Abstract: Apparatus for pressing vertical arrangements of units that are stored in an elongate container with a front, plural sides, and a cavity includes a mechanism coupled to the front and extending toward the rear of such container and including opposing arms. Each arm is located adjacent a corresponding, opposing side of such container, with the mechanism being actuable to move the arms toward each other a preselected distance as a way of pressing a first arrangement of subunits. The apparatus preferably includes a submechanism actuable with the arms to move inwardly toward the cavity a preselected distance as a way of pressing arrangements of subunits, i.e. loaded subunits, that have already been pressed by the mechanism.

Abstract: Embodiments of a big hay bale stacker apparatus and method are shown and described. The big hay bale stacker picks up a first big hay bale cross-wise, rotates the first bale 90.degree. about an axis parallel to the long dimension of the bale, and lifts the bale and places it on the front edge of a load table. The load table rotates to tip backwards so the first bale slides to the back of the load table when the pick-up mechanism releases the bale. The load table continues to rotate and tip backwards until it also has rotated 90.degree., and, by doing so, it rotates the first bale another 90.degree. and positions it on the front edge of a load bed. The load table and pick-up mechanism then reverse their travel, and in like fashion as for the first bale, pick up a second bale. The pick-up mechanism does not release the second bale until the load table has rotated 90.degree.

Abstract: A ground engaging wheeled trailer includes an elongated chassis having a horizontal deck overlying an upright rolled, hair pin shaped I-beam track including a horizontal section extending the length of the deck, an integral vertical section extending downwardly at the rear of the deck, and an integral, forwardly and upwardly inclined third section. A plurality of cars are mounted for movement on the track by car wheels engaging opposite side recesses within the I-beam track. Each car includes a hinged plate at a radially outboard position on the car. A U-shaped cam follower yoke is fixedly mounted to a spear adjacent the hinged plate and carries cam follower rolls to opposite sides thereof for engaging with respective camming bars to opposite sides of the track third sections. Cam slots formed by spaced camming rails forward of the track third section cause the hinged plates to pivot to a position such that the spears carried thereby are horizontal and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cars.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bale accumulator for accumulating at least one cylindrically configured bale of crop stock thereon following its discharge by a baler. The bale accumulator has a conveyor module for receiving a bale from the baler and conveying it to a storage module where it is held pending selective discharge by the operator.

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.

Abstract: A front-end big bale loader is shown and described. A tined pick-up mechanism is pivotally connected to near the front end of a transporting vehicle frame. The tines of the pick-up mechanism are first inserted into the front side of a large bale, and then, the hydraulic system for the pick-up mechanism is actuated to rotate and lift the mechanism up and over the front of the transporting vehicle, to a bed that receives the bale. After the first big bale is rotated and lifted all the way back to the bed, the bale is removed from the tines by a backward shift mechanism that shifts the bale backwards on the bed, away from the temporarily stationary tines. Then, the pick-up mechanism is rotated forward and down in front of the vehicle to be ready to pick up a second big bale. At about the same time, a forward shift mechanism moves the first big hay bale forward again so that the second bale, when it is lifted up and back by the pick-up mechanism, comes to rest on top of the first bale.

Abstract: A machine for retrieving, loading, transporting, and unloading round bales of hay, straw or other vegetative matter, capable of non-stop operation, loading round bales, transporting them to storage or feeding area and unloading them one at a time, all at once or any combination in between. This machine includes a fore and aft extending mobile chassis, either self propelled or towable, an operator's station at the front end of the chassis or on the tractor towing unit, an escalator mounted on the right front quadrant of the chassis and aligned fore and aft, sorting/alignment cradles aft of the escalator, mounted horizontally to the front edge of the chassis, an elongated, inclined transport platform and a bracing structure supporting the transport platform in an inclined relation above the mobile chassis with the front portion of the transport platform raised to the level of the sorting/aligning cradles and declining to the level of the retaining gates/unloading ramps at the rear of the machine.

