Abstract:
A steam generator is controlled for applying steam for re-hydrating dry crop during the baling process so as to raise the temperature of the crop being treated with steam by an amount which is within a desired range known to result in bales of crop of good quality.
Abstract:
A direct-fired steam generator used for supplying steam for re-hydrating dry crop during baling is controlled so as to produce a desired constant steam temperature output by collecting data from which the heat output of the steam generator can be calculated and using this calculation together with the difference between the actual steam temperature and the desired steam temperature to control the amount of process water sent to the steam generator in order to correct any error in steam temperature. Steam temperature is measured in either one of the steam injection manifolds or in an injection tube coupled to an injection manifold so as to be close to the point of application of the steam to the crop.
Abstract:
A baler for forming large parallelepiped bales is equipped with a crop re-hydrating system for re-hydrating dry crop having a moisture content no greater than 14% with steam during the baling process. In one embodiment, the re-hydrating system includes a steam generator which mixes the steam with hot gas during the steam generation process, with the hot gas/steam mixture being distributed to treat the crop. In another embodiment, hot gas, in the form of hot air, is produced separate from the steam and is joined with it to form a mixture for distribution to treat the crop. In both embodiments, the hot gases serve to insulate and to transfer energy to the gaseous steam (saturated vapor), and are at no more than a minimum temperature required for preventing the steam from condensing prior to being applied to the crop. In a further embodiment, a nozzle is located adjacent crop to be re-hydrated, the nozzle being constructed for discharging a central stream of steam or a mixture of steam and gas that is enveloped and insulated from the atmosphere by hot gas so that the steam is prevented from condensing prior to coming into contact with the crop.
Abstract:
A forage preservative applicator system for efficiently and accurately providing forage preservatives to forage during harvesting. The forage preservative applicator system includes a support base, a reservoir positionable upon the support base for storing a volume of biological solution, a valve fluidly connected to the reservoir, a pump fluidly connected to the valve, and a dispensing tube fluidly connected to the pump for dispensing the biological solution into the forage being harvested. A flush container is preferably attached to the reservoir and fluidly connected to the valve for allowing flushing of the dispensing tube. At least one ice pack is preferably utilized within the reservoir for maintaining the temperature of a biological solution at the desired temperature for extending the useful life of the biological solution.
Abstract:
A forage preservative applicator system for efficiently and accurately providing forage preservatives to forage during harvesting. The forage preservative applicator system includes a support base, a reservoir positionable upon the support base for storing a volume of biological solution, a valve fluidly connected to the reservoir, a pump fluidly connected to the valve, and a dispensing tube fluidly connected to the pump for dispensing the biological solution into the forage being harvested. A flush container is preferably attached to the reservoir and fluidly connected to the valve for allowing flushing of the dispensing tube. At least one ice pack is preferably utilized within the reservoir for maintaining the temperature of a biological solution at the desired temperature for extending the useful life of the biological solution.
Abstract:
A chemical dispenser that attaches to a round baler is provided for dispersing dry particulate chemicals, via an airstream, onto a mat of crop material as same is being delivered and formed into a large round bale in the bale forming chamber of the baler. The dry particulate chemicals are discharged in the form of a plume into a captive area defined by the inner and outer surfaces of the crop material mat so as to achieve substantially uniform distribution of the chemicals throughout the bale of crop material while conserving the usage of the chemicals. The chemical dispenser also incorporates automatic controls for discharging chemicals only in response to the delivery of the mat of crop material to the bale forming chamber thereby insuring substantially uniform distribution of the chemicals within the bale while preventing wasteful use of the chemicals.
Abstract:
A round baler has a conventional pickup and an approximately horizontal, wide, lower conveyor for removing hay from a field and delivering it rearwardly in a transversely extending mat to a transversely extending bale chamber where it is rolled into a cylindrical bale. The upper run of the lower conveyor is approximately tangential to the lower side of the forming bale so that there is a "pinch point" where the incoming mat of crop material converges on the periphery of the forming bale. A series of fluid dispensing nozzles spaced across the machine connected to a source of preservative carried on the baler is disposed so that preservative may be applied to the hay close to the pinch point across the lateral extent of the bale chamber. The incoming mat may vary in width and in lateral disposition relative to the baler conveyor system and sensors spaced across the machine and used to detect the presence or absence of hay and control fluid valves in the nozzle lines so that preservative is released only adjacent those portions of the bale where hay is being added. In a preferred embodiment, the nozzles are carried above the incoming mat and direct preservative downwardly and rearwardly adjacent the pinch point and the hay sensors are associated with compressor rods associated with the pickup assembly.