Abstract: A baler for forming crop bales and releasing or dropping the bales at targeted drop locations in a field includes a bale-forming chamber, a bale carrier rearward of the bale forming chamber, a geographic location sensor, and a control system. The bale-forming chamber forms the bales and the bale carrier supports at least one crop bale thereon and releases the bale therefrom when actuated. The geographic location sensor outputs signals corresponding with a geographic location of the baler. The control system has a plurality of targeted bale drop locations stored therein, and is configured to calculate a distance from the current baler position to a first targeted drop position and calculate a distance from the current baler position to a second targeted drop position and compare the distances to determine a desired drop location to generate a signal to command the bale carrier to release the crop bale therefrom.

Abstract: A continuous baling method comprising conveying crop material on a rotating conveyor toward a baler while the baler is traversing a field, the conveyor comprising a conveying surface having an entire crop material-carrying width of a first distance; narrowing the flow of the crop material to transition the crop material flow from the conveyor to the baler; and receiving the narrowed flow at an inlet to a baling chamber of the baler, the inlet comprising a width having a second distance smaller than the first distance.

Abstract: A bale forming control method comprising causing motion of one or more forming drives of a bale forming chamber of a baler; sensing an amount of the crop material before the crop material enters the bale forming chamber; and responsive to the sensed amount, adjusting a speed of forming a bale from the crop material in the bale forming chamber.

Abstract: A baler for forming crop bales and releasing or dropping the bales at targeted drop locations in a field includes a bale-forming chamber, a bale carrier rearward of the bale forming chamber, a geographic location sensor, and a control system. The bale-forming chamber forms the bales and the bale carrier supports at least one crop bale thereon and releases the bale therefrom when actuated. The geographic location sensor outputs signals corresponding with a geographic location of the baler. The control system has a plurality of targeted bale drop locations stored therein, and is configured to calculate a distance from the current baler position to a first targeted drop position and calculate a distance from the current baler position to a second targeted drop position and compare the distances to determine a desired drop location to generate a signal to command the bale carrier to release the crop bale therefrom.

Abstract: A round baler having a mobile chassis, a bale-forming chamber supported on the chassis and including a tailgate that can be raised for discharging a bale from the chamber and a bale discharge ramp. A combination pivot and spring assembly attaches the ramp to the chassis below the chamber for movement of the ramp from a raised, standby position to a lowered, unloading position for guiding a bale down to the ground as the bale leaves the chamber. The combination pivot and spring assembly includes an internal spring for yieldably maintaining the ramp in its raised position until a bale exiting the chamber engages the ramp and overcomes the force of the spring to swing the ramp down to its lowered position.

Abstract: A bale forming control method comprising causing motion of one or more forming drives of a bale forming chamber of a baler; sensing an amount of the crop material before the crop material enters the bale forming chamber; and responsive to the sensed amount, adjusting a speed of forming a bale from the crop material in the bale forming chamber.

Abstract: A continuous baling method comprising conveying crop material on a rotating conveyor toward a baler while the baler is traversing a field, the conveyor comprising a conveying surface having an entire crop material-carrying width of a first distance; narrowing the flow of the crop material to transition the crop material flow from the conveyor to the baler; and receiving the narrowed flow at an inlet to a baling chamber of the baler, the inlet comprising a width having a second distance smaller than the first distance.

Abstract: A continuous baler includes a round baler and an accumulation conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The accumulation conveyor may include a conveyor belt. A controller determines an operational mode of the baler and manipulates the accumulation conveyor in response to the operational mode. For example, the controller operates the accumulation conveyor in a feed direction during a bale-forming mode of the baler and operate the conveyor from an initialized position at a slower speed in the feed direction during a non-bale-forming mode. A pickup may provide crop material to the accumulation conveyor during both bale-forming and non-bale-forming modes.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a continuous baler includes a round baler and an adjustable conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The adjustable conveyor may include a conveyor belt and a controller for manipulating the conveyor belts. In one example embodiment, the speed of the conveyor is adjusted in accordance with the operation of the baler.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a starter roll for a baler includes a continuous chevron-shaped rib provided on a contact surface of the starter roll. The rib may include a center portion arranged generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the starter roll and outwardly and rearwardly extending wings. A plurality of ribs may be provided to form guide channels for guiding wrapping material that is provided to the bale and engaged by the starter roll outward to cover the edges of a bale and distribute the wrapping material over the lateral surface of the bale.

