Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
108Z9Z~
BALE LOADER AND CARRIER
:. .
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to new and useful improve-
ments in bale loaders and carriers, particularly loaders and
carriers designed to handle the relatively heavy cylindrical
bale which may weigh between 800 lbs or 1200 lbs or more.
While many advantages are attendant upon the use
of these relatively large cylindrical bales, the principal
disadvantage is the handling and carrying of same.
Many devices have been designed for this purpose,
but lack of capacity is one of the disadvantages together
with the relatively large size of a unit designed to carry
a plurality of such bales.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes these disadvantages
by providing a loader and carrier which can readily carry up
to 12 bales or more, if desired, and one aspect of the inven-
; tion is to provide a bale loader and carrier for cylindrical
. .
bales, adapted to be pulled by a source of power and including
a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure; comprising in com-
;~ 20 bination a supporting framework, ground engaging wheels sup-
porting said framework, a carrier component journalled for
; rotation within said supporting framework, said component in-
;: .
- cluding a plurality of symmetrically disposed bale receiving
~ segments, means on said supporting framework at one end of said
,.,~
.,
, ~ ,
~. . ' , .~
--- ~()82~Z~
component, for receiving bales and engaging them within
the segment of said component adjacent said means, means
to rotate said component to bring each segment sequentially
into alignment with said first mentioned means, means on one
S side of said supporting framework to pick up associated cy-
lindrical bales lengthwise and transfer them to said first
mentioned means and detachable latching unloading means on
one side of said frame to dump all bales in any one of said
segments when said segment is in operating discharge posi-
tion relative to said unloading means, and said unloading
means is unlatched.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide
a device of the character herewithin described which can be
towed by a tractor and the necessary hydraulic fluid under
pressure for the fluid operator, can be supplied by the
tractor hydraulic system.
Another advantage of the present invention is to
provide a device of the character herewithin described in
which the load can readily be balanced as it is loaded there-
on by rotating the bale carrying component and loading the
bales sequentially around the axis of the component.
; A still further advantage of the invention is to
provide a device of the character herewithin described which
is relatively simple in construction, economical in manufac-
''`
, ~ " ~
:'
:
;
.... - . , .
'' , ' ~ ,, ' .
.
.
- ' '. . , ~ ' ,
, - ~
iO~;~9Z8
-- 3
~` ture and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which
it is designed.
With the foregoing in view, and other advantages
as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which
this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the
invention is herein described by reference to the accompany-
ing drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a descrip-
tion of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of
the present invention, in which:-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device.
; Figure 2 is a front end view in the unloading posi-
.,~
tion.
; Figure 3 is an isometric view of the bale carrier
component per se.
Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the
pusher assembly per se.
Figure 5 is a front end view of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a fragmentary rear end view of the de-
vice showing one method of rotating the bale carrying compo-
nent.
,. Figure 7 is a fragmentary corner of the front of the
,~
invention showing one method of latching the unloading gate
assembly.
i
:,
',~., . ~
~ , ,
.. . .
.;: ;
!~ ~
-"' ~ ' , , , , , , ' ' .
.' ' ' ' ' ~ , , ' ' ' ~ ' . ' ,
- 1()82928
In the drawings like characters of reference in-
dicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in
detail, reference character 10 illustrates supporting frame-
work comprising a substantially rectangular base frame in-
cluding a pair of spaced and parallel longitudinally extend-
ing members 11, a transverse rear frame member 12 (see Figure
6) and a corresponding transverse front member (not illustra-
ted). A hitch assembly collectively designated 13 extends
forwardly of the longitudinal members 11 and includes a con-
ventional hitch 14 by which the device may be secured to a
source of power such as a tractor (not illustrated).
A plurality of ground engaging wheels 15 are jour-
' 15 nalled upon axles in the usual way and support the frame as
clearly shown.
The supporting framework also includes an upwardly
' extending substantially rectangular support plate 16 with a
pair of arms 17 being secured adjacent the upper side there-
of and diverging outwardly and upwardly as clearly shown in
Figure 6.
A pair of upwardly extending support members 18 are
.,
secured to the longitudinal members 11 adjacent the junction
. thereof to the hitch assembly 13. An upper cross member 19
,
~"
c:
. . . . '. ' . ~. . , ' ' ' :
108292~
; - 5
extends between the upper ends of these vertical arms 18
and a pair of arms 17A diverge outwardly therefrom substan-
tially parallel to the rear diverging arms 17.
