Patent Description:
Agricultural balers gather, compress, and shape crop material into a bale. There are different types of balers which create parallelepiped bales, i.e., square bales, or cylindrical bales, i.e., round bales. One exemplary baler is often referred to as a large square baler. Large square balers have been used in crop harvesting for many years, and utilize a compression system including a gearbox with a crank arm and connecting rod which are attached to a reciprocating plunger. During each rotation of the crank arm, the reciprocating plunger compresses the crop in a baling or compression chamber as the plunger moves towards the rear of the baler. The large square balers form the crop material into a bale having a parallelepiped shape.

A large square baler includes a pick-up with gathers crop material from a ground surface of the field and moves the gathered crop material into a pre-compression passageway. The crop material is collected in the pre-compression passageway until the plunger is retracted, at which time a plurality of feeder forks move the collected crop material from the pre-compression passageway, through a chamber inlet, and into the compression chamber. Certain operating and/or crop conditions may cause the pre-compression passageway to become plugged with crop material, such that the feeder forks are unable to move the crop material into the compression chamber. <CIT> discloses a agricultural baler including an opening in the bottom wall of the feeder duct and at least one door hingedly attached to an edge of the opening, the edge being the edge of an end part of the bottom wall of the feeder duct, and the end part of the bottom wall to which the door is hingedly attached, is movably arranged relative to the top wall of the feeder duct.

A baler implement is provided. The baler implement includes a pick-up that is operable to gather and move crop material. A housing extends along a central longitudinal axis between a forward end and a rearward end. The housing includes a bottom wall partially defining a compression chamber. The bottom wall defines a chamber inlet for supplying the crop material into the compression chamber. A lower passage wall defines a lower boundary of a pre-compression passageway. The pre-compression passageway interconnects the pick-up and the chamber inlet. The lower passage wall includes a forward portion and an access panel. The forward portion of the lower passage wall is positioned proximate the pick-up. The access panel is moveable between an operating position for guiding crop material from the pick-up to the chamber inlet, and an access position for providing access to the pre-compression passageway. The access panel includes a first transverse edge and a second transverse edge. The first transverse edge is positioned forward of the second transverse edge relative to the forward end of the housing. The first transverse edge is positioned vertically below the second transverse edge relative to an elevation of the bottom wall of the housing when the access panel is disposed in the operating position. A pivotable connection interconnects the forward portion and the access panel of the lower passage wall. The pivotable connection is disposed proximate the first transverse edge of the access panel, such that the second transverse edge of the access panel moves vertically relative to the elevation of the bottom wall as the access panel moves between the operating position and the access position to provide access into the pre-compression passageway. The pivotable connection includes a pivot link interconnecting the pivotable connection and the access panel. Access to the pre-compression passageway is thereby provided between the second transverse edge and the bottom wall of the housing. The access panel may thus rest on a ground surface when disposed in the access position, without hanging down and interfering with access to the pre-compression passageway, thereby providing access to the pre-compression passageway from the rear of the baler implement.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the lower passage wall includes a rearward portion that is positioned proximate the chamber inlet. The access panel is positioned between the forward portion and the rearward portion along the central longitudinal axis. The rearward portion of the lower passage wall includes a lower transverse edge positioned adjacent the second traverse edge of the access panel when the access panel is disposed in the operating position. The rearward portion further includes an upper transverse edge positioned adjacent to the bottom wall and proximate to the chamber inlet. The lower transverse edge of the rearward portion and the second transverse edge of the access panel may be disposed in interlocking engagement when the access panel is positioned in the operating position.

In one implementation of the disclosure, the second transverse edge of the access panel defines an inner lip and the lower transverse edge of the rearward portion defines an outer lip. The inner lip of the access panel is positioned inward of the outer lip of the rearward portion relative to the pre-compression passageway. As such, the outer lip of the rearward portion operates to secure the access panel in the operating position.

In one implementation of the disclosure, the upper transverse edge of the rearward portion is rotatably attached to the housing for rotational movement about a transverse axis relative to the housing. The baler implement may further include a rearward latch interconnecting the rearward portion of the lower passage wall and the housing. The rearward latch is operable to secure the rearward portion relative to the housing when the access panel is disposed in the operating position.

