Patent ID: 7121783
Filing Date: 2006-10-17
Classification: A01D,A01K

Abstract:
1. Transport vehicle mounted apparatus for handling bales of bulk material, comprising; a base support structure, mounting means for mounting said base support structure on a transport vehicle, an L-shaped platform including a bale gripping frame and a bale support deck extending at substantially right angles thereto, said gripping frame including a plurality of tine structures, each said tine structures including a rotatable tine support shaft with bale engaging tines spaced therealong and moveable between a retracted position and a bale engaging position upon rotation of said shafts, motor means for selectively rotating said tine supporting shafts, said L-shaped platform being mounted for pivotal movement on said base structure through approximately 90° between a transport position with said bale gripping frame extending substantially vertical and a bale pick-up position with the bale gripping frame extending substantially horizontal, and platform positioning means for moving said L-shaped platform between said transport position and said bale pick-up position, whereby said platform is moved to the bale pick-up position with the gripping frame in the horizontal position to engage a top surface of a bale and with the bale support deck in contact with an adjacent side thereof, said platform is then moved through approximately 90° to the transport position with the bale being supported by the bale support deck.