Abstract: A system of shuttle cars for transporting a vehicle in an automated parking facility. Each shuttle car includes an x-shuttle that supports two z-shuttles. The z-shuttles move from the x-shuttle and under the vehicle for transport. The z-shuttles locate and engage the front and rear tires of a vehicle to lift the vehicle from the floor. Once the z-shuttles have engage the vehicle tires, the z-shuttles return to the x-shuttle so that the x-shuttle can transport the vehicle (and the z-shuttles) to and from the appropriate parking space.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring vehicles onto a conveyer comprises: a front wheel supporting device (6) on an elevator (5), which is provided with a pair of front and rear wheel supporting arms (29a, 29b) that freely open and close in a horizontal direction between a closed posture supporting front wheels (Wf) at a predetermined position in terms of the convey direction and an opened posture releasing the front wheels (Wf) to the convey direction; a rear wheel supporting device (7) on the elevator (5), which is provided with a wheel supporting plate (38) that supports rear wheels (Wr) without determining the position thereof in terms of the convey direction and can switch its posture between a horizontal posture and a front-down tilted posture in terms of the convey direction; and a posture switching device (40) that changes the wheel supporting plate (38) of the rear wheel supporting device (7) to the tilted posture, at least when the elevator (5), supporting a vehicle (C) with the wheel supporting arms (29a,

Abstract: Apparatus for retrieving and stacking bales includes bale engagement and transport mechanism to individually transport bales engaged by the apparatus from the ground to a location on a support platform. A bale displacement member repositions the bale on the support platform to allow room for a subsequent bale. The apparatus includes mechanical linkage of a specific character which includes two link members relatively pivotally movable during a portion of the bale placement procedure and locked together during another portion of the procedure.

Abstract: A hay bale trailer (10) for transporting and unloading cylindrical hay bales (B) having a plurality of cradle assemblies (16) supported on the trailer (10) with each cradle assembly (16) including a cradle (22) mounted for tilting movement about a horizontal axis (34) between opposed sides of the trailer (10) to permit selective unloading of cylindrical hay bales (B) from a desired side of the trailer (10). Each cradle assembly (16) includes a turntable (35) on which a cradle (22) is mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical axis (46). Upon unlocking of cradles (22) by removal of locking pins (54) from openings (36), the cradle can be manually pivoted for dumping. Springs (76) return cradle (22) to a hauling position. Cradle assemblies (16) as shown in FIG. 10 can be simultaneously unlocked for individual dumping. Actuating rod (100) unlocks levers (66).

Abstract: A telescoping gripping and lift assembly for use with a flat bed truck or the like includes a pair of gripper arms, each of which is attached to a transverse lift housing which, in turn, is pivotably attached to the rear of the flat bed. Each of the gripper arms is telescopically extendable relative to a respective opposing end of the lift housing between grip and release positions via a pressure equalizing gripping piston & cylinder unit positioned within the lift housing. In addition, each of the gripper arms is a two part construction with an outer sleeve encompassing an inner sleeve and with a respective hydraulic telescoping cylinder selectively extending and retracting the larger outer sleeve relative to the smaller inner sleeve.

Abstract: A bale push-off device is provided for pushing bales off from a bale wrapping machine for wrapping bales end to end in a row. The bale push-off device comprises a bale push-off member which in use faces a bale discharging side of a bale wrapping device of the bale wrapping machine. The bale wrapping machine comprises a bale mover having a pair of hydraulic rams and a ram cross member for moving bales towards the bale wrapping device. The bale push-off member is connected to the rams by links so as to be driven by the rams.

