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.

The present invention involves a mechanism for collecting bales left in fields. The mechanism includes a bale collecting attachment configured for being operationally mounted on a vehicle, such as a skid skeeter, a tractor, wheel loader, all-terrain vehicle, or other off-road vehicle. The attachment includes a vehicle attachment portion. a frame support portion operably coupled to the vehicle attachment portion, and a bale securing portion pivotally mounted on the frame support. The bale securing portion has a spear, fork, clamp or similar mechanism to grab a bale in the field. In some embodiments, the bale securing portion is capable of pivotally moving the bale so that a bale may be picked up by the attachment, the vehicle may then move the attachment to a larger transport facility where the bale may be set down and unloaded.

A method of loading bales into a bale processing chamber of a bale processor. The bale processing chamber is mounted on a chamber frame mounted on wheels for travel on a ground surface in a forward operating travel direction. A bale fork is pivotally mounted on the chamber frame such that in a lowered position the bale fork is oriented substantially horizontally and rests on the ground surface. The chamber frame is moved rearward such that the bale fork slides under a bale resting on the ground surface with a bale axis oriented substantially horizontally in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the operating travel direction. The bale fork and the bale supported thereon are raised above the ground surface. The bale fork is turned such that the bale axis turns to a second direction substantially parallel to the operating travel direction while maintaining the bale rearward of the bale processing chamber. The bale fork is raised to a raised position where the bale falls into the bale processing chamber with the bale axis oriented in the second direction.

The disclosure relates to a device of a vehicle, in particular a tractor, having a hydraulic activation unit for controlling the operation of a towed implement on the vehicle, comprising at least one position detection unit with at least one camera, position detection marks, and an evaluation unit and a data-transmitting connection to a control unit which is assigned to the hydraulic activation unit. Furthermore, a method is proposed, wherein by means of such a position detection unit the position of the towed implement can be determined, and the position can be adjusted according to requirements by suitable operation of the hydraulic activation unit.

A work vehicle and a method for operating a work vehicle are disclosed. The work vehicle comprises a work vehicle chassis, a lifting assembly, a bale handling implement, a sensor arrangement being positioned and configured to optically detect the bale on the ground and a position and/or a space orientation of the bale and a driver assistance system comprising a controller. The sensor arrangement is configured to optically identify a target location on the bale used for picking up the bale with the bale handling implement, the lifting assembly being controlled by the controller based on the target location while the work vehicle is approaching the bale such that the bale handling implement is positioned at the target location on the bale when picking up the bale from the ground.

A method of grasping a bale of crop material and placing the bale in a bale wagon, the method comprising the steps of sensing, grasping and evaluating. The sensing step includes sensing a presence of a bale between grasping arms of a bale grasping mechanism. The grasping step includes grasping the bale with the grasping arms. The evaluating step includes evaluating a size of the bale that has been grasped.

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 sled assembly for the transport of a one or more round bales across a ground surface being soft. Said sled configured to slide on top of said ground surface. Said hitch assembly having said lowered configuration and said raised configuration. Said hitch assembly configured to selectively attach to said vehicle and to enable said sled assembly to be dragged behind said vehicle. Said sled comprising said side rail assemblies and said cross beams. Said hitch assembly fixed to a first end of said sled. Said sled assembly further comprising a one or more wheel assemblies.

The present invention is a high reach lifting big bale fork attachment for attachment to a wheel loader, a large front end loader for an agricultural tractor, a large construction loader, a large forklift or other big bale handling equipment. The high reach lifting big bale fork attachment has a rear coupler slide assembly slidingly connected to a sliding mast assembly having two spaced mast I-beams each beam having a straight rear rail and an arced front rail. When attached to a wheel loader or bale handling equipment, the invention provides improved elevation and offset capabilities to the wheel loader or other bale handling equipment in lifting, moving, tilting, and depositing or retrieving one or more vertically stacked bales onto or from a place of deposit such as the ground, hay barn or shed, or a preexisting bale stack in an agricultural setting. When equipped with the invention, the bale handling equipment can place or retrieve bales higher and further forward and over higher obstacles.

A method of loading bales into a bale processing chamber of a bale processor. The bale processing chamber is mounted on a chamber frame mounted on wheels for travel on a ground surface in a forward operating travel direction. A bale fork is pivotally mounted on the chamber frame such that in a lowered position the bale fork is oriented substantially horizontally and rests on the ground surface. The chamber frame is moved rearward such that the bale fork slides under a bale resting on the ground surface with a bale axis oriented substantially horizontally in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the operating travel direction. The bale fork and the bale supported thereon are raised above the ground surface. The bale fork is turned such that the bale axis turns to a second direction substantially parallel to the operating travel direction while maintaining the bale rearward of the bale processing chamber. The bale fork is raised to a raised position where the bale falls into the bale processing chamber with the bale axis oriented in the second direction.