Abstract: A bale transport comprising a carrier frame including a pair of elongated spaced beams and a pair of elongated rails secured to the beams and spaced inwardly therefrom in general parallel relation thereto. Wheels are secured to the carrier frame, and hydraulic cylinders connect the carrier frame and the wheels for raising and lowering the frame with respect to the ground surface. A loading frame is on the carrier frame and a power mechanism on the carrier frame rigidly extends the loading frame laterally with respect to the carrier frame in order to load a bale onto the elongated movable height adjustable carrier frame. In operation, the loading frame is slid laterally by the power mechanism to a laterally extended position with respect the carrier frame. The carrier frame is moved longitudinally so that the loading frame is on an engagable position with a bale to be loaded resting on a supporting surface. The carrier frame is lowered to substantially the same level as the surface supporting the bale.

Abstract: A process and apparatus to pickup, stack and transport bales and other boxed or contained commodities. The invention is a flat bed vehicle and process which utilize a boom mounted on a vehicle which allow the vehicle to arrange itself adjacent the object to be picked up, lower the boom to attach to the object and to then raise and rotate it to a position where it can be lowered onto the flat bed portion of the vehicle. The invention further provides for the arrangement of the bales or other objects such that when the flat bed is tilted to a substantially vertical position and moved away, the bales or boxes that were arranged horizontally on the flatbed are stacked vertically.

Abstract: A bale loader for use with a truck having a generally flat truck bed, the bale loader having first and second lifting arms each pivoted at its inner end adjacent opposite rear edges of the truck bed and the outer ends being pivotal towards and away from each other, the outer ends each having a bale spike for engaging a hay bale, the arms being pivotal by hydraulic action in a common plane whereby a bale may be lifted onto or off of the truck bed and a hydraulic cylinder/piston system is provided for moving the arms each into a stowed position wherein they extend along either side of the truck bed to leave the truck bed surface unobstructed.

Abstract: A bale picker and stacker is described, including a control cab on a primary frame. The control cab and a steering controller are mounted to the primary frame for movement between a forward position at the frame front end and a rearward position outwardly along side the frame and adjacent the rearward frame end. A steering reverser is connected to the steering controller for reversing steering operation at the forward or rearward positions of the control cab. A lifting bed on the primary frame includes a top bale receiving surface moves between substantially horizontal and vertical positions. A bale pick-up on the lifting bed, includes a leg section and an outwardly projecting platform section.

Abstract: Bale collector, includes a frame provided with wheels, bale-carrying rollers, coupling element which are suitable for coupling the frame to a mobile baler in order to receive bales onto the carrying rollers from a bale outlet of the baler via a front end--viewed in the direction of travel--of the carrying rollers, and also control mechansim for taking the carrying rollers into a collecting state or into an unloading state, for collecting bales on the carrying rollers or unloading collected bales from the carrying rollers and depositing them on the ground. The carrying rollers have parallel horizontal axes, and the rollers are suitable for collecting a row of two or more bales thereon between the front end and a rear end of the carrying rollers. After initiation of the unloading state, the rollers are driven in order to convey the bales backwards and deposit them on the ground.

Abstract: Bale collector, includes a frame provided with wheels, bale-carrying rollers, coupling elememt suitable for coupling the frame to a mobile baler in order to receive bales onto the carrying rollers from a bale outlet of the baler via a front end--viewed in the direction of travel--of the carrying rollers, and also control mechanism for taking the carrying rollers into a collecting state or into an unloading state, for collecting bales on the carrying rollers or unloading collected bales from the carrying rollers and depositing them on the ground. The carrying rollers have parallel horizontal axes, and the rollers are suitable for collecting a row of two or more bales thereon between the front end and a rear end of the carrying rollers. In one embodiment the carrying rollers form a two-part bottom which can be swung downwards, and which, after a complete row of bales has collected thereon, in order to allow the row of bales to pass between the bottom parts and be deposited on the ground.

Abstract: Apparatus for picking up and stacking large bales of hay or the like comprises a wheeled trailer that is pulled in an offset position by a tractor, a bale pick up and loading mechanism on the front of the trailer for picking up the bales as the trailer is pulled across a field, and a downwardly and a rearwardly inclined accumulating platform on the trailer for storing the bales. The accumulating platform is tiltable in a rearward direction to unload the bales in a stack. The bale pick-up and loading mechanism comprises a pivotal loading platform with outwardly extending pick-up arms on the sides of the loading platform guiding and manipulating the bales into proper position and for grasping the ends of the bales as they are lifted on the accumulating platform. Upwardly extending gripping members or sliding alignment tubes at the ends of the pick-up arms, and pivotable grab hooks, provide increased bale grasping capabilities and improved stacking stability.

