Baler gate linkage and latch structure

A chassis-mounted round baler particularly useful with an on-board cotton module building system includes a bale release gate frame section connected to a forward frame section by a four bar linkage to define a gate path that allows the folding of the baler into both field transport and shipping configurations while maintaining desirable operating, transport and shipping heights. The gate linkage incorporates a self latching feature wherein a small vertical movement of the gate as the gate cylinders are operated releases a gate latch member from a forward frame member during gate opening and reengages the gate latch with the forward frame member during closing. The gate interacts with the bale handler to provide a stop for the baler gate when the baler gate is placed into a cradle on the handler.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to bale forming structures and, more specifically, to a baler of the type utilized with a cotton harvester to provide a cotton module directly on the harvester.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cotton harvesters having on-board module forming structure such as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,996 provide a compact bale or module directly on the harvester to reduce the amount of support equipment needed in the field and minimize harvester idle time during offloading. The on-board processing structure includes a bale handling system for moving a large formed bale rearwardly to prepare the bale chamber for a second bale with little or no harvester down time. The formed bale is relatively large, and designing the bale-forming chamber to maintain a satisfactory harvester shipping and transport height has been a continuing source of difficulty. The system shown in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,996 patent provides reduced height by pivoting one portion of the bale chamber relative to the other portion so that the uppermost extremity of the chamber is lowered. The aft chamber can be supported on a rear bale handler and lowered for increased height reduction. As the capacity of a harvester increases, the problems with maintaining shipping and road transport heights within acceptable ranges become more acute. In addition, servicing the bale chamber area or replenishing the wrap mechanism of the baler, particularly in a chassis-mounted baler, becomes more challenging because of the increased height of the unit above the ground.

With previously available baling systems having pivoting gate structure to release a formed bale, separate latching mechanisms are required to lock the gate in place. Such mechanisms, which may include cylinder operated locks or complicated linkages which have to be adjusted and which add to the cost and complexity of the baling system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved on-board cotton handling system that overcomes most or all of the aforementioned problems. It is another object to provide such a system having an improved processor height reduction feature. It is a further object to provide an improved gate latch structure for a baler of the type utilized with an on-board processing system.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved baler structure particularly useful with an on-board cotton harvester module building system. It is a further object to provide such a structure having improved service accessibility and improved transport and shipping configurations.

A chassis-mounted round baler particularly useful with an on-board cotton module building system includes a bale release gate frame section connected to a forward frame section by a four bar or similar control linkage. The linkage generates a baler gate path that allows the folding of the baler into both field transport and shipping configurations while maintaining desirable operating, transport and shipping heights typical of many current cotton pickers. The linkage cooperates with a bale handler on the cotton picker which assists in the folding function and supports the gate in the transport and shipping configurations.

The gate linkage also incorporates a self latching feature the eliminates the weight, cost and complexity of a separate latching mechanism. The baler gate linkage permits a small vertical movement of the gate as the gate cylinders are operated. When the cylinders are first extended to raise the gate, an initial vertical movement lifts the gate slightly to release a gate latch member from a forward frame member. As the cylinders are retracted to move the gate closed, an opposite vertical motion at the end of the closing path reengages the gate latch from the forward frame member.

The four bar linkage also allows the gate center of gravity to be positioned such that the gate will stay in a fully opened position without positive pressure in the actuators that open the gate. The linkage and the ability to fold the baler into lower transport and shipping positions allows bale wrap to be put in the machine from the ground and makes service points on the baler easier to access. The gate interacts with the bale handler to provide a stop for the baler gate when the baler gate is placed into a cradle on the handler. The gate latches to the cradle and is moved to a reduced height transport or shipping position with downward movement of the handler. The gate cylinders can be operated in a float mode while the gate is latched to the handler.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIG. 1therein is shown a cotton harvester10having a main frame12supported for movement by forward drive wheels14and rear steerable wheels16. A cab18is supported at the front end of the main frame12above forwardly mounted harvesting structure indicated at20which removes cotton from plants and directs the removed cotton into an air duct system22.

