Bale loader
OwnerLeRoy Andrew Knudsoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bale loader comprising an elongated grab essembly along one side of a towed platform. As the platform moves forward, the grab assembly moves over a row of bales and is eventually actuated to grab a number of bales in a single operation. The overall length of the grabbed bales corresponds substantially to the length of the platform and is subsequently deposited on the platform. The grab assembly retains the grabbed bales in a slightly inclined position at the time of depositing the bales, to accomplish a tight stack of bales on the platform. The grabbing and releasing operations are effected automatically and are controlled by a special mechanical lock.
Claims8
A bale loader adapted to be secured to a mobile platform on which bales are to be loaded, comprising:
- a. an elongated suspended mechanical grab assembly including depending, pivoted jaws defining the sides of the assembly, said assembly having a front end and a rear end generally coincident with front and rear ends of said platform, respectively;
- b. grab lifting means supported by said platform;
- c. said grab lifting means being secured to said grab assembly so as to suspend same, and being arranged to lift said grab assembly from a load engagement position wherein said grab assembly extends along one side of said platform a short distance above the ground, to a load release position in which the jaws release the load to deposit same on said platform;
- d. locking means operatively connected to said grab assembly for releasably maintaining said jaws in open position;
- e. a movable feeler means operatively connected with the locking means to release same upon actuation of the feeler;
- said feeler means being located at the rear end of the grab assembly and being actuated by horizontal relative movement thereagainst of a bale as the grab assembly with the jaws open is moved along and over at least one bale, with the bale resting on the ground and being located between the jaws, when said end of the bale reaches said rear end of the grab assembly to actuate said movable feeler.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.