Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080257569 | ELECTRONIC DRAFT CONTROL FOR TRAILED IMPLEMENTS - A draft load control system for an agricultural tractor towing a trailed, ground-engaging implement that monitors implement height using sensors located on the tractor or sensors coupled to an on-board control communications system and adjusts the implement position in relation to the ground based on draft load, implement height, and tractor wheel-slip to maintain a more accurate, consistent draft load on the tractor while maintaining the implement engaged with the ground and preventing the tractor-implement ground speed from being reduced to zero. | 10-23-2008 |
20080257570 | ELECTRONIC DRAFT CONTROL FOR SEMI-TRAILED IMPLEMENTS - A draft load control system for an agricultural tractor coupled to a semi-trailed, ground-engaging implement that monitors implement height using sensors located on the tractor or sensors coupled to an on-board control communications system and adjusts the implement position in relation to the ground through coordinated action of the three-point hitch and the on-implement position actuator based on draft load, implement height, and tractor wheel-slip to maintain a more accurate, consistent draft load on the tractor while maintaining the implement engaged with the ground and preventing the tractor-implement ground speed from being reduced to zero. | 10-23-2008 |
20100051298 | HYDRAULIC SHOCK DISSIPATION FOR IMPLEMENT BOUNCE - To dissipate hydraulic shock created by the bouncing of an implement mounted on a wheeled vehicle, such as a towed tillage implement or the bucket of a vehicle, such as a wheel loader, an electronic control valve, which supplies hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator that raises and lowers the implement, is actively controlled by an electronic controller. As the vehicle with an implement is transported at higher speeds, the implement tends to bounce creating pressure spikes in the hydraulic system that raises and lowers the implement. The pressure spikes are dissipated by actively generating random or cancelling hydraulic pulses in the hydraulic system. | 03-04-2010 |
20100115911 | OPTIMIZED BALER TAILGATE CYCLE - A round baler has a tailgate moveable between a closed position in which the tailgate extends along the back side of the baling chamber and an open position in which a completely formed bale can be discharged from the baling chamber and a controller programmed to open and close the tailgate in response to a bale discharge signal. The tailgate opens and closes initially relatively quickly and then more slowly as the tailgate approaches the fully open or fully closed position, the rate of opening and closing being determined by the period of time lapsing from the bale discharge signal. | 05-13-2010 |
20100288140 | SENSOR FOR DETECTION OF WRAPPING ON BALE - A baling machine and method for forming a bale is disclosed. A sensor is positioned in the bailing chamber and is positioned to sense an area proximate the perimeter of the bale to determine if material is present, thereby determining if the bale is properly wrapped or not. When the bale is not properly wrapped, material is present in the area proximate the perimeter in which the sensor is active; causing the sensor to send a signal indicating that the bale is not properly wrapped. | 11-18-2010 |
20100326294 | BELT ROUTING IN A ROUND BALER - An improved mechanism for directing movement of a plurality of side-by-side belts in a round baler wherein a bale chamber is optimally configured for bale core formation thereby reducing the need for an aggressive surface on the belts to initiate rotation of the incoming crop material. As the bale expands, the improved mechanism enables the unguided span of belts surrounding the periphery of the bale to be minimized by positioning intermediate guide rolls generally equidistantly from idler rolls bounding the belt guides defining the bale forming chamber. Further, the improved mechanism reduces the friction force between the crop and the belts necessary to initiate crop rolling for bale core formation enabling smooth-surfaced belts to be used which reduce trash generation. | 12-30-2010 |
20110053385 | FARM IMPLEMENTS WITH CAPACITOR FOR PEAK ELECTRIC LOADS - A farm implement towed or pushed by a vehicle includes at least one electrically actuated device mounted for operation and a high capacitance capacitor connected in circuit with the device and with a source of electricity on the vehicle. Electric power is supplied from the vehicle to the implement at a nominal rate to charge the capacitor and/or operate the device. The capacitor is selectively discharged to either supplement the electric power supplied by the vehicle to the device or to completely power the device such that the device is provided with electric power for operation at a peak rate exceeding the nominal rate electric power is supplied from the vehicle to the capacitor and/or the device. | 03-03-2011 |
20110060507 | IMPLEMENT INITIATED CONTROL OF TRACTOR POWER TAKE-OFF (PTO) - A control system for managing the operation of a tractor PTO using input conditions occurring in a connected baler. Baler conditions such as tailgate position, crop pickup position, bale wrapper status, and driveline torque are sensed in the baler, and communicated to an implement-mounted controller whereupon control signals are initiated and communicated to a tractor-mounted controller to manage operation of the tractor's PTO. Safety may be maintained through the use of operator acknowledgements in order to prevent unexpected engagement of the PTO and a manual override capability allows an operator to suspend automated operation at any time. | 03-10-2011 |
