Spotting an opportunity to make field operations more efficient, mechanical engineer Ralf Löffler developed a bale fork that could be used on the tractor’s rear linkage, or as a front loader attachment.

Ralf Löffler (right) built a hydraulic bale fork for his daughter’s boyfriend, Benedikt Kern, that can be attached to the rear linkage or the front loader.

“When loading bales onto a trailer on the farm of my daughter’s boyfriend, they could only transport two bales at a time on the loader,” he says. 

“I had the idea to also use the rear linkage and speed up bale collection in the field. The new bale fork had to be able to carry at least two round or square bales and leave enough room that you could still hitch on the trailer when it was loaded. I also wanted to give the option of being able to attach the fork to the front loader.

The bale handler helps to make the gathering of bales a much more efficient operation.

“I initially designed and simulated the fork using CAD software. The simulation was particularly helpful for the positioning of the stiffeners, as ample space was needed to allow the drawbar of the dolly trailer to go through the middle of the frame. 

“At the same time, I was able to determine the optimal pivot points and lengths for the hydraulic rams that would swing the tines into a safe, vertical position. 

“The frame and stiffeners are fabricated from 100 x 100 x 5 mm square tube and welded together at mitre joints. The brackets for the top link and the lift arms are made from flat steel. 

“The lower attachment points of the hydraulic cylinders serve as stands when the 1.0m long tines are folded in. When folded out, they rest against the main frame.

A dolly trailer can still be hitched to the tractor for hauling the bales back to the yard.

“I welded the hooks of the Euro carriage to an 80mm channel section, which can be bolted centrally to the frame. As it would foul with the trailer drawbar, it needs to be removed and stored up on top of the frame where it is attached to two threaded studs. I welded the lower locking mechanism to the coupling points of the lower links.

“While there is an abundance of bale spike designs on the market, I haven’t found any homologated system that allows a trailer to hitch to the ladder hitch clevis. Therefore, I have applied for utility model protection for my invention.”

For more up-to-date farming news click here and subscribe now to profi and save.