Stack side evener

Abstract

A bale wagon employing a stack side evener comprising, in its most simple form, a plurality of fixed, spaced apart parallel fins which passively direct a moving bale toward a predetermined position. Generally, the type of bale wagon given consideration in the instant application includes a bale-receiving area onto which bales are deposited, a bale:accumulating area upon which tiers of bales are assembled, and a load rack upon which multiple tiers of bales are deposited to accomplish the formation of a stack. The wagon further includes some mechanism for moving bales from the bale-receiving area to the bale-accumulating area. The stack side evener comprises a multiplicity of fixed fins which engage the bottom of the bale during the transfer step described, and guide it toward a stop member which serves to commonly orient one side of the tier being formed. In its most complex form, the stack side evener further includes a cross conveyor on the bale-receiving area which employs conveyor flights which are angularly oriented similarly to the fins. When the transfer mechanism causes the bales to move toward the bale-accumulating area, both the flights and the fins engage the bottom of the bale and direct it toward the predetermined position.