Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1321982
LARGE BALE HANDLING ~PPARATUS
B~CKGROI~ND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a loading-stacking-
retrieving-feeding apparatus for loading bales of hay onto a
trailer; and in the process of loading, forming a stack that
can be subsequently unloaded at an accumulation point. This
same apparatus is able to reload the stacks, and move them
to different locations and restack them. The loada~-
stacker-retriever apparatus can be transformed into a
retriever-feeder apparatus in a relatively short period of
time. In this mode, it will reload the stacks and feed hay
from the bales out to livestock evenly, or in bunches, onto
the ground.
In harvesting crops such as hay, the current practice
is to utilize mobile baling devices which collect the hay
and form it into bales. The bales are discharged to the
ground as they are formed. Wagons or trucks are then driven
over the field, and the individual bales are loaded thereon
for transportation to a place of storage or utilization.
While some bale wagons are still loaded and unloaded by
hand, usually a lifting apparatus, such as a forklift truck,
is utilized to lift the bales and to load them on the bale
truck or wagon. When the bale wagon is completely loaded,
the bale wagon and the forklift truck are drlven to the
desired place of storage. The forklift truck is then
utilized to unload the bales and to stack them in the
desired location. In some cases, the entire load is dumped
and then the bales must be stacked. Not only do these
methods require multiple workers and piecemeal unloading,
they are inefficient and time consuming. In addition, a
certain degree of skill is required on the part of the
`- ~32~ 9~2
forklift driver to avoid bales falling from the bale wagon
or entire bale stacks toppling if not stacked propecly.
While a variety of complex accessory appar~tus ~such as
conveyors have been designed for loading bale wagons, none
has been entirely satisfactory. In many cases, the loading
apparatus is separate from the bale wagon and must be
transported from bale to bale along with relocating the bale
wagon. Much of this equipment is not only complex and
expensive, it is single purpose and simply consumes storage
space throughout most of the year.
The apparatus described in U.S. Patent No. ~,419,570 is
a machine that will load, stack and retrieve bales with one
operator and one machine. This machine provides substantial
savings over conventional methods but is somewhat difficult
to operate, because the apparatus must be backed up to load
the bales. This becomes even more difficult after the first
bale is loaded, because that bale obstructs the view of the
operator. Also, there is difficulty in mounting apparatus
to trucks, due to the variation in different truck models
produced. The apparatus cannot be easily removed from a
truck so the truck can only be used for the sole purpose of
moving and retrieving bales. This machine referred to
cannot feed bales of hay, which can only be done by another
apparatus or by manual labor.
Accordingly, there is a present need for a simple,
inexpensive apparatus for loading, stacking, retrieving, and
feeding bales, such as bales of hay. Such an apparatus
should be easily connected and disconnected from a power
source such as a tractor or truck so as not to interfere
with the use of the vehicle, foc other operations.
132~ 9~2
SUMMARY OF 'rHE INVENTION
The present invention provides a bale loading-stacking-
retrieving apparatus which is mounted on a trailer, and
which can be transformed in a relatively short period of
time into a retriever-feeder apparatus.
The apparatus includes a bale receiving platform having
a front end and a rear end, including a means for pivotally
mounting the platform on the frame of the trailer to permit
the platform to be pivoted between a forwardly inclined
position and a rearwardly vertical position. The pivot
mounting location for this latter movement is at the rear
end of the trailer frame; and on the platform, the pivot
point is forward from the rear of the platform at a distance
equal to the vertical distance the pivot is above ground
level. This platform can also be forwardly pivoted by a
pivot located relatively close to the front of the receiving
platform and the front of the trailer Erame. ~hen this
pivot is secured, and the rear pivot released, the platform
can be pivoted forwardly from a low inclined position to
approximately a forty-five degree inclined position. Power
means, preferably one or more hydraulic cylinders, are
utilized to pivot the platform between the inclined position
and a rearwardly vertical position. The same power means
also pivots the platform from the inclined position to the
forty-five degree forwardly inclined position. Two or more
fork members extend upwardly from the rear of the platform,
and generally perpendicular to the platform.
