Abstract: A square baler includes a compression chamber, a reciprocating plunger configured to compress bale material in the compression chamber to make a square bale, and a feeding system configured to feed bale material into the compression chamber. The feeding system includes a feeding duct having an input end and an output end, a feeding fork configured to perform a loading stroke to pre-compress bale material in the feeding duct and a feeding stroke to transfer bale material from the feeding duct into the compression chamber. A drive mechanism is provided for driving movement of the feeding fork. The drive mechanism is adjustable to control the length and/or the speed of the loading stroke.

Abstract: A baler includes: a bale forming channel, a reciprocating plunger configured to compress bale material in the bale forming channel to form a bale, and a binding system for binding a bale in the bale forming channel with a pair of twines that pass around opposite sides of the bale. The binding system includes a knotter that includes a rotary bill hook, a twine holder, a twine cutter and a stripper element. The bill hook includes a catching element that is configured to adopt an open configuration to release a retained twine from the bill hook after a knot formed by the knotter is removed from the bill hook by the stripper element, so that the cut end of the twine is not pulled through the knot. The catching element is moved to the open configuration by an opening element that acts against the resilient biasing element, without rotating the bill hook beyond the second position.

Abstract: A rotary drive transmission is provided for a baler including a bale chamber, a plunger that compresses bale material in the bale chamber, a drive mechanism that drives reciprocating movement of the plunger, and a flywheel connected to a rotary input of the drive mechanism. The rotary drive transmission includes a rotary drive part, a rotary driven part that drives rotation of the flywheel, and a torsional drive transfer device that transfers rotary drive between the rotary drive part and the rotary driven part. The torsional drive transfer device includes a resilient element and is configured to allow limited relative rotation in the drive direction between the rotary drive part and the rotary driven part against a reaction force provided by the resilient element.

Abstract: A baler is provided, including a baling chamber that includes a bale-forming channel including at least one adjustable friction control element; a plunger mounted within the channel; a rotary drive mechanism to drive reciprocating movement of the plunger; a control system to control operation of the baler and being configured to determine an actual maximum torque value (MTV) associated with the mechanism, to compare the actual MTV with a selected desired MTV, and to adjust the control element to regulate the actual MTV according to the selected desired MTV; a sensor that senses a force value; and a sensor that senses a cyclical position of a component of the mechanism, the control system being further configured to determine the actual MTV by measuring the force value, sensing the cyclical position of the component, and deriving the actual MTV from the measured force value and the sensed cyclical position.

Abstract: A baler is provided, including a baling chamber that includes a bale-forming channel including at least one adjustable friction control element; a plunger mounted within the channel; a rotary drive mechanism to drive reciprocating movement of the plunger; a control system to control operation of the baler and being configured to determine an actual maximum torque value (MTV) associated with the mechanism, to compare the actual MTV with a selected desired MTV, and to adjust the control element to regulate the actual MTV according to the selected desired MTV; a sensor that senses a force value; and a sensor that senses a cyclical position of a component of the mechanism, the control system being further configured to determine the actual MTV by measuring the force value, sensing the cyclical position of the component, and deriving the actual MTV from the measured force value and the sensed cyclical position.

Abstract: A baler apparatus includes a baling chamber including at least one adjustable wall for adjusting compression of a body of bale material. A reciprocating plunger is operable to compress the bale material and a binding device binds the compressed material to form a bale by use of twine loops. An adjustment mechanism including a guide or rollers varies a length of the twine loops when binding the bale to reduce compression within part of the body of bale material and avoid twine breakage that can otherwise occur as a bale is ejected from the baler.

Abstract: A baler includes a baling chamber that includes a bale-forming channel including at least one adjustable friction control element, a plunger mounted within the channel, and a rotary drive mechanism for driving reciprocating movement of the plunger. A control system controls operation of the baler, the control system configured to determine an actual maximum torque value associated with the rotary drive mechanism, compare the actual maximum torque value with a selected desired maximum torque value, and adjust the friction control element to regulate the actual maximum torque value according to the desired maximum torque value.

Abstract: A baler apparatus includes a baling chamber including at least one adjustable wall for adjusting compression of a body of bale material. A reciprocating plunger is operable to compress the bale material and a binding device binds the compressed material to form a bale by use of twine loops. An adjustment mechanism increases as a length of outer twine loops when binding the bale relative to the inner twine loops, to reduce compression within part of the body of bale material and avoid twine breakage that can otherwise occur as a bale is ejected from the baler.

Abstract: A baler apparatus includes a baling chamber including at least one adjustable wall for adjusting compression of a body of bale material. A reciprocating plunger is operable to compress the bale material and a binding device binds the compressed material to form a bale by use of twine loops. An adjustment mechanism increases as a length of outer twine loops when binding the bale relative to the inner twine loops, to reduce compression within part of the body of bale material and avoid twine breakage that can otherwise occur as a bale is ejected from the baler.

Abstract: A baler apparatus includes a baling chamber including at least one adjustable wall for adjusting compression of a body of bale material. A reciprocating plunger is operable to compress the bale material and a binding device binds the compressed material to form a bale by use of twine loops. An adjustment mechanism including a guide or rollers varies a length of the twine loops when binding the bale to reduce compression within part of the body of bale material and avoid twine breakage that can otherwise occur as a bale is ejected from the baler.

Abstract: A baler includes a baling chamber that includes a bale-forming channel including at least one adjustable friction control element, a plunger mounted within the channel, and a rotary drive mechanism for driving reciprocating movement of the plunger. A control system controls operation of the baler, the control system configured to determine an actual maximum torque value associated with the rotary drive mechanism, compare the actual maximum torque value with a selected desired maximum torque value, and adjust the friction control element to regulate the actual maximum torque value according to the desired maximum torque value.