Abstract:
A bale turning apparatus for attachment to a baler to generally align the cylindrical of the bales in each row as the bales are released from the baler. Using the disclosed invention, the bales are essentially turned ninety degrees from the orientation of bales from the position that they are typically released from a round baler. By accomplishing this general alignment of the cylindrical axis of each bale in each row, when baling corn stover or other row crops, the bale loading operation can later be done more efficiently by driving down the rows in the same direction as the combine and baler have traveled.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/628,555 filed Sep. 27, 2012, claiming the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 61/540,286 filed Sep. 28, 2011, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to balers and more particularly to an attachment for balers for controlling the orientation of bales when such bales are released from the baler onto the ground. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    As forage material comes into a baler for making round bales, the material turns in the baling chamber around a rotational axis of formation, or the eventual cylindrical axis of the bale, which axis is transverse to the direction of forward travel of the baler as the bale is being formed. So when the bales are released from the rear of the baler, the cylindrical axis of the bale is still transverse to the direction of forward travel of the baler. 
         [0004]    Since typically round bales are ejected from the baler with their axis perpendicular to the direction of travel, this means that current standard retrieval machines must also travel perpendicular to the field rows to line up with the bales and weave inefficiently throughout the field to get to each bale. In row crops, this also results in travelling across the field rows which is bumpy and can be uncomfortable for the operator and damaging to the equipment. Some current retrievers attempt to address this by twisting the bale on the field during pickup, but crops like corn stover bales on corn stubble fields can and are often damaged by this process resulting in a loss of the bale. 
         [0005]    Additionally, if round bales are ejected on a slope such as hillsides they can roll downhill and be damaged or cause a dangerous situation. Operators try to compensate for this by manipulating the tractor/baler combination manually before ejecting the bale, but this process is time consuming and inaccurate. To solve this problem, bale turning devices for round balers have been developed. 
         [0006]    Examples of balers with bale turning devices on them are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,033,172 to Simon, 6,073,550 to Goossen, 7,000,533 to Derscheid, 7,353,753 to Viaud and British Patent No. GB 2 292 335 to Rout, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
         [0007]    There is a growing interest in harvesting cellulose residue from row-crops for producing bio-fuels such as ethanol for producing energy. Corn, for example, is grown in rows where there are ridges of soil between rows of corn. So when a combine is used to harvest corn, the combine travels parallel to the rows so that the cutters go right down the rows. Another reason to have the combine go parallel to the rows is that it would be a very bumpy ride to travel across each ridge of each row. Similarly, when it comes time to bale corn stover, essentially the corn stalk, leaves and cobs less the corn which was harvested by the combine, it is much easier and more efficient for the baler to travel parallel to the rows than transverse to the rows. That results in bales that are released with the cylindrical axis of the bale transverse to the direction of the corn rows. 
         [0008]    As mentioned above, loading those round bales dropped in a corn field to transport them from the corn field cannot be efficiently accomplished by merely traveling parallel to the corn rows because loading equipment requires that the bales be approached from the ends and not from the rounded sides. Furthermore bales from a baler are typically dropped to the ground as soon as they are formed so a new bale can be started. Therefore, even if the field is mostly flat, the cylindrical of the bales would rarely be anything close to being aligned with each other, requiring the bale loading equipment to weave all over the field to get aligned with an end of each bale individually. 
         [0009]    If the bales of corn stover in a corn field, for each row of bales as they are being formed, could be turned so that the cylindrical of each bale was generally in alignment from one bale to the next in each row of bales, then bale loading equipment could just be driven through a corn field from one bale to the next bale, etc., in a direction parallel to the ridges in the corn field, to efficiently pick up and load bales without excessive repositioning of the bale loading equipment from one bale to the next adjacent bale. But the prior art bale turners are not entirely suitable for use in row crop fields such as corn fields. For example British Patent No. GB 2 292 335 to Rout uses ground engaging carriage wheels on his bale turner, which would not work well when crossing ridges between rows in a harvested corn field but would cause the carriage to bounce up and down when crossing the ridges. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, an improved attachment to balers for accomplishing such general alignment of the cylindrical of each bale in each row of bales, especially in row crop fields, would be highly desirable for increasing the ease and efficiency of loading and removing the bales from the field. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention relates to a bale turning apparatus for attachment to a baler to generally align the cylindrical of the bales in each row as the bales are released from the baler. Using the present invention, the bales are essentially turned ninety degrees from the orientation of bales from the position that they are typically released from a round baler by merely lifting the rear gate of the baler and allowing the bale to fall on the ground after it has been formed. 
