Patent Publication Number: US-2023132610-A1

Title: Transporting and processing large bales

Description:
This disclosure relates to the field of agricultural implements for livestock operations and in particular a system for transporting and processing large bales for feeding or bedding. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In agricultural livestock operations bale processors are used to process and convert large bales of feed such as hay into windrows of feed that are accessible to cattle. Typically the bales are stored in rows which in some operations are located at a significant distance from the feeding grounds. Also in some operations, the bales may be scattered where the baler dropped them instead of stored in rows. 
     A typical bale processor can typically only carry two bales to the feeding ground to be processed. United States Published Patent Application Number 2019/0350139 to Barager et al. discloses a bale processor which can carry three bales. 
     Where the bales must be transported for longer distances it is desirable to carry more bales and so extended carriers are provided by some manufacturers. Bridgeview Manufacturing Inc. of Gerald, Saskatchewan, Canada offers a bale processor with an extended frame behind the bale processor that can carry six bales. The rear end of the frame tilts downward and a conveyor chain moves bales from a stored row onto the frame. A fork behind the bale processor lifts the front bale into the processor, and then another bale is loaded on the frame so that five bales are on the frame and the sixth is in the bale processor. 
     D&amp;W Industries of Basset, Nebr., USA offers a similar apparatus with the further option of removing the bale processor and adding a pick up fork to convert the apparatus to a conventional bale trailer, 
     Kramer Manufacturing Inc. of Atkinson, Nebr., USA also offers a bale processor at the front of a downward tilting extended frame. The apparatus holds six bales and the rear end of the bale processor is open and the bales are fed directly into the bale processor from the extended frame at the rear end. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure provides a bale processor and transport apparatus that overcomes problems in the prior art. 
     In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a bale processor and transport apparatus. The apparatus includes a bale processor, a hitch assembly attached to a rear end of the bale processor, and a bale trailer attached to the hitch assembly, the bale trailer comprising a trailer conveyor operative to move bales toward a front end of the bale trailer. 
     In another aspect, a method of processing and transporting large bales is provided. The method includes providing a bale processor with a lift frame attached to a rear end of the bale processor, wherein the bale fork is configured to lift a bale from the ground and deposit the bale into a chamber of the bale processor, attaching a hitch assembly to the rear end of the bale processor, and connecting a bale trailer to the hitch assembly, the bale trailer comprising a trailer conveyor operative to move bales forward on the bale trailer. The lift frame is operative when in an operating position to receive a transported bale from the trailer conveyor and pivot the transported bale upward and forward into a chamber of the bale processor. 
     The present disclosure thus provides a method and apparatus that combines a bale processor of the prior art and a bale trailer of the prior art into a bale processor and transport apparatus which can carry and process an increased number of bales to a feeding location. When not required for that purpose, the bale trailer can be disconnected and the bale processor and bale trailer can be used conventionally. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective rear view of a conventional bale processor; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective rear view of the bale processor of  FIG.  1    with the bale fork removed and with a lift conveyor installed in its place, with the lift conveyor in the operating position; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective rear view of the bale processor shown in  FIG.  2    with the lift conveyor in the raised position; 
         FIG.  4    is a side view of the bale processor shown in  FIG.  2    with the lift conveyor in the raised position; 
         FIG.  5    is a rear view of the bale processor shown in  FIG.  2    with the lift conveyor in the raised position; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of a bale trailer; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bale processor and transport apparatus of the present disclosure wherein the bale trailer of  FIG.  6    is connected to the hitch assembly mounted on the bale processor of  FIGS.  2 - 5   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG.  7    with the lift conveyor in the operating position receiving a bale from the trailer conveyor; 
         FIG.  10    is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG.  7    with the lift conveyor raising the bale into the chamber of the bale processor; 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective rear view of the embodiment of  FIG.  7    with the lift conveyor raising the bale into the chamber of the bale processor; 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective rear view of the embodiment of  FIG.  7    filled to capacity with bales; 
         FIG.  13    is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG.  7    in position to pick up a row of bales; 
         FIG.  14    is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG.  7    with the row of bales loaded onto the bale trailer; 
         FIG.  15    is a side view an embodiment of a bale processor and a transport apparatus of the present disclosure wherein the bale trailer of  FIG.  6    is connected to the hitch assembly mounted on the bale processor of  FIGS.  2 - 5   ; 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective view of a bale processor and a transport apparatus with a transfer conveyor; 
         FIG.  17    is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG.  16    with a bale provided on the transport apparatus; 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG.  16    with a bale provided on the transfer conveyor; 
         FIG.  19    is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG.  16    with a bale provided on the transfer conveyor; 
         FIG.  20    is a side perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG.  16    with a bale provided on the transfer conveyor and a bale fork being moved to come into contact with the bale; 
         FIG.  21    is a side perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG.  16    with a bale being lifted upwards in the bale fork; 
         FIG.  22    is a side view of another embodiment of the bale processor and transport apparatus of the present disclosure wherein the bale trailer of  FIG.  6    is connected to the hitch assembly mounted on the bale processor of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  23    is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG.  22   ; 
         FIG.  24    is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG.  22   ; and 
         FIG.  25    is a perspective rear view of the embodiment of  FIG.  22    filled to capacity with bales. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS.  1 - 14    illustrate an embodiment of a bale processor and transport apparatus  1  of the present disclosure. The apparatus  1  comprises a bale processor  3 , such as is known in the prior art for processing large bales  5 .  FIG.  1    shows a conventional bale processor  3  with a bale fork  7  that is operative to pick up a bale  5  from the ground and deposit it into the chamber  9  of the bale processor  3 . In the illustrated bale processor  3 , the bale fork  7  can then pick up another bale  5  and carry that bale  5  in addition to the bale in the chamber  9  of the bale processor  3  such that two bales may be carried to a feeding location. In some operations the feeding location may be at some distance from where the bales  5  are stored and the present disclosure provides an apparatus  1  for transporting and processing a larger number of bales  5 . The illustrated bales  5  are cylindrical however large rectangular bales are well known as well and could be used. 