A loading apparatus is pivotally mounted at the front
of the receiving platform, and includes a structure
extending from the front of the platform a distance equal to
.
132~ 9~2
the distance the front end of the platform is from ground
level. A fork is pivotable at the end of the structure
between a peependicular position and a position
appeoximately one hundred twenty degrees to the structure.
The structure is pivotable upwardly approximately ten
degrees past parallel to the platform, and down~aed to an
almost vertical position. Pleferably, the same power means
can accomplish the pivoting of the structure and the fork.
The loading apparatus is easily disconnected by removing the
pivot pins and disconnecting the hoses.
A tongue with a hitch is mounted on the trailer
extending forward a distance long enough to clear a feeding
apparatus, and allow clearance for the turning of the
tractor. The tongue is pivotally mounted to the frame of
the trailer, and allows the trailer to be offset to the side
of a tractor a distance equal to the length of the bale, or
to trail in-line with the tractor.
A grasping apparatus consists of a pair of members
pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the platform toward
the front, and extending above the level of the platform.
The tops of the members extend forward past the front end of
the platform a distance equal to the width of a bale. Power
means, such as hydraulic cylinders, are utilized to pivot
the grasping members inwardly to grip bales, and outwardly
to a non~gripping position. The grasping members and power
means are easily removed by dislodging connecting pins and
pivot pins and disconnecting the hydraulic hoses.
A feeder platform is removably secured to the front of
the frame of the trailer by a connecting means such as
bolts, pins or the like, and rests on the tongue when it is
132~ 9~
in the in-line position. The platform extends forwardly a
distance wide enough to allow a bale to set on the feeder
platform without tipping the bale on its edges, and below
the receiving platform a distance low enough to allow a bale
sliding forwardly off the receiving platform to rotate
ninety degrees and level on the feeder platform. A bale-
transfer apparatus is mounted on the feeder platform. Bale
pushing arms are pivotally mounted on the feeder platform
just below the top surface of the feeder platform. The bale
pushing arms extend above the feeder platform on both sides.
In the lowered position of these arms, they are low enough
to clear a bale sliding onto the feeder platform, and short
enough to miss the grasping arms on the trailer. The
pushing arms are connected rigidly to rotate together. The
outer extre~ities of the arms are connected by a beam to
which a flexible belt is secured. This belt is long enough
to cover the end of the bale when the bale pushing arms
start to push the bale. Cables are connected to the
opposite end of the belt. These cables wrap around both
ends of the feeder platform on a roller and two cable
pulleys. From there they wcap around another cable pulley
which is connected to the beam joining the ends of the
pushing arms. ~hen the cables are connected to the end of
the feeder platform. The power means pivoks the pushing
arms from the generally horizontal position to the generally
vertical position. This movement also moves the bottom of
the belt from one end of the feeder platform to the opposite
end by the cables.
A pair of feeder arms ate connected pivotally to the
feeder platform opposite the end of the pushing arms. These
~.
132~ ~2
extend upwardly above the feeder platform, and are solidly
connected at the bottom by a member which also functions as
a pivot. Power means are provided for pivoting the arms
between a generally vertical position to a generally forty-
five degree outwardly inclined position. A shredding drum
is rotatably mounted between the ends of the feeder arms.
This drum lies in a horizontal position between the feeder
arms and will adjust between various heights above the
feeder platform. Power means are provided to turn the drum
around its axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the machine in
the loading-stacking mode.
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the receiving-
feeding mode.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the loader on an
enlarged scale.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bale-grasping
apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the feeder.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the feeder in elevated
position.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the trailer frame and tong~e.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the feeding
operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, the apparatus o~ the present
invention is shown mounted on a special trailer. ~s shown
in FIG. 1, bale-carrying platform 2 is shown pivotally
mounted on the frame 4 of tne trailer. Bale-lo~ding
1 32~ 9~2
apparatus 3 is pivotally mounted at the front o~ the
platform 2, and a tongue 1 extends forward and to one side
and is pivotally connected to the frame of the trailer.
