CA1093376A - Ground-rolling forwardly-directed rotary baler - Google Patents
Ground-rolling forwardly-directed rotary balerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1093376A CA1093376A CA342,181A CA342181A CA1093376A CA 1093376 A CA1093376 A CA 1093376A CA 342181 A CA342181 A CA 342181A CA 1093376 A CA1093376 A CA 1093376A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bale
- twine
- assembly
- baler
- frame
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01F—PROCESSING OF HARVESTED PRODUCE; HAY OR STRAW PRESSES; DEVICES FOR STORING AGRICULTURAL OR HORTICULTURAL PRODUCE
- A01F15/00—Baling presses for straw, hay or the like
- A01F15/07—Rotobalers, i.e. machines for forming cylindrical bales by winding and pressing
- A01F15/0765—Rolling bales on the ground
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01F—PROCESSING OF HARVESTED PRODUCE; HAY OR STRAW PRESSES; DEVICES FOR STORING AGRICULTURAL OR HORTICULTURAL PRODUCE
- A01F15/00—Baling presses for straw, hay or the like
- A01F15/08—Details
- A01F15/14—Tying devices specially adapted for baling presses
- A01F15/141—Tying devices specially adapted for baling presses for round balers
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Storage Of Harvested Produce (AREA)
Abstract
"GROUND ROLLING FORWARDLY-DIRECTED ROTARY BALER"
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A twine assembly is provided in a rotary baler wherein fibrous material is formed into a cylindrical bale by rolling the bale along a support surface. The twine assembly is automatically actuated by the bale once the bale has reached a predetermined size. Rotatable means are provided which, on contacting the rotating surface of the bale, are themselves rotated to pay out twine in front of the sale. The twine becomes trapped between the rotating bale and the support surface and thus wraps the bale through one or more rotations of the bale.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A twine assembly is provided in a rotary baler wherein fibrous material is formed into a cylindrical bale by rolling the bale along a support surface. The twine assembly is automatically actuated by the bale once the bale has reached a predetermined size. Rotatable means are provided which, on contacting the rotating surface of the bale, are themselves rotated to pay out twine in front of the sale. The twine becomes trapped between the rotating bale and the support surface and thus wraps the bale through one or more rotations of the bale.
Description
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a forwardly-directed rotary baler for forming swathed hay or straw material into cylindrical bales, and in particu-lar to a rotary baler of the type which rolls the material along the ground as the bale is being formed. ~he baler may be a separate unit which is mountable on the fron-t of a ~heeled power unit to form a self-propelled assembly, or the baler may be integral with the power ~ i means, thereby providing a self-propelled unit. This type of machine is termed a ground-rolling forwardly-djrected rotary baler.
In general, the commercially successful rotary balers pick ~ j up the swath ma-terial and introduce it into a hollow cylindrical chamber defined by a system of moving belts. The belts extend around and enclose almost the entire circurnference of the forming bale. They expand against applied tension as the bale is growing in size and presses out-wardly against them. The belts act to move and guide the material along an arcuate path, thereby forming it into a cylindrical bale. The cir-cumferential speed of the belts is greater than the ground speed of the baler - thus the bale is continually spun at a relatively high rate with a view to increasing its density. This type of machine is termed herein a full circumference belt baler.
These prior art balers are characterized by a number of problems.
For example, they are pull type units - that is, they are pulled by a power unit, such as a tractor - as a result, the operator has a poor view of the s-~ath being ~orked on. The relatively rapid spinning of the forming bale tends to cause undesirable leaf loss and shattering damage to the hay or straw material. Since the tractor precedes the baler, and since it is necessary for the tractor to move on and off the swath as it is maneuvered (to feed the s~ath onto the bale in a manner which produces a bale of constant diameter), there is considerable leaf shatter arising from the grinding action of the tractor wheels. Most ~ of this shattered l~eaf material, which has a valuable protein content, is ;::
3~i not incorporaled in the bale. The machines are characterized by having narrow inlets for the incoming swath material ~ such inlets commonly involve a pair of compress;ng rolls; the narrowness of the~e inlets influences the th;ckness`of the swath that can be accommodated, thereby S slowing the rate of advance of the machine and thus its baling rate.The bale, being completely enclosed ln belts, i5 not easily accessible in the event that the operator should need to clear piled-up material from the bale-Forming zone. The machines whi`ch are available do not have a fully automatic twine wrapping and cuttiny ~echanism which the operator can use without stopping the machine and manually engaging in succession the wrapping and cutting rnechanisms. Because the entire weight of the bale is carried by the baler~ the latter's construction must be particularly strong. For this reason and the need for the extensive driven belt system, the available machines are rnechanically cornplicated and therefore are expensive to buy and operate, as well as being somewhat hazardous to use.
There has also been proposed in the prior art the combination of the concepts of fon~ardly directing the baler (to enable the operator to see the swath s-tretching before him) and ground rolling the bale during its formation (to reduce the complexity and extent of the belt system and thus the cost of the baler). This is, for example,shown in United States Patent No. 3,815,344, issued to Kucera. However, up until now, no such unit has been developed which confines the front lower circumferential s~rface of the bale being formed. Thus there is undesirable spilling, piling up and skidding of the hay or straw through this gap. To my knowledge, no one has heretofore provided a ground-rolling forwardly-di~rected rotary baler having sufficiently complete circumferential enclosuré of the growing bale so as to eliminate the spilling problem and thereby duplicate the mechanical control over the bale which is inherent in the commercially successful full circumference belt balers.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
._ _ _ __ _ ~n accordance with a broad aspect o~ the invention, there is provided a ground-rolling forwardly-directed rotary baler having passiVe means for confin;ng the front lower circumferential surface of the bale being formed, said means being adapted to permit the baler to be backed away from the bale when the latter i's to be discharged. ~ore particularly, said means compri.se a plurality of flexi'ble elements, preferably transversly spaced steel cable lengths hanging freely at the' front entrance of the bale-forming zone, which elements are of suff;cient length so that their free lower ends become trapped between'the forming bale and the ground. With one end trapped beneath the bale and the other end fixed to the frame, the flexible elements provide a ti:ghtly confining curved framework at the front surface of the forming bale. ~hen the bale is to be discharged, the baler is simply backed away from -the bale and the cable lengths slip easily back over the stationary bale and release it.
In accordance with another broad aspect of the inventi'on, there i5 provided a ground-rolling forwardly-directed roatary baler having novel driven b;asing and forming means. Such means include means, such as a pick-up drum assembly, for lift;ng the fibrous material from the ground, an upright rear belt assembly, for receiving the lifted fibrous material from the pick-up drum assernbly and moving and gui.di.ng said material upwardly, and an upper belt assembly for receivi.ng the material from the rear belt assembly and moving and gui'ding it forwardly.
. ~ 25 The upper belt assembly is pivotally mounted at its rear end to permit : it to rotate therearound in a vertical plane. The pi.voting capability of the upper belt assembly permits. it to assume a downwardly angled position relati~/e to the upright rear belt assembly in the early stages of bale formation - thus a considerable proportion of the circumferential .
surface of the formi'ng bale is acted on by the'belt assembli'es duri`ng this early formative period. As. the bale grows, the upper belt assembly is forced to p;vot upwardly until the belt assembli.es together engage a .
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reduced proportion of the bale's circulnferential surface.
In a preferred form of the invent;on, the two broad aspects of the ;nvent;on previously described are combined. That is, there is provided a combination of "active" ~i.e. posit;vely engaging and biasing) and "passive" (i.e. non-biasing3 components which together extend around substantially all of the circumferential bale surface which is out of contact with the ground, after -the bale has first gone through an initial core-forming stage. More particularly, a frame is provided having inter-connected, parallel, spaced side members. The pick-up drum assembly is rotatably carried by the frarne at its lower rear end. The rear and upper belt assemblies are also carried by the frame and extend upwardly from the pick-up drum assembly and then forwardly, respectively. The assemblies are all driven or rotated. Preferably, this is done by driving one assembly and interconnecting the others to it. The cables hang downwardly from a transverse beam, extending between the frame side members, positioned at a point fortl~ard of the upper belt assembly. In an initial core-forming stage, the swath material is lifted by the pick-up drum assembly and fed to the rear belt assembly. This assembly raises it upwardly but, being unconfined9 it tumbles forwardly onto the trailing ends of the cables, which direct it downwardly and rea~ardly. As new material is incorporated, a loose roll is developed. In short order, the roll reaches a size at which it contacts the upper belt assembly. At this stage, the bale is being engaged by the three active~components ~which are generally arranged in an open-bottomed, somewhat triangular configuration) over the greatest part of that portion of its circum-ferential surFace which is out of contact with the ground. The cables and the ground confine and guide ' , ~: : :
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or form the remaining portion of -the bale. The active components therefore function to move and guide the material upwardly and forwardly; the passive cornponent,;.e. the cable frarnework, acts to confine and guide the material downwardly and rearwardly to the ground. As the bale continues to grow, the upper belt assembly pivots upwardly and the cables come into contact with a proportionately larger portion of the bale surface.
