WO2014068019A1

WO2014068019A1 - A silage handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2014068019A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/072748
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Flynn
Original assignee: Redrock Machinery Ltd.
Priority date: 2012-10-30
Filing date: 2013-10-30
Publication date: 2014-05-08
Also published as: GB201219520D0; EP2914088A1

Abstract

A silage handling apparatus (1) comprising first and second jaw members (2, 3), at least one jaw member (2, 3) comprising cutting means (4), the jaw members (2, 3) being capable of cutting both blocks of silage from a silage pit and round bales (13) of silage, one jaw member (2, 3) being movable towards the other jaw member (2, 3) under the influence of at least one actuator means (6, 7) acting on at least one jaw member (2, 3).

Description

A SILAGE HANDLING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to an apparatus for handling silage and in particular to a multifunctional apparatus for handling silage stored via various means.

It is a common agricultural practice to harvest grass to be used as feed for cattle. Typically, the grass is harvested and allowed ensile for a period of time before being fed to the cattle. There are two standard methods currently used to store the grass during this ensiling process. One method involves rolling the grass into large cylindrical bales and wrapping each individual bale in a plastic wrapping material. Once the bales are ready to be used as feed, the plastic is cut and the silage is released. Currently, round bale cutters are available which are mechanically and hydraulically coupled to existing agricultural machinery. The cutters slice through the plastic wrapping, and slice partially or fully through the bale of silage, releasing the silage.

Another method of storing the grass before use as feed involves creating a large pit of grass which is covered by a large plastic sheet pulled from a roll. Once the grass has had time to ensile and is ready to be used as feed, the plastic is removed from one end of the silage bit by bit. An operator cuts blocks from the silage and transports the blocks to the cattle feeding area. Block cutters are available for mechanical and hydraulic attachment to existing agricultural machinery such as tractors with front loading arms. These block cutters chop rectangular blocks from the open end of the silage in the pit and transport the blocks of silage to the cattle for feeding via the tractor.

While the two solutions above function satisfactorily in isolation, a problem arises where a farmer uses a mixture of the two described methods of silage storage. In this case, both a block cutter and a bale cutter attachment described above are required to effectively handle the silage. The requirement for multiple handling tools increases cost and where both of the tools are required interchangeably at feeding time, an operator must remove one tool and attach the other.

The increased cost of purchasing multiple tools and the loss of time due to tool changeovers can further deplete the already tight margins in cattle farming.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the problem of requiring multiple tools to handle silage stored as round bales and in a silage pit.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a silage handling apparatus comprising first and second jaw members, at least one jaw member comprising a cutting means, the jaw members being adapted so as to be capable of cutting both blocks of silage from a pit and round bales of silage, one jaw member being movable towards the other jaw member under the influence of at least one actuator means acting on at least one jaw member.

Preferably, the silage handling apparatus further comprising a means for engaging and retaining a weather proof material surrounding a bale, preferably a round bale.

Ideally, the first and second jaw members are upper and lower jaw members.

Preferably, the actuator means is operably engaged between the two jaw members.

Ideally, at least one jaw member being rotatable towards the other jaw member.

Preferably, the actuator means is a ram.

Ideally, the ram is a hydraulic ram.

Preferably, the upper jaw member has cutting means.

Ideally, the jaw members are movable relative to each other between open and closed positions.

Preferably, the jaw members are pivotably rotatable relative to each other between the open and closed positions.

Advantageously, in the open position, the jaw members can accommodate a typical round bale of silage there between.

Preferably, when a round bale is located between the jaw members, the enagaging and retaining means is contactable with the outer wrapping material of the round bale.

Advantageously, the jaw members can be opened and the lower jaw member is slid under a round bale, the wrapping material of the round bale being forced against the engaging and retaining means allowing the engaging and retaining means to be activated to securely hold the wrapping material. The upper jaw member is activated by the at least one actuator means so that the cutting means cuts through the wrapping material and cuts through the round bale a predetermined distance. Once cut, the upper jaw member is opened and the silage can be distributed to the cattle in sheds or slatted houses as the wrapping material is securely held in place by the engaging and retaining means to be discarded at a location away from the silage. This prevents animals choking on waste plastic material and prevents waste wrapping material floating around the countryside causing unsightly pollution.

Ideally, the engaging and retaining means is locatable at or about the vehicle mounting end of the silage handling apparatus.

Preferably, the engaging and retaining means is locatable between the lateral pivotal couplings of the jaw members.

