Hay loading, transporting and feeding system

Claim 2

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay comprising: an elongated bed having a forward end and a rear end; ground-engaging wheels supporting the bed; a rearwardly extending bed extension pivotally connected to the rear end of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis into a ramp-forming position; a bale moving conveyor, having a pair of parallel transversely spaced endless chains each having an upper run and a lower run, supported on said bed and said bed extension and each of said chains extending from the forward end of said bed to the rear end of said bed extension and including a portion movable with said bed extension during the pivotal movement thereof; bale-retaining fences disposed on opposite sides of said bed and bed extension; a lateral bale pick-up cradle assembly pivotally mounted on one side of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis from a vertically extending position upwardly from said one side of the bed to a position extending downwardly and outwardly from said one side of said bed; and a bale cutting and disintegrating assembly mounted on said bed at the forward end thereof for receiving a bale of hay moved forwardly on said conveyor.

Claim 3

A vehicular system as defined in claim 1 wherein said bale cutting and disintegrating assembly comprises: a housing mounted at the forward end of said bed and opening toward the rear of said bed; a plurality of cooperating grinding drums in said housing and exposed through the opening in said housing in a position to contact bales moved on said conveyor; and a horizontally extending cross-conveyor, including a first portion positioned below said drums and in said housing, and a second portion extending from said housing normal to said bed, said second portion being pivotable between a horizontally extending position in alignment with said first portion, and a vertically extending position projecting vertically from a side of said bed.

Claim 4

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay as defined in claim 2 wherein said rearwardly extending bed extension includes: a pair of horizontally spaced, substantially parallel frame members each having an end pivotally connected to said bed; a slide shoe supported on the rear of said frame member; and rollers supported on said slide shoe.

Claim 5

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay as defined in claim 1 wherein said rearwardly extending bed extension includes a pair of horizontally spaced, substantially parallel frame members each having an end pivotally connected to said bed; a slide shoe supported on the rear of said frame member; and rollers supported on said slide shoe.

Claim 6

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay as defined in claim 1 wherein said lateral bale pick-up cradle assembly comprises: an angulated arm having one end pivotally connected to said bed and including a central arm segment and an outer arm segment extending at an obtuse angle from said central arm segment; a plurality of elongated, forwardly extending spaced bale pick-up tines secured to and projecting forwardly from said angulated arm toward the forward end of said bed; and means for pivoting said angulated arm from an upwardly extending first position alongside said bed and in general alignment with one of said bale-retaining fences, to a horizontally extending position in which said central arm segment extends outwardly from the bed and substantially horizontally, and the tines are spaced from picking up a bale on the ground alongside said bed.

Claim 7

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay as defined in claim 1 wherein said rearwardly extending bed extension comprises: a pair of spaced, parallel box beam frame members each having a forward end and a rear end and each supporting and guiding the portion of said conveyor movable with the bed extension; and a curved runner plate secured to the rear end of each of said box beam frame members for sliding contact with the ground when the bed extension is pivoted into a ramp forming position.

Claim 8

A hay loading, transporting and feeding truck comprising: a bed having a forward end and a rear end; a cab ahead of said bed; a bale cutting and disintegrating assembly positioned between said bed and cab for receiving hay from said bed; a conveyor mounted on said bed and extending between the forward and rear ends thereof for moving bales of hay forward on the bed into the cutting and disintegrating assembly; a cross-conveyor mounted under said bale cutting and disintegrating assembly for transferring cut hay to the side of said truck to windrow it on the ground for feeding purposes; and a reciprocating, foldable pusher plate assembly mounted on said bed for pushing bales into said bale cutting and disintegrating assembly in cooperative action with said conveyor.

Claim 9

A hay loading, transporting and feeding truck comprising: a bed having a forward end and a rear end; a cab ahead of said bed; a bale cutting and disintegrating assembly positioned between said bed and cab for receiving hay from said bed; a conveyor mounted on said bed and extending between the forward and rear ends thereof for moving bales of hay forward on the bed into the cutting and disintegrating assembly; a cross-conveyor mounted under said bale cutting and disintegrating assembly for transferring cut hay to the side of said truck to windrow it on the ground for feeding purposes; and a reciprocating, foldable pusher plate assembly mounted on said bed for pushing bales into said bale cutting and disintegrating assembly in cooperative action with said conveyor.

