EP0474719A1

EP0474719A1 - Bale-wrapper apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP0474719A1
Application number: EP19900908577
Authority: EP
Inventors: Njaal Fykse
Original assignee: Kverneland Underhaug AS
Current assignee: Kverneland Underhaug AS
Priority date: 1989-06-03
Filing date: 1990-06-04
Publication date: 1992-03-18
Also published as: WO1990014756A1; GB8912832D0

Abstract

La présente invention décrit un appareil destiné à emballer les balles (10, 100) qui peut être mis en remorque derrière une presse du type utilisé pour la fabrication de balles cylindriques. L'appareil reçoit les balles en provenance de la presse et les enveloppe automatiquement d'un film plastique étiré. Dans une version, l'appareil (10) possède un plateau tournant (16) qui fait tourner la balle autour de son axe horizontal (17), alors que lui-même tourne autour d'un axe vertical. Ainsi, le film distribué par un rouleau forme automatiquement un emballage étanche autour de la balle. Dans une autre version, un rouleau distributeur (119) annexe tourne autour de la balle, laquelle est posée sur un plateau fixe (116) muni de rouleaux (117) qui font tourner la balle sur son axe. Un mécanisme de ramassage (23, 25) est installé à l'avant de l'appareil pour recevoir les balles que la presse a déchargées, avant de les soulever et de les transporter une à une par l'arrière sur les rouleaux (17, 117) du plateau pour y être emballées.The present invention describes an apparatus for wrapping bales (10, 100) which can be towed behind a press of the type used for the manufacture of cylindrical bales. The machine receives the bales from the press and automatically wraps them in a stretched plastic film. In one version, the apparatus (10) has a turntable (16) which rotates the ball around its horizontal axis (17), while itself rotates around a vertical axis. Thus, the film distributed by a roller automatically forms a sealed package around the bale. In another version, an annex distributor roller (119) rotates around the ball, which is placed on a fixed plate (116) provided with rollers (117) which rotate the ball on its axis. A collection mechanism (23, 25) is installed at the front of the apparatus to receive the bales which the press has unloaded, before lifting them and transporting them one by one from the rear on the rollers (17, 117) of the tray to be packed there.

Description

BALE-WRAPPER APPARATUS

This invention relates to a bale wrapper apparatus which is primarily intended for use in applying plastics film wrapping around a cylindrical or "round" bale of grass or straw in substantially airtight manner, so as to enable the wrapped bale to be stored for future use of the contents of the wrapped bale when required.

Bale wrapper apparatus are used to wrap a round bale of straw, in order to shield the straw from exposure to the weather, so that dry straw material can be fed to animals, or used as bedding when required. Bales of straw can also be treated with ammonia, prior to wrapping, so that fermentation of the straw can take place during storage, and which enhances the nutritional content of the straw when fed to animals subsequently.

Bale wrappers are also used to wrap newly formed bales of grass, and by virtue of the substantially airtight wrapping of the bales which is possible, the grass matures into silage over a period of time, and this also is a very valuable source of food for animals.

The use of bale wrappers to form silage from bales of grass is growing rapidly, since it avoids the need for silage towers and silage "clamps" to be used. Substantial capital outlay is required to install silage towers, and there is also a considerable problem, both with silage towers and silage clamps, concerning the inevitable generation of silage effluent. This has to be carefully collected, and then disposed of in an approved manner, and there are substantial financial penalties applied when unauthorised disposal of silage effluent is allowed to take place. For this reason, therefore, bale wrappers are now being used to a rapidly increasing extent to wrap round bales of grass, which can then be stored through the summer, autumn and winter months, during which time densely packed grass ferments to form silage, and which is readily available for feeding to animals when required.

One bale wrapper apparatus which is being sold widely throughout Britain and Europe, and elsewhere, is known as a Silawrap Machinre which is manufactured by Underhaug AG and which forms the subject of GB patent 2159489B and foreign equivalents.

Reference is directed to this patent specification, for a fuller disclosure of a first type of bale wrapper apparatus which can be used to apply a plastics film of stretchable material around a bale. In this example, the bale is rotated simultaneously about a horizontal and a vertical axis, and this takes place by virtue of the placement of the round-bale on a turntable, (with the axis of the bale extending substantially horizontally), and rollers provided on the turntable are driven so as to rotate the bale about its horizontal axis. Simultaneously, the entire turntable is rotated about a vertical axis, and by virtue of this simultaneous rotation of the bale about horizontal and vertical axes, a sheet of stretchable film withdrawn from a dispenser reel and initially attached to the bale can form a substantially airtight wrapping around the bale.

However, there is a second type of known arrangement for applying an aii—tight wrapping around a bale while the latter is rotated about its axis (which will usually be substantially horizontal). Reference may be had. for example, to EP0234763 (Olestad). in which a film dispenser reel is caused to orbit in a horizontal plane (which is located approximately mid-height of the bale i.e. on its axis) and around the bale. This has the same effect as the first type of bale wrapper apparatus (the rotating turntable type) , but has one advantage of a lower moment of inertia. Thus, there is a substantial moment of inertia about the vertical axis for a rotating turntable with a bale on it. whereas the orbiting or "satellite" type of film dispenser involves a much smaller mass rotating about the vertical axis. The rotating turntable type of wrapper apparatus therefore has to be constructed sufficiently robustly to withstand the higher rotational loads.

The present invention is concerned with a bale wrapper apparatus of either of the above described types.

There are two main kinds of bale wrapper in use at the present, namely mobile bale wrappers which can be trailed behind a tractor to be used in a field, and bale wrappers which will normally be used at a fixed location, eg in a stackyard.

The present invention is primarily concerned with a mobile bale wrapper apparatus which can be moved through a field by a suitable propelling vehicle and can be loaded with bales, on which it carries out bale wrapping operations, prior to discharge of the wrapped bales from the apparatus.

It is the present practice with mobile bale wrapper apparatus to pick up the bales deposited on the ground by the baler, and often this will take place after the baler has completed the collection of grass or straw lying on the ground throughout the field, and the formation of this material into round bales which are deposited in rows in the field. The bale wrapper apparatus is then usually towed behind a tractor in order to pick up the bales lying on the ground, and to carry out bale wrapping operations, and clearly this involves a subsequent operation which involves considerable additional labour cost. If a period of bad weather should intervene in the period between formation of the bales and wrapping of the bales, this can result in future deterioration of the baled product, especially if it has been subjected to heavy rainfall prior to wrapping.

As an alternative to waiting until the baler has completed operations throughout a particular field, it is possible to follow the baler, (which will be towed by its own propelling vehicle), and a separate towing vehicle tows the bale wrapper apparatus which carries out bale wrapping operations on each bale shortly after the latter has been deposited on the ground by the baler. This has the advantage of enabling the bales to be wrapped and made weather proof fairly quickly after formation of the bales, but nevertheless requires a team of operators to carry out the two separate operations, and the timing of the overall operation will of course be dependent upon the speed of the slower one of the two separate operations, so that the time of one of the operatives may not be fully utilised to the greatest efficiency.

The invention therefore seeks to provide a novel construction of bale wrapper apparatus which can follow directly behind a baler for forming round bales, so that a single operative can control both the baling and the bale wrapping operations. This therefore reduces the labour content of the overall operation, and also enables the bales to be wrapped immediately after their formation.

According to the invention there is provided a bale wrapper apparatus which can be towed behind a baler of the kind which is operative to pick up grass or straw material lying on the ground and to form this material into a cylindrical bale, the bale wrapper apparatus being operative to receive a bale discharged from the rear of the baler and to apply a stretchable plastics film wrapping around the bale prior to dicharge of the wrapped bale from the apparatus, and in which the apparatus comprises: a main frame; means for coupling the main frame to the rear of the baler: a bale-receiving table mounted on the main frame and comprising a pair of laterally spaced rollers arranged to receive a bale with its axis extending substantially horizontally, and operable to rotate the bale about its axis: means for mounting a film dispenser reel of stretchable plastics film: means for causing relative rotation about a substantially vertical axis between the film dispenser reel and a bale on the table whereby, upon rotation of the bale about its axis, the film can be automatically withdrawn from the reel and applied around the bale to form wrapping thereon: and. a pick-up mechanism mounted at the front of the apparatus and operative to receive a bale discharged from the baler, when the apparatus is coupled with the baler, and to raise the bale and transfer the bale rearwardly onto the table so that bale wrapping can take place.

