WO2011033494A1

WO2011033494A1 - A baler

Info

Publication number: WO2011033494A1
Application number: PCT/IE2010/000054
Authority: WO
Inventors: Padraic Christopher Mchale; Martin William Mchale; James John Heaney; Gerard Patrick Sheridan; John Patrick Biggins; Paul Gerard Mchale; Patrick William Mchale
Original assignee: Solveside Limited
Priority date: 2009-09-17
Filing date: 2010-09-17
Publication date: 2011-03-24
Also published as: IES20090710A2

Abstract

A belt baler (1) for forming a cylindrical bale of fodder material comprises a pair of spaced apart side walls (10) formed by respective forward portions (14), and rearward portions (15) which form a tailgate (17). An endless compression belt (18) is carried on a series of support rollers (20) within the side walls (10) and is driven in the direction of the arrow C. As fodder material is fed into the baler (1) through a primary inlet (35) against the compression belt (18), the compression belt (18) commences to form a bale forming chamber (22) of progressively increasing diameter within which the cylindrical bale of fodder material is rotated by the compression belt (18) to form a bale. A deflecting roller (42) is rotatably carried on a pair of spaced apart carrier plates (43) and is rotated in the direction of the arrow G. The carrier plates (43) are pivotally mounted in the side walls (10) for urging the deflecting roller (42) from a deflecting position illustrated in Fig. 2 for deflecting netting material (39) from a dispenser (38) into a binding material inlet (37) to the bale forming chamber (37), to an idle position spaced apart from the binding material inlet (37), so that fodder material which is urged through the binding material inlet (37) by the compression belt (18) during formation of a bale can fall downwardly between the deflecting roller (42) in the idle state and the binding material inlet (37).

Description

"A baler"

The present invention relates to a baler, and in particular, though not limited to a belt baler of the type for forming a cylindrical bale of fodder material, such as a bale of hay, straw, silage and the like. Such cylindrical bales are commonly referred to as round bales.

Belt balers are known, and some belt balers may comprise a single endless compression belt or a plurality of compression belts disposed side by side relative to each other trained around appropriately located support rollers. The single compression belt or the plurality of side by side compression belts are typically configured to define a bale forming chamber of progressively increasing diameter as a bale is being formed therein. The compression belt or belts are tensioned and extend around a substantial portion of the circumference of the bale as the bale is being formed for rotating and compressing the fodder material as the fodder material is being formed into the bale in order to produce a compressed cylindrical bale. Another type of belt baler comprises two or more compression belts which are disposed opposite to each other with portions of major surfaces of the respective belts facing each other, so that the compression belts are configured to define respective segments of 180° of the bale forming chamber of progressively increasing diameter as the bale is being formed.

Single belt balers are configured so that the one or more compression belts passing around a lower forwardly disposed one of the support rollers into the bale forming chamber defines a lower edge of a lower forwardly facing fodder inlet through which the fodder material to be baled is delivered into the bale forming chamber. On the bale being formed and prior to the bale being discharged from the bale forming chamber, a netting or other suitable membrane or binding material is fed into the bale forming chamber for circumferentially wrapping the bale formed therein to secure and retain the bale in one piece in the compressed state when the bale is discharged from the bale forming chamber.

Typically, in a single belt baler the netting or other suitable membrane or binding material is fed into the bale forming chamber through a binding material inlet defined between a bale forming roller located above the fodder inlet and the compression belt or belts as the compression belt or belts engage another one of the support rollers above the said bale forming roller as the compression belt or belts pass from the bale forming chamber. The netting or other membrane or binding material is fed from a dispenser downwardly to fall onto a rotating deflecting roller which is located adjacent the binding material inlet and which deflects the netting material or other membrane or binding material into the binding material inlet between the bale forming roller and the compression belt or belts.

However, a problem with such belt balers is that as the fodder is being rotated, compressed and wound into a bale within the bale forming chamber by the compression belt or belts, fibrous fodder material is discharged from the bale forming chamber through the binding material inlet by the compression belt as it exits the bale forming chamber through the binding material inlet. The deflecting roller must be located relatively closely to the bale forming roller which defines the binding material inlet in order to deflect the netting or other membrane or binding material onto the bale forming roller so that the netting or other membrane or binding material is fed into the bale forming chamber through the binding material inlet. Because of the closeness with which the deflecting roller and the adjacent bale forming roller which defines the binding material inlet must be disposed relative to each other, the fodder material discharged from the bale forming chamber through the binding material inlet collects on and between the deflecting roller and the adjacent bale forming roller. The collection of fodder material between the deflecting roller and the adjacent bale forming roller eventually builds up to block the binding material inlet, thereby preventing feeding of the netting or other membrane or binding material through the binding material inlet. This results in downtime of the baler, which is required in order to remove the offending fodder material blocking the net feed inlet. This is undesirable.

Additionally, fibrous material, particulate material and dust generated during formation of a bale in the bale forming chamber also tends to collect on and between the deflecting roller and the adjacent bale forming roller. The collection of such fibrous material, particulate material and dust further aggravates the problem of feeding the netting or other membrane or binding material through the binding material inlet. There is therefore a need for a baler which addresses this problem of known balers.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a baler.

According to the invention there is provided a baler comprising at least one endless compression belt operably carried on at least two support rollers, the compression belt being configured to define a bale forming chamber for accommodating and forming a bale therein, the bale forming chamber defining a binding material inlet for accommodating one of a membrane and a binding material for circumferentially wrapping and securing a formed bale prior to discharge from the bale forming chamber, a deflecting means for deflecting the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet, the deflecting means being moveable from a deflecting position adjacent the binding material inlet for deflecting the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet, and an idle position spaced apart from the binding material inlet to allow material from the bale forming chamber to fall downwardly between the deflecting means and the binding material inlet, the deflecting means being disengaged from the one of the membrane and the binding material in the idle position.