Abstract: A machine for stacking hay bales emerging from a hay baler in pyramidal stacks of six bales, has a supporting bed for receiving bales from a drop table. The bed is provided with a side panel and a pair of separator panels for separating rows of bales in the stack, the dividers being tiltable for orienting the bales into a pyramidal stack. The machine is mounted on wheels for towing, with the bed being pivotable from a substantially level position wherein the bales are collected, to a rearwardly dropped position for discharge of the bales onto a field in a pyramidal stack. Improved discharge of pyramidal stacks is achieved by orienting the separator panels at an oblique angle relative to the line of travel of the machine whereby slippage of the bales from between the panels is facilitated.

Abstract: A method for picking up rectangular big bales of hay, straw, or the like; placing the bales on a turntable for proper selective orientation of the bales relative to a stacker bed; and for pivoting the turntable, with bales, about a horizontal axis for depositing the bales on a stacker bed. Selective rotation of the turntable, permits a second bale to be placed in a side by side, parallel relationship with a first bale and also permits tieing of tiers of bales on the stacker bed. A novel pick-up member, which rotates one hundred eighty degrees, allows pick up of bales from a horizontal location on the ground and placement of the bales in an upside down, lengthwise and horizontal position on the turntable.

Abstract: A novel self propelled "big bale" stacker and retriever capable of stacking 4 by 4 by 8 foot, 3 by 4 by 8 foot, or pairs of 2 by 3 by 8 foot bales in 8 by 8 foot stable, tied units is presented. The stacker of the present invention utilizes a novel "jaw"-like arm that clamps onto a bale lying in a field. The arm swings up vertically and deposits the bale on a rotatable horizontal platform. The rotatable platform rotates 180 degrees to make room for a second bale next to the first. After two bales have been loaded onto the rotating platform, the platform tilts up 90 degrees to deposit the bales on the stacker's bed. By rotating the platform 90 degrees before depositing the bales on the bed, the orientation of the bales in successive tiers can be alternated so as to produce stable, "tied", 8 by 8 by 16 foot stacks.

Abstract: Apparatus for picking up and stacking large bales of hay or the like comprises a wheeled trailer that is pulled in an offset position by a tractor, a bale pick up and loading mechanism on the front of the trailer for picking up the bales as the trailer is pulled across a field, and a downwardly and a rearwardly inclined accumulating platform on the trailer for storing the bales. The accumulating platform is tiltable in a rearward direction to unload the bales in a stack. The bale pick-up and loading mechanism comprises a pivotal loading platform with outwardly extending pick-up arms on the sides of the loading platform guiding and manipulating the bales into proper position and for grasping the ends of the bales as they are lifted on the accumulating platform. Upwardly extending gripping members and pivotable grab hooks provide increased bale grasping capabilities.

Abstract: A round bale handling apparatus is described for the lifting, transportation, and unloading of round bales in cooperation with a motor vehicle. The apparatus has an upper frame assembly attached pivotally to a lower frame assembly. A conveyor on the upper frame assembly adjusts the position of bales on the apparatus. Lift arm assemblies have two sections spaced apart to place bales on the trailer one at a time and stacked. A stack of three bales is moved rearward on the upper frame assembly by the conveyor to provide additional space for loading additional bales. Side rails are attached to the upper frame and are adjustable by eccentrics to adapt the trailer to the size of round bale being loaded and to move the side rails pivotally toward the center of the trailer to conform to public highway regulations governing trailer width.

Abstract: A mobile basket for accumulating and transporting hay bales includes a container mounted on wheels. The container has a pair of side walls which are spaced from each other and the spacing is greater at the rear of the container than at the front thereof. A rear wall of the container is hinged at its top and opens by gravity to discharge the bales from the container. A chute is also provided at the front of the container to receive hay bales directly from a hay baler and discharge them to the container. The rear wall may be opened and shut remotely, and a plurality of the containers may be readily nested with relation to each other for shipment.

