Abstract: A portable roller compactor for compacting waste located in a container, which is open on the top, has a frame-like basic structure and an articulated arm, one end of which is supported by the basic structure, and the other, free end of which supports a roller compactor that essentially can be rotated about a horizontal axis of rotation. The articulated arm of the roller compactor is pivotably attached to a sliding carriage, which is mounted on the frame-like base structure and can be moved in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The invention comprises a carpet wrapping apparatus. The apparatus comprises a pair of rotatable rollers for supporting a roll of sheet material and for rotating the roll of sheet material supported thereon and a vertically extending curtain disposed adjacent and spaced from the roll of sheet material so that there is a horizontal gap between the curtain and the roll of sheet material when supported on the rollers. The apparatus also comprises a source of pressurized air directed toward the curtain and a plastic film dispenser disposed above the rollers for dispensing a plastic film between the curtain and the source of pressurized air so that the pressurized air blows the plastic film toward the curtain and into the gap. A method of wrapping a roll of carpet with a plastic film is also disclosed.

Abstract: An archery target includes a clamping assembly having at least two conditions wherein a first condition applies compressing force to a target material and a second condition releases at least a portion of the compressing force from the target material such that arrow removal is easier. The clamping assembly allows the user of the target to readily change the clamping assembly between the two conditions. The clamping assembly may be manual, powered, or a combination of the two. The clamping assembly may include a mechanical lever, a winder, a crank, a hydraulic device, or a pneumatic device. The clamping compressing force may be applied from the top, bottom, or sides of the target material. In some configurations, a strap is disposed around the target material and is tightened and loosened to apply and release the compressing force from the target material.

Abstract: A strapping head for a strapping machine includes a containment frame for housing at least a strap launch/rewind path defined by a launch/tensioning assembly including a plurality of driving wheels of the strap, a welding assembly and a gripping and cutting device including locking grippers, a moving abutment plate and a cutter, the driving wheels of the launch/tensioning assembly being brought into rotation by a first actuation motor, wherein all of the launch/tensioning assembly, welding assembly and gripping and cutting device have driving members driven into movement through a single linear cam apt to move alternately in the longitudinal direction through a second actuation motor and having cam profiles both on an horizontal plane and on a vertical plane, and the linear cam is actuated by the second driving motor being integral in rotation with screwed spindle transmission elements mutually cooperating with screw nut elements integral with the linear cam.

Abstract: A twine retaining device for a baler includes a retaining disk, which can rotate about a shaft, and a retaining plate, which jointly delimit a retaining gap. The retaining gap is defined by a plurality of constrictions distributed along a twine strand extending through the retaining gap.

Abstract: A binding apparatus for a round baler binding a pressed bale with a binding twine. The binding apparatus has at least one binding twine guide, at least one binding twine guided by the binding twine guide and at least one cutting device for severing the binding twine after a binding operation. The cutting device has a cutting element guide and, formed on the cutting element guide, a cutting element holder to which is fastened a cutting element which has a cutting edge, in order to sever the binding twine, is guided to the binding twine by the cutting element guide and is brought into contact with the binding twine. In order to reduce wear on the cutting element and to increase the cut quality at the binding twine, a deflecting edge is formed on the cutting element guide between the cutting element and the binding twine, said deflecting edge displacing the binding twine in a deflecting movement, with binding twine tension being built up, before the binding twine is brought into contact with the cutting edge.

Abstract: A baler is supported by wheels on the ground and is either self-propelled or hitched to and driven by a tractor. The baler has pickup and conveying devices for collecting and transporting the harvested goods to a pressing channel where bales are formed. The bales are tied by tying material supplied from a storage container arranged on the baler and moveable from an operating position into a servicing position allowing access to machine components of the baler covered by the storage container in the operating position. The storage container is moveable into a loading position for inserting or removing rolls of the tying material. The loading position and the servicing position are identical. In the loading and servicing position the storage container has, in comparison to the operating position, a greater spacing relative to a longitudinal center plane of the baler and a reduced spacing relative to the ground.

Abstract: A stack of articles having a stack guide disposed thereon is disclosed. The stack guide comprises identifiers which relate to information about the stack and the articles within the stack, and to the orientation of the stack. The stack guide also comprises a guide for binding straps which can be identified during an unloading process.