In FIG. 2, the invention is set up in its retrieving
feeding mode. Grasping arms 20 are pivotally mounted
towards the front of platform 2. The feeder platform lS is
mounted to the front of the frame 4 of the trailer, and
rests on the tongue 1 when it is in the in-line position.
8ale-pushing arms 14 are pivotally connected to the feeder
platform lS. A belt 16 is connected to the beam 46
interconnecting the distal ends of the bale pushing arms.
The feeding arms 19 are also connected pivotally to the
feeder platform, and these carry the rotatable shredding
drum 13.
Bale-receiving platform 2 is rectangular, and has four
flat rails 21 for bales to slide on. These fit between the
outside side frame members 23. Platform 2 is pivotally
mounted to trailer frame 4 by means of rear fulcrum axle 24
and a front fulcrum axle 25 extending through platform
members 23, and rear fulcrum receptacles 10 and front
fulcrum receptacles 11. Rear receptacles 10 should be
located near the end of trailer frame ~ and relatively close
to the ground level. The rear pivot axle 24 is at a
distance forward of the rear end of the platform 2
approximately equal to the height the rear receptacles 10 is
from the ground, so that the rear end of platform 2 will be
adjacent to the ground when in the vertical position such as
shown in FIG. 2. The front fulcrum axle 25 is located on
the platform 2 directly below platform 2, and a distance
from the front end of platform 2 far enough to allow loader
- 132~ 9~2
pivot 26 to clear front receptacle 11 while platform 2
pivots forwardly to an approximately forty-five degree
position. The front receptacle 11 is mounted rigidly to the
trailer frame 4. The location of the front receptacle 11 is
near the front of the trailer frame 4, and is above the
ground a distance approximately the width of a bale. The
front and rear receptacles 11, lO are directly to the
outside of the platform outside members 23 on both sides o~
the platform 2. See FIG. 3.
While a variety of conventional power means can be
employed for pivoting platform 2 between a rearwardly
inclined position (FIG. l) and a vertical position (FIG. 2),
or a forwardly inclined position (FIG. 8), it is preferred
to utilize hydraulic cylinders as a power means.
lS Accordingly, as best shown in FIG. 2, the hydraulic
cylinders 9 are mounted pivotally to load-carrying
platform 2. The pivotal positions of the power means 9 can
vary depending on the size of the power means and the
linkages employed. The location of the power means ~ is
preferred, and will position the platform 2 to all
positions, even when the appropriate weight is applied. To
pivot the platform 2 rearwardly, pins 37 and spacers 38 are
placed in the rear receptacles 10, and cylinders 9 are
extended to pivot bed upwardly and rearwardly to a generally
~S vertical position, and then retracted to return platform 2
to the inclined FIG. 1 position. When pins 37 and spacers
38 are placed in the front receptacle, platEorm 2 pivots
forwardly and upwardly when cylinders 9 are extended. The
platform 2 will return to the inclined position ~FIG. I)
when cylinders 9 are retracted.
132~ 9~2
As best shown in FIG. 3, bale loading apparatus 3 is
mounted at the front of platform 2. This structure includes
rigid arms 27 pivotally connected to platform 2 at 30 by a
!U-shape fitting on the arm 27 and a projection on the
platform side members 23. Pivot pins pass through
corresponding holes in the U-shaped fittings and projection
to provide a pivotable connection. While a variety of
pivoting connections can be employed, this is an effective
and simple design.
