Abstract:
An integrated large round baler and wrapping device has a baling chamber defined by separate upper and lower housing sections, which meet at a substantially horizontal plane. The upper housing section is mounted for being elevated and guided vertically relative to the lower housing section such that a gap of substantially equal height is formed between the bottom of the upper housing section and the horizontal plane. A bale wrapping arrangement is provided for wrapping, with plastic foil or sheet or the like, the entire surface a bale located the baling chamber when the upper housing section is elevated. The lower housing section includes a bale-supporting roller section which is mounted for downward movement so as to discharge a wrapped bale.

Description:
The invention concerns an integrated baler and bale wrapping device with a frame and a baling chamber that is surrounded on its circumference by an upper and a lower housing section. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     From WO-A-97118699 an integrated large round baler and wrapping device is known whose baling chamber is surrounded by an upper and a lower housing section. The upper housing section is connected in a bearing with the forward region of the frame, free to pivot, and can be moved vertically by means of a hydraulic cylinder. A wrapping arm is attached to the lower housing section and can be pivoted about a vertical axis and can wrap a bale as soon as the upper housing section is pivoted upward. 
     DE-38 05 224 shows an integrated large round baler and wrapping device with an upper and a lower housing section where the upper housing section is carried on a frame so that it can be moved vertically by means of hydraulic cylinders. A wrapping arm is mounted to a tall overhead frame for revolving about a vertical axis so as to wrap a bale as soon as the upper housing section is raised vertically. 
     The problem underlying the invention is seen in the fact that the upper housing section when fully pivoted on a large round baler with the frame and the hydraulic cylinder, as disclosed in the first-mentioned prior art device, and the fixed tall frame, as disclosed in the second-mentioned prior art device, result in a tall configuration that can lead to overturning of the baler, in particular during operation on a slope. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention there is provided an improved large round baler constructed in combination with a bale wrapper which functions to wrap the entire surface of the bale while the bale is still located in the baling chamber. 
     A broad object of the invention is to provide an integrated large round baler and bale wrapping device which maintains a stable configuration during baling and wrapping of the bale. 
     A more specific object of the invention is to provide an integrated baler and wrapping device, as set forth in the preceding object, wherein an upper part of the baling chamber is mounted for vertical movement through means of a four-bar linkage whereby an upper part of the baling chamber may be lifted sufficiently to permit the enclosed bale to be wrapped without the upper part of the baling chamber extending unduly high into the air. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide an integrated baler and wrapping device, as set forth in the immediately preceding object, wherein the lower part of the baling chamber includes a section which may be lowered to a discharge position allowing the wrapped bale to fall onto the ground. 
     These and other objects will become apparent from a reading of the ensuing description together with the appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic left side elevational view of an integrated large round baler and bale wrapping device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and shown in a condition for taking up and baling crop material. 
     FIG. 2 is a view like FIG. 1, but showing the integrated large round baler and bale wrapping device in a condition for permitting a formed bale to be wrapped, and showing a lower rear portion of the bale-forming rolls in broken lines in a lowered bale discharge position. 
     FIG. 3 somewhat schematic top view of the bale wrapping device. 
     FIG. 4 is a view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3, but showing that end of the slide member which carries the wrap material dispensing roll assembly just as the assembly emerges from the right, rear end of the ring-like guide member for the slide member. FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 3, but showing the ring-like slide member in a position wherein a vertical support roller of the slide device is located on a radial line of the slide member passing through the center of the slide member drive motor. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a baler  10  together with a wrapping arrangement or device  12 . 
     The baler  10  includes a frame  14 , ground wheels  16 , a towbar or draft tongue  18 , a crop intake arrangement or pickup  20 , a lower housing section  22 , an upper housing section  24 , a lower pair of guide arms  26 , an upper pair of guide arms  28 , a positioning arrangement  30  and a drive  32 . 
     In this embodiment, the baler  10  is configured as a large round baler that can produce a cylindrical bale and subsequently wrap it with plastic foil or sheeting or the like. The baler  10  is configured with a constant or fixed volume baling chamber; but it could also be configured so that the volume is variable. The baler  10  is employed for the baling of crop lying on the ground, such as straw, hay silage or the like and for this purpose it is moved across a field by a vehicle. Alternatively, the baler  10  could also be operated as a stationary device in an industrial enterprise, in order to bale and wrap, for example, refuse, cloth, paper or similar industrial products. 