Abstract: A continuous baler includes a round baler and an accumulation conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The accumulation conveyor may include a conveyor belt. A controller may determine an operational mode of the baler and manipulate the accumulation conveyor in response to the operational mode. For example, the controller may be configured to operate the accumulation conveyor in a feed direction during a bale-forming mode of the baler and operate the conveyor from an initialized position at a coincident speed during a non-bale-forming mode. A pickup may provide crop material to the accumulation conveyor during both bale-forming and non-bale-forming modes.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a continuous baler includes a round baler and an adjustable conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The adjustable conveyor may include a conveyor belt and a controller for manipulating the conveyor belts. In one example embodiment, the speed of the conveyor is adjusted in accordance with the operation of the baler.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a continuous baler includes a round baler and an adjustable conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The adjustable conveyor may include a conveyor belt and a controller for manipulating the conveyor belts. In one example embodiment, the speed of the conveyor is adjusted in accordance with the operation of the baler.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a continuous baler includes a round baler and a pickup conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The pickup conveyor may include a conveyor belt and a controller for manipulating the conveyor belts. In one example embodiment, the speed of the conveyor is adjusted in accordance with the operation of the baler.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a baler with a bale clear indicator is provided. A passive bale ramp may be configured to deposit a bale clear of the path of a tailgate of the baler. One or more sensors may be used to determine the position of the passive ramp and whether a bale is clear of the ramp and the tailgate path and an indicator provided to notify an operator that the bale is clear. In one embodiment a bale up sensor is used to determine the position of the passive bale ramp. In another example embodiment, a ramp down sensor is used. In another example embodiment, a bale up sensor and bale down sensor are used to determine the position of the passive ramp.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a baler with a bale clear indicator is provided. A passive bale ramp may be configured to deposit a bale clear of the path of a tailgate of the baler. One or more sensors may be used to determine the position of the passive ramp and whether a bale is clear of the ramp and the tailgate path and an indicator provided to notify an operator that the bale is clear. In one embodiment a bale up sensor is used to determine the position of the passive bale ramp. In another example embodiment, a ramp down sensor is used. In another example embodiment, a bale up sensor and bale down sensor are used to determine the position of the passive ramp.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a starter roll for a baler includes a continuous chevron-shaped rib provided on a contact surface of the starter roll. The rib may include a center portion arranged generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the starter roll and outwardly and rearwardly extending wings. A plurality of ribs may be provided to form guide channels for guiding wrapping material that is provided to the bale and engaged by the starter roll outward to cover the edges of a bale and distribute the wrapping material over the lateral surface of the bale.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a continuous baler includes a round baler and a pickup conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The pickup conveyor may include a conveyor belt and a controller for manipulating the conveyor belts. In one example embodiment, the speed of the conveyor is adjusted in accordance with the operation of the baler.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a continuous baler includes a round baler and an adjustable conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The adjustable conveyor may include a conveyor belt and a controller for manipulating the conveyor belts. In one example embodiment, the speed of the conveyor is adjusted in accordance with the operation of the baler.

Abstract: The ground wheels of a round baler are mounted on the chassis of the baler using a suspension system wherein a rigid axle of the system is spaced forwardly in offset relationship to spindles that journal the wheels for rotation. Fore-and-aft arms that connect the wheels with the axle are pivotally coupled with the axle in an independent manner so that each wheel can swing up and down relative to the chassis independently of the other wheel. Resilient cushion structure associated with the axle yieldably resists upward swinging of the wheel arms to thereby cushion the baler against jarring shock loads caused by abrupt terrain changes.