Abstract: A baler apparatus has a cylindrical bale-forming chamber defined by a set of compression elements positioned around the circumference of the bale-forming chamber, and drive means configured to drive rotary movement of the compression elements. At least one of the rotary compression elements is configured to provide a reduced level of traction relative to a bale in the bale chamber, as compared to at least the majority of the other rotary compression elements.

Abstract: A baling roller for a round agricultural baler includes a roller body with a jacket surface, which encloses the circumference and the length of the roller body. Furthermore, radially extending elevations are located, on the jacket surface, over the circumference and the length of the roller body. In order to optimize the pressing effect of the baling roller, the elevations on the jacket surface have a greater radial extension on the end areas of the roller body than in an area of the roller body, lying between the end areas.

Abstract: A round baler is provided. The round baler having a frame and a baling chamber radially surrounded by bale forming means with one or more driven rollers. An electric motor for driving the roller is disposed in the interior of the roller.

Abstract: A device is provided for covering a bale chamber of a round baler. The device has a planar cover element made from a flexible material that extends between an upper holder and a brace moving between a lower, closed position, and an upper, open position for ejecting a round bale. The cover element consists of a fabric made from plastic fibers.

Abstract: An improved baler and a method of using the improved baler to produce high density bales based on arrangement and control of compression rollers. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a rotary feeder; a compression assembly comprising at least one compression roller configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression roller and another compression component in the baler; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression roller and compression component define an adjustable gap therebetween. The one or more compression rollers and/or baler compression components may be located in various locations in the baler. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers and baler compression components may be controlled, resulting in bales of higher density.

Abstract: The machine (100) comprises a supply station (S1) destined to receive a mattress (M) to be conveyed to a rolling station (S2) comprising a plurality of rolling rollers (1), partly arranged in a fixed section (21) of the station (S2) and partly arranged in an openable section (22), arranged in respective curved lines to define internally thereof a practically-cylindrical rolling chamber (10) with horizontal axes. Sliding organs (3) are interposed between the fixed section (21) and the openable section (22), for regulating a mutual distance between the fixed section (21) and the openable section (22) in order to vary, within a predetermined range, a base area of the rolling chamber (10) and in order to determine corresponding rolling diameters of the mattress (M) comprised between a minimum value (D1) and a maximum value (D2).

Abstract: Baling apparatus including at least two first and second mutually opposed and inclined conveyors, each conveyor having a first end and a second end, the second ends being arranged to be spaced apart to form a material entry region into which material to be baled is, in use, deposited, the first ends being relatively closely adjacent to each other, and the apparatus being arranged such that material deposited into the entry region moves toward a pinch region where the two conveyors are close to one another and where the deposited material is rolled and compressed into a bale, the conveyors being driven in opposite directions to roll and compact the material between them, and the conveyors being mutually displaceable and resiliently biased towards one another.

Abstract: A grapple device is provided for handling cylindrical cotton modules each having its circumference wrapped with a length of plastic sheet wrapping material. The grapple is equipped with a RFID reader for determining the location of a loose inner tail section of the wrapping material to which is attached an RFID tag assembly. The grapple device is also equipped with powered rollers which can be driven so as to cause the cotton module to be rotated about its axis so as to position the loose tail section of the wrapping material at an upper location of the module so as to permit a bottom surface location of the module to be slit by operation of a cutting device so as to release the cotton from the wrapper when the cotton module is positioned over a conveyor floor of a cotton gin. The powered rollers are then driven to aid in the removal and collection of the of the wrapping material from the module. In one embodiment, a separate set of powered rollers are provided for removing the wrapping material.

Abstract: Compacting machine comprising a compaction chamber connected to introduction means arranged to forcedly introduce a predetermined quantity of material to be compacted into the compaction chamber by conferring on the material a substantially rotary movement, the compaction chamber comprising at least one plate made to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the plate and arranged to at least partly close the compaction chamber laterally.