Loading forks 6 are pivotally mounted at the end of
loading arms 27 by U-shaped ends on the loading arms 27 and
projecting ends on loading fork 6. The fork 6 extends
forwardly of the loading arm 27, a distance approximately
equal to the height of a bale. The opposite end 29 extends
rearwardly of loader arm 27 a distance long enough to attach
hydraulic cylinder 8. While a variety of conventional power
means can be employed for pivoting the loading apparatus,
hydraulic cylinders pivotally mounted (26, 31) close to the
front and below platform 2, and pivotally connected to the
rear end of fork 6, is effective and simple. A cylindec
located in this position will pivot the fork first from
ground level to a position perpendicular to the loader 14,
27, and then raise the loader apparatus 3 to past parallel
of platform 2 as shown in FIG. 1.
The tongue 1 is located below the trailer frame 4 and
extends forward a distance long enough to allow a tractor,
or a truck functioning as a tractor, to clear the feeder
platform in a sharp turn. The tongue 1 also extends
rearwardly to the approximate center of trailer where it is
pivotally connected at 34 (FIG. 7). The tongue 1 is held in
~2:~ 9~2
po~ition by the guide 32 and will pivot froln a point where
the tractor hitch 33 is in direct line with the center line
of the trailer as shown in FIG. 2, 7 to a point off to the
left of the trailer a distance where a bale would be in
direct line of the trailer if the pulling unit were to pass
right along side of the short end of a bale, as shown in
FIG. 1, 7. A hydraulic cylinder is connected pi~otally to
the tongue at 35, and to the frame of the trailer 4 at 36 to
pivot about point 34.
In order to assist in retrieving stacks of bales when
the loading apparatus 3 is removed, a pair of grasping
arms 20 are provided on the sides of platform 2 (see FIGS.
2, 4). The arms 20 are set apart approximately the length
of a bale. Cantilever members 22 aid in making the correct-
separation between the arms, and have holes in the distal
ends to secure and remove the arms. A projection (not
shown) with a hole in it fits inside the hollow connecting
member 22 to secure the grasping arm 20 when a pin is passed
through 39. Connected rigidly to the tongue is a sleeve
(not shown) through which the grasping arm pivot 40 passes.
Connected rigidly to the ends of the pivot 40 are two
uprights 41. The uprights extend upwardly approximately
one-half to two-thirds the height of a bale. Cross members
42 are connected rigidly to the top of the uprights 41.
These extend forwardly a distance approximately equal to the
width of a bale. Two pins 43 are connected rigidly to the
front of the cross members 42. These extend inwardly to
engage the top bale of a stack. The forward UpL ight ex~ends
below the platform 2 to pivotally engage the end of a power
means, such as hydraulic cylinder 41a, which are pivotally
132~ ~2
mounted to the front platform cross member 44. When
hydraulic cylinders 41a are extended, grasping arms 20 will
pivot inwardly to grip bales on platform 2. When cylinders
41a are retracted, arms 20 will pivot outwardly to the non-
gripping position. The arms are dependent on each other andmust move inwardly together and outwardly together. This
can be done by a number of means, such as mechanical
linkages, but is preferably done by a masterslave cylinder
set-up.
As shown in FIG. 2, the feeder platform 15 is mounted
to the front frame cross member of the trailer frame 4. The
feeder platform 15 rests on tongue 1, and is flat and
rectangular in shape. The sh~pe of the feeder is dependent
on the bale being fed, and should be slightly larger than
the bale. The feed platform 15 sets forward enough to allow
bale pushing arms 14 to clear the front of platform 2 when
in the inclined position as shown in FIG. 1. Also, the feed
- platform must set low enough to allow a bale sliding off
platform 2 to rotate ninety degrees and lie flat on the
platform.
The bale pushing arms 14 are pivotally mounted at 45
below the platform, and off center towards the feeder
arms 19. tsee Figures 2, 5, and 6.) The pivoting ends of
the pushing arms 14 are rigidly connected by a round tube
14a which passes through the sidewalls of the feeder
platform. The distal ends of pushing arms 14 are rigidly
connected by the beam 46 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The belt 16
is connected to this beam. The belt extends the width of
the platform, and approximately the length of the bale
pushing arms 14. Two cables 47 are connected to the
i323 9~2
opposite end of the belt 16. These cables wrap around
roller 47a, and extend along the bottom of the feeder
platform 15, around cable pulleys ~8, then around be]t
holding cable pulleys 49, and then connected to the feeder
platform 15 at 50. Power means 51 are provided to pivot
pushing arms from the generally horizontal position to the
generally vertical position. Preferably, these are two
hydraulic cylinders which can be the same hydraulic
cylinders used on the loading apparatus 3. When the pushing
arms 14 are rotated, this pulls on cable 47 and causes the
bottom of belt 16 to move toward the feeder arms 19. The
bottom of the belt 16 will move across the feeder
platform lS as pushing arms 14 are rotated from the
horizontal to the vertical.
