GB2191991A - Bale handling implement - Google Patents

Abstract

A bale handling implement, for mounting on the end of an angularly adjustable loader arm or three point linkage of a tractor, comprises a support frame 10, and two spaced parallel elongate elements 9 mounted on the support frame so as to project forwardly. Each elongate element comprises a central spike 17 around which a cylindrical sleeve 18 is rotatably mounted. Each spike is mounted on the lower end of a link 16 pivotally mounted on the support frame, and a horizontal hydraulic ram 23 is connected between the two links so that by extension and if contraction of the ram the links are swung to move the elongate elements 9 towards or away from one another. The implement may be used to lift and transport wrapped bales without damaging the wrapping, but may also be used to handle unwrapped bales, if required, by removing the rotatable sleeves and impaling the bales on the spikes in conventional manner. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bale handling implement The invention relates to bale handling implements for mounting on a loader or tractor. One common typeofsuch implementcomprisesa supportframe which is adapted to be pivotally mounted on the forward arms of a front end loader or on the rear three-point linkage of a farm tractor. There is rigidly mounted on the frame a spike which projects forwardly from the loader or rearwardly from the tractor. In use, the vehicle is driven towards a bale so that the spike is driven into the end of the bale. By raising the loader arms or linkage the bale maythen be lifted from the ground, supported on the spike, and transported or repositioned. One or more further parallel spikes may be provided on theframeto prevent rotation of the bale on the spike.

In the case of a front end loader, it is often required to lower the bale into a feeder where it is accessible to livestock. The bale must normally be removed from the implement by tilting the support frame on the loader arms so that the bale slides from the spike and into the feeder. However, the precise moment at which the bale will slide off the spike will depend on the angle oftilt ofthe spike and howtightly it engages within the bale. Consequently, the operator cannot control exactlythe precise momentatwhich the balewill slipfromthespikeand intothefeeder.

There is therefore a risk that the bale, which may weigh half a ton, mayfall on the head of an animal trying to use the feeder and may injure or kill it. With conventional bale handlers therefore it is necessary for a second person to be presentto keep animals away from the feederwhilethe bale is placed in position.

Afurther problem with conventional bale handling implements ofthe kind referred to arises when it is wished to stack bales. To do this it is necessary to lower the bale into the required position and then to withdraw the loader or tractor so that the spike is withdrawn from the bale. However, the spike may be so tightly embedded in the bale that difficulty is experienced in withdrawing the spike, and the bale may become displaced from its desired position as the spike is withdrawn.

It is now also becoming increasingly common for bales, and particularly large cylindrical bales, to be totally covered with sheet material, usually polythene. The covering, which totally encloses the bale, serves to protect it from the weather and other sources of damage or deterioration. It will be appreciated however that use with such a bale of a conventional spiked bale handling implement ofthe kind referred to above necessarily involves puncturing the covering as the spike is driven into the bale. In practice, the cover is likely to be not merely punctured but to rip with the result that, with continued handling of the bale, the covering may be partly or wholly torn from the bale.

The present invention provides a bale handling implement which may handle a covered bale without the necessity of puncturing the covering, but which will, at the same time, allow precise and controlled positioning of the bale and removal from the implement.

According to the invention there is provided a bale handling implement, for mounting on the end of an angularly adjustable loader arm orthree point linkage of a tractor, the implement comprising a supportframe, and at least two spaced elongate elements mounted on the supportframe so as to project from the support frame, each elongate element comprising a central elongate support element around which a cylindrical sleeve is rotatably mounted, at least one of the elongate elements being movably mounted on the support frame so that the elongate elements are capable of relative movement towards and away from one another, means being provided for effecting said movement. Preferably both elongate elements are movably mounted on the supportframe so thatthey may be moved simultaneously towards and away from one another.

The means for moving the elements towards and away from one another may comprise an hydraulic ram.

In use the elements are initially located at a distance apart lessthanthe diameterofthe cylindrical bale so that they may be inserted beneath the bale, somewhat in the manner of a fork lift truck, by moving the elements in the same direction ofthe central axis ofthe bale, the bale lying on the ground with its circular end faces vertical.

The elongate elements are then brought into contact with the surface of the bale, either by raising the implement or by moving the elements towards one another. The bale may then be raised from the ground by raising the implement as a whole, the bale sitting between the elongate elements. Afterthe bale has been transported to the required location, for example above a feeder, it may be lowered in a controlled manner by separating the elongate elements so that the bale slips downwardly between them, the rollers permitting this movement without damage to the covering of the bale.

Preferably each elongate support element is a spike and each cylindrical roller is detachable from its associated spike so that, with the rollers removed, the implement may be used in the manner described above as a conventional spiked bale handling implement.

The following is a more detailed description of an embodimentofthe invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa diagrammatic plan view of a bale handling implement in accordance with the invention, Figure2 is a vertical section through the implement of Figure 1, and Figure3isafrontelevation oftheimplement.