In one embodiment of the invention an urging means is provided for urging the deflecting means between the deflecting position and the idle position. Preferably, the urging means is responsive to one of completion of formation of a bale in the bale forming chamber and dispensing of the one of the membrane and the binding material for urging the deflecting means from the idle position to the deflecting position. Ideally, the urging means is responsive to commencement of dispensing of the one of the membrane and the binding material for urging the deflecting means from the idle position to the deflecting position

Advantageously, the urging means is responsive to an event between the one of the membrane and the binding material being deflected into the binding material inlet and commencement of the forming of the next bale in the bale forming chamber for urging the deflecting means from the deflecting position to the idle position. Preferably, the urging means is responsive to completion of wrapping and securing of the bale with the one of the membrane and the binding material for urging the deflecting means from the deflecting position to the idle position.

In another embodiment of the invention the deflecting means is carried on a carrier means. Preferably, the carrier means is pivotally mounted so that on pivoting of the carrier means the deflecting means is urged between the deflecting position and the idle position. Advantageously, the urging means is operably coupled to the carrier means for urging the carrier means and in turn the deflecting means between the deflecting position and the idle position.

In another embodiment of the invention the compression belt is configurable to operate in a bale forming state defining the bale forming chamber, and in a discharge state for accommodating discharge of a formed bale from the bale forming chamber, and the urging means is responsive to the compression belt transitioning from the bale forming state to the discharge state for urging the deflecting means from the deflecting position to the idle position.

In one embodiment of the invention, the deflecting means is adapted to contact a freely depending portion of the one of the membrane and the binding material as the one of the membrane and the binding material is being dispensed downwardly from a dispenser for deflecting the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet. Preferably, the deflecting means is configured for deflecting the one of the membrane and the binding material in a generally sidewardly direction. Advantageously, the deflecting means is configured for deflecting the one of the membrane and the binding material in a generally sidewardly downwardly direction.

In another embodiment of the invention, the deflecting means is configured to contact a leading portion of the freely depending portion of the one of the membrane and the binding material for deflecting the leading portion thereof into the binding material inlet. Preferably, the deflecting means defines a deflecting surface adapted to contact the one of the membrane and the binding material. Advantageously, the deflecting surface of the deflecting means is an active surface. Ideally, the deflecting surface of the deflecting means is a movable surface.

Preferably, a portion of the deflecting surface of the deflecting means which is adapted to be contacted by the one of the membrane and the binding material is adapted to move in a direction substantially towards the binding material inlet.

In one embodiment of the invention, the deflecting means comprises one of a roller, a conveyor, a plate, and a plurality of spaced apart guide elements, the guide elements extending in a general direction towards the binding material inlet.

Preferably, the deflecting means is rotatably mounted. Advantageously, the deflecting means comprises a rotatably mounted deflecting roller having a circumferential surface defining the deflecting surface. Advantageously, the deflecting roller is rotatably driven. Ideally, the deflecting roller is driven in a rotational direction for deflecting and directing the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet.

In one embodiment of the invention the binding material inlet is defined by a bale forming roller and the compression belt as the compression belt engages one of the support rollers passing in a direction from the bale forming chamber. Preferably, the bale forming roller is rotated in a direction for urging the one of the membrane and the binding material through the binding material inlet into the bale forming chamber. Advantageously, the deflecting means is located adjacent the bale forming roller when the deflecting means is in the deflecting position.

Preferably, the deflecting means is configured for deflecting the one of the membrane and the binding material onto the bale forming roller. In another embodiment of the invention the compression belt is configured to define the bale forming chamber of progressively increasing size as the bale is being formed therein. In a further embodiment of the invention the baler is configured for forming a cylindrical bale.

Preferably, the baler is configured for forming fodder material into a bale. Advantageously, the baler is configurable for wrapping a bale in the bale forming chamber with the binding material in the form of netting.

In another embodiment of the invention a guide means is provided for guiding the one of the membrane and the binding material away from the compression belt adjacent the binding material inlet. Preferably, the guide means comprises a plurality of spaced apart guide fingers extending in a downwardly inclined direction towards the binding material inlet. Advantageously, the guide fingers are of a flexible material. The invention also provides a baler defining a bale forming chamber and a binding material inlet to the bale forming chamber for accommodating one of a membrane and a binding material for circumferentially securing a formed bale prior to discharge from the bale forming chamber, and a deflecting means for directing the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet, the deflecting means being moveable between a deflecting position adjacent the binding material inlet for deflecting the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet, and an idle position spaced apart from the binding material inlet to allow material from the bale forming chamber to fall downwardly between the deflecting means and the binding material inlet, the deflecting means being disengaged from the one of the membrane and the binding material in the idle position.

Further the invention provides a method for entering one of a membrane and a binding material into a bale forming chamber of a baler through a binding material inlet, the method comprising providing a deflecting means for deflecting the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet, retaining the deflecting means in an idle position spaced apart from the binding material inlet and disengaged from the one of the membrane and the binding material when a bale is being formed in the bale forming chamber to allow material from the bale forming chamber to fall downwardly between the deflecting means and the binding material inlet, urging the deflecting means to a deflecting position adjacent the binding material inlet at one of the commencement of dispensing of the one of the membrane and the binding material and completion of formation of a bale in the bale forming chamber, contacting a portion of the one of the membrane and the binding material freely depending downwardly adjacent the binding material inlet with the deflecting means to deflect the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet.

