Abstract: A rectangular baler has a density control for controlling the density to which crop material is compacted by a cyclically operating plunger, and a cyclically operating tying mechanism for tying loops of binding material around successive lengths of the compacted crop material to form bales. In order for the tying mechanism to function properly the binding material must slide between a tied bale and the crop material being compacted against the tied bale. If the sliding friction is too great, the binding material breaks or is pulled free of the tying mechanism thus resulting in failure of the tying process. To reduce the sliding friction, the compaction density is reduced for an interval of time following each cycle of the tying mechanism. The interval of time may be tolled by counting a number of plunger cycles immediately following a cycle of the tying mechanism, the density control being set for reduced compaction density until the number of plunger cycles has been counted.

Abstract: An agricultural baler having a feeder mechanism operable to accumulate a charge of crop material in a feeder duct thent transfer an accumulated charge of crop material into a bale case. The feeder mechanism includes a plurality of tine bars provided with sets of tines so that at least two sets of tines are operative in the feeder duct at any given instant. A first tine bar carries two sets of packer tines while a second tine bar carries a set of packer tines and a set of stuffer tines. A third tine bar carries a set of packer tines along with a set of combination packer and stuffer tines. All of the packer tines have outer ends following a first path of movement and the stuffer tines have outer ends following a second path of movement which is offset relative to the first path of movement. The combination packer and stuffer tines have outer ends following a third path of movement which is offset relative to both the first and second paths of movement.