The implement comprises a fixed frame structure indicated generally at 10 for pivotal mounting on the ends of the arms of a conventional front loader of an agricultural tractor. The frame structure comprises a central vertical web 11 from which extend rearwardly upper and lower horizontal flanges 12to form a channel section which may receive brackets (not shown) pivotally mounted on the ends of the loader arms. In known manner, these brackets are so connected to hydraulic rams on the loader arms that the brackets, and hence the frame 10, may remain vertical as the loader arms are raised and lowered, or maybetilted by operation ofthe rams.

The frame structure 10 also includes a forwardly projecting upper flange 13 from the extremity of which depends a front flange 14. Two horizontally spaced pivot pins 15 extend between the web 11 of the frame structure and thefrontflange 14, and suspended on each pivot pin is a box section link 16.

An elongate element 9 is mounted on the lower end of each link 16so as to extend forwardly from the frame structure ion a direction parallel to the pivotpin 15.

Each elongate element comprises a tapered spike 17, one end of which passes through the lower end of the link and is secured buy a nut 25. Rotatably mounted around each spike 17 is a cylindrical sleeve 18 having a closed domed end 19. The sleeve, which is of greater diameter than the spike, is located with respect to the spike by internal collars 20, the central apertures in the collars being sized according to the taper of the spike.

The sleeve 18 is retained axially on its associated spike 17 by a stepped collar 21 which is bolted to the link 16 and overlies a peripheral flange 22 on the end of the sleeve 1 8. The clearance between the collar21 and flange 22 is such as to perm it their relative rotation.

The pivotal suspension ofthe links 16 permits the elongate elements 9 ofthe implementto be moved towards and away from one another, as best seen in Figure3 where one position of the elements is shown in solid line and another position in dotted line. This movement ofthe elements is effected by an hydraulic ram 23 which is connected between the links 16 at a point intermediate the pivot pins 15 and the spikes 17.

To bearthe thrust on the links 16 during use ofthe implement, a box section rubbing beam 24 is welded alongthefrontsurfaceoftheweb 11 oftheframe structure.

In use ofthe implement, the hydraulic ram 23 is extended to bring the elongate elements to their furthest apart position as shown in dotted line in Figure 3. Engagement of the nuts 25 with the rubbing beam 24 serves to limit swinging movementofthe links 16 in each direction.

The elements may then be inserted beneath a large cylindrical covered bale, indicated in chain lines at 26 in Figure 3, the ground surface being indicated at 27, much in the manner of operation of a fork lifttruck.

The ram is then retracted to move the elements 9 towards one another until they engage the surface of the bale, as shown in solid line in Figure3. The bale is then raised from the ground by lifting the frame structure 10own the tractor front loader and the bale is transported to the required location on the front loader. it will be appreciated that the bale could be then deposited on the ground, if required, and the elements removed axially again in the mannerofa forklifttruck. However, undersome conditions, for example when the bale is to be lowered into a feeder, this may not be possible. In this case, when the desired location forthe bale is reached, the ram 23 is simply extended and the links 16 are swung outwardlyawayfrom one another, separating the elongate elements 9 that the bale 26 slips downwardly between them, this downward slipping being permitted, without damage to the covering of the bale, by rotation ofthe sleeves 18 on the spikes 17.

It will be appreciated that, in orderto permitthe last-described method of operation, the elements 9 must be able to move apart to a greater distance than the diameter of the bale.

Claims (8)

1. A bale handling implement, for mounting on the end of an angularly adjustable loader arm or three point linkage of a tractor, the implement comprising a support frame, and at least two spaced elongate elements mounted on the support frame so asto project from the support frame, each elongate element comprising a central elongate support element around which a cylindrical sleeve is mounted, at least one ofthe elongate elements being movably mounted on the supportframe so that the elongate elements are capable of relative movement towards and away from one another, means being provided for effecting said movement.

2. A bale handling implement according to Claim 1,wherein each cylindrical sleeveisso mounted around the central elongate support element as to be rotatable relativelythereto.

3. A bale handling implement according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein both elongate elements are movably mounted on the support frame so that they may be moved simultaneously towards and away from one another.

4. A bale handling implement according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the or each movably mounted element is mounted on a link which is pivotally mounted on said support frame for pivotal movement about an axis which is generally paraliel to the elongate element and spaced therefrom.

5. A bale handling implement according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the means for moving the element, or each said element, comprise an hydraulic ram.

6. A bale handling implement according to Claim 4 and Claim 5, wherein the hydraulic ram extends transversely of the elongate elements and is pivotally connected to said link, or each said link, ata location spaced from the pivotal axis thereof, whereby extension or contraction of the ram effects pivoting movement of the link or links so asto effect relative movement of the elongate elements towards or away from one another.

7. A bale handling implement according to any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein each elongate support element is a spike and each cylindrical roller is detachable from its associated spike so that, with the rollers removed, the implement may be used as a conventional spiked bale handling implement.

8. A bale handling implement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.