Combination of a baler and wrapping apparatus, and a chassis to accommodate them

A combined large round baler and whole bale wrapping apparatus includes a wheeled chassis carrying and extending between the baler and the wrapping apparatus and including tandem wheels carried at opposite ends of walking beams. A lower region of the baler is secured to the front of the chassis. First and second braces are fixed to, and diverge upwardly from, a fore-and-aft middle location of the chassis respectively to the hinge joint between the front and rear sections of the baler and a wrapping arm assembly. A tie-bar extends between the two braces. The wrapping apparatus includes a wrapping table mounted to the chassis for fore-and-aft movement between a receiving position, wherein it is disposed for receiving a bale formed by the baler, and a wrapping position, wherein it is located centrally below the wrapping arm.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns a large round baler in combination with a wrapping apparatus for completely enveloping a bale formed by the baler.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

EP-A1-865 723 discloses a baler/wrapping apparatus combination in which a chassis is provided, into which a baler is installed and onto which a bale wrapping apparatus is placed. The chassis and frame laterally surround the baler and the wrapping apparatus.

DE-A1-41 20 733 shows a combination of a baler with a wrapping apparatus and a chassis in which two wheels are provided close to each other, similar to a tandem axle. The baler and chassis combination shown therein leaves open how the forces can be controlled in an actual embodiment.

The problem to be solved is that of providing a combination baler and wrapping apparatus which is robust while being of a size and weight that does not result in high manufacturing costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided and improved combination baler and whole bale wrapping apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide a combined baler and whole bale wrapping apparatus which is of a robust, relatively inexpensive construction.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a combined baler and whole bale wrapping apparatus wherein a robust, wheeled chassis is located between the components making up the baler and the wrapping apparatus.

Yet a more specific object is to provide a combined baler and whole bale wrapping apparatus, as set forth in the immediately preceding object, wherein a lower section of the chassis serves to connect a carrying axle, the baler components are supported at the front of the chassis and also by at least one brace running between the chassis and an upper location of the baler.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a combined baler and wrapping apparatus including a wheeled chassis, with the baler including wrapping components together with an axle, which are removable from the chassis of the combined apparatus, the axle been adapted for receiving wheels so that the baler may be used apart from the wrapping apparatus.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the ensuing description together with the appended drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a combined implement10including a baler12, a wrapping apparatus14and a chassis16. The combined implement10is adapted to be towed across a field by an agricultural tractor (not shown) so as to take up harvested crop, such as silage grass, compress the crop into bales, and finally to wrap the bales in an airtight covering.

The baler12in the shown embodiment is designed as a large round baler, which however is not mandatory. Instead, a rectangular baler could be used. An example of the bale forming arrangement of the baler12is embodied in the commercially available John Deere Model 575 Round Baler. In its usual condition, the lower section of the baler is provided with a carrying axle (not shown) on which the baler can be transported. Because the bale forming arrangement of the baler is linked with the chassis16, a carrying axle is superfluous; however, such an axle continues to be suitable for connection with support wheels and can be removed from the combination and be operated independently of the wrapping apparatus14.

The baler12includes, among other things, a front section18, a rear section20, and a draft tongue22. The front section18is provided with laterally spaced side walls24between which rollers26extend, which are positioned in an arc of a circle, in order to define a forward part of the circumference of a bale-forming chamber (not shown). In a front, lower location of the front section18, a space has been created for accommodating the in-coming crop delivered by a crop gathering arrangement, such as a pick-up (not shown), as is generally known. A flange28is provided in a lower location of the front section18, which, in the John Deere Model 575 baler, serves to connect a carrying axle. In other commercially available balers, such an existing flange may be used for a different purpose. This flange28is permanently linked with the side walls24and to a reinforcing plate (not shown) located between the walls and thus is suitable for transferring great forces. In an upper location, the side walls24are rigidly connected with a cross member30, which at the external sides of the side walls24is provided with a pipe32. Apart from the purpose explained below, this pipe32also serves for easier conveyance during production and thus is already provided as part of a conventional baler. Finally, a cross member34, which is connected to the draw bar22, extends between a lower forward location of the side walls24. This concludes the description of the front section18, because the remaining individual components are known and irrelevant to the invention.

