IE80697B1 - Apparatus for splitting a bale of fibrous material - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus (1) for splitting a bale (2) comprises a support framework (4) for mounting on a three point linkage of a tractor. A pair of tines (12) extend from the framework (4) for supporting the bale (2). A knife (18) pivotally connected by a main pivot pin (19) to the support framework (4) is pivotal downwardly by a ram (22) for splitting the bale (2). The knife (18) comprises a blade (30) having a plain cutting edge (31) which is formed by two cutting edge portions (35) which extend from a forward mid portion (36) at an angle of 165° to each other. The blade (30) is reinforced to prevent sideward bowing of the blade (30) by a pair of reinforcing plate members (32) and a top plate member (40) which are secured to the blade (30) to minimise drag between the knife (18) and the bale (2).

Description

Apparatus for splitting a bale of fibrous material The present invention relates to apparatus for splitting a bale of fibrous material, and in particular, though not limited to apparatus for splitting a bale of silage, hay, straw or the like, and in particular, a relatively large round, square or rectangular bale of silage, hay, straw or the like.

Large round and other shaped bales of silage and other fodder materials are relatively difficult to handle.

Before the baled fodder can be mixed with other ingredients for animal feed, or indeed, before it can be distributed as fodder to animals or for other uses, it is essential that the bale be split into one or more portions. Apparatus for splitting round bales is known, however, such apparatus in general, tends to be unsatisfactory, in that it is either relatively complex, and thus, relatively expensive, or alternatively, is of such a basic construction as not to be effective.

Known bale splitting apparatus may comprise an active knife or a passive knife. By an active knife is meant a knife which comprises one or a pair of adjacent blades each of which is provided with a cutting edge, and each of which or one of which reciprocates or ΓΊ vibrates along its longitudinal axis as the blade or blades are being moved through a cutting plane which includes the cutting edge or edges of the blade or blades for cutting the bale. By a passive knife is meant a knife in which the blade does not reciprocate or vibrate or otherwise move along its longitudinal axis, and is thus passive as it is being moved through a cutting plane which includes the cutting edge of the blade for cutting of the bale. Throughout this specification the term passive blade is used to describe such a blade.

While apparatus with an active knife, in general, are suitable for cutting a bale, such apparatus tend to be relatively complex, and by virtue of the fact that the knife is an active knife, and requires a suitable drive motor and a drive transmission for reciprocating or vibrating the blade or blades, such apparatus tend to be relatively expensive. Apparatus which comprise a passive knife, in general are adapted for mounting on a back-acter arm of a tractor, and with the bale resting on the ground, the passive knife is urged downwardly through the bale by the back-acter arm. These apparatus, in general, tend to be unsatisfactory in that one is largely relying on the weight of the tractor for ensuring that the knife is urged through the bale. It is known that where the cutting force required to cut through a bale exceeds the proportion of the weight of the tractor being carried by the wheels of the tractor, which are adjacent the backacter arm, the tractor pivots about the other two wheels and the wheels adjacent the back-acter arm lift off the ground. Thereby, movement of the knife through the bale is prevented. Additionally, in such passive knife type apparatus, in many cases the knife is so arranged that it is impossible to cut through the entire bale. Additionally, the knife may warp or bend as it is being urged through the bale.

There is therefore a need for apparatus for splitting a bale of fibrous material which overcomes these problems .

The present invention is directed towards providing such apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for splitting a bale of fibrous material, the apparatus comprising a support means for supporting the bale during splitting, an elongated passive knife pivotally connected to the support means about a main pivot axis and being co-operable with the support means for splitting the bale, the knife having an elongated cutting edge and being pivotal downwardly relative to the support means through a cutting plane which contains the cutting edge of the knife for urging the cutting edge through the bale for splitting thereof, the cutting plane being perpendicular to the main pivot axis, and an urging means connected between the support means and the knife for urging the knife and the cutting edge through the bale.

Preferably, the cutting edge of the knife is formed by two elongated cutting edge portions which extend from a forward portion intermediate the ends of the cutting edge to the respective ends of the cutting edge which are rearwardly disposed of the forward portion relative to the direction of cutting motion of the knife.

