Patent ID: 7591628

Claim:
A grapple attachment for handing large cylindrical modules of cotton wrapped with a length of wrapping material having a loose inner tail section, said grapple attachment comprising: a support frame including a rear side, as considered relative to a forward direction of travel, provided with a coupling arrangement adapted for being connected to a mobile loader vehicle for elevating the grapple attachment; first and second roller support arrangements being coupled to said support frame; first and second roller arrangements respectively mounted to said first and second roller support arrangements; said first and second roller arrangements each including at least a first roller respectively mounted to each of said first and second roller support arrangements for rotation about first and second parallel axes; at least said second roller support arrangement being pivotally mounted to said support frame for movement relative to said support frame for moving said first roller of said second roller arrangement relative to said first roller of said first roller arrangement between a first position, wherein said first rollers are disposed for engaging an underside of a given module oriented parallel to said first rollers, and a second position, wherein the first rollers are separated from each other a distance for permitting said given module to pass between them; a powered actuator arrangement coupled between said support frame and at least said second roller support arrangement for selectively moving said second roller support arrangement relative to said first roller support arrangement so as to move said first roller of said first roller arrangement between said first and second positions; a drive arrangement coupled to said first rollers for selectively rotating said first rollers in opposite directions relative to each other for aiding movement of said first rollers beneath, and in supporting engagement with, said given one of the modules when said first roller of said second roller arrangement is being moved from said second to said first position wherein a combination of moving said second roller arrangement from said second position to said first position and powering the first rollers in opposite directions provides a means for lifting the module while producing minimal damage to wrapping material have been added.