Abstract: An attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle is designed to engage, carry and unroll a round hay bale. The attachment can be adjusted to interact with hay bales of various lengths. The attachment includes a support structure with features to attach to the vehicle. A first end of a first arm is pivotably connected proximate a first end of the support structure. A first end of a second arm is pivotably connected proximate the first end of the support structure. A spacing link is pivotably connected to second ends of the first and second arms. A first hay bale spear is attached to the spacing link. A third arm has a first end pivotably connected proximate a second end of the support structure. A second hale bay spear is attached proximate to a second end of the third arm and faces toward the first hay bale spear.

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: A wrapped bale handling apparatus configured to engage a bale and remove a wrap from the bale may include a bale support assembly configured to support the bale of material, with the bale support assembly having a support mode and a release mode. The support mode may be configured to support a bale by the bale support assembly, and the release mode may be configured to release the bale from being supported by the bale support assembly. The apparatus may further comprise a wrap cutting structure configured to cut the wrap in place on the bale and a wrap removal assembly configured to remove the wrap from the wrapped bale.

Abstract: Object manipulation space optimization is a challenging task and used in applications such as heat treatment operation and transport packaging. Traditionally manual intervention is involved to grasp and place the objects for ensuring multi object stacking with zero gap between adjacent objects. This leads to higher cost infrastructure and low productivity. Further, conventional gripper devices fail to optimize object manipulation space and are unable to handle objects of different cross sections with larger lengths. The present disclosure provides a gripper apparatus addressing a single gripper design comprising an adaptor holding unit with a provision for different modular object holding units which are varied in accordance with size, shape and length of the object to be grasped and placed by the gripper apparatus. The modular object holding unit comprises a plurality of fingers which are actuated for grasping and stacking one or more objects such that object manipulation space is optimized.

Abstract: A drying device that includes a drying furnace having an inlet and an outlet, a drying unit installed inside the drying furnace and for drying a to-be-dried object, a number of upper and lower rolls alternately arranged at internal top and bottom portions of the drying furnace, and a roll driver connected to the plurality of upper and lower rolls and moving the upper rolls upwardly and the lower rolls downwardly, wherein after the to-be-dried object is transferred from the inlet to the outlet, the roller driver moves the upper rolls downwardly, moves the lower rolls upwardly, or moves the upper rolls downwardly and the lower rolls upwardly.

Abstract: A vehicle bed, comprising a bed frame adapted for carrying a load, a fork including at least one tine, and a pivot mechanism adapted for pivoting the bed frame and the fork between a first position and a second position with respect to a vehicle frame. The fork is connected to an end of the bed frame and is substantially orthogonal to the bed frame. Loads are transported on the bed frame in the first position and are moved off or on the fork in the second position. The vehicle bed may be incorporated as part of a truck bed or as part of a trailer bed for a bale loading apparatus. The vehicle bed may include a lift mechanism including a lift cylinder adapted for lifting a load with respect to the vehicle frame to compensate for a load weight compressing a vehicle suspension. The bale loader includes a boom having a mast rotatably attached to a vehicle or trailer frame, a main boom pivotally attached to the mast, a jib boom pivotally attached to the main boom, and a head swivably attached to the jib boom.

Abstract: A grapple claw for attachment to a backhoe adapted to be interchangeable with a standard backhoe bucket. Grapple claw (10) includes a main frame member (50), a pivoting stop member (52) that engages the arm (30) and restricts the rotation of the frame (50) around the arm's distal end (35). Grapple claw (10) also includes at least a pair of opposing interlocking claws (54) and (56), respectively pivotally secured to the frame (50). In this regard, claw (54) pivots about fulcrum point (55) and claw (56) pivots about fulcrum point (57). A rotation imparting device (60) is pivotally connected between ram (45) and claws (54) and (56) for applying moments in opposite directions about fulcrum points (55) and (57) to effect the opening and closing of claws (54) and (56). Thus the opening and closing of claws (54) and (56) is accomplished by a single hydraulic ram is accomplished and the necessity for an auxiliary hydraulic circuit and associated ram is alleviated.

Abstract: The bale handler attachment (10) has a frame (26) with a base member (26), an upper member (30) parallel to the base member and a pair of connecting members (32 and 34). A pair of connector assemblies (118 and 120) are connected to the frame (26). A plurality of parallel straight tines (36) are connected to the base member (28). A right shaft (42) and a left shaft (54) are pivotally attached to the frame (26) for pivotal movement about parallel axies that are perpendicular to the axies of the straight tines (36). Arcuate tines (74 and 78) are attached to the right and left shafts (42 and 54) and are pivoted into and out of engagement with bales by a hydraulic cylinder (82). A tiebar (72) connects the upper ends of the shafts (42 and 54) and are pivoted into and out of engagement with bales by a hydraulic cylinder (82). A tie bar (72) connects the upper ends of the shaft.