Abstract: A net dispensing assembly in a baler includes a net roll support tube configured to hold the net roll and a brake drum assembly coupled to the net roll support tube and configured to rotate about the net roll support tube and apply tension to the net wrapping dispensed from the net roll. The net dispensing assembly also includes a pivoting element configured to move the net roll support tube between an operating position and a load-unload position. The net dispensing assembly further includes a locking mechanism coupled to the brake drum assembly and configured to prevent the brake drum assembly from rotating in a direction opposite the operating direction when the net roll support tube is in at least one of (i) the load-unload position and (ii) the operating position.

Abstract: A baler apparatus includes a baling chamber including a channel including an inlet end and an outlet end, a reciprocating plunger adjacent the inlet end of the baling chamber that is operable to compress a body of bale material within the baling chamber, a binding device for binding the compressed body of bale material to form a bale, and at least one adjustable wall for adjusting the compression of the bale material during formation of a bale.

Abstract: A machine (1) for tying vegetation, in particular vine, raspberry or similar branches, including a unit (4) for lifting up the branches, an element (5) for supplying tying-up wires (50) and members (7, 8) for binding the tying-up wires. These binding members include two pivoting arms (7, 8) that are mounted to pivot around vertical axes (A) and be moved by jacks. One of the arms (7) comprises an on-board tie magazine (71) that is arranged in the extension of a tying head (72), and the other arm (8) includes an insertion head (82) cooperating with the tying head (72) when the arms (7, 8) are in a working position in order to fit the tie (60) on the tying-up wires (50).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an accumulating and strapping apparatus includes a first accumulation device configured to accumulate paper sheets, a second accumulation device, a strapping device configured to strap a bundle of the accumulated paper sheets by a tape, a base carrier provided movably up and down among a first position, a second position, and a third position, and a sheet carrier movable on the base carrier. The sheet carrier is configured to receive the accumulated paper sheets from the first accumulation device at the first position of the base carrier, move from a standby position to an advanced position at the third position of the base carrier to transfer the accumulated paper sheets to the strapping device, and move from the standby position to the advanced position at the second position of the base carrier to receive the accumulated paper sheets from the second accumulation device.

Abstract: A retainer unit (1) for use in a wire binding machine in order to retain and subsequently release a wire during the tightening thereof around one or more objects. The retainer unit comprises: a wire retaining member (10) pivotable, under the action of a press force exerted by a wire, from an advanced wire retaining position to a retracted wire releasing position; a blocking mechanism (20) moveable from a blocking position, in which it prevents the wire retaining member from being pivoted to the wire releasing position, to a non-blocking position, in which it allows the wire retaining member to be pivoted to the wire releasing position. The blocking mechanism is arranged to move to the non-blocking position under the effect of said wire when the wire reaches a given inclination towards a wire contacting part (11) of the wire retaining member. The invention also relates to a wire binding machine comprising several such retainer units.

Abstract: A baling press includes a support unit on which first and second strapping mechanisms are mounted, and the support unit is rotatable between a first position in which the first strapping mechanism is operational and a second position in which the second strapping mechanism is operational.

Abstract: A strapping station and to a method for strapping groups, bundles, packaged goods, and/or grouped articles or grouped packaged goods, having at least one strapping band, which is placed and/or tensioned approximately horizontally and/or vertically and/or diagonally around the exterior of the bundles, packaged goods, or groups of articles, or groups of packaged goods, said strapping band forming either an open or a closed ring, which is tensioned to form a firm assembly of the bundles, packaged goods, etc. A magazine feeds the strapping band to at least one application head for applying the strapping respectively to a group, to a bundle, to at least one packaged good, and/or to the grouped articles or grouped packaged goods. In addition, the strapping band extends and is conveyed largely without being guided and/or in a free-floating manner, at least within an operating range of the application head.

Abstract: A manual baler for compressing thin plastic sheeting for efficient recycling including downwardly extending fingers on the compression plate that serve to gather and retain the plastic sheeting during compression and a latch and twine threading system for holding the bale in compression while allowing ties to be wrapped around the bale to retain it in a compressed state.

Abstract: For banding a stack of wide, flat products, a strap is completely wound around the stack. Before the strap is tensioned, at least two stops are positioned on or near to the stack, which limit the tensioning movement of the strap and to which the strap is applied in the tensioned condition. The stops and the banded stack are subsequently separated from each other. The stops are repositioned relative to each other after fixture of the strap and before separation from the stack. A device for performing the method has a tensioning unit using at least two stops to limit the tensioning movement of a strap and to which the strap can be applied in the tensioned condition. The stops can be repositioned relative to each other.

