US 11,903,343 B2
Regenerative handler raise and gravity lower cylinder
Steven D. Wallestad, Ankeny, IA (US); Mark A. Cracraft, Johnston, IA (US); and James T. Noonan, Bondurant, IA (US)
Assigned to DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed by Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US)
Filed on Aug. 10, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/398,204.
Application 17/398,204 is a continuation of application No. 16/197,880, filed on Nov. 21, 2018, granted, now 11,109,534.
Prior Publication US 2021/0360858 A1, Nov. 25, 2021
Int. Cl. A01F 15/08 (2006.01); A01D 87/12 (2006.01); F15B 11/10 (2006.01); F15B 11/024 (2006.01); A01D 46/08 (2006.01)
CPC A01D 87/127 (2013.01) [F15B 11/024 (2013.01); F15B 11/10 (2013.01); A01D 46/084 (2013.01); A01F 15/0883 (2013.01); F15B 2211/3058 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An agricultural machine, comprising:
a frame;
a harvesting header coupled to the frame, the harvesting header configured to remove crop from a field;
a module builder for receiving the crop and forming a bale of crop;
a bale handler system coupled to the frame and being movable between a raised position where the bale handler system receives the bale of crop from the module builder and a lowered position, the bale handler system comprising a handler cylinder having a base end and a rod end; and
a control valve block for hydraulically controlling the handler cylinder between an extended position and a retracted position, the control valve block comprising a first solenoid valve, a second solenoid valve, a third solenoid valve, and a regenerative valve;
wherein, when moving the bale handler system to the raised position, the handler cylinder is extended by providing hydraulic fluid from a pump through the third solenoid valve to the base end of the cylinder, and redirecting hydraulic fluid from the rod end through the regenerative valve to the base end of the handler cylinder;
wherein, when moving the bale handler system to the lowered position, the handler cylinder is retracted by opening the second solenoid valve, allowing hydraulic fluid to flow from the base end of the handler cylinder through the second solenoid valve where a first portion of the hydraulic fluid flows in a first flow path through the first solenoid valve to the rod end and a second portion of the hydraulic fluid flows in a second flow path through an orifice and a check valve to a reservoir.