Abstract:
A bale lift device is provided by the invention. The bale lift device includes a back frame, a spear member, and rotation axis. The back frame includes a first end, a second end, and at least one extension separating the first end from the second end. The back frame includes a first area for attaching to the loader hydraulic cylinder of a front end loader. The back frame includes a second area for attaching to the loader arm of a front end loader. The spear member includes at least one spear having a first end for penetrating a bale and a second end attached to the back frame. The rotation axis allows the spear member to rotate relative to the back frame. A front end loader having a bale lift device and a method for transporting a bale are provided. A method of assisting the removal of a bale lifting device from a bale without additional levers or hydraulic controls or hydraulic cylinders is provided. The method can utilize the controls already existing in the operational functions of the loader.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The invention relates to a bale lift device, a front end loader having a bale lift device, and a method for moving bales.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Devices are available for moving bales. Exemplary devices that can be used to move bales include any lifting device that has a pivoting bucket including boom loaders and backhoes.  
           [0003]    A device specifically designed to move bales is available under the name BS-43 Bale lift from Westendorf Mfg. Co., Inc. This device has three teeth and attaches to a front end loader. No moving parts are provided. Another device for lifting and moving bales is available under the name Square Bale Push from MDS Manufacturing Company of Parkston, S. Dak. This device includes teeth for engaging a bale and a pair of hydraulic cylinders for pushing an arm against the bale for disengaging the teeth from the bale.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    A bale lift device is provided by the invention. The bale lift device includes a back frame, spear member, and rotation axis. The back frame includes a first end, a second end, and at least one extension separating the first end from the second end. The back frame includes a first area for attaching to a loader hydraulic cylinder of a front end loader. The back frame includes a second area for attaching to a loader arm of a front end loader. The spear member includes at least one spear or tooth for engaging and holding a bale and includes a first end for penetrating the bale and a second end attached to the back frame. The rotation axis allows the plurality of teeth to rotate relative to the back frame.  
           [0005]    The bale lift device can be provided having a push off constructed to slide along at least a portion of the spear member. The push off is preferably provided adjacent the spear member to help in removal of the spear member from the bale in which it has penetrated.  
           [0006]    A method for transporting a bale is provided according to the invention. The method includes a step of engaging a bale with the bale lift device provided according to the invention on a front end loader of a tractor, and moving the bale to a different location. The method additionally includes the step of disengaging the bale lift device from the bale.  
           [0007]    An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a bale lift device that relies upon the existing hydraulic cylinder of a front end loader to cause it to disengage from a bale without damaging the bale or causing a stack of bales to fall over as the bale lift device is withdrawn from the bale. Furthermore, the bale lift device is preferably provided without an additional hydraulic cylinder and/or control for operating the bale lift device.  
           [0008]    The invention provides a means to allow the existing hydraulic cylinder of a loader to activate beneficial mechanical functions that otherwise are not available without adding an additional hydraulic system. In addition, the bale lift device provides for rotation between the back frame and the spear member about a rotation axis that can be located anywhere to provide rotation between the back frame and the spear member. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a bale lift device according to the principles of the present invention provided on a front end loader and shown engaging a bale.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the bale lift device of FIG. 1 shown partially disengaging from the bale.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the bale lift device of FIG. 1 shown further disengaging from the bale.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bale lift device according to the principles of the present invention provided on a front end loader and shown in an open position for engaging a bale.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bale lift device according to the principles of the invention provided on a front end loader and shown lifting a bale.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bale lift device of FIG. 5 shown disengaging from the bale.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a bale lift device according to the principles of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bale lift device of FIG. 7 shown in an open position.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bale lift device of FIG. 7 shown in a closed position.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the bale lift device of FIG. 7 showing the spear member and the spear elbow.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic, side view showing a bale lift device according to the principles of the present invention engaging a bale.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic, side view of the bale lift device of FIG. 11 shown partially disengaging from the bale.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic, side view of the bale lift device of FIG. 11 shown more fully disengaging from the bale. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]    Now referring to FIGS.  1 - 3 , a bale lift device according to the invention is shown at reference numeral  10 . The bale lift device  10  is shown attached to a front end loader  12  and engaging a bale  13 . The bale lift device  10  and the front end loader  12  operate in combination to allow the bale lift device  10  to spear the bale  13 , transport the bale  13  to a new location, and then release the bale lift device  10  from the bale  13 . The bale can be any type of material provided in the form of a bale such as hay and forage.  
