Abstract: A mobile apparatus for carrying and weighing a load includes a mobile frame supported by a plurality of wheels. At least one container is supported on the mobile frame for carrying a load. A plurality of sensor assemblies are coupled between the frame and the container, the sensor assemblies resistive to a weight force exerted by the container towards the frame in a generally vertical sensing direction for sensing a weight of the load, and the sensor assemblies non-resistive to error forces exerted generally orthogonally to the sensing direction for filtering out the error forces from the sensed weight. A stabilizing assembly is coupled between the container and the frame, the stabilizing assembly freely accommodating transfer of the force exerted by the container towards the frame in the sensing direction, and simultaneously inhibiting shifting of the container relative to the frame in one or more shifting directions perpendicular to the sensing direction.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for carrying and weighing a load includes a mobile frame supported by a plurality of wheels. At least one container is supported on the mobile frame for carrying a load. A plurality of sensor assemblies are coupled between the frame and the container, the sensor assemblies resistive to a weight force exerted by the container towards the frame in a generally vertical sensing direction for sensing a weight of the load, and the sensor assemblies non-resistive to error forces exerted generally orthogonally to the sensing direction for filtering out the error forces from the sensed weight. A stabilizing assembly is coupled between the container and the frame, the stabilizing assembly freely accommodating transfer of the force exerted by the container towards the frame in the sensing direction, and simultaneously inhibiting shifting of the container relative to the frame in one or more shifting directions perpendicular to the sensing direction.

Abstract: A method of loading bales into a bale processing chamber of a bale processor. The bale processing chamber is mounted on a chamber frame mounted on wheels for travel on a ground surface in a forward operating travel direction. A bale fork is pivotally mounted on the chamber frame such that in a lowered position the bale fork is oriented substantially horizontally and rests on the ground surface. The chamber frame is moved rearward such that the bale fork slides under a bale resting on the ground surface with a bale axis oriented substantially horizontally in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the operating travel direction. The bale fork and the bale supported thereon are raised above the ground surface. The bale fork is turned such that the bale axis turns to a second direction substantially parallel to the operating travel direction while maintaining the bale rearward of the bale processing chamber.

Abstract: A method of loading bales into a bale processing chamber of a bale processor. The bale processing chamber is mounted on a chamber frame mounted on wheels for travel on a ground surface in a forward operating travel direction. A bale fork is pivotally mounted on the chamber frame such that in a lowered position the bale fork is oriented substantially horizontally and rests on the ground surface. The chamber frame is moved rearward such that the bale fork slides under a bale resting on the ground surface with a bale axis oriented substantially horizontally in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the operating travel direction. The bale fork and the bale supported thereon are raised above the ground surface. The bale fork is turned such that the bale axis turns to a second direction substantially parallel to the operating travel direction while maintaining the bale rearward of the bale processing chamber.

Abstract: A bale processor apparatus has a bale processing chamber mounted on a chamber frame on wheels for travel in a travel direction. A lift arm frame is pivotally attached to a rear end of the chamber frame about a lift pivot axis, and a lift actuator pivots the lift arm frame from a lowered position to a raised position. A bale turning assembly is pivotally attached to the lift arm frame and bale fork tines are attached to the bale turning assembly. A turning actuator pivots the bale turning assembly from a standard position, where the bale fork tines extend rearward from bale processing chamber to a turned position, where the bale fork tines are rearward of the bale processing chamber and perpendicular to the travel direction. A shear bar cuts twine on rectangular bales as they fall into the chamber but does not affect cylindrical bales.

Abstract: A bale processor apparatus has a bale processing chamber mounted on a chamber frame on wheels for travel in a travel direction. A lift arm frame is pivotally attached to a rear end of the chamber frame about a lift pivot axis, and a lift actuator pivots the lift arm frame from a lowered position to a raised position. A bale turning assembly is pivotally attached to the lift arm frame and bale fork tines are attached to the bale turning assembly. A turning actuator pivots the bale turning assembly from a standard position, where the bale fork tines extend rearward from bale processing chamber to a turned position, where the bale fork tines are rearward of the bale processing chamber and perpendicular to the travel direction. A shear bar cuts twine on rectangular bales as they fall into the chamber but does not affect cylindrical bales.

Abstract: Wrapping of twine on a chain and slat conveyor in a bale processor is reduced. The bale processor has a bale chamber, a chain bed forming a bottom of the bale chamber and a disintegrator roller mounted along one side. Driven and idler shafts extend adjacent to opposite first and second sides of the chain bed. Front, middle, and rear sprockets are mounted to front, middle, and rear portions of the shafts, and corresponding front, middle, and rear conveyor chains engage corresponding sprockets. Conveyor slats are attached to the chains. Wrapping of twine is reduced by supporting the shafts only at front and rear ends thereof such that the sprockets and shafts rotate unsupported between front and rear bearings on walls of the bale chamber. Scraper devices can be mounted adjacent to front and rear sprockets to prevent the build-up of twine on the shafts.