Abstract: A bale rack is provided which has a base and first and second spaced bale cradles supported on the base for pivotal movement about longitudinally extending parallel axes. Each bale cradle includes at least one depending lock catch which presents an engagement surface extending in a direction transverse to the axes. The bale rack also includes a locking assembly for locking the bale cradles against pivotal movement. The locking assembly includes an elongated shaft extending in a direction parallel to the axes and a plurality of locking pins which are secured to the shaft and which extend in a direction parallel to the axes. The locking assembly further includes a linear actuator for translating the shaft axially to move the locking pins between a locked and an unlocked position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bale accumulator for accumulating at least one cylindrically configured bale of crop stock thereon following its discharge by a baler. The bale accumulator has a cradle assembly for receiving a bale from the baler and transporting it to a receiving platform where it is held pending selective discharge by the operator.

Abstract: A ring carrier apparatus for a round hay feeder has three spears extending horizontally from an upright post and its perpendicular crossbar base. A single long spear projects from a height on the post, while two widely separated short spears project from the crossbar. A housing is removable and adjustable in height on the upper portion of the post. The housing contains a hook which is opened by a rope leading to the farm tractor hitched to the apparatus. A roll guard on the housing prevents the feeder ring from rotating. A pivoting rocker plate attached to the crossbar base prevents the bottom of the feeder ring from excessive forward movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a turning apparatus for receiving large bales from a baler, the apparatus includes a table for receiving the large bales which turns the bale ninety degrees from its original position as it exits from a baler and then tilts the table downward thus rolling the bale off the table. The table angle and its turning speed are adjustable for varying the position in which it is deposited off of the table.

Abstract: A bale loading system comprising a bale carrier and a method for loading, transporting, and unloading large bales of agricultural material. The bales can be either round or rectangular bales. The bale carrier is towed to a bale in a field. The bale is positioned in a bale loading mechanism and securely clamped. The bale is lifted, rotated, and placed on the bale carrier such that a flat surface of the bale rests on the bale carrier. A plurality of bales can be loaded onto the bale carrier. After the bale carrier is loaded, the bale loader is transported to a bale storage location where the bales are unloaded. The bales are unloaded such that a bound surface of an unloaded bale faces skyward, and such that an unbound surface of a bale faces an unbound surface of a previously unloaded bale.

Abstract: A hauler for manipulating and transporting a bale of material is disclosed. The hauler includes a support frame comprising a pair of elongated, parallel, spaced apart members conjoined at a first end. A manipulating frame comprises a pair of parallel, elongated members spaced apart at a distance not greater than a diameter of the bale, and is disposed between the support frame. A transverse member connects the pair of elongated manipulating frame members. A linkage having first and second pivot points is disposed near the first end of the support frame and is pivotally coupled to the manipulating frame at the first pivot point and pivotally coupled to the support frame at the second pivot point. An actuator is coupled between the support frame and the transverse member and is configured to raise or lower the manipulating frame with respect to the support frame such that the bale may be loaded onto or unloaded from the manipulating frame, and transported when the manipulating frame is in a raised position.

Abstract: A hay loader is provided including a fixed frame mounted on a vehicle. Also included is a moving frame slidably mounted on the fixed frame. The moving frame is maintained vertically oriented while being shifted toward and away from the moving frame. Also included is at least one hydraulic cylinder connected between the fixed frame and the moving frame for selectively shifting the moving frame with respect to the fixed frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for bale lifting and load dumping, including a support frame; a truck bed overlying the support frame, the rearward end of the truck bed being pivotally attached to the rearward end of the support frame; a lift arm articulating beam, the lift arm articulating beam being pivotally attached to the rearward end of the truck bed; a pair of bale lifting arms extending substantially perpendicularly from the lift arm articulating beam; an actuator having an alternately extendable and retractable shaft, the actuator having a first end and a second end, the first end of the actuator being pivotally attached to the support frame; and a linkage interconnecting the second end of the actuator and the lift arm articulating beam; the connection of the linkage to the lift arm articulating beam being positioned so that upon alternate restraint of pivotal motion of the truck bed about the pivotal attachment to the support frame, and restraint of pivotal motion of the lift arm articulating beam about the pivotal at

