Abstract: A round hay bale unrolling device attaches to a flatbed vehicle presenting a foldable arm attaching to a square hitch receiver of the vehicle supported by the flatbed of the truck allowing the vehicle operator to turn right into the bale to drive an angular spike into the center of the bale, drive forward to despool the round bale and to turn left to disengage the bale in the event of an emergency or at the time the bale has been laid into flat hay. This device is designed to be used by a firefighting vehicle to despool inflamed hay bales without exposing the user to the heat and flames of the hay bale or for use by farmers to unroll the hay bale for feeding without exiting the vehicle in poor weather.

Abstract: A roller for moving, rolling and unrolling rolls of sod. The roller is generally comprised of a top portion including a side shift actuator and at least one attachment member for attachment to a vehicle, preferably a skid steer. The roller also includes a rotary actuator with a shaft, slidably attached to the top portion. A main frame consisting of a top member, side member, base member and an end gate, extends down from the shaft of the rotary actuator. The end gate of the main frame is configured to pivot open and closed. The main frame is configured to rotate with the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus (3, 103) for removal of packaging (11) from a big bale (1), the apparatus (3) comprising: at least one gripper (41, 141) arranged to hold on to a part of the packaging (11); at least one cutting means (31, 131) arranged to make at least a first cut through the packaging (11) at the binding material-covered face and substantially transversely of the longitudinal extent of the binding material, and optionally make further cuts through the packaging, preferably in the faces adjacent to the first cut, in order to create an opening in the packaging (11) enclosing the big bale (1); and at least one supporting means (23, 123), the at least one supporting means (23, 123) and/or the gripper (41, 141) being arranged to effect relative movement between the big bale (1) and the at least one gripper (41, 141), whereby the packaging (11) is separated from the contents (1a) of the big bale.

Abstract: An agricultural bale handling device is disclosed, comprising: a frame comprising a pair of side arms laterally spaced by a front connector to receive the circular ends of a round agricultural bale; each side arm having a gripping element, connected to the respective side arm, in which the gripping element of one side arm is directed towards the gripping element of the other side arm for engaging respective circular ends of the bale between the side arms to mount the bale for rotation relative to the frame. A method of transporting an agricultural bale is also disclosed, comprising: mounting the circular ends of a bale for rotation between a pair of side arms of a frame, in which the pair of side arms are laterally spaced by a front connector of the frame; and moving the bale along a surface by towing the frame.

Abstract: A bale processing apparatus and method is provided to lift, hold, transport, and spread one or more round bales of hay or other material. The apparatus includes a belt, rollers, and a means for controlling tension on the belt to position the belt in first and second positions. In the first position the belt forms a cradle between the first and second rollers capable to hold a bale. In the second position the belt may eject the bale. The bale is lifted onto the belt, with the belt in the cradle position, is untied, and the belt is turned to unroll the bale. The apparatus may be connected to a vehicle that moves while the belt turns to feed the bale over an area. The bale is ejected from the belt by adjusting the tension on the belt to the eject position and moving the belt.

Abstract: A controlled bale ejection mechanism for an agricultural baler is provided. The mechanism includes a bale support which is positioned below the bale when it is ejected, that catches and supports the bale. The bale support is then translated rearward by a hydraulic cylinder and guided by support rails. As the bale support and bale approach the desired location, the bale support is lowered by tilting the rail assembly downward. An articulating shoe is used to support and lower the rails. The bale support tilts as it is lowered, thereby creating a dumping action. If additional tilting is required due to geometry limitations, additional bale support tilt can be created by a weight shift of the bale support, changing the trajectory of the rail or torque induced by the bale support cylinder. The bale is set down on the ground and the ramp assembly resets to prevent the bale from rolling forward and preparing for the next cycle.

Abstract: A bale moving apparatus provides a generally horizontal tow frame with a linear support axle supported by a pair of opposing wheels. A tow bar provides a tow strut, a rest bar, and a winch. A bale support is pivotally joined to, and extends upwardly from the support axle assembly, and is rotatable between an upright attitude and a tilted-back attitude for securing a hay bail. A triangle formation of bale impaling spikes in mutually parallel disposition are used for impaling a hay bale at center and on two sides for securing the bail. The bale is pulling into the tilted-back attitude so as to enable resting the hay bale on the bale rest surface during travel. The rest surface is movable so as to enable placement of the hay bale's center of gravity on the vehicle.

Abstract: A bale lifter (5) suitable for lifting bales of hay etc. onto a vehicle (1). The bale lifter (5) includes a bale holder (6,7), the movement of which is prescribed by a transporting mechanism (9,12,15 and 18) so that a bale impaled by prongs (6) may be rotated onto the chassis (2) of a vehicle. When a bale (8) is just above the chassis (2) of a vehicle a release mechanism (16, 17 and 21) is actuated to allow the bale lifter (7) to rotate about a pivot point (11) to facilitate the removal of the prongs (6) from the bale.

Abstract: Bale collector comprising a roller bed with a number of horizontal rollers, which are positioned at right angles to a direction of travel and which are suitable for receiving thereon successive bales from a press outlet of a baling press and for having bales pushed backwards onto each other, whereby the roller bed comprises, viewed in the direction of travel, a front part and a rear part, which can swivel about a horizontal axis under control of control means which are coupled to the roller bed parts for moving a rear end of the rear roller bed part between an upper position at a height which allows conveyance of the rear end of the rear part of a bale over the rear part and from the rear part onto the ground, and a lower position of the rear end of the rear part at a height in which the rear part is inclined downwards with respect to the front part for allowing expedited conveyance of the bale from the rear part onto the ground.

Abstract: A bale lifter (5) suitable for lifting bales of hay etc. onto a vehicle (1). The bale lifter (5) includes a bale holder (6,7), the movement of which is prescribed by a transporting mechanism (9,12, 15 and 18) so that a bale impaled by prongs (6) may be rotated onto the chassis (2) of a vehicle. When a bale (8) is just above the chassis (2) of a vehicle a release mechanism (16, 17 and 21) is actuated to allow the bale lifter (7) to rotate about a pivot point (11) to facilitate the removal of the prongs (16) from the bale.

Abstract: A bale handling device including a bale frame and and an attachment mechanism for attaching the device to a vehicle such that the bale frame can be raised and lowered. The bale frame includes a support beam as a primary bale support, a pair of arms connected with the support beam, and a pair of bale engaging members connected with the arms as a secondary bale support. The secondary bale support is located relative to the primary bale support such that when a bale is positioned within the bale frame and lifted by the device it is supported by both the primary bale support and the secondary bale support and its center of gravity is located between the primary bale support and the secondary bale support.

Abstract: A bale handling apparatus is mounted to a trailer and includes a frame, upper and lower bale cradles, cradle actuating hydraulic cylinders and upper and lower bale retaining means. Each bale cradle may be pivoted to eject bales. Each upper bale cradle is disposed directly above a lower bale cradle.