Claim 10

A hay loading, transporting and feeding truck as defined in claim 7 and further characterized as including fence means projecting upwardly and outwardly from opposite sides of said bed for retaining hay bales on said bed.

Claim 11

A hay loading, transporting and feeding truck as defined in claim 7 and further characterized as including means for picking up a hay bale from alongside said bed and positioning said bale on the bed between said pusher plate assembly and said cutting and disintegrating assembly.

Claim 12

A hay loading, transporting and feeding truck as defined in claim 9 which further comprises: fence means projecting upwardly and outwardly from opposite sides of said bed for retaining hay bales on said bed; and wherein said means for picking up a hay bale from alongside said bed comprises: an angulated arm having one end pivotally connected to said bed and including a central arm segment and an outer arm segment extending at an obtuse angle from said central arm segment; a plurality of elongated, forwardly extending spaced bale pick-up tines secured to and projecting forwardly from said angulated arm toward the forward end of said bed; and means for pivoting said angulated arm from an upwardly extending first position alongside said bed and in general alignment with one of said bale-retaining fences, to a horizontally extending position in which said central arm segment extends outwardly from the bed and substantially horizontally, and the tines are spaced for picking up a bale on the ground alongside said bed.

Claim 13

A hay loading, transporting and feeding truck as defined in claim 7 wherein said bale cutting and disintegrating assembly comprises: a plurality of cooperating grinding drums mounted for rotation about horizontal axes and extending transversely across said bed at the forward end thereof.

Claim 14

A hay loading, transporting and feeding truck as defined in claim 7 and further characterized as including a rearwardly extending bed extension pivotally connected to the rear end of said bed for pivotal movement between a horizontal position and a downwardly extending ramp forming position.

Claim 15

A hay loading, transporting and feeding truck as defined in claim 12 wherein said conveyor comprises: a first pair of parallel, spaced box beams mounted on said bed and projecting longitudinally along the bed, each of said box beams having an upper side and a lower side; a pair of parallel, spaced second box beams in said bed extension longitudinally aligned with said first pair of box beams, said second box beams each having an upper side and a lower side; a pair of parallel endless chains each having: an upper run extending along and supported by the upper sides of one of said first box beams and an aligned one of said second box beams; and a lower run extending within one of said first box beams and an aligned one of said second box beams; and sprockets engaging each of said chains.

Claim 16

A hay loading, transporting and feeding truck as defined in claim 13 and further characterized as including fence means projecting upwardly and outwardly from opposite sides of said bed for retaining hay bales on said bed.

Claim 17

A hay loading, transporting and feeding truck as defined in claim 14 and further characterized as including means for picking up a hay bale from alongside said bed and positioning said bale on the bed between said pusher plate assembly and said cutting and disintegrating assembly.

Claim 18

A hay handling system comprising: an elongated bed having a front end and a rear end; a reversibly movable conveyor mounted on said bed for moving hay forwardly and rearwardly on the bed; ground-engaging wheels supporting the bed; means on the rear end of the bed for scooping up a hay bale to the rear of the bed, and loading it on the rear end portion of said bed; means mounted on the side of the bed adjacent the forward end thereof for picking up a hay bale located alongside said bed and loading it on the front end portion of said bed, whereby said bale loading means and reversibly moving conveyor can be cooperatively used to completely load said bed with hay; a pusher plate reciprocably and foldably mounted on said bed for folding between a first position extending along one side of the bed and a second position extending transversely of the bed, for reciprocating movement longitudinally of the bed; and means cooperating with said pusher plate to cut up a bale of hay.

Claim 19

A hay handling system comprising: an elongated bed having a front end and a rear end; a reversibly movable conveyor mounted on said bed for moving hay forwardly and rearwardly on the bed; ground-engaging wheels supporting the bed; means on the rear end of the bed for scooping up a hay bale to the rear of the bed, and loading it on the rear end portion of said bed; means mounted on the side of the bed adjacent the forward end thereof for picking up a hay bale located alongside said bed and loading it on the front end portion of said bed, whereby said bale loading means and reversibly moving conveyor can be cooperatively used to completely load said bed with hay; a pusher plate reciprocably and foldably mounted on said bed for folding between a first position extending along one side of the bed and a second position extending transversely of the bed, for reciprocating movement longitudinally of the bed; and means cooperating with said pusher plate to cut up a bale of hay.