Preferably, the deflecting means is provided with a moving surface adapted to contact the one of the membrane and the binding material, and the deflecting means is operated so that a portion of the moving surface adapted to contact the freely depending portion of the one of the membrane and the binding material is moved in a general direction towards the binding material inlet.

The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly important advantage of the invention is that build-up of material being baled which is discharged during the baling process through the binding material inlet, and which builds up adjacent the binding material inlet to block entry of the membrane or other binding material into the binding material inlet is avoided. The build-up of such material adjacent the secondary outlet is avoided by virtue of the fact that the deflecting means is moveable between a deflecting position adjacent the binding material inlet and an idle position spaced apart from the binding material inlet, so that in the idle position fodder material discharged through the binding material inlet is allowed to fall away downwardly through a gap defined between the deflecting means and the binding material inlet, thus avoiding build-up of such fodder material adjacent the binding material inlet. Thus, when the deflecting means is not required, in other words during formation of a bale in the bale forming chamber, the deflecting means may be moved into the idle position so that it is spaced apart from the binding material inlet, and is also spaced apart from a portion of the baler which forms the bale forming chamber just below the binding material inlet when the deflecting means is in the idle state, and therefore, allows any material being discharged through the binding material inlet as the bale is being formed to fall downwardly between the deflecting means and the portion of the baler forming the bale forming chamber just below the binding material inlet. This, thus, avoids any danger of a build-up of material on the deflecting means and adjacent the binding material inlet as a result of material which is in general discharged through the binding material inlet during formation of a bale.

By making the urging means which urges the deflecting means between the deflecting position and the idle position responsive to the commencement of feeding of the membrane or other binding material for urging the deflecting means from the idle position to the deflecting position, a further advantage is achieved, in that the deflecting means is urged into the deflecting position before the membrane or the binding material reaches the deflecting means, or at any other appropriate time.

A further advantage of the invention is achieved when the urging means is responsive to an event between the membrane or the binding material being directed into the binding material inlet and the commencement of forming of the next bale for urging the deflecting means from the deflecting position to the idle position, since the deflecting means is urged into the idle position and remains in the idle position during the formation of each bale, thereby allowing any fodder material discharged through the binding material inlet during the formation of each bale to fall downwardly between the deflecting means and the binding material inlet, so that the binding material inlet remains clear to receive the membrane or binding material on completion of formation of the bale. A further advantage of the invention is achieved by providing the deflecting means with an active surface or moving surface so that on contact with the moving surface, a freely depending leading portion of the membrane or binding material, which would typically depend from a dispenser, is urged by the moving surface on contact therewith, and deflected into the binding material inlet. By providing the deflecting means in the form of a roller, and in particular, in the form of a driven roller where the roller is driven in a rotational direction for deflecting and directing the membrane or binding material into the binding material inlet, the rotation of the deflecting roller positively deflects and directs the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet.

The provision of a bale forming roller defining the binding material inlet provides a further advantage when the bale forming roller is rotating in a direction for urging the membrane or the binding material into the bale forming chamber, since once the deflecting means deflects the membrane or the binding material into the binding material inlet and onto the bale forming roller, the membrane or the binding material is readily urged into the bale forming chamber, and is then subsequently drawn into the bale forming chamber between the bale and the compression belt or belts as the bale is being rotated in the bale forming chamber by the compression belt or belts for in turn wrapping and securing the bale in the bale forming chamber.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of a belt baler according to the invention, Fig. 2 is another transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the belt baler of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3 is another transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the belt baler of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the belt baler of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the portion of Fig. 4 of the belt baler of Fig. 1 viewed from the other end thereof,

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the portion of Fig. 4 of the belt baler of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 7 is a diagram of an hydraulic circuit relating to the portion of Fig. 4 of the belt baler of Fig. 1 , and

Figs. 8(a) to (d) are diagrammatic side elevational views of a portion of the belt baler of Fig. 1 in operation.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a belt baler according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 , for forming a cylindrical bale (not shown) of fodder material, such as, for example, a bale of hay, silage, straw and the like. Although cylindrical, such bales are commonly referred to as large round bales, and typically, are formed to be of diameter in the range of 0.7 metres to 2 metres and of axial length of approximately 1.2 metres. The belt baler 1 comprises a chassis 2, only two cross-members 3 and 4 of which are illustrated. The chassis 2 is carried on a pair of ground engaging wheels (not shown) which are carried on hubs 5 rotatably mounted on respective stub shafts (not shown) extending from respective opposite ends of the cross-member 4. Only one of the hubs 5 is illustrated. A forwardly extending portion 7 of the chassis 2 terminates in a hitch (not shown) for hitching the belt baler 1 to a suitable towing prime mover (not shown), for example, a tractor or the like.

The belt baler 1 comprises a pair of spaced apart side walls 10 between which the bale is formed, and which are joined together by a plurality of cross-members 11 and are secured together by the cross-members 11. Only one of the side walls 10 is illustrated in the drawings. Each side wall 10 comprises a forward portion 4 and a rearward portion 15. The forward portions 14 of the side walls 10 are rigidly secured to the chassis 2. The rearward portions 15 of the side walls 10 form a tailgate 17, and are pivotally coupled to the forward portions 14 of the side walls 10 about a pivot shaft 16, so that the tailgate 17 formed by the rearward portions 15 is pivotal in the directions of the arrows A and B between a closed state illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 during formation of a bale in the baler 1 , and an open state illustrated in Fig. 3 for facilitating discharge of a formed bale from the baler 1. The cross-members 3 and 4 of the chassis 2 and the pivot shaft 16 as well as other cross-members (not shown) and front and top panels 12 and 13 secure the forward portions 14 of the side walls 10 together, while the remaining cross-members 11 secure the rearward portions 15 of the side walls 10 together to form the tailgate 17.

