IES84693Y1 - A bale-handling trailer - Google Patents
A bale-handling trailerInfo
- Publication number
- IES84693Y1 IES84693Y1 IE2006/0757A IE20060757A IES84693Y1 IE S84693 Y1 IES84693 Y1 IE S84693Y1 IE 2006/0757 A IE2006/0757 A IE 2006/0757A IE 20060757 A IE20060757 A IE 20060757A IE S84693 Y1 IES84693 Y1 IE S84693Y1
- Authority
- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- bale
- handling trailer
- trailer
- tines
- handling
- Prior art date
Links
- 241001236653 Lavinia exilicauda Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002965 rope Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000036633 rest Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000284 resting Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000027455 binding Effects 0.000 description 1
- 244000144972 livestock Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004460 silage Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004642 transportation engineering Methods 0.000 description 1
Description
A Bale-Handling trailer
Introduction
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.
It 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 bale-
handling 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 bale-
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 bale-
handling 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 othenivise 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.
In 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.
ln a further embodiment of the invention the bale-engaging support comprises a back-
frame 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.
In 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 ba|e—hand|ing 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 bale-
handling 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 bale-
handling 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
further 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
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 ‘I3. 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 bale-
engaging 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 65° 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.
l\)
‘J!
In 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 bale-
transporting 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 bale-
handling 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 ba|e—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
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)
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. 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. . A bale-handling trailer as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the manually powered actuating mechanism comprises a manually powered hydraulic ram. . 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. . A bale-handling trailer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IEIRELAND13/10/2005S2005/0692 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
IES84693Y1 true IES84693Y1 (en) | 2007-10-03 |
Family
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