Four twine binding apparatus for round baler

Abstract

A baler 102 has a binding apparatus 116 that simultaneously wraps a bale with four strands of binding material 118. A twine placement mechanism 208 includes first and second twine placement sliders 210a, 210b that distributes four strands 206a-d and a drive system 302 that simultaneously moves the first and second twine placement sliders in side-to-side directions. The second twine placement slider is connected a distance away from the frame of the twine feeding mechanism so as to form a pocket 322, and the first twine placement slider is connected substantially adjacent the frame such that when the first and second twine placement sliders move from outer positions to inner positions, the first twine placement slider nests within the pocket such that the second and third strands overlap and the first and fourth strands overlap, and an actuator configured to power the drive system.

Description

FOUR TWINE BINDING APPARATUS FOR ROUND BAUERBACKGROUNDField

[0001] This disclosure relates to agricultural harvesting machines such as balers and, more specifically, the invention relates to a binding device for wrapping bales of crop formed in the cylindrical baling press in a binding material.Description of Related Art

[0002] Agricultural round balers are well known in the art. Such agricultural balers pick up a harvested crop and feed the crop into a baling chamber where the crop is compressed into a cylindrical bale. Before ejecting the formed bale from the baler, it is necessary to wrap or bind the formed bale with a binding material for example a net binding or twine. It is known to have a twine binding apparatus on round balers that simultaneously wraps the bale with two twines at the same time. Both twines are supplied to the bale chamber and are led with a suitable means across the bale so that a certain twine distribution pattern appears on the circumference of the bale. The twines are distributed across the bale as the bale keeps turning in the bale chamber and are cut after a certain twine distribution has been achieved.

[0003] While binding a bale with net binding is usually quicker, twine binding is still a demand for round balers despite the longer binding time. Twine bales are under certain conditions better in handling and twine can easier be disposed of than net. It would be desirable to shorten the time required for binding a bale with twine to reduce the time disadvantage.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect the invention is directed to an agricultural baler configured to move over a field and collect cut plant material and to compress and shape the collected plant material into a bale as the bale rotates about a bale rotation axis. The baler includes a chassis supporting a baling chamber in which the bale is formed and a binding apparatus that wraps the formed bale with a binding material across the rotating bale so that a certain twine distribution pattern appears on the circumference of the bale. The binding apparatus includes a twine feedingmechanism having a frame that extends laterally across the chassis, where the twine feeding mechanism simultaneously provides the four strands of binding material. A twine placement mechanism includes first and second twine placement sliders that distributes four strands across the face of the bale, where the first twine placement slider receives first and second strands and the second twine placement slider receives third and fourth strands. A drive system simultaneously moves the first and second twine placement sliders in side-to-side directions parallel to the bale rotational axis. The second twine placement slider is connected a distance away from the frame of the twine feeding mechanism so as to form a pocket, and the first twine placement slider is connected substantially adjacent the frame such that when the first and second twine placement sliders move from outer positions to inner positions, the first twine placement slider nests within the pocket formed by the second twine placement slider such that the second and third strands overlap and the first and fourth strands overlap, and an actuator configured to power the drive system.

[0005] This summary is provided to introduce concepts in simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the disclosed or claimed subject matter and is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the disclosed or claimed subject matter. Specifically, features disclosed herein with respect to one embodiment may be equally applicable to another. Further, this summary is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Many other novel advantages, features, and relationships will become apparent as this description proceeds. The figures and the description that follow more particularly exemplify illustrative embodiment.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a cylindrical baling press in a side view including a binding device according to the principles of the present invention; and

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of the binding device of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates an overhead plan view of the binding device in a first condition;

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates an overhead plan view of the binding device in a second condition;

[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom-up view of the binding device;

[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a twine breakage monitor for use with the baler of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the twine breakage monitor of FIG. 6 in a second condition;

[0014] FIG. 8A illustrates a side view of the twine breakage monitor of FIG. 6 in the first condition; and

