GB2489985A

GB2489985A - Bale handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2489985A
Application number: GB201106381A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Carbis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-04-15
Filing date: 2011-04-15
Publication date: 2012-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 2031-04-15
Also published as: GB2512188B; GB2489985B; GB201400989D0; GB2512188A; GB201106381D0

Abstract

Apparatus for handling bales comprises a frame 4, a first elongate member 20a extending from the frame; a second elongate member 20b extending from the frame and spaced apart from the first member, the second member being moveable with respect to the first member between an open position and a closed position, in which a bale may be supported between the first and the second elongate members; and a third elongate member 20c extending from the frame and spaced apart from the second member, the third member being moveable with respect to the second member between an open position and a closed position, in which a bale may be supported between the second and third members. One or more of the elongate members may comprise an inner longitudinal member such as a spike or tine 28a and an outer longitudinal member such as a roller 30a therearound.

Description

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BALES

The present invention relates to an apparatus for handling bales of material, in particular for agricultural use, for example for handling bales of hay, straw, silage and the like.

Devices for handling bales of material are known in the art. Such devices are commonly arranged for attaching to a vehicle, for example to a tractor or the like by means of a front end loader.

One generally known form of device for handling bales is a bale spike. This device comprises a frame supporting one or more fixed, generally parallel, spikes or tines extending from the frame. In use, the frame is oriented with the tines extending 1 5 horizontally. The tines are inserted into the bale and the bale lifted and moved. A second general type of device for handling bales comprises one or more elongate, generally parallel members or arms extending from a frame. The arms are typically arranged in pairs. The arms are moveable with respect to each other, typically between an open position, in which the arms may be placed around a bale, and a closed position, in which the bale is supported for handling. The arms may be provided with rollers thereon, to facilitate movement of the bale and reduce damage to the bale. This second type of device is particularly suitable for wrapped bales.

The present invention relates to the aforementioned second type of device for handling bales and is particularly suitable for handling cylindrical or so-called round' bales, especially bales that are wrapped.

Specific examples of devices for handling bales are disclosed in the following documents.

GB 2,192,856 discloses a bale handling apparatus, in particular for handling round bales, comprising a support platform formed of two spaced apart, parallel arms. The arms extend from a support frame, which is mounted for pivotal movement about a pin.

US 6,971,696 concerns a hay bale spike assembly, for impaling, lifting and transporting large bales of hay. The assembly comprises a frame with a plurality of forward-extending spikes for impaling and carrying the bale of hay.

An apparatus and method for moving a round hay bale are disclosed in US 2001/0041116. The apparatus comprises frame having a plurality of spikes extending therefrom for impaling a bale. The frame is pivotably mounted to a trailer, whereby an impaled bale may be lifted onto the trailer by rotation of the frame about the pivot.

EP 0 638 229 discloses a lifting device for fitting to a tractor. The device comprises a frame, on which one or more spikes are rotatably mounted for movement between a horizontal position, in which the spikes may be driven into a 1 5 bale, and a vertical position, in which the bale is supported for transport and handling. The device may be mounted to and powered by a tractor.

GB 2,194,769 concerns a bale handling apparatus, in particular for handling cylindrical bales. The apparatus comprises a frame supporting a pair of lower bale-supporting members and an upper member. The upper member is movable in a vertical plane between a bale holding position and a bale disengaging position. In one embodiment, the two lower members and the upper member provide a three-zone bale-holding configuration, in which the members are spaced evenly around the circumference of the bale.

GB 2,141,098 discloses an alternative arrangement of bale handling apparatus. The apparatus comprises a frame, which may be releasably connected to a vehicle. The frame has mounted thereon a bale carrying spike and a bale remover member. In use, the bale remover member may be moved relative to the spike to displace a bale from the spike.

GB 2,191,991 is concerned with a bale handling implement. The implement is suitable for mounting on the end of a loader arm or three point linkage of a tractor.

The implement comprises a support frame having two parallel elongate elements extending therefrom. Each elongate element comprises a central spike having a cylindrical sleeve rotatably mounted thereon. Each spike is pivotally mounted to the frame, whereby the spikes may be moved towards or away from one another. The implement may be used to transport wrapped bales without damaging the wrapping, for example by having to impale the bales with the spikes.

Examples of two alternative devices for handling bales are disclosed in DE 10 187 and WO 2008/071856.

A further known device is a so-called bale tipper. This device comprises four parallel elongate arms arranged in two adjacent pairs, each pair comprising an inner arm and an outer arm. One pair of arms is moveably mounted, whereby the outer arm may be raised with respect to the inner arm. This is intended to allow a bale on the one pair of arms to be lifted, providing clearance to allow a second bale to be 1 5 lifted by the second pair of arms.

There is a need for an improved apparatus for handling bales, in particular bales that are wrapped and are generally cylindrical is shape.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for handling bales, the apparatus comprising: a frame; a first elongate member extending from the frame; a second elongate member extending from the frame and spaced apart from the first elongate member, the second elongate member being moveable with respect to the first elongate member between an open position and a closed position, in which a bale may be supported between the first and the second elongate members; and a third elongate member extending from the frame and spaced apart from the second elongate member, the third elongate member being moveable with respect to the second elongate member between an open position and a closed position, in which a bale may be supported between the second and third elongate member.

The apparatus of the present invention is advantageous in that it allows a plurality of bales to be handled with a minimum of operations. In particular, the apparatus may be used to handle and manoeuvre a plurality of bales independently of one another.

The apparatus is suitable for handling a wide range of materials in a variety of forms of bale. The apparatus is particularly suitable for agricultural use, especially the handling of bales of such materials as hay, straw, silage and the like. The bales may be wrapped or unwrapped. The apparatus is particularly advantageous when handling wrapped bales, as use of the apparatus does not require the bale to be impaled or the wrapping of the bale to be pierced. The apparatus may be arranged to handle any shape or size of bale. The apparatus is particularly suitable for handling cylindrical or so-called round' bales.

1 5 The apparatus comprises a frame. The frame may be permanently attached to a vehicle. More preferably, the frame is arranged to be releasably attached to a vehicle, for example to a front end loader or three point hitch of a tractor.

The apparatus further comprises first, second and third elongate members.

In use, bales are supported between adjacent elongate members. In particular, a bale may be supported between each of the first and second elongate members and/or the second and third elongate members. The elongate members may comprise any form suitable to support a bale. In particular, one or more of the elongate members may each comprise an inner longitudinal member with an outer longitudinal member therearound. The inner longitudinal member may be a spike or tine, with the outer longitudinal member being removable therefrom. In this way, the apparatus may be used in a more conventional manner to impale one or more bales for handling. The outer longitudinal member is preferably a generally tubular roller, able to freely rotate about the inner member. This improves the handling of bales, in particular reducing damage caused to the bale or its wrapping by abrasion from the elongate members.

The apparatus may be considered to comprise two pairs of adjacent elongate members, with the first and second elongate members forming the first pair and the second and third elongate members forming the second pair, that is the second elongate member is common to both pairs of members.

The elongate members are moveable with respect to one another. In particular, the first and second elongate members are moveable with respect to each other. Further, the second and third elongate members are moveable with respect to each other. In one embodiment of the apparatus, the second elongate member is fixed, with each of the first and third elongate members being moveable with respect to the second elongate member. More preferably, all of the first, second and third elongate members are moveable with respect to each other.

The elongate members are moveable with respect to each other between an open position and a closed position. In this respect, the elongate members may be considered to move laterally between the open and the closed positions, with the 1 5 lateral distance between the adjacent elongate members changing as the members move. In particular, the first and second elongate members are moveable with respect to each other between the open and the closed position. In the open position, the elongate members are spaced apart a first distance, allowing the first and second elongate members to be moved in to or out of position about a bale. In the closed position, the elongate members are spaced apart a second distance, smaller than the first distance, but spaced apart sufficiently to support a bale therebetween in a stable manner. The second and third elongate members are similarly moveable with respect to each other between an open position and a closed position.

The elongate members may be oriented in any suitable manner to allow a bale to be supported between adjacent members. Preferably, the elongate members in each pair are arranged substantially parallel to each in either the open position or the closed position. More preferably, the elongate members in each pair are arranged to be substantially parallel in both the open and closed positions and throughout their movement.

The elongate members may be arranged to move in any suitable manner between the open and the closed positions. For example, one or more of the elongate members may be pivoted to the frame at one end thereof. More preferably, one or more of the elongate members are arranged to move between the open and the closed positions while remaining substantially parallel to each other. In a particularly preferred embodiment, each moveable elongate member extends from an arm, the arm in turn being pivotably mounted to the frame. In this way, movement of the arm about its pivot results in movement of the respective elongate member.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the elongate members lie substantially in a single plane when in the open and the closed position. In use, the elongate members may move out of the plane when transitioning between the open and closed positions, as is the case in embodiments where the elongate members are supported on arms pivoted for movement about the frame.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus is arranged such that, 1 5 in use, the elongate members extend generally forwards, for example when the apparatus is mounted to a front loader of a tractor or the like the elongate members extend in a direction generally forwards of the vehicle.

The elongate members may be caused to move by any suitable means, for example by one or more electric motors. Preferably, the apparatus is provided with one or more hydraulic systems comprising hydraulic rams for moving the elongate members. Suitable hydraulic systems and components thereof are known in the art.

If the apparatus is mounted to a vehicle in use, the vehicle may provide a source of pressurised hydraulic fluid, with the apparatus being coupled to the hydraulic system of the vehicle in known manner.

Each of the first, second and third elongate members may be provided with a respective means to move the member. In this way, each elongate member may be controlled and moved independently of the others. However, it may be more convenient for operation of the apparatus if the movement of the elongate members is linked or coordinated. Thus, more preferably, the apparatus comprises a first means to move the first and second elongate members with respect to each other and a second means to move the second and third elongate arms with respect to each other. This is a particularly preferred arrangement when using hydraulic rams to move the elongate members. in a preferred embodiment, a first hydraulic ram extends either directly between the first and second elongate members or indirectly between the first and second elongate members, for example between the respective arms from which the elongate members extend. Similarly, a second hydraulic ram preferably extends either directly or indirectly between the second and third elongate members.

In operation, to pick up a first bale, the first and second elongate members are arranged in the open position. The apparatus is moved with respect to the bale to place the first and second elongate members on either side thereof, most preferably below the centre of the bale. The first and second elongate members are moved with respect to each other in to the closed position, thereby supporting the bale for lifting and handling. With the first bale in place on the apparatus, a second bale may be lifted in like manner using the second and third elongate members. By 1 5 appropriate manipulation of the elongate members, the first and second bales may be handled, for example picked up and released, independently of each other. This provides the apparatus with a high degree of flexibility, in turn allowing the user to handle bales in an efficient and time-effective manner. One particularly advantageous application of this apparatus is in the process of wrapping a bale.

Thus, a first bale may be placed on the bed of a wrapping apparatus using the apparatus of the present invention. Typically, the wrapping apparatus will move the wrapped bale off the bed. This is most preferably arranged to have the wrapped bale deposited on a support adjacent and at substantially the same height as the bed. A second bale may then be brought to the bed of the wrapping apparatus, again using the apparatus of the present invention, and the wrapped bale picked up in a single operation by appropriate operation of the elongate members.

The three elongate members of the apparatus may be used to lift and handle two bales, as hereinbefore described. Alternatively, in the aforementioned embodiment, in which the elongate members each comprise a spike or tine, the apparatus may be used in an alternative manner, whereby each elongate member is used to impale a bale, in known manner. In this way, the apparatus may be used to carry three bales.

As noted above, the apparatus of the present invention may be arranged to be mounted to a vehicle, in particular releasably mounted to the vehicle.

Accordingly, in a further aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle for handling bales and comprising an apparatus as hereinbefore described.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the 1 0 present invention; Figure 2 is a representation of the apparatus of Figure 1 viewed from the front, that is along the line II -II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 along the line Ill -Ill of Figure 2; Figure 4 is diagrammatical representation of the operation of the apparatus when viewed from the front, as in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a plan view of an apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a representation of the apparatus of Figure 5 viewed from the front, that is along the line VI -VI of Figure 5.

Turning to Figure 1, there is shown a plan view of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus, generally indicated as 2, is shown in front view in Figure 2 and in side view in Figure 3.

The apparatus is shown in the figures in an orientation typical for normal use of the apparatus, for example when attached to the front of a vehicle such as a tractor. The terms front', rear', upper' and lower' are used herein to indicate the relative positions of components as viewed in the figures. Thus, references to the front' of the apparatus are to the right hand side of Figures 1 and 3, with references to the rear' of the apparatus being to the left hand side of these figures. Similarly, the terms upper' and lower' are used to refer to the features as they appear in Figures2and3.

The apparatus 2 comprises a frame, generally indicated as 4. The frame 4 comprises a front frame assembly 6, having an upper beam 8 and a lower beam 10, and a rear frame assembly 12, having an upper beam 14 and a lower beam 16. The front and rear frame assemblies 6, 12 are connected by cross-members 17, as shown in Figure 1.

The apparatus 2 may be releasably coupled to a vehicle, such as a tractor. In particular, the apparatus may be releasably coupled to the front loader of a tractor, in conventional manner, by means of a coupling, generally represented as 18 in the figures. Details of the coupling 18 for mounting the apparatus on a vehicle are known in the art and, therefore, have been omitted from the figures for clarity.

Alternatively, the apparatus may be permanently mounted to a vehicle dedicated to the handling of bales of material, as required.

The apparatus 2 further comprises three elongate member assemblies, indicated as 20a, 20b and 20c. Each elongate member assembly comprises an arm 22a, 22b, 22c, each arm extending vertically, as viewed in Figures 2 and 3, between the front and rear frame assemblies 6, 12. Each arm 22a, 22b, 22c is pivotably mounted to the lower beam 10 of the front frame assembly 6 by means of a pin 24a, 24b, 24c. Each arm 22a, 22b, 22c is generally rectangular in cross-section and has its lower end portion extending from between the front and rear frame assemblies 6, 12 below the frame 4.

Each elongate member assembly 20a, 20b, 20c further comprises an elongate member 26a, 26b, 26c, each formed from a generally cylindrical tine 28a, 28b, 28c (shown by way of a dotted line in Figure 1), extending generally horizontally from the lower end portion of the respective arm 22a, 22b, 22c in a forwards direction. Each tine 28a, 28b, 28c is provided with a cylindrical sleeve 30a, 30b, 30c releasably secured to the tine by means of a latch 32a, 32b, 32c on the lower end of the respective arm 22a, 22b, 22c engaging with a flange on the end portion of the sleeve, as shown in Figure 3. In operation, the sleeve 30a, 30b, 30c is free to rotate about the respective tine 28a, 28b, 28c. In this way, abrasion between the sleeve and a bale, in particular any wrapping around the bale, being handled is reduced.

As noted above, the arms 22a, 22b, 22c of each elongate member assembly 20a, 20b, 20c is pivotably mounted to the front frame assembly. Hydraulic rams 34a, 34b, 34c are provided for each arm, to move the respective arm about the pivot, as described in more detail hereinafter. The hydraulic rams are controlled by valves in a conventional manner, with pressurised hydraulic fluid being provided from a suitable reservoir or source. In particular, the apparatus may be provided with hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic system of the vehicle to which it is mounted. Connections and couplings for providing hydraulic fluid to the apparatus in this manner are known in the art.

In use, the arms 22a, 22b, 22c are caused to pivot about their respective connections to the front frame assembly 6 under the action of the hydraulic rams. In this way, the lower end of each arm and the elongate member assembly extending therefrom are caused to move in an arc. Movement of the arms 22a, 22b, 22c is limited by means of stops 36 mounted to the lower beam 16 of the rear frame assembly 12.

Means may be provided to releasably lock the central elongate member assembly 20b in a fixed position, in particular with the arm 22b in a substantially vertical position, as shown in Figure 2.

Operation of the apparatus 2 is represented diagrammatically in Figure 4.

The apparatus may be considered to have two pairs of adjacent elongate member assemblies: the first pair formed by assemblies 20a and 20b; and the second pair formed by assemblies 20b and 20c. The central elongate member assembly 20b is common to both pairs. Within each pair of assemblies 20, the elongate members 26 are movable between an open position and a closed position. Thus, referring to Figure 4a, the elongate member 26a is movable through an arcuate path, indicated by dotted line A. As represented in this figure, the elongate members 26a and 2Gb are in an open position with respect to each other. In this position, the elongate members are spaced apart sufficient distance for them to be placed either side of a bale to be handled. Also shown in Figure 4a are the elongate members 2Gb and 26c in a closed position, spaced close together and able to support a round bale 40.

An alternative position is shown in Figure 4b, in which the elongate members 26a and 2Gb are in a closed position with respect to each other and supporting a bale 40. The elongate members 2Gb and 2Gc are in an open position.

Figure 4c shows an arrangement of the elongate members 2Ga, 2Gb, 2Gc in which both the pairs of arms are in an open position. In the arrangement shown in Figure 4c, the central elongate member 2Gb is shown in a central position, with its respective arm 22b in a generally vertical position. Two bales 40a, 40b are shown 1 5 supported on the apparatus in Figure 4d, with both pairs of elongate members in a closed position. The central elongate member assembly 20b is shown in a central position in Figure 4d, that is evenly spaced from both of the outer assemblies 20a and 20c. However, the central elongate member assembly 20b may be positioned displaced to one side of the central position, to lie closer to one of the outer assemblies 20a or 20c.

In use, the sleeves 30a, 30b, 30c may be removed from the elongate members 2Ga, 2Gb, 26c by operation of the respective latch 32, to expose the tine 28a, 28b, 28c. The apparatus may then be used in the manner of a conventional bale spike, in particular to handle up to three bales by impaling the bales with the tines.

Turning to Figures 5 and G, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, generally indicated as 102. The apparatus is of the same general configuration as the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 and components common the two embodiments are indicated using the same reference numerals. Reference is made to the preceding description for details of the components.

The apparatus 102 of Figures 5 and 6 comprises an alternative arrangement for moving the elongate members 26a, 26b and 26c. In this embodiment, a first hydraulic ram 1 34a is connected at one end to the arm 22a and at the second end to the arm 22b. Similarly, a second hydraulic ram 1 34b is connected to and extends between the arm 22b and the arm 22c. In use, the first hydraulic ram 1 34a is operated to move the arms 22a and 22b, and their respective elongate members 26a, 26b, between the open and the closed position. The second hydraulic ram 1 34b is used in similar manner to move the arms 22b and 22c.

Hydraulic fluid is provided to both the first and second hydraulic rams 1 34a and 1 34b through feed and return lines 150, 152 via a diverter valve 154, shown in Figure 5. In a first mode, the diverter valve 154 provides pressurised hydraulic fluid to both the first and second hydraulic rams 1 34a, 1 34b, causing both rams to extend, thereby moving both the arm 22a and the arm 22c into the open position with respect 1 5 to the arm 22b. Similarly, the valve is operated to release fluid pressure from both rams 1 34a, 1 34b, causing the rams to retract, moving the arms 22a and 22c into the closed position. In this mode of operation, the apparatus may be used to pick up and release two adjacent bales, simultaneously.

In a second mode, the diverter valve 154 provides pressurised hydraulic fluid to one of the first and second hydraulic rams 1 34a, 1 34b, causing that ram to extend, moving the respective arm 22a or 22c into the open position, while releasing fluid pressure from the other of the rams 1 34a, 1 34b, causing the other of the arms 22a, 22c to move to the closed position. The valve may be operated in the opposite condition to effect movement of the arms in the reverse manner. In this way, the apparatus may be used to simultaneously release a bale being carried and pick up a bale, for example when handling bales to and from a wrapping machine.

The ability to have different modes of operation in this way provides the apparatus with a flexible manner of operation, that may be controlled with ease by a user, in turn allowing for a particularly efficient handling of bales, particularly in repetitive sequences such as moving bales to and from a wrapping machine.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for handling bales, the apparatus comprising: a frame; a first elongate member extending from the frame; a second elongate member extending from the frame and spaced apart from the first elongate member, the second elongate member being moveable with respect to the first elongate member between an open position and a closed position, in which a bale may be supported between the first and the second elongate members; and a third elongate member extending from the frame and spaced apart from the second elongate member, the third elongate member being moveable with respect to the second elongate member between an open position and a closed position, in 1 5 which a bale may be supported between the second and third elongate member.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame is releasably attachable to a vehicle.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the frame is releasably attachable to the front end loader of a tractor.
4. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the elongate members comprises an inner longitudinal member and an outer longitudinal therearound.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the inner longitudinal member is a spike or a tine.
6. The apparatus according to either of claims 4 or 5, wherein the outer longitudinal member is a tubular roller able to freely rotate about the inner member.
7. The apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein one or more of the outer longitudinal members is removable from the elongate member.
8. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the second elongate member is fixed with respect to the first and third elongate members.
9. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein all of the first, second and third elongate members may be moved with respect to each other.
10. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first, second and third elongate members extend parallel to each other in either the open position or the closed position.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first, second and third elongate members extend parallel to each other in both the open and the closed positions.
12. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first, second and third elongate members are substantially parallel to each other when moving between the open and the closed positions.
13. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each elongate member extends from a respective arm.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each arm is pivotably mounted to the frame, whereby movement of the arm about its pivot causes movement of the respective elongate member.
15. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first, second and third elongate members lie in a single plane in the open and the closed positions.
16. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the first, second and third elongate members is moveable independently of the other elongate members.
17. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein movement of the first and second elongate members between the open and closed positions is linked with the movement of the second and third elongate members between the open and the closed positions
18. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate members are moveable by operation of a plurality of hydraulic rams.
19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a first hydraulic ram is provided to move the first elongate member with respect to the second elongate member and a second hydraulic ram is provided to move the second elongate member with respect to the third elongate member.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the first hydraulic ram extends 1 5 directly or indirectly between the first and second elongate members and the second hydraulic ram extends directly or indirectly between the second and third elongate members.
21. A vehicle comprising an apparatus according to any preceding claim.
22. The vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the apparatus is releasably mounted to the vehicle.
23. An apparatus for handling bales of material substantially as hereinbefore described having reference to any of Figures 1 to 3, Figures 4a and 4b, Figures 4c and 4d, or Figures 5 and 6.