I have been thinking on it a lot, and the idea has evolved to this:
Use my existing 45' flatbed trailer and modify by running a chain down each side of the trailer and pulling them with a shaft on the rear with two sprockets (one for each chain) which is turned by a reduction unit powered by a hydraulic motor. The chains would be attached only to a bulkhead at the front of the trailer so that when in operation, the bulkhead would push all the bales off the back. The chains would be a continuous loop (probably just use cable to complete the loop) so that when unloaded (with the bulkhead at the back), you could just reverse the hydraulic motor and return the bulkhead to the front of the trailer again for the next load.
Clear as mud?
This is the simplest and least expensive method I have come up with. Have any other ideas anyone? I'm still refining this in my mind, but am planing on starting on cutting and welding pretty soon! I have an old barn cleaner unit I am planning on using for the reduction unit that would be mounted below the deck, except for the last sprocket which would be on the shaft at the rear of the trailer.
Any ideas on what hydraulic motor would be needed and where to get one? Or how about the requirements for the truck wet kit pump? Should I just call a "hydraulics place" and ask what they recommend?
Pb
Use my existing 45' flatbed trailer and modify by running a chain down each side of the trailer and pulling them with a shaft on the rear with two sprockets (one for each chain) which is turned by a reduction unit powered by a hydraulic motor. The chains would be attached only to a bulkhead at the front of the trailer so that when in operation, the bulkhead would push all the bales off the back. The chains would be a continuous loop (probably just use cable to complete the loop) so that when unloaded (with the bulkhead at the back), you could just reverse the hydraulic motor and return the bulkhead to the front of the trailer again for the next load.
Clear as mud?
This is the simplest and least expensive method I have come up with. Have any other ideas anyone? I'm still refining this in my mind, but am planing on starting on cutting and welding pretty soon! I have an old barn cleaner unit I am planning on using for the reduction unit that would be mounted below the deck, except for the last sprocket which would be on the shaft at the rear of the trailer.
Any ideas on what hydraulic motor would be needed and where to get one? Or how about the requirements for the truck wet kit pump? Should I just call a "hydraulics place" and ask what they recommend?
Pb