It should be understood that when the phrase "substantially all" was used at the beginning of the preceding paragraph to describe 10 ~ the extent of circumferential enclosure, it is to be given a generous interpretation - there are gaps between the cornponents and the enclosure is not complete. However, it will be noted that the most troublesome gap - that at the front lower section of the bale - is closed by the cables.
In a preferred feature, a spring-loaded arcuate arm assembly is positioned between the upper belt assembly and the cables. This pas-sive assembly functions to guide and compress the material. It only comes into play once the bale has reached a considerable size and there is a desire to put a dense outer coat on it. Because the spring is adjustable, the degree of compaction incurred by the pressure of this assembly against the surface of the growing bale can be varied.
In another preferred feature, backwardly slanted teeth or "cogs" are provided on the working faces of the belts of the belt assemblies.
These cogs positively engage the hay or straw and assist in the rotation of the bale. However, because of their backward slant, they provide desirable slippage. The belts themselves also provide slippage. In this manner, the baler can accommodate differentials in speed between belt movement and the advance of the baler along the ground.
In another preferred feature, deflecting means are provided at the upper end of the rear belt assembly and the forward end of the upper belt assembly to~disengage the fibrous material from the belts and re-direct it in the desired direction~ Such means may be large discs .
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wh;ch are rotated 50 that they clear themselves of hay or straw.
In another broad aspect of the ;nvention, there is provided a twine assembly adapted to be automatically actuated by the bale itself, once the bale has reached a predetermined si'ze. More particularly, means are provided which, when contacted by the rotat;ng growi'ng oale, are themselves rotated to pay out the tw;:ne i:mmed;.ately.i:n ~ront of the hale.
The twi:ne becomes: trapped b;etween the swath mate.ri'al and the bale.and becomes i'ncorporated wi:th the bale mate.ri:al. It îs. tfien the rotati.on of the bale which pulls out further tw.i:ne.unti:1 tfie bale i's. sui:tablyv wrapped. Means are provi:ded for automat;:cally s:eve.ring th.e t~ine when thi.s stage ;s: reached.
Broadly stated, the i:nventi:on i:s an i:mprove~ent i:n a rotary baler, having a frame, wherei:n fibrous materi:al i:s ~ormed i:nto a bale by rolling i.t along a support s.urface. The i:mprovement compri:ses means for automati'cally'wrappi`ng the 6ale wi:tn.twi:ne., once i:t has reached a predetermined size, sai:d means.compr;:s;ing: rotatable means carri.ed by sai.d frame and arranged to be rotated upon contacti:ng tfie outer surface of the bale bei.ng ~ormed once sai'd 6ale has reached said predetermined size;
means., carri'ed 6y said frame, for supplvi.ng lengths of twi:ne to said rotatable means; and means for ope.rati:Ye.l~ engag;:ng said lengths w:i.th s:ai:d rotatable means ~here6y~ when the latte.r i:s rotated, twlne is fe.d downwardly to be trapped between the rotating hale.and tfie support surface, wherefi~
the bale i:s operatiYe to carry-t~e twi:ne.i:n contact wi'th i't through. one or more rotati:ons. to wrap the.bale..
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~3~3~7~i DESCRIPTION OF rl~E DR~ING~
Figure 1 is a side view of the rotary baler in a hor;zontal operating position in connection to the power unit.
Figure 2 i~s a s;de view of the rotary baler in an upraised discharge position in connection to the power unit.
Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the rotary baler showing the frame, the pick-up assembly and belt assemblies.
Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the baler showing the arcuate arm assembly, flexible elelnents and twine assembly.
Figure 5 is a side view of the rotary baler with schematic representa-tion of the connect;ons to the power unit for actuation of the baler.
Figure 6 is a rear view of the pick-up assembly and vertical rear belt assembly.
Figure 7 is a top perspective view of the spring loaded belt tightener rod assembly of the ver-tical rear belt assembly.
Figure 8 is a side view of a carrier arm of the upper belt assembi~.
Figure 9 is a top view of the arcuate arm assembly of Figure 4.
Figure 10 is a composite ~igure showing plan and side vie~ls of ; the material engaging cogs, showing attachlllent to the ~orking surface of the belt.
Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective front view of the twine assembly of Figure 4.
Figure 12 is a top view of the twine assembly of Figure 11.
Flgures 13 - 18 show progressive steps during the formation of the rolled bale.
Figure 13 is a side view of the rotary baler in the initial core-forming position.
~ Figure 14 is a side view of the rotary baler with the forming bale in the confines of the ground, belt assemblies and flexible elements.
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Figure 15 is as Fi~ure 14 with the bale circurnference extended to hold the upper belt assembly in an upward position and con-tacting the forward end of the arcuate arm assembly to ;nit;ate its participation in the bale formation.
Figure 16 is a side view of the rotary baler as the bale has reached a size to actuate the twine assembly - the arcuate arm assembly is in operation.
Figure 17 shows the rotary baler in an upraised discharge position to release the wrapped bale.
Fi'gure 18 shows the baler after i-t has been backed away and is being pivoted down~lardly to cut the twine helP taut ~etween the released bale and the rotary baler.
Figure l9 is an enlarged side view of the twine assembly Figure 20 - 21 are side views showing the i'ncorporation of springs to assist in pressing the upper belt assembly downwardly to increase densification of the forming bale.
_REFERRED EMBODIMENT OF rHE INVENTION
GENERAL ARRANGEMENT AND OPERATION
I~ith reference to the Fîgures there is shown a rotary baler l.
The baler 1 includes a frame 2 having spaced pàrallel si'de members 3 4 interconnected by transverse members ll3. The frame 2 is pivotally mountable on a power unit S for movement be-tween operating and dischar~e positions. These positions are illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 respectively.
A pick-up drum assembly 6 is rotatably mounted on the lower rear end of the frame 2. This pick-up assembly 6 is driven in a counterclockwise direction by the power take-off assembly 7 of the power unit 5 and functions to lift tbe swathed hay or straw from the ground. A generally vertical rear belt assembly 8 is carried by the frame 2 and is positioned above the pick-up assembly 6. This rear belt assembly 8 is drivably inter-connected wit:h the pick-up assembly 6 so that it too moves in a counter-clockwise direction. The rear belt assembly 8 receives the swathed material from the pick up assembly 6 and moves and guides'i't upwardly.
An upper belt assembly 9 is suspended from the frame Z in a sultable 33~
manner so that it can pivot in a vertical plane about its rear end.
This upper belt assembly ~ is drivably interconnected with the rear belt assembly 8 50 that it too rotates in a collnterclockwise direction;
it moves and guides the~swathed material forwardly. The two belt assembl;es 8,9 combine to move and guide the mater;al along a generally arcuate path. In the early stages of bale development, the upper belt assembly 9 is operative to move and guide the material along a forwardly and downwardly directed path, but gradually pivots so that, in the late stages of bale development, it is operative to move and guide the material along a fo~lardly and upwardly directed pa-th. An arcuate arm assembly 10 is pivotally mounted on the frame 2 forward of the upper belt assembly 9. The spr;ng-loaded arcuate arm assembly 10 engages the fonning bale 11 when it has reached a pre-determined size and is operative to compress and guide the bale to assist in its formation and densification. A
pluraiity of flexible elements 12, which are shown as discrete lengths of steel cable, are suspended at their upper ends from a transverse beam 13 extending between the frame side members 3,4. The cables 12 hang ~ freely in transversly spaced arrangement across and adjacent to the front ; entrance 14 of a bale~fonning zone 15 located within the frame 2. The cables 12 are of sufficient length so that their free lower ends become trapped between the growing bale 11 and the ground; when this occurs, they adopt a tensioned, curved state against the circumferencial surface of the bale and are operative to passively guide and form that portion of the bale against wllich they press. A twine assembly 16 is provided for automatically wrapping the bale 11 with twine lengths 18 once the bale has reached a pre-determined size. A cutting bar 17, which is brought into play when the frame 2 is pivoted to the discharge position, acts to sever the twine.
THE FRAME AND l~S CONNECTION WITH THE POWER UNIT
~_ As previously stated, the frame 2 comprises a pair of flat, wall-like side members 3,4 maintained in spaced-apart, parallel relation-~ ship by a plurality of transverse members 113.
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Each sicle member 3,4 c~rries means for pivotally connecting it with. the power unit 5. More specifically, each s;de member 3,4 has a stub shaft 20, extending outwardly from the rear end of said side rnember, and a yoke 21 m~unted on the side member forwardly and below the stub shaft 20. As shown in Figures. 1 and 2, a pair of ri~id arms 22 l extending forwardly from the power unit 5 are each pivotally secured to :
one of the stub shafts 20 by a saddle assembly 23. By pivotally secured is meant that the saddle assemblies 23 can rotate on the stub shafts 20.
