In a method for providing a bale of crop material that is only partially wrapped in a film, a bale of crop material is wrapped in a film with an automatic bale wrapping apparatus. Subsequently the film is provided with a plurality of perforations, and it is ensured that the perforations are present/positioned in an upper half of the bale. This ensures that there is good moisture control of the bale, with moist air able to escape, while stopping ingress of rain water. The bales are mostly dry hay or the like, and favourable perforations are radial slits. There is also provided a system for providing such bales with position controlled perforations.

A vehicle supported implement for handling separate loads independently, and related methods of use, are presented. The implement is configured to move a load, such as a hay bale, rotating the load radially about an axis, from a first position at a first elevation to a second position at a second elevation. It includes a first frame member and a second frame member pivotally connected to the first frame member at a joint. The axis of rotation intersects the joint normal to the back side of the first frame member and the second frame member rotates radially about the axis of rotation between the first position and the second position. The implement includes an actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, connected to the frame members to control the rotation. The implement includes an attachment feature on the back side to secure it to a vehicle.

A bale shredder apparatus may comprise a frame and a bale hopper mounted on the frame and defining an interior bale chamber for receiving a bale to be shredded with a bale feed opening. A bale shredding assembly may be in communication with the bale chamber through the opening to shred a bale in the bale chamber. A side wall of the hopper may be movable away from the primary side wall to permit removal of a bale from the bale chamber. A primary bale movement assembly may move a bale in a lateral direction toward the opening and a secondary bale movement assembly may move the bale in a direction substantially transverse to the lateral direction. A shredding rotor of the shredding assembly may include at least one brace including at least one leg extending outwardly from the outer surface of the rotor.

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 conversion kit for converting a front-loader bucket for use as a forklift, a bale transporter or similar object mover. Parallel tine assemblies pivoted to a bucket top include tines that normally project forwardly, and cooperating vertical arms linked to the tines. The arms are fastened at their bottoms within protective elbow brackets to which the tines are pinned. The arms support hollow pivot sleeves penetrated by axle members that enable tine assembly rotation. A plurality of box-like receivers forming sockets enable the quick connection and/or disconnection of parts. Lower receiver sockets removably support pivot sleeves secured to quick-connect plugs that are penetrated by axle segments. A pair of rigid, tine stowage brackets may be secured at the rear. After the projecting tines are unpinned from front mounted elbow brackets, the tine assembly may rotate over the bucket to an out-of-the way position.

A portable weighing scale for weighing a bale of crop includes a support frame configured to be transported on ground. A powered lift is operatively coupled to the support frame and configured to lift the bale of crop off the ground. A weight measurement system is operatively coupled to the support frame and configured to measure the weight or mass of the bale of crop when the bale of crop is lifted off the ground by the power lift.

An attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle is designed to engage, carry and unroll a round hay bale. The attachment can be adjusted to interact with hay bales of various lengths. The attachment includes a support structure with features to attach to the vehicle. A first end of a first arm is pivotably connected proximate a first end of the support structure. A first end of a second arm is pivotably connected proximate the first end of the support structure. A spacing link is pivotably connected to second ends of the first and second arms. A first hay bale spear is attached to the spacing link. A third arm has a first end pivotably connected proximate a second end of the support structure. A second hale bay spear is attached proximate to a second end of the third arm and faces toward the first hay bale spear.

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 bale processor and transport apparatus includes a bale processor, and a hitch assembly attached to a rear end of the bale processor. A bale trailer is attached to the hitch assembly, and the bale trailer comprises a trailer conveyor operative to move bales forward on the bale trailer. A lift frame is provided on the bale processor above the hitch, and the lift frame is operative to receive a transported bale from the trailer conveyor and pivot the transported bale upward and forward into a chamber of the bale processor.

A bale loading apparatus has a base frame mounted to a loader vehicle operative to move the base frame up and down. Right and left fork frames are connected to right and left portions of the base frame by corresponding right and left linkages, and right and left fork pairs extend away from the loader end of the base frame. A right actuator is operative to pivot the right fork pair with respect to the base frame upward and outward to the right of a path of the loader vehicle from a lowered right position to a raised right position, and a left actuator is operative to pivot the left fork pair with respect to the base frame upward and outward to the left of the path of the loader vehicle from a lowered left position to a raised left position.