Patent ID: 7465140
Filing Date: 2008-12-16
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for handling and loading bales, the apparatus comprising: a wheeled base frame for traveling over a ground surface provided with bales to be handled and loaded, the wheeled base frame having opposite front and rear sections, and opposite side sections, the wheeled base frame including a main platform for receiving bales to be loaded thereon; a manipulating assembly projecting from a side section of the wheeled base frame for grabbing bales positioned on the ground surface and loading the bales onto the main platform so as to form a given row of bales transversely across the main platform, on a front portion thereof; and a displacing assembly for displacing the given row of bales longitudinally along the main platform, from the front portion to a rear portion thereof; wherein the manipulating assembly comprises a gripping assembly for gripping a given bale positioned on the ground surface; wherein the manipulating assembly further comprises a relaying assembly, said relaying assembly cooperating with the gripping assembly for receiving each bale gripped by the gripping assembly, and relaying the bale gripped by the gripping assembly via a pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis thereof onto the front portion of the main platform so as to form the given row of bales transversely across the main platform via a succession of bales loaded onto said main platform; wherein the gripping assembly comprises a substantially U-shaped frame including opposite first and second members extending substantially along the side section of the wheeled base frame, and a cross member extending between the first and second members, the U-shaped frame being pivotally movable about a longitudinal axis thereof with respect to the side section of the wheeled base frame and defining a space for longitudinally receiving therein the given bale positioned on the ground surface and to be loaded onto the main platform; wherein the U-shaped frame comprises a choker for choking the given bale once it is inserted longitudinally into the space defined by the U-shaped frame; and wherein the relaying assembly comprises an intermediate platform, said intermediate platform cooperating with the U-shaped frame of the gripping assembly and being positioned, shaped and sized with respect thereto, for receiving the given bale gripped by the gripping assembly via a pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis of the U-shaped frame towards the intermediate platform.