WO2020025975A1

WO2020025975A1 - Bale handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2020025975A1
Application number: PCT/GB2019/052182
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Hughes
Original assignee: Spread-A-Bale Limited
Priority date: 2018-08-03
Filing date: 2019-08-02
Publication date: 2020-02-06
Also published as: EP3829290A1; GB201812674D0

Abstract

A bale handling apparatus comprising a box frame which retains a bale of material and has a base upon which the bale can rest, at least one conveyor provided within the box frame to engage the bale and being operative to urge the bale in a longitudinal direction towards a spreader head comprising one or more shafts with a series of blades mounted relative thereto which ejects bale material from the apparatus.

Description

BALE HANDLING APPARATUS

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bale handling apparatus. Such apparatus is used to distribute elements of a bale (such as a straw bale, for example) typically, though not exclusively for the purpose of spreading the straw on the ground.

Background to the Invention

Such apparatuses are known per se. One example of such an apparatus is disclosed in EP 0944300 which discloses a bale- spreading apparatus that may be mounted to a tractor or other agricultural vehicle via an extended, hydraulically- operated arm, known as a loader.

FR2765773 discloses an agricultural machine for shredding straw, comprising a crate and a conveyor belt formed from two endless chains to drive the straw towards a shredder.

Another example is disclosed in EP 2804465 which discloses a bale handling apparatus having a frame which retains a bale of material, a conveyor surface mounted on the frame and upon which the bale rests, the conveyor surface being operable to move the bale toward a spreader head that ejects bale material from the apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes at least one supporting strut, forming part of the frame and being located under the conveyor surface.

There is a need to provide an alternative apparatus enabling, inter alia, mounting of the apparatus in such a manner that the bale can be more easily loaded and/or more evenly dispersed.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a bale handling apparatus comprising a box frame which retains a bale of material, a conveyor on which a bale could rest, the conveyor being operative to urge the bale in a longitudinal direction towards a spreader head which ejects bale material from the apparatus, wherein the spreader head comprises one or more horizontally mounted rotatable shafts, a series of blades being mounted on at least one of said shafts. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a bale handling apparatus comprising a box frame which retains a bale of material and has a base upon which the bale can rest, at least one conveyor mechanism provided with a number of teeth to engage the bale and being operative to urge the bale in a longitudinal direction towards a spreader head which ejects bale material from the apparatus.

Optionally all of the blades are mounted relative to a single shaft.

Typically, the apparatus is mounted relative to a tractor or similar device to allow the that bale material is ejected to any side of the tractor. Normally, the apparatus is mounted relative to an articulated arm.

Optionally no more than two blades are provided in any line of circumference on the shaft. In other words, more than one blade is preferably provided but preferably there are no more than two blades which are radially aligned in any single plane. If four blades are provided, they would all be offset radially or two blades would be aligned in one radial plane and the other two blades would be aligned in another radial plane. If more blades were provided, then they could all be offset from one another or provided in pairs aligned in a radial plane with each pair of set.

Preferably, laterally adjacent blades will be radially offset from one another.

Optionally a pair of blades are provided as the respective opposite tips of an elongate member extending around and from opposite sides of the shaft.

Optionally blades are spaced apart along the shaft. In one embodiment, the blades are evenly spaced apart on the shaft.

Optionally adjacent blades are spaced apart along the shaft by 10 cm to 20cm. In one embodiment this distance is l5cm.

Optionally the tips of the blades are spaced apart from the centre of the shaft by a length between 40 cm and 60 cm. In one embodiment this distance is 50cm. Depending upon the height of the apparatus and/or the height of the bale, the shaft mounting the blades may be movable up and down during spreading. Preferably, the shaft may be driven up and down. Any movement of the shaft relative to which the blades are mounted will typically be linear. Preferably, the movement of the shaft will reciprocate.

Optionally the blades are each set at 45° to an adjacent blade on the shaft.

Optionally the blades are arranged such that a blade tip is provided every 45° around the shaft, when viewed along the shaft.

Optionally one motor drives rotation of a single shaft and all of the blades mounted relative to the blades.

Each of the blades may be mounted relative to the shaft through provision of a rotor arm. Each rotor arm is preferably located on the rotatable shaft. The rotor arms are preferably planar. The rotor arms preferably extend on each side of the rotatable shaft approximately equally. A substantially central aperture through which the rotatable shaft extends is preferably provided through the rotor arm.