[0015] FIG. 8B illustrates a side view of the twine breakage monitor of FIG. 7 in the second condition.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The invention will now be described in the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein preferred embodiments are described in detail to enable practice of the invention. Although the invention is described with reference to these specific preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these preferred embodiments. But to the contrary, the invention includes numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents as will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description. Many of the fastening, connection, processes and other means and components utilized in this invention are widely known and used in the field of the invention described, and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the invention by a person skilled in the art, and they will not therefore be discussed in significant detail. Also, any reference herein to the terms "left" or "right" are used as a matter of mere convenience and are determined by standing at the rear of the machine facing in its normal direction of travel. Furthermore, the various components shown or described herein for any specific application of this invention can be varied or altered as anticipated by this invention and the practice of a specific application of any element may already by widely known or used in the art by persons skilled in the art and each will likewise not therefore be discussed in significant detail.

[0017] As used herein, the singular forms following “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term “may” with respect to a material, structure, feature, or method act indicates that such is contemplated for use in implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure, and such term isused in preference to the more restrictive term “is” so as to avoid any implication that other compatible materials, structures, features, and methods usable in combination therewith should or must be excluded. As used herein, the term “configured” refers to a size, shape, material composition, and arrangement of one or more of at least one structure and at least one apparatus facilitating operation of one or more of the structure and the apparatus in a predetermined way.

[0018] As used herein, any relational term, such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “beneath,” “side,” etc., is used for clarity and convenience in understanding the disclosure and accompanying drawings, and does not connote or depend on any specific preference or order, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0019] As used herein, the term “about” used in reference to a given parameter is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the given parameter, as well as variations resulting from manufacturing tolerances, etc.). As used herein, the term “substantially” in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition means and includes to a degree that one skilled in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a small degree of variance, such as within acceptable manufacturing tolerances. By way of example, depending on the particular parameter, property, or condition that is substantially met, the parameter, property, or condition may be at least 90.0% met, at least 95.0% met, at least 99.0% met, or even at least 99.9% met.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, an example round baler 102 is shown into which embodiments of the present invention may be incorporated. Broadly, the baler 102 may be configured to move over a field and collect previously cut plant material and to compress, shape, and secure the collected plant material into a bale. The baler 102 has a chassis 104 supporting a crop material feed assembly (not shown) for feeding crop material into a baling chamber 108. The chassis 104 is a conventional configuration supporting an axle with wheels 110, side walls 112, and a tongue 114. The tongue 114 extends from the front end of the chassis 104 to a towing vehicle (not shown). The feed assembly 106 disposed below the tongue 114 can be any device whereby materials to be pressed are delivered to the baling chamber 108. The baling chamber 108 extends between the side walls 112 and is surrounded by a plurality of rollers (not shown) arrayed in a circle and belts (not shown) to form the growing bale as it rotates within the balingchamber 108. Formation of a bale within a baling chamber 108 of a round baler 102 is known in the art and need not be discussed further herein.

[0021] Once the bale reaches a determined size, a binding apparatus 116 wraps the bale with a binding material 118. The binding apparatus 116 introduces the binding material 118, in the form of twine, nylon filaments, string, or the like, into the baling chamber 108 where the binding material 118 is wound around the pressed crop material as the bale continues to rotate in the baling chamber 108 about its bale rotational axis. The binding apparatus 116 is desirably positioned at a suitable point on the baler 102 such that the binding material 118 is delivered into the baling chamber 108 while enabling easy access by operating personnel. In the embodiment illustrated, the binding apparatus 116 is located in the forward top region of the chassis 104, above the tongue 114. The binding apparatus 116 also includes a suitable cutting device (not shown) for cutting the binding material 118 after a sufficient amount of binding material has been applied, as would be understood by one skilled in the art. The binding material 118 is dispensed from a binding material supply 120, sometimes referred to as a twine box, comprising a plurality of reels, spools, or rolls of binding material 118.

