Abstract:
A large round baler includes a crop pick-up having a tined reel for lifting a windrow of crop to a secondary feeder which moves the crop into the baling chamber. Crop feeding is aided by an integrated crop baffle and hold-down assembly suspended from the baler frame for vertical floating movement by a trailing four-bar linkage arrangement. The baffle is located ahead of the pick-up tine reel, and the compressor rods extending rearwardly over the reel from a location close to an upper rear region of the baffle to a region beneath a bale starter roll. The linkage arrangement controls the movement of the integrated crop baffle and hold-down assembly such that the assembly quickly adjusts to varying windrow thickness, and so that interference between the starter roll and the rear sections of the crop hold-down compressor is avoided.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to an integrated crop baffle and hold-down assembly for controlling crop for being picked up by a pick-up reel, and to a suspension for such an assembly.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,092 discloses a baler having a main frame to which is coupled a crop pick-up. An integrated crop baffle and hold-down assembly is provided for controlling crop being picked up by the tined reel of the pick-up. The integrated baffle and hold-down assembly is suspended for floating over a crop windrow by a suspension including a trailing link arrangement having a rear end pivotally attached to each end of the baffle and including a front end having a lost motion slot received on a guide pin fixed to the baler frame. Each of opposite ends of the pick-up is provided with a flare sheet mounted for pivoting about the pick-up reel axis and carrying a guide pin located within a fore-and-aft extending guide slot provided in a bracket carried by the baler frame. Mounted between each end of the baffle and the latter named guide pin is a flexible cable which establishes a minimum clearance between the baffle and the pick-up reel. The crop hold-down arrangement includes a plurality of compressor rods mounted in spaced relationship to each other across the top of the baffle, the rods being curved above the path traced by the pick-up tines and terminating at a location between a crop feed rotor and a bale starter roll.  
         [0003]     For the most part, the above-described patented integrated crop baffle and hold-down assembly performs excellently. However, the assembly has the limitations of requiring rather exacting tolerances on several of the suspension components in order to maintain proper orientation of the compressor rods, which, even if properly oriented, sometimes contact the bale starter roll. Another limitation is that the linkage between the pick-up and the baffle for causing the baffle to be lifted with the pick-up tends to carry significant loads from crop flow which can pull on the baffle.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     According to the present invention, there is provided an improved integrated crop baffle and hold-down assembly with suspension which represents an improvement over the structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,092.  
         [0005]     An object of the invention is to provide a suspension for an integrated crop baffle and hold-down assembly which controls the rear tips of the compressor rods in a relatively small zone away from the bale starter roll while allowing the baffle to move up and forward to allow the largest of windrows to pass under while permitting windrows of lesser size to pass under it with minimal restriction.  
         [0006]     This and other objects will become apparent from a reading of the ensuing description together with the appended drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a somewhat schematic left side elevational view of a forward end portion of a baler having a pick-up equipped with an integrated crop baffle and hold-down assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the pick-up being shown in a lower, working position.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a view showing the pick-up in a position wherein it has floated upwardly from its lower, working position during operation.  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a view showing the pick-up in a fully-raised transport position.  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a top left front perspective view showing the connection between the left end of the integrated crop baffle and hold-down assembly of  FIG. 1  and the baler frame.  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is a left front perspective view of the integrated crop baffle and hold-down assembly of  FIG. 1  and the mounting brackets that form part of the baler frame.  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  is a right front perspective view of the structure shown in  FIG. 5 , but from a lower view point  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  is a partial sectional, left rear perspective view of the left end of the crop baffle roller assembly forming part of the crop controlling arrangement.  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of one of the couplings used for connecting the baffle roller stub shaft to the support for the baffle float linkage.  
         [0015]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view directed towards the opposite end of the coupling shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 10  is a schematic left side view showing an alternate embodiment of the baffle support linkage, wherein its attachment with the baler frame is rearward of the baffle. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , there is shown a forward end portion of a baler  10  including a main frame  12  supported on ground wheels  14  adapted for being towed over the ground by a tractor (not shown) hitched to a tongue  16  projecting forwardly from the frame  12 .  
