Rolling rack control means

An automatic bale wagon is disclosed wherein a rolling rack control mechanism is mounted to the frame and cooperable with the load bed or third table and the actuator of the rolling rack which is movable between a first position and a second position so that when the third table is in the first loading position, the control mechanism is in the first position and when the third table is in the second unloading position, the control mechanism is in the second position, which causes the actuator to automatically move the rolling rack fully to the rear end of the third table before the stack of bales is unloaded.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to bale wagons, and specifically to 
apparatus for use on a bale wagon to insure that the rolling rack which 
holds the stack of bales on the load bed is automatically moved to the 
fully rearward position during the stack unloading process. 
It is accepted present day practice to form bales of crop materials such as 
hay or the like into stacks through the employment of an automatic bale 
wagon. One type of bale wagon which has achieved wide-spread commercial 
acceptance is the automatic bale wagon which employs the three table 
concept, as originally illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 
2,848,172 which issued to Gordon E. Grey. Many refinements have been made 
to the Grey bale wagon, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,945,507. 
However, the basic concept has remained substantially the same. 
This type of bale wagon includes a first table which successively receives 
bales from a bale loader or pick-up on the wagon frame and accumulates a 
predetermined number of bales, for example, two being arranged end-to-end 
in a row. The Grey bale wagon also includes a second table which 
successively receives the accumulated predetermined number of bales from 
the first table and accumulates them in a plurality of rows, such as four, 
five or six rows, the plurality of rows commonly being known as a tier of 
bales. The third table or load bed then successively receives the tiers 
from the second table and accumulates a plurality of the tiers, for 
example seven, to form a stack. Once the stack has been accumulated on the 
load bed or third table, it may be unloaded by pivoting the load bed 90 
degrees and depositing the stack on the ground with the first tier of 
bales which was previously accumulated on the second table now being the 
lowermost tier of the stack in contact with the ground surface. 
Another type of bale wagon, which is generally shown and described in U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,212,578, employs a stationary bale-receiving area which roughly 
corresponds to the pivotable first table area of the Grey-type wagon 
discussed above. The bale-receiving area and bale-accumulating table are 
substantially at the same level, and the bales are transferred 
therebetween by a pusher mechanism in front of the bale-receiving area 
which engages the bales and displaces them rearwardly onto the forward 
portion of the bale-accumulating table. The second and third tables then 
function substantially as described in the Grey patent, and generally 
known in the art. 
Any bale wagon which employs a pivoting bale-accumulating table to deposit 
a tier of bales on a load bed encounters significant tier stability 
problems when operating, especially under hilly conditions. To support the 
stack on the load bed or third table, a rolling rack has been provided 
which moves rearwardly as each additional tier of the stack is deposited 
on the load bed until it is fully formed. This rolling rack then supports 
the stack of bales as the third table is pivoted through 90 degrees about 
a transverse axis to deposit the bales on the ground. The rolling rack 
thus is called upon to support the entire weight of the stack, frequently 
as much as four tons, until the third table has completed its pivoting 
maneuver and deposited the bales against the ground. If the rolling rack 
is not at the fully rearward position at the back edge of the third table, 
this considerable mass which the rolling rack must support can damage the 
rolling rack by causing it to twist or fail, especially in units utilizing 
hydraulics to move the rolling rack along the length of the third table. 
Recognizing this problem, designers have incorporated supports at the back 
edge of the third table to reinforce the rolling rack during the unloading 
operation. However, this still requires that the rolling rack be moved to 
its fully rearward position before the unloading process is begun. Since 
the rolling rack is moved rearwardly by the pressure of the tier being 
transferred from the second table to the third table, it is entirely 
possible when a stack is fully forced that a gap of five or six inches 
exists between the rolling rack and the back edge of the third table. This 
space is sufficient when the rolling rack is subjected to the mass of a 
stack of bales during the unloading, to permit the rack to fail or become 
twisted. Machines heretofore utilizing hydraulics to move the rolling rack 
require the operator to manually perform a function which moves the 
rolling rack to the fully rearward position. Frequently, the operator will 
neglect to perform this manual operation, resulting in the aforementioned 
damage to the rolling rack during unloading of the stack of bales. 
The foregoing problems are solved in the design of the rolling rack control 
means comprising the present invention by providing in an automatic bale 
wagon a control means which is mounted to the frame and cooperable with 
the third table and the actuator of the rolling rack which is movable 
between a first position and a second position so that when the third 
table is in the first loading position the control means is in the first 
position and when the third table is in the second unloading position the 
control means is in the second position which causes the actuator to 
automatically move the rolling rack fully to the rear end of the third 
table before the stack of bales is unloaded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide in an 
automatic bale wagon utilizing a load bed with a rolling rack control 
apparatus for the rolling rack that automatically controls the movement of 
the rolling rack between a fully forward position and a fully rearward 
position dependent upon positioning of the load bed during operation. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide in an automatic 
bale wagon a control apparatus which automatically performs a function 
during the operation of the machine which otherwise must be done manually 
by the operator. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide in an automatic 
bale wagon control apparatus which simplifies the operation of the unit 
for the operator. 
