Bale handling devices

A method of collecting and moving fodder bales, comprising:

• providing a bale handling device having:
• a vehicle loader attachment portion;
• a frame support portion operably coupled to the vehicle loader attachment portion and having a first main frame member, a first side frame member attached at one end of the first main frame member, a second side frame member attached to the first main frame member distal from the first side frame member;
• at least two bale securing assembly pivotally mounted on the frame support between the first side frame member and the second side frame member and movable between a first position and a second position;
• a hydraulic controller mounted to the bale handling device and configured to move the at least two bale securing assembly between the first position and the second position;
• attaching the loader of a vehicle having a hydraulic system to the vehicle loader attachment portion of the bale handling device;
• operationally connecting a hydraulic controller of the bale handling device to the vehicle hydraulic system;
• positioning the vehicle so as to engage a first fodder bale with one of the at least two bale securing assembly in the first position;
• operating the vehicle hydraulic system to selectively move the bale securing assembly engaged with the first fodder bale to the second position thereby lifting the first fodder bale;
• positioning the vehicle so as to engage a second fodder bale with the other of the at least two bale securing assembly in the first position;
• operating the vehicle hydraulic system to selectively move the bale securing assembly engaged with the second fodder bale to the second position thereby lifting the second fodder bale;
• driving the vehicle and bale handling device to a desired location;
• operating the vehicle hydraulic system to selectively move the bale securing assembly engaged with the first fodder bale to the first position;
• operating the vehicle hydraulic system to selectively move the bale securing assembly engaged with the second fodder bale to the first position;
• and
• positioning the vehicle so as to disengage the first and second fodder bales from the at least two bale securing assemblies.

A bale handling device configured for being operationally mounted on a vehicle's lift arms, the device comprising:

• a vehicle lift arm attachment portion;
• a frame support portion operably coupled to the vehicle lift arm attachment portion and having a first main frame member, a first side frame member attached at one end of the first main frame member, a second side frame member attached to the first main frame member distal from the first side frame member;
• three bale securing assemblies pivotally mounted on the frame support between the first side frame member and the second side frame member and individually movable between a first position and a second position;
• and
• a hydraulic controller mounted to the bale handling device and configured to selectively move the bale securing assemblies between the first position and the second position.