NL2016842A - Bale forming apparatus and bale forming method with a pivotal bale carrier - Google Patents
Bale forming apparatus and bale forming method with a pivotal bale carrier Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NL2016842A NL2016842A NL2016842A NL2016842A NL2016842A NL 2016842 A NL2016842 A NL 2016842A NL 2016842 A NL2016842 A NL 2016842A NL 2016842 A NL2016842 A NL 2016842A NL 2016842 A NL2016842 A NL 2016842A
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- Netherlands
- Prior art keywords
- bale
- carrier
- vertical
- wheel
- forming device
- Prior art date
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 18
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 67
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 claims description 26
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 12
- 230000003139 buffering effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 208000036829 Device dislocation Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 229920000297 Rayon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004463 hay Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002964 rayon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004460 silage Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010902 straw Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D85/00—Arrangements for making or setting stacks
- A01D85/005—Forming groups of bales, e.g. bale sledges
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01F—PROCESSING OF HARVESTED PRODUCE; HAY OR STRAW PRESSES; DEVICES FOR STORING AGRICULTURAL OR HORTICULTURAL PRODUCE
- A01F15/00—Baling presses for straw, hay or the like
- A01F15/08—Details
- A01F15/0875—Discharge devices
- A01F15/0883—Discharge devices for round balers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D85/00—Arrangements for making or setting stacks
- A01D85/005—Forming groups of bales, e.g. bale sledges
- A01D2085/007—Machines directly attached to a baler
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D85/00—Arrangements for making or setting stacks
- A01D85/005—Forming groups of bales, e.g. bale sledges
- A01D2085/008—Making groups of bales just at horizontal level for leaving them on the field
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Storage Of Harvested Produce (AREA)
Abstract
A bale forming apparatus comprises a bale forming device and a bale accumulator with at least one bale carrier (8.l, 8.r). The bale carrier (8.l, 8.r) provides a carrying platform for carrying a bale and can be pivoted around a vertical carrier pivoting axis (22.l, 22.r) from a bale receiving position into at least one bale depositing position. A bale is moved out of a bale forming chamber onto the bale carrier (8.l, 8.r) being in the bale receiving position. The bale carrier is pivoted into the bale depositing position and deposits a bale on the ground.
Description
Bale forming apparatus and bale forming method with a pivotal bale carrier FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention refers to a bale forming apparatus with a bale accumulator comprising at least one pivotal bale carrier and to a bale forming method using such a bale forming apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A bale forming apparatus (baler) is in particular known for agricultural purposes. Such a baler is moved over ground and subsequently forms under pressure several bales in a bale forming chamber and deposits every formed bale on the ground.
Often not every location of the field but only an area of the field suites for depositing a bale in it. It is sometimes desired to deposit several bales in a cluster on the ground. This makes it later easier to pick up and remove the deposited bales from the agricultural field. A transport vehicle needs to travel to fewer locations on the field when picking up the deposited bales.
The baler performance should be reduced as less as possible by performing the task of depositing bales in a cluster. One approach to solve this task is to mount a so-called bale accumulator at the baler. A formed first bale is deposited on the bale accumulator. While the baler is further moved over ground, it forms a further bale in the bale forming chamber. The bale accumulator carries the first bale. When the further bale is readily formed and the baler has reached a suitable depositing location, both bales are deposited in a cluster on the ground. Several proposals for bale accumulators have been made. EP 2974594 A1 discloses an agricultural combination with a tractor 12, a baler 14, and a bale accumulator 16, cf. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The bale accumulator 16 has a main frame 58 supported on ground wheels 60, cf. Fig. 2. A discharge system in form of a bale cradle 64 is pivotally affixed to the accumulator frame 58. The cradle 64 receives from the baler 14 a bale B at a center position 68, cf. Fig. 2. An actuator 70 can transfer the receive bale B from the center position selectively to a left position 74 or a right position 72. The accumulator 16 can carry three bales simultaneously side-by-side on the cradle 64. An actuator 66 can raise the forward portion of the cradle 64 relative to the frame 58. For unloading the bale cradle 64, the actuator 66 lifts the forward portion and the or every bale rolls off the cradle 64 and away from the baler 14. FR 2679732 B1 discloses an accumulation device (dispositif groupeur) for cylindrical bales 1. This device is mounted behind a bale press 2. Two arms (bras 5 et 6) carry ground-engaging wheels (roues 7 et 8). The rigid chassis with the arms 5, 6 carries two rigid vertical bars (montants verticales 9, 10). The bars 9, 10 carry vertical axes 11, 12 vertically above (a I’aplomb) the wheels 7, 8. Every axle 11,12 carries a carrier having the shape of an inverted L (bras 13, 14). The vertical legs (jambes verticales) of the carriers 13, 14 carry a rocker (berceau 15, 16) with a cylindrical part. The radius (rayon) of this cylindrical part equals the radius of a bale 1 formed by the baler 2. The rocker 15, 16 forms a receptacle (panier de reception) and thereby a support for a bale 1. The receptacle 15,16 is hingedly connected (articule) at the carrier 13, 14 by means of an axle 17, 18 which is rigidly mounted (solidaire) at the bottom of the carrier 13, 14 and which forms an interior support (appui inferieur) for the receptacle 15, 16. The receptacle 15, 16 can be pivoted around the axle 17, 18 by means of hydraulic cylinders (verins hydrauliques 21, 22). In addition every carrier 13, 14 can be rotated about the axles 11 and 12, e.g. by means of further hydraulic cylinders (not shown). In addition a carrier 13, 14 can be lifted and lowered, cf. the dotted and continuous lines in Fig. 2. It is possible to make a carrier 13, 14 being telescopic. The machine of FR 2679732 B1 has two rockers 15,16 (les deux paniers).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A problem solved by the invention is to provide a bale forming apparatus with the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a bale forming method with the features of the preamble of claim 22 wherein the bale forming apparatus can deposit at least two bales in a cluster on the ground and wherein more possibilities for selecting the depositing locations of these bales are provided.
This problem is solved by a bale forming apparatus with the features of claim 1 and by a bale forming method with the features of claim 22. Preferred embodiments are specified in the depending claims.
The bale forming apparatus according to the invention comprises - a bale forming device and - a bale accumulator.
The bale accumulator comprises - an accumulator frame, - at least one bale carrier, and - at least one carrier actuator for the or at least one bale carrier.
The or every bale carrier provides a respective carrying platform for carrying a bale. The bale forming device - has a vertical center plane and - provides a bale forming chamber.
