Pick a make and model. Full spec sheet, owner videos, and similar tractors on one page.
Find a model →Pit up to four models against each other. Engine, hydraulics, hitch, weight, warranty.
Open comparison →Written guides on choosing tractors, hydraulics, PTO, hitches, and maintenance.
Read articles →A short explainer focused on one specific decision: bale spike versus bale fork. Mike walks through the physical differences, explains why modern tight bales demand a narrow high-tensile 'super penetrator' spike, and notes the bale fork costs roughly $200 more but doubles as emergency pallet forks. Practical cautions about reach and accidental barn damage are included. Best for newcomers deciding which attachment to buy first.
Tractor Mike is a longtime tractor-industry insider with decades of hands-on experience in the equipment business. He built his channel to help first-time and rural buyers make confident decisions, and his guidance comes from that deep, long-term background rather than a sales pitch.
A bale spike has one big spike with two small stabilizers and only spikes bales. A bale fork has two spikes and can also work as emergency pallet forks.
New bales are tighter than old loose bales, so a thick spike may just push the bale instead of piercing it. A narrow, high-tensile spike is needed.
It costs about $200 more but doubles as pallet forks in an emergency, giving it more versatility than a plain bale spike.
It sticks out further in front of the tractor than expected, so turning too fast can cause accidental damage like hitting barn siding.