Abstract: A controlled bale ejection mechanism for an agricultural baler is provided. The mechanism includes a bale support which is positioned below the bale when it is ejected, that catches and supports the bale. The bale support is then translated rearward by a hydraulic cylinder and guided by support rails. As the bale support and bale approach the desired location, the bale support is lowered by tilting the rail assembly downward. An articulating shoe is used to support and lower the rails. The bale support tilts as it is lowered, thereby creating a dumping action. If additional tilting is required due to geometry limitations, additional bale support tilt can be created by a weight shift of the bale support, changing the trajectory of the rail or torque induced by the bale support cylinder. The bale is set down on the ground and the ramp assembly resets to prevent the bale from rolling forward and preparing for the next cycle.

Abstract: A combined baler/bale wrapper (1) comprises a chassis (5) on which a baler (10) and a bale wrapper (11) are mounted. The baler (10) comprises a stationary segment (18), a lower segment (19) and an upper segment (20) all of which carry bale forming rollers (25) which define a bale forming chamber (15) within which a round bale (2) is formed. The lower segment (19) and the upper segment (20) are pivotal about first and second pivot axes (35,40), respectively from a bale forming position (FIG. 5) to a discharge position (FIG. 1) for transferring a bale upwardly rearwardly from of the bale forming chamber (15) directly onto first and second bale supporting rollers (50) of the bale wrapper (11). The bale supporting rollers (50) rotate the bale (2) about a first wrapping axis (53) while a carrier ring (55) simultaneously revolves a pair of wrapping material dispensers (54) about a second horizontal wrapping axis (56) for dispensing wrapping material onto the bale (2) for wrapping thereof.

Abstract: A large round baler includes a combined tensioning and ejecting arrangement comprising a tensioning arm assembly mounted to an upper front region of the baler sidewalls. The tensioning arm assembly operates such that, after formation of a bale in the baling chamber and the discharge gate has been swung to its raised discharge position, the tensioning arm assembly pivots into a region occupied by the completed bale so as to positively eject the bale. The combined tensioning and ejecting arrangement includes front and rear arm assemblies which define a compact assembly and share a pair of double-acting tensioning actuators and a single-acting ejection actuator. The tensioning arm assembly may be used with a baler having a light weight bale discharge gate or with a baler having a discharge gate formed in part by rear sections of sidewalls forming opposite sides of the baling chamber. In an alternate embodiment, the ejection actuator is replaced with a coil extension spring.

Abstract: In known large round balers, a rotating side wall is provided that can be pivoted away from a baling chamber either in a straight line or about a pivot axis, so that the pressure on the end faces of the cylindrical bale is reduced during the unloading process. A large round baler is proposed in which a support structure provided with rolls for supporting one or more flexible bale-forming elements, which can be pivoted about a pivot axle that penetrates the side walls of the baling chamber. At least one side wall is provided with a ramp having an inclined surface which is ramped outwardly from the side wall from top to bottom. The support structure is provided with an abutment member that can slide on the surface of the ramp so as to move from bottom to top when the support structure is raised to effect a discharge of a formed bale.

Abstract: A large round baler includes a bale forming assembly and a chassis constructed as separate units which, when disconnected and displaced from each other either entirely at an interface between the units or by tilting one unit about a longitudinal axis at one side of the interface, permit one or more flexible endless baling elements to be mounted in place on the baling assembly. Cross beams, which extend between and interconnect the opposite side structures of the bale forming assembly are located such, that they do not obstruct the space required to slide the endless baling element(s) over the baling assembly and into engagement with the bale forming rolls. Mounting of the flexible endless baling element requires the removal of one or more baling element support rolls from opposite side structures of the baling assembly and/or from opposite arms of a tensioning assembly.

Abstract: A large round baler comprises a baling chamber and a door that is arranged in the rear area of the baling chamber and includes a pair of wings mounted to opposite sides of the baler so that each is displaceable about an upright pivot axis between a closed position, in which the wings extend inwardly along the rear of the baling chamber, and an open position, in which a passage is defined through which a finished bale can pass after being ejected from the baling chamber. The baler may be of a type including a carrier for bale-forming devices that can be displaced in the baling chamber, independently from the door, between a bale-forming position and a bale ejection position, and that the door, when closed, blocks direct access to the carrier and the devices for forming the bale.

