Hay handler
OwnerCarl R. Craftinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Hay handling apparatus by which a large, cylindrical bale of hay can be lifted, transported, and deposited, comprising a cradle of a configuration for receiving the bale therewithin. A main frame pivotally supports the cradle so that the cradle can be pivoted from superimposed relationship respective to the frame into contact with the surface of the ground, whereupon the main frame can be forced towards the bale of hay. A cable means is next placed about the bale of hay and winched towards the main frame, whereupon the bale of hay enters the cradle and the cradle is forced to pivot over the center of gravity and into superimposed, supported relationship respective to the main frame.
Claims14
Hay loading and transporting apparatus comprising a main frame having opposed sides, a forward end, and a trailing end;
- a cradle in the form of an upwardly opening, elongated, segment of a cylinder having an open framework and providing a leading edge spaced from a rear edge and opposed end members;
- a winch, a cable means, means by which one end of said cable is attachable to said rear edge, with the remaining marginal cable end being rove about said winch such that the cable is extensible from and movable towards said winch, means mounting said winch in proximity of said forward end of said main frame;
- mount means affixed to said main frame for pivotally supporting said cradle at an off-center location underlying said cradle, said mount means moves said cradle from a retracted position closely adjacent said main frame into an extended position spaced from said main frame with an over-the-center movement to thereby enable said cradle to be extended away from said main frame and pivoted into a position to place a marginal rear edge portion of the cradle at ground level, and the main frame thereafter moved in a direction towards said rear edge in order to engage a bale of hay with said rear edge, a marginal length of said cable can then be forced under the bale, whereupon the cable is then tightened to move the bale of hay into the cradle and thereafter pivotally move the cradle into the retracted position, thereby loading the bale and enabling the bale to be transported to another geographical location.
Apparatus by which a large, cylindrical bale of hay can be lifted and transported, comprising:
- an upwardly opening cradle of arcuate curvature in cross-sectional configuration, within which a large, cylindrical bale of hay can be received in supported and captured relationship therewithin:
- said cradle being fabricated from spaced members which are joined together to present an open framework which describes a segment of an elongated cylinder;
- a main frame for supporting said cradle, said main frame having a forward end, a trailing end, and opposed sides;
- a winch, a cable assembly, anchor means, means mounting said winch to said forward end of said main frame;
- said cable assembly having one marginal end thereof rove about said winch and the remaining end thereof attached to said anchor means;
- means by which said cradle is pivotally journaled to said main frame such that the cradle is pivotally mounted with an over-the-center action so that when the cradle is retracted respective to the frame, the center of gravity thereof tends to force the cradle to remain in a retracted, upright position;
- and when the cradle is extended, a trailing marginal end thereof engages the ground;
- said means mounting said cradle to said main frame includes apparatus by which said cradle can be moved from a location adjacent to said forward end of said main frame to a location adjacent to said trailing end of said main frame;
- whereby said cradle can be extended from the main frame into engagement with the ground, the cable rove about a bale of hay, and the winch employed to retract the cradle into a location adjacent said forward end of said main frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.