A three point hay lift assembly includes a hay spear device for a three point hitch and a three point hay lift. The hay spear device includes at least one stabilizer mounted to a frame within about 24 inches of a hay spear mounted to the frame. This enables the hay spear device to be lowered without the stabilizers contacting a trailer platform or bed. The hay lift includes a tube configured to slide over the hay spear that is longer than the stabilizer of the hay spear device. A crossbar limits the insertion depth of the hay spear into the hay bale and at least one stabilizer is attached to the crossbar to prevent the hay bale from spinning. An ear extends from the tube to contact the frame of the hay spear device and prevent the tube from spinning about the hay spear.

The present invention relates to a utility vehicle hay fork attachment device that is comprised of a frame assembly further comprised of at least one horizontal frame member with at least one tine, a mounting plate, and a pair of mounting arms. The device further preferably resembles a garden fork and is made of a metal, such that it can carry strong loads and resist wear from repeated uses. The device is also comprised of mounting arms and a mounting ring that allow multiple means of attachment and support to a vehicle. In this manner, the device can be applied to any utility or all-terrain vehicle known in the art, to decrease the amount of time and effort required for moving hay bales.

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 bale processor with extended bale capacity and a kit for extending a bale capacity of a bale processor is disclosed. The extended bale capacity is provided by a bale holder mechanically coupled to the frame the bale processor. When in use, the bale holder is capable of supporting an additional bale in an intermediary position between a first bale above a disintegration rotor of the bale processor and a second bale supported by a bale carrier of the bale processor. The kit comprises an intermediary bale holder and a support frame mechanically mountable to a back section of a bale processor.

A retention mechanism for retaining an agricultural machine in engagement with a fork assembly. The mechanism may be provided on the fork assembly, agricultural machine or split between them. The retention mechanism may be actuated by a foot associated with either the fork assembly or the agricultural machine. The retention mechanism may employ pivoting latches or a clamping mechanism that clamps upon the forks or tines.

A bale transporter (1) for transporting four rows (3) of bales (2) comprises a chassis (5), a first framework (20) mounted on the chassis (5) for carrying a lower two of the rows (3) of bales (2), and a secondary framework (26) for carrying an upper two of rows (3) of bales (2). A pair of transfer elements (60) are pivotally coupled to the chassis (5) about respective first pivot axes (61) between a first state for picking up bales from the ground, and a second state for transferring the bales onto the main and secondary frameworks (20) and (26). The secondary framework (26) is urgeable between a first state adjacent the main framework (20) and a raised second state spaced apart above the secondary framework (26). Initially, with the secondary framework (26) in the first state, two rows (3) of bales (2) are picked up by the transfer elements (60) and transferred onto the secondary framework (26) which is then urged upwardly into the second state. The next two rows (3) of bales (2) are then picked up by the transfer elements (60) and are transferred onto the main framework (20).

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.

This manger style hay bale handling apparatus comprises a manger shell structure positioned within a structural frame and pivotably mounted to the structural frame and moveable between a first bale retaining position and a second bale retaining position; and wherein the manger shell structure comprises a plurality of curved shaped ribs being spaced apart to form a cradle framework providing longitudinal support for a horizontally positioned round hay bale. Rotatable locking mechanisms rotate the manger shell structure between positions.

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 hitch mounted forklift assembly includes a primary member that is insertable into a hitch receiver of a truck. A coupler is coupled to the primary member and the coupler is exposed when the primary member is positioned in the tow hitch. A lifting rail is provided that has a track gear integrated therein and a motor is coupled to the primary member. A drive gear is rotatably coupled to the motor and the drive gear engages the track gear in the lifting rail. The lifting rail is lifted upwardly or lowered downwardly by the drive gear when the motor rotates the drive gear. A cross member is coupled to the lifting rail and a plurality of tines is each from the cross member. The plurality of tines lifts and lowers a hay bale for transport.