[0022] As will be further described below, the binding apparatus 116 simultaneously supplies four strands of binding material 118 to the baling chamber 108. The strands of binding material 118 are led with a suitable means across the rotating bale so that a certain twine distribution pattern appears on the circumference of the bale. Desirably, the binding apparatus 116 supplies four stands at the same time so that the time for binding a bale is reduced to around 55 to 60% of the time needed for a typical two-stand binding apparatus. The strands are supplied to the baling chamber 108 using a conventional rubber / steel-roller pair and are distributed across the bale as the bale keeps turning in the baling chamber 108 and is cut after a certain twine distribution has been achieved. A controller 122 on the baler 102 or on the towing vehicle coordinates functions of the baler 102. The baler 102 may be any type employed in agriculture or industry used to form crop material into cylindrical bales that are secured with a binding material 118 using the binding apparatus 116.

[0023] Turning now to FIG. 2, the binding apparatus 116 includes a twine feeding mechanism 202 having a frame 204 that extends laterally across the baler 102. The twine feeding mechanism 202 includes a distribution unit 206 that interfaces with the binding material supply 120 to simultaneously take four strands 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d of binding material 118 from the binding material supply 120. The twine distribution unit 206 interfaces with a twineplacement mechanism 208 that distributes the four strands 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d across the face of the bale using a pair of twine placement sliders 210a, 210b. Twine placement slider 210a receives strand 206a through twine guide 212a and strand 206b through twine guide 212b. Slider 210b receives strand 206c through twine guide 212c and strand 206d through twine guide 212d. The lateral spacing between the twine guides 212b and 212a on slider 210a is fixed, thus the distance between the pair of strands 206a and 206b dispensed by slider 210a to the bale is constant. Likewise, the lateral spacing between the twine guides 212c and 212d is fixed, thus the distance between the pair of strands 206c and 206d dispensed by slider 210b on the bale is constant. In one embodiment, the placement of twine guides 212b, 212a and 212c, 212d on sliders 210a and 210b can be adjusted to select the fixed lateral spacing between the twine guides 212b, 212a and 212c, 212d in order to select a desired distance between strand pairs on the bale.

[0024] Turning also now to FIG. 3, a drive system 302 is configured to move the twine placement sliders 210a, 210b in side-to-side directions parallel to the bale rotational axis. In one embodiment, the drive system 302 includes a drive chain 304 looped around sprockets 306 and 308. As viewed in FIG. 3, the first slider 210a is connected to an upper chain run 310 of the drive chain 304 at a first connection point 312 and the second slider 210a is connected to a lower chain run 314 of the drive chain 304 at second connection point 316. Thus, as the drive chain 304 is moved in back-and-forth directions, the sliders 210a, 210b move symmetrically between outer positions as shown in FIG. 3 in which the strands 206a and strand 206d are wrapping binding material 118 near the outer edge of the bale to perform edge wraps and inner positions as shown in FIG. 4 in which the strands 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d are wrapping binding material 118 in a middle portion of the bale to perform middle wraps.

[0025] The drive system 302 is powered by an actuator, such as electric motor 502 as seen in the bottom view of FIG. 5. Suitable gearing 504 connected to the output of the motor 502 interacts with the drive system 302 to move the drive chain 304 back and forth to enable the sliders 210a, 210b to dispense the strands 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d across the face of the bale as the bale rotates in the baling chamber 108. As perhaps best seen in FIG. 3, slider 210b is connected to the drive chain 304 with bracket mount 318 and extending arm 320 that spaces the slider 210b a distance away from the frame 204 of the twine feeding mechanism 202 so as to form pocket 322. Conversely, slider 210a is connected to the drive chain 304 with bracket mount 324 that positions slider 210a substantially adjacent the frame 204. Thus, when thesliders slider 210a and 210b are in their inner positions, slider 210a nests within the pocket 322 formed by slider 210b such that twine guide 212b crosses twine guide 212d causing the strands 206b and 206d to overlap and twine guide 212a crosses twine guides 212c and 212d causing the strand 206a to overlap with stands 206c and 206d. Thus, during operation, each twine is overlapped by at least one other twine before the twine is cut.

