GB2307675A

GB2307675A - Bale Processing Machine

Info

Publication number: GB2307675A
Application number: GB9524686A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Dowson Walton
Original assignee: DOWSON WALTON JOHN
Current assignee: DOWSON WALTON JOHN
Priority date: 1995-12-02
Filing date: 1995-12-02
Publication date: 1997-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 2015-12-02
Also published as: GB2307675B; GB9524686D0

Abstract

A bale handling machine comprises a towed trailer (i) having a pivoted lift arm (vii) to which is pivotally attached a frame (iix) with hooks for picking up one large or a plurality of small bales, the arrangement being such that the bales can be picked up with the lift arm moving from horizontal to vertical before the bales are placed on the trailer. Preferably a U-shaped bale collector (ix) with a balance wheel (x) is provided to collect the bales for picking up by the lift arm. Preferably the trailer has a U-shaped clamp (v) which can slide up and down the trailer platform to hold the bales. Preferably the platform is raisable by a ram (iv) to unload the stack of bales and the platform may be removable as a whole from the trailer to allow the trailer to be used for other purposes.

Description

BALE PROCESSING MACHINE The principle, for which I hope a patent may be granted; relates to a bale processing machine as used extensively in the agricultural industry.

When crops are harvested the resulting straw is mostly baled to facilitate easy, economic handling. The straw can then be used for fodder, bedding, industrial processes or increasingly, as a fuel for heat and power applications.

The bales are made in various sizes but can be categorised as small/conventional or large bales. The small bales are approximately 18" wide * 14" deep * 48" long whereas large bales are 48" wide * varying depth up to 48" * 96" long.

The most popular method of handling conventional bales is via a flat 8 or flat 10 system. The bales are accumulated behind the baler in a square 'pack' either four or five wide by two bales long (hence flat 8 or flat 10). The 'pack' is then picked up with a frame, on a loader, equipped with hooks that hold the bales from the top and permit the pack to be lifted onto a trailer or on top of each other.

Similar frames with hooks are used to handle large bales. It is unlikely that more than two or three bales are packed and lifted together therefore use of a accumulator is not crucial.

An alternative method employs self loading wagons such as the Spanish built Arcusin or the American NewHolland machines. These are towed behind a tractor in such a manner that individual bales are picked up and stacked via various mechanisms of a semi-automatic type. These machines tend to be expensive, complex and purpose built.

DESCRIPTION The described bale processing machine combines components of the two systems previously specified, used in a unique way to give advantages of performance, flexibility, compatibility, cost and size. See Fig I.

Mounted on a wheeled chassis (i) is a load platform (ii) which can pivot from the substantially horizontal position to the vertical via a pivot (iii) and a hydraulic cylinder (iv). A U clamp (v) is able to slide up and down the length of the load platform whilst side rails (vi) prevent loaded bales from falling off the platform.

At the front of the chassis a lift arm (vii) is pivoted in both horizontal planes so that the arm can lie horizontally to the side of the chassis, rotate to a vertical position and swing fore and aft towards the rear of the load platform. A frame (iix) is pivoted on the lift arm as shown. This frame is equipped with hooks operated hydraulically much the same as a flat 8 or 10 handler.

A U shaped bale collector (ix) runs on a balance wheel (x) along the side of the chassis. This collector pivots up to transport within the width of the machine.

The balance wheel may be used to transfer overturning moments( created by lifting bales offset from the side of the chassis, and the weight of the lifting arm itself )back to the ground.

A pivot (xi) may be employed between the lift arm and the hooked frame to further permit crossing of subsequent layers of bales.

OPERATION The machine is towed behind the tractor in such a way that a pack of bales or large bales are collected in the bale collector. The bales slide along the ground in a tight accumulated form.

The lift arm lowers and the frame contacts the tops of the bales where upon the hooks penetrate the bales. The hooked frame then swings up to a substantially vertical position. The lift arm then swings up to the vertical moving the bales and the frame in line with the load platform. The lift arm swings rearward so that the first layer of bales are resting on the load platform between the U clamp. The bales are clamped by the U clamp, the hooks retract and the lift arm moves forward and then down for the next pack of bales. The direction of the machine may now be changed relatively to the line of the bale packs,to pick up the next pack at 900 to the previous pack and cross the joints ofthe stack.

The process is repeated until the load platform is full whereupon the stack can be transported or simply tipped off in the field where it is completed. This is done by raising the load platform and thus the stack to the vertical position and releasing the U clamp and driving forward.

Claims

1) A bale processing machine comprising of a trailed chassis with a lift arm pivoted from a horizontal position to a vertical position with a hooked frame attached to the arm via a pivot which permits the pack of bales to bale to be swung to a substantially vertical position before the lift arm lifts the back of bale on to the line of the load platform.

2) A bale processing machine as in 1) with a U shaped bale collector to the side of the chassis at the end of the stroke of the lift arm and hooked frame.

3) A bale processing machine as in 1) with a stabilising balance wheel to the side of the chassis to compensate the resulting overturning moments of the lift arm.

4) A bale processing machine as in 1) with a U clamp slideable upon the load platform to facilitate demounting and mounting of completed stacks.

5) A bale processing machine as in 1) where the stacking unit is a replaceable with other typical agricultural equipment ie flat trailer bed, grain retaining body etc.

6) A bale processing machine as in 1) where a wrapper or a stringing/strapping device is incorporated within the machine.