BALER-WRAPPER COMBINATION WITH A MOVEABLE BALE SUPPORT AND BALE FORMING AND WRAPPING METHOD USING SUCH A COMBINATION

Abstract

A baler-wrapper combination includes a bale forming device and at least one wrapping device with a bale support. The bale support being in the bale depositing position has a lateral offset to a vertical center plane of the bale forming device and is entirely positioned on one side of the vertical plane. A bale is moved on the bale support being in the bale receiving position and is wrapped. The wrapped bale is deposited from the bale support being in the bale depositing position on the ground.

Claims

1. A baler-wrapper combination comprising a bale forming device providing a bale forming chamber, a left wrapping device with a corresponding left bale support being moveable between a bale receiving position and at least one left lateral bale depositing position and a right wrapping device with a corresponding right bale support being moveable between a bale receiving position and at least one right lateral bale depositing position, wherein the terms left and right refer to a viewing direction towards the bale forming device, and a left wrapper moving actuator and a right wrapper moving actuator, wherein each wrapping device is mechanically connected with the bale forming device, wherein each wrapping device is arranged such that the corresponding moveable bale support being in the bale receiving position is centered with respect to a vertical center plane extending in a longitudinal direction of the bale forming device wherein the bale forming device is arranged to form a bale in the provided bale forming chamber and to eject the formed bale out of the bale forming chamber, wherein the baler-wrapper combination is arranged to move said ejected bale onto the moveable bale support being in the bale receiving position, wherein each wrapping device is arranged to wrap the bale carried on the corresponding bale support of the wrapping device into at least one web, and to remove the wrapped bale from the corresponding bale support being in the at least one bale depositing position, thereby depositing the wrapped bale at a location outside of the baler-wrapper combination, and wherein each wrapper moving actuator is arranged to move the corresponding moveable bale support together with the carried bale from the bale receiving position into the at least one bale depositing position, wherein each wrapping device is arranged such that the corresponding moveable bale support being in the at least one bale depositing position has a lateral offset to the vertical center plane such that the corresponding bale support and the carried ejected bale are entirely on the same side of the vertical center plane when the bale support is in said lateral bale depositing position and the wrapper moving actuator is arranged to move the corresponding moveable bale support together with the carried bale into the lateral bale depositing position.

2.-3. (canceled)

4. The baler-wrapper combination according to claim 1, wherein at least one moveable bale support is pivotal with respect to the bale forming device around a vertical wrapper pivoting axis between the bale receiving position and the at least one lateral bale depositing position, wherein at least one wrapper moving actuator is arranged to pivot the pivotal bale support together with a carried bale around the vertical wrapper pivoting axis from the bale receiving position into the at least one lateral bale depositing position.

5. The baler-wrapper combination according to claim 4, wherein a pivoting angle of 45 degrees occurs between the bale receiving position and the at least one lateral bale depositing position of the or at least one pivotal bale support.

6. The baler-wrapper combination according to claim 4, wherein at least one vertical wrapper pivoting axis has a lateral offset to the vertical center plane of the bale forming device.

7. The baler-wrapper combination according to claim 4, wherein the bale forming chamber extends between two parallel chamber planes both being parallel to the vertical center plane, wherein the at least one vertical wrapper pivoting axis is positioned outside of the space between the vertical chamber planes.

8. The baler-wrapper combination according to claim 1, wherein at least one moveable bale support is shiftable with respect to the bale forming device in a shifting direction from the bale receiving position into the at least one lateral bale depositing position, wherein the shifting direction is perpendicular or angular to the vertical center plane of the bale forming device and wherein at least one wrapper moving actuator is arranged to shift said at least one moveable bale support together with a carried bale in the shifting direction from the bale receiving position into the at least one lateral bale depositing position.

9. (canceled)

10. The baler-wrapper combination according to claim 1, wherein the bale support of the left moveable wrapping device is pivotal with respect to the bale forming device around a left vertical wrapper pivoting axis between the bale receiving position and the at least one left lateral bale depositing position and the bale support of the right moveable wrapping device is pivotal with respect to the bale forming device around a right vertical wrapper pivoting axis between the bale receiving position and the at least one right lateral bale depositing position, wherein a horizontal distance between the two wrapper pivoting axes occurs and wherein the vertical center plane is positioned between the left vertical wrapper pivoting axis and the right vertical wrapper pivoting axis.

