GB2313090A - Bale grouping or accumulating - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for bale grouping or accumulating conveys bales from a receiving location 22 to create free space for bale manipulation. Each bale is tipped by arms 80, 82 to an edge-down lengthwise grouped configuration and collated by collator 92 into a group of at least three bales within a swingable stacking frame 94 which enables the groups to be released in a vertically-stacked arrangement. A damper bar (108,Fig.12) maintains bale security and configuration while damping turning movement of the bales into their grouped dispositions.

Description

BALE GROUPING OR ACCUMULATING This invention relates to a method and apparatus for bale grouping or accumulating.

Bale group or accumulating refers to the technique for grouping or accumulating bales discharged from a baling machine. This technique is mainly applicable to the grouping or accumulating of generally rectangular bales, usually of straw, discharged by an agricultural baling machine as it traverses an agricultural field. Such operations principally arise after grain crop harvesting, for example with a combine harvester, and balers of the kind in question usually involve a reciprocating feeder serving to progressively compress straw delivered thereto which is periodically tied with twine to produce generally rectangular bales. These bales may be from a size which has hitherto been referred-to as "small bales" which can be handled manually, through to the very much larger size, sometimes known as "big bales" which require mechanical handling.

The present invention is principally applicable to large rectangular bales but may, in some of its aspects find application to other sizes and shapes of bales.

The cost and time-effective handling of bales of the above kind leads to various requirements including a requirement for minimising and simplifying the mechanised handling of such bales, whereby the bales are not simply allowed to be discharged by the baler onto the ground at regular intervals.

In order to mechanise the handling of bales after agricultural harvesting operations, the usual practice has been to provide an agricultural front end loader or like mechanical handling vehicle which is used to lift the deposited bales onto a suitable vehicle for transport back to the farm or other location. Such an operation, as in the case of small bales, is considerably simplified if the bales are grouped or accumulated so that two or more such bales can be simultaneously picked up and suitably handled for placement on a transport vehicle.

Prior proposals in relation to the grouping or accumulation of bales relate both to small and big bales. In the case of large rectangular bales, two principal prior systems may be considered in the context of the present invention.

Firstly, there is the system disclosed in EP-A-0 464 086 in which a series of bales are transferred from the baler outlet to a travelling platform in which they are accumulated in groups of four and then deposited on the ground, each bale with its major face in an upwardly disposed attitude. This system is intended for small bales and is subject to the shortcoming that when rain occurs, all bales become wet and when the mechanical handling vehicle arrives to process the bales it is necessary to carry out at least one preliminary handling operation in order to produce a partial stack of bales.

A further prior proposal which is applicable to large rectangular bales provides for the grouping or accumulation of two such bales by arranging that a second bale is discharged on top of a first such bale so as to form a two-bale stack. This proposal is subject to the limitation that it can only accommodate two such bales and this therefore leads to more handling processes within the harvesting field which leads to the production of additional wheel tracks by the bale handling vehicle with attendant soil compaction problems resulting from this.

We have identified a need for improvements in relation to bale grouping and accumulation procedures whereby a system is provided which enables a better compromise to be achieved than has hitherto been possible amongst the desirable features relating to an ability to group more than two bales at a time, an ability to dispose the bales in a single stack so that all do not become equally wet when rain occurs, and an ability to carry out these tasks on-the-go and at a rate corresponding to the rate of discharge of bales from a conventional baling machine so that the baling process is not in any way interrupted, and the invention seeks to provide a method and apparatus providing improvements in relation to one or more of these requirements, or indeed improvements generally.

According to the invention there is provided a method and apparatus for bale grouping as defined in the accompanying claims.

In the described embodiments of the invention there is provided a method and apparatus in which a first one of two succeeding bales received from a baling machine is received at a bale receiving location and is conveyed therefrom to a bale delivery location, this conveying step being effected, with respect to the timing and speed of conveying, and with respect to the reception of the next or second bale, such that there is produced a space on the downstream side of said first one of the bales, between it and the next bale. As a result, the first and second bales are sufficiently separated that the first one of these bales is not affected by the presence of the next bale with respect to physical manipulation of the bale during grouping of the bales.