Claim 20

A hay handling system as defined in claim 16 wherein said scooping up means comprises downwardly inclined ramp means at the rear of said bed.

Claim 21

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay comprising: an elongated bed having a forward end and a rear end; ground-engaging wheels supporting the bed; a rearwardly extending bed extension pivotally connected to the rear end of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis into a ramp-forming position; a bale moving conveyor having a pair of parallel transversely spaced endless chains each having an upper run and a lower run and each having a plurality of spaced tines projecting from each of said chains, said conveyor being supported on said bed and said bed extension and each of said chains extending from the forward end of said bed to the rear end of said bed extension and including a portion movable with said bed extension during the pivotal movement thereof; said bale moving conveyor further comprising: longitudinally spaced plates mounted on opposite sides of said bed and bed extension, and supporting portions of the upper runs of said chains; a first set of sprockets positioned in the spaces between pairs of said longitudinally spaced plates and engaging the upper runs of said chains at a location adjacent the rear end of said bed and adjacent the junction between said bed and bed extension; a second set of spaced sprockets engaging the upper side of the lower runs of said chains; and slotted channel members slidingly receiving the lower runs of said chains at a location adjacent the junction between said bed and said bed extension for guiding the lower runs of said chains from said bed to said bed extension, and each including a slot extending the length thereof facilitating the passage of said tines through said channel members by extension through said slots; bale-retaining fences disposed on opposite sides of said bed and said bed extension; a lateral bale pickup cradle assembly pivotally mounted on one side of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis from a vertically extending position upwardly from one side of the bed to a position extending downwardly and outwardly from one side of said bed; and a bale cutting and disintegrating assembly mounted on said bed at the forward end thereof for receiving a bale of hay moved forwardly on said conveyor.

Claim 22

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay comprising: an elongated bed having a forward end and a rear end; ground-engaging wheels supporting the bed; a rearwardly extending bed extension pivotally connected to the rear end of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis into a ramp-forming position; a bale moving conveyor having a pair of parallel transversely spaced endless chains each having an upper run and a lower run and each having a plurality of spaced tines projecting from each of said chains, said conveyor being supported on said bed and said bed extension and each of said chains extending from the forward end of said bed to the rear end of said bed extension and including a portion movable with said bed extension during the pivotal movement thereof; said bale moving conveyor further comprising: longitudinally spaced plates mounted on opposite sides of said bed and bed extension, and supporting portions of the upper runs of said chains; a first set of sprockets positioned in the spaces between pairs of said longitudinally spaced plates and engaging the upper runs of said chains at a location adjacent the rear end of said bed and adjacent the junction between said bed and bed extension; a second set of spaced sprockets engaging the upper side of the lower runs of said chains; and slotted channel members slidingly receiving the lower runs of said chains at a location adjacent the junction between said bed and said bed extension for guiding the lower runs of said chains from said bed to said bed extension, and each including a slot extending the length thereof facilitating the passage of said tines through said channel members by extension through said slots; bale-retaining fences disposed on opposite sides of said bed and said bed extension; a lateral bale pickup cradle assembly pivotally mounted on one side of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis from a vertically extending position upwardly from one side of the bed to a position extending downwardly and outwardly from one side of said bed; and a bale cutting and disintegrating assembly mounted on said bed at the forward end thereof for receiving a bale of hay moved forwardly on said conveyor.

Claim 23

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay comprising: an elongated bed having a forward end and a rear end; ground engaging wheels supporting the bed; a rearwardly extending bed extension pivotally connected to the rear end of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis into a ramp-forming position; a bale moving conveyor having a pair of parallel, transversely spaced endless chains each having an upper run and a lower run and each having a plurality of spaced tines projecting from each of said chains, said conveyor being supported on said bed and said bed extension, and each of said chains extending from the forward end of said bed to the rear end of said bed extension, and including a portion movable with said bed extension during the pivotal movement thereof; said bale moving conveyor further comprising: a first pair of parallel, spaced box beams mounted on said bed and projecting longitudinally along the bed, each of said box beams having an upper side and a lower side; a pair of parallel, spaced second box beams in said bed extension and logitudinally aligned with said first pair of box beams, said second box beams each having an upper side and a lower side; sprockets engaging each of said chains; and wherein said pair of parallel endless chains is further characterized as including: an upper run extending along and supported by the upper sides of one of said first box beams and of an aligned one of said second box beams; and a lower run extending within one of said first box beams and an aligned one of said second box beams; bale-retaining fences disposed on opposite sides of said bed and bed extension; a lateral bale pickup cradle assembly pivotally mounted on one side of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis from a vertically extending position upwardly from one side of the bed to a position extending downwardly and outwardly from one side of said bed; and a bale cutting and disintegrating assembly mounted on said bed at the forward end thereof for receiving a bale of hay moving forwardly on said conveyor.