Abstract: A baler is formed with a bale chamber for compressing agricultural crop into bales, at least one knotter for knotting twine wrapped around a finished bale and a twine store having at least one magazine in which the twine rolls for supplying the knotter are accommodated with axes lying on a common line.

Abstract: A tree limb bundling tool includes a cylindrical base container having a bottom surface, a continuous, upstanding outer wall and an open top in communication with an interior chamber. A pair of diametrically-opposed notches extend from the open top to an intermediate portion of the wall. The device also includes a compactor having a circular upper surface with a cylindrical shroud depending therefrom. The shroud likewise includes a pair of opposing notches extending from an intermediate portion to a lower edge. Accordingly, a worker compiles limbs and places them within the notches on the base container. The compactor is inserted into the container with the shroud notches substantially aligned with the base container notches. The worker then either sits or kneels on the upper surface of the compactor at which time a tie or string is wrapped about each end of the compressed limbs.

Abstract: A machine for forming a two-stage wire tie around a pair of bars to bind the bars together, said machine comprising means for passing said wire in a loop around the bars and a twisting head for twisting the ends of said loop together, said twisting head comprising means for gripping the ends of the wire and a tie plate through which the ends of the wire pass, and said head being resiliently mounted relative to the bars so as to allow the tie plate to move through a predetermined amount of travel towards the bars, to thereby define the length of a first stage of the tie, the machine being adapted thereafter to release the ends of the wire and continue twisting these to form a second stage of the tie.

Abstract: A strap loading assembly for a strapping machine provides a feed path for the strap material. The loading assembly includes a first rail and a second rail movable between a deployed position and a stowed position. The second rail, when in the deployed position, confronts the first rail and defines a strap guide with the first rail. The second rail, when in the stowed position opens the strap guide. A link operably connects the first and second rails. Strap material in the strap guide, when in tension, exerts a force on the first rail to move the link which moves the second rail from the deployed position to the stowed position. A strapping machine with a strap loading assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a paper sheet processing apparatus including a supporting unit which supports a bundle of stacked paper sheets, a binding processing unit which performs binging processing at least at two binging positions in the bundle of paper sheets, a pair of hold-down units which holds down the bundle of paper sheets, and a moving unit which moves at least one hold-down unit among the pair so as to separate from the other hold-down unit in a direction in which the binding positions are aligned in the bundle of paper sheets. In the paper sheet processing apparatus, the binding processing unit performs the binding processing between the pair of hold-down units in the bundle of the paper sheets following moving of at least one hold-down unit among the pair of hold-down units being in moving down of the bundle of the paper sheets by the moving unit.

Abstract: A paper processing apparatus includes a discriminating unit. The discriminating unit can discriminate papers inserted into the papers processing apparatus. Discriminated papers are ejected to storage compartments based on discrimination results. Only papers that are discriminated as counterfeit are ejected to one of the storage compartments.

Abstract: A towable trailered standing tree baler provides independent maneuverability with sufficient structural strength required for baling large trees. A telescopic wheeled frame provides ground support directly underneath a tree branch compression ring and therefore provides a strong structural foundation for pushing the ring upward. The support wheels of the frame can be both steered and tilted so that the apparatus can be centered on the tree even on uneven ground. A compression ring lifting boom utilizes an interconnecting rotation arm between the end of the boom and the compression ring so that the ring may be positioned at a very low starting point close to the ground and then moved accurately upwardly with the circumference of the ring being held level and centered. A specialized lining material on the ring reduces friction against the tree limb bark and therefore reduces tree limb damage.

Abstract: A rocker assembly of a strapping machine has a rocker having a seat, a positioning panel mounted on the seat and being able to swing, and two teeth panels slidably mounted on the positioning panel. When a fixed end and a tightening end of a wrapping strap are mounted between the rocker assembly and a tensioning wheel, the teeth panels slide and the positioning panel swings to adjust engaging surfaces and engaging forces between the teeth panels and the wrapping strap according to thickness of the wrapping strap. Thus the wrapping strap is able to securely wrap around the goods and is not scratched.

