Combination round bale feeder

Abstract

A combination round bale feeder includes tubular U-shaped ribs arranged to form a cradle framework. The cylindrical shape of the feeder keeps the enclosed hay bale or other forage centered, while the spacing of frame members allows controlled access to all of the enclosed forage. A removable gate is provided at the rear of the feeder to permit easy loading and includes brackets to allow the gate to be hung on the side of the feeder during loading. A removable plastic floor sheet is also provided that converts the feeder into a trough for supplemental feed. A mounting platform with skid pipes elevates the framework above the ground and allows the feeder to be pushed or pulled to different locations. The compact construction of the feeder also allows for convenient transport in the bed of a pickup truck as well as manual handling by as few as two persons.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.