Claim 24

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay comprising: an elongated bed having a forward end and a rear end; ground engaging wheels supporting the bed; a rearwardly extending bed extension pivotally connected to the rear end of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis into a ramp-forming position; a bale moving conveyor having a pair of parallel, transversely spaced endless chains each having an upper run and a lower run and each having a plurality of spaced tines projecting from each of said chains, said conveyor being supported on said bed and said bed extension, and each of said chains extending from the forward end of said bed to the rear end of said bed extension, and including a portion movable with said bed extension during the pivotal movement thereof; said bale moving conveyor further comprising: a first pair of parallel, spaced box beams mounted on said bed and projecting longitudinally along the bed, each of said box beams having an upper side and a lower side; a pair of parallel, spaced second box beams in said bed extension and logitudinally aligned with said first pair of box beams, said second box beams each having an upper side and a lower side; sprockets engaging each of said chains; and wherein said pair of parallel endless chains is further characterized as including: an upper run extending along and supported by the upper sides of one of said first box beams and of an aligned one of said second box beams; and a lower run extending within one of said first box beams and an aligned one of said second box beams; bale-retaining fences disposed on opposite sides of said bed and bed extension; a lateral bale pickup cradle assembly pivotally mounted on one side of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis from a vertically extending position upwardly from one side of the bed to a position extending downwardly and outwardly from one side of said bed; and a bale cutting and disintegrating assembly mounted on said bed at the forward end thereof for receiving a bale of hay moving forwardly on said conveyor.

Claim 25

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay as defined in claim 19 and further characterized as including a rod secured within each of said box beams on the top of the bottom side thereof and guiding and supporting the lower run of one of said chains extending therethrough.

Claim 26

A vehicular system as defined in claim 19 wherein said bale cutting and disintegrating assembly is further characterized in comprising: a housing mounted at the forward end of said bed and opening toward the rear of said bed; a plurality of cooperating grinding drums in said housing and exposed through the opening of said housing in a position to contact bales moving on said conveyor; a horizontally extending cross conveyor including a first portion positioned below said drums and in said housing, and a second portion extending from said housing normal to said bed, said second portion being pivotable between a horizontally extending position in alignment with said first portion, and a vertically extending position projecting vertically from a side of said bed.

Claim 27

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay comprising: an elongated bed having a forward end and a rear end; ground engaging wheels supporting the bed; a rearwardly extending bed extension pivotally connected to the rear end of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis into a ramp-forming position; a bale moving conveyor having a pair of parallel transversely spaced endless chains each having an upper run and a lower run, supported on said bed and said bed extension, and extending from the forward end of said bed to the rear end of said bed extension, and including a portion movable with said bed extension during the pivotal movement thereof; bale-retaining fences disposed on opposite sides of said bed and bed extension; a lateral bale pickup cradle assembly pivotally mounted on one side of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis from a vertically extending position upwardly from said one side of the bed to a position extending downwardly and outwardly from said one side of said bed, said lateral bale pickup cradle assembly comprising: an angulated arm having one end pivotally connected to said bed and including a central arm segment and an outer arm segment extending at an obtuse angle from said central arm segment; a plurality of elongated, forwardly extending, spaced bale pickup tines secured to, and projecting forwardly from, said angulated arm toward the forward end of said bed; bars interconnecting the forward ends of said tines for preventing breakage of twine wrappings on hay bales; and means for pivoting said angulated arm from an upwardly extending first position alongside said bed and in general alignment with one of said bale-retaining fences, to a generally horizontally extending position in which said central arm segment extends outwardly from the bed and substantially horizontally, and the tines are spaced for picking up a bale on the ground alongside said bed; a bale cutting and disintegrating assembly mounted on said bed at the forward end thereof for receiving a bale of hay moving forwardly on said conveyor.