20110088365 | OFFSET PICKUP TINES TO IMPROVE FEEDING PICK UP - An improved pickup comprising offset pickup tines for improved feeding of balers or harverters. The offset mounting of the rotor tines and auger tines of the pickup reduces and/or substantially eliminates the “dead area” between the pickup and the rotor during the handing off of crop from one feed mechanism to another feeding mechanism resulting in improved control of the crop as the crop travels through the machine. The rotor tines and the auger tines may comprise the same structure providing improved efficiencies in manufacturing, inventory and maintenance of the pickup equipment. | 04-21-2011 |
20110179750 | UP-CUT NET KNIFE FOR AGRICULTURAL BALER - An improved net cutting assembly that may be used with an agricultural baler net wrapping system. More particularly, an up-cut net knife for improved cutting of wrapping material (e.g., a net) used to wrap bales of crop material in an agricultural baler. The up-cut net knife assembly improves net cutting performance by providing an up-cut net knife that moves in the same direction as the net whereby the motion of the net helps the knife get into the cut position. Further, embodiments of the up-cut knife assembly move the up-cut knife cutting edge at substantially the same speed and in the same direction as the net to be cut. This motion of the up-cut knife allows the up-cut knife to be lifted up into the net motion using a driver and then to continue on with no relative motion—or at least minimal relative motion of the knife to the net—until the knife gets into the cut position. In the cut position, the knife stops and the net is pulled against the knife blade resulting in cutting the net. | 07-28-2011 |
20110232509 | TWINE END WRAP ADJUSTMENT FOR AGRICULTURAL BALER - An end wrap adjustment that may be used with an agricultural baler twine wrapping system. More particularly, an end wrap adjustment for improved adjustment of the end wrap location, without the use of tools. The end wrap adjustment provides for the adjustment of the location of the twine at the ends of the bale depending on one or more factors, such as the crop type, storage conditions, operator preference, etc. On one side, the twine dispensing assembly may include a first end wrap adjustment for controlling the position of the twine arm, and hence the twine with respect to an end or side of the bale when the bale wrapping system is in an extended position. On an opposite side, the twine cutting assembly may include a second end wrap adjustment for controlling the position of the twine with respect to an opposite end or side of the bale when the bale wrapping system is in a home position. | 09-29-2011 |
20110259211 | METHOD OF STAGGERING BELTS IN A ROUND BALER - An improved roll belt guide mechanism for directing movement of a plurality of side-by-side belts in a round baler wherein adjacent belts are staggered to create opening through which trash mass pass to prevent trash accumulation behind the belts. A pair of offsetting rolls is positioned between two guide rolls defining the normal belt path. The offsetting rolls are aligned on axes that are parallel to the normal guide roll axes and arranged so that one offsetting roll is positioned generally forward of the other. One or more belts are directed around the forward offset roll while the remainder of the belts is directed around the rearward offsetting roll. The alignment and separation of the offsetting rolls is configured to allow roll belts of equal lengths to be used regardless of routing around the offsetting rolls. Trash removal may be improved by the addition of an auger in the space between the offset belts to urge the trash laterally, generally along the length of the offsetting rolls. | 10-27-2011 |
20120042792 | AUTOMATIC BALE SIZE CALIBRATION ON ROUND BALERS - A method and apparatus for automatically calibrating a bale size indicator by using inputs from existing bale wrapper material monitors to determine the linear amount of wrapping material necessary to encircle the bale one time. Balers with wrapping mechanisms may include a sensor for measuring the linear amount of wrapper dispensed as a means to alert the operator when the supply of wrapper material is low. Such balers may also have additional sensors for verifying that wrapping material completely encircles the bale prior to allowing the bale to be ejected from the baler. Using inputs from each of these sensors, a control system on the baler can determine the amount of wrapping material necessary to cover one revolution of the bale, also an indication of the bale circumference, and use the measurement to calibrate the display of bale diameter also generated from the control system. The automated capability eliminates the need for an operator to manually measure the diameter of a completed bale and enter that measurement into the indicator control system. | 02-23-2012 |
20120093615 | ROUND BALE LOADER FOR TRANSPORT FRAME - A work vehicle includes a telescoping boom extending outwardly from the vehicle. An attachment is operably connected to the boom, the attachment including opposed forks configured to be both urgable toward each other and urgable away from each other. The attachment is configured to be positionable over and substantially laterally surround at least one pair of round bales arranged substantially side by side and having corresponding diameters in close proximity of each other. The opposed forks are urgable toward each other with sufficient compressive force applied to opposed portions of the diameters of the at least one pair of round bales, at least elastically deforming the cylindrical profile of at least one of the at least one pair of round bales, so that the at least one pair of round bales can be vertically lifted and manipulated by at least the boom to a predetermined destination. | 04-19-2012 |
