BALE WRAPPING APPARATUS

Abstract: A bale wrapping apparatus (10, 110) including a sled (12, 112) with a shallow angle to the horizontal with a trough for receiving bales (18, 118). A carriage mounted pusher plate (56, 156) driven longitudinally of the trough (18, 118) to push bales through the bale wrapping station (14, 114), and a delivery apron (16, 116) including an endless belt providing a friction free surface. The sled (12, 112) mounts skids (90) below apron (16) which provide a degree of friction when the sled advances as a reaction of the pressure being placed on the end of the bales by the pusher plate (56, 156) so as to allow compression of the bales.

Description: BALE WRAPPING APPARATUS Technical Field The present invention related to a bale wrapping apparatus and more particularly to a device for continuously wrapping cylindrical bales of hay or the like in the field. Background Art It has been found, that hay or similar silage can be stored in the field, even throughout the winter months without significantly affecting the condition of the hay or the like. The hay or silage is typically formed into cylindrical modular bales. The bales are individually wrapped as separate packages, and left in the field or suitable storage area. The bales may be wrapped tightly in polyethylene film by means of equip¬ ment similar to that used to wrap loose material on pallets. Such a method has found favor with farmers since they do not have to invest in large storage barns. However the success of such a method is miti- gated by the considerable amount of handling to wrap each bale. An improved bale wrapping machine is described in Canadian Patent 1,285,862 issued July 9, 1991 to David W. Anderson. This apparatus includes a vehicle mounted on wheels having a loading table, a wrapping section and an apron sloping down towards the ground. Individual bales are placed on the loading table and a pusher plate presses on the end of the bale, pushing against a previous bale in series. Part of the so formed length of bales rests on the ground. Thus as the pusher presses on the end of the last bale the vehicle advances as a reaction to the force exerted on the so formed cylinder, due to the frictional resistance of the part of the so formed cylinder on the ground. Since the vehicle is provided with wheels, it offers little resistance to be force produced by the pusher plate. Thus, the vehicle can be seen to advance slowly as the individual bales are loaded on the vehicle while a continuous wrapped cylinder of hay is left on the ground. Significant savings can be realized by such an apparatus which can be operated by a single operator. The apparatus of Canadian Patent 1,285,862 has certain disadvantages. First, because of the slope and length of the vehicle, the height of the loading table is not accessible by many small farm loaders. Secondly the vehicle, unless brakes are provided on the wheels, presents little resistance to the force of the pusher plate on the end of the cylinder so that the bales are not sufficiently compressed. It is necessary that the hay be well compressed, when wrapped, so as to minimize the oxygen present within the bales. Thirdly the overall size of the vehicle renders it difficult to use and it is less economical. These problems have been addressed by Laver in U.S. Patent 5,152,125 issued October 6, 1992 but still, some problems appear to be unsolved. In this patent, Laver describes means of adjusting inclination of the structure which supports the hoop, which in turn delivers the film over the bales. Furthermore he describes altering the pitch for a better coverage of the joint between bales of different sizes or shape. Not only is the idea of moving the hoop dangerous because it may disengage itself from the wheels, but unrolling the film around the cylinder of bales at any other angle than perpendicular to its path will decrease the number of layers of plastic per inch on the top and bottom. The most critical part of the cylinder is the bottom. Furthermore, such a mechanism increases the complexity and consequently the price of the apparatus. Neither Laver or Anderson teach a means for effective directional control, often needed near a ditch or in a constrained area. The angle of the axis of the bales while they are sitting on an operating machine in relation to the ground must be kept as low as possible so as to minimize stresses on the lower part of the film at the delivery. Most machines place high stress on the film at the delivery zone. For instance, Laver provides a roller conveyor on the main frame spaced above the ground which means that the wrapped bales have to fall a few inches before they are supported on the ground. Both Laver and Anderson have flat delivery conveyors and do not provide any means of guiding or directing the bales as they are being wrapped in order to provide tighter joints between the bales and to get better quality silage. The force is communicated through the long cylinder on the ground and since there are no guides on the delivery of the cylinder, it tends to form a random S shape taking up more space and placing higher stresses on the plastic film. Disclosure of the Invention It is an aim of the present invention to pro- vide an improved bale wrapping apparatus compared to the device mentioned above. In particular, it is an aim of the present invention to provide an apparatus for forming elongated cylinders of hay or silage which provides