Claim 28

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay comprising: an elongated bed having a forward end and a rear end; ground engaging wheels supporting the bed; a rearwardly extending bed extension pivotally connected to the rear end of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis into a ramp-forming position; a bale moving conveyor having a pair of parallel transversely spaced endless chains each having an upper run and a lower run, supported on said bed and said bed extension, and extending from the forward end of said bed to the rear end of said bed extension, and including a portion movable with said bed extension during the pivotal movement thereof; bale-retaining fences disposed on opposite sides of said bed and bed extension; a lateral bale pickup cradle assembly pivotally mounted on one side of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis from a vertically extending position upwardly from said one side of the bed to a position extending downwardly and outwardly from said one side of said bed, said lateral bale pickup cradle assembly comprising: an angulated arm having one end pivotally connected to said bed and including a central arm segment and an outer arm segment extending at an obtuse angle from said central arm segment; a plurality of elongated, forwardly extending, spaced bale pickup tines secured to, and projecting forwardly from, said angulated arm toward the forward end of said bed; bars interconnecting the forward ends of said tines for preventing breakage of twine wrappings on hay bales; and means for pivoting said angulated arm from an upwardly extending first position alongside said bed and in general alignment with one of said bale-retaining fences, to a generally horizontally extending position in which said central arm segment extends outwardly from the bed and substantially horizontally, and the tines are spaced for picking up a bale on the ground alongside said bed; a bale cutting and disintegrating assembly mounted on said bed at the forward end thereof for receiving a bale of hay moving forwardly on said conveyor.

Claim 29

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay comprising: an elongated bed having a forward end and a rear end; ground-engaging wheels supporting the bed; a rearwardly extending bed extension pivotally connected to the rear end of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis into a ramp-forming position; a bale moving conveyor having a pair of parallel transversely spaced endless chains each having an upper run and a lower run supported on said bed and said bed extension and extending from the forward end of said bed to the rearward end of said bed extension, said conveyor including a portion movable with said bed extension during the pivotal movement thereof, said bale moving conveyor further comprising: a plurality of tines on each of said endless chains with said tines being secured on opposite sides of each of said chains in alternating sequence; a first pair of parallel, spaced box beams mounted on said bed and projecting longitudinally along the bed, each of said box beams having an upper side and a lower side; a pair of parallel, spaced second box beams mounted on said bed extension and longitudinally aligned with said first pair of box beams, said second box beams each having an upper side and a lower side; rod means secured to each of said box beams and straddled by a plurality of tines for guiding said chains during their movment; sprockets engaging each of said chains; and wherein said pair of endless chains is further characterized as having: an upper run extending along and supported by the upper sides of one of said first box beams and an aligned one of said second box beams; and a lower run extending within one of said first box beams and an aligned one of said second box beams and carrying said plurality of tines straddling said rod means; bale-retaining fences disposed on opposite sides of said bed and said bed extension; a lateral bale pickup cradle assembly pivotally mounted on one side of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis from a vertically extending position upwardly from said one side of the bed to a position extending downwardly and outwardly from said one side of said bed, said lateral bale pickup cradle assembly further comprising: an angulated arm having one end pivotally connected to said bed and including a central segment and an outer arm segment extending at an obtuse angle from said central arm segment; a plurality of elongated, forwardly extending spaced bale pickup tines secured to and projecting forwardly from said angulated arm toward the forward end of said bed; and bars interconnecting the forward ends of said pickup tines for preventing breaking of twine wrappings on hay bales; and a bale cutting and disintegrating assembly mounted on said bed at the forward end thereof for receiving a bale of hay moving forwardly on said conveyor, said bale cutting and disintegrating assembly comprising: a housing mounted at the forward end of said bed and opening toward the rear of said bed; a plurality of cooperating grinding drums in said housing and exposed through the opening in said housing in a position to contact bales moving on said conveyor; and a horizontally extending cross conveyor including a first portion positioned below said drums and in said housing, and a second portion extending from said housing normal to said bed, said second portion being pivotally movable between a horizontally extending position in alignment with said first portion, and a vertically extending position projecting vertically from a side of said bed.