20120125647 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DRAWBAR SUPPORT - A system and method to selectably control a position of a first end of a drawbar between a locked position and a suspended position with respect to a drawbar support. The drawbar is securable to a work vehicle distal from the first end, the method includes locking a position of the first end in response to a first predetermined condition and placing the first end in a suspended position in response to a second predetermined condition. Position control of the first end is continuously maintainable. | 05-24-2012 |
20120159918 | DIRECT FEED PICKUP - An improved crop converging apparatus for a round baler having a pickup unit substantially wider than the bale chamber. The converging apparatus comprises a pair of converging augers laterally situated along a common axis on opposing sides of the pickup unit feed table and forwardly adjacent to the bale chamber infeed opening. The converging augers and related shrouds are configured to shift the lateral converging zone of the augers rearward in relation to the auger structure to a position behind the plane of the infeed opening thereby improving crop inflow to the bale chamber and reducing the need for a secondary crop conveyor. | 06-28-2012 |
20120272837 | NET ROLL SUPPORT FOR STORAGE AND INSTALLATION IN BALER - A baler and method of using the improved baler to install net rolls into a net wrapping assembly in the baler. The baler includes a separable support tube configured to separate and reattach within the net roll during installation. The baler also includes a platform to support the net roll during installation. The platform also stores net rolls prior to installation. | 11-01-2012 |
20130000496 | COMPRESSION ROLLS ON BALER PICK UP - An improved baler and a method of using the improved baler to produce high density bales. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a compression assembly comprising at least one pair of opposing compression rollers configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression rollers define an adjustable gap therebetween. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers may be controlled, resulting in bales of varying density. | 01-03-2013 |
20130000497 | BALERS AND METHODS FOR FORMING HIGH DENSITY BALES - An improved baler and a method of using the improved baler to produce high density bales. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a compression assembly comprising at least one pair of opposing compression rollers configured to generate a pressure on the crop material sufficient to crush the nodes as it passes between the compression rollers; and a bale chamber, wherein the crushed crop forms a bale. The compression rollers define an adjustable gap therebetween. By adjusting the gap, a pressure sufficient to crush the nodes of the crop may be exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers may be controlled, resulting in bales of higher density than conventional bales. | 01-03-2013 |
20130018552 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING DRAWBAR FORCE MAGNITUDE AND DIRECTIONAANM Foster; Christopher A.AACI DenverAAST PAAACO USAAGP Foster; Christopher A. Denver PA USAANM Smith; Kevin M.AACI NarvonAAST PAAACO USAAGP Smith; Kevin M. Narvon PA US - A system and method is provided for determining the magnitude and direction of the draft force applied to the drawbar of a tractor by a towed implement. Orthogonal load sensors can be placed at the drawbar pivot point to measure load on the drawbar. From the measured load on the drawbar, the lateral and longitudinal draft forces applied by the towed implement on the drawbar can be calculated. The magnitude and direction of the draft force can then be determined from the calculated lateral and longitudinal forces. | 01-17-2013 |
20130116895 | INITIATING TRACTOR STOP AND BALE WRAP FUNCTION - A combination tractor and baler is provided to automate tractor stopping and baler wrapping while incorporating operator interaction to improve the efficiency of the tractor and baler combination in operation. Automated control systems and manual operator devices are utilized to improve the timing of the tractor stop and baler wrapping time sequences. Various methods to improve efficiency, including methods to synchronize tractor stop with wrapping activation are provided. | 05-09-2013 |
20130125518 | MULTIPLE ROLLS NET WRAP ASSEMBLY - A baler which includes a net wrapper assembly and method of using the improved baler to install net rolls into a net wrapping assembly in the baler. The net wrapping assembly includes first and second net support tubes for holding respective first and second net rolls. The first and second net support tubes include pivoting elements for pivoting the net support tubes away from wrapping active positions. The net wrapping assembly also includes a support arm for supporting the weight of the net rolls during installation. The net wrapping assembly also includes brake systems, which are connected to a net feeding system, for applying and releasing tension to the net roll. | 05-23-2013 |
20130298786 | ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM FOR ROUND BALER BELT PRE-TENSION - An improved belt tensioning system for an agricultural round baler that increases belt tension to reduce slippage between the belts and the driving rolls during the initial stage of a bale forming cycle when the bale chamber is empty and as the belts are beginning to be rolled. The system includes an accumulator that is pressurized by the tensioning system as a bale is being formed. The accumulator pressure may then be directed to a hydraulic cylinder included in a bale density system to increase tension in the belts after a completed bale is ejected and the bale chamber is being reset for the next bale. | 11-14-2013 |