Preferably, the upper jaw member has cutting means thereon.

Ideally, the cutting means comprises a plurality of cutting teeth.

Ideally, the lower jaw member comprises a flat base plate member.

Ideally, the lower jaw member has a cutting means along its front edge.

Alternatively, the lower jaw member comprises a set of spikes or tines.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a mounting frame with the lower jaw member and/or the upper jaw member being coupled thereto.

Ideally, at least one jaw member being integrally formed with the mounting frame.

Ideally, the upper jaw member comprises side walls and a front wall spanning orthogonally between the two side walls.

Preferably, the leading edges of the front wall and the two side walls have cutting means such as cutting edges, blades, teeth, or a combination of these along at least a part of their length.

Advantageously, the leading edges of the front wall and the two side walls can be utilized to cut a block of silage from a silage pit. The lower jaw member acts as a base which is slidable into a pile of silage creating a horizontal shear. The upper jaw member is then rotated towards the lower jaw member from an open position, cutting a generally block shaped portion of silage between the jaw members. The side walls and front wall further contain and define the shape of the block of silage.

Ideally, the engaging and retaining means has an actuation means.

Preferably, the actuation means of the engaging and retaining means is hydraulic.

Ideally, this actuation means is operably coupled to the hydraulic circuit of the vehicle.

Preferably, the engaging and retaining means is a grab means.

Ideally, the grab means comprises two grab arms, at least one of which is movable towards and into contact with the other.

Advantageously, when the wrapping material of a round bale is located proximal or between the grab arms, at least one of the grab arms can be moved towards and into contact with the other, gripping the wrapping material there between.

Preferably, the grab arms are rotatably connectable to each other.

Preferably, the grab arms are pivotably coupled together.

Ideally, the grab arms form a scissor like configuration.

Preferably, the grab arms comprise a first portion formed for trapping the bale wrapping material locatable on the inside of the lower jaw member, and a second portion extending therefrom and locatable on the outside side of the lower jaw member.

Preferably, at least one of the grab arms has an actuation means in operable engagement therewith for actuating movement of the at least one grab arm.

Ideally, the actuation means is a ram.

Ideally, one grab arm has a second portion in operable engagement with a movable piston of the ram while the corresponding grab arm has a second portion fixed to prevent movement.

Advantageously, as the piston moves, it rotates one grab arm with respect to the other, from an open position to a closed position where the first portions of each grab arm are in contact.

Alternatively, the actuation means is operably engaged between the two second portions of the grab arms.

Ideally, the first portion of the grab arms are locatable on the silage engaging side of the mounting frame.

Preferably, the second portions of the grab arms are locatable on the tractor mounting side of the mounting frame.

Ideally, the grab arms extend through a cut-out or opening in the mounting frame.

Preferably, the pivotal connection between the two grab arms is locatable at or about the cut-out or opening in the mounting frame.

Advantageously, the grab means can pass through the cut-out or opening in the mounting frame but as the pivotal connection is located at the cut-out or opening, the grab arms maintain an adequate range of motion unobstructed by the material defining the cut-out or opening.

Further advantageously, as the ram is locatable on the tractor mounting side of the mounting frame, the silage does not come in contact with the ram during operation. This prevents silage clogging around the ram, creating impaired functioning of the ram, or causing damage to the ram through exposure over time to the silage.

Alternatively, the engaging and retaining means is a spike, barb, or other such wrapping material puncturing and catching means.

Ideally, the spike, barb, or other puncturing and catching means is movably mounted on one jaw member or the mounting frame.

Ideally, there is a plurality of cutting rams.

Preferably, the silage handling apparatus has indication means for indicating how far the cutting means of the one member has penetrated through the round bale.

Ideally, the indication means is calibrated to indicate a distance sufficient to allow the sliced bale of silage to be easily dispensed while retaining the wrapping material.

Ideally, the actuation means of the one or more jaw members has visual indicators locatable thereon.

Preferably, alignment of the visual indicators equate to and illustrate sufficient penetration of the cutting means through a round bale to allow the silage to be easily dispensed while retaining the wrapping material.

Alternatively, the visual indicators are locatable on a structure adjacent the actuation means of the one or more jaw members, or on the adjacent jaw member structure.

Advantageously, a user can use the visual indicators to discern when the cutting means has penetrated sufficiently through the round bale to ensure that the bale is not cut all the way through causing it to disintegrate prematurely.

