Abstract: A system is provided that automatically stops a tractor as a function of a status of a round baler. This may include a controller such as a baler controller directly or indirectly detecting initial movement of an actuator that moves a wrapper assembly. Based on this detection, conditions for starting a wrap procedure may be determined either by actuator position or by a time period required for moving the wrapper assembly from a home position to a wrap start position. A time period required to bring the tractor to stop may be determined and compared with the time period required for the wrapper assembly to move from the home position to the wrap start position. The baler controller may send a tractor halt command signal for stopping the tractor to coordinate and synchronize bringing the tractor to a complete stop at the same time that the wrapping material is inserted and applied onto the bale at the beginning of a wrapping procedure.

Abstract: Provided herein are metabolically-modified microorganisms useful for producing biofuels. More specifically, provided herein are methods of producing high alcohols including isobutanol, 1-butanol, 1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol and 2-phenylethanol from a suitable substrate.

Abstract: A combination tractor and baler is provided to automate tractor stopping and baler wrapping while incorporating operator interaction to improve the efficiency of the tractor and baler combination in operation. Automated control systems and manual operator devices are utilized to improve the timing of the tractor stop and baler wrapping time sequences. Various methods to improve efficiency, including methods to synchronize tractor stop with wrapping activation are provided.

Abstract: A baler and method of using the improved baler to install net rolls into a net wrapping assembly in the baler. The baler includes a separable support tube configured to separate and reattach within the net roll during installation. The baler also includes a platform to support the net roll during installation. The platform also stores net rolls prior to installation.

Abstract: An improved baler and a method of using the improved baler to produce high density bales. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a compression assembly comprising at least one pair of opposing compression rollers configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression rollers define an adjustable gap therebetween. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers may be controlled, resulting in bales of varying density.

Abstract: A gate assembly for use with a baler that includes a belt guide mechanism coupled to a side of the baler frame and guide one or more belts used to form the bale. The gate assembly also includes a shield pivotably coupled to the side of the baler frame and configured to limit contact with one or more components of the baler. The gate assembly further includes a linkage assembly coupled between the belt guide mechanism and the shield. The belt guide mechanism is configured to pivot between a lower belt guide mechanism position and a raised belt guide mechanism position to allow the bale to be ejected from the bale chamber. The linkage assembly is configured to pivot the shield between a lower shield position and a raised shield position responsive to the pivoting of the belt guide mechanism.

Abstract: A net wrapping system includes an insertion assembly configured to move between a home position and an insert position. The insertion assembly has at least one insertion assembly spreader roll configured to engage net wrapping from a net roll. The net wrapping system also includes a fixed spreader roll proximate to the net roll and configured to engage the net wrapping along a length of the fixed spreader roll circumferential surface when the insertion assembly is in the home position. The net wrapping system further includes a back wrap roll located along a net path between the fixed spreader roll and the at least one insertion assembly spreader roll and configured to cause the net wrapping to maintain engagement with substantially the same length of the fixed spreader roll circumferential surface when the insertion assembly is in the insert position.

Abstract: A method of controlling formation of a bale includes forming a bale from crop material by rotating the bale in a bale chamber and applying an amount of density pressure to the rotating bale. The method also includes receiving at least one operating condition value corresponding to at least one sensed operating condition when the bale is forming. The method further includes automatically determining the amount of bale density pressure applied to the bale responsive to receiving the at least one received operating condition value and controlling formation of the bale by causing the determined amount of bale density pressure to be applied to the bale.

Abstract: A net dispensing assembly in a baler includes a net roll support tube configured to hold the net roll and a brake drum assembly coupled to the net roll support tube and configured to rotate about the net roll support tube and apply tension to the net wrapping dispensed from the net roll. The net dispensing assembly also includes a pivoting element configured to move the net roll support tube between an operating position and a load-unload position. The net dispensing assembly further includes a locking mechanism coupled to the brake drum assembly and configured to prevent the brake drum assembly from rotating in a direction opposite the operating direction when the net roll support tube is in at least one of (i) the load-unload position and (ii) the operating position.

Abstract: A baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a compression assembly comprising at least one pair of opposing compression rollers configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression rollers define an adjustable gap therebetween. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers may be controlled, resulting in bales of varying density.