Claim 30

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay comprising: an elongated bed having a forward end and a rear end; ground-engaging wheels supporting the bed; a rearwardly extending bed extension pivotally connected to the rear end of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis into a ramp-forming position; a bale moving conveyor having a pair of parallel transversely spaced endless chains each having an upper run and a lower run supported on said bed and said bed extension and extending from the forward end of said bed to the rearward end of said bed extension, said conveyor including a portion movable with said bed extension during the pivotal movement thereof, said bale moving conveyor further comprising: a plurality of tines on each of said endless chains with said tines being secured on opposite sides of each of said chains in alternating sequence; a first pair of parallel, spaced box beams mounted on said bed and projecting longitudinally along the bed, each of said box beams having an upper side and a lower side; a pair of parallel, spaced second box beams mounted on said bed extension and longitudinally aligned with said first pair of box beams, said second box beams each having an upper side and a lower side; rod means secured to each of said box beams and straddled by a plurality of tines for guiding said chains during their movment; sprockets engaging each of said chains; and wherein said pair of endless chains is further characterized as having: an upper run extending along and supported by the upper sides of one of said first box beams and an aligned one of said second box beams; and a lower run extending within one of said first box beams and an aligned one of said second box beams and carrying said plurality of tines straddling said rod means; bale-retaining fences disposed on opposite sides of said bed and said bed extension; a lateral bale pickup cradle assembly pivotally mounted on one side of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis from a vertically extending position upwardly from said one side of the bed to a position extending downwardly and outwardly from said one side of said bed, said lateral bale pickup cradle assembly further comprising: an angulated arm having one end pivotally connected to said bed and including a central segment and an outer arm segment extending at an obtuse angle from said central arm segment; a plurality of elongated, forwardly extending spaced bale pickup tines secured to and projecting forwardly from said angulated arm toward the forward end of said bed; and bars interconnecting the forward ends of said pickup tines for preventing breaking of twine wrappings on hay bales; and a bale cutting and disintegrating assembly mounted on said bed at the forward end thereof for receiving a bale of hay moving forwardly on said conveyor, said bale cutting and disintegrating assembly comprising: a housing mounted at the forward end of said bed and opening toward the rear of said bed; a plurality of cooperating grinding drums in said housing and exposed through the opening in said housing in a position to contact bales moving on said conveyor; and a horizontally extending cross conveyor including a first portion positioned below said drums and in said housing, and a second portion extending from said housing normal to said bed, said second portion being pivotally movable between a horizontally extending position in alignment with said first portion, and a vertically extending position projecting vertically from a side of said bed.

Claim 31

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay as defined in claim 23 wherein said rearwardly extending bed extension comprises: a pair of spaced, parallel box beam frame members each having a forward end and a rear end and each supporting and guiding the portion of said conveyor movable with the bed extension; and a curved runner plate secured to the rear end of each of said box beam frame members for sliding contact with the ground when the bed extension is pivoted into a ramp forming position.

Claim 32

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay as defined in claim 24 wherein one of said sprockets is carried in the rear end of each of said box beam frame members.

Claim 33

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay comprising: an elongated bed having a forward end and a rear end; ground-engaging wheels supporting the bed; a rearwardly extending bed extension pivotally connected to the rear end of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis into a ramp-forming position; a bale moving conveyor, having a pair of parallel transversely spaced endless chains, each having an upper run and a lower run, supported on said bed and said bed extension and extending from the forward end of said bed to the rear end of said bed extension, and including a portion movable with said bed extension during the pivotal movement thereof; bale-retaining fences disposed on opposite sides of said bed and bed extension; a lateral bale pickup cradle assembly pivotally mounted on one side of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis from a vertically extending position upwardly from said one side of the bed to a position extending downwardly and outwardly from said one side of said bed, said lateral bale pickup cradle assembly comprising: an angulated arm having one end pivotally connected to said bed and including a central arm segment and an outer arm segment extending at an obtuse angle from said central arm segment; a plurality of elongated, forwardly extending spaced bale pickup tines secured to and projecting forwardly from said angulated arm toward the forward end of said bed; bars interconnecting the forward ends of said tines for preventing breaking of twine wrappings on said hay bales; and means for pivoting said angulated arm from an upwardly extending first position alongside said bed and in general alignment with one of said bale-retaining fences, to a horizontally extending position in which said central arm segment extends outwardly from the bed and substantially horizontally, and the tines are spaced for picking up a bale on the ground alongside said bed; and a bale cutting and disintegrating assembly mounted on said bed at the forward end thereof for receiving a bale of hay moving forwardly on said conveyor, said bale cutting and disintegrating assembly comprising: a housing mounted at the forward end of said bed and opening toward the rear of said bed; a plurality of cooperaing grinding drums in said housing and exposed through the opening in said housing in a position to contact bales moving on said conveyor; and a horizontally extending cross-conveyor, including a first portion positioned below said drums and in said housing, and a second portion extending from said housing normal to said bed.

