GB2189770A

GB2189770A - Bale handling device

Info

Publication number: GB2189770A
Application number: GB08710031A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Condell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-04-29
Filing date: 1987-04-28
Publication date: 1987-11-04
Also published as: GB8710031D0

Abstract

A handling device, particularly for round (i.e. cylindrical) bales of hay comprises a frame (12) attached by an articulated sub-frame (6, 7, 10) to, for example, the front end lifting jib (2, 3) of an agricultural tractor. The frame (12) carries two rotatable columns (13, 14) which can be operated by a hydraulic actuator (20) to cause curved tines (18) to move inwards to engage at least two bales stacked vertically end-to-end. An extra pair of tines or spikes (30) can be used to engage a bale lying horizontally. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bale handling device The present invention relates to a handling device for substantially cylindrical objects such as round bales of hay, and in particularto an improved tractor-mounted device for handling round bales of hay.

In recent times, the bulk harvesting and storage of hay has been greatly facilitated by the use of so-called big round bales, i.e. bales which are cylindrical in shape and of approximately 1 .5m in height and diameter. However, on account oftheir size, there are certain difficulties to be overcome in handling these bales which handling is generally performed by mechanical loaders, forklifts or grabs.

Hitherto, round bale handling devices suitable for attachment to the three-point linkage or front end loading jib of a tractor have generally been adapted in various ways to manipulate and transport a single bale at a time, and may also include a mechanism to rotate the bale so asto unravel it. For example, British Patent Specification No. 1,494,879 discloses a device with a pair ofgripperarms which can swing in a lateral plane to grip the flat ends of the bale. The free ends ofthe arms are equipped with rotatable discs having spikes projecting therefrom. Thus, such a device is primarily adapted for picking up a round bale which is lying on its curved side.British Patent Specification No. 2,048,820A discloses a tiltable frame for attachment to a front end loading jib having a pairofarcuate bale gripping arms which may be used to pick up a single round bale lying on its flat end. The main disadvantages of these devices arethatonlyoneround bale may be handled ata time, and that they cannot be used to manipulate or carry a stack of bales stacked end-to-end. British Patent Specification No. 2,040,865A discloses a heavy trailer having an elongate chassis supporting a vertically tiltable frame for supporting a stack of round bales which can be loaded individually onto the frame. The frame has a series of gripping tines which can swing inwardly to grip the bales. Such a device is cumbersome, awkward to operate in confined spaces and is comparatively expensive.

The present invention has for one of its objects to provide an improved bale handling device suitable for attachment to a tractor which is of relatively lightweight construction, which can be used to pick up a single round bale in any orientation, and which can also be used to pick up and manipulate at least two round bales together in an end-to-end stack.

According to the present invention in its broadest aspect, there is provided a handling device for substantially cylindrical objects, comprising a frame adapted to be pivotally mounted on a mechanical load-handling device and co-operable therewith, the frame supporting a pair of iaterally-displaceable engaging means adapted to hold at least two objects in an end-to-endstackadjacenttotheframe.

More particularly, the invention provides a bale handling device for round bales of hay comprising a frame adapted to be pivotally mounted on a mechanical load-handling device and co-operable therewith, the frame supporting a pair of laterally-displaceable bale-engaging means adapted to hold at least two bales in an end-to-end stack adjacent to the frame.

Preferably, the frame also supports a third bale-engaging means adapted to support a bale adjacent to the frame irrespective of its orientation.

The third bale-engaging means is preferably a spike or spikes projecting outwardly from the base section of the frame, and is advantageously pivotally mounted with respect to the frame so as to be capable offolding inwardly towards the frame.

The frame is preferably adapted to be hydrau[ically-operable and to be connectibletothe front end lifting jib arrangement of an agricultural tractor or the like. The device could alternatively be mounted at the rear of a tractor, or on a fork-lifttruck.

A preferred embodiment of a round bale-handling device in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa perspective viewfrom the rear, of a round bale-handling device attached to the front-end jib assembly of an agricultural tractor, Figure2 is a rear elevation ofthe round bale-handling device of Figure 1, Figure3 is a side elevation ofthe device, Figure4 is an incomplete plan view from above of the device showing the bale-engaging tines in an "open" position, and Figure5is a similarviewto Figure4showingthe bale-engaging tines in a "closed" or bale-gripping position, and a round bale in dashed outline.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a round bale handling device 1 is shown wherein the device has been attached to the jib arms 2,3 associated with a front-end loading assembly of a n an agricultural tractor (not shown). The device 1 comprises a base sub4rame consisting of an upper crossbar 6 and a lower crossbar 7 with connecting members 10. The bars 6 and 7 support pins 4, 5, respectively, attheir extremities for connection to a 4-point linkage. A parallelogram linkage is completed by link pins 8 and 9 on either side of the jib assembly. Thus, the device 1 can be tilted backwards or forwards by means of a hydraulic actuator 11 and raised or lowered above the ground byte jib assembly in a manner known perse.Attached to the subframe is a rectangular frame 12.