11. The baler-wrapper combination according to claim 1, wherein at least one moveable wrapping device comprises a wrapper carrying device, wherein the wrapper carrying device is mounted at the bale forming device and the bale support of said wrapping device is moveably mounted at the wrapper carrying device, wherein at least one wrapper moving actuator is arranged to move said bale support with respect to the wrapper carrying device, thereby moving the bale support from the bale receiving position into the at least one lateral depositing position.

12. The baler-wrapper combination according to claim 11, wherein the at least one moveable wrapping device comprises at least one ground-engaging wheel which is rotatably mounted at the wrapper carrying device.

13. The baler-wrapper combination according to claim 11, wherein the moveable bale support of the at least one wrapping device is at least partially positioned between the wrapper carrying device of said at least one wrapping device and the vertical center plane at least when said bale support is in the at least one lateral bale depositing position.

14. The baler-wrapper combination according to claim 11, wherein at least one movable wrapper carrying device comprises a wrapper carrying arm and a wrapper carrier, wherein the bale support of the at least one wrapping device is mounted at the wrapper carrier.

15. The baler-wrapper combination according to claim 14, wherein the wrapper carrier is pivotal with respect to the wrapper carrying arm around a vertical pivoting axis, thereby providing a pivotal arrangement of the bale support between the bale receiving position and the at least one lateral bale depositing position.

16. The baler-wrapper combination according to claim 1, wherein the baler-wrapper combination is arranged to eject a formed bale out of the bale forming chamber and to deposit said bale at the location outside of the baler-wrapper combination when the wrapping device is in the at least one respective lateral bale depositing position, thereby moving said bale along the wrapping device.

17.-20. (canceled)

21. The baler-wrapper combination according to claim 1, wherein at least one wrapping device comprises at least one holding device for holding at least one web of wrapping material, wherein said at least one wrapping device is arranged to move the at least one holding device relative to a bale carried by the bale support of said wrapping device, thereby causing the carried bale to be wrapped into the at least one web held by the at least one holding device, and the at least one wrapping device is arranged such that the bale support and the holding device of the wrapping device are entirely on the same side of the vertical center plane when the bale support is in the at least one lateral bale depositing position, wherein the baler-wrapper combination further comprises a left wrapping device with a left holding device and a left bale support being moveable between a bale receiving position and at least one left lateral bale depositing position and a right wrapping device with a right holding device and a right bale support being moveable between a bale receiving position and at least one right lateral bale depositing position, wherein the terms left and right refer to a viewing direction towards the bale forming device, wherein the left bale support and the left holding device are entirely on the left side of the vertical center plane at least when the left bale support is in the at least one one left lateral bale depositing position and wherein the right bale support and the right holding device are entirely on the right side of the vertical center plane at least when the right bale support is in the at least one right lateral bale depositing position.

22. (canceled)

23. The baler-wrapper combination according to claim 1, wherein the baler-wrapper combination further comprises a bale transfer support which is positioned between the bale forming device and at least one moveable bale support being in the bale receiving position, wherein the baler-wrapper combination is arranged to move an ejected bale over the bale transfer support onto the at least one moveable bale support.

24. A method for forming and wrapping at least two bales, wherein the method is performed by using a baler-wrapper combination comprising a bale forming device providing a bale forming chamber, a first and a further wrapping device, each wrapping device comprising a respective bale support for carrying a bale and a wrapper moving actuator associated with a corresponding wrapping device, wherein each wrapping device is mechanically connected with the bale forming device, wherein the respective bale support of each wrapping device is moveable with respect to the bale forming device between a bale receiving position and at least one bale depositing position, wherein each wrapping device is arranged such that its moveable bale support being in the bale receiving position is centered with respect to a vertical center plane extending in a longitudinal direction of the bale forming device, wherein the method comprises: the bale forming device forming a bale in the provided bale forming chamber and ejecting the formed bale out of the bale forming chamber, the ejected bale moving onto the bale support being in the bale receiving position, the corresponding wrapper moving actuator moving the moveable bale support carrying the ejected bale from the bale receiving position into the bale depositing position such that the moveable bale support moving into the bale depositing position has a lateral offset with respect to a vertical center plane extending in a longitudinal direction of the bale forming device and such that the moved bale support and the carried ejected bale are entirely on the same side of the vertical center plane, the wrapping device comprising said bale support wrapping the bale carried on the bale support into at least one web of wrapping material, and the wrapping device removing the wrapped bale from the bale support being into the at least one bale depositing position such the wrapped bale is deposited at a location outside of the baler-wrapper combination, wherein the method further comprises: the bale forming device forming a further bale in the bale forming chamber and ejecting the further bale out of the bale forming chamber; the ejected further bale moving on the further bale support of the further wrapping device; and the further wrapping device wrapping the further bale carried on the further bale support into at least one further web of wrapping material, wherein the further bale is moved onto the bale support of the further wrapping device after the moveable bale support is moved into a lateral bale depositing position such that the ejected further bale is moved onto the further wrapping device.

