Abstract: An agricultural system including: an agricultural baler with a bale-forming chamber; a plunger movable in a reciprocating manner within the bale-forming chamber for compressing plant matter in the bale-forming chamber; and a driveline for moving the plunger within the bale-forming chamber. The driveline comprises at least one bearing. The agricultural system further includes a control unit configured to: receive load-data indicative of a load acting on the plunger during operation of the baler; and determine a bearing-status-signal indicative of wear status the bearing, based on the load-data.

Abstract: An agricultural baler including a movable density door; a fluid cylinder for moving the density door and including a fluid chamber and a piston disposed in the fluid chamber having piston and rod sides, and a cylinder rod coupled to the piston on the rod side; a fluid supply circuit for suppling working fluid to the fluid cylinder, the fluid supply circuit selectively connectable to the fluid cylinder such that, in a first fluid supply mode, the fluid supply circuit is connected to the fluid cylinder to supply working fluid to only one side of the fluid chamber and that, in a second fluid supply mode, the fluid supply circuit is connected to the fluid cylinder to supply working fluid to both the piston and rod sides of the fluid chamber. A control unit configured to: receive density-data; determine a supply-mode-control-signal; and provide the supply-mode-control-signal to the fluid supply circuit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an agricultural crop baler comprising: a supporting frame; a pressing chamber configured to receive a stuffer, the stuffer compressing the crop into the pressing chamber; and at least one positionally adjustable side wall forming part of the pressing chamber, the side wall being supported by the supporting frame and configured to vibrate upon movement of the stuffer.

Abstract: A baler having a frame, a feed system coupled to the frame, and a compression assembly in operable communication with the feed system. Where the compression assembly includes a baling chamber, a gearbox having an output shaft, and a crank arm defining a first mounting point and a second mounting point spaced a distance from the first mounting point, where the first mounting point of the crank arm is coupled to and rotatable with the output shaft of the gearbox. The compression assembly also includes a plunger positioned within and reciprocally movable with respect to the baling chamber, where the plunger defines a third mounting point thereon, and where the distance between the second mounting point and the third mounting point is variable during a baling process.

Abstract: A rectangular baler including a chassis; a compacting plunger supported on the chassis for advancing crop material; and a bale chamber between the compacting plunger and the back end. The chassis is provided with a first and second sidewall extending from the front end in the direction of the back end. There is further provided a pull rod connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall, at a location between the plunger and the front end. The pull rod has a first part and a second end part extending freely through a first hole in the first sidewall and a second hole in the second sidewall, respectively.

Abstract: An agricultural baler has a bale chamber for the compression of crop into bales with a floor, ceiling, and two walls. A plunger forces crop into the bale chamber. An actuator system presses the ceiling and walls of the bale chamber inward. At least one retractable friction block in the ceiling or walls is used to increase the compression and density of the crop. The friction blocks extend inwards as an increasing function of either decreased pressure being exerted against the ceiling or walls by the crop being baled, or inward displacement of the ceiling or walls by the actuator system.

Abstract: A sensor assembly and method is described for determining the position of a reciprocating plunger of a baler. A first sensor may detect at least one location of a crank arm driving the plunger as the crank arm rotates. A second sensor may detect a rotation of a crank gear that drives the rotation of the crank arm. A controller may determine a position of the reciprocating plunger relative to a baling chamber based upon, at least in part, the detected crank arm location and the detected rotation of the crank gear.

Abstract: A square baler having a baling chamber of which the side walls are movable by respective hydraulic cylinders. The supply of hydraulic fluid to and from the two hydraulic cylinders is effected by a common control circuit that ensures that the two sides walls are displaced in synchronism with one another by equal and opposite amounts.

Abstract: Rectangular baler comprising a bale chamber adapted to contain one or more bales; a compacting plunger for advancing crop material in a discharge direction towards a discharge opening of the bale chamber; wherein at least one friction block is fixed on an inner side of a wall of the bale chamber; the or each friction block comprising a wedge shaped part having an inclined surface extending from the inner side of the wall in the discharge direction.

