Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF INVENTION:
The making of hay for animal fodder has utilized many labor
saving machines. Pick up hay balers are used to pick up hay
located in windrow and make rectangular bales. Twine or
wire is used to maintain the shape of these bales. In recent
years the trend has been toward storing hay in larger units as
compared with the smaller bales previously commonplace and
capable of being carried by one person. These larger units
are mechanically made with machines which roll the hay in large
cylindrical or round bales having a diameter of about 6 feet
and a weight of about 1,500 pounds. Another method of making
larger units uses hay stacking wagons. These wagons are larger
boxes which collect hay in a pile. Hay pick up and blower
or conveyor structures are used to move hay to the top of the
box. When the box is full of hay, the entire stack of hay is
removed from the box to a storage location. An example of this
machine is disclosed by Anderson and Neukom in U. S. Patent
No. 3,720,052. Another machine for stacking hay is disclosed
by Carson in U. S. Patent No. 3,538,696. This machine has a
hay pick-up conveyor for moving hay to a platform. Sweep arms
move the hay around the platform to build the stack.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION:
The invention relates to a machine for making a stack of
hay, straw, and like materials. The machine operates to make
a circular stack of hay by building the stack from the bottom
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up. The machine has a platform upon which the stack of hay
is built and supported. First means associated with the plat-
form direct hay from the outer edge of the platform toward the
center of the platform and in a circular path onto the top of
the platform. A hay feeding mechanism moves the hay along
the first means toward the center of the platform. Second
means in the center of the platform moves hay in an upward
direction to build up the center of the stack. A cage assembly
rotatably mounted on the platform is moved around the platform
with drive motor means as hay is moved to the platform. Arm
means movably mounted on the cage assembly extend over the
platform to compress and move hay in a circular path. Biasing
means cooperate with the arm means to apply a downward force
on the hay on the platform. The compression applied to the
hay by the arm means is constant and applied consistently from
the time the hay first enters the platform until the stack is
complete. This makes the stack with uniform density and firm-
ness, which allows the stack to breathe. Hay with more moisture
content can be stacked as compared to bales making possible
earlier stacking. The leaves and stems of the hay are kept
intact. The top of the stack has a firmly packed conical crown
that keeps its water-shedding shape after curing. The center
of the stack being filled with hay prevents sag~ing or top
dimpling. Pusher means movable relative to the p~latform func-
tion to move the completed stack of hay from the platform.
The stack resists winds and can be moved with no damage due
to the interlacing of the hay during the building of the stack.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the hay
stacking machine has a platform provided with a trough.
Reciprocating means move the hay in the trough to the platform
surface. An elevator means having a rotatable helical section
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is located in the center of the platform to move hay in an
upward direction to build the center of the stack. A case
assembly located around the platform has a plurality of in-
wardly and downwardly extending compression arms which engage
the hay and cause the hay to move around the platform and
pick up additional hay moving to the platform from the trough
whereby the stack is formed from the bottom up. As the com-
pression arms move to an upwardly extending angular position,
their downward pressure is reduced; however, the weight of the
stack is increasing, thus, maintaining the necessary weight
on the incoming hay to cause it to continue the stacking opera-
tion as the cage assembly is rotated. Upon the stack being
completed on the platform, a pusher mechanism is actuated
which moves from the front edge of the platform to the rear,
pushing the stack off the platform onto the ground. The plat-
form has been tipped rearwardly and downwardly such that gravity
assists in the removal of the stack from the platform. The
platform is then returned to the horizontal position as the
machine is moved away from the stack and is now ready to form
another stack of hay.
The invention includes a method of making a stack of hay
or like material with a machine having a platform with an upper
surface and a space for accommodating hay extended from the
outer edge to the center area of the platform. This method
includes moving hay into the space from the outer edge toward
the center area of the platform. Hay moved to the center area
of the platform is elevated or raised to build up the center
of the stack. The hay in the space is also moved from the
space onto the upper surface of the platform along the length of
the space. The hay on the upper surface of the platform is
moved in a generally circular path to build a stack of hay from
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the bottom up. Even and continuous pressure is applied to
top portions of the hay during the building of the stack. When
the stack is completed it is removed from the platform.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a first
embodiment of the hay stacking machine of this invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation view thereof.
Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof.
Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3
in Figure 3. .
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5
in Figure 4 and illustrates the operation of the compression
arms.
Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line 6-6
in Figure 5.
Figure 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view illustrating
the rib and groove slidable connection between the cage and
the platform.
Figure 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line 8-8
in Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of the platform
illustrating the push-off mechanism.
Figure 10 is a cross sectional view taken along line
10-10 in Figure 9.
Figure 11 is a fragmentary top plan view of the platform
illustrating the reciprocating vertical and horizontal feed
means.
Figure 12 is a cross sectional view taken along line
12-12 in Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a cross sectional view taken along line
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13-13 in Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 11 but illustrating
the feeding means in different positions.
Figure 15 is a view similar to Figures 11 and 14 showing
the feeding means in still further positions.
Figure 16 is a cross sectional view of the platform
illustrating the feeding means in the trough leading to the
platform.
Figure 16A is a fragmentary top plan view of the feed
trough in the platform.
Figure 17 is a reduced in scale side elevation view
illustrating the unloading of the platform by tipping the plat-
form downwardly and rearwardly.
Figure 18 is a fragmentary side elevation view illustra-
ting the power system for the compression arms.
Pigure 19 is a schematic view of the power system for
the compression arms.
Figure 20 is a schematic view of the hydraulic system
operating the other mechanisms in the hay stacker.
Figure 21 is a side elevational view of a second embodi-
ment of the hay stacking machine of the invention in the empty
condition.
Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 21 showing a com-
pleted stack of hay on the machine.
Figure 23 is a side elevational view of the machine of
Figure 21 with the platform tilted and the stack of hay being
removed from-the platform.
Figure 24 is an enlarged plan view of the machine of Figure
21.
Figure 25 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line
25-25 of Figure 24.
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Figure 26 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line
26-26 of Figure 25.
Figure 27 is a sectional view taken along line 27-27 of
Figure 26.
Figure 28 is a side elevation view along line 28-28 of
Figure 24 looking in the direction of the arrows.
Figure 29 is an enlarged sectional ~iew taken along line
29-29 of Figure 24.
Figure 30 is an enlarged foreshortened sectional view taken
along line 30-30 of Figure 24.
,
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
The hay stacking machine referred to generally in Figure
1 at 10 has a frame 12 having wheels 14 and a tongue 16 for
attachment to a tractor 18. Frame 12 at its forward end carries
a pickup rake 20 which feeds hay to a screw conveyor 22 having
oppositely disposed flights for moving hay to the center there-
of to be fed through a roller compressor 24 just prior to being
fed into a feeding trough 26, as seen in Figure 16A, in a cir-
cular table or platform 28.
Platform 28 is carried on frame 12 by side frame mem-
bers 30 being pivoted at 32. Power cylinders 34 connected
to frame 12 operate to tilt platform 28 between a loading and
; transport position and an unloading position. An unloading
apron 36 is positioned rearwardly of circular platform 28 on
which the stack of hay 96 is formed.
Platform 28 in Figures 5 and 7 has an annular channel
38 around its outer periphery which slidably and rotatably
receives a slide block 40 of plastic material such as(Ryerson
` 30 ~2, Ryerson ~ Sons, Chicago, Illinois. Slide block 40 is
attached to an annular cage or frame 42 by bolts 44. An out-
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wardly facing channel 46 is provided on the annular frame 42.A plurality of spaced apart teeth 48 attached to channel 46
engage a drive chain 50. Chain 50 is powered by a pair of
hydraulic motors 52 mounted on the front end of platform 28,
as seen in Figure 3, and a pair of drive motors 54 mounted on
the rear end of platform 28 to provide continuous rotation
of the annular frame 42. Frame 42 supports a plurality of
spaced apart upright posts 56. A compression is movably
mounted on each post. Each compression arm 58 includes an
upper arm 60 pivotally connected with pin 62 to the top of
post 56 and a lower arm 64 pivotally connected with pin 66
to post 56 adjacent platform 28. The inner end of lower arm
64 is pivotally and slidably connected to upper arm 60 and
moves in a track 67 attached to upper arm 60. Arm 60 is
raised and lowered in response to operation of a hydraulic
cylinder 70 extending between post 56 and the outer end portion
72 of arm 60. Arm 60 is V-channel shape~ in cross section,
as seen in Figure 6, to provide maximum strength with minimum
weight. As shown in Figure 5, the maximum downward pressure
on hay 96 on platform 28 occurs when the compression arms 58
are extending generally laterally outwardly. Minimum pressure
is applied to hay 96 when the arms 58 are extending substan-
tially upwardly due to the outer end portion 72 being shorter
when the compression arms 58 are extending upwardly.
