Tractor PTO Control for Round Baler Net Damage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural balers face challenges in safely and efficiently ejecting bales without damaging the net, particularly with crop types like corn stalks that interfere with the wrapping process.

Innovation Solution

An automated baling system that uses ISOBUS class 3 control to manage the power take-off (PTO) operation based on signals from sensors, such as a tailgate position sensor, to precisely control the PTO start and stop during bale ejection, eliminating the need for mechanical clutches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical clutches are used to stop PTO rotation before bale ejection, then net damage is prevented, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenet damage preventionVSAvoidmechanical clutch system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical clutches with an electronic control system that uses sensors to detect bale position and electronically controls the PTO shutdown timing. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while achieving the same reliability goal of preventing net damage during bale ejection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs sensors to detect bale position and provides feedback to the control system, which then timing the PTO shutdown. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the PTO stops at the precise moment needed to prevent net damage without requiring mechanical clutches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If PTO operation continues during bale ejection, then productivity is maintained, but net damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebale ejection speedVSAvoidnet integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system shuts down the PTO in advance before the bale completes its ejection trajectory. This preliminary action prevents net damage by stopping rotation before the bale transitions from forward to rearward rolling motion, while minimizing interruption to overall productivity through precise timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If PTO is stopped frequently to prevent net damage, then net integrity is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenet protectionVSAvoidbaling cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the timing parameter of PTO shutdown based on detected bale position. By adjusting when the PTO stops relative to the baling cycle, the system maintains net protection while minimizing interruptions to productivity through optimized shutdown timing determined by sensor feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250048970A1Tractor PTO control for round baler net damage

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC

AI summary

An agricultural baler includes a bale chamber, a tailgate arranged in a rear section of the bale chamber, and a controller. The tailgate moves between a closed position and an open position to eject a bale from the baler. The controller receives a signal indicating the bale status and, in response to the signal, stops the power take-off (“PTO”) operation of a tractor connected to the baler or restarts the PTO operation.