Abstract: A roll baler includes upper and lower bale forming devices that cooperate with each other to define a bale starting zone, and a pickup device to deliver crop material toward the bale starting zone. The upper bale forming device preferably constitutes a series of belts extending around a plurality of guide members, one of which is an indexing guide member located in a home position to dispose the upper bale forming device proximate to the lower bale forming device at the rear of the bale starting zone. The indexing guide member is connected between a pair of disks, and drive means such as sprockets are provided for engagement with the peripheral edges of the disks to rotate the disks in a direction to cause movement of the indexing guide member in a substantially circular path of travel.

Abstract: In a roll baling machine having a floor roller and an apron which cooperate in suitable manner to form roll bales, a sprocket-shaped member is provided to support the transverse tubes of the apron against bending and twisting loads during bale formation and thereby prevent damage to the apron.