Abstract: Bales of condensed relatively dry tobacco particles are broken up by subdividing each bale into slabs which are thereupon mechanically fragmentized, heated and moisturized with steam or steam and hot water, shredded while still heated, and thereupon subjected to one or more additional treatments. The bales are subdivided into slabs by cutting them transversely of the layers of compressed tobacco particles therein, and the heating and moisturizing steps can be carried out in a drum or in a closed tunnel of a vibratory conveyor.

Abstract: A method of preparing land for tree planting includes the step of ameliorating small zones of the land required for planting. These zones may be between the rows of stumps after tree felling and are of the order of one meter square and 25 to 75 cms deep. The zones are ameliorated by grabbing a volume of soil in selected zones, which disturbs the soil in those zones, and allowing it, in an ameliorated state, to re-occupy that volume.

Abstract: An unrolling device for cylindrical hay bales spikes the bale on its axis and pulls it along the ground to unroll it, when the device is pulled by a pickup truck, tractor, or the like. It comprises a transverse crossbar, two arms hinged at their ends to respective ends of the crossbar, and spikes insertable through the arm ends. The arms may swing out from the bar to a right angle; when both are swung out they lie parallel to one another. The spikes fit through the arm ends to protrude inwardly in the same plane as the plane formed by the crossbar and arms. Thus when set up for use the device has the general shape of a serif capital letter C. In use, the arms are set out on either side of a bale and the spikes are inserted through the arm ends to penetrate the hay bale on its axes. The device is pulled by chains on the crossbar to unroll the bale. When not in use, the device folds into a compact linear shape; the spikes are removed and the arms are folded down.

Abstract: A bale handling implement is disclosed having a pair of elongated arm members rotatably attached to a mounting support such that the arms are rotatable about their longitudinal axes. The arms, which have several teeth extending from one side, rotatably pass through a support bushing that is directly attached to the mounting support. The elongated arms are rotated by a single, fluid actuated power cylinder attached to the mounting support between a position in which the teeth extend generally downwardly and a position in which the teeth engage the hay bale to facilitate its lifting. A linkage mechanism interconnects the actuating rod of the fluid actuated power cylinder to crank arms attached to the elongated arm members such that extension and retraction of the actuating rod causes the arm members to rotate about their longitudinal axes.

Abstract: A grapple with a mounting bracket for attachment to the outer boom of an excavator having a hydraulic cylinder with a top jaw mounted for pivotal movement on the mounting bracket. A bottom jaw is attached to the mounting bracket for opening and closing cooperation with the top jaw. Linkages are connected, respectively, to the top and bottom jaws and to the hydraulic cylinder for unison powered movement of the top and bottom jaws into an open position, and for unison powered movement of the top and bottom jaws into a closed position by operation of only the single hydraulic cylinder through the linkage. The top jaw and the bottom jaw are coaxially mounted on the mounting bracket. The linkages include a top linkage bar connected by one end to the top jaw and a bottom linkage bar connected by one end to the bottom jaw. The other end of both top and bottom linkage bars are attached to the hydraulic cylinder through a hydraulic cylinder linkage bar.

Abstract: Improved material handling device for selective pick up, holding, and release of material is disclosed. The device includes arcuate talons mounted to a first shaft capable of pivotal movement about an offset centerline and by means of talons mounted to a second shaft exhibiting pivotal movement about an offset centerline. The talons, which move in arcuate paths, pierce a plane parallel to a plane defined by the offset centerlines substantially at right angles. The talons diverge after penetrating the pierceable material.

Abstract: The elevator device for an agricultural tractor loader comprises a swing member bearing in an articulated manner on a member protruding from a bracket in direction of the tractor loader. The swing member is moreover supported and actuated by a cylinder connected to the bracket so that this swing member pivots the tool to which it is attached and lifts the tool during expansion of the cylinder.

Abstract: A motorized device for retrieving rectangular objects and stacking said objects on a pallet is described. The device includes a conveyor for picking up objects such as hay bales from the ground and a manipulator for taking bales from the conveyor and orienting them either lengthwise or crosswise. The oriented bales are then individually transported to an accumulator in the desired orientation to form a layer. When the layer has been formed on the accumulator, a carriage is translated forward and downward to engage the layer and pick the layer up, moving the carriage and layer of bales rearwardly to deposit them on a pallet. Successive layers are formed in this fashion until a stack of the desired height is disposed on the pallet. The device then may transport the palletized load to a storage or transport area where the load may be moved by forklift truck.

Abstract: A pallet loading apparatus wherein an article is held by a holding device that can move freely vertically and horizontally at the article line-up position. The article is then moved and lowered onto articles on a pallet at the pallet loading position. The holding device is provided at the lower sections on its both sides with a plurality of scooping fork members, each of which has a supporting section that is supported on a shaft in such a manner that it can be opened and closed and is horizontal when it is closed. The supporting sections of the scooping fork members are provided at one or more positions of each section with joint sections and the end section of the joint sections is formed so as to bend only upwards.