The or every bale carrier can selectively be operated in a bale carrying mode or in a bale dropping mode. The bale carrier being operated in the bale carrying mode can carry a bale on the provided carrying platform. When the bale carrier is operated in the bale dropping mode, a bale can move from the carrying platform and can be deposited on the ground.
The or at least one bale carrier can pivot around a vertical carrier pivoting axis. Thereby the or every pivotal bale carrier can pivot with respect to the accumulator frame between - a bale receiving position and - at least one respective bale depositing position.
The or one carrier actuator can pivot the or one pivotal bale carrier from the bale receiving position into the or at least one bale depositing position, in particular when the bale carrier carries a bale.
The bale forming apparatus according to the invention is operated as follows and the bale forming method according to the invention comprises the following steps: - The bale forming device forms a bale in the provided bale forming chamber. - The formed bale is moved out of the bale forming chamber and is moved onto the carrying platform of the or one pivotal bale carrier. - When the bale is moved on this bale carrier, the bale carrier is operated in the bale carrying mode and is in the bale receiving position. The bale is carried on the carrying platform of this bale carrier. - The or one carrier actuator pivots the bale carrier carrying the bale from the bale receiving position into the or one bale depositing position. While being pivoted, the bale carrier remains in the bale carrying mode. - After the bale carrier with the bale has been pivoted into the bale depositing position, the carrying platform and therefore the bale on this carrying platform has a lateral offset to the vertical center plane. - The bale carrier being in the bale depositing position is transferred into the bale dropping mode. The bale is deposited on the ground with a lateral offset to the vertical center plane.
ADVANTAGES
The or every bale carrier can carry a completely formed bale on the provided carrying platform, in particular while the bale forming apparatus is moved over ground. A further bale can be formed in the bale forming chamber while the or one bale carrier carries the completed bale. The bale forming apparatus can carry both bales -one bale on the pivotal bale carrier and one bale in the bale forming chamber - until the bale forming apparatus reaches a suitable bale depositing location, in particular a location with a sufficiently small inclination. Both bales can be deposited in a cluster at this location.
According to the invention the or one bale carrier can be pivoted around a vertical carrier pivoting axis. This pivoting axis is therefore in the or parallel to the vertical center plane of the bale forming device. The bale carrier and thereby the carrying platform can be pivoted around this vertical axis. At least when the pivotal bale carrier is in the or one bale depositing position, the carrying platform of this bale carrier has a lateral offset to the vertical center plane of the bale forming device. The bale on the carrying platform is now also in a lateral position, i.e. with a lateral offset with respect to the vertical center plane. The bale can be deposited with this lateral offset. This feature increases the numbers of possibilities of selecting a suitable depositing location, in particular if the bale carrier can achieve different bale depositing positions such that the deposited bale can achieve different orientations with respect to the vertical center plane.
After the bale carrier has been pivoted into the or one bale depositing position, the bale forming apparatus can deposit a further bale on the ground wherein the further bale is deposited in a center position, i.e. with no or only with a small lateral offset with respect to the center plane. This feature enables to place two bales in a cluster wherein one bale is besides the other bale and not necessarily one bale behind the other bale. It is possible to deposit a bale angularly or perpendicular besides the other bale. This process can be repeated. Several bales can be deposited on the ground in a more compact arrangement - compared with a bale forming apparatus which can just deposit the bales in a sequence one after the other wherein the sequence is parallel to the vertical center plane and to a travelling direction of the bale forming apparatus.
PREFERED EMBODIMENTS
Preferably the bale forming apparatus with the bale accumulator belongs to a vehicle, e.g. to an agricultural harvester. Therefore the bale forming apparatus can be moved overground in a travelling direction.
In a preferred embodiment the vertical carrier pivoting axis has a lateral offset to the vertical center plane which runs through the middle of the bale forming device. When the or one pivotal bale carrier is in the or one bale depositing position, the vertical carrier pivoting axis for the or one pivotal bale carrier is positioned between this vertical center plane and the carrying platform of this bale carrier. Preferably the vertical center plane runs through the bale carrier being in the bale receiving position.
The accumulator frame extends between two vertical accumulator planes. Every accumulator plane is parallel to the vertical center plane of the baler. The vertical accumulator planes define the width of the accumulator frame, i.e. its extension in a direction perpendicular to the vertical center plane perpendicular to the travelling direction. Preferably the or every vertical carrier pivoting axis is positioned between these accumulator planes. Preferably the or every bale carrier being in the bale receiving position is entirely positioned between these accumulator planes. This feature reduces the width of the bale accumulator as much as possible.
When the bale carrier is in the bale receiving position, the carrying platform points from the vertical axis towards the vertical center plane and can receive a bale which is ejected out of the bale forming chamber. The bale carrier carrying the bale can be pivoted into the or at least one bale depositing position. After this pivotal movement the carrying platform points laterally away from the vertical center plane. The bale carrier can now be brought into the bale dropping mode and can deposit the bale with a lateral depositing offset to the center plane. This depositing offset is larger than the lateral offset of the pivoting axis. In one embodiment a major part of the carrying platform of the or one bale carrier being in the on the outermost bale depositing position is positioned outside of the space between the accumulator planes.
In one embodiment the bale accumulator comprises a left bale carrier and a right bale carrier wherein the terms “left” and “right” refer to a viewing direction parallel to the vertical center axis of the bale forming apparatus. In the case of a vehicle the terms “left” and “right” have the usual meaning with respect to the traveling direction. The left bale carrier is pivotal around a vertical left carrier pivoting axis and the right bale carrier is pivotal around a vertical right carrier pivoting axis. This vertical center plane is preferably positioned between the two vertical carrier pivoting axes of these two bale carriers. The left bale carrier can be pivoted to the left into the or one left bale depositing position. The right bale carrier can be pivoted to the right into the or one right bale depositing position.
The embodiment with the two pivotal bale carriers enables to deposit two or even three bales in a cluster on the ground. The left bale carrier deposits a bale with a left lateral offset to the vertical center plane. The right bale carrier deposits a bale with a right lateral offset to the vertical center plane. Optionally a third bale can be deposited in a center position between the left and the right bale, e.g. without using a bale carrier. It is possible that the third bale is ejected out of the bale forming chamber and passes through a gap between the lateral bale carriers before being deposited on the ground.
In one implementation the left bale carrier can be pivoted by a left carrier actuator and the right bale carrier can be pivoted by a right carrier actuator. In a further implementation the same carrier actuator can selectively pivot the left of the right bale carrier.