An upright telescoping accumulator system30with an upper inlet structure31and a metering floor32is supported on the frame12behind the cab18for receiving the cotton from the air duct system22. A processor or module builder34is supported rearwardly of the accumulator system30. The accumulator system30stores cotton as necessary, and the metering floor32distributes the cotton to the module builder34which first forms a mat of material and then rolls the mat into a compact bale or module36. The accumulator and processor system with the exception of the linkage and locking structure described in detail below may be generally of the type shown and described in the commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,996 entitled Harvester with Bale Forming Chamber Having a Transport Mode.

A bale or module handling system40is located rearwardly of the processor34for receiving a bale or module from the processor34. The handling system40temporarily supports the module36(FIG. 1) for transport during field-working operations and then discharges it from the harvester10at the desired location in the field. The module builder34includes baler40having a clamshell type of housing44including first and second (front and rear) upright or frame sections46and48. The sections46and48are connected together by a control linkage structure50. In a field-working position (FIG.1), the top portions of the sections46and48are located at or slightly above the level of the top of the accumulator system30to establish a maximum working height of the harvester10. Cylinders (not shown) on each side of the accumulator structure30lower the top of the system30for transport and shipping.

The module builder34includes a bale-forming chamber with a round baler belt and roller structure which receives material from the accumulator system30when the builder34is in the upright field-working position shown in FIG.1. The baler structure60operates in a manner generally identical to that of a conventional round baler and rolls the material into a compact round bale. It is to be understood that various types of delivery systems for conveying the material to the baling device may be utilized with the present invention.

When a complete bale is formed, the rear or gate section48of the clamshell housing44is rocked rearwardly and upwardly to release the bale from the chamber onto the handling system40(FIG.1). The accumulator system30facilitates continued operation of the harvester10while the bale36is released from the chamber. The handling system40is positioned to receive, support and transport the completed bale while the harvesting continues. When the desired location such as the end of the field is reached, the system40is activated to lower the bale36and release it from the harvester10.

The front frame section46is pivotally connected to the harvester frame12by a pivot70for rocking between an upright field-working position (FIG.1), a rearwardly and downwardly directed transport position (FIG.3), and a shipping position wherein the bale handler is at ground level. Hydraulically operated latch or securing structure72is mounted on the frame12and the lower forward portion of the front frame section46to lock the front frame section in an upright field-working position. Cylinder structure76located on each side of the baler includes a first end connected to the frame section46and a second end connected to a central location on the linkage structure50. With the front frame section46latched in the upright position and the cylinder structure76fully retracted (FIG.1), the sections46and48abut to define the bale forming chamber extending upwardly from the harvester frame12. The top of the chamber is approximately level with the top of the extended accumulator system30. Automatically operable gate lock structure78supported by the frame sections46and48rearwardly adjacent the front frame pivot70latches the sections together (FIG. 4) as the bale forming chamber is closed during retraction of the cylinder structure76. Upon initial activation of the cylinder structure76to open the chamber (FIG.5), there is initial relative vertical motion of the sections46and48to release the gate lock structure78without need for a complicated latch linkage or hydraulic latch actuating cylinders.

To open the bale forming chamber, the cylinder structure76is extended to initially release the gate lock structure78and then to rock the section48upwardly relative to the section46to open the housing and release the formed bale36. The released bale36can then be carried by the harvester10(FIG. 1) to a convenient deposit area in the field while the harvesting operation continues uninterrupted. To move the housing44to the transport or the shipping position, the section48is rocked upwardly and the bale handling system40moved to the upright position. The cylinder structure76is retracted to rock the section downwardly towards the closed position. However, the upright handling system40is in the path of travel of the section48and latches to the section48(FIG.2). Thereafter, the cylinder structure76is put into a float condition. The latching structure72is operated to release the front frame section46, and the handling system40is then moved downwardly. The sections46and48move downwardly primarily under the influence of gravity with the system40. Since the section48is positively latched to the handing system40, the system40can exert a pull on the sections if necessary.

