Abstract: A method for storing information corresponding to a baled crop during a baling process includes providing a harvesting machine including a control unit, a sensor, and a bale tag reader. The method also includes forming the baled crop with a bale tag by the harvesting machine, identifying the baled crop by the control unit with a bale identifier, and sensing a characteristic of the baled crop by the sensor. The method further includes detecting a bale tag identifier associated with the bale tag by the bale tag reader, communicating the characteristic and bale tag identifier to the control unit, corresponding the characteristic, bale tag identifier and bale identifier of the baled crop to one another, and storing the characteristic, bale tag identifier and bale identifier in an electronic storage unit that is in electrical communication with the control unit.

Abstract: A sensor assembly and method is described for determining the position of a reciprocating plunger of a baler. A first sensor may detect at least one location of a crank arm driving the plunger as the crank arm rotates. A second sensor may detect a rotation of a crank gear that drives the rotation of the crank arm. A controller may determine a position of the reciprocating plunger relative to a baling chamber based upon, at least in part, the detected crank arm location and the detected rotation of the crank gear.

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 needle moveable relative to the base unit and a needle stabilizer. The needle stabilizer attached to the base unit with the needle stabilizer contacting the needle over a portion of the movement of the needle.

Abstract: A baler includes a frame, a pickup mechanism, and a pre-compression chamber coupled to the frame rearward of the pickup mechanism. A material flow is defined at least between the pickup mechanism and pre-compression chamber. The baler includes a feeder system coupled to the frame along the material flow path and between the pickup mechanism and the pre-compression chamber. The feeder system includes a feeding mechanism for transferring crop received from the pickup mechanism to the pre-compression chamber. The feeding system includes a floor assembly and knife system. The floor assembly is pivotably coupled to the frame about a pivot to move between a raised position and a lowered position. The pivot is located rearward of the pickup mechanism and feeding mechanism such that the floor assembly and knife system pivot from the raised position to the lowered position in a direction downwardly and towards a rear of the baler.

Abstract: A steering system and method are described for a vehicle having steerable front and rear wheels. A rear hydraulic steering device may be coupled to one or more of the rear wheels. A rear valve assembly may hydraulically control the rear hydraulic steering device to steer the rear wheels based upon a rear steering command. In a rear steering assist mode, the rear steering command may be determined based upon a manual steering input received at a steering input device. In an automated steering mode, the rear steering command may be determined based upon a target path of the agricultural vehicle that is determined independently of the manual steering input.

Abstract: A baler includes a frame, a pickup mechanism, and a pre-compression chamber coupled to the frame rearward of the pickup mechanism. A material flow is defined at least between the pickup mechanism and pre-compression chamber. The baler includes a feeder system coupled to the frame along the material flow path and between the pickup mechanism and the pre-compression chamber. The feeder system includes a feeding mechanism for transferring crop received from the pickup mechanism to the pre-compression chamber. The feeding system includes a floor assembly and knife system. The floor assembly is pivotably coupled to the frame about a pivot to move between a raised position and a lowered position. The pivot is located rearward of the pickup mechanism and feeding mechanism such that the floor assembly and knife system pivot from the raised position to the lowered position in a direction downwardly and towards a rear of the baler.

Abstract: A steering system and method are described for a vehicle having steerable front and rear wheels. A rear hydraulic steering device may be coupled to one or more of the rear wheels. A rear valve assembly may hydraulically control the rear hydraulic steering device to steer the rear wheels based upon a rear steering command. In a rear steering assist mode, the rear steering command may be determined based upon a manual steering input received at a steering input device. In an automated steering mode, the rear steering command may be determined based upon a target path of the agricultural vehicle that is determined independently of the manual steering input.

Abstract: A baler having a compression system for forming a bale. The baler also has a feed system having a pack mode for accumulating the crop in a pre-compression chamber and a lift mode for conveying the crop to the compression system. The baler also has a sensor arrangement having at least one sensor generating a signal, the at least one sensor being coupled to the feed system. The signal corresponds to a crop load on the feed system. A control unit is configured to receive the signal from the sensor arrangement and initiate the lift mode based on at least the signal.

Abstract: A crop sensing system for a baler includes a compression system for forming a bale and a feed system for picking up crop from a surface and conveying the crop to the compression system. The crop sensing system includes a sensor arrangement having at least one sensor being coupled to at least one of the compression system or the feed system, wherein the at least one sensor generates a signal corresponding to a crop load on the at least one of the compression system or the feed system. The crop sensing system includes a control unit configured to receive the signal from the sensor arrangement and calculate crop mass data based on at least the signal.