A pair of latches 19 pivotaliy carried on the corresponding forward portions 14 of the side walls 10 engage corresponding receivers (not shown) on the rearward portions 15 of the side walls 10 for latching the tailgate 17 in the closed state to the forward portions 14 of the side walls 10 during formation of a bale in the baler 1.

The belt baler 1 in this embodiment of the invention comprises a single endless compression belt 18 which extends around a plurality of support rollers 20 which extend between and are rotatably carried in bearings (in general not shown) in the respective forward and rearward portions 14 and 15 of the side walls 10. The compression belt is configurable to define a bale forming chamber 22 of

progressively increasing diameter as a bale is being formed therein. Some of the support rollers 20 are idler rollers, and one or more of the support rollers 20 are driven rollers for driving the compression belt 18 in the direction of the arrows C for rotating the fodder material in the bale forming chamber 22 during formation of the fodder material into the bale. In Figs. 1 and 2 a portion of the compression belt 18 is illustrated in broken lines defining the bale forming chamber 22. The compression belt 18 is of width which corresponds substantially to the spacing between the side walls 10, so that the compression belt 18 and the side walls 10 define the bale forming chamber 22. The support rollers 20 are of length also corresponding to the spacing between the side walls 10 for supporting the belt 18 across its width.

Alternatively, instead of a single compression belt, which extends the width between the side walls 10, a plurality of narrow compression belts arranged side by side on the support rollers could be provided. Such arrangement of side by side

compression belts in such a belt baler will be well known to those skilled in the art. Tensioning arms 24 adjacent the respective side walls 10 which are pivotally carried on the pivot shaft 16 rotatably carry tensioning rollers 25 which pay out the compression belt 18 as the bale forming chamber 22 defined by the compression belt 8 progressively increases in diameter as the bale is being formed therein. A biasing means provided by torsion springs (not shown) on the pivot shaft 16 act between the forward portions 14 of the side walls 10 and the respective tensioning arms 24 to bias the tensioning arms 24 in the direction of the arrow D around the pivot shaft 16. The biasing action of the torsion springs on the tensioning arms 24 acts to apply tension to the compression belt 18 as a bale is being formed in the bale forming chamber 22, to in turn compress the material being baled in the bale forming chamber 22. The biasing action of the torsion springs on the tensioning arms 24 also acts to take up the compression belt 18 when the tailgate 17 is in the closed state prior to a bale being formed in the bale forming chamber 22. The compression belt 18 extends around a first one of the support rollers 20, namely, the first support roller 27 as it extends inwardly to form the bale forming chamber 22. A second one of the support rollers 20, namely, a second support roller 28 supports the compression belt 18 as it extends from the bale forming chamber 22. Three spaced apart bale forming rollers, namely, a first bale forming roller 30, a second bale forming roller 31 and a third bale forming roller 32 are located between the first and second support rollers 27 and 28 and are rotatable in the direction of the arrows E for assisting in rotating the bale being formed in the bale forming chamber 22. The first bale forming roller 30 together with the compression belt 18 as it passes around the first support roller 27 defines with the spaced apart second bale forming roller 31 a primary inlet 35 to the bale forming chamber 22 for accommodating material to be baled into the bale forming chamber 22. A pick-up mechanism, indicated generally by the reference numeral 36, for picking up material to be baled from a sward of the material lying on the ground is located forwardly of the primary inlet 35 for delivering the fodder material to be baled through the primary inlet 35 into the bale forming chamber 22. A binding material inlet 37 is defined between the third bale forming roller 32 and the compression belt 18 as it passes around the second support roller 28 from the bale forming chamber 22 for accommodating a membrane or other suitable binding material into the bale forming chamber 22 for circumferential ly wrapping a formed bale within the bale forming chamber 22 prior to discharging of the bale from the bale forming chamber 22, in order to secure and retain the bale in one piece in the compressed state. In this embodiment of the invention the membrane or binding material is a netting material 39. A dispenser 38 is carried on a pair of mounting plates 40 extending forwardly from the forward portions 14 of the respective side walls 10 for dispensing the netting material 39 to circumferentially wrap the formed bale in the bale forming chamber 22. The dispenser 38 extends substantially the width of the baler 1 between the mounting plates 40, and the netting material 39 dispensed by the dispenser 38 is approximately the width of the bale. The dispenser 38 is carried on the mounting plates 40 at a level above the binding material inlet 37. The netting material 39 is dispensed downwardly from the dispenser 38 onto a deflecting means, namely, a deflecting roller 42 for deflecting and feeding the netting material into the binding material inlet 37.

The deflecting roller 42 is carried on a carrier means comprising a pair of spaced apart carrier plates 43 which are rigidly secured to and extend radially from a pivot shaft 44 adjacent the side walls 10. The pivot shaft 44 extends between and is pivotally mounted in the forward portions 14 of the side walls 10. The deflecting roller 42 extends between and is rotatably carried on the carrier plates 43 and is of length corresponding substantially to the spacing between the carrier plates 43, which is greater than the width of the netting material 39. A drive transmission 41 , which is described in more detail below, continuously drives the deflecting roller 42 in the direction of the arrow G for deflecting the netting material 39 onto the third bale forming roller 32, and in turn through the binding material inlet 37 into the bale forming chamber 22 when the deflecting roller 42 is in the deflecting position.

