US 4,095,706 AGranted

Vertically swinging big bale handling and grasping apparatus

AssigneeNichols, Farrow, Schwien and Schwien

InventorsHarold B. Schwien, Paul A. Schwien

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Abstract

This invention is a big bale handling apparatus to be moved through a trailer hitch and operable to load, convey, and unload large hay bales presently used in the farming industry. More particularly, the big bale handling apparatus includes an A-frame assembly resembling a boat trailer and having a bale connector means mounted thereon. The bale connector means includes a main support frame assembly having 1st and 2nd actuator arm assemblies mounted thereon, each having a bale connector assembly operable to grasp and hold a cylindrical bale member. A bale control assembly is operably connected to the bale connector means to control movement of the 1st and 2nd actuator arm assemblies in order to selectively grasp, lift, rotate, convey, lower, unload and unravel the bale member.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A farm implement being a big bale handling apparatus operable to load, convey, and unload large bale members, comprising:

(a) a basic support assembly adapted to be connected to a conventional bumper hitch for conveyance purposes;
(b) a bale connector means mounted on said basic support assembly;
(c) a drive means connected to said bale connector means to power same;
(d) said bale connector means including a main support frame assembly connected to said basic support assembly and having first and second actuator arm assemblies pivotably connected to said main support frame assembly;
(e) each of said first and second arm assemblies having a bale connector assembly;
(f) said bale connector assemblies movable inwardly to grasp the large bale member and pivotal about a horizontal axis vertically to raise and lower the large bale member;
(g) said bale connector means having a connector assembly pivotably connecting said main support frame assembly to said support assembly;
(h) said connector assembly having said horizontal axis defining the pivotal movement of said bale connector assemblies;
(i) said first and second actuator arm assemblies each including a support member having first and second support arms secured thereto;
(j) said first support arms extended rearwardly and having said bale connector assemblies connected thereto;
(k) said second support arms connected to said drive means to control movement of said bale connector assemblies to grasp, convey, and unload the large bale member;
(l) said first and second support arms are extended perpendicular to said support member and to each other;
and
(m) said second support arms having inner adjacent ends positioned midway between said support members to achieve a substantial torque action between said first and second support arms.

11 more elements

A farm implement being a big bale handling apparatus operable to load, convey, and unload large bale members, comprising:

(a) a basic support assembly adapted to be connected to a conventional bumper hitch for conveyance purposes;
(b) a bale connector means mounted on said basic support assembly;
(c) a drive means connected to said bale connector means to power same;
(d) said bale connector means including a main support frame assembly connected to said basic support assembly and having first and second actuator arm assemblies pivotably connected to said main support frame assembly;
(e) each of said first and second arm assemblies having a bale connector assembly;
(f) said bale connector assemblies movable inwardly to grasp the large bale member and pivotal about a horizontal axis vertically to raise and lower the large bale member;
(g) said drive means connected to said first and second actuator arm assemblies, said drive means operable in a first movement to move said first and second actuator arm assemblies inwardly to grasp the large bale member;
(h) said drive means operable in a second movement to pivot said first and second actuator arm assemblies about said horizontal axis to raise the large bale member for conveyance purposes;
(i) said bale connector assembly having a resilient frame support assembly connected to said basic support assembly;
and
(j) said frame support assembly having a plunger member biased upwardly to control one of said second support arms in said second movement to hold said bale connector means in the loaded, transport position.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.