25. The method for forming and wrapping bales according to claim 24, wherein the method further comprises: the bale forming device forming a further bale in the bale forming chamber, ejecting the further bale out of the bale forming chamber, and depositing the ejected further bale at the location outside of the baler-wrapper combination, wherein ejecting the further bale is performed when the or every moveable bale support is in the or one respective lateral bale depositing position.

26. (canceled)

27. The method for forming and wrapping bales according to claim 24, wherein the further bale support is moveable between a bale receiving position and at least one further lateral bale depositing position, wherein the method further comprises: the further moveable bale support carrying the further bale into the or one further lateral bale depositing position such that the further bale support being in the further lateral bale depositing position is entirely on the same further side of the vertical center plane.

28. The method for forming and wrapping bales according to claim 24, wherein the or one moveable wrapping device wrapping the bale on the bale support is performed after the bale support of said wrapping device is moved into the or one lateral bale depositing position.

29. The method for forming and wrapping bales according to claim 24, wherein the or one wrapper moving actuator moving the or one moveable bale support carrying the bale into the or one lateral bale depositing position is performed while the bale on the bale support is wrapped or after the bale on the bale support is entirely wrapped.

30. The method for forming and wrapping bales according to claim 24, wherein the bale forming device has readily formed the or one bale in the bale forming chamber and triggering the or one wrapper moving actuator (2.l, 2.r) moving the or one moveable bale support from the or one lateral bale depositing position into the bale receiving position.

31.-32. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] FIG. 1 shows in a top view schematically a combination comprising a tractor and the pulled baler-wrapper combination of the embodiment when driving through a curve;

[0075] FIG. 2 shows the baler-wrapper combination of the embodiment in a top view with both bale supports being in the lateral bale depositing;

[0076] FIG. 3 shows the baler-wrapper combination of FIG. 2 in a horizontal viewing direction;

[0077] FIG. 4 to FIG. 8 show a slightly differing implementation of the embodiment in different viewing directions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

[0078] FIG. 1 shows in a top view an agricultural combination driving along a curve to the left. The trajectory along which this combination is moved is a segment of a circle with the middle point M. The combination comprises [0079] a pulling tractor 50 with a driver cabin, a pair of steerable front wheels 52.l, 52.r, a pair of driven rear wheels 51.l, 51.r, and a tractor hitch and [0080] a baler-wrapper combination according to the invention.

[0081] The baler-wrapper combination of the embodiment comprises [0082] a bale forming device 40 with a towing unit 42 and two ground-engaging wheels 41.l, 41.r, [0083] a wrapping arrangement 60 with two wrapping devices (to the explained below), [0084] two ground-engaging wheels 41.l, 41.r for the bale forming device 40, and [0085] two further ground-engaging wheels 6.l, 6.r for the wrapping arrangement 60.

[0086] In the embodiment the bale forming device 40 of the baler-wrapper combination forms a sequence of round-cylindrical bales and operates as a continuous baler or as a non-stop baler. Such a continuous or non-stop baler can continue to pick-up crop material while the circumferential surface of the bale in the bale forming chamber is wrapped.

[0087] A continuous round baler comprises a wrapping chamber. This wrapping chamber is positioned behind the bale forming chamberseen in the travelling direction TD. The bale is entirely formed in the bale forming chamber. As soon as the diameter of the bale in the bale forming chamber reaches a given threshold, the bale is moved from the bale forming chamber into the wrapping chamber. In the wrapping chamber the circumferential surface of the bale is wrapped. Simultaneously the formation of a further bale in the bale forming chamber is started. Such a continuous baler is disclosed in WO 2013/157949 A1, e.g.

