GB2150073A

GB2150073A - Baler

Info

Publication number: GB2150073A
Application number: GB08331588A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Edward Spindler
Original assignee: C Van der Lely NV
Current assignee: C Van der Lely NV
Priority date: 1983-11-25
Filing date: 1983-11-25
Publication date: 1985-06-26
Also published as: GB8331588D0; GB2150073B

Abstract

A baler for producing round bales has two twine dispensing tubes (1,1) mounted for pivoting motion across a bale-forming region about pivots (2,2) that are disposed substantially centrally of the bale-forming region. The tubes (1,1) in respective "start" positions extend from their pivots (2,2) towards opposite sides of the bale-forming region and are moveable from these "start" positions to "feed" positions in which end portions of the tubes are adjacent one another for commencing feed of twine, and thereafter are movable to return to their "start" positions to complete wrapping of twine around a completed bale. Each tube (1,1), in moving from its "feed" position to its "start" position, passes through a plane that contains the axes of the pivots (2,2) of the tubes, and that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bale being formed. By this action overlapping of turns of the twine at each end portion of the bale can be obtained in a unidirectional movement of each tube from its "feed" position to its "start" position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Baler This invention relates to balers, particularly agricultural balers such as are used for producing relatively large, round bales from windrowed fibrous material, for example, hay or straw. Hereinafter description will be made of an agricultural baler with reference to the intended direction of forward travel over the ground, during bale forming, of the baler being described.

As a large round bale is completed in a baler, twine is wrapped around the bale and balers are provided with mechanism for carrying out the steps of feeding twine from a storage container, wrapping this twine around the bale and severing the twine at the completion of the wrapping operation. Generally, for dispensing the twine, the mechanism has included an elongated tube driven to oscillate in a predetermined path across the bale-forming region of the baler. Where only a single tube has been provided this tube has been mounted for pivoting about an axis that extends, for example, fore-and-aft and centrally of the bale-forming region. The pivot point has been at an inner, twine-receiving, end of the tube. In a "start" position the tube extends horizontally laterally outwardly from its pivot point so that the twine-dispensing end of the tube is to one side of the bale-forming region.As the formation of a bale comes to a conclusion, twine wrapping is effected by first moving the twine dispensing tube from its "start" position down to a "feed" position in which it extends vertically downwards so that twine hanging from its end is taken up by the last of the crop and wrapped around the bale.

The tube is then moved back to a position approximately mid-way between "feed" and "start" and held there until approximately two turns of twine have been wrapped around the bale. The tube is then moved slowly to a "finish' 'position at which it extends horizontally laterally outwardly to the side of the baleforming region opposite the side to which the tube extends in its "start" position. After approximately two final turns of twine have been wrapped around the bale, the twine is cut and the tube is returned to its "start" position.The dispensing tube can be operated by the tractor driver pulling on a cord against spring opposition biassing the tube to its "start" position, or the tube can be hydraulically operated, but in all cases the single tube has to traverse the whole of the bale-forming region, that is from one side of the baleforming region to the other side, which is a time consuming operation.

In British Patent Specification No.

1 562933 a baler for forming large round bales is described in which there is a wrapping mechanism that includes two twine dispensing tubes each of which has to operate over only about one half of the bale-forming region. These tubes, in "start" positions, extend across the bale-forming region of the baler as viewed from the front from pivot points that are remote from one another, that is one is at one side of the bale-forming region and the other is at the other side. The tubes each terminate in a central region of the bale-forming region.As in the case of the single-tube mechanism described above, at the commencement of wrapping, the two tubes are moved down to "feed" positions, but in this construction, in these "feed" positions the tubes are disposed to wrap twine around the outer ends of the roll and as it is important that the twine be secure around the ends of a wrapped bale, the tubes have to be held at their "feed" positions for a sufficient length of time to ensure that such is the case.

Likewise, at the end of wrapping, the tubes have to be held at their "start" positions (to which they are returned) sufficiently long to ensure that the twine is made fast before finally cutting the twine. Thus the wrapping operation is time consuming, even though the need to have a single tube traverse the entire width of the bale-forming region is avoided.