Claim 34

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay comprising: an elongated bed having a forward end and a rear end; ground-engaging wheels supporting the bed; a rearwardly extending bed extension pivotally connected to the rear end of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis into a ramp-forming position; a bale moving conveyor, having a pair of parallel transversely spaced endless chains, each having an upper run and a lower run, supported on said bed and said bed extension and extending from the forward end of said bed to the rear end of said bed extension, and including a portion movable with said bed extension during the pivotal movement thereof; bale-retaining fences disposed on opposite sides of said bed and bed extension; a lateral bale pickup cradle assembly pivotally mounted on one side of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis from a vertically extending position upwardly from said one side of the bed to a position extending downwardly and outwardly from said one side of said bed, said lateral bale pickup cradle assembly comprising: an angulated arm having one end pivotally connected to said bed and including a central arm segment and an outer arm segment extending at an obtuse angle from said central arm segment; a plurality of elongated, forwardly extending spaced bale pickup tines secured to and projecting forwardly from said angulated arm toward the forward end of said bed; bars interconnecting the forward ends of said tines for preventing breaking of twine wrappings on said hay bales; and means for pivoting said angulated arm from an upwardly extending first position alongside said bed and in general alignment with one of said bale-retaining fences, to a horizontally extending position in which said central arm segment extends outwardly from the bed and substantially horizontally, and the tines are spaced for picking up a bale on the ground alongside said bed; and a bale cutting and disintegrating assembly mounted on said bed at the forward end thereof for receiving a bale of hay moving forwardly on said conveyor, said bale cutting and disintegrating assembly comprising: a housing mounted at the forward end of said bed and opening toward the rear of said bed; a plurality of cooperaing grinding drums in said housing and exposed through the opening in said housing in a position to contact bales moving on said conveyor; and a horizontally extending cross-conveyor, including a first portion positioned below said drums and in said housing, and a second portion extending from said housing normal to said bed.

Claim 35

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay comprising: an elongated bed having a forward end and a rear end; ground-engaging wheels supporting the bed; a rearwardly extending bed extension connected to the rear end of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis into a ramp-forming position, said rearwardly extending bed extension including: a pair of horizontally spaced, substantially parallel frame members each having an end pivotally connected to said bed and having a rear end; a slide shoe supported on the rear ends of said frame members; and rollers supported on said slide shoe; a bale moving conveyor, having a pair of parallel transversely spaced endless chains each having an upper run and a lower run, supported on said bed and said bed extension, and extending from the forward end of said bed to the rear end of said bed extension, said conveyor including a portion movable with said bed extension during the pivotal movement thereof, said bale moving conveyor further comprising: a plurality of spaced tines projecting from each of said chains; longitudinally spaced plates mounted on opposite sides of said bed and bed extension, and supporting portions of the upper runs of said chains; a first set of sprockets including sprockets positioned in the spaces between pairs of said longitudinally spaced plates and engaging the upper runs of said chains; a second set of spaced sprockets engaging the upper side of the lower runs of said chains; and slotted channel members slidingly receiving the lower runs of said chains for guiding the lower runs of said chains between said bed and said bed extension, and each including a slot extending the length thereof facilitating the passage of said tines through said channel members by extension through said slots; bale retaining fences disposed on opposite sides of said bed extension; a lateral bale pickup cradle assembly pivotally mounted on one side of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis from a vertically extending position upwardly from said one side of the bed to a position extending downwardly and outwardly from said one side of said bed, said lateral bale pickup cradle assembly comprising: an angulated arm having one end pivotally connected to said bed and including a central arm segment and an outer arm segment extending at an obtuse angle from said central arm segment; a plurality of elongated, forwardly extending spaced bale pickup tines secured to and projecting forwardly from said angulated arm toward the forward end of said bed; and means for pivoting said angulated arm from an upwardly extending first position alongside said bed and in general alignment with one of said bale-retaining fences, to a horizontally extending position in which said central arm segment extends outwardly from the bed and substantially horizontally, and the tines are spaced for picking up a bale on the ground alongside said bed; a bale cutting and disintegrating assembly mounted on said bed at the forward end thereof for receiving a bale of hay moved forwardly on said conveyor, said bale cutting and disintegrating assembly comprising: a housing mounted at the forward end of said bed and opening toward the rear of said bed; a plurality of cooperating grinding drums in said housing and exposed through the opening of said housing in a position to contact bales moved on said conveyor; and a horizontally extending cross-conveyor including a first portion positioned below said drums and in said housing, and a second portion extending from said housing normal to said bed, said second portion being pivotable between a horizontally extending position in alignment with said first portion, and a vertically extending position projecting vertically from a side of said bed; and a reciprocating pusher plate assembly mounted on said bed for pushing said bales into said bale cutting and disintegrating assembly.