         [0018]     Mounted to the frame  12  in a location forward of the wheels  14  is a crop gathering assembly including a pick-up  18  and a rotary conveyor  20 . The pick-up  18  is substantially wider than the baling chamber of the baler  10 , and, in order to narrow the crop flow to a width commensurate with that of the baling chamber, opposite ends of the rotary conveyor  20  are respectively defined by stub augers (not shown), while the region of the rotary conveyor  20  between the stub augers is provided with a set of rotor teeth (not shown) having outer ends that each trace a circular path  22 , with each tooth passing between adjacent football-shaped strippers  24  as the rotary conveyor  20  rotates clockwise, as viewed in  FIGS. 1-3 , about a horizontal transverse axis  26 .  
         [0019]     The pick-up  18  includes a frame  28  mounted to the frame  12  for pivoting about the axis  26 . A center shaft of a pick-up tine reel (not shown) is mounted to the frame  28  for rotating about a horizontal transverse axis  30 , with tips of the tines each describing a circular path  32 . Thus, as the reel rotates clockwise, the tines act to pick-up a windrow of crop material and deliver it to the rotary conveyor  20 , which, in turn, delivers the crop into a baling chamber inlet defined between a horizontal transverse bale starter roll  34 , extending between and mounted to side walls  36  of a fixed front section of the baling chamber, and a lower front gate roll (not shown) carried by a discharge gate of the baler, as is well known. Flare sheets  38  are mounted at opposite sides of the pick-up frame  28  for pivoting about the axis  30 , with a portion of the left-hand flare sheet being broken away so as to reveal part of the present invention, as will be apparent from the ensuing description.  
         [0020]     Suspended from the baler main frame  12  at a location forward of the pick-up  18  is a crop controlling arrangement  40  including an integrated crop baffle and crop hold-down assembly  42  and a suspension assembly  44 .  
         [0021]     Referring now also to  FIGS. 4, 5  and  6 , it can be seen that the integrated crop baffle and crop hold-down assembly  42  includes a pair of transversely spaced, upright support plates  46  respectively having lower front corners serving as the mounting locations for opposite ends of a crop baffle arrangement  48 , in the form of a roller, and respectively having lower rear corners, spaced upward and to the rear from the lower front corners, serving as the mounting locations for opposite ends of a crop hold-down arrangement  50 .  
         [0022]     The suspension assembly  44  includes generally parallel, upper and lower pairs of links  52  and  54 , respectively, having rear ends pivotally coupled to respective upper regions  55  of the support plates  46 , the upper regions  55  making up approximately half of a total height dimension of the support plates  46 . Specifically, the upper pair of links  52  have rear ends respectively pivotally connected, as by bolts  56 , to upper ends of the support plate upper regions  55  at locations spaced above, and in approximate vertical alignment with, the lower front ends of the plates  46 , and hence, with the opposite ends of the crop baffle arrangement  48 . The lower pair of links  54  have rear ends respectively pivotally connected, as by bolts  58 , to locations of the support plate upper regions  55 , which are spaced down and forward from the mounting locations at the tops of the regions  55 .  
         [0023]     A mounting bracket arrangement  60  is provided at each side of the baler frame  12  for providing support for the suspension assembly  44 . As can best be seen in  FIG. 5 , each mounting bracket arrangement  60  includes a main bracket  62  constructed from a formed plate including a horizontal section  64  extending between, and joined to, an upwardly projecting vertical inner section  66 , that is bolted to the adjacent frame side wall  36 , and a downwardly projecting vertical outer section  68  containing a horizontal slot  70  having a purpose explained below. Additional support is provided for the brackets  62  by respective metal straps  71  having vertical upper end sections respectively bolted to the walls  36 , and having respective horizontal lower end sections bolted to outer regions of the bracket horizontal sections  64 , with the straps  71  being angled outwardly from the walls  36 . Welded to an outer surface of a forward region of, and forming a forward extension of, each of the bracket vertical sections  66  is a linkage support plate  72 . The support plates  72  have respective enlarged forward end regions spaced upward and forward relative to the baffle arrangement  48 . Thus, the upper suspension links  52  extend forwardly from the top of the support plate upper regions  55  and have their forward ends respectively pivotally connected, as by bolts  74 , to the support plates  72 , with a cylindrical spacer  76  being received on each bolt  74  at a location between the associated support plate  72  and link  52 . Similarly, the lower suspension links  54  have their forward ends respectively pivotally connected, as by bolts  78 , to the support plates  72 , with a cylindrical spacer  80  being received on each bolt  78  at a location between the associated support plate  72  and link  54 . Thus, a four-bar linkage is defined by the pairs of links  52  and  54  and the support plates  46  and  72 . Other multi-bar linkages could be used as well so long as the desired movement of the baffle arrangement  48  results.  