         [0012]    By accomplishing this general alignment of the cylindrical of each bale in each row, in a row crop situation, the bale loading operation can be done by driving down the rows in the same direction as the combine and baler have traveled. This means the loading equipment will approach the bales from one end without a constant repositioning of the loading equipment when traveling from one bale to the next. 
         [0013]    There is also a benefit in that the bale loader can travel down the same path as the baler and the combine, due to the bale being offset to one side, and the fact that most bale movers load the bale from a position offset from the tractor and the bale mover chassis which typically is towed directly behind the tractor. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment of the invention a round baler with a front, a rear, a left side and a right side is used for making round bales from forage material. It includes a baler frame with a carriage support structure having a mostly vertical support axis and ground engaging wheels operatively rotatably attached to the baler frame about a mostly horizontal axis. A rear gate is operatively pivotally attached to the baler frame about a horizontal gate pivot axis and has at least two positions including a closed position wherein the rear gate defines a portion of a bale chamber and an open position wherein the bale chamber is open to allow a formed bale to be discharged. A carriage frame is operatively attached to the carriage support structure of the baler frame rearwardly of the horizontal axis of the ground engaging wheels and to one side of the rear gate and a carriage is operatively attached to the carriage frame. The carriage has a first position wherein a first carriage side closest to the front of the baler is positioned below the rear gate and a second carriage side is positioned closest to the rear of the baler. Additionally the mostly vertical support axis is fixed with respect to the baler frame. 
         [0015]    Optionally, the carriage frame is operatively pivotally attached to the baler frame with a second position wherein the carriage frame is pivoted approximately 90 degrees about the mostly vertical support axis wherein the second side of the carriage behind one of the ground engaging wheels and offset from the rear gate. Also, optionally, the carriage can be operatively pivotally attached to the carriage frame along a mostly horizontal axis, the carriage having a first position wherein the second side of the carriage is a first distance above the ground; and a second position wherein the second side of the carriage is a second distance that is less than the first distance for encouraging a bale resting on the carriage to drop off of the second side of the carriage. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the carriage support structure can further include a cam track and the carriage further comprises a positioning arm with a cam roller that is configured to engage the cam track wherein the cam and camtrack retain the carriage in its first position when the carriage frame is in its first position and retain the carriage in its second position when the carriage frame is in its second position. 
         [0017]    Additionally a hydraulic cylinder can be affixed to the carriage frame on one end and to the carriage on the other end wherein the cylinder can move the carriage between its first position and its second position when the carriage frame is in its first position and the cylinder can move the carriage between its first position and its second position when the carriage frame is in its second position. 
         [0018]    If desired, a bale catching arm can also be operatively attached to one of the baler frame and/or carriage frame on a first end thereof, the bale catching arm having a second end wherein a bale when resting on the cradle in the pivoted position thereof has a cylindrical axis, a top and a bottom, a side on one side of the cylindrical axis closest to the baler and a side on the other side of the cylindrical axis farthest from the baler; and, wherein at least a portion of the second end of the bale catching arm has at least a bale catching position disposed on the other side of the cylindrical axis farthest from the baler, thereby preventing the bale from rolling on the ground when the bale moves off of the carriage. 
