Hay handler and unroller apparatus with improved clamp arm and bracket design

A clamping means for use in a hay handler and unroller apparatus for transporting and unrolling hay bales having generally cylindrical or rectangular shapes with varying lengths and diameters, the length of the bales being between a maximum length and a minimum length, said clamping means being connectable by a frame having a first end and a second end to a three point hitch to a tractor, said clamping means being attached at each end of said frame and extending forwardly therefrom so as to define an opening/cavity in which said hay bale is contained, said clamping means including:

• a pair of brackets attached to each end of said frame, allowing for limited pivotal movement of said brackets about said frame, each bracket being disposed in either a first position or a second position depending upon the length of the bale of hay to be handled, said second position enabling said apparatus to handle a longer bale of hay then when said bracket is maintained in said first position;
• a pair of clamp arms, each clamp arm having a first end attached to said bracket and forwardly extending from said bracket and said frame, said clamp arms being disposed in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to said frame;
• a pair of positioning means allowing for limited pivotal movement of said clamp arms and said brackets to accommodate varying lengths of hay bales, each positioning means including a pivot arm having a first end and a second end and a push arm having a first end and a second end, said first end of said push arm being connected to said bracket, said second end of said push arm connected to said first end of said pivot arm allowing for pivotal movement of said pivot arm with respect to said push arm, said second end of said pivot arm being connected to said frame allowing for pivotal movement of said pivot arm with respect to said frame;
• and
• a pair of securing means provided for ensuring said hay bale is tightly secured between said arms, said securing means being mounted to the second end of each clamp arm and extending inwardly towards each other.