         [0024]     A counter balance arrangement for exerting a lifting force for balancing the weight of the baffle arrangement  48 , the hold-down arrangement  50 , the support plates  46  and the suspension links  52  and  54  is provided in the form of a pair of coil springs  82  respectively received on the spacers  80 , with outer ends of the spring coils terminating in straight sections having a back-turned ends  84  respectively captured by bolts  86  provided in the upper links  52 , and with inner ends of the spring coils terminating in straight sections  88  respectively abutting against rear sides stops  90  respectively mounted for adjustment along a fore-and-aft oriented slots  92  provided in the support plates  72 . While the torsion springs  82  are used in the preferred counter balance construction because of the compactness of the assembly, it should be understood that counter balance may be provided by any other elastic component including compression or extension springs, rubber components, or gas springs.  
         [0025]     Referring now also to  FIG. 7 , it can be seen that the roller which forms the baffle arrangement  48  includes a cylindrical tube  94  having opposite ends covered by circular end plates  96  clamped against the opposite ends of the tube through the action of four tie rods  98  spaced angularly about the tube  94  at equal distances from each other, with each rod  98  projecting through axially aligned holes provided in the end plates  96  and fixed in place by nuts  100  received on threaded opposite ends of the rods  98 . Located over each set of four nuts  100  at the opposite ends of the tube  94  is a ring-shaped cover  102  containing openings  104  in which the nuts  100  are received. The cover  102  may be made of plastic and designed to be snap fit over the nuts  100 , and/or provided with openings for receiving screw fasteners (not shown) that extend through the openings into aligned threaded openings provided in the end plates  96 . It is to be noted that while a cylindrical roller is preferred, other tubular shapes could be used.  
         [0026]     Fixed in axial alignment with, and to an inner surface of, each of the end plates  96  is a cylindrical tubular bearing housing  104  having an annular, inwardly projecting, bearing retainer lip  106  at its inner end. A bearing assembly  108  is located in the bearing housing  104 . A support shaft  110  is received in each bearing assembly  108 , thereby providing a support about which the baffle tube  94  may rotate. The support shafts  110  are each coupled to the lower ends of the support plates  48  by cylindrical couplers  112 . Referring also to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , it can be seen that outer ends of the couplers  112  each include a threaded opening  116  receiving a threaded end of a fastening bolt  118  which extends through the lower end of the associated support plate  46 . Each cylindrical coupler  112  is provided with a cavity  120  extending axially from an inner end of the coupler  112 , as viewed in  FIG. 7 , and terminates short of the outer end of the coupler. The cavity  120  is substantially elliptical in cross section and is oriented so as to have its largest cross sectional dimension oriented vertically. A horizontal cross bore  122  extends diametrically through the coupler  112  and intersects the largest dimension of the cross section of the cavity  120  at a right angle. The shafts  110  at the opposite ends of the baffle arrangement  48  are respectively received in the cavities  120  of the couplers  112  and retained there by roll pins  124  respectively received in the cross bores  122  and in respective aligned bores provided in the shafts  110 . The purpose of the cavities  120  is to permit relative vertical pivotal movement between the couplers  112  and the shafts  110  so that one end of the baffle arrangement  48  may raise or lower relative to the other when moving over the top of a windrow, for example. In order to keep the couplers  112  oriented properly for such relative vertical pivoting, a pair of diametrically opposite locator pins  126  are provided in each of the outer ends of the couplers  112  in co-planar relationship to the cross bores  122 , and each of the support plates  46  is provided with a pair of holes which receive the locator pins  126  (see  FIG. 5 ). Further, it is noted that the couplers  112  are considerably less in diameter than the baffle end plates  96  and covers  102 , resulting in an increase in the range of vertical movement of the baffle arrangement  48  without there being interference with the baler frame  12 . While the preferred construction of the baffle arrangement  48  is that of a roller, non-rolling configurations could be used with advantage as well.  