Alternatively, the actuation means of the one or more jaw members have sensing means which sense the position of the actuation means indicating the level of penetration of the round bale.

Ideally, the sensing means indicate the travel of the actuation means.

Preferably, the sensing means is in operable engagement with a control means.

Ideally, the control means has means for switching off power to the actuation means when a predetermined position of the actuation means has been measured.

Ideally, the control means receives signals from the sensing means regarding the position of the actuation means of the at least one jaw member.

Ideally, the sensing means is in operable engagement with a display means.

Preferably, the display means is locatable within view of the vehicle operator.

Ideally, the display means gives a visual indication of the position of the actuation means which corresponds to the penetration depth of the cutting means through the round bale.

Advantageously, as the operator performs the round bale cutting operation, they have a visual indicator of the position of the actuation means corresponding to a depth of penetration of the cutting means.

Ideally, the sensing means is operably engaged with an audible, visual, or tactile alarm generating means.

Advantageously, at a pre-determined position of the actuation means corresponding to acceptable penetration depth of the cutting means into the round bale, an audible, tactile or visual alarm is activated to warn the user that this level of penetration has been reached.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only five embodiments of an apparatus in accordance with the invention. In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of silage handling apparatus in accordance with the invention in an open position;

Figure 2 is a vertical section of a the first embodiment of silage handling apparatus grabbing a round bale;

Figure 3 is a vertical section view of the silage handling apparatus in a closed position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of silage handling apparatus showing a second embodiment of grab in an open position;

Figure 5 is a vertical section of the second embodiment of silage handling apparatus in an open position;

Figure 6 is a second perspective view of the second embodiment of silage handling apparatus of Figure 4 and 5 showing the second embodiment of grab in a closed position;

Figure 7 is a vertical section of the second embodiment of silage handling apparatus in a partially closed position grabbing a round bale;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of silage handling apparatus showing a third embodiment of grab in an open position;

Figure 9 is a second perspective view of the third embodiment of silage handling apparatus of Figure 8 showing the third embodiment of grab in a closed position;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of silage handling apparatus showing a fourth embodiment of grab in an open position;

Figure 11 is a second perspective view of the fourth embodiment of silage handling apparatus of Figure 10 showing the fourth embodiment of grab in a closed position;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of silage handling apparatus in an almost closed position grabbing a round bale;

Figure 13 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of silage handling apparatus in the open position;

Figure 14 is a side view of the silage handling apparatus in the closed position showing the visual indicators located on the actuation means of the jaw member;

Figure 15 is a front view of the silage handling apparatus in the open position; and

Figure 16 is a front view of the silage handling apparatus in the closed position.

Referring to the drawings generally, there is shown a first embodiment of silage handling apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 comprising upper and

lower jaw members

2, 3. All of the embodiments of the silage handling apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 to 12 have the same overall mechanical structure therefore the same features on each of the embodiments will be referenced with the same reference numerals for efficiency. The upper jaw member 2 has cutting teeth 4 capable of cutting both blocks of silage from a pit and round bales 13 of silage, see Figure 2. The upper jaw member 2 is rotatable about a pivotal coupling arrangement 9 mechanically coupling the two

jaw members

2, 3 together along both lateral edges of the silage handling apparatus 1. The upper jaw member 2 is movable towards the lower jaw member 3 under the influence of two spaced apart

hydraulic rams

6 and 7 acting on the upper jaw member 2. The silage handling apparatus 1 also has a grab indicated generally by the reference numeral 8 see Figure 3 for engaging and retaining a weather proof material 31 wrapped around the round bale 13.

The upper jaw member 2 is movable relative to the lower jaw member 3 into open (Figure 1) and closed (Figure 3) positions and in the open position, the

jaw members

2, 3 can accommodate the typical round bale 13 of silage in the space 10 there between. When a round bale 13 is located between the

jaw members

2, 3, the grab 8 is in contact with the outer wrapping material 31 of the round bale 13 see Figures 2, 7. The

jaw members

2, 3 are opened and the lower jaw member 3 is slid under the round bale 13. The wrapping material 31 of the round bale 13 is forced against the grab 8 allowing the grab 8 to be activated to securely grip the wrapping material 31. The upper jaw member 2 is activated by the two

hydraulic rams

6 and 7 so that the cutting teeth 4 initially cut through the wrapping material 31 and then cut down through the round bale 13 a predetermined distance, see Figure 7 and 12. Once cut, the upper jaw member 2 is opened and the silage can be distributed to the cattle in sheds or slatted houses as the wrapping material 31 is securely gripped in place by the grab 8 to be discarded at a location away from the silage. This prevents animals choking on waste wrapping material 31 such as plastic and prevents waste wrapping material 31 floating around the countryside causing unsightly pollution.