Furthermore, a linkage between the two tubes connecting them to operate in synchronism is complex by virtue of the spaced-apart positioning of the pivot points.

In British Patent Specification No.

2018189B there is disclosed a twine dispensing mechanism, in a baler, in which two twine dispensing tubes are pivoted at pivot points adjacent one another in the central part of the bale-forming region of the baler. the tubes extending from these pivot points one to each side of the bale-forming region. In their "start" positions these tubes are directed towards the sides of the bale-forming region and during a wrapping operation they are moved first down to "feed" positions, from which they are returned to their "start" positions. In this mechanism there is a saving in operation time as compared with the mechanisms so far described herein, but in their "start" positions the tubes are below the horizontal, and they never move above the horizontal.Accordingly no overlapping of any significance can be effected in the turns of twine wrapped around the bale at each end of the bale at the conclusion of the wrapping operation, whereas it is important that the twine should be made fast at each bale end.

Also, mechanism inter-linking the two tubes for synchronous movement is of a complex nature in the described construction.

According to the present invention there is provided. in a baler for producing relatively large. round bales, mechanism for wrapping material around completed bales, this mechanism comprising two wrapping material dispensing members of elongatedform mounted for pivoting motion across a baie-forming region of the baler about pivots that are near one another disposed substantially centrally of the bale-forming region; the dispensing members, in respective "start" positions extending from their pivots towards opposite sides of the bale-forming region for dispensing wrapping material from their end portions that are then remote from one another, being moveable from these "start" positions to "feed" positions in which said end portions are adjacent one another for commencing feed of wrapping material, and therafter being moveable to return to their "start" positions to complete wrapping of material around a completed bale; each dispensing member, in moving from its "feed" position to its ''start'' position, passing through a plane that contains the axes of the pivots of the dispensing members, and that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bale being formed, whereby overlapping of turns of the wrapping material at each end portion of the completed bale can be obtained in a unidirectional movement of each dispensing member from its "feed" position to its "start" position. In providing in this way for overlapping of wrapping material at the bale ends, it is ensured that the bale end portions are securely wrapped, and that the wrapping material is made fast thereon.

In the particular form hereinafter described, the wrapping material dispensing members are interconnected for movement in synchronism by a pair of links extending, from pivots inboard of the dispensing member mounting pivots, in the direction towards the "feed" position of the dispensing members, these links being pivotally connected to be operated by a drive mechanism having a line of action which is between the dispensing member mounting pivots in a plane at right angles to the plane containing the axes of these pivots.

This assembly interconnecting and operating the dispensing members is of a very simple form. Lost-motion can be provided at the interconnection between the pair of links and the drive mechanism to give a dwell prior to movement of the dispensing members from their "feed" to their "start" positions, thereby to obtain, in simple manner, over-lying wraps of wrapping material at the commencement of wrapping. It can be arranged that the paths of the dispensing member dispensing ends cross over one another as wrapping material is dispensed at the centre of the bale-forming region, either just far enough to enhance securing of the wrapping material at the centre of the bale, or to an extent such as to give a criss-cross wrapping of the bale in this region.

In all forms the axes about which the wrapping material dispensing members pivot can be substantially horizontal, substantially vertical, or any axes between substantially horizontal and substantially vertical.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. in which: Figure 1 is a view from the front of the major part of a mechanism, in a baler, for wrapping twine around large round bales as they are completed.

Figure 2 is a view on arrow II in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a view on arrow III in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a view on line IV-IV in Figure 1, Figure 5 is a view in the same direction as Figure 3 but of a modified form.

Figure 6 is a view from the front of the modification shown in Figure 5. and Figure 7 is a detail view in the direction of arrow VII in Figure 6.

The twine wrapping mechanism shown in Figures 1 to 4 includes two twine dispensing tubes 1,1 of elongated form mounted for pivoting motion across a bale-forming region of the baler about pivots 2.2 that are near one another disposed centrally of the bale-forming region. In respective "start" positions. shown in full line in Figure 1. the tubes. 1. 1 extend from their pivots 2.2 towards opposite sides of the bale-forming region for dispensing twine from their end portions that are then remote from one another. Individual strands of twine 3,3 that run from a twine box 4 through a tensioner 5 and fairleads 6,6 into the tubes 1,1 at their inner ends. and through the tubes, hang down from the outer ends of the tubes.

