Abstract:
A bale loading apparatus for use in the agricultural applications that enables conversion from a small bale pickup and transport vehicle to a big bale pickup and transport vehicle. A conveyor lifts big bales from the ground in the field onto the receiving table of a bale transport vehicle. A rotating and sliding motion enables the positioning of the big bale lengthwise across the receiving table of the bale transport vehicle. A control system for managing the big bale loading process is also provided.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to bale loading on a transport vehicle in an agricultural setting. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In the agriculture industry, a large portion of time and effort is directed towards the production of feed for animals. When hay or straw is harvested from a field, it is typically tied into rectangular shaped bales through the use of automatic baling equipment, hereafter referred to as balers. These balers produce bales with a large variety of dimensions, but can generally be classified as small balers and big balers. Small balers generally produce bales that range in size from approximately 14″×18″×36″ to 16″×24″×48″ (hereinafter “small bale”), and big balers generally produce bales that range in size from approximately 2.5′×3′×8′ to 4′×4′×8′ (hereinafter “big bale”). Automatic balers usually deposit the bales in rows across the field, leaving them to later be picked up from the field and transported to a barn or other storage facility. 
         [0003]    A variety of machines are available that can load and stack small bales, one of the most popular being the New Holland™ stack wagon series. There are also accessories available that provide a method to convert a small bale stack wagon to a big bale stack wagon. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,029 issued to Millsap a big bale loading accessory and method to convert a small bale stack wagon to and from a big bale stack wagon is discussed. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,534 issued to Stevenson the task of loading big bales and the conversion of a small bale stack wagon to a big bale stack wagon is also addressed. These references are incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0004]    In embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus for a bale transport vehicle that saves time and labor over the aforementioned prior art inventions. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Embodiments of this invention provide a bale loading accessory that is simple and efficient in operation, durable in construction, inexpensive of manufacture, and easily maintained. In some embodiments, the invention will enable a farmer or other operator to reversibly modify a small bale pickup and transport vehicle to a big bale pickup and transport vehicle by modifying the interface to the transport vehicle which includes the mechanical attachment mechanism, hydraulics and the electrical terminal connections. 
         [0006]    Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method to load big bales that offer improvements over known apparatus and methods. For example, the aforementioned Millsap invention utilizes a clamping device to clamp the edges of a big bale and, through the use of the lifting mechanism attached to the clamping device, lifts, flips, rotates, and deposits the big bale on a receiving table of a bale transport vehicle. In contrast, embodiments of the present invention utilize a different approach by employing an inclined conveyor to raise the big bale from the ground to the receiving table of the bale transport vehicle. A carriage and a push arm rotate and slide the bale to a stacking position on the front of the receiving table. Milisap and embodiments of the present invention both deposit big bales on the forward end of the receiving table with the longitudinal axis of the bale being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bale transport vehicle. However, embodiments of the present invention use a different configuration, which is both simpler and faster, to obtain the desired stacking position of bales. 
         [0007]    The Stevenson disclosure discloses a conveyor to lift big bales from the ground to the receiving table of the bale transport vehicle, but then uses a sliding mechanism to slide the bale to the opposite side of the receiving table. With this motion, the longitudinal axis of the big bale is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bale transport vehicle. However, there are various stacking advantages to the placement of big bales with the longitudinal axis of the bale perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bale transport vehicle. 
         [0008]    In embodiments, this invention utilizes two hydraulic actuators and one hydraulic motor, which, when installed on bale transport vehicles such as the New Holland™ stack wagon series, can be controlled using existing functions on the bale transport vehicle. In some embodiments, a control system, utilizing inputs from discrete sensing devices, can control the hydraulic actuators to achieve the rotating and sliding motion described hereafter. 
         [0009]    Use of an apparatus as described hereafter allows the operator of a bale transport vehicle to approach big bales from their ends (the longitudinal axis of the bale is parallel to longitudinal axis and the direction of travel of the vehicle). The operator can then operate the conveyor of the apparatus to raise the bale from the ground onto the loading table of the vehicle. The apparatus then rotates and slides the bale to a stacking position in which the longitudinal axis of the bale is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and substantially parallel to the plane of the loading table or receiving table of the bale transport vehicle. 
