Abstract: An assembly for an excavator includes a bucket having coupling flanges spaced apart from each other. The coupling flanges extend upwardly from a top wall of the bucket and laterally between side plates of the bucket. Each coupling flange has an aperture. The assembly also includes a linkage assembly coupled to the bucket and configured to tilt the bucket relative to an arm of the excavator. The linkage assembly includes: a top mount configured to be fixedly releasably coupled to the arm of the excavator; a shaft fixedly coupled to the top mount and received in each of the apertures such that the bucket is pivotally coupled to the shaft; a drive lug coupled to and depending from the shaft between the coupling flanges; and a linear actuator coupled to the bucket and the drive lug to pivot the bucket about the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing twine from a bale is described herein. The apparatus includes a frame having a mounting portion configured to releasably mount to a vehicle and two opposed arms rigidly coupled to and extending in a common direction from the mounting portion. The apparatus also includes a bale grabbing mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to releasably secure the bale against the opposed arms of the frame, a cutting mechanism movably coupled to one of the opposed arms of the frame, the cutting mechanism including a cutting element being configured to cut the twine and a twine grabbing mechanism coupled to the other opposed arm of the frame. The twine grabbing mechanism is configured to retain the twine after the twine has been cut by the cutting mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously forming round bales of forage material, and particularly round bales with compressed side walls, from windrowed harvested lines of forage, the apparatus including a continuous pickup, a continuous rotary chopper, an accumulation chamber with a compressed and chopped forage material entry slot and a decompressing exit slot plus a standard form intermittent round baler.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removing net wrap from a bale are described herein. The apparatus includes a frame configured to releasably mount to a vehicle and first and second opposed arms movably coupled to the frame. At least one of the first and second opposed arms moves between a retracted position where the arms support the bale and an extended position where the bale passes between the arms and falls downwardly. The apparatus also includes a cutting mechanism including a cutting element configured to cut the net wrap. The apparatus further includes at least one grabbing mechanism coupled to at least one of the first arm and the second arm to retain the net wrap after the net wrap has been cut by the cutting mechanism and the bale falls downwardly between the arms.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing twine from a bale is described herein. The apparatus includes a frame having a mounting portion configured to releasably mount to a vehicle and two opposed arms rigidly coupled to and extending in a common direction from the mounting portion. The apparatus also includes a bale grabbing mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to releasably secure the bale against the opposed arms of the frame, a cutting mechanism movably coupled to one of the opposed arms of the frame, the cutting mechanism including a cutting element being configured to cut the twine and a twine grabbing mechanism coupled to the other opposed arm of the frame. The twine grabbing mechanism is configured to retain the twine after the twine has been cut by the cutting mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removing net wrap from a bale are described herein. The apparatus includes a frame configured to releasably mount to a vehicle and first and second opposed arms movably coupled to the frame. At least one of the first and second opposed arms moves between a retracted position where the arms support the bale and an extended position where the bale passes between the arms and falls downwardly. The apparatus also includes a cutting mechanism including a cutting element configured to cut the net wrap. The apparatus further includes at least one grabbing mechanism coupled to at least one of the first arm and the second arm to retain the net wrap after the net wrap has been cut by the cutting mechanism and the bale falls downwardly between the arms.

Abstract: A hydraulic excavator tool adapted to be secured to the distal working end of an excavator boom including a main tool assembly with a tool framework, a spaced apart pair of connection flanges fast with the tool framework, and, a structural tubular casing integral with the tool framework extending across and through the tool framework and through the flanges, plus a rotary hydraulic actuator within the tubular casing extending between the connection flanges and providing a rotational drive motion to a drive axle extending between the connection flanges adapted to provide a controlled rotary drive motion of the axle adjacent the connection flanges, and a working tool framework fast to the axle adjacent each of the connection flanges for relative controlled rotation of the working tool framework about the drive axle between the tool framework and a working position.

Abstract: A baling machine includes an accumulator chamber at least partially defined by a housing. The baling machine includes an infeed assembly that is configured to deliver material to an inlet of the accumulator chamber. The baling machine includes a lower rake assembly that is positioned within the accumulator chamber and is operable to move material toward an outlet of the accumulator chamber. The baling machine includes an upper conveyor rake that is movable within the accumulator chamber. The upper conveyor rake has a first end, a second end, and a range of motion between a raised position and a lowered position. The second end of the upper conveyor rake has a greater range of motion than the first end. Through the majority of the range of motion of the upper conveyor rake, the first end is positioned closer to the lower rake assembly than the second end.

Abstract: A hydraulic excavator tool adapted to be secured to the distal working end of an excavator boom including a main tool assembly with a tool framework, a spaced apart pair of connection flanges fast with the tool framework, and, a structural tubular casing integral with the tool framework extending across and through the tool framework and through the flanges, plus a rotary hydraulic actuator within the tubular casing extending between the connection flanges and providing a rotational drive motion to a drive axle extending between the connection flanges adapted to provide a controlled rotary drive motion of the axle adjacent the connection flanges, and a working tool framework fast to the axle adjacent each of the connection flanges for relative controlled rotation of the working tool framework about the drive axle between the tool framework and a working position.

Abstract: A hydraulic excavator tool adapted to be secured to the distal working end of an excavator boom including a main tool assembly with a tool framework, a spaced apart pair of connection flanges fast with the tool framework, and, a structural tubular casing integral with the tool framework extending across and through the tool framework and through the flanges, plus a rotary hydraulic actuator within the tubular casing extending between the connection flanges and providing a rotational drive motion to a drive axle extending between the connection flanges adapted to provide a controlled rotary drive motion of the axle adjacent the connection flanges, and a working tool framework fast to the axle adjacent each of the connection flanges for relative controlled rotation of the working tool framework about the drive axle between the tool framework and a working position.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method of continuously forming round bales of forage material, and particularly round bales with compressed side walls, from windrowed harvested lines of forage and continuous baling apparatus including a continuous pickup, a continuous rotary chopper, an accumulation chamber with a compressed and chopped forage material entry slot and a decompressing exit slot plus a standard form intermittent round baler.