Thus, in use of the apparatus, a single propelling vehicle, controlled by a single operator, can trail behind it a combination of a baler for forming "round" bales, and bale wrapper apparatus according to the invention towed behind the baler, and any cut crop lying on the ground, such as cut grass or straw material, can be engaged by the usual pick-up mechanism of the baler and converted into form of a round bale, and then discharged onto the pick-up mechanism of the bale wrapper apparatus, which transfers the round bale to the table so that bale wrapping can take place. Therefore, both baling and bale wrapping operations can be carried out under the control of a single operative, and while the entire train of machines is moving through a field.

A guide may be mounted on the main frame and arranged to receive a bale discharged from the baler, and to guide the movement of the bale to the pick-up mechanism.

The guide may extend rearwardly away from coupling means provided at the forward end of the main frame, and slopes gently downwardly therefrom so that discharged bales can roll under gravity towards the pick-up mechanism.

In one embodiment, the pick-up mechanism preferably comprises a cradle structure having a pair of forwardly projecting gripper arms which can engage inwardly against the adjacent end faces of a round bale, in order to grip the bale, and the cradle can then be caused to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis in order to raise the bale and then discharge the bale rearwardly onto the table.

The arms of the cradle are preferably pivotally mounted, one at each end of the base of the cradle, and at least one of the arms can be pivoted inwardly under suitable power operated mechanism, such as a ram. to cause the end faces of the bale to gripped between the two gripper arms.

It should be understood, however, that the cradle-type pick-up mechanism is not the sole means by which a round bale can be transferred from the guide onto the table, and many other suitable types of lifting and transfer devices may be provided.

In a further embodiment, the guide is not required, and the pick-up mechanism may be arranged to receive a bale directly after discharge from the baler.

The pick-up mechanism of this further embodiment may comprise a load platform which is arranged directly in the discharge path of the bale from the baler, and which can receive and hold the bale, prior to and during transfer of the bale to the rollers of the table.

The rollers may engage directly with the outer periphery of the bale, or else indirectly via one or more slack belts taken around the rollers.

The load platform may be formed by a lifting table, or by a pair of forwardly extending lifting arms which define a trough into which the bale can be received.

The load platform may have a transversely extending roller at its forward end, which facilitates the transfer of the bale from the baler to the pick-up mechanism. There may afso be a further transversely extending roller at the opposite end of the load platform, which can facilitate transfer of the bale to the rollers of the table.

The table is preferably pivotally mounted on the main frame for tilting movement about a transverse horizontal axis in order that a wrapped bale can be tipped rearwardly of the apparatus to fall onto the ground for subsequent collection, or to be received directly by a collecting device for transfer e.g. to a trailer.

With regard to the wrapping of the bale, this may be achieved in either of two ways. In a first embodiment, the table comprising a turntable which is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, in which case the film dispenser reel is mounted at a fixed location on the main frame. However, in a second and presently preferred embodiment, a mounting for a film dispenser reel is carried at one end of an arm which is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis which passes through the space defined between the rollers of a non-rotatable table, so that the film dispenser reel can orbit or move like a satellite around the bale while the latter is only rotated about its axis by the rollers of the table. This arrangement has the advantage of a smaller mass rotating about the vertical axis, and therefore the apparatus does not need to be constructed as robustly as will be necessary for a rotating turntable type of apparatus, and in addition of course a drive mechanism does not have to be provided to rotate the turntable.

Furthermore, the satellite type of film dispenser arrangement has the advantage that, when a bale is being transferred from the baler to the apparatus (or when the wrapped bale is being discharged from the apparatus) , the satellite can be positioned at some suitable position in its orbital path which will be out of the way of the path of travel of the bale. This enables the bale to be readily transferred from the baler to the pick-up mechanism, and then to the table without interference by the satellite.

The coupling means may comprise a simple trailer type of hitch which can be coupled with a rear towing hitch provided on the baler. There^' may be occasions in use in which it may be required to reverse the baler and the bale wrapper apparatus, and therefore to avoid "jack-knifing" of the bale wrapper apparatus, it is preferred that forwardly projecting stabiliser arms are arranged at the front of the bale wrapper apparatus and the front ends of which each has predetermined clearance with a rear axle of the baler. This will therefore permit limited pivoting of the bale wrapper appartus relative to the baler (during forward and reversing movement), but will prevent jack-knifing during reverse movement.

