AGRICULTURAL BALER

Abstract

A baler apparatus has a cylindrical bale-forming chamber defined by a set of compression elements positioned around the circumference of the bale-forming chamber, and drive means configured to drive rotary movement of the compression elements. At least one of the rotary compression elements is configured to provide a reduced level of traction relative to a bale in the bale chamber, as compared to at least the majority of the other rotary compression elements.

Claims

1. An agricultural baler comprising: a frame; a pick-up device; a cylindrical bale chamber; and a binding device that supplies a binding material for binding a bale formed in the bale chamber; wherein the bale chamber comprises: an inlet, two opposed side walls forming ends of the bale chamber, a set of rotary compression elements positioned within the bale chamber, drive means configured to drive rotary movement of the rotary compression elements, a front part and a rear part, each of the front and rear parts comprising approximately one half of the bale chamber, wherein the rear part is attached to the front part through a pivot joint so that the rear part can pivot between a closed condition for forming a bale in the bale chamber and an open condition for releasing a bale from the bale chamber, and wherein the set of rotary compression elements includes at least one low traction rotary compression element, which is located within a lower part of the bale chamber and is configured to provide a reduced level of traction to a bale in the bale chamber, as compared to a majority of the other rotary compression elements, at least when the rear part is in an open condition, wherein the at least one low traction rotary compression element includes a roller that is configured to rotate freely during opening of the rear part.

2. An agricultural baler according to claim 1, wherein the low traction rotary compression element comprises a roller with a relatively smooth drive surface.

3. An agricultural baler according to claim 1, wherein the low traction rotary compression element comprises a roller with reduced drive elements as compared to a majority of the other rotary compression elements.

4. An agricultural baler according to claim 3, wherein said low traction rotary compression element includes detachable drive elements.

5. An agricultural baler according to claim 3, wherein the low traction rotary compression element includes drive elements that are adjustable between an active configuration and an inactive configuration.

6. An agricultural baler according to claim 3, wherein the low traction rotary compression element includes removable cover elements that may be attached to the roller to cover the drive elements, at least partially.

7. An agricultural baler according to claim 1, wherein the at least one low traction rotary compression element is configured to disengage the drive means during opening of the rear part, while a majority of the other compression elements keep turning.

8. An agricultural baler according to claim 7, wherein the at least one low traction rotary compression element includes a clutch mechanism for disengaging the drive means.

9. An agricultural baler according to claim 8, wherein the clutch mechanism is hydraulically actuated.

10. An agricultural baler according to claim 9, wherein the bale chamber includes a hydraulic actuator for opening the rear part, and wherein the hydraulic actuator and the clutch mechanism are hydraulically connected to operate in parallel.

11. An agricultural baler according to claim 1, wherein the at least one low traction rotary compression element includes a roller that is configured to be displaceable away from a circumferential surface of the bale during opening of the rear part.

12. An agricultural baler according to claim 11, wherein the rear part of the bale chamber includes an upper part and a lower part, wherein the lower part is pivotally attached to the upper part, and wherein the at least one low traction rotary compression element is mounted on the lower part and is displaceable away from a circumferential surface of the bale by pivoting movement of the lower part.

13. An agricultural baler according to claim 12, wherein the bale chamber includes a first hydraulic actuator for opening the rear part, and a second hydraulic actuator for adjusting the position of the lower part, and wherein the first and second hydraulic actuators are hydraulically connected to operate in parallel.

14. An agricultural baler according to claim 1, wherein at least one low traction rotary compression element is provided in the rear part of the bale chamber.

15. An agricultural baler according to claim 1, wherein at least one low traction rotary compression element is provided in the front part of the bale chamber.