[0088] A non-stop baler comprises a buffering chamber which is positioned between the pick-up unit and the bale forming chamber. Crop material is guided through the buffering chamber into the bale forming chamber. The bale is formed and is wrapped in the bale forming chamber. As long as the circumferential surface of the bale in the bale forming chamber is wrapped, crop material remains in the buffering chamber. Such a non-stop baler is disclosed in EP 2281436 A1 and in WO 2013/014291 A1, e.g.

[0089] A further approach is to use a baler with two bale forming chambers. Crop material is selectively guided into a first bale forming chamber or into a second bale forming chamber. Such a baler with two bale forming chambers is disclosed in DE 3248066 A1, e.g.

[0090] The invention can also be used for a baler-wrapper combination with a conventional round baler or a cuboid baler and a wrapper. The baler forms and wraps a bale entirely in the same chamber and does not process crop material while the circumferential surface of the bale is wrapped. This combination is stopped while the surface of the bale in the bale forming chamber is wrapped.

[0091] In the embodiment the baler-wrapper combination comprises [0092] a bale forming device (baler 40) and [0093] a wrapping arrangement 60 with two wrapping devices, namely a left and a right wrapping device.

[0094] The terms left and right refer to the travelling direction TD. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show this baler-wrapper combination [0095] in a top view (FIG. 2) and [0096] in a perspective view from the right (FIG. 3).

[0097] The round baler 40 provides a drum-shaped bale forming chamber Ch. The circumferential surface of this chamber Ch is surrounded by a segment of an endless pressing belt. Two disks form the lateral sidewalls of this chamber Ch. A right disk 46.r can be seen in FIG. 3. Such a baler with two disks is described in WO 2013/157949 A1, e.g.

[0098] The round baler 40 is substantially symmetrical to a vertical center plane P. The bale forming chamber Ch is positioned between two vertical chamber planes P.l, P.r which are parallel to the vertical center plane P. In the embodiment these chamber planes P.l, P.r are provided by the two planes in which the disks extend.

[0099] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 further show [0100] the towing unit 42, [0101] a discharge gate (tailgate 44) which can be pivoted between a closed bale forming position (FIG. 3) and an opened bale ejecting position, [0102] a right ground-engaging wheel 41.r of the baler 40, and [0103] a right pivotal cover 45.r,
whereas the left cover 45.l and the left ground-engaging wheel 41.l are not shown.

[0104] The left wrapping device comprises a left wrapper 8.l and a left wrapper carrying device 13.l. The right wrapping device comprises a right wrapper 8.r and a right wrapper carrying device 13.r. The terms left and right refer to the travelling direction TD of the baler-wrapper combination over ground. In FIG. 2 the travelling direction TD is from bottom to top, in FIG. 3 from left to right.

[0105] Every wrapper 8.l, 8.r of the embodiment comprises [0106] a wrapping ring 5.l, 5.r, [0107] two film roll holders 11.l.1, 11.l.2 or 11.r.1, 11.r.2, [0108] a ring mover 4.l, 4.r for holding and rotating and tilting the wrapping ring 5.l, 5.r, [0109] two driven bale carrying rollers 12.l.1, 12.l.2 and 12.r.1, 12.r.2, [0110] a roller carrier 14.l, 14.r which rotatably carries the rollers 12.l.1, 12.l.2 and 12.r.1, 12.r.2, [0111] a roller drive (not shown) for rotating the bale carrying rollers 12.l.1, 12.l.2 and 12.r.1, 12.r.2 with respect to the roller carrier 14.l, 14.r, and [0112] a rotatable bobbin 48.l, 48.r.

[0113] Every wrapper carrying device 13.l, 13.r comprises [0114] a connecting member 7.l, 7.r, [0115] an inner carrying arm 1.l, 1.r, [0116] a cantilever arm 10.l, 10.r, [0117] a ground-engaging wheel 6.l, 6.r mounted on a wheel rim 47.l, 47.r, [0118] a single-wheel carrier 27.l, 27.r for the wheel 6.l, 6.r, [0119] a wrapper carrying arm 3.l, 3.r, and [0120] a horizontal hydraulic piston-cylinder unit 2.l, 2.r.

