Bale handling apparatus

Bale handling apparatus adapted for use in operable joinder with the bucket of a front-end loader, said bucket being supported by paired lift arms in a manner permitting powered pivotal movement between upper and lower positions, said apparatus comprised of:

• a) a grapple comprised of parallel arms and a horizontal axle, and
• b) coupling means interactive between said grapple and bucket and comprised of:
• 1) rigid grapple supporting means disposed upon each lift arm and comprised of first and second members which define a triangular relationship with said lift arm, said first members having an upper extremity penetrated by said horizontal axle and thereby rotatably supporting said grapple at an elevation above said bucket,
• 2) an activation lever orthogonally affixed to said horizontal axle adjacent the midpoint thereof and having an elongated slot parallel to the arms of said grapple,
• 3) anchor means attached to said bucket and extending rearwardly therefrom in alignment with said activation lever, and
• 4) a linkage pin removably held by said anchor means and slidably engaging said elongated slot, whereby
• c) when the bucket is powered to its lower position, the grapple is automatically and synchronously swung upwardly away from the bucket, and when the bucket is powered to its upper position, the grapple is automatically and synchronously swung downwardly toward the bucket.