CA1157433A - Bale unroller - Google Patents
Bale unrollerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1157433A CA1157433A CA000392718A CA392718A CA1157433A CA 1157433 A CA1157433 A CA 1157433A CA 000392718 A CA000392718 A CA 000392718A CA 392718 A CA392718 A CA 392718A CA 1157433 A CA1157433 A CA 1157433A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bale
- support frame
- arm assembly
- adjacent
- unroller
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D87/00—Loaders for hay or like field crops
- A01D87/12—Loaders for sheaves, stacks or bales
- A01D87/127—Apparatus for handling, loading or unrolling round bales
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D87/00—Loaders for hay or like field crops
- A01D87/12—Loaders for sheaves, stacks or bales
- A01D87/127—Apparatus for handling, loading or unrolling round bales
- A01D2087/128—Devices for unrolling or breaking round bales
Abstract
"BALE UNROLLER"
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Round hay bales usually weigh up to 2,000 lbs.
and are difficult to unroll so that cattle can obtain ac-cess to them for feed. The present invention comprises a frame attachable to a three-point hitch of a tractor. One fixed arm extends perpendicularly from one side of the frame and a hinged arm extends from the other side and is movable in a vertical plane by means of a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly. Each arm is provided with a bale engaging spike or prong and when it is desired to unroll a bale, the hinged arm is opened and the two prongs are engag-ed axially of the bale whereupon the hinged arm is closed.
The three-point hitch mechanism allows the bale to be ele-vated clear of the ground so that it may be transported by the tractor to the desired location. The three-point hitch assembly is then placed in the float position with the peri-meter of the bale engaging the ground. As the tractor moves forwardly, the bale rotates on the prongs and unrolls. As the three-point hitch is in the float position, the unroller gradually tips rearwardly due to the weight of the bale, thus keeping the periphery of the bale, which is decreas-ing in diameter, always in contact with the ground.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Round hay bales usually weigh up to 2,000 lbs.
and are difficult to unroll so that cattle can obtain ac-cess to them for feed. The present invention comprises a frame attachable to a three-point hitch of a tractor. One fixed arm extends perpendicularly from one side of the frame and a hinged arm extends from the other side and is movable in a vertical plane by means of a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly. Each arm is provided with a bale engaging spike or prong and when it is desired to unroll a bale, the hinged arm is opened and the two prongs are engag-ed axially of the bale whereupon the hinged arm is closed.
The three-point hitch mechanism allows the bale to be ele-vated clear of the ground so that it may be transported by the tractor to the desired location. The three-point hitch assembly is then placed in the float position with the peri-meter of the bale engaging the ground. As the tractor moves forwardly, the bale rotates on the prongs and unrolls. As the three-point hitch is in the float position, the unroller gradually tips rearwardly due to the weight of the bale, thus keeping the periphery of the bale, which is decreas-ing in diameter, always in contact with the ground.
Description
1 ~ 5'~ 3 -l-"BALE UNROLLER"
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to new and useEul improve-ments in bale unrollers. Conventionally, such bales usual-ly weigh from 1,300 to 2~000 lbs. and may be dimensioned 60 ins. x 72 ins. approximately or 66 ins. x 72 ins. approx-imately.
When used for feeding cattle, they have to be un-rolled so that many head of cattle can feed from one bale and with the weight of such bales and the awkwardness of transporting same, it is difficult to position the bale and then unroll it upon the ground.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes these disadvan-tages by providing a relatively simple attachment for a three-point hitch assembly of a tractor so that it can first be raised clear of the ground and transported to the de-sired location and secondly, it can be unrolled in a long strip readily and easily.
In accordance with the invention there is provided an unroller for use with a three-point hitch mounting on a trac~or for raising and lowering said unroller and includ-ing a "float" position for unrolling bales rolled about an axis; said bale unroller comprising in combination a sub-stantially rectangular front support frame, means on said support frame for operatively connecting same to the asso-3~' ~.~
~ 2-ciated three-point hitch mounting, a fixed arm assembly ex-tending rearwardly from adjacent one end of said support frame and perpendicular thereto, a movable arm assembly pivotally mounted for movement about a vertical axis, to adjacent the other end oE said front support frame, bale engaging means adjacent the distal ends of said arm assem-blies and means to move said movable arm assembly from an open position to a closed position substantially parallel to said fixed arm assembly and vice-versa; said moving means comprising a piston and cylinder device with the free end of the piston attached to one of the movable arm as~
sembly and the support frame and the free end of the cylinder attached to the other whereby the reaction from the f~rce applied to the movable arm assembly is applied to the sup-port frame, and each of said bale engaging means compris-ing a single spike for engagement along the axis of the bale.
