A feeding system for feeding animals, in particular cows, includes a feed storage system for keeping feed for the animals in store, and a feed loading device for loading a batch of feed from the feed storage system into a receptacle of an autonomous feeding device in order to teed the animals. The feed loading device is provided with a feed grabber including two grab buckets which are hingeable between an open position and a closed position. The feed grabber includes an actuation device for actuating the grab buckets from the open position to the closed position. The actuation device includes a rotatably drivable winding-up body which is connected to one of the grab buckets and includes a winding circumference, and an arm which is connected between the winding-up body and the other grab bucket. The arm includes a plurality of mutually, hingeably connected arm sections which are made from stainless steel or a material having substantially the same strength and corrosion-resistant properties as stainless steel. The arm sections, in the open position of the grab buckets, extend substantially in line with one another. The arm sections, from the open position of the grab buckets, when the winding-up body is rotatably driven, are wound about the winding circumference of the winding-up body in order to pull the grab buckets towards the closed position. The arm sections are configured in such a way that the winding circumference of the winding-up body can be covered substantially in its entirety by at most 8 arm sections, preferably at most 6 arm sections, in particular 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 arm sections.

A clam bucket assembly comprise an assembly framework which comprises an upper section and a lower section. First and second clam buckets are supported by the lower section of the assembly framework, a first bucket cylinder controls operation of the first clam bucket to engage and discharge a desired bulk material, and a second bucket cylinder controls operation of the second clam bucket to engage and discharge a desired bulk material. The clam bucket assembly supports its own independent power module for supplying hydraulic power to at least the first and the second bucket cylinders and controlling operation of the first and the second clam buckets. The power module is supported by the upper section of the assembly framework, and the clam bucket assembly is completely powered solely by the power module and controlled by radio remote control receiver and transmitter.

A grabbing device having a plurality of jaws which can be moved between an open position and a closed position to enable the device to grasp an object(s). The technology finds particular application in the forestry industry and moving logs.

A system and method for controlling a grapple is described in embodiments herein. A variable pressure control may be implemented that controls the pressure applied to a load held by the grapple. An interlock mechanism may be employed on the felling grapple that disables the operation of components of the felling grapple such as a feller. A grapple release mechanism may be activated to release the pressure applied to the load in the event of a malfunction in the felling grapple.

A system and method for controlling a grapple is described in embodiments herein. A variable pressure control may be implemented that controls the pressure applied to a load held by the grapple. An interlock mechanism may be employed on the felling grapple that disables the operation of components of the felling grapple such as a feller. A grapple release mechanism may be activated to release the pressure applied to the load in the event of a malfunction in the felling grapple.

A material handling device for the loosening of forage, in particular silage from a silo. The material handling device is provided with a grab device provided with grab device members of which the edges facing towards each other are provided with cutting elements. The grab device members are movable between a closed position and an opened position, wherein the cutting elements are positioned at an angle with the vertical. This angle is in the range of 25 to 25 degrees, preferably 15 to 15 degrees with the vertical.

A material handling device for the loosening of forage, in particular silage from a silo. The material handling device is provided with a grab device provided with grab device members of which the edges facing towards each other are provided with cutting elements. The grab device members are movable between a closed position and an opened position, wherein the cutting elements are positioned at an angle with the vertical. This angle is in the range of 25 to 25 degrees, preferably 15 to 15 degrees with the vertical.

A grabbing device having a plurality of jaws which can be moved between an open position and a closed position to enable the device to grasp an object(s). The technology finds particular application in the forestry industry and moving logs.

An insulating felling grapple is used with an insulating utility vehicle. The utility worker stands on the ground near the worksite and remotely controls the insulating felling grapple and the utility vehicle to perform the task. In addition to other standard trimming and removal tasks, the insulating felling grapple is adapted to allow for the removal of energized vegetation material. In one method, the utility worker grasps the energized vegetation material, lifts or moves the energized vegetation material such that it is no longer energized, severs the non-energized vegetation material, and moves the severed vegetation material to a discard location. A boom assembly of the utility vehicle includes a primary insulation segment. The felling grapple includes a secondary insulation segment, as well as a grapple and a feller. The grapple has at least two tines for gripping the energized material. The feller is configured to sever the energized or nonenergized material.

An insulating felling grapple is used with an insulating utility vehicle. The utility worker stands on the ground near the worksite and remotely controls the insulating felling grapple and the utility vehicle to perform the task. In addition to other standard trimming and removal tasks, the insulating felling grapple is adapted to allow for the removal of energized vegetation material. In one method, the utility worker grasps the energized vegetation material, lifts or moves the energized vegetation material such that it is no longer energized, severs the non-energized vegetation material, and moves the severed vegetation material to a discard location. A boom assembly of the utility vehicle includes a primary insulation segment. The felling grapple includes a secondary insulation segment, as well as a grapple and a feller. The grapple has at least two tines for gripping the energized material. The feller is configured to sever the energized or nonenergized material.