Abstract: The large bale handling apparatus comprises a wheeled flat bed trailer, and a rotatable articulating arm with a bale lifting mechanism rotatably and pivotally attached thereto. The bale lifting mechanism may be a lifting fork attachment for lifting large round bales or a rectangular bale attachment for lifting large rectangular bales. The articulating arm includes a rotatable substantially vertical mast portion and a boom portion. Two hydraulic cylinders enable the boom to raise and lower as well as extend and retract. Therefore, because the articulating arm, with the bale lifting mechanism attached thereto, is rotatable 360 degrees about a vertical axis and can raise or lower and extend and retract, the arm can pick up all the large bales around the trailer within its reach and stack them onto the trailer. When unloading the bales from the trailer, the articulating arm can drop the bales directly into a feeding bunk or stack them on the ground for later use.

Abstract: The present invention involves a loading hay bale trailer. The trailer comprises (a) a carriage having (i) a frame, (ii) axles and (iii) wheels, (b) a pivotal cradle attached to the frame, the carriage having (i) a back section and (ii) tines, (c) a device for forcibly pivoting the cradle. The trailer may be loaded by lowering the tines to the ground level, forcing the tines under the bale, pivoting the cradle to roll the ball onto the elbow section, and transporting the bale.

Abstract: A spooled hay dispenser apparatus for unrolling spooled hay from a tractor. The apparatus provides a slotted tube at the ends of and perpendicular to a cross bar for rotatably mounting spiked arms which hold a cylindrical hay bale. An upright locking bracket lets the operator pick up a roll of hay at the storage area, carry it to the feeding area, and completely unroll it without having to adjust the turnbuckle of the tractor's three point hitch at all. This bracket is of heavy construction design so as not to bend in use; this enhances the maintaining of control of the invention, even when handling uneven hay rolls (e.g., large on one end and small on the other). Also, the centered bracket on the cross bar maintains the arms horizontally when the bale is almost completely unrolled to prevent gouging the ground surface with the hexagonal bale holding plates.

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: A transport apparatus to load and transport at least one bail of hay comprises a goose-neck assembly and a trailer. The goose-neck assembly is attachable to a towing vehicle. The trailer is attached to the goose-neck assembly and able to pivot about at least one axis, so that one portion of the trailer can be lowered to a first position. The first position is that at least one bail of hay can be loaded onto at least one portion of the trailer. A motor, which is controllable by an operator in the towing vehicle, can be used that automatically raises and lowers the at least one portion of the trailer into the first position. The goose-neck assembly is also motorized with a motor, so that the goose-neck assembly can orient the trailer into a position horizontal to the towing vehicle. A motor can also be used to raise and lower prongs, which are used to secure a bail of hay and transport a bail of hay to the trailer.

Abstract: A device for retrieving hay bales from a field, transporting the bales, and depositing the bales in a vertical stack. The device has a wheeled chassis and a bed inclinable to three possible positions. The bed comprises a vee shaped trough having a stop at the rear of the bed and a pair of powered jaws pivotally hinged to the front of the bed. The bed is inclined to a retrieval position with the front end contacting the ground, for retrieving bales by scooping action. In this position, the jaws can be opened to better engage a bale, and closed to urge the bale upwardly onto the bed. The bale is transported with the bed in a second, horizontal position parallel to the ground. The bed can be inclined to a third, vertical position for depositing the bale. A number of bales can be retrieved, axially aligned by the vee shaped bed, and deposited as a stack.

Abstract: A trailer is designed to receive, transport and unload large cylindrical bales of agricultural products such as hay, including bales which may be out-of-round due to a flat side caused by settlement during storage or transport. The trailer has a wheel-mounted frame extending the full length of the trailer and a plurality of cradles mounted on the frame to receive and support the bales. Each cradle has a latch by which the cradle may be released from its normally horizontal position to rotate under the force of gravity to an unload position. During rotation of the cradles to the unload position, pusher or kicker members contact and propel the bales outwardly from the cradles to insure that the bales land and/or come to rest on the ground in the desired position with their round sides in contact with the ground. In a first embodiment, a kicker mechanism moves relative to the rotating cradle, while in a second embodiment the kicker is a stationary member rigidly attached to the frame.