The pivot shaft 44 with the carrier plates 43 is pivotal for urging the deflecting roller 42 between a deflecting position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and an idle position illustrated in Fig. 1. In the deflecting position of Figs. 2 and 3 the deflecting roller 42 is located adjacent the binding material inlet 37 and adjacent the third bale forming roller 32, so that the deflecting roller 42 contacts a freely depending leading portion 45 of the netting material 39 depending from the dispenser 38, so that as the deflecting roller 42 rotates in the direction of the arrow G, the leading portion 34 of the netting material 39 is deflected by the deflecting roller 42 into the binding material inlet 37 and onto the third bale forming roller 32, which in turn urges the netting material 39 into the bale forming chamber 22, as will be described in detail below, see Figs. 8(a) to (d). In the idle position in Fig. 1 the deflecting roller 42 is spaced apart from the binding material inlet 37 and from the third bale forming roller 32 a sufficient distance to define with the third bale forming roller 32 a relatively wide gap 48 to accommodate fodder material therethrough which is carried through the binding material inlet 37 by the compression belt 18 during formation of a bale in the bale forming chamber 22, so that any such fodder material passes through the gap 48 onto the pick-up mechanism 36, and is returned to the bale forming chamber 22. In the idle position, the deflecting roller 42 is disengaged from the netting material 39. Referring now to Figs. 4 to 7 and 8(a) to (d), the carrier plates 43 and the deflecting roller 32 and its operation between the deflecting position and the idle position will now be described. An urging means comprising a single acting hydraulic ram 50 coupled between the forward portion 14 of one of the side walls 10 and one of a pair of levers 51 , which are rigidly secured to and extends radially from the pivot shaft 44, for urging the deflecting roller 42 in the direction of the arrow H from the deflecting position to the idle position. The single acting hydraulic ram 50 comprises a housing 52 which is pivotally coupled to a mounting bracket 53 secured to the forward portion 14 of the corresponding side wall 10. A piston rod 54 extending from the housing 52 of the single acting ram 50 is pivotally coupled to the corresponding lever 51 by a pivot coupling 55. A gas spring 56 coupled between the other one of the pair of levers 51 and the forward portion 14 of the corresponding one of the side walls 10 urges the deflecting roller 42 in the direction of the arrow J from the idle position to the deflecting position when hydraulic fluid is exhausted from the single acting ram 50.

Referring now in particular to Fig. 7, the operation of the single acting ram 50 for pivoting the pivot shaft 44 and the carrier plates 43 in the direction of the arrows H and J for urging the deflecting roller 42 between the deflecting position and the idle position will now be described. The single acting ram 50 is powered from an hydraulic fluid supply which operates a pair of double acting hydraulic rams 57, which act between the forward portions 14 and the rearward portions 15 of the respective side walls 10 for pivoting the tailgate 17 about the pivot shaft 16 in the direction of the arrow A and B for opening and closing the tailgate 17. The double acting rams 57 are only illustrated in Fig. 7, and are operated under the control of an hydraulic circuit (not shown), which in turn is operated under the control of an electronic control circuit (also not shown). The operation of such control circuits will be well known to those skilled in the art. The double acting rams 57 are coupled to the respective forward and rearward portions 14 and 15 of the respective side walls 10 so that as piston rods 58 of the double acting rams 57 are extended outwardly of housings 59 thereof, the tailgate 17 is urged in the direction of the arrow A from the closed state to the open state. Retraction of the piston rods 58 into the housing 59 urge the tailgate 17 in the direction of the arrow B into the closed state.

An hydraulic oil supply to respective first hydraulic ports 60 of the double acting rams 57 for extending the piston rods 58 from the housing 59 for urging the tailgate 17 from the closed state to the open state on completion of the formation and wrapping of a bale in the bale forming chamber 22 is coupled to an hydraulic port 62 of the single acting ram 50 through a non-return valve 63, so that as hydraulic fluid is being supplied to the first hydraulic ports 60 of the double acting hydraulic rams 57 to urge the tailgate 17 from the closed state to the open state, hydraulic fluid is

simultaneously supplied to the hydraulic port 62 to operate the single acting ram 50 for pivoting the pivot shaft 44 and the carrier plates 43 and in turn the deflecting roller 42 in the direction of the arrow H from the deflecting state to the idle state. The non-return valve 63 retains the hydraulic fluid supply in the single acting ram 50 for retaining the deflecting roller 42 in the idle state until the deflecting roller 42 is to be urged into the deflecting position. A solenoid operated exhaust valve 65 is provided for exhausting hydraulic fluid from the single acting ram 50 to permit the gas spring 56 to pivot the pivot shaft 44 and the carrier plates 43 and in turn the deflecting roller 42 in the direction of the arrow J from the idle state to the deflecting state. The solenoid controlled exhaust valve 65 is operated to exhaust the hydraulic fluid from the single acting ram 50 in response to activation of the dispenser 38 to commence dispensing the netting material 39 downwardly towards the deflecting roller 42, so that the deflecting roller 42 is in the deflecting position before the netting material reaches the deflecting roller 42. An activation signal from the electronic control circuit (not shown) to activate the dispenser 38 to commence dispensing the netting material 39 is utilised for operating the solenoid controlled exhaust valve 65 to exhaust the hydraulic fluid from the single acting ram 50. The solenoid controlled exhaust valve 65 is closed by any suitable signal once the hydraulic fluid has been exhausted from the single acting ram 50, for example, by a deactivating signal for deactivating the dispenser 38.

The drive transmission 41 comprises a double pulley (not shown) which is rotatably mounted on the pivot shaft 44. One of the pulleys of the double pulleys (not shown) is driven by a drive belt (not shown) which is driven from a suitable drive (not shown) of the belt baler. A transmission belt 68 from the other pulley of the double pulley transmits drive to a pulley 69 rigidly coupled to a shaft 70 of the deflecting roller 42 for driving the deflecting roller 42 in the direction of the arrow G.