[0121] Every film roll holder 11.l.1, 11.l.2 or 11.r.1, 11.r.2 serves as a holding device and is mounted on the respective wrapping ring 5.l, 5.r and can carry one film roll serving as a wrapping material reservoir. An empty film roll can be replaced with a new film roll. When being kept in the film roll holder 11.l.1, 11.l.2, 11.r.1, 11.r.2, the film roll can rotate such that a web of plastic film can be pulled from the film roll holder 11.l.1, 11.l.2 or 11.r.1, 11.r.2. The middle axis of the film roll is vertical. The roller carrier 14.l, 14.r and the two bale carrying rollers 12.l.1, 12.l.2 or 12.r.1, 12.r.2 together form a bale support which is adapted for carrying and rotating a bale to be wrapped. The center axis of the carried bale is parallel to the axes of the bale carrying rollers 12.l.1, 12.l.2 or 12.r.1, 12.r.2.

[0122] The ring mover 4.l, 4.r is mounted at the cantilever arm 10.l, 10.r and carries and can rotate the wrapping ring 5.l, 5.r with respect to the bale support 14.l, 14.r, 12.l.1, 12.l.2, 12.r.1, 12.r.2 around a vertical axis which is perpendicular to the drawing plane of FIG. 1 and of FIG. 4. FIG. 8 shows the horizontal wrapper plane WP.r in which the right wrapping ring 8.r can be moved. In one embodiment the ring mover 4.l, 4.r can further tilt the wrapping ring 5.l, 5.r with respect to the bale support 14.l, 14.r, 12.l.1, 12.l.2, 12.r.1, 12.r.2 around a horizontal tilting axis between [0123] a bale receiving position and [0124] a bale wrapping position.

[0125] In place of a wrapping ring 5.l, 5.r carrying two film roll holders it is also possible to provide two holder arms which are mounted at a vertical shaft above the bale support and which carry at their lower ends to film roll holders. Of course only one holder in place of two film roll holders can be used. It is further possible that a stationary film roll holder is used.

[0126] The wrapper carrying arm 3.l, 3.r carries the roller carrier 14.l, 14.r for the bale carrying rollers 12.l.1, 12.l.2, 12.r.1, 12.r.2 and thereby the bale support of this wrapping device. The connecting member 7.l, 7.r is rigidly connected with the baler 40. The inner carrying arm 1.l, 1.r is mounted at the connecting member 7.l, 7.r. The inner end of the cantilever arm 10.l, 10.r is connected with the outer end of the inner carrying arm 1.l, 1.r in an element 9.l, 9.r. The single-wheel carrier 27.l, 27.r is mounted at the free end of the cantilever arm 10.l, 10.r, cf. FIG. 4 to FIG. 8. The ground-engaging wheel 6.l, 6.r is rotatably mounted at the carrier 27.l, 27.r. In the embodiment the entire left wrapper carrying device 13.l is entirely situated in a position left of the left chamber plane P.l. The right wrapper carrying device 13.r is entirely positioned right of the right chamber plane P.r, cf. FIG. 4.

[0127] In one embodiment the cantilever arm 10.l, 10.r is rigidly connected with the inner carrying arm 1.l, 1.r such that a through-going arm 1.l, 1.0.l, 1.r, 10.r is formed. A pivot 9.l, 9.r connects the wrapper carrying arm 3.l, 3.r with the inner carrying arm 1.l, 1.r. The wrapper carrying arm 3.l, 3.r can pivot with respect to the through-going arm 1.l, 1.r, 10.l, 10.r around a vertical pivoting axis running through these pivots 9.l, 9.r.

[0128] The horizontal hydraulic piston-cylinder unit 2.l, 2.r is pivotally connected with the connecting member 7.l, 7.r and with the wrapper carrying arm 3.l, 3.r, cf. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The piston-cylinder unit 2.l, 2.r can pivot the wrapper carrying arm 3.l, 3.r around a vertical wrapper pivoting axis running through the pivot 9.l, 9.r. Thereby the bale support 14.l, 14.r, 12.l.1, 12.l.2, 12.r.1, 12.r.2 and the wrapper carrying arm 3.l, 3.r can be pivoted with respect to the baler 40 between [0129] a centered bale receiving position and [0130] at least one lateral bale depositing position.

