Ask the Mechanic

Steve Thompson, Contributing Columnist

I can't say enough about "spear safety." Hay spears seem to want to stick everything they get near, including people who walk into them or even fuel storage tanks just resting there. We were lucky on this one -- almost penetrated a full tank of diesel.

Around our place, since that incident happened, we always try to lower the forks with the points down. Then, we place a milk jug that we keep wired on the longest fork where people or animals will be walking around the round bale feeder equipment.

Also, be careful after dropping a round bale in the pasture, especially on the rear spear that is much harder to see. Hungry cows don't like to leave the hay, and they make a good target for a moving hay spear.

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-- Write Steve Thompson at Ask The Mechanic, 2204 Lakeshore Dr., Suite 415, Birmingham, AL 35209, or email mechanic@progressivefarmer.com, and be sure to include your phone number.

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