A folding bale spear system including a frame securable to a farm implement, particularly a tractor, left and right fork posts rotatable secured to the frame, left and right bale spears, one secured to the left fork post and one secured to the right fork post, and a system for rotation of the left and right fork posts about the frame such that in an open position, the bale spears are extended rearwardly from the frame, and in a closed position the bale spears cross each other and are rotated to a position substantially parallel to the frame.