Downstroke baler

摘要

A downstroke baler comprising a compaction chamber through which a platen is reciprocated vertically by spaced pressure actuated cylinders secured to opposite ends of the platen. The lower end of an actuating rod rests upon a support plate secured to the frame of the baler and a bracket secured to the frame of the baler is positioned adjacent the upper end of the actuating rod to restrain the actuating rod against vertical movement. A sleeve is secured to the platen and slides along the actuating rod such that the actuating rod is maintained perpendicular to the face of the platen. The upper end of the actuating rod is connected through an actuating link to valves secured to the frame of the baler. The valves control a hydraulic circuit connected to the cylinders which raise and lower the platen such that movement of the platen from a horizontal attitude causes the actuating rod to be moved from a vertical attitude thereby changing flow of fluid to the cylinders to return the platen to a horizontal attitude. The rod ends of the cylinders are in continuous communication with the source of pressurized fluid. A valve between the source of pressurized fluid and base ends of the cylinders is shiftable to a first position to direct pressurized fluid to the base ends of the cylinders to elevate the platen and is shiftable to a second position venting base ends of the cylinders to move the platen downwardly.