Abstract: An agricultural bag loading machine having an improved mechanical assembly for automatically effecting controlled, continuous compression and delivery of compacted animal feed material into a flexible agricultural storage bag via a compression and delivery chamber. The compressed, delivered feed material has a uniform, air tight side wall density throughout the bag-delivered, sausage shaped feed material mass. The loading machine has additional features, including a pneumatic bladder assembly for changing the forming chamber dimensions and configuration, an improved agricultural bag attachment and continuous feeding mechanism which eliminates bag fold-over and wrinkling problems during filling, and an integral forming chamber cleanout mechanism which enables clearing and cleaning of the forming chamber at the end of an agricultural bag loading operation.

Abstract: In a bale case (20) of an agricultural baler, a reciprocating plunger (71) is connected by a connecting rod assembly (90) and a wrist pin (92) to a driving crankshaft (74). A tension adjusting system (60) is provided for adjusting the dimensions of a bale case (20). The tension adjusting system (60) is responsive to a signal produced by sensors which sense stress when a compactive force is applied by the plunger (71) to crop material in the bale case (20). In one embodiment shear stress sensors (124, 126, 128, and 130) are mounted in annular recesses (120, 122) on the exterior of a wrist pin (92) to sense upon compaction the shear stress experienced by the wrist pin (92) in shear planes (160A, 160B). In another embodiment shear stress sensors (170, 171, 172, and 173) are mounted on an interior surface (174) of a wrist pin (90') to sense the shear stress experienced by the wrist pin (92') in shear planes (176, 177).

Abstract: An agricultural baling machine controls the density of bales of crop material discharged therefrom by monitoring the stress experienced by a reciprocably driven plunger assembly (22) employed to apply a compactive force to crop material introduced into a bale case (20). The bale case (20) is comprised of rails (54, 56) which are positionably adjustable in response to applied tension in a manner whereby the dimensions of the bale case (20) are changeable, thereby facilitating a change in the degree of resistance caused by the bale case (20) to crop material movement therein. Signals produced by stress sensors (124, 126, 128, 130) mounted relative to the plunger assembly (22) are analyzed by a programmed signal processor (200) which accordingly generates a control signal for controlling a servo valve (61).

Abstract: The squeeze cylinder is inverted with the cylinder casing attached to a transverse, overhead truss above the bale case and the piston rod projecting downwardly from the casing for attachment to the upper squeeze plate of the apparatus. Oil is supplied to the cylinder on the upper side of the piston, while the lower, vented side of the piston is open to the atmosphere via a vent/drain passage. The lower end of the cylinder is provided with a lowermost, annular shoulder bearing against the lower side of the supporting truss and with a snap ring on the opposite, upper side of the truss so that the shoulder and the snap ring cooperate to securely and readily secure the cylinder assembly in operating position.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided in a baler for changing the positions of the side rails and the top rail of a bale case to adjust bale density. The mechanism includes side members pivotally connected to the side rails and a top member secured to the top rail. Lever members are pivotally connected to the side members and also engage the top member. A hydraulic cylinder unit is connected between the lever members to move the lever members toward each other. This causes the side members to be pivoted toward each other thereby moving the side rails toward each other to reduce the width of the baling chamber. The movement of the lever members toward each other also causes the top member to be moved downward thereby moving the top rail downward to reduce the height of the baling chamber.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a bale forming apparatus for making rectangular bales in any size, but especially suitable to make large size bales. The unique mechanism consists of; a bale forming channel, and a feeder-compactor assembly. The feeder-compactor assembly is power driven to perform a reversing motion relative to the bale forming channel, depositing, and compressing the successive layers of the bale in continuous folded-like arrangement. The apparatus requires substantially less energy than the conventional balers of the same size.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying particulate material of the type wherein it is desired that the material be simultaneously pre-compacted from a generally loose state to a more or less solid "plug" state. A screw conveyor is arranged to deliver loose particulate material to an intermediate chamber at the end of the screw conveyor means wherein the material is pre-compacted by the action of the screw conveyor. Following the intermediate chamber, a piston reciprocating coaxially with the screw conveyor further urges the material in a direction coaxial with the centerline of the screw conveyor to further advance the material through a straight coaxial conduit within which the material becomes compacted to an increased degree of compactness, solely by the action of the reciprocating piston. The reciprocating piston has preferably an annular face, whose outside diameter is generally the same as that of the I.D. (inside diameter) of the conduit.

Abstract: An articulated top tension rail is provided in the bale chamber of a baler for improving control over the shape of bales successively formed within and moved toward the rear discharge end of the bale chamber. A tension control device on the bale chamber disposes a rear portion of the top rail in a position in which it is spaced above and substantially parallel to a bottom rail of the bale chamber and disposes a front portion of the top rail, which is pivotally connected to the rear portion, in a position in which it rearwardly declines toward the bottom rail.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing material includes a hollow chamber defined by a plurality of walls, a piston-plate, and means for moving the piston-plate between maximum inner and outer limits, a hopper being in one of the walls located between those two maximum limits of movement. The apparatus further includes a plurality of engaging means located at the maximum outer limit of the piston-plate for engaging the compressed material and stopping rearward movement thereof. There is further included adjusting means for adjusting the distance between portions of the opposite walls located beyond the outer limit of the piston-plate.

Abstract: The discharge end of a bale chamber may be constricted or enlarged such that bales being packed rearwardly through the chamber may be increased or decreased in density by regulating their resistance to exit from the chamber. Bell cranks at the four corners of the chamber are coupled with shiftable walls of the latter in such a way that pressure increases or decreases are simultaneously experienced by all of the walls upon introduction or release of hydraulic fluid to a pair of power devices which interconnect the two cranks on each side of the chamber. The two legs of each bell crank are of equal radial length with respect to the axis of swinging movement of the crank so that equal moment arms are produced by such legs to accomplish substantially uniform pressure around the bale within the chamber.

Abstract: This invention is a trash compactor for compressing trash as it is moved in a horizontal direction. The compactor includes an elongated chamber comprising a rectilinear section into which the trash is placed, a power member for forcing the trash through the rectilinear section, where the trash is initially compacted and, a curvilinear section through which the trash is pushed by the movement of trash through the rectilinear section. The curvilinear section is of sinuous or S-shape configuration and is preferably disposed in a vertical plane. Frictional engagement of the trash with the walls of the curvilinear section effects substantial compaction of the trash prior to emission for disposal. The curvilinear section includes at least two curved parts which are pivotally connected together and pivotally engaged with the rectilinear portion for varying the angularity of the curvilinear section to control the compression of the trash forced therethrough.