BALE HANDLING EQUIPMENT This invention relates to bale handling equipment. The invention has particular application to equipment for handling cotton bales but it may also have application to 5 equipment for handling hay bales and bales formed of other material. For many years raw cotton has been harvested by mechanical cotton pickers, then transferred to boll buggies which transport the cotton to presses which in turn press the 10 cotton into large truck/trailer sized packages known as "modules". In recent years such modules have been phased out in some areas and in such areas cotton is now harvested by cotton pickers which not only pick the cotton but also form it into large round bales in a continuous process while 15 picking. They also wrap the bale in a plastic wrap material before unloading it ready for transport to a cotton gin. Round bales of cotton are presently loaded for transport to a cotton gin in much the same manner as cotton modules. In this respect, the round bales are typically arranged end to 20 end in a straight line on the ground to form a "sausage" which is then loaded from one end onto a truck or trailer. The sausage form is important to ensure that only the outside ends of the two opposite end bales are exposed to the weather and to be ready for loading as a sausage unit. Typically, the 25 truck or trailer has a load supporting deck which is lowered to engage with the sausage near to or on the ground. The deck usually has a conveyor thereon for conveying the sausage onto the deck and can have a crawler track assembly depending from the underside of the deck for pulling the deck under the 30 sausage as it is conveyed onto the deck by the conveyor in much the same manner as is known for loading cotton modules. :DWY0 I 102filed29September2010 2 One problem which exists with the round bale system of storage and transportation is that it is difficult to load a cost efficient number of round bales onto a truck. In this respect, a round bale typically has a diameter of about 5 2250mm and is about 2400mm long and consequently fits well on a standard width truck or trailer deck (which is typically about 2400mm wide) in either a lateral or longitudinal orientation. Notably, although the diameter is initially significantly less than 2400mm, the bales sag under their own 10 weight before, during and after transportation and become somewhat oval in cross sectional shape rather than circular thereby resulting in a major diameter which can extend beyond the sides of the truck or trailer when placed longitudinally thereon which may offend some traffic regulatory authorities. 15 One disadvantage associated with round bales of cotton is that the bale sizes are such that only one sausage of bales can fit longitudinally on a truck or trailer deck and one sausage of bales typically constitutes little more than a half load from a mass or weight perspective for typical 20 trucks and semi-trailers. The present invention is aimed at providing a method of loading round cotton bales which allows more cotton bales to be loaded for transportation to a cotton gin. The invention is also aimed at providing apparatus which can be used to 25 assist loading and transportation using the method. With the foregoing in view, the invention in one aspect resides broadly in a method of transporting round cotton bales, including: grabbing a first round cotton bale by engaging the bale 30 at its opposed round ends; lifting the cotton bale while grabbed at its opposed round ends and placing it on a truck or trailer deck such cDWYOI 102filed29September2010 3 that the longitudinal axis of the bale extends in a direction across the deck; and subsequently grabbing other round cotton bales in the same manner as the first round cotton bale and placing them 5 on the truck or trailer deck in predetermined relative positions with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel to the axis of the first round bale to form a bottom row of bales. Preferably, the predetermined positions are selected 10 such that adjacent bales in the bottom row are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. Preferably, the method includes grabbing more round bales and placing them on the first row of bales to form a second row with each bale engaging with and being held in a 15 predetermined position by two adjacent bales in the bottom row. Advantageously, the predetermined distance between adjacent bales in the first row is selected such that the bales in the second row can settle whereby the height of the top of the bales in the second row is less than or equal to 20 the maximum allowable load height as set by the relevant transport regulatory authority. Preferably, the method includes securing the bales of the bottom row in their respective predetermined positions so that the bales in the second row are held in their 25 predetermined positions by the adjacent bales in the bottom row. In such form, it is preferred that the bales in the bottom row are held in their predetermined relative positions by stoppers arranged between adjacent bales. Suitably, such stoppers provide a base on which the bales of the second row 30 may be laid as will be described in more detail later. cDWYO 102filed29September2010 4 In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a transport vehicle for transporting round cotton bales, including: an elongate load supporting deck having a front end and 5 a back end; a plurality of adjustable stoppers mounted on said load supporting deck for securing at least some of the bales of a bottom row of bales placed on said deck in a predetermined position relative thereto against movement towards said front 10 end and/or said back end, said adjustable