Variable Position Tine Reel for Round Baler Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Round balers with wider pickup units than the bale forming chamber require secondary feed mechanisms to prevent clogging, increasing complexity and cost, and optimizing tine movement is necessary to reduce the need for these mechanisms while managing tine positions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A variable position tine reel system that extends tines towards the bale chamber inlet and retracts them to clear converging augers, allowing independent optimization of central and outboard tine positions for improved crop flow and reduced plugging likelihood, while being lightweight, durable, inexpensive, and easy to maintain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wider pickup is used to handle wider crop windrows, then crop fill at lateral extremes is improved, but the distance between pickup tines and bale chamber inlet increases requiring secondary feed mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The pickup tines are made dynamically adjustable in their radial position on the pickup reel. Tines can be repositioned between an extended position (when not engaged with augers) and a retracted position (when engaged with augers), allowing the pickup to adapt its geometry to eliminate the need for secondary feed mechanisms while maintaining wide pickup capability
Solution Approach 2:
The radial position parameter of the pickup tines is changed based on operational conditions. By adjusting the tine position radially outward or inward, the system optimizes the distance between tines and bale chamber inlet, enabling elimination of secondary feed mechanisms when tines are in the extended position
2Device complexity
If pickup tines are extended toward the bale chamber inlet to reduce feed table length, then secondary feed mechanism is eliminated, but tines contact the converging augers
Solution Approach 1:
The pickup tines are made dynamically adjustable in their radial position on the pickup reel. Tines can be repositioned between an extended position (when not engaged with augers) and a retracted position (when engaged with augers), allowing the pickup to adapt its geometry to eliminate the need for secondary feed mechanisms while maintaining wide pickup capability
Solution Approach 2:
The pickup tines periodically change their radial position as the pickup reel rotates. Tines are extended when in the inboard feed area and retracted when in the outboard feed area near augers, creating a periodic motion pattern that avoids continuous contact while maintaining efficiency
3Device complexity
If a single cam mechanism is used to control all pickup tines, then device complexity is reduced, but optimal tine positioning for different lateral positions cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The pickup reel is segmented into multiple lateral zones (inboard feed area and outboard feed areas), with each zone having its own dedicated cam mechanism. This segmentation allows each cam to be optimized for the specific crop movement requirements of its zone, improving overall productivity while maintaining reasonable device complexity through modular design
Data Source
AI summary
An improved tine reel for a round baler pickup unit that allows tine position to be altered dependant of rotational position of the tine reel and the lateral position of the tine on the pickup. A plurality of tine bars are mounted on the tine reel, with separate tine bars provided for the centrally located tines and the outboard located tines. Separate cams control rotation of the centrally located inboard tine bars and the outwardly located outboard tine bars so that outboard tine position can be optimized without limitation by the inboard tines.