GB2324498A - Round baler - Google Patents

Abstract

A round baler can bale crop whilst being towed along a path by a tractor. The baler comprises a crop pickup (220), one or more baling chambers (222A,222B) in which a round bale can be formed, and a crop transporter (270) which carries crop from the pickup (220) to the or each baling chamber (222A,222B). The pickup (220) is disposed to be transversely offset from the path of the baler to pick up crop which has passed by one side of the tractor, crop being carried by the transporter (270) from the pickup (220) to the baling chamber (222A,222B) in a direction at least partially transversely to the path. Preferred embodiments include two or more baling chambers which are independently operable to allow a bale to be formed in one chamber while a completer bale is being wrapped in another chamber. Some embodiments also have a carrier on which a completed bale can be carried externally of a baling chamber.

Description

ROUND BALER The present invention relates to round balers.

Round balers have for some time becoming the most widely-used type of baler for baling crop such as hay, straw and silage. They have largely replaced the more traditional type of square balers.

Known round balers are intended to be towed behind and powered by a tractor. The baler comprises a pickup which follows closely behind the tractor to pick up cut crop. The crop must be gathered onto rows over which the tractor drives. The rows of crop passing between the wheels of the tractor. The crop is passed from the pickup into a baling chamber mounted behind and above the pickup, were it is formed into a round bale, the axis of which is generally transverse to the direction of travel of the tractor. Once the bale is fully formed, the baler ties it, typically with either twine or a net material, and the completed bale is then ejected rearwards.

Round balers of the type described in the lastpreceding paragraph have several disadvantages.

For example, the location of a baler directly behind a tractor makes it difficult, uncomfortable, and possibly unhealthy to use over a long period. The tractor driver must constantly twist around in the tractor seat in order to watch the baler to ensure its proper operation. It is essential that the tractor driver guides crop evenly into all parts of the pickup if a good cylindrical bale is to be formed, so constant observation of the baler is required.

Location of the baler directly behind the tractor also means that the crop must be formed into mounds sufficiently low in height to pass under the tractor.

Additionally, baling cannot continue while the bale is being tied, nor can baling continue until the bale is ejected from the baler. Both of these limitations can result in inconvenience or wasted time.

It is a first aim of the invention to provide a round baler which is more convenient and efficient in use.

According to a first of its aspects, the invention provides a round baler operative to bale crop whilst being towed along a path by a tractor, the baler comprising a crop pickup, a baling chamber in which a round bale can be formed, and a crop transporter which carries crop from the pickup to the baling chamber, in which the pickup is disposed to be transversely offset from the path of the baler to pick up crop which has passed by one side of the tractor, crop being carried by the transporter from the pickup to the baling chamber in a direction at least partially transversely to the path.

There is substantially no height restriction for the crop since it not pass under the tractor. Furthermore, the pickup is much easier to see from the tractor cab, with the result that the driver need not twist around in his or her seat in order to monitor its operation.

Furthermore, since the tractor does not drive over crop to be baled, the crop can be spread out evenly on the field - it is not necessary to form it into rows.

Preferably, the baling chamber being disposed to form the bale such that the axis of the bale is substantially aligned with the path.

In balers in accordance with the last preceding paragraph, the bale is formed in axial alignment with the path of the baler. This means that formed bales can be ejected to one side onto ground over which the baler has already passed, and which is therefore free of crop.

Additionally, this arrangement of the baling chamber may simplify the transmission arrangement which takes power from the tractor to the baling chamber.

As was discussed above, care must be taken to ensure that crop is fed evenly into the baling chamber, if a good, cylindrical bale is to be formed. This problem is substantially reduced by a baler embodying the first aspect of the invention which helps the driver to observe the baling process much more easily. However, in some circumstances, it may be desirable to reduce the risk of uneven baling still further.