Advantageously, the two cutting edge portions define an included angle at the forward portion which lies in the range of 135° to 170°.

Ideally, the two cutting edge portions define an included angle at the forward portion which lies in the range of 150° to 170°.

Preferably, the two cutting edge portions define an included angle at the forward portion of approximately 165°.

In one aspect of the invention the forward portion of the cutting edge is located substantially midway between the ends of the cutting edge.

In another aspect of the invention the urging means comprises a ram which is connected to the support means at a location above the main pivot axis, and to the knife at a position intermediate the ends thereof. Preferably, the ram is connected to the knife adjacent a trailing edge of the knife which is opposite the cutting edge thereof. Advantageously, the ram is connected to the knife at a position adjacent the forward portion of the cutting edge. Ideally, the ram is pivotally connected to the support means and to the knife.

In one aspect of the invention the support means comprises an anvil means for receiving the bale and for co-operating with the knife for splitting the bale, and the main pivot axis is located in the support means at a position higher than the anvil means.

Preferably, the anvil means comprises a pair of tines extending from the support means on opposite sides of the cutting plane. Advantageously, the tines are parallel to each other and to the cutting plane, and are equi-spaced on respective opposite sides of the cutting plane.

In another aspect of the invention the knife comprises an elongated blade which defines the cutting edge, and an elongated reinforcing means extending substantially the length of the blade adjacent the trailing edge thereof for preventing sideward bending and bowing of the blade, the reinforcing means being mounted on the blade so that the drag between the knife and the bale is minimised. Preferably, the reinforcing means comprises a pair of elongated reinforcing plate members extending longitudinally of and secured to the blade and diverging from each other from the blade. Advantageously, the knife is of Y-shaped crosssection, the blade forming the lower limb of the Y, and the reinforcing plate members forming the other two limbs of the Y.

Preferably, the reinforcing plate members diverge from each other at an included angle in the range of 5° to 45°. Advantageously, the reinforcing plate members diverge from each other at an included angle in the range of 15° to 30°, and ideally, the reinforcing plate members diverge from each other at an included angle of approximately 20°.

In one aspect of the invention the support means comprises a framework having an elongated transverse cross member extending transversely of the cutting plane on opposite sides thereof, the anvil means extending from the transverse cross member, and an upstanding member extending upwardly from the transverse cross member, the knife being pivotally connected about the main pivot axis to the upstanding member at a location above the transverse cross member, and preferably, the main pivot axis is located relatively closely to the transverse cross member. In another aspect of the invention a pair of spaced apart upstanding members are provided extending upwardly from the transverse cross member, the upstanding members being located on opposite sides of the cutting plane for carrying the knife and the urging means therebetween.

Preferably, a plurality of mounting locations are provided on the transverse cross member for facilitating mounting the anvil means at respective different distances from the cutting plane.

In one aspect of the invention a mounting means is provided on the support means for mounting the support means to a tractor. Preferably, the mounting means is for mounting the support means to a three point linkage of the tractor. Advantageously, the mounting means is for mounting the support means to a backacter mechanism of a tractor.

In one aspect of the invention the apparatus is adapted for splitting a bale of silage, straw or hay. Preferably, the apparatus is adapted for splitting a round bale of diameter in the range of 1.5 M to 3 M. Ideally, the apparatus is adapted for splitting a round bale of diameter in the range of 1.8 M to 2.3 M.

