The present invention relates to apparatus for loading a stack of square bales onto a truck bed and moving one of the square bales to a square bale flaker whereby the square bale flaker is used, to flake off the bale for feeding purposes.
Ranchers today are storing hay by using large rectangular or square cross section bales. When these large bales are stacked, they are generally stacked in a four bale stack with one bale over the other at a storage location. When it is desired to feed these large square bales, it is difficult to manipulate these bales manually because of their large size and weight. The present invention is directed to apparatus for picking up and loading a stack of bales onto the bed of a truck or trailer. The truck or trailer is then driven to the location where feeding is to occur and the hay bales are flaked to dispose the hay on a side of a truck or trailer so that livestock can eat the hay.
There are known systems for loading, transporting and unloading bales such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,520 to Maclay. The present invention has advantages over these types of systems by having a superior system for clasping the lowest bale in the stack of bales to be loaded which allows different sized bales to be easily loaded and secured. Further, the present invention also provides a flaker system for feeding the hay rather than using an exposed sickle bar for unloading the hay which may cause injury.