Compression arms 58 are operated by the power cylinders
70, as seen in Figure 19, which are in a separate system from
other operational systems of the hay stacking machine. An
electric motor 74 powered from tractor 18 drives a pump 76 in
communication with a reservoir 78 connected to a relief valve
80 set at 2200 p.s.i. such that this pressure is maintained
in each of the cylinders 70 at all times. Two-way operation
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of the cylinders 70 is possible through the two-way control
valve 82. Continuous operation of the motor 74 and pump 76
is avoided by temporary operation occurring at every revolu-
tion of platform 28 by operation of a switch actuator 84, as
seen in Figure 18. Thus, if the pressure has fallen below
the 2200 p.s.i. level it will be automatically brought back
up each revolution of platform 28.
Each power cylinder 70 operatively operates three com-
pression arms 58 through a laterally extending drive shaft 90
having a universal joint 92. Posts 56 are further intercon-
nected by fencing pipes 94 to form a cage for the stack of hay
96. Lower arms 64 carry enlarged trapezoidal pressure plates
100 which assist in shaping stack of hay 96 and applying uni-
form pressure to it as the stack of hay is being formed. The
pressure provided by compression arms 58 on the hay being fed
to platform 28 is particularly important in the early form-
ing stages when the hay weight is small in order to maintain
the sweeping action of the hay on platform 28, which picks up
hay coming from trough 26. As the stack of hay 96 grows and
its weight increases the problem is less and the pressure
applied by the compression arms 58 becomes less due to the
change in length of the lever arm of end portion 72.
As shown in Figure 3, a plurality of rails 94 are mounted
on posts 56 to form a circular cage around platform 28. The
cage has two gate sections 104 which can swing outwardly to
the dash-line position of Figure 3 away from the supporting
annular frame 42. Rails 94 are pivoted through sleeves 106
slidably and rotatably embracing vertical tubular posts 108.
A conventional latch 107 is employed for locking the free ends
of the gates 104 together in their closed position.
The push-off arm for the hay stack 96 is best seen in
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Figures 3, 9 and 10 and includes an arcuate member 110 con-
nected at its opposite ends to a pair of drive chains 112
recessed in platform 28. Drive chains 112 are powered by a
hydraulic motor 114 connected to a shaft 116 by a sprocket
chain 118, as seen in Figure 9. Thus it is seen that operation
of the push-off member 110 moves the member across trough 26
to the rear end of platform 28 whereupon it is then returned
to the forward end adjacent annular frame 42 ready for the
nex.t push-off operation.
Trough 26 is best seen in Figures 3, 11, 12, 16 and
16A and includes a longitudinally extending vertical side wall ,-
120 positioned under a platform wall portion 122. A bottom
wall portion 124 extends from the lower edge of the vertical
wall 120 laterally to merge at 126 with the top surface of
platform 28, as seen in Figure 16. The forward end of trough
26 is defined by a forwardly and upwardly extending portion
128 which merges into the top surface of pla*form 28. A
laterally extending slot 130 is formed at the forward end of
platform portion 122 and extends to substantially the vertical
wall 120, as seen in Figure ll. Trough 26 is provided with
an inlet mouth opening 130 at the outer peripheral edge of
platform 28 and this opening is adapted to communicate with
a feeding apron 135 which receives a flattened layer of hay
from the compressing roller 24, as seen in Figure 3.
The hay, as seen in Figure 16, is fed from mouth opening
130 in trough 26 to platform 28 by reciprocal operation of
staggered vertical and horizontally oriented feed means 132
and 134, respectively. Peed means 132 includes an elongated
frame member 136 along which are spaced U-shaped teeth 138
adapted to extend through the vertical wall 120 utilizing the
slots 140 formed in the wall. A pair of crank arms 142 carried
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on shafts 146 rotate in response to a drive sprocket 144 driven
by a hydraulic motor 150. A further crank arm 152 is connected
to the shaft 146 and extends in the opposite direction there-
from, as seen in Figure 11. Crank arm 152 is then connected
to an elongated link member 154 for reciprocally operating
the feeding means 134 which is 180 out of phase with the feed-
ing means 134.
