Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02442580 2003-09-25
SALE PROCESSOR
FIELD OF INVENTION:
The invention relates to an improved apparatus for
disintegrating bales of agricultural material such as hay.
BACKGROUND:
Bale processors, including processors of the type
having a tub with longitudinally disposed disintegration
flail rollers and bale support rollers (as disclosed in
Canadian Patent No. 2,086,569 owned by the applicant herein)
are known. However, primarily due to the large size and
weight of modern "square" bales (which have a rectangular
configuration), problems may be encountered with operational
flexibility and durability of some processors. Further, the
majority of the processors known to the inventors are only
adapted to process one type of common form of bale (i.e.
'°round" or "square") and are only adapted to discharge out of
one side of the processor. Moreover, some known processors
are not adapted for easy use with older tractors due to
hydraulic feed line requirements exceeding the typical number
of hydraulic ports on such tractors.
SUN~?ARY OF INVENTION a
It is an object of the present invention to provide
a bale processor having operational flexibility and enhanced
durability. According to a broad aspect of the invention,
the invention provides an apparatus for processing baled crop
material comprising: a chassis having a front anal back end
and a left and right side; a bale receptacle; a disintegrator
mounted in the bale receptacle adapted to disintegrate baled
crop material in the bale receptacle and discharge the
CA 02442580 2004-11-23
processed baled material out of the bale receptacle; and a
manipulator mounted in the bale receptacle adapted to
manipulate the baled crop material to expose different parts
thereof to the disintegrator; wherein the bale receptacle is
adapted to be mounted on the chassis such that processed
baled material can be discharged on either the left or right
side of the chassis.
According to another aspect of the invention, the
invention provides an apparatus for processing baled crop
material comprising: a chassis having a front and back end
and a left and right side; a processing tub having two
opposing end walls, two opposing side walls and a discharge
opening located in one of the side walls; a disintegrator
mounted in the processing tub adapted to disintegrate baled
crop material in the processing tub and discharge the
processed baled material out the discharge opening; and a
manipulator mounted in the processing tub adapted to
manipulate the baled crop material to expose different parts
thereof to the disintegrator; wherein the distance between
the two end walls of the processing tub is at least 10 feet
in order to accommodate a large square bale or, at least two
round bales longitudinally therein for processing.
According to yet another aspect of the invention,
the invention provides an apparatus for processing baled crop
material comprising: a chassis having a front and back end
and a left and right side; a bale receptacle mounted on the
chassis; a disintegrator mounted in the bale receptacle
adapted to disintegrate baled crop material in the bale
receptacle and discharge the processed baled material out of
the bale receptacle; a fork lift mounted on the rear of the
chassis to raise baled crop material from the ground into the
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bale receptacle wherein the fork lift is adjustable to
receive baled crop material of different configurations.
According to yet another aspect of the invention,
the invention provides an apparatus for processing baled crop
material comprising: a chassis having a front and back end
and a left and right side; a bale receptacle mounted on the
chassis, the bale receptacle having a discharge opening; a
disintegrator mounted in the bale receptacle adapted to
disintegrate baled crop material in the bale receptacle and
discharge the processed baled material out the discharge
opening; a manipulator mounted in the bale receptacle
adapted to manipulate the baled crop material to expose
different parts thereof to the disintegrator; at least one
hydraulic motor for driving the manipulator; a discharge door
pivotally mounted above the discharge opening to direct
processed baled material discharged from the discharge
opening; at least one hydraulic cylinder attached to the
discharge door to raise and lower the discharge door; a
selector valve having a first output connected to the at
least one hydraulic motor and a second output connect to the
at least one hydraulic cylinder, the selector valve being
adapted to move between a first setting and second setting
wherein hydraulic fluid flow from an input hydraulic line is
directed to the first output or the second output
respectively; and an actuator to move the selector valve
between the first setting and the second setting.
