Automatic Net Wrap Remover for Round Hay Bales
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large round hay bales wrapped in plastic netting are difficult to handle, leading to inefficiencies and equipment issues due to the need for frequent tractor entries in inclement weather, potential contamination of animal feed, and machinery jams, which cause wear and tear on farm equipment.
Innovation Solution
An automatic net wrap remover with a housing, belt system, hydraulic piston-activated blade, and spindle with spikes to efficiently cut and remove netting from hay bales, connected to a tractor via a drawbar and hydraulic motor for convenient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a farmer manually removes net wrap pieces from round hay bales, then the netting can be removed to access the hay, but the farmer must enter and exit the tractor several times for each bale, which is problematic in inclement weather and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The net wrap remover is designed to automatically cut and remove net wrap from round hay bales without requiring manual intervention for each bale. The device attaches to the tractor and processes bales as they are fed into the grinder, eliminating the need for the farmer to repeatedly exit the tractor to remove net wrap pieces.
2Productivity
If net wrap is not removed from round hay bales, then processing continues without interruption, but the net wrapping can be discharged into feed rows and consumed by cattle, causing contamination and health issues
Solution Approach 1:
The net wrap remover extracts the net wrap material from the round hay bales before they enter the grinder. The device cuts the net wrap away from the bale, allowing it to be separated and disposed of properly rather than being ground up and mixed with the hay feed that could be harmful to cattle.
3Reliability
If net wrap accumulates on the drum of the bale processor, then the drum may be protected from direct impact, but it results in longer grinding time and causes wear and tear on the bale processor and tractor
Solution Approach 1:
The net wrap remover performs preliminary action by cutting and removing the net wrap from the hay bales before they reach the grinder drum. This prevents net wrap accumulation on the drum, avoiding increased grinding time and reducing wear and tear on the bale processor and tractor while maintaining drum protection benefits.
4Reliability
If net wrap is stuck in machinery, then the machinery may be protected from damage, but it leads to lengthy repairs and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The net wrap remover extracts net wrap material before it can enter and become stuck in the grinder machinery. By removing the net wrap in advance, the system prevents potential jams and mechanical issues that would require lengthy repairs, thereby maintaining machinery protection without compromising ease of repair.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates quick and efficient removal of netting from hay bales, reducing equipment maintenance, preventing contamination, and ensuring timely processing, thereby enhancing farming efficiency and reducing wear on machinery.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic piston attached to the blade, wherein the blade is activated by the piston
Implementation Method 2
a chain connected to the hydraulic motor and to the spindle, wherein the chain will spin the spindle
Implementation Method 3
The base supports a belt system, wherein the belt system supports a round hay bale
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic net wrap remover is shown and described. The automatic net wrap remover includes a housing constructed of a base and a plurality of sidewalls. The housing has an interior volume. The base supports a belt system that will support a round hay bale and help to rotate the bale. A spindle is attached to the top of one of the plurality of sidewalls that will engage the hay bale. A blade is attached adjacent to the spindle that will cut the net wrapping of the hay bale.