stoppers being adapted to move from a retracted position to an extended position; and actuation means connected to said adjustable stoppers for causing movement of said stoppers from said retracted 15 position to said extended position and vice versa. Preferably, said adjustable stoppers are arranged to selectively engage the sides of the bales along a diametral line at about half height such that the force applied by a stopper(s) on the front of a bale may be opposed by the force 20 applied by another stopper on the back of the bale. In yet another aspect, the invention resides broadly in securing apparatus adapted to be mounted on or to a load supporting deck of a transport vehicle for transporting round cotton bales, the securing apparatus including: 25 a base adapted to rest on the load supporting deck and to be secured so as to substantially prevent movement relative thereto towards the front end or back end of the load supporting deck; and bale engaging means connected to said base and adapted 30 to engage a bale on the load supporting deck so as to prevent movement of the bale towards the base beyond a predetermined position. cDWYO] 102filed29September2010 5 Preferably, the securing apparatus includes two opposed bale engaging means arranged such that one engages a bale on one side of the base and the other engages a bale on the other side of the base. It is also preferred that the or each 5 bale engaging means be operatively connected to said base for movement relative thereto between a retracted position in which the bale supporting means does not substantially engage the bale(s) and an extended position in which it does engage the bale (s) so as to prevent movement of a bale on the deck 10 towards the base. In such form, it is preferred that the apparatus include hydraulic rams or the like for actuating movement of the bale supporting means between the retracted position and the extended position. It will be appreciated that where bales are placed between two spaced apart securing 15 apparatuses, the bale engaging means can be actuated so as to compress the bale thereby forcing it to an oval shape with its major axis being in a vertical plane. Advantageously, where securing apparatus are mounted between adjacent bales in a bottom row of bales on a load supporting deck, such 20 action increases the horizontal spaces between adjacent bales thereby allowing bales in a second row to settle further between adjacent bales in the bottom row so as to reduce the overall height of the load of bales. It will also be appreciated that in cases where the securing apparatus 25 include bale supporting means, the hydraulic rams can be controlled so as to compress the bales in the bottom row to a predetermined extent so as to allow the bales the in the second row to settle onto the respective support means. Preferably, the securing apparatus includes bale 30 supporting means adapted to at least partially support a bale placed thereon. Advantageously, in such form, a bale may be placed thereon between two adjacent bales in a first row so cDWYOI 102filed29September2010 6 as to be partially held in a predetermined position by the adjacent bales in the first row. In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a transport vehicle for transporting round cotton bales, 5 including: an elongate load supporting deck having a front end and a back end; and a plurality of fixed stoppers mounted on said load supporting deck for securing at least some of the bales of a 10 bottom row of bales placed on said deck in a predetermined position relative thereto against movement towards said front end and/or said back end, said stoppers having opposed spaced apart guide means adapted to engage the curved face of a cotton bale placed thereagainst and to guide respective 15 cotton bales into a position between adjacent stoppers. Preferably, said fixed stoppers include a base adapted to rest on the load supporting deck and to be secured so as to substantially prevent movement relative thereto towards the front end or back end of the load supporting deck and 20 said guide means are secured to or integrally formed with said base. In one preferred form, said base includes a frame and each of said guide means includes a fixed bar spaced above said base and extending laterally across said load supporting deck. In such form, it is preferred that the 25 spaced apart fixed bars be connected to each other by cross bars and that end bars be provided to engage the circular ends of the bale resting thereon to prevent it sliding sideways off the stoppers. In another form, said base includes a frame and said guide means includes a plurality of 30 rollers mounted to said frame for rotation relative thereto about respective horizontal axes extending laterally across said load supporting deck. cDWYOI 102filed29September2010 7 In yet another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a fixed stopper adapted to be mounted on or to a load supporting deck of a transport vehicle for transporting round cotton bales, the fixed stopper including: 5 a base adapted to rest on the load supporting deck and to be secured so as to substantially prevent movement relative thereto towards the front end or back end of the load supporting deck; and guide means secured to or integrally formed with said 10 base, said guide means being adapted to engage the curved face of a cotton bale placed thereagainst and to assist respective cotton bales to slide into and out of a loaded Position between adjacent stoppers. In a preferred form, the spaced apart fixed bars are 15 connected to each other by cross bars and end bars are operatively connected thereto so as to engage the circular ends