Weighing round bales
AssigneeCNH America LLC
InventorsJohn H. Posselius, Kevin M. SMITH, Douglas S. FITZKEE, Robrecht M.K. DUMAREY, Bart M.A. MISSOTTEN, Didier O.M. VERHAEGHE
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments relate to weighing a bale formed by a round baler. One or more load cells, but not including load cells at each support of the baler, are used to obtain a measurement of the baler containing the bale and a measurement of the baler empty. Factors related to the slope of the surface on which the baler is located, the size of the bale, and the shape of the bale are used to adjust the measured weight of the bale.
Claims27
A method of weighing a bale formed by a baler, the method comprising:
- obtaining one or more bale weight measurements, with one or more load sensors, of the baler with a formed bale contained therein;
- obtaining one or more empty baler weight measurements, with the one or more load sensors, of the baler empty;
- and
- determining, by a processing unit in communication with the one or more load sensors, a corrected bale weight by adjusting a first bale weight, the first bale weight a function of the one or more bale weight measurements and the one or more empty baler weight measurements;
- wherein the first bale weight is adjusted based upon one or more of (i) one or more slopes on a surface on which the baler is positioned;
- (ii) a size of the bale;
- and (iii) a shape of the bale.
A method of weighing a bale formed by a baler, the method comprising:
- obtaining one or more bale weight measurements, with one or more load sensors each positioned at a respective wheel axle of the baler, of the baler with a formed bale contained therein;
- obtaining one or more empty baler weight measurements, with the one or more load sensors, of the baler empty;
- and
- determining, by a processing unit in communication with the one or more load sensors, a corrected bale weight by adjusting a first bale weight of the bale, the first bale weight a function of the one or more bale weight measurements and the one or more empty baler weight measurements based upon a front-to-reverse slope and a side-to-side slope of a surface on which the baler is positioned and a correction factor based upon one or more of (i) a size of the bale;
- and (ii) a side-to-side shape of the bale.
A round baler comprising:
- a main frame with a main support beam on which a pair of wheels are rotatably affixed, each wheel comprising a wheel axle, the main frame including a bale forming chamber in which a bale is formed;
- a tailgate pivotally connected to the main frame, the tailgate configured to pivot open to discharge a formed bale;
- at least one load sensor, each of the at least one load sensor positioned at a respective wheel axle for measuring a weight force exerted thereon, wherein the at least one load sensor obtains the following measurements:
- one or more bale weight measurements of the baler with a formed bale contained therein;
- and
- one or more empty baler weight measurements of the baler empty;
- and
- a processing unit coupled to the at least one load sensor, the processing unit configured to calculate a weight of the bale by:
- determining a corrected bale weight by adjusting a first bale weight, the first bale weight a function of the one or more bale weight measurements and the one or more empty baler weight measurements;
- wherein the first bale weight is adjusted based upon one or more of (i) one or more slopes on a surface on which the baler is positioned;
- (ii) a size of the bale;
- and (iii) a shape of the bale.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.