     The frame  14  is configured as a weldment and contains a wide mast  34  or two or more masts  34  spaced transversely from one another, and longitudinal carriers  36 , that extend in the direction of operation and generally in an extension of the towbar  18 . The wheels  16  are attached either individually or by means of an axle, rigidly or mounted on springs, to the longitudinal carriers  36  of the frame  14 , and support the baler  10 . The towbar  18  is either rigidly connected to the frame  14  or connected for vertical adjustment and forms the connection to a vehicle, such as an agricultural tractor, for example, which is not shown. 
     The crop intake arrangement  20  is configured and arranged conventionally. As known from conventional so-called pickups, a multitude of flexible tines are provided that can rotate clockwise, as shown in the drawings, that collect the crop from the ground and conduct it to a baling chamber  38 , defined by the lower and upper housing sections  22  and  24 , respectively. The conveyor arrangement of the crop intake arrangement  20  is directed relatively steeply upward, particularly behind the flexible tines. Downstream of the crop intake arrangement  20  an intermediate conveyor  39  and/or a chopper may be provided as is also known in practice. 
     The lower housing section  22  includes several rolls  40  that are formed from steel and are supported in bearings, free to rotate, with their axial end regions in curved cheeks  42 . The inner circumferential edges of the rolls  40  are located on a circular arc so that together with corresponding rolls  40  of the upper housing section  24  a cylindrical baling chamber  38  results with a generally circular cross section. 
     The cheeks  42  are also formed from steel and are connected to each other by struts, not shown, in order to attain a structure that is strong against bending and torsion. The cheeks  42  are supported in bearings, so as to pivot vertically, in the region of the second roll  40  from the front in the longitudinal carriers  36  and can be moved between the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For this purpose, a remotely controlled servo motor  43 , such as a hydraulic cylinder, for example, is provided. During the formation of a bale  44  (FIG.  2 ), the bale is supported on the rolls  40  of the lower housing section  22 , with it being noted that when the portion of the cheeks  42  carrying the rear four rolls is pivoted downward from the closed position, shown in FIG. 1, to the discharge position shown in broken lines in FIG. 2, the bale  44  will be deposited on the ground. 
     The upper housing section  24  is provided with eleven rolls  40 , that follow the same circular line as the rolls  40  in the lower housing section and are supported, free to rotate, in opposite side walls  46 . The side walls  46  enclose the sides of the baling chamber  38  and prevent the escape of crop. Respectively provided in a fore-and-aft center location of lower and upper edge regions of the side walls  46 , are lower and upper bearings  48  and  50 , that are formed, for example, from outwardly directed journals, pins, joints or the like. In the preferred embodiment, the upper bearing  50  is the continuation of a shaft of one of the rolls  40 , in this case the sixth roll from the front. In the rear region of the lower and upper housing sections  22  and  24 , located on the right in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the end rolls  40  is arranged to each other as are the remaining rolls  40 , whereas they are spaced at a distance to each other in the forward region, that corresponds to the space occupied by at least one of the rolls  40  and forms an inlet  51  for crop arriving from the crop intake arrangement  20 . 
     On the upper housing section  24 , a twine or a net wrapping arrangement, not shown, is provided, that is known in itself. In addition, or alternatively, a plastic sheet or foil wrapping arrangement could also be provided, that applies the sheet to the circumferential surface of the bale  44 . The line of separation between the lower and the upper housing sections  22  and  24 , as viewed from the side, is nearly horizontal. 
     The lower guide arms  26  each extend between a lower bearing  52  provided on the mast  34  and the lower bearing  48  provided on a respective side of the upper housing section  24 , with the arm  26  being free to rotate vertically at both bearings. With respect to the horizontal and as considered from front to rear, the lower guide arm  26 , as positioned in FIG. 1, extends at a slight inclination downward, while in the position according to FIG. 2, it extends at a slight inclination upward. 
     The upper guide arms  28  each extend between an upper bearing  54  on the mast  34  and the upper bearing  50  on a respective side of the upper housing section  24 , and like the lower guide arms, are supported in or on both bearings so as to be free to pivot vertically. In the position according to FIG. 1, the guide arm  28  extends generally horizontally. Provided between its ends and in the region outside the front of the upper housing section  24 , each upper steering arm  28  is provided with a connection  56 , that may, for example, be a joint with a pin or the like. 
