Abstract:
A large round baler includes bale-forming means conducted over rotary bodies with stationary axes and rotary bodies with movable axes so as to define an expansible circumference of a baling chamber. Some of the movable rotary bodies are mounted to a carrier mounted to fixed side walls defining opposite sides of the baling chamber. The carrier is pivotally mounted to opposite side walls defining opposite sides of the baling chamber for movement between a lowered operating position and a raised discharge position wherein it holds a span of the bale-forming means, which during operation, forms the rear portion of the circumference of the baling-chamber above the formed bale so that the latter may be discharged.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The invention concerns a large round baler with at least one endless flexible bale-forming means that is conducted over rotary bodies, of which some are mounted on stationary axes and others are mounted on movable axes, and generally delimits a circumference of a baling chamber.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The book FMO-141B Edition D-00 shows a large round baler on page 153 with fixed side walls between which rotating bodies extend which have both stationary axes and movable axes over which belts are conducted. Several of the rotating bodies are engaged in a carrier that can be pivoted vertically. The belts are also conducted over rotating bodies on a tensioning arm, that is constantly forced into a position that applies tension to the belts. The advantage of this configuration lies in the fact that the carrier with the few rotating bodies is light and does not require large positioning forces. However, the disadvantage is that the carrier must be raised through a large distance in order to permit ejection of the finished cylindrical bale, particularly since a second set of belts is provided upon which the cylindrical bale rests during its formation.  
           [0003]    DE-A1-198 51 470 discloses a large round baler with only a single set of belts that are conducted over rotating bodies on stationary axes and rotating bodies whose position is movable in a fixed housing and in a housing section that can be pivoted. A tensioning arm is also provided that applies constant tension to the belts. The disadvantage of this configuration lies in the high positioning forces that are necessary to raise the movable housing section and the large positioning path required in order to be able to eject the cylindrical bale from the baling chamber.  
           [0004]    The prospectus VERMEER 504 HE, no publication date, shows a large round baler in which the pivot point of a carrier that extends outside the baling chamber is located almost in the central region of the baling chamber. At the outer end region of the carrier, an arm is provided on which several rotating bodies are located over which belts extend and that can penetrate into the baling chamber. In this case, the tensioning arrangement forms several loops in which crop can collect.  
           [0005]    Pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/163,156, filed Jun. 4, 2002, discloses a large round baler with fixed side walls outside of which arms are attached that can pivot vertically to which two rotating bodies are attached that are spaced at a distance from each other. Along with belts extending over them, the rotating bodies form the bottom of the baling chamber and can be brought into a raised position along with edges of two side walls in which a sufficiently large opening to the ground develops rapidly through which the cylindrical bale can be ejected. A tensioning arm is provided in the forward region of the large round baler and is provided with a spring loaded roll over which the belts extend and form a loop.  
           [0006]    The problem underlying the invention is seen in the need to propose a compact large round baler that requires low positioning forces and positioning paths during the operation.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    This problem is solved according to the invention by a round baler structure wherein bale-forming belts are mounted to a carrier that is mounted for pivoting vertically relative to opposite side walls forming the sides of a baling chamber, the carrier lifting the bale-forming belts to a position permitting discharge of a completed bale.  
           [0008]    The arrangement of two adjoining rotary bodies at the carrier, between which the bale-forming means extends, has the advantage that the bale-forming means is in contact, first with the one rotary body and then with the other rotary body, depending on the position of the carrier. In this way, a loop can be formed by means of the carrier so that the tensioning path for the tensioning mechanism is shortened. The bale-forming means can be configured as a set of narrow, parallel belts, as a band or as a bar chain conveyor. As a rule, the rotary bodies are rotating bodies or rolls, but may also be sprockets in the case of a bar chain conveyor. The configuration of the carrier is conceivable in many ways, for example, as a part with multiple surfaces, as a latticework of tubes, as an arm with a corresponding curvature, as a side wall in itself or the like. This carrier can also be configured relatively massively if it extends and moves on the outside of the side walls of the baling chamber. Since only the carrier, its rotating bodies, and the corresponding section of the belts are moved in order to eject the bale, but not the side walls, the repositioning forces are low. The repositioning paths are also short if the carrier, with its rotary bodies and the section of the bale-forming means running over it, form the bottom of the baling chamber and the bale can fall to the ground with only a small upward stroke of the carrier.  
