# US 11,304,373 B2 · Bale processor with extended carrying capacity and intermediary bale holder for extending the carrying capacity of existing bale processor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,304,373 B2 - Document ID: US11304373B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/415,359 - Filed: 2019-05-17 - Published: 2019-11-21 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-18 - Assignees: Bridgeview Mfg. Inc. - Applicants: Bridgeview Mfg. Inc. - Inventors: Dean Barager; Raymond Helmeczi; Kristofor Ohnander - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11304373B2 ## CPC - A01F 29/10: Feeding devices - A01D 87/122: {for bales on the ground (vehicles for loading A01D90/08)} - A01F 29/005: {for disintegrating and cutting up bales of hay, straw or fodder (for unrolling round bales A01D87/127)} - A01F 29/04: with feeding direction transverse to axis - A01F: PROCESSING OF HARVESTED PRODUCE; HAY OR STRAW PRESSES; DEVICES FOR STORING AGRICULTURAL OR HORTICULTURAL PRODUCE (devices for topping or skinning onions or flower bulbs A23N15/08) - A01D: HARVESTING; MOWING ## Abstract A bale processor with extended bale capacity and a kit for extending a bale capacity of a bale processor is disclosed. The extended bale capacity is provided by a bale holder mechanically coupled to the frame the bale processor. When in use, the bale holder is capable of supporting an additional bale in an intermediary position between a first bale above a disintegration rotor of the bale processor and a second bale supported by a bale carrier of the bale processor. The kit comprises an intermediary bale holder and a support frame mechanically mountable to a back section of a bale processor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bale processor comprising: a frame supporting a bale disintegration rotor, the frame sized to support a first bale in a disintegration housing above the disintegration rotor; a bale carrier moveably coupled to the frame at a back section of the frame and moveable between a transport position and a delivery position, the transport position capable of supporting a second bale above a ground surface and the delivery position capable of delivering the second bale supported on the bale carrier to the disintegration housing; a holding arm moveably coupled to the back section of the frame; and an actuation device coupled to the holding arm for controllably positioning the holding arm between at least two positions comprising: a holding position supporting a third bale, when in use, in an intermediary position between the first bale supported in the disintegration housing above the disintegration rotor of the bale processor and the second bale supported on the bale carrier, allowing the bale carrier to move to the transport position and support a second bale above the ground surface thereby extending a bale-carrying capacity of the bale processor; and a releasing position releasing the third bale. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bale processor of claim 1, further comprising a second holding arm, wherein the holding arm and the second holding arm are arranged at opposite sides of the third bale. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The bale processor of claim 2, wherein the holding arm and second holding arm are each coupled to the frame at a respective pivotal connection and are pivotable about a horizontal axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bale processor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The bale processor of claim 3, further comprising a mechanical linkage connecting the holding arm and the second holding arm to move the holding arm and second holding arm between the holding position and the releasing position using the actuation device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The bale processor of claim 4, wherein the mechanical linkage is coupled to one of the holding arm and second holding arm above the respective pivotal connection and is coupled to the other one of the holding arm and second holding arm below the respective pivotal connection. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The bale processor of claim 3, wherein the actuation device is further coupled with the second holding arm and configured to move the second holding arm relative to the frame of the bale processor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The bale processor of claim 3, further comprising a second actuation coupled with the second holding arm and configured to move the second holding arm relative to the frame of the bale processor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The bale processor of claim 2, wherein an end of the holding arm is configured to move towards and away from an end of the second holding arm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The bale processor of claim 2, wherein at least one of the holding arm and the second holding arm is pivotable about a vertical axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bale processor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The bale processor of claim 1, wherein the holding arm comprises a plurality of bale gripping teeth pitched at an angle of between 45 and 75 degrees from the holding arm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The bale processor of claim 1, wherein the holding arm is pivotable about a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bale processor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The bale processor of claim 11, wherein the holding arm provides an extended platform supporting a bottom of the third bale when in the holding position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The bale processor of claim 1, wherein the bale processor further comprises a member for mechanical connection to a tow vehicle, and wherein the bale processor further comprises control lines for connection to the tow vehicle, the control lines coupled with the bale disintegration rotor, the bale carrier, and the intermediary bale holder to allow control thereof. ### Claim 14 An intermediary bale holder for mounting to a bale processor having a disintegration housing supporting a first bale and a bale carrier moveable between a transport position capable of supporting a second bale above a ground surface and a delivery position capable of delivering the second bale supported on the bale carrier to the disintegration housing of the bale processor, intermediary bale holder comprising: a mounting frame mountable to the bale processor; and a holding arm moveably coupled to the mounting frame, the holding arm positionable between at least two positions comprising: a holding position supporting a third bale, when the intermediary bale holder is mounted to the bale processor and in use, in an intermediary position between the first bale supported in the disintegration housing above the disintegration rotor of the bale processor and the second bale supported on the bale carrier, allowing the bale carrier to move to the transport position and support a second bale above the ground surface thereby extending a bale-carrying capacity of the bale processor, and a releasing position releasing the bale. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The intermediary bale holder of claim 14, further comprising an actuation device coupled to the holding arm and controllable to position the arm between the holding position and the releasing position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The intermediary bale holder of claim 15, further comprising a second holding arm, wherein the holding arm and the second holding arm are arranged at opposite sides of the third bale when the intermediary bale holder is mounted to the bale processor and is supporting the third bale. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The intermediary bale holder of claim 16, wherein the holding arm and second holding arm are each coupled to the mounting frame at a respective pivotal connection and are pivotable about a horizontal axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bale processor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The intermediary bale holder of claim 17, wherein the intermediary bale holder further comprises a mechanical linkage connecting the holding arm and the second holding arm to move the holding arm and second holding arm between the holding position and the releasing position using the actuation device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The intermediary bale holder of claim 18, wherein the mechanical linkage is coupled to one of the holding arm and second holding arm above the respective pivotal connection and is coupled to the other one of the holding arm and second holding arm below the respective pivotal connection. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The intermediary bale holder of claim 17, wherein the actuation device is further coupled with the second holding arm and configured to move the second holding arm relative to the frame of the bale processor. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The intermediary bale holder of claim 17, further comprising a second actuation coupled with the second holding arm and configured to move the second holding arm relative to the frame of the bale processor. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The intermediary bale holder of claim 16, wherein an end of the holding arm is configured to move towards and away from an end of the second holding arm. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) The intermediary bale holder of claim 16, wherein at least one of the holding arm and the second holding arm is pivotable about a vertical axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bale processor. ### Claim 24 (depends on 16) The intermediary bale holder of claim 16, wherein the holding arm is pivotable about a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bale processor. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The intermediary bale holder of claim 24, wherein the holding arm provides an extended platform supporting a bottom of the third bale when in the holding position. ### Claim 26 (depends on 14) The intermediary bale holder of claim 14, wherein the holding arm comprises a plurality of bale gripping teeth pitched upwards at an angle of between 45 and 75 degrees from the holding arm.