16. An agricultural baler according to claim 1, wherein the pivot joint is located towards an upper part of the bale chamber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Certain embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0037] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a prior art agricultural baler in a closed configuration;

[0038] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the prior art baler in a first partially open configuration;

[0039] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the prior art baler in a second partially open configuration;

[0040] FIGS. 4a and 4b are side sectional views of an agricultural baler according to a first embodiment of the invention, in first and second partially open configurations;

[0041] FIGS. 5a and 5b are side sectional views of an agricultural baler according to a second embodiment of the invention, in first and second partially open configurations;

[0042] FIGS. 6a and 6b are side sectional views of an agricultural baler according to a third embodiment of the invention, in first and second partially open configurations;

[0043] FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c are end views of alternative compression rollers, comprising modified versions of the agricultural baler according to the first embodiment of the invention, and

[0044] FIGS. 8a and 8b are detailed views of a clutch mechanism that forms part of an agricultural baler according to the second embodiment of the invention, in disengaged and engaged configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, a prior art agricultural baler designated generally by reference 2 comprises a wheeled machine that is intended to be towed behind a tractor or other propelling vehicle. The baler 2 includes a frame 3, a towbar 4 and a pair of wheels 5. The baler 2 will normally pick-up crop material that has already been cut or mown, and which is lying on the ground. A pick-up device 6 picks up the crop material 7, and feeds it to a rotary feeding device 8, which is optionally also a chopping device, and the chopped material is then fed through an inlet 10 into a cylindrical bale chamber 12, as shown by arrow 14.

[0046] The bale chamber 12 comprises a housing 13 consisting of a fixed part that is attached to the frame 3 and forms the front part 16 of the bale chamber, and a pivoting part that forms the rear part 18 of the bale chamber. The front and rear parts 16, 18 of the bale chamber are substantially symmetrical, each part forming approximately half of the bale chamber 12. The pivoting part 18 of the housing serves as a tailgate 20, which can be opened by pivoting the tailgate 20 about a pivot point 22 located towards the upper part of the bale chamber 12. An actuator 21, for example a hydraulic actuator, may be provided for adjusting the position of the tailgate 20. The tailgate 20 is shown in a closed condition in FIG. 1 and in first and second partially open conditions in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0047] The cylindrical bale chamber 12 includes a pair of opposed side walls 23 and a set of compression rollers 24, which are spaced around the circumference of the bale chamber 12. Some of these compression rollers 24 are mounted within the fixed front part 16 of the bale chamber 12, and some are provided within the pivoting rear part 18 of the bale chamber 12. The compression rollers 24 are provided with drive means 25, for example drive sprockets, which are driven by a drive chain 27 and are configured to be rotated in the same direction, as indicated by the arrows 26 in FIGS. 1-3. This causes any bale material in the bale chamber 12 to rotate in the contrary direction, as indicated by arrow 28. The compression rollers 24 are provided with drive or traction elements 30, for example ribs or studs, which project from the cylindrical surfaces of the compression rollers 24 in order to transfer drive effectively to the bale material in the bale chamber 12.

[0048] During operation of the baler apparatus 2, crop material 7 is picked up from the ground by the pick-up device 6 and fed by the feeding device 8 into the bale chamber 12. The crop material is rotated by the rotating compression rollers 24 and starts to tumble, forming a cylindrical bale 32. As more material is fed into the bale chamber 12 the material is pressed towards the center of the bale chamber 12 by the rotating compression rollers 24, thereby compressing the bale 32.

[0049] When the bale material is sufficiently compressed the feeding of the material into the bale chamber 12 is stopped and a binding material, for example a net material (not shown), is fed from a binding device 33 and into the gap between the compression rollers 24 and the surface of the bale 32, and is wrapped around the compressed bale material as the bale continues to rotate. The binding serves to keep the bale material under compression and in shape after the bale 32 is ejected from the bale chamber 12. The binding material may alternatively consist of twine or plastic film material similar to that used for wrapping bales.

[0050] Once the bale has been bound the tailgate 20 is opened by pivoting about the pivot axis 22 under control of the actuator 21, to let the bale 32 roll out of the bale chamber 12. The compression rollers 24 continue to rotate to help eject the bale 32 from the bale chamber 12. After ejecting the bale 32, the tailgate 20 is closed and the baling process is repeated.

[0051] Due to the high compression of the bale material, when opening the tailgate 20 the compressed material tends to expand due to the elasticity of the binding material as shown in FIGS. 2 & 3, wherein the original circumference of the compressed bale is shown in chain line and the expanded circumference is shown in solid line. Typically the bale 32 expands from a diameter of 1.2 metres to an expanded diameter of 1.3 metres or more. As shown in FIG. 2, when the tailgate 20 starts to open the bale 32 expands to the front and the rear as indicated by arrows 34, but it cannot expand to the top or the bottom as it is still held between the top rollers 24a in the upper regions of the front and rear parts 16, 18 of the housing, and the bottom rollers 24b, 24c in the lower regions of the front and rear parts of the housing. As the tailgate 20 opens further as shown in FIG. 3, the bale 32 will also expand in the vertical direction as indicated by arrows 36, as it is ejected from the bale chamber in the direction of arrow 38.

