Abstract: A wheeled vehicle mounts a rotary framework providing a plurality of longitudinally extending, peripheral and inner compartments for the removable storage of a multiplicity of hay bales or like objects. The framework is rotated by a driven endless chain wrapped about the framework centrally of the longitudinal ends thereof. Communication between the peripheral and inner compartments is controlled by movable gates operated selectively by spring-loaded latching mechanism at predetermined intervals of rotation of the framework. A longitudinally extending, reversibly movable feed conveyor below the framework registers with each of the peripheral compartments selectively for moving bales to and from the compartments. The arcuate shields extend from the opposite sides of the feed conveyor upwardly to form with the latter a semicircular shield surrounding the lower half of the framework to confine the bales in the lower peripheral compartments.

Abstract: A machine for handling bales comprises a chassis frame (1,2,3) which can be raised or lowered by movement of wheels (16,17) relative to the frame. Bale engaging means which can be constituted by movable frame members (2,3) and/or gripping elements (9,10) attached thereto, are movable to engage and disengage a bale or group of bales. With the frame lowered, a bale or group of bales is engaged and then the frame is raised by the wheels to lift the bale(s) from the ground for transport. In a preferred embodiment, the distance by which the bales are raised permits them to be located over a second bale or group of bales. The first bale(s) can then be released from the bale engaging means to rest upon the second bale(s) and the frame lowered to permit the second bale(s) to be gripped and raised from the ground thereby permitting a stack of bales to be built up.

Abstract: Bale handling apparatus including a base portion, a bale supporting portion, a bale moving portion and a control portion; the base portion including a frame section, the frame section including a first bed section, a wheeled carriage supporting the first bed section, a second bed section, the second bed section being telescopable with respect to the first bed section, the base portion further including a hitch member disposed at the end of the frame section remote from the carriage; the bale supporting portion including support mechanism extending upwardly from each of the bed sections, the support mechanism of the respective bed sections being arranged to be aligned with one another when the bed sections are telescoped together; the bale moving portion including a support section, the support section extending upwardly from the first bed section adjacent the end thereof remote from the second bed section, a shaft member rotatably carried by the support section, the shaft member being oriented transversely of

Abstract: Bale handling apparatus including a base portion, a bale storing portion, a bale moving portion, a bale distributing portion and a control portion; the base portion including a frame section, wheeled carriage supporting the frame section, a hitch member disposed at one end of the frame section; the bale storing portion including a bale supporting section disposed on the frame section, the bale supporting section extending from the rear end of the frame section remote from the hitch member toward but spaced from the hitch member, side rail sections extending upwardly from longitudinal edges of the bale supporting section; the bale moving portion including a transverse rear rail section disposed between the side rail sections, the rear rail section being movable from the rear end of the bale supporting section to the front end thereof; the bale distributing portion being disposed on the frame section between the hitch member and the bale storing portion, the bale distributing portion including a frame, bale rot

Abstract: A control linkage for a round bale wagon is disclosed wherein the operation of the mechanism for conveying bales laterally across the load bed to form a row of bales and the operation of the mechanism for pushingly advancing a row of bales rearwardly on the load bed is automatically, sequentially controlled in coordination with the operation of the mechanism for picking up bales in the field and elevating them onto the load bed. The control linkage includes a pair of pivotally connected links pivotally interconnecting the frame of the bale wagon, the control frame for the hydraulically powered cross conveyor and the pusher advance mechanism, and a delay valve for coordinating the operation of the cross conveyor relative to the bale pickup mechanism, one of the links having a free end movable within a fixed path.

Abstract: A control linkage for a round bale wagon is disclosed wherein both the operation of the bale pickup mechanism to squeeze a bale of crop material for firm engagement between a pair of projecting arms and the operation to lift a bale so engaged onto the load bed can be controlled by a single control lever. The squeeze and lift operations are powered by separate hydraulic cylinders operatively controlled by respective control valves having three position spools, spring loaded to the central, neutral position. The control linkage includes a cross link interconnecting the two respective control valves and a connecting link extending from a point on the cross link, closer to the squeeze valve than to the lift valve, for connection to the control lever.

Abstract: Bale handling apparatus including a base portion, a bale moving portion, a bale distributing portion and a control portion; the base portion including a frame section, a wheeled carriage supporting the frame section, a hitch member disposed at one end of the frame section, a ramp section having a lower receiving end and an upper discharge end, the lower end of the ramp section being adjacent the end of the frame section remote from the hitch member, the ramp section extending upwardly from the end of the frame section toward the hitch member a distance more than one-half the length of the base portion, a closure located adjacent the lower end of the ramp section, a retainer associated with the longitudinal edges of the ramp section; the bale moving portion including conveying mechanism disposed longitudinally of the ramp section and between the longitudinal edges thereof; the bale distributing portion being disposed on the base portion adjacent the raised end of the ramp section, the bale distributing portion

Abstract: An automatic bale wagon comprising a frame, at least one load floor mounted on the frame, bale pick-up means operable to pick up bales from the ground for delivery to the load floor, or one of the load floors, conveyor means operable to convey bales on the or each load floor in a predetermined manner and such that the direction of movement of the bales is changed at one or more points in the path of travel, and bale support means movable in synchronism with the conveyor means to support one or more bales at a point at which a change in the direction of movement of the bale or bales is effected.