         [0010]    In embodiments, the apparatus is mounted to and removable from a preexisting vehicle. When a small bale stack wagon such as a New Holland™ branded vehicle is modified, its preexisting small bale loader is un-mounted from the vehicle before the big bale accessory is mounted. Generally the big bale accessory is mechanically installed by using two mounting fixtures and one or more of the mounts originally used for the small bale loader. The mounting fixtures may be attached to the vehicle using, e.g., nuts and bolts, and then the accessory is attached to the mounting fixtures by using, e.g., nuts and bolts and/or pins. Hydraulic connection of the hydraulic motor and hydraulic actuators may be accomplished with conventional quick disconnect couplers. The hydraulic actuator originally used to raise and lower the small bale loader can also be used to raise and lower the front of the conveyor on the accessory for big bales. 
         [0011]    In other embodiments, the apparatus is an integral part of a bale transport vehicle and thus attached in a more permanent manner. 
         [0012]    The apparatus may be configured with sensors to detect the location of a bale on the apparatus and a programmable controller that manages movement of the apparatus and/or other existing components on the transport vehicle. Electric valves may also be installed to direct the flow of oil to different components on the apparatus and/or transport vehicle. In these cases a wiring harness may be permanently installed on the vehicle to allow easy connection to the programmable controller and the wiring harness on the apparatus. Electrical connection between the wiring harness on the vehicle and the wiring harness on the apparatus may be accomplished using quick disconnect terminals. 
         [0013]    Hydraulic actuators and a hydraulic motor are described, but it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that other comparable devices and configurations, including pneumatic actuators and motors, could be used. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Advantages of embodiments of this invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a right front portion of a transport vehicle equipped with a big bale apparatus attached in a bale receiving position showing the orientation of the accessory to a receiving table of the transport vehicle; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the apparatus with the conveyor in the receiving position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the right rear portion of the apparatus, in which a portion of the sheet metal and structure of the receiving table are removed to show several components of the apparatus; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a left rear portion of the apparatus, in which a portion of the sheet metal and structure of the receiving table are removed to show components of the apparatus; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8  are perspective views of a right front portion of a transport vehicle equipped with the apparatus. These views show a plurality of big bales arranged on the transport vehicle which illustrate the various positions bales are moved to during the stacking operation. These views also illustrate operation of the apparatus to progressively move a big bale through a bale depositing cycle and into a stacking position on the receiving table of a transport vehicle; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a simplified schematic of a control system for the big bale loading apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Many of the fastening, connection, processes and other means and components utilized in this invention are widely known and used by those skilled in the art. Their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding of the invention, and therefore they will not be discussed in significant detail. Also, any reference to the terms “left” or “right” are used as a matter of mere convenience, and are determined by standing at the rear of the machine facing its normal direction of travel. Likewise, “forward” and “rearward” are determined by the normal direction of travel. “Upward” and “downward” orientations are relative to the ground or operating surface as are any references to “horizontal” or “vertical” planes. Furthermore, the various components shown or described herein for any specific application of this invention and the practice of a specific application of any element may already be widely known or used in the art by those skilled in the art and each will likewise not be discussed in significant detail. When referring to the figures, like parts are numbered the same in all figures. Also, hydraulic lines and valves have been omitted from  FIGS. 1 through 8  in order to simplify the drawings. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a bale loading apparatus  9  is shown for a transport vehicle  105 . Apparatus  9  can be divided into six mechanical subcomponents, which are a frame  20 , a conveyor  30 , a carriage  2 , a push arm  10 , a bale limit sensing mechanism  50  and a bale trip sensing mechanism  70 . 
         [0023]    Frame  20  is mounted to a transport vehicle  105 , at mounting points in, for example, four locations as described hereafter. The first location is to a mounting fixture  26  to the inside of the right front wheel  110  and underneath a receiving table  15 . Mounting fixture  26  may be securely attached to a frame  115  of transport vehicle  105 , for example using a plurality of bolts and nuts. Mounting fixture  26  is preferably configured with a mounting plate  25  attached to one end. Mounting plate  25  serves as a mounting surface for mounting plate  24  of frame  20 . Mounting plates  24  and  25  are preferably joined with a plurality of nuts and bolts. The second and third mounting point locations are the existing small bale loader mounts on vehicles such as the New Holland™ stack wagon series, and are shown near pins  21  and  22 . Other bale transport vehicles may not be equipped with the aforementioned mounts, thereby requiring an alternative connection to the frame  115  of transport vehicle  105  in one or more locations. The fourth location is to a mounting fixture  28  below and in front of receiving table  15  and on the left side of transport vehicle  105 . Mounting fixture  28  is also preferably attached to frame  20  of the transport vehicle using a plurality of bolts and nuts, and the attaching member  27  of frame  20  is, for example, secured to mounting fixture  28  using one or more nut(s) and bolt(s) (also see  FIG. 4 ). If a small bale loader is mounted on transport vehicle  105 , typically it is dismounted before apparatus  9  is mounted. 