           [0009]    The support of the carrier in bearings, at least in the central region of the baling chamber, has the effect of a rapid opening of the baling chamber for the ejection of the bale in contrast to a bearing support from above, so that the baling operation can be resumed very rapidly. The raised carrier barely touches the bale after its ejection, because due to its at least approximately central bearing support, the radial extent is considerably less than in the state of the art.  
           [0010]    The repositioning path of the carrier is not reduced by fixed rotary bodies that are located in the border region of the baling chamber if these fixed rotary bodies are located in a region in which the carrier with its rotary bodies intrudes only to a limited extent and if the rotary bodies provide space between them into which the carrier can penetrate.  
           [0011]    If one rotary body on the carrier, on the one hand, is associated with a second with a radial offset, that prevents any contact of the spans of the bale-forming means with each other. As an alternative, a rotary body with a larger diameter could also be used.  
           [0012]    A triangular configuration of the carrier provides a stable arrangement that can also save space. The arrangement of the one corner region, as a bearing, assures a positive transmission of the forces.  
           [0013]    If the carrier simultaneously represents the side wall of the baling chamber, the result is a reduction in the number of parts. The stiffness can be attained by ribs, crimps, edging or the like, instead of tubes, struts or the like. The position of the rotary bodies relative to the side wall or the side walls does not change. When the rotary bodies with the carrier and therewith the side walls are raised for the ejection of the cylindrical bale, the crop to be baled that has accumulated on the outside of the baling chamber is ejected from the large round baler.  
           [0014]    If during the baling operation and during the ejection operation, the two rotary bodies of the carrier that provide a deflection of the bale-forming means, are located at the same distance or generally at the same distance from a fixed rotary body, a maximum shortening can be performed at one time and a maximum corresponding lengthening of the bale-forming means can be performed at another time.  
           [0015]    If the side walls can be repositioned relative to a chassis of the large round baler, they can be spaced apart from each other for the ejection of the cylindrical bale so that the friction forces from this are omitted and it can easily be ejected from the baling chamber.  
           [0016]    Rotary bodies that extend outside the baling chamber, that is, extend to the side beyond it, or are at least even with this, and if necessary, move along the end edges of the side walls, permit a movement of the side walls. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    The drawings show an embodiment of the invention that shall be described in greater detail in the following.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a schematic left side view of a large round baler, according to the invention, shown in an empty operating condition.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a view like that of FIG. 1, but showing the large round baler in a partially filled condition.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a view like that of FIG. 1, but showing the large round baler in a filled condition.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a view like that of FIG. 1, but showing the large round baler in a bale discharging condition. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 shows an agricultural large round baler  10  with a baling chamber  12 . Among other components, the large round baler  10  is equipped with the following: a chassis  14 , a towbar  16 , a running gear  18 , a take-up arrangement  20 , rotary bodies with stationary axes  24   a - f a - f , a carrier  26 , a tensioning mechanism  28 , a second tensioning mechanism  30 , rotary bodies with movable axes  32   a - f a - f , and a bale-forming means  34 .  
         [0023]    The large round baler  10  is used to take up harvested crop, such as straw and hay, that is rolled in a spiral shape upon itself to a round cylindrical bale  36 , is bound, and is subsequently deposited on the ground. While the bale  36  is being ejected from the baling chamber  12 , the take-up of crop and the baling process is interrupted.  
         [0024]    The baling chamber  12  is variable in its size, that is, its diameter increases with the size of the bale  36 . While the baling chamber  12  is essentially surrounded on its circumference by the bale-forming means  34 , it is closed at its sides by side walls  38 . In an embodiment, not shown, a second bale-forming means is provided underneath the baling chamber  12  on which the bale  36  rests completely or partially.  
         [0025]    The chassis  14  is configured in known manner as a weldment that holds together or carries the towbar  16 , the running gear  18 , the take-up arrangement  20 , the rotary bodies with stationary axes  24   a - f , the carrier  26 , the tensioning mechanism  28 , the second tensioning mechanism  30 , and the side walls  38 . For this purpose, transverse struts, not shown, are also provided that assure a rigid assembly in space. The configuration of the chassis  14 , itself, is conventional in nature.  
         [0026]    The towbar  16  is used for the connection to a towing vehicle, not shown, for example, an agricultural tractor.  
         [0027]    The running gear  18  contains an axle and wheels, not especially identified, with which the chassis  14  is supported on the ground. The running gear  16  is connected rigidly, and if necessary, spring loaded with the chassis  14 .  