         [0023]    The bale lift device  10  includes a back frame  14 , a spear member  16 , and a rotation axis  18  that allows the back frame  14  to rotate relative to the teeth  16 . The spear member  16  is the portion of the bale lift device  10  that engages or penetrates into the bale  13 .  
         [0024]    The spear member  16  include a plurality of teeth or tines  20  that are constructed for spearing a bale  13  as shown in FIG. 1. It should be understood that the plurality of teeth or tines  20  can be used to lift the bale without spearing the bale. That is, the teeth or tines  20  can be used so that the bale bottom surface  21  rests on top of the teeth or tines  20 . The plurality of teeth or tines  20  can be provided having the same length or different lengths. It is generally desirable to provide the plurality of teeth or tines  20  having the same length when used to transport a rectangular bale, and it is generally preferably to provide the plurality of teeth or tines  20  with different lengths when it is desirable to transport round bales. When transporting round bales, it is generally preferable that the center tooth or tine is longer than the end teeth or tines.  
         [0025]    The plurality of teeth  20  includes a teeth first end  22  that is preferably provided with a shape that allows the teeth  20  to penetrate a bale. Preferably, the teeth first end  22  is relatively sharp or pointed. The plurality of teeth  20  include a teeth second end  24  attached to a teeth stabilizing member  26 . The teeth stabilizing member  26  holds the plurality of teeth  20  together. The teeth stabilizing member  26  can be provided extending across the width of the bale lift device  10 . The stabilizing member  26  is preferably provided as a tubular steel member  27 . It should be understood that the stabilizing member can be provided as any type of material that provides the desired degree of strength for holding the plurality of teeth or tines  20  together. For example, the stabilizing member can be provided as angle iron, plate, three-sided channel, etc.  
         [0026]    The back frame  14  includes a bale engaging surface  30 . During the operation of the bale lift device  10 , the bale engaging surface  30  generally contacts and pushes against the bale  13 . The back frame  14  includes a back frame first end  32  and a back frame second end  34 . The back frame first end  32  includes a back frame first end stabilizing member  33 , and the back frame second end  34  includes a back frame second end stabilizing member  35 . The back frame stabilizing members  33  and  35  are preferably provided as tubular steel members  37 . It should be understood that the stabilizing members  33  and  35  can be manufactured from any material that provides the desired level of strength including such materials such as angle iron, plate, three-sided channel, etc. The back frame stabilizing members  33  and  35  are separated from each other by the back frame extensions  39 . The back frame extensions  39  hold the back frame stabilizing members  33  and  35  in place and can be provided in any material that provides the desired strength including those materials previously identified.  
         [0027]    The bale lift device  10  is operated by the combination of the hydraulic cylinder  36  and the loader arm  38  of the front end loader  12 . The back frame  14  is shown attached to a quick attachment device  40  that allows rapid attachment and detachment of the bale lift device  10  to the front end loader  12 . Exemplary quick attachment devices that can be used according to the invention are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,085,856 to Westendorf; 3,512,665 to Westendorf, 4,787,811 to Langenfeld et al., and 4,930,974 to Langenfeld et al. These patents are assigned to Westendorf Mfg. Co., Inc., which is the assignee of the above-identified patent application. These patents are incorporated herein by reference. Although the bale lift device  10  is preferably attached to the front end loader  12  via the quick attachment device  40 , it should be understood that the bale lift device  10  can be attached directly to the hydraulic cylinder  36  and the loader arm  38  of the front end loader  12 .  
