Guide means, baler and method
A baler for forming round bales includes a wrapping device for wrapping a pressed bale with a wrapping material, a pressing chamber where the pressed bale is formed, a guide apparatus for guiding wrapping material to the pressing chamber, and a guide means for guiding the wrapping material via a region from the wrapping device to the guide apparatus. The guide means is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the guide means substantially bridges the region between the wrapping device and the guide apparatus. In the second position, the guide means at least partially opens up the region therebetween.
1. A baler for forming round bales, the baler comprising:
a wrapping device for wrapping a pressed bale with a wrapping material;
an endless pressing belt supported by a plurality of fixed rollers and a plurality of moveable rollers, the endless pressing belt defining a variable size pressing chamber where the pressed bale is formed;
wherein the endless pressing belt includes an outer face positioned to engage the pressed bale and an opposing inner face;
a guide apparatus fixed in position relative to the wrapping device and positioned adjacent to the outer face of the endless pressing belt for positioning the wrapping material against the outer face of the endless pressing belt and guiding the wrapping material to the variable size pressing chamber;
wherein the guide apparatus is spaced from the wrapping device to define a region spanning between the guide apparatus and the wrapping device;
a panel for guiding the wrapping material across the region extending between the wrapping device and the guide apparatus;
wherein, the panel is movable relative to the wrapping device between a first position and a second position;
wherein, in the first position, the panel substantially bridges the region between the wrapping device and the guide apparatus to guide the wrapping material from the wrapping device to the guide apparatus, and in the second position the panel pivots about a pivot point by means of gravity such that a free end of the panel remote from the guide apparatus and the pivot point moves downwardly to at least partially open up the region between the wrapping device and the guide apparatus to allow material accumulated in the region between the wrapping device and the guide apparatus to exit the baler.
2. The baler of claim 1 , wherein the panel is pivotable such that in the second position the panel is disposed in a vertical position to open the region vertically below.
3. The baler of claim 1 , wherein the panel is movably connected to a frame of the baler or the guide apparatus.
4. The baler of claim 3 , wherein the panel is pivotably connected to the frame or the guide apparatus at the pivot point.
5. The baler of claim 3 , further comprising a pivot bearing rotatably connecting the panel to the frame or guide apparatus.
6. The baler of claim 5 , wherein the pivot bearing is disposed in or on a first end region of the panel.
7. The baler of claim 1 , wherein the panel includes a guide plate or a guide grate.
8. The baler of claim 7 , wherein the panel comprises an end region facing the wrapping device, where a free end thereof comprises a hook which is open away from the wrapping device.
9. The baler of claim 7 , wherein the panel is flanged.
10. The baler of claim 1 , wherein the wrapping device includes a separating apparatus having a carrier on which a stop or guide element is disposed.
11. The baler of claim 10 , wherein the panel is operatively connected via the stop or guide element to the separating apparatus of the wrapping device.
12. The baler of claim 10 , wherein the carrier is movably controlled by an actuator.
13. The baler of claim 12 , wherein the panel is operatively connected via the stop or guide element to the separating apparatus of the wrapping device.
14. The baler of claim 13 , wherein the panel is configured to open the region at least when the separating apparatus reaches a position in which it cuts off the wrapping material and the panel bridges the region when the separating apparatus reaches a position in which it does not act on the wrapping material.
15. A method for operating a baler, comprising:
providing a wrapping device, an endless pressing belt operable to define a variable size pressing chamber and supported by a plurality of fixed rollers and a plurality of moveable rollers, a guide apparatus fixed in position relative to the wrapping device and positioned adjacent to an outer face of the endless pressing belt, a separating apparatus, and a panel positioned in a region separating the guide apparatus and the wrapping device;
moving the panel to a first position based on an operating state of the separating apparatus of the wrapping apparatus, whereby in the first position the panel substantially bridges the region between the wrapping device and the guide apparatus to guide a wrapping material from the wrapping device to the guide apparatus; and
controllably moving the panel by pivoting the panel about a pivot point by means of gravity such that a free end of the panel remote from the guide apparatus and the pivot point moves downwardly to a second position to at least partially open up the region between the wrapping device and the guide apparatus to allow material accumulated in the region between the wrapping device and the guide apparatus to exit the baler.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising moving the panel to the second position when the separating apparatus is in a position in which it cuts off the wrapping material.
17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising moving the panel to the first position at the start of a wrapping process or when the separating apparatus is in a position in which it does not act on the wrapping material.