         [0028]    The take-up arrangement  20  is configured in known manner as a so-called pick-up that takes up crop lying on the ground with circulating tines and conveys it to the rear in the direction of the baling chamber  12 . In addition, a cutting arrangement may be provided downstream that is also of known configuration and which reduces the crop on its path between the take-up arrangement  20  and an inlet  40  in the baling chamber  12 .  
         [0029]    The rotary bodies, with stationary axes  24   a - f , are configured as rotating bodies or rolls of steel, and if required, coated with plastic. The rotary bodies, with stationary axes  24   a - f , are either supported on an axle, free to rotate or are provided with stub shafts that engage bearings in the chassis  14 , free to rotate. The rotary bodies  24   a - f  are provided with varying diameters and are equipped, if necessary, with guide devices such as ribs, projections or the like for the bale-forming means  34 . In this special embodiment, a total of six rotary bodies with stationary axes  24   a - f  are provided, in particular, forward upper, forward lower, forward center, center upper, center lower, and rear, which are designated individually with  24   a - through  24   f , respectively. The rotary bodies  24   a - f  extend at least over the entire width of the baling chamber  12 , and if necessary, beyond that. At least one of the rotary bodies  24   a - f  can be driven. All rotary bodies with stationary axes  24   a - f —except the forward lower rotary body  24   b —are located near a generally horizontal plane above the baling chamber  12 . The rear rotary body  24   f  is located in a rear upper corner region of the chassis  14  and is spaced approximately equidistant from the rotary bodies  32   c ,  32   d , when the carrier  26  is located in one of its end positions.  
         [0030]    The carrier  26  is configured generally in the shape of a triangle with first and second legs  42  and  44  that are rigidly connected to each other by a rod  46 . The first and second legs  42  and  44  meet at a corner where a bearing  48  is located that is in a bearing component  50  mounted on the side walls  38 . The legs  42  and  44  diverge from this corner  48 . The bearing component  50  is located in or close to the center of the baling chamber  12  or to the side wall  38 . On each side of the large round baler  10 , a carrier  26  and a bearing component  50  are provided, in particular in each case on the outside of the side wall  38 . At the radially outermost end region of the first leg  42 , first and second rotary bodies with movable axes  32   a ,  32   b  are provided, and at the radially outer end region of the second leg  44 , first and second rotary bodies with movable axes  32   c ,  32   d  are provided, each of which engages the carrier  26 , free to rotate. The first and the second rotary bodies  32   a  through  32   d  extend on parallel axes and in each case with little spacing from each other. The first rotary body  32   a  is attached directly to the forward leg  42  and the second rotary body  32   d  is attached directly to the second leg  44  while each of the associated rotary bodies  32   b  and  32   c  are attached to an arm  50  projecting from each of the legs  42 ,  44 . The second rotary body  32   b  of the first leg  42  is located radially further outward than the first rotary body  32   a . The repositioning of the carrier  26  is performed by a servo motor, not shown, for example, in the form of a hydraulic cylinder, a rotating hydraulic motor with a gearbox, an electric or pneumatic motor or the like. The carrier  26  can be pivoted between two end positions, that is, a lower end position, in which the rotary bodies  32   a  through  32   d  are located generally close to a horizontal plane underneath the baling chamber  12  and a position that is indexed upward through almost 180°, in which the rotary bodies  32   c ,  32   d  of the second leg  44  come to rest between the center upper and the rear rotary body with stationary axes  24   d  and  24   f —see FIG. 4. The rotary bodies  32   a  through  32   d  are configured similar to the rotary bodies  24   a - f  and also extend at least over the width of the baling chamber  12 . The maximum radial extent of the carrier  26  starting from the bearing component  50  is less than the distance between the bearing component  50  and the rear rotary body with stationary axis  24   f . Instead of being configured as lattice work, the carrier  26  can also be configured with several surfaces and thereby simultaneously form the side wall  38 .  
