Abstract: A large round baler is equipped with a wrapping mechanism for applying a web of plastic material to a bale located in the bale-forming chamber. The wrapping mechanism includes a housing including a cover mounted to the rear of the discharge gate of the baler for pivoting vertically, about a first horizontal transverse axis at an upper forward location of the cover, between a lowered closed position, wherein it encloses a roll of wrap material resting on a pair of roll end supports, and a raised position permitting access to the roll end supports. A pair of gas springs are coupled between opposite side walls of the cover and spaced apart crank arms of a load member which is vertically pivotally supported from the gate for swinging about a second horizontal transverse axis located slightly below and rearwardly of the first axis.

Abstract: A wrap material spreader roll includes a smooth, cylindrical tube having spiral flights at opposite end portions thereof formed from spirally wound wires of circular cross-section, the wires having respective inner ends defined by a radially inwardly projecting portion which is received in a respective hole provided in the tube. The spreader roll is mounted to opposite support walls by respective bolts having hexagonal heads received in hexagonal bores provided in the inner races of a pair of roller bearings that are pressed into the opposite ends of the tube, the bolts having respective threaded stems received in keyhole-shaped holes provided in the walls and having nuts received thereon.

Abstract: A large round baler includes mechanism for optionally wrapping a bale with either twine or a surface wrap material. A wrap control mechanism includes means whereby the wrapping process is initiated in response to a bale reaching a desired diameter within the bale chamber. Various microswitches are strategically mounted so as to be operated by various components of the twine and surface wrap mechanisms and the control mechanism therefor. These switches are integrated into an indicator circuit including indicator devices including various colored lights and a buzzer all of which are caused to operate in various modes to apprise an operator of when the wrapping process is beginning, whether or not twine or surface wrap material is present, when wrapping is complete and when the surface wrap material has been severed.

Abstract: A wrap material guide assembly is positioned beneath a run of each of a plurality of bale-forming belts extending between a lower rear and a lower front roll carried by a discharge gate of a large round baler. The guide assembly includes a guide member including a plurality of relatively narrow slats that are each in engagement with the bottom of a respective one of the bale-forming belt runs. The rear ends of the slats are fixed to a panel that extends transversely beneath and extends behind the lower rear roll and serves to intercept the leading edge of wrap material being fed by feed rolls and to direct the material to a pinch point defined between the panel and the bale-forming belts so that the belts grip and carry the material along the slats and into a bale chamber inlet located just forwardly of the front roll. The front of the slats are fixed to a cross member that is fixed to a belt guide structure positioned adjacent the front roll.

Abstract: A mechanism for enveloping a large round bale with a surface wrap material such as plastic sheet or net includes a housing for holding a supply roll of the wrap material. The mechanism and, hence, the housing is mounted on the rear of a bale discharge gate. The housing includes a front wall defined by an upright panel secured across the rear of the gate and having an upper end portion projecting rearwardly and downwardly and a bottom wall spaced below the upper end portion of and being sloped upwardly and rearwardly relative to the front wall. The housing also includes a cover which is vertically pivotally mounted to a pair of brakets located just beneath the upper end portion of the front wall, the cover having a top wall having a forward edge portion which seals against the bottom of the upper end portion of the front wall when the cover is in a closed position.

Abstract: A U-shaped bale push bar straddles a discharge gate of a large round baler with opposite legs of the bar being respectively pivotally connected to a pair of support brackets which are secured to and project rearwardly alongside the discharge gate from upper rear locations of opposite sidewall sections forming a portion of the baler main frame. A pair of chains are coupled between forward locations of the gate and the legs of the push bar and serve as lost-motion connections that cause the push bar to extend and retract respectively in following relationship to opening and closing movements of the gate such that interference between the gate and a discharged bale is avoided. An over center spring assembly acts between the push bar and support brackets to bias the bar toward its retracted position when the gate is closed and to bias the push bar toward its extended position when the gate moves a small amount towards its open position a small amount beyond an intermediate position permitting discharge of a bale.

Abstract: A U-shaped bale push bar straddles a discharge gate of a large round baler with opposite legs of the bar being respectively pivotally connected to a pair of support brackets which are secured to and project rearwardly alongside the discharge gate from upper rear locations of opposite sidewall sections forming a portion of the baler main frame. A pair of chains are coupled between forward locations of the gate and the legs of the push bar and serve as lost-motion connections that cause the push bar to extend and retract respectively in following relationships to opening and closing movements of the gate such that interference between the gate and a discharged bale is avoided.