Abstract: A hay bale transporter apparatus and method are disclosed that provide a complete system for loading, unloading, and transport of large diameter type hay bales. The hay bale transporter may be utilized to handle individual hay bales or may be used to handle multiple hay bales simultaneously, including unloading or pickup thereof. The hay bale transporter includes a transport frame to which is pivotally secured, preferably on a lateral side thereof, a bale fork for lifting bales of hay onto a cradle. The cradle slidingly supports the hay bales and is pivotally mounted to the transport frame for unloading and pickup of single or multiple bales. A cylindrical hay bale or stack of hay bales may be picked up by means of a fork fixably secured to the cradle so that the transport frame is backed up with the cradle in the vertical position for pickup. In one embodiment of the invention, stabilizer arms secured to the cradle are provided to close around one or more hay bales.

Abstract: A load lifting scissors lift assembly, as an attachment for the three-point-hitch of a farm tractor, which utilizes a scissors-action, hinged, expandable linkage. The Heavy-duty Hay Scissors Lift assembly contains one pair of crossed lever arms, each connecting to a vertical load engaging structure (in the case described, a hay spike arrangement), the first through intermediate connection to a variable length middle arm, or third arm, and the second through direct connection to the lowest point of the load engaging structure. The assembly is constructed to multiply the lift of the tractor's lift arms. The expanding linkage is capable of lifting standard six-foot high round bales of hay or other material, outwards and upwards and placing one bale on top of another. The Heavy-duty Hay Scissors Lift is constructed without the use of additional hydraulics, to minimize the cost of materials, complexity, maintenance, and redundancy (a tractor having lift arms already has hydraulics).

Abstract: A bale butler for transporting and feeding large round bales of hay includes a hay bale attachment frame and a carrying bed attached to each other in functional arrangement. The hay bale attachment frame has a front bar and a pair of bale connector arms pivotally mounted to the front bar. The hay bale attachment frame has a drawbar and a standard ball-type trailer hitch. Each of the bale connector arms has a hollow cylinder which provides for rotatable attachment of a pair of detachable bale attachment pins. The bale attachment pins are each sharpened on one end. The bale attachment pins have holes drilled perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at measured intervals and have slidably, perpendicularly mounted a plate. The bale butler has a carrying bed which consists of a rectangularly shaped deck. The deck has an axle rearward of the intermediate point of the long rectangular sides of the deck which axle has rotatively mounted hubs, wheels and tires.

Abstract: An auxiliary dump box accessory is provided for combining with a conventional flatbed bale (of hay) loader, for effectively converting the flatbed bale loader and the underlying conventional truck into a dump truck. Thus the dump box accessory gives the flatbed bale loader alternative utility(ies) besides the standard utility of loading and transporting large cylindrical bales of hay, including among others all the utilities typically provided by dump trucks. The dump box rests on the flatbed for use in a conventional upright position. However, when the dump box is unloaded for storage during non-use, it is deposited onto a base support surface such as the ground in a position in which it is substantially inverted.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and a method of using the apparatus to lift and transport a bulky load, such as a round bale of hay. The apparatus of the invention is a planar frame equipped with sliding block adapted to contact and maintain the load to be lifted against the frame during lift and transport. The frame is further equipped with a cable and associated sheave and attachment means adapted to cause the sliding block to move or not to move relative to the frame upon movement of the frame relative to a support, such as the ground depending upon the method of anchoring the cable. The frame is still further equipped with sites adapted for lifting/rotatable attachment to a 3-point lifting device, such as a farm tractor, having the capability to lift the apparatus and load.