[0131] In the bale receiving position the bale support 14.l, 14.r, 12.l.1, 12.l.2, 12.r.1, 12.r.2 is positioned behind the baler 40 and preferably substantially between the planes P.l and P.r. The bale support 14.l, 14.r, 12.l.1, 12.l.2, 12.r.1, 12.r.2 can receive an ejected bale. The axes of the two bale carrying rollers 12.l.1, 12.l.2 and 12.r.1, 12.r.2 are perpendicular to the travelling direction TD.

[0132] In the embodiment the bale support 14.l, 14.r, 12.l.1, 12.l.2, 12.r.1, 12.r.2 being in the or one lateral bale depositing position is entirely positioned outside of the space between the chamber planes P.l, P.r and has therefore a lateral offset to the vertical center plane P of the baler 40. When a bale support 14.l, 14.r, 12.l.1, 12.l.2, 12.r.1, 12.r.2 is in the lateral bale depositing position, a lateral offset O.l, O.r between this bale support and the vertical center plane P occurs, cf. FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. The space behind the baler 40 and between the chamber planes P.l, P.r is free such that the other bale support 14.r, 14.l, 12.r.1, 12.r.2, 12.l.1, 12.l.2 can be pivoted into the bale receiving position and can receive a further bale. FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 show the lateral offset O.l, O.r as the distance between the bale support and the center plane P.

[0133] In the embodiment every bale support 14.l, 14.r, 12.l.1, 12.l.2, 12.r.1, 12.r.2 can be pivoted with respect to the wrapper carrying device 13.l, 13.r about an angle of approx. 45 degrees between the centered bale receiving position and the or one lateral bale depositing position. It is possible that the bale support can be pivoted into one lateral bale depositing position which is selected out of a number of possible bale depositing positions. The piston-cylinder unit 2.l, 2.r pivots the bale support around the axis 9.l, 9.r about a selected pivoting angle. Different strokes yield different bale depositing positions.

[0134] It is possible that the wrapper carrying device 13.l, 13.r can be pivoted between an operating position and a transport position. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show both wrapper carrying devices 13.l, 13.r being in the operating position. The bale support 14.l, 14.r, 12.l.1, 12.l.2, 12.r.1, 12.r.2 can only be pivoted between the bale receiving position and the or any bale depositing position when the wrapper carrying device 13.l, 13.r is in the operating position. In the transport position the distance between a ground-engaging wheel 6.l, 6.r and the vertical center plane P is significantly smaller and the baler-wrapper combination has a reduced width. Therefore the baler-wrapper combination with both wrapper carrying devices 13.l, 13.r being in the transport position can be moved over a public street.

[0135] In the embodiment just mentioned left and right through-going arms 1.l, 10.l or 1.r, 10.r are formed. In a further embodiment the cantilever arm 10.l, 10.r and the wrapper carrying arm 3.l, 3.r can jointly or individually pivot with respect to the inner carrying arm 1.l, 1.r. The bale depositing position can automatically be selected depending on the weight of a bale on a bale support, of a bale in the bale forming chamber, or on the ground inclination, e.g. The piston-cylinder unit 2.l, 2.r can pivot the cantilever arm 10.l, 10.r together with the wrapper carrying arm 3.l, 3.r around the vertical pivoting axis through the pivot 9.l, 9.r.

[0136] In yet a further embodiment the inner arm 1.l, 1.r is pivotally connected with the connecting member 7.l, 7.r. Therefore it can pivot with respect to the baler 40 around a vertical pivoting axis 18.l, 18.r running through the connecting member 7.l, 7.r. The cantilever arm 10.l, 10.r is in the embodiment rigidly or pivotally connected with the inner carrying arm 1.l, 1.r. The piston-cylinder unit 2.l, 2.r can pivot the inner arm 1.l, 1.r, the cantilever arm 10.l, 10.r, and the wrapper carrying arm 3.l, 3.4 around the vertical pivoting axis 18.l, 18.r. This pivotal movement can be performed for pivoting the bale support 14.l, 14.r, 12.l.1, 12.l.2 into the or one bale depositing position or into the bale receiving position.

[0137] It is also possible that this pivotal movement is only performed for pivoting the arms 1.l, 1.r, 10.l, 10.r and the wrapper carrying arm 3.l, 3.r between an operating position (shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) and the transport position in which the baler-wrapper combination has a reduced width.