         [0027]     Referring now back to  FIGS. 4, 5  and  6 , it can be seen that the hold-down assembly  42  includes a tubular compressor rod mounting bar  128  extending transversely between, and fixed to opposite end plates  130  which are respectively engaged with, and bolted to, inner surfaces of lower rear locations of the support plates  46 . The tubular bar  128  is located to the rear and at a height slightly above that of the baffle arrangement  48 , when the crop controlling arrangement  40  is in a working range as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Spaced transversely from each other and mounted to a middle region of the tubular bar  128 , so as to be inwardly of crop converging stub augers (not shown) at the opposite ends of the crop feed rotor  20 , are a plurality of substantially straight, elongated compressor rods  132 . While the compressor rods  132  is a preferred crop compressing arrangement, alternate compressing arrangements could be defined by a solid compressor sheet, multiple compressor strips, or, any combination of compressor rods, sheet, and strips.  
         [0028]     As can best be seen in  FIGS. 1-3 , the rods  132  extend rearwardly from the bar  128  over the pick-up reel and have rear end regions that terminate in a zone between the crop feed rotor  20  and the starter roller  34 . It is to be noted that as the integrated baffle and crop hold-down arrangement  42  floats vertically, during normal operation, between its lower position, shown in  FIG. 1 , and its upper position, shown in  FIG. 2 , the suspension assembly  44  controls the hold-down arrangement  50  such that the rear sections of the compressor rods  132  only rise a small amount.  
         [0029]     The suspension assembly  44  further includes a pair of flexible supports  134 , here shown constructed from segments of rubber belting used for forming bales in the baling chamber. These belting segments have a width sufficient for affording stiffness in the sideways direction while permitting vertical flexing and in this way prevent excessive side-to-side movement of the integrated baffle and crop hold-down arrangement  42  while permitting the arrangement  42  to float vertically. The upper ends of the supports  134  are respectively fastened, as by bolts (not shown) against rear under surface locations of the horizontal sections  64  of the main brackets  62 , while the lower ends of the supports  134  are respectively fastened, as by bolts (not shown) to forward surface locations at opposite ends of the tubular compressor rod mounting bar  128 . Since the supports  134  are at the ends of the bar  128 , they are in fore-and-aft alignment with the space outward of opposite ends of the baffle arrangement  48  so that they at least fill in part of the void existing beyond the ends of the baffle arrangement  48  and aid to control crop.  
         [0030]     Also forming part of the suspension assembly  44  are a pair of links  136  having a front section  138  joined to a rear section  140 , which is slightly longer than the front section  138 , so as to define an included angle of approximately 160°. The front sections of the links  136  have respective inwardly offset forward ends pivotally coupled, as by bolts  142 , at rear ones of a pair of holes  143  provided in ears  144  forming part of forward regions of the lower suspension links  54 . The rear sections  140  of the links  136  contain respective slots  146  respectively disposed in overlapping relationship to the slots  70  contained in the outer vertical sections  68  of the main brackets  62 . A fastener  148  is received in each set of overlapping slots  70  and  146  and in a hole provided in the adjacent flare sheet  38 , which results in the rear ends of the links  136  being guided along the slots  70  in response to vertical pivotal movement of the pick-up about the rotary conveyor axis  26 . Thus, with reference to  FIG. 1 , it can be seen that each fastener  148  is located approximately half way between opposite ends of the associated slot  70 , and is located a short distance to the rear of the front end of the associated slot  146 . As the tined reel section of the pick-up floats upwardly to the position shown in  FIG. 2 , the fasteners  148  move forward in the slots  70  and abut against the front ends of the slots  146 , but do not exert a lifting force on the links  136 . When it is desired to fully lift the pick-up, as for transport for, example, a hydraulic actuator (not shown) is used to pivot the pick-up reel clockwise about the conveyor rotor pivot axis  26  to the position shown in  FIG. 3 . Once the pick-up reel moves past the position shown in  FIG. 2 , the fasteners  148  are moved forward to the ends of the slots  70  and during this movement exert a force on the links  136  causing them to pivot counterclockwise about the bolts  78  exert a lifting force on the support plates  46 , thereby effecting vertical movement of the baffle arrangement  48  and hold-down assembly  50 . A slightly different operating characteristic can be obtained by selecting the forward mounting holes  43  for the attachment of the links  143 .  