of the bale resting on the guide bars to prevent it sliding sideways off the securing stoppers. In another form, said base includes a frame and said guide means includes a 20 plurality of rollers mounted to said frame for rotation relative thereto about respective horizontal axes extending laterally across said load supporting deck. In still yet another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a grab for lifting round cotton bales, the grab 25 being adapted to be connected to an excavator or the like for operation thereby, the grab including: a mounting head having two halves adapted to at least partially rotate relative to each other in use about a vertical axis, one half being adapted to be connected to the 30 crowd arm of an earthmoving excavator for up and down pivoting movement relative thereto; cDWYOI l102filed29September2010 8 first drive means operatively connected to said two halves for rotating one half relative to the other half about the vertical axis; a pair of jaw members operatively connected to the other 5 half of said mounting head for movement relative to each other between a closed position in which they engage the opposite round end faces of a round bale of cotton respectively so as to grip the bale therebetween and an open position in which they are spaced from the end faces to 10 release the bale; and second drive means operatively connected to said jaw members for driving them from the closed position to the open position and vice versa. Preferably, said pair of jaw members are connected to 15 said mounting head for translatory movement relative to each other such that the jaws move in a direction parallel to or coaxial with the axis of the round bale. Preferably, said one half of the mounting head is connected to the crowd arm via an extension member adapted to 20 space the mounting head sufficiently from the crowd arm to allow the other half to rotate relative thereto in all relevant loading dispositions. The term "horizontal" as used herein when referring to a horizontal road transport disposition is to be understood as 25 encompassing the general disposition of a truck or trailer deck when travelling on a road. Similarly, the term vertical is intended to refer to a disposition which is generally perpendicular or orthogonal to the horizontal disposition. It will be appreciated that the present invention 30 provides a method and apparatus which allows bigger loads of round cotton bales to be loaded and/or transported while cDWYO 102filed29September2010 9 meeting the regulations pertaining to road transport vehicles as administered by various regulatory authorities. In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now 5 be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a prime mover and flat deck semi-trailer loaded with round cotton bales according to the invention; 10 Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a prime mover and step deck semi-trailer loaded with round cotton bales according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a pictorial representation of securing apparatus according to the invention; 15 Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the securing apparatus of 7ig. 3; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of an alternative securing apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a grab according to the 20 invention with the jaws in the closed position; Fig. 7 is a plan of the grab of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a pictorial representation of another securing apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the prime mover and flat 25 deck semi-trailer shown in Fig. 1 loaded with round cotton bales according to the invention but using the alternative securing apparatus of Fig. 8; and Fig. 10 is a pictorial representation of another securing apparatus according to the invention; 30 Fig. 11 is a side elevation of another grab according to the invention with the jaws in the closed position. cDWYOI 102filed29September2010 10 Fig. 12 is a side elevation of yet another grab according to the invention with the jaws in the closed position. The vehicle 10 illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a prime 5 mover 11 and a semi-trailer 12 having a flat deck 13 which is mounted on a chassis 14 in known manner. Four round cotton bales 16, 17, 18 and 19 (that is, cylindrical)are resting on the deck with spaces 21, 22 and 23 respectively therebetween to form a bottom row 26 while three more bales 27, 28 and 29 10 are engaged with adjacent bales of the bottom row and at least resting partially thereon to form a top row 31. The bales of the bottom row are held at the front of the deck by a front gate 32 and at the rear by a tail gate 33 and are secured in their respective positions by securing apparatuses 15 36, 37 and 38 which are mounted to the deck between adjacent bales in the spaces 21, 22 and 23 of bottom row respectively. The vehicle 110 illustrated in Fig. 2 is the same as -hat of Fig. 1 except that the semi-trailer is a step deck trailer and is longer and accordingly corresponding numbers 20 are used to reference corresponding features except prefaced by a "1". Because, the step deck trailer is longer, it can accommodate an extra round bale 20 in the bottom row and an extra round bale 30 in the top row, both at the front end of the trailer with additional securing apparatus 39. 