The lower jaw member 3 has a base plate 32 having a cutting edge 11 along the front of the base plate 32. The cutting edge 11 can be integrally formed with the base plate 32 or alternatively is provided by a leading edge blade member 33 mechanically coupled to the base plate 32. The lower jaw member 3 also has a concave back plate 34 extending rearward and upward from the base plate 32 and two lateral wall plates 35 spanning the open space between the lateral edges of the concave back plate 34 and the base plate 32 thereby defining a bucket type configuration partially enclosing a volume of space 10 for receiving the bale 13. The leading edges 55 of the two lateral wall plates 35 are sharpened to assist insertion of the silage handling apparatus 1 into the silage. The concave back plate 34 has spaced apart reinforcing ribs 36. The reinforcing ribs 36 are concave corresponding in shape to the internal curvature of the concave back plate 34. The reinforcing ribs 36 are equispaced or spaced along the length of the concave back plate 34 between the lateral wall plates 35, preferably with their main planes parallel. The bucket type configuration provided by the components of the lower jaw member 3 allow the silage handling apparatus 1 to usefully operate as a traditional front loading bucket. This allows the silage handling apparatus 1 to readily lift/scoop loads of all types of feed such as cereals and potatoes as well as serving as a silage handling apparatus 1 for pits and bales 13 of silage.

The silage handling apparatus 1 further comprises a mounting frame 12 with the upper jaw member 2 being pivotally coupled thereto via pivotal coupling arrangements 9. The upper jaw member 2 has

side walls

13, 14 and a front wall 15 spanning orthogonally between the main plane of the two

side walls

13, 14, which planes are preferably substantially parallel. The leading edges 56 of the

side walls

13, 14 are sharp to assist with slicing blocks of silage from silage in a silage pit as well as slicing round bales.

The lower jaw member 3 is integrally formed with the mounting frame 12. The mounting frame 12 comprises a pair of mutually opposed spaced apart structural support plates 51 located on both lateral extremities of the silage handling apparatus 1. The main planes of the support plates 51 are substantially parallel with each other and with the main planes of the

side walls

13, 14 of the upper jaw member 2 and the lateral wall plates 35 of the lower jaw member 3. The

side walls

13, 14 of the upper jaw member 2 are sandwiched between the support plates 51 of the mounting frame 12 and the lateral wall plates 35 of the lower jaw member 3. Movement of the upper jaw member 2 from the open position towards the closed position causes the sharp edges 55 of the lateral wall plates 35 of lower jaw member 3 and the sharp edges of the

side walls

13, 14 of the upper jaw member 2 to perform a scissors type actions as they slide in parallel planes in close proximity to one another. This further enhances the cutting action of the silage handling apparatus 1 for blocks and bales 13 of silage. The pairs of support plates 51 are held together by transverse support beams 47 see Figure 6. One end of each

hydraulic ram

6, 7 is pivotally coupled between these pairs of support plates 51 via pivotal coupling arrangements 52 with the other end of the pair of

hydraulic rams

6, 7 being pivotally coupled between two pairs of pivotal coupling lugs 53 located on corresponding locations of the upper jaw member 2 via pivotal coupling arrangements 54.

The support plates 51 are reinforced around the pivotal coupling arrangements 9. A reinforcing bar member is welded onto the support plates to prevent warping or bending of the support plates as a result of the high forces encountered at this position of the silage handling apparatus 1 because of the forces being transmitted at the pivotal coupling arrangements 9 from the

hydraulic rams

6, 7. A further reinforcing beam 61 extends along the length of the mounting frame 12 in a longitudinal direction. The beam extends between the support plates 51. The beam 61 is located proximal to the rear of the base plate of the lower jaw member 3.

