Vehicle mountable bale lifter

Claim 2

A vehicle mountable lifting device comprising: an elongated frame member; a mast extending from said frame member substantially perpendicularly thereto and being attached to said frame member at about the mid-point of said frame member; three spears extending from said frame member substantially perpendi-cular to said frame member and to said mast, one relatively large main spear attached to said frame member at about the mid-point thereof, and two smaller stabilizing spears attached to said frame member adjacent to each end thereof, said three spears being substantially parallel to each other; said lifting device being adapted to be mounted on a vehicle so that said frame member is pivotally attached to said vehicle in a substantially horizontal position and is rotatable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said frame member.

Claim 3

The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said frame member is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle so that said frame member is rotatable about an axis coincident with its horizontal axis.

Claim 4

In combination, a vehicle and a lifting device mounted thereon, said combination comprising: a vehicle; a lifting device pivotally mounted on said vehicle at one end thereof, said lifting device comprising a horizontally disposed elongated frame member mounted in a position generally perpendicular to the normal path of motion of said vehicle, at least one mast extend-ing generally upwardly from said frame member and substantially perpendicular thereto, three spears extending from said frame member substantially perpendicular to said frame member and at an angle of between 60° and about 120° to said at least one mast, one relatively large main spear attached to said frame member at about the mid-point thereof, and two smaller stabilizing spears attached to said frame member adjacent to each end thereof, said three spears being substantially parallel to each other and being disposed in a substantially horizontal position and extending away from said vehicle; means for applying a force to said mast so as to cause said lifting device to rotate about an axis sub-stantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said horizontally disposed elongated frame member; and means for controlling the action of said force applying means.

Claim 5

In combination, a vehicle and a lifting device mounted thereon, said combination comprising: a vehicle; a lifting device pivotally mounted on said vehicle at one end thereof, said lifting device comprising a horizontally disposed elongated frame member mounted in a position generally perpendicular to the normal path of motion of said vehicle, at least one mast extend-ing generally upwardly from said frame member and substantially perpendicular thereto, three spears extending from said frame member substantially perpendicular to said frame member and at an angle of between 60° and about 120° to said at least one mast, one relatively large main spear attached to said frame member at about the mid-point thereof, and two smaller stabilizing spears attached to said frame member adjacent to each end thereof, said three spears being substantially parallel to each other and being disposed in a substantially horizontal position and extending away from said vehicle; means for applying a force to said mast so as to cause said lifting device to rotate about an axis sub-stantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said horizontally disposed elongated frame member; and means for controlling the action of said force applying means.

Claim 6

The invention defined in claim 3 further including a pair of pivot supports mounted at one end of said vehicle, and wherein said lifting device is pivotally mounted on said pivot supports.

Claim 7

The invention defined in claim 4 wherein a single mast is provided which is attached to the said frame member at about the mid-point of said frame member.

Claim 8

The invention defined in claim 5 wherein said spears are substantially perpendicular to said mast.

Claim 9

The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said means for applying a force is a winch mounted on said vehicle and attached to said mast adjacent the top thereof by means of a cable.

Claim 10

The invention defined in claim 7 wherein said frame member is attached to said pivot supports by means of two pivot plates extending from each end of said frame member and held in pivotal engagement with said pivot supports by means of pivot bolts, said frame member being rotatable about an axis extending through said pivot bolts, said axis being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said frame member.

Claim 11

The invention defined in claim 7 or 8 wherein the vehicle is a pickup truck, said pivot supports are mounted on the rear bumper of said truck, said spears extend rearwardly from said truck, said winch is mounted in the truck box at the forward end thereof, and means for controlling the action of said winch are provided in the cab of said truck.