Abstract: Apparatus for hooping packing units that includes a working table (1), on which a packing unit (3) can be placed during hooping, and a band application frame (5), disposed so as to be fixed and eccentric and running obliquely to the working surface of the working table (1), for applying a band loop (9) from a band section of a hooping band. At least one band-feeding element (14; 15; 19; 19?) is disposed on the band application frame. The band-feeding element traverses the band loop roughly into the middle of the working table for subsequently hooping the packing unit in the direction of conveyance (4).

Abstract: A bale shape monitoring system for a round baler for detecting a misshapen bale during bale formation. The system includes a pair of spaced apart rollers mounted to a movable member located within the bale-forming chamber, and which are normally engaged with spaced apart baler belts when the bale has a uniform diameter in the vicinity of the rollers. A rotation sensing arrangement detects the rotation of the rollers, caused by engagement of the rollers with the belts during normal bale formation. In the event the bale is formed with a lesser diameter in the vicinity of one of the rollers, the associated belt moves out of contact with the roller, and the lack of roller rotation is sensed so as to provide a signal to the operator to steer the baler to supply crop material to the lesser diameter area of the bale. Once a uniform diameter is again obtained, both rollers continue to rotate so as to indicate to the operator that the bale has a uniform diameter.

Abstract: A portable, handheld sharpener having an elongated body with loop attachments, a battery-operated DC motor with speed reducing gears and a gear plate and a rotatable sharpening unit. A pouch-shaped waste shavings receptacle detachably attached to the body provides a larger cross-sectional dimension ergonomically contoured to fit within the grip of a hand while providing increased internal space for waste shavings storage. An actuator button is molded into the receptacle and is partially circumscribed to provide a hinge-like action to engage a leaf spring connecting the battery source to the motor and also provides a momentary operation of the sharpener while in the original retail packaging. The actuator button will not operate when the receptacle is detached from the sharpener and the internal sharpening unit is exposed, thus acting as a safety feature.