The linkage structure50is preferably a four bar linkage structure or similar linkage structure providing more control of the orientation of the sections46and48as they are rocked relative to each other than a simple pivot structure alone can afford. As shown, the linkage structure50rocks the upper portion of the rear frame section48over the top of the forward frame section46(FIGS. 6 & 7) as the chamber approaches a maximum open position. Therefore, the front frame section46is pivoted to a lower position for transport (FIG. 3) or shipping.

The structure50includes upper links82on opposite sides of the chamber, each having a forward end pivotally connected at83to a top central portion of the section46and an aft end pivotally connected to a top forward portion of the section48. Lower reinforced links86substantially longer than the links82each include a first end pivotally connected to a vertically sliding pivot88located below and rearwardly of the pivot location83on the section46and a second end pivotally connected at a lower forward location on the rear frame section48. The sliding pivot88permits limited vertical movement when the cylinder structure76is operated near the fully retracted position.

The cylinder structure76includes two hydraulic cylinders on opposite sides of the chamber, each with a base end pivotally connected at a location92near the bottom aft portion of the section46. The rod end of the cylinder94is connected at a central location on the corresponding lower link86. The cylinder structure76is connected to a conventional hydraulic control (not shown) located on the harvester10for extending and retracting the cylinders and for establishing cylinder locked and cylinder float conditions.

The automatically operable gate lock structure78includes a latch plate100fixed to the lower forward end of the frame section48. The plate100has a forwardly projecting hook102. A latch-receiving member104is secured to the bottom aft portion of the frame section46in alignment with the plate100. As the frame section48is rocked downwardly towards the closed position, the cylinder structure76maintains the sliding pivot in the upwardmost position (FIG. 5) until the hook102clears the latch-receiving member104. Thereafter, continued retraction of the cylinder structure76allows the frame48to lower and lock the hook102over the member104. The weight of the frame section48maintains the lock structure in the latched position until the operator extends the cylinder structure76. Upon initial extension of the cylinders, the sliding pivot88facilitates upward motion of the frame section48relative to the frame section46until the hook102is released from the member104. It is to be understood that the hook102and member104can be reversed. Also, the securing structure72may be any type of simple latch arrangement that relies on relative movement between the sections for engagement and release.

Continued extension of the cylinder structure76after automatic latch release causes the frame section48to rock rearwardly and upwardly (FIGS. 6 & 7) towards an open position under the control of the linkage structure50. Further extension of the cylinder structure76provides a relative motion between the sections that moves the upper forward portion of the rear frame section48over the top portion of the frame section46for transport (FIG. 3) and for shipping or maintenance of structure on the rear frame section46(FIG.7). The rear frame section48supports a bale wrap system110which can be lowered as described in detail below for easy access for maintenance or bale wrap reloading.

The bale handling system40includes an upwardly concave bale support structure114having a forward end pivotally connected to the aft end of the frame12for rocking about a horizontal pivot. Lift cylinder structure118is connected between the frame12and a lower forward projection120on the support structure114. When a completed bale is formed in the chamber, the frame section48is rocked towards an open gate position (FIGS. 6 & 7) to release the bale for support by the structure114(FIG.1). The accumulator system30permits continued operation of the harvester10while the bale36is released. When the bale release position is reached in the field, the cylinder structure118is retracted to lower the support structure114and allow the bale to roll unto the ground.

On each side of the bale handling system40, latch structure130extends upwardly from the support structure114to receive a corresponding tubular member132supported from an aft lower portion of the rear frame section48when the section48is rocked downwardly from the open position (FIG. 2) with the bale handling system40in the raised position. The latch structure132includes an opening136(FIG. 1) which lies in the path of the member132and captures the member as the cylinder structure76is retracted. Once the members132are captured by the latch structure130, the hydraulically operated latch72can be operated to release the front frame section46for rocking rearwardly about the pivot72. The cylinder structure76is placed in the float mode, and the handling system40controls the lowering and raising of the frame sections46and48between the transport or shipping positions and the capture position of FIG.2. The accumulator system30can also be retracted (see arrow inFIG. 3) generally to the level of the top of the lowered sections46and48for compact transporting or shipping.