Patent ID: 9210843
Filing Date: 2015-12-15
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. In combination, a tractor having a motive power source, a three-point hitch having a pair of lift arms and a stabilizer arm, and a dual bale lift having longitudinal and machinery pivots, said dual bale lift comprising: a transversely positioned upstanding frame having a generally horizontally extending member that terminates at distal ends, a vertical riser rising from said generally horizontally extending member between said distal ends, and mounting means connected to said lift arms and said stabilizer arm; a boom member pivotally connected to said frame for pivotal movement about a boom pivot axis generally parallel to a tractor longitudinal axis and in a plane generally parallel to said frame; a pair of bale supports adjacent to the ends of the boom member that are operative to pierce and support a large bale for lifting and transport, each of said pair of bale supports having a strike plate, each one of said first and second strike plates having a generally horizontal face, a generally vertical face, and an angled lip extending from said generally vertical face, said angled lip adapted to operatively accommodate limited twist in sad vertical riser and said boom member and thereby facilitate engagement with said generally horizontally extending member, a first one of said strike plates defining a first limit of rotation of said boom member by operatively engaging with said generally horizontally extending member adjacent a first end of said generally horizontally extending member when said boom member reaches said first limit of rotation, and a second one of said strike plates defining a second limit of rotation of said boom member distal to said first limit of rotation by operatively engaging with said generally horizontally extending member adjacent a second end of said generally horizontally extending member distal to said first end when said boom member reaches said second limit of rotation; and a hydraulic cylinder coupled between said boom member and said frame, and operative to control a pivotal orientation of said boom member about the boom pivot axis, and thereby allow an operator to selective raise a first one of said two bale supports, while simultaneously lowering a second one of said two bale supports.