Apparatus having rotatable skids and methods for gathering bales
AssigneeForage Innovations B.V.
InventorsCurt Graham, Kent Thompson, Darin Dux
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods that include rotatable skids for engaging the surface on which forage bales rest during bale loading.
Claims24
An apparatus for gathering bales resting on a surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a bed for holding a bale;
- a loading assembly for lifting a bale and conveying it to the bed, the loading assembly comprising:
- a first arm;
- a second arm;
- a rotatable skid for supporting at least one of the first arm and second arm during bale loading, the rotatable skid having a convex surface-engaging face.
An apparatus for gathering bales resting on a surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a bed for holding a bale, the bed having a first end and a second end and has a vertical plane that extends between the first and second ends of the bed;
- a loading assembly for lifting a bale and conveying it to the bed, the loading assembly comprising:
- a first arm;
- a second arm;
- a rotatable skid for supporting the loading assembly during bale loading and having an axis of rotation, wherein (1) the axis of rotation of the rotatable skid is substantially parallel to the vertical plane of the bed or (2) the axis of rotation of the rotatable skid and the vertical plane of the bed form an angle α1 that is less than about 45°.
An apparatus for gathering bales resting on a surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a bed mounted to a chassis for holding a bale;
- a loading assembly for lifting a bale and conveying it to the bed, the loading assembly comprising a first arm and second arm, the loading assembly being independently pivotally attached to the chassis.
A method for gathering bales resting on a surface by use of an apparatus for gathering bales, the apparatus comprising a bed mounted to a chassis for holding a bale, a rotatable skid attached to the chassis for supporting the bed during bale loading, a loading assembly for lifting a bale and conveying it to the bed, the loading assembly being pivotally connected to the chassis and comprising a first arm, a second arm and a rotatable skid for supporting the first arm and/or second arm during bale loading, the method comprising:
- guiding the apparatus to a bale;
- lowering the loading assembly and causing the rotatable skid of the loading assembly to contact the surface and rotate;
- pivoting the loading assembly relative the bed;
- contacting the rotatable skid attached to the chassis with the surface to cause the skid to rotate;
- and
- loading a bale onto the bed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.