sufficient resistance to the forward movement of the vehicle to provide the required compression to the bales being wrapped to reduce the air present in the wrapped cylin¬ der so formed. It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an apparatus, of the type described in Canadian Patent 1,285,862 with a loading table at a height which is accessible to most small farm loaders, thereby eliminating the need to obtain a special loader to be able to use the bale wrapping apparatus. It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a compact bale wrapping apparatus which is easily stored when not in use, light, and inexpensive relative to the prior art. It is yet a further aim of the present invention to provide an improved bale wrapping apparatus which is less expensive and is more efficient while forming elongated cylinders of bales while preserving the quality of the wrapped silage, and to provide sufficient resistance to the forward movement of the wrapping machine to properly compress the bales to form tight joints while they are being wrapped. It is still a further aim of the present invention to provide a wrapping apparatus which will have a low profile and will deliver the wrapped cylinder to the ground at a minimum height and angle, and wherein the apparatus will provide guiding means at the delivery end in order to maintain the linear integrity of the wrapped cylinder bales. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a sled having a loading platform, a wrapping section and a delivery apron on a single frame, wherein the frame includes runners, adapted to support the frame on the ground and permit sliding movement on the ground in a forward direction, the loading platform, wrapping section and delivery apron extending at an angle to the horizontal of at least 3 degrees and not exceeding 7 degrees, the loading platform including a pusher means including a motor driven sliding abutment member, a hoop mounted, film wrapping means in the wrapping section, and a friction free surface on the delivery apron, whereby individual bales of hay or silage can be placed on the loading platform and pushed through the wrapping station onto the delivery apron by the action of the pusher means and when a series of bales has advanced to the ground from the delivery apron the sled will advance forwardly on the skis over the ground as a reaction to the movement of the pusher means. In another embodiment of the present invention the bale wrapping apparatus includes a low slung frame providing a shallow delivery angle. The apparatus including a loading platform, a wrapping section, and a delivery section with a pusher means mounted on the loading platform. Steerable wheels are mounted to the front of the frame at the loading platform while the frame at the delivery section is adapted to slide on the ground. The delivery section is provided with guiding means to maintain the linear integrity of the cylinder bales being formed. Brief Description of the Drawings Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accom- panying drawings, showing by way of illustration, a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bale wrapping apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a detail of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further detail of the present invention; Figs. 5a and 5b are schematic views showing further details of the aspect of the invention illus¬ trated in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view taken from another angle of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6. Modes For Carrying Out The Invention Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 the bale wrapping apparatus 10 is illustrated to include a load¬ ing platform 12, a wrapping station 14, and a delivery apron 16. The bale apparatus 10 includes a frame 20 which includes an elongated frame member 24 extending at a shallow angle to the horizontal. A mounting trough 18 forms part of the loading platform. The trough 18 is supported on vertical frame members 22. The bale wrapping apparatus can be trailed to bring it to a particular site. For this purpose a pair of trailing wheels 40 is provided on the frame 20 and includes a bracket 26 as seen in Fig. 3 to which a pis¬ ton and cylinder arrangement 28, 30 is pivotally mounted. The piston and cylinder arrangement 28, 30 is connected to a dog leg 32 which in turn is fixedly con¬ nected to pivot shaft 38. Crank arms 36 are mounted to the pivot shaft 38 and subtend an axle 34 to which wheels 40 are mounted for rotation. Thus, the wheels 40 can be place in a transport position as shown in Fig. 3, in full lines, by activating the piston and cylinder arrangement 28 and 30. During operation, the wheels 40 are retracted as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and in dotted lines in Fig. 3. The bale wrapping apparatus is a sled and includes skis 50. Skis 50 are each pivotally mounted to a shaft 52 which forms part of spindle 48 rotatable in journal bearing 42. A sleeve 44 is fixed to the spin¬ dle 48 and can be steered as represented by the steer¬ ing lever 46. As shown in Fig. 1, a gasoline engine 54 with an associated oil pump is mounted on the frame on the side of the loading platform 12 and operates the various hydraulics. An operator control station 55 is also located on one side of the loading platform 12, and an operator can control the various hydraulic systems of the bale wrapping apparatus. The trough 18 includes a semi-circular bed onto which individual bales H can be located by means of a typical farm tractor loader. A pusher plate 56 is provided in the trough 18 and moves longitudinally thereof. The pusher plate 56 is meant to push the bales in a longitudinal direction of the bale wrapping appa- ratus and through the bale wrapping station 14 against the cylinder B being formed. Figs. 4 and 5a and 5b illustrate the operation of the pusher plate 56. A carriage 58 moves on rails, shown in dotted lines, in Fig. 4. The carriage 58 mounts wheels 60 which move in these rails or tracks in the bottom of the trough 18. A cylinder 64 is fixed at one end to an end plate 62 of the loading platform 12. A piston 66 mounts a bracket 68 which in turn mounts three independent sprockets 67, 69 and 76. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5a a pair of chains 72a and 72b (identical and which are identified as 72 in Fig. 5a) are fixed at one end to the carriage 58. The other end of the chains 72a and 72b are fixed to a bracket 70 which includes adjustment anchors 73. The chains 72a and 72b pass over sprockets 67 and 69 mounted in the bracket 68, then around sprockets 71 and 73, respec¬ tively, on end plate 62, and eventually to the car¬ riage 58. Figs. 4 and 5b illustrate the other chain arrangement which is represented by the numeral 78. Chain 78 is fixed at one end to the carriage 58 and at the other end to an end plate 74. Chain 78 extends about the sprocket 76 and bracket 68, around sprocket 80 on end plate 74, and is attached to the carriage 58. For example, for a 36 inch stroke, the pushing plate will have a linear displacement of 72 inches. Accordingly a much more compact mechanism is possible, and must be located under the loading platform. In operation, when it is required to advance the pusher plate 56 against a new bale H, the piston 66 is extended from the cylinder 64, advancing the bracket 68 towards the left in Figs. 4 and 5a, thereby retracting the chain 72, or at least the upper race thereof. At the same time the upper race of chain 78 is lengthened, and is being pulled by the carriage 58 as the bracket 68 moves towards the left paying out more of chain 78 in the upper race thereof. When the pusher plate 66 is to be retracted to receive another bale H, the piston 66 is retracted within the cylinder 64 and the chain travel is reversed. The wrapping station 14 includes a conven¬ tional film wrapping apparatus which is partly described in Canadian Patent 1,285,862 Anderson men¬ tioned above. The wrapping station includes an outer hoop 82 and an inner hoop 84. A film holder 86 is illustrated in Fig. 2 and a roll of film 88 is provided on the holder. The holder 86 travels about the cylin¬ der B along the path defined by the hoops 82 and 84 wrapping the film about the bale H being added to the end of cylinder B. The end of frame member 24 is also provided with skis 90 as shown in Fig. 2. The delivery apron 16 is mounted to the end of frame 20 and includes a conveyor frame 92 with pulleys 94 and 96 at each end thereof and a conveyor belt 98 extending about the pulleys 94 and 96. The very end of frame 92 is provided with skis 100. The axis of the path formed by the trough 18 and the delivery apron 16 is at a shallow angle to the horizontal, possibly between 3 degrees and 7 degrees. It is necessary to lay the cylinder B being formed in a gradual manner so as not to tear the wrapping. The optimum angle has been found to be 3.5 degrees from the horizontal. This provides a relatively low trough for receiving bales from a loader while providing the necessary slope. The provision of skis instead of wheels, as in the Anderson's Patent, allows a lower profile. As described in the Anderson's Patent, the purpose is to utilize the frictional resistance of the weight of the cylinder being formed on the ground to move the bale wrapping apparatus forwardly as a reac¬ tion to the pusher plate 56. Unfortunately, with the Anderson's Patent the apparatus includes wheels pro¬ viding very little resistance to the reaction force, allowing very little compressive forces on the hay forming the bale as the cylinder is being formed. The sled proposed in the present embodiment, that is mounted on skis, allows a necessary friction to force the pusher plate 56 to compress the bales at the end forming the cylinder B while still advancing the bale wrapping apparatus over the ground. Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 and 7, there is shown a bale wrapping apparatus 110 including a loading platform 112, a wrapping station 114, and a delivery apron 116. The bale wrapping apparatus 110 includes a frame 120 and a mounting trough 118. The steering wheels 150 are steerable by hydraulic means with suitable steerable linkage 152. Thus, the operator can steer the vehicle during the forward movement thereof during the operation. The frame 120 at the delivery section 116 is meant to be supported and to slide on the ground. Thus, a sliding plate 154 may be provided below the frame to allow a wide low distribution on the ground while allowing the frame to slide at the delivery end thereof. A combination of the wheels and the skidded portion of the frame, after many trials, has indicated that a suitable amount of resistance to forward movement is attained. Thus suitable pressure will be applied by the pusher plate 156 to provide tight joints between the bales being pushed by the pusher plate 156 through the