APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CUTTING TWINE WOUND ABOUT A BALE

摘要

An apparatus (50) and method for severing twine (46) from a bale (44) supported by one or more grapple arms (38) and bucket (34) of a tractor (30) is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a slide bar (80) mounted to at least one grapple arm, the tines (42), or the bucket. The slide bar has a first end and a second end, and a blade (82) 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 (84) coupled to the blade for controllably moving the blade along the slide bar. The motor can be a reversible dc motor controllable by a switch (150), 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.