Hay bale stacking and bundling method
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for forming a bundle of hay bales, wherein each of said hay bales is formed by applying a compressive force to the hay bale along a first direction followed by positioning bindings around the hay bale in a tight-fitting manner, said method comprising the steps of:
- arranging a plurality of hay bales in a vertical stack and compressing the stack of hay bales in a second vertical direction;
arranging a plurality of vertical stacks of hay bales in closely spaced, side-by-side alignment in forming a bundle of hay bales;
compressing said bundle of hay bales in a third horizontal direction, wherein said third horizontal direction is aligned with said first direction in which the individual bales are compressed when formed; and
tightly wrapping banding around said bundle of hay bales while said hay bales are being compressed vertically and horizontally without damaging the hay in said bales or severing the bindings disposed about said hay bales.
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Abstract
Apparatus for stacking bales of hay into large bundles such as, for example, three bales high and seven bales wide, positions bands about the stacked array to provide a tightly bound, compressed stack of bales. The stacking apparatus compresses the stacked bales during banding with a greater force applied to the same facing portions of the bales as applied during formation of the bales to form a solid, rigid, self-supporting large bundle made up of small bales. Parallel spaced compression zones extending inwardly are formed in the upper and lower rows of bales in the least compressed portion of the bales for receiving the bands which are applied without high tension so as not to damage the hay in holding the bundle of hay bales together. This arrangement prevents the bands from cutting into the hay bales as well as severing the binding of the individual bales, allows the hay bundle to be easily moved by pallet forks, and maintains the banding out of contact with the ground to avoid band damage and deterioration from the elements as well as from rodents. The apparatus is computer controlled and fully automated from the input of individual bales to the discharge of a tightly banded and compressed bundle of hay bales and can be used in “on the go” as the apparatus traverses a field containing the individual hay bales.
46 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for forming a bundle of hay bales, wherein each of said hay bales is formed by applying a compressive force to the hay bale along a first direction followed by positioning bindings around the hay bale in a tight-fitting manner, said method comprising the steps of:
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arranging a plurality of hay bales in a vertical stack and compressing the stack of hay bales in a second vertical direction;
arranging a plurality of vertical stacks of hay bales in closely spaced, side-by-side alignment in forming a bundle of hay bales;
compressing said bundle of hay bales in a third horizontal direction, wherein said third horizontal direction is aligned with said first direction in which the individual bales are compressed when formed; and
tightly wrapping banding around said bundle of hay bales while said hay bales are being compressed vertically and horizontally without damaging the hay in said bales or severing the bindings disposed about said hay bales. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification