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

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to bale forming structures and, more specifically, to a baler of the type utilized with a cotton harvester to provide a cotton module directly on the harvester.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Cotton harvesters having on-board module forming structure such as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,996 provide a compact bale or module directly on the harvester to reduce the amount of support equipment needed in the field and minimize harvester idle time during offloading. The on-board processing structure includes a bale handling system for moving a large formed bale rearwardly to prepare the bale chamber for a second bale with little or no harvester down time. The formed bale is relatively large, and designing the bale-forming chamber to maintain a satisfactory harvester shipping and transport height has been a continuing source of difficulty. The system shown in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,996 patent provides reduced height by pivoting one portion of the bale chamber relative to the other portion so that the uppermost extremity of the chamber is lowered. The aft chamber can be supported on a rear bale handler and lowered for increased height reduction. As the capacity of a harvester increases, the problems with maintaining shipping and road transport heights within acceptable ranges become more acute. In addition, servicing the bale chamber area or replenishing the wrap mechanism of the baler, particularly in a chassis-mounted baler, becomes more challenging because of the increased height of the unit above the ground.  
         [0003]     With previously available baling systems having pivoting gate structure to release a formed bale, separate latching mechanisms are required to lock the gate in place. Such mechanisms, which may include cylinder operated locks or complicated linkages which have to be adjusted and which add to the cost and complexity of the baling system.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved on-board cotton handling system that overcomes most or all of the aforementioned problems. It is another object to provide such a system having an improved processor height reduction feature. It is a further object to provide an improved gate latch structure for a baler of the type utilized with an on-board processing system.  
         [0005]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved baler structure particularly useful with an on-board cotton harvester module building system. It is a further object to provide such a structure having improved service accessibility and improved transport and shipping configurations.  
         [0006]     A chassis-mounted round baler particularly useful with an on-board cotton module building system includes a bale release gate frame section connected to a forward frame section by a four bar or similar control linkage. The linkage generates a baler gate path that allows the folding of the baler into both field transport and shipping configurations while maintaining desirable operating, transport and shipping heights typical of many current cotton pickers. The linkage cooperates with a bale handler on the cotton picker which assists in the folding function and supports the gate in the transport and shipping configurations.  
         [0007]     The gate linkage also incorporates a self latching feature the eliminates the weight, cost and complexity of a separate latching mechanism. The baler gate linkage permits a small vertical movement of the gate as the gate cylinders are operated. When the cylinders are first extended to raise the gate, an initial vertical movement lifts the gate slightly to release a gate latch member from a forward frame member. As the cylinders are retracted to move the gate closed, an opposite vertical motion at the end of the closing path reengages the gate latch from the forward frame member.  
         [0008]     The four bar linkage also allows the gate center of gravity to be positioned such that the gate will stay in a fully opened position without positive pressure in the actuators that open the gate. The linkage and the ability to fold the baler into lower transport and shipping positions allows bale wrap to be put in the machine from the ground and makes service points on the baler easier to access. The gate interacts with the bale handler to provide a stop for the baler gate when the baler gate is placed into a cradle on the handler. The gate latches to the cradle and is moved to a reduced height transport or shipping position with downward movement of the handler. The gate cylinders can be operated in a float mode while the gate is latched to the handler. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a cotton harvester with an on-board module builder and bale handler system.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  but showing the module builder supported by the bale handler.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is another view similar to  FIG. 1  but showing the module builder supported in a lowered transport position by the bale handler.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the module frame sections in the closed and locked position with cylinder structure fully retracted.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  but showing the frame sections in an unlocked position upon initial extension of the cylinder structure.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  but showing the frame sections with the cylinder structure partially extended.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  but showing the relative positions of the frame sections with the cylinder structure fully extended. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]     Referring to  FIG. 1  therein is shown a cotton harvester 10 having a main frame  12  supported for movement by forward drive wheels  14  and rear steerable wheels  16 . A cab  18  is supported at the front end of the main frame  12  above forwardly mounted harvesting structure indicated at  20  which removes cotton from plants and directs the removed cotton into an air duct system  22 .  
         [0017]     An upright telescoping accumulator system  30  with an upper inlet structure  31  and a metering floor  32  is supported on the frame  12  behind the cab  18  for receiving the cotton from the air duct system  22 . A processor or module builder  34  is supported rearwardly of the accumulator system  30 . The accumulator system  30  stores cotton as necessary, and the metering floor  32  distributes the cotton to the module builder  34  which first forms a mat of material and then rolls the mat into a compact bale or module  36 . The accumulator and processor system with the exception of the linkage and locking structure described in detail below may be generally of the type shown and described in the commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,996 entitiled Harvester with Bale Forming Chamber Having a Transport Mode.  
