GB2221203A

GB2221203A - Bale wrapping apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2221203A
Application number: GB8817835A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Ford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-07-27
Filing date: 1988-07-27
Publication date: 1990-01-31
Also published as: GB8817835D0

Abstract

Bale wrapping apparatus comprises a chassis 11 with wheels 12 provided towards the rear thereof, the chassis being adapted to be towed behind a baler 10, from which bales are periodically ejected onto the chassis. The chassis has a rotatable and tiltable platform 26 towards the rear, and a bale lifting frame 17 before the platform, pivoted at its edge towards the platform 26 for lifting a bale on the frame onto the platform, the lifting frame being located to receive bales as they are ejected by the baler. A reel for wrapping film 33 and an operators seat 32 are located next to the platform and positioned to leave a path clear from end to end of the chassis for passage of bales therealong. <IMAGE>

Description

Bale Wrapping Apparatus This invention relates to apparatus for wrapping bales of ha-, straw, silage or other forage crops in order to exclude water to preserve the quality and extend the storage life of the bale.

In agricultural harvest operations, it is the practise to wrap hay silage or other forage crops on a mandrel into cylindrical bales of about 1.5 m. diameter and then discharge the bales thus formed onto the ground, to stand generally on edge with the axis horizontal. In a further operation, a tractor towed wrapping machine mo ves from bale to bale, and this machine has a side pick-up featuring a spike to be inserted along the axial hole left by the baler mandrel, and arms forming a cradle to lift the bale onto a platform on the machine. The operator then engages the free end of a strip of plastics film on the bale and the platform is spun rapidly to wind the film onto the bale until the bale is covered.

After wrapping the platform is tilted and the wrapped bale discharged.

This operation either involves two men, one to drive the tractor and the other to operate the wrapper, or stopping the tractor at each bale with the driver then changing from the tractor to the wrapper to operate the wrapper, then returning to the tractor to drive to the next bale. A further disadvantage is that being a separate operation from baling, it is limited by the availability of manpower and tractors.

Thus, if men and tractors are available the wrapper may follow the baler around the field. Onthe other hand if for any reason the harvesting has to be done single handed, then there is inevitably a delay between baling and wrapping. In unsettled weather this may mean a delay of several days during which the unwrapped bale is in contact with probably wet ground and exposed to rain and weathering - leading to deterioration of fodder quality and, even, in extreme condition, to effective loss of the crop, which could be avoided or at least minimised if the bales were wrapped.

An object of the invention is to provide a modified bale wrapper apparatus which can be towed behind a baler, and wrap bales as they are presented by the baler, thus avoiding many of the disadvantages in manning or delay entailed in the present methods.

According to the invention, a bale wrapping apparatus comprises a chassis with at least one pair of wheels, and adapted to be towed behind a baler; a bale lift means to accept a bale dropped from the baler and lift the bale onto a rotatable platform behind the lift means, means for carrying a spool of bale wrapping material, means for rotating the platform, and means for tilting the platform to discharge a wrapped bale.

Preferrably the apparatus carries its own power source for hydraulic operation of the lift means and the platform tilting means, and for rotating the platform.

The bale lift means is preferrably mounted between frame members of the chassis, in the front part of the chassis, and the rotating platform is situated to the rear of the chassis. The rotatable platform preferrably has a driven roller at each side, so that the bale may be rotated on its axis at the same time as the platform is being rotated, so that the whole of the bale can be covered with plastics sheet.

The holder for the spool of wrapping material, and a seat for an operator can be disposed to one side of the chassis, and a motor and hydraulic reservoir to the other side, leaving a clear path for the bale to be passed along the chassis.

A preferred embodiment of bale wrapping apparatus according to the invention will now be described, with referrence to the accompanying drawings, by way of example. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side view of the apparatus; Fig. 2 is a perspective view from above and to one side; and Fig. 3 diagrammatically illustrates the sequence of movement of a bale over the bale wrapping apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, a bale wrapping apparatus 1 is towed behind a baler 10, having a bale deflecting baffle 9. The apparatus comprises a chassis 11 with wheels 12 towards the rear, and comprising side frame members 13, 14 and a front frame member 15 from which a drawbar 16 extends forwardly to connect with a towing hitch on the baler. Between the front ends of the side frame members 13, 14 is pivoted a bale lifting frame 17 with side members 18, 19 with raised ends 23, 24 and cross members 21, 22 pivoted on a bar 20 which incorporates a hydraulic motor to operate the lifting means by rotation about the axis defined by bar 20.

