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 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 wrapping material for wrapping an item about its circumference having a plurality of wrapping portions forming a continuous roll. Each wrapping portion has a length that is greater than the circumference of an item to be wrapped with a width that is transverse to its length. Each of the wrapping portions include at least one fastener secured in an area there such that the continuous roll includes a plurality of serially disposed fasteners that are spaced from one another along the continuous roll. Each fastener includes a plurality of engaging elements for engaging a plurality of fiber elements of an underlying or overlying segment of a respective wrapping portion during a wrapping cycle. With this arrangement, the tail end of a respective wrapping portion will be secured by the plurality of engaging elements to the underlying or overlying segment at the end of a wrapping cycle.

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 shaft is disposed along an axis of rotation and a bearing failure indicator, in the form of a disk having protrusions or teeth spaced about its periphery, is provided on the shaft adjacent a bearing supporting a tubular roll for rotation relative to the shaft. When the bearing has undergone a predetermined amount of wear, which happens prior to bearing failure, the teeth or protrusions of the disk come into engagement with a contact surface due to non-concentric rotation of the roll relative to the shaft. In one embodiment, the disk is thick and the teeth make an audible knocking sound which warns an operator of an impending bearing failure. In another embodiment, the disk is relatively thin and a squealing sound is generated when the protrusions engage the contact surface. In addition to the bearing failure indicator, a slip coupling may be used to prevent the transmission of torque to the drive shaft when interference between the disk and the contact surface occurs.

Abstract: A large round baler includes a tensioning arm to which is mounted two cylindrical rolls between which extend a loop of each of a plurality of side-by-side, bale-forming belts. Two belt support pulleys are located in an upper region of the baling chamber above the tensioning arm, and alternate loops respectively of the plurality of bale-forming belts are respectively engaged about one and another of said two support pulleys, so as to form gaps between adjacent loops through which material entrapped in a given loop may exit.