Abstract: A slide frame for a baler is provided for mounting one or more accessories such as a wind guard and/or a rotor, powered or non-powered, for assisting a pickup on a baler to pick up cut crops from the ground and deliver such crops to the inlet of a baling chamber. The slide frame is mounted in such a way as to automatically space each respective accessory a predetermined place with respect to the crop pickup device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for baling crop materials using a baler with a pickup thereon for picking up crop materials from the ground and moving such crop materials towards a baling chamber. The pickup has a pickup frame operatively attached to the baler, the frame having a plurality of laterally spaced apart tines of a type which is typical for balers. The pickup has a pickup frame operatively attached to the baler, the pickup having a plurality of laterally spaced apart tines of a type which is typical for balers. Plastic bands are provided on at least the surface of bands that are disposed between the tines to reduce friction between the crop and the bands; this prevents excessive vibration, whereby crop material will pass evenly through the pickup, minimizing the possibility of plugging of the pickup and retaining leaves and other desirable parts of the crop.