[0052] Typically, the compression rollers 24 will be turning when the bale 32 is ejected, to help eject the bale from the bale chamber 12. When the bale is in the bale chamber 12 the bale will turn with a circumferential speed equal to that of the compression rollers 24. During the ejection process the bale 32 will stop turning and the (continually) turning compression rollers 24 will rub over the binding material on the outer circumference of the bale. This rubbing will occur especially with the top and bottom rollers 24a, 24b, 24c in the bale chamber, against which the bale 32 cannot initially expand.

[0053] This phenomenon occurs particularly with the lowest one or two rollers 24c in the tailgate 20, which tend to rub on one spot against the bale 32. The lowest roller 24b in the body 16 of the baler may also rub against the bale, but in some cases causes less of a problem because the ejection direction of the bale 32 is in the direction of rotation of the roller 24b. Therefore the roller 24b does not rub on one spot on the bale 32. The upper rollers 24a do not usually cause a significant problem since the weight of the bale 32 is not carried by the upper rollers 24a. The rubbing of the rotating lower rollers 24b, 24c in the pivoting rear part 18 of the bale chamber 12 or in the fixed front part 16 can damage the binding material with the risk that the binding material will break and the bale will burst open.

[0054] FIGS. 4a and 4b are side sectional views of a baler apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention. Only the bale chamber 12 is shown, the other parts of the bale apparatus being conventional, for example as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The foregoing description therefore applies also to the first embodiment of the invention, except where indicated otherwise.

[0055] The bale chamber 12 is similar in most respects to that of the prior art bale apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-3 and comprises a fixed part that forms the front part 16 of the chamber, and a pivoting part that forms the rear part 18 of the chamber. The rear part 18 of the housing serves as a tailgate 20, which can be opened by pivoting the tailgate 20 about a pivot point 22 located towards the upper part of the bale chamber 12, through operation of an actuator. The tailgate 20 is shown in first and second partially open conditions in FIGS. 4a and 4b (the closed configuration is not shown).

[0056] As with the prior art bale apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-3 the cylindrical bale-forming chamber 12 includes a set of compression rollers 24, which are spaced around the circumference of the bale-forming chamber 12. Some of these compression rollers 24 are mounted within the fixed front part 16 of the bale chamber 12, and some are provided within the pivoting rear part 18 of the bale chamber 12, which serves as the tailgate 20. The compression rollers 24 are provided with drive means 25 (for example drive sprockets) and are configured to be rotated in the same direction, as indicated by the arrows 26. This causes any bale material in the bale chamber 12 to rotate in the contrary direction, as indicated by arrow 28. A binding device 33 is configured to supply a binding material, for example a net material, which is wrapped around the compressed bale material as the bale rotates.

[0057] Most of the compression rollers 24 are provided with drive elements 30, for example ribs or studs, which project from the cylindrical surface of the compression roller 24 in order to transfer drive effectively to the bale material in the bale chamber 12. However, one or more of the lowest rollers 24b, 24c either do not have drive elements, or have significantly reduced drive elements: that is, they have drive elements that are reduced in number and/or size as compared to the majority of the other compression rollers 24. The rollers that either do not have drive elements, or that have significantly reduced drive elements, comprise low traction rotary compression elements, which are able to rotate against the surface of the bound bale without causing significant damage to the binding material. The low traction rotary compression elements may for example consist of smooth or polished rollers, and they may optionally be provided with a non-stick coating, for example of PTFE.

[0058] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b only the two lowest rollers 24c in the rear part 18 of the bale chamber 12 comprise low traction rotary compression elements. Alternatively, one or more of the lowest rollers 24b in the front part 18 of the bale chamber may comprise low traction rotary compression elements, or one or more of the lowest rollers 24b, 24c in the front and rear parts 18, 20 of the bale chamber may comprise low traction rotary compression elements.

[0059] Optionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 7a-7c, each roller 24 comprising a low traction rotary compression element may be provided with detachable or reconfigurable drive elements, which can be reconfigured to provide drive when the crop material is slippery (for example, when it is extremely dry) so as to increase the traction between the roller 24 and the bale 32.