Abstract: An aircraft collapsing device that collapses an aircraft fuselage inward includes: a gate-shaped shell which covers a circumference of both sides and an upper portion of a fuselage of an aircraft body from which horizontal wings and a vertical wing have been decoupled, a wedge-shaped pressing member that is mounted to an upper portion of the shell to press at least one portion of a circumference of at least one of annular frames juxtaposed in a longitudinal direction of the fuselage toward a center of the fuselage, a pair of sidewall pressing members that is mounted to both sides of the shell to press the fuselage simultaneously from two directions crossing a pressing direction of the wedge-shaped pressing member at the center of the fuselage after pressing by the wedge-shaped pressing member, and a moving unit that moves the fuselage of the aircraft and the shell relative to one another.

Abstract: The present invention generally pertains to a single ram baler for baling recycled material. More specifically, the single ram baler of the present invention comprises a ram operable to move between a retracted position for receiving the recycled material and a tying position for allowing the compacted material to slightly expand before wiring the same.

Abstract: Machines for making bales of disgregated materials, including a compacting chamber in which a pressing member moves towards and away from a stopping point for compacting the disgregated materials, the chamber having a larger lower surface which has a substantially flat surface provided with runoff holes, smaller surfaces each having a frame which serves as an attachment flange, an output door arranged to move in a vertical direction irrespective of whether the pressing plate has reached the stopping point, wherein the capacity of the chamber is variable to accommodate a possible excess in the disgregated materials introduced into the chamber to be compacted, and a telescopic box having on at least one of its walls through holes located in the proximity of the door.

Abstract: A baler for making large parallelepiped bales includes a plunger drive and plunger arrangement wherein one or more load pins are located offset vertically from a centerline of a connecting rod or a mid-plane of the baling chamber. Such an arrangement permits load pins having the same range of measuring capacity to be used with balers of different sizes, with the amount of offset being changed for balers of different sizes. In one arrangement, load pins are offset vertically from the mid-plane of the plunger a distance sufficient to make it possible to measure differences in top-to-bottom reaction forces imposed on the plunger.

Abstract: A multi-purpose farm apparatus capable of being easily transported and which can be used to perform a variety of tasks. The multi-purpose farm apparatus comprises a trailer, a combination baler and wood splitter and a hydraulic system mounted thereon. The combination baler and log splitter apparatus includes a baling portion having a baling chamber and a first gib assembly comprising a pressure platen and is mounted for reciprocal movement within said baling chamber. The combination baler and log splitter apparatus further includes a log splitting portion having a second gib assembly comprising a splitting wedge and is mounted to said trailer for reciprocal movement. The first gib assembly and the second gib assembly are mechanically coupled to the hydraulic system for effecting reciprocating movement of the first gib assembly and the second gib assembly. The hydraulic system further comprises a hydraulic motor for driving various farm machinery.

Abstract: An agricultural baler comprises a frame, a pick-up assembly for picking up crop material from a field and a baling chamber for receiving crop material from the pick-up assembly, the baling chamber having at least one movable wall portion. A plunger is mounted for reciprocating movement in the baling chamber for compression of the crop material therein, the plunger being driven by a gearbox which is affixed to the frame. A control unit adjusts the position of the movable wall portion in response to the signal from a load sensor, which is connected by a lever to the plunger gearbox for monitoring the reaction forces of the crop material on the plunger during the compression stroke. The lever arrangement includes a longitudinal pull member connected to one arm of the lever and a ball bearing mounted over the load sensor and connected to the other arm of the lever for precluding the effects of transverse or upward vibrations of the gearbox on the sensor.

Abstract: A channel baler including a pressure channel, a plunger located in the pressure channel, a thrust crank drive for reciprocating the plunger in the pressure channel, and an element which provides for elastic yielding of at least one element of a pressure system including the pressure channel, the plunger and the thrust crank drive, in an axial direction by a path corresponding approximately to a thickness of a compressed bale upon a plunger power exceeding a predetermined value.