The forward end of feed means 132 is pivotal about an
axis of shaft 156 connected to a link 158 in turn having a
tooth 160 with a perpendicularly extending arm 162 pivotally
connected thereto at 164. An adjustable rod 166 connects the ~.
outer free end of the link 162 to a link 168 connected at
the pivot shaft 156. Rod 166 includes an adjustable nut 170
and is adapted to slidably move through an ear 172 such that
tooth 160 is free to pivot forwardly when the feeding means
132 is on the out phase of each revolution of crank arm 142
whereby tooth 160 moves under the hay. On the other hand,
when feed means 132 is moving forwardly to the left, as seen
in Figure 14, rod 166 limits clockwise pivotal movement of
the tooth and thus the hay is moved to the left or forwardly
onto platform 28. The other teeth 138 reciprocate in and out
of wall 120, as seen in Figures 11, 14 and 15, and thus on
the out phase of crank 142 revolution the teeth are withdrawn
from the trough and on the feeding phase of the revolution
the teeth are in the trough as seen in Figures 11 and 15
pushing hay onto the platform from the trough, as seen in
Pigure 16.
The vertically arranged feeding means 134, as previously
indicated, is 180 out of phase and thus~when it is on the out-
take feeding mean~s 132 is on the intake moving hay forwardly.Feeding means 134 includes a guide channel 180 welded to the
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bottom wall 124 of the trough 26. An elongated plate member
190 is positioned below the bottom wall 124 in the channel
180 and carries a plurality of spaced apart teeth 192 having
forward vertical edges 194 and rearwardly tapering smooth
edges 196 such that when teeth 192 are moving forwardly in
the trough towards the platform the forward edges 194 grip
the hay and move it forwardly but when feeding means 134 is
moving to the right or outwardly the smooth edges 196 slide
under the hay with no affect thereon.
The power for operating the rake 20, auger 22 and com-
pressing roller 24, is supplied by the power takeoff drive
shaft 200 driven by the tractor 18. The power takeoff also
drives a pump 202, as seen in Figure 20, which in turn is
connected to a reservoir 204 and relief valve 206 for opera-
tion of the unloading power cylinder and rotating cage motors
52 and 54. Feed motor 150 for the feeding means 132 and 134
is also driven by the pump 202 as is the push-off motor 114.
The rotating cage motors are operated by a control valve 208
while the valve 210 operates the feed motor 150 and the push-
off motor 114 are operated by the valve 212.
Thus it is seen in operation that the tractor 18 pulls
the hay stacking machine 10 along picking up hay 220 on the
ground through the pickup rake 20 which feeds it to the auger
22 having inwardly directing flights in turn directing the
hay then to the compressing roller 24 which feeds it onto the
apron 135 adapted to register with the inlet trough opening
130 at the exterior peripheral edge of the table 28. It is
seen that this communication is established only when the
table 28 is in its loading or transport position of Figure 1
and is broken when the table is tilted to the unloading posi-
tion of Figure 17. The hay continues its travel into the
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trough 26 where it is fed along the trough by the recipro-
cating out of phase feed means 132 and 134 in the vertical
trough wall 120 and bottom wall 124. Each of these feed means
are substantially covered by the platform wall portion 122
which allows the hay in the trough 26 to be fed onto the
platform 28 at the forward end of the trough by the hay moving
upwardly along the forward trough wall 128, as seen in Figure
11, and through the laterally extending notch 130 in platform
~all portion 122. Notch 130 extends to substantially the
vertical trough wall 120. The side of the trough opposite
the wall 120 is formed by the merging of the bottom wall 124
with the top surface of platform 28, as seen in Figure 16.
