GB2337245A

GB2337245A - Bale wrapping apparatus for towing behind baler

Info

Publication number: GB2337245A
Application number: GB9910783A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Enda O'connor
Original assignee: AGRI PATENTS Ltd
Current assignee: AGRI PATENTS Ltd
Priority date: 1998-05-12
Filing date: 1999-05-11
Publication date: 1999-11-17
Also published as: GB9910783D0

Abstract

Bale wrapping apparatus 1 has a drawbar 5 whereby it can be towed in an in-line position behind a baler 2 for in-line baling and wrapping, and front loader means 6 comprising arms (23, 26) adapted to clamp a bale B on the ground and lift it onto a table of the apparatus for wrapping in film. At least the one (26) of the pair of clamping arms that is remote from the drawbar 5 is pivotally mounted for clamping movement by means of a hydraulic ram (28). The front loader means 6 is pivotable about a horizontal axis by means of a hydraulic ram (21) to deposit a bale on the wrapping table. The drawbar has three positions enabling use of the apparatus 1 in the in-line baling-and-wrapping position shown, in a laterally offset wrapping-only position (Figure 2) or in a transport position directly behind tractor 3 (Figure 3). The apparatus avoids problems of shock loading as a bale is dispensed from a baler onto a loader and then onto a wrapping table.

Description

X 1 2337245 "A bale mWa ping Lapparatus" The invention relates to a bale

wrapping apparatus of the type comprising a bale wrapping table and a film dispenser mounted on a mobile fi-ame, a front loader for loading bales on to the table, and a drawbar for maintaining the apparatus in an in-line position behind a baler for in- line baling and wrapping.

Such apparatus are very useful as they allow a tractor to haul a baler, which in turn hauls the wrapping apparatus so that there is in-line baling and wrapping. This is very 10 efficient, particularly for larger pastures.

In the existing in-line baling and wrapping action, the baler dispenses a bale onto a front loader of the bale wrapping apparatus. The loader then tilts to roll the bale onto the wrapping table and the bale is then wrapped.

A problem with this approach is that there is a shock loading on a loader when the bale drops from the baler onto it. There is then a second shock on the table when the bale is in turn dispensed onto it. These shocks may be transmitted to the baler through the drawbar and can over time cause fatigue stress in both the wrapper and the baler and may 20 ultimately cause failures.

The invention is directed towards providing a bale wrapping apparatus for in-line use which avoids these problems.

According to the invention, there is provided a bale wrapping apparatus comprising:

a bale wrapping table and film dispenser mounted on a mobile frame; a front loader for loading bales onto the table; and a drawbar comprising means for maintaining the apparatus in an in-line position behind a baler for in-line baling and wrapping, characterised in that, the loader comprises arms and a drive means for moving the arms to clamp a bale on the ground, to lift the bale, and to place the bale on the table.

In one embodiment, the loader comprises a pair of clamping arms, at least one of which is pivotally mounted for moving in a clamping action.

Preferably, the drawbar is connected to the frame at one lateral side and the loader arm closest to the drawbar is fixed.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a guide mounted on the drawbar to guide the bales into the arms as the apparatus approaches bales for picking.

Preferably, at least one arm comprises a bale-engaging plate.

In one embodiment, the plate is serrated on the bale-engaging face.

In one embodiment, the plate is substantially disc-shaped.

In one embodiment, the fixed arm comprises a plate having a front portion which is splayed out.

In another embodiment, a plate is pivotally connected to the arm about an axis which is substantially vertical when the arm is in a picking position, and the plate is biassed by a spring to a splayed out prepicking position.

Preferably, the arms are mounted on a loader frame which is pivotally connected to the 30 apparatus frame about a substantially horizontal axis.

11 -- In another embodiment, the loader frame is curved downwardly from the apparatus frame and upwardly towards a forward extremity.

Preferably, the loader drive means comprises a ram means mounted between the apparatus frame and the loader frame, and an associated controller programmed to automatically control a bale gripping, lifting, and releasing sequence.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a link comprising means for retaining the draw bar at a selected one of an in-line position, a wrapping-only position 10 offset with respect to a hauling vehicle, and a transport position.

In a further embodiment, the link comprises a link arm pivotally connected to the apparatus frame and a series of link joints on the draw bar.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a drawbar drive means comprising means for moving the drawbar to a selected position.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying 20 drawings in which:-

Figs. 1, 2, and 3 are diagrammatic plan views showing a bale wrapping apparatus of the invention in in-line baling and wrapping, wrapping-only, and transport positions respectively; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic side view showing operation of a front loader of the apparatus; Fig. 5 is a front view showing operation of the loader; 1 1 Fig. 6 is a plan view showing operation of the loader in more detail; Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing part of the loader and of a drawbar of the apparatus; Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing part of a clamping arm of the loader; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing details of the drawbar in more detail.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 3 there is shown a bale wrapping apparatus 1 ("wrapper") in its three positions. An in-line baling and wrapping position is shown in Fig. 1 in which the wrapper 1 is hauled directly behind a baler 2, which is in turn hauled by a tractor 3. As shown in this position, a drawbar 5 extends longitudinally in the direction of travel from a front lateral corner of the wrapper 1. A front loader 6 picks a bale B which has been dropped from the baler onto the ground and places the bale B at a desired position on the table of the wrapper 1.