In other words, in accordance with the method, the arrangement is such that each bale can be freely manipulated in order to effect its grouping with the preceding bales, without being affected by the next following bale. In the described embodiment, the arrangement is such that a given bale is turned from being disposed lengthwise in the direction of travel with its main face upwards, to similarly lengthwise but with its side edge upwards, so as to occupy less transverse width during the grouping operation. This turning operation is effected within a space created by the conveyor before the arrival of the next following bale.

Turning now to the next main aspect of the invention, this latter relates to what may be termed the tipping of the bales, as already touched-upon in the above description. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the described embodiments provide the feature that during the grouping or accumulation process, each bale is caused to effect a turning action about an axis so located that the bale is reorientated for grouping with like-orientated bales in a more compact format than would otherwise have been the case without such re-orientation. Thus, this aspect of the invention provides the process of reorientation of the bales in order to more effectively utilise the space available within the implement for effecting the grouping operation.

In the embodiment, the bale is turned so that its second major dimension (meaning the second longest of its rectangular dimensions, namely its lateral width) is changed from extending horizontally laterally (with respect to the travel direction) to being disposed upwardly. In other words, the bale is turned on its edge so that its edge faces upwards.

Turning now to a third major aspect of the invention, this relates to what may be termed the process of collating the bales during the grouping procedure. In accordance with this process, the step of effecting grouping of the bales comprises selectively grouping the bales at either of at least two spaced locations on the apparatus whereby at least two groups or sub-groups (of at least one bale each) are formed so that these can, for example, be subsequently merged. Bale manipulation can be effected in the space between these locations.

In this way, the invention enables the provision of space for bale manipulation to be maintained in a central region of the apparatus between the two groups or sub-groups of bales so that even the third of a group of three large bales can still be provided with sufficient room for its effective manipulation, despite the presence of the preceding two bales. This feature relates generally to the first above-described concept relating to the conveying of bales from the bale reception location to the bale manipulation location. The present aspect of the invention further enhances this concept by enabling subsequent bales still to be manipulated within adequate space in the apparatus despite the presence of preceding bales in locations ready for grouping.

When, in the embodiment, the third bale has been suitably located, the two groups of bales are merged by the action of a collating member which pushes or transfers one group towards the other and thus the bales adopt their finally-grouped configuration.

Turning now to a fourth aspect of the invention, this relates to what may be termed a swinging and stacking concept according to which during the grouping procedure, the bales are movably mounted in a bale holding device. The bale holding device is mounted so as to be capable of moving from a bale receiving attitude to a bale releasing attitude.

Thus, in the embodiment, the bale holding device is pivotally mounted so that a group of three bales located therein can be moved from their horizontally stacked configuration as achieved during the collating process discussed above, to a vertically-stacked configuration in which they are ready for deposition on the ground.

In this way, the movable mounting of the bales in the mounting member enables them to be readily mechanically handled so that they change from a horizontally-disposed stack to a vertically-disposed stack which can be lifted, in due course, by a bale handling machine in one action. This change is achieved at a relatively high speed due to the controlled and gripped condition of the bales in the bale holding device.

Finally, we turn to what may be termed the damper concept of the invention, which relates to the provision of damping means for controlling the turning movement of the bales during the grouping and manipulation procedure and likewise for controlling the discharge of the bales from the bale holding device.

In the embodiment there is provided a resiliently mounted bale damping member which permits the bales to be turned by turning elements provided in the apparatus while nevertheless controlling such turning movement and ensuring that it is effected in a damped and controlled fashion.