The leading edges of the two

side walls

13, 14 have the cutting edges 56 along their length. The teeth 4 and cutting edges 16 can be utilized to cut a block of silage from a silage pit. The teeth 4 are bolted onto the leading edge of front wall 15 to allow easy replacement and repair of broken teeth 4. The teeth 4 are manufactured from tempered steel for sharp cutting of the silage bales or silage. On the exposed silage in a pit, this leaves a clean face preventing unnecessary fermentation. The lower jaw member 3 acts as a base which is slidable into a pile of silage creating a horizontal shear. The leading edges 37 of the two side walls 35 extend upward and rearward from the flat plate 32. The leading edges 37 of side walls 35 also slice into the silage as the vehicle moves the silage handling apparatus 1 into the silage pit for partially creating a block of silage. The upper jaw member 2 is then rotated towards the lower jaw member 3 from an open position. The teeth 4 and the cutting edges 56 along the two

side walls

13, 14 slice into the silage cutting a generally block shaped portion of silage between the

jaw members

2, 3. The

side walls

13, 14 and front wall 15 further define the shape of the block of silage and contain the severed block of silage during transport.

Referring to the drawings and now to Figures 1 to 3, the grab 8 comprises two pairs of spaced apart cooperating grab

arms

17, 18. The grab 8 extends from behind the concave back plate 34 of the lower jaw member 3, through the concave back plate 34 into the volume of space defined by the lower jaw member 3 for engaging wrapping material 31 of the bale 13. Each pair of spaced apart cooperating grab

arms

17, 18 are operably coupled so as to allow two free ends of the cooperating

grab arms

17, 18 being located internally within the lower jaw member 3 to move between a wrapping material 31 clamping position see Figures 1 to 3 and an open position for releasing the bale wrapping material 31. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the grab arm 17 of each pair is movable towards and into contact with the other grab arm 18. The movable grab arm 17 has a hydraulic ram 19 for actuating movement of the grab arm 17. The hydraulic ram 19 is housed externally of the concave back plate 34. By externally we mean on the outside of the concave back plate 34. When the wrapping material 31 of the round bale 13 is located proximal or between the

grab arms

17, 18 of the grab 8 the movable grab arms 17 can be moved towards and into contact with the other grab arms 18 which in this embodiment are stationery, gripping the wrapping material 31 there between. The

grab arms

17, 18 of each pair are mutually opposing grab

arms

17, 18 with the movable grab arm 17 being located directly above the stationery grab arm 18. In the embodiment of grab 8 shown in Figures 1 to 3 a clamping bar 41 extends between the two spaced apart upper movable grab arms 17 and a second clamping bar 42 extends between the two spaced apart lower stationery grab arms 18. The mutually opposing clamping bars 41, 42 define an elongate clamping surface for gripping an extended length of the wrapping material 31 to ensure safe retention of the wrapping material as the silage is disposed of. The two pairs of

grab arms

17, 18 extend through a pair of cut-outs 24 in the concave back plate 34. As a result the grab arms 17 18 can pass through the cut-outs 24 in the concave back plate 12. Advantageously, the cut-outs are 24 are sized so as to allow the pair of

grab arms

17, 18 to maintain an adequate range of motion for clamping and releasing bale wrapping material 31. In addition, as the ram 19 is locatable on the tractor mounting side 23 of the concave back plate 34, the silage does not come in contact with the ram 19 during operation. This prevents silage clogging around the ram 19, creating impaired functioning of the ram 19, or causing damage to the ram 19 through exposure over time to the silage. A further guard member 44 is mechanically coupled to the upper edge of the concave back plate 34 preferably via mechanical clips 45 for preventing silage from spilling behind the lower jaw member 3. This further reduces the risk of mechanical malfunction of the silage handling apparatus 1.

Referring to the drawings and now to Figures 4 to 6, the grab 8 comprises one pair of spaced apart cooperating grab

arms

17, 18. The grab 8 extends from behind the concave back plate 34 of the lower jaw member 3, through the concave back plate 34 into the volume of space defined by the lower jaw member 3 for engaging wrapping material 31 of the bale 13. The pair of spaced apart cooperating grab

arms

17, 18 are operably coupled so as to allow two free ends of the cooperating

grab arms

17, 18 being located internally within the lower jaw member 3 to move between a wrapping material 31 clamping position see Figures 5 and 6 and an open position see Figure 4 for releasing the bale wrapping material 31. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, the grab arm 17 of the pair is movable towards and into contact with the other grab arm 18. The movable grab arm 17 has a hydraulic ram 19 for actuating movement of the grab arm 17. The hydraulic ram 19 is housed externally of the concave back plate 34. By externally we mean on the outside of the concave back plate 34. When the wrapping material 31 of the round bale 13 is located proximal or between the

