Abstract: A round bale moving trailer is disclosed as including a mobile frame and a pair of bale support cradles carried by the frame. The cradles have the same bale support capacities and are consequently capable of supporting an equal number of similarly dimensioned bales. Each of the cradles is supported on the frame for swinging movement between a bale-carrying position and a bale-unloading position. A control mechanism is provided for synchronizing swinging movement of the cradles. The illustrated control mechanism includes a single hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly coupled between the cradles in such a manner that extension and retraction of the assembly causes equal and simultaneous shifting of the cradles. The assembly is connected to a diamond-shaped linkage assembly which limits the ends of the assembly to equal shifting in relatively opposite directions.

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.