Likewise, when the bales are to be discharged from the apparatus onto the ground, the damping member permits them to be discharged only in a damped and controlled manner so that the discharged stack of bales reaches the ground in a controlled and stable manner so that it remains exactly where it is placed for subsequent handling by mechanical handling apparatus.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig 1 shows a plan view of bale grouping or accumulating apparatus; Fig 2 shows a side elevation view of a part of the apparatus of Fig 1, the direction of viewing being indicated by arrow II in Fig 1, and Fig 2 showing the general arrangement of a bale conveyor assembly for conveying bales from a bale receiving zone to a bale manipulation zone; Fig 3 shows an end elevation view of the conveyor of Fig 2, the direction of viewing being indicated by arrows III-III in Fig 2; Fig 4 shows, a section through the conveyor apparatus of Figs 2 and 3 with the conveyor chain shown removed, the section being taken on the line IV IV in Fig 1 and showing the relationship between the driven conveyor and the associated undriven conveyor rollers; Figs 5 to 10 show, somewhat diagrammatically, a sequence of bale manipulation steps carried out with the apparatus of Figs 1 to 4, but with some modifications/simplifications of that apparatus for purposes of illustration, the direction of viewing of the apparatus being generally as indicated by arrow V in Fig 1; Fig 11 shows in a side elevation view generally indicated by arrow XI indicated in Fig 1, a schematic representation of the manner in which a stack of three bales is progressively transferred from a bale holding device onto the ground as the machine travels forward in direction F. This drawing also shows the related gripping action of the resiliently-biased damping means which provides a progressive bale-release function; Figs 12 and 13 show further views of the damping provision on the apparatus. Fig 12 shows a side elevation view of the apparatus, generally in the direction indicated by arrow XII in Fig 1, showing the pivotal mounting of a damper frame and an associated damper bar, together with its spring actuator, and Fig 13 shows a related view, generally in the forward direction indicated by arrow XIII in Fig 1, showing the corresponding rear view of the damper frame and bar; and Fig 14 shows some details of drive arrangements for the collating and tipping functions, utilising hydraulic cylinders suitably pivotally connected between the relevant moveable apparatus sub-items, the direction of viewing being generally as indicated by arrow XIV in Fig 1.

As shown in Fig 1, bale grouping or accumulating apparatus 10 comprises a mobile framework 12 mounted on ground wheels 14, 15 and adapted to be attached at 16, a hitch point, to the tow hook (not shown) of an agricultural tractor, to be drawn thereby. Apparatus 10 is constructed as a steel fabrication and is of such a size as to be able to accommodate (as will be described below) a minimum of 3 large rectangular bales (sometimes called "bigbales") at a time.

It will be noted that ground wheel 15 is moveable between an inboard position 18 and an outboard position 20, the latter being adopted in field operations to provide room for, and stability for, a swinging and stacking operation to be described more fully below.

The general layout and construction of apparatus 10 is such that it is adapted to receive bales at a bale receiving location 22 at its forward end (with respect to direction F of forward travel of the apparatus in use), and the bales are conveyed rearwards to a bale manipulation zone or location 24.

In the bale manipulation zone 24 the bales are manipulated and turned, as will be more fully described below, and then grouped suitably for final delivery at one side of the machine at a bale delivery zone or location 26. When apparatus 10 is in use, wheel 15 is in the field-operations position indicated at 20.

Looking first at the procedure for creating space and time for bale manipulation in zone 24, there is provided bale conveying means 28 comprising a hydraulically driven conveyor 30 and associated freely rotatable bale-support rollers 32 adapted to permit a bale to freely roll in a rearwards direction under the action of conveyor 30.

Although bale conveying means is indicated in Fig 1 generally by arrow 28, and support rollers 32 are shown in Fig 1, the structure and arrangement of hydraulically driven conveyor 30 is shown in Figs 2 and 3. As there shown, conveyor 30 comprises a double chain 34 mounted around end sprockets 36, 38 and driven by a drive chain 40 from a drive sprocket 42 driven by an hydraulic motor (not shown).

As shown in Fig 2, conveying chain 34 has mounted thereon at spaced intervals bale feeder members 44 in the form of upstanding plates adapted to co-operate with and push bales lengthwise of the bale conveying means 28 as chain 34 is driven by its motor. Each plate 44 has an associated channel-section mounting 46 carrying rollers 48 which are located within channels 50, 52 mounted on and upstanding from central chassis members 54, 56. As shown in Fig 3, the double conveying chains 34 are supported through sprockets 36, 38 (see Fig 2) through shafts 58 journaled in bearings 60 carried by chassis members 54, 56.

Fig 4 shows, additionally, the relationship of bale feeder members 44 to the associated bale support rollers 32. These latter are journaled on channels 50 at their inner ends and likewise on supports 62 carried on outer chassis members 64, 66, which are also seen in Fig 1.