     After all that, in the embodiment shown, the guide arms  26  and  28  do not extend parallel to each other; this would, however be possible. Although, in the foregoing in each case only one lower and one upper guide arm  26  and  28  is illustrated, it is to be understood that such guide arms are provided on both sides of the housing section, although this is not an absolute requirement since single bifurcated arms could be provided where the bifurcated portion of each arm straddles, and is pivotally mounted to, the housing section  24  with the remaining portion of the arm being pivotally mounted to the mast  34 . 
     The positioning arrangement  30  is formed in this embodiment by a pair of hydraulic servo motors, so-called hydraulic cylinders, each of which extends generally vertically between and has respective end regions coupled to a respective one of the connections  56  and of bearings  58  at the foot of the mast  34 . Nevertheless, other configurations would be possible, particularly with only one servo motor. The positioning arrangement  30  is supplied by means of a control or regulating arrangement, not shown, with hydraulic fluid in a direction and can thereby be extended in order to vertically reposition the upper guide arm  28  and, through the connection with the upper housing section  24 , also the lower guide arm  26 . The operation of the control or regulating arrangement is performed either as a function of sensors or manually by an operator seated in the vehicle. 
     The drive  32  is shown in the drawing only very schematically essentially as an encompassing drive, here several encompassing drives are driven from the vehicle, in each case by means not shown, through an articulated shaft, a gearbox and various shafts. Generally, a drive of the lower and upper rolls  40 , the crop intake arrangement  20  and if necessary, the wrapping arrangement  12  is required. 
     According to the description so far, the guide arms  26  and  28  form, along with the upper housing section  24  and the mast  34 , a four-bar linkage which is essentially a parallelogram. As a result of the loading on the position arrangement  30 , this parallelogram can be repositioned upward or downward; accordingly the upper housing section  24  assumes a lower baling position, that shown in FIG. 1, or an upper discharge position, that shown in FIG. 2, in which a wrapping process, described in the following can be performed. As can be seen, in particular in FIG. 2, in the raised position of the upper housing section  24 , the baler  10  extends to only slightly greater height, so that the center of gravity of the baler is not shifted upward to a significant degree. The raising is performed only in so far as is necessary for the performance of the wrapping process. 
     The lower housing section  22  can also assume an upper position, that shown in FIG. 1, in which the bale  44  is formed, and in solid lines in FIG. 2, in which the bale  44  can be completely wrapped in plastic, and in dashed lines in FIG. 2, in which the bale  44  can be unloaded from the baling chamber  38 . 
     Referring now also to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the wrapping arrangement  12  includes a ring-like guide track  60 , a ring-like slide  62 , a wrapping material carrier  64 , a braking and separating arrangement  66  and track drive motors  68 . The wrapping arrangement  12  is used for the complete wrapping of the bale  44  with plastic sheet or foil, capable of being stretched, and is employed when the crop is silage forage, that must be enclosed in an air-tight wrapping. Obviously, the application of the wrapping arrangement  12  is not limited to this type of foil. For example, a net or other types of foil or paper or the like could be employed in order to enclose the bale  44 . 
     The guide track  60  is so configured that it forms approximately 75% of a uniformly curved, closed circle, that can enclose the bale  44  when formed to its largest diameter. The guide track  60  is arranged horizontally, in particular, at the plane of separation between the lower and upper housing sections  22  and  24 , respectively. An opening  70  of the guide track  60  is located symmetrically about the longitudinal centerline of the baler  10  at its rear region, so that a bale  44  tilted to the rear and downward from the lower housing section  22  can be deposited through the opening  70  onto the ground. According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, a section of the guide track  60  that corresponds to the size of the opening  70  is attached to the rear end region of the lower housing section  22 , and is aligned with the remaining guide track  60 , so that a more or less closed circle or ring is formed. If necessary, guides or locking devices could be provided at the ends of each of the sections of the guide track  60  that face each other, that result in a complete, closed guide track  60 . In the absence of such a supplementary section of the guide track  60 , lead-in openings or enlarged regions could be provided at their ends. 
     The guide track  60  is bent from a C-channel defining a slot  72  at one side, which can best be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. Furthermore, in the region of each of the motors  68 , an elongate opening  73  (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided in the outer surface of the guide track  60  for a purpose explained below. The guide track  60  is erected and securely retained on the longitudinal carrier  36  by carriers, struts, retainers and the like. 
