Patent GB-625231-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to machines for baling hay, straw and like materials
IPC: A01F15/14
Filed: 1947-06-30
Abstract: 625,231. Baling-presses. TOPE, E. R., and TWOSE, Ltd., E. V. June 30, 1947, No. 17238. [Class 94(i)] The invention relates to a side-feed pick-up baler of the kind in which a reciprocatable needle is operative on formation of a bale in a baling chamber to carry a length of tying material across the entrance of the chamber to the rear of the bale, the material being operated upon at the far side of the chamber by a combination of devices operative (a) to knot the length to another length already in position at the far side to complete the formation of a tie, and (b) to sever the tie thus completed from a length of material extending thereto from a supply reel. The invention also relates to a side-feed pick-up baler of the kind claimed in Specification 625,232 in which a forking device for the material to be baled, is operative to push the material along a bed, trough or the like forming part of the automatic feeding mechanism of the machine, the forks of the device being reciprocatable towards and away from the baling chamber, in engagement with the material during the forward strokes (towards the chamber) and out of engagement on the return strokes. According to the invention the needle or needles is or are mounted on a carrier unit which is rectilinearly reciprocatable horizontally and in a plane at right angles to the axis of the baling chamber, on a rail or rails parallel with the path of movement of the forking device, there being between an element of the forking device or an element of the drive means of the forking device, and the needle carrier, a coupling automatically effective upon completion of a bale in the baling chamber, to couple the element and the unit for movement in unison during one complete reciprocation only, of the forking device, the coupling being normally ineffective. In the construction shown, a pick-up unit A delivers the hay &c. to a trough 12 from which it is transferred to a baling chamber 1 by reciprocating forks 27. The forks 27 derive their motion from the baling plunger 3 through a link 87 and a bellcrank 85. The plunger 3 is operated hydraulically by a ram 4, pump 6 and a reversing valve 5, as described in Specification 625,233. The needles 13, 14 (Fig. 3) are mounted on a carriage 15 having wheels 18 by means of which it is able to run between angle-sectioned rails 16, 17. A cranked arm 26 pivotally secured to the carriage 15, carries a pin 29 which is normally raised clear of a recess 23 in a block 19, by a pin 28 on the arm 26, which is in engagement with a cam surface 33 on a member 30. The block 19 is connected to the frame which carries the forks 27 and reciprocates to and fro with the latter on a guide rod 20. The member 30 is connected by a chain 46 to the end of a rod 42 (Fig. 1) which is mounted for sliding movement in a member 43 pivoted to the main frame. The rod 42 is formed with a hook at its other end which is engageable with one of a series of circumferentially-spaced pins 41 on a gear wheel 38. The latter is in mesh with a pinion, on the shaft of which is carried a spiked wheel 37 which is adapted to contact the side of the bale being formed and to be rotated by the progressive forward movement thereof. A pawl 57 carried by a rod 56 secured at its other end to the carriage 15 is engageable on the rearward traverse of the latter with a ratchet wheel 59 rigid with a gear wheel 60. The latter connected through further gearing with a pair of shafts 51 each carrying bill-hooks 50 (Fig. 6) respectively disposed in alignment with, but on the opposite side of the baling chamber, to the needles 16, 17. One tooth of rotation of the ratchet wheel 59 brings about a complete rotation of the bill hooks. Operation.-On each rearward movement of the plunger (to the right in Fig. 1) the forks 27 are reciprocated towards the baling chamber 1. On the forward movement the forks 27 return, and forward movement of the bale being formed under the plunger movement, causes a certain rotation of the wheel 37. After a predetermined number of bales have been formed (determined by the adjustable spacing of the pins 41) the chain 46 is thus dragged forward sufficiently to disengage the cam-surface 33 from the pin 28 so that the pin 29 may engage the recess 23 in the block 19 on its next rearward movement with the forks 27. The needles are thus given a single forward and backward movement with the block 19 so that they pass across the baling chamber. The rod 42 slips out of engagement with the pin 41 during this movement of the needles and a return spring 35 draws the member 30 into its original position. At this stage the free end M, (Fig. 6) of the wire, string, etc. for forming the tie, is held by an anchorage associated with each bill-hook and comprising a notched disc 54 and associated pair of jaws 52, 53, the shaft 55 of the disc being rotated in unison with the needle traverse mechanism by means not shown. The wire extends from the anchorage horizontally around the forward face of the bale (which is now complete except for the tying operation) and back as at L to the eye of the needle. As the needle passes the bill hook on the above-mentioned forward movement a forked member 70 descends and engages the lengths L, M of the wire on either side of the bill hook. The two members 70 (in respect of each bill hook) are carried by respective rods (Fig. 5, not shown) each connected to the machine frame by parallel links, and are mutually connected by spaced vertical members. The pivoted frame thus formed, derives its motion by means of a linkage from a cam (not shown) carried by the rod 56. At the end of its forward movement, the needle carries the length L of the wire through a free notch of the wheel 54 and the latter rotates to secure the wire in the anchor plates 52, 53. On the return movement of the needles, the bill hook 50 makes a complete rotation (anticlockwise, as viewed above in Fig. 6) to form a loop over its jaws. During the last 90 degrees of this movement a roller 72 on the bill hook engages a cam surface (not shown) which causes the jaws to open and engage the lengths L, M on the anchorage side. The tension on the wires causes the loop to slip off the jaws and thus form a knot between the lengths L, M. A knife (not shown is then operative to sever the lengths L, M between the knot and anchorage. The remaining length of wire which passes from a fixed point at the anchorage, via the needle eye to the supply reel (not shown) is drawn across the baling chamber on the remainder of the return movement of the needle and is then progressively engaged by the forward face of the succeeding bale to be formed, and the cycle is repeated.