In accordance with another aspect of the inven-tion there is provided a method of unrolling a round hay bale consisting of engaging the bale axially at each end by a bale unroller operatively supported upon a three-point hitch in the float position with the periphery of the bale engaging the ground and then driving the tractor forwardly with the weight of the bale maintaining the contact of the periphery of the bale with the ground.
Another advantage of the invention is that it is ~'``¢~ ' l ~57'133 readily attached and detached from the three-point hitch of a tractor so that the tractor can be used for other pur-poses.
A still further advantage of the invention re--sides ~ 15 ~ L~ 3 in the fact that the tractor can readily be manoeuvered in-to position relative to a bale whereupon the mechanism of the unroller can be actuated to engage the bale holders axially one within each end of the bale.
A still further advantage of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simple in construction, economical in manufacture and o-therwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.
With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the accompany-ing drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a descrip-tion of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention, in which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
.
Figure 1 is an isometric view of the unroller per se.
Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of a tractor showing the unroller in position thereon.
Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the unroller per se.
Figure 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of one of the prongs along the line 4-4 of Figure 3.
In the drawings like characters of reference indi-cate corresponding parts in the difEerent figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIO
Before proceeding with the description of the in vention, reference to Figure 1 will show the rear end 10 of a tractor 11 having a three-point hitch assembly thereon which includes an upper centrally located pivot arm 12 and spaced and parallel lower raising and lowering arms 13.
The invention collectively designated 14 is de-signed primarily for use with a category 1 three-point hitch tractor of approximately 50 to 100 horsepower and is designed to move hay and straw bales weighing from 1,300 lbso to 2, ono lbs. and having dimensions of approximately 60 ins.
x 72 ins. and 66 ins. x 72 ins.
However, it will be appreciated that the unroller can readily be adapted for use with any three point hitch attachment of a tractor. One of the important features re-quired is that the three-point hitch be provided with a "float" position.
Proceeding therefore ~o describe the invention in detail, the unroller consists of a substantially rectangular front support frame collectively designated 15 including a pair of spaced and parallel vertical posts 16 and an upper ~ ~57~3 and lower horizontal member 17 and 18 extending between the upper and lower ends of the posts 16 respectively and being secured thereto as by welding. Spaced and parallel verti~
cal brace members 19 extend between the upper and lower members 17 and 18 intermediate the ends thereof as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3.
Means are provided on the rear of this frame to detachably secure the unroller to the aforementioned three-point hitch assembly of the tractor 10. A pair of spaced and parallel lugs 20 are secured and extend rearwardly from approximately the centre of the upper horizontal member 17 and a heavy duty pin 21 extends through apertures in these lugs and through the pivot member 12 of the three-point hitch which is also apertured and which engages between the lugs 20 thus providing a pivotal connection for the frame.
Extending outwardly from adjacent the lower ends of the brace members 19, are further heavy duty pins 22 which detachably engage the spaced and parallel members 13 of the three-point hitch which are also apertured. Retainers 23 engage the ends of pins 22 to detachably retain the links 13 in position.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that ac-tuation of the three-point hitch assembly from the hydraulic system of the tractor (not illustrated) will pivot the front ~57~3 support frame upwardly and downwardly around the axis of pin 21.
A fixed arm assembly collectively designa-ted 24 is secured to one vertical post 16 of the support frame.
This fixed arm assembly includes a substantially horizon-tal main arm 25 secured as by welding, by one end thereof, to adjacent the lower end of the support post 16 and ex-tending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the front support frame 15.
A diagonal tension member 26 is secured as by weld-ing to adjacent the upper end of the vertical post 16 and extends downwardly and rearwardly to join the main support arm 25 adjacent the distal ends thereof as indicated by re-ference character 27. This junction is also welded or other-wlse secured.
A movable arm assembly collectively designated 28 is pivotally secured to the other vertical support arm spe-cifically designated 16A and this movable support arm in-cludes an upper and lower bearing sleeve 29 and 30 bearing-ly engaged around the support post 16A. A main support arm 25A is secured as by welding, by one end thereof, to the lowermost bearing sleeve 30 and extends therefrom spaced and parallel with the main arm 25 when the movable arm as~
sembly 28 is in the bale engaging position shown in Figure 3.
~ 1~7'~33 A diagonal tension member 26A is secured by one end thereof as by welding, to the upper bearing sleeve 29 and extends rearwardly and downardly ko join the main arm 25A adjacent the distal end thereof as indicated by refer-ence character 27A. This junction is also welded or other-wise secured.
Bale engaging means collectively designated 30 extend from the distal ends of each of the main arms 25 and 25A and take the form of an end sharpened spike or prong 31 bolted or otherwise secured through the distal ends of the main arms 25 and 25A and extending inwardly towards one another or parallel to the plane of the front support frame 15, when the movable arm assembly 28 is in the bale engaging position illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.