In one implementation of the disclosure, the rearward portion is non-moveable relative to the housing. With the rearward portion fixed in position and not moveable relative to the housing, the rearward latch is not necessary, and may be omitted.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the first transverse edge of the access panel defines an exterior lip and a rear transverse edge of the first portion defines an interior lip. The interior lip of the first portion is positioned inward of the exterior lip of the access panel, relative to the pre-compression passageway. As such, the interior lip of the first portion does not secure the position of the access panel.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the baler implement includes a forward latch positioned proximate the first transverse edge of the access panel. The forward latch interconnects the access panel and the housing. The forward latch is operable to secure the access panel to the housing when the access panel is disposed in the operating position.

In one implementation of the disclosure, a second pivotable connection may be included and positioned rearward of the pivotable connection, relative to the central longitudinal axis. The second pivotable connection is spaced rearward from the pivotable connection a link distance. The second pivotable connection interconnects the pivot link and the access panel.

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a baler implement is generally shown at <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> the baler implement <NUM> is shown as a large square baler. However, it should be appreciated that the teachings of this disclosure may be applied to other baler platforms, and are not limited to the example implementation of the large square baler shown in the Figures and described herein.

As shown in <FIG>, a vehicle, such as but not limited to a tractor <NUM>, is coupled to the baler implement <NUM> for pulling and powering the baler implement <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that in other implementations, the baler implement <NUM> may be self-propelled. As depicted in <FIG>, the baler implement <NUM> may move across a field and gather and process crop material to form a bale <NUM>. The baler implement <NUM> may then eject the formed bale <NUM> from the rear of the baler implement <NUM>. In the example implementation shown in the Figures and described herein, the baler implement <NUM> is configured to form the bale <NUM> to include a parallelepiped shape, which is often referred to as a large square bale <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that the baler implement <NUM> may be configured differently to form the bale <NUM> to exhibit a different shape.

Referring to <FIG>, the example implementation of the baler implement <NUM> includes a frame <NUM>, ground engaging elements <NUM>, such as but not limited to wheels or tracks, a hitch <NUM> for attachment to the tractor <NUM> or other vehicle, and an input shaft <NUM>, such as a power-take-off (PTO) shaft, which can receive rotational power from a power source, such as the tractor <NUM>. The baler implement <NUM> includes a pick-up <NUM> which gathers crop material from the ground surface <NUM> and feeds it into the baler implement <NUM>. The pick-up <NUM> mechanism may include various pick-up <NUM> apparatus including, but not limited to, tines, forks <NUM>, augers, conveyors, baffles, a cutter assembly <NUM>, or any combination of the preceding. The baler implement <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> or body, which generally shields various internal components of the baler implement <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes multiple wall sections that form a compression chamber <NUM> configured for forming the crop material into the bale <NUM>. The housing <NUM>, which forms the compression chamber <NUM>, extends along a central longitudinal axis <NUM>. The central longitudinal axis <NUM> extends between a forward end <NUM> of the frame <NUM> or housing <NUM>, and a rearward end <NUM> of the frame <NUM> or housing <NUM>. As used herein, the term forward and rearward may be interpreted with respect to the direction of travel <NUM> of the baler implement <NUM> while gathering crop material.

The input shaft <NUM> or PTO shaft is connected to an input of a transmission <NUM> to provide rotational power to the baler implement <NUM> from the tractor <NUM> or other associated vehicle or power source. The transmission <NUM> includes a gearbox which converts the rotational motion of the input shaft <NUM> along the central longitudinal axis <NUM> of the baler implement <NUM> to an output of the transmission <NUM> having a rotational motion along a generally transverse axis of the baler implement <NUM>. As used herein, the term "transverse" may be interpreted as extending perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis <NUM> of the baler implement <NUM>, between a left side and a right side of the baler implement <NUM> relative to the direction of travel <NUM> of the baler implement <NUM> while gathering crop material.

The baler implement <NUM> includes a crank arm <NUM> connected to the output of the transmission <NUM>. A connecting link <NUM> interconnects the crank arm <NUM> and a plunger <NUM>. The crank arm <NUM> rotates based upon the output of the transmission <NUM> and the plunger <NUM> moves in a reciprocal motion within the compression chamber <NUM> as the crank arm <NUM> rotates. The plunger <NUM> extends into the compression chamber <NUM>, thereby compressing the crop material, and then at least partially retracts from the compression chamber <NUM> to allow more crop material to enter the compression chamber <NUM>.