With the hay on the platform 28 the compression arms 58 having
portions 60 and 64 extend downwardly onto the hay 74 to com-
press it against platform 28 and cause it to sweep the hay coming
out of the trough 26 up and onto platform 28 thereby building
the stack of hay 96 from the bottom up as frame 42 carrying
the compression arms 58 rotates about pla*form 28. The rota-
tion of frame 42 includes the cage of pipes 94. When stack
of hay 96 is completed the cage, which has been continuously
rotating, is stopped with gates 104 facing the rear over
unloading apron 36 and then the unloading cylinders 34 operated
to tip platform 28 downwardly at the rear end, as seen in
Figure 17 whereupon the push-off member 110 is operated and
moves from the front of platform 28 to the rear taking with
it the stack of hay 96. The push-off member 110 is then
returned to the forward end of platform 28 ready for the next
unloading operation. Platform 28 is returned to its horizontal
transport and loading position and the gates 104 are swung
closed. The compression arms 58 are again lowered ready to
act upon the next hay fed from trough 26 to the center of plat-
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form 28. It is seen in Figure 3 that the inner ends of the
upper compression arms 58 all converge at the center of plat-
form 28 which also is at the slot 130 such that the compres-
sion arms 58 readily engage the hay and begin the revolution
thereof over platform 28 surface 28 as the cage rotates in a
counterclockwise fashion.
It is appreciated that positive control is maintained
over the feeding of the hay onto platform 28 such that it can
be proportioned under the stack and distributed evenly thus
10 causing the stack to grow or rise on an even basis. The stack
is formed independently of the operator of the pulling vehicle.
The windrow of hay 220 may pass under any portion of the pick-
up rake 20 and in any event it will be funneled by the screw
conveyor 22 through the restricted passageway through the roller
compressor 24 onto the apron 135 and then into the trough 26
through the inlet mouth opening 130. Accordingly, the stack
will grow uniformly avoiding tearing action that might other-
wise occur and thus maintain its capability of staying intact
when the stack of hay is being unloaded.
A second embodiment of the material stacking machine, or
hay stacking machine, of the invention is shown in Figures 21
to 30. The machine, indicated generally at 300, is operable
to pick up fibrous material from a location and build the fibrous
material into a firm stack from the bottom up. The fibrous
material can be hay, straw, cornstalks, flax, straw, and the
like. The material identified in the following description
is identified as hay. It is understood that other types of
materials can be formed into a stack with the machine of the
invention.
30As shown in Figures 21 and 22, hay 302 is located in a long
windrow on the ground 304. Machine 300 is connected to a
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tractor 306 operable to move machine 300 along the ground to
pick up the hay and build the stack. Machine 300 has a longi-
tudinal rectangular frame 308 supported on the ground with two
sets of wheels 310. A forwardly directed tongue 312 is secured
to the front end of 308. Tongue 312 is connected in a conven-
tional manner to the draw bar of tractor 306.
A material pickup unit 314, shown as a rotary pickup rake,
extends transversely across the front of frame 308. On forward
motion of the machine 300 pickup unit 314 operates to gently
pick up the hay from the windrow and move the hay rearwardly to
a centering screw conveyor 316. The screw conveyor 316 moves
the hay to the center line of the machine into a feed roller
318. Power units (not shown), as hydraulic motors connected
to the hydraulic system of tractor 306, function to operate the
pickup unit 314, screw conveyor 316, and feed roller 318.
A rearwardly directed tubular chute 320 is located behind
the feed roll 318. Chute 320 has an inlet passage that guides
the hay to an area below the outside edge of a generally hori-
zontal platform 322. As shown in Figure 24, platform 322 has
a circular configuration and a generally flat top or upper
surface. A rearwardly directed rectangular apron 324 is located
behind platform 322. The stack of hay 326 is built and supported
on platform 322.
Referring to Figures 25 to 27, the forward sector of plat-
form 322 has a circumferential lip or ledge 328. Ledge 328
extends from the center area of the platform to its outer peri-
phery. The ledge 328 is in alignment with the mid-part of
chute 320. A generally upright wall 330 is located below lip
328. An inclined plate 332 connects the upper end of wall 330
to the outer edge of lip 328. The lower end of wall 330 is
connected to an inclined ramp or bottom wall 334. Bottom wall
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334 inclines upwardly in a circumferential direction away from
wall 330 and merges with an inclined surface 335. Surface 335
joins the upper surface of platform 322. Walls 330 and 334
form an elongated radially extended depression space or feeding
trough 336. The trough 336 has an elongated space that is co-
extensive with the passage of chute 320 and extends from the
outer peripheral edge of platform 322 to a pocket 338 in the
central area of platform 322. Pocket 338 has an open top or
upper end.