Discs 32 are secuxed to the prongs 31 adjacent the inner ends thereof and limit the engagement of the prongs with the bale as will hereinafter be described.
Figure 4 shows the preferred cross sectional con-figuration of the prongs 31 which are provided with radially extending flanges 33 extending from the perimeter thereof to facilitate engagement of the prongs with the bale.
However, other cross sectional configurations can of course be used.
Means are provided to move the movable arm assem-1~57~33 bly 28 from the bale engaging or closed position substanti-ally parallel to the fixed arm assembly 24, to an opened or bale disengaged position and vice-versa. Said means pre-ferably take the form of a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly collectively designated 34 operatively connected to the hydraulic sys-tem (not illustrated) of the associated tractor 10. The cylinder 35 is pivotally secured to a brac-ket 36 extending from one of the vertical brace members 19 and the piston rod 37 is pivotally secured to a lug 38 ex-tending from the main arm 25A of the movable arm assembly 28, adjacent the inner end thereof. Extension and retrac-tion of the piston and cylinder assembly will move the mo-vable arm assembly 28 in a substantially vertical plane as hereinbefore described.
In operation, the device is operatively connected to the three-point hitch 12 and 13 of the tractor and is then manoeuvered so that it is adjacent the bale to be pick-ed up and unrolled thereby. ~he movable arm assembly 28 is moved open by the piston and cylinder assembly 34 and the tractor is manoeuvered so that the end of the prong 31 of the fixed arm assembly 24 is adjacent one side of the bale.
The unroller is positioned by the three-point assembly so that the prong is at the right height to engage the end ax-ially whereupon the movable arm assembly 28 is closed by 1 157~
the piston and cylinder assembly 34 thus engaging the prong of this movable arm, axially with the other end of the bale.
The hydraulic pressure permits the two prongs 31 and 31A to engage the ends of the bale axially whereupon the unroller is raised by the three-point hitch assembly so that the bale is clear of the ground. It may then be moved to the desired location whereupon the unroller is lowered until the bale periphery comes into contact with the ground where-upon the three-point hitch assembly is placed in the "float"
position.
It will be appreciated that the bale must be po-sitioned between the arms so that when the tractor moves forwardly, the bale is unrolled.
As the periphery of the bale decreases in diame-ter, the weight of the bale maintains the periphery in con-tact with the ground so that the bale is unrolled as clear-ly indicated in Figure 2 with the tractor driving forwardly.
This results in an elongated strip of hay or straw spread upon the ground which enables a plurality of cattle to feed at one time.
The discs 32 restrict the engagement of the prongs 31 and act as clamping plates while the bale is being ele-vated and transported. It also facilitates rotation of the bale as it is being unrolled and prevents the ends from en-~ ~7~3 ~ 10 -gaging the ends of the arm assemblies.
DRAWINGS SUPPORTED BY T~IE SUPPLEMENTARY DISCL~SURE
_ Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing an al-ternative er~odiment.
SUPPLEME~TARY DISCLOSURE
Figure 5 is somewhat similar to Figure 1 except that square tubing is utilized and the pivotting action has been changed. Where common reference characters are used, those in Figure 5 have been primed.
The rectangular front support frame 15' is similar to that shown in Figure 1 except that square cross section-ed tubing is utilized.
The spaced and parallel vertical posts 16' and 16A' are provided with pairs of horizontally situated mounting lugs 39 adjacent the upper and lower ends of both of the posts so that the arm assemblies 28' can both be pivotted for horizontal swinging movement in a manner similar to the single pivotting arm 28 of the previous embodiment~
In this connection, a single bearing lug 40 extends
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to new and useEul improve-ments in bale unrollers. Conventionally, such bales usual-ly weigh from 1,300 to 2~000 lbs. and may be dimensioned 60 ins. x 72 ins. approximately or 66 ins. x 72 ins. approx-imately.
When used for feeding cattle, they have to be un-rolled so that many head of cattle can feed from one bale and with the weight of such bales and the awkwardness of transporting same, it is difficult to position the bale and then unroll it upon the ground.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes these disadvan-tages by providing a relatively simple attachment for a three-point hitch assembly of a tractor so that it can first be raised clear of the ground and transported to the de-sired location and secondly, it can be unrolled in a long strip readily and easily.