Abstract: Apparatus for the dustfree discharge of fine dust from a dust collector which includes a compression chamber having a discharge end, a conveyor for feeding fine dust from a collector into the compression chamber, a compressing piston in the compression chamber for compressing the fine dust toward the discharge end and a counterpressure device moveable in the direction of compression for applying a controlled counterpressure to the fine dust being compressed.

Abstract: A bale press for agricultural harvest crops including a pressure channel having at least a portion of one of its sides formed by a pivotal rail section, a hydraulic device for applying pressure to the rail section, a plunger displaceable in the pressure channel for compressing a harvest crop therein, and a control device for controlling operating of the bale press and including a load sensor for sensing loading of the plunger with the loading representing a first controlled variable, a pressure sensor for sensing pressure in the hydraulic device with the pressure representing a second controlled variable, and an operator unit for changing the pressure applied to the rail section upon deviation of at least one of the controlled variables from a predetermined set value.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing liquid from a composite mixture of liquid and solids comprising a hopper 16 mounted atop a compactor ram assembly 10, having a snout section 12 and an extruder section 14 mounted in a generally axial direction to the compactor ram assembly 10. Wet waste material is loaded into the hopper 16 and falls onto a loading floor 158. A hydraulically operated ram 208 compresses the wet material into the snout and extruder sections 12, 14. Under pressure from the ram 208, liquid in the waste material escapes from numerous drainage slots 25 in the loading floor, the snout section top, bottom and sides 24, 22, 20, and the extruder section top, bottom and sides 30, 28, 26. A platen 80, pivotally mounted to the extruder top plate 30 near the exit of the device and biased with a constant pressure, controls the back pressure in the extruder and snout sections 14, 12.

Abstract: An agricultural baler for picking up crop material and forming it into a rectangular shaped package, having a bale density control system. The baler has a bale case including four wall members forming a generally rectangular opening, at least one of which wall members includes a tension rail movably mounted to vary the cross sectional area of the rectangular opening. The baler also has a hydraulic control arrangement including a hydraulic cylinder operable for changing the position of the tension rail, a pressure control valve comprising a variable relief valve, and a hydraulic circuit for coupling the hydraulic cylinder to the pressure control valve. The relief valve is selectively controlled by an electronic controller.

Abstract: A compactor for metal articles such as cans or oil filters has a feed that receives metal articles from a hopper or feed tube and feeds them into an elongated tapered compaction die. The compaction die has a cross-sectional area that decreases or tapers from the rearward end of the die to the forward end of the die. A reciprocating ram operates near the wider end of the tapered compaction die. The articles enter the compaction die at a location forward of the ram when the ram is in a retracted position. When the ram is actuated, it moves to an extended position, thereby forcing the articles forward in the compaction die. The ram then retracts, allowing additional articles to enter the compaction die. As the ram operates in this reciprocating manner, it moves additional articles forward in the compaction die and adds them to the increasing mass of articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing liquid from a composite mixture of liquid and solids comprising a hopper 16 mounted atop a compactor ram assembly 10, having a snout section 12 and an extruder section 14 mounted in a generally axial direction to the compactor ram assembly 10. Wet waste material is loaded into the hopper 16 and falls onto a loading floor 158. A hydraulically operated ram 208 compresses the wet material into the snout and extruder sections 12, 14. Under pressure from the ram 208, liquid in the waste material escapes from numerous drainage holes 25 in the loading floor, the snout section top, bottom and sides 24, 22, 20, the extruder section top, bottom and sides 30, 28, 26 and holes 212 in the ram face 210. A platen 80, pivotally mounted to the extruder top plate 30 near the exit of the device and biased with a constant pressure, controls the back pressure in the extruder and snout sections 14 12.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for regulating the density of parallelepipedic bales of fodder produced in a bale press. The apparatus includes a compression canal formed by side walls in which a main plunger is driven in reciprocating motion by a power transmission device. The side walls of the canal include at least one pivoting shutter plate controlled by a fluid cylinder. The bale press includes a device for detecting the compression force applied by the plunger on a fodder charge present in the compression canal.