         [0024]    Frame  20  comprises a plurality of members of various sizes and shapes. Frame  20  provides a rigid structure to which the components of apparatus  9  can be secured. Frame  20  in this embodiment provides a carriage pivot pin  4 , which secures carriage  2  to frame  20 , allowing pivotal movement of carriage  2  about an axis that is somewhat perpendicular to receiving table  15 . The frame  20  also provides a secure mounting location for mounting pin  6  for a carriage drive actuator  3 . Frame  20  also provides pivot bearings  23 , which secure conveyor  30  to frame  20  and allow pivotal movement of the conveyor about a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the normal direction of travel. Frame  20  also provides a rigid pivot bearing  39  for the conveyor lift drive link  36 . Yet another function of frame  20  is to provide an anchor point for ball joint  14  of hook arm connecting link  12 . Still another function of frame  20  is to provide a secure mounting location for bale trip sensor mechanism  70 . Another function of frame  20  is to provide a pivotal mounting location for a bale limit sensor mechanism  50  about an axis that is generally perpendicular to receiving table  15 . 
         [0025]    Conveyor  30  is pivotally mounted to frame  20  at two locations  23 . The front of conveyor  30  can be pivotally raised by an actuator  38 . On vehicles such as the New Holland™ stack wagon series, actuator  38  is used to raise and lower the small bale attachment, and may also be used to raise and lower the conveyor  30 . To raise conveyor  30 , the operator may extend actuator  38  which is pinned to the conveyor lift drive link  36  by pin  33 . Extension of actuator  38  causes conveyor lift drive link  36  to rotate about its pivot point  39  thereby elevating the lower ball joint  37  of conveyor lift link  35 . Conveyor lift link  35  is mounted to conveyor  30  by its upper ball joint  34 . Elevation of conveyor lift link  35  causes the conveyor  30  to rotate about pins  23  thereby raising the front of conveyor  30 . Conveyor  30  may have wheels  31  attached to the front to allow the front of the conveyor  30  to follow uneven terrain while loading bales. Conveyor lift link  35  may be constructed of an outer tube  45  and a nesting tube  46  slidingly received within the outer tube, thereby allowing free extension and thereby allowing the front of conveyor  30  to easily elevate without the extension of actuator  38  if a sudden increase in terrain elevation is experienced. 
         [0026]    Conveyor  30  comprises conveyor chains  32  to engage the bale and lift it from the ground onto frame  20  and receiving table  15 . Each of conveyor chains  32  may be driven by a combination of sprockets  42 , which are driven by a shaft  41 , which is driven by a sprocket  40 , which is driven by a chain  43 , which is driven by a motor and sprocket  212  (see  FIG. 9 ). Motor and sprocket  212  are mounted under shield  47  and are not shown in order to simplify the figures. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , conveyor drive motor  212  may be driven hydraulically by an operator control  209 . On vehicles such as the New Holland™ stack wagon series, the hydraulic system used to drive the small bale loader motor may also be used to drive the conveyor drive motor of the apparatus. On vehicles that are not equipped with such a control it may be necessary to add a control  209  to the hydraulic system to allow the operator to operate the conveyor drive motor. Control  209  may be activated by manual linkage or by discrete electrical signal, or other means normally used in the art. Also provided in the system is check valve  210 , which allows the free circulation of oil in the event that a bale is pushed up the conveyor at a speed that is greater than the normal operating speed of the conveyor. Further provided is a directional control valve  211  that allows the operator to reverse the direction of the conveyor through the operator manual control  201 , or a separate switching device (not shown). 