Sometimes, the rear section20is referred to as the bale discharge gate and is designed in a known manner. The rear section20is provided with laterally spaced side walls36, between which rollers (not shown) extend which also are positioned in an arc of a circle, in order to define a rear part of the circumference of the bale-forming chamber. Furthermore, cross members (not shown) are provided between the side walls36in order to rigidify the rear section20. The front and rear sections18and20, respectively, are interconnected by a pivot bearing38, which is located inwardly of the pipes32at rear upper corner locations of the front section18and in a front upper corner location of the rear section20, and allows a vertical pivoting or swiveling motion of the rear section20, which is initiated by hydraulic cylinders (not shown).

The drawbar22has a vertically rigid connection with the cross member34, which in most cases, however, is adjustable, and normally serves to connect the baler12to a traction vehicle (not shown), such as an agricultural tractor, but here serves to connect the entire combination10to the tractor. Because of the rigid connection between the drawbar22and the front section18, each vertical movement of the drawbar22also is initiated in the front section18.

The wrapping apparatus14essentially is provided with two components, namely a wrapping arm40and a wrapping table42. The type of wrapping apparatus as shown herein is generally known in the market, and has the task of wrapping and hermetically sealing a bale formed in the baler12, so that silage feed can be produced.

The wrapping arm40includes a drive44, for example, with a motor and transmission assembly45, which includes a vertical drive shaft46. Furthermore, the wrapping arm40also has a wrapping rotor48in the form of an upside-down “U” to which the vertical arm of the rotor is attached with a film dispenser50. The wrapping rotor48is centrically connected with the drive shaft46, and is rotated by the drive44around the central axis of the drive, while in the free inner space, the bale is stored on the wrapping table42and rotated by the table around a horizontal axis, as is known. The wrapping arm40is suspended from a brace52, having a pair of members, each of which is similar to an upside-down “J” defined by a mainly vertical arm54and a mainly horizontal arm56, which enclose an obtuse angle of approximately 110° between them. Each nearly vertical arm54extends so that the wrapping rotor48can be rotated freely above the chassis16, and each horizontal arm56extends rearwardly and inwardly to the rotor drive motor and transmission assembly45and has a longitudinal component which is longer than the radius of the wrapping rotor48, so that the wrapping rotor48does not knock against the vertical arm54during the motion of rotation of the rotor.

The wrapping table42does not have a rotating design and contains a roller (not shown) in the front and rear end section, around which sagging belts (also not shown) are wound, in order to accept a bale on the upper half of the conveyor and to shift it during rotation. The wrapping table42is movably supported along the chassis16in a rail with a U profile, not shown. By means of a hydraulic motor (not shown), the wrapping table42can be moved below the rear section20in order to accept a bale, and then moved with the bale to the center below the wrapping arm40where, while being shifted in rotation, the bale is surrounded by film dispensers50. DE 41 20 733 discloses such a conveyor arrangement for placing a wrapping table for receiving a bale from the baler and for moving the table, together with the bale, to a location spaced rearward of the baler where wrapping apparatus is located. In lieu of using the wrapping table42as a conveyor for moving the baler from the baler to the wrapping apparatus14, a belt or chain conveyor or the like could be provided on the top of the chassis16. Finally, the wrapping table42is tipped towards the rear, as shown in the drawing, and the wrapped bale is deposited on the ground, as is generally known. Finally, film holders58are provided between the film dispensers50and the wrapping table42, which hold the film at the beginning of the wrapping process and cut the film upon completion of the process.

The chassis16contains two cheeks60, which run parallel to each other, two tandem axle supports62and two wheels64on each side. The chassis16accommodates the baler12at a front end location and the wrapping apparatus14at a rear end location. Further, the swiveling axis of the tandem axis support62at the cheeks60is so selected that the weight in front and back remains manageable regardless of whether the bale, which may weigh up to 1200 kg, is in the baler12or is displaced to the rear and located at the wrapping apparatus14.