According to as second of its aspects, the invention provides a round baler operative to bale crop whilst being towed along a path behind a tractor, the baler comprising a crop pickup, a baling chamber in which a round bale can be formed, and a crop transporter which carries crop from the pickup to the baling chamber, in which the crop transporter is operative to deliver crop to all parts of the baling chamber cyclically during operation of the baler.

This arrangement ensures that crop is distributed evenly over all of the baling chamber, so reducing the chance of a barrel-shaped or frusto-conical bale being formed.

In a preferred embodiment, the crop transporter has a outlet which directs crop into the baling chamber, which outlet is caused to move cyclically across the width of an entry to the baling chamber to ensure that crop is delivered evenly across the axial extent of the bale. The outlet may be caused to move hydraulically, by a rack and pinon drive, or by any other suitable mechanism.

It is quite common for baling to be carried out by contractors who are paid for the number of bales that they produce. To such contractors, the speed at which bales can be produced is of particular importance.

Having this in mind, the present invention provides, in a third of its aspects, a round baler operative to bale crop whilst being towed along a path behind a tractor, the baler comprising a crop pickup, a first and a second baling chamber in each of which a round bale can be formed, and a crop transporter which carries crop from the pickup to one or other baling chamber, the baler being operable such that on completion of a first bale in the first baling chamber, the crop transporter operates to direct crop for baling to the second baling chamber, while the bale in the first baling chamber is tied.

It will thus be understood that following formation of a bale, it is not necessary to stop baling while when bale is being tied. Baling can continue in the second chamber while the bale in the first is tied.

Of course, the baler will also, in substantially all embodiments, be operable such that a bale can be tied in the second chamber while a bale is being formed in the first chamber, thereby allowing baling to take place substantially continuously.

Most advantageously, a baler embodying the third aspect of the invention will have a crop transporter of the type defined in the second aspect of the invention.

Conveniently, in any aspect of the above described aspects of the invention, the baler may further comprise a bale carrier disposed to receive a completed bale which has been ejected from the or each baling chamber. By this provision, it is not necessary to drop a completed bale in order to recommence baling. Instead, a completed bale can be carried on the baler to a convenient location even during the formation of a further bale in the baling chamber. In embodiments which comprise more than one baling chamber, there is preferably provided a respective bale carrier for each of the baling chambers.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a baler being a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the baler of Figure 1 with a pair of wheels removed for clarity; Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a baler being a second embodiment of the invention; Figures 4 and 5 are, respectively, left and right side views of the baler of Figure 3; Figure 6 shows, diagrammatically, a possible arrangement for moving a component of the baler from an operative to an inoperative position; and Figure 7 shows, diagrammatically, a possible arrangement for enhancing the baler's ability to collect cut crop.

With reference first to Figures 1 ad 2, there will now be described a first baler embodying the first and second aspects of the invention.

The baler comprises a chassis 10 about which it is constructed. The chassis 10 carries a tow-bar 12 by means of which the chassis can be connected to a towing hitch of a tractor. The tow-bar 12 projects from the chassis in a forward direction A, this being the direction of the path in which the baler normally travels in use.

On a rearward part of the chassis there is carried a pair of wheels 14 (not shown in Fig 2). The wheels are disposed for rotation about a transverse axis to support the chassis 10 and to allow the baler to be travel forwardly.

The baler further comprises a crop pickup unit 20 which is connected to the chassis 10 in a manner which will be described below. The construction of a suitable crop pickup unit (for example, of the type comprising a rotating drum on which is carried a multiplicity of tines) is substantially conventional and known to those skilled in the field, and will not therefore be discussed here further. The pickup unit 20 is disposed to the right-hand side of the chassis 10 (when viewed along its normal direction of travel A) such that it picks up cut crop which has passed by the right-hand side of the tractor as the tractor is driven forward. A pair of wheels 26 are carried on the crop pickup unit 20 to support it, and to enable it to travel with the chassis 10.

The crop pickup unit 20 is connected to a crop transporter 70. The crop transporter 70 receives crop gathered by the pickup unit 20, and transports it generally transversely towards the chassis 10, and then delivers it at an outlet comprising discharge chute 72 for baling in a baling chamber 22, as will be described below. The internal construction of the crop transporter will be described below, with reference to Figure 3.

The baling chamber 22 is carried on the chassis 10.

The internal construction of the baling chamber may be conventional. Specific adaptation of the baling chamber 22 may be required for use in embodiments of the invention. However, such adaptation is restricted to details of construction such as will be a matter of routine to a skilled person.

Rotational drive for the baling chamber is transmitted by a shaft (310 in Fig 4) from a power takeoff of the tractor. It will be appreciated that there is no requirement in a baler of this type to provide a right-angle drive gearbox of the type used in a conventional baler.

The baling chamber 22 is disposed on the chassis 10 such that it forms a round bale with an axis disposed substantially in alignment with the normal direction of travel A of the baler. The baling chamber 22 has a feed opening 24, through which crop to be baled is fed. The feed opening 24 is directed rightwards - that is, generally towards the pickup 20 to receive crop emerging from the discharge chute 72 of the crop transporter. The baling chamber 22 also has an exit door 28 which can be opened to eject a completed bale towards the left-hand side of the baler.

The pickup unit 20 is connected to the chassis through a transversely-extending frame 30. The frame 30 is connected to the pickup unit 20 at an outer bearing 32 so as to permit the pickup unit 20 to pivot with respect to the frame 30 about an axis substantially parallel to the normal direction of travel A of the baler. The frame 30 is also connected to the chassis 10 such that it can pivot with respect to the chassis 10 about an axis generally parallel to the normal direction of travel A of the baler. This allows the pickup unit 20 to pivot and move vertically with respect to the chassis 10, this being required to permit movement of the baler over uneven ground.

As will be seen more clearly in Figure 3, (where the frame is designated 230) the frame 30 comprises a first arm 34 which extends substantially transversely from the bearing 32 towards the chassis 10. The frame comprises a second arm 36 which is fixed to the first arm inwardly of the outer bearing 32. From there, a first portion of the second arm 36 extends towards the chassis 10 at an angle of approximately 450 rearwardly of the baler, to connect to a second portion of the second arm 36 which extends inwardly towards the chassis 10. Each arm 34,36 carries a respective inner bearing 38, the inner bearings being disposed to permit pivotal movement about a common axis X.

The inner bearings 38 are each carried on a common carrier 40. The carrier 40 comprises a platform 42 on which the bearings 38 are supported. A plurality of spigots 44 extend generally downwardly from the platform 42, there being a respective wheel 46 carries at an end of each spigot 44, the wheels each being rotatable about a respective axis which is substantially vertical during normal use of the baler. Each wheel 46 has an outer profile in which is formed a V-shaped groove. There is further provided on the carrier 40 a motor (which may be hydraulic or electric) and which can be more clearly seen in Fig 5. The motor drives a shaft for rotation about an axis which is substantially vertical during normal use of the baler. A spur gear is secured to the shaft. The motor and the spur gear are shown in the second embodiment at 260 and 262 respectively, and are substantially identical to the components of the present embodiment.

An elongate carrying rod 50 is fixed to the chassis, extending generally parallel to the direction of movement A of the baler in normal use. The carrying rod 50 has horizontally opposed edge profiles which fit closely into the grooves of the wheels 46, the dimensions of the carrying rod 50 and the spacing apart of the wheels 46 being chosen to allow the carrier 40 to be slidably supported on and restrained with the carrying rod 50.

The carrying rod 50 also carries a rack gear 52 which extends along its length. The spur gear 62 engages with the rack, such that rotation of the shaft by the motor 60 causes the spur gear 62 to travel along the rack 52, thereby to drive the carrier 40 along the carrying rod 50.

For storage the pickup unit 20, the crop transporter 70, and the frame 30 are pivoted, as one, about the axis of the carrying rod 50 such that the pickup unit 20 stands substantially upright above the chassis 10, as shown at 20' in Figure 2.