Abstract: A bale ejection sequence for ejecting a bale from a baler is initiated from an operator command based upon monitored bale ejection factors. A controller implements a timing sequence that is based on a calibration of a cycle timing of a tailgate of the baler. The timing sequence relates to movement of the tractor, a position of the tailgate, and a hydraulic flow rate of fluid to a hydraulic system connected to the tailgate to move the tailgate between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to weighing a bale formed by a round baler. One or more load cells, but not including load cells at each support of the baler, are used to obtain a measurement of the baler containing the bale and a measurement of the baler empty. Factors related to the slope of the surface on which the baler is located, the size of the bale, and the shape of the bale are used to adjust the measured weight of the bale.

Abstract: System information and parameters relating to a baler and equipment connected thereto are used to calibrate the speed of a tailgate of the baler. Calibration involves setting the time it takes to raise and lower the tailgate. The calibration timing is used to control the speed of the tailgate for faster and safer bale ejections to ensure the ejection configuration values are tuned to the dynamics of the baler tailgate and hydraulic power of the tractor.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining the magnitude and direction of the draft force applied to the drawbar of a tractor by a towed implement. Orthogonal load sensors can be placed at the drawbar pivot point to measure load on the drawbar. From the measured load on the drawbar, the lateral and longitudinal draft forces applied by the towed implement on the drawbar can be calculated. The magnitude and direction of the draft force can then be determined from the calculated lateral and longitudinal forces.

Abstract: Monitoring current draw of an actuator associated with a rotating arm on a round baler during a net wrapping cycle is used to determine the position of the rotating arm and actuator, as well as to determine the net tension. The current draw of the actuator may be correlated with the home and insert positions of the rotating arm during the net wrapping cycle; thus by monitoring the current draw, the rotating arm and actuator position is determined and may be provided to aid an operator. The net tension during the net wrapping cycle is a function of the rotating arm and actuator current. A calculation of net tension is determined and provided to an operator, allowing the operator to verify performance issues related to the net tension.

Abstract: An improved net cutting assembly that may be used with an agricultural baler net wrapping system. More particularly, an up-cut net knife for improved cutting of wrapping material (e.g., a net) used to wrap bales of crop material in an agricultural baler. The up-cut net knife assembly improves net cutting performance by providing an up-cut net knife that moves in the same direction as the net whereby the motion of the net helps the knife get into the cut position. Further, embodiments of the up-cut knife assembly move the up-cut knife cutting edge at substantially the same speed and in the same direction as the net to be cut. This motion of the up-cut knife allows the up-cut knife to be lifted up into the net motion using a driver and then to continue on with no relative motion—or at least minimal relative motion of the knife to the net—until the knife gets into the cut position. In the cut position, the knife stops and the net is pulled against the knife blade resulting in cutting the net.

Abstract: A combination tractor and baler is provided to automate tractor stopping and baler wrapping while incorporating operator interaction to improve the efficiency of the tractor and baler combination in operation. Automated control systems and manual operator devices are utilized to improve the timing of the tractor stop and baler wrapping time sequences. Various methods to improve efficiency, including methods to synchronize tractor stop with wrapping activation are provided.

Abstract: The square baler comprises a pick-up a pre-compression chamber, a baling chamber, a loading mechanism for transferring each slice of crop from the pre-compression chamber into the baling chamber and a plunger. The baler further can include at least one non-contact sensor that is provided in at least one of the walls of the pre-compression chamber and/or of the input zone of the baling chamber to produce an output signal indicative of the density of the crop.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a tag into a bale of agricultural material is disclosed. The tag is inserted into the bale material, during bale production, such that the tag is within the bale material, but within reading distance of an outer surface of the final bale. In square bales, the tag is placed in either the first or last slice of the bale. In round bales, the tag is place in the outer circumferential layer of the bale as it is formed. The tag may be gravity fed or forcibly fed into the stream of crop material as it passes from the baling apparatus pick-up to the baling chamber. A system for identifying and tracking an individual bale is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved belt tensioning system for an agricultural round baler that increases belt tension to reduce slippage between the belts and the driving rolls during the initial stage of a bale forming cycle when the bale chamber is empty and as the belts are beginning to be rolled. The system includes an accumulator that is pressurized by the tensioning system as a bale is being formed. The accumulator pressure may then be directed to a hydraulic cylinder included in a bale density system to increase tension in the belts after a completed bale is ejected and the bale chamber is being reset for the next bale.