Among its comprehensive range of JCB Agri attachments for its telehandlers and loaders for the fodder-making season are new bale spikes in single and multiple-tine configurations, a roller-type silage-bale handler and a ‘clap hands’ grab for wrapped and unwrapped bales.

The products are certified for use with JCB machines and in addition to being strong and durable are easily installed and operated on the diverse range of JCB materials handling machines.

The single and twin-spike attachments are fitted with shorter supplementary tines that help secure the load safely. The single-bale option suits machines such as the JCB TM180 and TM220 telescopic compact loaders, as well as the TM310 full-size machine plus the 526-56 and 527-58 compact and larger telehandlers when fitted with compact tool carrier, standard tool carrier, Q-Fit and pin and cone attachment interfaces.

The compact machines equipped with either of the tool carrier units can also handle the larger version, two spiked version for twin round bales or a single rectangular bale up to 1.2m (4ft) square and 2.5m (8ft) long.

Other bale handling options include a convertible bale spike with bolt-on tines that enable the attachment to be used in single or twin-spike configuration. Either can be chosen to suit the capacity of the loader being used and the removable tines are also easily replaced when worn or taken off for added safety when travelling on the road.

A high-back frame version with 40mm forged square tines provides added stability for placing bales on to a stack or retrieving them subsequently, especially when the high lift capability of a telehandler is being exploited.

When delicate handling of silage bales is called for, the JCB ‘clap hands’ grab and roller tine attachments is an option, especially for wrapped bales.

The former has a double-acting hydraulic cylinder to close tubular frame ‘paddles’ against a big rectangular bale or a round bale – whether sitting on-end or with the curved side to the ground – while the heavy-duty 12mm tubes of the roller design gently cradles and lifts from beneath the curved side of a round bale.