Claim 36

A vehicular system for loading, transporting and feeding baled hay comprising: an elongated bed having a forward end and a rear end; ground-engaging wheels supporting the bed; a rearwardly extending bed extension connected to the rear end of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis into a ramp-forming position, said rearwardly extending bed extension including: a pair of horizontally spaced, substantially parallel frame members each having an end pivotally connected to said bed and having a rear end; a slide shoe supported on the rear ends of said frame members; and rollers supported on said slide shoe; a bale moving conveyor, having a pair of parallel transversely spaced endless chains each having an upper run and a lower run, supported on said bed and said bed extension, and extending from the forward end of said bed to the rear end of said bed extension, said conveyor including a portion movable with said bed extension during the pivotal movement thereof, said bale moving conveyor further comprising: a plurality of spaced tines projecting from each of said chains; longitudinally spaced plates mounted on opposite sides of said bed and bed extension, and supporting portions of the upper runs of said chains; a first set of sprockets including sprockets positioned in the spaces between pairs of said longitudinally spaced plates and engaging the upper runs of said chains; a second set of spaced sprockets engaging the upper side of the lower runs of said chains; and slotted channel members slidingly receiving the lower runs of said chains for guiding the lower runs of said chains between said bed and said bed extension, and each including a slot extending the length thereof facilitating the passage of said tines through said channel members by extension through said slots; bale retaining fences disposed on opposite sides of said bed extension; a lateral bale pickup cradle assembly pivotally mounted on one side of said bed for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis from a vertically extending position upwardly from said one side of the bed to a position extending downwardly and outwardly from said one side of said bed, said lateral bale pickup cradle assembly comprising: an angulated arm having one end pivotally connected to said bed and including a central arm segment and an outer arm segment extending at an obtuse angle from said central arm segment; a plurality of elongated, forwardly extending spaced bale pickup tines secured to and projecting forwardly from said angulated arm toward the forward end of said bed; and means for pivoting said angulated arm from an upwardly extending first position alongside said bed and in general alignment with one of said bale-retaining fences, to a horizontally extending position in which said central arm segment extends outwardly from the bed and substantially horizontally, and the tines are spaced for picking up a bale on the ground alongside said bed; a bale cutting and disintegrating assembly mounted on said bed at the forward end thereof for receiving a bale of hay moved forwardly on said conveyor, said bale cutting and disintegrating assembly comprising: a housing mounted at the forward end of said bed and opening toward the rear of said bed; a plurality of cooperating grinding drums in said housing and exposed through the opening of said housing in a position to contact bales moved on said conveyor; and a horizontally extending cross-conveyor including a first portion positioned below said drums and in said housing, and a second portion extending from said housing normal to said bed, said second portion being pivotable between a horizontally extending position in alignment with said first portion, and a vertically extending position projecting vertically from a side of said bed; and a reciprocating pusher plate assembly mounted on said bed for pushing said bales into said bale cutting and disintegrating assembly.