Each free end of each rotor arm is provided with or forms a blade for shredding the bales. The blade may be formed separately and attached relative to the free end of the rotor arm.

Each blade will preferably be shaped to optimise the breakup of the bale. Each blade will preferably be elongate. Each blade will preferably have a planar forward edge and a planar rear edge (in the direction of rotation). The tip of each blade will preferably be arcuate. In a preferred form, the tip will curve toward the root of the blade, rearwardly (relative to the direction of rotation).

The blade may be twisted or shaped relative to the direction of rotation.

The present invention includes a spreader chamber or box at least partially defining an internal volume into which one or more bales are received. In a preferred embodiment, the chamber will typically have a pair of upstanding side walls, rear wall, and a base, with a forward side closed by the spreader head. The spreader chamber will typically have an open top.

In one form, the rear wall of the spreader chamber may be movable. The base wall of the spreader chamber may be substantially defined by a conveyor belt. In this form, the conveyor belt will preferably extend across the width of the internal volume and the length of the internal volume.

In an alternative embodiment, a fixed, substantially solid base wall may be provided. The base wall may be located substantially transversely relative to the upstanding side walls and/or rear wall. The base wall will typically be spaced above a lower plane of the apparatus, which is preferably defined by a lower edge of the side walls. This configuration will preferably provide clearance beneath the underside of the base wall, above the lower plane of the apparatus.

The spreader head may be fixed or movable. If the spreader head is fixed, then provision will normally be made elsewhere in the spreader chamber to allow one or more bales to be loaded into the spreader chamber. This could be accomplished for example by providing the rear wall as a movable wall.

Generally, the base wall and upstanding side walls of the spreader chamber will define a substantially U-shaped profile with either a fixed rear wall, or a movable rear wall to at least partially define the chamber.

If the rear wall is a movable rear wall, it is preferred that the rear wall pivots about a lower side edge to form a ramp to allow loading of at least one bale into the spreader chamber from an end of the chamber opposite to spreader head. In one configuration, it is preferred that the ramp is a substantially planar member. Typically, the ramp/rear wall will extend across the width of the spreader chamber. Preferably, the lower end of the ramp/rear wall is substantially coplanar with the base wall of the spreader chamber and when lowered, will preferably angle downwardly.

The pivoting rear wall is simply one preferred embodiment of providing a movable rear wall and other configurations of movable rear wall may be provided, if preferred.

Where provided, the cowl will preferably extend forwardly from adjacent to a forward end of the base wall, possibly forwardly of the spreader head. Typically, a rear end edge of the cowl is spaced from a forward end of the base wall in the chamber, particularly if the base is provided in the conveyor belt configuration. In this configuration, the conveyor belt will tend downwardly at a forward end thereof and the rear end of the cowl is preferably mounted slightly above the forward end of the conveyor belt.

The base wall may be provided as a low friction surface. One or more runners or guides may be provided relative to an upper surface of the base wall and upon which the one or more bales can rest. The one or more runners or guides may be low friction runners or guides.

In a preferred form, the cowl will have a forward, upwardly canted portion. The upwardly canted portion may be angled or arcuate.

The cowl may be manufactured from any material.

The cowl may be mounted to or relative to the spreader head, whether the spreader head is provided in the fixed or movable configuration.

The apparatus of the present invention may include one or more bale chain drives. Preferably, more than one bale chain drive will be provided. Preferably, each of the bale chain drives is provided in the form of an endless chain with one or more engagement teeth extending upwardly from the chain within the spreader chamber.

In this configuration, the preferably solid base wall of the spreader chamber will typically be provided with an elongate opening for each of the bale chain drives so that the engagement teeth can extend above the level of the base wall over a working length during rotation of the chain so that the engagement teeth of the chain engage a bale and drive the bale toward the spreader head.

Where one or more bale chain drives are provided, is preferred that each of the blades of the spreader head are offset from each the bale chain drives.

The rotating blades of the spreader head will preferably extend rearwardly into the volume of the spreader chamber from a forward end of the spreader chamber, during rotation. The blades will typically extend further rearwardly than a forward end of the bale chain drives. In this configuration, the blades of the spreader head can begin breaking up the bale and dispersing the bale from a portion of the bale behind the forward end of the bale chain drives. This is normally not possible using a conveyor belt due to the potential that the blades may damage the conveyor belt during rotation.