Abstract: A press for agricultural crop mainly comprising a frame (1), a baling chamber (4) with an inlet opening carried by said frame, a pressing member (5) driven so as to reciprocate in the baling chamber (4), said baling chamber (4) being provided with means for producing a counter-pressure in order to form a bale of compressed agricultural crop, wherein the means for producing the counter-pressure comprise an outlet part (15) prolonging the baling chamber (4) and narrowing in the pressing direction and a removable flap member (31) partly or wholly closing the passage near the transition area between baling chamber (4) and outlet part (15), in order to produce a counter-pressure at the start so that even the first or second bale has sufficient density.

Abstract: A dead-ended baler in which the bale chamber diverges in the overall direction of crop flow through the chamber, the overall divergence of the rear section of the bale chamber preferably being greater than the overall divergence of the preceding section of the bale chamber.

Abstract: A baler comprises a bale chamber having at least one wall movable generally laterally of the bale chamber to vary the cross-sectional area thereof and hydraulic actuator means operable to move the laterally movable bale chamber wall. The baler further comprises hydraulic sensor means coupled to, and operable to sense the load on, the movable wall of the bale chamber and to control the actuator means when that load exceeds a predetermined value, whereby the cross-sectional area of the bale chamber is increased to relieve said load. This allows the baler to produce bales of substantially constant density irrespective of varying crop conditions.

Abstract: A tension control system for a baling machine has a pressure switch connected to the high pressure fluid supply. The switch is operable to actuate when the pressure of the fluid supply exceeds a predetermined level, such as when the baling head ram cylinder is approaching a stalled condition. A solenoid controlled valve is located between the high pressure fluid supply and the fluid cylinder which operates the tension mechanism on the throat portion of the baling machine. The solenoid is operatively connected to the pressure switch to close when the pressure of the fluid supply exceeds to predetermined level. When the valve closes, fluid pressure in the tension cylinder is relieved so that the cylinder operating the baling head does not become stalled. When the baling head is again capable of operation, the pressure switch deactuates, returning the valve to an open condition so that tension is restored to the throat portion of the baling machine.

Abstract: A bale discharge chute normally is provided with a pair of spaced and parallel sides, a lower member and a movable upper pressure plate having links connecting the distal ends. The present invention includes a transverse anchor member for the upper connection of the links together with an adjustable compression spring reacting between the member and the pressure plate thus giving superior pressure plate control and preventing damage from occurring to the structure due to excessive tension yet at the time will permit upward movement of the pressure plate if a predetermined pressure is exceeded.

Abstract: A device for compacting and dewatering moist refuse comprises a tube and a piston reciprocable therein. Varying consistency of the refuse matter will require a varying resistance to the compacting action of the piston. A throttling device within the tube comprises a number of plates which are swingable about an axis arranged perpendicularly to the tube, and are actuable so as to occupy a position practically level with the wall of the tube, or to a position in which they extend into the tube, respectively. The piston is operated by a double acting hydraulic ram, and the plates are operated by a further hydraulic ram. Both rams are connected to a source of pressure fluid, and are interconnected so the power stroke end of the further ram communicates with the return flow end of the piston ram, and vice versa. Two oppositely directed non-return valves are fitted in parallel in the conduit connecting the power stroke end of the further ram with the return flow end of the piston ram.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating fibre material from an air stream or current of a penumatic transporting system contains a filter or perforated drum internally of which there prevails a vacuum. The fibre material drops from the drum at a take-off zone or region, in the form of a fibre layer or mat, into a receiving container or the like. This fibre layer is then removed from the receiving container, by using a plunger, and deposited, in an outfeed or delivery duct or channel. The spacing of the fibre take-off zone at the drum from the bottom or floor of the container is limited to a value which avoids tearing of the fibre layer or mat. Jamming or clogging of fibre material when using a rotating filter or perforated drum is avoided, since the take-off of the dropping or outbound fibre layer from the filter or perforated drum is perfected cleanly throughout. There results the advantage that danger of fires and damage, caused by fibre jamming, are essentially precluded.

