GB2294023A

GB2294023A - Self-Loading Bale Trailer

Info

Publication number: GB2294023A
Application number: GB9418455A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Reginald Peter Rhodes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-09-14
Filing date: 1994-09-14
Publication date: 1996-04-17
Also published as: GB9418455D0

Abstract

A self-loading bale trailer has a wheeled chassis 1 with a hydraulic powered steering drawbar 10 which provides the trailer with the ability to leave the line of the tractor and follow on either side. This allows either bale loading arms 4A or 4B, which pivot on the front of the trailer body 2, to be lowered and collect a bale, whilst the trailer is in motion. The respective loading arm 4 is then lifted and the bale rolls down the length of the body 2 to the back door 7. This is repeated on both sides of the trailer until it is fully loaded. The bales are then delivered to their destination and the back door 7 is lowered to allow the bales to roll out. Preferably the loading arms have retractable spring-loaded fingers (11, Fig. 4) at their ends. <IMAGE>

Description

SELF LOADING BALE TRAILER This invention relates to a self loading. self unloading bale transporter for use with round bales of all diameters.

Self loading bale trailers are in existence. for collecting bales from the fields. They usually work by means of large spikes attached to arms which are extended from the sides of the trailer. and when extended the tractor driver draws forward and thus drives the spikes into each bale in turn and lifts them on board with the arms.

This type of trailer has some disadvantages: 1. In order to stab the bales the machine must travel the wrong way along the field crossing the bumpy "Tramlines." 2. The bales around the outside of the field are difficult to collect, they are always the wrong way for the spikes and the hedges are to close to allow forward motion the other way.

3. When the trailer is loaded, each bail in turn must be unloaded by reverse procedure.

According to the present invention, there is provided a self loading bale trailer comprising a wheeled chassis, with a hydraulic powered steering drawbar and a body made from hollow section or similar steel work with two hydraulic loading arms on the front and one hydraulic back door.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 Shows the trailer with the rear side loading arm 4A lifted or in transport position and the offside loading arm 4B in the lowered or "pick up" position.

Figure 2 Shows a plan of the trailer and illustrates the three positions of the drawbar. C or CENTRE position is the transport position.

With the drawbar in position Al, loading arm 4A may be lowered to pick up a bale. Whilst loading arm 4B is in upright position.

With the drawbar in position B1, loading arm 4B may be lowered to pick up a bale. Whilst loading arm 4A is in upright position.

Figure 3 Shows the back door 7 in open position to allow the bales to roll off.

Figure 4 Shows in perspective one of the two loading arms 4A or 4B and the spring loaded retractable fingers 11.

Referring to the drawings the trailer comprises a wheeled chassis 1 with a drawbar 10 which will move by hydraulic power off centre to either side to bring the trailer out to follow the tractor on either side, and a bale carrying body 2 with smooth side rails.

The body 2, is set at approx. 120 slope to allow the bales to roll to the back, slope maybe increased or decreased by means of hydraulic cylinder 3.

On the front of the body 2, there are two loading arms 4A and 4B which pivot at point 5, and are lifted and lowered independantly by two hydraulic cylinders 6.

On the rear of the trailer there is a gate 7 which pivots at point 8, and is lifted and lowered by hydraulic cylinder 9.

Controls for the hydraulics are in the drivers cab and hydraulic power is from the tractor.

In order to load the self loading bail trailer, the driver moves the trailer to the side which the nearest bail is to pass the tractor whilst moving forward by means of the drawbar 10, the loading arm 4A or B is lowered on the appropriate side over the bale, to the ground, as the loading arm 4 is lifted back up the spring loaded retractable fingers 11 grip the bale, when the loading arm 4 is at its uppermost point there is sufficient gradient for the bale to roll free of the fingers 11 and down the body 2, to the back door 7.

The trailer may or may not be moved, by means of the steering drawbar 10, to the other side of the tractor to collect bales on that side. When loading is completed the trailer will have two rows of bales along its length and the drawbar 10 can be returned to centre to carry the load to its destination like any conventional trailer, with a load of 12 approx. 120cm dials 120cm wide round bales.

When the trailer reaches its destination the back door is lowered and the bails roll off as the driver draws forward.

Claims

1.

A self loading bale trailer comprising a wheeled chassis, with a hydraulic powered steering drawbar and a body made from hollow section or similar steel work with two hydraulic loading arms on the front and one hydraulic back door.

2.

A self loading bale trailer as claimed in claim 1, which collects bales by moving to either side of the line of the tractor by means of a steering drawbar.

3.

A self loading bale trailer as claimed in claim 1 and 2 which collects bales by lowering a pickup arm in front of the trailer.

4.

A self loading bale trailer as claimed in claim 1.2 and 3 which grips bales by means of spring loaded retractable fingers mounted on the front of the pickup arms.

5.

A self loading bale trailer as claimed in claim 1,2,3 and 4 which rolls bales down its length from front to back.

6.

A self loading bale trailer as claimed in claim 1,2,3,4 and 5 which unloads by rolling bales off the back.