Bale lift device, a front end loader having a bale lift device, and method for moving bales

Abstract

A bale lift device is provided by the invention. The bale lift device includes a back frame, a spear member, and rotation axis. The back frame includes a first end, a second end, and at least one extension separating the first end from the second end. The back frame includes a first area for attaching to the loader hydraulic cylinder of a front end loader. The back frame includes a second area for attaching to the loader arm of a front end loader. The spear member includes at least one spear having a first end for penetrating a bale and a second end attached to the back frame. The rotation axis allows the spear member to rotate relative to the back frame. A front end loader having a bale lift device and a method for transporting a bale are provided. A method of assisting the removal of a bale lifting device from a bale without additional levers or hydraulic controls or hydraulic cylinders is provided. The method can utilize the controls already existing in the operational functions of the loader.

1 . A bale lift device comprising: 
 (a) back frame having a first end, a second end, and at least one extension extending between the first end and the second end for separating the first end from the second end, wherein: 
 (i) the back frame includes a first area for attaching to a loader hydraulic cylinder of a front end loader; and  
 (ii) the back frame includes a second area for attaching to a loader arm of a front end loader;  
   (b) spear member provided for engaging and holding a bale, the spear member having a first end and a second end, the first end being provided for penetrating the bale; and    (c) rotation axis, wherein the back frame and the spear member are rotatably attached about the rotation axis for providing rotation of the back frame relative to the spear member.    
   
   
       2 . A bale lift device according to  claim 1 , wherein the back frame and the spear member rotate relative to each other through an angle between about −10° and about 110°.  
   
   
       3 . A bale lift device according to  claim 1 , wherein the back frame comprises a bale engaging surface.  
   
   
       4 . A bale lift device according to  claim 3 , wherein the bale engaging surface is part of a push off device that pushes against a bale as the spear member is withdrawn from the bale.  
   
   
       5 . A bale lift device according to  claim 1 , wherein the spear member comprises a plurality of teeth rotatably attached to the second end of the back frame.  
   
   
       6 . A bale lift device according to  claim 1 , wherein the spear member comprises at least one spear rotatably attached to the back frame at a location provided between the first end and the second end of the back frame.  
   
   
       7 . A bale lift device according to  claim 1 , wherein the spear member comprises a spear and a plurality of secondary teeth, wherein the spear rotates as the back frame rotates.  
   
   
       8 . A bale lift device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotation axis comprises a pivot.  
   
   
       9 . A bale lift device according to  claim 1 , wherein the bale lift device does not include a bale lift hydraulic cylinder assisting the removal of the bale lift device from a bale.  
   
   
       10 . A front end loader comprising: 
 a pair of hydraulic cylinders and a pair of loader arms;    a bale lift device attached to the pair of hydraulic cylinders and the pair of loader arms, wherein the bale lift device comprises: 
 (a) back frame having a first end, a second end, and at least one extension extending between the first end and the second end for separating the first end from the second end, wherein: 
 (i) the back frame includes a first area for attaching to a loader hydraulic cylinder of a front end loader; and  
 (ii) the back frame includes a second area for attaching to a loader arm of a front end loader;  
 
 (b) spear member provided for engaging and holding a bale, the spear member having a first end and a second end, the first end being provided for penetrating the bale; and  
 (c) rotation axis, wherein the back frame and the spear member are rotatably attached about the rotation axis for providing rotation of the back frame relative to the spear member.  
   
   
   
       11 . A front end loader according to  claim 10 , further comprising a quick attachment device having a first member and a second member provided for rapid attachment and detachment, the first member being attached to the bale lift device and the second member being attached to the pair of hydraulic cylinders and the pair of loader arms.  
   
   
       12 . A method for transporting a bale, the method comprising steps of: 
 engaging a bale with a bale lift device provided on a front end loader of a tractor, wherein the front end loader has left and right attachment hydraulic cylinders and left and right loader arms, and the bale lift device is attached to the front end loader, the bale lift device comprising:    (a) back frame having a first end, a second end, and at least one extension extending between the first end and the second end for separating the first end from the second end, wherein: 
 (i) the back frame includes a first area for attaching to a loader hydraulic cylinder of a front end loader; and  
 (ii) the back frame includes a second area for attaching to a loader arm of a front end loader;  
   (b) spear member provided for engaging and holding a bale, the spear member having a first end and a second end, the first end being provided for penetrating the bale; and    (c) rotation axis, wherein the back frame and the spear member are rotatably attached about the rotation axis for providing rotation of the back frame relative to the spear member; and    moving the bale to a new location.    
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12 , further comprising a step of disengaging the bale from the bale lift device.  
   
   
       14 . A bale lift device comprising: 
 (a) back frame having a first end, a second end, and at least one extension extended between the first end and the second end for separating the first end from the second end; wherein: 
 (i) the back frame includes a first area for attaching to a loader hydraulic cylinder of a front end loader; and  
 (ii) the back frame includes a second area for attaching to a loader arm of a front end loader;  
   (b) spear member provided for engaging and holding a bale, the spear member having a first end and a second end, the first end being provided for penetrating the bale; and    (c) push off constructed to slide along the spear member, and wherein the bale lift device does not include a bale lift hydraulic cylinder for operating the push off.    
   
   
       15 . A bale lift device according to  claim 14 , further comprising a rotation axis, wherein the back frame and the spear member are rotatably attached about the rotation axis for providing rotation of the back frame relative to the spear member.  
   
   
       16 . A bale lift device according to  claim 14 , wherein the push off comprises a bale engaging surface for pushing against a bale when the spear member is provided penetrating the bale.  
   
   
       17 . A bale lift device according to  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of teeth rotatably attached to the second end of the back frame.  
   
   
       18 . A bale lift device according to  claim 14 , wherein the spear member comprises a spear, and the push off is constructed to encircle the spear and slide along the spear.