Abstract: A bale unloading arrangement of a large round baler includes a bale take-up device mounted to a carrier which is in turn mounted to the axle of the baler for vertical pivoting movement beneath the baling chamber of the baler. A spring is mounted between the carrier and the axle for keeping the carrier in an elevated position until a completed bale is discharged onto the carrier. The carrier is shaped such that the bale take-up device, which is mounted for movement along the carrier, moves down the carrier to the rear and into a position for gently depositing the bale on the ground. The bale take-up device includes an upper bale-receiving structure that may be selectively pivoted about a fore-and-aft axis so as to deposit a bale on its end, and the carrier is mounted for being shifted sideways so that a bale deposited in this manner may be deposited outside the path traveled by the baler.

Abstract: A large round baler includes a discharge or outlet gate mounted for swinging vertically about a horizontal transverse axis located approximately at the center of a baling chamber. In one of several variations, two hydraulic cylinders, that are arranged offset to each other, engage the outlet gate at various radial positions, so that both actuating devices cannot simultaneously reach a dead center or a blocking position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discharging a bale from a baler including a bale ramp that is capable of moving a formed cylindrical bale away from the bale-forming machine. The bale ramp is capable of supporting the formed bale, and utilizing power from a linkage to the bale discharge gate to provide initial horizontal travel of the bale prior to the bale losing significant potential energy. The linkage between the bale discharge gate and the bale ramp includes a lost motion device including a spring that allows energy to be stored from the hydraulic system that powers the bale discharge gate open. That stored energy is applied to the bale, at the appropriate time, as it is able to move. A second stage is provided, which utilizes a traditional spring-loaded ramp. As the bale drops a portion of its potential energy is translated into horizontal momentum and the bale will be caused to move away from the baler.

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: The notch 17 is formed at one end of the board (12) and the two notches (18a and 18b) are formed at both sides of the other end. The first and second electrode patterns (13 and 14) covering, which cover the notches formed at both ends, are formed on the board surface, the light emitting diode (LED) chip (11) is connected to the first electrode pattern (13) and the electrode (11a) of the LED chip (11) and the surface electrode (14a) of the second electrode pattern (14) are bonded to each other with the metal wire (15). The LED chip (10) and the metal wire (15) are embedded with the translucent resin mold 16. Wire bonding on the surface electrode (14a) of the second electrode pattern (14) with the other end (15b) of the metal wire is made on the board 12 located between the two notches (18a and 18b). As a result, wire bonding can be made stably. Moreover, the polarity of the LED chip can be checked easily based on the appearance. Furthermore, handling jprocess can be performed smoothly.

Abstract: A large round baler is equipped with a bale processing arrangement in the form of a bale wrapping arrangement. A wrapping table is mounted to a guide arrangement for guided movement between a bale-receiving position and bale wrapping and bale discharge positions. The guide arrangement includes two sections, one of which can be moved to a near vertical non-operating position so as to diminish the overall length of the baler and processing arrangement. The wrapping arm of the bale wrapping arrangement can be dismounted for an operating mode where formed bales are deposited directly on the ground by the wrapping table.

Abstract: A large round baler is equipped with a chassis, including an outer pair of fixed side walls, that extend rearwardly beyond a pair of inner side walls which form opposite sides of a baling chamber. In an upper region of the baler, belts or the like are supported by a plurality of fixed rotary bodies extending either between the inner or the outer side walls and a movable rotary body carried at the end of a pivotally mounted tension arm, to form a large take-up loop that becomes smaller as a run of the belts expands during growth of the bale being formed. The run of belts, which is looped about the bale being formed, is conducted over rollers carried by a vertically pivoted frame, such that when the frame is swung between a lower extreme position, which it occupies during formation of a bale to a raised position, the formed bale is deposited on the ground.

Abstract: A round baler has a bale chamber surrounded by bale forming means running over stationary and moveable rollers. Some moveable rollers are carried by arms which are located outside opposite side walls of the bale chamber. This enables a bale to be formed within the spacing between the side walls and to be ejected by raising the arms carrying moveable rollers to open the bale chamber.