A hay feeding mechanism indicated generally at 340 picks up
the hay from the inlet passage of chute 320 and moves the hay
in a longitudinal rearward direction or radial direction toward
the center of platform 322. The hay moves along trough 336 in
response to operation of the hay feeding mechanism 340. Hay
also moves in a circumferential direction up the inclined bottom
wall 334 and inclined surface 335 to the top surface of platform
322 to build up the stack from the bottom up.
Hay feeding mechanism 340 has a pair of spaced upright
shafts 342 and 344 rotatably mounted on opposite portions of
a support 346 secured to the platform frame. As shown in
Figure 26, a first laterally directed arm 348 is secured to
the upper end of shaft 342. A similar laterally directed arm
350 is secured to the upper end of shaft 344. A cross bar or
link 352 is pivotally connected to the outer ends of the arms
348 and 350. Forwardly directed teeth 354 are attached to
spaced portions of bar 352. The first tooth 354A extends for-
wardly and outwardly into the trough 320. Tooth 354 functions
to move the hay from the passage of chute 320 in a longitudinal
and circumferential direction in space 336. As shown in
Figure 27, teeth 354 extend through a longitudinal slot 356
in side wall 330 and are 180 out of phase with teeth 364.
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Rearwardly directed arms 358 and 360 are secured to the
lower ends of shafts 342 and 344 respectively. A tie bar or
link 362 is pivotally connected to the outer ends of arms 358
and 360. Forwardly directed teeth 364 are secured to spaced
portions of bar 362. The first tooth 364A extends in a forward
and outward direction. Teeth 364 are adapted to extend through
a lower elongated slot- 366 in side wall 330.
Shafts 343 and 344 are rotated with a motor 368, such as a
hydraulic or electric motor. A link chain 370 drivably connects
the motor 368 with the shafts 342 and 344 whereby on operation
of motor 368 the teeth 354 and 364 move in a generally circular
path as indicated by arrows 372 and sequentially move into and
out of the feeding trough 336. The alternating reciprocating
movement of the teeth 354 and 364 continuously moves the hay
from the inlet passage of chute 320 into the feeding trough
336.
A portion of the hay moved into the trough 336 is moved
to the center area of platform 322 and engages an elevator
means indicated generally at 374. Elevator means 374 operates
to move the hay in an upward direction to fill and form the
center portion of the stack of hay. Elevator means 374 has a
circular base plate 376 located at the bottom of the pocket
338. A downwardly directed shaft 378 rotatably mounted on the
bottom wall 334 is secured to the center of plate 376. A
chain and sprocket drive 380 drivably connects motor 368 with
shaft 378, whereby on operation of the motor 368 the feed
mechanism 340 and elevator means 378 are simultaneously rotated
at substantially the same speed. An upwardly directed helical
flight 382 is secured to the top of plate 376. Flight 382
is approximately a 180 helical segment, having a lower edge
secured by welds or the like to a radial portion of plate 376.
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The upper end of flight 382 is secured to an upright supportplate 386. The bottom of support plate 386 is secured by welds
or the like to plate 376. On operation of motor 368 the chain
and sprocket drive 380 rotates the helical flight 382 in the
direction of the arrow 386. This forces the hay in an upward
direction out of pocket 338. Feed mechanism 340 continuously
moves portions of hay into the pocket 338 whereby the elevator
means 374 will continuously build up the center portion of the
stack of hay.
Returning to ~igure 24, an annular cage assembly indicated
generally at 388 surrounds the platform 322. Cage assembly 388
rotates in a counter-clockwise direction carrying the hay in a
circumferential direction or circular path. Cage assembly 388
moves the entire stack so that the hay in the feeding trough
336 is moved up the inclined bottom wall 334 and inclined
surface 335 onto the top surface of platform 322 to build the
stack up from the bottom.
Referring to Figure 29, a channel beam or ring 390 is
secured to the outer edge of platform 322. Channel ring 390
opens in an outward direction and extends around platform 322.
