Silage bag filling machine

Abstract

A silage bag filling machine for compactly loading an elongate polymer silage storage bag includes a generally horizontal chamber through which a ram reciprocates in a generally horizontal direction, forcing silage from the chamber into a frame which carries the gathered sidewall of the silage storage bag. The frame has a curved upper surface and an open bottom. The bag filling machine is supported on wheels and is forced gradually forward as the bag fills, against the restraint of an adjustable brake. An loading elevator mounted to the side of the bag filling machine feeds silage into the horizontal chamber.

1 . Apparatus to force silage into an elongate silage storage bag, the silage storage bag having an elongate continuous sidewall, comprising 
 an elongate housing supported on wheels, the housing having a compaction chamber therein,    the compaction chamber disposed substantially horizontally,    the compaction chamber having a reciprocating ram moveable linearly therein,    the compaction chamber having a discharge end with an outlet opening therein,    the housing having an opening therein to permit silage to be received in the compaction chamber,    a duct supported on the discharge end of the compaction chamber and extending therefrom,    the duct having a substantially horizontal sidewall and an open bottom,    the duct having an interior in communication with the outlet opening of the compaction chamber,    the duct receiving an open end of the silage storage bag thereabout,    the sidewall of the duct supporting gathered portions of the continuous sidewall of the silage storage bag,    the ram urging silage through the outlet opening into the storage bag surrounding the duct.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein 
 the ram having an engagement face which touchingly engages silage to be urged through the outlet opening,    the engagement face having a protruding body fixed thereto.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein 
 the protruding body comprises a pyramidal segment having a substantially horizontal lower wall.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein 
 the outlet has flanges thereon extending into the interior of the duct,    the flanges diverging from the outlet opening.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein 
 an elevator conveyor is adjustably mounted to a side of the housing,    the elevator selectively moveable longitudinally and horizontally,    the elevator having an upper discharge end and an opposing lower end.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein 
 the elevator mounted to the housing by at least a first hydraulic cylinder having an extendible rod,    extension of the extendible rod of the at least a first hydraulic cylinder causes the lower end of the elevator to move away from the housing.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein 
 the elevator is connected to the housing along the length thereof by at least a second hydraulic cylinder,    the at least a second hydraulic cylinder causing the elevator to move longitudinally when a rod of the at least a second hydraulic cylinder is extended.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein 
 the opening in the housing is in a top thereof,    the upper discharge end of the elevator overlies the opening in the housing,    whereby silage may be continuously fed into the compaction chamber.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein 
 a selectively controlled brake restrains rotation of the wheels.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein 
 the opening in the housing is in a sidewall of the housing,    a trough is disposed adjacent the opening in the housing for receiving silage therein,    a rake forces silage into the compaction chamber through the opening in the sidewall of the housing.    
   
   
       11 . A silage bag filling apparatus comprising 
 an elongate hollow housing supported on wheels,    the housing disposed generally horizontally and having an opening at an outlet end thereof,    a driven ram reciprocatingly moveable within the housing between a retracted position and an extended position,    the ram having an engagement face oriented toward the outlet end of the housing,    the engagement face urging silage toward the outlet end of the housing during movement of the ram toward its extended position,    a hollow elongate frame mounted to the housing at its outlet end,    the frame having a generally horizontally disposed outer surface,    the frame receiving an open end of an elongate silage bag thereabout and storing unused portions of the bag on the outer surface thereof,    the engagement face of the ram has a protrusion extending therefrom.    
   
   
       12 . The silage bag filling apparatus of  claim 11  wherein 
 the protrusion of the engagement face comprises a multifaceted polygon.    
   
   
       13 . The silage bag filling apparatus of  claim 11  wherein 
 the protrusion of the engagement face comprises a hemispherical body.    
   
   
       14 . The silage bag filling apparatus of  claim 11  wherein 
 the protrusion of the engagement face comprises a curved body having a lower portion and an upper portion thereof,    the lower portion of the curved body extending further away from the engagement face than the upper portion of the curved body.    
   
   
       15 . A silage bag filling apparatus comprising 
 an elongate hollow housing supported on wheels,    the housing disposed generally horizontally and having an opening at an outlet end thereof,    a driven ram reciprocatingly moveable within the housing between a retracted position and an extended position,    the ram having an engagement face oriented toward the outlet end of the housing,    the engagement face urging silage toward the outlet end of the housing during movement of the ram toward its extended position,    a hollow elongate frame mounted to the housing at its outlet end,    the frame having a generally horizontally disposed outer surface,    the frame receiving an open end of an elongate silage bag thereabout and storing unused portions of the bag on the outer surface thereof,    the housing has a top wall,    an opening in the top wall overlies a region in the housing over which the ram moves,    an elevator is mounted to the housing and is adjustable thereon,    the elevator having an upper discharge end overlying the opening in the housing.    
   
   
       16 . A silage bag filling apparatus comprising 
 an elongate hollow housing supported on wheels,    the housing disposed generally horizontally and having an opening at an outlet end thereof,    a driven ram reciprocatingly moveable within the housing between a retracted position and an extended position,    the ram having an engagement face oriented toward the outlet end of the housing,    the engagement face urging silage toward the outlet end of the housing during movement of the ram toward its extended position,    a hollow elongate frame mounted to the housing at its outlet end,    the frame having a generally horizontally disposed outer surface,    the frame receiving an open end of an elongate silage bag thereabout and storing unused portions of the bag on the outer surface thereof,    the frame has a sidewall having a curved top,    the frame having an open bottom and open rear end,    the frame having an interior in communication with the opening in the outlet end of the housing,    the frame suspended above the ground surface to facilitate placement of a silage bag thereon.    
   
   
       17 . A silage bag filling apparatus comprising 
 an elongate hollow housing supported on wheels,    the housing disposed generally horizontally and having an opening at an outlet end thereof,    a driven ram reciprocatingly moveable within the housing between a retracted position and an extended position,    the ram having an engagement face oriented toward the outlet end of the housing,    the engagement face urging silage toward the outlet end of the housing during movement of the ram toward its extended position,    a hollow elongate frame supported on the housing at its outlet end,    the frame having a generally horizontally disposed outer surface,    the frame receiving an open end of an elongate silage bag thereabout and storing unused portions of the bag on the outer surface thereof.    
   
   
       18 . The silage bag filling apparatus of  claim 17  wherein 
 a means for feeding silage into the housing is mounted to the housing,    means for driving the ram is provided in the housing.    
   
   
       19 . A silage bag filling apparatus comprising 
 an elongate hollow housing supported on wheels,    the housing disposed generally horizontally and having an opening at an outlet end thereof,    a driven ram reciprocatingly moveable within the housing between a retracted position and an extended position,    the ram having an engagement face oriented toward the outlet end of the housing,    the engagement face urging silage toward the outlet end of the housing during movement of the ram toward its extended position,    the engagement face substantially aligned with the outlet end of the housing when the ram is in the extended position,    a hollow elongate frame mounted to the housing at its outlet end,    the frame having a generally horizontally disposed outer surface,    the frame receiving an open end of an elongate silage bag thereabout and storing unused portions of the bag on the outer surface thereof.