The above-described baler operates as follows.

The baler is drawn forward over cut crop, with the baling chamber 22 being driven by the tractor. Crop is gathered by the pickup 20, and carried by the crop transporter 70 to be delivered at the discharge chute 72 into the feed opening 24 of the baling chamber.

Simultaneously, the motor 60 is continuously driven and repeated reversed in direction to drive the carrier 40 backwards and forwards along the length of the carrying rod 50. In this manner, crop is delivered evenly to all parts of the feed opening to ensure that the bale is evenly formed. Once the bale is complete, the tractor must be stopped while the bale is tied. Once tying in completed, the exit door is then opened to eject the finished bale.

A first improvement to the above described baler will now be made with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

A bale carrier 80 is mounted on the chassis 10, projecting transversely leftwards from it. The bale carrier 80 is disposed to receive a finished bale which has been ejected from the baling chamber 22, in order that the bale can be carried on the baler while a further bale is being formed in the chamber 22. The completed bale can the be left at a convenient place. The finished bale may be deposited before a second bale is finished.

Alteratively, once a second bale is finished, the two bales can be left together at a convenient place.

The bale carrier 80 comprises a fabrication of metal tubes having first and second end frames 82 interconnected by inner and outer bale support members 86, 87, an upper member 88, and an outer member 100, the bale support members 86,87, the upper member 88, and the outer member 100 all being of equal length.

The end frames 82 are substantially identical to one another. Each end frame 82 comprises an L-shaped tube 90, at one end of which there is fixed a bearing 92. The bearing 92 is secured to the chassis 10 to allow the Lshaped tube to pivot in a vertical plane, substantially perpendicular to the normal direction of travel A of the baler. From the bearing 92, a first portion of the Lshaped tube extends, in normal use, generally downwards, and a second portion of the tube extends from the first portion generally horizontally, and transversely away from the chassis 10, to terminate at an outer end disposed to the left-hand side of the chassis.

Each end frame further comprises a hoop member formed 94 from a semi-circular length of metal tube. The hoop member 94 is welded to the second portion of the Lshaped tube 90, from where the hoop member 94 extends transversely away from the chassis 10. A bracing member 96, formed from a straight length of metal tube, extends from the bearing 92, to which it is fixed, to an intermediate part of the hoop member 94 at which part the hoop member 94 and the bracing member 96 are welded together.

Remote from the L-shaped member, a short projecting member 98 of metal tube is welded to an end portion of the hoop member 94, the short projecting member 98 being directed transversely inwardly towards the chassis 10.

The upper member 88 comprises a straight length of metal tube, opposite ends of which are welded to the midpoints of the hoop members 94 of the two end frames 82.

The inner and outer support members 86,87 each comprise straight lengths of metal tube which extend longitudinally between, respectively, end portions of the second portions of the L-shaped tubes 90 of the end frames 82, and end portions of the short projecting members 98 of the end frames 82.

The outer member interconnects the end frames 82 at end portions of the hoop members 94 remote from the chassis 10.

The dimensions of the bale carrier 80 are selected to correspond with the size of bales made by the baler.

The length of the support members 86,87 are a small amount greater than the axial length of the bales. The spacing between the support members is less than the diameter of the bales. The radius of the hoop member 94 is greater than the radius of the bales.

A supporting wheel 102 is carried on the outer member 100 such that it can support the bale carrier 80 during normal movement of the baler. Connecting the supporting wheel 102 to the outer member 100 is a hydraulic jack 104, whereby the relative vertical positions of the wheel 102 and the bale carrier 80 can be adjusted under the control of the tractor driver.

A bale ejected from the baling drum 24 is directed towards the adjacent bale carrier 80. While the hydraulic jack 104 is in a position such that the carrier 80 is raised well clear of the ground, the bale is freely supported on the support members 86,87, as shown at B in Figure 3. If, during normal motion of the baler, the jack 104 is operated to cause the carrier 80 to lower, the bale will touch the ground, and stop moving with the baler. It will then slide along the support members, to pass clear of the bale carrier under the hoop member 94 of the rear end frame 82.