25 The securing apparatuses 36, 37 and 38 are all the same but apparatus 39 has a lower overall height although it is generally the same in other respects and consequently the following description of the first three should be taken to apply generally to that one as well. 30 Each securing apparatus includes two end frames 51, each comprising a bottom member 52 adapted to rest on the deck of the trailer and two spaced apart side members 53 and 54 which cDWYOI 002filed29September2010 11 stand up from the bottom member 52 and which are joined at their upper ends by a top member 56 parallel to the bottom member 52. A cross member 57, also parallel to the bottom member, extends between the two side members and is spaced 5 from the top member sufficiently to accommodate a double acting hydraulic ram 55 therebetween which is secured to the cross member and the top member. Two stabiliser members 58 and 59 also extend up from the bottom member outside the two side members 53 and 54 and are secured thereto by two side 10 bracing members 61 and 62 respectively. Two opposed pivoting members 63 and 64 are pivotally connected to the bracing members 61 and 62 respectively for movement about respective horizontal pivot pins 66 and 67 through an arc of approximately 45 degrees. Suitably, the 15 working shafts 68 and 69 of the hydraulic ram are pivotally connected to the pivoting members respectively between their free ends and the horizontal pivot pins 66 and 67 respectively so as to be able to cause them to move through the required arc. 20 Suitably, the two end frames are connected by a plurality of spaced apart rails 71 with the length of the rails being such that an end frame is adjacent each side rail of the truck deck. Suitably, the rails 71 connecting the respective top members 56 of the two end frames are adapted 25 to support thereon a round cotton bale, the end of which is shown in phantom in Fig. 4 as Item 27, 28, 29. The securing apparatus 136, 137 and 138 illustrated in Fig. 5 achieves the same result as apparatus 36, 37 and 38 but in a different manner. In that regard, frame members 163 30 and 164 are pivotally connected to base 152 for in and out movement relative thereto under the action of hydraulic ram 155 which is coupled thereto by opposed link members 170. cDWYO1 102filed29September2010 12 Suitably, as the hydraulic ram pushes the opposed pivoting members 163 and 164 apart, it also causes top frame members .56 and the lateral members 171 fixed thereto to lift so as to form the platform for the top bale to rest thereon. 5 In use, the securing apparatuses are placed on the trailer deck with the bottom members 52 adjacent the respective side rails of the deck in a predetermined position selected to accommodate bales 16 to 20 in a desired position between two adjacent spaced apart apparatuses. The 10 apparatuses are then secured to the deck preferably by passing chains over the bottom members 52 and securing the chains to the trailer deck. Of course, the frames could be secured by other means such as bolts or the like if desired. Once all the apparatus have been secured in position, the 15 trailer is ready for loading with round bales. Bales are loaded by lifting them individually with an excavator and grab attachment of the type illustrated in Fig. 6 or Fig. 10 and then placing them between the adjacent securing apparatuses as shown in Figs. 1 or 2 to form a 20 bottom row. Once the bales of the bottom row are in their desired positions, the hydraulic ram 55 is actuated to force the pivoting members 63 and 64 outwards away from each other to engage the respective bales on both sides and to compress them to some extent. It will be appreciated that when the 25 pivoting members move away from each other, they open a space therebetween whereby a bale can be placed on the supporting rails 71 and the top members 56 and the top supporting rails serving as a "table". It will be appreciated that the securing apparatuses 30 hold the bales in the bottom row securely in their predetermined positions and the pivoting members open up the "table" for placement of the bales in the second row. If cDWY01 102filed29September2010 13 desired, end plates or bars may be provided upstanding from the top member 56 to prevent any undesirable sideways movement of the bales in the second row. The grab 210 illustrated in Fig. 6 is adapted to be 5 mounted to the crowd arm of an excavator as will be described in more detail later. The grab has a fixed horizontal member 211 and a movable horizontal member 212 which is adapted to slide telescopically in and out of the fixed member 211. Suitably, a vertical member 213 is fixed to and depends from 10 the fixed horizontal member 211 and similarly, a fixed vertical member 214 depends from the movable horizontal member, the two vertical members being opposite each other with their longitudinal axes lying in the same plane. Movement of the telescopic top member is driven by a 15 hydraulic ram 221 which is mounted in the fixed top member 211 and connected thereto at one end 222 and to the inner end 223 of the movable top member. The two vertical members 213 and 214 have respective grabbing discs 226 and 227 rotatably mounted thereto adjacent 20 their lower ends for rotation about a horizontal axis 228 which in use is arranged to align with the longitudinal; axis of the round bale being lifted. Suitably, the discs 226 and 227 are adapted to engage the circular ends of a round bale when the hydraulic ram 221 is operated to pull the movable 25 member 212 inwards relative to the fixed member so as to clamp the bale between the two discs. An excavator mounting block 231 is pivotally mounted to the fixed top member 211 for pivoting movement about a pivot pin 241 near the disc end, the mounting block having spaced 30 apart pivot points 232 and 233 for connecting the grab to the crowd arm of an excavator in the same manner as an excavator bucket (as is well known). Suitably, pivoting movement of the cDWYO 1102filed29September2010 14 