Abstract: The bale handling farm trailer comprises an elongated chassis, a front bed frame overlying and coextensive with the chassis and having a flooring secured to and extending across the front section of the front bed frame. The rear end of the latter is pivoted to the rear end of the chassis for pivoting movement to an upwardly tilted bale unloading position. This front bed frame defines a cavity rearwardly of the front bed flooring. A rear bed fits within the cavity and is pivoted to the rear of the front bed frame for movement between a rest position fitting within the cavity and resting on the front bed frame with both bed floorings in alignment and forming a continuous surface to an upright bale unloading position relative to the front bed frame. Hydraulic cylinder and piston units pivot the rear bed with respect to the front bed and the front bed with respect to the chassis. A bale pusher assembly serves to successively move the loaded bales from the back to the rear of the two bed frames.

Abstract: A machine for loading, transporting and unloading large bales is capable of operating in a non-stop mode across a field and between the field and an unloading site. The non-stop machine includes a fore-and-aft extending mobile chassis movable over the field, an operator's station mounted at a front end of the mobile chassis, an elongated bale load bed, and a bracing structure supporting the bale load bed in an inclined relation above the mobile chassis with an upper front end of the bed overlying the operator's station at the front end of the mobile chassis and a lower rear end of the bed disposed adjacent to the field at the rear end of the mobile chassis. The non-stop machine also includes a front bale loader and a rear bale gate.

Abstract: A ramp (1) is provided with spiked chains (2) for handling bales (4), movable from a gathering position, parallel to the direction of advance of the trailer (8) and inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, for gathering the bale from the ground, to a loading position, at right angles to the direction of advance of the trailer (8) and at the same height as its platform, for loading the bale onto the trailer (8), characterized in that the movement of the ramp (1) between the positions is effected in a single rotation around a geometrical axis which is fixed with respect to the trailer (8), the fixed geometrical axis being inclined with respect to the horizontal plane and with respect to the vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the trailer (8).

Abstract: A mobile bale collector having a first conveyor moves bales in a conveyance plane opposite to the direction of travel of the collector. The collector forms rows of bales in a direction at right angles to the direction thereof. The mobile bale collector can include a second conveyor which moves the bales opposite to the direction of travel of the collector.

Abstract: A round bale carrier which picks up hay bales while moving in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal end-to-end direction of a bale to be loaded onto the carrier, and a bale pick-up supported by the bale carrier. The bale pick-up comprises an open sided bale cradle including a cradle base located parallel along one side of the carrier when in a pick-up position and swingable in a horizontal plane through 90 degrees to a bale loading position relative to the carrier. First and second bale support arms are secured to the cradle base with the first bale support arm extending out at generally right angles to the cradle base an the second bale support arm being moveable at the cradle base between a bale receiving position generally perpendicular to the first bale support arm and a bale pick-up position generally parallel to the first bale support arm. The bale cradle also is liftable from the bale loading position to a bale delivery position projecting upwardly from the one side of the carrier.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting grassland bales comprises a pair of open-ended cradle structures (42, 44) each of which is pivotally mounted on each of two opposite sides of a trailer (10). The cradles can be lowered from an inboard stowed position into an inverted position by pivoting the cradles relative to the trailer so that the cradles are lowered to collect a load. The cradles can lift the load into a stowed position by being raised inboard of the trailer.

Abstract: A system for handling bales of feed includes a freight trailer with a tongue that can be offset laterally to cause the trailer to follow a path to one side of the path of a tractor to permit a front-loading device on the trailer to engage bales of feed and raise them onto a load-carrying platform of the trailer. The platform is tiltable downward to the rear to induce sliding movement of loaded bales, and to release said bales in a vertical stack. The platform is provided with a device to grip the top bale of a stack and insert a lifting member under the stack to retrieve it for feeding operations. The platform is tiltable downward-forward to induce forward movement of the bales for release onto a bale shredder carried in part on the tongue of the trailer.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and transporting one or more large bales of material, comprising a trailer to be towed by a towing device and hydraulically powered by an outside source, preferably incorporated in the towing vehicle. The apparatus has tines adapted to fit beneath a bale and cradle and lift the bale in the manner of a fork lift, which is done by exerting force downwards on the wheels of the trailer, thus lifting the frame and attached tines. Connection to the towing device's three-point hitch also affords a lifting device. A device may be provided for shifting the trailer between a transport position, where the trailer is generally aligned behind the towing device, and a working position where the trailer is aligned outwardly and behind the towing device. The tines are positioned generally horizontally and substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the trailer. Bales are lifted by the apparatus off the ground for transportation.