Any number of bale chain drives may be provided. In a preferred configuration, at least two bale chain drives are provided, one on either lateral side of the longitudinal midline of the spreader chamber.

More than two bale chain drives may be provided depending upon parameters such as the configuration of the spreader chamber, the size of the spreader chamber, the type of bale to be spread and the like.

As mentioned above, each of the bale chain drives will typically extend longitudinally over at least a portion of the length of the spreader chamber. Preferably, the forward end of the bale chain drives will be located in front of the rearmost part of the rotating blades of the spreader head. Preferably the rear end of the bale chain drives will be located adjacent to and closely spaced from the rear wall of the chamber when closed, particularly in a rear loading configuration.

If the spreader is provided with one or more bale drive chains, then the cowl (if provided) may be fixed (or provided as a part of, or aligned with, the base wall) with the one or more bale drive chains turning about a forward cog or sprocket preferably located behind the cowl and beneath the level of the preferably fixed base wall.

The chain part of the respective bale drive chains will preferably be mounted below the level of the preferably fixed base wall, so that only a portion of each of the engagement teeth mounted relative to the chain extend above the upper surface of the base wall. At the extremities of the preferred endless chain loop, the chain will preferably extend about the cog or sprocket, and the return portion of the chain would then typically extend beneath the cog or sprocket and under the base wall in space provided beneath the base wall and above the lower plane of the apparatus.

Each of the endless chains of a bale chain drive will preferably be mounted for rotation relative to at least two cogs or sprockets. Preferably, each of the cogs or sprockets will be provided with a number of teeth to engage the chain of the bale chain drive and drive rotation of the chain. In a preferred form, one of the cogs or sprockets will be a drive cog or sprocket on the other will be free rotating cog or sprocket which rotates due to the rotation of the drive cog or sprocket and being linked by the preferred endless chain.

In some embodiments, both or more than one of the cogs or sprockets associated with a single bale drive chain may be a drive cog or sprocket.

Typically, a cog or sprocket is provided a forward end of each bale chain drive and a cog or sprocket is provided at the rear end of each bale chain drive. A cog or sprocket is provided a forward end of the spreader chamber and a cog or sprocket is provided at the rear end of the spreader chamber.

The cogs or sprockets will preferably be provided in number of sets, with the cogs or sprockets of each set mounted relative to a single shaft. Rotation of the shaft will preferably rotate each of the cogs or sprockets in a particular set or vice versa. The number of cogs or sprockets in a set will preferably correspond to the number of bale chain drives provided.

Each of the bale chain drives can be driven in a forward and a reverse direction, as chosen by an operator. All of the bale chain drives of an apparatus are typically driven in the same direction and at the same speed to stop skewing of the bale as it is driven forward.

One or more guide is preferably provided substantially over the length of each of the chains, between the cogs or sprockets. One or more guide may be provided for each of the chains. A guide may be located between the upper portion of each chain and a lower return portion of each chain to guide the chain portions and space the chain portions apart.

The forward end of the floor of the spreader chamber and/or the cowl may be mounted for pivotal movement up and down. The drive device such as a ram for example, may be provided attached to one end of one or more mounting arms which is/are mounted in over centre configuration relative to a shaft with an opposite end of the one or more mounting arms associated with a portion of the floor and/or the cowl. Raising and lowering the forward end of the floor and/or cowl can be undertaken to adjust the angle at which the separated bale leaves the forward end of the apparatus. The shaft of the spreader head is typically driven by a drive motor. One or more shafts associated with the conveyor belt and/or the bale chain drives is typically driven by a drive motor.

It is preferred that any drive motor provided on the apparatus is mounted relative to one of the side walls of the chamber or the spreader head, relative to an outer surface of the side wall.

The drive motors are typically connected to a hydraulic circuit of the loader or tractor relative to which the apparatus is mounted.

Where a drive motor is provided, the drive motor is typically provided with a drive cog or sprocket. A toothed belt may be provided to connect the drive cog or sprocket with a cog or sprocket associated with at least one end of shaft.

In one preferred embodiment, the rear shaft associated with the bale chain drives is a driveshaft rotated by a drive motor. A shaft associated with the bale chain drives at a forward end may be provided with a drive cog or sprocket linked to a drive cog or sprocket associated with at least one end of shaft of the spreader head, for example, with a toothed belt. In this configuration, the drive motor which drives the bale chain drives can also drive rotation of the shaft of the spreader head. This configuration will normally be geared appropriately to optimise the speed of advance of the bale with the rotation speed of the spreader shaft.

