EP2152060A1

EP2152060A1 - Baling press with eccentrically arranged tilting device

Info

Publication number: EP2152060A1
Application number: EP08772574A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Harke Daniel Meijer
Original assignee: Meijer Holland BV
Current assignee: Meijer Holland BV
Priority date: 2007-06-01
Filing date: 2008-05-28
Publication date: 2010-02-17
Also published as: WO2008147177A1; NL1033922C2

Abstract

A baling press (1) for forming essentially rectangular bales (6) of agricultural crops, comprising an inlet opening for supplying the crops, a press unit for pressing together and binding together the supplied crop to a bale (6), and a press outlet (20) for discharging the pressed bale (6), wherein downstream of press outlet (20) a guiding platform (22) is provided for guiding the pressed bale (6) across it, and wherein tilting means are provided in order to tilt the pressed bale (6) that is originally resting on its underside a quarter turn to one of its side surfaces. A tilting device (50) that protrudes or can be protruded from the guiding platform (22) is provided to execute a local tilting force on the underside (10) of the pressed bale (6), wherein the tilting device (50) is provided at an eccentrical position in relation to a centre line (63) of the underside of a pressed bale (6) guided across it.

Description

Baling press with eccentrically arranged tilting device

The invention relates to a baling press for forming essentially rectangular bales of agricultural crops, which baling press is provided with tilting means for tilting pressed bales, which were originally resting on their underside, a quarter turn, such that they will lie on one of their side surfaces.

In practice, baling presses are known in many embodiments. Usually, crops lying on the ground are taken up by a gatherer and continuously fed into an input channel. Through an input opening, the crop will end up in a press chamber, where a certain amount of crop is pressed together and bound to form a bale. Next, the pressed bale is removed through a press outlet. The pressed bales can then be placed directly onto the ground, or they can first be collected on a so-called bale accumulator in order to be placed periodically onto the ground in groups. Such a bale accumulator is for example recorded in the Dutch patent application NL-8900682.

In familiar baling presses, the pressed bales leave the press unit's press outlet resting on their underside. In this position they are then laid directly onto the ground, or indirectly by using a bale accumulator. For certain crops, this bale orientation could result in mould formation. Luzerne crops in particular have this tendency. Practice has shown that this mould formation can be prevented by tilting the bales a quarter turn, such that they will rest on their side surface. However, the bale should be tilted in such a way, that the cut side of both side surfaces is at the top (the other side surface is only pressed together and not cut). In practice, this tilting process is usually performed manually, after the bales have been laid onto the ground. This is a time consuming and labour intensive process.

The American patent publication US-4,310,275 shows an assembly of a baling press and a bale accumulator, wherein the bale accumulator behind the press outlet of the baling press is provided with a tilting platform which is tilted after receiving two bales in order to tilt both bales a quarter turn and place them on their side surfaces on the adjacent collector platform. For this purpose, the tilting platform is provided with sensors that will activate hydraulic cylinders after both bales have been detected, which will raise the tilting platform. The objective is to increase the storage capacity of the collection platform, as the bales' cutting surfaces are narrower than the width of the underside.

A disadvantage here, however, is that the construction with tilting platform, the required sensors and the hydraulic cylinders is expensive, complex and susceptible to failures. Also, the tilting platform can only be used in combination with a laterally arranged collection platform. Therefore, the tilting platform will limit the loading capacity, as the maximum width of the whole construction will have to remain within the legal standards. Furthermore, a new bale coming from the press outlet can easily get in the way of the tilting movement that the tilting platform has to perform. Finally, this construction will tilt the bales, with the cut side below, which has to do with the orientation direction with which the bales leave the press. This leads to deterioration of the mould formation problem. It is an object of the present invention to resolve the abovementioned disadvantages, at least to a certain extent, or else to offer a useable alternative. It is an particular object of the invention to offer a robust and reliable tilting construction for a baling press, allowing the pressed bales to be laid onto the ground directly, or to transfer them first to a bale accumulator located behind the baling press. This object is achieved by providing a mobile baling press according to claim 1. The baling press comprises a guiding platform downstream of the pres outlet, provided with a tilting device that is protruding or can protrude from the guiding platform. The tilting device is arranged in an eccentric position in relation to the centre line of the underside of a pressed bale that has been guided across the guiding platform. While the bale is being guided across the guiding platform, the tilting device will apply an eccentric local tilting force onto the underside of the pressed bale, which will cause the bale to tilt a quarter turn and rest on one of its side surfaces. The construction with an eccentrically arranged tilting device is relatively cheap to manufacture and reliable during use. Advantageously, the tilted bale can be placed directly onto the ground from the guiding platform. However, it is also possible to transfer the tilted bale first to a bale accumulator located behind. Tilting the bales has the advantage that more bales can be collected next to each other on the bale accumulator, as the bales are resting on their narrower side surfaces and therefore require less surface. The guiding platform in accordance with the invention can simply be added to existing as well as newly to be constructed baling presses and/or bale accumulators. In an embodiment, the tilting device will extend at least in a starting position, i.e. the position wherein the tilting process still has to start or has only just been finished, from the guiding platform in an upward direction in particular to a height that is greater than the half width of a pressed bale. Here, it is possible that the tilting device has a fixed protrusion in relation to the guiding platform, or that it can be moved up and down in relation to the guiding platform.