Figs 12 and 13 show some further details of the relationship between framework 12 and its structural components including support 62 and chassis members 64, 66 together with the mountings 68, 72 for wheels 14, 15. There is shown in Fig 12 the mounting 72 for wheel 15 whereby it can be moved between its positions at 18 and 20 as shown in Fig 1. As can clearly be seen in Fig 1, ground wheel 15 is mounted on a trailing arm 74 which can be caused to slide in and out laterally between the positions indicated at 18 and 20, and selectively locked in either position according to requirements.

Turning now to the construction and operation of the bale manipulation zone 24, it will be seen from Fig 1 that there is provided at zone 24 a pair of bale tipping elements 76, 78. These are constructed and arranged in overlapping but individually operable configuration. Each bale tipping element comprises tipping arms 80, 82 which engage the underside of a bale located generally centrally thereof after delivery of same from bale conveying means 28. The bale tipping arms 80, 82 are respectively pivoted about axes 84, 86 at their respective outboard ends so that each one tips a bale, when actuated in an outward direction with respect to the longitudinal centre line 88 of apparatus 10. The hydraulic drives for the bale tipping elements 76, 78 will be described below.

To co-operate with the bale tipping and manipulating facilities described above, there is provided, additionally, a bale collating facility which can also be seen in Fig 1. Thus, the collating facility comprises, firstly the above-described bale tipping facility comprising bale tipping arms 80, 82.

The bale collating facility further comprises a facility for merging the groups or sub-groups (of one or more bales) formed by the tipping facility so as to produce a merged group of bales, comprising two or more such bales.

For this purpose, there is provided a bale conveying and merging facility 90 comprising a movably mounted and driveable collating member 92 which is selectively operable to move in the lateral direction L under the control of the drives indicated in Fig 14 so as to effect merging or collating of groups or subgroups of bales as described below with reference to Figs 5 to 10.

Turning therefore to the structure shown in Figs 5 to 10, this will now be described. There is shown in Figs 5 to 10, somewhat diagrammatically, a bale holding device 94 which will be described in more detail below and broadly comprises a mild steel fabrication in which a series of bales can be located and resiliently held while grouping and collating of same proceeds so that, subsequently, the grouped bales can be manipulated in a swinging action so that they become relatively disposed in a vertical stack for deposition on the ground as such.

Accordingly, bale holding device 94 will not presently be described further and the matters illustrated in Figs 5 to 10 will be described mainly with reference to the bale manipulation and grouping and collating operations.

Accordingly, and referring first to Fig 5, it will be seen that a bale 96 is received within bale holding device 94 at bale manipulation zone 24 and is positioned over bale tipping arms 80 and 82. It should be noted that, in Figs 5 to 10, the bales shown in these figures at 96, 98 and 100 are also identified, respectively as A, B and C. Moreover, for ease of positional interpretation, the designations A, B and C are shown in attitudes corresponding to the attitude of the bale in question. In other words, when bale A is shown on its side, its designation "A" is likewise shown on its side, and so on.

Accordingly, the bale manipulation and grouping and collating processes can now be interpreted with reference to Figs 5 to 10, as follows. Firstly, as shown in Figs 5 and 6, bale 96, which initially has its major longitudinal axis extending in direction F and its next longer longitudinal axis (its width as seen in Fig 5) extending laterally in direction L, is turned to by tipper arm 80 to the position shown in Fig 6.

Then, the next bale 98 arrives and is likewise turned to the left by tipper arm 82, as shown in Fig 7 Then a third bale, 100, is likewise tipped to the left, as shown in Fig 8. Then, collating member 92 is driven from left to right as seen in Fig 8, thereby grouping the bales 96, 100 and 98 in the group shown in Fig 9.

As shown in Fig 10, bale holding device 94 is mounted so as to be moveable about a pivot axes 102 between the positions shown in Figs 9 and 10. The hydraulic drive for effecting same is indicated in Fig 14 and will be described below. The Fig 10 position is such that bale 96 is positioned with its major side face 104 facing downwards and in close proximity to the ground surface 106, for deposition thereon as the lowermost bale of a stack of three 96, 100 and 98.

In the above sequence, the collating member 92 is preferably retained at the position shown in Fig 7, with bale B in place until the next bale C arrives.

