Hay-hauling trailer

Claim 1

A self-loading hay-hauling trailer which can be hitched to a towing vehicle, said trailer comprising: a generally rectangular angle frame front assembly which has a swing bar bolted onto it; an angle frame rear assembly comprising parallel side bars pivotally attached to said front assembly and also attached to an axle of said trailer, said axle being provided with brakes, each of said parallel side bars culminating in a hook tip; a hook assembly pivotally attached to said rear assembly, said hook assembly comprising a pair of parallel angle flanges having a front section, a horizontal center section at obtuse angles to said front section, and a rear section at obtuse angles to said center section, each of said flanges culminating in a hook tip; a plurality of latching means to raise and lower said hook assembly to pick up and haul bales of hay, including a first latching means forming the pivotal attachment of said hook assembly to said rear assembly, said first latching means including a partially serrated latch bar which rests on a latch catch, a second latching means which holds said front and rear assemblies in a travel position, a third latching means mounted on said front assembly to latch said swing bar, and a fourth latching means which holds said front and rear assemblies in a cocked position, said second, third, and fourth latching means being spring-loaded latches.