The bale carrier 80 can be pivoted to a vertical position (at 80') above the chassis 10 about its bearings 92 for transport and storage.

With reference now to Figures 3 to 5, a baler being a second embodiment of the invention will now be described.

The baler of the second embodiment shares many features of construction with the baler of the first embodiment, described above. Components of the second embodiment will be given reference numerals equal to those given to the components of the first embodiment, plus 200. Where components of the two embodiments are substantially identical, they will not be described again here.

The baler comprises a chassis 210, a tow-bar 212, a pair of wheels 214, a crop pickup unit 220, and a crop transporter 270, each of which is similar to its counterpart in the first embodiment, subject to comments appearing below.

The principal feature of the baler of the second embodiment is that it comprises two baling chambers 222A, 222B mounted axially in alignment, end-to-end on a chassis 210. Naturally, the chassis 210 has to be of sufficient length to accommodate these two baling chambers 222A, 222B.

The carrying rod 250 is of sufficient length to allow the carrier 240 to move along a longitudinal path of sufficient length to allow crop to be delivered into one or other of the feed openings 224A, 224B of the baling chambers 220A, 220B. In Figure 3, the frame 230 is shown at the forward extreme of its travel carrying the crop pickup 220 and the crop transporter 270, and (at 230') at the rearward extreme of its travel with the crop pickup 220 and the crop transporter 270 for clarity.

In a similar manner, the bale carrier 280 is of sufficient length to be able to simultaneously carry a bale received from each of the baling chambers 224A, 224B, but is otherwise of similar construction to the bale carrier 80 of the first embodiment. The bale carrier 280 is provided with two supporting wheels 302A,302B and jacks 304A,304B in order to provide sufficient support for the bale carrier 280 over its length. As with the first embodiment, the bale carrier 280 should not be considered to be an essential feature of embodiments of the invention.

Some additional detail will now be described, with reference to Figure 3. These details apply equally to the baler of the first embodiment.

The crop transporter 270 may suitably comprise an Archimedean screw 320, gathered crop being delivered to it in a radial direction by the cop pickup 220. Rotation of the screw causes crop to be transported axially along its length to the discharge chute 272 of the crop transporter 270.

Operation of the baler of the second embodiment will now be described.

The baler is drawn forward over cut crop, with the baling chamber 222 being driven by the tractor. Crop is gathered by the pickup 220, and carried by the crop transporter 270 to be delivered at the discharge chute 272 into the feed opening 224A of first the baling chamber 222A. Simultaneously, the motor 260 is continuously driven and repeated reversed in direction to drive the carrier 240 backwards and forwards along the carrying rod 250 so that the transporter delivers crop evenly to all parts of the feed opening 224A. Once the bale is complete, the carrier 240 is moved by the motor 260 along the carrying rod 250, such that the crop transporter delivers crop to the feed opening 224B of the other baling chamber 222B. A second bale is then be formed in the second baling chamber 222B, during which time, the motor 260 drives the carrier 240 backwards and forwards to deliver crop to all parts of the feed opening 224B.

At the same time as the second bale is being formed in the second baling chamber 222B, the previously completed bale in the first baling chamber 222A can be tied. Once tying is complete, the finished bale may be ejected from the first baling chamber 222A, which is then available for forming a further bale. It is, of course, possible to tie the second bale in the second baling chamber 222B while a further bale is being formed in the first baling chamber 222A.

It will therefore be understood that it is possible to form and tie bales continuously in the baler of the second embodiment, there being no need to stop baling while a previously-formed bale is tied.

Where a bale carrier 280 is provided, completed bales may be carried in the baler. In this embodiment, a total of four completed bales can be carried (two in the carrier 280 and one in each chamber 222A, 222B).

This permits a great deal of flexibility of operation.