Abstract: A self-loading machine capable of transporting several round bales at a time has an overhead frame from which a pair of transversely spaced clamping jaws are suspended. The two jaws are elongated fore-and-aft and outwardly bowed so as to present a generally cylindrical container that is open at its front and rear ends. The machine is towed behind a tractor or other vehicle but can be hydraulically shifted to an offset position relative to the line of draft of the vehicle during pickup and discharge operations. When a bale is to be picked up, the machine is advanced with the jaws spread wide apart until the machine is disposed over the bale straddling the latter. By hydraulically lowering the machine into a pickup position, the jaws are then disposed to be closed together, causing long beams at the bottom of the jaws to be forced transversely under the bale and within the grip of the container.

Abstract: A large round bale handling apparatus has a mobile frame with a pair of laterally-spaced longitudinal beams which can receive and support large round bales end-to-end in a row with their axes generally aligned and extending parallel to the beams. The apparatus also has a bale pickup mechanism, a bale pushing mechanism, and a bale unloading mechanism, each mounted to the mobile frame. The bale pickup mechanism is pivotally mounted adjacent the front and along one side of the mobile frame for movement between horizontal bale-engaging and upright bale-discharging positions.

Abstract: An improved hay feeding apparatus is mounted on a vehicle bed and utilizes a hay walker for separating portions of a bale of hay and discharging the separated hay into a windrow alongside the vehicle. The present invention utilizes a sweep to gather bales from the ground and a lifting device for lifting the bales to the bed of the vehicle. Separate conveyors on the vehicle bed transport the bales to the hay walker. The hay walker separates hay from the bale and delivers the hay to a chute for delivery to the ground.

Abstract: A method for loading compacted solid waste refuse in the form of bales indexed two at a time for loading into a plastic-lined dump trailer. The dump trailer being covered and including a rear closure door for transporting the bales in a closed environment to a balefill. The method further includes tilting the dump trailer at a low slip angle to dump the bales a pair at a time smoothly sliding from the plastic-lined trailer to be picked by mechanical device for stacking in the balefill.

Abstract: A bale handling apparatus, particularly for loading, stacking and retrieving large rectangular bales, includes an elongated bed mounted on a vehicle adapted for forward loading of bales into a loading cradle pivotally connected to the front of the bed. The loading cradle includes two sections pivotally connected to each other such that the angle between the two sections changes during the loading cycle to support the bale and then push the bale onto the elongated bed. Curved loading forks projecting from one of the loading cradle sections are adapted to slide under a bale to be loaded and also aid in stabilizing the bales accumulated on the bed as the bed is pivoted from the horizontal loading position to a vertical position to create a bale stack that may be retrieved by the apparatus at a later time.

Abstract: An agricultural bale accumlator includes a load bed adapted for accumulating thereon a plurality of bales with bales being received one after another in a first direction on the load bed. Bale-transfer arms are operable to displace the bales, after receipt on the load bed, across the load bed in a second direction transverse to the first direction and to position these bales in side-by-side relationship on the load bed thus forming a compact parcel thereof. A bale-discharge conveyor is operable to discharge a parcel of bales accumulated on the load bed to the ground. This bale accumulator also comprises a bale-turning mechanism for turning each bale through 90.degree. around its longitudinal axis upon receipt on the load bed.