Cage assembly 388 has an annular band 392 surrounding the out-
side of channel ring 390. A plurality of sliding support blocks
394 extended into the channel ring 390 are secured to band 392
with a plurality of bolts 396. Blocks 394 suppart the cage
assembly 388 on channel ring 390 and allow the cage assembly
388 to rotate relative to the ring 390 around platform 322.
The drive means for cage assembly includes a drive sprocket
398 secured to an upright shaft 400. A bearing block unit 402
rotatably supports the shaft 400 on channel ring 390. Band
392 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes 404
adapted to receive the teeth of the drive sprocket 398. The
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sprocket 398 is driven with a motor 406, as an electric or
hydraulic motor. A chain and sprocket drive 408 drivably
connects motor 406 to the shaft 400 whereby on operation of
the motor 406 the sprocket 390 rotates. This drives the entire
cage assembly 388 around platform 322. A plurality of driven
sprockets, similar to sprocket 398, can be used to drive the
band 392. Other types of drive mechanisms can be used to rotate
cage assembly around platfoTm 322.
Referring to Figure 28, a plurality of circumferentially
spaced upright posts 410 are secured to band 392. Vertically
spaced members 412, as stTaps or pipes, inter-connect adjacent
posts 410 to define a fence or caged area around platform 322.
Referring to Figure 24, rear sections 388A and 388B of
cage assembly 388 are pivoted at hinged units 414 and 416
whereby the rear part of the cage assembly 388 can be opened
as shown in broken lines to allow the completed stack to be
moved from the platform onto a storage location, such as the
ground. The rear sections 388A and 388B of cage assembly 388
are adapted to be secured together with a lock 418. The lock
418 can be a clevis unit adapted to receive a removable pin.
Arm means indicated generally at 420 movably mounted on the
posts 410 extend over platform 322. Arm means 420 engage por-
tions of the hay 326 on the platform to hold the hay during
the forming of the stack on platform 322. As shown in Figure
24, a plurality of arms extend in the generally radial direc-
tion from posts 410 to the center of area of platform 322.
Preferably, 12 arms are circumferentially spaced around plat-
form 322. The number of arms used to apply pressure on the
hay 326 can vary.
Referring to Figure 30, each arm of arm means 420 comprises
a first or upper elongated arm 422, having an inner end 422A
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adjacent to the center area of platform 322 on an outer end
422B, Outer end 422B of the arm is pivotally connected to the
upper end of posts 410 with a pi~ot pin 424. A second or lower
arm 426 is located below arm 422. A pivot pin 428 connects
the outer end of arm 426 to the lower end of posts 410. The
inner end of arm 426 is slidably mounted on arm 422 with a
slide member 430. Slide member 430 defines an elongated longi-
tudinal slot 432. A transverse slide member or pin 434 located
in slot 432 movably connects the inner end of arm 426 to the
mid-portion of the upper arm 422.
A generally flat plate 436 is secured to the inside surface
of the lower arm 426. As shown in Figure 24, plate 436 has a
generally trapezoidal shape with the side walls converging to-
ward the center of platform 322.
Arm means 422 and 426 are biased in a downward direction
by a biasing means indicated generally at 438. Biasing means
comprises a fluid operated means 440, shown as a cylinder and
piston assembly. A lower pin 442 pivotally connects the lower
end of the fluid operated means 442 to posts 410. The upper
end of the fluid operated means 440 is connected with a pin
444 to the outer end 422B of upper arm 422. The fluid operated
means 440 operates to selectively expand or contract to change
the angular position of arms 422 and 426. The fluid pressure
for the fluid operated means can be derived from a pump driven
by an electric motor. The fluid circuit can be the fluid cir-
cuit that is disclosed in Figure 19. The pump and motor are
mounted on the platform 322 or band 392 so as to rotate with
the cage assembly 388. The switch actuator 84 mounted on plat-
form 322, shown in Figure 18, is adapted to receive a stationary
contact connected to the electrical system of the tractor.
Switch actuator 84 will engage the stationary contact one time
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during each revolution of the cage assembly 388. This providespower to the electric motor, thereby driving the pump 76. The
pump 76 moves the fluid from reservoiT 78 to the fluid operated
means, thereby changing the angular position of the arm means
420. Other types of fluid supply circuits can be used to supply
fluid under pressure to the fluid operated means 440.