         [0019]    Another aspect of the invention disclosed herein relates to a round baler also with a front, a rear, a left side and a right side for making round bales from forage material including a frame with a carriage support structure having a mostly vertical support axis, ground engaging wheels operatively rotatably attached to the frame of the baler about a mostly horizontal axis, a rear gate operatively pivotally attached to the frame about a horizontal gate pivot axis and having at least two positions including a closed position wherein the rear gate defines a portion of a bale chamber and an open position wherein the bale chamber is open to allow a formed bale to be discharged. A carriage frame is also operatively attached to the carriage support structure rearwardly of the horizontal axis of the ground engaging wheels and to one side of the rear gate and a carriage is operatively attached to the carriage frame, the carriage having a first position wherein the carriage retains the formed bale as the center of gravity of the formed bale moves past the first side of the carriage as the bale moves out of the bale chamber and the carriage having a second position wherein the carriage releases the formed bale as the center of gravity of the formed bale moves past the second side of the carriage. 
         [0020]    Optionally, the carriage can be operatively pivotally attached to the carriage mounting structure along a mostly horizontal axis the carriage having a first position wherein the second side of the carriage is a first distance above the ground and a second position wherein the second side of the carriage is a second distance that is less than the first distance for encouraging a bale resting on the carriage to drop off of the second side of the carriage. 
         [0021]    Still another aspect of the present invention disclosed herein relates to a round baler, also with a front, a rear, a left side and a right side for making round bales from forage material and further having a frame with a carriage support structure with a mostly vertical support axis. Ground engaging wheels are operatively rotatably attached to the frame of the baler about a mostly horizontal axis. A rear gate is operatively pivotally attached to the frame about a horizontal gate pivot axis and has at least two positions including a closed position wherein the rear gate defines a portion of a bale chamber and an open position wherein the bale chamber is open to allow a formed bale to be discharged. A carriage frame is operatively attached to the carriage support structure rearwardly of the horizontal axis of the ground engaging wheels and to one side of the rear gate and a carriage is operatively attached to the carriage frame. The carriage has a first position wherein the carriage is disposed at least partially below the rear gate to catch a formed round bale when the rear gate is moved to its open position wherein the bale moves from the bale chamber, and at least partially past the first side of the carriage and a second position approximately ninety degrees from the first position whereby a bale on the carriage is turned approximately ninety degrees from the first position thereof. Additionally there is a stop mechanism operatively attached to the carriage frame, the stop mechanism being for stopping movement of the carriage at the second position thereof when the carriage is moving from the first to the second position of the carriage whereby inertia of the bale moving from the first position of the carriage to the second position of the carriage will cause the bale to fall off of the second side of the carriage when the carriage is stopped at the second position of the carriage. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The above needs are at least partially met through provision of the method and apparatus described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a tractor towing a baler with a bale turner constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention attached thereto, showing a bale in the finishing stages of being formed in the baler; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of a tractor towing a baler with a bale turner constructed as in  FIG. 1  but with the rear gate of the baler being open with the finished bale resting on a carriage; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of  FIG. 2  from the other side thereof;  FIG. 3  also shows an alternate embodiment of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view looking rearwardly from the tractor after the bale has been turned ninety degrees from the  FIG. 3  position about the vertical axis shown in dashed lines in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view looking forwardly from the rear of the baler after the bale has been turned ninety degrees from the  FIG. 3  position about the vertical axis shown in dashed lines in  FIGS. 3-5 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the alternate embodiment referred to above with respect to  FIG. 3 , looking forwardly from the rear of the baler after the bale has been turned ninety degrees from the  FIG. 3  position and furthermore as the carriage is pivoted about a substantially vertical axis that is tipped out to one side as shown (but appears as a vertical axis in  FIG. 3 ), the carriage moves from the level position shown in  FIG. 3  to the tipped position shown in  FIG. 6  to cause the bale to drop off of the carriage to the right as shown in  FIG. 6  immediately after the carriage has been so pivoted; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a top schematic view of the lower rear part of the baler with the present invention attached thereto with the carriage not pivoted and not tilted in the position it would be in when a bale is being made and in the position of  FIG. 2  when the bale moves from the baling