Abstract: A hay spear is adapted to provide for the transportation and maneuvering of hay bale rings. A hay bale ring is generally placed over round bales of hay left in a feeding area for cows, requiring the cows to put their heads through openings in the ring to reach the hay and, in this manner, preventing cows from trampling and wasting the hay. The hay bales themselves are commonly transported with the use of a tractor fitted with a hydraulic lift and a hay bale spear, for attaching to and moving a bale of hay. In the past, the rings have been moved from bale to bale manually, which is necessarily a dirty job due to the messy nature of such feeding areas. The hay bale ring mover allows for the use of a tractor and hydraulic lift in moving and positioning the ring as well as the hay bale. The hay bale ring mover has attached hooks so that a tractor can be backed up into a ring, with the hooks and the spear passing through the openings in the ring.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bale feeder for breaking down large cylindrical bales of hay and like animal feeds and spreading it in rows for feeding. The bale feeder comprises a feeder body, a bale lifting means for lifting and positioning a bale within the feeder body, and a bale opening means providing superior dust and mold removal characteristics. The bale feeder is usually towed over the ground behind a vehicle. The bale feeder also includes anti-binding means for reducing the problem of cut twine and hay getting into and binding the cutting means and feed mechanisms.

Abstract: A hand operated hay bale lifter is of a size and weight that can be handled by one person and includes a square coupling bar that can be quickly and easily inserted into the receiver pocket of a standard tow bar trailer hitch. Mechanical lifting force produced by a hydraulic jack assembly is transferred to a fork assembly through a contact coupling provided by an open bearing cup or socket mounted on the fork assembly. The hydraulic jack assembly includes a hand pump, a hydraulic power cylinder and a piston rod mounted on an outboard support stub. The bearing cup or socket rotates in sliding engagement against the piston rod during extension and retraction. Because the piston rod and fork assembly are coupled by contact engagement only, the fork assembly can be quickly elevated by hand and locked in an upright travel/storage position.

Abstract: An implement for use in simultaneously transporting multiple rolled forage bales which includes a frame having upper and lower portions with a first vertically movable bale engaging element mounted adjacent the upper portion of the frame and a lower bale engaging element mounted to the lower portion of the frame. The lower bale engaging element may be selectively removed from the frame to allow unrestricted elevating and loading or stacking of bales.

Abstract: A bale handling apparatus having a rigid mobile frame includes a spaced pair of longitudinal bale pickup and bale-carrying members extending substantially from front to rear of the frame forming a chute for picking-up, transporting and discharging a series of hay bales. A pulling tongue is pivotally attached to the frame at a position juxtaposed to a central portion of a frame cross member in a central portion of the frame. An arcuate rail is connected to the frame and extends over an arc angle having a bisector on the frame central longitudinal axis to an arc termini offset from axis, representative of corresponding offset positions of the frame in bale pick-up positions. A rail follower is attached to the tongue and is in moving engagement relative to the frame along the arc such that the frame is movable relative to a towing vehicle to either left-side towing or right-side towing, bale pick-up and bale-carrying positions.

Abstract: The invention is a simple and efficient system for picking up bales of hay, straw, or other agricultural material in the field and transporting these in stacks (four bales high) to a remote location. The first step in the process is attaching to the baler a cart with a turn table. The baler bales the hay, straw, or other agricultural material into a rectangular bale that is delivered lengthwise to the cart. The turn table on the cart rotates the bale ninety degrees and discharges the bale. Then a bale is picked up by a self propelled bale wagon that consists of: a cab with an engine, a flat bed, and the appropriate machinery for picking up the bale. A boom is mounted on the front of the bale wagon. The boom includes a plurality of tines designed to penetrate the bale as it rests in the field after coming off the turn table cart.