A plurality of fluid operated means 440 are located around
the cage assembly 388. Referring to Figure 28, a first drive
shaft 446 connects the pivot in 424 with the pivot pin for the
arm 422C. A similar drive shaft 448 connects the pin 424 with
the pivot pin for the arm 422D. The operation of the fluid
operated means 440 will concurrently rotate the drive shafts
446 and 448 whereby the single fluid operated means 440 will
control the angular position of the arm 422, 422C, and 422D.
Biasing means 438 operates in the same manner as the hydraulic
cylinder shown in Figure 4.
Returning to Figure 24, a pair of fluid cylinders 450 and
452 are mounted on frame 308 and connected to the forward por-
tion of platform 322. Cylinders 450 and 452 operate to control
the tilt position of platform 322. As shown in Figure 23, when
cylinders 450 and 452 are extended, platform 322 tilts in a
rearward direction with the apron 324 located adjacent the
ground 304. The stack 326 is removed from the platform 322 by
opening the rear cage assembly sections 388A and 388B as shown
in broken lines in Figure 24. An arcuate pusher 454 is located
adjacent the forward portion of platform 322. Pusher 454 is
connected to a pair of rearwardly directed chains 456 and 458.
Pusher 454 is moved in a rearward direction by operation of a
motor 460, such as an electric or hydraulic motor. Motor 460
is-connected to a chain and sprocket drive 462 which operates
to pull the chains 456 and 458 to move pusher in a rearward
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l~B1~75
direction.
In use, the material stacking machine 300 is moved along
the field with a pickup unit 314 operating to pick up a wind-
row of hay and deliver the hay to the inlet passage of chute
320. The pickup unit is an elongated conveyor adapted to
receive the hay. The hay can be fed into the pickup unit from
a stationary source, or manually fed into the inlet passage of
chute 320. The hay in the inlet passage of chute 320 is picked
up by the fingers 354A and 364A of the reciprocating feeding
mechanism 340 and moved from the outer peripheral edge area
of the platform 322 toward the center of the platform in the
feeding trough 336. The hay in the feeding trough 336 is
moved in a circumferential or circular path in response to
rotation of cage assembly 388. The hydraulic motor 406 operates
to rotate the drive sprocket 398. This rotates the cage assembly
in the counter-clockwise direction shown in Figure 24. Arm
means 420 being mounted on the posts 410 rotate with cage
assembly 388. The hay located on platform 322 is circumfer-
entially moved with arm means 420. The hay moving over the
lip 328 picks up additional hay in the feeding trough 336,
whereby an additional amount of hay is moved up under the
stack so that the stack is built from the bottom up.
The hay in the center portion of the stack is built up by
the movement of hay in an upward direction caused by the eleva- -
tor means 374. The motor 368 rotates the helical segment 382
so that hay moved to the center area of the platform is elevated
to build up the center of the stack 326. Elevator means 374
operates concurrently with the feeding mechanism 340, since
they are drivably connected to a common drive motor 368.
As shown in Figure 22, the stack is built in an upward
direction. Arm means 420 pivot upwardly and outwardly allowing
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the stacks to move or rise above platform 322. Referring to
Figure 30, as the arm means 420 pivot in an upward direction
the biasing force due to the fluid operated means 440 decreases.
The arm means 420 are maintained in engagement with the size
of the stack, whereby the upright shape of the stack is con-
trolled by arm means 420.
In terms of the method of making a stack of material, such
as hay, with the machine of the invention, the hay is initially
moved into the space or feeding trough 336. This is accomplished
by operation of the feed roller 318 in conjunction with the
feeding mechanism 340. The hay moves from the outer edge of
platform 320 toward the center of the platform. The hay
reaching the center of the platform is elevated into the center
area of the stack to build up the center of the stack. Other
portions of the hay are moved from the feeding trough in an
upwardly and inclined circumferential direction or a circular
path to form the stack from the bottom up. Pressure is applied
in a downward direction on top portions of the hay during the
movement of the hay in circular paths over the platorm 322.
The completed stack is removed from the platform by operation
of the pusher 454.
While there has been shown and-described the preferred
embodiments of the invention and methods of making a stack of
materials, such as hay, it is understood that changes in
materials and structures and modifications can be made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the invention. The
invention is defined by the following claims.
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