A cylindrical shroud or guide 20 is situated with-
in the front vertical arms 18 and the transverse arm 19 as
clearly shown in Figure 2.
i A carrier component collectively designated 21 in-
cludes a main axle 22 by which the component is journalled
within bearing 23 upon the front transverse member 19 and
the upper end of the rear plate 16 so that the component can
rotate as will hereinafter be described.
Arcuately curved cradles or frames 24 extend from
a support tube 25 secured to the axle 22, said frames includ-
ing bracing members 26 extending from longitudinally extend-
ing outer cradle member 27 of one arcuately curved portion
' to the longitudinally extending member 27A of the next adja-
~, cent arcuately curved portion and these curved portions toge-' ther with the bracing member define arcuately curved segments or compartments within the component 21.
j~,
' 20 It will be noted that the mounting of the component
:,~
,~Y,; is such that as it is rotated, each segment can come into
,'~ operative alignment with the loading or guiding chute 20.
~ ~,
Figure 6 shows one method of rotating the component
within the supporting framework, taking the form of a gear 28
. i ~
''
. ~
, . . . .
, ;' ''' ' . .. . '
1082g2~
-6-
secured to one end of the mounting shaft 22 with a
: drive chain 29 extending around this gear and around
- a further gear 30 secured to the shaft of an hydraulic
or electric motor 31.
However, many other means can be utilized
to rotate the component depending upon design parameters.
Means are provided at the front of the supporting
framework, to pick up and loan bales into a position
whereby they may be moved into the segment of the carrier
` 10 component adjacent the entrance or guide chute 20.
. In this embodiment, reference character 32
illustrates means on the frame to receive the bale taking
the form of an arcuately curved cradle or plate 33
. supported within the hitch portion 13 of the framework
.. 15 and in alignment with the lower segment of the loading
or guiding chute 20.
Means are also provided to pick up bales from
the ground as the device is pulled thereover, said means
taking the form of a pick-up fork assembly collectively
;. 20 designated 34. This assembly includes a support frame
section 35 which is substantially rectangular and includes
vertical members 36 and transverse members 37. One of
the upper transverse members 37 is hingedly connected
: to the entrance side 38 of the cradle 33 by means of hinges
..
. 25 39.
.. .
~ The pick-up fork assembly also includes a bale pick-
,
'
''
,, . :.: :: :: ~ :
:
- . . ~ . . :: : ~
. . . : - ..
- . ~
,: ~ :
. .
~` ~082928
up fork component collectively designated 40. This includes
a U-shaped fork component 41 with the open end facing for-
wardly and an offstanding attaching portion 42 by which the
component 40 is pivotally attached to the lower end of the
vertical members 36 as indicated by reference character 43.
: The portion 42 extends behind the frame 35 and en-
gages same to limit the downward movement of the fork compo-
nent 40 relative to the frame 35 yet at the same time allow-
;: ing a floating action of this fork assembly as it passes over
uneven ground. A small spring 44 reacts between the lower
. cross bar 37A and the rear bar 45 of the portion 42 and re-
~: turns it to the lowermost position after operation.
A fluid operator indicated by reference character
46 extends between one side member of the hitch 13 and the
aforementioned cross bar 37A and is operatively connected to
the source of hydraulic fluid under pressure of the towing
' vehicle. When this fluid operator extends, after a bale has
~ been engaged lengthwise by the fork component 40, the compo-
;r~ nent moves in an arc in the direction of arrow 47, lifting the
. 20 bale upwardly until it over-balances and rolls across the
support frame section 36 and into the cradle or receiving plate
, 33.
As this pick-up assembly is elevated, the fork com-
ponent 40 may well tip towards the support frame section 35
. .,
,.
i
:
''
.. . . . . .
: .- . . - . .
.. ~ .
.
.. . : :
~ ~()82928
-- 8
but as it is returned to the lowermost position, the return
spring 44 ensures that it is returned to the position shown
in Figure 1.
When the bale is in the arcuate cradle 33, a push-
er assembly collectively designated 48 is actuated to push
the bale through the chute or guide 20 and into the segment
of the carrier component in alignment with the chute or guide
20. This pusher component comprises a substantially circular
plate 49 braced by member 50 and mounted upon a vertical sup-
port 51 which extends downwardly between the hitch assembly 13.
Means are provided to guide this assembly as it is moved along
a slot 52 within the curved plate 33 (see Figure 5) said means
taking the form, in this embodiment, of a pair of spaced and
parallel angle irons 53 between which the member 51 engages
and is retained in position by upper and lower transverse
flanges 54. Many other methods may be used to mount this push-
er assembly for reciprocal motion to and from the entrance or
.:` chute 18.
