Bale loader

Claim 1

A bale loader comprising a rigid platform structure of generally rectangular configuration, wheel means supporting said platform structure for ground movement in a generally horizontally extending parallel relation to the ground, an elongated hitch bar extending forwardly of the forward end of said platform structure and having a forward end provided with means for effecting a detachable articulated draft connection with a tractor about a first vertical axis generally fixed with respect to the tractor at a rearward central location with respect thereto, means pivotally connecting the rearward end of said hitch bar adjacent the forward end portion of said platform structure centrally of the width thereof for swinging movement about a second vertical axis fixed with respect to said platform structure between a transport position wherein said hitch bar extends longitudinally of said platform structure with said first and second pivotal axes substantially longitudinally aligned so that said platform structure is in general longitudinal alignment with a pulling tractor when pulled forward thereby and a bale lifting position wherein said hitch bar extends angularly of said platform structure with said first axis offset laterally with respect to said second axis, releasable stop means carried by the forward end of said platform structure and engaged with said hitch bar intermediate the ends thereof for releasably retaining said hitch bar in said bale lifting position so that approximately one-half of said platform structure is disposed laterally outwardly of a pulling tractor when said platform structure is pulled thereby with said hitch bar in said bale lifting position, a generally rigid bale lifting structure having a width less than half the width of said platform structure disposed within the aforesaid laterally outwardly disposed one-half thereof, means for pivotally connecting said bale lifting structure to the forward end of said platform structure for pivotal movement about a laterally extending horizontal axis fixed with respect to said platform structure between a first position wherein the bale lifting structure extends downwardly and forwardly from the forward end of said platform structure to engage the undersides of a bale on the ground during forward movement of the platform structure by a pulling tractor with said hitch bar in said bale lifting position and a second position wherein said bale lifting structure extends upwardly and forwardly of the forward end of said platform structure so that a bale engaged thereby as aforesaid falls rearwardly therefrom onto the rearwardly adjacent area of the platform, and means connected between said platform structure and said bale lifting structure for effecting movement of the latter between said first and second positions.