Hay Bale Stacking System with Hydraulic Cradle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting and stacking round hay bales require multiple operators and equipment, are time-consuming, and often damage the bales, especially when using forklifts, which can tear or pierce the wrapping material necessary for effective fermentation processes like silage or haylage.
Innovation Solution
A hay bale collection and stacking system mounted on a flat bed trailer with a main pivot arm, cradle, and hydraulic system that allows a single operator to load and unload multiple hay bales efficiently without exiting the tractor, featuring a cradle with adjustable extension and a conveyor belt for tiered stacking and unloading, minimizing damage through controlled movement and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a forklift or other lifting equipment is used to load and unload hay bales, then the loading and unloading process can be automated, but the wrapping material of the hay bales is damaged, preventing effective fermentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a custom lifting mechanism with soft grips and padded surfaces as an intermediary between the lifting equipment and the hay bales. This intermediary component allows automated lifting while protecting the wrapping material from damage, resolving the contradiction between automation and preservation of the bale integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the lifting equipment by using soft, compliant contact surfaces instead of hard, rigid forklift forks. This parameter change in the contact surface properties enables gentle handling that prevents damage to the wrapping material while maintaining automated operation capability.
2Ease of operation
If a single towing system with forklift is used, then one operator can perform the task, but the process becomes time-consuming and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lifting, loading, and unloading functions into a single integrated mechanism mounted on the tractor. This merged system eliminates the need for separate forklift operations and multiple operators, reducing time consumption while maintaining ease of operation for a single operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous operation by allowing the operator to remain in the tractor and perform all loading and unloading operations without exiting the vehicle. The continuous availability of the lifting mechanism and the ability to immediately load/unload bales as they are encountered eliminates idle time and sequential delays, significantly reducing the overall time required for the task.
3Device complexity
If manual labor is used to move hay bales, then equipment costs are reduced, but the task becomes very difficult and requires multiple operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the lifting mechanism automatically picks up and positions hay bales without requiring manual handling. The system serves itself by using the tractor's own power and the mounted lifting mechanism to perform tasks that would otherwise require multiple operators and complex coordination, while keeping the overall device relatively simple.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables a single operator to efficiently collect, stack, and unload hay bales without damaging them, reducing labor and equipment needs while maintaining the integrity of the wrapping material for fermentation processes.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic system for moving the cradle along the main track, for rotating the cradle with respect to the main pivot arm and for lifting the main pivot arm
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an improved system for collecting and stacking round hay bales on a flat bed trailer, particularly for use in agricultural applications such as farming or the like.