Bale handling apparatus with wrap remover

Abstract

An apparatus for lifting, moving, and dispersing bales of material while retaining and separating wrap material from the baled material. The apparatus contains grasping features which are movable to grasp and release bales of various sizes. Grasping features further contain features to grasp and sever wrap material while minimally cutting the baled material.

Claims

1. An apparatus for separating bale contents from wrap material comprising: A. two or more prongs, at least one of which is movable toward and away from another of said prongs wherein: i. at least one of said prongs is configured with means for cutting wrap material constraining a bale without cutting through substantially all of the bale; and ii. another of said prongs is configured with means for capturing and retaining wrap material constraining the bale.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: A. at least one of said prongs is linearly movable toward and away from a point between said prongs.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for cutting wrap material constraining a bale without cutting through substantially all of the bale comprise: A. a movable blade.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: A. said movable blade extends beyond a face of said prong when cutting wrap material constraining a bale.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein: A. said movable blade does not extend beyond a face of said prong when not cutting wrap material constraining a bale.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: A. said movable blade is movable along an arc about a point behind a face of said prong.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: A. said prong configured with means for cutting wrap material constraining a bale without cutting through substantially all of the bale further comprises: i. a plurality of ribs which extend from a face of said prong adjacent said means for cutting wrap material.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: A. said plurality of ribs which extend from a face of said prong adjacent said means for cutting wrap material constraining a bale: i. extend from said face on two sides of said means for cutting wrap material constraining a bale.

9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: i. said means for capturing and retaining wrap material constraining the bale extend along substantially all of a face of said prong.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: A. said means for capturing and retaining wrap material constraining the bale comprise a plurality of curved members.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: A. said means for capturing and retaining wrap material constraining the bale do not extend beyond a face of said prong when neither capturing nor retaining wrap material.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: A. said means for capturing and retaining wrap material constraining the bale extend beyond a face of said prong when capturing or retaining wrap material.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein: A. the distance said means for capturing and retaining wrap material constraining the bale extend beyond a face of said prong when capturing or retaining wrap material is adjustable.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: A. said prong configured with means for capturing and retaining wrap material constraining the bale further comprise: i. a plurality of ribs which extend from a face of said prong adjacent said means for capturing and retaining wrap material constraining the bale.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: A. said plurality of ribs which extend from a face of said prong adjacent said means for capturing and retaining wrap material constraining the bale: i. extend from said face on two sides of said means for capturing and retaining wrap material constraining the bale.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: A. a plurality of spears configured to pierce a plurality of bales being handled.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein: A. said plurality of prongs are configured to rotate from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said two or more prongs are movable and connected through a control system which equalizes pressure by the prongs such that approximately equal pressure is applied by two or more prongs on a bale being handled.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: A. said apparatus is configured to be attached and detached from a motorized vehicle using a mounting standard shared with other detachable apparatuses.

20. A method of separating bale contents from wrap material comprising: A. clamping a bale between a plurality of prongs, at least one of which is movable laterally toward another; B. capturing wrap material constraining the bale; C. cutting wrap material constraining the bale without cutting through substantially all of the bale; D. releasing the bale contents by moving at least one of the plurality of prongs laterally away from another; and E. separately releasing wrap material which previously constrained the bale.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 shows the apparatus with the prongs in a retracted position.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows the apparatus with installed spears with the prongs in a retracted position.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows the apparatus with installed spears with the prongs in an extended position.

[0024] FIG. 4 shows the apparatus with installed spears with the prongs in a vertical position.

[0025] FIG. 5 shows the apparatus with installed spears with the cutting prong exploded.

[0026] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of components of the retention prong.

[0027] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the squeeze/pivot mechanism.

[0028] FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of a quick-detach mechanism.

[0029] FIG. 9a shows a top view of the cutting prong with the blade in a partially extended position.

[0030] FIG. 9b shows a top side view of the cutting prong with the blade in a partially extended position.

[0031] FIG. 10a shows a top view of the cutting prong with the blade in an extended position.

[0032] FIG. 10b shows a top side view of the cutting prong with the blade in an extended position.

[0033] FIG. 11a shows a top view of the retention prong with the hooks in a retracted position.

[0034] FIG. 11b shows a top side view of the retention prong with the hooks in a retracted position.