[0138] FIG. 4 to FIG. 8 show a further implementation of the embodiment in different viewing directions. These figures show two different implementations for the wrapper carrying devices 13.l, 13.r, namely one implementation for the left carrying device 13.l and one for the right carrying device 13.r. The left cover plate and the left ground-engaging wheel 41.l are omitted in the figures.

[0139] The left cantilever arm 10.l consists of three segments mounted in a sequence wherein two adjacent segments are angularly and rigidly connected with each other and have different heights over ground. The left wrapping ring 5.l, the left bale support and the left wrapper carrying arm 3.l are omitted in FIG. 4 to FIG. 8. The right cantilever arm 10.r is implemented in a different way than the left cantilever arm 10.l and comprises several segments which are rigidly connected with each other and which form a parallelogram. The pivot 9.r is mounted at this parallelogram, cf. FIG. 6 and FIG. 8.

[0140] In the embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 the wrapping arrangement 60 simultaneously carries two bales B.1 and B.2. These bales B.1, B.2 have subsequently been formed in the bale forming chamber Ch. The baler-wrapper combination according to the embodiment operates as follows: [0141] The baler 40 forms a bale B.1, B.2 in the bale forming chamber Ch and wraps the circumferential surface of the bale while the bale is still in the bale forming chamber Ch. [0142] The tailgate 44 is opened and the formed and partially wrapped bale is ejected out of the bale forming chamber Ch. The ejected bale rolls over a front transfer roller 17.f and subsequently over a rear bale transfer roller 17.r, cf. FIG. 8. [0143] When the tailgate 44 is opened, the bale support of one bale wrapper 8.l or 8.r is in the bale receiving position in a center position behind the tailgate 44. The bale carrying rollers 12.l.1, 12.l.2 or 12.r.1, 12.r.2 of the bale support being in the bale receiving position are perpendicular to the travelling direction TD. The bale support of the other wrapper 8.r or 8.l is in the or one lateral bale depositing position. [0144] The ejected bale B.1, B.2 drops on the bale supporting rollers of that bale support which is in the bale receiving position. [0145] The piston-cylinder unit 2.l or 2.r pivots the bale support carrying the ejected bale away from the tailgate 44 into the or one selected lateral bale depositing position as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Preferably the bale support and the bale are now entirely outside of the space between the chamber planes P.l, P.r. [0146] The ring mover 4.l or 4.r rotates the wrapping ring 5.l or 5.r of the bale support being in the lateral bale depositing position in the wrapper plane WP.l or WP.r around a vertical rotating axis. Two webs of plastic film are pulled from the film rolls which are held by the film roll holders 11.l.1, 11.l.2 or 11.r.1, 11.r.2 mounted on the rotated wrapping ring 5.l, 5.r. [0147] In addition the bale carrying rollers 1.l.1, 1.l.2 or 1.r.1, 1.r.2 rotate the round-cylindrical bale on the bale support around the bale's center axis. [0148] Thanks to these two superimposed movements the entire surface of the bale on the rotated bale support is wrapped into two plastic films. [0149] As soon as the required number of film layers is placed around the bale, the films are kept and severed by two clamping and cutting devices (not shown). [0150] The bale support is tilted around a horizontal pivoting axis. The wrapped bale B.1, B.2 rolls on the ground. [0151] While the bale on the bale support being in the lateral bale depositing position is wrapped, the baler 40 forms a further bale and wraps its circumferential surface.

[0152] As soon as or even before the further bale is readily formed and partially wrapped, the bale support of the other wrapper 8.r or 8.l is pivoted into the bale receiving position. The further bale is ejected out of the bale forming chamber Ch and rolls onto the bale support of the other wrapper 8.r, 8.1. [0153] The further bale is wrapped in the same way by the other wrapping device.

[0154] In one embodiment a bale is deposited as soon as the entire surface of this bale is wrapped into the required number of plastic film layers and the bale-wrapper combination reaches a suitable depositing location. In a further embodiment at least one cluster comprising two or even three wrapped bales is formed on the ground. The first bale is kept on the bale support of the first wrapper 8.l or 8.r until the further bale is radially wrapped by the other wrapper 8.r or 8.l. If the further bale is readily wrapped and the baler-wrapper combination reaches a suitable depositing location, both bales are deposited simultaneously on the ground.