grab arm

17, 18 of the grab 8 the movable grab arm 17 can be moved towards and into contact with the other grab arm 18 which in this embodiment is stationery, gripping the wrapping material 31 there between. The

grab arms

17, 18 are mutually opposing grab

arms

17, 18 with the movable grab arm 17 being located directly above the stationery grab arm 18. In the embodiment of grab 8 shown in Figures 4 to 6 a clamping bar 41 extends laterally from the upper movable grab arm 17 and a second clamping bar 42 extends laterally from the spaced apart lower stationery grab arm 18. The mutually opposing clamping bars 41, 42 define an elongate clamping surface for gripping an extended length of the wrapping material 31 to ensure safe retention of the wrapping material as the silage is disposed of. The pair of

grab arms

17, 18 extend through a cut-out 24 in the concave back plate 34. As a result the grab arms 17 18 can pass through the cut-out 24 in the concave back plate 12. Advantageously, the cut-out 24 is sized so as to allow the

grab arms

17, 18 to maintain an adequate range of motion for clamping and releasing bale wrapping material 31. In addition, as the ram 19 is locatable on the tractor mounting side 23 of the concave back plate 34, the silage does not come in contact with the ram 19 during operation. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the grab 8 is identical to the grab 8 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 without the clamping bars 41, 42. Figures 10 11 and 12 illustrate an alternative version of grab 8 where the pair of

grab arms

18 and 19 are mounted on the upper edge of the upper jaw member 3.

The silage handling apparatus 1 has an indicator 25 for indicating how far the upper jaw member 2 has penetrated through the round bale. The indicator 25 is calibrated to indicate a distance sufficient to allow the sliced bale of silage to be easily dispensed while retaining the wrapping material. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the indicator 25 is located on the piston 26 of the ram 5. Alignment of the visual indicator 25 equates to and illustrates sufficient penetration of the upper jaw 2 through a round bale to allow the silage to be easily dispensed while retaining the wrapping material.

A secondary or alternative visual indicator 27 is located on the pivotal connection 9 of the upper jaw member 2. As the pivotal connection rotates, the indicator will likewise rotate, giving an indication of the movement of the upper jaw member. The secondary visual indicator 27 can be calibrated to indicate a distance sufficient to allow the sliced bale of silage to be easily dispensed while retaining the wrapping material. The secondary visual indicator 27 can also be placed so as to be visible to the vehicle operator during use. As a result, a vehicle operator can use the visual indicators 26 and/or 27 to discern when the upper jaw means, 2 has penetrated sufficiently through the round bale to ensure that the bale is not cut all the way through causing it to disintegrate prematurely.

Referring finally to Figures 13 to 16, there is shown a fifth embodiment of silage handling apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 comprising upper and lower jaw members 102, 103. The upper jaw member 102 has cutting teeth 104 capable of cutting both blocks of silage from a pit and round bales of silage. The upper jaw member 102 is rotatable about a pivot 109 towards the lower jaw member 103 under the influence of at three hydraulic rams 105, 106, and 107 acting on the upper jaw member. The silage handling apparatus 101 also has a grab 108 for engaging and retaining a weather proof material surrounding a round bale.

The upper jaw member 102 is movable relative to the lower jaw member 103 into open (Figure 1) and closed (Figure 2) positions and in the open position, the jaw members 102, 103 can accommodate a typical round bale of silage in the space 110 there between. When a round bale is located between the jaw members 102, 103, the grab 108 is in contact with the outer wrapping material of the round bale. The jaw members 102, 103 can be opened and the lower jaw member 103 is slid under a round bale, the wrapping material of the round bale being forced against the grab 108 allowing the grab 108 to be activated to securely hold the wrapping material. The upper jaw member 102 is activated by the three hydraulic rams 105, 106, and 107 so that the cutting teeth 104 cut through the wrapping material and cut through the round bale a predetermined distance. Once cut, the upper jaw member 102 is opened and the silage can be distributed to the cattle in sheds or slatted houses as the wrapping material is securely held in place by the grab 108 to be discarded at a location away from the silage. This prevents animals choking on waste plastic material and prevents waste wrapping material floating around the countryside causing unsightly pollution.