In accordance with the invention there is provided an unroller for use with a three-point hitch mounting on a trac~or for raising and lowering said unroller and includ-ing a "float" position for unrolling bales rolled about an axis; said bale unroller comprising in combination a sub-stantially rectangular front support frame, means on said support frame for operatively connecting same to the asso-3~' ~.~
~ 2-ciated three-point hitch mounting, a fixed arm assembly ex-tending rearwardly from adjacent one end of said support frame and perpendicular thereto, a movable arm assembly pivotally mounted for movement about a vertical axis, to adjacent the other end oE said front support frame, bale engaging means adjacent the distal ends of said arm assem-blies and means to move said movable arm assembly from an open position to a closed position substantially parallel to said fixed arm assembly and vice-versa; said moving means comprising a piston and cylinder device with the free end of the piston attached to one of the movable arm as~
sembly and the support frame and the free end of the cylinder attached to the other whereby the reaction from the f~rce applied to the movable arm assembly is applied to the sup-port frame, and each of said bale engaging means compris-ing a single spike for engagement along the axis of the bale.
In accordance with another aspect of the inven-tion there is provided a method of unrolling a round hay bale consisting of engaging the bale axially at each end by a bale unroller operatively supported upon a three-point hitch in the float position with the periphery of the bale engaging the ground and then driving the tractor forwardly with the weight of the bale maintaining the contact of the periphery of the bale with the ground.
Another advantage of the invention is that it is ~'``¢~ ' l ~57'133 readily attached and detached from the three-point hitch of a tractor so that the tractor can be used for other pur-poses.
A still further advantage of the invention re--sides ~ 15 ~ L~ 3 in the fact that the tractor can readily be manoeuvered in-to position relative to a bale whereupon the mechanism of the unroller can be actuated to engage the bale holders axially one within each end of the bale.
A still further advantage of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simple in construction, economical in manufacture and o-therwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.
With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the accompany-ing drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a descrip-tion of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention, in which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
.
Figure 1 is an isometric view of the unroller per se.
Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of a tractor showing the unroller in position thereon.
Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the unroller per se.
Figure 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of one of the prongs along the line 4-4 of Figure 3.
In the drawings like characters of reference indi-cate corresponding parts in the difEerent figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIO
Before proceeding with the description of the in vention, reference to Figure 1 will show the rear end 10 of a tractor 11 having a three-point hitch assembly thereon which includes an upper centrally located pivot arm 12 and spaced and parallel lower raising and lowering arms 13.
The invention collectively designated 14 is de-signed primarily for use with a category 1 three-point hitch tractor of approximately 50 to 100 horsepower and is designed to move hay and straw bales weighing from 1,300 lbso to 2, ono lbs. and having dimensions of approximately 60 ins.
x 72 ins. and 66 ins. x 72 ins.
However, it will be appreciated that the unroller can readily be adapted for use with any three point hitch attachment of a tractor. One of the important features re-quired is that the three-point hitch be provided with a "float" position.
Proceeding therefore ~o describe the invention in detail, the unroller consists of a substantially rectangular front support frame collectively designated 15 including a pair of spaced and parallel vertical posts 16 and an upper ~ ~57~3 and lower horizontal member 17 and 18 extending between the upper and lower ends of the posts 16 respectively and being secured thereto as by welding. Spaced and parallel verti~
cal brace members 19 extend between the upper and lower members 17 and 18 intermediate the ends thereof as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3.
Means are provided on the rear of this frame to detachably secure the unroller to the aforementioned three-point hitch assembly of the tractor 10. A pair of spaced and parallel lugs 20 are secured and extend rearwardly from approximately the centre of the upper horizontal member 17 and a heavy duty pin 21 extends through apertures in these lugs and through the pivot member 12 of the three-point hitch which is also apertured and which engages between the lugs 20 thus providing a pivotal connection for the frame.
Extending outwardly from adjacent the lower ends of the brace members 19, are further heavy duty pins 22 which detachably engage the spaced and parallel members 13 of the three-point hitch which are also apertured. Retainers 23 engage the ends of pins 22 to detachably retain the links 13 in position.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that ac-tuation of the three-point hitch assembly from the hydraulic system of the tractor (not illustrated) will pivot the front ~57~3 support frame upwardly and downwardly around the axis of pin 21.
A fixed arm assembly collectively designa-ted 24 is secured to one vertical post 16 of the support frame.
This fixed arm assembly includes a substantially horizon-tal main arm 25 secured as by welding, by one end thereof, to adjacent the lower end of the support post 16 and ex-tending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the front support frame 15.
A diagonal tension member 26 is secured as by weld-ing to adjacent the upper end of the vertical post 16 and extends downwardly and rearwardly to join the main support arm 25 adjacent the distal ends thereof as indicated by re-ference character 27. This junction is also welded or other-wlse secured.
