A grappler for a utility implement for handling bales includes a pivot frame, at least one support arm coupled to the pivot frame, and a selectively movable cutting device. The grappler forms part of a utility implement along with a bucket such that the grappler is movable with respect to the bucket.

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.

The present invention relates to a bale cutting apparatus comprising attachment means for coupling the apparatus to a prime mover and a cutting means to cut through a bale containing fodder. The apparatus has cutting means that is operable to retain the bale against a stop member and cut through the bale such that the fodder is discharged from the bale and any bale covering materials are retained by the apparatus. The present invention eliminates the need to separately remove any covering materials in which the fodder is wrapped.

A harvesting machine includes a main frame having a main actuator; a cutting frame having a crop guiding surface including a plurality of slots extending in a direction of travel of crop over the crop guiding surface and a plurality of knives pivotally mounted below the crop guiding surface; an outer frame being pivotable around a common pivot axis and being connected to the actuator; an inner frame having a plurality of operating units, and a selector mechanism configured to selectively engage one or more of the plurality of operating units. The outer frame includes an axis for pivotally holding a plurality of levers, each lever being pivotally connected to an operating unit of each knife. Guides are provided for lateral movement of the crop guiding surface with the plurality of knives from an operating position into a servicing position and vice versa.

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.

In at least one embodiment, a bale feeder assembly is provided comprising a housing having side walls and a feed assembly disposed between the side walls. The feed assembly has a proximal end and a distal end, and is structured to move a bale of material. The bale feeder also has a movable platform connected to the proximal end of the feed assembly to move the bale along the housing, and wherein the movable platform is rotatable between a generally horizontal position and a generally perpendicular position relative to the housing. The bale feeder also has a shredder disposed adjacent the distal end of the feed assembly to shred the bale, the feed assembly being disposed at an angle such that the proximal end is in a plane spaced below a plane the distal end is disposed in and the feed assembly with the movable platform is capable of moving a bale of material or a portion of a bale of material towards the shredder for shredding.

A bale unroller includes a longitude, a bale cutting assembly, and a dispersing assembly. The bale cutting assembly includes a cutting conveyor, and the bale cutting assembly configured to receive the bale on a first side of the cutting conveyor and to cut the bale into a mat. The dispersing assembly has a longitudinally rear end and an exit longitudinally forward from the longitudinally rear end. The dispersing assembly is coupled at the longitudinally rear end with the bale cutting assembly and is configured to receive the mat and feed the mat out the exit along the longitude.

A bale mover with self-adjusting spinners for loading/unloading bales and unrolling bales. The bale mover includes a cross member and a pair of opposing arms that extend generally orthogonally to the cross member. The cross member is pivotable about an axis extending transverse to the bale mover to move the arms to extend away from the bale mover. The arms are moveable toward one another to pinch a bale between distal ends thereof. A spinner is provided at the distal end of each arm. The spinners include axles secured to the arms and spinner bodies which are rotatable about the respective axles to facilitate rotation of a bale engaged by the spinners. The spinners are also pivotable relative to the axles to enable alignment of the spinners with surfaces of the bale.

Disclosed are hay bale spikes for tractors used to carry hay bales. A hay bale carrying system includes a frame attachable to a tractor. The frame includes a first spike rigidly connected and a second spike movably attached parallel to the first spike, where the second spike is movable to a position that is not parallel to the first spike. An opening in the frame may position a pin to matingly accept the second spike that includes a lever arm on the opposite side of the pin from the spike. The lever arm may include a connector near its end connectable to a hydraulic cylinder such that expansion and contraction of the hydraulic cylinder provides leverage through the pin to the second spike to move the second spike from a first parallel position relative to the first spike to a second non-parallel position.

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.