Then, bale B can be briefly moved outwards to make room for bale C (see Fig 8) and then both bale C and Bale B are moved, as shown in Fig 9 to the grouped position ready for swinging and stacking as shown in Fig 10. By maintaining bale B at its Fig 7 position while bale C is formed (which may take a significant length of time in a thin crop) the mass of the bales is maintained centrally for a longer period of time than would be the case if bale B were moved outwards by collating member 92. As a result, bale B is only at its outward (Fig 8) position for a relatively short period of time of, say, 5 to 10 seconds. This minimises loading on the corresponding ground wheel.

In this latter regard, concerning manipulation of the stack of bales and the preceding and subsequent steps of grouping and delivering same, there is provided a damping facility, which will now be described with reference to Figs 11, 12 and 13.

As shown in those figures, there is provided a resiliently-mounted damper member 108 in the form of a damper frame 110 which is pivotally mounted at 112 and 114 for angular movement about the corresponding transverse pivot axes. Coiled tensioned springs 116, 118 act between damper frame 110 and the machine frame to bias the damper frame in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig 12 so that damper member 108 is able to resiliently resist upward movement of bales as they are turned by the bale tipping arms 80, 82 during the bale grouping and manipulating procedure. Likewise, the damper member also effects a restraining and damping effect on the discharge of the stack of bales 96, 100, 98 from the bale holding device 94 as indicated in Fig 10 and shown in relation to the ground in Fig 11.

Stop means (not shown) is provided to define the indicated position in Figs 12 and 13 of damper frame 110. As indicated in Fig 9 at location 120 however, the damper frame can rise to accommodate the tipping movement of bales 96, 98 and 100 from the position shown in Fig 5 to that in Fig 6. As the bale turns, its uppermost edge 122 (see Fig 5) engages the lower surface of damper member 108 whereby it is able to continue to turn, but with a damped movement.

It is to be noted that the bale holding device 94 shown in Figs 5 to 10 is indicated somewhat diagrammatically with respect to the showing of same in Figs 1 and 12 and 13 which represents the physical embodiment more exactly. Accordingly, it will be understood that the bale holding device 94 may be provided, as shown in Figs 1, 12 and 13 by (at the upper side in the bale-grouping configuration of the apparatus as shown in Figs 1, 12 and 13) the damper frame 110 and the damper member 108, together with (at the under side) a complementary frame element 124 and associated end structure 126, which form the actuatable structure 94 shown in Figs 9 and 10 in its untipped horizontal position for bale collating and grouping, and its tipped bale depositing upright attitude respectively.

The pivot axis for movement between these positions is shown at 102 in Figs 9 and 10.

Fig 11 illustrates the damping function of damper member 108 and the associated frame 110 in its upright attitude adopted for bale delivery from the grouped and vertically-stacked configuration illustrated in Fig 10.

As can readily be seen in Fig 11, the bales 96, 100 and 98 are held by the action of springs 116 and 188 (see Figs 12 and 13) between damper member 108 and frame elements 124. The thus, produced gripping action serves to damp the outward movement of the bales as the lowermost bale 96 touches the ground 106 at the region 128 and thus the stack of bales is gently and progressively released onto the ground in a controlled manner.

In order to maintain the bales in a partiallysupported condition in bale holding device 94 and in the vertically-stacked attitude shown in Figs 10 and 11 there are provided bale supports or stops 130 and 132 at the end of the bale holding device 94 which is lowermost in its Fig 10 configuration. These stops serve to prevent uncontrolled discharge of the bale stack while permitting ground contact thereof at region 128 as shown in Fig 11.

Turning now to the drive systems shown in Fig 14, it will be seen that these comprise a series of hydraulic cylinders acting between the machine framework 12 and the relevant driven structures.

Thus, collating member 92 is controlled in its lateral movement L by a relatively long stroke cylinder 134 disposed with its longitudinal axis extending laterally. Tipping of the bale tipping elements 76 and 78 is controlled by tipper cylinders 136 and 138, these being shown at 136A and 138A in their extended conditions corresponding to bale tipped positions.

