A bale loader designed for use in combination with a pickup truck. The loader features a frame assembly which slides easily into and out of the bed of the pickup truck and which may be secured thereto and removed therefrom without the need for special tools. The bale fork portion of the loader is designed to be utilized either in connection with the pickup truck frame assembly or with a standard three-point tractor hitch. The base of the bale fork is pivotally mounted to the rear portion of the frame assembly. An adjustable mast extends vertically from the center post of the bale fork and has a pulley connected to the top portion thereof. A winch motor is attached to the forward portion of the frame assembly and drives a spool having a cable which engages the pulley for selective pivoting of the bale fork.