A movable arm assembly collectively designated 28 is pivotally secured to the other vertical support arm spe-cifically designated 16A and this movable support arm in-cludes an upper and lower bearing sleeve 29 and 30 bearing-ly engaged around the support post 16A. A main support arm 25A is secured as by welding, by one end thereof, to the lowermost bearing sleeve 30 and extends therefrom spaced and parallel with the main arm 25 when the movable arm as~
sembly 28 is in the bale engaging position shown in Figure 3.
~ 1~7'~33 A diagonal tension member 26A is secured by one end thereof as by welding, to the upper bearing sleeve 29 and extends rearwardly and downardly ko join the main arm 25A adjacent the distal end thereof as indicated by refer-ence character 27A. This junction is also welded or other-wise secured.
Bale engaging means collectively designated 30 extend from the distal ends of each of the main arms 25 and 25A and take the form of an end sharpened spike or prong 31 bolted or otherwise secured through the distal ends of the main arms 25 and 25A and extending inwardly towards one another or parallel to the plane of the front support frame 15, when the movable arm assembly 28 is in the bale engaging position illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.
Discs 32 are secuxed to the prongs 31 adjacent the inner ends thereof and limit the engagement of the prongs with the bale as will hereinafter be described.
Figure 4 shows the preferred cross sectional con-figuration of the prongs 31 which are provided with radially extending flanges 33 extending from the perimeter thereof to facilitate engagement of the prongs with the bale.
However, other cross sectional configurations can of course be used.
Means are provided to move the movable arm assem-1~57~33 bly 28 from the bale engaging or closed position substanti-ally parallel to the fixed arm assembly 24, to an opened or bale disengaged position and vice-versa. Said means pre-ferably take the form of a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly collectively designated 34 operatively connected to the hydraulic sys-tem (not illustrated) of the associated tractor 10. The cylinder 35 is pivotally secured to a brac-ket 36 extending from one of the vertical brace members 19 and the piston rod 37 is pivotally secured to a lug 38 ex-tending from the main arm 25A of the movable arm assembly 28, adjacent the inner end thereof. Extension and retrac-tion of the piston and cylinder assembly will move the mo-vable arm assembly 28 in a substantially vertical plane as hereinbefore described.
In operation, the device is operatively connected to the three-point hitch 12 and 13 of the tractor and is then manoeuvered so that it is adjacent the bale to be pick-ed up and unrolled thereby. ~he movable arm assembly 28 is moved open by the piston and cylinder assembly 34 and the tractor is manoeuvered so that the end of the prong 31 of the fixed arm assembly 24 is adjacent one side of the bale.
The unroller is positioned by the three-point assembly so that the prong is at the right height to engage the end ax-ially whereupon the movable arm assembly 28 is closed by 1 157~
the piston and cylinder assembly 34 thus engaging the prong of this movable arm, axially with the other end of the bale.
The hydraulic pressure permits the two prongs 31 and 31A to engage the ends of the bale axially whereupon the unroller is raised by the three-point hitch assembly so that the bale is clear of the ground. It may then be moved to the desired location whereupon the unroller is lowered until the bale periphery comes into contact with the ground where-upon the three-point hitch assembly is placed in the "float"
position.
It will be appreciated that the bale must be po-sitioned between the arms so that when the tractor moves forwardly, the bale is unrolled.
As the periphery of the bale decreases in diame-ter, the weight of the bale maintains the periphery in con-tact with the ground so that the bale is unrolled as clear-ly indicated in Figure 2 with the tractor driving forwardly.
This results in an elongated strip of hay or straw spread upon the ground which enables a plurality of cattle to feed at one time.
The discs 32 restrict the engagement of the prongs 31 and act as clamping plates while the bale is being ele-vated and transported. It also facilitates rotation of the bale as it is being unrolled and prevents the ends from en-~ ~7~3 ~ 10 -gaging the ends of the arm assemblies.
DRAWINGS SUPPORTED BY T~IE SUPPLEMENTARY DISCL~SURE
_ Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing an al-ternative er~odiment.
SUPPLEME~TARY DISCLOSURE
Figure 5 is somewhat similar to Figure 1 except that square tubing is utilized and the pivotting action has been changed. Where common reference characters are used, those in Figure 5 have been primed.
The rectangular front support frame 15' is similar to that shown in Figure 1 except that square cross section-ed tubing is utilized.
The spaced and parallel vertical posts 16' and 16A' are provided with pairs of horizontally situated mounting lugs 39 adjacent the upper and lower ends of both of the posts so that the arm assemblies 28' can both be pivotted for horizontal swinging movement in a manner similar to the single pivotting arm 28 of the previous embodiment~
In this connection, a single bearing lug 40 extends
2,0 from the front ends of the members 25A' and 26A' engaging between the relevant pairs of lugs 39 and being pivotally connected thereto by means of vertical pivot pins 41.