         [0028]    Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , carriage  2  is pivotally mounted to frame  20  by pin  4 . Pin  4  allows carriage  2  to pivot about an axis that is generally perpendicular to the plane of receiving table  15 . Carriage  2  is caused to rotate by the extension of carriage drive actuator  3 , which may be pivotally fixed to carriage  2  by pin  5  on a first end and pivotally fixed to frame  20  by pin  6  on a second end. Carriage  2  may be used as a structure to contact the bale on either side, guiding it through the rotation and sliding motions to its forward placement on receiving table  15 . Carriage roller  1  decreases the frictional drag between carriage  2  and the bale as the bale slides along this portion of carriage  2 . 
         [0029]    The push arm  10  is pivotally mounted to carriage  2  by bearing pipe  13 . The aforementioned mounting allows push arm  10  to pivot about an axis that is generally perpendicular to the plane of receiving table  15 . Push arm drive link  12  is attached to push arm  10  by ball joint  11 . Push arm drive link  12  is also attached to frame  20  by ball joint  14 . Rotation of carriage  2  decreases the distance between push arm pivot bearing pipe  13  and push arm drive link ball joint  14  thereby causing push arm  10  to rotate about bearing pipe  13 . Push arm  10  may be used to engage the end of the bale and slide it within carriage  2  and across receiving table  15  as carriage  2  rotates. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a stop  90  may be securely attached to vehicle  105  preferably using a plurality of nuts and bolts. The stop, in this embodiment, comprises a flat surface  91  that contacts a front support member  16  of receiving table  15  when significant lateral forces are applied to the front of receiving table  15  by apparatus  9 , thus restricting lateral movement of the front of receiving table  15 . 
         [0031]    A bale trip sensing mechanism  70  may be added to apparatus  9  in order to aid in automating the movement of apparatus  9  by detecting the presence of a bale that has been deposited by conveyor  30  on receiving table  15 . Bale trip sensing mechanism  70 , in this embodiment, comprises outer tube  71  which is attached to mounting fixture  72  which is securely attached to frame  20  using a plurality of nuts and bolts, for example. Also attached to outer tube  71  is member  76 , which may provide a mounting surface for bale trip sensor  202  and a mating surface for arm  74 . Inner tube  73  is slidingly and rotatably received by outer tube  71  and is attached to arm  74 . Arm  74  provides a mounting fixture for the rear end of spring  75  and may also be used to mount a sensing media for bale trip sensor  202  to detect. Spring  75  is preferably securely attached on its forward end to frame  20 . Bumper  77  is securely attached to shaft  78 , which is slidingly and rotatably received by inner tube  73 . Shaft  78  may be attached to inner tube  73  by pin  79  among multiple holes in shaft  78 . Through this configuration, a bale that is deposited by conveyor  30  on receiving table  15  may push rearward and/or downward on bumper  77  causing shaft  78  and thus inner tube  73  to be pushed rearward and/or rotated thereby causing spring  75  to be extended and also thereby removing the sensing media away from bale trip sensor  202 . Removing the sensing media away from bale trip sensor  202  enables the sensor to send an initiation signal to a controller  200  (see  FIG. 9 ) thereby allowing controller  200  to initiate a bale depositing cycle. Upon removing the bale from the proximity of bumper  77 , spring  75  is allowed to retract and return the sensing media to bale trip sensor  202 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , bale limit sensing mechanism  50  may be added to apparatus  9  in order to aid in automating the movement of apparatus  9  by detecting the presence of a bale that has been deposited laterally on receiving table  15  by carriage  2  and push arm  10  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Bale limit sensing mechanism  50 , in this embodiment, comprises an outer tube  51  pivotally attached to frame  20  about an axis  52  that is generally perpendicular to the plane of receiving table  15 . Inner tube  54  is slidingly received by outer tube  51  and may be attached to outer tube  51  by pin  53  among multiple holes in inner tube  54 . Tower  55  is preferably securely attached to inner tube  54  preferably with its longitudinal axis generally vertical. Arm  56  is preferably securely attached to tower  55  preferably with its longitudinal axis in a generally horizontal position and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of transport vehicle  105 . Arm  57  is preferably securely attached to tower  55  preferably with its longitudinal axis in a generally horizontal position and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of transport vehicle  105 . Arm  58  is preferably adjustably mounted to arm  57  preferably with its longitudinal axis in a generally horizontal position