[0155] Reference signs used in the claims will not limit the scope of the claimed invention. The term comprises does not exclude other elements or steps. The articles a, an, and one do not exclude a plurality of elements. Features specified in several depending claims may be combined in an advantageous manner.

TABLE-US-00001 LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 1.l, 1.r inner carrying arms, mounted at the connecting members 7.l, 7.r 2.l, 2.r hydraulic piston-cylinder units for pivoting the cantilever arms 10.l, 10.r 3.l, 3.r wrapper carrying arms, mounted at the inner carrying arms 1.l, 1.r 4.l, 4.r ring movers for rotating the wrapping rings 5.l, 5.r 5.l, 5.r wrapping rings, carry the film roll holders 11.l.1, 11.l.2 and 11.r.1, 11.r.2 6.l, 6.r ground-engaging wheels of the wrappers 8.l, 8.r, mounted at the single-wheel carriers 27.l, 27.r 7.l, 7.r connecting members for the carrying arms 1.l, 1.r 8.l left wrapper, comprises the left wrapping ring 5.l, the left ring mover 4.l, two left bale carrying rollers 12.l.1, 12.l.2, and the left roller carrier 14.l, guided over ground by the left ground- engaging wheel 6.l 8.r right wrapper, comprises the right wrapping ring 5.r, the right ring mover 4.r, two right bale carrying rollers 12.r.1, 12.r.2, and the right roller carrier 14.r, guided over ground by the right ground-engaging wheel 6.r 9.l, 9.r pivots positioned between the inner carrying arms 1.l, 1.r and the cantilever arms 10.l, 10.r 10.l, 10.r cantilever arms for the single-wheel carriers 27.l, 27.r for the ground-engaging wheels 6.l, 6.r 11.l.1, film roll holders of the left wrapper 8.l, mounted at the left 11.l.2 wrapping ring 5.l 11.r.1, film roll holders of the right wrapper 8.r, mounted at the right 11.r.2 wrapping ring 5.r 12.l.1, bale carrying rollers of the left wrapper 8.l, mounted at the left 12.l.2 roller carrier 14.l 12.r.1, bale carrying rollers of the right wrapper 8.r, mounted at the 12.r.2 right roller carrier 14.r 13.l left wrapper carrying device, comprises the inner carrying arm 1.l, the left inner carrying arm 1.l, the left cantilever arm 10.l, and the left roller carrier 14.l 13.r right wrapper carrying device, comprises the right inner carrying arm 1.r, the right cantilever arm 10.r, and the right roller carrier 14.r 14.l, 14.r roller carrier, carries the bale carrying rollers 12.l.1, 12.l.2, 12.r.1, 12.r.2 17.f front bale transfer roller, extends perpendicular to the travelling direction TD 17.r rear bale transfer roller, extends perpendicular to the travelling direction TD 18.l, 18r vertical wrapper pivoting axis around which the wrapper carrying device 13.l, 13.r is pivotal with respect to the bale forming device 40 27.l, 27.r single-wheel carriers for the ground-engaging wheels 6.l, 6.r 40 round baler, serves as the bale forming device, provides the bale forming chamber Ch 41.l, 41.r ground-engaging wheels of the round baler 40 42 towing unit of the round baler 40 43 endless pressing belt of the round baler 40, surrounds the bale forming chamber Ch 44 pivotal discharge gate (tailgate) of the round baler 40 45.r right cover plate of the round baler 40 46.r right disk belonging to the right sidewall of the chamber Ch 47.l wheel rim of the left ground-engaging wheel 6.l 48.l rotatable bobbin of the left wrapper 8.l 48.r rotatable bobbin of the right wrapper 8.r 60 wrapping arrangement, comprises the left wrapping device 8.l, 13.l and the right wrapping device 8.r, 13.r B.1, B.2 bales to be wrapped Ch drum-shaped bale forming chamber, provided by the bale forming device 40 P vertical center plane P.l, P.r vertical carrier planes, delimit the bale forming chamber Ch, parallel to the vertical center plane P TD travelling direction of the baler-wrapper combination over ground WP.l, horizontal planes in which the holding devices 11.l.1, 11.l.2, WP.r 11.r.1, 11.r.2 are moved around a bale B.1, B.2 on the bale support