Baler PTO Speed Control When the Pick-Up Unit Is Raised
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bale milling occurs when brittle crop is not being collected during bale formation, leading to inefficiency, yield loss, and potential fire hazards due to friction and heat generation in the compression chamber.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that assesses the position of the pick-up unit using control data exchange between the baler and tractor, reducing the rotational speed of the PTO shaft or power transmission when the pick-up unit is in the raised position to prevent bale milling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the PTO shaft continues to rotate at normal speed when the pick-up unit is raised, then the belts keep rotating and the baler remains operational, but the brittle crop inside the compression chamber gets grinded and causes bale milling leading to yield loss and fire hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives position data indicating the pick-up unit is raised before bale milling can occur. It proactively reduces the rotational speed of the PTO shaft in advance, preventing the brittle crop from being ground between the rotating belts and chamber walls, thus avoiding yield loss and fire hazards while maintaining operational continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the position of the pick-up unit through position data from the tractor or compression chamber. When the position data indicates the pick-up unit is raised, the control unit provides feedback to reduce PTO shaft rotational speed, creating a closed-loop control system that dynamically adjusts operation to prevent bale milling
2Ease of operation
If the pick-up unit is raised during headland turns to avoid contacting ground or obstacles, then the baler can navigate turns safely, but friction between the crop in the compression chamber and rotating belts increases leading to heat generation and potential fire
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit proactively reduces PTO shaft rotational speed when position data indicates the pick-up unit is raised during headland turns. This preliminary action reduces friction between the brittle crop and rotating belts before excessive heat can generate, preventing fire hazards while maintaining ease of operation during maneuvers
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the rotational speed parameter of the PTO shaft based on the operational state. When the pick-up unit is raised, the rotational speed is reduced from normal operating speed to a lower speed, thereby reducing friction and heat generation in the compression chamber during turns
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A method of forming a bale by a baler (2) towed by a tractor (3), wherein the baler has a pick-up unit (201) movable between a lowered position, and a raised position, wherein the tractor is mechanically connected to the baler and transmits mechanical power to the baler through a PTO shaft. A bidirectional exchange of control data between a control unit of the baler (2) and the tractor is established. The method comprises the following steps: assessing whether the pick-up unit is in the raised position, by the control unit of the baler; if the raised position of the pick-up unit is assessed, reducing a rotational speed of the PTO shaft.