and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of transport vehicle  105 . Spring  63  is preferably attached to outer tube  51  on its left end and to frame  20  on its right end. Sensor arm  62  is pivotally attached to frame  20  about an axis  61  that is generally horizontal and at an approximately 45 degree angle from the longitudinal axis of bale transport vehicle  105 . Sensing media may be affixed to sensor arm  62  in order for bale limit sensor  204  to detect the proximity of sensor arm  62 . Push rod  60  is preferably securely attached to outer tube  51  and configured to contact sensor arm  62  above its fulcrum  61 . Spring  59  is attached on its forward end to outer tube  51  and on its rearward end to sensor arm  62  also above its fulcrum  61 . Through this preferred configuration a bale that is deposited laterally on receiving table  15  by carriage  2  and push arm  10  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) pushes forward on arm  58 , thereby pivoting outer tube  51  about its fulcrum  52  and thereby causing spring  63  to extend. Pivoting of outer tube  51  moves push rod  60  away from sensor arm  62 , thereby allowing spring  59  to pull sensor arm  62  thus pivoting it about its fulcrum  61  and thereby allowing the bottom of the portion of sensor arm  62  to move towards bale limit sensor  204 . Sensor  204  may detect the proximity of sensor arm  62  and send a signal to a controller  200  (see  FIG. 9 ) that a bale has been deposited in a stacking position on the forward end of receiving table  15 . Continuation of the stacking process removes the bale from the forward position of receiving table  15 , thus allowing spring  63  to retract and thereby pivot outer tube  51  about its fulcrum  52 , thus allowing push rod  60  to push sensor arm  62  and pivot it about its fulcrum  61 , thereby moving the bottom of sensor arm  62  away from bale limit sensor  204 . 
         [0033]      FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8  show the progressive movement of bale  120  as it travels through a bale depositing cycle and is thus placed into stacking position on the forward end of receiving table  15 . Bale  121  has been placed into stacking position by apparatus  9  and has been moved to a rearward position on receiving table  15  by partially tilting receiving table  15  and thereby sliding bale  121  to its rearward position on receiving table  15 . Bales  122  have also been stacked onto load table  116  by fully tilting receiving table  15 .  FIG. 5  is an illustration of bale  120  being elevated by conveyor  30 . The center of gravity of bale  120  is forward of the pivot point of conveyor drive sprockets  42  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), and the bale is still fully engaged by conveyor  30 .  FIG. 6  is an illustration of bale  120  that has been elevated up conveyor  30  to a point where the center of gravity of bale  120  is rearward of the pivot point of conveyor drive sprockets  42 , thus the bale has “tipped” onto frame  20  and receiving table  15 . In an automated instance of apparatus  9 , bale  120  has contacted bumper  77  of bale trip sensing mechanism  70 , thereby causing a sensing media to be moved away from bale trip sensor  202  (see  FIG. 3 ) and thus enabling bale trip sensor  202  to send an initiation signal to a controller  200  (see  FIG. 9 ) thereby allowing controller  200  to initiate a bale depositing cycle. The front of conveyor  30  is raised, thus lowering the rear of conveyor  30  and thereby disengaging conveyor  30  from bale  120 , In an automated instance of apparatus  9 , controller ZOO, after receiving an initiation signal from bale trip sensor  202 , may send an extend signal to conveyor lift actuator  38  until conveyor  30  has reached a raised position indicated by conveyor raise sensor  203 . Bale  120  is now ready for rotation on receiving table  15 , which is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Through the extension of carriage drive actuator  3 , carriage  2  rotates bale  120  approximately 90 degrees and push arm  10  slides bale  120  within carriage  2  during rotation, Both carriage  2  and push arm  10  work together to place bale  120  in a stacking position on the forward end of receiving table  15  as shown in  FIG. 8 . In an automated instance of apparatus  9  and upon reaching a position indicated in  FIG. 8 , bale  120  pushes forward on arm  58  of bale limit sensing mechanism  50 , thereby causing a sensing media to be moved toward bale limit sensor  204  (see  FIG. 4 ) and thereby enabling sensor  204  to send a signal to controller  200  that bale  120  has been deposited in a stacking position on the forward end of receiving table  15 . Upon the successful placement of bale  120  on the forward end of receiving table  15 , actuator  3  may be retracted thereby returning carriage  2  to its initial, or “home”, position. In an automated instance of apparatus  9 , controller  200  may detect the home position of carriage  2  through a carriage home sensor  205  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0034]    Again referring to  