Large round hay bale mover

Claim 1

A large round hay bale mover for trailing use behind a towing vehicle comprising a large round hay bale cradle and a two-wheeled trailing unit, said cradle comprising pipe means formed to provide a pair of straight fork elements adapted to pass in a forward downwardly inclined ground engaging position under its center of gravity and while remaining in ground engaging position to raise to an inclined preliminary fully loaded condition a large round hay bale, the pipe of each fork element having a 90° vertical bend mounted in close proximity to the wheel axis extending therefrom to form back support elements for the bale, and horizontal connecting means extending between said back support elements to provide a further back support, said horizontal connecting means comprising the upper ends of said back support elements provided with transverse bends continuing horizontally and adapted to provide a rigid integral horizontal connecting means, an outwardly extending transverse pipe section rigidly secured to said pipe means in the close proximity of each of said 90° bends, said trailing unit comprising transverse pipe means extending through both of said transverse pipe sections to provide pivotal connections therewith and having trailer frame means connected to said transverse pipe means including means for raising said fork elements adapted for trailing attachment to a towing vehicle with said fork elements raised to an upwardly inclined position providing minimum ground clearance at said 90° bend substantially spaced above the ground contacting wheel perimeter and in close proximity to the wheel axis.