Abstract: A non-contacting bale size sensor for an agricultural round baler having bale-forming chamber partially defined by a plurality of continuous side-by-side belts trained around a plurality of fixed guide rolls and at least one moveable roll connected to a belt take up arm. The bale size sensor detects the position of the belt take up arm by measuring distance between a fixed position and the take up arm and a connected control unit determines the size of the bale within the bale-forming chamber.

Abstract: The apparatus is a rotatable bale forming roller for use in farm machines that form round crop bales. The roller is a cylinder with multiple ribs oriented parallel to the roller axis and formed in the roller surface. The roller is constructed with a frame of channel shaped members oriented parallel to the roller axis with the channel members interlocking with several discs oriented perpendicular to the roller axis. A thin high strength steel sheet is installed completely around the frame to form the surface of the roller, and the integral ribs are formed directly in the sheet. In the preferred embodiment, the ribs have leading surfaces oriented in planes that are radial to the axis of the roller, and the trailing surfaces of the ribs are oriented to form an acute angle with the leading surfaces.

Abstract: A round baler having storage and dispensing mechanisms for both twine and net/plastic wrapping materials for the bales can be modified to provide a lower cost twine baler. A pivoting dispensing assembly across the front of the baler is replaceable by a similar-sized twine box to convert the baler to an all-twine baler with sufficient twine storage to make the machine efficient in field operations.

Abstract: A bale kicker for a round baler that employs an adjustable torsion bar, or bars, to impart a rearward force to an exiting bale to ensure that the completed bale is clear of the baler.

Abstract: A round baler having storage and dispensing mechanisms for both twine and net/plastic wrapping materials for the bales is disclosed. An improved twine box is pivotably attached to the sidewall of the baler, adjacent the front end of the baler and twine dispensing mechanism. The twine box, of sufficient size to hold multiple balls of twine, pivots forwardly between a pivoted, or inoperative, position and a closed, or operative position. In the pivoted position various functional components of the baler are accessible for maintenance, adjustment, or repair. The twine box is lockable in the closed position. Side panels on the baler are movable to cover, or uncover, the outside of the sidewall and twine box.

Abstract: A round baler having storage and dispensing mechanisms for both twine and net/plastic wrapping materials for the bales can be modified to provide a lower cost twine baler. A pivoting dispensing assembly across the front of the baler is replaceable by a similar-sized twine box to convert the baler to an all-twine baler with sufficient twine storage to make the machine efficient in field operations.

Abstract: A round baler having storage and dispensing mechanisms for both twine and net/plastic wrapping materials for the bales is disclosed. An improved twine box is pivotably attached to the sidewall of the baler, adjacent the front end of the baler and twine dispensing mechanism. The twine box, of sufficient size to hold multiple balls of twine, pivots forwardly between a pivoted, or inoperative, position and a closed, or operative position. In the pivoted position various functional components of the baler are accessible for maintenance, adjustment, or repair. The twine box is lockable in the closed position. Side panels on the baler are movable to cover, or uncover, the outside of the sidewall and twine box.

Abstract: A round baler having a frame assembly, comprising: (a) a first frame assembly; (b) a pickup assembly comprising a pickup and a auger assembly integrally mounted on the first frame assembly to form a pickup module; (c) a second frame assembly connected to the first frame assembly; and (d) a conveyor module selected from the group consisting of a stuffer module and a rotor module, wherein each conveyor module comprises a conveyor mounted on the second frame assembly. The modular structure of the frame assembly facilitates manufacture of several diverse types of product balers while minimizing the complexity of the assembly line process.

Abstract: A round baler having a frame, a baling chamber for forming cylindrical packages of crop material mounted on the frame, a pickup for feeding crop material into the chamber including a tubular rotatable shaft extending transverse of the frame and concentric with a stationary shaft also extending transverse of the frame. The tubular shaft is journalled via a bearing assembly including a generally cylindrical stationary first race and a concentrically disposed generally cylindrical rotatable second race between which races a bearing cavity is formed for seating a series of bearings housed between the first and second races. The first race is affixed to the stationary shaft and the second race is rotatable relative to the first race and affixed to the tubular shaft for rotating in concert therewith relative to the first race. An annular shaped cover encloses the cavity and has a first edge adjacent the stationary shaft.

Abstract: Improved pickup apparatus for a round baler for traversing a field to form cylindrical bales of crop material. The baler comprises a main frame having a bale forming chamber thereon with a generally transverse opening for permitting the ingress of crop material. The chamber includes a floor roll for supporting the bale as it is being formed, which floor roll includes conveying means disposed to engage the crop material after it has passed through the transverse opening. An improved pickup is provided for picking up crop material from the field and feeding it rearwardly along a path in the direction of the transverse opening. Also included in the pickup is a stuffer mechanism comprising crop engaging elements for engaging the crop material as it is being fed rearwardly and urging it along the path and into the transverse opening. The stuffer includes a striping function for engaging the crop material and stripping some or all of it from the crop engaging elements in the vicinity of the transverse opening.

Abstract: Twine wrapping apparatus for a round baler having a bale forming chamber with a generally transverse crop infeed opening. The apparatus is mounted forward of the opening and includes a twine arm for dispensing twine into the chamber to wrap cylindrical packages of crop material formed therein. Coupling means provide for swinging movement of the arm through a predetermined path during at least a portion of which the arm dispenses twine in the vicinity of the opening. The twine arm includes a clamp having one member affixed to the outer end of the twine arm and a second member that is moveable relative to the first member and is urged thereagainst by a spring assembly to provide a clamping force for holding the twine. The spring assembly includes a spring maintained in compression.

Abstract: Twine wrapping apparatus for a round baler having a bale forming chamber with a generally transverse crop infeed opening. The apparatus is mounted forward of the opening and includes a twine arm for dispensing twine into the chamber to wrap bales formed therein. Coupling means provide for swinging movement of the arm through a predetermined path during at least a portion of which the arm dispenses twine in the vicinity of the opening. The twine arm includes a clamp having one member affixed to the outer end of the twine arm and a second member that is moveable relative to the first member and is urged thereagainst to provide a clamping force for holding the twine.