Abstract: A carrier adapted to be drawn over the ground for handling and transporting bales of hay comprises a rigid framework assembly adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle for transporting a series of bales in side-to-side relationship substantially along the entire length thereof. A bale engaging structure is pivotally attached to the framework assembly about a first horizontal axis for lifting the bales from the ground to the framework assembly. The bale engaging structure is also slidably mounted to the framework assembly along a second horizontal axis substantially parallel to the first horizontal axis for engaging the ends of the bales. An alignment arrangement is constructed and arranged to shift the framework assembly without moving the towing vehicle so as to align the bale engaging structure with the ends of the bale before the bale engaging structure engages the bales on the ground.

Abstract: A ground engaging wheeled trailer includes an elongated chassis having a horizontal deck overlying an upright rolled, hair pin shaped I-beam track including a horizontal section extending the length of the deck, an integral vertical section extending downwardly at the rear of the deck, and an integral, forwardly and upwardly inclined third section. A plurality of cars are mounted for movement on the track by car wheels engaging opposite side recesses within the I-beam track. Each car includes a hinged plate at a radially outboard position on the car. A U-shaped cam follower yoke is fixedly mounted to a spear adjacent the hinged plate and carries cam follower rolls to opposite sides thereof for engaging with respective camming bars to opposite sides of the track third sections. Cam slots formed by spaced camming rails forward of the track third section cause the hinged plates to pivot to a position such that the spears carried thereby are horizontal and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cars.

Abstract: A new Round Bale Handling System for offering a simple inexpensive device for lifting and unrolling round bales. The inventive device includes a frame, a lifting shaft, two tow chains, and a roll shaft. In use, the farm tractor 4 is backed up and the lifting shaft 30 is forced longitudinally axially into a round bale 2. The farm tractor's hitch is then used to lift the round bale 2 and the round bale 2 can be hauled by the farm tractor 4 to any desired location. When the round bale 2 has been placed, the farm tractor 4 is then relocated around and backed up to the round bale 2 so that the farm tractor 4 is normal to a rolling axis of the round bale 2. The roll shaft 50 is then pushed through the round bale 2 along its rolling axis and the tow chain 40 is rotatably attached to the roll shaft 50 by use of the retaining pin 56 and the hair clip pin 58. The farm tractor 4 then pulls the roll shaft 50 and the round bale 2 rotates about the roll shaft 50 and unrolls as it does so.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bale accumulator for accumulating at least one cylindrically configured bale of crop stock thereon following its discharge by a baler. The bale accumulator has a conveyor module for receiving a bale from the baler and conveying it to a storage module where it is held pending selective discharge by the operator.

Abstract: A lifting device (10) is provided for lifting bales (14) of material. In broad terms, the lifting device (10) comprises a lifting arm assembly (12), and a winch assembly (16). The lifting arm assembly (12) includes a pair of lifting arms (22,24) pivotally coupled with an axle (26), and a closing arm (28). The lifting arms (22,24) are shiftable between spread and drawn positions, and between lowered and raised positions. A linkage assembly (86) intercouples the lifting arms (22,24), and is adapted for shifting the lifting arms (22,24) between the spread and drawn positions. The closing arm (28) is pivotally attached to the axle (26), and is adapted to engage the linkage assembly (86) for shifting the lifting arms (22,24). The closing arm (28) is shiftable between a bale-disengaging position where the lifting arms (22,24) are in the spread position, and a bale-engaging position where the lifting arms (22,24) are in the drawn position.

Abstract: A hayroll handling device comprises a hayroll or bale spear secured to the snowplow headgear mounted on a light truck or the like. The snowplow blade and associated lifting arm are removed from the headgear, which is permanently mounted on the vehicle. The first end of the spear is then pivotally mounted to the headgear at the pivotal attachment point for the removed blade lifting arm, and the spear is also secured to the upper end of the plow blade lift hydraulic cylinder or ram, which remains with the headgear after removal of the blade and lift arm. The vehicle and attached spear may then be used to impale a large hayroll or the like, with the existing plow blade lifting hydraulics being used to lift the spear and impaled roll or bale, so the vehicle may be driven to transport the roll to a livestock feeding station or other area as desired. The spear may be provided in any practicable length with a pointed tip at the distal second end, in order to provide optimal penetration of the hayroll.