As shown in Fig. 2, the drawbar 5 can be moved to a different position so that the wrapper 1 is off-set with respect to a tractor 3 so that it is used for picking bales which had previously been baled and had been left on the ground.

Finally, as shown in Fig. 3, the drawbar 5 may be adjusted to a position at which the wrapper 1 is hauled directly behind the tractor for transport. In this position, the front loader 6 is rotated upwardly to a position over the wrapping table.

Thus, a combination of the drawbar 5 and the front loader 6 provide for in-line baling and wrapping without shock loads on the wrapper 1 or the baler either when the bale is dispensed from the baler or onto the wrapping table. Also, the drive of the loader 6 and of the drawbar 5 provide versatility in allowing the other two modes of use.

In more detail, and referring to the remaining drawings, the wrapper 1 comprises a main frame 11 mounted on wheels 12. The frame 11 has a forwardly-projecting bar 13 for a film dispenser, not shown. The film dispensing and wrapping operations are conventional. The loader 6 comprises a pair of curved arms and cross bars 20 which provide a frame for the loader. This rotates about a horizontal pivot joint 22 on the wrapper main frame 11.

The loader 6 also comprises a fixed arm 23 which is that closest to the drawbar 5. The arm 23 comprises a plate 24 which is serrated on its inside surface. The plate 24 has a splayed front portion 25. The loader 6 also comprises a crab-claw arm 26 which is connected by a pivot joint 27 to a drive ram 28. The arm 26 also comprises a disc-shaped plate 29. The plate 29 is pivotally connected to the arm 26 and is biassed by a spring 30 to a splayed-out position for receiving a bale.

The drawbar comprises a bar 14 which has an integral fixed guide 41 for helping to guide a bale into the loader. A bracket 42 connects the bar 40 to a drive ram 43 for rotation of the bar about a pivot joint 44.

The drawbar positions for in-line baling and wrapping, for wrapping only, and for transport are set using a link comprising a link connector 45 having apertures 46 for receiving pins 47 which extend through the apertures 46 and the extremity of a link arm 48. The link arm 48 is in turn pivotally connected at a joint 49 to the frame 11. The drawbar also comprises a support wheel 50 for the bar.

In operation, the ram 43 moves the drawbar 42 to a longitudinal position as shown in Fig. 1 and the link arm 48 is engaged to the central set of apertures 46. This fixes the drawbar in position and it may then be hauled directly behind the baler 2, which is in turn hauled by the tractor 3.

1 The loader 6 operates in a very simple manner as the wrapper 1 approaches the bale which has been dispensed by the baler onto the ground. The guide 41 helps to guide the bale into the correct position between the arms, upon which the crab-claw arm 26 is rotated inwardly. As it contacts the bale, the plate 29 pivots about its axis against the bias of the spring 30 so that it presses tightly against the bale B. The loader then lifts the bale upwardly under the action of the hydraulic ram 21 until it is directly over the table, as shown most clearly in Fig. 4. Thus, the bale is directly placed on the table without any shock loading. Also, because the bale B is placed accurately on the table the alignment is correct for effective wrapping.

If the wrapper 1 is to be used for wrapping bales which were previously dispensed by the baler, the link arm 48 is disengaged and the ram 43 moves the drawbar to the offset position shown in Fig. 2. This position is then retained by connecting the link arm 48 to the outermost apertures 46.

Finally, for transport, the drawbar is moved to the position shown in Fig. 3 with the innermost apertures 46 being used. Also, the loader 6 is moved to an upper position over the table.

It will be appreciated that the invention eliminates the problem of shock loading for inline baling and wrapping. It also provides accurate placement of a bale for good quality wrapping.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail within the scope of the claims. For example, the loader arm plates may be other than disc-shaped, although such a shape is particularly effective.

I,,--

Claims

1.

A bale wrapping apparatus comprising:

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loader comprises a pair of clamping arms, at least one of which is pivotally mounted for moving in a clamping action.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drawbar is connected to the frame at one lateral side and the loader arm closest to the drawbar is fixed.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the apparatus ftnther comprises a guide mounted on the drawbar to guide the bales into the arms as the apparatus approaches bales for picking.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one arm comprises a bale-engaging plate.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plate is serrated on the bale- engaging face.

/I--

7. An apparatus as claimed in claims 5 or 6, wherein the plate is substantially disc- shaped.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the fixed arm comprises a plate having a front portion which is splayed out.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8, wherein a plate is pivotally connected to the arm about an axis which is substantially vertical when the arm is in a picking position, and the plate is biassed by a spring to a splayed out prepicking position.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the arms are mounted on a loader frame which is pivotally connected to the apparatus frame about a substantially horizontal axis.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the loader frame is curved downwardly from the apparatus frame and upwardly towards a forward extremity.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claims 10 or 11, wherein the loader drive means comprises a ram means mounted between the apparatus frame and the loader frame, and an associated controller programmed to automatically control a bale gripping, lifting, and releasing sequence.

13. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises a link comprising means for retaining the draw bar at a selected one of an in-line position, a wrapping-only position offset with respect to a hauling vehicle, and a transport position.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the link comprises a link arm pivotally connected to the apparatus frame and a series of link joints on the draw bar.

15. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises a drawbar drive means comprising means for moving the drawbar to a.selected position.

16. A bale wrapping apparatus substantially as described with reference to the drawings.