FIG. 9 , the process of loading bales onto a transport vehicle can be automated using a control system. The control system comprises a controller  200  which manages the bale depositing cycle and enables automated loading and stacking of bales. Controller  200  is programmed and configured to receive input signals, perform computational operations based on those input signals, and generate output signals for directing movement of the conveyor lift actuator  38 , carriage drive actuator  3 , and other actuators on bale transport vehicle  105 . The controller may be a separate unit dedicated to managing operation of the accessory  9 , or its function may be integrated into a controller tasked to manage the entire operation of bale transport vehicle  105 . Controller  200  receives its first input signal from a bale trip sensor  202 , which sends an initiation signal to controller  200  when the bale has reached a position similar to that shown in  FIG. 6 . Controller  200  may then send a signal to the conveyor lift valve  208 , thereby extending the conveyor lift actuator  38  until the front of the conveyor  30  has been raised to a position indicated by sensor  203 , which may send a signal to controller  200 . Controller  200  may then send a signal to carriage control valve  207  to extend carriage drive actuator  3  until bale limit sensor  204  sends a signal to controller  200  that the bale has reached a stacking position on receiving table  15  similar to that shown in  FIG. 8 . Controller  200  may then send a signal to carriage control valve  207  to retract carriage drive actuator  3  until carriage home sensor  205  sends an input signal to controller  200  that the carriage  2  has reached its home position, which is the position desired for receiving bales. 
         [0035]    Conveyor lift valve  208  and carriage control valve  207  are preferably derived from existing controls on transport vehicle  105 , but may be added if necessary. On certain transport vehicles, it may be desirable to add conveyor lift diversion valve  206  which would direct oil to the conveyor lift actuator  38  instead of carriage drive actuator  3 . In this instance controller  200  receives its first input signal from a bale trip sensor  202 , which sends an initiation signal to controller  200  when the bale has reached a position similar to that shown in  FIG. 6 . Controller  200  may then send a signal to carriage control valve  207  and conveyor lift diversion valve  206  simultaneously, thereby directing the path oil to conveyor extend actuator  38  instead of carriage drive actuator  3  and thereby extending conveyor extend actuator  38 . The extension of actuator  38  continues until conveyor  30  has been raised to a position indicated by sensor  203 , which may send a signal to controller  200 . Controller  200  may then send a signal to conveyor lift diversion valve  206  to restore the path of oil to carriage drive actuator  3  thereby ceasing oil flow to actuator  38  and thereby extending carriage drive actuator  3 . Extension of carriage drive actuator  3  may continue until bale limit sensor  204  sends a signal to controller  200  that the bale has reached a stacking position on receiving table  15  similar to that shown in  FIG. 8 . Controller  200  may then send a signal to carriage control valve  207  to retract carriage drive actuator  3  until carriage home sensor  205  sends an input signal to controller  200  that the carriage  2  has reached its home position, which is the position desired for receiving bales. 
         [0036]    Controller  200  may also include a counting function to monitor the number of bale depositing cycles completed. This counting function is needed to coordinate operation of the receiving table  15 , which requires full or partial tilting movement with each bale placed transversely on the forward end of receiving table  15 . The controller  200  may send an output signal  221  to actuators that tilt receiving table  15 , thereby sliding the bale to the rear of receiving table  15 , or loading bales onto the load table  116  of transport vehicle  105 . The receiving table position is determined by well-known means, resulting in a receiving table position signal  222  which is provided to controller  200 . Controller  200  coordinates the movement of receiving table  15 . 
         [0037]    Controller  200  may also use the previously described counting function to alert the operator when a full load has been reached. Full load capacity for the transport vehicle can be selected by operator input via operator manual control  201  or a built in function in controller  200 . The load table down position is determined by well-known means and results in a load table down signal  223  which is also provided to controller  200 . Controller  200  uses this signal to determine that a stack has been dumped from transport vehicle  105  and can then reset the counting function. 
         [0038]    It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention. However, concepts as based upon the description may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the specific form shown.