As described above, the housing <NUM> includes multiple wall sections that form the compression chamber <NUM>. As such, the housing <NUM> includes a bottom wall <NUM> that partially defines a lower boundary of the compression chamber <NUM>. The bottom wall <NUM> defines a chamber inlet <NUM>, which provides access for moving the crop material into the compression chamber <NUM>.

A pre-compression passageway <NUM> interconnects the pick-up <NUM> and the chamber inlet <NUM>. In the example implementation shown in the Figures and described herein, the pre-compression passageway <NUM> is defined and/or bounded by a lower passage wall <NUM> and an upper passage wall <NUM>. While not shown in the Figures, it should be appreciated that the pre-compression passageway <NUM> may further be defined by and/or bounded by a first or left lateral side wall and a second or right lateral side wall. The pre-compression passageway <NUM> is a generally closed passage having an inlet <NUM> adjacent to the pick-up <NUM> for receiving the crop material, and an outlet <NUM> adjacent the chamber inlet <NUM> for discharging the crop material through the chamber inlet <NUM> and into the compression chamber <NUM>. The pre-compression passageway <NUM> forms a generally arcuate path for moving the crop material rearward and upward relative to the direction of travel <NUM> of the baler implement <NUM>.

A feed system <NUM> includes a plurality of forks <NUM> for moving the crop material through the pre-compression passageway <NUM> and into the baling chamber. The forks <NUM> are drivenly coupled to the transmission <NUM> and are timed with the plunger <NUM> to move the crop material into the baling chamber when the plunger <NUM> is retracted. In operation, the forks <NUM> are staged in an initial or starting position, are inserted into the pre-compression passageway <NUM> and sweep rearward and upward, pushing the crop material nearer and then into the chamber inlet <NUM>, whereupon the forks <NUM> are withdrawn from the pre-compression passageway <NUM> and returned to the initial or starting position for the subsequent cycle.

Referring to <FIG>, the lower passage wall <NUM> defines a lower and rearward boundary of the pre-compression passageway <NUM>. The lower passage wall <NUM> includes a forward portion <NUM>, an access panel <NUM>, and a rearward portion <NUM>. The forward portion <NUM> is positioned proximate the pick-up <NUM>. The access panel <NUM> is positioned immediately rearward of the forward portion <NUM>. The rearward portion <NUM> is positioned behind and above the access panel <NUM> relative to the direction of travel <NUM> of the baler implement <NUM>. The rearward portion <NUM> is positioned proximate the chamber inlet <NUM>, with the access panel <NUM> positioned between the forward portion <NUM> and the rearward portion <NUM> along the central longitudinal axis <NUM>.

The access panel <NUM> is moveable between an operating position and an access position. When the access panel <NUM> is disposed in the operating position, the access panel <NUM> is positioned relative to the forward portion <NUM> and the rearward portion <NUM> to guide the crop material from the pick-up <NUM> to the chamber inlet <NUM>. When the access panel <NUM> is disposed in the access position, the access panel <NUM> is positioned relative to the forward portion <NUM> and the rearward portion <NUM> to provide access to the pre-compression passageway <NUM> through an opening <NUM>. As such, when disposed in the access position, the access panel <NUM> is moved relative to the forward portion <NUM> and the rearward portion <NUM> to expose the opening <NUM> into the pre-compression passageway <NUM>.

The access panel <NUM> includes a first transverse edge <NUM> and a second transverse edge <NUM>. The first transverse edge <NUM> is positioned forward of the second transverse edge <NUM> relative to the forward end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. When the access panel <NUM> is disposed in the operating position, the first transverse edge <NUM> is positioned vertically below the second transverse edge <NUM> relative to an elevation of the bottom wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

In the example implementations shown in the Figures and described herein, the first transverse edge <NUM> of the access panel <NUM> defines an exterior lip <NUM>. A rear transverse edge <NUM> of the first portion of the lower passage wall <NUM> defines an interior lip <NUM>. The interior lip <NUM> of the forward portion <NUM> is positioned inward of the exterior lip <NUM> of the access panel <NUM> relative to the pre-compression passageway <NUM>.