     A hitch assembly  11  is attached to a rear end of the bale processor  3  and as shown in  FIG.  1    the hitch assembly  11  may in many cases simply be left on the bale processor  3  since same does not interfere with the operation of the bale fork  7 , or it may be removed. 
     A conventional bale trailer  13  as is known in the art includes a trailer hitch  15  that is attached to the hitch assembly  11  and comprises a trailer conveyor  17  operative to move bales forward and rearward on the bale trailer  13 . The trailer hitch  15  is pivotally attached to the hitch assembly  11  about a vertical pivot axis which provides maneuverability to the apparatus  1  allowing the trailer  13  and bale processor  3  to pivot with respect to each other. 
     In the apparatus  1 , the bale fork  7  can be removed as shown in  FIGS.  2 - 5  and  7 - 14   , and a lift conveyor  19  can be connected to the rear end of the bale processor  3  in place of the bale fork  7  and is positioned above the hitch assembly  11  and the trailer hitch  15 . The lift conveyor is movable from an operating position shown in  FIG.  2    to a raised position shown in  FIG.  3   . 
     The lift conveyor  19  comprises right and left chains  21 R,  21 L and a plurality of slats  23  extending between the right and left chains  21 R,  21 L. The lift conveyor  19  is operative, when in an operating position shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8    to receive a transported bale  5  from the trailer conveyor  17  and move the transported bale  5  forward to a lift position LPS shown in  FIG.  9   , and further operative to pivot the transported bale  5  upward and forward into the chamber  9  of the bale processor  3  shown in  FIGS.  10  and  11   . 
     The right and left chains  21 R,  21 L of the lift conveyor  19  are mounted on corresponding right and left rear sprockets  25 R,  25 L, and right and left front sprockets  26 R,  26 R. The rear sprockets  25 R,  25 L are located adjacent to a front end of the trailer conveyor  17  when the lift conveyor  19  is in the operating position shown in  FIG.  8   . 
     As described above, the bale fork  7  is configured to lift a bale  5  from the ground and deposit the bale into the chamber  9  of the bale processor  3 . The bale fork  7  is releasably attached to a lift frame  27  that is pivotally attached to the rear end of the bale processor and the lift conveyor  19  is also releasably attached to this lift frame  27 . Thus the lift conveyor  19  or the bale fork  7  can readily be attached to the lift frame  27 , depending on which is needed for the operation contemplated. The lift frame  27  pivots upward and downward in response to the right and left hydraulic cylinders  29 R,  29 L. 
     The bale trailer  13  typically includes a fork arm  35 , shown in  FIG.  6   , operative to pick up bales  5  from the ground as shown in  FIG.  7    and deposit the bales on the trailer conveyor  17  where the trailer conveyor  17  moves the bales  5  rearward to make room for the next bale. Thus the apparatus  1  can be used to pick up scattered bales  5  that were dropped by a baler in a field, and transport them to a feeding location. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  12   , by manipulating the apparatus  1  a bale can be placed into the chamber  9  of the bale processor  3 , and another can be placed on lift conveyor  19 , and the bale trailer  13  can be loaded to capacity. Thus in the illustrated apparatus  1  a total of nine bales  5  may be transported to a distant feeding location for processing. 