A pair of hydraulic cylinders 24 also extend forwardly from the power unit 5 and each cylinder is pivotally connected b.y a pin 25 to one oF the yokes 21. Thus, expansion of the hydraulic cylinders 24 causes the -frame 2 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about the stub shaft connections wi-th the ri.gid arms 22 between a horizontal operating position (Figure 1) and an upraised discharge position (Figure 2). f The. frame 2 is shown separable from and pivo-tally mounted on the front of the power unit 5, such as is comlr,only used with a swather header (not shown¦ for swathing. It will be appreciated that the power unit and baler can be combined to provide a single integral machine. In both cases. a self-propelled, for~ardly-direc-ted baler is the result.
THE PI K-UP DRUM AS_E~BLY
: A conventional pick-up drum assembly 6 is rotatably mounted on the lower rear end of the frame 2. The pick-up drum assembly comprises a drum 30 rigidly fixed to a shaft 31. The shaft 31 is rotatably journalled in bearings 32 carried by the side members 3,4.
A sprocket and chai.n assembly 33 mounted on the frame 2 pro- :
vides a drive connection between the power take-off assembly 7 of the power uni.t 5 and the drum shaft 31. Thus. the drum 30 can be driven in a counter-clockw.ise direction. The. drive connection is shown schematically in Figure 5.
The pick-up drum 30 has flat, fa;rly rigidl spring steel pick-up teeth 34 spaced around its circumference in rows 3~. The rows 35 are spaced along the axis of the drum 30. When the drurn 30 is rotated9 the teeth 34 are operative to lift or p;ck up swathed ~ibrous rnaterial, namely hay or straw, from the ground.
THE VERTICAL REAR BELT_ASSEMBLY_ As shown in Figures 3 and 6, a generally vertical rear belt assembly 8 is positioned above the pick-up drum assernbly 6. This rear belt assembly 8 comprises an upper rollen unit 40, having a roller 41 attached to a shaft 42. The shaft 42 extends transversly between the frarne side members 3, 4 and is rotatably journalled in bearings 43 attached to said members. ¦
A series oF endless belts 44 extend around the pick-up drum 30 and the roller 41. Thus rotation of the pick-up drum 30 biases the belts 44 in a counterclockwise direction and rotates the upper roller unit -40. The belts 44 are spaced along the axes of the drum 30 and roller 41.
Each belt 44 carries fibrous material-engaging cogs 45 on its outer or working surface. The cogs 45 are spaced at intervals along the length of the belt 44. Each cog 45 comprises a flat plate 46, secured to the belt 44, having a backwardly slanted finger 47, which may have a length of 2 lt4", inclined at an angle of approximately 45 (see Figure 10). The fingers 47 are each inclined in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the belt with which\it is associated.
They are designed to engage the hay or straw, whetller it is still loose or ; 25 has become bound in to the bale, and move it in the direction of belt movement.
: A series of discs 48 are axially spaced along the pick-up drum 30. Similarly, a series of discs 49 are axially spaced along the upper roller 41. The discs 48, 49 function to train the belts 44.. In addition, the discs. 49~ which are relatively large in diameter compared to the belt- i training discs 48, also function to hide the coqs 45, so that they release .
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the engaged fibrous material and to deflect the upwardly moving fibrous material and help change its direction of moverllent to a forward onè
so that the mater;al w;ll engage the upper belt assembly g.
A conventiohal adjustable spri.ng-loaded belt tightener rod assembly 5Q is s.ecured to the Frame 2 as shown in Fi.gures; 3 and 7, to control the tensions of the belts 44.
...... l THE UPPER BELT ASSEMBLY
The upper belt assembly 9 extends forwardly from the upper roller 41 of the rear belt assembl~ ~.
The upper belt assembly 9 partly sho~Jn ;:n Fi.gure 8~ comprises a pair of spaced parallel carrier arms 60 wh;ch are p;.votally mounted at their rear ends on bearings circumscribing the upper roller shaft 42. The carrier arms 60 are suspended at their front ends by a pair of hanger arrns 61. The hanger arrns 61 extend through ring-like guides 62 and are slidable therethrough. The guides. 62 are pivotally mounted on the frame side members 3 4 so that they can rotate through the positions shown in Figures 13 - 18. Stops 63 on the hangér arms 61 lirnit the downl/ard movement of the arms through the guides 62.
Rear and front roller un;ts 64, 65 are positioned at the ends of the carrier arms 60. Each such roller unit co~prises a roller 66, 67 : mounted on a shaft 68 69; the shafts extend transversly between and are : rotatably journalled in the carrier arms 60.
A series of endless belts 70 similar to the belts 44, extend around the rear and front roller units 64, 65. The belts 70 also carry cogs 71, similar to the cogs 45, spaced along their working surfaces.
A series of discs 72 73 are spaced along the léngth of each of the rollers 66, 67. The discs 72 are inten~eaved wi.th the deflector discs 46 of the upper roller 41 - said discs 72 function to train the belts 70. The iarger discs 73 funct;on to train the belts 70 at the other : 30 end and also operate to deflect the f;b.rous material downwardly.
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3~37~j A sprocket and chain assembly 74, shown schematically in Figure 5, is carried by the carrier arms 60 and extends between the upper roller unit 40 of the rear belt assembly 8 and the rear roller unit 64 of the upper belt assembly 9. This sprocket and chain assembly 74 drives the 5 roller unit 64 and thereby biases the belts 70.
The upper belt assembly 9 thus provjdes a driven belt system which can pivot downwardly about its rear pivot point, to an extent limited by the hanger arm stops 63, and can pivot upwardly by riding on the growing bale. The degree of pressure with which the upper belt assembly 9 acts on the bale 11 can be increased by incorporating springs 130, connecting the hanger arms 61 and frame 2, as shown in F;gures 20 - 21.
The pick-up drum rear and upper belt assemblies 6, 8, 9 combine to provide means, carried by the frame 2 and connectable to the power unit 5 for actuation thereby, for lifting fibrous material from the 15 ground and moving and guiding it upwardly and fonAIardly so that the material is biased along a generally arcuate path.
THE ARCUA E ARM ASSEMBLY
W;th reference to Figures 4 and 9, an arcuate arm assembly 10 i.s mounted on the frame 2 For acting on the bale surface as it leaves the 20 upper belt assembly 9. This assembly 10 comprises a series of curved mem-: ~ bers. 80 attached to a rod 81. The curved members 80 are aligned in the di-~: rection of travel and are spaced across the ~"idth of the bale-forming zone 15. The rod 81 is attached at each of its ends. to an angle member 82.
. slide rod 83 extends. up~ardly and rearwardly from each angle member 82 25 through a sleeve 84, which is pivotally attached to one of the frame side : members 3,4. A spring 85 circumscribes each slide rod 83 and extends be-tween the angle member 82 and the sleeve 84. A stop 86 li:mits the downward ..
movement of the sli.de rod 83 through the sleeve 84. Thus, the rod 81, with its attached curved members 80, may rotate forwardly and upwardly when !
30 pressed ~rom below Ijy the growing bale 11, as shown in Figures; 15 and 16, but ~the spri.ng 85 resists this movement - therefore the assembly 10 presses against the bale 11, forms and guides. i.t, and also densi:fies it.
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_E _LEXIBLE ELEMENTS
With reference to Figure ~, a plural;ty o~ flexible 1~2 inch steel cables 12 hang down at the entrance of the bale-forming zone 15 from a transverse beam 13 extending between the frame s;de members 3,~.
The cables 12 are spaced along the transverse member 90 and extend down to lie along the swath 91 back to a point just in front of the pick-up drum 30.
The cables 12 are threaded through guides 92 attached to the forward ends of the curved members 80 of the arcuate arm assembly 10.
10 These guides 92 are positioned with a view to dangling the cables 12 so that they are generall~y vertical when they first tangentially meet the bale 11. , It will be noted that the frame 2, the assemblies 6, 8, 9, and the cables 12 combine to define -the open-bottomed bale-fonning zone 15.
THE TWINE ASSEMBLY
~ lith reference to Figures 11, 12 and 16, there is provided a twine assembly 1~ for wrapping the bale 11 which is being formed, in lengths 18 of twine, once the bale has reached a pre-determined size.
The twine assembly 16 is adapted to be contacted and driven by the rotating bale 11. llhen the bale 11 has been wrapped in twine, the assembly 16 is further capable of cutting the twine lengths 18 when the frame 2 is pivoted up to the discharge position, backed up, and then pivoted down toward the operating position.
More particularly, a pair of twine boxes 100, containing lengths 18 of twine, are mounted on the frame side members 3,4. A twine guide tube 102 extends across the entrance of the bale-forming zone 15 forward of the cables 12. The twine guide tube 102 is suitably secured at its ends to brackets 103 mounted on the side members 3,4. The twine guide tube 102 further has four openings 104 extending therethrough at spaced points along its length. Four separate lengths 18 of tw;ne are , , , ~ . : : ' ' 333'76 threaded from the boxes 100 through the twine guide tube 102; each length 18 extends through one of the openings 104.
A shaft 106 is rotatabl~ mounted on the brackets 103 forward of and below the twine guide tube lt)2. Surface port;ons 107 of the shaft 106 arè knurled at points aligned w;th the twine guide tube openi:ngs 104.