Abstract: A large round baler, designed as a non-stop baler, includes a mobile chassis supporting a lower baling chamber section, defined by a floor conveyor arrangement, and an upper baling chamber section. The upper baling chamber section, together with opposite side walls, is mounted for fore-and-aft movement relative to the lower baling chamber section between a rear location, wherein it cooperates with the floor conveyor arrangement to define a rear baling chamber, and a front location wherein it cooperates with the floor conveyor arrangement to define a front baling chamber. The upper chamber section includes front and rear wall portions which are mounted for being raised once a bale is formed in the rear baling chamber so that the upper section may be moved to its forward location.

Abstract: An integrated large round baler and wrapping device has a baling chamber defined by separate upper and lower housing sections, which meet at a substantially horizontal plane. The upper housing section is mounted for being elevated and guided vertically relative to the lower housing section such that a gap of substantially equal height is formed between the bottom of the upper housing section and the horizontal plane. A bale wrapping arrangement is provided for wrapping, with plastic foil or sheet or the like, the entire surface a bale located the baling chamber when the upper housing section is elevated. The lower housing section includes a bale-supporting roller section which is mounted for downward movement so as to discharge a wrapped bale.

Abstract: An apparatus to roll-up a lane of compressible material includes a first endless conveyor belt, a second endless conveyor belt that forms an angle of between 50.degree. and 80.degree. with the first belt, a winding roller that, with the first and second belts, form a winding space, and a third endless conveyor belt between the first and second belt. The third belt includes a guide plate above the upper portion and the lower portion runs in the same direction and at the same speed as the first belt.

Abstract: Round balers include bale shaping elements which define the boundary of the bale forming chamber. One part of the bale shaping elements can be swung by an attached structural arm into the bale forming chamber. The amount the elements are swung into the chamber is defined by the tensional forces on a spring. These tensional forces can be manually adjusted using a device, in a stepwise manner. One embodiment includes a handheld lever and a stepped shift-gate.

Abstract: An agricultural baler has a pickup elements, a conveyor transporting a harvested product stream picked up from a field by the pickup element, a baling chamber for baling the harvested product, a transferring element for transporting the harvested product from the conveyor to the baling chamber, the transferring element including a cylinder and a plurality of disks arranged on the cylinder, and a plurality of strippers extending into spaces between the disks for preventing winding of the harvested product on the disks, the strippers being formed as sensing brackets for sensing deviation of the strippers. Also a deviation of knife blades arranged in spaces between the neighboring disks and offset relative to the strippers can be evaluated as well.

Abstract: A round baler has a bale chamber, a plurality of bale forming elements which limit a periphery of the bale chamber so that a volume of the bale chamber can be increased during a formation of a bale by the bale forming elements, a common lever structure on which the bale forming elements are arranged, the lever structure formed as a turnable lever structure supports the bale forming elements so that at least one of the bale forming elements, when the lever structure is turned outwardly, still extends inwardly into a peripheral circle formed by the other of the bale forming elements.

Abstract: A roll baler for agricultural harvest products having a stem and including an approximately cylindrical pressing space and a plurality of press rolls arranged along a circumference of the pressing space close to each other, with each press roll having a plurality of longitudinal ribs uniformly distributed along a periphery of the press roll at a predetermined circumferential distance from each other, and with the predetermined distance being so selected that no two roll ribs lie in two mutually perpendicular longitudinal central planes of the press roll.

Abstract: A round baler, having a pair of spaced side walls mounted on a main frame, is supported on wheels and adapted to be pulled across a field. A crop confining apron is mounted between the side walls for defining an expandable chamber that is adapted to rotatably form a cylindrical package of crop material between the side walls. A pickup picks up crop material and conveys it into the chamber through a generally transverse crop infeed opening operatively associated with the pickup. A transverse starter roll extends between the side walls to provide the upper limit of the infeed opening. A crop severing device extends into the expandable chamber in the vicinity of the starter roll to cut crop material on the surface of the cylindrical package as it is being formed.

Abstract: An improvement to roll-forming baling machines of the type having a plurality of endless belts supported on belt rollers that extend between a pair of transversely opposite sidewalls. One or more notches are created in the outside edge of the pair of belts that travel adjacent the sidewalls of the baler machine. The notches act to provide a cleaning effect for the baling machine to remove crop material unincorporated into the forming bales from the areas which result in undesired accumulation of such crop material.