In a preferred embodiment, one drive motor may be provided to drive the conveyor belt and/or bale chain drives and a second drive motor may be provided to drive rotation of the shaft of the spreader head.

The spreader head of the apparatus of the present invention may be movable. In one preferred form, the spreader head is provided with a generally rectangular external frame, of a dimension which is substantially the same as the spreader chamber. A shaft is typically mounted transversely across the generally rectangular frame with the spreader blades mounted relative to the shaft.

A pair of mounting arms which extend rearwardly of the frame are each typically mounted relative to the pivot and upper area of the apparatus. One or more rooms are preferably provided to lift and lower the spreader head by driving the mounting arms up and down. In this configuration, the spreader head is typically lifted to load a bale and the lifting will typically move the entire spreader head out of the way of a forward end of the spreader chamber so that it can be loaded into the spreader chamber.

Typically, the blades will break up the bale and disperse the broken up bale from the apparatus.

In one embodiment of the invention, the forward portion of the spreader chamber or box may be wider than a rear portion. A pair of convergent plates may be provided, converging toward one another, part way between the forward end of each of the sidewalls and the rear of each of the sidewalls. Typically, this will allow the spreader head to be of greater width than the rear portion of the spreader chamber or box. This will preferably lessen the material used and lighten the apparatus even further.

The convergent plates may converge at any angle but typically at an angle of between 5° and 15° and an angle of 5° to 10° is particularly preferred. The plates are preferably between lOcm and 50cm and most preferably around 30cm in length.

In this embodiment, any supports which are external of the walls of the spreader chamber or box will preferably be absent. The spreader head with any raising and lowering arrangement will still be provided adjacent to a wider, forward end of the spreader chamber or box, which is typically open.

A forward portion of the sidewalls may be higher than a rear portion.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bale handling apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a further perspective view of the bale handling apparatus of Figure 1 containing a straw bale; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the bale handling apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bale handling apparatus of Figure 1 in which the spreader head is in a raised position

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the bale handling apparatus of Figure 1 arranged in the configuration of Fig. 4;

Figure 6 is a part cut-away side view of the bale handling apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a part cut-away side view of the bale handling apparatus of Figure 1 with the spreader head in a raised position;

Figure 8 is an end elevation view of the bale handling apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is an end elevation view of a spreader head of the bale apparatus of

Figure 1;

Figure 10 is an axonometric view from the rear of the spreader head illustrated in

Figure 9;

Figure 11 is an isometric view of the spreader head illustrated in Figure 9;

Figure 12 shows the sub-frame of the bale apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 14 is a perspective view from underneath of the bale handling apparatus of

Figure 13.

Figure 15 is an isometric view of an alternative configuration of the spreader chamber or box according to an embodiment.

Referring to Figures 1 to 12, there is shown a bale handling apparatus 10 for spreading bale material, such as straw.

The bale handling apparatus 10 has a generally rectangular, box-like shape. In use, a bale 11 of material such as straw is inserted into the volume 50 of the box area, whereupon a conveyor belt 12 upon which the bale 11 sits urges the bale 11 against a bale spreader head 13. Rotors 14 of the spreader head transform the bale 11 into pieces at the same time as throwing these pieces out of the apparatus 10 in the direction of arrow A in Figure 3, thereby to provide a straw carpet which can be useful for animal bedding, or absorbing moisture on muddy ground, for example.

The rotors 14 illustrated comprise a pair of blades 29 provided as the tips of an elongate member extending around and from opposite sides of a rotating shaft. The rotors preferably rotate in the direction shown by Arrow B illustrated in Figure 6.

The apparatus is carried upon the extended loading arm of a tractor, for example, known as a loader, ejecting straw to the side of the tractor. Connection of the apparatus to the loader is by means of a rectangular frame located on the side of the apparatus, while the power for the motors operating the conveyor belt and rotors is provided hydraulically, via the loader arm, from the tractor, normally by connection of a hydraulic circuit on the loader to one or more hydraulic motors provided on the apparatus.

The apparatus is given structural integrity by a combination of formed sheet metal webs and steel struts.

