Hay Baler Intermediate Frame Articulation for Ground Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hay-making machines with large working widths face issues of piercing the ground during lifting and lowering, especially on uneven terrain, due to the articulation of the support frame, which can cause damage and inefficiency in ground adaptation.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an intermediate frame articulated between the traveling frame and the support frame, allowing for more degrees of freedom in pivotability, with a lifting/pivoting device that controls the angular position of the processing units relative to the ground, avoiding ground contact during lifting and lowering by adjusting the alignment of the processing tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the support frame is articulated on the traveling frame to enable lifting and transport, then the haymaking units can be raised for transport and headland operations, but the processing tools may pierce the ground during lifting and lowering, causing damage and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is divided into multiple articulated sections that can pivot independently relative to each other and the traveling frame. This segmentation allows the outer frame parts to be raised independently during lifting operations, preventing the processing tools from piercing the ground while maintaining the ability to adapt to uneven terrain during working operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the outer frame parts are allowed to sag towards the ground during lifting to achieve ground adaptation, then better ground following is achieved, but the processing tools come to lie even lower and increase the risk of ground piercing
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure incorporates dynamic articulation capabilities that allow different sections to move independently. During lifting operations, the articulation mechanisms enable the outer frame parts to be raised in a controlled sequence, dynamically adjusting their positions to prevent ground piercing while maintaining ground following capability during working operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting/pivoting device is designed to raise the outer frame parts in a predetermined sequence and manner before the processing tools could potentially pierce the ground. This preliminary action of raising the frame sections prevents the harmful effect of ground piercing while achieving the desired ground adaptation.
3Productivity
If the processing tools are set close to the ground to avoid leaving crops, then ground clearance is minimized, but the tools may dig into the ground on uneven terrain or when support wheels sink
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation mechanisms enable dynamic change in the angular position and height of the processing tools relative to the ground. This allows the tools to maintain an optimal working height close to the ground for efficient crop recovery while automatically adjusting their position to prevent ground piercing when encountering uneven terrain or sinking support wheels.
Data Source
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AI summary
The machine (1) has a driving frame (2) supported at ground over a chassis (4), and hay-making assemblies i.e. raking rotors (5), supported at a supporting frame (7). The supporting frame is lifted from a lifting and/or pivoting device (19) together with the assemblies relative to the driving frame in a headland and/or transport position. An intermediate frame (11) is arranged between the driving and supporting frames. The pivoting device is designed such that an angle position of the assemblies is changed relative to the ground and the assemblies are brought into the transport position.