Section 7: Troubleshooting
Table of Contents
1/30/19
BS10, BS20, BSE10, & BSE20 Bale Spears 319-062M
15
Troubleshooting Chart
Problem
Cause
Solution
Cannot lift bale
Insufficient power to lift bale.
Switch to a tractor or skid steer that is
rated for more lift capacity.
Bale Spear moves on hitch plate
Locking pins are not engaged.
Engage locking pins.
Bale Spear Hitch is not properly attached
to loader hitch.
Reattach Bale Spear Hitch to loader.
Always make certain hitch is properly
attached before lifting a bale.
Spear(s) are bending or
breaking
Spear(s) are not fully inserted into the bale
and bale is not resting against the hitch
frame.
Reposition bale so that the spear(s) are
fully inserted and bale is resting against
the hitch frame.
Traveling too fast causing the bale to
bounce on the spear(s).
Reduce speed to a safe non-bouncing
speed.
Misuse of Bale Spear(s) such as prying
objects out of the ground.
Use Bale Spear(s) to carry bales only.
Bale is falling off end of
spear(s)
Spear(s) are not fully inserted into the bale
with bale against the hitch frame.
Reposition bale so that the spear(s) are
fully inserted and bale is resting against
the hitch frame.
Traveling with spear(s) level or tilted down
at the front.
Operate hydraulics to tilt spear(s) up
5 - 10 degrees from the horizontal.
Traveling too fast.
Reduce speed to a safe non-bouncing
speed.
Spear(s) are bent down.
Reduce speed to a safe non-bouncing
speed. Rotate bent spear(s) 180 degrees
so that they point up or replace the
spear(s) if they are bent excessively.
Skid Steer or Tractor wants to
tip over on its side
Bale is being carried too high.
Keep bale low to the ground to help
maintain stability of tractor or skid steer.
Traveling sideways to an incline.
Travel straight up and down inclines.
Skid Steer or Tractor wants to
tip forward.
The tractor or skid steer does not have
enough ballast on the rear.
Add ballast weight to the rear of the tractor
or skid steer.
Traveling forward while going down an
incline with a slope in excess of 10
percent.
Back down steep inclines.
Bale does not carry level
One of two spears is bent.
Replace bent spear.
Section 7: Troubleshooting