chamber to rest on the carriage; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the bale turning attachment of the present invention detached from the baler in the position shown in  FIGS. 2 and 7  showing both the mostly vertical and mostly horizontal pivotal axes which will be described below; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is another perspective view of the bale turning attachment of the present invention detached from the baler in the position shown in shown in  FIGS. 2 and 7 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a top schematic view of the lower rear part of the baler with the present invention attached thereto with the carriage not pivoted and but tilted in the position of  FIG. 6  when the bale moves from the carriage to the ground; 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the bale turning attachment of the present invention detached from the baler in the position shown in  FIG. 6  and showing both the mostly vertical and mostly horizontal pivotal axes which will be described below; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  is another perspective view of the bale turning attachment of the present invention detached from the baler in the position shown in shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the bale turning attachment of the present invention detached from the baler in a position between the positions shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , but additionally tilted similar to what is shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the bale turning attachment of the present invention detached from the baler in a position like that shown in  FIG. 13  between the positions shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and showing both the mostly vertical and mostly horizontal pivotal axes referred to above, using a hydraulic cylinder to tilt it similar to what is shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 15  is another perspective view of the bale turning attachment of the present invention detached from the baler in a position like that shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14  between the positions shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  using a hydraulic cylinder to tilt it similar to what is shown in  FIG. 6  and showing both the mostly vertical and mostly horizontal pivotal axes referred to above; 
           [0038]      FIG. 16  is a top schematic view of the lower rear part of the baler with the present invention attached thereto with the carriage pivoted ninety degrees from the  FIG. 3  to the position shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  but not tilted; 
           [0039]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the bale turning attachment of the present invention detached from the baler as in  FIG. 16 , in the pivoted position shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , but not tilted; 
           [0040]      FIG. 18  is another perspective view of the bale turning attachment of the present invention detached from the baler in the position shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , not tilted; 
           [0041]      FIG. 19  is a top schematic view of the lower rear part of the baler with the present invention attached thereto with the carriage pivoted ninety degrees from the  FIG. 3  to the position shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  using a hydraulic cylinder to also tilt it about a horizontal axis; 
           [0042]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the bale turning attachment of the present invention detached from the baler in the position shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and showing both the mostly vertical and mostly horizontal pivotal axes referred to above using a hydraulic cylinder to pivot it about the vertical axis and another hydraulic cylinder to tilt it about the horizontal axis; 
           [0043]      FIG. 21  is another perspective view of the bale turning attachment of the present invention detached from the baler in the position shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  19  and  20 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 22  is a perspective exploded view of the rear of the baler with the carriage frame pivoted ninety degrees as shown in FIGS.  6  and  16 - 20  for example; 
           [0045]      FIG. 23  is a top plan view of the rear of the baler with the carriage frame pivoted ninety degrees as shown in FIGS.  6  and  16 - 20  for example; 
           [0046]      FIG. 24  is a top schematic view of another embodiment of the present invention showing the lower rear part of the baler with the present invention attached thereto with the carriage not pivoted and not tilted in the position it would be in when a bale is being made and in the position of  FIG. 3  when the bale has moved from the baling chamber to rest on the carriage; 
           [0047]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the bale turning attachment of  FIG. 24  detached from the baler in the position shown in  FIG. 3  and showing both the mostly vertical and mostly horizontal pivotal axes which will be described below; 
           [0048]      FIG. 26  is another perspective view of the bale turning attachment of the present invention detached from the baler in the position shown in shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 24-26  showing a cam and cam follower to accomplish automatic pivoting about both the vertical axis and horizontal axis when moving between the positions of the carriage between the  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6  positions,  FIG. 27  showing it similar to the tilted position of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 28  is another perspective view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 24-26  showing a cam and cam follower to accomplish automatic pivoting about both the vertical axis and horizontal axis when moving between the positions of the carriage between the  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6  positions,  FIG. 28  showing it similar to the tilted position of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 29  is a side view of the cam and cam follower in solid and dashed/hidden lines shown in the position of the FIGS.  6  and  24 - 26  where the carriage is in a position to receive a bale from the baling chamber when the rear gate is opened; 
