Continuous round baler with adjustable screed

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9253948-B2
Application number	US-201314090210-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 26, 2013
Priority date	Nov 27, 2012
Publication date	Feb 9, 2016
Grant date	Feb 9, 2016

Abstract

A continuous round baler system has a baler and an accumulating system. The accumulating system includes a conveyor configured to convey crop material extending from a pickup mechanism to a bale formation chamber in the baler. A screed is positioned adjacent the end of the conveyor and is configured to be movable by a lifting mechanism between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the first conveyor. In the raised position, a gap is formed between the screed and the first conveyor so that crop material passes into the bale formation chamber. In the lowered position, the gap is closed thereby preventing the crop material from passing to the baler causing the crop material to remain on the conveyor.

First claim

At least the following is claimed:

1. A continuous round baler system, comprising:
a continuous round baler comprising a bale formation chamber;
an accumulating system coupled to the baler, the accumulating system comprising:
a pickup mechanism;
a rotatable first conveyor extending from a first end adjacent the pickup mechanism to a second end adjacent the bale formation chamber, the first conveyor configured to convey crop material to the bale formation chamber of the baler;
a screed positioned adjacent the second end of the first conveyor comprising a rotatable second conveyor, the screed configured to be movable between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the first conveyor; and
a lifting mechanism coupled to the screed, the lifting mechanism configured to move the screed between the raised and lowered positions, wherein when the screed is in the raised position, a gap is formed between the screed and the first conveyor so that crop material conveyed by the first conveyor passes through the gap between the screed and the first conveyor and into the bale formation chamber, and when the lifting mechanism moves the screed to the lowered position, the screed closes the gap thereby enabling obstruction of the conveyed crop material to the baler so that crop material conveyed by the first conveyor remains on the first conveyor and does not enter the bale formation chamber while the baler is traversing a field.

2. The continuous round baler system of claim 1 , wherein the accumulating system further comprises:
a first frame;
wherein the first conveyor comprises an endless, moveable first belt that wraps partially around first and second rolls that enable movement of the first belt, the first and second rolls coupled to the first frame; and
wherein the screed is coupled to the first frame.

3. The continuous round baler system of claim 2 , wherein the lift mechanism is coupled between the first frame and a frame of the screed.

4. The continuous round baler system of claim 3 , further comprising plural pivot members coupled between the frame of the screed and the first frame, the pivot members enabling the movement of the screed between the raised and lowered positions.

5. The continuous round baler system of claim 2 , wherein the screed comprises a drive sprocket, an idler sprocket, and a motor, the conveyor coupled to the drive sprocket and the idler sprocket, the motor coupled to the drive sprocket, the conveyor driven by the motor and the drive sprocket.

6. The continuous round baler system of claim 5 , further comprising a rotating member located between, and adjacent to, the idler sprocket and a top surface of the first belt, the rotating member coupled to the first frame.

7. The continuous round baler system of claim 6 , wherein the rotating member and the conveyor are rotatable in a same direction when the screed is in the lowered position.

8. The continuous round baler system of claim 6 , wherein the rotating member and the conveyor are rotatable in opposing directions when the screed is in the raised position.

9. The continuous round baler system of claim 6 , wherein the speed of the rotating member is adjustable between a stopped state of the rotating member and a full-speed state of the rotating member.

10. The continuous round baler system of claim 2 , wherein the screed extends across substantially the entire width of the first conveyor.

11. The continuous round baler system of claim 2 , wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders coupled between the screed and the first frame.

Assignees

• Agco Corp

Inventors

• Olander Brian D
• Kinder Jared W
• James Charlie O

Classifications

• A01F15/0705

  Arrangements for continuous operation · CPC title

• A01F15/106 Primary

  for round balers · CPC title