Process for removing fiber flocks from bales with a bale opening device

A method for operating a bale opening machine having a take-off device for removing a desired depth of material in a take-off layer from a top surface of a line of bales as the take-off device passes over the line of bales, said method comprising the steps of:

• determining a total height difference between a low and high point along the line of bales;
• defining a desired normal take-off depth for the take-off device;
• computing actual take-off depths at predetermined positions along the line of bales as a function of the normal take-off depth and bale height at the respective positions;
• controlling the take-off device as a function of the actual take-off depths for each pass of the take-off device;
• and
• prior to each pass of the take-off device, determining a new total height difference and setting the actual take-off depths to the normal take-off depth upon the new total height difference being reduced to at least the value of the normal take-off depth.

A method for operating a bale opening machine having a take-off device for removing a depth of material in a take-off layer from a top surface of a line of bales as the take-off device passes over the line of bales, said method comprising the steps of:

• defining an initial height profile of the bale line in an initial pass of the take-off device over the bale line;
• determining a total height difference between a low and high point along the line of bales from the height profile;
• defining a desired normal take-off depth for the take-off device;
• computing actual take-off depths at predetermined positions along the line of bales as a function of bale density and bale height by:
• (a) computing a height take-off factor at the positions as a function of bale height difference at the positions compared to a bale height difference at a low and high point of the bale line;
• (b) computing a density take-off factor at the positions as a function of perceived bale density and initial bale height;
• (c) applying the height take-off factor and density take-off factor to the normal take-off depth to define an actual take-off depth at the positions;
• controlling the take-off device as a function of the actual take-off depths for each pass of the take-off device;
• and
• prior to each pass of the take-off device, determining a new total height difference and setting the actual take-off depths to the normal take-off depth upon the new total height difference being reduced to at least the value of the normal take-off depth.