     A conventional bale trailer  13  as illustrated is typically configured, as shown in  FIGS.  13  and  14    to tilt the bed  31  of the bale trailer  13  downward at a rear end of the bed  31  such that a plurality of bales  5  stored in an end to end row  33  can be loaded on the trailer conveyor  17  by moving the bale trailer  13  in reverse and operating the trailer conveyor  17  to move the bales  5  forward. A row  33  of bales can also be picked up by driving alongside the row  33  and using the fork arm  35  to individually load the bales  5  onto the bale trailer  13 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  15   , bale trailer  13 A could also be used with bale processor  3 . A bale fork and/or a lift conveyor can be removed from the lift frame  27  and the trailer hitch  15 A can be shortened so that the front end of the bale trailer  13 A can be positioned closer to the bale processor  3 . With the bed  31  tilted so that a front end of the bale trailer  13 A is moved upwards, bales  5  on the bed  31  of the bale trailer  13 A can then be moved towards the bale processor  3  by the trailer conveyor  17  until the front bale falls off the front end of the bale trailer  13 A and into the bale processor  3 . In one aspect, the trailer hitch  15 A may be telescoping to bring the front end of the bale trailer  13 A closer to the bale processor  3 . 
     In another aspect, as shown in  FIGS.  16 - 21   , rather than removing the bale fork  7  and attaching a lift conveyor  19  to the lift frame  27 , the bale fork  7  can be left attached to the lift frame  27  and a transfer conveyor  50  can be provided on the front of the bale trailer  13  and positioned in front of the trailer conveyor  17  and adjacent to the front of the trailer conveyor  17 . 
     The transfer conveyor  50  can comprise right and left chains  51 R,  51 L and a plurality of slats  53  extending between the right and left chains  51 R,  51 L. The right and left chains  51 R,  51 L of the transfer conveyor  50  are mounted on corresponding right and left rear sprockets  54 R,  54 L, and right and left front sprockets  55 R,  26 R. The right and left rear sprockets  54 R,  54 L are located adjacent to a front end of the trailer conveyor  17 . 
     When a bale  5  has been moved to the front of the trailer conveyor  17 , as shown in  FIG.  20   , the trailer conveyor  17  can continue to move the bale  5  off of the front end of the trailer conveyor  17 . The transfer conveyor  50  can receive the bale  5  from the trailer conveyor  17  and continue to move the bale  5  towards the rear end of the bale processor  3 , as shown in  FIGS.  18  and  19   . 
     Once the transfer conveyor  50  has moved the bale  5  close enough to the back end of the bale processor  3  for the bale fork  7  to reach the bale  5 , the lift frame  27  can be moved upwards so that bale fork  7  comes into contact with the bale  5 , as shown in  FIG.  20   , and then lifts the bale  5  off of the transfer conveyor  50 , as shown in  FIG.  21   . Continued lifting of the bale  5  in the bale fork  7  will lift the bale  5  upwards and forwards into the chamber  9  of the bale processor  3 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  22 - 25   , the bale fork  7  can be left attached to the lift frame  27  when the bale trailer  13  is connected to the rear of the bale processor  3 , with the hitch assembly  11  connected to the trailer hitch  15 . 
     In some aspects, the bale fork  7  can be releasably attached higher on the lift frame  27  than it would be when the bale processor  3  is used separately from the bale trailer  13 . This higher attachment point of the bale fork  7  allows the bale fork  7  to be positioned above the hitch assembly  11  to prevent the bale fork  7  from coming into contact with the hitch assembly  11  and the trailer hitch  15  and to position the bale fork  7  at a similar level to the trailer conveyor  17  of the bale trailer  13 . 
     The right and left hydraulic cylinders  29 R,  29 L for lifting the lift frame  27  can also be blocked or stopped from fully retracting so that a bale  5  positioned on the forks  7  can adequately clear the hitch assembly  11  and the trailer hitch  15 , especially when travelling over varying terrain or when the bale trailer  13  is angled back, as shown in  FIGS.  13 - 14   , to back under a row  33  of bales. 
     The bale trailer  13  can pick up bales  5  from the ground using the fork arm  35  and deposit the bales on the trailer conveyor  17  where the trailer conveyor  17  moves the bales  5  rearward to make room for the next bale. Thus the apparatus  1  can be used to pick up scattered bales  5  that were dropped by a baler in a field, and transport them to a feeding location. 
     The trailer conveyor  17  can be used to move a bale forward and onto the lowered bale fork  7  of the bale processor  3 . The lift frame  27 , the bale fork  7  is attached to, can then be raised to lift the bale and deposit it in the chamber  9  of the bale processor  3 . With more than one bale on the bale trailer  13 , the bale behind the bale being loaded on the bale fork  7  of the bale processor  3  can be used to push the front bale further onto the bale fork  7  using the trailer conveyor  17 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  25   , by manipulating the apparatus  1  a bale can be placed into the chamber  9  of the bale processor  3 , another can be placed on the lift forks  7 , and the bale trailer  13  can be loaded to capacity. Thus in the illustrated apparatus  1  a total of nine bales  5  may be transported to a distant feeding location for processing. 
