Abstract: The bale pusher mechanism of a round baler has a one-way safety breakaway latch between the push bar that engages the ejected bale and the actuator that operates the push bar. During the pushing stroke of the push bar, the latch cannot unlock, but during the return stroke if the push bar hangs up on the bale for any reason, the relief spring of the latch can yield to allow the push bar to disconnect itself from the actuator and remain engaged with the bale. As the baler is driven forwardly a short distance with the tailgate raised, the unlatched push bar rides harmlessly across the top surface of the bale until it completely clears the bale. In most cases the push bar will then easily relatch itself with the actuator by gravity.

Abstract: A round baler having a wrapping apparatus for wrapping bales with twine includes a twine dispenser moveable generally between the sidewalls for dispensing at least one strand of twine around the bale. The wrapping apparatus includes a retractable twine guide for spacing the twine wrapped around the bale a certain distance from one of the sidewalls. The guide is shiftable into and out of an operating position, in which the guide engages and maintains the twine the distance from the one sidewall. The wrapping apparatus further includes a twine cutter for severing the twine at the end of each wrapping cycle. Power mechanism, such as a hydraulic cylinder, is provided for simultaneously operating the twine cutter and the twine guide.

Abstract: The baler has a twine monitoring assembly which generates a pulsating signal in response to twine being dispensed during bale wrapping operations. The twine is wrapped around the periphery of a monitor wheel and, during dispensing, the twine rotationally drives the wheel. As the wheel rotates, a magnet affixed to the wheel at a location adjacent the periphery thereof, travels past a stationary, magnetically operated, normally open switch thereby briefly closing the switch and temporarily turning on an indicator light until the magnet moves sufficiently far enough away from the switch. During wrapping of the bale, twine is rapidly dispensed, causing the wheel to rapidly rotate and as a consequence, causing the light to pulsate, indicating to the operator that twine is being dispensed.

Abstract: A round baler includes a bale shape monitor for facilitating uniform bale formation. The bale shape monitor includes a pair of end sensors and an intermediate sensor. The end sensors sense the diameter of the bale at end locations adjacent opposite ends of the bale, while the intermediate sensor senses the diameter of the bale at an intermediate location spaced between the end locations. The monitor further includes a signal responsive to the sensors to indicate to the operator when the diameter of the bale at one of the end locations is less than the diameter at the intermediate location. The signal is electrically powered and includes a pair of switches, each of which is operably coupled between one of the end sensors and the intermediate sensor to operate an indicator when the diameter of the bale sensed at the corresponding end location is less than the diameter sensed at the intermediate location.