Abstract: A hydraulic excavator tool adapted to be secured to the distal working end of an excavator boom including a main tool assembly with a tool framework, a spaced apart pair of connection flanges fast with the tool framework, and, a structural tubular casing integral with the tool framework extending across and through the tool framework and through the flanges, plus a rotary hydraulic actuator within the tubular casing extending between the connection flanges and providing a rotational drive motion to a drive axle extending between the connection flanges adapted to provide a controlled rotary drive motion of the axle adjacent the connection flanges, and a working tool framework fast to the axle adjacent each of the connection flanges for relative controlled rotation of the working tool framework about the drive axle between the tool framework and a working position.

Abstract: A hydraulic excavator tool adapted to be secured to the distal working end of an excavator boom including a main tool assembly with a tool framework, a spaced apart pair of connection flanges fast with the tool framework, and, a structural tubular casing integral with the tool framework extending across and through the tool framework and through the flanges, plus a rotary hydraulic actuator within the tubular casing extending between the connection flanges and providing a rotational drive motion to a drive axle extending between the connection flanges adapted to provide a controlled rotary drive motion of the axle adjacent the connection flanges, and a working tool framework fast to the axle adjacent each of the connection flanges for relative controlled rotation of the working tool framework about the drive axle between the tool framework and a working position.

Abstract: For use with a front-end loader etc, the coupler-assembly provides a rigid connection between the pivoting arm-end and the bucket. Included is a slider-block, guided in slide-guides and slider-slots in side-plates of the frame of the arm-end. Sliding the block using a hydraulic slider ram, wedges the bucket lugs tightly into the frame. The slider-ram is integrated into and moves with the block. A lock-spring urges a lock-bolt into position to lock the bucket-lug to the arm-end frame. A lock-ram releases the lock-bolt, to permit disengagement.

Abstract: For use with a front-end loader etc, the coupler-assembly provides a rigid connection between the pivoting arm-end and the bucket. Included is a slider-block, guided in slide-guides and slider-slots in side-plates of the frame of the arm-end. Sliding the block using a hydraulic slider ram, wedges the bucket lugs tightly into the frame. The slider-ram is integrated into and moves with the block. A lock-spring urges a lock-bolt into position to lock the bucket-lug to the arm-end frame. A lock-ram releases the lock-bolt, to permit dis-engagement.

Abstract: A trailer having a frame extending along a longitudinal axis and having a front end and a rear end, a steering linkage coupled to the frame, a pair of front wheel assemblies coupled to the front end of the frame, and a pair of rear wheel assemblies coupled to the rear end of the frame. Each wheel assembly includes a wheel carrier having a pivot member pivotally coupled to the frame along a steering axis, the wheel carrier being coupled to the steering linkage so that actuation of the steering linkage pivots the wheel carrier about the steering axis, and a wheel rotatably coupled to the wheel carrier along a wheel axis. The wheel axis is oriented approximately perpendicular to the steering axis, and the wheel axis is offset from the steering axis.

Abstract: A bale processor, having a support surface for supporting a bale of crop material, a shredding roller positioned at one end of the support surface, the shredding roller having an elongate roller body, the roller body configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, and a feed mechanism positioned on the support surface, the feed mechanism configured for urging the bale towards the shredding roller. The shredding roller includes at least one separating section having at least one impacting member that protrudes outwardly from the elongate roller body, the at least one impacting member configured to impact the bale when the roller body rotates so as to separate the crop material therefrom. The shredding roller also includes at least one conveying section configured to engage a portion of the bale and to direct that portion towards the separating section in a longitudinal direction aligned with the axis of rotation of the roller body.

Abstract: A bale processor, having a support surface for supporting a bale of crop material, a shredding roller positioned at one end of the support surface, the shredding roller having an elongate roller body, the roller body configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, and a feed mechanism positioned on the support surface, the feed mechanism configured for urging the bale towards the shredding roller. The shredding roller includes at least one separating section having at least one impacting member that protrudes outwardly from the elongate roller body, the at least one impacting member configured to impact the bale when the roller body rotates so as to separate the crop material therefrom. The shredding roller also includes at least one conveying section configured to engage a portion of the bale and to direct that portion towards the separating section in a longitudinal direction aligned with the axis of rotation of the roller body.

Abstract: The left and right sideblades are hinged to the mainblade about vertical axes, and can pivot each through 180°. The sideblades are rotated by means of left and right hydraulic rotary actuators. The actuator includes a piston formed with helical splines, which drive a rotor sleeve of the actuator to rotate in a single-plane-circle when the piston is driven axially. The journal bearings in the rotary actuator are supplemented by bearings provided in a coaxial lower hinge, which are of much greater journal capacity than the bearings in the rotary actuators. The lower hinge protects the hydraulic rotary actuator from shocks due to the sideblade impacting against a kerb. A wheel-protection link blocks the sideblade from contacting the wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus for releasably coupling a hydraulically activated work implement to a work vehicle includes an implement attachment device for attaching a work implement to a work vehicle, a first coupling assembly, and a second coupling assembly. The implement attachment device includes a forward side for facing the work implement and a rearward side for facing the work vehicle, first mounting members extending from the rearward side for mounting the implement attachment device to at least one boom arm of the work vehicle, and second mounting members for mounting the implement attachment device to the work implement. The first hydraulic coupling assembly extends from the rearward side, and includes a first coupler configured for fluid communication with a hydraulic power source on the work vehicle.