The mountings for the tubes 1. 1 consist of a pair of plates 8,8 having the inner ends of the tubes 1.1 fast therewith. Inboard of the pivots 2.2 the plates 8.8 have respective links 9,9 of a pair pivotally connected thereto at pivots 10. 10. The links 9,9 extend from the pivots 10, 1 0 downwardly to a common pivot connection at a point 11 on the ram rod 1 2 of a hydraulic ram arrangement 1 3.

As a bale (not shown) is formed in the baler, the tubes 1,1 are in their "start" positions with a strand of twine hanging down from each tube, all as shown in full lines in Figure 1. As a bale is completed the ram arrangement 1 3 is operated to swing the tubes 1,1 down to "feed" positions (shown in chain dot lines in Figure 1) in which the twine dispensing end portions of the tubes 1,1 are adjacent one another. This movement of the tubes 1,1 lowers the tails of twine strands so that they are taken into the bale-forming region by the last of the incoming crop. As soon as both twine tails are revolving with the crop in the bale-forming region. forward motion of the baler is stopped and the ram arrangement 1 3 is operated and slowly drives the tubes 1,1 back to their "start" positions. The twine dispensing end of each tube 1.1 thus moves through an arc extending over substantially one half only of the bale-forming region.

As can be clearly seen in Figure 1, in passing to the "start" position from the "feed" position each tube 1 passes through a plane that contains the axes of the pivots 2,2 of the two tubes and that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bale being formed. In the particular form illustrated this occurs because in returning to the "start" position each tube passes through the horizontal and comes to rest with its twine-dispensing end at a higher level than the pivot point of the tube.

The movement of each tube 1, towards the ends of its twine-wrapping Operation, from below to above the horizontal ensures that overlapping turns of twine can be wound around each end portion of the completed bale with a unidirectional movement of the relevant dispensing tube. It can thus be ensured that the bale ends are securely wrapped, and that the twine is madefast thereon, without carrying out oscillating motion of the dispensing tubes at this stage.

It is also to be noted that the extire operation of feeding twine onto the bale to wrap the bale is carried out by a unidirectional movement of each tube 1 from its "feed" position to its "start" position.

As the tubes 1,1 approach their "start" positions the strands of twine are pulled tightly across pegs 7,7 at each side of the bale-forming region. These pegs 7,7 are disposed to ensure that as the tubes 1,1 approach their "start" positions. the twines run down to points slightly inwards of the tube free ends. This disposition of the twines ensures satisfactory wrapping of the ends of the bale.

As shown in Figure 2, the ram arrangement 1 3 is mounted on a supporting plate 1 4 to which are also secured straps 1 5 that are fast with a gearbox 16. The ram rod 1 2. links 9,9, plates 8,8 and tubes 1.1 are shown in plan view in Figure 4. from which Figure it can be seen how the plates 8.8 are also mounted on the support plate 14.

In place of the ram arrangement 13, there can be provided a pneumatic cylinder or a screwthread and captive nut arrangement rotated by an electric motor or by pulling a coiled cord. In all cases, the line of action of this drive mechanism is between the tube pivots 2.2 in a plane at right angles to the plane containing the axes of these pivots.

In a modified form, not shown, lost-motion is provided at the interconnection between the links 9,9 and the drive mechanism. For example, the pin at the pivot 11 is engaged in a slot in the ram rod 12, or a pivot pin fast with the ram rod 1 2 is engaged in slots in the links 9,9. The provision of such a lost-motion connection gives a dwell prior to movement of the tubes 1,1 from their "feed" positions to their "start" positions. thereby to obtain overlying wraps of twine at the commencement of wrapping. The length of this dwell can be adjustable, for example by providing for altering the effective length of the slot in the lostmotion connection by adjustment of a blanking member associated with the slot.

The overall length of the tubes 1,1 can be such that the paths of their twine dispensing ends cross over one another as twine is dispensed at the centre of the bale-forming region. The extent of this overlap can be just sufficient, say 25-50 mm, to enhance securing of the twine at the centre of the bale, or can be to an extent such as to give a crisscross wrapping of the bale in this region.

At the conclusion of the wrapping of a bale, twine cutting mechanism 1 7 provided at each side of the bale-forming region (and shown best in Figure 3) is actuated to cut each length of twine. Each mechanism 1 7 consists of an arm 1 8 mounted at a pivot 1 9 near one end. To one side of the pivot 1 9 the arm 18 has extension arms 1 8A, 1 8B made fast to it, the extension arm 1 8B being hooked around the adjacent twine dispensing tube 1. At its free end on the other side of the pivot 1 9 the arm 1 8 carries a knife 20. The extension arm 18B is held against the arm 1 by a spring 21 acting on the arm 1 8 between the pivot 1 9 and the knife 20.

Twine cutting is effected at the end of each wrapping operation when the arms 1 , 1 reach their "start" positions. the arms 18, 1 8 then reaching the full line position shown in Figure 4. In the full line position each knife 21 has passed a counter plate 22 to strike an anvil 23 to cut the twine.

In order that the operator of the baler (for example, the driver of a tractor towing the baler) can actuate the equipment described, it is arranged. for example, that at the end of bale formation appropriate sensing mechanism causes a signal light to be illuminated.

When this light comes on the tractor driver operates an hydraulic lever to retract the ram 1 2 and thus moves the tubes 1.1 to their downwardly directed "feed" positions in which they are centrally disposed relative to the bale-forming region. As soon as the two twine tails have been successfully caught up by the last of the crop so that they are revolving with the bale, the driver stops the forward motion of the tractor and again operates the hydraulic lever to extend the ram 1 2 slowly. As the "start" position is reached, and after the tubes 1,1 have passed through the horizontal. so ensuring that, say. two final coils of twine are wrapped around each end of the bale. the cutting mechanism 1 7 operates to effect twine cutting.After the two lengths of twine have been cut the equipment is ready for the next wrapping operation.

Further to assist the operator, it can be arranged that the first signal (bale completed) to the operator is a flashing light, this light only becoming "steady-on" when both twine strands have been pulied up and are running.

as sensed by appropriate sensing mechanism.

Upon cutting of the twines, the light returns to the flashing state to indicate completetion of the bale wrapping operation.

In the form shown in Figures 5. 6 and 7, a modified form of cutting mechanisms provided. A knife carrying arm 1 8 is again mounted at a pivot 1 9 but there are no extension arms. instead a lug 24 fast with the arm 1 8 is pivotably connected to a rod 25 that is in turn pivoted to a pivoted arm 26 that carries a guide roller 27 which runs on the adjacent twine dispensing tube 1 so that the rod 25 is raised and lowered. to swing the arm 1 8. by swinging motion of the tube 1. A spring 28 acts between the lug 24 and the end of the rod 25 to bias the knife 21 past the counter plate 22 and hard against the anvil 23. The setting of the spring 28 can be adjusted by turning a nut 29 on the end of the rod 25.By providing the spring 28, wear which may develop in the linkages or in the knives is taken up and it is ensured that the knives always strike the anvils with sufficeint pressure to cut the twine.

Although in the construction described with reference to the drawings the twine dispensing tubes pivot about horizontal axes, their pivot axes can be substantially horizontal, substantially vertical. or any axes between substantially horizontal and substantially vertical.

but in all cases each dispensing tube, in moving from its "feed" position to its "start" position. moves through a plane that contains the axes of the pivots of the dispensing tubes, and that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bale being formed, whereby overlapping of turns of the twine at each end portion of the completed bale can be obtained in a unidirectional movement of each tube from its "feed" position to its "start" position. It is to be noted that in all cases the entire operation of feeding twine onto the bale to wrap the bale is carried out by a unidirectional movement of each twine dispensing tube from its "feed" position to its "start" position.