The main frame is preferably a wheel supported frame which may be supported by a single, or a tandem axle arrangement as required. In the case of a single axle, a towing hitch will be located forwardly of the axle, and the table will be located rearwardly of the axle.

Preferably, the operating components of the apparatus are arranged to be triggered automatically into a cycle of operations upon initial engagement being made between the round bale and the pick-up mechanism. The entire cycle of events, ie bale transfer to the pick-up mechanism, onwards onto the table, bale wrapping and subsequent discharge from the apparatus may be carried out automatically, by use of suitable trip devices and the like, so that the driver of the propelling vehicle, usually a tractor, does not need to oversee the bale wrapping operation.

Embodiments of bale wrapper apparatus according to the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of bale wrapper appparatus according to the invention coupled as a towed vehicle behind a baler, which in turn is coupled to the rear of a propelling vehicle:

Figure 2 is a side view of the combination of propelling vehicle, baler and bale wrapper aparatus shown in Figure ^' 1 ;

Figure 3 is a view, similar to Figure 1. showing some stages in the formation of a round bale and its subsequent transfer from the baler onto the bale wrapper apparatus:

Figure 4 is a side view corresponding to Figure 2. and showing further stages in the handling and wrapping of a round bale:

Figure 5 is a side view, similar to Figures 2 and 4, showing the initial transfer of a bale from the baler onto a forwardly extending guide of the bale wrapper apparatus:

Figure 6 is a view, similar to Figure 5. showing the transfer of a bale from the guide onto a rotating turntable of the bale wrapper apparatus:

Figure 7 is a schematic side illustration of a second embodiment of bale wrapper apparatus according to the invention, but with a bale pick-up mechanism omitted for ease of illustration;

Figure 8 is a plan view corresponding to Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a plan view, similar to Figure 8, and showing the pick-up mechanism for transferring a discharged bale onto a non-rotatable bale table: and.

Figure 10 is a schematic side view showing the paths of travel of the co-operating components of the baler and the wrapper apparatus.

Referring now to Figures 1 to^' 6 of the drawings, the first embodiment of bale wrapper apparatus according to the invention is designated generally by reference 10 and is attached to the rear of a baler 11 which is of the well known kind operative to pick up a cut crop, such as grass or straw material lying on the ground, and to form this material into a round or cylindrical bale. The apparatus 10 is therefore coupled behind the baler 11 as a towed vehicle, and in turn the baler 11 is towed via a suitable coupling at the rear of a propelling vehicle, which in the illustrated embodiment is an agricultural tractor 12. The bale wrapper apparatus 10 is arranged to receive round bales formed in the baler 11, and to apply a plastics film wrapping around each bale in turn, prior to discharge of the wrapped bale from the apparatus.

The apparatus 10 comprises a main frame 13 supported at its rear end by a set of rear wheels 14, and which is provided with a coupling means (not shown) at its forward end 15 by means of which the apparatus 10 can be coupled behind the baler 11.

A turntable 16 is mounted on the main frame 13 and is adapted to receive a round bale 17 thereon, with the axis 18 of the bale 17 extending substantially horizontal. The turntable 16 has rollers 19 and an arrangement of slack belts 20 which can rotate the bale 17 about its axis 18, in known manner, eg as is carried out on the Silawrap machine made by Underhaug AG. or as disclosed in more details in GB patent 2156489B. In addition, the turntable 16 can be driven to rotate about a substantially verticle axis 21. simultaneously with the rotation of the bale 17 about its axis 18.

Means (not shown) is provided for mounting a film dispenser reel on the main frame 13. and in service film is withdrawn from the reel and attached to the bale 17 so that, upon rotation of the bale 17 about axis 18 and rotation of turntable 16 about axis 21, the film can be automatically applied around the bale to form wrapping thereon. If desired, although not shown, a device (an automatic film applicator) may be mounted on the apparatus and arranged to apply an initial length of plastics film initially to an unwrapped bale, so that the bale wrapping operation can be automated, with the subsequent wrapping, cutting of the film, and discharge of the wrapped bale taking place under automatic control.