           [0052]      FIG. 30  is a side view of the cam and cam follower in solid and dashed/hidden lines shown in the position approximately half way between the positions of the  FIGS. 3 and 6 ; 
           [0053]      FIG. 31  is a side view of the cam and cam follower in solid and dashed/hidden lines shown in a position similar to the position of the  FIG. 6  where the carriage is pivoted ninety degrees from the  FIGS. 3 ,  27 ,  28  and  29  position and also pivoted about a horizontal axis to release a bale from the carriage; 
           [0054]      FIG. 32  is a rear view of the baler similar to  FIG. 6 , but showing the bale having moved to the ground and prevented from rolling to the right as shown in this view by an L-shaped arm pivotally attached about a substantially vertical axis; 
           [0055]      FIG. 33  is a rear view of the baler similar to the device of  FIG. 32 , but showing the bale having moved to the ground and prevented from rolling to the right as shown in this view by an L-shaped arm pivotally attached about a substantially horizontal axis; 
           [0056]      FIG. 34  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 33  using the cam operated embodiment of  FIGS. 24-31  to pivot the carriage and bale ninety degrees and pivot the carriage to cause the bale to fall off of the carriage, while also moving a bale catching arm to the right side of the bale as shown in  FIGS. 33-35  to prevent the bale from moving too far to the right before coming to rest, thereby making it easier for bale loading equipment to travel the same basic path as the baler during a bale loading operation; 
           [0057]      FIG. 35  is a rear view of the  FIGS. 33 and 34  bale alignment arm just before it is deployed to the  FIGS. 33 and 34  position thereof, when the carriage is in the position of  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 36  is a perspective view of the carriage and bale catching arm in the position shown in  FIG. 35 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 37  illustrates a schematic view of a hydraulic system utilized to coordinate the movements of the associated components of the embodiment of  FIGS. 24-31  and  34 - 36 ; and 
           [0060]      FIG. 38  illustrates a schematic view of a hydraulic system utilized to coordinate the movements of the associated components of the alternate embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
       [0061]    Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. Certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0062]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate identical or similar parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows a baler  10  being towed by a tractor  1 , in the process of making a bale  2 , the baler  10  having a bale turning apparatus  11  attached thereto. 
         [0063]    After the bale  2  has been completed, the rear gate  12  is pivoted up about horizontal axis  12   a  as shown in  FIG. 2 , allowing the bale to move rearwardly onto a cradle  13  which is part of turning device  11  of the present invention. 
         [0064]      FIGS. 3-5  show sequentially the next few steps of how the present invention operates in two of its most useful modes,  FIG. 3  showing the  FIG. 2  position with the bale  2  resting on cradle  13 . Then, the bale turning apparatus  11  pivots the cradle  13  and bale  2  ninety degrees (90°) along vertical axis  13   v  to a position to one side of the baler  12  as shown looking from the tractor  1  in  FIG. 4  and looking from the rear of the baler in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 6  is an alternate embodiment where the mostly vertical axis  13   vt  is tipped to one side that shows how the cradle  13 , having been turned ninety degrees about a vertical axis (90°) from the position shown in  FIG. 3  also tips the cradle  13  from the  FIG. 3  position to the  FIG. 6  position due only to the turning about the axis  13   vt.  The mostly vertical axis  13   vt  of  FIG. 6  is straight up and down vertical when viewed from the side as shown in  FIG. 6  and is identical to the vertical axis  13   v  when viewed from the angle shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0066]    The round baler  10  has a baler frame  10   f  with a carriage support structure  14  (See  FIGS. 12 ,  22  and  23 ) attached to the baler frame  10   f  about the mostly vertical support axis  13   v  as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 . Ground engaging wheels  15  are rotatably attached to the baler frame  10   f  about a mostly horizontal axis. 
         [0067]    The rear gate  12 , is pivotally attached to the baler frame  10   f  about a horizontal gate pivot axis  12   h  and has at least two positions including a closed position shown in  FIG. 1  wherein the rear gate defines a portion of a baling chamber and an open position, shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , wherein the baling chamber is open to allow a formed bale  2  to be discharged. 
         [0068]    A carriage frame  13   f  is attached to the carriage support structure  14  of the baler frame  10   f  rearwardly of the horizontal axis of the ground engaging wheels  15  and to one side of the rear gate  12 . 