         [0018]     A bale or module handling system  40  is locaated rearwardly of the porcessor  34  for receiving a bale or module from the processor  34 . The handling system  40  temporarily supports the module  36  ( FIG. 1 ) for transport during field-working operations and then discharges it from the harvester  10  at the desired location in the field. The module builder  34  includes baler  40  having a clamshell type of housing  44 . including first and second (front and rear) upright or frame sections  46  and  48 . The sections  46  and  48  are connected together by a control linkage structure  50 . In a field-working position ( FIG. 1 ), the top portions of the sections  46  and  48  are located at or slightly above the level of the top of the accumulator system  30  to establish a maximum working height of the harvester  10 . Cylinders (not shown) on each side of the accumulator structure  30  lower the top of the system  30  for transport and shipping.  
         [0019]     The module builder  34  includes a bale-forming chamber with a round baler belt and roller structure which receives material from the accumulator system  30  when the builder  34  is in the upright field-working position shown in  FIG. 1 . The baler structure  60  operates in a manner generally identical to that of a conventional round baler and rolls the material into a compact round bale. It is to be understood that various types of delivery systems for conveying the material to the baling device may be utilized with the present invention.  
         [0020]     When a complete bale is formed, the rear or gate section  48  of the clamshell housing  44  is rocked rearwardly and upwardly to release the bale from the chamber onto the handling system  40  ( FIG. 1 ). The accumulator system  30  facilitates continued operation of the harvester  10  while the bale  36  is released from the chamber. The handling system  40  is positioned to receive, support and transport the completed bale while the harvesting continues. When the desired location such as the end of the field is reached, the system  40  is activated to lower the bale  36  and release it from the harvester  10 .  
         [0021]     The front frame section  46  is pivotally connected to the harvester frame  12  by a pivot  70  for rocking between an upright field-working position ( FIG. 1 ), a rearwardly and downwardly directed transport position ( FIG. 3 ), and a shipping position wherein the bale handler is at ground level. Hydraulically operated latch or securing structure  72  is mounted on the frame  12  and the lower forward portion of the front frame section  46  to lock the front frame section in an upright field-working position. Cylinder structure  76  located on each side of the baler includes a first end connected to the frame section  46  and a second end connected to a central location on the linkage structure  50 . With the front frame section  46  latched in the upright position and the cylinder structure  76  fully retracted ( FIG. 1 ), the sections  46  and  48  abut to define the bale forming chamber extending upwardly from the harvester frame  12 . The top of the chamber is approximately level with the top of the extended accumulator system  30 . Automatically operable gate lock structure  78  supported by the frame sections  46  and  48  rearwardly adjacent the front frame pivot  70  latches the sections together ( FIG. 4 ) as the bale forming chamber is closed during retraction of the cylinder structure  76 . Upon initial activation of the cylinder structure  76  to open the chamber ( FIG. 5 ), there is initial relative vertical motion of the sections  46  and  48  to release the gate lock structure  78  without need for a complicated latch linkage or hydraulic latch actuating cylinders.  
         [0022]     To open the bale forming chamber, the cylinder structure  76  is extended to initially release the gate lock structure  78  and then to rock the section  48  upwardly relative to the section  46  to open the housing and release the formed bale  36 . The released bale  36  can then be carried by the harvester  10  ( FIG. 1 ) to a convenient deposit area in the field while the harvesting operation continues uninterrupted. To move the housing  44  to the transport or the shipping position, the section  48  is rocked upwardly and the bale handling system  40  moved to the upright position. The cylinder structure  76  is retracted to rock the section downwardly towards the closed position. However, the upright handling system  40  is in the path of travel of the section  48  and latches to the section  48  ( FIG. 2 ). Thereafter, the cylinder structure  76  is put into a float condition. The latching structure  72  is operated to release the front frame section  46 , and the handling system  40  is then moved downwardly. The sections  46  and  48  move downwardly primarily under the influence of gravity with the system  40 . Since the section  48  is positively latched to the handing system  40 , the system  40  can exert a pull on the sections if necessary.  
         [0023]     The linkage structure  50  is preferably a four bar linkage structure or similar linkage structure providing more control of the orientation of the sections  46  and  48  as they are rocked relative to each other than a simple pivot structure alone can afford. As shown, the linkage structure  50  rocks the upper portion of the rear frame section  48  over the top of the forward frame section  46  ( FIGS. 6 &amp; 7 ) as the chamber approaches a maximum open position. Therefore, the front frame section  46  is pivoted to a lower position for transport ( FIG. 3 ) or shipping.  