         [0028]    The rotation axis  18  is provided to allow rotation between the back frame  14  and the plurality of teeth  20 . The back frame second end  34  and the teeth stabilizing member  26  attach to the rotation axis  18  to allow rotation about the rotation axis  18 . This allows the spear member  16  and the back frame  14  to rotate relative to each other. The angle of rotation provided between the back frame  14  and the plurality of teeth  20  is preferably between about 10° and about 110° and more preferably between about −5° and about 95°. The bale lift device  10  shown in FIG. 1 is provided in an open position where the angle of rotation between the back frame  14  and the plurality of teeth  20  is about 90°. As shown in FIG. 3, the bale lift device  10  is in a relatively closed position and the angle of rotation between the back frame  14  and the plurality of teeth  20  is about 45°. The rotation axis  18  preferably includes a rod or pivot  42  about which the back frame  14  and the plurality of teeth  20  rotate. As a matter of convenience, the bale lift device  10  can be characterized as being in an open position when it is about to engage a bale, and it can be characterized as being in a closed position when it is disengaging from a bale.  
         [0029]    The back frame first end  32  includes a fastener  44  for attaching the back frame first end  32  to the quick attachment device  40 . Preferably, the fastener  44  is a U-bolt fastener  46 . The back frame second end  34  includes a fastener  48  for attaching the back frame second end  34  to the quick attachment device  40 . Preferably, the fastener  48  is a U-bolt fastener  50 . Although FIGS.  1 - 3  show the fasteners  44  and  48  attaching the back frame first end  32  and the back frame second end  34  to the quick attachment device  40 , fasteners can instead or in addition be provided for attaching the back frame extensions  39  to the quick attachment device  40 . In addition, the fasteners can be provided for attaching the back frame  14  directly to the hydraulic cylinder and the loader arm of a front end loader or any other device provided for operating the bale lift device  10 .  
         [0030]    The bale lift device  10  is operated by retracting the hydraulic cylinder  36  so that the bale lift device  10  is provided in an open position  41 , as shown in FIG. 1. The bale lift device  10  then spears the bale  13  by movement of the front end loader  12  forward. The front end loader  12  can be used to move the bale  13  to a new location. Once the bale  13  is provided in a new location, it is desirable to remove the bale lift  10  from the bale  13  without pulling the bale  13  out of position. In the situation where the bale  13  is placed on top of a stack of bales, it is desirable to disengage the bale lift device  10  from the bale  13  without causing the stack of bales to fall over. In order to disengage the bale lift device  10  from the bale  13 , the hydraulic cylinder  36  is extended causing the back frame  14  to rotate relative to the plurality of teeth  20 . This causes the bale lift device  10  to close as shown successively in FIGS. 2 and 3. The bale lift  10  is shown in a closed position  43  in FIG. 3. As the hydraulic cylinder  36  extends, the bale engaging surface  30  of the back frame  14  pushes against the bale  13  causing the back frame  14  and the teeth member  16  to rotate about the rotation axis  18  as the plurality of teeth  20  are withdrawn from the bale  13 . When the loader  12  backs up at the same rate the hydraulic cylinder  36  extends, the bale  13  remains at its constant position.  
         [0031]    The quick attachment device  40  is shown having an attachment portion  52  that attaches to the bale lift device  10 , and a front end loader portion  54  that attaches to the front end loader. The attachment portion  52  attaches to the back frame first end  32  by the fastener  44 , and to the back frame second end  34  by the fastener  48 . The front end loader portion  54  rotatably attaches to the cylinder rod  55  of the hydraulic cylinder  36  and rotatably attaches to the loader arm  38 . The attachment portion  52  and the front end loader portion  54  attach together and detach from each other fairly easily. It should be understood that the invention could be practiced without the use of the quick attachment device  40 . That is, the cylinder rod  55  can be rotatably attached to the back frame  14  and the loader arm  38  can be rotatably attached to the back frame  14 .  
         [0032]    Now referring to FIG. 4, a bale lift device  60  is shown in an open position where the spear member  66  includes a plurality of teeth  62  that are about to engage a bale of hay  64 . The plurality of teeth  62  include a 3-tooth arrangement  66  having a center tooth  68  that is longer than the outside teeth  70  and  72 . Although this arrangement is shown engaging a rectangular bale  64 , it should be understood that this arrangement is particularly useful for round or cylindrical bales.  