A spring steel arm 108 extends downwardly toward each of these knurled portions 107 from the twine guide tube 102. Each arm 108 carries a rubber roller 109 at its lower end which presses against the adjacent knurled portion 107. Each length 18 of tw;ne extends between ~ roller 109 and its underlying knurled portion 107.
The shaft 106 has discs 110 extending radially outward therefrom at spaced intervals along its length. When the bale 11 is almost full-size, the discs 110 contact it and are rotated thereby, in consequence of which the shaft 106 is rotated. This rotation causes the lengths 1~ of twine to be drawn out of the openings 104 and to be fed dowm~ardly.
The final component in the twine assembly 16 is a cutter bar 111 secured to and extending between the frame side members 3,4 it) front of and below the shaft 106. The cutter bar 111 has cutting elements 112 aligned with the knurled portions 107. When the frame 2 is pivoted ; upwardly to the discharge position and backed away from the bound bale 11, t as shown in Figure 10, and then lowered as shown in Figure 11, the cutting elements 112 are operative to cut the twine lengths 18.
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: OPERATION
In operation, the rotary baler 1 is first mounted on the front ; end of.a.power unit 5. The power take-off assembly 7 of the power unit 5 is connected to the sprocket and chain assembly 33 of the pick-up drum assembly 6 and the drive system of the ba1er 1 is set ;n motion. W`ith the baler 1 horizontally positioned as shown in Figure 1, the entire assembly is then advanced toward the swath to be baled.
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In the ;n;tial stage of baling, as seen in Figure 13, the swath mater;al is lifted by the p;ck-up teeth 34 and moved upwardly. As the pick-up teeth 34 retract between the belts 44 and belt-training discs 48, the material is engaged by the belt cogs 45 of the rear belt assembly 8. The cogs 45 lift the mater;al upwardly a little further, but it cascades forwardly and downwardly by gravity along an arcuate path~ as there is no formed bale present to prevent this. The cascading material contacts the trailing cables 12 and follows them downwardly and rearwardly along a curved path back toward the swath 91. In this manner a loose roll, which will form the central core of the final product, is created.
As the bale grows, the cogs 45 of the rear belt assembly rnove the material further upwardly until it co~tacts the deflecting discs 49.
As the cogs retract between these discs 49, the material is dislodged and re-directed fow~ardly by the discs 49 where it is received by the upper belt assernbly 9. At this stage, the upper belt assembly 9 is downwardly incl;ned. Thus th~ cogs 71 of th;s assembly 9 engage the material and move ;t for~ardly and do\Jnwardly. The deflecting discs 49 at the for~ard end of the assembly 9 function to force the material down~Jardly. This stage of the operation is illustrated in Figure 14.
It will be understood that the newly lifted material is being assim;lated with the form;ng bale 11 and the belts are actively biasing the material along and rolling the bale along the ground. It will also be noted that, at this stage, due to the downward inclination of the upper belt assembly 9, the forming bale 11 is conf;ned in a somewhat triangular bale-forming zone 15 and the "active" components (i.e. the pick-up, ; rear and upper belt assemblies 5, 8, 9) are acting on a considerable - portion of the bale circumference. The "passive" components (at this stage the cables 12 and the ground) are acting on a lesser proportion of the bale circumference than is the case in the later stages. Finally, the main densification of the bale material which is occurring arises from the weight of the heavy upper belt assembly 9 press;ng down on the bale 11.
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As the bale 11 continues to grow, the upper beqit assembly 9 pivots upwardly and the cables 12 act to confine an increasing proportion of the bale circumference. It will also be noted that an increasing portion 120 of the bale 11 is left unconfined between the cables 12 and the upper belt assembly 9. This stage of bale formation is illustrated in Figure 15.
As the bale 11 approaches full size, the upper belt assemb1y 9 pivots to an upwardly inclined position, as shown in Figure 16. At the same time, the bale 11 contacts the curved members 80 of the arcuate arm assembly 10. The curved members 80 fill the gap between the upper belt assembly 9 and the cables 12, thereby preventing spill over of the bale material at this point. In addition, the curved members 80 press against the bale 11 and form and densify it. The degree of densification can be varied by adjusting the spring 85.
Tt will be noted that, in thè later stage oF bale growth, the "active" components work on only about 1/3 of the circumferential area of the bale 11 while the "passive" components (now including the arcl!ate arm assembly 10) confine the balance of this area.
It will also be noted that, throughout the formation of the bale 11, the cables 12 are trapped beneath the bale. The result is that the rotating bale 11 keeps trying to pull the cables 12 toward its rear and they are therefore kept in tension. Thus the cables 12 press tautly against the bale 11.
As the bale 11 reaches full size, it contacts the twin assembly 16 and automatically initiates wrapping. More particularly, the bale 11 contacts the discs llO and causes them to rotate, thereby rotating the shaft 106. Rotation of the shaft 106 and its knurled portions 107 causes the lengths 18 of twine to be withdrawn from the twine boxes 100 and fed downwardly along the forward surface oF the bale 11. The free ends of the lengths 101 become caught in the bale material and follow the bale 11 as it rotates. The rotating bale 11 tend5 to want to pull the twine . , , ', ' v~
faster than the twine ;s fed by the nip of the knurled portions 107 and the rubber rollers 109. Therefore the twine lengths extending bet~een the bale and the nip are held in tension.
As the twine begins to be ~Jrapped around the bale 11 , the operator will normally dr;ve the un;t off the swath 91 to discharge the bale. Th;s movement will put 3 or 4 wraps of t~ine on -the bale.
The baler 1 is then pivo~ed up to -the discharge ~os;tion, by extending the swather cylinders 24, and backed up to disengage the baler from the bale 11, as shown in Figure 18. Th;s movement brings the cutting elements 112 into contact with the t~ine lengths 18. When the baler 1 is -then pivoted down~ardly, as sho~n ;n Figure 19, toward the operating position, the cutting elements 112 sever the twine. The unit is then ava;lable to return to -the swath to Form a new bale.
FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES
- Follow;ng are some of the advantages and features of the pre-ferred form of the invention:
(1) The utilization of the flexible cables at the front end of the baler has made it possible to mount the baler in front of the power unit, thus making it self-propelled; this is because the cables confine the front end of the bale yet are adapted to permit the baler to be backed off the bale. By haY;ng ~ a front-mounted, self-propelled unit, the operator can better ; see the swath as it is rolled up in front of him and can better guide the machine along it.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a forwardly-directed rotary baler for forming swathed hay or straw material into cylindrical bales, and in particu-lar to a rotary baler of the type which rolls the material along the ground as the bale is being formed. ~he baler may be a separate unit which is mountable on the fron-t of a ~heeled power unit to form a self-propelled assembly, or the baler may be integral with the power ~ i means, thereby providing a self-propelled unit. This type of machine is termed a ground-rolling forwardly-djrected rotary baler.
In general, the commercially successful rotary balers pick ~ j up the swath ma-terial and introduce it into a hollow cylindrical chamber defined by a system of moving belts. The belts extend around and enclose almost the entire circurnference of the forming bale. They expand against applied tension as the bale is growing in size and presses out-wardly against them. The belts act to move and guide the material along an arcuate path, thereby forming it into a cylindrical bale. The cir-cumferential speed of the belts is greater than the ground speed of the baler - thus the bale is continually spun at a relatively high rate with a view to increasing its density. This type of machine is termed herein a full circumference belt baler.
These prior art balers are characterized by a number of problems.
For example, they are pull type units - that is, they are pulled by a power unit, such as a tractor - as a result, the operator has a poor view of the s-~ath being ~orked on. The relatively rapid spinning of the forming bale tends to cause undesirable leaf loss and shattering damage to the hay or straw material. Since the tractor precedes the baler, and since it is necessary for the tractor to move on and off the swath as it is maneuvered (to feed the s~ath onto the bale in a manner which produces a bale of constant diameter), there is considerable leaf shatter arising from the grinding action of the tractor wheels. Most ~ of this shattered l~eaf material, which has a valuable protein content, is ;::
3~i not incorporaled in the bale. The machines are characterized by having narrow inlets for the incoming swath material ~ such inlets commonly involve a pair of compress;ng rolls; the narrowness of the~e inlets influences the th;ckness`of the swath that can be accommodated, thereby S slowing the rate of advance of the machine and thus its baling rate.The bale, being completely enclosed ln belts, i5 not easily accessible in the event that the operator should need to clear piled-up material from the bale-Forming zone. The machines whi`ch are available do not have a fully automatic twine wrapping and cuttiny ~echanism which the operator can use without stopping the machine and manually engaging in succession the wrapping and cutting rnechanisms. Because the entire weight of the bale is carried by the baler~ the latter's construction must be particularly strong. For this reason and the need for the extensive driven belt system, the available machines are rnechanically cornplicated and therefore are expensive to buy and operate, as well as being somewhat hazardous to use.