The rear part of the chassis comprises a dias 25 which supports a rotatable platform 26, at opposite sides of which are mounted drivable rollers 27, 28 which operate to turn the bale on its axis at the same time as the platform is being spun. Bollards 29, 30 help retain the bale on the platform against centrifugal forces. The platform 26 is tiltable by a ram 31 to tip a bale from the back of the apparatus.

An operators seat 32 and a holder 33 for a roll of plastics film 34 are mounted on the right hand side of the chassis, and an internal combustion engine 35 and hydraulic accumulator on the left hand side, leaving a central passage clear of superstructure for movement of the bale.

The engine 35 produces power to operate the hydraulics, and rotate platform 26 and the rollers 27, 28, while the accumulator 36 powers the hydraulic motor in bar 20, and the ram 31 for tilting the platform.

The operating sequence is illustrated in Fig. 3. A bale 40 is dropped from the baler 10 after completion, and rolls from the baffle 9 (40a) into the lifting frame 17 (40b). The hydraulic motor is then operated (40c), and the bale lifted onto the platform 26 (40d). The operator then engages the end of the plastic film 34 with the bale and sets the turntable spinning, and the bale is twirled round rapidly and simultaneously rotated by the rollers 27, 28, causing the bale to become quickly shrouded in the film. The platform is stopped, and the film cut off, and the ram 31 operated to tip the bale from the platform (40e).

The bale wrapping apparatus can be towed behind a baler so that wrapping takes place effectively as part of the same operation as baling.

The operation can be accomplished with one tractor, and with an assistant operating the wrapping machine so that it is not necessary to stop as each bale is dropped to the bale wrapper, although such could be done if only a driver is available.

In a developed version of the invention, the wrapper may be controlled to carry out the sequence of steps automatically, in response to switches tripped by the movement of the bale. Such switches could be located on the lift frame and the platform, with rotation of the platform being terminated by a timer which also operates the tilting ram.

By wrapping in the same field operation as baling, any delay with accompanying risk of weather damage or even loss to the crop is avoided. Also a single tractor operation is more economic to undertake than two separate tractor operations.

Claims

1. Bale wrapping apparatus comprising a chassis with at least one pair of wheels and adapted to be towed behind a baler, a bale lift means located to recieve a bale ejected by the baler and lift the bale onto a rotatable platform behind the lift means, means for carring -bale wrapping material on the chassis, means for rotating the platform, and means for tilting the platform to discharge a wrapped bale.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the bale lift means is a frame mounted between frame members of the chassis in the front part of the chassis, and the rotatable platform has a driven roller at each side, so that the bale may rest on the rollers, and be rotated about a horizontal axis at the same time as the platform is being rotated, so that the whole surface of the bale can be presented for wrapping.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the holder for wrapping material, and a seat for an operator are disposed to one side bf the chassis, and a motor and hydraulic reservoir to the other side, leaving a clear path for the bale to be passed along the chassis.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 2 or 3 which carries its own power source for hydraulic operation of the lift means and the platform tilting means, and for rotating the platform.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 2,3 or 4 wherein the bale lift means comprises a frame having side members with upturned front ends and pivoted along its rear edge to the chassis, the pivot including a hydraulic motor for pivoting the frame to lift a bale.

6. Bale wrapping apparatus comprising a chassis with wheels towards the rear thereof, the chassis being adapted to be towed behind a baler from which bales may be ejected onto the chassis, the chassis carrying a rotatable and tiltable platform occupyihgsa rearward part thereof, and a bale lifting frame disposed in front of the platform, the frame being pivoted at its edge towards the platform for lifting a bale from the frame onto the platform, and the frame being located to receive bales as they are ejected by the baler, a clear path from end to end of the chassis being provided for passage of bales therealong, by locating all projecting parts adjacent one or other side of the chassis.

7. Bale wrapping apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.