Bale accumulator and discharger.

摘要

A bale accumulator (10) is provided for use in conjunction with a baler (5) from which, during operation, bales (B) successively are discharged. The accumulator (10) comprises a bale receiving table (111) movable between a home position for receiving a bale (B) from the baler (5) and a bale transfer position. A loadbed (40) is disposed to receive bales (B) from the bale receiving table (111) and to accumulate a plurality of bales (B) thereon. The bale receiving table (111) is pivotally mounted on a shuttle mechanism (130) which itself is movable along a transverse linear path between retracted and extended positions. Table positioning means (119, 144/196) are provided for moving the receiving table (111) from its home position to its bale transfer position and vice versa. Loadbed positioning means (33) pivot the loadbed (40) from a horizontal home position for accumulating a plurality of bales (B) thereon to a bale dumping position and vice versa. When the loadbed (40) is pivoted to its bale dumping position, the bale receiving table (111) is held in its bale transfer position alongside and generally at the level of the loadbed (40) to effectively enlarge the bale holding capacity thereof.

A tailgate (80) is pivotally mounted on the loadbed (40) and is firmly held in its operative position during an initial portion of the bale dumping movement of the loadbed (40) for accumulated bales'(B) to slide thereagainst, whereafter the tailgate (80) is allowed to retract during the subsequent portion of the loadbed dumping movement to provide simultaneous discharge of all accumulated bales (B).

Conveyor means (125) are provided on the bale receiving table (111) which are operable, on the one hand, to further advance a bale (B) along the length of the bale receiving table (111) as it is received thereon and, on the other hand, to assist in the discharge of accumulated bales (B) from the loadbed (40).