[0060] In the example shown in FIG. 7a removable cover plates 50 are provided, which can be attached to the roller 24 between the drive elements 30, for example with bolts 52. When the cover plates 50 are fitted they cover the drive elements 30, thereby converting the roller 24 into a low traction rotary compression element. The cover plates 50 may be removed when extra traction is required.

[0061] In the example shown in FIG. 7b, adjustable drive elements 30 are provided, each of which can be adjusted between a low traction retracted position (shown in solid lines) and a high traction protruding position (shown in broken lines). The adjustable drive elements 30 may be adjusted either manually (for example through use of a lever), or automatically by means of an actuator.

[0062] In the example shown in FIG. 7c removable drive elements 30 are provided, which can be attached to the roller 24, for example with bolts 52. When the removable drive elements 30 are fitted they protrude from the surface of the roller 24 to provide addition traction. The removable drive elements 30 may be removed when extra traction is not required, so converting the roller 24 into a low traction rotary compression element.

[0063] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b the two lowest rollers 24c in the rear part 18 of the bale chamber comprise low traction rotary compression elements. Typically, one or two of the lowest rollers 24c will comprise low traction rotary compression elements, although in certain cases more than two of the lowest rollers 24c may comprise low traction rotary compression elements.

[0064] FIGS. 5a and 5b are side sectional views of a baler apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention. Only the bale chamber 12 is shown, the other parts of the baler being conventional, for example as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The foregoing description of the prior art baler therefore applies also to the second embodiment of the invention, except where indicated otherwise.

[0065] The bale chamber 12 is similar in most respects to that of the prior art baler shown in FIGS. 1-3 and comprises a fixed part that forms the front part 16 of the bale chamber, and a pivoting part that forms the rear part 18 of the bale chamber. The pivoting rear part 18 of the bale chamber serves as a tailgate 20, which can be opened by pivoting the tailgate 20 about a pivot point 22 located towards the upper part of the bale chamber 12, through operation of an actuator 21. The tailgate 20 is shown in first and second partially open conditions in FIGS. 5a and 5b (the closed configuration is not shown).

[0066] As with the prior art bale apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-3 the cylindrical bale chamber 12 includes a set of compression rollers 24, which are spaced around the circumference of the bale chamber 12. Some of these compression rollers 24 are mounted within the fixed front part 16 of the bale chamber 12, and some are provided within the pivoting rear part 18 of the bale chamber 12. The compression rollers 24 are provided with drive means 25 (for example sprockets or pulleys) and are configured to be rotated in the same direction, as indicated by the arrows 26. This causes any bale material in the bale chamber 12 to rotate in the contrary direction, as indicated by arrow 28. A binding device 33 is configured to supply a binding material, for example a net material, which is wrapped around the compressed bale material as the bale rotates.

[0067] In this embodiment of the invention one or more of the lowest rollers 24c in the rear part 18 of the bale chamber 12 can optionally be disconnected from the drive means, allowing them to rotate freely in either direction as indicated by double-headed arrows 26, while the other rollers 24 remain connected to the drive means and continue to rotate. These rollers 24c thus become low traction rotary compression elements 24c when disconnected from the drive means 25. In operation, the low traction rotary compression elements 24c are disconnected from the drive means 25 as the tailgate 20 opens, to avoid relative motion between the low traction rotary compression elements 24c and the surface of the bale 32, thus preventing possible damage to the binding material. The low traction rotary compression elements 24c may be disconnected from the drive means either automatically as the tailgate 20 opens, or upon receiving a command from the operator of the baler apparatus.

[0068] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b only the two lowest rollers 24c in the rear part 18 of the bale chamber comprise low traction rotary compression elements. Alternatively, the one or two lowest rollers 24b in the front part 16 of the bale chamber may comprise low traction rotary compression elements, or low traction rotary compression elements may be provided in the front and rear parts 16, 18 of the bale chamber 12.

