Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling a bale mover (100) for loading and moving bales in a field in which the bales have been previously baled. The bale movers may include a four-bar linkage for raising and lowering a bed frame between transport and bale load positions. The method comprises the steps of defining a working area (2202), establishing a field of view for a sensor, selecting a bale angle (2214), and creating a scour pattern (2204) that covers the working area. Based on this pattern the bale mover is controlled about the working area to load bales onto the bale mover.

Abstract: Bale movers for loading and moving bales in a field in which the bales have been previously baled is disclosed. The bale movers may include a four-bar linkage for raising and lowering a bed frame between transport and bale load positions. The bale mover may also include various isolators which improve reliability of one or more controllers and sensors of the bale mover.

Abstract: A rake apparatus is disclosed. The rake apparatus includes a plurality of material gathering members connected to a continuous conveyor member such as a chain or a belt. A drive sprocket supports the conveyor member at a discharge end of the rake apparatus. An idler sprocket supports the conveyor member at a distal end of the rake apparatus. The material gathering members contact a bottom stripper guard and a top stripper guard as they travel about the raking device to remove crop material from the material gathering members. The rake apparatus may be part of a harvesting machine in which the processing chamber of the harvesting machine has a width that is the same width as the pickup device of the harvesting machine.

Abstract: A round baler includes a bale formation chamber and a rotor device having a plurality of teeth, the teeth having outer tips that define a circumferential path of travel of the rotor device. The round baler also includes a crop pickup device including a plurality of pickup tines connected to a rotating pickup reel and a plurality of stripper bands, each of the plurality of pickup tines passing through a gap formed between adjacent stripper bands. The crop pickup device has an engagement zone and a release zone, wherein the release zone is adjacent to the circumferential path of travel of the rotor device such that the rotor device and the pickup reel rotate and cooperate to convey crop material from the crop pickup device towards the bale formation chamber.

Abstract: A rake apparatus is disclosed. The rake apparatus includes a plurality of material gathering members connected to a continuous conveyor member such as a chain or a belt. A drive sprocket supports the conveyor member at a discharge end of the rake apparatus. An idler sprocket supports the conveyor member at a distal end of the rake apparatus. The material gathering members contact a bottom stripper guard and a top stripper guard as they travel about the raking device to remove crop material from the material gathering members. The rake apparatus may be part of a harvesting machine in which the processing chamber of the harvesting machine has a width that is the same width as the pickup device of the harvesting machine.

Abstract: A round baler is disclosed. The round baler includes a bale formation chamber and a rotor device having a plurality of teeth, the teeth having outer tips that define a circumferential path of travel of the rotor device. The round baler also includes a crop pickup device including a plurality of pickup tines connected to a rotating pickup reel and a plurality of stripper bands, each of the plurality of pickup tines passing through a gap formed between adjacent stripper bands. The crop pickup device has an engagement zone and a release zone, wherein the release zone is adjacent to the circumferential path of travel of the rotor device such that the rotor device and the pickup reel rotate and cooperate to convey crop material from the crop pickup device towards the bale formation chamber.