         [0069]    The carriage frame  13   f  is pivotally attached along axis  13   v  to the carriage support structure  14 , via carriage frame hinge pin  13   p  extending through clevis like carriage support hinge part  14   fh  ( FIG. 22 ), the carriage  13  having a first vertically pivoted position shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  7 - 9  wherein a first carriage side  13   a  is closest to the front of the baler  10  and positioned below the rear gate  12  and a second carriage side  13   b  closest to the rear of the baler  10 . It is important to note that the mostly vertical support axis  13   v  is fixed with respect to the baler frame  10   f.    
         [0070]    The carriage frame  13   f  also has a second vertically pivoted position shown in  FIGS. 16-18  wherein the carriage frame  13   f  is pivoted approximately 90 degrees about the mostly vertical support axis  13   v  wherein the second side  13   b  of the carriage  13  is behind one of the ground engaging wheels and offset from the rear gate  12 . Note that when the carriage  13  is pivoting between the  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  7 - 9  position to the  FIGS. 16-19  position, it will transition through intermediate positions between the first and second positions, one example of such intermediate position being shown in  FIGS. 13-15 . A hydraulic cylinder  13   vhc  is pivotally attached along a vertical axis at pin  13   pa  to the carriage support structure  14  ( ) and pivotally attached along another vertical axis  13   pb  to the carriage  13  itself (See  FIG. 27 .) 
         [0071]    The carriage  13 , except in the  FIG. 6  embodiment, is pivotally mounted about the horizontal axis  13   h  to the carriage frame  13   f  as can best be seen in  FIG. 12 . This permits the carriage  13  to not only pivot about vertical axis  13   v  about the carriage support frame  13   f  but allows the carriage to pivot about horizontal axis  13   h  as well. The carriage  13  is selectively pivoted by using a hydraulic cylinder  13   hc  pivotally attached at pin  13   hch  to the first end  13   a  of the carriage  13 . The hydraulic system for this embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 37  including a hydraulic circuit specifically for controlling the position of hydraulic cylinder  13   hc.  This circuit will allow the carriage to be rotated about the horizontal axis  13   h  independent of the position of the carriage frame about the vertical axis  13   v.  The hydraulic cylinder  13   hc  is also pivotally attached at the other end thereof to an arm  13 arm, the arm  13 arm being rigidly attached to the carriage  13  at one end thereof. The carriage  13  has a first position ( FIGS. 7-9  and  16 - 18 ) wherein the second side  13   b  of the carriage is a first distance above the ground and a second position ( FIGS. 10-12  and  19 - 21 ) wherein the second side  13   b  of the carriage  13  is a second distance that is less than the first distance for urging a bale resting on the carriage to roll off of the second side  13   b  of the carriage. Pivoting the carriage  13  about a horizontal axis is one way to get the bale to fall off of the carriage. 
         [0072]    Referring now again to  FIG. 6 , an alternate embodiment, the bale is urged to fall off of the carriage  13  by merely tipping the mostly vertical axis  13   vt.  After the bale has been turned ninety degrees from the  FIG. 3  position to the  FIG. 6  position the carriage is pivoted about a substantially vertical axis that is tipped out to one side and as the carriage moves from the level position shown in  FIG. 3  to the tipped position shown in  FIG. 6  and that is what causes the bale to drop off of the carriage to the right as shown in  FIG. 6  immediately after the carriage has been so pivoted. 
         [0073]    A third way to urge the bale off of the carriage  13  is to use a cam device shown in  FIG. 27 , which is a front left perspective view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 24-26  showing a cam and cam follower. These components automatically pivot the carriage about the horizontal axis as it moves between the position shown in  FIG. 27  and the position shown in  FIG. 36 .  FIG. 27  shows the tilted position, accomplishing the tipping of the carriage using a cam  22  and cam follower  21 . Assisting the process is the fact that when the outer end of the cam follower  21  hits the outer end of the cam  22  it acts as a stop so that sudden stopping of the carriage  13  results in the momentum and inertia of the bale to cause the bale to drop off of the carriage. This stop can be provided without a cam/cam follower or tipping function and it will still operate to cause the inertia alone to cause the bale to fall off of the carriage  13 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 28  is a rear left perspective view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 24-26  showing a cam  22  and cam follower  21 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 24-26  showing a cam and cam follower. 