fixed top member is driven by a hydraulic ram 242 which connects to the mounting block and the fixed top member. In use, the excavator is operated so as to lift the grab vertically up and down, or to tilt the grab about pin point 5 232 to gain extra height and to grab the bale between the two discs 226 and 227. Advantageously, the grab allows the bale to be grabbed at the opposite round ends and to be lifted and placed in the predetermined position between the adjacent securing apparatuses or on top of a first row of bales as the 10 case may be. A similar grab can be used to unload round bales from a trailer deck at the destination end. The securing apparatuses 336, 337 and 338 each include two spaced apart end frames 351, each comprising a bottom member 352 adapted to rest on the deck of the trailer and two 15 spaced apart side members 353 and 354 which stand up from the bottom member 352 and which are joined at their upper ends by a top member 356 parallel to the bottom member 352. Suitably, the two end frames are connected by a plurality of spaced apart connecting rails 371 with the length of the rails being 20 such that an end frame is adjacent each side rail of the truck deck. Advantageously, the securing apparatus includes two spaced apart top rollers 372 and two spaced apart lower rollers 373 which are arranged to guide and assist cotton bales to squeeze between adjacent securing apparatuses as 25 illustrated in Fig. 9. In this respect, it will be appreciated that the bales 16, 17, 18 and 19 in the bottom row will deform as their weight forces them into the allocated space between adjacent securing apparatuses and the top rollers together with the top one of the rails 371 will 30 support the top row of bales 27, 28 and 29. The securing apparatus 436 illustrated in Fig. 10 is similar to the apparatus 336, 337, 338 illustrated in Fig. 8 cDWY0 ll02filed29September2010 15 and includes two spaced apart end frames 451, each comprising a bottom member 452 adapted to rest on the deck of the trailer and two spaced apart side members 453 and 454 which stand up from the bottom member 452 and which are joined at 5 their upper ends by a top member 456 parallel to the bottom member 452. Suitably, the two end frames are connected by a plurality of spaced apart connecting rails 371 with the length of the rails being such that an end frame is adjacent each side rail of the truck deck. The middle connecting rail 10 is a wider and stronger rail adapted to support the weight of a bale resting thereon. The middle rail is braced to the base by bracing members 450 to stabilise the apparatus. An upwardly curved rail 470 is connected to the upper rail at each end so as to extend above the end frame and engage with 15 the circular end of a round bale resting on the middle connecting rail 371a to prevent a round bale sliding thereof sideways. Suitably, the outer connecting rails 471 should have a circular cross section or at least have a curved face where engaged by the bales. Advantageously, it has been found 20 that the apparatus should be constructed so that the middle rail has a height of about 800mm above the base to give a load height of about 4.3m to 4.6 m depending on the height of the deck above the ground thereby meeting regulatory height requirements. It has also been found that the apparatus 25 should have a length of about 2400mm to fit between the combing rails of a standard trailer deck but possibly up to 2500mm for some trailers. Importantly, it has been found that the apparatus should have a width in the longitudinal direction of the deck of about 600mm to achieve maximum 30 number of bales in two rows. The alternative grab 510 illustrated in Fig. 11 is the same as the grab illustrated in Fig.6 in most respects and cDWYO 1102filed29September2010 16 accordingly the same reference numbers are used to reference the same features with different or modified features having different reference numbers. In particular, the excavator mounting block 231 is mounted approximately in the centre of 5 the fixed member 211 via a fully rotational hydraulic ball rack 542 of known type and is adapted to be connected to the crowd arm of an excavator by an extension member 544 via a quick action coupler 546. Advantageously, the grab 510 provides for more accurate and easy placement and retrieval 10 of bales on a truck deck. The grab 610 illustrated in Fig. 12 achieves the same result as the grabs illustrated in Fig. 11 but operates in a different manner. However, where possible the same reference numbers have been used to reference corresponding parts but 15 prefaced by a "6". The grab connects to the excavator mounting block in the same way as the grab of Fig. 11 but instead of having the end plates move linearly, they are pivotally mounted to the horizontal member 611 at its opposite ends respectively. Additionally, the end "plates" 20 are made as "space frames" with a circular outer member made of round tube and a number of radial "spokes" extending therefrom to the centre. It will be appreciated that the present method allows round bales to be collected in load size groups in a cotton 25 field where the excavator can simply reach out and grab bales as desired and place them on the trailer deck. It will also be appreciated that whereas a 13.6 metre trailer can presently accommodate approximately 6 round bales, the method of the present invention allows such a trailer to carry up to 30 nine round bales. It is to be understood that while the above has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all cDWYOI 102filed29September2010 17 modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is defined in the appended claims. cDWYOI 102filed29September2010