The chassis of the apparatus is shown in Fig. 12. Here two longitudinal struts 15, 16 are connected via lateral struts l7a,l7b,l7c, l7d to form a box frame. Three arms (not all of these being shown) l8a, 18b, l8c, l9a extend upwardly and vertically from each longitudinal strut 15, 16. Two longitudinal bars 20a, 20b run horizontally from each first vertical arm l8a, l9a and are captured and supported by the other two vertical arms 18b, l8c located on that same longitudinal strut 15, 16. This arrangement provides structural stability.

In use, the bale handling apparatus is supported by the loading arm of the tractor such that straw is ejected to the side of the tractor; i.e. the longitudinal struts run transverse to the front of the tractor.

Vertical walls 2la, 2lb, 2lc extend upwardly from the longitudinal struts 15, 16 and one lateral end strut l7d so as to form an open box for receiving a bale, the box having two closed sides and a closed end formed by the vertical walls 2 la, 2 lb, 2lc. The spreader head 13 is located at the end of the apparatus remote from the closed end. The spreader head 13 comprises a rectangular frame 22, pivotally connected via spreader head bars 23 to the first vertical arms l8a, l9c located on the longitudinal bars 15, 16 of the chassis. The spreader head bars 23 may be raised and lowered under the action of a pair of hydraulic rams 24 on opposite sides of the chassis. Thus, the spreader head 13 may be moved from a first lower position as shown in Figure 1 to a second raised position as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

In the lower position shown in Figure 1, a cowl 25 is provided at the base of the spreader head 13.

A rotating shaft 26 extends between the sides of the spreader head 13. This is driven by a single motor 27. A plurality of rotor arms 28 are located on the rotatable shaft. These arms are in the form of plates into a central aperture through which the axle 26 extends. The two free ends of these rotor arms 28 form blades 29 for shredding the bales. The rotor arms 28 are fixed on the rotating shaft such that when viewed from the side adjacent blades 29 are located at 45° from each other such that four adjacent arms spaced blades at 45° to each other through 360°, as shown for example in Figure 7. All of the blades 29 are driven for rotation along with the shaft by the single motor.

As illustrated in Figure 11, the motor 27 is provided with a drive cog or sprocket 53 and the shaft 26 is also provided with a cog or sprocket 54 so that a toothed belt 55 or similar can be used to transfer rotation from the drive motor 27 to the shaft 26.

In the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 12, a bale is loaded in the apparatus as shown in Figure 2 by raising the spreader head into the position shown in Figure 4, and then forcing a forward end of the spreader under the rear end of a bale. Rotation of the conveyer in a reverse direction can assist with drawing the bale into the spreader, perhaps while the spreader is forced forward by the loader.

Alternatively, one or more cylindrical bales could be rolled into the spreader by an operator.

Once loaded, the spreader head is then lowered.

The bale is then urged towards the spreader head whilst the spreader head is in the lowered position of Figure 1 by the moving conveyor belt 12. As the bale is force through the spreader head, the rotating blades chop up the bale and project the shredded straw onto the ground.

Referring to Figs. 13 and 14 an alternative bale handling apparatus 30 is shown in which the bale is advanced to the spreader head by endless bale drive chains 31, each of which has a number of bale teeth 32 spaced over its length and which project upwardly in the spreader volume to engage the bale. This arrangement is lighter than the arrangement of Figs. 1 to 12.

The bale chains 31 are driven by a hydraulic motor 51 and reduction gearbox onto a chain drive onto a drive sprocket. The drive sprocket will have a friction clutch to protect the chain and machine when the bale is fully loaded and abuts the bale chamber back wall panel.

The bales can be loaded form the front of the apparatus, travelling up a bale slope, by driving the machine forward under the bale, then the bale chain teeth hook into the bale and drag the bale forward into the bale volume 50. The two bale chains 31 are located between the spreading blades 29 and dip below the bale surface of the spreading rotor to minimise any resistance from the chain 31, when the spreading rotor is accelerating the bale sections forward.

Alternatively, the bales can be loaded into the volume from the rear end of the apparatus through pivoting rear wall 56 which can form a ramp.

