Twine tensioner for baler
OwnerDonald R. Parkerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A round bale baling apparatus includes an accumulator for rolling crop material into a round bale, a twine dispenser adapted to hold and dispense twine, and a twine tensioner. The twine tensioner is adjustable and includes an energizable actuator and switch for operating the actuator to adjust the twine tension. Specifically, the switch can be manipulated to selectively decrease tension on the twine during initial gripping of the free end of the twine by a rolling loose bale, and to selectively increase tension on the twine once the twine is sufficiently wrapped onto the bale to provide a secure pulling force. The actuator can be electric, such as a reversible DC motor or solenoid, or can be another energizable device actuable from a remote position. Methods related to the above are also defined.
Claims27
An apparatus for balers comprising:
- an adjustable twine tensioner adapted to adjustably tension twine;
- an energizable actuator connected to the twine tensioner for adjusting the twine tensioner;
- and
- a control operably connected to the actuator for energizing and operating the actuator to selectively adjust the twine tensioner during a bale wrapping process in a baler and thus selectively increase and decrease tension in twine associated with the twine tensioner.
A twine tensioner device comprising:
- a twine tensioner including a pressure foot adapted to frictionally engage twine being pulled past the pressure foot;
- and
- an energizable actuator that is selectively actuable for moving the pressure foot between a twine-loosened position useful when twine is initially being grabbed and wound around a rolled bale of crop material and a twine-tightened position when twine has been grabbed and is being wound around the rolled bale.
A method of tensioning twine during a bale wrapping process comprising steps of:
- providing an adjustable twine tensioner adapted to adjustably tension twine and providing an actuator operably connected to the twine tensioner for adjusting the twine tensioner;
- and
- selectively switching the twine tensioner between high and low twine-tensioning positions by operating a switch operably connected to the actuator to thus selectively increase and decrease tension in twine for optimal twine tension during the bale wrapping process.
A method of tensioning twine around bales of crop material, comprising steps of:
- extending a free end of twine close to a rotating bale of crop material until the free end is caught and pulled with a reliable pulling force by the rotating bale, with the twine at most loosely restrained by a twine tensioner;
- and
- after the free end is drawn around the bale sufficiently to establish a reliable pulling force, substantially increasing tension on the twine by the twine tensioner such that the twine is tensioned and drawn tight against the bale as the twine is wrapped repeatedly around the bale.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.