Apparatus and method for cutting twine wound about a bale

摘要

An apparatus and method for severing twine from a bale supported by one or more grapple arms and bucket of a tractor is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a slide bar mounted to at least one grapple arm, the tines, or the bucket. The slide bar has a first end and a second end, and a blade riding on the slide bar, the blade oriented on the slide bar so that the blade contacts portion of the twine as the blade moves along the slide bar. A motor coupled to the blade for controllably moves the blade along the slide bar. The motor can be a reversible dc motor controllable by a switch, or a hydraulic motor. The twine about the bale can be cut without the need for the farmer to leave the driver's compartment of the tractor.