Round baling apparatus

A method of forming a round bale using a round bale forming apparatus, the method being suitable for use in the bale forming apparatus comprising a bale forming system comprising a fixed chamber roller system;

• or a variable diameter belt system;
• or a combination of a fixed chamber roller system and a variable diameter belt system, the method comprising:
• (a) Using the bale forming apparatus comprising a first bale forming chamber and a second bale forming chamber;
• a transfer mechanism configured to transfer a partially formed bale from the first bale forming chamber into the second bale forming chamber, the transfer mechanism being attached to a central axis of a cutting mechanism and located between the first bale forming chamber and the second bale forming chamber;
• and a directional mechanism configured to direct a crop product from the cutting mechanism selectively into one of the first bale forming chamber and the second bale forming chamber such that the partially formed bale is formable in the first bale forming chamber and a fully formed bale is formable in the second bale forming chamber, wherein the transfer mechanism is pivotably moveable around a center of the cutting mechanism to provide a cover over at the cutting mechanism for transfer of the partially formed bale;
• (b) Feeding a supply of the crop product through the cutting mechanism in to the first bale forming chamber in the bale forming apparatus;
• (c) Subjecting the crop product in the first bale forming chamber to a tumbling action by a movement of the bale forming system to form the partially formed bale or primary bale in the first bale forming chamber;
• (d) Continuing to supply the crop product to the first bale forming chamber until the partially formed bale reaches at least one of a pre-determined diameter and density;
• (e) On reaching the at least one of the pre-determined diameter and density, the partially formed bale is transferred by the transfer mechanism to the second bale forming chamber;
• (f) Concurrently with step (e), altering a pathway of the supply of crop product being fed into the bale forming apparatus such that the crop product is directed into the second bale forming chamber;
• (g) Continuing to supply the crop product into the second bale forming chamber so that the bale continues to be supplied with the crop product so as to form the fully formed bale in the second bale forming chamber;
• (h) Once the bale has reached at least one of a required diameter and density, triggering a sensor which causes the transfer mechanism to alter the pathway of the crop product such that it is redirected into the first bale forming chamber thereby starting the process of forming a second partially formed bale in the first bale forming chamber;
• (i) simultaneously with step (h) the sensor also triggers a wrapping mechanism operable to wrap the fully formed bale;
• and
• (j) after the fully formed bale is wrapped, opening a door and allowing the wrapped fully formed bale to be ejected from the second bale forming chamber.

A round bale forming apparatus, comprising:

• a first bale forming chamber and a second bale forming chamber, the second bale forming chamber being positioned rearwardly of the first bale forming chamber, each of the first and second bale forming chambers comprising means for forming a bale from a crop product;
• a cutting mechanism configured to feed the crop product into the bale forming apparatus in order to form the bale from the crop product;
• a transfer mechanism configured to transfer a partially formed bale from the first bale forming chamber into the second bale forming chamber, the transfer mechanism being attached to a central axis of the cutting mechanism and located between the first bale forming chamber and the second bale forming chamber;
• and
• a directional mechanism configured to direct the crop product from the cutting mechanism selectively into one of the first bale forming chamber and the second bale forming chamber such that the partially formed bale is formable in the first bale forming chamber and a fully formed bale is formable in the second bale forming chamber,
• wherein the transfer mechanism is pivotably moveable predominately around a center of the cutting mechanism to provide a cover over the cutting mechanism for transfer of the partially formed bale,
• wherein the transfer mechanism forms at least part of a base of the first bale forming chamber, and
• wherein the first bale forming chamber is provided with a door, the door being positioned between the first and second bale forming chamber.

A method of forming a round bale using a round bale forming apparatus, the method being suitable for use in the bale forming apparatus comprising a bale forming system comprising a fixed chamber roller system;

• or a variable diameter belt system;
• or a combination of a fixed chamber roller system and a variable diameter belt system, the method comprising:
• (a) Using the bale forming apparatus comprising a first bale forming chamber and a second bale forming chamber;
• a transfer mechanism configured to transfer a partially formed bale from the first bale forming chamber into the second bale forming chamber, the transfer mechanism being located between the first bale forming chamber and the second bale forming chamber;
• a cutting mechanism;
• and a directional mechanism configured to direct a crop product from the cutting mechanism selectively into one of the first bale forming chamber and the second bale forming chamber such that the partially formed bale is formable in the first bale forming chamber and a fully formed bale is formable in the second bale forming chamber, wherein the transfer mechanism is pivotably moveable predominately around a center the cutting mechanism to provide a cover over the cutting mechanism for transfer of the partially formed bale, wherein the transfer mechanism forms at least part of a base of the first bale forming chamber, and wherein the first bale forming chamber is provided with a door, the door being positioned between the first and second bale forming chamber;
• (b) Feeding a supply of the crop product through the cutting mechanism into the first bale forming chamber in the bale forming apparatus;
• (c) Subjecting the crop product in the first bale forming chamber to a tumbling action by a movement of the bale forming system to form the partially formed bale or primary bale in the first bale forming chamber;
• (d) Continuing to supply the crop product to the first bale forming chamber until the partially formed bale reaches at least one of a pre-determined diameter and density;
• (e) On reaching the at least one of the pre-determined diameter and density, the partially formed bale is transferred by the transfer mechanism to the second bale forming chamber;
• (f) Concurrently with step (e), altering a pathway of the supply of crop product being fed into the bale forming apparatus such that the crop product is directed into the second bale forming chamber;
• (g) Continuing to supply the crop product into the second bale forming chamber so that the bale continues to be supplied with the crop product so as to form the fully formed bale in the second bale forming chamber;
• (h) Once the bale has reached at least one of a required diameter and density, triggering a sensor which causes the transfer mechanism to alter the pathway of the crop product such that it is redirected into the first bale forming chamber thereby starting the process of forming a second partially formed bale in the first bale forming chamber;
• (i) simultaneously with step (h) the sensor also triggers a wrapping mechanism operable to wrap the fully formed bale;
• and
• (j) after the fully formed bale is wrapped, opening the door and allowing the wrapped fully formed bale to be ejected from the second bale forming chamber.