Abstract: A round baler having a frame with opposing side walls, conveying apparatus including a series of inwardly facing moving surfaces defining a baling chamber for forming cylindrical bales of crop material and a feeder for feeding crop material into the chamber. Rotatable transverse rollers are mounted between the opposing side walls of the frame for operatively supporting the conveying apparatus, and a journal assembly having a bearing arrangement for mounting the rollers. The bearing arrangement includes a generally cylindrical stationary first race and a concentrically disposed generally cylindrical rotatable second race between which races a bearing cavity is formed for seating a series of bearings housed between said first and second races. A unique shield assembly encloses the cavity and prevents the intrusion of unwanted debris.

Abstract: A method of baling straw, hay and like materials by feeding wrapping material around a cylindrical bale to hold the bale together is provided, in which method the wrapping material comprises a plurality of ends of twine which are fed simultaneously around the bale at positions spaced apart axially along the bale. The wrapping material comprises a baler twine package comprising a plurality of spooled ends of twine mounted co-axially and side-by-side on a common carrier, whereby in use the ends can be withdrawn simultaneously from positions spaced apart along the carrier to wrap a bale.

Abstract: A machine for making cylindrical bales of crop material utilizes a combination of rollers and belts arranged to define a bale starting chamber. A run of the belts forms the rear wall of the bale starting chamber while the rollers form the front wall of the bale starting chamber. The belt run extends upwardly and forwardly when the chamber is empty and is expandable in length during bale formation.

Abstract: A round baler utilizes a combination of rollers and belts arranged to define a generally D-shaped bale starting chamber. An inner course of the belts forms the rear wall of the bale starting chamber while the rollers form the front wall of the bale starting chamber. The belt inner course extends upwardly and forwardly when the chamber is empty and is expandable in length during bale formation.

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: Apparatus for removing bark from logs, particularly from logs of stringy-bark eucalyts and other rough-barked tree species, and for crushing logs, consists of a plurality of pairs of concave rollers which are mounted in spaced-apart relationship along the linear passage of the log through the apparatus. Each pair of concave rollers applies pressure to regions of the log to loosen the bark from the body of the log. Knives may be included on the concave surfaces of some or all of the rollers to cut the loosened bark.

Abstract: A roll baling press for harvest products for enabling a roll baling press to be operated in a continuous mode. A buffer store is formed for temporarily storing the continuously supplied harvest product during the typing and ejection of the finished roll bale. A flexible partition element (T) is provided in the roll-winding chamber (7) for temporarily establishing the buffer store (Z) within the roll-winding chamber (7).

Abstract: The baler has an internal chamber within which crop materials are coiled up into a cylindrical bale by fore-and-aft spaced-apart, oppositely moving web stretches, the forwardmost stretch of which is looped around a forward drive roll. A special bale supporting roller adjacent the bottom of the chamber keeps the bale from riding against the web wrapped around the forward roll. The support roll includes a cylindrical shaft and a plurality of resilient flaps extending tangetially outward from the periphery of the shaft. During baler operation, crop material tends to be carried downwardly by the forwardmost stretch into a zone located between the forward roll and the support roller, but is immediately ejected from the zone by the roller flaps and into the baling chamber, thereby preventing crop materials from wedging between the forward roll and the support roller.

Abstract: A round baler utilizes a combination of rollers and belts arranged to define a generally D-shaped bale starting chamber. An inner course of the belts forms the rear wall of the bale starting chamber while the rollers form the front wall of the bale starting chamber. The belt inner course extends upwardly and forwardly when the chamber is empty and is expandable in length during bale formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for shredding paper and the like and compacting the paper into a disposable cylindrical roll. The apparatus includes a pair of cooperating roller cutters mounted in a housing to cut the paper into elongate strips. The paper is compacted into cylindrical rolls by rotatably driven cylinder end wheels and a plurality of compacting rollers disposed about the circumference of the drum. The compacting rollers are rotatably driven in a direction opposite that of the end wheel. The compacted cylindrical roll is formed in a compacting zone defined by the rollers and end wheels. The apparatus can also compact paper without shredding. To allow for this function the housing has a paper feed opening that bypasses the roller cutters introducing the paper directly to the compacting zone.

