초록 ▼

A bale processing apparatus and method is provided to lift, hold, transport, and spread one or more round bales of hay or other material. The apparatus includes a belt, rollers, and a means for controlling tension on the belt to position the belt in first and second positions. In the first position

A bale processing apparatus and method is provided to lift, hold, transport, and spread one or more round bales of hay or other material. The apparatus includes a belt, rollers, and a means for controlling tension on the belt to position the belt in first and second positions. In the first position the belt forms a cradle between the first and second rollers capable to hold a bale. In the second position the belt may eject the bale. The bale is lifted onto the belt, with the belt in the cradle position, is untied, and the belt is turned to unroll the bale. The apparatus may be connected to a vehicle that moves while the belt turns to feed the bale over an area. The bale is ejected from the belt by adjusting the tension on the belt to the eject position and moving the belt.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A bale processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of belts positioned laterally relative to each other and having spaces therebetween, wherein the plurality of belts are sufficient to hold a round bale of hay thereon; first and second rollers positioned proximate the plural

What is claimed is: 1. A bale processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of belts positioned laterally relative to each other and having spaces therebetween, wherein the plurality of belts are sufficient to hold a round bale of hay thereon; first and second rollers positioned proximate the plurality of belts, wherein the plurality of belts pass around the rollers; means for rotating the plurality of belts while the bale is positioned thereon; and means for tensioning the plurality of belts in first and second positions, wherein the first position permits the plurality of belts to form a cradle between the first and second rollers to restrain the bale while the plurality of belts rotate the bale without ejecting the bale from the apparatus and without otherwise supporting the bale in the cradle, thereby unrolling the bale and ejecting a portion of the bale from the cradle as the bale rotates, and wherein the second position permits the plurality of belts to become sufficiently taut to eject the bale laterally from the apparatus. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second rollers are separated by an adjustable distance, and wherein the means for tensioning comprises adjusting the distance between the first and second rollers. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for tensioning further comprises a motor that controls the distance between the first and second rollers. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a motor that controls movement of the plurality of belts. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hay lifting portion abutting and pivotally connected to a rear of the plurality of belts, wherein the hay lifting portion engages a round hay bale, lifts the bale in an upward arc into a position above the plurality of belts, and positions the bale on the belts. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the hay lifting portion further comprises a bale spear that engages a round hay bale positioned on a ground surface by stabbing the bale along a central axis of the bale. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the bale spear releasably pivots relative to the hay lifting portion to disengage the bale, when the bale is lifted into a position above the plurality of belts. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is connected to a vehicle, such that when the plurality of belts are in the first position, the ejected portion of the bale is discharged from the cradle in a transverse direction from the vehicle's movement as the vehicle moves. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for connecting the apparatus to a vehicle. 10. A bale processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of belts positioned laterally relative to each other and having spaces therebetween, wherein the plurality of belts are sufficient to hold a round bale of hay thereon; first and second rollers positioned proximate the plurality of belts, wherein the plurality of belts pass around the rollers; means for rotating the plurality of belts while the bale is positioned thereon; means for tensioning the plurality of belts in first and second positions, wherein the first position permits the plurality of belts to form a cradle between the first and second rollers to restrain the bale while the plurality of belts rotate the bale without ejecting the bale from the apparatus and without otherwise supporting the bale in the cradle, thereby unrolling the bale and ejecting a portion of the bale from the cradle as the bale rotates, and wherein the second position permits the plurality of belts to become sufficiently taut to eject the bale laterally from the apparatus; and a hay lifting portion abutting and pivotally connected to the rear of the apparatus, wherein the hay lifting portion engages the bale, lifts the bale in an upward arc into a position above the plurality of belts, and positions the bale on the belts. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first and second rollers are separated by an adjustable distance, and wherein the means for tensioning comprises adjusting the distance between the first and second rollers. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for tensioning further comprises a motor that controls the distance between the first and second rollers. 13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a motor that controls movement of the plurality of belts. 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the hay lifting portion further comprises a bale spear that engages a round hay bale positioned on a ground surface by stabbing the bale along a central axis of the bale. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the bale spear releasably pivots relative to the hay lifting portion to disengage the bale, when the bale is lifted into a position above the plurality of belts. 16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is connected to a vehicle, such that when the plurality of belts are in the first position, the ejected portion of the bale is discharged from the cradle in a transverse direction from the vehicle's movement as the vehicle moves. 17. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for connecting the apparatus to a vehicle. 18. A bale processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of belts positioned laterally relative to each other and having spaces therebetween, wherein the plurality of belts are sufficient to hold a round bale of hay thereon; first and second rollers separated by an adjustable distance, wherein the first and second rollers are positioned proximate the plurality of belts such that the plurality of belts pass around the rollers; a motor for rotating the plurality of belts while the bale is positioned thereon; at least one actuator for adjusting the adjustable distance between first and second positions, wherein the first position permits the plurality of belts to form a cradle between the first and second rollers to restrain the bale while the plurality of belts rotate the bale without ejecting the bale from the apparatus and without otherwise supporting the bale in the cradle, thereby unrolling the bale and ejecting a portion of the bale from the cradle as the bale rotates, and wherein the second position permits the plurality of belts to become sufficiently taut to eject the bale laterally from the apparatus; a hay lifting portion abutting the rear of the plurality of belts, wherein the hay lifting portion comprises a bale spear that engages a round hay bale positioned on a ground surface by stabbing the bale along a central axis of the bale and lifting it in an upward arc into a position above the plurality of belts, wherein the bale spear releasably pivots relative to the hay lifting portion to disengage the bale when the bale is lifted into a position above the plurality of belts; and a vehicle connected to the first and second rollers, such that when the plurality of belts are in the first position, the ejected portion of the bale is discharged from the cradle in a transverse direction from the vehicle's movement as the vehicle moves.