In Figures 13 and 14, a forward end of the floor of the spreader chamber and/or the cowl is mounted for pivotal movement up and down. The drive device such as a ram 60, attached to one end of one or more mounting arms 61 which is/are mounted in an over centre configuration relative to a shaft 62 with an opposite end of the one or more mounting arms 61 associated with a portion of the floor and/or the cowl. Raising and lowering the forward end of the floor and/or cowl can be undertaken to adjust the angle at which the separated bale material leaves the forward end of the apparatus.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 15, a forward portion 152 of the spreader chamber or box 50 is wider than a rear portion 151. A pair of convergent plates 150 may be provided, converging toward one another, part way between the forward end of each of the sidewalls and the rear of each of the sidewalls of the spreader chamber or box 50. Typically, this will allow the spreader head (not illustrated in this Figure), and preferably a forward portion 152 of the spreader chamber or box 50 to be of greater width than the rear portion 151 of the spreader chamber or box 50. This will preferably lessen the material used and lighten the apparatus even further.

The convergent plates 150 illustrated converge at an angle of between 5° to 10°.

The plates 150 are preferably around 30cm in length.

In this embodiment, any supports which are external of the walls of the spreader chamber or box, will preferably be absent.

Any one or more of the features of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 13, 14 or 15 can be incorporated into the spreader illustrated in Figures 1 to 12 and vice versa.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the above described embodiments. Many modification and variations are possible.

The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims

1 A bale handling apparatus comprising a box frame which retains a bale of material, a conveyor operative to urge the bale in a longitudinal direction towards a spreader head which ejects bale material from the apparatus, wherein the spreader head comprises one or more horizontally mounted rotatable shafts, a series of blades being mounted on at least one of said shafts.

2 A bale handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a base wall of the spreader chamber is defined by a conveyor belt extending across a length and width of the spreader chamber.

3. A bale handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the conveyor comprises at least one endless chain which is rotatable, the at least one endless chain provided with a number of teeth to engage the bale and being operative to urge the bale in a longitudinal direction towards the spreader head.

4. A bale handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein all of the blades are mounted relative to a single shaft.

5. A bale handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein no more than two blades are provided in any line of circumference on the one or more shafts.

6 A bale handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein laterally adjacent blades are radially offset from one another.

7. A bale handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a pair of blades are provided as the respective opposite tips of an elongate member extending around and from opposite sides of the one or more shafts.

8. A bale handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the blades are evenly spaced apart on the one or more shafts.

9 A bale handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the blades are each set at 45° to an adjacent blade on the one or more shafts.

10 A bale handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the blades are each elongate.

11 A bale handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the box frame at least partially defines an internal volume into which one or more bales are received with a forward side closed by the spreader head.

12 A bale handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein a rear wall of the spreader chamber is movable.

13. A bale handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the spreader head is movable to allow one or more bales to be loaded into the spreader chamber.

14. The pivoting rear wall is simply one preferred embodiment of providing a movable rear wall and other configurations of movable rear wall may be provided, if preferred.

15. A bale handling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including a cowl mounted relative to and extending forwardly of the spreader head and comprising a forward, upwardly canted portion.

16. A bale handling apparatus comprising a box frame which retains a bale of material and has a base upon which the bale can rest, at least one conveyor provided with a number of teeth to engage the bale and being operative to urge the bale in a longitudinal direction towards a spreader head comprising one or more shafts with a series of blades mounted relative thereto which ejects bale material from the apparatus.

17. A bale handling apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the at least one conveyor comprises at least one endless chain which is rotatable, provided the number of teeth extending upwardly from the chain within the spreader chamber to engage the bale and being operative to urge the bale in a longitudinal direction towards the spreader head.

18. A bale handling apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the spreader head comprises one or more horizontally mounted rotatable shafts, a series of blades being mounted on at least one of said shafts.

19. A bale handling apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the spreader chamber comprises a solid base wall with an elongate opening for the number of teeth of the or each conveyor so that the teeth extend above a level of the solid base wall over a working length during rotation of the conveyor.

20. A bale handling apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19 wherein each of the blades of the spreader head are offset from each of the conveyors.

21. A bale handling apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20 wherein the blades of the spreader head extend rearwardly into the spreader chamber from a forward end of the spreader chamber, during rotation further rearwardly than a forward end of the of each conveyor.

22. A bale handling apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 21 wherein at least two conveyors are provided, one on either lateral side of a longitudinal midline of the spreader chamber.

23. A bale handling apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 22 wherein the or each conveyor is rotatable in a forward and a reverse direction.