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 cutting edge system for a snowplow is described. The system includes a backing plate coupled to a moldboard of the snowplow and cutting edge segments mounted to a front of the backing plate. Each cutting edge segment includes a blade segment slidably mounted to the backing plate. Each blade segment has a lower portion, an upper portion having an uppermost edge, and two upwardly extending lobes that define an intermediate portion therebetween. The two lobes each have a slot having a central slot region to receive a fastener and an upper slot region extending between the central slot region and an opening in an upper edge of the lobe. Each cutting edge segment also includes a compression member retained between the uppermost edge of the intermediate portion and an engaging surface of the backing plate to absorb upward movement of the blade segment when the cutting edge engages the ground.

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 cutting edge system for a snowplow is described herein. The system includes a backing plate coupled to a bottom portion of a moldboard of the snowplow and a plurality of cutting edge segments mounted to a front surface of the backing plate. Each cutting edge segment includes a blade segment slidably mounted to the front surface of the backing plate. Each blade segment has a lower portion configured to engage a ground surface, an upper portion having an uppermost edge opposed to the cutting edge, and two upwardly extending lobes spaced apart from each other to define an intermediate portion therebetween. Each cutting edge segment also includes a compression member configured to be retained in between the uppermost edge of the intermediate portion and an engaging surface of the backing plate. The compression member is configured to absorb upward movement of the blade segment when the cutting edge engages the ground surface.

Abstract: A cutting edge system for a snowplow is described. The system includes a backing plate coupled to a moldboard of the snowplow and cutting edge segments mounted to a front of the backing plate. Each cutting edge segment includes a blade segment slidably mounted to the backing plate. Each blade segment has a lower portion, an upper portion having an uppermost edge, and two upwardly extending lobes that define an intermediate portion therebetween. The two lobes each have a slot having a central slot region to receive a fastener and an upper slot region extending between the central slot region and an opening in an upper edge of the lobe. Each cutting edge segment also includes a compression member retained between the uppermost edge of the intermediate portion and an engaging surface of the backing plate to absorb upward movement of the blade segment when the cutting edge engages the ground.

Abstract: A cutting edge system for a snowplow is described herein. The system includes a backing plate coupled to a bottom portion of a moldboard of the snowplow and a plurality of cutting edge segments mounted to a front surface of the backing plate. Each cutting edge segment includes a blade segment slidably mounted to the front surface of the backing plate. Each blade segment has a lower portion configured to engage a ground surface, an upper portion having an uppermost edge opposed to the cutting edge, and two upwardly extending lobes spaced apart from each other to define an intermediate portion therebetween. Each cutting edge segment also includes a compression member configured to be retained in between the uppermost edge of the intermediate portion and an engaging surface of the backing plate. The compression member is configured to absorb upward movement of the blade segment when the cutting edge engages the ground surface.

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: 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.

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: 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.