Patent ID: 6079324
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: A01F

Abstract:
A round baler for the formation of a soft or hard core bale comprising:a variable geometry bale core formation chamber defined by a set of belts, said belts being wound around a plurality of stationary rollers and movable belt tightening rollers, some of the stationary rollers being stationary driven rollers;primary belt tensioners and rotatable secondary belt tensioners;said movable rollers being mounted on at least one of said primary belt tensioners and on at least one of said secondary belt tensioners;a spring attached to each of said secondary belt tensioners, each of said springs being arranged to cause a corresponding secondary belt tensioner to exert a pressure on an associated belt;by control of a position of the primary belt tensioners, said primary belt tensioners defining an initial geometry of the bale core formation chamber;hydraulic cylinder units arranged and constructed to displace said primary belt tensioners;an electrical and hydraulic system with an electronic control unit arranged and constructed to provide an oil flow and an oil flow stoppage control to said hydraulic cylinder units;said secondary belt tensioners being arranged, for any position of said primary belt tensioners, to provide balance for tensile stress of said belts when said belts slacken;in a soft core formation configuration said secondary belt tensioners being arranged to cancel a hydraulic compression action of said primary belt tensioners being held stationary during a first bale compression phase, by exerting on said belts a pressure via said springs just sufficient to adhere said belts on said stationary driven rollers while said secondary belt tensioners complete a rotation.