There has also been proposed in the prior art the combination of the concepts of fon~ardly directing the baler (to enable the operator to see the swath s-tretching before him) and ground rolling the bale during its formation (to reduce the complexity and extent of the belt system and thus the cost of the baler). This is, for example,shown in United States Patent No. 3,815,344, issued to Kucera. However, up until now, no such unit has been developed which confines the front lower circumferential s~rface of the bale being formed. Thus there is undesirable spilling, piling up and skidding of the hay or straw through this gap. To my knowledge, no one has heretofore provided a ground-rolling forwardly-di~rected rotary baler having sufficiently complete circumferential enclosuré of the growing bale so as to eliminate the spilling problem and thereby duplicate the mechanical control over the bale which is inherent in the commercially successful full circumference belt balers.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
._ _ _ __ _ ~n accordance with a broad aspect o~ the invention, there is provided a ground-rolling forwardly-directed rotary baler having passiVe means for confin;ng the front lower circumferential surface of the bale being formed, said means being adapted to permit the baler to be backed away from the bale when the latter i's to be discharged. ~ore particularly, said means compri.se a plurality of flexi'ble elements, preferably transversly spaced steel cable lengths hanging freely at the' front entrance of the bale-forming zone, which elements are of suff;cient length so that their free lower ends become trapped between'the forming bale and the ground. With one end trapped beneath the bale and the other end fixed to the frame, the flexible elements provide a ti:ghtly confining curved framework at the front surface of the forming bale. ~hen the bale is to be discharged, the baler is simply backed away from -the bale and the cable lengths slip easily back over the stationary bale and release it.
In accordance with another broad aspect of the inventi'on, there i5 provided a ground-rolling forwardly-directed roatary baler having novel driven b;asing and forming means. Such means include means, such as a pick-up drum assembly, for lift;ng the fibrous material from the ground, an upright rear belt assembly, for receiving the lifted fibrous material from the pick-up drum assernbly and moving and gui.di.ng said material upwardly, and an upper belt assembly for receivi.ng the material from the rear belt assembly and moving and gui'ding it forwardly.
. ~ 25 The upper belt assembly is pivotally mounted at its rear end to permit : it to rotate therearound in a vertical plane. The pi.voting capability of the upper belt assembly permits. it to assume a downwardly angled position relati~/e to the upright rear belt assembly in the early stages of bale formation - thus a considerable proportion of the circumferential .
surface of the formi'ng bale is acted on by the'belt assembli'es duri`ng this early formative period. As. the bale grows, the upper belt assembly is forced to p;vot upwardly until the belt assembli.es together engage a .
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reduced proportion of the bale's circulnferential surface.
In a preferred form of the invent;on, the two broad aspects of the ;nvent;on previously described are combined. That is, there is provided a combination of "active" ~i.e. posit;vely engaging and biasing) and "passive" (i.e. non-biasing3 components which together extend around substantially all of the circumferential bale surface which is out of contact with the ground, after -the bale has first gone through an initial core-forming stage. More particularly, a frame is provided having inter-connected, parallel, spaced side members. The pick-up drum assembly is rotatably carried by the frarne at its lower rear end. The rear and upper belt assemblies are also carried by the frame and extend upwardly from the pick-up drum assembly and then forwardly, respectively. The assemblies are all driven or rotated. Preferably, this is done by driving one assembly and interconnecting the others to it. The cables hang downwardly from a transverse beam, extending between the frame side members, positioned at a point fortl~ard of the upper belt assembly. In an initial core-forming stage, the swath material is lifted by the pick-up drum assembly and fed to the rear belt assembly. This assembly raises it upwardly but, being unconfined9 it tumbles forwardly onto the trailing ends of the cables, which direct it downwardly and rea~ardly. As new material is incorporated, a loose roll is developed. In short order, the roll reaches a size at which it contacts the upper belt assembly. At this stage, the bale is being engaged by the three active~components ~which are generally arranged in an open-bottomed, somewhat triangular configuration) over the greatest part of that portion of its circum-ferential surFace which is out of contact with the ground. The cables and the ground confine and guide ' , ~: : :
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or form the remaining portion of -the bale. The active components therefore function to move and guide the material upwardly and forwardly; the passive cornponent,;.e. the cable frarnework, acts to confine and guide the material downwardly and rearwardly to the ground. As the bale continues to grow, the upper belt assembly pivots upwardly and the cables come into contact with a proportionately larger portion of the bale surface.
It should be understood that when the phrase "substantially all" was used at the beginning of the preceding paragraph to describe 10 ~ the extent of circumferential enclosure, it is to be given a generous interpretation - there are gaps between the cornponents and the enclosure is not complete. However, it will be noted that the most troublesome gap - that at the front lower section of the bale - is closed by the cables.
In a preferred feature, a spring-loaded arcuate arm assembly is positioned between the upper belt assembly and the cables. This pas-sive assembly functions to guide and compress the material. It only comes into play once the bale has reached a considerable size and there is a desire to put a dense outer coat on it. Because the spring is adjustable, the degree of compaction incurred by the pressure of this assembly against the surface of the growing bale can be varied.
In another preferred feature, backwardly slanted teeth or "cogs" are provided on the working faces of the belts of the belt assemblies.
These cogs positively engage the hay or straw and assist in the rotation of the bale. However, because of their backward slant, they provide desirable slippage. The belts themselves also provide slippage. In this manner, the baler can accommodate differentials in speed between belt movement and the advance of the baler along the ground.
In another preferred feature, deflecting means are provided at the upper end of the rear belt assembly and the forward end of the upper belt assembly to~disengage the fibrous material from the belts and re-direct it in the desired direction~ Such means may be large discs .
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wh;ch are rotated 50 that they clear themselves of hay or straw.
In another broad aspect of the ;nvention, there is provided a twine assembly adapted to be automatically actuated by the bale itself, once the bale has reached a predetermined si'ze. More particularly, means are provided which, when contacted by the rotat;ng growi'ng oale, are themselves rotated to pay out the tw;:ne i:mmed;.ately.i:n ~ront of the hale.
The twi:ne becomes: trapped b;etween the swath mate.ri'al and the bale.and becomes i'ncorporated wi:th the bale mate.ri:al. It îs. tfien the rotati.on of the bale which pulls out further tw.i:ne.unti:1 tfie bale i's. sui:tablyv wrapped. Means are provi:ded for automat;:cally s:eve.ring th.e t~ine when thi.s stage ;s: reached.
Broadly stated, the i:nventi:on i:s an i:mprove~ent i:n a rotary baler, having a frame, wherei:n fibrous materi:al i:s ~ormed i:nto a bale by rolling i.t along a support s.urface. The i:mprovement compri:ses means for automati'cally'wrappi`ng the 6ale wi:tn.twi:ne., once i:t has reached a predetermined size, sai:d means.compr;:s;ing: rotatable means carri.ed by sai.d frame and arranged to be rotated upon contacti:ng tfie outer surface of the bale bei.ng ~ormed once sai'd 6ale has reached said predetermined size;
means., carri'ed 6y said frame, for supplvi.ng lengths of twi:ne to said rotatable means; and means for ope.rati:Ye.l~ engag;:ng said lengths w:i.th s:ai:d rotatable means ~here6y~ when the latte.r i:s rotated, twlne is fe.d downwardly to be trapped between the rotating hale.and tfie support surface, wherefi~
the bale i:s operatiYe to carry-t~e twi:ne.i:n contact wi'th i't through. one or more rotati:ons. to wrap the.bale..
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~3~3~7~i DESCRIPTION OF rl~E DR~ING~
Figure 1 is a side view of the rotary baler in a hor;zontal operating position in connection to the power unit.
Figure 2 i~s a s;de view of the rotary baler in an upraised discharge position in connection to the power unit.
Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the rotary baler showing the frame, the pick-up assembly and belt assemblies.
Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the baler showing the arcuate arm assembly, flexible elelnents and twine assembly.
Figure 5 is a side view of the rotary baler with schematic representa-tion of the connect;ons to the power unit for actuation of the baler.
Figure 6 is a rear view of the pick-up assembly and vertical rear belt assembly.
Figure 7 is a top perspective view of the spring loaded belt tightener rod assembly of the ver-tical rear belt assembly.
Figure 8 is a side view of a carrier arm of the upper belt assembi~.
Figure 9 is a top view of the arcuate arm assembly of Figure 4.
Figure 10 is a composite ~igure showing plan and side vie~ls of ; the material engaging cogs, showing attachlllent to the ~orking surface of the belt.
Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective front view of the twine assembly of Figure 4.
Figure 12 is a top view of the twine assembly of Figure 11.
Flgures 13 - 18 show progressive steps during the formation of the rolled bale.
Figure 13 is a side view of the rotary baler in the initial core-forming position.
~ Figure 14 is a side view of the rotary baler with the forming bale in the confines of the ground, belt assemblies and flexible elements.
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Figure 15 is as Fi~ure 14 with the bale circurnference extended to hold the upper belt assembly in an upward position and con-tacting the forward end of the arcuate arm assembly to ;nit;ate its participation in the bale formation.
Figure 16 is a side view of the rotary baler as the bale has reached a size to actuate the twine assembly - the arcuate arm assembly is in operation.
