Hay bale accumulator

Abstract

A drag-behind square hay bale accumulator that groups ten (10) bales of hay is claimed. The grouping configuration has the advantage of providing the first two bales of hay turned at right angles to the remaining bales, to provide for improved stacking of the hay bales. The accumulator is comprised of an open framework within which channels for routing the bales are positioned. After a group of ten (10) bales is collected, the accumulator leaves the bales on the field in a grouping that can be mechanically picked up and stacked.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

FIG. 1 shows the hay bale grouping configuration provided by some prior art hay bale accumulators.

FIG. 2 shows the improved grouping configuration of hay bales provided by the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the forward bale deflector gate and associated mechanisms.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of the inside left corner of the accumulator showing the Y-shaped bale turning bar.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial view of the rear of the accumulator.

FIGS. 8-15 are functional representations of the framework of the present invention as bales of hay are being accumulated.

Claims

1. A bale accumulator movable over the ground for receiving and aligning multiple bales of hay, comprising: a frame for containing the bales;an end gate attached to the rear end of the accumulator for holding the bales;alignment means for positioning the long sides of the first two bales received by the accumulator directly against the end gate with the first two bales aligned end to end;directing means for directing additional bales of hay into position in four columns with the short sides of the second through sixth bales of hay collected aligned against the long sides of either the first or second bale of hay.

2. The bale accumulator of claim 1, further comprising opening means to open the release gate, releasing together in a group the bales from the filled accumulator.

3. The bale accumulator of claim 1, wherein the directing means further directs the seventh through tenth bales of hay collected so that they are aligned in four columns end-to-end with the previous four bales of hay collected.

4. The bale accumulator of claim 1, wherein the alignment means comprises at least a pair of Y-shaped pivoting bars rotatably connected to a rear corner of the frame, wherein each bar contacting with a bale of hay rotates the bale into an orientation in which the bale's long side contacts the end gate.

5. The bale accumulator of claim 1, wherein the alignment means comprises protruding bumpers on frame that contact with the first two bales to facilitate their rotation into position.

6. A bale accumulator comprising: a bale confining frame;a rear frame and release gate across the rear of the bale confining frame;a central division in combination with the bale confining frame, defining two adjacent bale holding compartments;primary diverting means projecting from the forward end of the central division to divert bales coming into engagement therewith alternatively into one compartment and then the other compartment until both compartments are full;alignment means for positioning a long side of each of the first two bales received by the accumulator directly against the end gate;longitudinal divisions between the central division and outside edges of the bale confining frame for partially subdividing the two adjacent bale holding compartments into four adjacent bale holding compartments;secondary diverting means to divert bales received by the accumulator after the first two bales into four columns of bales in the four sub-compartments;opening means to open said release gate, releasing together in a group the bales from the filled compartments.

7. The bale accumulator of claim 6, wherein the alignment means comprises at least a pair of Y-shaped pivoting bars rotatably connected to a rear corner of the frame, wherein each bar contacting with a bale of hay rotates the bale into an orientation in which the bale's long side contacts the end gate.

8. The bale accumulator of claim 6, wherein the alignment means comprises protruding bumpers on frame that contact with the first two bales received by the accumulator to facilitate their rotation into position.

9. The bale accumulator of claim 6, wherein the frame at the front end is arranged to be towed behind a hay baler and to receive bales directly from the hay baler with the front of the frame including a guiding chute to direct the bale from the bailer so that the bale will contact the primary diverting means.

10. The bale accumulator of claim 6, wherein the relative movement between the bale and the bale holding compartment is caused by allowing the bale to contact the ground causing the bale holding compartment to move relative thereto.

11. A method for accumulating hay into a ten-bale grouping in a moving, drag-behind hay bale accumulator, the method comprising the steps of: a. rotating and aligning the first bale of hay collected so that a long side of the first bale of hay is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the accumulator and contacts an end gate of the accumulator;b. rotating and aligning the second bale of hay collected so that a long side of the second bale of hay is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the accumulator and contacts an end gate of the accumulator, and so that the second bale of hay is positioned end-to-end with the first bale of hay.c. aligning the third bale of hay collected so that the third bale of hay is generally perpendicular to the first bale of hay and a short side of the third bale of hay is in contact with a long side of the first bale of hay;d. aligning the fourth bale of hay collected so that the fourth bale of hay is generally perpendicular to the second bale of hay and a short side of the fourth bale of hay is in contact with a long side of the second bale of hay;e. aligning the fifth bale of hay collected so that the fifth bale of hay is end-to-end with the third bale of hay;f. aligning the sixth bale of hay collected so that the sixth bale of hay is end-to-end with the fourth bale of hay;g. aligning the seventh bale of hay collected so that a short side of the seventh bale of hay is aligned with and in contact with a long side of the first bale of hay, and a long side of the seventh bale of hay is adjacent to the third bale of hay;h. aligning the eighth bale of hay collected so that a short side of the eighth bale of hay is aligned with and in contact with a long side of the second bale of hay, and a long side of the eighth bale of hay is adjacent to the fourth bale of hay;i. aligning the ninth bale of hay collected so that the ninth bale of hay is end-to-end with the seventh bale of hay; andj. aligning the tenth bale of hay collected so that the tenth bale of hay is end-to-end with the eighth bale of hay;k. releasing the bales of hay from the accumulator.