In the example implementations shown in the Figures and described herein, the access panel <NUM> is attached to the forward portion <NUM> by a pivotable connection <NUM>. While the example implementations show the pivotable connection <NUM> interconnecting the forward portion <NUM> and the access panel <NUM>, it should be appreciated that the pivotable connection <NUM> may attach the access panel <NUM> to some other portion or structure of the baler implement <NUM>. The pivotable connection <NUM> is disposed proximate the first transverse edge <NUM> of the access panel <NUM> such that the second transverse edge <NUM> of the access panel <NUM> moves vertically relative to the elevation of the bottom wall <NUM> as the access panel <NUM> moves between the operating position and the access position. By positioning the pivotable connection <NUM>, which attaches the access panel <NUM> to the baler implement <NUM>, near the first transverse edge <NUM> of the access panel <NUM>, the second transverse edge <NUM>, i.e., the rearward edge, of the access panel <NUM> moves or rotates downward and away from the upper passage wall <NUM>. This movement provides access into the pre-compression passageway <NUM> from the rear of the baler implement <NUM> and between the second transverse edge <NUM> of the access panel <NUM> and the bottom wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. By moving the access panel <NUM> into the access position in the above described manner, an operator may gain access into the pre-compression passageway <NUM> without the access panel <NUM> hanging down from the bottom wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and partially blocking the opening <NUM> into the pre-compression passageway <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a first implementation of the lower passage wall <NUM> is generally shown. The first implementation of the lower passage wall <NUM> includes the pivotable connection <NUM> having a linkage system. The linkage system includes the pivotable connection <NUM>, a pivot link <NUM>, and a second pivotal connection <NUM>. The second pivotable connection <NUM> is positioned rearward of the pivotable connection <NUM>, relative to the central longitudinal axis <NUM>, and interconnects the access panel <NUM> and the pivot link <NUM>. The pivot link <NUM> is further attached to the pivotal connection. As such, the pivot link <NUM> interconnects the pivotable connection <NUM> and the second pivotable connection <NUM>.

The second pivotable connection <NUM> is positioned rearward of the pivotable connection <NUM> a link distance <NUM> relative to the forward end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The link distance <NUM> may be defined to equal a distance that approximates a distance between the pivotable connection <NUM> and the ground surface <NUM>, such that when the access panel <NUM> is disposed in the access position, the access panel <NUM> substantially rests flat on the ground surface <NUM>.

A forward latch <NUM> may be positioned proximate the first transverse edge <NUM> of the access panel <NUM>. The forward latch <NUM> may interconnect the access panel <NUM> and a component of the baler implement <NUM>, such as the housing <NUM>, the first lateral side wall, or the second lateral side wall. When the access panel <NUM> is disposed in the operating position, the forward latch <NUM> is operable to secure the access panel <NUM> to the housing <NUM>, with the interior lip <NUM> of the forward portion <NUM> and the exterior lip <NUM> of the access panel <NUM> disposed in overlapping and/or interlocking engagement.

The forward latch <NUM> may include a latch system that is selectively controllable between a latched position and an un-latched position. The forward latch <NUM> may be manually operable, or may be remotely operable via a controller and/or a control signal. For example, the forward latch <NUM> may include an overcenter lever actuated latch system that is manually operated, an electrically actuated latch linear latch, or some other similar and/or equivalent latch system. The specific type, structure, feature, and operation of the forward latch <NUM> are not pertinent to the teachings of this disclosure, are appreciated by those skilled in the art, and are therefor not described in greater detail herein.

The rearward portion <NUM> of the lower passage wall <NUM> includes a lower transverse edge <NUM> and an upper transverse edge <NUM>. When the access panel <NUM> is disposed in the operating position, the lower transverse edge <NUM> is positioned adjacent the second traverse edge of the access panel <NUM>. The upper transverse edge <NUM> is positioned adjacent to the bottom wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and proximate to the chamber inlet <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the first implementation of the lower passage wall <NUM> includes the upper transverse edge <NUM> of the rearward portion <NUM> rotatably attached to the housing <NUM> or some other component of the baler implement <NUM> for rotational movement about a pivot location <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>. As such, the rearward portion <NUM> is rotatable fore and aft relative to the housing <NUM>.

