Net wrap recovery device

Abstract

A net wrap recovery device that removes net wrap from large round bales of hay attached to commercial hay bale unrollers using one or more pins. The Net Wrap Removal Device mechanically automates the unwrapping of polymeric hay bale wrapping from a wrapped hay bale in one piece quickly and with a minimum of effort. The embodiments then allow the operator to simultaneously gather and store the net wrap on a disposable spool without dismounting from the tractor seat or leaving the operator station. The disposable spool can then be easily removed from the embodiments and disposed of in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. A new spool is then quickly and easily installed in its place.

What I claimed is: 
     
       1. A net wrap removal device comprising a frame [ 114 ] attached to a large bale hay unroller [ 113 ] via a mounting pin [ 118 ], a three-point mount [ 112 ], a net wrap recovery storage spool [ 101 ], and a net wrap pickup roller [ 109 ] with a plurality of rubber fingers [ 121 ]. 
     
     
       2. A net wrap removal device described in  claim 1  wherein the net wrap recovery storage spool [ 101 ] is held in place by a square drive [ 123 ] and retainer pins [ 205 ] which are inserted through retainer pin apertures [ 801 ] formed by the square drive [ 123 ]. 
     
     
       3. A net wrap removal device described in  claim 2  wherein the net wrap recovery storage spool [ 101 ] is removable by removing the retainer pin apertures [ 801 ] and a plurality of dowel pins [ 102 ] positioned along the length of the spool [ 101 ]. 
     
     
       4. A net wrap removal device described in  claim 2  comprising wherein the net wrap recovery storage spool [ 101 ] is powered by a hydraulic spool motor [ 105 ] via a spool belt [ 122 ] and spool pulleys [ 302 ]. 
     
     
       5. A net wrap removal device described in  claim 1  wherein the net wrap pickup roller [ 109 ] is powered is powered by a pickup motor [ 301 ] via a pickup roll drive belt [ 115 ] and net wrap pickup pulleys [ 201 ] wherein the pickup motor [ 301 ] receives its hydraulic fluid power via hydraulic hoses [ 106 ] from a power source [ 124 ]. 
     
     
       6. A net wrap removal device described in  claim 2  wherein a large sprocket [ 107 ] and a gear motor [ 303 ] are attached to the frame [ 114 ], wherein the gear motor [ 303 ] turns the large sprocket [ 107 ] via a chain [ 108 ] which results in a keyed shaft [ 104 ] rotating and moving the pivoting arms [ 103 ] forward or backward around the keyed shaft [ 104 ]. 
     
     
       7. A net wrap removal device described in  claim 3  wherein the net wrap pickup roller [ 109 ] is attached to the distal end of a plurality of pivoting arms [ 103 ] and the net wrap pickup roller [ 109 ] is powered by a pickup motor [ 301 ], wherein the pickup motor [ 301 ] is provided fluid power from hydraulic hoses [ 106 ]. 
     
     
       8. A net wrap removal device described in  claim 1  wherein sprockets [ 107 ] and a gear motor [ 303 ] are attached to the frame [ 114 ], wherein the gear motor [ 303 ] turn the sprockets [ 107 ] via a chain [ 108 ] which results in a keyed shaft [ 104 ] rotating and moving a plurality of pivoting arms [ 103 ] forward or backward around the keyed shaft [ 104 ]. 
     
     
       9. A net wrap removal device described in  claim 1  wherein the net wrap pickup roller [ 109 ] is attached to the distal end of a plurality of pivoting arms [ 103 ] and the net wrap pickup roller [ 109 ] is powered by a pickup motor [ 301 ], wherein the pickup motor [ 301 ] is provided fluid power from hydraulic hoses [ 106 ]. 
     
     
       10. A net wrap removal device comprising:
 a frame;   a net wrap recovery storage spool supported by the frame;   a plurality of pins extended outwardly from the net wrap recovery storage spool;   a net wrap pickup roller having a plurality of fingers configured to engage with and collect a net wrap on a round hay bale; and   wherein the net pickup roller is movable to a net wrap pickup position adjacent to the round hay bale, and movable away from the round hay bale to a remote position, wherein the net wrap recovery storage spool is positioned between the net wrap pickup position and the remote position.   
     
     
       11. The net wrap removal device of  claim 10 , wherein the net wrap recovery storage spool is configured to be selectively removable from the frame via a plurality of retainer pins positioned within a plurality of retainer apertures. 
     
     
       12. The net wrap removal device of  claim 10 , further comprising a spool motor operably connected to the net wrap recovery storage spool to drive the net wrap recovery storage spool. 
     
     
       13. The net wrap removal device of  claim 10 , further comprising a pickup motor operably connected to the net wrap pickup roller to drive the net wrap pickup roller. 
     
     
       14. The net wrap removal device of  claim 10 , further comprising a spool motor operably connected to the new wrap recovery storage spool to drive the net wrap recovery storage spool; and a pickup motor operably connected to the net wrap pickup roller to drive the net wrap pickup roller. 
     
     
       15. The net wrap removal device of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a sprocket attached to the frame; and   a gear motor configured to turn the sprocket to selectively position the net wrap pickup roller in the net wrap pickup position and the remote position.   
     
     
       16. A net wrap removal device for use in conjunction with a net wrap, the net wrap removal device comprising:
 a frame positioned adjacent to a round hay bale;   a net wrap recovery storage spool supported by the frame;   a plurality of pins extended outwardly from the net wrap recovery storage spool;   a net wrap pickup roller having a plurality of fingers configured to engage with and collect the net wrap on the round hay bale; and   wherein the net wrap pickup roller is selectively movable to a net wrap pickup position engaging the net wrap on the round hay bale, and a remote position at a distance from the round hay bale, wherein the net wrap recovery storage spool is positioned between the net wrap pickup position and the remote position.   
     
     
       17. The net wrap removal device of  claim 16 , further comprising a spool motor operably connected to the net wrap recovery storage spool to drive the net wrap recovery storage spool. 
     
     
       18. The net wrap removal device of  claim 16 , further comprising a pickup motor operably connected to the net wrap pickup roller to drive the net wrap pickup roller. 
     
     
       19. The net wrap removal device of  claim 16 , further comprising a spool motor operably connected to the net wrap recovery storage spool to drive the net wrap recovery storage spool; and a pickup motor operably connected to the net wrap pickup roller to drive the net wrap pickup roller. 
     
     
       20. The net wrap removal device of  claim 16 , further comprising;
 a sprocket attached to the frame; and   a gear motor configured to turn the sprocket to selectively position the net wrap pickup roller in the net wrap pickup position and the remote position.