In one embodiment the or every pivotal bale carrier can only be pivoted between two different positions. In a further embodiment the or at least one bale carrier can be pivoted into at least three different positions, namely the bale receiving position, the bale depositing position serving as the outermost position with respect to the vertical center plane, and at least one further bale depositing position serving as an intermediate position. The carrier actuator can pivot the bale carrier between these at least three positions. It is even possible that the actual bale depositing position can be selected out of a range of at least three possible bale depositing positions. The or one carrier actuator pivots the bale carrier about a pivoting angle selected out of a given angle set or range.
This embodiment enables to deposit a bale selectively in one of at least two different orientations with respect to the vertical center plane. In particular in the case of a round-cylindrical bale it is therefore possible to better adapt the orientation of the deposited bale to the hill gradient of an inclined ground, e.g. such that the bale’s center axis is parallel to the hill gradient. It is further possible that one bale inhibits a further deposited bale from rolling downwards. In addition it is easier to avoid the undesired event that a bale is deposited on a rigid object. For doing so it is not necessary to steer the bale forming apparatus. It suffices to select a pivoting angle for the or one bale carrier which yields to a suitable depositing location.
Typically the bale forming device rests on two ground-engaging wheels. Preferably at least one further ground-engaging wheel carries the bale accumulator.
This ground-engaging wheel is connected with the accumulator frame by means of a wheel carrying device. Thereby the bale accumulator and a bale on the bale carrier are jointly carried by the bale forming device and by the or at least one ground-engaging wheel of the bale accumulator. This increases the stability, in particular when a bale is moved from the bale forming chamber onto the or one bale carrier or when a bale carrier carrying a bale is pivoted.
Preferably the bale accumulator is carried by two ground-engaging wheels mounted at two wheel carrier devices. The vertical center plane is positioned between these wheel carrier devices.
In one embodiment the or every wheel carrying device can be pivoted or otherwise moved with respect to the accumulator frame between a transport position and an operating position. The bale carrier can be pivoted and can deposit a bale when the or every wheel carrying device is in the operating position. The distance between the ground-engaging wheel mounted at a wheel carrying device being in the transport position and the vertical center plane is smaller compared with the operating position. Pivoting the or every wheel-carrying device into the transport position therefore reduces the width of the bale forming apparatus. This makes it possible to move the bale forming device with the or every wheel carrying device being in the transport over a public street.
Preferably the or every wheel carrying device and the ground-engaging wheel are entirely positioned between the accumulator planes when being in the transport position. The entire wheel carrying device or at least a major part of it and the ground-engaging wheel are entirely outside of the space between the accumulator planes when being in the operating position. Preferably the or every wheel carrying device can be pivoted around a respective vertical pivoting axis with respect to the accumulator frame.
In one embodiment the wheel carrying device comprises a wheel carrying arm and a wheel carrier. The wheel carrier is mounted at the wheel carrying arm, preferably near a free end of the arm. The or at least one ground-engaging wheel is carried by the wheel carrier and can rotate with respect to this wheel carrier about its horizontal center axis. The wheel carrier can pivot with respect to the wheel carrying arm around a vertical wheel pivoting axis. This embodiment makes it easier to move the bale forming apparatus with the bale accumulator around a curve. The or every pivotal ground-engaging wheel of the bale accumulator automatically follows the trajectory of the bale forming device moved over ground.
In one embodiment a wheel carrier actuator pivots the or every wheel carrier and thereby the or every ground-engaging wheel with respect to the wheel carrying arm around the respective wheel pivoting axis. A preferred embodiment saves the need of such a wheel carrier actuator. Seen in the travelling direction a horizontal distance between the vertical wheel pivoting axis and the horizontal wheel rotating axis occurs. The horizontal rotating axis and therefore the center of gravity of the ground-engaging wheel are positioned behind the vertical pivotal axis of the wheel. Thereby the ground-engaging wheel is automatically pivoted around the vertical wheel pivoting axis when the bale forming apparatus is moved over ground along a curve.
The embodiments with the ground-engaging wheel can also be used for a bale accumulator wherein the or every bale carrier is not necessarily pivotal around the vertical carrier pivoting axis. The advantages of a ground-engaging wheel and the additional advantages of the preferred embodiments can nevertheless be achieved.
It is possible that the bale drops out of the bale forming chamber onto a bale carrier being in the bale receiving position vertically or angularly below the bale forming chamber. It if further possible that the bale rolls or glides over a descending ramp onto the bale carrier.
In a preferred embodiment, however, a bale is moved out of the bale forming chamber onto the bale transfer carrier of a bale transfer unit. After the bale is ejected, this bale transfer carrier is pivoted towards the or one bale carrier being in the bale receiving position and disposes the bale on the carrying platform of this bale carrier. The bale transfer unit makes it possible to position the or every bale carrier with a sufficient distance to the bale forming device. The bale transfer unit bridges this distance. This embodiment makes it easier to position the or every bale carrier in a position such it does not collide with a pivotal discharge gate of the bale forming device. Actively pivoting the bale transfer carrier ensures that the bale is properly transferred even in a hilly environment. Actively pivoting the bale transfer carrier further saves time.
These and other aspects of the invention and of the preferred embodiment will be even more apparent from the detailed embodiment as described below and will be elucidated in detail there.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 shows an agricultural combination comprising a tractor, a round baler, and the bale accumulator when moving along a curve.
Fig. 2 shows the bale accumulator of the embodiment in a top view wherein both wheel carrying devices are in a transport position;
Fig. 3 shows the bale accumulator of Fig. 2 in an angular viewing direction from the left side;
Fig. 4 shows the bale accumulator of Fig. 2 in a front view wherein the viewing direction is opposite to the travelling direction;
Fig. 5 shows the bale accumulator of Fig. 2 in a side view;
Fig. 6 shows the bale accumulator with the wheel carrying devices in an operating position, the left bale carrier still in the bale receiving position, and the right bale carrier pivoted to the right;
Fig. 7 shows the bale accumulator of Fig. 6 in an angular view from the left side;
Fig. 8 shows the bale accumulator of Fig. 6 in a front view;
Fig. 9 shows the bale accumulator of Fig. 6 in a side view from the left;
Fig. 10 shows in a side view how three bales are deposited in one line perpendicular to the travelling direction;
Fig. 11 shows how three bales are deposited such that the middle axis of one bale is perpendicular to the travelling direction and the middle axes of two further deposited bales are parallel to the travelling direction;
Fig. 12 shows how two bales are deposited
Fig. 13 shows in a rear view how the left bale carrier deposits a bale with an offset to the middle axis and the right bale carrier deposits a bale in a center position;
Fig. 14 shows a variation of the situation in Fig. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT
In the embodiment the invention is used on board of a bale accumulator which is connected to a bale forming device. The bale forming device (round baler) and the bale accumulator belong to an agricultural harvester in the form of a bale forming apparatus. This bale forming apparatus - is pulled by a propelled tractor over ground in a travelling direction TD, - picks up loose crop material (hay, straw, silage, e.g.) from the ground, - conveys the picked-up crop material in a direction opposite to the travelling direction TD into a drum-shaped bale forming chamber, - forms under pressure in the bale forming chamber a round-cylindrical bale, - wraps the circumferential surface of the formed bale into a web of wrapping material, e.g. a net, and - deposits the formed and wrapped bale on the ground.