According to yet another aspect of the invention,
the invention provides an apparatus for processing baled crop
material comprising: a chassis having a front and back end
and a left and right side; a bale receptacle mounted on the
chassis; and a disintegrator mounted in the bale receptacle
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adapted to disintegrate baled crop material in the bale
receptacle and discharge the processed material out of the
bale receptacle; wherein the chassis has two ground engaging
wheels rotatably mounted on an adjustable axle such that the
distance between the two wheels can be adjusted.
The invention provides an improved bale processor
that is easily convertible from a left-hand discharge
arrangement to a right-hand discharge arrangement.
Furthermore, the bale processor can process a large square
bale or, alternatively, one or more round bales and includes
an adjustable bale loading mechanism for loading bales of
different configurations. Moreover, the bale processor
includes a hydraulic selector assembly such that a single set
of hydraulic lines can be used to operate two separate
hydraulic systems on the bale processor.
Brief Description of the Drawings:
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described by way of example with reference to the attached
drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a bale
processor according to an embodiment of the invention in the
left-hand discharge arrangement;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the processing
tub of a bale processor according to an embodiment of the
invention;
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the
processing tub of a bale processor according to an embodiment
of the invention with a disintegrator mounted therein;
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Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the
processing tub of a bale processor according to an embodiment
of the invention with a feed roller mounted therein;
Figure 5 is a partially exploded perspective view
of a chassis of a bale processor with a fork lift mounted on
the rear thereof according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a bale
processor according to an embodiment of the invention in the
right-hand discharge arrangement;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of an end of the
disintegrator adapted for connection to the PTO of a tractor
according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a rotation
conversion device far a right-hand discharge arrangement of a
bale processor according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of an end of the
disintegrator adapted for connection to the rotation
conversion device according to an embodiment of the
invention;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a fork lift of a
bale processor according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the
processing tub of a bale processor according to an embodiment
of the invention with a discharge door mounted thereto;
Figure 12 is a side, cut away view of a bale
processor according to an embodiment of the invention showing
the hydraulic selector assembly;
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Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of a
hydraulic selector assembly according to an embodiment of the
invention;
Figure 14 is a perspective view of a bale processor
according to an embodiment of the invention in the left-hand
discharge arrangement; and
Figure 15 is a perspective view of a bale processor
according to an embodiment of the invention in the right-hand
discharge arrangement.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments:
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bale processor
comprises a processing tub 1 mounted on a chassis 3. The tub
1 has end walls 5 and 7 and side walls 9 and 11. A discharge
opening 13 is provided at the bottom of side wall 11. In the
embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 14, side wall 11 is located
on the left-hand side of the bale processor. As discussed
below, the processing tub 1 arid the chassis 3 are designed
such that the processing tub can be rotated 180 degrees to
position side wall 11 on the right-hand side of the apparatus
(see Figures 6 and 15).
The processing tub l is sized such that a large
square bale may be positioned lengthwise therein for
processing. Typically, an inside width of approximately 7.5
feet (side wall 9 to side wall 11) and an inside length of at
least 10 feet (from end wall 5 to end wall 7) is sufficient
to accommodate most large bales. A tub of these dimensions
can also accommodate two or more round bales lengthwise
therein for processing at the same time.
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As shown in Figure 3, a disintegration member 15 is
mounted within the processing tub 1. In the embodiment
illustrated, the disintegration member 15 comprises a flail
roller 17 extending the length of the processing tub 1 and
mounted in the bottom thereof.. The flail roller 17 is
rotatable about its longitudinal axis such that a series of
flails 19 pivotally mounted thereon extend to engage and
separate the baled material contained within the processing
tub 1.
The flail roller 17 is rotated by a power source
(not shown). In the embodiment shown, the flail roller 17 is
adapted to be detachably connected by a PTO drive of a
tractor. The flail roller 17 is provided with axial rods 18
and 20 extending from opposing ends thereof. The flail
roller 17 is secured in the processing tub 1 by axial rods 18
and 2o extending through a set of bearings 21 and 23 mounted
on end walls 5 and 7 respectively, thereby permitting axial
rotation of the flail roller. As discussed below, both axial
rods l8 and 20 are adapted to be detachably connected to the
PTO of a tractor.