[0035] FIG. 12a shows a top view of the retention prong with the hooks in a partially extended position.

[0036] FIG. 12b shows a top side view of the retention prong with the hooks in a partially extended position.

[0037] FIG. 13a shows a top view of the retention prong with the hooks in an extended position.

[0038] FIG. 13b shows a top side view of the retention prong with the hooks in an extended position.

[0039] FIG. 14 shows the apparatus lifting a single square bale using the prongs.

[0040] FIG. 15 shows the apparatus lifting two square bales using the prongs.

[0041] FIG. 16 shows the apparatus lifting a single round twine-wrapped bale using the prongs.

[0042] FIG. 17 shows the apparatus lifting a single round net-wrapped bale using the prongs.

[0043] FIG. 18 shows the apparatus lifting a single round bale using the spears.

[0044] FIG. 19 shows the apparatus lifting two round bales using the spears.

[0045] FIG. 20 shows a flow chart of using the apparatus too feed a bale.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0046] The apparatus is preferably attached to a tractor or other locomotive apparatus which is configured to provide hydraulic power to attached accessories. The apparatus is preferably attached using a quick attach/detach configuration shared among accessories and a variety of quick attach/detach adapters may be attached to the apparatus to allow it to be mounted to various quick attach/detach standards used by different manufactures, industries, etc.

[0047] The apparatus is preferably connected to three separate hydraulic circuits on the tractor. One circuit is used to power/control the prongs squeezing a bale. A second circuit is used to power/control features which grab and cut the material forming the bale. A third circuit is used to rotate the prongs between horizontal and vertical orientations.

[0048] The apparatus preferably has two prongs. One prong is configured with features to grab the net wrap, twine, silage wrap or other material forming the bale. The other prong is configured with features to cut the net wrap, twine, silage wrap, or other material forming the bale. By placing cutting and grabbing features on opposite sides of a bale, the length of strings or wrap hang down from the features grabbing the net wrap, twine, silage wrap or other material forming the bale is minimized. The apparatus is also preferably configured with multiple spears parallel to the prongs when the prongs are in a horizontal orientation. The spears are configured to pierce the bale(s) being handled.

[0049] A bale, regardless of whether it has a generally cylindrical (“round”), rectangular prism (“square”) shape is then approached. The bale is approached with the faces of the bale having exposed wrap on the outside. The tractor is then driven up to the end of the bale with the spear(s) piercing the bale. The prongs are then actuated and caused to clamp the bale. Force equalization features cause approximately equal force to be applied to the bale from either side without significantly changing the position of the bale relative to the spear(s). Sufficient force is applied using the prongs to provide relatively consistent contact along the length of the bale and reduce bulging between twine strands or wrap material.

[0050] The apparatus is then lifted if the bale is to be “fed” at another location and the tractor is driven to the desired location. The cut/capture features are activated. When they are activated, the capture hooks swing out into the bale along substantially the entire length of the prong. Because the hooks cover the length of the prong, the wrap, regardless of the material, is captured along with a minimal amount of the baled material. The hooks preferably swing toward the tractor. Simultaneously, or shortly thereafter, the blade begins an orbital movement out, between the ribs, into the bale, and back into the prong. The blade is preferably serrated such that it saws as it orbits through the exterior region of the bale.

[0051] The pressure between the prongs is then reduced by moving the prongs apart. The tractor is then reversed, and or the spears are tipped down to aid in removing the bale from between the prongs. The prongs may also optionally be rotated in/toward a vertical orientation to aid in separating the baling material from the bale contents. The tractor is then driven to where the wrap will be deposited. The capture features are then deactivated and gravity pulls the baling material away. The process is then repeated as necessary.

[0052] When using the apparatus to move, rather than feed, bales, the prongs are rotated to a vertical orientation where they serve as a headboard. The spears are then used to move bales in a manner well known in the art, with the exception of improved handing of stacked bales due to the headboard.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0053] The apparatus has particular applicability in agricultural settings where bundles of material (grass, hay, straw, etc) are moved and fed to animals. The apparatus reduces the need for individuals to mount and dismount a vehicle when moving bales, dispersing bale contents, and accumulating bale material for discard/disposal.

SEQUENCE LISTING

[0054] Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING FREE TEXT

[0055] Not Applicable