wrapping section. The apparatus is maintained low slung by lowering the hoop 182 and thus when the roll of film passes underneath the hoop 182 a very narrow clearance remains, sometimes in the order of half an inch. In the present embodiment, experimentation as shown that an angle at 7 degrees is a good compromise between the competing factors such as obtaining a relatively short wrapping machine or providing a shallow delivery angle. The angle of 7 degrees is the angle of the platform of the wrapping apparatus relative to the horizontal. Since the wrapping apparatus is seldom at the theoretical horizontal in operation, the angle of 7 degrees is measured between the axis of the bales on the wrapping apparatus 10 and the axis of the formed cylinder lying on the ground beyond the delivery section 116. The delivery section 116 is provided with a pair of roller conveyors 172 and 174 which form a V therebetween and create a low slung trough for the delivery of the cylinder. The end of the delivery conveyor 170 is supported on the ground, therefore reducing the distance between the delivery conveyor exit and the ground, and thus reducing the chances of damaging the film or plastic in the lower portion of the cylinder as it is being delivered.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A bale wrapping apparatus for wrapping bales while forming an elongated cylinder and delivering the cylinder to the ground comprising a sled having a loading platform, a wrapping section and a delivery apron on a single frame, wherein the frame includes runners adapted to support the frame on the ground and permit sliding movement on the ground in a forward direction, said loading platform, wrapping section and delivery apron extending at an angle such that the axis of the bales thereon are between 3 degrees and 7 degrees of the axis of the formed cylinder on the ground, the loading platform including a pusher means with a motor driven pusher member, a hoop mounted film wrapping means in the wrapping section, and a friction free surface on the delivery apron, whereby individual bales of hay or silage can be placed on the loading platform and pushed through the wrapping station onto the delivery apron by the action of the pusher means, and when a series of bales has advanced to the ground from the delivery apron the sled will advance forwardly on the runners over the ground as a reaction of the pressing force of the pusher means. 2. A bale wrapping apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein retractable wheels are provided on the frame for the purpose of trailing the bale wrapping apparatus during transport. 3. A bale wrapping apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the delivery apron is provided with a conveyor belt to provide a friction free surface. 4. A bale wrapping apparatus which includes a frame, a loading platform, a bale wrapping station, and a delivery apron, pusher means provided in the bale loading platform wherein the pusher means includes a pusher plate mounted on a carriage, the carriage slid- able longitudinally of the platform in tracks provided on the platform, longitudinally spaced-apart first and second end plates provided on the platform, a cylinder mounted to the first end plate and including a piston extending therefrom, a bracket mounted to the piston, an elongated flexible stretch resistant tension member attached at one end to the carriage passing about a sprocket mounted to the second end plate and around a sprocket mounted to the bracket and the other end of the tension member being anchored to the frame while a second elongated flexible stretch resistant tension member is fixedly connected to the second end plate and the second tension member extends about a further sprocket on the bracket and about a further sprocket on the second end plate to be connected to the other end of the carriage for advancing and retracting the carriage as the piston mounting the bracket is extended or retracted. 5. A bale wrapping apparatus for wrapping bales while forming an elongated cylinder of such bales and delivering the cylinder to the ground, comprising a sled having a loading platform, a wrapping section, and a delivery apron on a single frame, the frame including steerable wheels in front end thereof at the loading platform and skid means provided at the delivery apron so that the wrapping apparatus can slide on the ground in a forward direction, said loading platform, wrapping section, and delivery apron extending at an angle such that the axis of the bales on the wrapping apparatus is between 3 degrees and 7 degrees of the axis of the formed cylinder on the ground, the loading platform including a pusher means with a motor driven pusher member, a hoop mounted film wrapping means in the wrapping section, a pair of roller conveyors forming the delivery apron, side by side and forming a V with a trough therebetween, whereby individual bales of hay or silage can be placed on the loading platform, pushed through the wrapping station, guided onto the delivery apron, and be formed by the pusher means, and while the cylinder is advanced to the ground from the delivery apron the sled will advance forwardly on the wheels and skids as a reaction to the compression force of the pusher means.

Inventors: TARDIF JEAN-ROCH, TARDIF, JEAN-ROCH
Applicants: TARDIF JEAN ROCH, TARDIF, JEAN-ROCH
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A01F15
IPC codes: A01F15, A01F25, B65B11