As shown in Figure 4, the processing tub 1 is
provided with a bale manipulator. In the embodiment shown,
the bale manipulator comprises a feed roller 27 positioned on
each side of the flail roller 17, each feed roller extending
the length of the processing tub 1. The feed rollers 27 are
positioned such that the flails 19 engage the baled material
between the feed rollers when the flail roller 17 is rotated.
The side walls 9 and 11 of the tub 1 are shaped such that
material is directed into the flail roller 17.
Each feed roller 27 is rotatable in either
direction about its longitudinal axis by a reversible
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hydraulic motor 33. As shown in Figure 4, each feed roller
27 is mounted to end walls 5 and 7 by a roller mount 29
secured on the end walls 5 and 7 by an adjustable hanger 36.
A set of bearings 31 is positioned within each roller mount
29 to support the feed roller 27 while permitting rotation
thereof. The specifications for the bearings 31 are selected
depending upon the typical load conditions of the feed roller
27 during operation.
Each hydraulic motor 33 is mounted on to a motor
mount 35 which is secured at the upper end thereof to the
adjustable hanger 36 and roller mount 29. The hydraulic
motor 33 is detachably connected to the end of feed roller
27. Tn the embodiment shown, each end of each feed roller 27
has an axial rod 37 extending from it. The axial rods has a
splined female connection (not shown) adapted to releasably
receive a splined shaft 38 of the hydraulic motor 33.
Alternative arrangements for connecting the hydraulic motor
to the feed roller would be known to those skilled in the
art.
Each of the feed rollers 27 has teeth 39 and
flanges 40 extending radially therefrom. The teeth 39 and
flanges 40 engage the baled material as the feed roller 27
rotates thereby rotating the baled material and exposing
different sections thereof to the flails 19 for
disintegration.
As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the chassis 3 includes
a hitch 41 mounted at the front thereof and an axle 43
positioned near the rear. As best seen in Figure 5, axle 43
has a hollow center portion 45 extending transversely across
and secured to chassis 3 and end portions 47 adapted to be
inserted therein on each side of the chassis 3. A ground
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engaging wheel {not shown} is attached to each end portion
47. Each end portion 47 are adapted to slide axially within
the center portion 45 to adjust the width of axle 43. End
portions 47 are lockable at the desired location by insertion
of a locking pin 49 through holes provided in the center
portion 45 and in the end portions 47. Accordingly, the axle
43 can be widened to provide the apparatus with more
stability over uneven terrain or narrowed to facilitate
transport along a road or highway. Furthermore, the axle 43
can be widened to improve stability of the bale processor
while large bales or more than one bale is loaded into the
processing tub 1.
As shown in Figure 1, axle 43 is also provided with
jack mounts 51 to facilitate connection to a jack assembly
(not shown). Each jack mount comprises a square bracket 53
with a hole 55 in the top and bottom thereof. The square
bracket 53 is sized to accept the male connection of the jack
assembly. A locking pin (not shown) is inserted through the
holes 55 to maintain the jack assembly connected during
operation. The jack assembly is used to raise a side of the
bale processor such that the width of the axle 43 can be
adjusted as set out above.
The processing tub 1 is detachably connected to the
chassis 3 such that apparatus can be converted from a left-
hand discharge arrangement as shown in Figures 1 and 14 to a
right-hand discharge apparatus as shown in Figures 6 and 15
or vice-a-versa. The processing tub 1 has front to back
symmetry to facilitate the conversion.
As shown in Figure 1, in the left-hand discharge
arrangement, three support legs 57 are bolted to the right-
hand side of the chassis 3 by U-shaped bolts 59. A step 61
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extending the length of side wall 9 is positioned on the top
of the support legs 57. The processing tub 1 is connected to
the support legs 57 by bolts 63. End walls 5 and 7 of the
processing tub 1 are provided with brackets 65 and 67 at the
bottom thereof for connecting the processing tub 1 to the
chassis 3 by U Shaped bolts 69. In the arrangement shown in
Figure l, as a result of the configuration of the chassis 3,
bracket 65 on end wall 7 and bracket 67 on end wall 5 are use
to connect the processing tub 1 to the left side of chassis
3.