Abstract: A bale loader has a supporting frame with a secondary frame pivotally attached. The secondary frame carries a movable platform in guides and a pair of tynes are pivotally mounted at one end of the platform. A hydraulic cylinder connected between the frames causes the secondary frame to be moved between an upright, loading position and a generally horizontal delivery position. A chain connected between the platform and the secondary frame passes around a sprocket on the supporting frame so that the pivotal movement of the secondary frame is translated to movement of the platform in the guides. A second hydraulic cylinder activates lifting forks to tip a bale from the platform when in its delivery position.

Abstract: A machine for retrieving, loading, transporting, and unloading round bales of hay, straw or other vegetative matter, capable of non-stop operation, loading round bales, transporting them to storage or feeding area and unloading them one at a time, all at once or any combination in between. This machine includes a fore and aft extending mobile chassis, either self propelled or towable, an operator's station at the front end of the chassis or on the tractor towing unit, an escalator mounted on the right front quadrant of the chassis and aligned fore and aft, sorting/alignment cradles aft of the escalator, mounted horizontally to the front edge of the chassis, an elongated, inclined transport platform and a bracing structure supporting the transport platform in an inclined relation above the mobile chassis with the front portion of the transport platform raised to the level of the sorting/aligning cradles and declining to the level of the retaining gates/unloading ramps at the rear of the machine.

Abstract: A bale transport comprising a carrier frame including a pair of elongated spaced beams and a pair of elongated rails secured to the beams and spaced inwardly therefrom in general parallel relation thereto. Wheels are secured to the carrier frame, and hydraulic cylinders connect the carrier frame and the wheels for raising and lowering the frame with respect to the ground surface. A loading frame is on the carrier frame and a power mechanism on the carrier frame rigidly extends the loading frame laterally with respect to the carrier frame in order to load a bale onto the elongated movable height adjustable carrier frame. In operation, the loading frame is slid laterally by the power mechanism to a laterally extended position with respect the carrier frame. The carrier frame is moved longitudinally so that the loading frame is on an engagable position with a bale to be loaded resting on a supporting surface. The carrier frame is lowered to substantially the same level as the surface supporting the bale.

Abstract: A hay roll transporter is adapted to pick up very large hay rolls in the field, carry them to another location, and off load them for storage or further transport. The transporter is in the general configuration of a truck, and may be driven on public roads and also as an agricultural vehicle in the field. The transporter is capable of carrying multiple large hay rolls, which rolls may each exceed one thousand pounds. The rolls are loaded in two rows side by side on the truck bed, with rolls being added alternatingly to each row for lateral balance of the truck. A front ramp with movable forks thereon is used to pick up each roll and load it on the front of the truck, whereupon the roll is transferred to a bed rack which carries and deposits the roll on the bed of the transporter truck.

Abstract: A one man round hay bale lifter and transport device is disclosed for quick assembly and disassembly to a conventional trailer hitch mounted on a pick-up truck. The lifting and transport device includes an anchoring structure and a hay bale lifting and holding structure pivotally mounted on the anchoring structure. The rearward end of the anchoring structure includes a square tube for quick assembly with the square tube of the conventional trailer hitch. A ratchet binder is pivotally mounted on the anchoring structure at one end and on the hay bale lifting structure on the other end. By manually rotating the ratchet handle mounted on a threaded sleeve of the ratchet binder, the lifting structure is elevatable to a maximum angle of about 45.degree. with respect to the anchoring structure. A stop bar engages an edge of the anchoring structure to limit further elevation or lowering of the lifting structure.