Abstract: A bale accumulator includes a base module having a table for receiving a plurality of bales thereon, a bale transfer module for accumulating the bales received on the table into a parcel thereof, and a bale turning module for individually turning each bale received on the table through substantially 90.degree. about its longitudinal axis. The bale transfer and the bale turning modules are independently attachable to and detachable from the base module. The accumulator may also comprise a bale dumping module for dumping the parcel of bales accumulated on the table and an extension module for extending the width dimension of the table. The bale dumping module and the extension module are attachable to and detachable from the base module independently of the bale transfer and bale turning modules.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle for picking up and stacking large hay bales of a one-ton size is disclosed. The vehicle has a pivotally mounted stacking bed that receives bales in a horizontally arrayed matrix and pivots to deposit the arrayed matrix in a vertical orientation for storage. Forward pick up mechanism provides a pivotally mounted mast carrying paired spaced squeeze arms in its outer portion to cooperatively pick up a bale forwardly of the vehicle and pivotally move that bale upwardly and rearwardly to the stacking bed for deposition thereon. Bale moving mechanism positions bales on the stacking bed in proper matrix position. Hydraulic powering and control circuits provide automatic and semi-automatic operation of the various mechanisms of the device.

Abstract: A bale carrier or accumulator includes a cradle assembly to receive a bale transversely over the front of the carrier or accumulator which may be pulled immediately behind a baler, and then swing the bale through 90.degree. so that it lies longitudinally relative to the carrier or accumulator. The bale is then engaged upon the ground so that when the carrier or accumulator is moved forwardly with the baler, pickup rails engage under the rounded sides of the bale and elevate it as the carrier or accumulator is raised to the transport position, with the bale ready to be moved rearwardly along the rails by the next succeeding bale ejected from the baler machine.

Abstract: Bale handling apparatus comprises a main frame including transverse supports and devices mounted on the main frame for picking up bales. These bale pick-up devices comprise a plurality of substantially identical modules which are transversely adjustably mounted on the transverse supports of the main frame so that the number and position of the modules can be varied. The bale pick-up devices each have movable tines which, in an operative position, engage a bale and, in an inoperative position, are retracted clear of a bale, and actuators associated with each respective bale pick-up device operable to move the movable tines thereof to and from the operative position. The actuators of the respective bale pick-up devices are connectable in parallel to a common drive and releasable locking devices are associated with the movable tines of each bale pick-up device for locking the movable tines in the inoperative position.

Abstract: A round bale trailer includes a trailer that travels in a hay field in the same direction that the field is normally worked to approach round hay bales in a direction perpendicular to the bales' axes. A U-shaped fork on the round bale trailer engages three sides of the bale. A closing arm on the fork closes to engage the bale on the fourth side. Continued motion of the trailer causes the fork and bale to rotate together 90 degrees about a vertical axis such that the fork closes to nest within a generally U-shaped frame. A hydraulic cylinder immediately operates to pivot the frame and fork to a vertical attitude, such that the bale rolls off the fork and onto the trailer. Pivoting the frame to the horizontal attitude automatically opens the fork by the use of a spring. All the bales are unloaded at one time by an unloading mechanism that tilts the trailer such that the bales roll off one side thereof.

Abstract: A bale handling system which avoids the necessity of using a thrower mechanism. A loading chute guides the bales from the baler to the hay basket. The chute guides the bales of hay up and into the hay basket without any mechanical assistance being provided aside from the force of the baler ejecting additional bales of hay. The chute reliably guides the bales of hay to the hay basket even when the baler is turning at sharp angles or is in rough ground.

Abstract: A bale accumulator and optional caboose are controlled by a microprocessor-based control circuit associated with and controlling the baler which pulls the bale accumulator. The control circuit monitors bale switches actuated by the presence of bales on four tables, two switches indicating the position of a bale push bar, and three table switches indicating when individual ones of three of the tables are latched or released for dumping bales therefrom. An operator's panel provides a visual display of the status of the bale accumulator and includes switches which may be actuated by the operator. In response to the switches on the bale accumulator the control circuit controls the push bar to move bales from a center table onto a left or right table at the sides of the center table, or inhibits movement of the push bar so that a succeeding bale ejected from the baler pushes a bale on the center table onto a trailing fourth table.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for lifting and stacking cartons onto a bed attached to a truck bed, especially in an agricultural field. The lifting apparatus includes two endless parallel belts to lift the cartons from the field onto a first conveyor. Variations in carton size or alignment may be accommodated by a pivoting loading frame or by lateral movement of the loader, which lateral movement is compensated for by a self-alignment mechanism. Cartons are transported to an elevator via a first and second conveyor. The elevator lifts the cartons to the level of a palletizer with a false floor wherein a reciprocating and pivoting transfer head removes the cartons from the elevator and deposits them onto the prestacking area of the palletizer false floor. Cartons may be selectively rotated into a transverse loading position by the transfer heads. Upon assembly of a first row of cartons, a tamping bar extends to position the cartons against the truck tailgate or against previously stacked cartons.