         [0033]    Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a bale lift device  80  is shown in an open position  82  transporting a bale of hay  84 , and in a closed position  86  withdrawing from the bale of hay  84 . The spear member  85  includes a plurality of teeth  83  having a left tooth  87 , a center tooth  88 , and a right tooth  89  having relatively the same length. This type of arrangement is preferred for transporting a rectangular bale. The front end loader  90  includes a hydraulic cylinder  92  and a loader arm  94 . Although the description of the front end loader generally refers to “a hydraulic cylinder” and a “loader arm”, it should be understood that front end loaders typically have a left hydraulic cylinder  92 ′ and a right hydraulic cylinder  92 , and a left loader arm  94 ′ and a right loader arm  94 . The left hydraulic cylinder  92 ′ and the left loader arm  94 ′ attach to the bale lift device left side  96 , and the right hydraulic cylinder  92  and the right loader arm  94  attach to the bale lift device right side  98 . The front end loader  90  can be any front end loader commonly available on the market, but is preferably a front end loader according to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/639,039, filed on Aug. 15, 2000, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0034]    An advantage of the bale lift device of the invention is that it provides for retraction of the teeth (lifting teeth) from the bale without causing a pull or draw on the bale sufficient to cause the bale to fall. By providing rotation between the back frame and the teeth member of the bale lift device, the teeth can be withdrawn from the bale without the use of additional hydraulic cylinders or control valves or other mechanical linkages. That is, the bale lift device can be operated solely by the operation of a conventional components attached to the bale lift device, such as, the hydraulic cylinder and loader arm found on a conventional front end loader. In addition, it should be appreciated that the bale lift device can be used to lift items that may not be considered bales.  
         [0035]    Now referring to FIGS.  7 - 10 , an alternative embodiment of the bale lift device according to the principles of the present invention is indicated at reference numeral  100 . The bale lift device  100  is provided attached to a front end loader  102  via a quick attachment device  104 . The quick attachment device  104  includes an attachment portion  106  and a front end loader portion  108 . The bale lift device  100  includes a back frame  110 , a spear member  112 , and a rotation axis  114  that allows the back frame  110  to rotate relative to the spear member  112 . The spear member  112  includes a spear  116  that engages a bale. The spear  116  includes a first spear end  118  preferably having a relatively pointed tip for engaging and penetrating into a bale. The spear  116  includes a second end  117  that attaches to the rotation axis  114 . As shown, the second end  117  attaches to the spear elbow  119  that attaches to the rotation axis  114 . The spear  116  and the spear elbow  119  preferably include a three piece assembly that is welded together. The spear elbow  119  preferably includes a first side  194  and a second side  195  that are welded to the sleeve or bushing  191  that is constructed for accepting the second end  117  of the spear  116 . In addition, the spear elbow  119  includes a pivot  192  for rotation about the rotation axis  114 , and a pivot  193  for rotation about the rotation axis  196  provided along the roller arm  176 . As the bale lift device  100  moves between an open position and a closed position, the back frame  110  and the spear member  112  rotate relative to each other about the rotation axis  114 .  
         [0036]    The second end  117  of the spear  116  preferably includes a threaded portion  197  for threading into a bolt  198  that holds the spear within the sleeve or bushing  191 . By providing a threaded attachment, the spear  116  can be conveniently replaced.  
         [0037]    The back frame  110  includes a back frame first end  120  and a back frame second end  122 . The back frame first end  120  includes a back frame first end stabilizing member  124 , and the back frame second end  122  includes a back frame second end stabilizing member  126 . The back frame first end stabilizing member  124  and the back frame second end stabilizing member  126  are separated from each other by the back frame extensions  128 . The back frame first and second stabilizing members  124  and  126  are preferably provided by tubular steel  130 . The back frame extensions are preferably provided by plate steel  131 .  
         [0038]    The first and second stabilizing members  124  and  126  are preferably additionally held relative to each other by the center tie ribs  127  and  129 . The rotation axis  114  is provided extending between the enter tie ribs  127  and  129 . In addition, the center tie ribs  127  and  129  provide a channel  133  through which the spear  116  and spear elbow  119  can rotate and remain contained.  