Likewise, for pivoting the bale holding device 94 between its Fig 9 and Fig 10 positions there is provided a stacking cylinder 140, which is shown at 142 in its extended condition corresponding to the untipped (Fig 9) position.

Use of the apparatus will now be described.

Apparatus 10 is towed by an agricultural baler.

Bales from the baler are received at bale receiving location 22, at intervals. On receipt of each bale, it is promptly conveyed by bale conveying means 28 to bale manipulation zone 24. There, the sequence of operations described above with reference to Figs 5 to 10. In other words, the first bale is turned as shown in Figs 5 and 6 to the position shown in Fig 6. The second bale is then turned the other way as shown in Fig 7, and the third bale likewise turned the other way to the position shown at 100 in Fig 8. Then, the three edge-uppermost bales are formed into a group as indicated in Figs 8 and 9. Finally, the group of bales is swung over from the position shown in Fig 9 to the position shown in Fig 10 ready for deposition on the ground.

Deposition on the ground is accomplished in the manner indicated in Fig 11. Operation of the various drives for this sequence of operations is as indicated in Figs 2 and 3 and Fig 14.

While these operations proceed, the next bale is being discharged by the baler. This would be, effectively bale "D" in the sequence of lettering adopted in Figs 5 to 10. The interval between bales and the speed with which the above-described operations are effected is such that bale D is received at bale receiving location 22 at such a time that it reaches bale manipulation zone 24 at a time instant such that bale holding device 94 has returned to its horizontal position shown in Fig 5, where-upon bale D can then become bale "A" as shown in Fig 5 and the sequence of operations can then be repeated.

Amongst other modifications which could be made in the above embodiment while remaining within the scope of the invention are the following 1 Modifications to the structure and arrangement of the bale conveying means 28 and its relationship to succeeding operations in the bale grouping procedure; 2 Modifications to the apparatus and procedure for manipulating the bales in the bale manipulation zone including alternative directions for turning movement and alternative arrangements for the tipping or otherwise-manipulating structures therein; 3 The use of alternative damping means such as, for example, a gravity (weight) actuated system for damping in respect of bale turning; and 4 Considerable modification in the structure and arrangement of the bale holding device for swinging the group bales into a vertical stack can be contemplated.

Claims (40)

1 A method of bale grouping comprising a) receiving in sequence at least two bales at a bale receiving location; b) conveying said bales from said bale receiving location to a bale delivery location; and c) effecting grouping of said bales after said reception and prior to said delivery of said bales; characterised by d) said step of conveying a first one of said bales from said bale receiving location after said step of reception being effected with respect to the timing and speed of conveying and with respect to the reception of said next or second bale, such that there is produced a space on the downstream side of said first one of said bales between it and said next bale such that said first and second bales are sufficiently separated that the first one of said bales is not affected by the presence of said next bale with respect to physical manipulation of said bale during grouping of said bales.

2 A method of bale grouping wherein the step of conveying a first bale from a bale receiving location is effected such that there is produced a space at the downstream side of said bale between it and the next bale, whereby said bales are sufficiently separated that the first of said bales is not affected by the presence of said next bale with respect to physical manipulation of said first bale during grouping of said bales.

3 A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised by said step of conveying said bale from said bale receiving location to a bale manipulation location intermediate said bale receiving and said bale delivery locations at which said bales are manipulated prior to grouping said bales, and said step of conveying serving to deliver said bales to said bale manipulation location at spaced intervals whereby said manipulation of each bale in sequence can be effected without interference from the preceding or following bales.

4 A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterised by said step of conveying comprising conveying said bales lengthwise on a fore/aft conveyor extending in the travel direction of said apparatus and said conveyor extending more than 50% of the extent of the lengthwise travel of the bales between said bale receiving location and said bale delivery location.

5 A method of bale grouping according to claim 2 and substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6 Apparatus for bale grouping comprising a) bale receiving means adapted to receive bales from bale delivery means such as a mobile baler; b) conveying means for conveying said bales from said bale receiving location to a bale delivery location; c) bale grouping means adapted to effect grouping of said bales after said reception and prior to said delivery; characterised by d) said bale conveying means being adapted to convey a bale from said bale receiving location after reception of same and to convey same with respect to timing and speed and reception of a next or second bale such that there is produced a space on the downstream side of said bale between it and the next bale whereby said bales are sufficiently separated that a first one of said bales is not affected by the presence of a next one of said bales with respect to physical manipulation of said first one of said bales during grouping of said bales.

