Unloading device, round baler, and unloading method
An unloading device for unloading a round bale from a round baler includes a first support arm for unloading the round bale, a second support arm for unloading the round bale, and an actuator for operably controlling the first and second support arms. The first and second support arms are adjustably mounted on the round baler. Moreover, the first and second support arms are adjustably controlled by the actuator as a function of an unloading direction of the round bale.
1. An unloading device for unloading a round bale from a round baler, comprising:
a first support arm extending along a longitudinal axis to a first distal end and configured for rotation about a transverse axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
a second support arm extending along the longitudinal axis to a second distal end and configured for rotation about the transverse axis;
an actuator coupled to the first support arm and the second support arm and selectively controllable to rotate the first support arm about a first bearing axis and the second support arm about a second bearing axis, wherein the first bearing axis and the second bearing axis each extend in a substantially vertical orientation;
wherein the actuator is selectively controllable to position the first support arm and the second support arm in a first unloading position in which both the first support arm and the second support arm are free to rotate about the transverse axis to move the first distal end and the second distal end in a vertical direction to unload the round bale on a circumferential surface of the round bale along the longitudinal axis; and
wherein the actuator is selectively controllable to position the first support arm and the second support arm in a second unloading position in which the first distal end of the first support arm and the second distal end of the second support arm are positioned laterally in a first direction along the transverse axis relative to their respective positions in the first unloading position, with the first support arm free to rotate about the transverse axis to move the first distal end in the vertical direction and with the second support arm prevented from rotation about the transverse axis to prevent movement of the second distal end in the vertical direction to unload the round bale in a second direction relative to the longitudinal axis and to tilt the round bale onto an end face of the round bale.
2. The unloading device of claim 1 , wherein:
the actuator is selectively controllable to position the first support arm and the second support arm in a third unloading position in which the first distal end of the first support arm and the second distal end of the second support arm are positioned laterally in the second direction along the transverse axis relative to their respective positions in the first unloading position, with the second support arm free to rotate about the transverse axis to move the second distal end in the vertical direction, and with the first support arm prevented from rotation about the transverse axis to prevent movement of the first distal end in the vertical direction, to unload the round bale in the first direction relative to the longitudinal axis and to tilt the round bale onto an end face of the round bale.
3. A round baler for forming a round bale of crop, comprising:
a chassis extending along a longitudinal axis;
a drive axle attached to the chassis and defining a transverse axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
a bale chamber for forming the round bale into a cylindrical shape having a circumferential surface and an end face; and
an unloading device coupled to the bale chamber, the unloading device configured to discharge the round bale from the bale chamber in an unloading direction;
wherein, the unloading device includes:
a first support arm coupled to the chassis and extending rearward along the longitudinal axis to a first distal end, wherein the first support arm is rotatable about the transverse axis;
a second support arm coupled to the chassis and extending rearward along the longitudinal axis to a second distal end, wherein the second support arm is rotatable about the transverse axis;
an actuator coupled to the first support arm and the second support arm and selectively controllable to rotate the first support arm about a first bearing axis to move the first distal end of the first support arm along the transverse axis, and rotate the second support arm about a second bearing axis to move the second distal end of the second support arm along the transverse axis for operably controlling the first and second support arms;
wherein the actuator is selectively controllable to position the first support arm and the second support arm in a first unloading position in which both the first support arm and the second support arm are free to rotate about the transverse axis to move the first distal end and the second distal end in a vertical direction to unload the round bale on the circumferential surface of the round bale along the longitudinal axis; and
wherein the actuator is selectively controllable to position the first support arm and the second support arm in a second unloading position in which the first distal end of the first support arm and the second distal end of the second support arm are positioned laterally in a first direction along the transverse axis relative to their respective positions in the first unloading position, with the first support arm free to rotate about the transverse axis to move the first distal end in the vertical direction, and with the second support arm prevented from rotation about the transverse axis to prevent movement of the second distal end in the vertical direction, to unload the round bale in a second direction relative to the longitudinal axis and to tilt the round bale onto the end face of the round bale.
4. The round baler of claim 3 , further comprising:
an inclinometer for measuring a tilt of the round baler; and
a communication module for receiving location information of the round baler.
5. The round baler of claim 4 , wherein the actuator is operably controlled as a function of the tilt or the location information of the round baler.
6. The round baler of claim 3 , wherein:
the actuator is selectively controllable to position the first support arm and the second support arm in a third unloading position in which the first distal end of the first support arm and the second distal end of the second support arm are positioned laterally in the second direction along the transverse axis relative to their respective positions in the first unloading position, with the second support arm free to rotate about the transverse axis to move the second distal end in the vertical direction, and with the first support arm prevented from rotation about the transverse axis to prevent movement of the first distal end in the vertical direction to unload the round bale in the first direction relative to the longitudinal axis and to tilt the round bale onto an end face of the round bale.