The bale forming apparatus performs this sequence several times and sequentially forms a plurality of round-cylindrical bales.
Fig. 1 shows how an agricultural combination moves along a curve to the left. Fig. 1 shows - a propelled tractor 50 with a pair of steerable front ground-engaging wheels 52.1, 52.r and with a pair of driven rear ground-engaging wheels 51.1, 51 .r, - a round baler 40 with a towing unit 42 and two ground-engaging wheels 41.1, 41.r, and - a bale accumulator 60 with two ground-engaging wheels 6.1, 6.r.
The combination 40, 50, 60 moves along a segment of a circle with the middle point M. The ground-engaging wheels 6.1, 6.r can be pivoted with respect to the common vertical center plane P of the round baler 40 and of the bale accumulator 60. They automatically follow the curved trajectory of the baler 40 (explained below).
In the embodiment the round baler 40 connected to the tractor 50 and to the bale accumulator 60 operates as a continuous baler or as a non-stop baler. Such a continuous or non-stop baler can continue to pick-up crop material while the circumferential surface of the bale still carried by the baler 40is wrapped. A continuous round baler comprises a wrapping chamber. This wrapping chamber is positioned behind or besides the bale forming chamber - seen in the travelling direction TD. The bale is entirely formed in the bale forming chamber. As soon as the diameter of the bale in the bale forming chamber reaches a given threshold, the bale is moved from the bale forming chamber into the wrapping chamber. In the wrapping chamber the circumferential surface of the bale is wrapped. Simultaneously the formation of a further bale in the bale forming chamber is started. Such a continuous baler is disclosed in WO 2013/157949 A1, e.g. A non-stop baler comprises a buffering chamber which is positioned between the pick-up unit and the bale forming chamber. The picked-up crop material is guided through the buffering chamber into the bale forming chamber. The bale is formed and is wrapped in the bale forming chamber. As long as the circumferential surface of the bale in the bale forming chamber is wrapped, crop material remains into the buffering chamber. After the wrapped bale is ejected, the buffered crop material is conveyed into the bale forming chamber. Such a non-stop baler is disclosed in EP 2281436 A1 and in WO 2013/014291 A1, e.g. A further approach is to use a baler with two bale forming chambers. Crop material is selectively guided into a first bale forming chamber or into a second bale forming chamber. Such a baler with two bale forming chambers is disclosed in DE 3248066 A1,e.g.
Every formed and wrapped round-cylindrical bale is deposited on the ground. Not every location of the ground, however, is suitable for depositing a bale. A bale on a location with a large inclination may roll downwards, in particular if the bale is deposited on the circumferential surface. Rigid objects on the ground surface may cause damage to the bale wrap. A very wet ground may pollute or even damage the deposited bale.
To overcome this problem a bale accumulator is mounted at the rear end of the frame of the round baler. A formed and wrapped bale is ejected out of the bale forming chamber or the wrapping chamber and rolls onto the bale accumulator. The bale accumulator carries the bale until the baler has reached a location on the ground on which the bale can be deposited. The bale accumulator according to the embodiment comprises two bale carriers and can therefore simultaneously carry two round-cylindrical bales.
In the embodiment the bale accumulator comprises two ground-engaging wheels which are mounted at two wheel carrying devices. The wheel carrying devices and thereby the ground-engaging wheels 6.1, 6.r can be pivoted between a transport position and an operating position.
The bale accumulator 60 can only deposit a bale on the ground if both wheel carrying devices are in the operating position. The width of the bale accumulator 60 is significantly smaller when the wheel carrying arms and thereby the ground-engaging wheels are in the transport position.
Fig. 2 to Fig. 5 show the bale accumulator 60 of the embodiment in four different viewing directions wherein the wheel carrying devices and the ground-engaging wheels 6.1, 6.r are in the transport position. Fig. 6 to Fig. 9 show the bale accumulator with the wheel carrying devices and the ground-engaging wheels in the operating position.
The bale accumulator 60 comprises an accumulator frame 20. This bale accumulator frame 20 extends between two vertical accumulator planes P.1, P.r and comprises - a traversal bearing 16, - a left lateral carrier 4.1, - a right lateral carrier 4.r, and - a frame connecting part 19.
These four parts 16, 4.1, 4.r, 19 are rigidly connected with each other. The terms “left”, “right”, “front” and “rear” refer to the travelling direction TD.
In the embodiment the assembly consisting of the traversal bearing 16 and the carriers 4.1, 4.r is symmetrical to a vertical center plane P of the accumulator frame 20. The vertical center plane P is shown in Fig. 2, in Fig. 4, in Fig. 6, and in Fig. 8. This plane P is positioned in the middle between the planes P.l and P.r. The planes P, P.l, P.r are ideal planes and no physical parts. The frame connecting part 19 has a lateral offset to the vertical center plane P.