Abstract: A round baler is provided which comprises a bale chamber which is expandable between a bale start position and a full bale position and which comprises a first bale-forming means disposed generally circumferentially around a portion of the full size bale chamber when the baler is in its bale-forming condition, and a second bale-forming means which is movable relative to the first bale-forming means between two extreme positions. The second bale-forming means is cooperable, in one extreme position, with the first bale-forming means to form the bale start chamber of reduced dimensions for starting bale formation, and, in the other extreme position, with the first bale-forming means to define a generally cylindrical bale chamber generally corresponding to a full size bale. The first and second bale-forming means are cooperable to form a round bale of crop material during movement of the second bale-forming means from the one extreme position towards the other extreme position.

Abstract: A round baler is provided which comprises a bale chamber which is expandable between a bale start position and a full bale position and which comprises a first of bale-forming means disposed generally circumferentially around a portion of the full size bale chamber when the baler is in its bale-forming condition, and a second bale-forming means which is movable relative to the first bale-forming means between two extreme positions. The second bale-forming means is cooperable, in one extreme position, with part of the first bale-forming means to form the bale start chamber of reduced dimensions for starting bale formation, and, in the other extreme position, with the first bale-forming means to define a generally cylindrical bale chamber generally corresponding to a full size bale. The first and second bale-forming means are cooperable to form a round bale of crop material during movement of the second bale-forming means from the one extreme position towards the other extreme position.

Abstract: A machine for forming large cylindrical bales of hay with a soft core and dense outer layers has a baling chamber which is defined by an arcuate array of fixed-position rolls, and by belts which are movable outwardly to accommodate a bale as it grows in size. The baling chamber is fed from the underside of the machine through a throat between the belts and rolls. The belts are trained over a single belt take-up roll on a pivoted arm which is loaded by a piston and cylinder unit to maintain belt tension. The belt take-up roll is located well outside the baling chamber to reduce the likelihood of being fouled by crop.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spherical baling press with press and conveyer cylinders bordering the pressing area on the periphery with room left for a product entry slot. When viewed in the rotational direction of the bales, press cylinders located in front of the entry slot are gradually positioned closer to the periphery resulting in a spiral shape of the pressing area in front of the entry slot. As a result, the bale is in part compressed to a higher degree which has a particularly beneficial consequence if the product being baled consists of brittle straw.

Abstract: The round baling press with a pick-up device, having a binder device and a rolling chamber, on the side walls of which a plurality of rollers is mounted rotatablyin h ousing orifices, can be produced rapidly and more cheaply since the bearing housing orifices are open outwards for the radial insertion of the bearing shafts of the rollers, which are already provided with flanged bearing halves and coil guards. The protective hood placed upon the rollers exhibits side walls parallel to the side wall of the rolling chamber, which are provided with asymmetrical recesses so that the side walls of the protective hood can be connected to the rolling chamber simultaneously with the flanged bearing halves of the bearing shafts.

Abstract: A large baling press for forming round bales has a pressing chamber which peripherally is limited by winding elements driven via cranks connected by connecting members, and mass compensating elements are connected with driving elements for the connecting members and cranks.

Abstract: Apparatus (52) is provided for wrapping bales with twine in a round baler. The twine wrapping apparatus (52) includes a twine dispensing member (56) mounted for pivoting movement, a clamp assembly (100) to clamp the twine dispensed by the twine dispensing member (56), and a trip mechanism (114) connected to the clamp assembly (100). The trip mechanism (114) is actuated by engagement with the twine dispensing member (56) during its pivoting movement to release the twine from the clamp assembly (100).

Abstract: Instead of being bound by being wrapped with twine, wire or plastics sheeting, relatively large bales of crop formed by winding are made cohesive by pressing a pushing or penetrating member into the bales as the outer layers are formed. The pushing member forces stalks from each layer of crop into inner layers, to achieve a plaited or braided effect that keeps the bale intact.In another embodiment U-shaped binding elements are shot into the bale for holding the bale together after it has been formed.