Abstract: A baler implement may include a frame, a first panel, a plunger, and a hook mechanism. The frame has a central longitudinal axis. The first panel partially forms a compression chamber for compressing crop therein. The plunger is operable to reciprocate within the compression chamber to provide a compressive force to compress crop material in the compression chamber into a flake against a plurality of other flakes of a currently forming bale and is operable to move the currently forming bale through the compression chamber. The hook mechanism is positioned on the first panel and is operable to engage the currently forming bale inside the compression chamber to resist the compressive force applied by the plunger to increase compression of the crop material within the compression chamber.

Abstract: A baler implement includes a first plate defining a first aperture for receiving a twine from a supply of the twine. A second plate defines a second aperture for discharging the twine to a knotter system. An elongated tube includes a first end defining a first opening, a second end defining a second opening, and defines an elongated interior passage extending between the first end and the second end. The first end of the elongated tube is positioned to align the first opening of the elongated tube with the first aperture of the first plate. The second end of the elongated tube is positioned to align the second opening of the elongated tube with the second aperture of the second plate. The elongated tube is shaped to guide the twine through the elongated interior passage thereof between the first aperture and the second aperture.

Abstract: A mower disc includes a body having an elongated slot. A retention block includes a pocket defining a radially outer portion and a radially inner portion. The retention block includes a cover portion covering the radially outer portion of the pocket and the elongated slot. A pin passes through the elongated slot and is moveable within the elongated slot along a radially extending path between the radially outer portion and the radially inner portion of the pocket. When the pin is disposed in the radially outer portion, the cover portion of the retention block covers the pin to prevent withdrawal of the pin from the elongated slot. When the pin is disposed in the radially inner portion, the pin may be removed from the elongated slot through an access opening. A knife is positioned adjacent the lower surface of the body and is coupled to the pin.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for an independent needle drive system for an agricultural baler. Typical balers utilize a knotter drive shaft to operate both the knotter drive and needle drive. In this innovation, the knotter drive shaft and needle drive are independently operated to provide additional uses for the rotation of the knotter drive shaft. An independent needle drive crank arm free-floats on a smooth portion of the knotter drive shaft, and a knotter clutch is engaged separately on a splined portion. Rotation of a clutch bowl engages the knotter clutch and knotter shaft independently from the needle crank arm. In this way, the needle drive and knotter drive can operate independently from each other.

Abstract: A forage harvester includes a shear bar and a panel that directs the crop material downstream of the shear bar. A processing component is disposed downstream of the panel. An impact sensor is coupled to the shear bar and operable to detect data related to a magnitude of a force applied to the shear bar. The panel is moveable from a first position to a second position. The first position of the panel forms a channel for directing the crop material in the direction of crop processing along a first path toward the processing component. The second position of the panel alters the channel to direct the crop material along an alternative path not including the processing component. In response to a sufficiently high impact force applied to the shear bar by debris moving with the crop material, the panel is moved from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A forage harvester includes a shear bar and a panel that directs the crop material downstream of the shear bar. A processing component is disposed downstream of the panel. An impact sensor is coupled to the shear bar and operable to detect data related to a magnitude of a force applied to the shear bar. The panel is moveable from a first position to a second position. The first position of the panel forms a channel for directing the crop material in the direction of crop processing along a first path toward the processing component. The second position of the panel alters the channel to direct the crop material along an alternative path not including the processing component. In response to a sufficiently high impact force applied to the shear bar by debris moving with the crop material, the panel is moved from the first position to the second position.

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: A binding system for an agricultural harvesting machine may include a binding mechanism securing binding material around a crop package and a delivery device coupled to the binding system and including an overload relief component. The delivery device wraps binding material around a portion of the crop package and provides binding material to the binding mechanism. The overload relief component releases the delivery device from the binding system upon encountering a predetermined overload condition.

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: A binding system for an agricultural harvesting machine may include a binding mechanism securing binding material around a crop package and a delivery device coupled to the binding system and including an overload relief component. The delivery device wraps binding material around a portion of the crop package and provides binding material to the binding mechanism. The overload relief component releases the delivery device from the binding system upon encountering a predetermined overload condition.

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 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: A sensor assembly and method are described for calibrating a tensioning system. A first movement of a slack arm of the tensioning system may be identified. It may be determined that the slack arm has been maintained in a first calibration position for a first predetermined time interval, and a first calibration setting for the slack arm may be determined based upon the first calibration position. A second movement of a slack arm of the tensioning system may be identified. It may be determined that the slack arm has been maintained in a second calibration position for a second predetermined time interval, and a second calibration setting for the slack arm may be determined based upon the identified second calibration position.

Abstract: A sensor assembly and method is described for calibrating a tensioning system. A first movement of a slack arm of the tensioning system may be identified. It may be determined that the slack arm has been maintained in a first calibration position for a first predetermined time interval, and a first calibration setting for the slack arm may be determined based upon the first calibration position. A second movement of a slack arm of the tensioning system may be identified. It may be determined that the slack arm has been maintained in a second calibration position for a second predetermined time interval, and a second calibration setting for the slack arm my be determined based upon the identified second calibration position.

Abstract: A pre-cutter tine has a relatively wide working face which is pitched or canted relative to a plane extending vertically to an axis of rotation of a pre-cutter rotor carrying a plurality of the tines arranged helically about the axis. The pitched working face of adjacent tines acts to support the crop being cut as the pitched working faces advance the crop toward the pre-cutter knives which are spaced such that the working faces of adjacent tines pass on opposite sides of a given knife. The working faces of the tines may be pitched such as to cause the engaged crop to be conveyed inwardly as well as to the rear by the tines.

Abstract: A pre-cutter tine has a relatively wide working face which is pitched or canted relative to a plane extending vertically to an axis of rotation of a pre-cutter rotor carrying a plurality of the tines arranged helically about the axis. The pitched working face of adjacent tines acts to support the crop being cut as the pitched working faces advance the crop toward the pre-cutter knives which are spaced such that the working faces of adjacent tines pass on opposite sides of a given knife. The working faces of the tines may be pitched such as to cause the engaged crop to be conveyed inwardly as well as to the rear by the tines.

Abstract: A flow monitor for monitoring application of a matter through a first flow path having a first outlet and a second flow path having a second outlet. The flow monitor includes a first temperature sensing device positioned adjacent the first outlet. The first temperature sensing device produces a first temperature signal. A second temperature sensing device is positioned adjacent the second outlet. The second temperature sensing device produces a second temperature signal. A signaling device that is remote from the first outlet and remote from the second outlet is activated when the first temperature signal differs from the second temperature signal by a predetermined value.