A guide means comprising a plurality of guide fingers 71 of a flexible material are mounted on a shaft 72 extending between the forward portions 14 of the side walls 10 for guiding the netting material 39 away from the compression belt 18 onto the third bale forming roller 32 as the netting material 39 is being deflected and directed by the deflecting roller 42 into the binding material inlet 37, in order to prevent the netting material 39 being carried outwardly through the binding material inlet 37 by the compression belt 18 as it passes around the second support roller 28 from the bale forming chamber 22.

In use, with the deflecting roller 42 retained in the idle position by the single acting ram 50, see Fig. 8(a), and the compression belt 18 driven in the direction of the arrow C, the baler 1 is trailed forwardly in the direction of the arrow S. The pick-up mechanism 36 picks up fodder material to be baled from a sward of the fodder material in the field, which is urged against the compression belt 18 adjacent the primary inlet 35. The action of the fodder material on the compression belt 18 adjacent the primary inlet 35 urges the compression belt 18 inwardly to commence to form the bale forming chamber 22. As more and more fodder material is urged by the pick-up mechanism 36 into the bale forming chamber 22 through the primary inlet 35, the diameter of the bale forming chamber 22 progressively increases until the bale is fully formed.

On completion of the formation of the bale in the bale forming chamber 22, the compression belt 18 continues to be driven in the direction of the arrow C, as do the first, second and third bale forming rollers 30, 31 and 32 continue to rotate in the direction of the arrows E. The dispenser 38 is then activated to dispense the netting material 39 downwardly in the direction of the arrow L. Simultaneously with activating the dispenser 38, the solenoid operated exhaust valve 65 is operated to exhaust hydraulic fluid from the single acting ram 50, and the gas spring 56 urges the deflecting roller 42 from the idle position, see Fig. 8(a), to the deflecting position, see Fig. 8(b), and retains the deflecting roller 42 in the deflecting position.

When the netting material 39 contacts the rotating deflecting roller 42, see Fig. 8(b), the netting material 39 is deflected and directed towards the binding material inlet 37, see Fig. 8(c). The guide fingers 71 guide the netting material 39 as it is being deflected and directed towards the binding material inlet 37 onto the third bale forming roller 32, see Fig. 8(c). The netting material 39 is then urged by the third bale forming roller 32 through the binding material inlet 37, and in turn into the bale forming chamber 22, see Fig. 8(d). The netting material 39 on entering the bale forming chamber 22 is passed in the direction of the arrow P around the bale which has been formed in the bale forming chamber 22 between the bale and the compression belt 18 in the direction of the arrow C.

On completion of circumferential wrapping of the bale in the bale forming chamber 22, the netting material 39 which is circumferentially wrapped around the bale in the bale forming chamber 22 is severed from the netting material in the dispenser 38 by a suitable cutting mechanism (not shown) between the dispenser 38 and the deflecting roller 42, but closer to the dispenser 38. The severed tail of the netting material is then circumferentially wrapped around the bale in the bale forming chamber 22.

The double acting rams 57 are operated for urging the tailgate 17 in the direction of the arrow A from the closed state to the open state, and the wrapped bale is discharged from the baler 1. As the double acting rams 57 are operated for urging the tailgate 17 from the closed state to the open state, the single acting ram 50 is operated for urging the deflecting roller 42 from the deflecting position into the idle position and retaining the deflecting roller 42 in the idle position so that the baler 1 is ready to form the next bale, see Fig. 8(a).

During formation of each bale in the bale forming chamber 22, fodder material and other fibrous, particulate material and dust which is carried by the compression belt through the binding material inlet 37 as the compression belt 18 exits the bale forming chamber 22 through the binding material inlet 37 falls downwardly through the gap 48 formed between the third bale forming roller 32 and the deflecting roller 42 which is in the idle position. The falling fodder material, fibrous and particulate material and dust falls onto the pick-up mechanism 36 and is returned to the bale forming chamber 22 through the primary inlet 35. While the deflecting roller 42 has been described as being mounted on a pair of carrier plates 43 which in turn are rigidly carried on the pivot shaft 44, while this is desirable, it is not essential. The deflecting roller 42 may be mounted in any other suitable manner for facilitating movement of the deflecting roller between the idle position and the deflecting position.

While the deflecting means for deflecting the netting material into the binding material inlet has been described as comprising a deflecting roller, any other suitable deflecting means for deflecting the netting material from the dispenser into the binding material inlet may be provided, and in certain cases, it is envisaged that the deflecting means may be provided by a conveying means, for example, a relatively short conveying belt or the like, which would deflect the netting material into the binding material inlet. The conveying belt typically would be mounted on a carrier which would be urgeable between an idle position spaced apart from the binding material inlet and a deflecting position adjacent the binding material inlet. In other cases, it is envisaged that the deflecting means may be an inactive deflecting means, for example, the deflecting means may comprise an inclined deflecting plate without a moving surface, which would deflect the netting material depending downwardly from the dispenser into the binding material inlet. The inclined deflecting plate would be moveable between the idle position and the deflecting position. Alternatively, the deflecting means may be provided by a plurality of spaced apart inclined deflecting bars, which would act in a similar manner as the inclined deflecting plate to deflect the netting material depending downwardly from the dispenser into the binding material inlet. Such spaced apart inclined deflecting bars would be urgeable between the deflecting position and the idle position.

It is also envisaged that the deflecting means may be adapted to contact the netting material on the surface of the netting material opposite to the surface of the netting material facing the binding material inlet as a leading portion of the netting material passes below the binding material inlet on commencement of dispensing of the netting material. In which case, the deflecting means would be adapted to be urged from the idle position to the deflecting position, so that the deflecting means would contact the netting material as the leading portion thereof had passed below the binding material inlet, and the deflecting means would then urge the netting material into the binding material inlet as it continued to move into the deflecting position. In this case, the deflecting means would typically be provided as an inactive deflecting means, in other words, the deflecting means would be provided without a moving surface. The deflecting means may, for example, be provided by an elongated bar which would extend transversely of the baler, and when in the deflecting position would extend across and within the binding material inlet.