The advantages of the invention are many. The apparatus according to the invention is particularly suitable for splitting large bales of silage, hay, straw and the like, and in particular, relatively large round bales. The apparatus operates to split the bale entirely, and furthermore, operates without risk of the knife bending. The force required to operate the knife is relatively low. In particular, the apparatus according to the invention is of a particularly simple construction, and indeed, the invention, essentially, lies in the simplicity of the apparatus. By virtue of the relatively simple construction of the apparatus, a relatively inexpensive, easy to manufacture and operate, and an easy to maintain apparatus is provided which splits relatively large bales effectively.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus according to the invention for splitting a bale of silage, hay, straw or the like, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in a different position, Fig. 3 is apparatus Fig· 1, Fig. 4 is apparatus Fig. 2, Fig. 5 is apparatus Fig. 6 is apparatus a side elevational of Fig. 1, in use, a side elevational of Fig. 1, in use, view of the in the position of view of the in the position of a front end elevational view of the of Fig. 1 in use, a sectional end view of a detail of the of Fig. 1 on the line VI-VI of Fig. 4, Figs. 7(a) to (d) are respectively a side elevational view of portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1 and three end sectional views of the portion on the lines B, C and D, Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1, and Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 of a portion of apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 8 there is illustrated apparatus according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for splitting a bale 2 of silage into two halves 3. The apparatus 1 comprises a support means, in this case, a support framework 4 which comprises a transverse cross member 5 and a pair of spaced apart adjacent upstanding members 6 extending upwardly from the transverse cross member 5. The transverse cross member 5 is of box section steel, while the upstanding members 6 are of steel plate material. Intermediate bracing members 7 of steel extend between the upstanding members 6 for reinforcing thereof. A mounting means for mounting the apparatus 1 to a three point linkage of a tractor (not shown) comprises three pairs of mounting brackets 9, two pairs of which extend rearwardly from the transverse cross member 5, and one pair of which extends rearwardly from the upstanding members 6. The three pairs of mounting brackets 9 engage links 10 of the three point linkage of the tractor. Such three point linkages will be well known to those skilled in the art.

An anvil means for supporting the bale during splitting comprises a pair of parallel spaced apart tines 12 of steel of circular transverse crosssection, which extend forwardly and perpendicularly from the transverse cross member 5. The tines 12 engage mounting locations, namely, holes 14 in the transverse cross member 5 and are secured thereto by nuts (not shown). In this embodiment of the invention six holes 14 are provided in the transverse cross member 5 to provide three different mounting locations for each of the tines 12 for varying the spacing between the two tines 12 for accommodating bales at different diameter.

An elongated knife 18 for splitting the bale 2 into the halves 3 is pivotally connected between the upstanding members 6 by a main pivot pin 19 extending between and through a pair of pivot holes 20 in the respective upstanding members 6, which are located above the transverse cross member 5. The main pivot pin 19 defines a main pivot axis about which the knife 18 is pivotally movable through a cutting plane which extends perpendicularly of the main pivot axis and the transverse cross member 5 and parallel to and midway between the tines 12. An urging means for pivoting and urging the knife 18 downwardly through the bale 2 comprises an hydraulic ram 22 which is connected between the upstanding members 6 and the knife 18.

The ram 22 comprises a cylindrical housing 23 which is pivotally carried on a pivot pin 25 extending between and through pivot holes 26 in the upstanding members' 6. A piston rod 28 extending from the ram 22 is pivotally connected to the knife 18 by a pivot pin 29 as will be described below. The pivot holes 26 for locating the pivot pin 25 are located above the pivot holes 20 which locate the main pivot pin 19.

The knife 18 comprises an elongated passive blade 30 of steel which defines an elongated plain cutting edge 31 which lies in the cutting plate of the knife. A reinforcing means which comprises a pair of elongated reinforcing plate members 32 of steel plate material diverging from the blade 30 carry the blade 30 and reinforce the blade 30 for preventing the blade 30 bending or bowing sidewardly during splitting of the bale. The plate members 32 are welded to or otherwise secured to the blade 30 along a line 33 which extends substantially parallel to the cutting edge 31 and diverge away from each other. Accordingly, the knife is of Y cross-section with the blade 30 forming the lower limb of the Y, and the plate members 32 forming · the other two limbs of the Y. The plate members 32 are secured to the blade 30 in such a way that drag between the knife 18 and the bale is minimised. The included angle a between the plate members 32 is such as to likewise minimise drag between the knife 18 and the bale 2, and in this embodiment of the invention is approximately 20°, but preferably, is not greater than 20°. A top plate member 40 of steel extends between the reinforcing plate members 32, and extends the length of the knife 18 for further reinforcing the blade 30. End caps 34 of steel close the ends of the reinforcing plate members 32 and the top plate member 40.