         [0039]    The quick attachment device  104  is shown attached to the back frame first end stabilizing member  124  by fasteners  132  and to the back frame second end stabilizing member  126  by the fasteners  134 . It should be appreciated that the hydraulic cylinder rod  136  and the loader arm  138  can be attached to the quick attachment device  104  or directly to the back frame  110  without the use of the quick attachment device  104 . When the hydraulic cylinder rod  136  and the loader arm  138  are attached directly to the back frame  110 , it is preferable that they attach to the first end  120  and the second end  122 . It is believed that the hydraulic cylinder rod and the loader arm can attach to the extensions.  
         [0040]    The spear  116  can be referred to as a tooth, and the spear member  112  includes the spear  116  and the secondary teeth  140  provided attached to the back frame second and  122 . The secondary teeth  140  include a first tooth  141  and a second tooth  142 . The secondary teeth  140  include a first end  143  that is sufficiently sharp to engage or penetrate into a bale. The secondary teeth  140  can include sleeves  147  for providing extra tooth support and for secondary teeth  140  to the secondary teeth rotation axis  148 . In addition, a brace  149  can be provided for holding the secondary teeth rotation axis  148  to the back frame second end  122 . The rotation between the secondary teeth  140  and the back frame  110  is demonstrated in FIG. 7. Preferably, the secondary teeth  140  are available to rotate during the operation of the bale lift device. It is expected that the angle of rotation between the secondary teeth  140  and the back frame  110  will be roughly equivalent to the angle of rotation between the spear  116  and the back frame  110 . It is believed that the bale lift device can be provided so that the angle of rotation between the spear member  112  and the back frame  110  can be within the range of about −10° to about 110° and more preferably between about −5° and about 95°.  
         [0041]    The bale lift device  100  engages a bale by movement of the bale lift device forward so that the spear  116  and the secondary teeth  140  engage or enter into the bale. The bale lift device  100  can then be used to move the bale to a new location. The bale lift device  100  is disengaged from the bale by rotating the back frame  110  forward. As the back frame  110  rotates forward, the back frame first end  120  moves toward the bale and the back frame second end  122  moves away from the bale. This action causes the push off  162  that includes a bale engaging surface  164  to push against the bale thereby disengaging the spear  116  and the secondary teeth  140  from the bale.  
         [0042]    The push off  162  operates by moving toward the bale as the back frame  110  rotates forward. The roller  170  moves down the roller engagement area  172  until it reaches the end  174 . The movement of the spear member  112  about the rotation axis  114  causes the roller arm  176  to move the roller  170  down along the roller engagement area  172 . This action causes the push off arm  178  to move forward and the bale engaging surface  164  to move toward the first spear end  118  as the containment area  184  moves along the spear member  112 . It should be understood that the location of the spear elbow  119  along the roller arm  176  can be adjusted to provide the desired angle of rotation between the spear  116  and the back frame  110 . It should be understood that in FIG. 7, a portion of the bale push off arm  178  is removed to show the location of the rotation axis  114 .  
         [0043]    The operation of a bale lift device  200  in disengaging from a bale  202  is depicted in FIGS.  11 - 13 . The bale lift device  200  is shown in an open position  204  in FIG. 11 and in a closed position  206  in FIG. 13. As the back frame first end  210  rotates forward relative to the back frame second end  212 , the roller  216  moves down the roller engagement area  220 . The roller  216  is provided at the first end  121  of the roller arm  222 . The second end  223  of the roller arm  222  moves forward as the roller  216  moves down the roller engagement area  220 . The movement of the second end  223  of the roller arm  222  forward causes the bale push off arm  230  to move forward thereby causing the push off  232  to push against the bale  202 . The movement of the back frame  208  in relation to the spear  242  which is inside the bale  202  pivoting about the rotation axis  241  causes the roller arm  222  and roller  216  to move along the back frame  208 . This scissor action causes the bale push off arm  230  to move forward along the spear  242 . That causes the push off  232  to push against the bale  202  and removes the spear  242  from the bale  202 . As the back frame  208  rotates as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the secondary teeth  250  rotate relative to the back frame  208  about the secondary rotation axis  209 . When the roller  216  is fully extended into the roller engagement area  220 , the push off  232  is at its farthest location away from the back frame  208 , the spear  242  is at its minimum angle relative to the back frame  208  and the plurality of teeth  250  are rotated at their minimum angle of rotation about the rotation axis  209  relative to the back frame  208 .  
         [0044]    The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.