초록 ▼

A break-out attachment (2) configured for connection to a vehicle, such as a lift truck (20), for retrieving, transporting and releasing cotton bales. The break-out attachment comprises a shaft (24) rotatably mounted to a base frame (4), two lower horizontally spaced support arms (10, 12) extending

A break-out attachment (2) configured for connection to a vehicle, such as a lift truck (20), for retrieving, transporting and releasing cotton bales. The break-out attachment comprises a shaft (24) rotatably mounted to a base frame (4), two lower horizontally spaced support arms (10, 12) extending outward from the shaft for supporting a cotton bale and an upper arm (6) extending from the shaft between the support arms for engaging the cotton bale. A rotary actuator (52) is coupled to the shaft for rotating the shaft and the three arms around the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The upper arm has a hydraulic cylinder (88) for telescoping toward and away from the shaft. The hydraulic cylinder provides more flexibility in the positioning of the truck and allows the operator to initially engage the cotton bale with only the upper arm, thus facilitating the process of retrieving the bale.

대표청구항 ▼

A bale handling apparatus comprising: a shaft having a longitudinal axis; a rotary actuator, coupled to said shaft, for rotating said shaft around the longitudinal axis; first and second horizontally spaced lower support arms extending from said shaft and coupled to said shaft for rotation therewith

A bale handling apparatus comprising: a shaft having a longitudinal axis; a rotary actuator, coupled to said shaft, for rotating said shaft around the longitudinal axis; first and second horizontally spaced lower support arms extending from said shaft and coupled to said shaft for rotation therewith, said lower support arms extending away from each other to define an acute angle therebetween; and an upper arm extending from said shaft between said lower support arms and vertically spaced from said lower support arms, said upper arm coupled to said shaft for rotation therewith and having an end portion opposite said shaft, said end portion being telescopically displaceable with respect to said shaft, said lower support arms being inclined away from said upper arm.