Figure 17 shows the rotary baler in an upraised discharge position to release the wrapped bale.
Fi'gure 18 shows the baler after i-t has been backed away and is being pivoted down~lardly to cut the twine helP taut ~etween the released bale and the rotary baler.
Figure l9 is an enlarged side view of the twine assembly Figure 20 - 21 are side views showing the i'ncorporation of springs to assist in pressing the upper belt assembly downwardly to increase densification of the forming bale.
_REFERRED EMBODIMENT OF rHE INVENTION
GENERAL ARRANGEMENT AND OPERATION
I~ith reference to the Fîgures there is shown a rotary baler l.
The baler 1 includes a frame 2 having spaced pàrallel si'de members 3 4 interconnected by transverse members ll3. The frame 2 is pivotally mountable on a power unit S for movement be-tween operating and dischar~e positions. These positions are illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 respectively.
A pick-up drum assembly 6 is rotatably mounted on the lower rear end of the frame 2. This pick-up assembly 6 is driven in a counterclockwise direction by the power take-off assembly 7 of the power unit 5 and functions to lift tbe swathed hay or straw from the ground. A generally vertical rear belt assembly 8 is carried by the frame 2 and is positioned above the pick-up assembly 6. This rear belt assembly 8 is drivably inter-connected wit:h the pick-up assembly 6 so that it too moves in a counter-clockwise direction. The rear belt assembly 8 receives the swathed material from the pick up assembly 6 and moves and guides'i't upwardly.
An upper belt assembly 9 is suspended from the frame Z in a sultable 33~
manner so that it can pivot in a vertical plane about its rear end.
This upper belt assembly ~ is drivably interconnected with the rear belt assembly 8 50 that it too rotates in a collnterclockwise direction;
it moves and guides the~swathed material forwardly. The two belt assembl;es 8,9 combine to move and guide the mater;al along a generally arcuate path. In the early stages of bale development, the upper belt assembly 9 is operative to move and guide the material along a forwardly and downwardly directed path, but gradually pivots so that, in the late stages of bale development, it is operative to move and guide the material along a fo~lardly and upwardly directed pa-th. An arcuate arm assembly 10 is pivotally mounted on the frame 2 forward of the upper belt assembly 9. The spr;ng-loaded arcuate arm assembly 10 engages the fonning bale 11 when it has reached a pre-determined size and is operative to compress and guide the bale to assist in its formation and densification. A
pluraiity of flexible elements 12, which are shown as discrete lengths of steel cable, are suspended at their upper ends from a transverse beam 13 extending between the frame side members 3,4. The cables 12 hang ~ freely in transversly spaced arrangement across and adjacent to the front ; entrance 14 of a bale~fonning zone 15 located within the frame 2. The cables 12 are of sufficient length so that their free lower ends become trapped between the growing bale 11 and the ground; when this occurs, they adopt a tensioned, curved state against the circumferencial surface of the bale and are operative to passively guide and form that portion of the bale against wllich they press. A twine assembly 16 is provided for automatically wrapping the bale 11 with twine lengths 18 once the bale has reached a pre-determined size. A cutting bar 17, which is brought into play when the frame 2 is pivoted to the discharge position, acts to sever the twine.
THE FRAME AND l~S CONNECTION WITH THE POWER UNIT
~_ As previously stated, the frame 2 comprises a pair of flat, wall-like side members 3,4 maintained in spaced-apart, parallel relation-~ ship by a plurality of transverse members 113.
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Each sicle member 3,4 c~rries means for pivotally connecting it with. the power unit 5. More specifically, each s;de member 3,4 has a stub shaft 20, extending outwardly from the rear end of said side rnember, and a yoke 21 m~unted on the side member forwardly and below the stub shaft 20. As shown in Figures. 1 and 2, a pair of ri~id arms 22 l extending forwardly from the power unit 5 are each pivotally secured to :
one of the stub shafts 20 by a saddle assembly 23. By pivotally secured is meant that the saddle assemblies 23 can rotate on the stub shafts 20.
A pair of hydraulic cylinders 24 also extend forwardly from the power unit 5 and each cylinder is pivotally connected b.y a pin 25 to one oF the yokes 21. Thus, expansion of the hydraulic cylinders 24 causes the -frame 2 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about the stub shaft connections wi-th the ri.gid arms 22 between a horizontal operating position (Figure 1) and an upraised discharge position (Figure 2). f The. frame 2 is shown separable from and pivo-tally mounted on the front of the power unit 5, such as is comlr,only used with a swather header (not shown¦ for swathing. It will be appreciated that the power unit and baler can be combined to provide a single integral machine. In both cases. a self-propelled, for~ardly-direc-ted baler is the result.
THE PI K-UP DRUM AS_E~BLY
: A conventional pick-up drum assembly 6 is rotatably mounted on the lower rear end of the frame 2. The pick-up drum assembly comprises a drum 30 rigidly fixed to a shaft 31. The shaft 31 is rotatably journalled in bearings 32 carried by the side members 3,4.
A sprocket and chai.n assembly 33 mounted on the frame 2 pro- :
vides a drive connection between the power take-off assembly 7 of the power uni.t 5 and the drum shaft 31. Thus. the drum 30 can be driven in a counter-clockw.ise direction. The. drive connection is shown schematically in Figure 5.
The pick-up drum 30 has flat, fa;rly rigidl spring steel pick-up teeth 34 spaced around its circumference in rows 3~. The rows 35 are spaced along the axis of the drum 30. When the drurn 30 is rotated9 the teeth 34 are operative to lift or p;ck up swathed ~ibrous rnaterial, namely hay or straw, from the ground.
THE VERTICAL REAR BELT_ASSEMBLY_ As shown in Figures 3 and 6, a generally vertical rear belt assembly 8 is positioned above the pick-up drum assernbly 6. This rear belt assembly 8 comprises an upper rollen unit 40, having a roller 41 attached to a shaft 42. The shaft 42 extends transversly between the frarne side members 3, 4 and is rotatably journalled in bearings 43 attached to said members. ¦
A series oF endless belts 44 extend around the pick-up drum 30 and the roller 41. Thus rotation of the pick-up drum 30 biases the belts 44 in a counterclockwise direction and rotates the upper roller unit -40. The belts 44 are spaced along the axes of the drum 30 and roller 41.
Each belt 44 carries fibrous material-engaging cogs 45 on its outer or working surface. The cogs 45 are spaced at intervals along the length of the belt 44. Each cog 45 comprises a flat plate 46, secured to the belt 44, having a backwardly slanted finger 47, which may have a length of 2 lt4", inclined at an angle of approximately 45 (see Figure 10). The fingers 47 are each inclined in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the belt with which\it is associated.
They are designed to engage the hay or straw, whetller it is still loose or ; 25 has become bound in to the bale, and move it in the direction of belt movement.
: A series of discs 48 are axially spaced along the pick-up drum 30. Similarly, a series of discs 49 are axially spaced along the upper roller 41. The discs 48, 49 function to train the belts 44.. In addition, the discs. 49~ which are relatively large in diameter compared to the belt- i training discs 48, also function to hide the coqs 45, so that they release .
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the engaged fibrous material and to deflect the upwardly moving fibrous material and help change its direction of moverllent to a forward onè
so that the mater;al w;ll engage the upper belt assembly g.
A conventiohal adjustable spri.ng-loaded belt tightener rod assembly 5Q is s.ecured to the Frame 2 as shown in Fi.gures; 3 and 7, to control the tensions of the belts 44.
...... l THE UPPER BELT ASSEMBLY
The upper belt assembly 9 extends forwardly from the upper roller 41 of the rear belt assembl~ ~.
The upper belt assembly 9 partly sho~Jn ;:n Fi.gure 8~ comprises a pair of spaced parallel carrier arms 60 wh;ch are p;.votally mounted at their rear ends on bearings circumscribing the upper roller shaft 42. The carrier arms 60 are suspended at their front ends by a pair of hanger arrns 61. The hanger arrns 61 extend through ring-like guides 62 and are slidable therethrough. The guides. 62 are pivotally mounted on the frame side members 3 4 so that they can rotate through the positions shown in Figures 13 - 18. Stops 63 on the hangér arms 61 lirnit the downl/ard movement of the arms through the guides 62.
Rear and front roller un;ts 64, 65 are positioned at the ends of the carrier arms 60. Each such roller unit co~prises a roller 66, 67 : mounted on a shaft 68 69; the shafts extend transversly between and are : rotatably journalled in the carrier arms 60.
A series of endless belts 70 similar to the belts 44, extend around the rear and front roller units 64, 65. The belts 70 also carry cogs 71, similar to the cogs 45, spaced along their working surfaces.
A series of discs 72 73 are spaced along the léngth of each of the rollers 66, 67. The discs 72 are inten~eaved wi.th the deflector discs 46 of the upper roller 41 - said discs 72 function to train the belts 70. The iarger discs 73 funct;on to train the belts 70 at the other : 30 end and also operate to deflect the f;b.rous material downwardly.