This facilitates the engagement of the bale and of course both arm assembly 28' are actuated by individual i .
11$~33 - lOA -piston and cylinder assemblies 35' controlled by the opera-tor from the tractor.
Since various modifications can be made in my inven-tion as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departin~ from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the ac-companying specification shall be interpreted as illustra-tive only and not in a limiting sense.
r ~
This facilitates the engagement of the bale and of course both arm assembly 28' are actuated by individual i .
11$~33 - lOA -piston and cylinder assemblies 35' controlled by the opera-tor from the tractor.
Since various modifications can be made in my inven-tion as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departin~ from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the ac-companying specification shall be interpreted as illustra-tive only and not in a limiting sense.
r ~
Claims
CLAIMS:
(1) An unroller for use with a three-point hitch mounting on a tractor for raising and lowering said unroller and including a "float" position for unrolling bales rolled about an axis; said bale unroller comprising in combination a substantially rectangular front support frame, means on said support frame for operatively connecting same to the associated three-point hitch mounting, a fixed arm assembly extending rearwardly from adjacent one end of said support frame and perpendicular thereto, a movable arm assembly pivotally mounted for movement about a vertical axis, to adjacent the other end of said front support frame, bale engaging means adjacent the distal ends of said arm assem-blies and means to move said movable arm assembly from an open position to a closed position substantially parallel to said fixed arm assembly and vice-versa; said moving means comprising a piston and cylinder device with the free end of the piston attached to one of the movable arm assembly and the support frame and the free end of the cylinder at-tached to the other whereby the reaction from the force applied to the movable arm assembly is applied to the sup-port frame, and each of said bale engaging means compris-ing a single spike for engagement along the axis of the bale.
(2) The unroller according to Claim 1 in which said bale engaging means includes an end sharpened prong extending inwardly from each of said arm assemblies and ly-ing parallel to said front frame when said arm assemblies are parallel to one another.
(3) The unroller according to Claim 1 in which said front support frame includes a pair of vertical posts in spaced and parallel relationship with one another, and a pair of horizontal members extending between the upper and lower ends respectively of said posts and also lying in spaced and parallel relationship, said fixed arm assem-bly being secured to and extending rearwardly from one of said vertical posts, said movable arm assembly including upper and lower bearing sleeves engaging around the other of said vertical posts in spaced apart relationship to one another, a main arm member secured by one end thereof to the lower of said bearing sleeves, a diagonal tension mem-ber secured by one end thereof to said upper bearing sleeve, said diagonal member inclining rearwardly and downwardly to join said main arm member adjacent the distal end thereof, said bale engaging means extending inwardly from adjacent the junction of said members, said means to move said mov-able arm assembly including an hydraulic piston and cylin-der assembly operatively extending between said movable arm assembly and said front support frame.
(4) The unroller according to Claim 2 in which said front support frame includes a pair of vertical posts in spaced and parallel relationship with one another, and a pair of horizontal members extending between the upper and lower ends respectively of said posts and also lying in spaced and parallel relationship, said fixed arm assem-bly being secured to and extending rearwardly from one of said vertical posts, said movable arm assembly including upper and lower bearing sleeves engaging around the other of said vertical posts in spaced apart relationship to one another, a main arm member secured by one end thereof to the lower of said bearing sleeves, a diagonal tension mem-ber secured by one end thereof to said upper bearing sleeve, said diagonal member inclining rearwardly and downwardly to join said main arm member adjacent the distal end thereof, said bale engaging means extending inwardly from adjacent the junction of said members, said means to move said mov-able arm assembly including an hydraulic piston and cylin-der assembly operatively extending between said movable arm assembly and said front support frame.
CLAIMS SUPPORTED BY THE SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE
(5) An unroller for use with a three-point hitch mounting on a tractor for raising and lowering said unroller and including "float" position for unrolling bales rolled about an axis; said bale unroller comprising in combination a substantially rectangular front support frame, means on said support frame for operatively connecting same to the associated three-point hitch mounting, a fixed arm assembly extending rearwardly from adjacent one end of said support frame and perpendicular thereto, a movable arm assembly pivotally mounted for movement about a vertical axis, to adjacent each end of said front support frame, bale engag-ing means adjacent the distal ends of said arm assemblies and means to move said movable arm assemblies from an open position to a closed position substantially parallel to one another and vice-versa; said moving means comprising a pis-ton and cylinder device with the free end of the piston at-tached to one of the movable arm assembly and the support frame and the free end of the cylinder attached to the other whereby the reaction from the force applied to the movable arm assembly is applied to the support frame, and each of said bale engaging means comprising a single spike for engagement along the axis of the bale.