Feeding arms 19 are pivotally connected to the ends of
feeder platform 15. They are separated the width of the
feeder platform 15 and extend upwardly a distance equal to
the width of the bale being fed. The feeder arms are
connected rigidly by a round tube l9a (see FIG. 8) at the
pivotal end. ~ power means is provided, preferably a
hydraulic cylinder 17 (see FIG. 5) to pivot the feeder arm
between the generally vertical position (FIG. 5) and
outwardly to a forty-five degree inclined position (FIG. 6).
The shredding drum is rotatably mounted between the feeder
arms. The drum is round, and extends to almost the width of
the platform, with protrusions on it for the purpose of
grabbing pieces of bale. A power ,~eans (not shown) is
provided, preferably from the PTO of the tractor or an orbit
motor, to rotate the drum 13 around its axis.
1323 ~2
Hydraulic cylinders 5l, 43, 9, and ~ are powered and
controlled by conventional means (not shown). For example,
a conventional pump can be mounted on a teactor or truck
with a connection to the engine. Hydraulic hoses are then
utilized to connect the hydraulic cylinders to a control
panel which is connected to the hydraulic pump. A remote
control panel can then be located close to the driver of the
tractor or truck so that the entire apparatus can be
operated with the driver seated.
In use, a tractor is connected to the trailer via the
hitch. Hydraulic hoses are also connected to power the
cylinders. The tractor pulling the apparatus is driven to
the site of the bales to be moved and stacked. The tongue
is moved to the off-set position by extending the cylinder
12, and forks 6 are lowered to ground level. The tractor
then drives forward along side a particular bale until the
bale is seated on forks 6. If for any reason it is
desirable to have the bale in a different orientation prior
to loading, the driver can lower the forks 6 to an
intermediate position, and they will then function as a
pusher member as the trailer is driven forward to rotate or
tip the bale to the desired orientation. After a bale is
seated on forks 6 hydraulic cylinders 8 are extended to
rotate the loader and bale forward and up to platform 2. At
this point, gravity will cause the bale to slide rearwardly
onto platform 2 until that bale rests against forks 5. If
the bale does not slide, platform hydraulic cylinders 9 can
be extended to pivot platform 2 rearwardly to increase the
angle of the platform 2 causing gravity to ~ave more of an
effect than friction. This procedure is repeated until
132~ 9~
platform 2 is full (the platform holds three bales). The
final bale loaded on the forks 6 is held by the loading
apparatus 3 in the up position as in FIG. 1. This entire
loading procedure can be accomplished with a single operator
remaining in the cab of the tractor or truck.
The tractor or truck pulling the apparatus is then
driven to a central accumulation or storage area. The
tractor then pushes the apparatus backward to the location
desired to deposit the load, and hydraulic cylinders 9 are
actuated to pivot platform 2 from the inclined position to
the rearwardly vertical position for unloading. Hydraulic
cylinders 8 are retracted to release pressure against the
top bale, and the tractor then pulls the apparatus forward
to remove forks 5 from under the stack. Platform 2 is then
returned to the inclined position (FIG. l), and the tractor
and apparatus can then be returned to the field to pick up a
new load. The unloading is thus also accomplished by a
single operator without leaving the cab of the tractor or
truck.