         [0076]      FIGS. 29-31  are schematic representations of the carriage, cam and cam follower.  FIG. 29  is a side view that corresponds to  FIG. 34 , of the cam  22  and cam follower  21  in solid and dashed/hidden lines shown where the carriage is in a level position to receive a bale from the baling chamber when the rear gate is opened like what is shown in  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 29  the cam follower  21  is in the section  22   a  of the cam follower  22 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 30  is a side view of the cam and cam follower in solid and dashed/hidden lines shown in the position approximately half way between the positions of the  FIGS. 2 and 27 . The movement of the carriage frame and cam follower relative to the cam is illustrated in this series of schematic drawings as a translation. In the actual embodiment this movement is actually caused by the rotation of the carriage frame about the vertical axis  13   v  (See  FIGS. 25 and 26 ). The cam is an arcuate plate, wherein it is illustrated in these schematic drawings as a flat plate. Section  22   b  of the cam can be positioned to cause the carriage to rotate about the horizontal axis  13   h  in a direction to improve the capability of the carriage to hold the bale securely as it moves out of the bale forming chamber of the baler. 
         [0078]    As the carriage frame rotates about the vertical axis  13   v,  the cam follower  21  moves through the part  22   c  to the part  22   d  shown in  FIG. 31  corresponding to the position that the carriage is finally in the position shown in  FIGS. 27 and 28 , and wherein the carriage  13  is fully pivoted ninety degrees from the  FIG. 2  position. As a result of and at the same time, the cam  22  and cam follower  21  has caused the carriage to pivot about horizontal axis  13   h  to a tipped position to urge the bale to roll off other carriage  13  in a direction away from the baler.  FIG. 38  illustrates the hydraulic system associated with this embodiment, wherein there is not a separate hydraulic circuit for controlling the position of the carriage relative to the carriage frame. This  FIG. 38  also illustrates an additional aspect of this invention, an L-shaped arm useful for controlling the movement of the bale across the ground after it drops off of the carriage. 
         [0079]      FIG. 32  is a rear view of the baler  10  similar to  FIG. 6 , but showing the bale  2  having moved to the ground and prevented from rolling to the right as shown in this view by an L-shaped arm  30  pivotally attached about a substantially vertical axis  30   v.  The arm  30 , with horizontal leg  30   a  and vertical leg  30   b  can be folded against the side of the baler when the carriage  13  is not in the position shown in  FIG. 32 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 33  is a rear view of the baler similar to the device of  FIG. 32 , but showing the bale having moved to the ground and prevented from rolling to the right as shown in this view by an L-shaped arm with adjustable parts  42 / 42   t / 42   s  which are also shown in  FIGS. 34-36 , which L-shaped arm is pivotally attached about a substantially horizontal axis  40   h.    
         [0081]      FIG. 34  is perspective view of the device of  FIG. 33  using the cam operated embodiment of  FIGS. 24-31  to pivot the carriage and bale ninety degrees and pivot the carriage  13  to cause the bale  2  to fall off of the carriage  13 , while also moving a bale  2  catching arm  42 / 42   t / 42   s  to the right side of the bale as shown in  FIG. 33  to prevent the bale from moving too far to the right before coming to rest, thereby making it easier for bale loading equipment to travel the same basic path as the baler during a bale loading operation. 
         [0082]      FIG. 35  is a rear view of the  FIGS. 33 and 34  bale alignment arm just before it is deployed to the  FIGS. 33 and 34  position thereof, when the carriage is in the position of  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  FIG. 36  is a perspective view of the carriage and bale catching arm in the position shown in  FIG. 35 . 