To facilitate transfer of a round bale discharged from the baler 11. a guide 22 is provided on the main frame 13 and runs from the forward end 15 gently downwardly towards a lifting and/or pick-up mechanism designated generally by reference ^'23. A round bale discharged by the baler 11 can fall under gravity onto the guide 22, and then roll gently towards the mechanism 23 to be engaged thereby. The mechanism 23 can then operate to grip the bale, raise the bale and then transfer the bale rearwardly to fall under gravity onto the turntable 16. This cycle of operations may be arranged to be tripped into operation automatically.

The guide 22 is shown in plan view in Figure 1. and comprises a triangular framework which can be rigidly coupled at its forward end 24 with a suitable part of the chassis of the baler 11.

The illustrated embodiment of mechanism 23 comprises a cradle having a base 25 and a pair of pivotted gripper asms 26 mounted via vertical pivots 27 at each end of the base 25. A ram (not shown) or other power operated device may be coupled with at least one of the arms 26 to cause the latter to pivot inwardly so that the opposed end faces of a bale can be gripped therebetween. The cradle is mounted on the main frame 13 (by means not shown in detail) for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal pivot axis 28 in order that a gripped bale can be raised upwardly through an arcuate path of movement, so that the bale can then be transferred rearwardly to fall under gravity onto the turntable 16.

The illustrated embodiment of^'mechinism 23, shown schematically, comprises a cradle mechanism which can engage and then upwardly and rearwardly transfer a gripped bale onto the turntable. However, it should be understood that other mechanisms may be adopted, which can at least lift and then rearwardly transfer the bale onto the turntable. It may not be essential for the mechanism to actually grip the ends of the bale, since a mechanism such as a lifting platform or lifting table, (with end plates between which the round bale can be located), may be used, which can receive a round bale rolling under gravity from the guide 22. and then automatically raise the bale to a level sufficient to allow the bale to roll under gravity onto the turntable.

Figures 1 and 2 show the component parts of the apparatus 10 in detail, and also show baler 11 and tractor 12 schematically. However. Figures 3 to 6 illustrate successive stages in the formation, handling, bale wrapping and subsequent discharge of the wrapped bale. The successive stages applied to the bale 17 are shown by references letters A. B. C. D, E and F. Thus, as shown in Figure 3. there is bale A in partly formed shape, and once the fully round bale shape has been achieved, and retained by suitable twine, bale B is discharged from the baler 11 by upward hinging of a rear part 11a of baler 11. as shown in Figure 5, to fall onto the guide 22. The bale B then rolls gently under gravity to be embraced between the gripper arms 26 of mechanism 23. though obviously if desired some conveyor means may be provided to transfer bale B to the position shown by bale C in Figures 3 and 4. Bale C is then raised through an upward arcuate path of movement, to a position as shown by bale D in Figure 6. and the bale can then be transferred rearwardly to fall onto the turntable 16, as shown by bale E in Figures 3 and 4. The wrapped bale can then be discharged from the apparatus by upward pivoting of the turntable 16 (by means not shown), and about pivot 29. to take up the position shown by wrapped bale F.

The embodiment described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6 is a rotating turntable type of bale wrapper apparatus. However, it should be understood that the invention is not restricted to this type of bale wrapper, and the features of the invention may equally be applied to an orbiting or "satellite" type of film dispenser arrangement. Such an arrangement is shown in the second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 7 to 10.

In either of the embodiments of the invention, there is a bale-receiving table which comprises a pair of laterally 'spaced rollers which are arranged to receive a round bale with its axis extending substantially horizontally, and operable to rotate the bale about its axis. Means is provided to mount a film dispenser reel of stretchable plastics film, and further means is provided to cause relative rotation about a substantially vertical axis between the film dispenser reel and a bale on the table whereby, upon rotation of the bale about its axis, the film can be automatically withdrawn from the reel and applied around the bale to form wrapping thereon. In the first embodiment, the mounting for the film dispenser reel is at a fixed location e.g. on the main frame, and the table comprises a turntable which is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis. In the second embodiment, described in more detail below, the film dispenser reel is carried by an arm which is rotatable about a vertical axis so that the film reel can orbit around the bale in a horizontal plane which is substantially mid-height of the bale i.e. contains the axis of the bale.

