Means for loading and transporting bales

Abstract

A bale transport comprising a carrier frame including a pair of elongated spaced beams and a pair of elongated rails secured to the beams and spaced inwardly therefrom in general parallel relation thereto. Wheels are secured to the carrier frame, and hydraulic cylinders connect the carrier frame and the wheels for raising and lowering the frame with respect to the ground surface. A loading frame is on the carrier frame and a power mechanism on the carrier frame rigidly extends the loading frame laterally with respect to the carrier frame in order to load a bale onto the elongated movable height adjustable carrier frame. In operation, the loading frame is slid laterally by the power mechanism to a laterally extended position with respect the carrier frame. The carrier frame is moved longitudinally so that the loading frame is on an engagable position with a bale to be loaded resting on a supporting surface. The carrier frame is lowered to substantially the same level as the surface supporting the bale. The loading frame is then retracted laterally towards the carrier to engage and move the bale onto said carrier frame without lifting. The carrier frame is then raised to an elevated position with respect to the supporting surface in order to carry the bale on the wheeled transport.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.