Abstract: A knotter drive apparatus for a baler includes a knotter gear drive shaft having a drive shaft axis and a shaft outside diameter. A plurality of knotter assemblies are mounted on the knotter gear drive shaft. Each assembly includes a first knotter gear sector including a first sector hub portion and a first sector radial portion. The first sector hub portion includes a central passage at least partly defined in the first sector hub portion for receiving the knotter gear drive shaft. The first sector radial portion extends radially outward from the first sector hub portion relative to the drive shaft axis, and has defined thereon a plurality of intermittent gear tooth segments. The first sector hub portion has a circumferential gap defined therein greater than the shaft outside diameter such that the first knotter gear sector is removable radially, relative to the drive shaft axis, from the knotter gear drive shaft.

Abstract: A knotter drive apparatus for a baler includes a knotter gear drive shaft having a drive shaft axis and a shaft outside diameter. A plurality of knotter assemblies are mounted on the knotter gear drive shaft. Each assembly includes a first knotter gear sector including a first sector hub portion and a first sector radial portion. The first sector hub portion includes a central passage at least partly defined in the first sector hub portion for receiving the knotter gear drive shaft. The first sector radial portion extends radially outward from the first sector hub portion relative to the drive shaft axis, and has defined thereon a plurality of intermittent gear tooth segments. The first sector hub portion has a circumferential gap defined therein greater than the shaft outside diameter such that the first knotter gear sector is removable radially, relative to the drive shaft axis, from the knotter gear drive shaft.

Abstract: A twine delivery needle is constructed so as to include metal tip and mounting base sections or regions joined together by a relatively light weight central section having a composite structural sandwich construction comprising a low-density rigid foam core encased within a thin, high strength, skin or covering comprised of plies of woven and substantially continuous fibers disposed within a hardened matrix resin material.

Abstract: A knotter table of a baler includes a plurality of tucker finger assemblies which each aid in tying together ends of a set of twine strands so as to tie a loop of twine about a bale formed in a baling chamber. Each tucker finger assembly includes a tucker finger defined by a plate pivotally mounted alongside a baling chamber needle slot for being pivoted horizontally between a standby position, wherein the tucker finger is entirely to one side of the needle slot, and a working position, wherein the tucker finger is pivoted across the needle slot. A stop arrangement is provided for being engaged by the tucker finger or by an operating linkage coupled to the tucker finger in the event that the tucker finger pivots a preselected distance beyond a desired working range so as to prevent the operating linkage from going over-center and causing linkage damage.

Abstract: A clutch for selectively driving a mechanism. The clutch includes an engagement member movable between an engaged position for driving the mechanism and a disengaged position. The clutch also includes an actuation assembly having a first member pivotable about a pivot and cooperative with a control element for movement between a retaining position and a release position, and a second member pivotable about the pivot between the retaining position and the release position. The second member extends towards the engagement member in the retaining position for maintaining the engagement member in the disengaged position. The second member is pivotable about the pivot independently of the first member such that the second member is rotatable relative to the first member.

Abstract: A twine delivery needle is constructed so as to include metal tip and mounting base sections or regions joined together by a relatively light weight central section having a composite structural sandwich construction comprising a low-density rigid foam core encased within a thin, high strength, skin or covering comprised of plies of woven and substantially continuous fibers disposed within a hardened matrix resin material.

Abstract: A clutch for selectively driving a mechanism. The clutch includes an engagement member movable between an engaged position for driving the mechanism and a disengaged position. The clutch also includes an actuation assembly having a first member pivotable about a pivot and cooperative with a control element for movement between a retaining position and a release position, and a second member pivotable about the pivot between the retaining position and the release position. The second member extends towards the engagement member in the retaining position for maintaining the engagement member in the disengaged position. The second member is pivotable about the pivot independently of the first member such that the second member is rotatable relative to the first member.

Abstract: An agricultural baler including a base unit, a plurality of ground engaging devices supporting the base unit and at least one tie system mounted to the base unit. The at least one tie system including a tucker finger and a cap. The tucker finger being rotatable about an axis relative to the base unit. The cap covering a portion of the tucker finger being proximate to the axis.

Abstract: A knotter table of a baler includes a plurality of tucker finger assemblies which each aid in tying together ends of a set of twine strands so as to tie a loop of twine about a bale formed in a baling chamber. Each tucker finger assembly includes a tucker finger defined by a plate pivotally mounted alongside a baling chamber needle slot for being pivoted horizontally between a standby position, wherein the tucker finger is entirely to one side of the needle slot, and a working position, wherein the tucker finger is pivoted across the needle slot. A stop arrangement is provided for being engaged by the tucker finger or by an operating linkage coupled to the tucker finger in the event that the tucker finger pivots a preselected distance beyond a desired working range so as to prevent the operating linkage from going over-center and causing linkage damage.

Abstract: An agricultural baler including a base unit, a plurality of ground engaging devices supporting the base unit and at least one tie system mounted to the base unit. The at least one tie system including a tucker finger and a cap. The tucker finger being rotatable about an axis relative to the base unit. The cap covering a portion of the tucker finger being proximate to the axis.

Abstract: A twine tensioning system for a baler in which adjacent lengths of upper and lower twine lengths are knotted and passed around a bale that is being compressed in a baler. Knots are formed to connect twine at the forward and rearward end of the bales. A slack arm maintains tension during the process of knotting and severing the twines and a stop bar is removably positioned to provide a lower stop for the slack arm when the bales are being passed through the system to minimize wear.