(6) The unroller according to Claim 5 in which said bale engaging means includes an end sharpened prong extending inwardly from each of said arm assemblies and ly-ing parallel to said front frame when said arm assemblies are parallel to one another.
(7) The unroller according to Claim 5 in which said front support frame includes a pair of vertical posts in spaced and parallel relationship with one another, and a pair of horizontal members extending between the upper and lower ends respectively of said posts and also lying in spaced and parallel relationship, pairs of mounting lugs on each post adjacent each thereof, said movable arm assem-bly including upper and lower bearing lugs engaging said pairs of mounting lugs on said vertical posts in spaced apart relationship to one another, a main arm member secured by one end thereof to the lower of said bearing lugs, a diagonal tension member secured by one end thereof to said upper bearing lug, said diagonal member inclining rearward-ly and downwardly to join said main arm member adjacent the distal end thereof, said bale engaging means extending in-wardly from adjacent the junction of said members, said means to move said movable arm assembly including an hy-draulic piston and cylinder assembly operatively extending between said movable arm assembly and said front support frame.
(8) The unroller according to Claim 6 in which said front support frame includes a pair of vertical posts in spaced and parallel relationship with one another, and a pair of horizontal members extending between the upper and lower ends respectively of said posts and also lying in spaced and parallel relationship, pairs of mounting lugs on each post adjacent each thereof, said movable arm assem-bly including upper and lower bearing lugs engaging said pairs of mounting lugs on said vertical posts in spaced apart relationship to one another, a main arm member secured by one end thereof to the lower of said bearing lugs, a diagonal tension member secured by one end thereof to said upper bearing lug, said diagonal member inclining rearward-ly and downwardly to join said main arm member adjacent the distal end thereof said bale engaging means extending in-inwardly from adjacent the junction of said members, said means to move said movable arm assembly including an hy-draulic piston and cylinder assembly operatively extending between said movable arm assembly and said front support frame.
(1) An unroller for use with a three-point hitch mounting on a tractor for raising and lowering said unroller and including a "float" position for unrolling bales rolled about an axis; said bale unroller comprising in combination a substantially rectangular front support frame, means on said support frame for operatively connecting same to the associated three-point hitch mounting, a fixed arm assembly extending rearwardly from adjacent one end of said support frame and perpendicular thereto, a movable arm assembly pivotally mounted for movement about a vertical axis, to adjacent the other end of said front support frame, bale engaging means adjacent the distal ends of said arm assem-blies and means to move said movable arm assembly from an open position to a closed position substantially parallel to said fixed arm assembly and vice-versa; said moving means comprising a piston and cylinder device with the free end of the piston attached to one of the movable arm assembly and the support frame and the free end of the cylinder at-tached to the other whereby the reaction from the force applied to the movable arm assembly is applied to the sup-port frame, and each of said bale engaging means compris-ing a single spike for engagement along the axis of the bale.
(2) The unroller according to Claim 1 in which said bale engaging means includes an end sharpened prong extending inwardly from each of said arm assemblies and ly-ing parallel to said front frame when said arm assemblies are parallel to one another.
(3) The unroller according to Claim 1 in which said front support frame includes a pair of vertical posts in spaced and parallel relationship with one another, and a pair of horizontal members extending between the upper and lower ends respectively of said posts and also lying in spaced and parallel relationship, said fixed arm assem-bly being secured to and extending rearwardly from one of said vertical posts, said movable arm assembly including upper and lower bearing sleeves engaging around the other of said vertical posts in spaced apart relationship to one another, a main arm member secured by one end thereof to the lower of said bearing sleeves, a diagonal tension mem-ber secured by one end thereof to said upper bearing sleeve, said diagonal member inclining rearwardly and downwardly to join said main arm member adjacent the distal end thereof, said bale engaging means extending inwardly from adjacent the junction of said members, said means to move said mov-able arm assembly including an hydraulic piston and cylin-der assembly operatively extending between said movable arm assembly and said front support frame.
(4) The unroller according to Claim 2 in which said front support frame includes a pair of vertical posts in spaced and parallel relationship with one another, and a pair of horizontal members extending between the upper and lower ends respectively of said posts and also lying in spaced and parallel relationship, said fixed arm assem-bly being secured to and extending rearwardly from one of said vertical posts, said movable arm assembly including upper and lower bearing sleeves engaging around the other of said vertical posts in spaced apart relationship to one another, a main arm member secured by one end thereof to the lower of said bearing sleeves, a diagonal tension mem-ber secured by one end thereof to said upper bearing sleeve, said diagonal member inclining rearwardly and downwardly to join said main arm member adjacent the distal end thereof, said bale engaging means extending inwardly from adjacent the junction of said members, said means to move said mov-able arm assembly including an hydraulic piston and cylin-der assembly operatively extending between said movable arm assembly and said front support frame.