The cutting edge 31 of the blade 30 is formed by two straight cutting edge portions 35 which extend from a forward mid portion 36 to ends 37 of the cutting edge 31 which are rearwardly disposed of the forward mid portion 36 relative in the direction of cutting motion of the knife 18. The cutting edge portions 35 define an included angle β which in this embodiment of the invention is 165° approximately, see Fig. 7(a). In this embodiment of the invention the forward mid portion 36 lies at a position approximately midway between the ends 37. It has been found that by forming the blade 30 with the two cutting edge portions 35 defining an included angle of approximately 165°, the force required to urge the blade through the bale is minimised. This, it is believed is caused by the angle at which the cutting edge 31 engages the bale 2. A further advantage of angling the cutting edge 31 of the blade 30 at 36 is that it is possible to cut through substantially the entire bale without the need for providing considerable ground clearance beneath the tines 12 for accommodating the blade 30 to extend between and downwardly below the tines 12, as would, in general, be required if the cutting edge 31 were a straight cutting edge from end 37 to end 37. In practice, the blade 30 is formed in two parts which are welded together to form the respective cutting edge portions .

A pair of pivot holes 39 extending through the reinforcing plate members 32 pivotally engage the pivot pin 19 for pivotally connecting the knife 18 to the upstanding members 6. The pivot holes 39 are located adjacent one of the ends 37 of the knife 18 and are located in the reinforcing plate members 32 relatively closely to the blade 30. A pair of lugs 38 extend upwardly from the respective reinforcing plate members 32 on the trailing edge of the knife 18 for pivotally engaging the pivot pin 29 which connects the piston rod 28 to the knife 18. The lugs 38 are located substantially midway between the ends 37 of the knife 18.

The knife 18 and holes 14 for locating the tines 12 are so arranged that the tines when located in corresponding holes 14a, 14b or 14c are equi-spaced on opposite sides of the cutting plane of the blade 18 and are parallel to the cutting plane.

Referring now to Figs. 7(a) to (d) the Y cross-section of the knife 18 is illustrated at three locations along the longitudinal length of the knife 18. In this embodiment of the invention the knife 18 is of length approximately 1.83 mm. The blade 30 is of a substantially constant depth d between the cutting edge 31 and the lines 33 along which the reinforcing plate members 32 are welded. In this embodiment of the invention the depth d of the blade is 60 mm. The vertical height h of the knife 18 between the lines 33 and the top of the top plate 40 varies along the length of the knife 18. At the end of the knife 18 adjacent the pivot holes 39 the height h is approximately 200 mm. At the free end of the knife 18 the height h is 160 mm. At a position substantially midway between the two ends 37 of the knife 18 the height h is 270 mm. The maximum width w of the knife 18 also varies along the length of the knife 18, and at the end 37 adjacent the pivot holes 39, the width w is 75 mm. At the free end of the knife 18 the width w is 60 mm, while at a position midway between the ends 37 the width w is 90 mm.

The apparatus 1 according to the invention is particularly suitable for splitting large round bales of hay, straw and silage, and in particular, large round bales of diameter of the order of 2 M. The apparatus may also be used for splitting square and rectangular bales .

In use, the apparatus 1 is mounted to the three point linkage 10 of a tractor or to the back-acter arm of the tractor by means of the mounting brackets 9. The hydraulic ram 22 is connected to the hydraulic supply of the tractor or other suitable hydraulic power supply. With the knife 18 raised by contracting the ram 22 in the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 the apparatus 1 is moved towards the bale 2 so that the tines 12 engage beneath the bale 2 and the bale 2 is urged into engagement with the knife 18. Further movement of the apparatus 1 towards the bale 2 urges the knife 18, and in turn, the cutting edge 31 of the blade 30 into the bale 2, and splitting of the bale commences, as the upstanding members 6 and the knife 18 are urged towards the bale 2, see Fig. 3. The knife 18 is pivoted by the hydraulic ram 22 downwardly in the direction of the arrow A by extending the ram 22 until the knife 18 is in the position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4 with the bale 2 split in two halves 3. The apparatus 1 is then withdrawn from the bale so that the tines 12 disengage the halves 3 of the bale 2. While the apparatus 1 is being withdrawn from the bale 2, any portion of the bale 2 which remains uncut is subsequently split by the knife 18. The knife 18 is then raised by contracting the ram 22 into the position illustrated in Fig. 1 and the apparatus is ready to split the next bale, or alternatively, to split one of the halves 3 of the bales 2 which has already been split.