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3~37~j A sprocket and chain assembly 74, shown schematically in Figure 5, is carried by the carrier arms 60 and extends between the upper roller unit 40 of the rear belt assembly 8 and the rear roller unit 64 of the upper belt assembly 9. This sprocket and chain assembly 74 drives the 5 roller unit 64 and thereby biases the belts 70.
The upper belt assembly 9 thus provjdes a driven belt system which can pivot downwardly about its rear pivot point, to an extent limited by the hanger arm stops 63, and can pivot upwardly by riding on the growing bale. The degree of pressure with which the upper belt assembly 9 acts on the bale 11 can be increased by incorporating springs 130, connecting the hanger arms 61 and frame 2, as shown in F;gures 20 - 21.
The pick-up drum rear and upper belt assemblies 6, 8, 9 combine to provide means, carried by the frame 2 and connectable to the power unit 5 for actuation thereby, for lifting fibrous material from the 15 ground and moving and guiding it upwardly and fonAIardly so that the material is biased along a generally arcuate path.
THE ARCUA E ARM ASSEMBLY
W;th reference to Figures 4 and 9, an arcuate arm assembly 10 i.s mounted on the frame 2 For acting on the bale surface as it leaves the 20 upper belt assembly 9. This assembly 10 comprises a series of curved mem-: ~ bers. 80 attached to a rod 81. The curved members 80 are aligned in the di-~: rection of travel and are spaced across the ~"idth of the bale-forming zone 15. The rod 81 is attached at each of its ends. to an angle member 82.
. slide rod 83 extends. up~ardly and rearwardly from each angle member 82 25 through a sleeve 84, which is pivotally attached to one of the frame side : members 3,4. A spring 85 circumscribes each slide rod 83 and extends be-tween the angle member 82 and the sleeve 84. A stop 86 li:mits the downward ..
movement of the sli.de rod 83 through the sleeve 84. Thus, the rod 81, with its attached curved members 80, may rotate forwardly and upwardly when !
30 pressed ~rom below Ijy the growing bale 11, as shown in Figures; 15 and 16, but ~the spri.ng 85 resists this movement - therefore the assembly 10 presses against the bale 11, forms and guides. i.t, and also densi:fies it.
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_E _LEXIBLE ELEMENTS
With reference to Figure ~, a plural;ty o~ flexible 1~2 inch steel cables 12 hang down at the entrance of the bale-forming zone 15 from a transverse beam 13 extending between the frame s;de members 3,~.
The cables 12 are spaced along the transverse member 90 and extend down to lie along the swath 91 back to a point just in front of the pick-up drum 30.
The cables 12 are threaded through guides 92 attached to the forward ends of the curved members 80 of the arcuate arm assembly 10.
10 These guides 92 are positioned with a view to dangling the cables 12 so that they are generall~y vertical when they first tangentially meet the bale 11. , It will be noted that the frame 2, the assemblies 6, 8, 9, and the cables 12 combine to define -the open-bottomed bale-fonning zone 15.
THE TWINE ASSEMBLY
~ lith reference to Figures 11, 12 and 16, there is provided a twine assembly 1~ for wrapping the bale 11 which is being formed, in lengths 18 of twine, once the bale has reached a pre-determined size.
The twine assembly 16 is adapted to be contacted and driven by the rotating bale 11. llhen the bale 11 has been wrapped in twine, the assembly 16 is further capable of cutting the twine lengths 18 when the frame 2 is pivoted up to the discharge position, backed up, and then pivoted down toward the operating position.
More particularly, a pair of twine boxes 100, containing lengths 18 of twine, are mounted on the frame side members 3,4. A twine guide tube 102 extends across the entrance of the bale-forming zone 15 forward of the cables 12. The twine guide tube 102 is suitably secured at its ends to brackets 103 mounted on the side members 3,4. The twine guide tube 102 further has four openings 104 extending therethrough at spaced points along its length. Four separate lengths 18 of tw;ne are , , , ~ . : : ' ' 333'76 threaded from the boxes 100 through the twine guide tube 102; each length 18 extends through one of the openings 104.
A shaft 106 is rotatabl~ mounted on the brackets 103 forward of and below the twine guide tube lt)2. Surface port;ons 107 of the shaft 106 arè knurled at points aligned w;th the twine guide tube openi:ngs 104.
A spring steel arm 108 extends downwardly toward each of these knurled portions 107 from the twine guide tube 102. Each arm 108 carries a rubber roller 109 at its lower end which presses against the adjacent knurled portion 107. Each length 18 of tw;ne extends between ~ roller 109 and its underlying knurled portion 107.
The shaft 106 has discs 110 extending radially outward therefrom at spaced intervals along its length. When the bale 11 is almost full-size, the discs 110 contact it and are rotated thereby, in consequence of which the shaft 106 is rotated. This rotation causes the lengths 1~ of twine to be drawn out of the openings 104 and to be fed dowm~ardly.
The final component in the twine assembly 16 is a cutter bar 111 secured to and extending between the frame side members 3,4 it) front of and below the shaft 106. The cutter bar 111 has cutting elements 112 aligned with the knurled portions 107. When the frame 2 is pivoted ; upwardly to the discharge position and backed away from the bound bale 11, t as shown in Figure 10, and then lowered as shown in Figure 11, the cutting elements 112 are operative to cut the twine lengths 18.
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: OPERATION
In operation, the rotary baler 1 is first mounted on the front ; end of.a.power unit 5. The power take-off assembly 7 of the power unit 5 is connected to the sprocket and chain assembly 33 of the pick-up drum assembly 6 and the drive system of the ba1er 1 is set ;n motion. W`ith the baler 1 horizontally positioned as shown in Figure 1, the entire assembly is then advanced toward the swath to be baled.
~L(~3,~
In the ;n;tial stage of baling, as seen in Figure 13, the swath mater;al is lifted by the p;ck-up teeth 34 and moved upwardly. As the pick-up teeth 34 retract between the belts 44 and belt-training discs 48, the material is engaged by the belt cogs 45 of the rear belt assembly 8. The cogs 45 lift the mater;al upwardly a little further, but it cascades forwardly and downwardly by gravity along an arcuate path~ as there is no formed bale present to prevent this. The cascading material contacts the trailing cables 12 and follows them downwardly and rearwardly along a curved path back toward the swath 91. In this manner a loose roll, which will form the central core of the final product, is created.
As the bale grows, the cogs 45 of the rear belt assembly rnove the material further upwardly until it co~tacts the deflecting discs 49.
As the cogs retract between these discs 49, the material is dislodged and re-directed fow~ardly by the discs 49 where it is received by the upper belt assernbly 9. At this stage, the upper belt assembly 9 is downwardly incl;ned. Thus th~ cogs 71 of th;s assembly 9 engage the material and move ;t for~ardly and do\Jnwardly. The deflecting discs 49 at the for~ard end of the assembly 9 function to force the material down~Jardly. This stage of the operation is illustrated in Figure 14.
It will be understood that the newly lifted material is being assim;lated with the form;ng bale 11 and the belts are actively biasing the material along and rolling the bale along the ground. It will also be noted that, at this stage, due to the downward inclination of the upper belt assembly 9, the forming bale 11 is conf;ned in a somewhat triangular bale-forming zone 15 and the "active" components (i.e. the pick-up, ; rear and upper belt assemblies 5, 8, 9) are acting on a considerable - portion of the bale circumference. The "passive" components (at this stage the cables 12 and the ground) are acting on a lesser proportion of the bale circumference than is the case in the later stages. Finally, the main densification of the bale material which is occurring arises from the weight of the heavy upper belt assembly 9 press;ng down on the bale 11.
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As the bale 11 continues to grow, the upper beqit assembly 9 pivots upwardly and the cables 12 act to confine an increasing proportion of the bale circumference. It will also be noted that an increasing portion 120 of the bale 11 is left unconfined between the cables 12 and the upper belt assembly 9. This stage of bale formation is illustrated in Figure 15.
As the bale 11 approaches full size, the upper belt assemb1y 9 pivots to an upwardly inclined position, as shown in Figure 16. At the same time, the bale 11 contacts the curved members 80 of the arcuate arm assembly 10. The curved members 80 fill the gap between the upper belt assembly 9 and the cables 12, thereby preventing spill over of the bale material at this point. In addition, the curved members 80 press against the bale 11 and form and densify it. The degree of densification can be varied by adjusting the spring 85.
Tt will be noted that, in thè later stage oF bale growth, the "active" components work on only about 1/3 of the circumferential area of the bale 11 while the "passive" components (now including the arcl!ate arm assembly 10) confine the balance of this area.
It will also be noted that, throughout the formation of the bale 11, the cables 12 are trapped beneath the bale. The result is that the rotating bale 11 keeps trying to pull the cables 12 toward its rear and they are therefore kept in tension. Thus the cables 12 press tautly against the bale 11.