In the left-hand discharge arrangement, the flail
roller 17 is rotated in a clockwise direction (viewed from
the rear of the machine?. Accordingly, the flail roller 17
can be connected directly to the PTO of most tractors. As
shown in Figure 7, the axial rod 18 is splined at the end
thereof for insertion into the female splined connection on
the standard PTO of a tractor.
As shown in Figure 6, the bale processor is
converted to the right-hand discharge arrangement by
disconnecting the processing tub 1 from the chassis 3 and the
support legs 57. The support legs 57 are subsequently
disconnected from the chassis 3 and moved to left side of the
chassis 3 and secured thereto by U-shaped bolts 59. The
processing tub 1 is rotated by 180 degrees thereby
positioning side wall 21 on the right-hand side of the
apparatus. Step 61 in side wall 11 is positioned on tap of
support legs 57 and secured thereto by bolts 63. The tub is
attached to the right-hand side of chassis 3 by securing
bracket 65 on end wall 5 and bracket 67 on end wall 7 to the
right side of the chassis with U-shaped bolts 69.
CA 02442580 2003-09-25
Prior to conversion of the apparatus from the left-
hand discharge arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 14 to the
right-hand discharge arrangement shown in Figures 6 and 15,
the hydraulic motors 33 and hydraulic motor mounts 35 must be
disconnected and the flail drum 17 disconnected from the
power source. Any other hydraulics or other systems would
also be disconnected. Once the processing tub 1 is arranged
in the right-hand discharge arrangement, the hydraulic motors
33 and motor mounts 35 are connected to end wall 7 of the
processing tub 1 now located at the front of the chassis 3.
As bearings 31 are provided at each end of the feed rollers
27, the feed rollers need not be removed to move the bearings.
from one end of the feed rollers to the other.
Any other hydraulics or other systems are also
reconnected to the bale processor once the processing tub 1
is secured to the chassis. In particular, the power source
is connected to axial rod 20. However, in the right-hand
discharge arrangement, the flail roller 17 must be rotated in
a counter-clockwise direction (when viewed from the rear)
during operation. Accordingly, if the power source rotates
in a clockwise direction (i.e. a PTO of a typical tractor) a
rotation conversion device must be positioned between the
power source and the flail roller 17.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the rotation
conversion device comprises a gearbox 71 of the type commonly
used in the industry. The gearbox 71 is positioned on a
dampener 73 to reduce the load on bearings 23 and the power
source due to the weight of the rotation conversion device.
In addition, the dampener 73 also serves to absorb the
vibrations and rotation of the gearbox 71 during acceleration
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or deceleration, especially during the start-up and shut
down.
The damping mechanism 73 is mounted to the chassis
3 by brackets 75 which are secured to the chassis by U-shaped
bolts 77. An upper support 79 having a lip 81 is secured to
each of the brackets 75. A cross support 83 is secured to
bottom of gearbox 71 and extends between brackets 75. The
cross support 83 is mounted to each of the upper supports 79
by bolts 85 which extend through the cross support and
through lips 81. Upper compression springs 87 are axially
mounted on bolts 85 between the cross supports 83 and. the
lips 81 of upper supports 79. Lower compression springs 89
are positioned on bolts 85 below lips 81 and maintained in
position by a nut 91.
The upper compression springs 87 are compressed to
exert a slight upper pressure on the gearbox 71 to remove
stresses of the weight of the gearbox from bearings 23 and
the power source. Furthermore, during operation, as the
gearbox 71 rotates, opposing upper and lower compressions
springs 87 and 89 co-operate to return the cross support 83,
and thus the gearbox 71, to a level position.
Gearboxes known in the art are typically provided
with a male splined connector for connecting to the input and
output shafts (not shown). Accordingly, as shown in Figure
9, axial rod 20 is provided with a female splined connector
adapted to receive the male splined connector of gearbox 71.