The lower jaw member 103 is a flat plate member and has a tapered cutting edge 111 along its front. The silage handling apparatus 1 further comprises a mounting frame 112 with the upper jaw member 102 being coupled thereto and the lower jaw member 103 being integrally formed with the mounting frame 112. The upper jaw member 102 has side walls 113, 114 and a front wall 115 spanning orthogonally between the two side walls 113, 114. The leading edges of the two side walls 113, 114 have cutting edges 116 along their length. The teeth 104 and cutting edges 116 can be utilized to cut a block of silage from a silage pit. The lower jaw member 103 acts as a base which is slidable into a pile of silage creating a horizontal shear. The upper jaw member 102 is then rotated towards the lower jaw member 103 from an open position, cutting a generally block shaped portion of silage between the jaw members 102, 103. The side walls 113, 114 and front wall 115 further contain and define the shape of the block of silage.

The grab 108 comprises two grab arms 117, 118, rotatably connected to each other with one grab arm 117 being movable towards and into contact with the other grab arm 118. The movable grab arm 117 has a hydraulic ram 119 for actuating movement of the grab arm 117. When the wrapping material of a round bale is located proximal or between the grab arms 117, 118, the movable grab arm 117 can be moved towards and into contact with the other grab arm 118, gripping the wrapping material therebetween. The grab arms 117, 118 comprise a first portion 120 formed for trapping the bale wrapping material locatable on one side of the pivotable connection between the grab arms 117, 118, and a second portion 121 extending there from and locatable on the other side of the pivotable connection. The first portions 120 of the grab arms 117, 118 are located on the silage engaging side 122 of the mounting frame 112. The second portions 121 of the grab arms 117, 118 are located on the tractor mounting side 123 of the mounting frame 112. The grab arms 117, 118 extend through a cut-out 124 in the mounting frame 112 with the pivotal connection between the two grab arms 117, 118 located at the cut-out 124 in the mounting frame 112. As a result the grab 108 can pass through the cut-out 124 in the mounting frame 112 but as the pivotal connection is located at the cut-out 124, the grab arms 117, 118 maintain an adequate range of motion unobstructed by the material defining the cut-out 124. In addition, as the ram 119 is locatable on the tractor mounting side 123 of the mounting frame 112, the silage does not come in contact with the ram 119 during operation. This prevents silage clogging around the ram 119, creating impaired functioning of the ram 119, or causing damage to the ram 119 through exposure over time to the silage.

The silage handling apparatus 1 has an indicator 125 for indicating how far the upper jaw member 102 has penetrated through the round bale. The indicator 125 is calibrated to indicate a distance sufficient to allow the sliced bale of silage to be easily dispensed while retaining the wrapping material. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the indicator 125 is located on the piston 126 of the ram 105. Alignment of the visual indicator 125 equates to and illustrates sufficient penetration of the upper jaw 102 through a round bale to allow the silage to be easily dispensed while retaining the wrapping material.

A secondary or alternative visual indicator 127 is located on the pivotal connection 109 of the upper jaw member 102. As the pivotal connection rotates, the indicator will likewise rotate, giving an indication of the movement of the upper jaw member 102. The secondary visual indicator 127 can be calibrated to indicate a distance sufficient to allow the sliced bale of silage to be easily dispensed while retaining the wrapping material. The secondary visual indicator 127 can also be placed so as to be visible to the vehicle operator during use. As a result, a vehicle operator can use the visual indicators 126 and/or 127 to discern when the upper jaw means 102 has penetrated sufficiently through the round bale to ensure that the bale is not cut all the way through causing it to disintegrate prematurely.

In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment.

In the preceding discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of the said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

