Abstract: An assembly is described for braking and indexing rotating components, including guide rollers of balers. A wheel is attached to a rotating component and is surrounded, at least in part, by a traction device. A tensioning assembly with a lost motion linkage is attached to the traction device and to a frame. A counterforce assembly is also attached to the traction device and to the frame. When a portion of the tensioning assembly is moved in a braking direction, the stop prevents further movement of the lost motion linkage to apply a tensioning force to the traction device. The tensioning force is resisted by the counterforce assembly to impose a braking force on the wheel and thereby brake the rotating component. Moving the portion of the tensioning assembly in a release direction moves the lost motion linkage away from the stop, thereby reducing the braking force on the wheel.

Abstract: An agricultural material baling system comprises, in one example, a bale forming component configured to form a bale of agricultural material from a terrain, and a control system configured to determine that the bale is to be released from the baling system onto the terrain, determine that a current location of the baling system has a slope above a threshold, determine a different location, that is spaced apart from the current location, for releasing the bale onto the terrain, and provide an output indicative of the different location. In one example, the control system is configured to receive yield data indicative of a volume of agricultural material in a path of the baler and to control the baling system based on the yield data. In one example, the yield data is obtained from a raking operation that rakes the agricultural material into a windrow.

Abstract: An agricultural baler comprising a baler mechanism and a carriage assembly coupled to the baler mechanism. A platform is coupled to at least one of the baler mechanism and the carriage assembly. The platform is configured to move a bale from the baler mechanism to the carriage assembly and remain tilted until the bale is moved onto the carriage assembly at least substantially out of contact with the platform. A sliding mechanism is coupled to the carriage assembly. The sliding mechanism is configured to move the bale onto the carriage assembly.

Abstract: A system for controlling the speed of harvested crop as it is discharged from a crop accumulator onto a field comprising a discharge mechanism for imparting a desired rearward travel speed to the harvested crop as it is being discharged from the crop accumulator and a speed measurement device for measuring forward travel speed of the crop accumulator. A processor is in communication with the discharge mechanism and the speed measurement device and is operable to adjust the discharge mechanism for imparting the desired rearward travel speed or the forward travel speed of the crop accumulator, to discharge harvested crop with a rearward travel speed that is substantially equal to the forward travel speed such that the harvested crop has a substantially net zero speed as it contacts the ground.

Abstract: An agricultural baler comprising a baler mechanism and a carriage assembly coupled to the baler mechanism. A platform is coupled to at least one of the baler mechanism and the carriage assembly. The platform is configured to move a bale from the baler mechanism to the carriage assembly and remain tilted until the bale is moved onto the carriage assembly at least substantially out of contact with the platform. A sliding mechanism is coupled to the carriage assembly. The sliding mechanism is configured to move the bale onto the carriage assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit includes a control valve, a first hydraulic actuator, and a second hydraulic. The hydraulic circuit is configured such that in a first step, the first hydraulic actuator opens a product barrier in response to movement of the control valve into a first position, in a second step, the second hydraulic actuator moves a product engagement member in a first direction and the first hydraulic actuator closes the product barrier in response to movement of the control valve into a second position, in a third step, the first hydraulic actuator opens the product barrier in response to movement of the control valve into the first position, and in a fourth step, the second hydraulic actuator moves the product engagement member in a second direction and the first hydraulic actuator closes the product barrier in response to movement of the control valve into the second position.

Abstract: A system for controlling the speed of harvested crop as it is discharged from a crop accumulator onto a field comprising a discharge mechanism for imparting a desired rearward travel speed to the harvested crop as it is being discharged from the crop accumulator and a speed measurement device for measuring forward travel speed of the crop accumulator. A processor is in communication with the discharge mechanism and the speed measurement device and is operable to adjust the discharge mechanism for imparting the desired rearward travel speed or the forward travel speed of the crop accumulator, to discharge harvested crop with a rearward travel speed that is substantially equal to the forward travel speed such that the harvested crop has a substantially net zero speed as it contacts the ground.

Abstract: An assembly is described for reducing the moment from a deflected shaft. A shaft includes a shaft body and an outer shaft surface. A bearing includes an inner race engaging the shaft, the inner race including an inner race surface and a race body with axial edges. When the shaft body or a portion of the bearing is deflected from a nominal axis of relative rotation, the shaft body applies a force to the bearing at an axially outermost location that is axially inward from at least one of the axial edges of the race body. Accordingly, an effective line of action of the force is applied at a location that is axially removed from the at least one of the axial edges of the race body towards a central plane of the bearing.

Abstract: A drive system for an agricultural work machine having a primary drive system configured to drive a performance system for performing a crop preparation or handling operation including a fluid motor, a fluid pump and a tensioner system. The fluid motor is configured to produce a drive force and to be driven by a flow of fluid moving through the motor. The fluid pump is operatively connected to the fluid motor and is configured to drive the fluid motor. The tensioner system is operatively connected to the fluid motor and to the fluid pump, wherein the direction of fluid flow through the fluid motor adjusts the application of at least one force applied to a belt in the drive system. The fluid motor is configured to adjust the force applied to the belt by regulating a belt tension in proportion to a torque provided by the fluid motor.

Abstract: A crop-package transfer system has a flexible member supported by a support frame and is configured to support a crop package on a first side of the flexible member. A motive member is disposed on a second side of the flexible member. An actuator device is configured to move the motive member along the second side of the flexible member, such that the motive member transmits motive force from the actuator device to the crop package via the flexible member.