The bale accumulator frame 20 can releasably be connected with the frame of the round baler 40, e.g. by connecting the traversal bearing 16 and/or the frame connecting part 19 with the frame of the round baler 40. Seen in the travelling direction TD of the round baler 40 the bale accumulator 60 is positioned behind the round baler. Preferably the accumulator frame 20 is hingedly connected with the round baler 40. Thereby the bale accumulator 60 can pivot with respect to the round baler 40 around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the travelling direction TD. This makes it easier for the bale forming apparatus to follow the ground contour. A left wheel carrying arm 1.1 is pivotally connected with the bale accumulator frame 20 in a left pivoting axle 11.1. A corresponding right wheel carrying arm 1 .r is pivotally connected with the bale accumulator frame 20 in a right pivoting axle 11.r. These pivoting axles 11.1, 11.r are vertical. A comparison of Fig. 2 with Fig. 6 shows that every wheel carrying arm 1.1, 1 .r can be pivoted around the axles 11.1, 11 .r around about 80 degrees. A left single-wheel carrier 7.1 rotatably carries a left ground-engaging wheel 6.1. A corresponding right single-wheel carrier 7.r rotatably carries the right ground-engaging wheel 6.r. Every wheel 6.1, 6.r can rotate with respect to the corresponding single-wheel carrier 7.1, 7.r around its center axis WA.I, WA.r. The left single-wheel carrier 7.1 and thereby the left wheel 6.1 can rotate with respect to the left wheel carrying arm 1.1 around a left vertical pivoting axis which runs through the pivoting axle 13.1. The right single-wheel carrier 7.r and thereby the right wheel 6.r can rotate with respect to the right wheel carrying arm 1 .r around a right vertical pivoting axle 13.r. A left horizontal piston-cylinder unit 2.1 can pivot the left wheel carrying arm 1.1 with respect to the bale accumulator frame 20 around the left pivoting axle 11.1. A corresponding horizontal right piston-cylinder unit 2.r can pivot the right wheel carrying arm 1.1. Every horizontal piston-cylinder unit 2.1, 2.r serves as a wheel carrier pivoting actuator.
The left wheel carrying arm 1.1 and the left wheel carrier 7.1 together form a pivotal left wheel carrying device. The left piston-cylinder unit 2.1 serves as a left wheel carrier actuator. The right wheel carrying arm 1 .r and the right wheel carrier 7.r together form a pivotal right wheel carrying device. The right piston-cylinder unit 2.r serves as a right wheel carrier actuator.
Every piston-cylinder unit 2.1, 2.r can pivot the assigned wheel carrying arm 1.1, 1.r and thereby the assigned wheel carrying device between a transport position and an operating position. When both wheel carrying devices 1.1, 7.1, 1 .r, 7.r are in the transport position, the width of the bale accumulator 60 is significantly smaller compared with at least one wheel carrying device 1.1, 7.1 or 1.r, 7.r being in the operating position. Thereby the transport position is taken when the bale accumulator 60 is moved over a public street or if the available space on the field does not suffice, e.g. when turning on the headland.
In the embodiment the bale accumulator 60 can only deposit a bale on the ground when both wheel carrying devices 1.1, 7.1 and 1.r, 7.r are in the operating position. Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 show both wheel carrying devices 1.1, 7.1 and 1.r, 7.r in the transport position, Fig. 6 to Fig. 14 in the operating position. A horizontal distance between the wheel rotating axis WA.I, WA.r and the vertical wheel pivoting axis 13.1, 13.r of the wheel carrier 7.1, 7.r occurs, cf. Fig. 2 and Fig. 6. Seen in the travelling direction TD the vertical wheel pivoting axis 13.1, 13.r is positioned in front of the wheel rotating axis WA.I, WA.r. Thereby every ground-engaging wheel 6.1, 6.r follows the ground-engaging wheel 41.1, 41 .r of the round baler 40 when the combination 50, 40, 60 moves into a curve, cf. Fig. 1.
The bale accumulator 60 according to the invention comprises - a left bale carrier 8.1 mounted at the left carrier 4.1 and - a right bale carrier 8.r mounted at the right carrier 4.r.
Every bale carrier 8.1, 8.r comprises a lateral longitudinal carrier frame 14.1, 14.r. Every bale carrier frame 14.1, 14.r carries - a rear traversal bar 9.1, 9.r, - a front traversal bar 10.1, 10.r, - a bale carrying roller 12.1, 12.r, and - a mounting point 23.1, 23.r for a vertical piston-cylinder unit 26.1, 26.r.
The front traversal bar 10.1, 10.r is positioned between the bale carrying roller 12.1, 12.r and the rear traversal bar 9.1, 9.r. The bale carrying rollers 12.1, 12.r are rotatably mounted at the bale carrier frame 14.1, 14.r and are idler rollers. In the embodiment the traversal bars 9.1, 9.r, 10.1, 10.r are rigidly connected with the corresponding bale carrier frame 14.1, 14.r.
By means of the traversal bars 9.1 and 10.1 and the roller 12.1 the left bale carrier 8.1 provides a curved left bale carrying platform. The right bale carrier 8.r provides a corresponding curved right bale carrying platform by means of the bars 9.r. 10.r, and the roller 12.r.
The circumferential surface of a round-cylindrical bale can rest on this bale carrying platform. The center axis of the bale is parallel to the bars 9.1, 10.1 or 9.r, 10.r and on the roller 12.1,12.r.
In one implementation the bars 9.1,10.1 and 9.r, 10.r are rigidly mounted at the bale carrier frame 14.1,14.r and every roller 12.1,12.r can only rotate with respect to the bale carrier frame 14.1, 14.r around its own rotational axis. In a further implementation the carrying platform can be adapted to the diameter of a bale to be wrapped. One rod 9.I or 9.r or 10.1 or 10.r can be moved laterally with respect to the other rod or with respect to a roller 12.1, 12.r, e.g. depending on the measured bale diameter.
It is possible that a mechanical guiding sheet 27.I connects the bars 9.I and 10.1 of the left bale carrier 8.1. Such a guiding sheet 27.1 is shown in Fig. 12. The right bale carrier 8.r may comprise a similar guiding sheet 27.r, cf. Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. Such a guiding sheet 27.I, 27.r automatically guides an ejected bale into a proper position on the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r being in the bale receiving position. It is also possible that a bale carrier 8.1, 8.r does not comprise such a guiding sheet.
Every bale carrier 8.1, 8.r is pivotally mounted at one carrier 4.1, 4.r of the bale accumulator frame 20. Therefore the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r can pivot between a bale receiving position and at least one bale depositing position. Fig. 2 to Fig. 5 show both bale carriers 8.1, 8.r in the bale receiving position. The parts 9.1, 10.1, 12.1 and 9.r, 10.r, 12.r are perpendicular to the travelling direction TD. Fig. 6 to Fig. 8 show the right bale carrier 8.r in the outer most bale depositing position and the left carrier 8.1 still in the bale receiving position.
