Modular balers for base vehicles and methods of connecting same
AssigneeVermeer Manufacturing Company
InventorsCurt T. Graham, Kent L Thompson, Nathan D. Dockter, Kent M. Recker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Self-propelled vehicles for supporting and operating a device are disclosed. Example devices include agricultural devices. The vehicle includes mounting arms that allow the device to be extended forward or rearward of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the device is releasably coupleable to the vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes rear drive wheels and front caster wheels.
Claims17
A modular baler capable of being releasably attached to first and second mounting arms of a device mount of a base vehicle, the modular baler having first and second sides and comprising:
- a baling chamber;
- a first forward mounting member configured to connect the modular baler to the first mounting arm, the first forward mounting member being disposed on and extending laterally from the first side of the modular baler;
- a second forward mounting member configured to connect the modular baler to the second mounting arm, the second forward mounting member being disposed on and extending laterally from the second side of the modular baler;
- a first rear mounting member configured to connect the modular baler to the first mounting arm, the first rear mounting member being disposed on and extending laterally from the first side of the modular baler;
- and
- a second rear mounting member configured to connect the modular baler to the second mounting arm, the second rear mounting member being disposed on and extending laterally from the second side of the modular baler.
A modular baler capable of being releasably attached to first and second device mounting arms supported by a chassis, the modular baler comprising:
- a baling chamber;
- first and second forward mounting members configured to connect the baler to the first and second device mounting arms supported by the chassis, the first and second forward mounting members each including a spindle with guides configured to:
- contact a mounting surface of the first and second device mounting arms;
- and
- guide the mounting surface into proper alignment with the spindle;
- and
- first and second rear mounting members configured to connect the baler to the first and second device mounting arms supported by the chassis.
A method for connecting a modular baler to a device mount supported by a chassis, the device mount having first and second mounting arms, the method comprising:
- contacting the first mounting arm with a first forward mounting member of the modular baler;
- contacting the second mounting arm with a second forward mounting member of the modular baler;
- rotating the first mounting arm to cause the first mounting arm to contact a first rear mounting member of the modular baler;
- and
- rotating the second mounting arm to cause the second mounting arm to contact a second rear mounting member of the modular baler.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.