It is a feature of the present invention that the control apparatus 
includes a spring biased lever connected to a hydraulic fluid flow control 
valve which is positioned by the lever during the unloading of the stack 
so that the hydraulic circuit automatically causes the rolling rack to be 
moved to the fully rearward position on the load bed when the load bed is 
raised to the stack unloading position. 
It is another feature of this invention that when the load bed is lowered 
the spring biased lever is engaged by the load bed and moved to a second 
position which allows the flow control valve to be positioned to enable 
the rolling rack to automatically be moved to the front of the load bed. 
It is an advantage of the present invention that damage to the rolling rack 
is prevented from excessive loading to which the rolling rack may be 
subjected because the rolling rack is not properly positioned fully to the 
rear of the load bed. 
It is a further advantage of the present invention that the operation of 
the automatic bale wagon is simplified. 
It is another advantage of the present invention that the control of the 
rolling rack during stacking operations of the automatic bale wagon is 
improved. 
These and other objects, features and advantages are obtained by providing 
in an automatic bale wagon a rolling rack control means which is mounted 
to the frame and cooperable with the load bed or third table and the 
actuator of the rolling rack which is movable between a first position and 
a second position so that when the third table is in the first loading 
position the control means is in the first position and when the third 
table is in the second unloading position the control means is in the 
second position which causes the actuator to automatically move the 
rolling rack fully to the rear end of the third table before the stack of 
bales is unloaded. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a bale wagon indicated generally by the 
numeral 10 on which the instant invention is employed. The bale wagon 
comprises a main frame 11 supported rearwardly by an opposing pair of 
wheels 12, only one of which is shown, and extending forwardly to a hitch 
14 by which the wagon may be attached to a tractor or towing vehicle. A 
power take-off 15 may be affixed to the towing vehicle and used to supply 
the rotary power that will power the various working components of the 
bale wagon. Alternatively, the bale wagon may be of the self-propelled 
type, as readily found in the prior art. Specific operating 
characteristics of the bale wagon are not generally important to the 
invention to be described; however the bale wagon shown employs a first 
table 16 for receiving bales thereon which is spaced forwardly of a second 
table 18 to accumulate bales to form a tier, which is in turn spaced 
forwardly of a third table or load bed 19 on which a stack of bales is 
formed from the individual tiers. 
As the bale wagon moves through a field, bales are engaged by a 
conventional pick-up 20 and deposited on the first table 16 across which 
they are moved by a conventional cross conveyor 21. After a predetermined 
number of bales, usually two, are positioned on the first table, a 
pivoting mechanism (not shown) engages the bales and pivots them upwardly 
onto the second table. Under certain circumstances, it is beneficial to 
turn the bale on the flat, and therefore a turning device (not shown) 
could also be provided. The specific operation of the first table 16 does 
not form a part of this invention; however, alternatively a pusher type of 
mechanism such as that shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,578 
could be also employed. 
The process of transferring bales onto the second table 18 is repeated 
until the table is filled with a tier of bales in any one of a number of 
forms. At that time, the second table is pivoted upwardly and rearwardly 
toward the third table 19 so that the tier engages the rolling rack 22 and 
is held between the side rails 24, each of which are positioned along 
opposing sides of the third table 19. Both side rails 24 and a plurality 
of bale engaging fingers 25, positioned across the width of the third 
table 19, engage the tiers as they form a stack and add stability to the 
stack. The entire process is repeated serially until the load bed or third 
table is filled with a stack of bales. Then, the third table 19 is pivoted 
upwardly and rearwardly and the bales are deposited on the ground in the 
form of a stable stack. At least a pair of end fingers 26 projecting 
upwardly from the third table 19 add to the stability of the stack as it 
is formed and off-loaded. A pair of hydraulic cylinders 28, only one of 
which is shown, serves to pivot the third table 19 about a horizontal axis 
coinciding with the shaft 29, to which the third table 19 is appropriately 
hinged. The rolling rack 22 is moved forwardly and backwardly by means of 
a single hydraulic cylinder 30, which is positioned about midway between 
the sides of the third table. Further stability is added to the stack by 
the nature of the side rails 24 which include a front upwardly raising 
brace 31, a rear upwardly raising supporting beam 32, the brace 31 and the 
supporting beam 32 being interconnected by a diagonal number 34 and a 
plurality of generally fore-and-aft extending beams 35. 