Abstract: A break-out attachment (2) configured for connection to a vehicle, such as a lift truck (20), for retrieving, transporting and releasing cotton bales. The break-out attachment comprises a shaft (24) rotatably mounted to a base frame (4), two lower horizontally spaced support arms (10, 12) extending outward from the shaft for supporting a cotton bale and an upper arm (6) extending from the shaft between the support arms for engaging the cotton bale. A rotary actuator (52) is coupled to the shaft for rotating the shaft and the three arms around the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The upper arm has a hydraulic cylinder (88) for telescoping toward and away from the shaft. The hydraulic cylinder provides more flexibility in the positioning of the truck and allows the operator to initially engage the cotton bale with only the upper arm, thus facilitating the process of retrieving the bale.

Abstract: A bale loader for use with a truck having a generally flat truck bed, the bale loader having first and second lifting arms each pivoted at its inner end adjacent opposite rear edges of the truck bed and the outer ends being pivotal towards and away from each other, the outer ends each having a bale spike for engaging a hay bale, the arms being pivotal by hydraulic action in a common plane whereby a bale may be lifted onto or off of the truck bed and a hydraulic cylinder/piston system is provided for moving the arms each into a stowed position wherein they extend along either side of the truck bed to leave the truck bed surface unobstructed.

Abstract: A four-wheeled vehicle which allows a user to carry and distribute a bale of hay. The vehicle includes a rotatable table, i.e. a turntable, and a frame. The frame includes axles and spindles for the attachment of wheels and bearings for the rotative support of the turntable. The turntable rotates along four support bearings disposed near its periphery and a thrust bearing disposed near the center of the turntable. Steering is accomplished by pivoting a handle attached to the front axle, above which is a pair of six inch discs pivotally engaged to each other by a pin. The discs distribute the load and reduce the force on the pin, i.e. pivot point, thereby resulting in an easily steered vehicle.

Abstract: A tractor mounted cylindrical hay bale lifter includes a rectangular frame mounted for rotation on the tractor lower arms of the three point hitch. A platform rides up and down the frame side leg guide channels in response to the raising and lowering of the lower arms such that a one foot rise in the platform results in a three foot rise in the platform relative to ground levcel. A spear and studs are mounted on the platform and a hydraulic cylinder connected to the center point controls the angular orientation of the spear and the frame. For jumbo bales, a lift assist cylinder is mounted between the draw bar and the frame to assist the cable lifting system. Lifting is generally vertical to enhance tractor stability. The spear and spear mount is detachable to enable the frame to accommodate other application mounting member.

Abstract: A bale picker and stacker is described, including a control cab on a primary frame. The control cab and a steering controller are mounted to the primary frame for movement between a forward position at the frame front end and a rearward position outwardly along side the frame and adjacent the rearward frame end. A steering reverser is connected to the steering controller for reversing steering operation at the forward or rearward positions of the control cab. A lifting bed on the primary frame includes a top bale receiving surface moves between substantially horizontal and vertical positions. A bale pick-up on the lifting bed, includes a leg section and an outwardly projecting platform section.

Abstract: A self-loading bale transporter (1) for agricultural use is particularly adapted for use with round bales (20). The self-loading bale transporter includes a support (2) which is movable between a position in which bales (20) may be loaded and unloaded, and a position for transporting the bales. The bale transporter (1) is further provided with loading arms which are capable of clamping the bale (20) onto the support during loading and transportation, and then releasing the bale (20) when it is unloaded.

Abstract: Bale collector, includes a frame provided with wheels, bale-carrying rollers, coupling element which are suitable for coupling the frame to a mobile baler in order to receive bales onto the carrying rollers from a bale outlet of the baler via a front end--viewed in the direction of travel--of the carrying rollers, and also control mechansim for taking the carrying rollers into a collecting state or into an unloading state, for collecting bales on the carrying rollers or unloading collected bales from the carrying rollers and depositing them on the ground. The carrying rollers have parallel horizontal axes, and the rollers are suitable for collecting a row of two or more bales thereon between the front end and a rear end of the carrying rollers. After initiation of the unloading state, the rollers are driven in order to convey the bales backwards and deposit them on the ground.