20130305658 | METHOD OF TAGGING SQUARE BALES - A method and apparatus for inserting a tag into a bale of agricultural material is disclosed. The tag is inserted into the bale material, during bale production, such that the tag is within the bale material, but within reading distance of an outer surface of the final bale. In square bales, the tag is placed in either the first or last slice of the bale. In round bales, the tag is place in the outer circumferential layer of the bale as it is formed. The tag may be gravity fed or forcibly fed into the stream of crop material as it passes from the baling apparatus pick-up to the baling chamber. A system for identifying and tracking an individual bale is also disclosed. | 11-21-2013 |
20140020352 | INITIATING TRACTOR STOP AND BALE WRAP FUNCTION - A combination tractor and baler is provided to automate tractor stopping and baler wrapping while incorporating operator interaction to improve the efficiency of the tractor and baler combination in operation. Automated control systems and manual operator devices are utilized to improve the timing of the tractor stop and baler wrapping time sequences. Various methods to improve efficiency, including methods to synchronize tractor stop with wrapping activation are provided. | 01-23-2014 |
20140053510 | CURRENT SENSING OF ACTUATORS ON A ROUND BALER - Monitoring current draw of an actuator associated with a rotating arm on a round baler during a net wrapping cycle is used to determine the position of the rotating arm and actuator, as well as to determine the net tension. The current draw of the actuator may be correlated with the home and insert positions of the rotating arm during the net wrapping cycle; thus by monitoring the current draw, the rotating arm and actuator position is determined and may be provided to aid an operator. The net tension during the net wrapping cycle is a function of the rotating arm and actuator current. A calculation of net tension is determined and provided to an operator, allowing the operator to verify performance issues related to the net tension. | 02-27-2014 |
20140174303 | WEIGHING ROUND BALES - 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. | 06-26-2014 |
20140260090 | NET WRAPPING SYSTEM BACK WRAP ROLL - A net wrapping system includes an insertion assembly configured to move between a home position and an insert position. The insertion assembly has at least one insertion assembly spreader roll configured to engage net wrapping from a net roll. The net wrapping system also includes a fixed spreader roll proximate to the net roll and configured to engage the net wrapping along a length of the fixed spreader roll circumferential surface when the insertion assembly is in the home position. The net wrapping system further includes a back wrap roll located along a net path between the fixed spreader roll and the at least one insertion assembly spreader roll and configured to cause the net wrapping to maintain engagement with substantially the same length of the fixed spreader roll circumferential surface when the insertion assembly is in the insert position. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261021 | BALER BRAKE DRUM LOCKING MECHANISM - A net dispensing assembly in a baler includes a net roll support tube configured to hold the net roll and a brake drum assembly coupled to the net roll support tube and configured to rotate about the net roll support tube and apply tension to the net wrapping dispensed from the net roll. The net dispensing assembly also includes a pivoting element configured to move the net roll support tube between an operating position and a load-unload position. The net dispensing assembly further includes a locking mechanism coupled to the brake drum assembly and configured to prevent the brake drum assembly from rotating in a direction opposite the operating direction when the net roll support tube is in at least one of (i) the load-unload position and (ii) the operating position. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261022 | BALER REAR SHIELD MECHANISM - A gate assembly for use with a baler that includes a belt guide mechanism coupled to a side of the baler frame and guide one or more belts used to form the bale. The gate assembly also includes a shield pivotably coupled to the side of the baler frame and configured to limit contact with one or more components of the baler. The gate assembly further includes a linkage assembly coupled between the belt guide mechanism and the shield. The belt guide mechanism is configured to pivot between a lower belt guide mechanism position and a raised belt guide mechanism position to allow the bale to be ejected from the bale chamber. The linkage assembly is configured to pivot the shield between a lower shield position and a raised shield position responsive to the pivoting of the belt guide mechanism. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261023 | BALE FORMING CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method of controlling formation of a bale includes forming a bale from crop material by rotating the bale in a bale chamber and applying an amount of density pressure to the rotating bale. The method also includes receiving at least one operating condition value corresponding to at least one sensed operating condition when the bale is forming. The method further includes automatically determining the amount of bale density pressure applied to the bale responsive to receiving the at least one received operating condition value and controlling formation of the bale by causing the determined amount of bale density pressure to be applied to the bale. | 09-18-2014 |
20140331635 | Compression Rolls on Baler Pick Up - An improved baler and a method of using the improved baler to produce high density bales. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a compression assembly comprising at least one pair of opposing compression rollers configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression rollers define an adjustable gap therebetween. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers may be controlled, resulting in bales of varying density. | 11-13-2014 |