Bale shape monitor for round balers

Abstract

A round baler includes a bale shape monitor for facilitating uniform bale formation. The bale shape monitor includes a pair of end sensors and an intermediate sensor. The end sensors sense the diameter of the bale at end locations adjacent opposite ends of the bale, while the intermediate sensor senses the diameter of the bale at an intermediate location spaced between the end locations. The monitor further includes a signal responsive to the sensors to indicate to the operator when the diameter of the bale at one of the end locations is less than the diameter at the intermediate location. The signal is electrically powered and includes a pair of switches, each of which is operably coupled between one of the end sensors and the intermediate sensor to operate an indicator when the diameter of the bale sensed at the corresponding end location is less than the diameter sensed at the intermediate location.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a round baler including an expandable baling chamber which increases in size as a cylindrical bale is formed therein, a bale shape monitor comprising: an end diameter sensor for sensing the diameter of the bale at an end location adjacent one of the ends of the bale;   an intermediate diameter sensor for sensing the diameter of the bale at an intermediate location spaced laterally inwardly from the end location; and   a signal responsive to the diameter sensors to indicate when the diameter at the end location is less than the diameter at the intermediate location.   
     
     
       2. In a round baler as claimed in claim 1; and a second end diameter sensor for sensing the diameter of the bale at a second end location adjacent the end of the bale opposite from the first mentioned end location,   said intermediate location being spaced between the end locations,   said signal being further responsive to the second end and intermediate diameter sensors to indicate when the diameter at the second end location is less than the diameter at the intermediate location.   
     
     
       3. In a round baler as claimed in claim 2, each of said diameter sensors including a shiftable bale diameter gauge which shifts as the bale diameter changes.   
     
     
       4. In a round baler as claimed in claim 3, said gauge comprising a swingable arm and a roller rotatably supported adjacent one end of the arm to be positioned against the baling chamber.   
     
     
       5. In a round baler as claimed in claim 4, said gauge including biasing mechanism coupled with the arm for yieldably biasing the roller toward the baling chamber.   
     
     
       6. In a round baler as claimed in claim 3, said signal including a pair of indicators, each of which is associated with one of the end diameter sensors for signaling when the diameter of the bale at a corresponding one of the end locations is less than the diameter at the intermediate location.   
     
     
       7. In a round baler as claimed in claim 6, said indicators being operable independently of one another.   
     
     
       8. In a round baler as claimed in claim 7, said signal being electrically powered and including an electrical circuit having a pair of switches,   each of said switches being associated with one of the end diameter sensors to operate a respective one of the indicators when the diameter of the bale at the corresponding end location is less than the diameter at the intermediate location.   
     
     
       9. In a round baler as claimed in claim 8, each of said indicators comprising a light.   
     
     
       10. In a round baler as claimed in claim 8, said gauge of each of the end diameter sensors cooperating with the gauge of the intermediate diameter sensor to present a pair of corresponding gauges which are operably coupled with a respective one of the switches for activating said respective one of the switches as the gauges shift relative to one another when the bale diameter at the corresponding end location is less than the diameter at the intermediate location.   
     
     
       11. In a round baler as claimed in claim 10, said respective one of the switches being fixed relative to one of the gauges of the corresponding pair, and including a contact which serves to activate the switch when engaged,   said signal including a switch activating member fixed relative to the other of the gauges of the corresponding pair for engaging the contact as the gauges shift relative to one another when the bale diameter at the corresponding end location is less than the diameter at the intermediate location.   
     
     
       12. In a round baler including a plurality of laterally spaced endless elements disposed between a pair of sidewalls for cooperatively defining an expandable baling chamber which increases in size as a cylindrical bale is formed therein, a bale shape monitor comprising: a pair of end diameter sensors associated with respective ones of the elements to sense the diameter of the bale at end locations adjacent opposite ends of the bale;   an intermediate diameter sensor associated with one of the elements spaced between said respective ones of the elements to sense the diameter of the bale at an intermediate location spaced between the end locations; and   a signal responsive to the diameter sensors to indicate when the diameter of the bale at one of the end locations is less than the diameter at the intermediate location.   
     
     
       13. In a round baler as claimed in claim 12, each of said diameter sensors including a shiftable bale diameter gauge associated with a respective one of the elements, with the gauge being shifted as the bale diameter changes at the respective one of the elements.   
     
     
       14. In a round baler as claimed in claim 13, said gauge comprising a swingable arm and a roller rotatably supported adjacent one end of the arm,   said roller being engageable with the respective one of the elements.   
     
