Abstract: A pickup for an agricultural implement, the pickup including spaced-apart end members supporting an upper windguard and adaptable for selective connection to multiple windguard configurations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping round bales with either netwrap or stretch film that prevent the stretch film from adhering to the parts of the wrapping mechanism.

Abstract: A single floating windguard that pivots at the front and the middle of the tine section causing the tines to maintain contact with the crop at all times as it moves over the pickup and across the stuffer assembly.

Abstract: A latch retainer mechanism for securely holding the windrow pipe of an agricultural crop pickup.

Abstract: An agricultural crop processing machine, including a processing apparatus having a width; a crop pickup located forwardly of the crop processing apparatus and having a width greater than that of the crop processing apparatus; at least one auger having an axial core wherein the core has a drive wheel or sprocket at one end; and first and second bearing supports are disposed to journal the core and disposed inward of the drive wheel or sprocket. In a preferred embodiment, both bearing supports are inwardly disposed of the auger drive sprocket, which decreases the overall pickup width so as to increase the tine row-to-overall pickup width. A deflector plate acts as a bearing support and deflects crop material to allow for a shorter auger screw. A pickup cam drive wheel or sprocket and the auger drive wheel or sprocket are disposed in substantially the same plane.

Abstract: A round baler having storage and dispensing mechanisms for both twine and net/plastic wrapping materials for the bales is disclosed. An improved twine box is pivotably attached to the sidewall of the baler, adjacent the front end of the baler and twine dispensing mechanism. The twine box, of sufficient size to hold multiple balls of twine, pivots forwardly between a pivoted, or inoperative, position and a closed, or operative position. In the pivoted position various functional components of the baler are accessible for maintenance, adjustment, or repair. The twine box is lockable in the closed position. Side panels on the baler are movable to cover, or uncover, the outside of the sidewall and twine box.

Abstract: A wrapping material brake release assembly, including a wrapping material dispenser roll mount pivotable between a first functional position to dispense material from a dispenser roll and a second access position to provide access to the dispenser roll. A brake assembly having a brake member is arranged to brake the dispenser roll when the mount is in the first functional position. A ramp-shaped lifting member is arranged to lift the brake member from the dispenser roll when the mount is pivoted from the first position to the second position. The roll mount includes a pivot plate arranged to pivot from the first to the second positions, and a shaft attached at one end to the pivot plate. The roll mount has a brake drum, and the brake member has a brake arm and a brake pad attached to the brake arm.

Abstract: The device consists of a replaceable windguard tine for a windguard assembly on an agricultural round baler. The windguard tine comprises a first tine portion parallel to a second tine portion. A support region connects the first tine portion and second tine portion. The windguard pipe has a series of tine apertures through which the first and second tine portions are inserted. The support region is bound to the windguard pipe by using a clip. The clip has a tine catch and a pipe release to allow for easy removal and installation of the windguard tine.

Abstract: A round baler having storage and dispensing mechanisms for both twine and net/plastic wrapping materials for the bales can be modified to provide a lower cost twine baler. A pivoting dispensing assembly across the front of the baler is replaceable by a similar-sized twine box to convert the baler to an all-twine baler with sufficient twine storage to make the machine efficient in field operations.

Abstract: A wrapping material brake release assembly, including a wrapping material dispenser roll mount pivotable between a first functional position to dispense material from a dispenser roll and a second access position to provide access to the dispenser roll. A brake assembly having a brake member is arranged to brake the dispenser roll when the mount is in the first functional position. A ramp-shaped lifting member is arranged to lift the brake member from the dispenser roll when the mount is pivoted from the first position to the second position. The roll mount includes a pivot plate arranged to pivot from the first to the second positions, and a shaft attached at one end to the pivot plate. The roll mount has a brake drum, and the brake member has a brake arm and a brake pad attached to the brake arm.

Abstract: An agricultural crop processing machine, including a processing apparatus having a width; a crop pickup located forwardly of the crop processing apparatus and having a width greater than that of the crop processing apparatus; at least one auger having an axial core wherein the core has a drive wheel or sprocket at one end; and first and second bearing supports are disposed to journal the core and disposed inward of the drive wheel or sprocket. In a preferred embodiment, both bearing supports are inwardly disposed of the auger drive sprocket, which decreases the overall pickup width so as to increase the tine row-to-overall pickup width. A deflector plate acts as a bearing support and deflects crop material to allow for a shorter auger screw. A pickup cam drive wheel or sprocket and the auger drive wheel or sprocket are disposed in substantially the same plane.

Abstract: A round baler having storage and dispensing mechanisms for both twine and net/plastic wrapping materials for the bales is disclosed. An improved twine box is pivotably attached to the sidewall of the baler, adjacent the front end of the baler and twine dispensing mechanism. The twine box, of sufficient size to hold multiple balls of twine, pivots forwardly between a pivoted, or inoperative, position and a closed, or operative position. In the pivoted position various functional components of the baler are accessible for maintenance, adjustment, or repair. The twine box is lockable in the closed position. Side panels on the baler are movable to cover, or uncover, the outside of the sidewall and twine box.

