Method for calculating a value relating to a feed rate of crop entering a baler

• US 20020108509A1
• Filed: 04/08/2002
• Published: 08/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.), CNH America Llc (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Christiaan A.C. Lippens, Dirk G.C. Leupe
• Inventors: Lippens, Christiaan A.C., Leupe, Dirk G. C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,553,902 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 100/45
• CPC Class Codes: A01F 15/0825 Regulating or controlling density or shape of the bale

Abstract

A baler is described which has a collection chamber or duct and a baling chamber. Crop material enters the duct until a pre-determined level has been reached at which time a stuffer transfers the pre-compressed crop to the baling chamber. A control system is provided for calculating the ratio between the amount of crop material which should be formed into bales under optimal conditions and the rate of flow of crop material entering the duct. This ratio can be displayed and used to control the speed of the towing vehicle. The present invention uses the duct as a kind of measuring cylinder to determine the rate at which crop material is entering the baler.

Claims

1. An agricultural baler for driving by a towing vehicle, comprising:

a display device on the baler or for placement on the towing vehicle which provides a display of a value related to a ratio of an optimum rate at which the baler can compress the crop material into bales compared to the actual flow rate of crop material entering into the baler.

2. The baler according to claim 1, wherein the ratio is displayed as integer and non-integer values or at least to one place of decimals.

3. The baler according to claim 2, further comprising a baling chamber and a collection chamber for collecting crop material before it is transferred to the baling chamber.

4. An agricultural baler for driving by a towing vehicle, comprising:

a baling chamber; and

a collection chamber for collecting crop material before delivery to the baling chamber; and

a device for calculating a value relating to the amount or rate of crop material entering the baler.

5. The agricultural baler according to claim 4, further comprising:

a charge sensor for sensing when a charge of crop material has filled the collection chamber to a pre-determined degree of filling and for providing an output indicative of the completion of this filling;

a first timer which is started when crop material begins entry into the collection chamber and stops when it receives the output from the charge sensor;

a plunger in the baling chamber for compressing crop material transferred from the collection chamber; and

a timing device providing a timing output relating to the rate of operation of the plunger;

a calculating device for determining a ratio indicative of the time to fill the collection chamber compared with the plunger cycle time from the outputs of the charge sensor and the timing device.

6. The baler according to claim 5, further comprising a display for displaying the ratio.

9. The control system for an agricultural baler for driving by a towing vehicle, according to claim 6, the baler comprising a baling chamber and a collection chamber for collecting crop material before delivery to the baling chamber, the control system further comprising a device for calculating a value relating to the amount or rate of crop material entering the baler.

10. The control system according to claim 9, further comprising a display for displaying the ratio.

15. The control system of claim 10 wherein a collection chamber of an agricultural baler is used to determine the rate at which crop material enters the baler.

16. The control system of claim 10, wherein the baler has a discontinuous stuffing mechanism.

7. A control system for an agricultural baler, comprising a device for determining a value related to a ratio of an optimum rate at which the baler can compress the crop material into bales compared to the actual flow rate of crop material entering into the baler.

8. The control system according to claim 7, wherein the ratio is output as integer and non-integer values or at least to one place of decimals.

11. A method of operating a baler comprising the step of determining a value related to an optimum ratio of a rate at which the baler can compress the crop material into bales compared to the actual flow rate of crop material entering into the baler.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of displaying the ratio as integer and non-integer values or at least to one place of decimals.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of controlling the towing vehicle dependent upon the calculated value.

17. The control system of claim 16, wherein the display of the ratio increases in contrast with reducing value of the ratio.

18. The control system of claim 17, wherein the increase of contrast is non-linear with reduction of the value of the ratio.

13. A method of operating an agricultural baler for driving by a towing vehicle, the baler comprising a baling chamber and a collection chamber for collecting crop material before delivery to the baling chamber, the method comprising the step of calculating a value relating to the amount or rate of crop material entering the baler.