GB2236512A

GB2236512A - Tipping trailer for hay bales

Info

Publication number: GB2236512A
Application number: GB8917969A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Slater; Brenda Slater
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-08-05
Filing date: 1989-08-05
Publication date: 1991-04-10
Also published as: GB8917969D0

Abstract

A trailer for carrying round bales comprises two longitudinally extending frames pivotally mounted on top of a subframe about longitudinal axes adjacent the sides of the subframe. Hydraulic rams 46 are provided for pivotally moving the frames 32 between a horizontal position for carrying the bales and inclined position to tip the bales thereoff. <IMAGE>

Description

Improved Load Carriers This invention concerns improvements in or relating to load carriers and particularly but not exclusively to carriers for bales.

The use of large cylindrical bales in farming has increased rapidly in recent years. These bales are conventionally either approximately 1.2 m deep and 1.5 m diameter or 1.2 m deep and 1.2 m diameter, and the term 'round bales' is to be hereinafter understood as referring to such bales.

A number of advantages are gained by using round bales.

However, these bales are generally too heavy to be manually handled, often weighing in the order of half a ton, and a tractor with a spike attachment or a forklift truck is normally required to move them.

According to the present invention there is provided a load carrier comprising means for presenting a surface upon which an article can be supported and means for selectively inclining the surface such that an article on the carrier is tipped off the side of the carrier.

Preferably two such support surfaces are provided, one arranged to tip articles off to one side of the carrier and the other arranged to tip articles off the other side of the carrier.

The support surfaces preferably extend longitudinally for a substantial length of the carrier.

The support surfaces are preferably pivotal about respective longitudinal axes towards the sides of the carriers.

The means for inclining the support surfaces preferably comprises a hydraulic ram, and two rams may be provided for each side of the carrier.

The carrier preferably comprises a trailer, and the or each ram is desirably actuable by a tractor's hydraulic system.

Means are preferably provided to prevent accidental inclination of the support surfaces. Means may also be provided to prevent inclination of the surfaces beyond a predetermined amount.

The support surfaces are preferably of a size to each accept a plurality of round bales with their axes aligned transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the surface.

The support surfaces preferably comprise a frame so constructed that round bales thereon extend partially into the frame whereby the bales cannot easily be dislodged.

The support surfaces may be arranged such that when round bales thereon are tipped off they land on their ends.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1. is a diagrammatic plan view of a trailer according to the invention; Fig 2. is a diagrammatic side view of the trailer of Fig. 1; Fig 3. is a perspective view of a similar trailer according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 3 but with the trailer in a different operating condition; and Fig. 5 shows the trailer of Fig. 3 in use.

The drawings show similar trailers 10 suitable for towing behind a tractor 12 for carrying round bales 14 of, for example, straw or hay.

The trailer 10 comprises a subframe 16 of inwardly facing channel sections 18 arranged in a pointed U shape with a plurality of supporting bars 20 extending between the limbs of the U. A towing bar 22 extends from the pointed end of the U and is mounted thereto by two transverse lengths of I section bar 24. An axle 26 is mounted adjacent the open end of the U and mounts wheels 28. A plurality of transverse I section bars 30 are provided across the top of the sub fame 16.

Two elongate rectangular frames 32 are provided each extending longitudinally on a respective side of the trailer 10. The frames comprise two spaced longitudinal inwardly facing lengths of angle iron 34 interconnected by a plurality of I section bars 36. Buffers 38 are provided on each end of the frames 32 and comprise a piece of wood 40 mounted between two upstanding lengths of channel section 42.

All of the bars 36 except two on each frame 32 are equispaced and correspond in position to a one of the support bars 30. The frames 32 are pivotally mounted onto the ends of the support bars 30 by lugs 42 extending from the underside of the respective bars 36. The non-equispaced bars 44 each pivotally mount the end of an hydraulic ram 46, the other end of which is mounted on the inside of the section 18. The ram 46 is provided with pipework (not shown) for connection to the hydraulic power supply of the tractor 12.

A pair of pawls 46 are mounted on one 31 of the support bars 30 to engage above a respective one of the bars 36 on each of the frames 32 thereby preventing accidental pivoting of the frames 32. The pawls 46 are connected by a wire linkage 48 to a pivotted handle 50 adjacent the tow bar 20, and a rope 52 is provided from the top end of the handle 50 leading into the cab of the tractor 12 to permit operation thereof.

A pair of chains 54 are provided each connected between a one of the bars 44 towards its inner end and the section 18 to prevent pivotting of the frames 32 beyond a predetermined amount.

In use, round bales 14 are placed with their axes transversely aligned on the frames 32. Five of the larger round bales 14 can be placed on each frame 32, and if required a top layer of a further four bales 14 can be added as shown in Fig 5. When it is required to empty the bales 14 from one or both of the frames 32, the rope 52 is pulled to disengage the pawls 46. The hydraulic power of the tractor 12 is then activated to raise the rams 46 and thus tip the bales 14 from one or both of the frames 32. The frames 32 are arranged at such a height that the bales 14 would generally land on their ends in a desired orientation. In raising the rams 46 the frames 32 will move from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4.If required the frames 32 can be lifted separately so that the trailer 10 can be turned round between each lift so that the bales 14 are unloaded into the same area.

There is thus described a trailer which permits round bales to be tipped off without the tractor driver having to leave the tractor's cab. The trailer is of relatively simple construction and can thus be inexpensively and robustly manufactured.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example the trailer may be made a different size or have a different configuration to carry a different number of bales. A different number of rams could be provided and/or these could be differently positioned. Different means could be provided for inclining the frames. Obviously this arrangement could be provided on a lorry rather than a trailer, and the arrangement could be used with other loads than round bales.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing Specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable.

feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

LLAIMS

1. A load carrier comprising means for presenting a surface upon which an article can be supported and means for selectively inclining the surface such that an article on the carrier is tipped off the side of the carrier.

2. A carrier according to claim 1, in which two such support surfaces are provided, one arranged to tip articles off to one side of the carrier and the other arranged to tip articles off the other side of the carrier.

3. A carrier according to claims 1 or 2, in which the or each support surface extends longitudinally for a substantial length of the carrier.

4. A carrier according to claim 3 when dependent on claim 2, in which the support surfaces are pivotal about respective longitudinal axes towards the sides of the carrier.

5. A carrier according to any of the preceding claims, in which the means for inclining the or each support surface comprises a hydraulic ram.

6. A carrier according to claim 5, in which two rams are provided for each support surface.

7. A carrier according to any of the preceding claims, in which the carrier comprises a trailer.

8. A carrier according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 5, in which the or each ram is actuable by a tractor's hydraulic system.

9. A carrier according to any of the preceding claims, in which means are provided to prevent accidental inclination of the or each support surface.

10. A carrier according to any of the preceding claims, in which means are provided to prevent inclination of the or each support surface beyond a predetermined amount.

11. A carrier according to any of claims 4 to 10 when dependent on claim 4, in which the support surfaces are of a size to each accept a plurality of round bales with their axes aligned transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the surface.

12. A carrier according to claim 11, in which the support surfaces comprise a frame so constructed that round bales thereon extend partially into the frame whereby the bales cannot easily be dislodged.

13. A carrier according to any of the preceding claims, in which the or each support surface is arranged such that when round bales thereon are tipped off they land on their ends.

14. A load carrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A load carrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figs. 3-5 of the accompanying drawing.

16. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing specification or claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.