Subsequent splitting of the halves of the bale 2 will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The advantages of the invention are many. By virtue of the fact that the bale is supported during splitting on a support means which in a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided by the tines, the support means co-operate with the knife for splitting the bale. In other words, the support means supports the bale and acts as an anvil against the cutting action of the knife. Therefore, a serious problem of bale splitting apparatus of the type which includes a passive blade known heretofore whereby the apparatus relies on the weight of the tractor or other vehicle to which the blade is mounted for urging the blade through the bale is overcome. An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the invention is achieved by virtue of the fact that the bale is supported on the tines during splitting, and by the fact that a passive blade is used, this provides apparatus which is relatively simple and uncomplicated, and which can be produced at relatively low cost, and which requires minimum maintenance.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the fact that the cutting edge of the blade is formed in two portions which extend from the forward mid portion at an angle of approximately 165° substantially reduces the force required for urging the knife through the bale for splitting thereof, and also minimises ground clearance required beneath the tines.

The provision of the reinforcing plate members in the preferred embodiment of the invention significantly strengthens the blade and prevents sideward bending or bowing of the blade during splitting of a bale. The fact that the reinforcing plate members diverge away from each other from the blade and are secured to the blade to minimise drag, significantly minimises the drag between the knife and the bale, while at the same time providing significant reinforcing of the blade. The minimisation of the drag and the maximisation of the reinforcing is optimised when the included angle between the reinforcing plate members is approximately 20°, although, it has been found that reasonable results are achieved with an internal angle between the reinforcing plate members in the range of 5° to 45°, and reasonably good results are achieved when the included angles between the reinforcing plate members is maintained within the range of 15° to 30°.

Referring now to Fig. 9 there is illustrated portion of a blade 50 which may be used in the apparatus 1 also according to the invention. The blade 50 is substantially identical to the blade 30 with the exception that the cutting edge 31 is serrated instead of in the case of the blade 30 being plain.

While the apparatus has been described as comprising a support framework of a particular shape and construction, any other suitable support framework for supporting the bale against the action of the knife during splitting may be provided. Needless to say, other suitable anvil means besides tines for supporting the bale during splitting may be used. It is also envisaged that other suitable pivotal connecting means for pivotally connecting the knife to the support means may be provided. It will also of course be appreciated that urging means other than an hydraulic ram for pivoting the knife may be used.

It is envisaged that the cutting blade instead of being welded to the reinforcing plate members may be releasably secured thereto, by, for example, screws or the like. This, it will be appreciated would facilitate replacing a worn blade without the need for replacing the reinforcing plate members.

It is also envisaged that while the apparatus has been described for splitting a bale of silage, straw or the like, the apparatus may be used for splitting any other baled fibrous material, and it will of course be appreciated that the apparatus is suitable for splitting bales of any other cross-sectional shape, whether round, rectangular, square, hexagonal, octagonal, polygonal or the like.

The size of the apparatus will largely be dictated by the size and the shape of the bale being split. Additionally, the ram will be chosen to provide a sufficient force for splitting the bale. For a bale of silage of diameter of 2 M, it has been found that a ram developing a force of approximately 5,500 Kg is quite adequate. Such a ram mounted in the apparatus just described is capable of operating the knife with a turning moment in the order of 2,000 Kg-M.