         [0031]    The tensioning mechanism  28  includes a tensioning arm  52 , two rotary bodies with movable axes  32   e , spaced at a distance from each other, and a tensioning element, not shown. The tensioning arm  52  and the tensioning element are each located once on either side of the large round baler  10 . In this embodiment, each tensioning arm  52  is supported in a bearing  54  in the region between the front lower rotary body with stationary axis  24   b , and the front center rotary body with stationary axis  24   c  so as to be able to pivot vertically, and extends vertically to just below the center lower rotary body  24   e . The rotary bodies  32   e  are located at the radially outer end region of the tensioning arm  52 . The tensioning element is configured in the usual way as a mechanical spring or as a hydraulic motor that can move against a possibly variable resistance. Such a resistance can be created by means of a preferably adjustable throttle in a hydraulic circuit as is well known in itself. The magnitude of the resistance simultaneously determines the density and the maximum weight of the bale  36 . The tensioning arm  52  is configured and arranged in such a way that it does not collide with the carrier  26 . Preferably, the tensioning arms  52  are connected to each other in the region of the rotary bodies  32   e  with sufficient stiffness to avoid twisting, and pivot together as an inverted “U”.  
         [0032]    The second tensioning mechanism  30  is shown more symbolically than as actual structure and contains a spring loaded rotary body  32   f  that maintains tension on the bale-forming means  34  in addition to the tensioning mechanism  28  and does not necessarily require a control.  
         [0033]    The rotary bodies  32   a - f  can move in their location where their position is a function of the tension in the bale-forming means  34  and the position of the carrier  26 . The rotary bodies  32   a  through  32   d , that are supported in bearings on the carrier  26 , extend at least completely over the width of the baling chamber  12  so that they can be moved on the outer edge of the rear part of the side walls  38  or at a distance to these.  
         [0034]    In this embodiment, the bale-forming means  34  is composed of a multitude of narrow, flat, flexible, and endless belts extending parallel to each other, as is known in itself. This bale-forming means  34  extends over, among other items, the fixed rotary bodies with movable axes  24   a - f  and with stationary axes  32   a - f , and is brought into contact at all times with at least one driven rotary body with stationary axis  24   a - f  by means of the tensioning mechanism  28  and the second tensioning mechanism  30  so strongly that it can be assuredly carried along. As is shown in the illustrations of FIGS. 1 and 3, the bale-forming means  34  may occupy an initial position in which it forms an inlet  40  of a triangular baling chamber  12  that extends mainly vertically, and an end condition in which it surrounds the bale  36  in a loop. Starting from an empty baling chamber  12 , the course of the bale-forming means  34  is from the rear rotary body  24   c  and as seen in the clockwise direction as follows: over the rotary body with stationary axis  24   f , under the rotary body  32   d , over the rotary body  32   c , under the rotary bodies  32   b  and  32   a , between the rotary bodies  32   e , above over the center lower rotary body with stationary axis  24   e , return between the rotary bodies  32   e , under the forward lower rotary body with stationary axis  24   b , over the forward center rotary body with stationary axis  24   c , and around this, over approximately 240°, around the forward upper rotary body  24   a , under the rotary body  32   f  of the second tensioning mechanism  30 , over the center upper rotary body with stationary axis  24   d , and back to the rear rotary body with stationary axis  24   f —see FIG. 1.  
         [0035]    During its formation, the bale  36  is located in the baling chamber  12  and is largely surrounded by the bale-forming means  34 , but falls to the ground out of the baling chamber  12 , that is, the space between the side walls  38 , as soon as—as shall be described later—the carrier  26  with the rotary bodies with movable axes  32   a - d  pivots upward in counterclockwise direction as seen in the drawings.  
         [0036]    The side walls  38  correspond in their size and shape, at least in the rear region, generally to the end faces of a completed bale  36  in its largest dimension. The side walls  38  are configured separately from the chassis  14 , where the chassis  14  can be equipped with its own side walls that are primarily provided for protection. In contrast to a large proportion of the state of the art, the side walls  38  extend in a one-piece configuration over the entire end face of the baling chamber  12 . The side walls  38  are preferably manufactured from steel sheet, extend in the downward direction, possibly diverging slightly, and are welded at appropriate locations. Furthermore, the side walls  38  may be supported in bearings so as to be able to move to a limited degree transverse to the direction of operation so that they reduce the contact force of the bale  36  on their inner sides during bale ejection so that the bale can be ejected more easily and hence more rapidly. It would, for example, be sufficient if the side walls  38  are moved apart from each other by a few centimeters. This characteristic can be performed alone for itself and represents an innovation in itself. The side walls  38  may be configured as movable together with the carrier  26 .  