         [0083]      FIGS. 37 and 38  illustrate hydraulic systems utilized to coordinate the movements of the associated components.  FIG. 37  illustrates, as noted previously, the embodiment wherein the carriage is rotated in the carriage frame about axis  13   h  by a hydraulic cylinder. This allows the carriage  13  to be rotated to drop the bale  2  at any desired position of the carriage frame  13   f.  With this arrangement the bale  2  can be dropped straight behind the baler  10 , with its axis perpendicular to the travel direction, or rotated  90  degrees so that the axis of the bale  2  is parallel to the travel direction, or any angle there between, as controlled by the cylinder  13   vhc  that causes the carriage frame to rotate about vertical axis  13   v.    
         [0084]    The cylinder  13   vhc  that causes the carriage frame to rotate about vertical axis  13   v  is activated by a hydraulic line that is connected in this embodiment to two sequence valves  112 / 113 . The first sequence valve  112  is activated by the position of the tailgate  12 . When the tailgate  12  is in its open position, this valve  112  opens to allow oil to flow to the second sequence valve  113  that is activated by the position of a bale sensor  114 . The bale sensor  114  is activated by a bale  2  as it falls into the carriage  13 , once in the carriage  13  the bale  2  causes a linkage  115  to activate the second sequence valve  113  that will allow oil to flow the cylinder  13   vhc  that rotates the carriage  13  about the vertical axis  13   v.    
         [0085]    This circuit is connected in series to the cylinder  116  that raises the tailgate  12 , which cylinder  116  is connected to a remote valve  117  of the tractor. The operator then controls the bale discharge by moving a remote valve  117  to the position to raise the tailgate  12 , and then continues to hold the remote valve  117  in that position to subsequently rotate the carriage  13  to move and discharge the bale  2 . The rotation of the carriage  13  will determine the orientation of the axis of the bale  2  relative to the baler  10 . This control can be accomplished manually, allowing the operator to control the remote valve  118  of the tractor  1 . It could also be accomplished automatically, if a control device on the tractor  1  or the baler  10  was allowed to automatically control the cylinder  13 hc that rotates the carriage frame  13   f  ( FIGS. 17 and 18 ). 
         [0086]      FIG. 38  illustrates an alternate embodiment that works in conjunction with the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , wherein the pivot axis  13   vt  is oriented to reliably discharge the bale  2  when turned 90 degrees, or with the embodiment that utilizes the cam and cam follower (See  FIGS. 24-33 ), to rotate the carriage  13  about the axis  13   h  to discharge the bale  2 . Thus, there is no need for a separate hydraulic circuit to control the position of the carriage  13  relative to the carriage frame  13 . This embodiment illustrates the same sequence valves  112 / 113 , but also illustrates the additional mechanism  40  used to stop the bale  2  as it is discharged. The arm  41 / 42 / 42   s  is activated by a cylinder  43  that is directly connected to the tailgate cylinder  116 . The butt-end of the cylinder  43  is connected to the butt-end of the cylinder  116  that raises the tailgate  12 . The pressure required to raise the tailgate  12  is substantially higher than the pressure required to lower the stop arm  40 , so this direct connection is adequate to cause the correct sequence of actions, for proper operation the stop arm  40  needs to be lowered before the bale  2  is discharged. Thus this direct connection provides a simple and reliable operation. 
         [0087]    In the following operation, wherein the tailgate  12  is closed, the direct connection of the opposite end of the cylinder  43  to the tailgate cylinder  116  also provides the correct sequence. As the tailgate  12  is lowered, oil is directed to the rod-end of the tailgate cylinder  116  and at the same time oil is directed to the rod-end of the cylinder  43  that positions the stop-arm. This arrangement ensures that the stop arm  40  will be raised as the tailgate  12  closes. 
         [0088]    Although  FIGS. 37 and 38  illustrate specific combinations of components, these combinations can be varied. For instance a bale stop arm  40  could be added to the system illustrated in  FIG. 37 , if the bale stop arm mechanism  40  was mounted to the carriage frame  13   f  so that the stop arm  40  was in the correct position to stop the bale  2  regardless of when the carriage  13  was rotated to discharge a bale  2 . 
         [0089]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept as expressed by the attached claims.