For enabling this pivotal connection, an L-shaped connecting part 21.1, 21. r is rigidly connected with the bale carrier frame 14.1, 14.r. Two vertical pivoting axles 22.1, 22.r are rigidly mounted at the accumulator frame carriers 4.1, 4.r and carry the L-shaped connecting parts 21.1, 21 .r. Thereby every bale carrier 8.1, 8.r can pivot with respect to the bale accumulator frame 20 around a vertical carrier pivoting axis. This vertical pivoting axis of a bale carrier 8.1, 8.r runs through the corresponding axle 22.1, 22. r and has a lateral offset 01.1, 01 .r to the left and to the right, resp. with respect to the vertical center plane P and therefore to the middle axis of the bale accumulator 20. These lateral offsets 01.1, 01 .r can have the same amount as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 or can have differing amounts.
Every bale carrier 8.1, 8.r can be pivoted around the vertical carrier pivoting axis 22.1, 22.r around a maximal possible angle. In the embodiment this maximal angle is about 180 degrees. Thereby every bale carrier 8.1, 8.r can be pivoted between the bale receiving position and the or at least one bale depositing position. Fig. 2 shows both carriers in the bale receiving position. Fig. 6 shows the left bale carrier 8.1 in the bale receiving position and the right bale carrier 8.r in the outermost bale depositing position which results from the maximal pivoting angle. A left horizontal piston-cylinder unit 3.1 is pivotally connected - with the left accumulator frame carrier 4.1 and - with a left connecting link 5.1. A corresponding horizontal right piston-cylinder unit 3.r is pivotally connected - with the right accumulator frame carrier 4.r and - with a corresponding right connecting link 5.r.
Every horizontal piston-cylinder unit 3.1, 3.r serves as a bale carrier pivoting actuator.
Every connecting link 5.1, 5.r is pivotally connected with the corresponding L-shaped connecting part 21.1, 21 .r. When a piston-cylinder unit 3.1, 3.r is in the retracted position, the corresponding bale carrier 8.1, 8.r is kept in the bale receiving position. Expanding a piston-cylinder unit 3.1, 3.r causes the corresponding bale carrier 8.1, 8.r to be pivoted from the bale receiving position into the or one bale depositing position. In the embodiment the maximal possible pivoting angle of the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r is defined by the available space above the accumulator frame 20 when both wheel carrying devices are in the operating position and by the maximal possible stroke of the piston-cylinder unit 3.1, 3.r.
Every connecting link 5.1, 5.r comprises three link elements in the form of three curved rods, namely an upper link rod, a middle rod and a lower rod, cf. Fig. 3. The rods are hingedly connected with the L-shaped connecting part 21.1, 21 .r and with the piston-cylinder unit 3.I, 3.r by means of two vertical pins. When the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r is pivoted into the or one bale depositing position, the central link rod is moved away from the other rods of the connecting link 5.1, 5.r as can best be seen in Fig. 6.
In one implementation the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r can only be pivoted between the bale receiving position and one bale depositing position, e.g. by pivoting the bale carrier around the maximal possible pivoting angle. In an alternative implementation the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r can be pivoted into one bale depositing position selected out of arrange of several possible bale depositing positions between the bale recording position (corresponds to a pivoting angle of 0 degrees) and the outermost possible bale depositing position (corresponds to the maximal possible angle of 180 degrees). The selected bale depositing position is achieved by the actual stroke which the piston-cylinder unit 3.1, 3.r performs. In one embodiment the baler control unit 30 generates corresponding control outputs for the piston-cylinder unit 3.1, 3.r depending on received control inputs defining a required pivoting angle of the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r.
Preferably a bale depositing position of 90 degrees (bars 9.1, 10.1 or 9.1, 10.r and rollers 12.1 or 12.r are parallel to the travelling direction TD) can be selected and achieved. It is possible that a human operator selects a pivoting angle and thereby a bale depositing position. It is also possible that a fixed bale depositing position is programmed in the control software executed by a control unit. It is further possible that a bale depositing position is automatically selected by the control unit 30, e.g. depending on the respective inclination of different possible depositing locations having different lateral offsets to the vehicle center plane P. Optionally the diameter of the bale on the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r is also used for selecting the pivoting angle.
In the situation shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 both bale carriers 8.1, 8.r are in the bale receiving position. As can best be seen in Fig. 3, the left bale carrier 8.1 is positioned slightly above the right bale carrier 8.1. The rear traversal bar 9.1 of the left bale carrier 8.1 is positioned above the rear traversal bar 9.r of the right bale carrier. The left front traversal bar 10.1 is positioned above the right front traversal bar 10.r. In contrast the right bale carrying roller 12.r is positioned above the left bale carrier roller 12.1. Thanks to this positions of the bale carriers 8.1, 8.r the bale carriers 8.1, 8.r are folded together when both being in the bale receiving position. The width of the bale accumulator 60 is as small as possible. The left bale carrier 8.1 serves as the first bale carrier which first receives an ejected bale and the right carrier 8.r as the second one.
The left L-shaped connecting part 21.1 is pivotally connected with the left bale carrier frame 14.1 by means of a horizontal tilting axle 18.1. Therefore the left bale carrier 8.1 can be tilted with respect to the bale accumulator frame 20 around a horizontal tilting axis which is perpendicular to the left bale carrier frame 14.1 and is defined by the axle 18.1. The right bale carrier 8.r can be tilted with respect to the bale accumulator frame 20 around a horizontal tilting axis which is perpendicular to the right bale carrier frame 14.r and is defined by a corresponding right axle 18.r. A vertical hydraulic piston-cylinder unit 26.1, 26.r is connected with the respective bale carrier frame 14.1, 14.r in the mounting point 23.1, 23.r and with the accumulator frame 20. The vertical piston-cylinder unit 26.1, 26.r keeps the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r in the bale carrying position and therefore in the bale carrying mode.
In one implementation the fully retracted vertical piston-cylinder unit 26.1, 26.r keeps the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r in the bale carrying position. Expanding the piston-cylinder unit 26.1, 26.r causes the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r to be pivoted into a bale dropping position in which a bale can roll from the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r. It is also possible that the vertical piston-cylinder device 26.1, 26.r can selectively pivot the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r from the bale carrying position in one pivoting direction or in the opposite pivoting direction such that the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r is selectively pivoted into a first or a second bale dropping position.
It is possible that both bale carriers 8.1, 8.r can pivot around the same horizontal tilting axis. It is further possible that the bale carriers 8.1, 8.r can pivot around two different horizontal tilting axes. In the situation shown in Fig. 3 the left bale carrier 8.1 is slightly pivoted upwards - compared with the right bale carrier 8.r - such that the bale carriers 8.1, 8.r can take the folded position.