Abstract: A strapping system includes a strap exchanger that is capable of delivering one or more straps to a component of the strapping system. The strap exchanger feeds a strap to a downstream component of the strapping system. A track assembly receives the strap and uses that strap to bundle product. The strap exchanger is capable of repeatedly delivering straps to the strapping system to reduce, limit, or substantially eliminate downtime associated with manually loading straps into the strapping system.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling bale forming operations is disclosed. The system and method includes a monitoring system for visually imaging a portion of a bale and providing a warning to an operator if the bale is wrapped or shaped incorrectly.

Abstract: A system for applying a tin-tie, from a supply of tin-ties releaseably adhered along the length of a liner, with the tin-tie length generally aligned along a length of packaging moving in a first direction includes a tamp applicator for extending and retracting along a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction. The tamp applicator includes a magnet for carrying the tin-tie after it is released from the liner by a peeler, an air assist for aid in releasing and positioning the tin-tie, and a recess and edge for positioning the tin-tie. Part of the tamp applicator carrying the released tin-tie is also moveable in the same first direction, allowing travel in the same first direction as the moving packaging material when putting the tin-tie on the moving packaging material. A spring biases the part to return in a third direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A strapping machine having a movable working assembly includes comprises a machine body, a chute, and a movable working assembly. This machine body contains a storing space. The chute has an upper chute portion and a lower chute portion. The movable working assembly which is in the storing space includes a horizontal movable portion, a vertical movable portion, a working device, and an operation linkage mechanism. When the vertical movable portion moves to the move-down position, the lower chute portion is separated from the upper chute portion. Then, the movable working assembly can be moved out for easy maintenance. So, it is quick and easy to repair any internal device or part inside the strapping machine. The repairer does not need to stoop or squat down for repairing it. In addition, it saves strength and time to move out the working device or related part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strapping machine (1) for tying packages (2), in particular metal strips wound into coils, using at least one strapping band (4; 4a, 4b) guided around a package (2), wherein a tying head (8, 8a, 8b) can be placed against the package. The strapping machine comprises a tensioning device and a welding device (9a, 9b) for connecting the ends (4a, 4b) of the strapping bands (4) that are stretched under tension, said welding device comprising at least one upper advanceable welding electrode (12) in an electrode chamber (10). The strapping machine also comprises a counter electrode that temporarily interacts with said welding electrode. A sliding plate (14) is associated with the welding device (9a, 9b) towards the package (2).

Abstract: A strapping head having a feed unit for advancing a strap downstream and tensioning the strap around an object to be strapped and a crimp unit downstream of the feed unit for crimping two sections of the strap to each other has for each of the units an electric drive motor. In addition the head is provided with an electronic programmable controller connected to both of the units for operating same in accordance with a resettable program.

Abstract: A bale wrapping mechanism for feeding bale surface wrapping material to an inlet of a baling chamber containing a bale to be wrapped includes a support arrangement for supporting a plurality of wrapping material supply rolls disposed with their adjacent ends either overlapping each other or disposed in axially aligned or end-to-end relationship with each other. In the case of overlapping ends, the adjacent runs of material respectively emanating from the plurality of supply rolls overlap each other and are applied to the circumference of a bale being wrapped in an overlapped arrangement. In the case of axially aligned supply rolls and when the wrapping material is a spreadable net material, a material spreading arrangement is located between the supply rolls and an inlet to the baling chamber and acts to spread the net so that adjacent runs of wrapping material respectively emanating from the plurality of material supply rolls overlap each other and remain overlapped as they are applied to the bale.

Abstract: An apparatus for tying a wire around one or more objects such as concrete reinforcing bars is disclosed. It comprises means for passing the wire in a loop around the bars and a rotatable head for twisting the ends of the loop together. The head has at least one clamping member for clamping the wire. The clamping member provides a higher clamping force when tension in the wire is increases.

Abstract: A machine for forming a two-stage wire tie around a pair of bars to bind the bars together, said machine comprising means for passing said wire in a loop around the bars and a twisting head for twisting the ends of said loop together, said twisting head comprising means for gripping the ends of the wire and a tie plate through which the ends of the wire pass, and said head being resiliently mounted relative to the bars so as to allow the tie plate to move through a predetermined amount of travel towards the bars, to thereby define the length of a first stage of the tie, the machine being adapted thereafter to release the ends of the wire and continue twisting these to form a second stage of the tie.