Abstract: An adjustable force wrapping material brake mechanism and dispenser assembly for an agricultural baler. The assembly includes a wrapping material dispenser roll mount rotatably supporting a wrapping material dispenser roll. A brake-biasing arm is provided having a first end fixedly connected to a first end of a rotatable shaft. A tension arm is connected to the second end of the shaft, and bears a counter roller disposed to roll on a surface of the material dispenser roll. A pivotable monolithic brake lever arm is provided with a brake pad. A single tension spring connects the brake biasing arm and the brake lever arm to bias the brake pad to contact the brake drum with a biasing force, and thereby braking the dispenser roll. As wrapping material is dispensed, the tension arm and brake biasing arm rotate to reduce the biasing force of the spring.

Abstract: A round baler having a frame assembly, comprising: (a) a first frame assembly; (b) a pickup assembly comprising a pickup and a auger assembly integrally mounted on the first frame assembly to form a pickup module; (c) a second frame assembly connected to the first frame assembly; and (d) a conveyor module selected from the group consisting of a stuffer module and a rotor module, wherein each conveyor module comprises a conveyor mounted on the second frame assembly. The modular structure of the frame assembly facilitates manufacture of several diverse types of product balers while minimizing the complexity of the assembly line process.

Abstract: The device consists of a replaceable windguard tine for a windguard assembly on an agricultural round baler. The windguard tine comprises a first tine portion parallel to a second tine portion. A support region connects the first tine portion and second tine portion. The windguard pipe has a series of tine apertures through which the first and second tine portions are inserted. The support region is bound to the windguard pipe by using a clip. The clip has a tine catch and a pipe release to allow for easy removal and installation of the windguard tine.

Abstract: The device consists of a mechanism to place netwrap over the edge of a cylindrical bale that is created in a variable/fixed baling chamber of an agricultural round baler. The invention consists of a netwrap delivery system having of a pair of arms pivotally affixed to the outside of the baling chamber sidewalls. Also attached to the arms is an assembly frame. An actuator controls the pivoting motion of the delivery system inserting the netwrap between the stationary dimple roll and the pivot roll of the sledge assembly. Positioned outside the sidewall and between the outer frame member is a transition area. The netwrap is inserted between the stationary dimple roll and the pivot roll as well as into the transition area. Because the width of the delivery assembly is wider than that of the cylindrical bale, a portion of the netwrap is inserted over the edge by use of the transition area.

Abstract: The device consists of a mechanism to place netwrap over the edge of a cylindrical bale that is created in a variable/fixed baling chamber of an agricultural round baler. The invention consists of a netwrap delivery system having of a pair of arms pivotally affixed to the outside of the baling chamber sidewalls. Also attached to the arms is an assembly frame. An actuator controls the pivoting motion of the delivery system inserting the netwrap between the stationary dimple roll and the pivot roll of the sledge assembly. Positioned outside the sidewall and between the outer frame member is a transition area. The netwrap is inserted between the stationary dimple roll and the pivot roll as well as into the transition area. Because the width of the delivery assembly is wider than that of the cylindrical bale, a portion of the netwrap is inserted over the edge by use of the transition area.

Abstract: An improved windrow pickup attachment for a forage harvester having crop processing apparatus including an input opening for receiving crop material. The attachment includes a main frame positioned on the front of the forage harvester adjacent the input opening. A transverse reel assembly and an auger conveyor are mounted on the main frame for picking up crop material from the ground, consolidating it and conveying it to the forage harvester base unit via the input opening.

Abstract: An improved windrow pickup attachment for a forage harvester having a mechanism for processing crop materials including an input opening for receiving crop material. The attachment includes a main frame positioned on the front of the forage harvester adjacent the input opening. A transverse reel assembly and an auger conveyor are mounted on the main frame for picking up crop material from the ground, consolidating it and conveying it to the forage harvester base unit via the input opening. A ground gauging roller assembly supports the attachment to protect the reel during operation over uneven terrain. The assembly is adjustably mounted relative to the main frame.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for coupling a first agricultural implement, such as a forage wagon, to a second agricultural implement, such as a self propelled or pull type forage harvester. The hitch assembly includes a substantially vertical hitch pin affixed to the first agricultural implement, and a drawbar affixed to and extending rearwardly from the second agricultural implement. A hitch plate, affixed to the drawbar, has a rearwardly facing notch adapted to accommodate the pin under conditions where the first agricultural implement is positioned adjacent the drawbar. A latch plate pivotally mounted on the hitch plate, reciprocates between open and closed positions, for holding the pin in the notch under conditions where the pin is accommodated by the notch and the latch plate is in the closed position. The latch plate is held in the closed position by a latch reciprocal between extended and retracted conditions.