As the bale 11 reaches full size, it contacts the twin assembly 16 and automatically initiates wrapping. More particularly, the bale 11 contacts the discs llO and causes them to rotate, thereby rotating the shaft 106. Rotation of the shaft 106 and its knurled portions 107 causes the lengths 18 of twine to be withdrawn from the twine boxes 100 and fed downwardly along the forward surface oF the bale 11. The free ends of the lengths 101 become caught in the bale material and follow the bale 11 as it rotates. The rotating bale 11 tend5 to want to pull the twine . , , ', ' v~
faster than the twine ;s fed by the nip of the knurled portions 107 and the rubber rollers 109. Therefore the twine lengths extending bet~een the bale and the nip are held in tension.
As the twine begins to be ~Jrapped around the bale 11 , the operator will normally dr;ve the un;t off the swath 91 to discharge the bale. Th;s movement will put 3 or 4 wraps of t~ine on -the bale.
The baler 1 is then pivo~ed up to -the discharge ~os;tion, by extending the swather cylinders 24, and backed up to disengage the baler from the bale 11, as shown in Figure 18. Th;s movement brings the cutting elements 112 into contact with the t~ine lengths 18. When the baler 1 is -then pivoted down~ardly, as sho~n ;n Figure 19, toward the operating position, the cutting elements 112 sever the twine. The unit is then ava;lable to return to -the swath to Form a new bale.
FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES
- Follow;ng are some of the advantages and features of the pre-ferred form of the invention:
(1) The utilization of the flexible cables at the front end of the baler has made it possible to mount the baler in front of the power unit, thus making it self-propelled; this is because the cables confine the front end of the bale yet are adapted to permit the baler to be backed off the bale. By haY;ng ~ a front-mounted, self-propelled unit, the operator can better ; see the swath as it is rolled up in front of him and can better guide the machine along it.
(2) The invention provides mechanical means capab1e of success-fully forming the bale while rolling it at ground speed. Thus the prior art problem is avoided which arises from fully encasing the bale in belts and spinning it at relativel~ high speed to produce a uniform, high densit~ bale. Applicant believes that leaf shatter is reduced by this design and much of the material, which would have been left on the ground 6y a full circumference b~aler, is retained in the bale b~ the present machine.
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(3) The present baler utilizes "active" components to work on only a portion of the bale surface and combines these "active" components with "passive" components to encase the bale circumferential sur-Face which is out of contact with the ground. The "active" elements are used where a positiYe drive is needed; the "passive" elements are used where gravi:ty assists in maintaining moti'on. This arrangement contrasts wi'th prior art commercial units which encase substantlally all the circumferential surface of the bale in "actiYe" elements.
As a result of this change, the present 6aler is much sirnpler mechanically and costs less -to build than the comparable pri'or art -Full circumference belt baler$- as best can be determined.
As a result of this change, the present 6aler is much sirnpler mechanically and costs less -to build than the comparable pri'or art -Full circumference belt baler$- as best can be determined.
(4) By incorporating a pivoting upper belt assembly, the present baler has fairly concentrated "active" component input in' the early stages of bale developn,ent. However, as the bale grows, a greater proportion oF the bale circumferential surface is satisfactorily confined by the "pass;~e" components.
Thus the extent of "active" components, which are expenslve to build and operate, is kept low.
Thus the extent of "active" components, which are expenslve to build and operate, is kept low.
(5) In contrast to the cor,mercial prior art balers, whi'cK are ' commonly characterized by a relatively narrow inlet, through which the swath material enters the bale-forming zone, the present baler has a comparatively larger i'nlet and thus can success-fully accommodate unusually large accumulations of feed material.
This large inlet is mainly a result of the ground-rolli'ng design of the baler.
This large inlet is mainly a result of the ground-rolli'ng design of the baler.
(6) The baler incorporates an adjustable densifyi'ng mechanism.
This is the arcuate arm assembly, whi'ch only comes into play once the bale is partl~ formed. Thus it is now possible to , 9~
construct a bale having a porous core, ~Jhich can more easily dry out than has heretofore been the case, surrounded by a denser outer shell. Since the dens;fying mechanism is adjustable, some tuning can be practised on the ~achine to assist it in coping with feeds haYing different characteris-tics.
This is the arcuate arm assembly, whi'ch only comes into play once the bale is partl~ formed. Thus it is now possible to , 9~
construct a bale having a porous core, ~Jhich can more easily dry out than has heretofore been the case, surrounded by a denser outer shell. Since the dens;fying mechanism is adjustable, some tuning can be practised on the ~achine to assist it in coping with feeds haYing different characteris-tics.
(7) The baler incorporates rotating deflection discs which materially redùce the problem oF fibrous material pile-ups at the belt assembly ends.
~ (8) F;nally the baler ;ncorporates an automat;c tw;ne wrapping i, lo and cutting means which does away with the need, inherent in prior art commercial rotary balers, of the operator having to dismount and manually operate the wrapping and cutting ` means.
(9) By providiny a forwardly-directed baler9 the s~ath ~aterial ;s not subjected to the pul~er;z;ng action aris;ng from riding on the swath w;th the tractor tires, wh;ch ;s a characterist;c of the pull type balers presently ava;lable.
- Thus leaf shatter and loss is reduced. In addition~ of course, ; the forwardly-directed baler is mùch more comfortable to use, as the operator does not have to twist to the rear to watch the baling operation.
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~ (8) F;nally the baler ;ncorporates an automat;c tw;ne wrapping i, lo and cutting means which does away with the need, inherent in prior art commercial rotary balers, of the operator having to dismount and manually operate the wrapping and cutting ` means.
(9) By providiny a forwardly-directed baler9 the s~ath ~aterial ;s not subjected to the pul~er;z;ng action aris;ng from riding on the swath w;th the tractor tires, wh;ch ;s a characterist;c of the pull type balers presently ava;lable.
- Thus leaf shatter and loss is reduced. In addition~ of course, ; the forwardly-directed baler is mùch more comfortable to use, as the operator does not have to twist to the rear to watch the baling operation.
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Claims (3)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In a rotary baler, having a frame, wherein fibrous material is formed into a bale by rolling it along a support surface, the improvement comprising means for automatically wrapping the bale with twine, once it has reached a predetermined size, said means com-prising:
rotatable means carried by said frame and arranged to be rotated upon contacting the outer surface of the bale being formed once said bale has reached said predetermined size.
means, carried by said frame, for supplying lengths of twine to said rotatable means; and means for operatively engaging said lengths with said rotatable means whereby, when the latter is rotated, twine is fed down-wardly to be trapped between the rotating bale and the support surface, whereby the bale is operative to carry the twine in contact with it through one or more rotations to wrap the bale.
rotatable means carried by said frame and arranged to be rotated upon contacting the outer surface of the bale being formed once said bale has reached said predetermined size.
means, carried by said frame, for supplying lengths of twine to said rotatable means; and means for operatively engaging said lengths with said rotatable means whereby, when the latter is rotated, twine is fed down-wardly to be trapped between the rotating bale and the support surface, whereby the bale is operative to carry the twine in contact with it through one or more rotations to wrap the bale.
2. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 comprising:
means, carried by the frame, for cutting the twine, extending between the bale and the automatic wrapping means, when actuated.
means, carried by the frame, for cutting the twine, extending between the bale and the automatic wrapping means, when actuated.
3. In a rotary baler, having a frame, wherein fibrous material is formed into a bale by rolling it along a support surface, the improvement comprising means for automatically wrapping the bale with twine, once it has reached a predetermined size, said means comprising:
rotatable means, positioned at the front end of the bale-forming zone, arranged to be rotated upon contacting the outer surface of the bale being formed;
means for supplying lengths of twine to said rotatable means;
and means for pressing said lengths against said rotatable means whereby, when the latter is rotated, twine is fed downwardly to be trapped between the rotating bale and the ground, thereby tensioning the twine between the bale and the pressing means, whereby said bale is operative to carry the twine in contact with it through one or more rotations to wrap the bale.
rotatable means, positioned at the front end of the bale-forming zone, arranged to be rotated upon contacting the outer surface of the bale being formed;
means for supplying lengths of twine to said rotatable means;
and means for pressing said lengths against said rotatable means whereby, when the latter is rotated, twine is fed downwardly to be trapped between the rotating bale and the ground, thereby tensioning the twine between the bale and the pressing means, whereby said bale is operative to carry the twine in contact with it through one or more rotations to wrap the bale.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA342,181A CA1093376A (en) | 1979-12-18 | 1979-12-18 | Ground-rolling forwardly-directed rotary baler |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA342,181A CA1093376A (en) | 1979-12-18 | 1979-12-18 | Ground-rolling forwardly-directed rotary baler |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1093376A true CA1093376A (en) | 1981-01-13 |
Family
ID=4115855
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA342,181A Expired CA1093376A (en) | 1979-12-18 | 1979-12-18 | Ground-rolling forwardly-directed rotary baler |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1093376A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0290180A1 (en) * | 1987-04-29 | 1988-11-09 | Bridon Plc | Means and method for baling straw, hay and like materials |
-
1979
- 1979-12-18 CA CA342,181A patent/CA1093376A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0290180A1 (en) * | 1987-04-29 | 1988-11-09 | Bridon Plc | Means and method for baling straw, hay and like materials |
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