Abstract: The inventive technology generally relates to the field of animal feed distribution systems. In particular, the inventive technology includes general as well as specific methods and apparatus for the loading and/or distribution of baled animal feed. The inventive technology may provide for a hydraulically-controlled bale feeding device that may be used to load, and laterally discharge bale “flakes” through a cantilevered hydraulic armature. The system may also utilized a hydraulic slicing arm to aid in the flaking process as well as be adaptable to lifting devices, such as a pallet head on a traditional tractor and/or steer-skid.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a push over arm assembly and retro-fit kit for hay bale accumulators. In one embodiment, the push over arm kit includes a piston arm configured to be movably secured to a push over arm structure, such as that from a Hoelscher™ bale accumulator. An inclined plane is secured to a baler end of the piston arm and extends in a direction away from the piston arm forming an acute angle (?). And, a bias element, e.g., a spring, is configured to cooperate with the piston arm to bias the piston arm along its length. The spring controlled piston arm prevents or minimizes the occasional halting of a hay baling operation caused by jamming of the leading hay bale as it collides with a baler end of the piston arm.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading and feeding hay bales including a transport vehicle having a flatbed and a tiltable support frame mounted to the flatbed for carrying a stack of bales. A hoist is used to tilt the support frame from a horizontal hay bale transport position to a vertical position against a bale stack for picking up a bale stack. Squeeze arms are used to secure the bale stack to the support frame. An endless chain on the support frame is used to selectively move the bales forwardly. A flaker is mounted at a forward end of the flatbed for receiving a bale advanced thereon and selectively flaking off portions of the bale. A tipping apparatus is provided for selectively tipping a bale advanced by the endless chain from the support frame onto the flaker.

Abstract: A bale tote implement for a skid steer vehicle including an elongated body having a plurality of openings. Each opening is configured to receive one or more fasteners and at least one of the openings is configured to receive a fastener to retain the implement in position on a bucket of the skid steer vehicle. The implement also includes a plurality of substantially hollow gathering teeth having a first end and a second end. The first end is substantially flattened and the second end includes a support dowel inserted therein. Slots are configured to receive the second end of the gathering teeth. U-shaped fasteners are positioned adjacent the second end and through at least two of the openings in the elongated body. The U-shaped fasteners apply a retention force on the second end and the support dowel to retain the teeth in position within the slots.

Abstract: There is disclosed a feeding device (10) for dispensing bales of material from a vehicle. The feeding device (10) includes a body (12) having a surface for receiving a plurality of said bales thereon. The surface has a first end (12a) and a second end (12b) and is configured such that the plurality of bales are arranged in at least one row extending at least partially between the first and second ends (12a, 12b). A pusher (18) is slidably mounted to the surface and moveable between a first position proximal the first end (12a) and a second position proximal the second end (12b). A driving mechanism is provided and is controllable to move the pusher (18) between the first and second positions. Such movement of the pusher (18) from the first position to the second position applies a pushing force to the bales arranged in at least one row such that the bales in that row are progressively dispensed from said second end (12b) of the surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a bale flipping device, comprising a first vertical bar, a second vertical bar, a third vertical bar, a fourth vertical bar, a first pivot arm, a second pivot arm, and a third pivot arm, wherein the first pivot arm connects the first vertical bar to the third vertical bar, wherein the second pivot arm connects the second vertical bar to the fourth vertical bar, and wherein the third pivot arm is parallel to the second pivot arm and also connects the second vertical bar to the fourth vertical bar. The pivot arms are pivotally connected to the vertical bars so that the entire device can be folded up when not in use. The device is designed to be installed on the side of a New Holland small bale stacker.

Abstract: A chain driven push arm advances a hay bale along a bed toward an opening including a pair of vertically aligned, spaced-apart idle wheels each including plural radiating blades. As the hay bale advances along the bed, the wheels rotate freely causing the blades to impinge on successive regions of the hay bale to separate a succession of flakes from the hay bale remainder. The bed is mounted on a wheeled truck or vehicle that is towable behind a tractor as the tractor driver remotely selectively operates the push arm to dispense flakes along the ground. An optional, towable conveyor can be used to load the bed with a succession of hay bales.

