What type of steel to use?

[Dennybob]

I have been in the process of building a round bale unroller for 1200 lb bales. It's used in conjunction with a skid steer and you can spear the bale with the spike then rotate it up and set the whole apparatis on the ground then peel the hay off. We have 1 1/2" cold rolled bale spike that is necked down to 1" for the bearings in the hub we're using. On the trial run the spear bent right where it necks down to the bearing size of 1". So we are going to a larger hub to add volume in that area but my question is should we also be using a stronger steel than cold rolled, and what steel would that be??? We want something to hold up to the task while soft without the need for heat treating. Thank you to any one who can help.

[Joel]

Use thick wall tubing. Tubing is stiffer then solid rod. DOM is commonly available with very thick walls. A sharp change in section width will create an area of stress. Use a taper instead of a sharp shoulder.

[wierdscience]

I have built dozens of hayspears and unrollers and the best spear material I have found so far is a drive axle from an eighteen wheeler,they have a convienent bolt flange on one end,are forged alloy steel and will not bend in normal use.You usually can get as many as you want at the scrapyard,or large truck repair shop.