Abstract: A rotor for crop handling machines has a plurality of double-pivoted, radially-extending arms and structure on the segments of each arm to position the segments such that any radially inwardly directed impact force, such as from stones and other obstructions, causes immediate buckling of the arm about its pivot points instead of fracturing the segments or bending their mounting pins. In one embodiment, each arm is provided with a positive stop between the segments that holds them in a pre-buckled condition such that the tip of the outer segment, with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotor, trails the common plane containing the pivotal axes of the double-pivoted arm. In a second embodiment the individual segments are constructed such that their centers of gravity are laterally offset, with respect to one another, causing the desired trailing relationship of the tip of the outer segment.

Abstract: In the interval between successive press cycles, crop material is picked up from the field and loaded into the stack-forming body of the machine. However, upon initiation of a press cycle, crop material, which continues to be picked up as the machine is advanced, is diverted into an accumulating chamber and collected within the latter until termination of the press cycle. Thereupon, the accumulation is discharged for recycling through the pickup and loading mechanism to be delivered into the forming body along with previously uncycled material. Alternative embodiments involve discharging the accumulation onto the ground ahead of the loader for pickup by the latter a second time, and discharging the accumulation either directly into the front or rear of the loader at a point above the ground.

Abstract: A stack-forming machine is provided with press reciprocating mechanism which tilts said press during reciprocation of the latter from a substantially horizontal position at or near the lower limit of press travel to a canted position at the upper limit of press travel wherein the front of the press adjacent the crop loader is above the rear of the press. A first embodiment of the invention utilizes interconnected two-bar linkages, one of which has a lost motion connection between its links; a second embodiment utilizes interconnected parallel and skewed four-bar linkages to tilt the press; while yet a third embodiment utilizes two-bar linkages of unequal length to accomplish press tilting.

Abstract: The discharge spout of the pickup in a stack-forming machine is provided with baffle structure inside the spout and adjacent the discharge opening that oscillates horizontally and continuously through a stream of crops being projected into the forming body of the machine in order to break up wads and clumps of matter in the stream and to evenly distribute the stream from side-to-side within the body. One embodiment utilizes a single, centrally disposed fin as the baffle structure, while another employs a pair of such fins angled acutely with respect to one another, centered in the spout and controlled to preclude swinging of each fin inwardly beyond a position parallel to the direction of crop flow.