Abstract: A large cylindrical baler with a gauge for indicating the relative diameters of a bale being formed in the bale-forming chamber at two axially-spaced points on the bale periphery. The baler comprises a bale-forming chamber defined in part by a conveyor comprised of a plurality of endless loop belts. A belt-tensioning and take-up mechanism tensions all of the belts responsive to the diameter of the largest diameter portion of the bale during formation. The gauge has a pair of feelers engaging two of the belts in engagement with the periphery of the bale at two remote, axially-spaced points on the bale periphery. An indicator is positioned remotely of the bale-forming chamber and is interconnected with the pair of feelers through a signal transmitting means for transmitting a signal to the indicator responsive to the variation in tension of the two belts.

Abstract: An automatically controlled twine-wrapping mechanism for a large round baler includes a hydraulically driven twine arm for feeding twine across the width of a bale during the last part of its formation in a bale chamber. The twine passes between a planar surface of the arm and a generally rectangular tensioner plate which is slidably received on a pin carried by the surface and is spring biased towards the surface. The tensioner plate includes contiguous beveled edges which respectively aid in the threading of and in the passage of twine through the tensioner. The tensioner plate also includes a straight edge on the side thereof from which the twine exits. This edge serves to impede reverse movement of twine through the tensioner.

Abstract: An automatic twine-wrapping mechanism for a large round baler. The mechanism comprises a twine dispensing mechanism for dispensing twine into the bale-forming chamber of the baler, a reversible hydraulic drive means for cycling a twine arm of the dispensing mechanism back and forth in front of the chamber, a twine wrapping control mechanism for initiating a twine wrapping cycle by sensing the growth of a bale to a predetermined diameter, by automatically actuating a pump drive means for driving a hydraulic pump and by positioning a hydraulic control valve to condition the hydraulic drive means to cycle the twine arm and for terminating a twine wrapping cycle by deactivating the hydraulic drive means following the wrapping of twine around the bale. The twine is automatically severed by a twine cutter responsive to the movement of the twine arm following completion of the wrapping of the twine around the bale. The bale operator actuates a bale ejection mechanism following the cutting of the twine.

Abstract: A baler for forming cylindrical bales is comprised of a bale forming chamber having a downwardly facing opening. A pickup is pivotably mounted to the frame of the baler for movement through a range of vertical positions, and transversely extends between the sidewalls of the baler below the opening. Flare sheets are mounted on each side of the pickup for aiding in feeding and guiding of crop into the bale forming chamber by the pickup. The pickup is mounted pivotably to the frame of the baler adjacent to the rear of the opening. Each flare sheet is mounted to the frame of the baler adjacent to the front of the opening in a guide slot which permits the flare sheet to be pivotably and slidably moved back and forth therein. The flare sheets and the pickup are mounted together for conjoint movement through the range of positions by mounting each flare sheet at respective ends of the pickup reel.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for unplugging or freeing a cylindrical baler which has a slug of crop material caught in the crop inlet of the bale forming chamber. A cylindrical baler used in the practice of this method is comprised of a plurality of belts supported on a plurality of rolls and defining a bale forming chamber. A pair of rolls on a carrier respectively engage a pair of stretches of the belts and substantially close an upper portion of the chamber. The rolls and carrier are upwardly moveable as the chamber expands responsive to the bale growth. The method comprises steps of (1) disengaging a drive means for the belts; (2) moving the carrier and rolls supported thereon upwardly away from the bale being formed in the chamber thereby enlarging the chamber; (3) automatically tensioning the belts responsive to carrier movement to cause the stretches to rotatably engage the bale and (4) re-engaging the drive means for feeding the slug into the chamber and wrapping the slug around the bale.

Abstract: A round baler of typical construction has a novel belt and roll system arranged to provide a pair of lower rolls from which oppositely running stretches extend upwardly to a pair of closely spaced apart intermediate rolls which are journaled on a carrier means which in turn is movable upwardly as bale size increases between the oppositely running stretches. The bale is confined below the two intermediate rolls while other stretches of the belt are trained about additional rolls enabling deflecting of the chamber-forming stretches during bale formation. Control means is provided to act on the carrier to control upward movement of the carrier means and thus to control bale density in an improved and efficient manner. The control means further includes hydraulic means tied in with the hydraulic means that controls the bale-discharge gate.

Abstract: A machine for forming large round bales of hay and the like has a pickup mechanism that removes the crop from the field and delivers it rearwardly between a pair of compresser rolls, which deliver crop material in a mat to a baling zone between upper and lower endless conveyors. The upper conveyor includes a plurality of endless belts trained around a plurality of transverse rollers, one of which is disposed adjacent the rearward end of the lower conveyor and is mounted on a rear gate assembly that is swingable upward and rearwardly to permit discharge of the bale from the baling chamber. As the bale increases in size, its center of gravity moves rearwardly and after its initial stage of formation, it is partially supported on the roller adjacent the lower conveyor, said roller being disposed generally below the center of the bale when the bale reaches full size.