7 Apparatus for bale grouping characterised by bale conveying means adapted to convey bales from a bale receiving location with respect to timing and speed of conveying such that successive bales are sufficiently separated that a first one of a pair of bales is not affected by the presence of a next one of said bales with respect to physical manipulation of the first one of said bales during grouping of said bales.

8 Apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7 characterised by said bale conveying means being adapted to convey said bale from said bale receiving location to a bale manipulation location intermediate said bale receiving and bale delivery locations, at which said bales are manipulated prior to grouping said bales, and said bale conveying means being adapted to deliver said bales to said bale manipulation location at spaced intervals whereby said manipulation of each bale in sequence can be effected without interference from the preceding or following bales.

9 Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8 characterised by said bale conveying means extending lengthwise with respect to the travel direction of the apparatus more than 50% of the extent of the lengthwise travel of the bales between said bale receiving and said bale delivery locations.

10 Apparatus for bale grouping according to claim 7 substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11 A method of bale grouping comprising a) receiving in sequence at least two bales at a bale receiving location; b) conveying said bales from said bale receiving location to a bale delivery location; and c) effecting grouping of said bales after said reception and prior to said delivery of said bales; characterised by d) said step of effecting grouping comprising manipulating each bale by effecting a turning action about an axis so located that the bale is re-oriented for grouping with like-oriented bales in a more compact format than would otherwise be the case without such re-orientation.

12 Method of bale grouping characterised by the step of manipulating a bale by effecting a turning movement about an axis so located that the bale is reorientated so that succeeding bales can be more compactly grouped therewith.

13 A method according to claim 11 or claim 12 characterised by said step of manipulating comprising turning said bale about an axis extending in the fore/aft direction with respect to the direction of travel, whereby said bale is turned so that its second major dimension is changed from extending horizontally and laterally with respect to the travel direction, to upwardly with respect thereto.

14 A method according to claim 13 characterised by said turning action moving said bale to a grouped arrangement in which it is face-to-face with the major surface area and side face of an adjacent bale.

15 A method of bale grouping according to claim 12 substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16 A method of bale grouping comprising a) receiving in sequence at least two bales at a bale receiving location; b) conveying said bales from said bale receiving location to a bale delivery location; and c) effecting grouping of said bales after said reception and prior to said delivery of said bales; characterised by d) said step of effecting grouping of said bales comprising selectively grouping said bales at either of at least two spaced locations on said apparatus, whereby at least groups or sub-groups of said bales are formed for subsequent merger, and bale manipulation may be effected in said space between said locations.

17 A method of bale grouping characterised by said selectively directing bales to at least two spaced locations for subsequent merger of said groups of sub groups after manipulation of said bales in said space between said locations.

18 A method of bale grouping according to claim 16 or claim 17 characterised by the step of joining said groups or sub- groups of bales prior to delivery of said grouped bales at said bale delivery location.

19 Apparatus for bale grouping comprising a) bale receiving means adapted to receive bales from bale delivery means such as a mobile baler; b) conveying means for conveying said bales from said bale receiving location to a bale delivery location; c) bale grouping means adapted to effect grouping of said bales after said reception and prior to said delivery; characterised by d) said grouping means being adapted to locate bales at either of at least two spaced locations on said apparatus whereby at least two groups or subgroups of said bales are formed for subsequent merger, and bale manipulation may be effected in said space between said locations.

20 Apparatus for bale grouping characterised by bale grouping means adapted to deliver bales selectively to each of at least two spaced locations for the formation of corresponding groups or sub-groups of bales for subsequent merger.

21 Apparatus according to claim 19 or claim 20 characterised by bale group/sub-group merging means adapted to join said groups or sub-groups of bales prior to delivery.

22 A method of bale grouping comprising a) receiving in sequence at least two bales at a bale receiving location; b) conveying said bales from said bale receiving location to a bale delivery location; and c) effecting grouping of said bales after said reception and prior to said delivery of said bales; characterised by d) effecting said grouping of bales in a movably mounted bale holding device; and e) moving said bale holding device and said bales from a bale receiving attitude to a bale releasing attitude; and f) releasing said bales.

