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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gearclash" data-source="post: 131516" data-attributes="member: 11467"><p>Don't under any circumstances use a spear that attaches to a bucket.  The extra distance utterly kills the lift rating.  Even with a QT spear, a 5' wide bale sticks out enough to trim a little off the rating.  If your bales weigh up to 1700 lbs, I would find a loader rated for at least 1700 lbs.  A 1700 lb bale will tip a machine sooner than a 1700lb SAE load would but the safety cushion built into the official rating will keep you in a functional zone.  I handle 5x6 bales regularly with a machine rated for 1200 lbs, and that is an old rating, not the half of tipping rating that is used today.  A 1200 lb 5x6 will have me on the front wheels only regularly.  If you are a novice skid steer operator, don't be pushing the rating.</p></blockquote><p></p>