Referring now to the illustration of the second embodiment. Figures 7 and 8 show a bale wrapper apparatus which is designated generally by reference 100. and which can be towed behind a baler 111 which is capable of picking-up material lying on the ground to form this into a round bale which can be discharged ^"to the rear of the baler. This baler may be a variable chamber type baler, or a fixed chamber type baler. The bale wrapper apparatus 100 can receive the discharged bale and can apply a stretchable plastics film wrapping around the bale prior to rearward discharge of the wrapped bale from the apparatus.

The apparatus 100 comprises a main frame 113 which is supported by a single wheel axle set 114, and coupling means 115 is provided at the forward end of the main frame to couple the apparatus 100 to the rear of the baler 111.

A bale-recei ing table 116 is mounted on the main frame 113 and comprises a pair of laterally spaced rollers 117 which 'are arranged to receive a round bale with its axis extending substantially horizontally, and operative to rotate the bale about its axis, when the table is in a horizontal position.

Means is provided to mount a film dispenser reel so that it can carry out orbital movement about a substantially vertical axis and around the bale, and takes the form of an arm 118 which carries a satellite arrangement of film dispenser reel and associated pre- stretcher arrangement 119 at its free end. and with the arm

118 being rotatably supported from its opposite end 120 below a horizontal support arm 121. The orbital path of the arrangement 119 is shown in plan view in Figure 8.

Thus, upon rotation of the bale about its horizontal axis, and with simultaneous orbital movement of the arrangement 119. successive layers of helical windings can be applied around the bale until such time as the bale is completely wrapped twice over.

Figures 7 and 8 show the rear coupling assembly of apparatus 100 to baler 111. but with the pick-up mechanism omitted for ease of illustration. The pick-up mechanism is shown in more detail in Figures 9 and 10, and comprises a mechanism mounted at the front of the apparatus and operative to receive a bale discharged from the baler 111. and to raise the bale and transfer^"the bale rearwardly onto the table 116 so that bale wrapping can take place.

In Figures 7 and 8, coupling means 115 comprises a simple type of hitch arrangement which can be coupled with a pivoting type of hitch 122 provided centrally at the rear of the baler 111. In order to prevent jack-knifing of the apparatus 100 when the combination is reversed, stabiliser arms 123 project forwardly of the main frame 113 and each has predetermined clearance at its forward ends with the rear axle 124 of the baler 111. This allows limited pivoting of the apparatus 100 relative to the baler 111. but prevents jack-knifing during reversing movement. Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, this shows the pick-up mechanism for the second embodiment of apparatus 100, and parts corresponding with those already described are given the same reference numerals, and will not be described in detail again.

In the second embodiment, a guide 15 is not necessary, although of course a guide may be provided if required, to transfer a discharged bale to the pick-up mechanism when the latter is spaced too far away to receive the discharged bale directly. However, in this second embodiment, the pick-up mechanism is arranged to receive a bale directly after discharge from the baler. The pick-up mechanism is designated generally by reference 125, and comprises a load platform which is arranged directly in the discharge path of the bale from the baler. This can receive and hold the baler, prior to and during transfer of the bale to the rollers 117 of the table 116.

The rollers 117 can engage directly with the outer periphery of the bale, or else indirectly via one or more slack belts taken around the rollers.

The load platform 125 can be formed by a lifting table (not shown), or as illustrated by a pair of forwardly extending lifting arms 126 which define a trough into which the bale can be received. The platform has a transversely extending roller 127 at its forward end. which facilitates the transfer of the bale from the baler 111 to the pick-up mechanism. There is also a further transverse roller 128 at the opposite end, which facilitates transfer from the load platform to the table 116.

The table 116 is pivotally mounted on the main frame 113 to tilt about a transverse horizontal axis in order that a wrapped bale can be tipped rearwardly of the apparatus to fall onto the ground for subsequent collection, or to be received directly by a collecting device for transfer e.g. to a trailer.

As can be seen in Figures 7 to 10. the main frame 113 is supported by a single wheel axle, and the towing hitch is located forwardly of this axle, and the table 116 is located rearwardly thereof.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the apparatus 100, and Figure 10 is a schematic side view showing the paths of movement of the co-operative components of the baler 111 and the apparatus 100.