As shown in Figure 8, a connection arm 93 is attached to the
top of the gearbox 71 at one end thereof and secured to a
bracket 95 mounted on the processing tub 1. The connection
arm prevents the gearbox 71 from pulling away from the
processing tub 1 thereby disconnecting from the axial rod 20.
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It would be understood by those skilled in the art
that alternative rotation conversion devices, such as a belt
or chain arrangement could be used without departing from the
invention in its broadest aspect.
As shown in Figure .3, a protective covering 25 is
provided to cover the axial rod 18 or 20 extending from the
back end wall of the machine. In the right-hand discharge
arrangement shown in Figure 3p the protective covering 25 is
mounted on end wall 5 to cover the portion of axial rod 18
extending through bearings 21.
As shown in Figures 5 and 10, an adjustable fork
lift 97 is mounted on the rear of chassis 3 for raising baled
material into the processing tub 1. The adjustability of the
fork lift 97 permits bales of different configurations to be
lifted into the processing tub 1 (i.e. large °'square" bales
or one or more "round" bales). The fork lift 97 is mounted
to each side of the chassis 3 by a mounting bracket 99
secured to the chassis by U-shaped bolts 101. An L-shaped
fork lift frame 103 is pivotally attached to each of the
mounting brackets 99. A hydraulic cylir~der 105 is pivotally
mounted between the fork lift frame 103 and mounting brackets
99 to raise and lower the fork lift frame.
Two forks 107 are mounted to a bottom cross bar 109
of the fork lift frame 103 by curved brackets 111. The
curved brackets 111 are adapted to slide axially along the
cross bar 109 to adjust the separation between the two forks
107. Each side of the cross bar 109 is provided with a
series of adjustment holes 113 to receive a locking pin 115
which is inserted through a hole 117 provided in the front of
curved brackets 111 to lock the forks 107 at the desired
location.
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As best shown in Figure 10, the length of each fork
107 is also adjustable. Each fork 107 includes a rear
section 119 and a front section 121 mounted on the rear
section by square brackets 123. The square brackets 123
slide axially along the rear section 119 to adjust the length
of the fork 107. Each square bracket 123 is provided with
holes 125 on opposing sides thereof and the rear section is
provided with a series of adjustment holes 127. Accordingly,
the fork 107 can be locked at a desired length by insertion
of a locking pin or bolt through the holes 125 in the square
brackets 123 and one of the adjustment holes 127 in the rear
section 119.
The front section 121 of each fork 107 has a bale
carrier 129 extending inwardly towards the opposing fork.
The bale carriers 129 are the main contact surface for the
baled material and prevent the baled material from passing
between the forks 107 as it is loaded into the processing tub
1. A bale spear 131 is also mounted on the cross bar 109
between the two forks 107. As the baled material is
positioned on forks 107 and slides toward cross bar 109, the
bale spear 131 punctures the baled material to maintain the
baled material in position as it is raised into the
processing tub 1.
As shown in Figure 11, a discharge door 132 is
pivotally attached to side wall 11 above the discharge
opening 13. The discharge door 132 is raised and lowered to
direct the processed bale material as it is ejected from the
discharge opening 13. A hydraulic cylinder 133 is pivotally
mounted between the processing tub 1 and the discharge door
132 to raise and lower the discharge door. When the bale
processor is in the left-hand discharge arrangement as shown
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in Figure 14, the hydraulic cylinder 133 is mounted to end
wall 5. When the bale processor is in the right-hand
discharge arrangement as shown in Figure 15, the hydraulic
cylinder is mounted on end wall 7.