Abstract: A drive system for an agricultural work machine having a primary drive system configured to drive a performance system for performing a crop preparation or handling operation including a fluid motor, a fluid pump and a tensioner system. The fluid motor is configured to produce a drive force and to be driven by a flow of fluid moving through the motor. The fluid pump is operatively connected to the fluid motor and is configured to drive the fluid motor. The tensioner system is operatively connected to the fluid motor and to the fluid pump, wherein the direction of fluid flow through the fluid motor adjusts the application of at least one force applied to a belt in the drive system. The fluid motor is configured to adjust the force applied to the belt by regulating a belt tension in proportion to a torque provided by the fluid motor.

Abstract: A round baler is equipped with a bale-forming chamber, a storage reservoir for wrapping material, and a feeding roller that can be set into rotation at a specified rotational speed, in order to specify the speed at which the wrapping material is introduced from the storage reservoir into the bale-forming chamber. The feeding roller has, in its axially central area, a larger diameter than in its axial edge areas.

Abstract: An accumulator is coupled to an agricultural baler and is configured to support a crop package exiting the baler. The accumulator includes an accumulator frame coupled to a wheel supported on a surface and a carriage pivotably coupled to the accumulator frame about a first rotational axis for movement between a first position and a second position. The carriage is configured to support the crop package when the carriage is in the first position. The carriage is also configured to discharge the crop package from the accumulator when the carriage is in the second position. The accumulator also includes an over-center linkage system coupled between the accumulator frame and the carriage. The over-center linkage system is configured to lock the carriage in the first position.

Abstract: A wrap feed system is provided for an agricultural harvesting machine having a module-forming arrangement. A wrap feeding arrangement delivers wrapping material from a wrapping material supply to the module-forming arrangement, which is disposed in a module-forming chamber. A guide arrangement guides the wrapping material from the wrapping material supply to the wrap feeding arrangement. A sensor arrangement has at least one detection field directed toward at least one of the wrapping material supply, the wrap feeding arrangement, the guide arrangement and an inlet of the module-forming chamber to detect at least one of a module and the wrapping material.

Abstract: A drive system for an agricultural work machine having a primary drive system configured to drive a performance system for performing a crop preparation or handling operation including a fluid motor, a fluid pump and a tensioner system. The fluid motor is configured to produce a drive force and to be driven by a flow of fluid moving through the motor. The fluid pump is operatively connected to the fluid motor and is configured to drive the fluid motor. The tensioner system is operatively connected to the fluid motor and to the fluid pump, wherein the direction of fluid flow through the fluid motor adjusts the application of at least one force applied to a belt in the drive system. The fluid motor is configured to adjust the force applied to the belt by regulating a belt tension in proportion to a torque provided by the fluid motor.

Abstract: A composite wrap material for wrapping a bale may include a segment of net wrap, a first barrier segment of semi-permeable material disposed to overlap with the segment of net wrap, and a second barrier segment of material disposed to overlap, at least in part, with the first barrier segment of semi-permeable material and the segment of net wrap. The segment of net wrap may be longer than an outer perimeter length of the bale and may be at least as wide as a width of the bale. When the bale is wrapped by the composite wrap material, the overlap of the second barrier segment of material with the first barrier segment of semi-permeable material may form first and second barrier layers to impede movement of liquid water from outside the composite wrap material to the outer perimeter of the bale.

Abstract: An assembly is described for braking and indexing rotating components, including guide rollers of balers. A wheel is attached to a rotating component and is surrounded, at least in part, by a traction device. A tensioning assembly with a lost motion linkage is attached to the traction device and to a frame. A counterforce assembly is also attached to the traction device and to the frame. When a portion of the tensioning assembly is moved in a braking direction, the stop prevents further movement of the lost motion linkage to apply a tensioning force to the traction device. The tensioning force is resisted by the counterforce assembly to impose a braking force on the wheel and thereby brake the rotating component. Moving the portion of the tensioning assembly in a release direction moves the lost motion linkage away from the stop, thereby reducing the braking force on the wheel.

Abstract: An agricultural round baler has an electronic control unit (ECU), a bale diameter sensor, a gate position sensor, and an electro-hydraulic valve that controls the flow to the gate lift cylinder. The ECU determines the height to which the gate must be raised based on the bale diameter. When the gate reaches the desired height, the ECU closes or restricts the electro-hydraulic valve for a brief period of time thereby momentarily slowing or stopping gate the gate. Momentarily trapping the bale between the gate and ground allows the bale to come to rest before the bale is released from the baler. The gate can then be fully opened so that the tractor and baler can be moved clear of the bale before closing the gate.

Abstract: An agricultural baler includes a baler mechanism. A carriage assembly is coupled to the baler mechanism. The carriage assembly includes a bale carriage and a bale sliding mechanism operable along the bale carriage in a direction generally normal to the direction of travel. The bale sliding mechanism includes a pusher and a plurality of movement devices drivingly coupled to the pusher. The plurality of movement devices being coupled to the bale carriage and including a first movement device and a second movement device. The first and second movement devices operate in opposite directions to each other as the pusher is moved.

Abstract: An agricultural baler having a direction of travel and comprises a baler mechanism and a carriage assembly. The carriage assembly is coupled to the baler mechanism. The carriage assembly comprises a fixed section and at least one extending section. The extending section is extendable in a direction generally normal to the direction of travel.