         [0024]     The structure  50  includes upper links  82  on opposite sides of the chamber, each having a forward end pivotally connected at  83  to a top central portion of the section  46  and an aft end pivotally connected to a top forward portion of the section  48 . Lower reinforced links  86  substantially longer than the links  82  each include a first end pivotally connected to a vertically sliding pivot  88  located below and rearwardly of the pivot location  83  on the section  46  and a second end pivotally connected at a lower forward location on the rear frame section  48 . The sliding pivot  88  permits limited vertical movement when the cylinder structure  76  is operated near the fully retracted position.  
         [0025]     The cylinder structure  76  includes two hydraulic cylinders on opposite sides of the chamber, each with a base end pivotally connected at a location  92  near the bottom aft portion of the section  46 . The rod end of the cylinder  94  is connected at a central location on the corresponding lower link  86 . The cylinder structure  76  is connected to a conventional hydraulic control (not shown) located on the harvester  10  for extending and retracting the cylinders and for establishing cylinder locked and cylinder float conditions.  
         [0026]     The automatically operable gate lock structure  78  includes a latch plate  100  fixed to the lower forward end of the frame section  48 . The plate  100  has a forwardly projecting hook  102 . A latch-receiving member  104  is secured to the bottom aft portion of the frame section  46  in alignment with the plate  100 . As the frame section  48  is rocked downwardly towards the closed position, the cylinder structure  76  maintains the sliding pivot in the upwardmost position ( FIG. 5 ) until the hook  102  clears the latch-receiving member  104 . Thereafter, continued retraction of the cylinder structure  76  allows the frame  48  to lower and lock the hook  102  over the member  104 . The weight of the frame section  48  maintains the lock structure in the latched position until the operator extends the cylinder structure  76 . Upon initial extension of the cylinders, the sliding pivot  88  facilitates upward motion of the frame section  48  relative to the frame section  46  until the hook  102  is released from the member  104 . It is to be understood that the hook  102  and member  104  can be reversed. Also, the securing structure  72  may be any type of simple latch arrangement that relies on relative movement between the sections for engagement and release.  
         [0027]     Continued extension of the cylinder structure  76  after automatic latch release causes the frame section  48  to rock rearwardly and upwardly ( FIGS. 6 &amp; 7 ) towards an open position under the control of the linkage structure  50 . Further extension of the cylinder structure  76  provides a relative motion between the sections that moves the upper forward portion of the rear frame section  48  over the top portion of the frame section  46  for transport ( FIG. 3 ) and for shipping or maintenance of structure on the rear frame section  46  ( FIG. 7 ). The rear frame section  48  supports a bale wrap system  110  which can be lowered as described in detail below for easy access for maintenance or bale wrap reloading.  
         [0028]     The bale handling system  40  includes an upwardly concave bale support structure  114  having a forward end pivotally connected to the aft end of the frame  12  for rocking about a horizontal pivot. Lift cylinder structure  118  is connected between the frame  12  and a lower forward projection  120  on the support structure  114 . When a completed bale is formed in the chamber, the frame section  48  is rocked towards an open gate position ( FIGS. 6 &amp; 7 ) to release the bale for support by the structure  114  ( FIG. 1 ). The accumulator system  30  permits continued operation of the harvester  10  while the bale  36  is released. When the bale release position is reached in the field, the cylinder structure  118  is retracted to lower the support structure  114  and allow the bale to roll unto the ground.  
         [0029]     On each side of the bale handling system  40 , latch structure  130  extends upwardly from the support structure  114  to receive a corresponding tubular member  132  supported from an aft lower portion of the rear frame section  48  when the section  48  is rocked downwardly from the open position ( FIG. 2 ) with the bale handling system  40  in the raised position. The latch structure  132  includes an opening  136  ( FIG. 1 ) which lies in the path of the member  132  and captures the member as the cylinder structure  76  is retracted. Once the members  132  are captured by the latch structure  130 , the hydraulically operated latch  72  can be operated to release the front frame section  46  for rocking rearwardly about the pivot  72 . The cylinder structure  76  is placed in the float mode, and the handling system  40  controls the lowering and raising of the frame sections  46  and  48  between the transport or shipping positions and the capture position of  FIG. 2 . The accumulator system  30  can also be retracted (see arrow in  FIG. 3 ) generally to the level of the top of the lowered sections  46  and  48  for compact transporting or shipping.  
         [0030]     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.