Claims

1. A bale wrapper apparatus (10. 100) which can be towed behind a baler (11, 111) of the kind which is operative to pick up grass or straw material lying on the ground and to form this material into a cylindrical bale, the bale wrapper apparatus being operative to receive the bale discharged from the baler and to apply a stretched plastics film wrapping around the bale prior to discharge of the wrapped bale from the apparatus, and in which the apparatus comprises: a main frame (13, 113); means (15, 115) for coupling the main frame to the rear of the baler: a bale-receiving table (16. 116) mounted on the main frame and comprising a pair of laterally spaced rollers (17. 117) arranged to receive the bale with its axis (18) extending subtantially horizontally, and operable to rotate the bale about its axis: means for mounting a film dispenser reel of stretchable plastics film; means for causing relative rotation about a substantially vertical axis between the film dispenser reel and a bale on the table whereby, upon rotation of the bale about its axis, the film can be withdrawn automatically from the reel and applied around the bale to form wrapping thereon: and. a pick-up mechanism (23. 125) mounted at the front of the apparatus and operative to receive a bale discharged from the baler, when the apparatus is coupled with the baler, and to raise the bale and transfer the bale rearwardly onto the table (16, 116) so that bale wrapping can take place.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1. in which a guide (22) is mounted on the main frame (13) and is arranged to receive a bale discharged from the baler (11), and to guide the movement of the bale to the pick-up mechanism (23).

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2. in which the guide (22) extends rearwardly away from coupling means (15) provided at the forward end of the main frame (13) and slopes gently downardly therefrom, so that bales discharged by the baler (11) can roll under gravity towards the pick¬ up mechanism (23).

4. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3. in which the pick-up mechanism (23) comprises a cradle structure having a pair of forwardly projecting gripper arms (23) which can engage inwardly against the adjacent end faces of a bale, in order to grip the bale, and the cradle can then be caused to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis (28) in order to raise the bale and then discharge the bale rearwardly onto the table (16).

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4. in which the arms (26) of the cradle are pivotally mounted, one at each end of the base (25) of the cradle, and at least one of the arms is pivotable inwardly under operation of a power operated mechanism, to cause the end faces of the bale to be gripped between the two gripper arms (26).

6. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 5. in which the table comprises a turntable (16) which is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, and a fixed mounting for the film dispenser reel is provided on the main frame.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 1. in which the pick¬ up mechanism is arranged to receive a bale directly after discharge from the baler (111).

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7. in which the pick¬ up mechanism comprises a load platform (125) arranged directly in the discharge path of the bale from the baler and which can receive and hold the bale, prior to and during transfer of the bale to the rollers (117) of the table (116).

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8. in which the load platform is formed by a lifting table, or by a pair of forwardly extending lifting arms (126) which define a trough into which the bale can be received.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or 9. in which the load platform has a transversely extending roller (127) at its forward end to facilitate transfer of the bale from the baler (111) to the pick-up mechanism.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, in which a further transversely extending roller (128) is arranged at the opposite end of the platform to facilitate transfer of the bale from the platform to the rollers (117) of the table (116).

12. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 7 to 11. in which a mounting for a film dispenser reel assembly (119) is carried at one end of an arm (118) which is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis which passes through the space defined between the rollers (117) of the table (116).

13. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 7 to 12, in which the coupling means (115) comprises a trailer type of hitch which can be coupled with a rear towing hitch

( 122)provided on the baler (111).

14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, in which forwardly projecting stabiliser arms (123) are arranged at the front of the apparatus and each is engageable. after moving through a predetermined clearances, with a rear axle (124) on the baler in order to control the pivoting of the apparatus relative to the baler.

15. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 14. in which the main frame (113) is a wheel supported frame.

16. Apparatus according to Claim 15. in which a single wheel axle (114) supports the main frame, and the coupling means (115) is located forwardly of the axle and the table (116) is located rearwardly of the axle.

17. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 16. in which the table (16. 116) is pivotally mounted on the main frame (13. 113) for tilting movement about a transverse horizontal axis in order that a wrapped bale can be discharged rearwardly of the apparatus.

18. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 17. including control means operative to cause an automatic cycle of operations on a bale, upon initial engagement being made between the bale and the pick-up mechanism.