As shown irx Figures 12 and 13, the bale processor
has a hydraulic selector assembly 135 comprising a selector
valve 137 mounted on the chassis 3 and the front end wall of
the processing tub 1, a rod 139 extending from the selector
valve 137 to beyond the rear of the chassis 3 and an
actuation assembly 141. The selector valve 137 includes a
selector valve head 143 mounted within a casing 145 by bolts
147 and nuts 149. The selector valve 137 has inputs 151
positioned on the top thereof and a first and second outputs
153 and 155 positioned on opposing sides. A spool 157 is
mounted within the selector valve head 137 and is axially
slidable therein between a first position wherein the
hydraulic fluid flow in the inputs 151 is directed to the
first outputs 153 and a second position wherein the hydraulic
fluid flow from the inputs 151 is directed to the second
outputs 155.
The actuation assembly 141 moves the spool 157
between the first position and the second position and
includes two springs 159 and 161, a spacer 163, a washer 165
and a nut 167 each of which are axially mounted on a bolt 169
which is secured to spool 157. Nut 167 secures the washer
165 and the spacer 163 to the spool 157. Spring 161 has a
diameter sufficiently large to be mounted over the spacer 163
and washer 165 has a diameter larger than spring 161 thereby
maintaining the spring in position between the washer and the
selector valve head 143. The length of spring 161 and spacer
163 are selected such that, when assembled, the spring 161 is
CA 02442580 2003-09-25
slightly compressed thereby exerting a rearward force on
washer 165 to maintain the spool 157 in the first position
when no forward force is exerted on washer 165.
Spring 159 is positioned between a washer 171
mounted on the front end of rod 139 and washer 165. A
portion of rod 139 extends beyond washer 171 to maintain the
spring 159 in position. The strength of spring 159 is
greater than the strength of spring 161. Accordingly,
movement of rod 139 towards the selector valve 137 causes
spring 159 to exert a force on washer 1~5 thereby compressing
spring 161 and moving the spool 157 forward within selector
valve head 143. Sufficient movement of rod 139 towards the
selector valve 137 moves the selector valve to the second
position. The selector valve head 143 is designed such that
the spool 157 cannot move forward in the selector valve head
once it is in the second position.
A gap is provided betvaeen the rod 139 and the bolt
169. Accordingly, if rod 139 is moved further towards
selector valve 137 once the spool 157 has moved into the
second position, spring 159 is compressed without altering
the position of other elements of the connection
assembly 141. This arrangement allows facilitates adjustment
of the system while preventing damage to the spool 157,
selector valve head 143 and/or rod 139.
The rod 139 is forced towards the selector valve
137 by the lowering of fork lift 97. As shown in Figure 12,
the rear end of rod 139 extends beyond chassis 3 and is
threaded with a nut coupling 173 mounted thereon. The nut
coupling 173 is rotated to provide slight adjustments in the
length of rod 139.
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When fork lift 97 is lowered, the fork lift abuts
rod 139 forcing it towards the selector valve 137, thereby
moving the spool 157 from the first position to the second
position as described above. The front of spool 157 is
provided with bolt 175 adapted to abut with a door 177
pivotally mounted to the casing 145 when the spool is moved
to the second position, thereby raising the door as an
indication that the selector valve 137 is activated. As the
fork lift 97 is raised, spring 161 exerts a rearward force on
washer 165 moving the spool 157 back to the first position
and moving the rod 139 rearwardly.
The hydraulic selector assembly 135 provides the
ability to operate the three hydraulic systems of the bale
processor (the hydraulic motors 33, the hydraulic cylinders
105 for the fork lift 97 and the hydraulic cylinder 133 for
the discharge door 131) with only two hydraulic lines. The
first set of hydraulic lines are attached to the hydraulic
cylinders 105 to raise and lower the fork lift 97. Z'he
second set of hydraulic lines are attached to inputs 151 of
the selector valve 137. The first and second outputs 153 and
155 of the selector valve 137 are each connected to one of
the other hydraulic systems. Typically, the first outputs
153 are connected to the hydraulic system used most
frequently (i.e. hydraulic motors 33). The fork lift 97 is
raise and lowered to selectively direct the hydraulic fluid
flow in the second set of hydraulic lines between the
hydraulic motors 33 and the hydraulic cylinder 133.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art
that numerous alterations, modifications and variations to
the above embodiments can be made without departing from the
invention as claimed.
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