Bale carrying apparatus

A bale handling device for attachment to a front end loader having first and second forwardly extending lifting arms, said bale handling device comprising:

• (a) a support frame for attachment to the front end loader, said support frame including connection means for interconnecting said support frame to the lifting arms;
• (b) forwardly extending support means for supporting single round bales, said support means being interconnected with said support frame and extending forwardly therefrom, wherein forwardly extending means extending away from the front end loader and rearwardly extending means extending toward the front end loader when said frame is interconnected therewith;
• (c) first and second forwardly extending gripping arms, said gripping arms spaced apart to receive a bale therebetween, said gripping arms being slidably interconnected with said support frame;
• and
• (d) manipulation means for manipulating said slidable gripping arms, said manipulation means being constructed and arranged to selectively manipulate said slidable gripping arms such that said gripping arms can cooperate to grip the bale therebetween;
• wherein said manipulation means include a hydraulic actuator fixed to the support frame, and a linkage connecting the actuator to the gripping arms, such that actuating the actuator causes the gripping arms to be mutually slidably displaced to vary the distance between the gripping arms;
• and wherein each of the gripping arms are fixed to a cylindrical bearing, the cylindrical bearing being mounted on a shaft fixed to the support frame for linear movement thereon.