Abstract: Equipment for loading, moving and feeding round bales having a bale lifting mechanism, a T-bar to move the bales along a trailer bed surface and having a pair of tiltable platforms at the front of the trailer bed. One of the platforms is used to move the bale to the other platform and the second platform cooperates with a feeding drum to unwrap the bale substance in a controlled manner.

Abstract: The field vehicle of the instant invention includes an elongate mobile vehicle frame which is supported for movement over the ground, and an elongate conveyor extending along the length of the frame. The conveyor is constructed to support a series of bales in end-to-end relationship and to move the bales endo along the frame in a path extending axially of the frame. A bale unrolling mechanism is aligned with the conveyor to receive a bale moved thereinto by the conveyor. The bale unrolling mechanism includes a support for supporting the underside of the bale occupying the unrolling mechanism. The support includes rolls that are rotated to produce rotation of the bale thereon about its axis.

Abstract: A bale accumulator is provided for use in conjunction with a baler from which, during operation, bales successively are discharged. The accumulator comprises a bale receiving table movable between a home position for receiving a bale from the baler and a bale transfer position. A loadbed is disposed to receive bales from the bale receiving table and to accumulate a plurality of bales thereon. The bale receiving table is pivotally mounted on a shuttle mechanism which itself is movable along a transverse linear path between retracted and extended positions. When the bale receiving table is in its home position, it is located in a lower position with the shuttle mechanism assuming its retracted position. In this condition the bale receiving table is disposed at least partially vertically underneath the loadbed. Positioning means are provided for moving the receiving table from its home position underneath the loadbed to its bale transfer position generally alongside and at the level of the loadbed.

Abstract: A bale accumulator is provided for use in conjunction with a baler from which, during operation, bales successively are discharged. The accumulator comprises a bale receiving table movable between a home position for receiving a bale from the baler and a bale transfer position. A loadbed is disposed to receive bales from the bale receiving table and to accumulate a plurality of bales thereon. The bale receiving table is pivotally mounted on a shuttle mechanism which itself is movable along a transverse linear path between retracted and extended positions. A table positioning mechanism is provided for moving the receiving table from its home position to its bale transfer position and vice versa. A loadbed positioning mechanism pivots the loadbed from a horizontal home position for accumulating a plurality of bales thereon to a bale dumping position and vice versa.

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 pick-up claw apparatus connectible to a farm truck for handling baled material, in particular baled roughage, comprising a carrier beam which when the apparatus is coupled to the truck, is at right angles to the direction of travel of the vehicle. The carrier beam is connected to one or more hydraulically operated claw members, which are connected to the carrier beam in parallel and laterally reciprocating relationship, in a direction at right angles to the beam.

Abstract: A multiple use agricultural vehicle is disclosed for collecting and transporting a plurality of hay bales at different levels which includes an auxiliary structure for lifting and transporting livestock. The vehicle includes an elongated mobile frame having laterally spaced side members with upper and lower lifting and supporting members movably mounted thereon and arranged in longitudinally spaced and laterally opposed nesting units. The vehicle includes separate motors for selectively moving the upper lifting and supporting unit between a lowered nested position and a raised load supporting position, and sequentially raising the lower lifting and supporting unit to a load supporting position, or raising the nested upper and lower units simultaneously to a load supporting position. A goose-neck tongue member is pivotally connected at the forward end of the frame to permit pulling of the vehicle by a prime mover in longitudinal alignment and in laterally offset relation.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle for picking up and transporting bales of hay. The vehicle is designed to accommodate large bales of hay. The bales are picked up from a field and transported to a pivotably mounted storage box, where the bales are rotated and stored on their ends. The bales are ordered as they are loaded into the storage box. When the storage box has reached capacity, the vehicle is driven to a stacking site where the storage box is pivoted substantially 90.degree., allowing the bales to be pushed off of the rear surface of the box. The bales may thus be arranged in weather-tight stacks, having been rotated through 180.degree. from their original pick up, grounded position.