Claims

1. In a baler for producing relatively large, round bales, mechanism for wrapping material around completed bales, this mechanism comprising two wrapping material dispensing members of elongated form mounted for pivoting motion across a bale-forming region of the baler about pivots that are near one another disposed substantially centrally of the bale-forming region; the dispensing members in respective "start" positions extending from their pivots towards opposite sides of the baleforming region for dispensing wrapping material from their end portions that are then remote from one another, being moveable from these "start" positions to "feed" positions in which said end portions are adjacent one another for commencing feed of wrapping material, and thereafter being moveable to return to their "start" positions to complete wrapping of material around a completed bale; each dispensing member, in moving from its "feed" position to its "start" position. passing through a plane that contains the axes of the pivots of the dispensing members, and that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bale being formed. whereby overlapping of turns of the wrapping material at each end portion of the completed bale can be obtained in a unidirectional movement of each dispensing member from its "feed" position to its "start" position.

2. A baler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wrapping material dispensing members are interconnected for movement in synchronism by a pair of links extending. from pivotal connections to the dispensing members that are inboard of the dispensing member mounting pivots. in the direction towards the "feed" position of the dispensing members, these links being pivotally connected to be operated by a drive mechanism having a line of action which is between the dispensing member mounting pivots in a plane at right angles to the plane containing the axes of these pivotS.

3. A baler as claimed in claim 2. wherein the interconnection between the pair of links and the drive mechanism incorporates lostmotion to give a dwell prior to movement of the dispensing members from their "feed" to their "start" positions.

4. A baler as claimed in claim 3. wherein said interconnection is a pin-and-slot(s) interconnection, said lost-motion being provided by relative movement between the pin and the slot(s).

5. A baler as claimed in claim 4, wherein the effective length of the or each slot can be altered by adjustment of a blanking member to adjust the length of said dwell.

6. A baler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the paths of the dispensing member dispensing ends are arranged to cross over one another as wrapping material is dispensed at the centre of the bale-forming region just far enough to enhance securing of the wrapping material at the centre of the bale.

7. A baler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the paths of the dispensing member dispensing ends are arranged to cross over one another as wrapping material is dispensed at the centre of the bale-forming region to an extent such as to give a crisscross wrapping of the bale in this region.

8. A baler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the axes about which the wrapping material dispensing members pivot are substantially horizontal.

9. A baler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the axes about which the wrapping material dispensing members pivot are substantially vertical.

10. A baler as claimed in any one of claims to 7, wherein the axes about which the wrapping material dispensing members pivot are between substantially horizontal and substantially vertical.

11. A baler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a wrapping material cutting mechanism is provided on each side of the bale-forming region, each cutting mechanism comprising a lever pivoted between its ends and carrying on one side of this pivot a knife,the lever engaging on the other side of this pivot the adjacent wrapping material dispensing mechanism such that movement of this dispensing mechanism at the conclusion of the wrapping of a bale moves the lever to cause the knife to pass a counter plate to strike an anvil to cut the wrapping material when the dispensing mechanism reaches its "start" position.

12. A baler as claimed in any one of claims to 10, wherein a wrapping material cutting mechanism is provided on each side of the bale-forming region, each cutting mechanism comprising a pivotally mounted lever carrying a knife, this lever being connected with a guide roller that runs on the adjacent wrapping material dispensing mechanism such that movement of this dispensing mechanism at the conclusion of the wrapping of a bale moves the lever to cause the knife to pass a counter plate to strike an anvil to cut the wrapping material when the dispensing mechanism reaches its "start" position.

1 3. A baler as claimed in claim 12, wherein each wrapping material cutting mechanism includes a spring that acts to bias the knife of the cutting mechanism past the counter plate and against the anvil, the setting of this spring being adjustable.

14. A baler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 1 3 and comprising sensing mechanism to cause a signal light to be illuminated at the end of bale formation.

1 5. A baler as claimed in claim 14, when the signal light is arranged to flash on and off to signify bale for ation completed, and to become steady-on when wrapping material is running from both dispensing members.

1 6. A baler as claimed in claim 1 5 as appendant to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the signal light is arranged to revert to flashing on and off after cutting of the wrapping material.

1 7. In a baler for producing relatively large, round bales, mechanism for wrapping material around completed bales, substantially as here it before described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, or Figures 5, 6 and 7. of the accompanying drawings.