US 6,263,774 B1 · Apparatus and method for cutting twine wound about a bale

Abstract

An apparatus and method for severing twine from a bale supported by one or more grapple arms and bucket of a tractor is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a slide bar mounted to at least one grapple arm, the tines, or the bucket. The slide bar has a first end and a second end, and a blade riding on the slide bar, the blade oriented on the slide bar so that the blade contacts portion of the twine as the blade moves along the slide bar. A motor coupled to the blade for controllably moves the blade along the slide bar. The motor can be a reversible dc motor controllable by a switch, or a hydraulic motor. The twine about the bale can be cut without the need for the farmer to leave the driver's compartment of the tractor.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An apparatus for severing twine from a bale supported by one or more grapple arms of a tractor having a driver's compartment for a driver, comprising:

a slide bar mounted to at least one grapple arm, the slide bar having a first end and a second end;
a non-rotating blade guided by the slide bar, the blade oriented with respect to the slide bar so that the blade contacts a portion of the twine as the blade moves along the slide bar;
a DC motor coupled to the blade for controllably moving the blade along the slide bar;
and
a switch located within reach of the driver when the driver is in the driver's compartment, said switch controlling said DC motor wherein when said switch is depressed by said driver, the DC motor moves the blade from a first position proximate said first end, cutting through the twine, to a second position proximate said second end thereby cutting said twine therebetween.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for cutting twine wound about a bale

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for cutting twine wound about a bale

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13