Combined hay carrier and feeder

#This invention relates generally to the handling of hay and more particularly to apparatus which loads and transports large hay bales and hay stacks and also serves as a feeding rack.

#The recent trend among farmers and ranchers has been to feed animals from extremely large hay bales which are formed in a generally cylindrical configuration by a special baling machine. The bales are several feet in diameter and typically weigh hundreds of pounds. Consequently, difficult handling problems have arisen in transporting the bales from the field to the feeding pen.

#Since manual handling is virtually precluded because of the size and weight of the large bales, specialized equipment of various types has been developed to facilitate the handling and transporting of the bales. However, this equipment is generally unsatisfactory due to the complex and expensive machinery incorporated therein. Existing equipment is further characterized by awkwardness and stability problems in transporting the heavy bales, and by safety problems in loading and unloading the bales. Moreover, most hay handling equipment is suited for use only with bales that are within a relatively narrow size range and is unable to handle other types of hay masses such as hay stacks. This lack of versatility is a serious drawback because the large hay bales are not of uniform size and it is often necessary to move hay stacks from place to place.

#In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals are employed to indicate like parts in the various views:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus embodying the invention, with the lift thereof shown in its lowered position and the broken line view showing the hinged rear gate in its open position;

#FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating the lift thereof positioned beneath a large hay bale which is shown in broken lines, the hinged rear gate being shown in its open position; and

#Referring now to the drawing in detail, apparatus embodying a combined hay carrier and feeder includes an open bottomed trailer which is generally designated by reference numeral 10. With initial reference to FIG. 1, the frame of trailer 10 includes a pair of tubular structural bars 11 and 12. Bars 11 and 12 are disposed horizontally and are spaced apart in parallel relation on opposite sides of trailer 10. The length of bars 11 and 12 and the width defined therebetween are greater than the corresponding dimensions of the large bales and stacks of hay that are handled by the apparatus. An additional tubular bar 13 rigidly interconnects bars 11 and 12 at their forward ends and is oriented at 90.degree. to the latter bars. Trailer 10 is suitably mounted on a pair of ground engaging wheels 14 and 15. The wheels 14 and 15 are conventionally secured to the respective bars 11 and 12 to support the trailer frame above the ground.

#A left side panel comprising a plurality of interconnected bars is supported on bar 11 in an upright disposition. A horizontal upper bar 16 forms the top edge of the panel and has vertical opposite end portions which are bent downwardly and welded at their bottom ends to the respective opposite ends of bar 11. A plurality of slanted bars 17 extend between bar 11 at their lower ends and bar 16 at their top ends. Bars 17 are angled with respect to vertical and are spaced from one another a distance sufficient to permit animals to extend their heads therebetween. An upright bar 18 interconnects bars 11 and 16 at a location behind wheel 14 to provide additional strength.

#The opposite or right side panel is constructed identically and supported on bar 12 in an upright disposition. A horizontal upper bar 19 forms the top edge of the panel and has vertical opposite end portions which are bent downwardly and welded at their bottom ends to the respective opposite ends of bar 12. A plurality of inclined bars 20 extend between bars 12 at their lower ends and bar 19 at their top ends. Bars 20 are angled with respect to vertical and spaced from one another a distance sufficient to permit animals to extend their heads therebetween. An upright bar 21 interconnects bars 12 and 19 at a location behind wheel 15 to provide additional strength.