Abstract: A steering system and method are described for a vehicle having steerable front and rear wheels. A rear hydraulic steering device may be coupled to one or more of the rear wheels. A rear valve assembly may hydraulically control the rear hydraulic steering device to steer the rear wheels based upon a rear steering command. In a rear steering assist mode, the rear steering command may be determined based upon a manual steering input received at a steering input device. In an automated steering mode, the rear steering command may be determined based upon a target path of the agricultural vehicle that is determined independently of the manual steering input.

Abstract: A lift link assembly couples a baler needle to a lift arm. The lift link assembly includes a hollow lift link extending along a coupling axis, a lift bar slidably received by the lift link and an adjusting link. An overload protection mechanism includes a block fixed to the lift bar and coupled to the adjusting link, and a plate fixed to an end of the lift link. A pair of clamping bolts clamp the plate to the block. The clamping bolts are in tension and are substantially parallel to the coupling axis.

Abstract: A lift link assembly couples a baler needle to a lift arm. The lift link assembly includes a hollow lift link extending along a coupling axis, a lift bar slidably received by the lift link and an adjusting link. An overload protection mechanism includes a block fixed to the lift bar and coupled to the adjusting link, and a plate fixed to an end of the lift link. A pair of clamping bolts clamp the plate to the block. The clamping bolts are in tension and are substantially parallel to the coupling axis.

Abstract: A sensor assembly and method is described for determining the position of a reciprocating plunger of a baler. A first sensor may detect at least one location of a crank arm driving the plunger as the crank arm rotates. A second sensor may detect a rotation of a crank gear that drives the rotation of the crank arm. A controller may determine a position of the reciprocating plunger relative to a baling chamber based upon, at least in part, the detected crank arm location and the detected rotation of the crank gear.

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 needle moveable relative to the base unit and a needle stabilizer. The needle stabilizer attached to the base unit with the needle stabilizer contacting the needle over a portion of the movement of the needle.

Abstract: Adjustable control arms for dual path hydrostatic pumps have first and second arms interconnected by an eccentric mechanism with a common pivot point on a pivotal control input shaft for the pumps. The control arms are adjusted at a minimal pump output such as 500 r.p.m. by varying the eccentric to achieve equal r.p.m. The throw of the pump arms is adjusted at a maximum pump output r.p.m., such as approximately 4000 r.p.m., to achieve uniform tracking, steering, and directional control from the dual path hydrostatic pumps.

Abstract: A plurality of twine tensioner arms are mounted at evenly spaced locations across the baling chamber of a large square baler for pivoting vertically, against a yieldable bias, between upper and lower extreme positions. Each tensioner arm carries a tensioned twine strand associated with a double-knot tying device. A rotary potentiometer is coupled, by a follower arm, for sensing pivotal movement of each tensioner arm and sends out a corresponding electrical signal to an electronic controller which processes the sensed arm position together with other stored information and sends out a signal for energizing a display showing the relative positions of the arms and/or for energizing a warning device for apprising an operator that a mistie has occurred, is about to occur or that a twine tensioner setting has to be changed.

Abstract: Tines of a baler pre-cutter rotor each include a plate having a plurality of points disposed at equally spaced locations about a rotation axis of the rotor, with each point having a leading region reinforced by a pair of straps fixed in sandwiching relationship to the point. In one embodiment, the pair of straps is also applied to opposite sides of a trailing region bordering a circular mounting hole of the plate. In another embodiment, a second pair of straps abuts each first pair of straps and reinforces a leading region bordering the circular mounting hole. Instead of the second pair of straps, a ramp may be provided on a side surface of the plate for deflecting crop towards a pre-cutter stationary cutting knife. Instead of including separate straps, the tines can be cast or forged as identical sections including a tine point.

Abstract: Adjustable control arms for dual path hydrostatic pumps have first and second arms interconnected by an eccentric mechanism with a common pivot point on a pivotal control input shaft for the pumps. The control arms are adjusted at a minimal pump output such as 500 r.p.m. by varying the eccentric to achieve equal r.p.m. The throw of the pump arms is adjusted at a maximum pump output r.p.m., such as approximately 4000 r.p.m., to achieve uniform tracking, steering, and directional control from the dual path hydrostatic pumps.