Abstract: A bale accumulator is utilized to deposit bales in groups in a field. The bale accumulator includes a chute along which bales move to an upper end portion of an accumulator ramp assembly. The accumulator ramp assembly slopes downward away from the chute. The chute may rotate the bales through a quarter turn. The accumulator ramp assembly includes a plurality of guides which form compartments in which bales are accumulated. A plurality of diverter gates are operable to direct bales into each of the compartments as the bales slide along an upper side of the ramp. An exit gate is operable to an open condition to enable bales accumulated in the compartments to move along an upper side of the exit gate and be deposited in a group in the field.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a bed assembly for flat bed trucks has a square bale retriever at the rear of the flat bed that includes a pair of lift arms adapted to grasp a bale by its opposite ends and lift it up off the ground and onto a transverse feeder located at the front of the bed. Once deposited on the feeder, a pusher engages one end of the bale and pushes the bale along the feeder to progressively advance successive flakes of the bale into a discharging position off the remote end of the feeder. The bale can thus be progressively distributed one flake at a time, the frequency of flake discharge being controlled by the operator in the cab of the truck. Alternative embodiments for pushers for engaging and advancing the bale toward the discharge point are disclosed. The feeder may be utilized separate from the bed assembly and includes a ramp that causes the bale to move up an incline during feeding operations.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a bed assembly for flat bed trucks has a square bale retriever at the rear of the flat bed that includes a pair of lift arms adapted to grasp a bale by its opposite ends and lift it up off the ground and onto a transverse feeder located at the front of the bed. Once deposited on the feeder, a pusher engages one end of the bale and pushes the bale along the feeder to progressively advance successive flakes of the bale into a discharging position off the remote end of the feeder. The bale can thus be progressively distributed one flake at a time, the frequency of flake discharge being controlled by the operator in the cab of the truck. Alternative embodiments for pushers for engaging and advancing the bale toward the discharge point are disclosed. The feeder may be utilized separate from the bed assembly and includes a ramp that causes the bale to move up an incline during feeding operations.

Abstract: Apparatus for modifying conventional automatic three table bale wagons handling small bales to load, transport, and stack big bales with dimensions in excess of 3 feet×4 feet ×8 feet. With the apparatus a modified bale wagon picks up and handles big bales during traversal of a field in which big bales of vegetative material have been deposited. The modified bale wagon with its apparatus loads the big bales one at a time and orders them without rotation, two at a time, on a loading table of a conventional three table automatic bale wagon which pivots vertically, placing the two big bales on end on the bale wagon load bed side-by-side in the bale wagon load bed. When the load bed reaches capacity, six to eight big bales, the bale wagon is driven to a storage area where the load bed pivots 90°, allowing the big bales to be pushed off the load bed, forming a compact stack of six to eight big bales.

Abstract: An improved hay distributor is provided that distributes large rectangular hay bales or flakes of hay, operating on a conveyor principle wherein the bales are slowly advanced from the bed of the vehicle to its edge as the vehicle is driven, whereupon by mechanical action the bale is cleaved to flake. A stabilizer rod maintains the bale in compact form prior to flaking, and a base plate is provided, forming a point of retrofit attachment of the main frame of the distributor to the vehicle bed. The base plate provides a mounting support for converting between side distribution of hay from the bed of the vehicle. Next, an operating main frame includes a) rails, having an initial end and a terminal end, along which a hay bale is advanced, and b) incline-adjustable ramps disposed in the path of the rails at their terminal ends, over which the bale advances on its approach to the edge of the bed of the vehicle, which ramps cause natural cleavage of the bale into individual flakes by creating a line of stress.

