A fork assembly including a retention mechanism to retain an agricultural machine having a remotely controllable moveable element that is moveable between a number of positions. The retention mechanism includes a control element positioned so that, when engaged with the agricultural machine, the movement of the control element due to movement associated with the remotely controllable moveable element is arranged to cause actuation and deactuation of the retention mechanism.

A system comprises a mobile machine (14) for collecting a plurality of bales (10,12) dispersed across a ground surface and one or more computing devices. The one or more computing devices are configured to receive location and orientation information for the plurality of bales (10,12), the location and orientation information including a location and an orientation of each of the bales (10,12), automatically determine a preferred path for collecting the bales using the location and orientation information, and present information about the preferred path to an operator of the mobile machine (14).

A system comprises a mobile machine (14) for collecting a plurality of bales (10,12) dispersed across a ground surface and one or more computing devices. The one or more computing devices are configured to receive location and orientation information for the plurality of bales (10,12), the location and orientation information including a location and an orientation of each of the bales (10,12), automatically determine a preferred path for collecting the bales using the location and orientation information, and present information about the preferred path to an operator of the mobile machine (14).

A high-efficiency pickup baler crawler and automatic bale stacking system, includes a straw pickup stubble harvesting device, continuous conveying preloading device, a lower feeding type compression and baling device, bale transportation and arraying device, bale stacking device, walking device and counting control. The counting control the amount of bale compression chamber discharge, which is used to control the bale conveying device and bale stacking device, achieve the goals of automatic conveying, pushing, stacking, avoids artificial secondary handling and improve the working efficiency of the system.

An apparatus for splitting bales and retaining wrap includes a frame having an interior framework oriented at an angle relative to forwardly-projecting tines, the framework and tines together defining an upwardly-opening cradle that supports and centers a bale of forage bound with a wrap above an inverted apex of the cradle. The apparatus also includes an elongate hooking mechanism extending laterally across the underside of the wrapped bale and configured to capture the wrap together with a thin layer of forage, and an elongate blade rotatably supported on the frame and configured to rotate downward through the bale toward the inverted apex of the cradle. The apparatus further includes a first actuation device that activates the hooking mechanism to capture the wrap and layer of forage, and one or more second actuation devices that rotate the elongate blade downward through the forage to split the bale.

A trailer having a deck and a flip-over ramp. The deck and one side of the flip-over ramp are convertible from a flat position to a position with cradles that are configured to hold one or more round hay bales. The deck may tilt, and side rails may cooperate to form the cradle region. The flip over ramp may also pivot about a horizontal axis to form a pathway from a ground surface to the deck. Side rails may pivot both about a horizontal axis, and about a vertical axis near the flip-over ramp to allow clearance when the ramp is deployed.

Hydraulic power savings for a rear module handler cylinder of a round module cotton harvester is possible by using a regenerative hydraulic arrangement for raising an empty handler and using gravity to lower the handler. A bale handler system for a cotton picker baler includes a handler for receiving a round module that is movable between upright and lowered positions and a handler cylinder operably connected to the handler. The handler cylinder system includes a regenerative valve. The regenerative valve is engaged when the handler moves to the upright position during regenerative handler raise mode of operation, the regenerative valve is not engaged when the handler moves to the lowered position during float handler lower mode of operation. While in the float handler lower mode of operation, the handler cylinder retracts and diverts an oil flow pressure from a base end to a rod end of the handler cylinder.

A hay bale dryer features a support frame inside of which there is delimited at least one bale space and at least one manifold carrying a set of aeration spears movable between a deployed position penetrating the bale space and a retracted position withdrawn therefrom. The manifold is moved between the positions by way of an actuator driven linkage, and the aeration spears comprise hollow elongated bodies of tapered thickness toward their distal ends for more effective penetration of the hay bales. A manufacturing method uses a hydraulic press to produce the hollow elongated bodies from lengths of originally cylindrically pipe. Horizontal feeding tables and upright feeding racks feature displaceable bale movers for moving queued hay bales along one or more queuing lanes into one or more bale dryers.

An apparatus is for collecting and transporting bales. The apparatus includes a transport assembly and a grasping assembly operatively connected thereto. The transport assembly includes a bale loading platform extending above and mounted to a chassis. The bale loading platform comprises at least one bale conveying section in including a bale conveying mechanism. The grasping assembly includes a mechanical arm having a prehension end effector engageable with the bales. The grasping assembly is configurable between a bale engagement configuration for engaging a corresponding one of the bales laying on the ground, a bale capture configuration for capturing and lifting the corresponding one of the bales off the ground and a bale release configuration for releasing the corresponding one of the bales onto the bale loading platform and comprises a movement absorption mechanism operative to substantially cancel the forward displacement of the apparatus during the capture of the bales.

A gripper for an implement for handling bales includes a body having at least one support arm, at least one tine coupled to the body, and a cutting device. The at least one tine protrudes in a direction beyond the cutting device in at least one region.