     
       15. In a round baler as claimed in claim 14, said gauge including biasing mechanism coupled with the arm for yieldably biasing the roller against the respective one of the elements.   
     
     
       16. In a round baler as claimed in claim 13, said signal including a pair of indicators, each of which is associated with one of the end diameter sensors for signaling when the diameter of the bale at a corresponding one of the end locations is less than the diameter at the intermediate location.   
     
     
       17. In a round baler as claimed in claim 16, said indicators being operable independently of one another.   
     
     
       18. In a round baler as claimed in claim 17, said signal being electrically powered and including an electrical circuit having a pair of switches,   each of said switches being associated with one of the end diameter sensors to operate a respective one of the indicators when the diameter of the bale at the corresponding end location is less than the diameter at the intermediate location.   
     
     
       19. In a round baler as claimed in claim 18, each of said indicators comprising a light.   
     
     
       20. In a round baler as claimed in claim 18, said gauge of each of the end diameter sensors cooperating with the gauge of the intermediate diameter sensor to present a pair of corresponding gauges which are operably coupled with a respective one of the switches for activating said respective one of the switches as the gauges shift relative to one another when the bale diameter at the corresponding end location is less than the diameter at the intermediate location.   
     
     
       21. In a round baler as claimed in claim 20, said respective one of the switches being fixed relative to one of the gauges of the corresponding pair, and including a contact which serves to activate the switch when engaged,   said signal including a switch activating member fixed relative to the other of the gauges of the corresponding pair for engaging the contact as the gauges shift relative to one another when the bale diameter at the corresponding end location is less than the diameter at the intermediate location.   
     
     
       22. A bale shape monitor for attachment to a round baler including a plurality of laterally spaced endless elements disposed between a pair of sidewalls for cooperatively defining an expandable baling chamber which increases in size as a cylindrical bale is formed therein, said monitor comprising: a pair of end diameter sensors and an intermediate diameter sensor;   support structure for mounting the diameter sensors on the baler so that the end diameter sensors sense the diameter of the bale at end locations adjacent opposite ends of the bale and the intermediate diameter sensor senses the diameter of the bale at an intermediate location spaced between the end locations; and   a signal responsive to the diameter sensors to indicate when the diameter of the bale at one of the end locations is less than the diameter at the intermediate location.   
     
     
       23. A bale shape monitor as claimed in claim 22, each of said diameter sensors including a bale diameter gauge associated with a respective one of the elements,   said support structure serving to shiftably mount the gauge on the baler so that the gauge shifts as the bale diameter changes at the respective one of the elements.   
     
     
       24. A bale shape monitor as claimed in claim 23, said gauge comprising a swingable arm and a roller rotatably supported adjacent one end of the arm,   said roller being engageable with the respective one of the elements.   
     
     
       25. A bale shape monitor as claimed in claim 24, said gauge including biasing mechanism coupled with the arm for yieldably biasing the roller against the respective one of the elements.   
     
     
       26. A bale shape monitor as claimed in claim 23, said signal including a pair of indicators, each of which is associated with one of the end diameter sensors for signaling when the diameter of the bale at a corresponding one of the end locations is less than the diameter at the intermediate location.   
     
     
       27. A bale shape monitor as claimed in claim 26, said indicators being operable independently of one another.   
     
     
       28. A bale shape monitor as claimed in claim 27, said signal being electrically powered and including an electrical circuit having a pair of switches,   each of said switches being associated with one of the end diameter sensors to operate a respective one of the indicators when the diameter of the bale at the corresponding end location is less than the diameter at the intermediate location.   
     
     
       29. A bale shape monitor as claimed in claim 28, each of said indicators comprising a light.   
     
     
       30. A bale shape monitor as claimed in claim 28, said gauge of each of the end diameter sensors cooperating with the gauge of the intermediate diameter sensor to present a pair of corresponding gauges which are operably coupled with a respective one of the switches for activating said respective one of the switches as the gauges shift relative to one another when the bale diameter at the corresponding end location is less than the diameter at the intermediate location.   
     
     
       31. A bale shape monitor as claimed in claim 30, said respective one of the switches being fixed relative to one of the gauges of the corresponding pair, and including a contact which serves to activate the switch when engaged,   said signal including a switch activating member fixed relative to the other of the gauges of the corresponding pair for engaging the contact as the gauges shift relative to one another when the bale diameter at the corresponding end location is less than the diameter at the intermediate location.