A silage handling apparatus (1) comprising first and second jaw members (2, 3), at least one jaw member (2, 3) comprising a cutting means the jaw members (2, 3) being adapted so as to be capable of cutting both blocks of silage from a silage pit and round bales of silage, one jaw member (2, 3) being movable towards the other jaw member (2, 3) under the influence of at least one actuator means (6, 7) acting on at least one jaw member (2, 3).
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silage handling apparatus further comprising a means (8) for engaging and retaining a weather proof material surrounding a bale.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first and second jaw members (2, 3) are upper (2) and lower (3) jaw members.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator means (6, 7) is operably engaged between the two jaw members (2, 3).
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one jaw member (2, 3) is rotatable towards the other jaw member (2, 3).
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one jaw members (2, 3) is pivotally movable relative to the other jaw (2, 3) between open and closed positions.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the enagaging and retaining means (8) is contactable with outer wrapping material (31) of a bale (13) when the bale (13) is located between the jaw members (2, 3).
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engaging and retaining means (8) is locatable on the lower jaw member (3) or on the upper jaw member (2).
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper jaw member (2) is movable towards the lower jaw member (3) under the influence of two spaced apart hydraulic rams (6, 7) acting on the upper jaw member (2).
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower jaw member (3) comprises a base plate (32) having a cutting edge (11) along the front of the base plate (32).
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the lower jaw member (3) comprises a concave back plate (34) extending rearward and upward from the base plate (32) and two lateral wall plates (35) spanning the open space between the lateral edges of the concave back plate (34) and the base plate (32) thereby defining a bucket type configuration partially enclosing a volume of space (10) for receiving the bale (13).
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least part of leading edges (55) of the two lateral wall plates (35) are sharp to assist insertion of the silage handling apparatus (1) into the silage.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper jaw member (2) has side walls (13, 14) and a front wall (15) spanning orthogonally between the main plane of the two side walls (13, 14), which planes are preferably substantially parallel.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least part of the leading edges (56) of the side walls (13, 14) are sharp to assist with slicing blocks of silage from silage in a silage pit as well as slicing round bales.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claims 11 to 14, wherein the lower jaw member (3) is integrally formed with a mounting frame (12), the mounting frame (12) comprising a pair of mutually opposed spaced apart structural support plates (51) located on both lateral extremities of the silage handling apparatus (1), the main planes of the support plates (51) being substantially parallel with each other and with the main planes of the side walls (13, 14) of the upper jaw member (2) and the lateral wall plates (35) of the lower jaw member (3).
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claims 15, wherein the side walls (13, 14) of the upper jaw member (2) are sandwiched between the support plates (51) of the mounting frame (12) and the lateral wall plates (35) of the lower jaw member (3) whereby in use movement of the upper jaw member (2) from the open position towards the closed position causes the sharp edges (55) of the lateral wall plates (35) of lower jaw member (3) and the sharp edges of the side walls (13, 14) of the upper jaw member (2) to perform a scissors type actions as they slide in parallel planes in close proximity to one another.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the pairs of support plates (51) are held together by transverse support beams (47) and wherein one end of each hydraulic ram (6, 7) is pivotally coupled between these pairs of support plates (51) via pivotal coupling arrangements (52) with the other ends of the pair of hydraulic rams (6, 7) being pivotally coupled between two pairs of pivotal coupling lugs (53) located on corresponding locations of the upper jaw member (2) via pivotal coupling arrangements (54).
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 18, wherein the engaging and retaining means comprising a grab (8) comprises at least one pair of spaced apart cooperating grab arms (17, 18), the grab 8 extending from behind the concave back plate (34) of the lower jaw member (3), through the concave back plate (34) into the volume of space defined by the lower jaw member (3) for engaging wrapping material (31) of the bale (13).
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 18, wherein each pair of spaced apart cooperating grab arms (17, 18) are operably coupled so as to allow two free ends of the cooperating grab arms (17, 18) being located internally within the lower jaw member (3) to move between a wrapping material (31) clamping position and an open position for releasing the bale wrapping material (31).
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the grab arm 17 of the pair is movable towards and into contact with the other grab arm (18), the movable grab arm (17) has a hydraulic ram (19) for actuating movement of the grab arm (17), the hydraulic ram (19) being housed externally of the concave back plate (34).
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the silage handling apparatus has indication means for indicating how far the cutting means of the one member has penetrated through the round bale.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 21, wherein the indication means is calibrated to indicate a distance sufficient to allow the sliced bale of silage to be easily dispensed while retaining the wrapping material.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein the actuation means of the one or more jaw members has visual indicators locatable thereon.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 23, wherein alignment of the visual indicators equate to and illustrate sufficient penetration of the cutting means through a round bale to allow the silage to be easily dispensed while retaining the wrapping material.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation means of the one or more jaw members have sensing means which sense the position of the actuation means indicating the level of penetration of the round bale.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 26, wherein the sensing means indicate the travel of the actuation means.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 26 or 27, wherein the sensing means is in operable engagement with a control means.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 27, wherein the control means has means for switching off power to the actuation means when a predetermined position of the actuation means has been measured.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 27 or 28, wherein the control means receives signals from the sensing means regarding the position of the actuation means of the at least one jaw member.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein the sensing means is in operable engagement with a display means.
A silage handling apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 30, wherein the display means is locatable within view of the vehicle operator, the display means gives a visual indication of the position of the actuation means which corresponds to the penetration depth of the cutting means through the round bale.
A silage handling apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.