US 8,474,222 B2Granted

System for handling and wrapping large bales

AssigneewRapidRover, LLC

InventorsJohn Shoemaker, David T. Shoemaker

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Abstract

A large bale transporter and an accompanying bale wrapper create a system for wrapping plastic around large bales retrieved by the transporter. The transporter has a loading apparatus that deposits large bales onto the load bed of the transporter until filled. The transporter is then manipulated to connect to a bale wrapper physically and operatively so that the bales can be moved into the wrapping apparatus. The frame of the transporter is pivotally connected to the axle to allow the rear end of the frame to be lowered to the ground to engage the bale wrapper and/or retrieve previously wrapped bales. The wrapping apparatus is powered by the drive mechanism of the transporter and is automatically disengaged when a pusher member placed at the end of the bales being discharged engages the drive coupler. An endless chain drive is drivable in opposite directions to move the bales on the transporter.

Claims25

Dependent claims

Apparatus for transporting and wrapping large bales comprising:

a transporter including:
a longitudinally extending transporter bed defining a forward end and a rearward end;
a bale conveying mechanism associated with said transporter bed to move large bales loaded onto said transporter bed rearwardly;
a pick-up apparatus mounted at said forward end to engage large bales on the surface of the ground and elevate said large bales onto said transporter bed;
a drive mechanism powering the operation of said bale conveying mechanism and said pick-up apparatus;
and
a connector located at said rearward end;
and
a bale wrapper detachably connectable to said rearward end of said transporter in longitudinal alignment with said transporter bed and including:
a bale wrapping apparatus operable to receive large bales from said rearward end of said transporter bed and to wrap plastic material around a periphery of said large bales;
a driven mechanism to drive the operation of said bale wrapping apparatus;
and
a connection mechanism engagable with said connector on said transporter to detachably couple said bale wrapper to said rearward end of said transporter.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/835,771Filed 14 Jul 2010 · us provisional application
Priority: 15 Jul 2009
Published: US 2011/0014022 A120 Jan 2011
Granted: 2 Jul 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

A01D 90/083
With bale-forming means additionally used for loading; with means for picking-up bales and transporting them into the vehicle: round-bale trailers
A01B 59/042
For machines pulled or pushed by a tractor: having pulling means arranged on the rear part of the tractor
A01D 87/122
Loaders for sheaves, stacks or bales: for bales on the ground
A01F 25/14
Storing agricultural or horticultural produce; Hanging-up harvested fruit: containers specially adapted for storing