     The slide  62  is constructed of a flat band of material having essentially the same length and curved form as the guide track  60  and is located in its interior. To reduce friction, horizontal and vertical rollers  74  and  75 , respectively, are provided that support the slide  62  against horizontal or vertical forces. The outer surface of the slide  62  is provided with a rack of gear teeth  76 . In a slide  62  made from steel, the gear tooth profile can be formed into it, it can be mounted on it by means of a flexible rack made of plastic, or formed by a row of perforations or openings provided in the slide  62 . In the case that the loading permits, the slide  62  can also be formed from a high-strength or reinforced plastic. In the region of the wrapping material carrier  64  and the braking and separating arrangement  66 , the slide  62  is provided with a carrier  78  projecting outward horizontally at a level for passing through the channel slot  72 . The slide  62  is supported in bearings and dimensioned in such a way that it can be moved within the guide track  60 . 
     The wrapping material carrier  64  is supported in bearings, free to rotate, on the carrier  78  and contains a roll, not described in any further detail, with foil, for example, plastic sheet that can be stretched. The roll of foil  80  is oriented vertically so as to dispense in the horizontal direction without causing any twists in the foil. 
     The braking and foil severing or separating arrangement  66  is arranged to assure that the foil  80  is stretched during its application to the bale  44  and is applied air-tight to the bale  44  and/or to a previously wrapped length of underlying foil  80  to which it adheres. The braking and separating arrangement  66  also performs a separation, either by cutting or tearing, after the wrapping process. An applicator or retainer that would retain the foil  80  on the bale  44  or the frame  14  at the start of the wrapping process is not shown, since these are commercially available and known. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, several wrapping material carriers  64  and braking and separating arrangements  66  could be employed. 
     The motors  68  are configured as hydraulic motors, but they could also be electric motors. The motors  68  are located at a forward region of the guide track  60  and, thus, are opposite the opening  70 , in particular within the outer width of the machine determined by the guide track  60 . Each motor  68  is equipped with a gear  82  that can be driven in the direction indicated by the arrows. As can be seen in FIGS. 1,  2  and  5 , each gear  82  extends through the adjacent elongate opening  73  in the guide track  60  and is in constant mesh with the rack of teeth  76  provided on the slide  62 . The gear  82  engages the tooth profile  76  in such a way that there can be no collision with the carrier  78  or the components carried by the latter during movement of the slide  62 . In place of two motors  68 , one motor or more than two motors  68  could be employed. Furthermore, the motors  68  could also engage the inward side of the slide  62  provided that the tooth profile  76  is also located on the inward side of the slide  62 . 
     After that description, the wrapping arrangement  12  operates as follows. 
     When the motors  68  are driven, they move the slide  62  within the guide track  60  in a horizontal plane. As soon as one end of the slide  62  leaves the guide track  60 , it crosses the opening  70  and again enters the guide track  60  at the following end region. In this way, the slide  62  and with it the wrapping material carrier  64  and the braking and separating arrangement  66  can perform a circulating movement. 
     For the wrapping process, according to FIG. 2, the upper housing section  24  is raised to such a point that the wrapping material carrier  64  can circulate around the bale  44  without colliding with the upper housing section  24 . In order to attain an offset of the foil  80  (FIG. 2) on the surface of the bale  44 , the rolls  40  of the lower housing section  22  are driven slowly and thereby the bale  44  is brought into rotation. The wrapping process is continued for such a period of time until the bale  44  is adequately enclosed in an air-tight envelope. For this purpose, four layers are conventionally required. As soon as the wrapping process is completed, the foil  80  is separated by means of the braking and separating arrangement  66  and the slide  62  is moved into a position in which its ends come to rest within the guide track  60  and the opening  70  is free. Subsequently, the bale  44  is tilted through the opening  70  by extension of the hydraulic motors  43  to effect a vertical downward pivoting movement of the cheeks  42  carrying the lower rear bale-forming rolls  40  of the lower housing section  22 . Finally, the lower housing section  22  is raised and the upper housing section  24  is lowered until the baling chamber  38  is again closed. 
     Although not described, the lower housing section  22  with the rolls  40  could also be constructed as a turntable which rotates about a vertical axis while the wrapping material carrier  64  remains in a fixed position.