Patent ID: 8764369

Claim:
A folding bale spear system comprising a frame mounted to the rear of a tractor, left and right fork posts, rotatably secured to the frame, left and right bale spears, one secured to the left fork post and one secured to the right fork post, wherein one of the bale spears is secured to one of the fork posts in a position, when secured to the farm implement, which is located higher above the ground than the other bale spear, and a means for rotation of the left and right fork posts, which means is secured to the fork posts, such that in an open position, the bale spears are extended rearwardly from the frame and, in a closed position, the bale spears are rotated to cross each other to a position substantially parallel to the frame, wherein the means for rotation of the fork posts comprises a hydraulic cylinder secured between the fork posts and attachable to an hydraulic system of the tractor, wherein the frame comprises a pair of vertical frame members, to which the left and right fork posts are rotatably secured, and a horizontal frame member secured between the pair of vertical frame members, wherein a pair of fork pins rotatably secure the left and right fork posts to the pair of vertical frame members, wherein the left and right fork posts comprise a pair of pin rail bushings, and wherein the vertical frame members further comprise a second pair of pin rail bushings which operate in coordination with the fork pins such that the fork posts can rotate at least 60 degrees in rotation about the fork pins when rotated by the rotation means.