US 4,457,226 A · Twine-wrapping mechanism for a large round baler

Abstract

An automatic twine-wrapping mechanism for a large round baler. The mechanism comprises a twine dispensing mechanism for dispensing twine into the bale-forming chamber of the baler, a reversible hydraulic drive means for cycling a twine arm of the dispensing mechanism back and forth in front of the chamber, a twine wrapping control mechanism for initiating a twine wrapping cycle by sensing the growth of a bale to a predetermined diameter, by automatically actuating a pump drive means for driving a hydraulic pump and by positioning a hydraulic control valve to condition the hydraulic drive means to cycle the twine arm and for terminating a twine wrapping cycle by deactivating the hydraulic drive means following the wrapping of twine around the bale. The twine is automatically severed by a twine cutter responsive to the movement of the twine arm following completion of the wrapping of the twine around the bale. The bale operator actuates a bale ejection mechanism following the cutting of the twine. Following bale ejection, the twine wrapping cycle is terminated by the twine wrapping control mechanism sensing that the bale chamber is empty. The baler is now ready to begin the formation of another bale therein. Also, the twine arm includes a tubular guide and guide support, which in conjunction with a twine tensioner of the twine dispensing mechanism enables simplified threading of twine through the dispensing mechanism.

Claims28

Dependent claims

In an automatic twine-wrapping mechanism for a cylindrical baler having a bale-forming chamber, said mechanism comprising:

a twine-dispensing mechanism for dispensing twine into the bale-forming chamber of said baler for wrapping around a bale being formed therein, said dispensing mechanism including a twine arm movable back and forth in front of the bale-forming chamber between first and second positions, and
hydraulic drive means for cycling said twine arm back and forth in front of said bale-forming chamber, said drive means including a double acting cylinder, a hydraulic pump connected to said cylinder, and pump drive means for selectively driving said pump, and a control valve interconnected between said cylinder and said pump, said valve having a valve control arm movable between a first valve control arm position permitting said twine arm to be driven from the first to said second twine arm position and a second valve control arm position permitting said twine arm to be driven from said second to said first twine arm position the improvement comprising;
a control means (1) for initiating a twine wrapping cycle by automatically actuating said pump drive means and by positioning said valve control arm in said first valve control arm position responsive to the formation of bale of a predetermined diameter in said chamber, and (2) for deactivating said hydraulic drive means following completion of the wrapping of twine around said bale.

In a twine dispensing mechanism for a round baler having a bale-forming chamber formed between a pair of sidewalls, said mechanism comprising:

a twine arm having a twine-dispensing end, reversible drive means for driving said twine arm through a twine wrapping cycle for applying twine to a bale in said chamber during the movement of said arm from a rest position to a second position adjacent one sidewall of the baler and then to a third position adjacent the other sidewall, and gear means pivotably mounting said twine arm and for providing driving engagement between said drive means and said twine arm, said gear means comprising:
(1) a clutch means for permitting the dispensing end to dwell in said second position and apply a plurality of wraps of twine around the end of said bale adjacent said one sidewall, (2) a first gear in driving engagement with said twine arm and having teeth around a peripheral surface thereof and (3) a second gear in driving engagement with said drive means and having teeth around a peripheral surface thereof in direct driving engagement with the teeth of said first gear, the improvement comprising:
said clutch means comprising a surface means on one of said first and second gear surfaces for interrupting the driving engagement therebetween and permitting the continued driving of said second gear by said drive means without driving said first gear and said twine arm whereby said dispensing end dwells in said second position and said first and second gears transmit the drive from said drive means to said twine arm for moving said twine arm back and forth among said rest, second and third positions.

In a twine-wrapping mechanism for a round baler having a bale-forming chamber formed between a pair of sidewalls, said mechanism comprising

a twine-dispensing arm movable back and forth transversely of said chamber,
a twine cutter comprising an anvil, a knife movable between anvil-engaging and -disengaging positions, and an actuator means including a control arm movable from a first position to a second position responsive to the movement of said twine arm toward one sidewall to a predetermined position, said actuator means moving said knife from said anvil-disengaging to said anvil-engaging position when said control arm is moved from said first to said second position, the improvement comprising said actuator means further comprising extendable guide means connected to said control arm and said knife for permitting said control arm to extend from said second position to a third position responsive to the continued movement of said twine arm toward said one sidewall and beyond said predetermined position, said actuating means maintaining said knife in said anvil-engaging position when said control is in and during movement to said third position.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Twine-wrapping mechanism for a large round baler

Life of this patent

Twine-wrapping mechanism for a large round baler

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28