When the access panel <NUM> is positioned in the operating position, the lower transverse edge <NUM> of the rearward portion <NUM> and the second transverse edge <NUM> of the access panel <NUM> are disposed in interlocking engagement. In the example implementation shown in <FIG>, the second transverse edge <NUM> of the access panel <NUM> defines an inner lip <NUM> and the lower transverse edge <NUM> of the rearward portion <NUM> defines an outer lip <NUM>. The inner lip <NUM> of the access panel <NUM> is positioned inward of the outer lip <NUM> of the rearward portion <NUM> relative to the pre-compression passageway <NUM>.

The first implementation of the lower passage wall <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a rearward latch <NUM>. The rearward latch <NUM> may interconnect the rearward portion <NUM> and a component of the baler implement <NUM>, such as the housing <NUM>, the first lateral side wall, or the second lateral side wall. When the access panel <NUM> is disposed in the operating position, the rearward latch <NUM> is operable to secure the rearward portion <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>, with the inner lip <NUM> of the access panel <NUM> and the outer lip <NUM> of the portion disposed in overlapping and/or interlocking engagement.

The rearward latch <NUM> may include a latch system that is selectively controllable between a latched position and an un-latched position. The rearward latch <NUM> may be manually operable, or may be remotely operable via a controller and/or a control signal. For example, the rearward latch <NUM> may include an overcenter lever actuated latch system that is manually operated, an electrically actuated latch linear latch, or some other similar and/or equivalent latch system. The specific type, structure, feature, and operation of the rearward latch <NUM> are not pertinent to the teachings of this disclosure, are appreciated by those skilled in the art, and are therefore not described in greater detail herein.

Referring to <FIG>, a second implementation of the lower passage wall <NUM> is generally shown. The second implementation of the lower passage wall <NUM> shown in <FIG> is similar to the first implementation of the lower passage wall <NUM> of <FIG>. The second implementation of the lower passage wall <NUM> shown in <FIG> differs in that the rearward portion <NUM> of the lower passage wall <NUM> is fixedly and non-rotatably attached to the housing <NUM> or some other component of the baler implement <NUM>. Because the rearward portion <NUM> is not rotatable relative to the housing <NUM>, the rearward latch <NUM> is not required to secure the position of the rearward portion <NUM> in the operation position.

Claim 1:
A baler implement comprising:
a pick-up (<NUM>) operable to gather and move crop material;
a housing (<NUM>) extending along a central longitudinal axis (<NUM>) between a forward end (<NUM>) and a rearward end (<NUM>), the housing (<NUM>) including a bottom wall (<NUM>) partially defining a compression chamber (<NUM>), the bottom wall (<NUM>) defining a chamber inlet (<NUM>);
a lower passage wall (<NUM>) defining a lower boundary of a pre-compression passageway (<NUM>) interconnecting the pick-up and the chamber inlet (<NUM>), the lower passage wall (<NUM>) including an access panel (<NUM>) moveable between an operating position for guiding crop material from the pick-up (<NUM>) to the chamber inlet (<NUM>) and an access position for providing access to the pre-compression passageway (<NUM>);
wherein the access panel (<NUM>) includes a first transverse edge (<NUM>) and a second transverse edge (<NUM>), with the first transverse edge (<NUM>) positioned forward of the second transverse edge (<NUM>) relative to the forward end (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>), and with the first transverse edge (<NUM>) positioned vertically below the second transverse edge (<NUM>) relative to an elevation of the bottom wall (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>) when the access panel (<NUM>) is disposed in the operating position; and
a pivotable connection (<NUM>) supporting the access panel (<NUM>) and configured such that the second transverse edge (<NUM>) of the access panel (<NUM>) moves vertically relative to the elevation of the bottom wall (<NUM>) as the access panel (<NUM>) moves between the operating position and the access position to provide access into the pre-compression passageway (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the pivotable connection (<NUM>) includes a pivot link (<NUM>) interconnecting the pivotable connection (<NUM>) and the access panel (<NUM>).