The illustrated sub-frame is suitable for mounting the device on a Massey-Ferguson front-end loader, but may be modified, or made to be variably adjustable so as to suit other types of lifting jibs.

The device 1 will now be described in further detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3. The rectangular frame 12 supports a pair of columns 13, 14 one on either side of the frame by means of top and bottom cup brackets 15and 16 and an intermediate hinge bracket 17. Each column 13, supportsfour bale-engaging tines 18, each including a stay 19for additional support. The tines 18 extend outwardly from the columns 13,14 and include a curved and pointed section at their extremities.

The operation of the device will be more clearly understood by reference to Figures 4 and 5 ofthe drawings. It will be appreciated that the columns 13, 14 can swing abouttheframe 12 so as to bring the tines 18 into or out of engagement with the sides of a round bale of hay to be lifted. The tines 18 are opened or closed by a hydraulic actuator 20. As shown in Figure 4, when the actuator 20 is in the retracted or rest condition, the tines are in the open position as also shown in Figures 1 to 3. The ends of the pistons ofthe actuator 20 are pivoted in holding brackets 21 welded to arms 22, which are in turn welded to columns 13,14. A latch 23 extending at an angle from the arm 22 engages with stop 24when the actuator 20 is extended, as shown in Figure 5.In this "closed" position the tines 18 dig into the sides of a round bale 25 so asto engage it. The hydraulic actuator 20 is double-acting with two pistons, and the arrangement of stops 24 and latches 23 enables equalisation ofthe rotational movement ofthe columns 13,14, during extension of the pistons. That is to say, column 14 may rotate more rapidlythan column 13 at first, but as soon as the latch 23 associated with column 14 engages its respective stop 24, rotation of the column 13 can then proceed until its respective latch 23 engages its respective stop 24.

Optionally, a pair of spikes 30 mounted on a bar 31 in the manner of a fork lift may be attached to the base offrame 12 by means of a pair of clasps 32. The clasps 32 are hingedly connected to cross bar 7 atthe base ofthe frame 12, thus allowing the fork arrangementto swing upwardly with respecttothe frame for safety purposes if an obstruction is encountered,for examplethe sides or loading deck of a lorry ortrailer. The fork arrangement consisting of spikes 30 may be used to pick up a round bale lying on its curved side, if desired. Of course, the arrangement of tines 18 is primarily intended to support a round bale on its end, but a bale in any orientation may be handled using the spikes 30 and tines 18 together.

However, one ofthe main advantages of the present invention is that it provides a bale-handling device which is capable of lifting simultaneously two round bales stacked end-to-end one on top of the other. Round bales are normally stacked five high so that in a stacking operation,the bottom bale can be placed in position using the device or manhandled into position and four more bales can be stacked on top ofthe bottom bale in only two lifting operations with the device of the present invention. Likewise, bales can be safely removed from the stack in pairs. It will be appreciated that a stack offive round bales may be approximately 25 feet high, and this device affords a safe means for handling bales within the confined space of a haybarn. The device is convenientto operate as clear visibility is aforded to the tractor operative. It is easily maintained as the number of moving parts is relatively small, and is relatively inexpensive.

Claims

1. A handling device (1) for substantially cylindrical objects (25), comprising a frame (12) adapted to be pivotally mounted on a mechanical load-handling device (6,7, 10) and co-operable therewith, the frame supporting a pair of laterally-displaceable engaging means (14, 18) adapted to hold at least two objects in an end-to-end stack adjacent to the frame.

2. A bale handling device for round bales of hay (25) comprising a frame (12) adapted to be pivotally mounted on a mechanical load-handling device (6,7, 10) and co-operable therewith, the frame supporting a pairof laterally-displaceable bale-engaging means (14,18) adapted to hold at least two bales in an end-to-end stack adjacent to the frame.

3. A bale handling device as claimed in claim 2 in which the frame (12) also supports a third bale-engaging means (30,31,32) adapted to support a bale adjacent to the frame, irrespective of its orientation.

4. A bale handling device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the third bale- engaging means comprises a spike or spikes (30) projecting outwardlyfrom the frame (12).

5. A bale handling device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the spike or spikes (30) is pivotably mounted with respect to the frame (12) so as to be capable of folding inwardly towards the frame.

6. A bale handling device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 adapted to be hydraulically-operable and to be connectibleto the front end lifting jib arrangement (2,3) of an agricultural tractor orthe like.

7. Atractor-mountable bale handling device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.