Control for the operation of the ram of a baler

Claim 1

A baler having a reciprocating material compressing ram, A. hydraulic power means for effecting ram reciprocation, including 1. a hydraulic control valve, a. hand-operated lever means on said hydraulic control valve 2. a hydraulic cylinder and piston arranged and constructed to cAuse movement of the baler ram upon changes in the relative positions of the cylinder and piston, 3. conduit means joining said hydraulic control valve and said hydraulic cylinder and piston, whereby the hand-operated lever means may be manually actuated to effect separate operation of the ram through its compression stroke, or its retraction stroke, or bringing it to a complete halt, and B. means associated with said hydraulic control valve automatically effecting a single complete cycle of ram operation after instigating initial operation of the handoperated lever means, whereby the ram will travel through its compression stroke, through its retraction stroke and come to a stop automatically, 1. mechanical linkage means superimposed on the operation of the hydraulic control valve, a. a hinged lever on the control valve separate from the handoperated lever means but acting on arcuate shifting movement to effect a change in the control valve setting in the same manner as with the hand-operated lever means, and b. means associated with said hinged lever ((B-1-a) to effect automatic shifting movement thereof by movements of the baler ram, 1. a rod having one end fastened to the hinged lever (B-1-a) and the other end passing through a portion of the baler ram, and 2. first and second collar means on the rod disposed on each side of the portion of the baler ram through which the rod passes, whereby the second collar means acts to shift the control valve from its compression stroke to its retraction stroke and the first collar means acts to shift the control valve from its retraction stroke to a neutral position.