[0069] Optionally, the low traction rotary compression elements 24c may be configured to disengage the drive means automatically during opening of the pivoting part 18. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 8a and 8b, each low traction rotary compression element may include a clutch mechanism 60 for disengaging the drive means, which may be operated by a hydraulic actuator 62. In this embodiment, the clutch mechanism 60 comprises a dog clutch that transmits drive from the drive sprocket 25 to the roller 24 when the clutch is engaged, as shown in FIG. 8b. When the clutch 60 is disengaged as shown in FIG. 8a, no drive is transmitted and the roller is able to rotate freely. The hydraulic actuator 62 operates the clutch 60 via a claw coupling 64. If the bale chamber 12 includes a hydraulic actuator for opening the pivoting part 18, it may be connected to operate in parallel with the clutch actuator 62 so that the low traction rotary compression elements are disconnected from the drive means automatically as the tailgate 20 opens.

[0070] FIGS. 6a and 6b are side sectional views of a baler apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention. Only the bale chamber is shown, the other parts of the bale apparatus being conventional, for example as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The foregoing description of the prior art baler therefore applies also to the third embodiment of the invention, except where indicated otherwise.

[0071] The bale chamber 12 is similar in most respects to that of the prior art bale apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-3 and is located within a housing comprising a fixed part that forms the front part 16 of the bale chamber, and a pivoting part that forms the rear part 18 of the bale chamber. The pivoting rear part 18 of the housing serves as a tailgate 20, which can be opened by pivoting the tailgate 20 about a pivot point 22 located towards the upper part of the bale chamber 12, through operation of an actuator. The tailgate 20 is shown in first and second partially open conditions in FIGS. 4a and 4b (the closed configuration is not shown).

[0072] As with the prior art bale apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-3 the cylindrical bale chamber 12 includes a set of compression rollers 24, which are spaced around the circumference of the bale-forming chamber 12. Some of these compression rollers 24 are mounted within the fixed front part 16 of the bale chamber 12, and some are provided within the pivoting rear part 18 of the bale chamber 12. The compression rollers 24 are provided with drive means 25 and are configured to be rotated in the same direction, as indicated by the arrows 26. This causes any bale material in the bale chamber 12 to rotate in the contrary direction, as indicated by arrow 28. A binding device 33 is configured to supply a binding material, for example a net material, which is wrapped around the compressed bale material as the bale rotates.

[0073] In this embodiment of the invention one or more of the lowest rollers 24c in the rear part of the bale chamber 12 are mounted so as to allow them to be displaced away from the circumferential surface of the bale 32 when the tailgate 20 opens. The lowest rollers 24c may for example be mounted in bearings that can slide along slide tracks 40. These rollers thus become low traction rotary compression elements when displaced away from the bale 32.

[0074] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b only the two lowest rollers 24c in the rear part 18 of the bale chamber can be displaced away from the bale 32 and therefore comprise low traction rotary compression elements. Alternatively, one or more lowest rollers 24b in the front part 16 of the bale chamber may be designed so that they can be displaced away from the bale 32. Alternatively, low traction rotary compression elements comprising displaceable rollers may be provided in the lower section of the front and rear parts 16, 18 of the bale chamber 12.

[0075] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the rear part 18 of the bale chamber includes an upper part 18a and a lower part 18b that is pivotally attached to the upper part 18a at pivot point 42. Pivoting movement of the lower part 18b about the pivot point 42 is controlled by an actuator 44. The lowest rollers 24c that serve as low traction rotary compression elements are connected to the lower part 18b, so that movement of the rollers 24c along the slide tracks 40 is controlled by pivoting movement of the lower part 18b. The lowest rollers 24c are thus configured to be displaceable away from the circumferential surface of the bale by pivoting movement of the lower part 18b. The bale chamber 12 may include a first hydraulic actuator 21 for opening the pivoting part 18 and a second hydraulic actuator 44 for adjusting the position of the lower part 18b, and the first and second hydraulic actuators 21, 44 may optionally be hydraulically connected to operate in parallel, so that the low traction rotary compression elements are automatically displaced away from the surface of the bale as the tailgate 20 opens.

[0076] Various modifications of the baler apparatus described herein are possible. For example, the invention may be applied to a combined/integrated baler and wrapper apparatus. Instead of using rollers as the compression elements, some of the rollers may be replaced by compression elements consisting of rotating chains or belts, as commonly used on certain known types of baler apparatus. The bale can be bound with netting or alternatively with twine or plastic film material, for example similar to that commonly used for wrapping bales.