The operator is allowed complete freedom to choose whether a completed bale is carried or dropped straight away.

With reference to Figure 6, there is shown one possible arrangement (applicable to either embodiment) for moving the crop pickup 20 to their upright, storage position.

A powered cable winch 150 is secured to a free upper surface of the baling chamber 22. A cable 152 extends from the winch 150 to a fixing lug 154 secured to an upper surface of the crop pickup 20. The crop pickup can simply be pulled to its upright position 20' by the winch 150 drawing in the cable 152.

A remotely operated bolt 156 is provided to locate the pickup unit 20 positively in its upright position.

As will be understood, balers embodying the present invention are less likely than known balers to produce unevenly-formed bales. Furthermore, it is not necessary to gather crop into rows over which a tractor can be driven prior to baling with a baler embodying the invention. Indeed, it has been found that it is possible to bale crop which has simply been cut and left to lie with an essentially random distribution. The baler itself then operates to ensure even distribution of crop.

One potential problem which could arise during operation is this way is that the wheels 26 of the crop pickup 20 could run over cut crop.

In order to remove this potential problem, there may be provided on the crop pickup 20 a plurality of crop rakes 160, 161, 162 which are disposed to rake crop lying a short distance ahead of the pickup 20 from ground in the path of the wheels 26 inwardly to ground lying in the path of the pickup 20 itself. By this arrangement, it is possible to pick up and bale crop which is distributed over the entire surface of a field, without any part of the baler or the tractor running over the crop.

As a further potentially beneficial modification, there may be provided, in place of a bale carrier, a bale wrapper. Such a bale wrapper could be of substantially convenventional construction, and as such, the details of its construction will not be discussed here further. By this provision, the operation of baling and wrapping can be combined, and carried out substantially simultaneously. Whether there is greater advantage in providing, on the baler, a bale carrier or a bale wrapper will depend entirely on the circumstances of a particular baling operation, and it is therefore desirable that the baler is constructed such that a wrapper and a carrier can be readily interchanged.

Claims (13)

1. A round baler operative to bale crop whilst being towed along a path by a tractor, the baler comprising a crop pickup, a baling chamber in which a round bale can be formed, and a crop transporter which carries crop from the pickup to the baling chamber, in which the pickup is disposed to be transversely offset from the path of the baler to pick up crop which has passed by one side of the tractor, crop being carried by the transporter from the pickup to the baling chamber in a direction at least partially transversely to the path.

2. A round baler according to claim 1 in which the baling chamber is disposed to form the bale such that the axis of the bale is substantially aligned with the path.

3. A round baler according to claim 2 in which the bale is formed in axial alignment with the path of the baler.

4. A round baler according to any preceding claim in which the crop transporter is operative to deliver crop to all parts of the baling chamber cyclically during operation of the baler.

5. A round baler according to claim 4 in which the crop transporter has an outlet which directs crop into the baling chamber, which outlet is caused to move cyclically across the width of an entry to the baling chamber to ensure that crop is delivered evenly across the axial extent of the bale.

6. A round baler according to claim 5 in which the outlet is caused to by a rack and pinon drive.

7. A round baler according to any preceding claim which further comprises a bale carrier disposed to receive a completed bale which has been ejected from the or each baling chamber.

8. A round baler according to any preceding claim further comprising a second baling chamber in which a round bale can be formed, in which the crop transporter can carry crop from the pickup to one or other baling chamber, the baler being operable such that on completion of a first bale in the first baling chamber, the crop transporter operates to direct crop for baling to the second baling chamber, while the bale in the first baling chamber is tied.

9. A round baler according to claim 8 which is operable such that a bale can be tied in the second chamber while a bale is being formed in the first chamber.

10. A round baler according to claim 8 or claim 9 comprising a respective bale carrier for each of the baling chambers each bale carrier being disposed to receive a completed bale which has been ejected from a respective baling chamber.

11. A round baler substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A round baler substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A round baler according to any preceding claim substantially as further described herein with reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.