Abstract: A hydraulic hay fork for grappling hay comprising an hydraulic cylinder with a vertically moving depending shaft to which radially extending clawlike teeth are pivotally attached, and holding assemblies pivotally attached about midway along each tooth, means attaching the holding assemblies to the cylinder housing so that upward movement of the cylinder shaft will cause the teeth to grip, and an anti-bending telescoping assembly disposed alongside the cylinder and shaft and attached in a manner preventing rotation of shaft and teeth.The hay fork described in which the holding assemblies comprise a pair of relief rod assemblies for each tooth providing a yielding connection and a strengthening rigidity to each tooth.