The cheeks60are made of tubing having a rectangular cross section, but may be made of U-profile or C-profile channel members, or similar construction, and are rigidly connected by means of cross members. Flanges66are provided at a front location of the chassis16and match and are secured, as by screws, to the flanges28of the baler12. By this method, the baler12is primarily attached to the chassis16. On the inside of the cheeks60, the aforementioned rails are provided with a U-section, in which the wrapping table42can be moved longitudinally to the combination10. The consoles68are rigidly fixed to the outside of the cheeks60, in horizontal spaced relationship to, and to the rear of, the flanges28,66. Tandem axle supports or walking beams62are respectively vertically pivotally mounted to the consoles68by bearings70. Because the chassis16is connected with the baler12via the flanges28,66, the cheeks60are located below the baler12, thus resulting in a narrower design. Ultimately, in this embodiment, the outside of each cheek60is provided with a fender72. Of course, the chassis16is also provided with brakes, lighting, suspension, and the like, which, however, can be taken for granted, and, therefore, do not have to be described in detail.

Each tandem axle support or walking beam62is designed in the form of a plate, which axially, or essentially axially pivots around the bearing70, and in each end location is provided with one of the wheels64. The wheels64are spaced at a narrow distance, support the combination10on the ground, and ensure a small distance between the underside of the cheeks60, being the lowest point of the combination10, and the ground.

A first brace74and a tie bar76are provided at each side of the combination10to connect the baler12and wrapping apparatus14with the chassis16. The first brace74extends between the pipe32in the upper rear corner location of the front baler section18and the console68, and diverges from an imaginary line between the pipe32and the flanges28,66in order to form part of a triangle. Since the location of the pipes32are coincident with the bearings38about which the discharge gate20swivels or pivots, the first brace74is ideally located for transferring the loads to the chassis16. The first brace74is developed as a straight pipe, which can be subjected both to tensile stress and pressure, and because of its straight design is not liable to kink. Between the console68, the pipe32, and the flanges28,66, a solid triangle is formed which secures the baler12against tilting in the direction of travel. The first brace74is connected to the console68by means of straps, clamp straps, screws, or similar connections.

Each tie-bar76extends between one of the first braces74and one of the sides of the brace52which, according to the drawing, essentially form a “V” and thus appear to diverge upwardly. The tie-bar76extends between locations of the baler12and the wrapping apparatus14, which are almost at the respective tops of these structures. Specifically, on the one hand, the tie-bar76engages the pipe32, and on the other hand, it engages in the transitional area between the vertical and horizontal legs54and56, respectively, of a respective side of the brace52. The tiebar76can be provided with a clamp screw, which allows adjusting the length. In other embodiments, the tie-bar76may engage at different points, so long as it ensures that it is able to transmit the load.

Finally, a third brace78is provided, which extends between the pipe32and the area of the flanges28,66. This brace78, however, does not serve to fix the baler12on the chassis16, but to mount the components of the baler12or the combination10, such as grease lines protective devices, electrical lines, hydraulic lines, etc.

From the above description, it follows that the line between the flanges28,66and the pipe32, the first brace74, the tie-bar76, and the brace52form a type of latticework, which is intrinsically stable. Specifically, the first braces74make it possible to conduct the vertical forces initiated by the drawbar22to the chassis16, without excessive load upon the flanges28,66. Excessive forces can also be avoided by virtue of the tandem axle supports or walking beams62being vertically pivotally mounted to the cheeks60and by the advantageous distribution of the weight of the combination10in front and to the rear of the bearings70.

The above description of the embodiment indicates that the cheeks60, braces54,74and78and the tie-bars are provided on each side of the combination10, i.e., they are doubled, which, however, is not required for all of these parts.

Overall, in contrast to the prior art, the present invention offers a simpler and narrower design, which avoids providing or especially forming the press12with an additional frame.