An automatic control means for the movement of the rolling rack is 
indicated generally in FIG. 1 by the numeral 36. As best seen in enlarged 
scale in FIGS. 2 and 3, the control apparatus comprises a pivotally 
mounted lever 38 which is supported for pivotal movement by bracket 39, 
which is suitably fastened to frame 11. Lever 38 pivots about point 40 and 
is appropriately fastened to a rod 41 at its lower end. Rod 41 extends 
through an appropriately sized apperture in the rear vertical portion 42 
of main frame 11. The rod 41 has a plate 44 appropriately fastened 
thereto, such as by welding. A pair of biasing springs 45 and 46 are 
secured to appertures in the plate 44 and on their opposite end to an 
L-shaped retaining bracket 48. Bracket 48 is appropriately fastened to the 
main frame 11, such as by bolts. The rod 41 is positioned for longitudinal 
or fore-and-aft movement and is cooperative with the plunger 49 of the 
hydraulic control valve 50. Control valve 50 is of the type commonly 
available from several commercial suppliers, such as Cessna Aircraft 
Corporation's Hydraulic Division as Control Valve Part No. 30511 -AAR. 
In this type of a control valve the spool (not shown) within the valve is 
spring loaded to the center position. As incorporated in the hydraulics of 
the instant bale wagon, this positioning normally occurs when the third 
table 19 is in the down or loading position, permitting the hydraulic 
fluid to go from the third table cylinders 28 and the rolling rack 
cylinder 30 back to the reservoir. This permits the rolling rack in the 
pressurized hydraulic system to be pushed rearwardly one tier at a time by 
the force of the tier of bales being transferred from the second table 18 
to the third table 19. It is this rearward movement which forces the 
hydraulic fluid out of the rolling rack cylinder 30 and back to the 
reservoir, best seen in the diagrammatic illustration of FIG. 4. 
In the bale loading position the bottom of the third table 19 engages the 
lever 38 in such a way as to keep the rod 41 pivoted rearwardly so that it 
does not contact the plunger 49, see FIG. 3. This permits the spring 
loaded spool of control valve 50 to remain in the aforementioned center 
position. However, when the third table is pivoted upwardly to unload a 
stack of bales, the bottom of the third table 19 moves upwardly permitting 
the lever 38 to also move upwardly, thereby forcing the rod 41 forwardly 
into contact with the plunger 49. This moves the spool within the valve 50 
so that fluid automatically flows out of the rolling rack cylinder 30 back 
to the reservoir to permit the weight of the stack to move the rolling 
rack to the fully rearward position where it is appropriately seated so 
that the load is distributed between the rolling rack 22 and end fingers 
26. In this type of a hydraulic circuit the bale wagon 10 may incorporate 
a single bale unloading capability, permitting the hydraulic cylinder 30 
for the rolling rack 22 to move the stack forwardly one tier at a time. 
Such an operation requires that the flow of hydraulic fluid be reversed. 
This is accomplished by means of the rolling rack control valve 
illustrated in FIG. 4 so that the spool is positioned in the center 
position of valve 50, permitting the hydraulic fluid to pass through the 
port PB to the rolling rack cylinder 30. 
When it is desired to transfer the third table 19, from the stack unloading 
position, back to the loading position shown in FIG. 1, the third table 
control valve of FIG. 4 is activated to permit the third table cylinders 
28 to retract. In this type of a flow path the hydraulic fluid enters the 
inport and exits the PB port of the control valve 50. When the third table 
19 is lowered to the fully horizontal or loading position, the control 
means 36 has the lever 38 engaged, by the bottom of the third table 
pivoting the rod 41 out of contact with the plunger 49. During the loading 
process the pilot operated check valve shown in FIG. 4 cooperates with the 
second table so when the second table returns to the bale receiving 
position the check valve is shut. While the check valve is open the 
hydraulic fluid can flow back to the reservoir to permit the rolling rack 
to be moved from rearwardly one tier at a time in the manner previously 
described due to the force of the tier of bales being pressed thereagainst 
by the second table. Since this check valve remains closed during the bale 
stack unloading process because the second table is not utilized, unless 
the rolling rack control means 36 were provided the rolling rack would 
remain in a position somewhat forwardly of the fully rear end position 
during unloading of the stack. This could cause the aforementioned damage 
to the rolling rack to occur by having the full weight of the stack, often 
as much as 4 tons, be supported by the rolling rack 22. The control means 
36, however, provides as herein described the mechanism which 
automatically permits the rolling rack to be moved to the fully rearward 
position during the stack unloading process to prevent damage from 
occurring to the rolling rack 22. 
Thus there is provided a control apparatus 36 which cooperates with the 
existing hydraulic circuitry on an automatic bale wagon to ensure that the 
rolling rack 22 is not damaged during the stack unloading process and 
which removes from the control of the operator a previously manual 
function. 
While the preferred structure in which the principles of the present 
invention have been incorporated is shown and described above, it is to be 
understood that the invention is not to be limited to the particular 
details thus presented, but, in fact, widely different means may be 
employed in the practice of the broader aspects of this invention. The 
scope of the appended claims is intended to encompass all obvious changes 
in the details, materials and arrangements of parts which will occur to 
one of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of this disclosure.