         [0037]    The inlet  40  is bordered at the top by the forward lower rotary body  24   b  with the bale-forming means  34  extending over it and bordered on the bottom by a roll  60 . Nevertheless, the lower boundary could also be formed by the rotary body  32   a . The inlet  40  represents generally the location at which the bale  36  is not surrounded by the bale-forming means  34 .  
         [0038]    The roll  60  is preferably driven and is provided downstream of, and borders on, the take-up arrangement  20 . Preferably, the roll  60  is provided on its circumferential surface with drivers or ribs not described in any further detail that assure a positive transport of the harvested crop between the take-up arrangement  20  and the baling chamber  12 . This roll  60  forms the lower boundary of the inlet  40  and is opposite the forward lower rotary body  24   b  and is located in the immediate vicinity of the first forward rotary body  32   a  at the first leg  42  when the carrier  26  is located in its lower forward end position.  
         [0039]    On the basis of the above description the configuration and the operation of the large round baler  10  according to the invention is as follows:  
         [0040]    As long as no crop is conducted to the large round baler  10  and the baling chamber  12  is empty, the carrier  26  is located in its lower forward end position, in which the first forward rotary body  32   a  is located at the first leg  42  near the roll  60  and the rotary bodies  32   a  through  32   d  are located close to a generally horizontal plane. The tensioning arm  52  is forced to the rear and downward so that it assumes an inclination of approximately 30° to the horizontal and its rotary bodies  32   e  are located close to the forward lower rotary body with stationary axis  24   b . Between the rotary bodies with movable axis  32   e  at the end of the tensioning arm  52  and the intervening center lower rotary body  24   e , the bale-forming means  34  forms a loop  66 . Finally, a section of the bale-forming means  34  extends over the inner side of the roll  60  and the rear rotary body  32   e  on the tensioning arm  52  and therewith opposite the inlet  40 . This situation corresponds to that shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0041]    As soon as the take-up arrangement  20  conveys harvested crop to the baling chamber  12 , it will deflect the section of the bale-forming means  34  opposite the inlet  40  towards the interior of the baling chamber  12 , which has the result that the tensioning arm  52  begins to move upward in order to shorten the initially large loop  66 . As the bale diameter increases, the tensioning arm  52  moves further upward until it finally assumes its position shown in FIG. 3. Although the diameter of the bale increases, the carrier  26  remains in its position shown in FIGS. 1 through 3.  
         [0042]    When the bale  36  has reached its largest diameter—see FIG. 4—the bale  36  rests at its front on the roll  60  and the adjoining first rotary body  32   a . Otherwise, the bale  36  is retained by the tension in the bale-forming means  34  out of contact with the first and the second rotary body  32   c ,  32   d  and the sections of the bale-forming means running over them. If necessary, a further roll, not shown, that supports the bale  36  may be provided between the two second legs  44 . As can also be seen in FIG. 3, on the basis of the radial offset of the first and the second rotary body  32   a  and  32   b  at the first leg  42 , the adjacent spans of the bale-forming means  34  are retained so that they do not interfere with each other. In this condition, the bale  36  can be bound or wrapped with foil or net, so that it does not fall apart after ejection from the baling chamber  12 .  
         [0043]    After the bale  36  has been fully formed, it can be ejected from the baling chamber  12  for which purpose the carrier  26  is pivoted in counterclockwise direction to the rear and upward. In particular, on the basis of the coupling between the carrier  26 , in or close to the center of the side walls  38 , the bale  36  will fall to the ground after only a short pivoting path of the carrier  26  of, for example, approximately 90°. After a pivoting path of approximately 180° the first rotary body  32   a  at the first leg  42  is located at such a distance from the ground that the large round baler  10  can be operated further in the forward direction without coming into contact with the bale  36 . When the carrier  26  is located in its upper end position, the bale-forming means  34  forms a second loop  70 , about the rotary body  32   c , so that the section of the bale-forming means  34 , that was previously looped about the bale  36 , is taken up by this second loop  70  and the bale-forming means  34  is retained under tension. In this situation, the first and the second rotary bodies  32   a ,  32   b  are located between the center upper rotary body  24   d  and the rear rotary body  24   f.    
         [0044]    As soon as the bale  36  has been rolled out of the baling chamber  12 , the carrier  26  is again pivoted downward into the position shown in FIG. 1. During this path, the bale-forming means  34  is again tensioned and thereby the tensioning arm  52  is again moved downward.  
         [0045]    Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.