Patent GB-1375042-A (GB)
Title: Stacking of bales
Inventor: HARBER GERALD
IPC: B65G57/30
Filed: 1972-02-22
Abstract: 1375042 Stacking bales BRITISH LELY Ltd 22 Feb 1972 [22 Feb 1971] 5077/71 Heading B8C A bale stacking implement comprises mechanism for guiding bales into groups and for angularly displacing alternate groups relative to the length of the implement and mechanism for stacking the groups in their alternate angularly displaced and angularly undisplaced dispositions, the construction and arrangement being such that during operation thereof, at least some of the bales are in contact with the ground during at least part of the formation thereof into stacks. As shown, in which the implement is in the form of a sledge adapted to be towed by a baling machine, the implement comprises pairs of spaced beams 1, 2 between which bales are discharged singly from a shoot 4. As the sledge moves forward, each bale is contacted by a spring loaded pivoted arm 5, which during passage of a bale A is pivoted over-centre to direct the next bale B alongside bale A and to return the arm to its original position for the bale A of the next following group. Continued movement of the sledge causes the bales A, B to abut rigidly connected arms 12, 13 which are rotatable about a pivot 14 and a pivoted retaining arm 15 the bale B also rotating a lever 23 about a pivot 25 to release a lever 17 against which, arm 12 bears through the intermediary of a retaining arm 19. The arms 12, 13 then turn about the pivot 14, pushing the lever 17 to the dotted line position, the arm 15 being retained by the arm 19 until released by a stop 28 whereby the bales reach positions A1, B1 and take up a position between guides 30, 30 and abut a gate 31 as the sledge continues to move forward. As the second group of bales approaches the arms 12, 13, they contact the arm 13, which has been prevented from returning to its original position under the influence of a spring 33 and crank 32, by a one-way mechanism 35 embodied in the pivot 14, whereby the second group of bales pushes the arm 13 out of their way and are not turned through 90 degrees, but pass below the first pair of bales which will have been elevated as described below. The arms 12, 13 are then returned to their original positions by spring 33, the arm 15 being reset by a stop 36. The next pair of bales engaged by the sledge will be rotated to the A1, B1 positions of the first pair. At the rear of the sledge two lifting assemblies each comprises a framework 41 on which is slidable on guides 40, an hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 42, a crank assembly 44 and a rack 46 carrying pointed tines 48. The lifting assemblies are controlled by hydraulic-electric circuitry, Figs. 7 and 8 (not shown), such that in operation, a first pair of bales arriving at the lifting mechanism engages an arm [50a), Fig. 9 (not shown), and operates a switch (50) which causes operation of the assemblies 42 and engagement of the tines 48 with the bales, which are then raised to allow a succeeding pair of bales to pass beneath. The first pair of bales is lowered on to the second pair, the tines 48 are withdrawn and lowered for subsequent engagement with the second pair of bales. When the stack has reached the desired height a gaterelease assembly (67) is actuated to unlatch the gate 31 to allow the stack to be left standing on the ground as the sledge continues its forward movement. The gate 31 is automatically reclosed. Provision may be made to allow release of a single pair of bales or of a stack, by an operator, by means of push button operated controls on the sledge. Strips, rods or slats on to which the bales slide may be provided below the arm 5 and also at the lifting assemblies position. The sledge may be provided with ground wheels and it may be self propelled. Auxiliary wheels may be provided for transport purposes. The arm 5 may be replaced by other means for moving the bales transversely of the sledge. The bale-lifting assembly may include means for wrapping the bales in plastics sheeting and the bale guiding mechanism (the arm assembly 12, 13) may be operated hydraulically.