         [0031]     A second embodiment of the suspension assembly is illustrated at  44 ′ in  FIG. 10  and includes a pair of transversely spaced, vertical triangular support plates  46 ′ between a forward corner of which the crop baffle arrangement  48  extends and is supported for rotation by the cylindrical couplers  112 . Associated with each of the triangular support plates  46 ′ are a pair of relatively short, substantially parallel, front and rear links  150  and  152 , respectively, having lower ends attached, as at pivot connections  154  and  156 , to the remaining corners of the associated support plate  46 ′. Upper ends of the front and rear links  150  and  152  are respectively coupled to the baler frame  12  at pivot connections  158  and  160 . When the baffle arrangement  48  is located in a lowered, working position, as shown in  FIG. 10 , crop windrows will be lifted and fed through the gap between the circular path  32  of the tined reel of the pick-up  18  and the baffle arrangement  48 . When a relatively thick section of windrow is fed through the gap, the crop will cause the baffle arrangement  48 , to be lifted upwardly and forwardly relative to the reel of the pickup, with the suspension assembly  44 ′ acting to guide the baffle arrangement along a generally arcuate path  162  having an instant center located forward of the baffle arrangement  48  and being substantially the same as the path traced by the baffle arrangement  48  when coupled to the above-described suspension assembly  44  that is pivotally coupled to the frame  12  at a location ahead of the baffle arrangement  48 .  
         [0032]     The operation of the crop controlling arrangement  40 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 , is briefly stated as follows. Assuming the baler  10  to be operating in a field, the pick-up  18  will be lowered to its working position, shown in  FIG. 1  and drawn along a windrow of crop to be baled. The baffle arrangement  48  will then be in engagement with and roll along the top of the windrow. The counter balance spring  82  will be adjusted so that a selected portion of the weight of the suspended mass of the crop controlling arrangement  40  will keep the baffle arrangement  48  in contact with the windrow.  
         [0033]     The tined reel of the pick-up  18  will be driven so that the tines move clockwise about the axis  30 , with tips of the tines moving along the path  32  so as to engage and lift the windrow of crop and feed it rearwardly to the rotary conveyor  20 , which delivers the crop below the bale starter roll  34 , which forms a top border of the inlet to the baling chamber. The baffle arrangement  48  aids the feeding of crop by preventing it from being thrown forward by the action of the pick-up tines, while the compressor rods of the hold-down assembly  50  act to keep the crop engaged with the tines and then with the feeding elements of the rotary conveyor  20 .  
         [0034]     When areas of windrows of uneven thickness are encountered, the suspension arrangement  44  permits the integrated crop baffle and hold-down arrangement  42  to float in quick response to the variations in crop thickness so as not to restrict crop flow. This quick response is achieved in a significant part by the four-bar linkage arrangement defined by the nearly parallel pairs of links  52  and  54 , and the mounting plates  46 . It is noted that the disposition of the links  52  and  54  and their relative lengths results in the baffle arrangement  48  being maintained at a minimum clearance from the path  32  of the reel tine and moving upwardly and forwardly from the path  32  in response to increasing windrow thickness. Further, the geometry of the links relative to the compressor rods  132  results in the rear end sections of the rods  132  being controlled so that they remain spaced from the starter roll throughout the full vertical movement of the arrangement  42 . In addition, the disposition of the four-bar linkage is such that crop forces imposed against the forward side of the baffle arrangement  48  will result in the baffle arrangement  48  being lifted so that rearward forces on the baffle arrangement are minimized. The fact that the baffle arrangement  48  is defined in part by a roller also contributes to minimize the effect of forces imposed at the front of the baffle arrangement  48  since some of these forces will be disposed so as to merely rotate the baffle arrangement.  
         [0035]     In the event side-to-side unevenness in the windrow is encountered, the baffle arrangement  48  will still remain engaged with the windrow due to the pivotal connection between the couplers  112  and the shafts  110  and the elliptical cross section openings  120  in which the shafts  110  are received. It is noted here that the flexible suspension members  134  resist sideways shifting movement of the integrated crop baffle and hold-down assembly  42  due to the sideways stiffness of the belt segments from which the suspension members  134  are constructed.  
         [0036]     The operation of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10  is quite similar to that just described and for the sake of brevity is not stated here, with it to be noted however that the multi-bar suspension in  FIG. 10  is a leading suspension as opposed to the trailing suspension of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . In both cases, the baffle arrangement  48  moves upwardly and forwardly in response to a windrow of increasing thickness passing between the pick-up reel and the baffle arrangement  48 .  
         [0037]     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.