Abstract: A woody biomass baler having a baling chamber adapted to receive woody biomass material, a compression system adapted to compact the material into a rectangular bale in the chamber, and an ejection system adapted to move the bale from the chamber, wherein the baling chamber has a front wall consisting of a reciprocating compression platen corresponding in dimensions to the width W and height H of the bale, opposing upper and lower walls corresponding in dimensions to the length L and either of the W and H of the bale, and opposing sidewalls corresponding in dimensions to the L and the other of the W and H of the bale, wherein each chamber wall selected from among the upper wall, the lower wall, and each of the sidewalls can withstand a minimum distributed force perpendicular to the selected wall of at least (0.

Abstract: Biomass handling and processing systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes cutting biomass, transferring the cut biomass to an auger, utilizing the auger to form a row of biomass, and baling the row of biomass. The biomass is optionally transferred from the auger to the baler utilizing one or more conveyors. Additionally, one or more cleaning steps may be performed to separate contaminants from the biomass. In another embodiment, a biomass processing system includes a sickle, a pick-ups unit, and an auger. Biomass is cut by the sickle and transferred to the auger utilizing the pick-ups unit. The auger forms the biomass into a row. The row of biomass may then be transferred to a baler utilizing a conveyor. Systems also optionally include a rotor located between the pick-ups unit and the auger, and one or more grates that reduce contamination included with the biomass.

Abstract: A strap feed assembly for a strapping machine reduces wear on the pinch and drive wheels of feed head components by creating a gap between the pinch and drive wheels while using a cam and an engagement surface to grip the strap during a cut-and-seal phase of a strapping cycle. In the strap feed assembly, a rocker arm has an engagement surface and a pivot axis parallel to both the axis of rotation of the pinch wheel and the axis of rotation of the drive wheel. An eccentric cam, driven by a cam motor, is engageable with the engagement surface of the rocker to move the pinch wheel into and out of engagement with the drive wheel. Thus, the pinch and drive wheels are configured to grip the strap during a strap feed phase, while the cam and the engagement surface grip the strap during the cut-and-seal phase.

Abstract: A baler is supported by wheels on the ground and is either self-propelled or hitched to and driven by a tractor. The baler has pickup and conveying devices for collecting and transporting the harvested goods to a pressing channel where bales are formed. The bales are tied by tying material supplied from a storage container arranged on the baler and moveable from an operating position into a servicing position allowing access to machine components of the baler covered by the storage container in the operating position. The storage container is moveable into a loading position for inserting or removing rolls of the tying material. The loading position and the servicing position are identical. In the loading and servicing position the storage container has, in comparison to the operating position, a greater spacing relative to a longitudinal center plane of the baler and a reduced spacing relative to the ground.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved wickets, wicketting machines and methods for the binding of packaging bags. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for binding packaging bags. The apparatus includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member. The apparatus further includes a first bracket plate defining a first opening for receiving the first tubular member and a second opening for receiving the second tubular member. The apparatus further includes a second bracket plate defining a first opening for receiving the first tubular member and a second opening for receiving the second tubular member. The second bracket plate includes a first engagement feature for engagement with the first tubular member and a second engagement feature for engagement with the second tubular member, the first and second engagement features being configured to resist movement of the second bracket plate with respect to the first bracket plate.

Abstract: A strapping system includes a strap exchanger that is capable of delivering one or more straps to a component of the strapping system. The strap exchanger feeds a strap to a downstream component of the strapping system. A track assembly receives the strap and uses that strap to bundle product. The strap exchanger is capable of repeatedly delivering straps to the strapping system to reduce, limit, or substantially eliminate downtime associated with manually loading straps into the strapping system.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tying machine (100) for forming bundles from a plurality of propellant sticks (4). Such bun-files may be used to form a propellant charge for use in, for example, heavy artillery. The tying machine tends to comprise an aperture (6) and a work surface (8) such that the plurality of sticks may rest on the work surface and occupy a portion of the aperture. Further, a drum (10) holding one end of a length of twine surrounds the aperture and can be rotated to wind the twine around the sticks. The twine can be secured once the sticks are bound.

Abstract: A strapping machine includes a machine body, a strap chute, a strap supplying device, and a controlling device. The machine body has a working surface. The strap chute includes an access guiding portion and an exit guiding portion. The controlling device can control the access guiding portion and the exit guiding portion moving to suitable heights independently. So, an object to can be moved in for a strapping work and then be moved out. Hence, the vertical moving distances of the access guiding potion and the exit guiding portion can be adjusted independently. In addition, it can save the waiting time.