Claims (31)

1. Apparatus for splitting a bale of fibrous material, the apparatus comprising a support means for supporting the bale during splitting, an elongated passive knife pivotally connected to the support means about a main pivot axis and being co-operable with the support means for splitting the bale, the knife having an elongated cutting edge and being pivotal downwardly relative to the support means through a cutting plane which contains the cutting edge of the knife for urging the cutting edge through the bale for splitting thereof, the cutting plane being perpendicular to the main pivot axis, and an urging means connected between the support means and the knife for urging the knife and the cutting edge through the bale.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the cutting edge of the knife is formed by two elongated cutting edge portions which extend from a forward portion intermediate the ends of the cutting edge to the respective ends of the cutting edge which are rearwardly disposed of the forward portion relative to the direction of cutting motion of the knife.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 in which the two cutting edge portions define an included angle at the forward portion which lies in the range of 135° to 170° .

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 in which the two cutting edge portions define an included angle at the forward portion which lies in the range of 150° to 170° .

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 in which the two cutting edge portions define an included angle at the forward portion of approximately 165°.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5 in which the forward portion of the cutting edge is located substantially midway between the ends of the cutting edge.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the urging means comprises a ram which is connected to the support means at a location above the main pivot axis, and to the knife at a position intermediate the ends thereof.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 in which the ram is connected to the knife adjacent a trailing edge of the knife which is opposite the cutting edge thereof.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 or 8 in which the ram is connected to the knife at a position adjacent the forward portion of the cutting edge.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 9 in which the ram is pivotally connected to the support means and to the knife.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the support means comprises an anvil means for receiving the bale and for co-operating with the knife for splitting the bale.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11 in which the main pivot axis is located in the support means at a position higher than the anvil means.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11 or 12 in which the anvil means comprises a pair of tines extending from the support means on opposite sides of the cutting plane.

14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13 in which the tines are parallel to each other and to the cutting plane, and are equi-spaced on respective opposite sides of the cutting plane.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the knife comprises an elongated blade which defines the cutting edge, and an elongated reinforcing means extending substantially the length of the blade adjacent the trailing edge thereof for preventing sideward bending and bowing of the blade, the reinforcing means being mounted on the blade so that the drag between the knife and the bale is minimised.

16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15 in which the reinforcing means comprises a pair of elongated reinforcing plate members extending longitudinally of and secured to the blade and diverging from each other from the blade.

17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 in which the knife is of Y-shaped cross-section, the blade forming the lower limb of the Y, and the reinforcing plate members forming the other two limbs of the Y.

18. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 or 17 in which the reinforcing plate members diverge from each other at an included angle in the range of 5° to 45°.

19. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 18 in which the reinforcing plate members diverge from each other at an included angle in the range of 15° to 30°.

20. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 19 in which the reinforcing plate members diverge from each other at an included angle of approximately 20°.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in 5 which the support means comprises a framework having an elongated transverse cross member extending transversely of the cutting plane on opposite sides thereof, the anvil means extending from the transverse cross member, and an upstanding member extending 10 upwardly from the transverse cross member, the knife being pivotally connected about the main pivot axis to the upstanding member at a location above the transverse cross member.

22. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 21 in which the main 15 pivot axis is located adjacent the transverse cross member.

23. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 21 or 22 in which a pair of spaced apart upstanding members are provided extending upwardly from the transverse cross member, 20 the upstanding members being located on opposite sides of the cutting plane for carrying the knife and the urging means therebetween.

24. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 21 to 23 in which a plurality of mounting locations are provided on the transverse cross member for facilitating mounting the anvil means at respective different distances from the cutting plane. 5

25. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a mounting means is provided on the support means for mounting the support means to a tractor.

26. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 25 in which the mounting means is for mounting the support means to a 10 three point linkage of the tractor.

27. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 25 or 26 in which the mounting means is for mounting the support means to a back-acter mechanism of a tractor.

28. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in 15 which the apparatus is for splitting a bale of silage, straw or hay.

29. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the apparatus is for splitting a round bale of diameter in the range of 1.5 M to 3 M. 20

30. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the apparatus is for splitting a round bale of diameter in the range of 1.8 M to 2.3 M.

31. Apparatus for splitting a bale of fibrous material, the apparatus being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated 5 in the accompany drawings. Dated this 10th day of April 1995 F.F. BY: _EXE0UTIVE Agents for the Applicants 54 Merrion Square Dublin 2. 0 U y I/S $7/34 fc·· υ - y / 2/y t> ϋ ...),