Preferably, the tilting device is arranged eccentrically in such a way that bale is tilted with its cut side upwards. For many baling presses this will mean that the tilting device, seen in the bale's travelling direction across the guiding platform, is arranged to the left side of the bale's centre line. By tilting the bales in this way mould formation can be prevented without having to tilt the bales manually.

In a preferred embodiment, the tilting device is designed in such a way that it is able to move up and down in relation to the guiding platform. The downward movement can take place as a result of gravity and/or the travelling force of the bale leaving the press outlet. The upward movement can take place as a result of a spring device that is tensioned during the downward movement. However, one or both movements can also be controlled externally, e.g. hydraulically.

In another embodiment, the tilting device will extend in a slanting upward direction in the travelling direction of the bale across the guiding platform. This simplifies the initiation of the required tilting movement, in particular for the embodiment where the tilting device extends upwards from the guiding platform in at least a starting position.

Further preferred embodiments are defined by in the dependent claims.

The invention also relates to a guiding platform according to claim 12, as well as to an assembly of a bale press with a mobile guiding platform attached behind it, according to claim 13.

The invention will be further explained with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1a and 1b are schematic views in perspective of a baling press plus guiding platform, according to the state of the art; Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of a bale accumulator attached behind a baling press, according to the state of the art;

Figure 3 is a view from above of figure 2;

Figure 4 is a schematic view in perspective of a guiding platform plus tilting device according to the invention, with a bale leaving the press outlet; Figures 5, 6, 7 show subsequent steps of the bale travelling across and at the same time tilting in relation to the guiding platform of figure 4; and

Figure 8 is a view corresponding to fig 4 of a variation.

The mobile baling press as a whole is referred to by reference number 1 in figures 1a and 1 b. The bale press 1 can be coupled to a tractor or something similar. The baling press 1 comprises a mainly horizontal elongated press chamber 3, which is provided with an inlet opening with cutting blade. There is also a press carriage in the press chamber 3 that can move along the inlet opening in longitudinal direction in order to form bales of crops that are brought to the press chamber 3 through the inlet opening. At the inlet opening of the press chamber 3, an inlet channel is connected that will lead to a gathering area 9. In the gathering area 9, a gatherer 10 is installed, which usually comprises a toothed drum that can rotate about a horizontal shaft. The gatherer 10 will pick up crops lying on the ground and bring them to inlet opening 4

In the press chamber 3, the supplied crops are pressed to a bale by the press carriage and tied together. During operation, the machine will, for example, pick up hay or straw which is then pressed to a bale under high pressure in the press chamber. Finally, strong cords will be wrapped around the bale and tied together, and the bale will be pushed out of the press chamber 3. This takes place through the press outlet 20 which is provided with an adjustable or non-adjustable spindle 21 at the top, that operates onto a hingeably constructed upper part of a framework that is confining the press outlet. Behind the press outlet 20, a guiding platform 22 is located through which the pressed bale 6 can be transferred. Figures 2 and 3 show that a bale accumulator 25 is attached behind baling press 1.