Abstract: A substantially funnel-shaped constricting fiber chute or shaft possesses at its lower portion blade springs forming a diaphragm or the like. These blade springs extend at an acute angle with respect to the lengthwise axis of the fiber chute. At their free ends these blade springs delimit an exit or outlet opening, by means of which the fiber chute opens into a container, such as a bag or sack or the like which is exchangeably secured at such fiber chute. A driveable plunger arranged coaxially with respect to the fiber chute possesses a plunger head which tapers in the outlet direction. The plunger head possesses a toothed or serrated band. Upon penetration of the plunger into the fiber chute or shaft the plunger head compacts fibers which have collected in the fiber chute and expresses such, while further compacting the same, into the sack. The equipment is particularly suitable for use at a fiber separator at which the fibers separated from a transport air current or stream drop into the fiber chute.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder is mounted on a support adjacent a bale forming chamber of an agricultural baler. A piston driven rod extends from the cylinder for moving a tension member associated with the bale chamber. Distortion, created by welds, is avoided because no welds are used to support a rod bearing portion of the cylinder. Instead, fasteners extend through the support and directly into the rod bearing portion of the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: Hydraulic "squeeze cylinders" control the size of the discharge orifice on an extrusion baler and are operated by a control circuit that relieves pressure in the cylinders in response to the build-up of a certain predetermined pressure level in the circuit. Pressurized fluid for the squeeze cylinders is supplied by a single-acting pump cylinder that is connected between the plunger head and its pitman rod in such a way as to deliver a charge of pressurized fluid into the circuit on each compression stroke of the plunger. A pilot-operated relief valve is operated by circuit pressure when the latter reaches a predetermined pressure level to block flow from the pump cylinder and open a relief path for fluid in the squeeze cylinders.

Abstract: An "extrusion" type baler controls bale density by regulating the size of the discharge orifice of the bale case, and the "squeeze" cylinders which provide power for changing the size of the orifice are hydraulically connected to a special pump associated with the plunger of the machine so that pressurized oil is added to or taken away from the cylinders depending upon the resistive force encountered by the plunger and its pump during the compaction stroke. The loader which stuffs a new charge of material up into the baling chamber ahead of the retracted plunger may, under certain circumstances, fail to load a new charge of material.

Abstract: A press comprising an apertured press box which opens on a side parallel to its axis to admit the product to be pressed. After closing of the press box a ram is forced axially through the press box to compress the material and squeeze the liquid therefrom. A restricted opening is then formed at the end of the press box and the material in the cylinder is extruded therethrough.

Abstract: Pressurized fluid for the squeeze cylinders of an "extrusion" baler is supplied by a single-acting pump cylinder that is connected between the plunger head and its push rod in such a way as to deliver a slug of pressurized fluid into the circuit on each compression stroke of the plunger, the pump drawing in a fresh slug from a reservoir during each retraction stroke of the plunger. The push rod is connected to the plunger in a cranked relationship so that the radial distance between the end of the push rod and the fulcrum point of the crank comprises one lever arm, such lever arm being many times smaller than the lever arm between the fulcrum point and the point of connection of the crank of the pump cylinder.

Abstract: There is disclosed a baling apparatus particularly suitable for baling bagasse and similar materials. The apparatus includes a baling chamber formed by a frame having a floor and enclosing sides. A baling head within the chamber is reciprocal between a retracted position and an advanced position, and a ram means connected to the baling head reciprocates the head between its advanced and retracted positions. A support member is mounted on the frame behind the retracted position of the baling head. Anchored at one end in the support member is a mandrel having its other end extending through clearance in the baling head and extending into the baling chamber. The apparatus produces bales having a longitudinally extending opening which tends to prevent the decomposition and decay of the baled material, such as bagasse.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for compressing refuse, for freezing the compressed refuse, and for storing the frozen, compressed refuse for subsequent pickup by a refuse collector. A clam-shell like device with hold bars thereon is utilized for a backup structure for previously frozen refuse, which previously frozen serves as a backup for the compression of fresh refuse. The frozen refuse is maintained at optimum temperature.