GB2150893A

GB2150893A - Trailer

Info

Publication number: GB2150893A
Application number: GB08331371A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jim Prentice Baird; Collin Brian Goacher
Original assignee: William Cockran Baird
Current assignee: William Cockran Baird
Priority date: 1983-11-24
Filing date: 1983-11-24
Publication date: 1985-07-10
Also published as: GB8331371D0

Abstract

A trailer (1) for carrying big roll bales comprises a pair of longitudinally extending members (2, 3). The inside edges of the members (2, 3) are spaced apart by about 76 cm whilst the outer edges are spaced apart by about 92 cm. In use, a tractor carrying a big roll bale on a buckrake can reverse up the trailer (1) with one wheel to either side of the members (2, 3) and lower the big roll bale onto the members (2, 3). This process can be repeated until the trailer (1) is fully loaded. The invention is notable for its simplicity and its remarkable effectiveness compared with existing equipment for transporting big roll bales. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Trailer This invention relates to trailers and, more particularly but not exclusively, is concerned with trailers for carrying so called "big roll bales".

Traditionally, hay was stored in relatively small rectangular bales which could be handled by one man. During the last 10 years many farms have adopted "big roll bale" harvesters which produce a cylindrical bale approximately 1.2 m in diameter and 1.5 m long. These bales cannot be handled by one man but require special handling equipment which can be mounted on the front or back of a tractor.

A number of trailers have been developed for transporting big roll bales, however, these trailers are extremely complicated and expensive. One such trailer has a deep trough section to prevent the bales being dislodged when driven across a field. Unfortunately the presence of the trough necessitates special tractor mounted handling equipment.

Another trailer includes a top section and a pair of downwardly extending side arms which can be placed over the bales and actuated by hydraulic rams to move inwardly and grip the sides of the big roll bales.

The present invention, at least in its preferred embodiments, is notable for its simplicity and its effectiveness.

According to the present invention there is provided a trailer for carrying big roll bales which trailer comprises a pair of longitudinally extending members which are spaced apart by a distance which is sufficient to support a big roll bale but which is less than the width between the wheels of a tractor, the arrangement being such that a tractor can drive along the trailer with one wheel disposed to either side of said trailer and said big roll bale can be lowered onto said members.

Typically the distance between the inside edges of the longitudinally extending members will be between 60 cm and 120 cm (preferably between 70 cm and 80 cm) and the distance between the outer edges will be between 80 cm and 140 cm (preferably between 85 cm and 95 cm).

The length of the longitudinally extending members will depend on the number of bales to be carried and typically, will be between 3 m and 9 m to accommodate between 2 and 6 bales respectively.

The trailer is preferably supported by a single pair of wheels which are preferably mounted between 1.5 m and 2 m from the rear of the trailer. This enables the tractor to easily load and unload bales from the trailer.

There is also provided a trailer in accordance with the invention when loaded with big roll bales.

For a better understanding of the invention reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a trailer in accordance with the invention about to be loaded and; Figure 2 is a side view showing the trailer fully loaded with six big roll bales.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a trailer which is generally identified by reference numeral 1.

The trailer 1 comprises two longitudinally extending members 2 and 3. The distance between the insides of the members 2 and 3 is approximately 76 cm whilst the distance between the outer edges of the members 2 and 3 is approximately 92 cm. The length of the members 2 and 3 is approximately 9 m and the members 2 and 3 are joined by a rear cross member 4, and a front cross member 5. The structure is also reinforced by an intermediate cross member 6. A towing arm 7 extends forwardly from the front cross member 5 and is provided with a pick up hitch 8. The towing arm 7 is strengthened by two braces 9.

The trailer 1, which is shown ready for loading in Figure 1, is mounted on an axle 10 and the distance between the outer walls of the wheels 11 and 12 is approximately 1.75 m.

In use the trailer 1 can be loaded by one man without having to leave his tractor. This is a major advantage. In particular, the driver simply lifts a big roll bale with a buckrake (typically attached to the three point linkage at the rear of the tractor), reverses down the length of the trailer 1 (with one wheel either side of the members 2 and 3) and places the big roll bale at the rear of the trailer 1. This process is then repeated until the trailer is full (2). An extra bale can then be placed on the buckrake, the trailer 1 connected to the pick up hitch on the trailer 1 and the whole moved to the required destination.

At the destination the trailer 1 is disconnected and the bales unloaded one at a time.

Our tests indicate that it should be possible for one man to transport 21 bales per hour over locations spaced one mile apart. In this connection, despite the apparent simplicity of the trailer 1 we have been unable to dislodge big roll bales from our prototype trailer 1 despite driving the trailer 1 relatively fast and fully loaded over rough dry ground in a secluded part of our farm.

Various modifications may be made to the trailer described with reference to the figures, for example the members 2 and 3 may be 'I' beams (as shown) or tubes of circular cross-section.

1. A trailer for carrying big roll bales which trailer comprises a pair of longitudinally extending members which are spaced apart by a distance which is sufficient to support a big roll bale but which is less than the width between the wheels of a tractor, the arrangement being such that a tractor can drive along the trailer with one wheel disposed to either side of said trailer and said big roll bale can be lowered onto said members.

2. A trailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance between the inside edges of the longitudinally extending members is between 60 cm and 120 cm.

3. Atrailer as claimed in claim 2, wherein said distance is between 70 cm and 80 cm.

4. Trailer as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the distance between the outer edges of said members is between 80 cm and 140 cm.

5. A trailer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Trailer This invention relates to trailers and, more particularly but not exclusively, is concerned with trailers for carrying so called "big roll bales". Traditionally, hay was stored in relatively small rectangular bales which could be handled by one man. During the last 10 years many farms have adopted "big roll bale" harvesters which produce a cylindrical bale approximately 1.2 m in diameter and 1.5 m long. These bales cannot be handled by one man but require special handling equipment which can be mounted on the front or back of a tractor. A number of trailers have been developed for transporting big roll bales, however, these trailers are extremely complicated and expensive. One such trailer has a deep trough section to prevent the bales being dislodged when driven across a field. Unfortunately the presence of the trough necessitates special tractor mounted handling equipment. Another trailer includes a top section and a pair of downwardly extending side arms which can be placed over the bales and actuated by hydraulic rams to move inwardly and grip the sides of the big roll bales. The present invention, at least in its preferred embodiments, is notable for its simplicity and its effectiveness. According to the present invention there is provided a trailer for carrying big roll bales which trailer comprises a pair of longitudinally extending members which are spaced apart by a distance which is sufficient to support a big roll bale but which is less than the width between the wheels of a tractor, the arrangement being such that a tractor can drive along the trailer with one wheel disposed to either side of said trailer and said big roll bale can be lowered onto said members. Typically the distance between the inside edges of the longitudinally extending members will be between 60 cm and 120 cm (preferably between 70 cm and 80 cm) and the distance between the outer edges will be between 80 cm and 140 cm (preferably between 85 cm and 95 cm). The length of the longitudinally extending members will depend on the number of bales to be carried and typically, will be between 3 m and 9 m to accommodate between 2 and 6 bales respectively. The trailer is preferably supported by a single pair of wheels which are preferably mounted between 1.5 m and 2 m from the rear of the trailer. This enables the tractor to easily load and unload bales from the trailer. There is also provided a trailer in accordance with the invention when loaded with big roll bales. For a better understanding of the invention reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a trailer in accordance with the invention about to be loaded and; Figure 2 is a side view showing the trailer fully loaded with six big roll bales. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a trailer which is generally identified by reference numeral 1. The trailer 1 comprises two longitudinally extending members 2 and 3. The distance between the insides of the members 2 and 3 is approximately 76 cm whilst the distance between the outer edges of the members 2 and 3 is approximately 92 cm. The length of the members 2 and 3 is approximately 9 m and the members 2 and 3 are joined by a rear cross member 4, and a front cross member 5. The structure is also reinforced by an intermediate cross member 6. A towing arm 7 extends forwardly from the front cross member 5 and is provided with a pick up hitch 8. The towing arm 7 is strengthened by two braces 9. The trailer 1, which is shown ready for loading in Figure 1, is mounted on an axle 10 and the distance between the outer walls of the wheels 11 and 12 is approximately 1.75 m. In use the trailer 1 can be loaded by one man without having to leave his tractor. This is a major advantage. In particular, the driver simply lifts a big roll bale with a buckrake (typically attached to the three point linkage at the rear of the tractor), reverses down the length of the trailer 1 (with one wheel either side of the members 2 and 3) and places the big roll bale at the rear of the trailer 1. This process is then repeated until the trailer is full (2). An extra bale can then be placed on the buckrake, the trailer 1 connected to the pick up hitch on the trailer 1 and the whole moved to the required destination. At the destination the trailer 1 is disconnected and the bales unloaded one at a time. Our tests indicate that it should be possible for one man to transport 21 bales per hour over locations spaced one mile apart. In this connection, despite the apparent simplicity of the trailer 1 we have been unable to dislodge big roll bales from our prototype trailer 1 despite driving the trailer 1 relatively fast and fully loaded over rough dry ground in a secluded part of our farm. Various modifications may be made to the trailer described with reference to the figures, for example the members 2 and 3 may be 'I' beams (as shown) or tubes of circular cross-section. CLAIMS

5. A trailer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the distance between the outer edges of said members is between 85 cm and 95 cm.

6. Atrailer as claimed in any preceeding claim, wherein said members are between 3 m and 9 m in length.

7. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim, when loaded with big roll bales.