It will also be appreciated that other suitable urging means for urging the deflecting means from the deflecting position to the idle position may be provided instead of hydraulic rams. For example, a mechanical linkage mechanism may be provided which could, for example, be coupled to a latch for releasing the tailgate to pivot into the open state, and the linkage mechanism could operate to urge the deflecting means from the deflecting position to return to the idle position. Any other suitable mechanism may be provided for urging the deflecting means from the idle position to the deflecting position. It will also be appreciated that where the deflecting means is operated between the deflecting position and the idle position by an hydraulic ram, any other suitable control mechanism may be provided for operating the hydraulic ram. Needless to say, if desired a pair of single hydraulic rams may be provided for operating the deflecting means between the deflecting and idle positions, and if desired one or a pair of double acting hydraulic rams may be provided for urging the deflecting means between the idle and the deflecting positions. It will of course be appreciated that any suitable triggering signal for operating the urging means for urging the deflecting means from the deflecting position to the idle position may be used. Such a triggering signal may be generated in response to closure of the tailgate or in response to any other activity which would indicate the commencement of the formation of a bale in the bale forming chamber, or which would indicate completion of wrapping of a bale in the bale forming chamber, or which would indicate entry of the netting material or other suitable membrane or binding material into the bale forming chamber. Similarly, it is envisaged that any other triggering signal for operating the deflecting means from the idle position to the deflecting position may be used which would indicate the commencement of feeding of the netting material from the netting material dispenser, or which would indicate that dispensing of the netting material from the dispenser is imminent, or which would indicate that netting material is in or is about to be in a position ready to be deflected into the binding material inlet, or which would, for example, indicate that formation of a bale in the bale forming chamber is completed. Needless to say, the deflecting means may be responsive to any suitable operation of the baler for urging the deflecting means from the idle position to the deflecting position so that the deflecting means is in the deflecting position or approaching the deflecting position as the netting material is being initially dispensed from the dispenser in order to deflect the netting material into the binding material inlet.

Needless to say, the deflecting means may be urged from the deflecting position to the idle position at any suitable time during the operation of the baler, and may be urged from the deflecting position to the idle position only as a result of a build-up of fodder or fibrous material adjacent the binding material inlet, and furthermore, the deflecting means may be urged from the deflecting position to the idle position just prior to dispensing of the netting material in order to allow any build-up of fibrous material adjacent the binding material inlet to fall through the gap defined between the deflecting means and the binding material inlet when the deflecting means is in the idle position. In which case, it is envisaged that once the build-up of fibrous material has fallen through the gap between the deflecting means in the idle position and the binding material inlet, the deflecting means would be urged from the idle position to the deflecting position for deflecting the netting material as it is being dispensed from the dispenser into the binding material inlet.

It is also envisaged that a cleaning means may be provided for cleaning the deflecting means while the deflecting means is in the idle position. While the material for circumferentially wrapping and securing the formed bale has been described as a netting material, any other suitable binding material for circumferentially wrapping and securing the bale may be used. Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that a suitable membrane material may be used, for example, film material, such as plastics film material and the like. Indeed, it is envisaged that in certain cases instead of netting material or a membrane material, the binding material may be provided as twine.

While the baler has been described as being a belt baler of the type comprising a single compression belt, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the belt baler may be provided with more than one compression belt, for example, the single belt may be replaced by a plurality of belts disposed side by side relative to each other. It is also envisaged that the belt baler may be of the type which comprises two compression belts, or two series of side by side compression belts which would be disposed relative to each other to form respective opposite segments of 180° of the bale forming chamber.

Indeed, it is also envisaged that the baler may be of the type comprising a fixed chamber baler whereby the bale forming chamber is defined by a plurality of bale forming rollers.

While the belt baler has been described as forming a cylindrical bale of a specific length and within a specific range of diameters, it will be appreciated that balers according to the invention may be adapted for producing cylindrical bales of any desired axial length and diameter.

Claims

1. A baler comprising at least one endless compression belt operably carried on at least two support rollers, the compression belt being configured to define a bale forming chamber for accommodating and forming a bale therein, the bale forming chamber defining a binding material inlet for accommodating one of a membrane and a binding material for circumferentially wrapping and securing a formed bale prior to discharge from the bale forming chamber, a deflecting means for deflecting the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet, the deflecting means being moveable from a deflecting position adjacent the binding material inlet for deflecting the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet, and an idle position spaced apart from the binding material inlet to allow material from the bale forming chamber to fall downwardly between the deflecting means and the binding material inlet, the deflecting means being disengaged from the one of the membrane and the binding material in the idle position.

2. A baler as claimed in Claim 1 in which an urging means is provided for urging the deflecting means between the deflecting position and the idle position. 3. A baler as claimed in Claim 2 in which the urging means is responsive to one of completion of formation of a bale in the bale forming chamber and dispensing of the one of the membrane and the binding material for urging the deflecting means from the idle position to the deflecting position. 4. A baler as claimed in Claim 2 or 3 in which the urging means is responsive to commencement of dispensing of the one of the membrane and the binding material for urging the deflecting means from the idle position to the deflecting position.

5. A baler as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5 in which the urging means is responsive to an event between the one of the membrane and the binding material being deflected into the binding material inlet and commencement of the forming of the next bale in the bale forming chamber for urging the deflecting means from the deflecting position to the idle position.

6. A baler as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5 in which the urging means is responsive to completion of wrapping and securing of the bale with the one of the membrane and the binding material for urging the deflecting means from the deflecting position to the idle position.