For transferring a bale onto a bale carrier 8.1, 8.r after the bale has been ejected out of the bale forming chamber, a bale transfer unit moves the bale backwards, i.e. opposite to the travelling direction TD and away from the bale forming chamber. This bale transfer unit comprises - a front bale transfer roller 17.f, - a rear bale transfer roller 17.r, - a front transfer roller holder 15.1, 15.r, - a rear transfer roller holder 25.1, 25.r, and - a bale transfer actuator 24.
The front roller 17.f is positioned slightly above the rear roller 17.r. In place of idler rollers 17.f, 17.r it is also possible to use driven rollers or tubes as parts of the bale transfer unit.
In the embodiment the bale accumulator 60 comprises seven actuators in the form of hydraulic piston-cylinder units: - left and right horizontal actuators 2.1, 2.r for pivoting the wheel carrying arms 1.1, 1 .r around the vertical axes 11.1, 11 .r, - left and right horizontal actuators 3.1, 3.r for pivoting the bale carriers 8.1, 8.r around the vertical axes 22.1, 22.r, - left and right vertical actuators 26.1, 26.r for tilting the bale carriers 8.1, 8.r around the horizontal tilting axes 18.1, 18.r, and - the bale transfer actuator 24 for lifting the rollers 17.f. 17.r of the bale transfer unit.
In the place of hydraulic piston-cylinder units other kinds of actuators can be used, e.g. electric or pneumatic or mechanic actuators (sprocket wheels or shafts, e.g.). It is possible to use different kinds of actuators on board of one bale accumulator 60.
As mentioned above, the round baler 40 forms from picked-up crop material under pressure in the bale forming chamber a round-cylindrical bale. The round baler wraps the circumferential surface of the round bale into wrapping material. Afterwards the formed and wrapped bale is ejected. The round baler 40 can form and wrap a further bale in the bale forming chamber.
Every ejected bale rolls over a front bale transfer roller 17.f and a rear bale transfer roller 17.r onto a bale carrier 8.1 or 8.r which is currently in a bale receiving position. In the embodiment the bale transfer actuator 24 lifts the rollers 17.f, 17.r as soon as the event is detected that the ejected bale rests on both rollers 17.f. 17.r. This lift inhibits the undesired event that the bale rolls towards the bale forming chamber. In one implementation the ejected bale touches a pivotal bracket and the pivoted bracket activates a sensor. The sensor triggers the bale transfer actuator 24.
In the situation shown in Fig. 3 the ejected bale (not shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 9) runs onto the left bale carrier 8.1 as the left bale carrier is slightly pivoted above the right bale carrier 8.r and serves as the first carrier. The bale is kept by the curved left carrying platform provided by the traversal bars 9.1, 10.1 and by the bale carrying roller 12.1. The guiding sheet 27.1 helps to position the bale in a proper position on the bale carrier 8.1.
Later the first bale carrier 8.1 is pivoted around the vertical axis 22.1, 22.r into the or one selected bale depositing position. The other bale carrier 8.r is now ready for receiving a further bale. It is possible to pivot a bale carrier 8.1 or 8.r into the bale depositing position while this bale carrier 8.1, 8.r carries a bale. It is also possible that an empty bale carrier 8.1 or 8.r is pivoted into a bale depositing position such that the other bale carrier 8.r or 8.1 can now receive a bale.
In one implementation a bale carrier 8.1 or 8.r deposits a bale as follows on the ground when being in the or one selected bale depositing position and carrying the bale: The vertical piston-cylinder unit 26.1, 26.r is expanded. Thereby the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r is tilted around the horizontal tilting axis 18.1, 18.r. The bale rolls backwards from the tilted bale carrier 8.1, 8.r, i.e. away from the round baler 40. The bale rolls from the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r onto the ground and is deposited on the circumferential surface.
In a further implementation (not shown) a bale pusher pushes a bale in a direction parallel to the bars 9.1, 10.1 or 9.r, 10.r and parallel to the bale’s center axis from the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r. This embodiment enables to deposit a bale with an even larger lateral offset to the vertical center plane P.
One advantage of the invention is that several bales can be deposited in a cluster on the ground with selected and possibly differing orientations of the deposited bale. Fig. 10 to Fig. 14 show different possible clusters with two or three bales B.1, B.2, B.3 which can be achieved by the bale accumulator 60 according to the embodiment. Fig. 10 to Fig. 14 show different ways how the bale accumulator 60 according to the embodiment can deposit two or three bales in a cluster.
Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 shows how the round baler 40 and the bale accumulator 60 together have deposited three bales B.1, B.2, B.3 in a cluster. These three bales B.1, B.2, B.3 are deposited in the following order: first the bale B.1, afterwards the bale B.2, and last the bale B.3.
Fig.10 and Fig. 11 show the round baler 40 which comprises - the towing unit 42, - an endless pressing belt 43, and - a pivotal discharge gate (tailgate) 44.
The bale forming chamber is positioned between a pivotal right cover plate 45.r and a corresponding left pivotal cover plate (not shown) and is surrounded by a segment of the endless pressing belt 43.
In Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 this tailgate 44 is opened. As can been seen in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, the circumferential surfaces of the bales B1, B2, B3 have been wrapped into wrapping material (a net) whereas the front faces of these bales are not covered by wrapping material. The wheel carrying devices are in the operating position. The pulling tractor 50 is not shown.
In the situation shown in Fig. 10 as well as in the situation shown in Fig. 11 the bale B.1 has been depositing by using the left bale carrier 8.1. The right bale B.2 has been deposited by using the right bale carrier 8.r. The third bale B.3 has been deposited without using a bale carrier 8.1 or 8.r. In contrast the round baler 40 has deposited the third bale B.3 directly on the ground while both bale carriers 8.1, 8.r are in a lateral bale depositing position.
For depositing the first bale B.1, the bale B.1 rolls from the round baler 40 onto the left bale carrier 8.1 being in the bale receiving position. The left bale carrier 8.1 carrying the first bale B.1 is pivoted about the left vertical pivoting axis 22.1 around 180 degrees into the outermost bale depositing position. As soon as the bale forming apparatus has reached the depositing location, the left bale carrier 8.1 carrying the bale B.1 is pivoted around the horizontal pivoting axis 18.1. The first bale B.1 rolls from the left bale carrier 8.1 onto the ground. Afterwards the second bale B.2 is deposited in the same way on the ground by the right bale carrier 8.r. The left bale carrier 8.1 still carrying the bale B.1 and being in the bale depositing position carries the first bale B.1 and the right bale carrier 8.r carries the second bale B.2 until the third bale B.3 is entirely formed and wrapped and the bale forming apparatus with the bale accumulator 60 reaches a suitable depositing location. Afterwards all three bales B.1, B.2, B.3 are deposited simultaneously on the ground G. Thereby all three bales B.1, B.2, B.3 are deposited in a line on the ground G such that the middle axes of the bales B.1, B.2, B.3 all are perpendicular to the travelling direction TD and are nearly identical with each other.