CLAIMS SUPPORTED BY THE SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE
(5) An unroller for use with a three-point hitch mounting on a tractor for raising and lowering said unroller and including "float" position for unrolling bales rolled about an axis; said bale unroller comprising in combination a substantially rectangular front support frame, means on said support frame for operatively connecting same to the associated three-point hitch mounting, a fixed arm assembly extending rearwardly from adjacent one end of said support frame and perpendicular thereto, a movable arm assembly pivotally mounted for movement about a vertical axis, to adjacent each end of said front support frame, bale engag-ing means adjacent the distal ends of said arm assemblies and means to move said movable arm assemblies from an open position to a closed position substantially parallel to one another and vice-versa; said moving means comprising a pis-ton and cylinder device with the free end of the piston at-tached to one of the movable arm assembly and the support frame and the free end of the cylinder attached to the other whereby the reaction from the force applied to the movable arm assembly is applied to the support frame, and each of said bale engaging means comprising a single spike for engagement along the axis of the bale.
(6) The unroller according to Claim 5 in which said bale engaging means includes an end sharpened prong extending inwardly from each of said arm assemblies and ly-ing parallel to said front frame when said arm assemblies are parallel to one another.
(7) The unroller according to Claim 5 in which said front support frame includes a pair of vertical posts in spaced and parallel relationship with one another, and a pair of horizontal members extending between the upper and lower ends respectively of said posts and also lying in spaced and parallel relationship, pairs of mounting lugs on each post adjacent each thereof, said movable arm assem-bly including upper and lower bearing lugs engaging said pairs of mounting lugs on said vertical posts in spaced apart relationship to one another, a main arm member secured by one end thereof to the lower of said bearing lugs, a diagonal tension member secured by one end thereof to said upper bearing lug, said diagonal member inclining rearward-ly and downwardly to join said main arm member adjacent the distal end thereof, said bale engaging means extending in-wardly from adjacent the junction of said members, said means to move said movable arm assembly including an hy-draulic piston and cylinder assembly operatively extending between said movable arm assembly and said front support frame.
(8) The unroller according to Claim 6 in which said front support frame includes a pair of vertical posts in spaced and parallel relationship with one another, and a pair of horizontal members extending between the upper and lower ends respectively of said posts and also lying in spaced and parallel relationship, pairs of mounting lugs on each post adjacent each thereof, said movable arm assem-bly including upper and lower bearing lugs engaging said pairs of mounting lugs on said vertical posts in spaced apart relationship to one another, a main arm member secured by one end thereof to the lower of said bearing lugs, a diagonal tension member secured by one end thereof to said upper bearing lug, said diagonal member inclining rearward-ly and downwardly to join said main arm member adjacent the distal end thereof said bale engaging means extending in-inwardly from adjacent the junction of said members, said means to move said movable arm assembly including an hy-draulic piston and cylinder assembly operatively extending between said movable arm assembly and said front support frame.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000392718A CA1157433A (en) | 1981-12-18 | 1981-12-18 | Bale unroller |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000392718A CA1157433A (en) | 1981-12-18 | 1981-12-18 | Bale unroller |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1157433A true CA1157433A (en) | 1983-11-22 |
Family
ID=4121662
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000392718A Expired CA1157433A (en) | 1981-12-18 | 1981-12-18 | Bale unroller |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1157433A (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5074734A (en) * | 1990-11-05 | 1991-12-24 | Price Gary F | Bale unroller |
| US5316427A (en) * | 1992-04-03 | 1994-05-31 | Delong Leonard D | Round bale unroller and method |
| US6394732B1 (en) | 2000-07-06 | 2002-05-28 | Darrell Sweezey | Bale handling device |
| US20220142052A1 (en) * | 2020-11-10 | 2022-05-12 | Theodore H. CORRIHER | Self-aligning hay bale unroller |
-
1981
- 1981-12-18 CA CA000392718A patent/CA1157433A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5074734A (en) * | 1990-11-05 | 1991-12-24 | Price Gary F | Bale unroller |
| US5316427A (en) * | 1992-04-03 | 1994-05-31 | Delong Leonard D | Round bale unroller and method |
| US6394732B1 (en) | 2000-07-06 | 2002-05-28 | Darrell Sweezey | Bale handling device |
| US20220142052A1 (en) * | 2020-11-10 | 2022-05-12 | Theodore H. CORRIHER | Self-aligning hay bale unroller |
| US11856892B2 (en) * | 2020-11-10 | 2024-01-02 | Theodore H. CORRIHER | Self-aligning hay bale unroller |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |