IE20060756A1

IE20060756A1 - A bale-handling trailer

Info

Publication number: IE20060756A1
Application number: IE20060756A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Thomas Dorgan
Original assignee: Thomas Dorgan
Priority date: 2005-10-13
Filing date: 2006-10-13
Publication date: 2007-05-30
Also published as: GB2442720A; GB0620283D0; IES20060757A2

Abstract

A bale-handling trailer (1) for towing behind a vehicle (42), such as a car or van, is disclosed. The bale-handling trailer (1) comprises a bale-engaging support (7) pivotally mounted on a wheeled chassis (9) and a bale actuator (10, 12) for moving the bale-engaging support (7) to and from a bale-engaging position and a bale-transporting position, the bale-engaging support (7) having at least one tine (5) projecting outwardly therefrom for engagement of a bale (40), the bale actuator comprising a manually powered actuating mechanism (10, 12). <Figure 1>

Description

The present invention relates to a bale-handling trailer comprising a wheeled chassis adapted for towing behind a vehicle, a bale-engaging support pivotally mounted on the wheeled chassis and a bale actuator for moving the bale-engaging support to and from a bale-engaging position and a bale-transporting position.

It is well known that farmers store fodder, such as hay or silage, for livestock in the form of bales. These bales are quite large and, due to their size and weight, can be difficult to manoeuvre and transport. While there are many known devices for handling bales of this type, all of these devices are designed to be operated in conjunction with a tractor.

Accordingly, they are designed to be connected to the standard three-point linkage of a tractor and they obtain power from the power take-off of the tractor. While these devices are very useful, there are a number of problems associated with bale-handling trailers designed to be used in conjunction with tractors.

The first of these problems is that the requirement to use a tractor to transport a bale can be very limiting. If a person does not have a tractor or does not have access to a tractor, they can only transport a bale with great difficulty or they may not be able to transport or manoeuvre it at all.

A further problem associated with this sort of trailer is that tractors are not always the most suitable way of transporting bales. It is well known for example that tractors travel slowly. Therefore they are only suitable for the transport of bales over short distances. Additionally, this makes tractors unsuitable for transporting bales on busy roads as there is likely to be a build-up of traffic behind the tractor.

Yet another problem associated with bale-handling trailers for use with tractors is that tractors are large and cumbersome and as such, are not able to access certain areas that may have narrow gateways or the like.

IE 060 75« -2It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a bale-handling trailer that does not require the use of a tractor. It is a further object of this invention to provide a balehandling trailer that is simple and efficient to operate.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a bale-handling trailer comprising a wheeled chassis adapted for towing behind a vehicle, a bale-engaging support pivotally mounted on the wheeled chassis and a bale actuator for moving the bale-engaging support to and from a bale-engaging position and a bale-transporting position, the bale-engaging support having at least one tine projecting outwardly therefrom for engagement of a bale, the bale actuator comprising a manually powered actuating mechanism.

References throughout the specification to a vehicle will be understood to refer to any domestic or commercial vehicle including a car, van, quad-bike, four-wheel drive vehicle, sports utility vehicle and the like and specifically excludes tractors.

By having such a trailer, no further devices are required to provide power to the bale20 handling trailer, thereby allowing the user to operate the trailer when and wherever he chooses. The user may adjust the position of the bale-engaging support on his own, without the requirement of a power supply from a tractor or other farm machinery. A person wishing to transport a bale may simply manoeuvre the bale-handling trailer of the invention into the correct position relative to the bale and, by operating the manually powered hydraulic ram, lift the bale off the ground and into a position on the balehandling trailer suitable for transportation. Furthermore, by having a trailer comprising a wheeled chassis adapted for towing behind a vehicle, a user does not require a tractor to transport or otherwise manoeuvre a bale. The user may use any vehicle with a suitable tow bar for transporting the bale on the trailer. The combination of the pivotally mounted bale-engaging support and manually powered actuating mechanism is a particularly efficient way of positioning the bale for transport. Additionally, the use of an outwardly projecting tine is a simple and efficient way of engaging the bale and securing it in place. ΙΕ ϋ 9 0 758 -3ln one embodiment of the invention the bale-handling trailer is provided with a tow hitch for attaching to a vehicle tow-bar. In this way the bale-handling trailer can be easily connected to any vehicle having a standard tow bar and the use of a tractor is not required.

In another embodiment of the invention the manually powered actuating mechanism comprises a manually powered hydraulic ram. The use of a manually powered hydraulic ram is a particularly efficient method of operating the bale actuator. The bale actuator could take the form of any manually powered actuation mechanism such as a chain mechanism, a rope and pulley mechanism, a pneumatic mechanism or other such mechanism.

In a further embodiment of the invention the bale-engaging support comprises a backframe having the tine projecting substantially orthogonally therefrom. This is a particularly effective construction for engaging a bale. When the bale-handling trailer is being used to transport a bale, the bale will rest against the back-frame, while the tine will pierce the bale thereby securing it in position. As bales are, in general, very densely packed, no further gripping means will be required once the tine has pierced the bale.

In another embodiment there are provided two tines in the bale-engaging support. The use of two tines provides for a more secure method of holding the bale in position on the bale-handling trailer. The tines may be used to pierce the bale or alternatively, the tines may be used to grip the sides of the bale if it is not desirable to pierce the bale. Furthermore, the tines may be positioned so that the bale merely rests thereon.

In an alternative embodiment, there are provided three tines in the bale-engaging support. Some or all of the tines may be arranged so that they pierce the bale, grip the bale or simply support the weight of the bale.

In one embodiment, the tine tapers towards its free end and terminates in a spike portion. The spike portion of the tine allows it to pierce the bale more easily. fc ϋό °75t -4In a further embodiment, the tine has a free end terminating in a bulbous portion. If it is preferred that the tines do not pierce the bale, for example, if the bale is securely wrapped in plastic, bulbous ends are seen as a particularly suitable arrangement.

In an alternative embodiment the bulbous portion is releasably secured to the tines. In this way, standard tines, such as those terminating in a spike portion, may be easily fitted with bulbous portions if it is desired not to pierce the bale.

Detailed Description The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.1 is a perspective view of the bale-handling trailer in the bale-engaging position; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the bale-handling trailer in the bale-transporting position; Fig. 3 is a side-view of the bale-handling trailer in the bale-transporting position; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the bale-handling trailer in the bale-engaging position attached to a towing vehicle and about to be offered up to a bale; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the bale-handling trailer in the bale-transporting position attached to a towing vehicle, having a bale loaded thereon.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 3 thereof, there is shown a balehandling trailer according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, comprising a wheeled chassis 9 adapted for towing behind a vehicle (not shown) and a bale-engaging support 7 pivotally mounted on the wheeled chassis 9. The balehandling trailer 1 further comprises a bale actuator, in this instance provided by way of a manually powered hydraulic ram 10, for moving the bale-engaging support 7 to and from a bale-engaging position and a bale-transporting position. The bale-engaging support IE 060 750 -5further comprises a back-frame 3 having a pair of tines 5 projecting outwardly and substantially orthogonally therefrom and the bale-engaging support 7 mounts a pair of spaced-apart cranked arms 8 which engage a pair of pivot pins 11 mounted on the wheeled chassis 9. The back-frame 3 comprises a pair of spaced apart cross-members 25 bridged by five uprights 27a - 27e. The outermost uprights 27a, 27e are fitted with brackets 29 having a binding-receiving hole 31 therein. The wheeled chassis 9 comprises a crossbar 13 carrying a pair of spaced-apart ground-engaging wheels, and a central bar 17 extending forwardly from the crossbar 13. A jockey wheel 18 and a tow hitch 21 for connection to a complimentary tow bar (not shown) of a vehicle are mounted on the central bar 17 of the wheeled chassis 9 adjacent its free end, remote from the crossbar 13. A manually powered hydraulic pump 12 is mounted on the central bar 17 and connected to the hydraulic ram 10 by suitable piping 23. The hydraulic ram 10 is a double-acting hydraulic ram, one end of which is pivotally mounted on the central bar 17 of the wheeled chassis 9 while the other end is pivotally mounted on the central upright 27c of the back-frame 3. The tines 5 taper towards their free ends so that the ends terminate in a spike portion.

In use, the bale-engaging support 7 is pivotable to and from a bale-engaging position and a bale-transporting position. When the hydraulic ram 10 is extended, the baleengaging support 7 is in the bale-engaging position with the tines 5 in a lowered position substantially parallel to the ground below. When the hydraulic ram 10 is retracted through the operation of the manually powered hydraulic pump, the bale-engaging support 7 pivots about pivot pins 11 on the crossbar 13 of the wheeled chassis 9 so that the tines 5 are raised to an angle of approximately 654 relative to the central bar 17. In this position, the back-frame 3 will be lying substantially along the wheeled chassis 9 at right angles to the tines 5.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, where like parts have been given the same reference numerals as before, there is shown the bale-handling trailer 1 hitched to a vehicle 42 having a standard tow bar (not shown), with a bale 40. The bale is substantially cylindrical in shape having a curved side and flat ends. In this instance, the vehicle illustrated is a four-wheel drive vehicle, however in practice any vehicle, such as a normal car, van or quad-bike, having a standard tow bar may be used. What must be understood is that tractors are specifically excluded from the definition of a vehicle.

