Tractor and baler combination with automatic baling and steering control
US7640721B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jan 5, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01B69/008
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tractor comprises a tractor frame, driven ground engaging device, and an electronic tractor controller. A baler comprises a baler frame coupled or connected to the tractor frame, a crop receiving device, a baling chamber, a bale size sensor associated with the baling chamber, and an electronic baler controller. The baler controller is operable to submit a halt signal to the tractor controller when a bale size signal provided by the bale size sensor indicates that a bale has reached a size equal to or exceeding a first predetermined size. The tractor controller is operable to command the ground engaging means to automatically halt the tractor when receiving a halt signal from the baler controller. A steering controller is connected to a swath position sensor and operable to automatically steer the tractor along a swath based upon the signals of the crop swath sensor and of the bale shape sensor such that a uniform bale shape is obtained.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.