Abstract: A bale transporting and stacking method and apparatus are disclosed. The bales are picked up from the field and placed bottom side down on the bed of the bale transporter. When the transporter is full, the bed, or part of the bed, is tipped upright to form a stack of bales. The process is repeated with the bales being located adjacent one another. With this system, the outer side of each column of bales is the original bottom side of the bale. This side is denser and structurally less prone to collapse than the less dense top side of the bale. Consequently, the stack is more stable than prior art stacks with the reverse arrangement. The apparatus includes a lift arm for lifting the bales, a pivoting bale clamp for rotating the bales over the bale bed and a pusher mechanism for advancing the bales along the bed towards the back end.

Abstract: Hinged tables for swathers usually are provided with individual knife sections and the center section of this knife is difficult to drive. This invention eliminates the necessity for a center section drive by using a two section knife on a three section table with each knife section extending through one wing section and part of the center section. The knives are driven from the outer ends and are allowed to flex over the hinge area. The wing sections are provided with rigid guard bars and a flexible section of guard bars secured to the inner end of the rigid guard bar and is secured by the other end to the center of the center section by means of a swivel or sliding connection.

Abstract: A chassis supports a main frame with one open side, and a dump box with an open upper side is situated within the main frame and pivoted to the other side of the main frame. An hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly can move the box from the vertical or normal position to a tilted or unloading position. The dump box is pivoted to the upper side of the main frame at a line spaced from the top side edge of the dump box so that the top side edge extends beyond the side of the wagon when tipped or tilted. A conveyor is situated on the side of the dump box which is pivoted to the main frame and driven by an hydraulic motor. Material is loaded in the open upper side of the dump box and when it is to be unloaded, the dump box is tilted whereupon the conveyor unloads the material from the open upper side of the dump box.