Patent ID: 8156720
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: A01D,B66C

Abstract:
1. A grapple apparatus for handling cotton modules, said grapple apparatus comprising: a frame comprising first and second portions, said second portion selectively movable relative to the first portion between an opened position and a closed position, said frame defining a module-holding space when said second portion of said frame is in its closed position; at least one powered roller device connected to said frame and selectively active to rotate an associated cotton module located in said module-holding space relative to said frame about a module axis of rotation; and, first and second parallel spaced-apart ribs connected to said first portion of said frame and adapted to mate with a quick-coupler carried by an associated loader machine such that said grapple apparatus is selectively carried by the associated loader machine; a cutter arm movably connected to the frame, said cutter arm movable between a storage position and an operative cutting position; a cutter arm actuator operatively connected to the cutter arm for selectively moving said cutter arm to and between its storage and cutting positions; a wrap cutter connected to said cutter arm; a wrap cutter actuator operatively connected to the wrap cutter for selectively moving the wrap cutter along a cutting path to cut a wrap located on the associated cotton module when said cutter arm is located in its cutting position.