If it is desired to relocate a stack of bales,
platform 2 is ceturned to the vertical position and forks 5
are pushed under a stack of bales by backing the apparatus
up. When forks 5 are completely under stack, hydraulic
cylinders 8 are extended to push forks 6 down onto the top
bale, thereby holding the stack to platform 2. Hydraulic
cylinders 9 are then retracted to return platform 2 to the
inclined position, with a complete load of bales for
relocation.
This operation is also accomplished by a single
operator without leaving the cab of the truck or tractor.
14
1 32~ 9~2
This completes the use of the apparatus as a loader,
stacker and rettievee. This apparatus can change into a
reteiever and ~eeder by removing the loader 3 and power
means 8 and placing the grasping arms 20 and the feeding
S platform 15 onto the apparatus.
This apparatus is then connected to a tractor via the
hitch, and the hydraulic hoses are connected. To retrieve a
stack of bales, platform 2 is pivoted to the vertical
position as shown in FIG. 2 by extending hydraulic cylinder
9. The apparatus is then pushed backwards until forks 5 are
completely under a stack. Grasping arms 20 are then closed
to the gripping position by hydraulic cylinders 43 with pins
43 holding the top bale.
Hydraulic cylinders 9 are then retracted to position
platform 2 to the inclined position with a stack of bales.
With the feeder arms and bale pushing arms in the outward
position, grasping arms 20 are opened to the non-gripping
position, which allows the top bale to rotate and fall onto
the feeder platform 15. At this time, the opera~or would
leave the tractor, and remove the binding means of the bale
(like twine or wire). The operator would then remove the
pins 37 and the spacers 3~ from the rear fulcrum receptacle
10 to the front receptacle 11. The operator would then
return to the tractor seat, and rotate the feeder arms 19
and bale pushing arms 14 inwardly with the shredding drum
rotating to feed the bale out. The bale would be completely
fed out when the pushing arms are in the generally vertical
position. The operator can control the speed, density, and
coarseness of the bale being fed by controlling the speed
and height of the shredding drum 13, the speed of the bale
132~ 9~2
pushing arm 14, and the forward speed of the tractor or
truck.
After the bale is fed out, the pushing arms and feeder
arms are returned to generally outwardly position.
Hydraulic cylinders 9 are extended to pivot platform 2 to
the forwardly inclined position as shown in FIG. 8 to slide
the bale forward onto the feeder, allowing them to rotate
ninety degrees as they fall onto the feeder platform 15.
After one bale is on the feeder platform, the hydraulic
cylinders 9 are retracted to return platform 2 to the
inclined posi-tion as shown in FIG. l. The bale on the
feeder platform is then fed out the same way the top bale
was fed after the strings are removed. The same procedure
is followed to feed all the remaining bales on the
lS platform 2. After alL the bales are fed out, the pin 37 and
the spacer 39 are returned to the rear fulcrum receptacles
so that platform 2 will rearwardly pivot to the vertical
position to retrieve the next stack. Thus, the apparatus of
the present invention is simple in construction, and easy
and efficient to operate. It permits a single operator to
completely load a bale wagon, deposit the entire load, and
relocate the entire load without ever having to leave the
cab of the tractor or truck. The apparatus is easily
changed to make the present invention retrieve the entire
load and fecd out bales individually in various ways.
Further, since the tractor or truck can have a variety of
other uses throughout the season, the ease of connecting and
disconnecting the present invention from the tractor or
truck allows for complete freedom of use of the tractor or
truck for a variety of other desired purposes.
l6
13~ 9~2
While a prefereed embodiment of the present invention
has been described and illustrated, it will be obvious to
those skilled in the art that various changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit
of the present invention. For example, while fork means
have been described as preferred for engaging the bales, a
variety of other thin insert members, such as plates, can be
utilized. While hydraulic cylinders are the preferred power
means, motor driven gear or pulley systems, can be utilized.
While the apparatus of invention has been shown mounted on
the frame of a trailer, it can be mounted on virtually any
type of wagon or other mobile means. Accordingly, the scope
of the present invention is deemed to be limited only by the
following claims.
