1 INTRODUCTION SECTION ...
Page 23: ......
Page 24: ...Assembly Section 3 1 ASSEMBLY SECTION ...
Page 26: ...Operation Section 4 1 OPERATION SECTION ...
Page 34: ...Maintenance Section 5 1 MAINTENANCE SECTION ...
Page 36: ......
Page 38: ...BS1 BS2 SOM 09 20 P N 50075568 Printed U S A BS1 BS2 BALE SPEAR ...