[0026] The sliders 210a and 210b are desirably configurable such that twine spacing and twine edge distance can be configured as desired by the operator. A sensor 216 determines the position of the drive chain 304. Signals from the sensor 216 are used by the controller 122 to operate the motor 502 to coordinate operation such that the desirable number of middle wraps and edge wraps are achieved and if the twine distribution moves from the supply point first to the middle portion or first to the outer portion of the bale. Desirably, the operator can adjust all the settings for the binding apparatus 116 from inside the cab of the towing vehicle such that getting out the towing vehicle is not necessary.

[0027] Turning also now to FIG. 6, the tension of each strand 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d is monitored with a twine breakage monitor 602. The twine breakage monitor 602 is mounted on a suitable location of the baler 102 between the binding material supply 120 and the binding apparatus 116. The controller 122 receives signals from the twine breakage monitor 602 to determine if one of the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d utilized by the binding apparatus 116 is broken such that the broken strand would not be able to be wrapped around the bale to bind the bale as intended. If one or more of the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d are determined to be broken, the controller 122 causes the binding apparatus 116 to alter the number of rotations of binding material 118 the bale is wrapped with to accommodate the broken strand(s) and ensure the bale is tied properly, even with three or only two functioning strands.

[0028] The twine breakage monitor 602 includes a sensor 604 that connects with the controller 122 with sensor cable 606. A trip arm 608 having a strike plate 610 and an indicator surface 612 is pivotably mounted to the frame 614 at trip arm pivot 616. The trip arm is pivotable between a first condition, as shown in FIG. 6 in which the indicator surface 612 does not interact with the sensor 604 and a second condition, as shown in FIG. 7, in which the trip arm 608 is pivoted such that the indicator surface 612 triggers the sensor 604.

[0029] The twine breakage monitor 602 has a plurality of pivot arms 618a, 618b, 618c and 618d, one for each strand 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d. Each pivot arm 618a, 618b, 618c and 618d is biased with a biasing device 620 connected between a back 622 of the frame 614 andthe pivot arm into a position such that the pivot arm would contact the strike plate 610 and cause the trip arm 608 to pivot into the second condition and cause the indicator surface 612 to trigger the sensor 604.

[0030] The twine breakage monitor 602 includes a frame 614 that provides a plurality of guides to guide the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d through the twine breakage monitor 602 such that they interact with the pivot arms 618a, 618b, 618c and 618d. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame guide 624a, 624b, 624c, and 624d that receive the respective strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d from the binding material supply 120 and back guides 626a, 626b, 626c and 626d that guide the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d toward the distribution unit 214. In between, the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d interact with arm guides 628a, 628b, 628c and 628d on the respective pivot arms 618a, 618b, 618c and 618d.

[0031] As perhaps best seen in the end views of the twine breakage monitor 602 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d are intact, the tension in the strands cause the pivot arms 618a, 618b, 618c and 618d to move away from the strike plate 610 against the biasing force of the biasing devices 620. Thus, when all of the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d are correctly tensioned and intact, the trip arm 608 is in the first condition as shown in FIG. 8A and the sensor 604 indicates that there is proper tension in each strand. If any one of the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d were to break or be improperly tensioned, such as strand 206d as shown in FIG. 8B, then that strand 206d would no longer position its pivot arm 618d away from the strike plate 610 and the biasing devices 620 would cause that pivot arm 618d to move the trip arm 608 into the second condition. Thus, breakage of any one of the strands 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d would be detected by the sensor 604, and a suitable signal would be relayed to the controller 122 so that proper action could be taken in response to the broken strand condition.

