Abstract: A method is provided for operating a roll baler having upper and lower bale forming devices that cooperate with each other to define a bale starting zone. The upper bale forming device extends around a drive member and around an indexing guide member which has a home position for disposing the upper bale forming device proximate to the lower bale forming device at the rear of the bale starting zone. The drive member is engaged with a power source such as a tractor PTO to move the upper bale forming device in a direction to start a roll bale in the bale starting zone. When the roll bale reaches a predetermined diameter, the indexing guide member is moved in a substantially circular path of travel generally about the periphery of the roll bale. The drive member is disengaged from the power source when the indexing guide member has moved to another position. Subsequently, the drive member is reengaged with the power source when the indexing guide member has returned to its home position.

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.