METHOD AND DEVICE FOR COMPRESSING HARVESTED CROP MATERIAL TO PRODUCE SILAGE

Abstract

A method and a device are provided to compress crop material laid down in single layers for producing silage in a horizontal silo, with the use of an agricultural working machine, that carries a compressing device, the crop material laid down in single layers is compressed by at least one compressing element, and the at least one compressing element weighs on the crop material and moves relative to it.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the sequence of steps in the compression method using a schematic depiction in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the compressing device pulled by a tractor, in a schematic side view in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the compressing element, in a schematic side view in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the compressing element, in a schematic side view in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for compressing crop material laid down in single layers for producing silage in a horizontal silo, comprising the steps of using an agricultural working machine with a compressing device mounted on the agricultural working machine; compressing the crop material laid down in single layers by at least one compressing element; and weighing the at least one compressing element on the crop material and moving relative to the latter.

2. A method as defined in claim 1; and further comprising simultaneously weighing the at least one compressing element on the crop material and moving relative to it.

3. A method as defined in claim 1; and further comprising realizing the weighing down of the crop material as a vertical force; and realizing the relative movement as a motion selected from the group consisting of a rotational motion and an oscillating motion.

4. A method as defined in claim 1; and further comprising adjusting the weighing down and the relative movement of the at least one compressing element depending on a parameter selected from the group consisting of a type, a property, and both of crop material to be ensilaged.

5. A method as defined in claim 1; and further comprising informing an operator of the agricultural working machine that carries the compressing device about a parameter selected from the group consisting of a type, a property, and both of crop material before the crop material to be ensilaged is delivered; and adjusting by the operator an action of the compressing device based on this information.

6. A device for compressing crop material laid down in single layers for producing silage in a horizontal silo, using an agricultural working machine on which the compressing device is mounted, the device comprising at least one compressing element which compresses the crop material laid down in single layers and is configured so that said at least one compressing element weighs on the crop material and moves relative to it.

7. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said compressing device includes a frame, which on its lower end carries at least one compressing element that rotates around a vertical axis, and a large number of driving elements assigned to each of the compressing elements, wherein the compressing elements are configured so that they generate a vertical force and are movable relative to each other.

8. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein said compressing element is domed-shaped and includes a large number of the driving elements that are ribbed on its outer surface.

9. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein said compressing element is configured as a rotor with individual rotor blades configured to be arched upwardly as viewed in a direction of rotation.

10. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein a plurality of said compressing elements is provided and integrated via drive shafts in a drive train, and wherein said compressing elements are rotatably drivable via said drive shafts.

11. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said drive train is integrated in said frame.

12. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said drive train is integrated in a driving manner with a power takeoff shaft of the agricultural working machine.

13. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein said frame includes pivot points for installation of a three-point hydraulics of the agricultural working machine, and so that a vertical force of the compressing element is variable via operation of a three-point attachment.

14. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein said frame has a top; and further comprising a weight element assigned to said of said frame.

15. A device as defined in claim 14, wherein said weight element is composed of individual layer weights.

16. A device as defined in claim 6; and further comprising a driven crop material spreading device assigned to the compressing device.

17. A device as defined in claim 7; and further comprising a plurality of said compressing elements arranged so that at least parameters selected from the group consisting of a direction of rotation, a rotational speed and both of the compressing elements is changeable and a variable between said compressing elements of the compressing device.

18. A device as defined in claim 17, wherein said compressing elements have axes of rotation that are tiltable relative to each other.

19. A device as defined in claim 17, wherein said compressing elements are shifted in a vertical direction relative to each other.