IE 060 756 -6ln use, the bale-handling trailer 1, with the bale-engaging support 7 in the bale-engaging position, is manoeuvred into a suitable position relative to the bale 40 by the vehicle 42, so that the tines 5 are offered up to the bale 40. The vehicle 42 is then reversed towards the bale 40 so that the tines 5 of the bale-handling trailer 1 engage the bale 40. Once the bale is fully engaged, the manually powered hydraulic pump 12 is operated so as to retract the hydraulic ram 10 and pivot the bale-engaging support 7 towards the vehicle in the direction indicated by arrow A. The bale-engaging support 7 is now in the baletransporting position and the bale 40 lies on the back-frame 3 substantially along the wheeled chassis 9. The bale 40 rests against the back-frame 3 and the tines 5 secure the bale in position. Bindings (not shown) such as rope or twine may also be attached to the binding-receiving holes 31 in brackets 29 to securely fasten the bale 40 to the balehandling trailer 1.

When it is desired to unload the bale 40, the steps above are carried out in the reverse order. Namely, the manually powered hydraulic pump 12 is operated so as to extend the hydraulic ram 10, thereby pivoting the bale-engaging support 7 from the transporting position to a position wherein the tines 5 are substantially horizontal to the ground or directed toward the ground. The vehicle then tows the bale-handling trailer 1 out of and away from the bale 40, leaving the bale 40 in place. Some assistance in releasing the bale may be required.

It will be understood that the shape and orientation of the bale does not affect the operation of the device. While the bale illustrated may be substantially cylindrical in shape, the bale-handling trailer of the invention can also accommodate cuboid and other shaped bales. With regard to the orientation of the bale, the substantially cylindrical bail may be resting on one of its flat ends as shown in Fig. 4 or alternatively it may be resting on its curved side. It will be understood by the person skilled in the art that the tines 5 may engage a bale 40 in a number of ways. Firstly, the tines 5 may penetrate the bale 40. Ideally in this case the tines 5 will penetrate as far as possible into the bale 40 such that the bale 40 is in contact with the back-frame 3 of the bale-handling trailer 1. Alternatively, the tines 5 may grip the curved side of the bale. Finally, if the bale was lying on its curved side, it would be possible to simply position the tines 5 on either side IE -60 75« - Ί of the bale, below the horizontal diameter of the bale such that the weight of the bale would rest on the tines. The bale could then be lifted by raising the tines as normal.

It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that the bale actuator could take the form of any manually powered actuation mechanism such as a chain mechanism, a rope and pulley mechanism, a pneumatic mechanism or other such mechanism. Additionally, it will be clear that standard spike-ended tines could be easily converted to bulbous-ended tines by the use of releasably detachable bulbous portions fitted to the ends of the tines. Furthermore, while the illustrated embodiment uses a double-acting hydraulic ram as the bale actuator, it will be understood by the skilled person that a single-acting ram combined with suitable biasing could be used to move the bale-engaging support to and from a bale-engaging position and a bale-transporting position.

It will be clear to the skilled person that the bale-handling trailer of the invention could also be used to lift and transport pallets.

In this specification the terms “comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising” or any variation thereof and the terms “include, includes, included and including” or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and details within the terms of the claims.

Claims

1. A bale-handling trailer comprising a wheeled chassis adapted for towing behind a vehicle, a bale-engaging support pivotally mounted on the wheeled chassis and a bale actuator for moving the bale-engaging support to and from a bale-engaging position and a bale-transporting position, the bale-engaging support having at least one tine projecting outwardly therefrom for engagement of a bale, the bale actuator comprising a manually powered actuating mechanism.

2. A bale-handling trailer as claimed in claim 1 in which the bale-handling trailer is provided with a tow hitch for attaching to a vehicle tow-bar.

3. A bale-handling trailer as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the manually powered actuating mechanism comprises a manually powered hydraulic ram.

4. A bale-handling trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the bale-engaging support comprises a back-frame having the tine projecting substantially orthogonally therefrom.

5. A bale-handling trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which there are provided two tines in the bale-engaging support.

6. A bale-handling trailer as claimed in claim 1 to 4 inclusive in which there are provided three tines in the bale-engaging support.

7. A bale-handling trailer as claimed in any preceding claim in which the tine tapers towards its free end and terminates in a spike portion.

8. A bale-handling trailer as claimed in claim 1 to 6 inclusive in which the tine has a free end terminating in a bulbous portion.

9. A bale-handling trailer as claimed in claim 8 in which the bulbous portion is releasably secured to the tine. K os 075t -9

10. A bale-handling trailer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.