The more spears and the longer the spears you shove in the bale, the harder it is to manipulate the bale off the spears / stack (ie: get the spears back out of the bale). I handle 2 - 3x4x8 bales easily with 3 spears - neighbor in the old neighborhood, has 4 spears and has a harder time getting the spears out when stacking the top layers, he likes to use my 3 spear set up . .. Something to consider . . .

I also have a hinged spear fork for the skidsteer . . . I like it, Chad (Pofarmer) made one up and if I recall, indicated he didn't care for it . . . It makes it easier to get the spears out of very tight bales / hays  . . .

Look here ~ http://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=66102&mid=467312#M467312