Abstract: A machine for lifting, rotating and transporting crops in the form of bales. The machine includes a motorized chassis with a cab for an operator. A tilt table is located on the back of the chassis for holding and unloading the bales. A boom is positioned adjacent the table on the chassis for loading bales onto the system or for transferring bales between locations. A fork is connected to the distal end of the boom for grabbing the bales and includes mechanism for rotating the bales about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis so that the bales can be aligned in any orientation for stacking.

Abstract: A support body having a plurality of grasping fingers on opposite sides which are shaped in the form of an arc of a circle. The fingers move in a circular path for grasping and releasing articles with a minimum of clearance along the side of the articles. An arm supports each of the fingers by one end and has the second end of the arm rotationally supported from the support body at an angle. The first end of the arm is at an angle to the plane of the supported finger and the second end is at an angle to the first end. A lever is connected between the support body and the first ends of each arm for rotating the first ends about the second ends. A conveying system may be used with the pick up and release apparatus having a conveyor with spaced rollers in which compression plates are positioned at each end of the rollers for compressing the article for pickup.

Abstract: A round bale handling device for use with conventional farm tractor front end loaders includes a normally vertical, forwardly tiltable frame having a pair of shafts with a plurality of tines thereon mounted for partial rotation about longitudinal axes thereof, permitting grasping of a bale positioned therebetween for handling without substantial compression of the bale surface. Motive structure is provided to rotate the shafts to engage and disengage bales, and quick detach hitch members secure the bale handling device to the loader for manipulation by the tractor operator.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle for collecting and transporting hay bales includes a mobile frame having laterally spaced side members each having a plurality of bale lifting and supporting members movably mounted thereon and arranged in longitudinally spaced and laterally opposed pairs. The agricultural vehicle includes power means for moving the bale lifting and supporting members between a depending position and a bale supporting position. The agricultural vehicle may be a trailer and includes a tongue member pivotally connected to a forward end of one of the frame side members and movable between a first position with the vehicle and a prime mover in longitudinal alignment and a second position with the vehicle parallel with and laterally offset from prime mover.

Abstract: A loose bale accumulator is disclosed in which bales may be accumulated individually from the ground in a set of side-by-side bale-receiving bays each of which has its individual bale entry point, and means are provided to facilitate entry of bales directly into the respective entry points rather than employing marshalling means interposed between a single entry point and a set of bale-receiving bays.

Abstract: The round bale handling apparatus is adapted for mounting on the three-point hitch of a farm tractor and has a vertically swingable, normally fore-and-aft extending boom provided with a crosshead at its outermost end having depending arms that clamp and rotatably support a round bale concentrically by its opposite ends to progressively unroll the bale for feeding the latter as the tractor is advanced. The crosshead can be swung about a vertical axis between a position transverse to the boom and a position disposed substantially alongside the latter such that the bale can be approached and picked up from a number of different directions and within relatively close confines.

Abstract: A hydraulic hay fork for grappling hay comprising an hydraulic cylinder with a vertically moving depending shaft to which radially extending clawlike teeth are pivotally attached, and holding assemblies pivotally attached about midway along each tooth, means attaching the holding assemblies to the cylinder housing so that upward movement of the cylinder shaft will cause the teeth to grip, and an anti-bending telescoping assembly disposed alongside the cylinder and shaft and attached in a manner preventing rotation of shaft and teeth.The hay fork described in which the holding assemblies comprise a pair of relief rod assemblies for each tooth providing a yielding connection and a strengthening rigidity to each tooth.

Abstract: A bale handling device, more particularly a bale pick-up device, includes a plurality of squared C-shaped hooks which are individually pivotally mounted between pairs of elongate support members and pivotally mounted to actuating members for pivoting into a raised position out of engagement with the bales and a lowered position into engagement with the bales. Forces are applied via the actuating members to raise and lower the hooks by a pair of operating members which connect the actuating members to the piston end and the free end of a hydraulic cylinder. The cylinder is not fixed, but is free to float, effecting force equalization and preventing damage to the mechanism if an obstruction is encountered.

Abstract: A vertically swingable boom is provided with a downwardly opening grappling fork having horizontally swingable tines that are operated in unison by mechanism reciprocable vertically across the outer end of the boom. Power is supplied to the mechanism via a vertically swingable rocker and a fluid pressure piston and cylinder assembly lying along the boom and having a ram coupled with the rocker that reciprocates toward and away from the fork. Special geometrical and tolerance relationships between the tines and the plunger mechanism permit certain of the tines to move more deeply into the grappled load than others if disproportionate resistances are encountered, all without subjecting the fork, the connecting mechanism, and the ram to excessive bending forces.