Abstract: A hay distributor is provided that distributes large rectangular hay bales or flakes of hay, operating on a conveyor principle wherein the bales are slowly advanced from the bed of the vehicle to its edge as the vehicle is driven, whereupon by mechanical action the bale is cleaved to flake. A base plate is provided, forming a pivoting point of retrofit attachment of the main frame of the invention to the vehicle bed. The base plate, provides a mounting means for conversion of invention between side or rear-end distribution of hay from the bed of the vehicle. Next, an operating main frame comprises a) rails, having a initial end and a terminal end, along which a hay bale is advanced, and b) incline-adjustable ramps disposed in the path of the rails at their terminal ends, over which the bale advances on its approach to the edge of the bed of the vehicle, which ramps cause natural cleavage of the bale into individual flakes by creating a line of stress.

Abstract: Device for cutting a protective layer away from a material roll of web-formed material, comprising a rotation device which rotates the roll. The rotation device includes at least two rotatable carrier rollers, on which the material roll is supported and is rotated. In this way the protective layer on the material roll is cut away from the roll during a cutting operation by a cutting tool device. This contacts the roll during its rotation. The rotatable carrier rollers form lifting and carrying devices on a mobile load carrier in order to support the material roll whilst rotating it during the cutting operation and in order to transport the material roll to and, respectively, from a chosen place for the cutting operation.

Abstract: The hay basket is used for distributing hay to livestock scattered along a predetermined path along which an overhead beam extends. The basket comprises a carriage provided with wheels for connecting the basket to the overhead beam and allowing translation of the basket along the beam. A base is located under the carriage and in spaced relationship therewith. A central elongated bar connects the carriage to the base. A hay receiving portion is defined by the base and a plurality of L-shaped elongated members substantially evenly distributed around the base and spaced apart from each other for allowing livestock to eat hay therethrough. Each member has a first end connected to the base and a second end located higher than the base. A rim is provided for linking together the second end of all members. In use, hay is put inside the basket and the basket may be either moved manually, attached to a self-propelled automatic feed distributing apparatus with a drawbar, or provided with a driving mechanism.

Abstract: The apparatus is provided for automatically distributing hay for feeding livestock scattered along a predetermined path along which an overhead beam extends. The apparatus comprises a driving unit moving along the beam. The driving unit has a carriage mounted onto the base and provided with wheels mechanically connected to the beam and to an electrical motor for moving the apparatus along the beam. The apparatus supports a hay bale, more particularly a rolled hay bale, with the use of a rod having an end for connection with the driving unit and an opposite end connected to a supporting member supporting the hay bale. The apparatus also has a winch mounted on the driving unit base for lifting and lowering the hay bale.

Abstract: A hay bale transport has a frame consisting of a plurality of spaced inverted U-shaped frame members which are secured together in spaced parallel relation by elongated beams extending along the lower ends thereof. An elongated longitudinal alley space exists within the frame for receiving a plurality of bales to be transported. Spaced elongated bale supporting rails extend within the frame and are secured to the beams. Wheels are secured to the frame and are connected to a power unit for raising or lowering the frame with respect to a ground surface whereby bales within the alley can be raised or lowered with respect to the ground surface. An operating cab is movably secured to one of the inverted U-shaped frame members and is normally positioned within the alley, but is connected to another power unit so that the cab can be laterally moved out of the alley while the bales are being picked up, transported, and discharged.

Abstract: A tractor-mounted carrier and dispenser for a cylindrical bale of substantial size and weight. The carrier includes a pair of cantilevered rollers spaced apart in parallel relation to hold a cylindrical bale thereon. The rollers are power-movable toward and away from each other to facilitate lifting a bale from the ground. The rollers are powered in rotation to rotate a bale thereon for progressively feeding hay from the bale onto the ground between rollers. The rollers are moved toward each other to continuously support the bale as it decreases in diameter. Controls permit the operator to vary the rotation speed of the rollers relative to each other to create a peripheral shreading or tearing action to enhance the feeding of the bale. The carrier of the invention is also readily capable of transporting a bale from point to point.