Abstract: A combination of an agricultural apparatus and a hauling or towing vehicle is provided. The hauling or towing vehicle has a power take-off shaft that can be activated and deactivated selectively by means of a coupling. The apparatus comprises drivable elements that can be connected to the power take-off shaft. An electronic control unit of the apparatus is connected via a bus to an electronic control unit of the hauling or towing vehicle. The electronic control unit of the apparatus is connected to a sensor for detecting a living creature present in a danger zone of the machine. In the case that a living creature is detected in the danger zone, the electronic control unit of the apparatus causes the electronic control unit of the hauling or towing vehicle to order an actuator to disconnect the coupling of the power take-off shaft and/or to prevent the actuator from closing the coupling.

Abstract: A strap driving device for a strapping machine comprises an insertion-return unit; a tensioning unit; and guide channel portions for the strap which lead toward the device for inserting, returning and tensioning the strap and away from said device, with the guide channel portions being provided with cheeks guiding the strap along both sides of its flat sides, wherein rollers on one side of the insertion, return and tensioning unit and the cheeks of the guide channel portions are mounted preferably stationarily on the same side while the cheeks of the guide channel portions on the other side are mounted on a movable carrier which is displaceable, by means of an actuation device, between a working position with closed pairs of rollers and guide channel portions and a service position with open pairs of rollers and guide channel portions.

Abstract: A strapping system includes a strap exchanger that is capable of delivering one or more straps to a component of the strapping system. The strap exchanger feeds a strap to a downstream component of the strapping system. A track assembly receives the strap and uses that strap to bundle product. The strap exchanger is capable of repeatedly delivering straps to the strapping system to reduce, limit, or substantially eliminate downtime associated with manually loading straps into the strapping system.

Abstract: The present description discusses apparatuses and methods for applying straps around a bundle of objects by applying a variable force to tension the strap around the bundle of objects and then actuating a series of cams to control the sealing of the strap around the bundle of objects. The apparatus includes a track assembly extending substantially about a strapping station. The track assembly is adapted to receive a strap and to release the strap during a tensioning operation. An accumulator delivers strap to the track assembly. The accumulator has a strap conveyor system that defines a strap path and an accumulator container adjacent to the strap path. Strap can be accumulated in the accumulator container and subsequently delivered to the track assembly.

Abstract: A machine (1) for tying vegetation, in particular vine, raspberry or similar branches, including a unit (4) for lifting up the branches, an element (5) for supplying tying-up wires (50) and members (7, 8) for binding the tying-up wires. These binding members include two pivoting arms (7, 8) that are mounted to pivot around vertical axes (A) and be moved by jacks. One of the arms (7) comprises an on-board tie magazine (71) that is arranged in the extension of a tying head (72), and the other arm (8) includes an insertion head (82) cooperating with the tying head (72) when the arms (7, 8) are in a working position in order to fit the tie (60) on the tying-up wires (50).

Abstract: One embodiment is a combine having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, a grain bin for receiving grain from the forward section grain transfer assembly, and a transverse crop residue baler disposed at the rear of said combine and moving integrally with said combine. The transverse crop residue baler also can be towed by the combine and is connected to the combine by two widely spaced-apart joints that permit only movement in the pitch axis. The combine can be devoid of an on-board grain bin and comprise a forward unit; the transverse crop residue baler disposed at the rear of and carried by the forward unit; and the combine includes a rearward unit jointedly attached to the forward unit and having, steerable and powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin, and a grain off-loading assembly.

Abstract: A baler has a bale chamber and a needle movable through the bale chamber to pass a strand of twine from one side of the bale chamber to a knotter located on the opposite side, the twine being engaged by a tip of the needle. In the invention, pressurized air is directed at the needle tip. The supply of pressurized air may be discontinuous and timed to coincide only with certain phases of the needle operating cycle. The air stream avoids crop material being caught up in the knots formed by the knotter.

Abstract: Bale strap assemblies for strapping a pressed bale are discussed herein. The bale strap assemblies may include a strap positioning assembly having a plurality of strap assemblies and a return chute assembly having a plurality of return chutes for returning straps to the strap assemblies for strapping the pressed bale. The strap position assembly and return chute assembly incorporate cylinders to move between different positions during a strapping cycle. Exemplary embodiments include provisions for accommodating a press turntable of a down packer and registration means for providing a greater number of straps to strap a bale than a corresponding number of strap assemblies.