In contrast to the situation shown in Fig. 10 the bale carriers 8.1, 8.r are only pivoted around 90 degrees for creating the situation shown in Fig. 11. After pivoting a bale carrier 8.1, 8.r around 90 degrees, the bars 9.1, 9.r, 10.1, 10.r and the rollers 12.1, 12.r are parallel to the travelling direction TD. For depositing a bale on the ground, the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r is pivoted around the horizontal tilting axis 18.1, 18.r. After pivoting the bale carrier 8.1, 8.r into the selected bale depositing position, the horizontal tilting axis 18.1, 18.r is now parallel to the travelling direction TD. Thereby the bales B.1, B.2 are deposited such that their middle axes are parallel to the travelling direction TD. It is also possible that the bale carriers 8.1, 8.r are pivoted about further angles, e.g. around 45 degrees or 135 degrees, such that the middle axes of the bales B.1 and B.2 form a V. The third bale B.3 is again directly transferred from the round baler 40 onto the ground without using a bale carrier 8.I and 8.r and while both bale carriers 8.1, 8.r are in a bale depositing position.
Fig. 12 to Fig. 14 show three different situations in which first a bale B.1 and afterwards a bale B.2 is deposited on the ground. Both bale carriers 8.1, 8.r are used for achieving these results. After depositing both bales B.1, B.2, the middle axis of the first bale B.1 is perpendicular to the travelling direction TD and the middle axis of the second bale B.2 is parallel to the travelling direction TD.
In the situations of Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 the first bale B.1 is deposited by using the left bale carrier 8.1. The second bale B.2 is deposited by using the right bale carrier 8.r. In contrast the right bale carrier 8.r is used for depositing the first bale B.1 for achieving the situation shown in Fig. 14. The left bale carrier 8.1 is used for depositing the bale B.2.
For depositing the first bale B.1, the corresponding bale carrier 8.1 or 8.r carrying the first bale B.1 is pivoted around 180 degrees from the bale receiving position in the outermost bale depositing position. Afterwards the bale carrier 8.1 or 8.r is tilted around the horizontal pivoting axis 18.1 or 18.r which is perpendicular to the travelling direction TD. The middle axis of the deposited bale B.1 is perpendicular to the travelling direction TD. The bale carrier 8.r or 8.1 which is used for the second bale B.2, however, is pivoted around 90 degrees. This bale B.2 is deposited such that its middle axis is parallel to the travelling direction TD.
Reference signs used in the claims will not limit the scope of the claimed invention. The term “comprises” does not exclude other elements or steps. The articles “a”, “an”, and “one” do not exclude a plurality of elements. Features specified in several depending claims may be combined in an advantageous manner.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
Claims (33)
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2016842A NL2016842A (en) | 2016-05-26 | 2016-05-26 | Bale forming apparatus and bale forming method with a pivotal bale carrier |
| PCT/US2017/034620 WO2017205712A1 (en) | 2016-05-26 | 2017-05-26 | Bale forming apparatus and bale forming method with a pivotal bale carrier |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2016842A NL2016842A (en) | 2016-05-26 | 2016-05-26 | Bale forming apparatus and bale forming method with a pivotal bale carrier |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| NL2016842A true NL2016842A (en) | 2017-11-30 |
Family
ID=56990916
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2016842A NL2016842A (en) | 2016-05-26 | 2016-05-26 | Bale forming apparatus and bale forming method with a pivotal bale carrier |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| NL (1) | NL2016842A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2017205712A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3578035A1 (en) * | 2018-06-05 | 2019-12-11 | Deere & Company | Unloading device, round baler and discharging method |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11140827B2 (en) | 2020-01-17 | 2021-10-12 | Cnh Industrial Canada, Ltd. | Round bale aligner and accumulator |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2679732A1 (en) * | 1991-07-31 | 1993-02-05 | Bugnot Ets | Device for grouping cylindrical bales of fodder |
| WO2013049308A1 (en) * | 2011-09-28 | 2013-04-04 | Forage Innovations B.V. | Baler attachment for optionally changing the orientation of bales being released from a baler |
| EP2974593A1 (en) * | 2014-07-16 | 2016-01-20 | Deere & Company | Agricultural baler and method for coupling a bale carriage of a crop accumulator to an agricultural baler |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4662151A (en) * | 1986-09-19 | 1987-05-05 | Vermeer Manufacturing Co. | Machine for wrapping rolled bales with a plastic sheet |
| US4909694A (en) * | 1988-09-01 | 1990-03-20 | Peters Francis A | Round bale trailer |
| US5024152A (en) * | 1990-05-14 | 1991-06-18 | Hay & Forage Industries | Quarter turn bale discharge apparatus |
| US5560191A (en) * | 1995-06-05 | 1996-10-01 | Finney; Denzel R. | Jumbo bale rotating table for a hay baler |
| US6425235B1 (en) * | 1997-09-02 | 2002-07-30 | Phillip G. Spaniol | Agricultural bale accumulator having a load bed extension module |
| US10028445B2 (en) * | 2012-04-20 | 2018-07-24 | Forage Company B.V. | Continuous bale forming apparatus with a reciprocating bale pushing device |
-
2016
- 2016-05-26 NL NL2016842A patent/NL2016842A/en unknown
-
2017
- 2017-05-26 WO PCT/US2017/034620 patent/WO2017205712A1/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2679732A1 (en) * | 1991-07-31 | 1993-02-05 | Bugnot Ets | Device for grouping cylindrical bales of fodder |
| WO2013049308A1 (en) * | 2011-09-28 | 2013-04-04 | Forage Innovations B.V. | Baler attachment for optionally changing the orientation of bales being released from a baler |
| EP2974593A1 (en) * | 2014-07-16 | 2016-01-20 | Deere & Company | Agricultural baler and method for coupling a bale carriage of a crop accumulator to an agricultural baler |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3578035A1 (en) * | 2018-06-05 | 2019-12-11 | Deere & Company | Unloading device, round baler and discharging method |
| US11129334B2 (en) | 2018-06-05 | 2021-09-28 | Deere & Company | Unloading device, round baler, and unloading method |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2017205712A1 (en) | 2017-11-30 |
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