     The bed  31  of the bale trailer  13  can also be tilted downwards at a rear end of the bed  31  to pick bales up of the ground by moving the bale trailer  13  in reverse and operating the trailer conveyor  16  to move the bales forward on the bale trailer  13 . 
     In a further aspect, a locking mechanism  40  can be provided to allow an operator to selectively “lock” the bale processor  3  relative to the bale trailer  13 . The locking mechanism can lock the articulation point between the bale processor  3  and the bale trailer  13  where the hitch assembly  11  of the bale processor  3  is connected to the trailer hitch  15  of the bale trailer  13 , preventing the bale trailer  13  from pivoting around the articulation point formed by the trailer hitch  15  connected to the hitch assembly  11 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  24   , actuators  42 L,  42 R, such as hydraulic cylinders, can be connected between the bale processor  3  and the bale trailer  13 , with one of the actuators  42 L,  42 R on either side of the articulation point formed by the hitch assembly  11  and the trailer hitch  15 . In normal operation when articulation between the bale processor  3  and the bale trailer  13  is desired, the actuators  42 L,  42 R can be set to not provide any force or be allowed to “float” if they are hydraulic cylinders. This would allow the actuators  42 L,  42 R to freely extend and retract as the apparatus  1  is turned, thereby allowing the bale trailer  13  to articulate around the articulation point formed where the trailer hitch  15  of the bale trailer  13  is connected to the hitch assembly  11  of the bale processor  3 . This allows for the apparatus  1  to better follow the path of the tow vehicle (such as the tractor). However, when it is desired that the bale processor  3  and the bale trailer  13  be kept straight, the actuators  42 L,  42 R can be used, i.e. pressure applied if they are hydraulic cylinders, to keep the bale processor  3  and the bale trailer  13  from pivoting around the articulation point formed between the trailer hitch  15  and the hitch assembly  11  and therefore keeping the bale processor  3  and the bale trailer  13  straight. This can make it easier for the apparatus  1  to be backed up, especially when the bed  31  is tilted downwards so that the bale trailer  13  can be backed up under a row of bales. 
     The present disclosure further provides a method of processing and transporting large bales. The method comprises providing a bale processor  3  with a bale fork  7  releasably attached to a rear end of the bale processor  3 , wherein the bale fork  7  is configured to lift a bale  5  from the ground and deposit the bale  5  into a chamber  9  of the bale processor; removing the bale fork  7 ; attaching a hitch assembly  11  to the rear end of the bale processor  3 ; releasably attaching a lift conveyor  19  to the rear end of the bale processor  19  above the hitch assembly  11 ; connecting a bale trailer  13  to the hitch assembly  11 , the bale trailer  13  comprising a trailer conveyor  17  operative to move bales forward on the bale trailer  13 ; wherein the lift conveyor  19  is operative, when in an operating position, to receive a transported bale  5  from the trailer conveyor  17  and move the transported bale forward to a lift position, and further operative to pivot the transported bale  5  upward and forward into a chamber  9  of the bale processor  3 . 
     Thus the present disclosure provides a method and apparatus that provides a lift conveyor  19  to replace the bale fork  7  of a bale processor  3  of the prior art, and a bale trailer  13  of the prior art and combines them into a bale processor and transport apparatus  1  which can carry and process an increased number of bales  5  to a feeding location The apparatus  1  can be converted back into a conventional bale processor  3  and a conventional bale trailer  13  when the apparatus  1  is not required, and can be used conventionally. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure further provides a method of processing and transporting large bales where the bale fork  7  is retained and used with the bale trailer  13 . The method comprises providing a bale processor  3  with a bale fork  7  attached to the lift frame  27  at a rear end of the bale processor  3 , wherein the bale fork  7  is configured to lift a bale  5  from the ground and deposit the bale  5  into a chamber  9  of the bale processor  3 ; attaching a hitch assembly  11  to the rear end of the bale processor  3 ; optionally, attaching the bale fork  7  higher on the lift frame  27 ; connecting a bale trailer  13  to the hitch assembly  11 , the bale trailer  13  comprising a trailer conveyor  17  operative to move bales forward on the bale trailer  13 ; wherein the bale fork  7  is operative, when in an operating position, to receive a transported bale  5  from the trailer conveyor  17  and pivot the transported bale  5  upward and forward into a chamber  9  of the bale processor  3 . 
     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.