Bale handling apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for handling hay bales comprising: a. a portable frame, b. an upright main frame extended transversely of said portable frame, c. means supporting said upright frame adjacent one end of said portable frame, d. a pair of bale gripping arms arranged at opposite sides of said upright frame, e. means movably supporting one of the ends of said jaws adjacent the upper end of said upright frame for pivotal movement of the opposite ends of said jaws toward and away from each other transversely of said main frame and for pivotal movement toward and away from said one end of the portable frame, including a transverse rock shaft rotatably supported at the upper end of said upright frame having end portions projected laterally outwardly from opposite sides of said main frame, and f. means pivotally supporting the one ends of said bale gripping arms on said rock shaft end portions for pivotal movement about axes extended transversely of said rock shaft.

Claim 3

The apparatus for handling hay bales according to claim 1 including: a. means for pivotally moving said bale gripping arms about the axis of said rock shaft comprising a rock arm on said rock shaft, and linearly extendible and retractible power means extended between and movably connected to said rock arm and main frame, and b. other means for pivotally moving said bale gripping arms about said transverse axes including a pair of linearly extendible and retractible power means corresponding to said bale gripping arms, each of said last mentioned power means extended between and movably connected to said rock shaft and a corresponding bale gripping arm.

Claim 4

The apparatus for handling hay bales according to claim 1 wherein: a. each of said bale gripping arms includes an upper section and a lower section, b. means pivotally connecting a lower section to a corresponding upper section for pivoted movement about an axis normal to the axis of said rock shaft from a first position in axis alignment with the upper section to a second position inclined inwardly of the upper section, and c. prong members on each of said lower sections projected laterally inwardly of a bale gripping arm.

Claim 5

The apparatus for handling hay bales according to claim 3 wherein: a. a lower section includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and b. means pivotally connecting together said upper portion and lower portion for pivotal movement of said lower portion about an axis parallel to the axis of said rock shaft from a first position in axial alignment with said upper portion to a second position inclined relative to said upper portion, c. said prongs being mounted on said lower sections.

Claim 6

Apparatus for handling hay bales comprising: a. a portable frame, b. an upright main frame extended transversely of said portable frame, c. means supporting said upright frame adjacent one end of said portable frame, d. a pair of bale gripping arms arranged at opposite sides of said upright frame, e. means movably supporting one of the ends of said jaws adjacent the upper end of said upright frame for pivotal movement of the opposite ends of said jaws toward and away from each other transversely of said main frame and for pivotal movement toward and away from said one end of the portable frame, f. a prong assembly for each of said bale gripping arms comprising a flat mounting member, g. means rotatably supporting a mounting member adjacent the other end of each bale gripping arm for rotation about a transverse axis of a bale gripping arm, with the mounting members arranged in a facing relation, h. a plurality of prong members corresponding to each mounting member secured in a spaced relation thereon, with the prong members on said mounting members projected toward each other, i. coacting means on each mounting member and bale gripping arm for limiting the movement of a corresponding prong assembly in one direction of rotation, and j. adjustable means connected to each mounting member and bale gripping arm for limiting the movement of a corresponding prong assembly in an opposite direction of rotation.

Claim 7

Apparatus for handling hay bales comprising: a. a portable frame, b. an upright main frame extended transversely of said portable frame, c. means supporting said upright frame adjacent one end of said portable frame, d. a pair of bale gripping arms arranged at opposite sides of said upright frame, e. means movably supporting one of the ends of said jaws adjacent the upper end of said upright frame for pivotal movement of the opposite ends of said jaws toward and away from each other transversely of said main frame and for pivotal movement toward and away from said one end of the portable frame, f. a prong assembly for each of said bale gripping arms comprising a flat mounting member, g. means rotatably supporting a mounting member adjacent the other end of each bale gripping arm for rotation about a transverse axis of a bale gripping arm, with the mounting members arranged in a facing relation, h. a plurality of prong members corresponding to each mounting member secured in a spaced relation thereon, with the prong members on said mounting members projected toward each other, i. coacting means on each mounting member and bale gripping arm for limiting the movement of a corresponding prong assembly in one direction of rotation, and j. adjustable means connected to each mounting member and bale gripping arm for limiting the movement of a corresponding prong assembly in an opposite direction of rotation.

Claim 8

The apparatus for handling hay bales according to claim 5 including: a. means for yieldably urging a prong assembly in said one direction of rotation.

Claim 9

A hay bale handling attachment for a farm tractor having a three point hitch connection, said attachment including: a. a main frame extended transversely of the tractor, b. means for connecting said frame in an upright position to said three point hitch connection for up and down movement in said upright position. c. a pair of bale gripping arms arranged at opposite sides of said frame, d. a transverse rock shaft on the top of said frame having laterally projected end portions corresponding to said arms, e. means pivoting one end of an arm on a corresponding end portion for pivotal movement of said arm about a transverse axis of said rock shaft, f. a pair of power units corresponding to said arms for moving said arms about the transverse axes therefor, each power unit extended between and connected to said rock shaft and a corresponding arm, g. power means connected to said frame and rock shaft for rockably moving said rock shaft, and h. prong members mounted on each arm adjacent the free end thereof with the prong members on one arm projected therefrom toward the other arm.

Claim 10

A hay bale handling attachment for a farm tractor having a three point hitch connection, said attachment including: a. a main frame extended transversely of the tractor, b. means for connecting said frame in an upright position to said three point hitch connection for up and down movement in said upright position. c. a pair of bale gripping arms arranged at opposite sides of said frame, d. a transverse rock shaft on the top of said frame having laterally projected end portions corresponding to said arms, e. means pivoting one end of an arm on a corresponding end portion for pivotal movement of said arm about a transverse axis of said rock shaft, f. a pair of power units corresponding to said arms for moving said arms about the transverse axes therefor, each power unit extended between and connected to said rock shaft and a corresponding arm, g. power means connected to said frame and rock shaft for rockably moving said rock shaft, and h. prong members mounted on each arm adjacent the free end thereof with the prong members on one arm projected therefrom toward the other arm.