Here, bale accumulator 25 is coupled directly to the guiding platform 22, by means of a coupling pen 26. The guiding platform 22 will make sure that the pressed bales 6 are directly transferred to the bale accumulator 25. Here, it comprises two compartments. In the first compartment 27 at the front, the supplied bales 1B, 2B, 3B are moved to the right and complemented to form a complete row, after which they are transferred together to the second compartment 28 at the back. All eight bales are simultaneously laid onto the ground

Figure 4 shows a partial view of figure 2 at the crossing between baling press and bale accumulator, where now a guiding platform is provided that corresponds with the invention. The guiding platform 40 comprises a bottom plate 41 with raised borders 42. The guiding platform 40 is connected to the press outlet 20 by means of a pivot 43 and two side arms 44. The angle of inclination of the guiding platform 40 can be adjusted by setting the side arms 44 correspondingly. A pressed bale 6 being pushed out of the press outlet, will slide over the floor surface 41 and is confined at both sides by means of the raised borders 42 and the arms 44. Furthermore, the bale 6 is confined at the top by means of a hingeably constructed upper part of a framework 45 that is provided around press outlet 20, respectively the spindle 21 provided there.

The bale 6 leaving the press outlet 20 will initially rest on its underside and its side surfaces are narrower than the underside. The bales usually have a width (w) of about 50 cm, a thickness (t) of about 35 cm, and a length (I) of about 110 cm. The side surface at the right side (seen in driving direction) that is referred to in the drawing by means of reference number 47, concerns the so-called cut side, i.e. the side that was cut off by means of a cutting blade in the baling press. At this side there are many crop parts with cut off stem ends.

The guiding platform 40 is provided with a tilting device 50, which here is made of a bar shaped lever 51 , the free end of which extends upwards through a slot 52 in the floor surface 41 , and which near its other end is rotatably connected to the platform 40 by means of a pivot 53. A draw spring 55 connected to the tilting device 50, will make sure that the tilting device 50 will go to its most upward position under pre-tension. The spring 55 is connected to the guiding platform 40 by means of a screwed rod 56, where the screwed rod 56 forms an adjusting means for adjusting, if necessary, the pre-tension of the spring 55. The pre-tension of the spring is related to the bale's weight. Such an adjustment will particularly be necessary if the weight of the pressed bales changes, for example because a different type of crop is pressed into bales. The free end of the tilting device 50 protrudes upwards from the guiding platform 40 and can be moved up and down against the spring tension in relation to the floor surface 41. The tilting device 50 will extend in a slanting upward/backward direction in the intended travelling direction 60 of the bale 6. At its free end, the tilting device 50 is somewhat bent and provided at that location with a widened guiding surface 61

The tilting device 50 is provided on an eccentric position in relation to the intended centre line 63 of the underside of the bale 6, when it moves across the guiding platform 40. This centre line 63 is preferably located at half width ¹>4w of the bale 6, in relation to the left side border 42 of the guiding platform. The tilting device 50 is preferably located at a distance from the same left side border 42 that is smaller than width w of the bale 6. Preferably, the tilting device 50 is located at a distance k of the left side border 42, that is slightly larger than the thickness t of the bale 6.

At the side border 42, a flexible confining element 65 is provided, which here comprises a plate of spring steel with a somewhat bent end border. While the bale 6 makes its progress to the back in the direction 60 across the guiding platform 40, as shown in figure 5, the bale 6 will push the tilting device 50 down against the spring tension, as long as the bale 6 is sufficiently confined at the top by the press outlet 20. The spring tension will be built up in the spring 55. The spring 55 will be set to a high tensile stress. As long as it is confined at the top by means of the hinging framework 45, the approaching bale 6 will leave the tilting device no other option than to remain pressed down. As soon as the bale 6 has sufficiently left the press outlet 20, as shown in figure 6, the spring 55 will make sure that the tilting device 50 will generate a local upward tilting force on the underside of the bale 6. Here, the tilting device 50 will apply its force to the underside of the bale 6 at a position located at the lateral side of the middle of the bale 6, at that side where the cut side 47 is also located. The tilting force is greater that the weight load of the bale 6 at that location. As a result, the bale 6 will start to tilt, while it will be flexibly confined at the left side by the confining element 65. Together with gravity this will make sure that the bale 6 is tilted a quarter turn in the direction 70, i.e. around its longitudinal axis, and will finally lie on the floor surface 41 with the opposite side of the cut side 47. In this tilted position, the original top side of the bale 6 will be confined at the side by means of side border 42 and confining element 65, while the original underside of the bale 6, in this tilted position, is advantageously confined by the tilting device 50. This is clearly shown in figure 7. In this tilted position, the bale 6 is then pushed further into the direction of the bale accumulator 25. The widened guiding surface 61 advantageously makes sure that the rod shaped tilting device 50 does not press into the bale 6, but applies the required tilting force on it. Additionally, the widened guiding surface 61 prevents that the tilting device 50 will catch behind one of the ropes of the bale 6.