Abstract: A bale wagon comprising a main frame and bale pick-up apparatus mounted on the main frame, the bale pick-up apparatus comprising a subframe, bale elevator apparatus mounted on the subframe and operable to lift a bale from the ground on being engaged thereby, and conveyor apparatus to which bales lifted by the elevator apparatus are delivered, the conveyor apparatus comprising in effect two separate conveyors operable to handle a bale successively with the directions of movement imparted by the two conveyors to a bale lying in different planes inclined relative to, and intersecting, each other.

Abstract: A bale handling apparatus picks up a load of large round bales from the field, transports the load and then dumps the load at a storage area. The apparatus includes a transporter bed and has the ability to arrange and control the position of the bales on the bed after being picked up. The versatile apparatus is preferably self-propelled to function as both an on-road and agricultural field vehicle. A cross-conveyor moves bales transversely on the bed. The cross conveyor includes a linkage, a cross conveyor arm and an adjustment plate. A plurality of adjustment positioners are along an arc on the plate for permitting the conveyor arm to be adjusted so that various size bales are transversely conveyed from a variable first position to a consistent second position.

Abstract: A bale handling apparatus picks up a load of large round bales from the field, transports the load and then dumps the load at a storage area. The apparatus includes a transporter bed and has the ability to arrange and control the position of the bales on the bed after being picked up. The versatile apparatus is preferably self-propelled to function as both an on-road and off-raod vehicle.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel hay bale accumulator arranged in an improved baling system to mate with a tractor drawn baler and accumulate a batch of ten bales. The accumulator deposits the bales in orderly batches on the ground behind the array as the tractor moves at any selected speed by tilting the storage platform on which the bales are stored to slide the bales therefrom. The power consumption is low for the mechanisms operating the accumulator and can be derived from the standard tractor hydraulic system. A simplified low cost and easily maintained operating mechanism for the accumulator consists of two control devices actuating two hydraulic cylinders which respectively load bales from the baler onto the storage platform and tilt the storage platform for unloading an accumulated batch of bales on the ground.

Abstract: Bale pick-up means comprising a frame, bale elevator means mounted on the frame and operable to lift a bale from the ground, and bale holding means operable constantly to engage a bale being elevated and to hold the bale in contact with the elevator means. The bale holding means comprises a planar bale shoe or plate suspended from the frame by first link means, second link means and third link means, the first and second link means being capable of operating as a parallelogram linkage and the line of action of the third link means, when operable, crossing the line of action of the first link means.

Abstract: A trailer for loading and transporting cylindrical bales of straw fodder or other materials, of the type having an off-set draw-bar, comprising a chasssis supported by wheels, a main platform integral with this chassis, a fork articulated in the region of the front edge of the main platform and pivotable between a low bale pick-up position, in which the free end of the fork is close to the ground, and a high loading position, in which the free end of the fork is above the plane of the main platform, a control member capable of assuming a first or second state and a drive member controlled by said control member, causing the fork to pivot upwards when the control member is in its second state, and allowing the fork to pivot downwards when the control member is in its first state.

Abstract: A method of loading bales of refuse from a horizontally acting baling press on to a transport vehicle without the use of a separate loading machine such as a fork-lift truck comprises aligning the transport vehicle with a discharge from the press; moving each bale as it is discharged from the press on to a transverse table; moving some of the bales laterally so that the bales are formed into two or more rows side by side aligned with the transport vehicle and moving the two rows of bales progressively forward as successive bales are discharged from the press so that the rows are moved from the transverse table on to the vehicle and the rows are built up on the vehicle until the vehicle is fully loaded.

Abstract: An attachment is disclosed which is releasably securable to an agricultural bale-loading machine to convert the latter into a combined collector/loader.

Abstract: A three-bale load is accumulated on the trailer as bales issue from the rear of the baler, whereupon the accumulated bales may be dumped all at the same location or singly as may be desired. Successive bales issuing from the baler arrive at a central platform from which they are alternately distributed to laterally disposed side platforms in an automated procedure. Once a side platform receives its bale, lockout mechanism prevents the transfer device from presenting the side platform with another bale until such time as the previous bale has been dumped. Once a bale has been dumped from a platform, the transfer device is automatically actuated, if indeed the next bale is ready to be transferred, for loading of the next bale onto the awaiting side platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for collecting and lifting groups of straw bales comprising a frame and members arranged beneath said frame for gripping the straw bales, said gripping members being formed by rods, spaced apart from and parallel to one another and adapted to move towards and away from one another in a direction transverse of the rods, in a manner such that straw bales dispersed on the field can be picked up one by one and be collected into groups for further transport.

Abstract: Bales made from successive charges of material packed against one another are readily separable into relatively discrete "flakes" corresponding to the charges of material from which the bale is built. By passing the bale over the top edge of an incline just before reaching disintegrating mechanism, the leading end flakes of the bale are induced to successively separate therefrom for advancement on down the incline and delivery into the disintegrating mechanism on a more or less individual basis, thereby promoting clog-free operation and even feeding.