7. A baler as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 6 in which the deflecting means is carried on a carrier means. 8. A baler as claimed in Claim 7 in which the carrier means is pivotally mounted so that on pivoting of the carrier means the deflecting means is urged between the deflecting position and the idle position.

9. A baler as claimed in Claim 7 or 8 in which the urging means is operably coupled to the carrier means for urging the carrier means and in turn the deflecting means between the deflecting position and the idle position.

10. A baler as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 9 in which the compression belt is configurable to operate in a bale forming state defining the bale forming chamber, and in a discharge state for accommodating discharge of a formed bale from the bale forming chamber, and the urging means is responsive to the compression belt transitioning from the bale forming state to the discharge state for urging the deflecting means from the deflecting position to the idle position. 11. A baler as claimed in any preceding claim in which the deflecting means is adapted to contact a freely depending portion of the one of the membrane and the binding material as the one of the membrane and the binding material is being dispensed downwardly from a dispenser for deflecting the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet.

12. A baler as claimed in Claim 11 in which the deflecting means is configured for deflecting the one of the membrane and the binding material in a generally sidewardly direction.

13. A baler as claimed in Claim 11 or 12 in which the deflecting means is configured for deflecting the one of the membrane and the binding material in a generally sidewardly downwardly direction.

14. A baler as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 13 in which the deflecting means is configured to contact a leading portion of the freely depending portion of the one of the membrane and the binding material for deflecting the leading portion thereof into the binding material inlet.

15. A baler as claimed any preceding claim in which the deflecting means defines a deflecting surface adapted to contact the one of the membrane and the binding material. 16. A baler as claimed in Claim 15 in which the deflecting surface of the deflecting means is an active surface.

17. A baler as claimed in Claim 15 or 16 in which the deflecting surface of the deflecting means is a movable surface.

18. A baler as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 17 in which a portion of the deflecting surface of the deflecting means which is adapted to be contacted by the one of the membrane and the binding material is adapted to move in a direction substantially towards the binding material inlet. 9. A baler as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 8 in which the deflecting means comprises one of a roller, a conveyor, a plate, and a plurality of spaced apart guide elements, the guide elements extending in a general direction towards the binding material inlet.

20. A baler as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 19 in which the deflecting means is rotatably mounted.

21. A baler as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 20 in which the deflecting means comprises a rotatably mounted deflecting roller having a circumferential surface defining the deflecting surface. 22. A baler as claimed in Claim 21 in which the deflecting roller is rotatably driven.

23. A baler as claimed in Claim 21 or 22 in which the deflecting roller is driven in a rotational direction for deflecting and directing the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet.

24. A baler as claimed in any preceding claim in which the binding material inlet is defined by a bale forming roller and the compression belt as the compression belt engages one of the support rollers passing in a direction from the bale forming chamber.

25. A baler as claimed in Claim 24 in which the bale forming roller is rotated in a direction for urging the one of the membrane and the binding material through the binding material inlet into the bale forming chamber.

26. A baler as claimed in Claim 24 or 25 in which the deflecting means is located adjacent the bale forming roller when the deflecting means is in the deflecting position. 27. A baler as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 26 in which the deflecting means is configured for deflecting the one of the membrane and the binding material onto the bale forming roller.

28. A baler as claimed in any preceding claim in which the compression belt is configured to define the bale forming chamber of progressively increasing size as the bale is being formed therein.

29. A baler as claimed in any preceding claim in which the baler is configured for forming a cylindrical bale.

30. A baler as claimed in any preceding claim in which the baler is configured for forming fodder material into a bale.

31. A baler as claimed in any preceding claim in which the baler is configured for wrapping a bale in the bale forming chamber with the binding material in the form of netting. 32. A baler as claimed in any preceding claim in which a guide means is provided for guiding the one of the membrane and the binding material away from the compression belt adjacent the binding material inlet.

33. A baler as claimed in Claim 32 in which the guide means comprises a plurality of spaced apart guide fingers extending in a generally downwardly inclined direction towards the binding material inlet.

34. A baler as claimed in Claim 33 in which the guide fingers are of a flexible material.

35. A baler defining a bale forming chamber and a binding material inlet to the bale forming chamber for accommodating one of a membrane and a binding material for circumferentially securing a formed bale prior to discharge from the bale forming chamber, and a deflecting means for directing the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet, the deflecting means being moveable between a deflecting position adjacent the binding material inlet for deflecting the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet, and an idle position spaced apart from the binding material inlet to allow material from the bale forming chamber to fall downwardly between the deflecting means and the binding material inlet, the deflecting means being disengaged from the one of the membrane and the binding material in the idle position.

36. A method for entering one of a membrane and a binding material into a bale forming chamber of a baler through a binding material inlet, the method comprising providing a deflecting means for deflecting the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet, retaining the deflecting means in an idle position spaced apart from the binding material inlet and disengaged from the one of the membrane and the binding material when a bale is being formed in the bale forming chamber to allow material from the bale forming chamber to fall downwardly between the deflecting means and the binding material inlet, urging the deflecting means to a deflecting position adjacent the binding material inlet at one of the commencement of dispensing of the one of the membrane and the binding material and completion of formation of a bale in the bale forming chamber, contacting a portion of the one of the membrane and the binding material freely depending downwardly adjacent the binding material inlet with the deflecting means to deflect the one of the membrane and the binding material into the binding material inlet. 37. A method as claimed in Claim 36 in which the deflecting means is provided with a moving surface adapted to contact the one of the membrane and the binding material, and the deflecting means is operated so that a portion of the moving surface adapted to contact the freely depending portion of the one of the membrane and the binding material is moved in a general direction towards the binding material inlet.