Figure 8 shows a variation where the tilting device 80 is provided at its free end with a guiding roll 81 that is rotatably connected to the tilting device 80. The guiding roll 81 reduces the friction between the bale and the tilting device 80 during the bale's tilting movement. The guiding roll 81 is also provided with a bevelled part 82 in order to ease the movement of the bale across it further. In addition to the illustrated embodiment there are many variations possible. For instance, the tilting device can be constructed in a different way or can be arranged at a different eccentric position. It is also possible to use a tilting device with a fixed eccentric position, slanting upwards to the back. Provided it is arranged with sufficient distance from the press outlet, it will also be able to make sure that the bale will tilt a quarter turn. However, the variation that can be moved up and down, has the advantage that the construction can be kept compact, as it can be arranged at a distance from the press outlet that is smaller than the bale's length. Instead of using a spring, the hingeably constructed lever can also be moved upwards and downward through other means. For example, a controllable piston- cylinder system that operates onto the underside of the lever and will only become operative after the backward moving bale has activated a sensor or stop. In yet another variation, an element that can move upwards and downwards in relation to the guiding platform, can be used as tilting device, which again is arranged eccentrically in relation to the centre line of the bale, and that will only move upward after the bale has arrived on top of it. You could think of a pneumatic push-out device that in its lowered position extends with its free end in or under the floor surface of the guiding platform and that will, after activation through e.g. a stop or sensor, move upward and thereby produce the required eccentric tilting force onto the underside of the bale.

As such, the invention provides an easily fitted tilting mechanism for a baling press, where it is guaranteed that bales are always rotated a quarter turn without requiring control from outside or any further supply of energy.

Claims

1 Baling press for forming essentially rectangular bales of agricultural crops, comprising: - an inlet opening for supplying the crops;

- a press unit for pressing and binding the supplied crops into a bale;

- a press outlet for discharging the pressed bale, wherein downstream of the press outlet a guiding platform is provided for guiding the pressed bale across it, and wherein tilting means are provided in order to tilt the bale that was originally resting on its underside a quarter turn to one of its side surfaces, characterized in that a tilting device is provided that protrudes upwards or can be protruded upwards out of the guiding platform in order to execute a local tilting force on the underside of the pressed bale, wherein the tilting device is provided at an eccentric position in relation to a centre line of the underside of a pressed bale guided across it.

2. Baling press according to claim 1, wherein the tilting device is moveable up and down in relation to the guiding platform.

3. Baling press according to claim 2, wherein the tilting device is protruding upwards under pre-tension.

4. Baling press according to claim 3, wherein setting means are provided for setting the pre-tension.

5. Baling press in according to one of the claims 2-4, wherein the tilting device comprises a lever which is rotatably connected to the guiding platform.

6. Baling press according to one of the previous claims, wherein the tilting device is provided with a widened guiding surface near its free end.

7. Baling press according to one of the previous claims, wherein the tilting device is provided with a roller guide near its free end.

8. Baling press in according to one of the previous claims, wherein the tilting device extends in a slanting upward direction in the guiding direction of the pressed bale across the guiding platform

9. Baling press according to one of the previous claims, wherein the baling press is designed for pressing bales with side surfaces that are narrower than the underside and top side, and wherein the tilting device is arranged eccentrically in such a way that the tilting device, after tilting the pressed bale to one of its side surfaces, will become a confining element for the tilted bale

10. Baling press according to one of the previous claims, wherein the guiding platform at the side opposite to the eccentrically provided tilting device is confined by at least one flexible confining element.

11. Baling press according to one of the previous claims, wherein the press outlet is at least confined at the top side by means of a framework, and wherein the tilting device is located in the guiding direction of the pressed bale across the guiding platform at a distance from the free end of the mentioned framework that is smaller than the length of the pressed bale.

12. Guiding platform provided with an eccentrically arranged tilting device, evidently intended for a baling press according to one of the previous claims.

13. Assembly of a baling press in accordance with one of the previous claims with a mobile bale accumulator attached behind it, wherein the guiding platform provided with the eccentrically arranged tilting device is provided between the press outlet and the bale accumulator.