Patent ID: 6647706
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: A01F

Abstract:
In a large rectangular baler including an elevated baling chamber having a floor provided with a crop material inlet, an upwardly and rearwardly curved duct defining a pre-compression chamber having an upper rear end located at said inlet, and a lower front end located for receiving crop material, and a stuffer arrangement including a tine assembly including a plurality of transversely spaced tines movable into said duct through slits provided in an upper rear wall section of said duct for lifting a pre-compressed charge of crop material, contained in said duct between said lower front and upper rear ends, and ejecting it through said inlet of said baling chamber, the improvement comprising: said duct including a rear section formed at least approximately at a radius about a horizontal transverse axis; said stuffer arrangement further including a frame mounted for pivoting about said horizontal, transverse axis; said tine assembly of said stuffer arrangement being mounted to said frame for reciprocation relative to said frame in a direction substantially crosswise to said duct between a retracted position wherein said tines are withdrawn from said duct and an extended position wherein said tines respectively project through said slits and into said duct; an extensible and retractable injector actuator being coupled to said tine assembly for selectively moving it between said retracted and extended positions; and an extensible and retractable lift actuator coupled to said frame and being selectively operable for pivoting said frame about said horizontal axis so as to sweep said tines through said duct for lifting said charge of crop material and discharging it through said inlet.