,,
: A fluid operator 55 is operatively connected between
hitch assembly and the member 51 and is operatively connected
to the source of hydraulic fluid for operating same in the
conventional manner.
Bale retaining means are provided on one side of the
supporting framework collectively designated 56, said means
i
108292B
.
taking the form of a longitudinally extending member
27 extending between the distal ends of the members
17 and 17A on one side of the frame andhaving downwardly
and inwardly curved members 58 extending between this
member 57 and a further longitudinally extending member
- 59 supported above one of the longitudinally extending
frame members 11 by means of vertical struts 60 as
shown in Figure 1.
` This retains the bales within the segments as
the component 21 is rotated.
. An unloading gate assembly is provided on the
other side of the supporting framework and collectively
designated 61. It also includes a longitudinally
extending rod or shaft 62 extending between the distal
r,~:
,,- 15 ends of the other members 17 and 17A and arcuately
i',
'~ curved spaced and parallel members 62' are secured to
this shaft and extends downwardly and inwardly being
braced by a further longitudinally extending member 63
; adjacent the distal ends 64 thereof. A longitudinally
extending wheel guard collectively designated 65 extends
' upwardly and outwardly from the longitudinal frame member
~ "
, on this side of the supporting framework and over the
` wheel assembly to protect same as the bales are unloaded.
Means are provided to control the movement
of the gate assembly and to move same from the open
~". ~
,
.
. . ' ~. " . .
.
~082928
--10--
position shown in Figure 2 and the closed position
shown in Figure 7.
, This takes the form of a fluid actuator 66
extending between the frame member 18 and the gate
assembly 61, the cylinder 67 in this embodiment being pivot-
ally connected to plane member 18 and the piston rod
68 to the bars 62' as at 69. This actuator is operatively
connected to the source of hydraulic fluid under pressure
in the towing unit.
In operation, one segment of the carrier compo-
nent is aligned with the loading chuteor shroud 20 and the
pick-up component 40 is lowered so that it moves across the
ground in a floating action depending upon the uneveness
of the ground. The towing vehicle pulls the assembly
!. .'
towards a round bale and engages same lengthwise within
the U-shaped member 41. The fluid operator 46 is then
`, actuated lifting the bale and the pick-up assembly in
the direction of arrow 47 until the bale rolls into the
receiving cradle 33. The pick-up assembly is then lowered
to the original position and the pusher assembly 48 is act-
uated to push the bale through the member 20 and into the
segment of the carrier component which is aligned therewith.
The carrier component is then rotated 120 by means of the
electric motor 31 and a further bale is picked up and
loaded into the adjacent segment. Once again the carrier
component is rotated through 120 and the procedure is
:
.. ~ . . . . . . .
..
108Z~Z8
.
repeated so that at this point, there is a cylindrical
bale at the front end of each of the segments, the
other two being retained by the retaining component
56 on one side and the closed gate component 61 on the
other side.
~ A further bale is then picked up and pushed
:; rearwardly by the pusher assembly ~hich moves the first
'. picked up bale rearwardly so that there is now two
bales in this particular segment. The carrier component
~'
is rotated and further bales are loaded so that there are
~, now two bales in each of the segments.
, ~,
. .
The procedure is repeated until all of the
; bales have been picked up or the capacity of the particular
~;' machine has been reached. In this particular instance,
the device is adapted to receive 12 bales, but design
parameters control the number of bales that can be carried
~i'! by the machine.
`1, The device is then towed to the unloading
position whereupon the fluid operator 66 opens the gate
assembly 61 and the carrier component is rotated until
the bales of one segment roll by gravity over the wheel
guard 65, with the gate assembly preventing the bales from
rolling away from the implement. The device is then moved
forwardly clear of these bales and the carrier component
is ~otated again until the next set of bales are unloaded
and so on until all the bales are unloaded whereupon
'
;
, ~ ^ -
, ' '
;'
iO8292~
~- - 12 -
the gate assembly is closed by the fluid operator
and held closed thereby and in a position ready
for picking up further bales.
Since various modifications can be made
in my invention as hereinabove described, and many
apparently widely different embodiments of same made
within the spirit and scope of the claims without de-
parting from such spirit and scope, it is intended that
all matter contained in the accompanying specification
shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not
in a limitin~ sense.
'
:
`, . , .. ' ' . ,.': . :
.
.
. .
