Baler
AssigneeCNH Industrial America LLC
InventorHans Joseph De Gersem
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A baler including a twine box having a frame and a twine cradle. The twine cradle is for holding one or more spools of twine and is mounted to the frame. The twine cradle is movable between a loading position and an operational position, by way of an intermediate position. In the loading position, a spool of twine can be loaded into the twine cradle. In the operational position, twine is removable from the spool of twine within the twine cradle in order to tie a bale. The twine cradle is movable between the loading position and the intermediate position by a rotational movement about a pivot that defines a horizontal axis of rotation. The twine cradle is movable between the intermediate position and the operational position by a translational movement.
Claims13
A baler comprising:
- a twine box, wherein the twine box includes:
- a frame;
- and
- a twine cradle mounted to the frame, the twine cradle for holding one or more spools of twine;
- wherein:
- the twine cradle is movable between a loading position and an operational position, by way of an intermediate position;
- in the loading position, a spool of twine can be loaded into the twine cradle;
- in the operational position, twine is removable from the spool of twine within the twine cradle in order to tie a bale;
- the twine cradle is movable between the loading position and the intermediate position by a rotational movement about a pivot that defines a horizontal axis of rotation;
- and
- the twine cradle is movable between the intermediate position and the operational position by a translational movement, and
- wherein the twine cradle includes an end wall and a first side wall, wherein:
- the first side wall extends transversely from a first edge of the end wall;
- the end wall is configured to support a weight of the spool of twine in the twine cradle, when the twine cradle is in the loading position;
- the first side wall is configured to support a weight of the spool of twine in the twine cradle, when the twine cradle is in the intermediate position and the operational position;
- a distal end of the first side wall is configured to be in a generally fixed position with respect to the pivot as the twine cradle moves between the intermediate position and the operational position;
- and
- the pivot is configured to be movable with respect to the frame as the twine cradle moves between the intermediate position and the operational position.
A method of loading a twine box of a baler, the method comprising the steps of:
- moving a twine cradle from an operational position to an intermediate position by a translational movement;
- moving the twine cradle from the intermediate position to a loading position by a rotational movement;
- loading a spool of twine into the twine cradle;
- moving the twine cradle from the loading position to the intermediate position by a rotational movement;
- and
- moving the twine cradle from the intermediate position to the operational position by a translational movement,
- wherein a distal end of a first side wall of the twine cradle is configured to be in a generally fixed position with respect to a pivot about a horizontal axis as the twine cradle moves between the intermediate position and the operational position;
- and
- wherein the pivot is configured to be movable with respect to the frame as the twine cradle moves between the intermediate position and the operational position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.