[0032] The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the more pertinent aspects and features of the present invention. These should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by modifying the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A baler 102 configured to move over a field and collect cut plant material and to compress and shape the collected plant material into a bale as the bale rotates about a bale rotation axis, the baler 102 comprising: a chassis 104 supporting a baling chamber 108 in which the bale is formed; a binding apparatus 116 that wraps the formed bale with a binding material 118, wherein the binding apparatus 116 supplies binding material 118 across the rotating bale so that a certain twine distribution pattern appears on a face of the bale, the binding apparatus comprising: a twine feeding mechanism 202 having a frame 204 that extends laterally across the chassis, wherein the twine feeding mechanism simultaneously provides four strands 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d of binding material; a twine placement mechanism 208 comprising first and second twine placement sliders 210a, 210b that distributes the four strands 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d across the face of the bale, wherein the first twine placement slider 210a receives first and second strands 206a and 206b and the second twine placement slider 210b receives third and fourth strands 206c and 206d; a drive system 302 configured to symmetrically move the first and second twine placement sliders in side-to-side directions parallel to the bale rotational axis, wherein the second twine placement slider is connected a distance away from the frame of the twine feeding mechanism so as to form a pocket 322 between the frame and the second twine placement slider, and the first twine placement slider is connected to the drive chain substantially adjacent the frame such that when the first and second twine placement sliders move from outer positions to inner positions, the first twine placement slider nests within the pocket formed by the second twine placement slider such that the second and third strands overlap and the first and fourth strands overlap; and an actuator configured to power the drive system.

2. The baler of claim 1 wherein the baling chamber extends between side walls 112 of the baler, and the first and second twine placement sliders move in side-to-side between the side walls.

3. The baler of claim 1 wherein the binding material is dispensed from a binding material supply 120 comprising a plurality of spools of binding material, and the twine feeding mechanism includes a distribution unit 206 that interfaces with the binding material supply to simultaneously take the four strands of binding material from the binding material supply.

4. The baler of claim 1 wherein the first slider 210a receives the first strand 206a through a first twine guide 212a and the second strand 206b through a second twine guide 212b, and the second slider 210b receives the third strand 206c through a third twine guide 212c and the fourth strand 206d through a fourth twine guide 212d, wherein a lateral spacing between the first and second twine guides is fixed such that a dispensing distance between the first and second strands dispensed by the first twine placement slider to the bale is constant, and a lateral spacing between the third and fourth twine guides is fixed such that a dispensing distance between the third and fourth strands dispensed by the second twine placement slider to the bale is constant.

5. The baler of claim 4 wherein a placement location of at least one of the twine guides on each of the first and second twine placement sliders is adjustable so as to select the fixed lateral spacing between the first and second twine guides and the third and fourth twine guides so that the dispensing distances are selectable.

6. The baler of claim 4 or 5 wherein the drive system 302 includes a drive chain 304 looped around sprockets 306 and 308 and the first twine placement slider is connected to a first chain run 310 of the drive chain 304 at a first connection point 312 and the second twine placement slider is connected to a second chain run 314 of the drive chain 304 at second connection point 316.

7. The baler of claim 6 wherein as the drive chain is moved in back-and-forth directions, the first and second twine placement sliders move symmetrically between outer positions in which the first and fourth strands wrap binding material near an outer edge of the bale to perform edge wraps, and inner positions in which the first, second, third and fourth strands wrap binding material in a middle portion of the bale to perform middle wraps.

8. The baler of claim 7 wherein the actuator interacts with the drive system to move the drive chain back and forth to enable the first and second twine placement sliders to dispense the four strands across the face of the bale as the bale rotates in the baling chamber.

9. The baler of claim 8 wherein the second twine placement slider is connected to the drive chain with bracket mount 318 and extending arm 320 that spaces the second twine placement slider a distance away from the frame of the twine feeding mechanism so as to form the pocket, and the first twine placement slider is connected to the drive chain with bracket mount 324 that positions the first twine placement slider substantially adjacent the frame such that when the first and second twine placement sliders move to their inner positions, the first twine placement slider nests within the pocket formed by the second twine placement slider such that the second twine guide crosses the third twine guide causing the second and third strands to overlap and first twine guide crosses the fourth twine guide causing the first and fourth strands to overlap.

10. The baler of claim 9 further comprising: a controller 122 coordinating functions of the baler; and a sensor 216 configured to determine a position of the drive chain, wherein signals from the sensor are used by the controller to operate the actuator to coordinate operation such that the desirable number of middle wraps and edge wraps are achieved.

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