23 A method of bale grouping characterised by movably mounting a group or sub-group of bales in a bale holding device and moving said device from a bale receiving attitude to a bale releasing attitude and releasing said bales.

24 A method according to claim 22 characterised by the step of moving said holding device about a pivot axis for said movement to said bale releasing attitude.

25 A method according to claim 24 characterised by moving said bale holding device about a fore/aft axes so that said bales move from a laterally-extending grouping to a vertically-extending grouping.

26 A method according to claim 25 characterised by the step of allowing the lowermost bale of said vertically extending grouping to at least make contact with the ground so that partial removal of said stack commences due to movement in the forward travel direction.

27 Apparatus for bale grouping comprising a) bale receiving means adapted to receive bales from bale delivery means such as a mobile baler; b) conveying means for conveying said bales from said bale receiving location to a bale delivery location; c) bale grouping means adapted to effect grouping of said bales after said reception and prior to said delivery; characterised by d) a movably mounted bale holding device adapted to receive said group bales; and e) said bale holding device being adapted to move from a bale receiving attitude to a bale releasing attitude; and f) said bale holding device being adapted to release said bales.

28 Apparatus for bale grouping characterised by movably mounted bale holding means adapted to move a group of bales from a bale receiving attitude to a bale releasing attitude.

29 Apparatus according to claim 27 or claim 28 characterised by said bale holding device being pivotally mounted.

30 Apparatus according to claim 29 characterised by said bale holding device being pivotally mounted about a fore/aft axis so that said bales move from a laterally-extending grouping to a vertically-extending grouping.

31 Apparatus according to claim 30 characterised by said bale holding device being adapted to allow the lowermost one of said bales in said verticallyextending grouping to at least make contact with the ground so that forward motion of the apparatus causes partial removal of said stack.

32 A method of bale grouping comprising a) receiving in sequence at least two bales at a bale receiving location; b) conveying said bales from said bale receiving location to a bale delivery location; and c) effecting grouping of said bales after said reception and prior to said delivery of said bales; characterised by d) said step of grouping said bales comprising manipulating each bale by effecting a turning movement thereof, and said method comprising causing damping means to damp such movement while permitting same.

33 A method of grouping bales characterised by manipulating each bale by turning same while causing damping means to damp such movement.

34 A method according to claim 32 or claim 33 characterised by said damping means comprising a resiliently-mounted damping member, and the method comprises causing same to resiliently resist but nevertheless to permit such movement.

35 A method according to any one of claims 32 to 34 characterised by causing said damping member to resiliently resist said turning movement while permitting same.

36 Apparatus for bale grouping comprising a) bale receiving means adapted to receive bales from bale delivery means such as a mobile baler; b) conveying means for conveying said bales from said bale receiving location to a bale delivery location; c) bale grouping means adapted to effect grouping of said bales after said reception and prior to said delivery; characterised by d) said bale grouping means being adapted to manipulate each bale by effecting a turning movement thereof and damping means being provided operative to damp such movement while permitting same.

37 Bale grouping means characterised by damping means adapted to damp turning movement of said bales while permitting same.

38 Apparatus according to claim 36 or claim 37 characterised by said damping means comprising a resiliently mounted damping member adapted to resilient resist but to permit turning movement of said bales.

39 A method of bale grouping comprising a) receiving in sequence at least two bales at a bale receiving location; b) conveying said bales from said bale receiving location to a bale delivery location; and c) effecting grouping of said bales after said reception and prior to said delivery of said bales; characterised by d) the step of causing a resiliently-mounted bale-release member to permit progressive bale release onto the ground when a bale of a bale group at least partially engages the ground.

40 Apparatus for bale grouping comprising a) bale receiving means adapted to receive bales from bale delivery means such as a mobile baler; b) conveying means for conveying said bales from said bale receiving location to a bale delivery location; c) bale grouping means adapted to effect grouping of said bales after said reception and prior to said delivery; characterised by d) providing a resiliently-mounted bale release member adapted to permit progressive bale release as a group of bales makes contact with the ground.