Abstract: An agricultural machine capable of sensing a harvested crop load includes a mower or mower conditioner implement, which may be referred to as a crop cutting implement, and a retractable linear device such as a spring or linear actuator. The crop cutting implement includes a flexible drive assembly with an endless loop, such as a belt, that is driven and supported by rollers. The retractable linear device resists movement of a first roller relative to a second roller. With this arrangement various characteristics of the agricultural machine, all of which are proxies for the position of the first roller relative to the second roller, may be measured by a crop load sensor to determine the quantity or load of harvested crop being processed by the flexible drive assembly of the agricultural machine.

Abstract: A rotor assembly that has a support tube having a first diameter, at least one tooth coupled to the support tube, wherein the tooth rotates with the support tube to direct crop toward a chamber, and an undershot auger having an auger flight extending radially away from an auger core, the auger flight configured to cause the crop to flow towards a bale chamber region of the rotor assembly when rotation of the rotor assembly causes the crop to flow under the rotor assembly. Wherein, the auger core has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.

Abstract: A disc mower for cutting crop material includes a plurality of cutter assemblies attached to a frame. Each of the cutter assemblies includes a respective motor operatively attached to a respective disc for rotating the disc. A cutter controller is operatively coupled to the respective motor of each of the plurality of cutter assemblies for selectively controlling a respective commanded rotational speed of the respective motor of one of the cutter assemblies independently of the respective commanded rotational speed of the respective motor of another of the cutter assemblies. Each of the individual cutter assemblies may be vertically moveable relative to the frame independently of the other of the cutter assemblies.

Abstract: A baler including a frame, and a compression system coupled to the frame, where the compression system at least partially defines a compression chamber. The baler also includes a feed pan at least partially defining a pre-compression chamber in operable communication with the compression chamber, where the feed pan includes an inlet defining an inlet area and an outlet defining an outlet area, and where the outlet of the pre-compression chamber is open to the compression chamber of the compression system. The baler also includes at least one actuator coupled to the feed pan, and a controller in operable communication with the at least one actuator, and where the controller is configured to adjust the inlet area and the outlet area independently.

Abstract: A baler for use with a forming bale having a first bale attribute. The baler including a frame, and a compression system coupled to the frame where the compression system at least partially defines a compression chamber sized to receive at least a portion of the forming bale therein. The baler also includes a feed pan at least partially defining a pre-compression chamber, and where the shape of the pre-compression is adjustable, and where the pre-compression chamber is open to the compression chamber. The baler also includes a sensor configured to output signals representative of the first bale attribute, and a controller in operable communication with the feed pan and the sensor, and where the controller is configured to actively adjust the shape of the pre-compression chamber based at least in part upon the first bale attribute of the forming bale.

Abstract: An integrated driveline (136, 236, 336, 36, 436) slip clutch (154, 254, 354, 454) system for a large square baler (28) for controlling a transfer of power from a tractor (26) to the baler (28). The clutch (254) system includes a slip clutch (154, 254, 354, 454) having a number of clutch plates (388). The slip clutch (154, 254, 354, 454) is moveable between a disengaged relationship in which no power is transferred from a driveline (136, 236, 336, 36, 436) to a gearbox (140, 240, 340, 40, 440), and one or more engaged relationships in which amounts of power are transferred from the driveline (136, 236, 336, 36, 436) to the gearbox (140, 240, 340, 40, 440). Movement of the slip clutch (154, 254, 354, 454) between engagement relationships may be controlled mechanically (by, e.g., centrifugal force) or electronically.

Abstract: A rotor assembly that has a support tube having a first diameter, at least one tooth coupled to the support tube, wherein the tooth rotates with the support tube to direct crop toward a chamber, and an undershot auger having an auger flight extending radially away from an auger core, the auger flight configured to cause the crop to flow towards a bale chamber region of the rotor assembly when rotation of the rotor assembly causes the crop to flow under the rotor assembly. Wherein, the auger core has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.

Abstract: A baler for use with a forming bale having a first bale attribute. The baler including a frame, and a compression system coupled to the frame where the compression system at least partially defines a compression chamber sized to receive at least a portion of the forming bale therein. The baler also includes a feed pan at least partially defining a pre-compression chamber, and where the shape of the pre-compression is adjustable, and where the pre-compression chamber is open to the compression chamber. The baler also includes a sensor configured to output signals representative of the first bale attribute, and a controller in operable communication with the feed pan and the sensor, and where the controller is configured to actively adjust the shape of the pre-compression chamber based at least in part upon the first bale attribute of the forming bale.

Abstract: A baler including a frame, and a compression system coupled to the frame, where the compression system at least partially defines a compression chamber. The baler also includes a feed pan at least partially defining a pre-compression chamber in operable communication with the compression chamber, where the feed pan includes an inlet defining an inlet area and an outlet defining an outlet area, and where the outlet of the pre-compression chamber is open to the compression chamber of the compression system. The baler also includes at least one actuator coupled to the feed pan, and a controller in operable communication with the at least one actuator, and where the controller is configured to adjust the inlet area and the outlet area independently.

Abstract: A baling system acts at shut-down to automatically pre-position a plunger so that it is just past a rear-dead-center position when the baler is restarted, thereby minimizing the load on a power take-off during the next restart. In particular, when the power take-off is deactivated, a control unit automatically brakes the power take-off so that the plunger stops in the desired position. Alternatively, the baling system acts at restart-up to automatically repeatedly activate and deactivate the power take-off in order to accelerate the plunger to a predetermined minimum operating speed before activating the power take-off for continuous operation, thereby maximizing a flywheel's momentum during the restart.

Abstract: A baling system acts at shut-down to automatically pre-position a plunger so that it is just past a rear-dead-center position when the baler is restarted, thereby minimizing the load on a power take-off during the next restart. In particular, when the power take-off is deactivated, a control unit automatically brakes the power take-off so that the plunger stops in the desired position. Alternatively, the baling system acts at restart-up to automatically repeatedly activate and deactivate the power take-off in order to accelerate the plunger to a predetermined minimum operating speed before activating the power take-off for continuous operation, thereby maximizing a flywheel's momentum during the restart.

Abstract: A baling system acts at shut-down to automatically pre-position a plunger so that it is just past a rear-dead-center position when the baler is restarted, thereby minimizing the load on a power take-off during the next restart. In particular, when the power take-off is deactivated, a control unit automatically brakes the power take-off so that the plunger stops in the desired position. Alternatively, the baling system acts at restart-up to automatically repeatedly activate and deactivate the power take-off in order to accelerate the plunger to a predetermined minimum operating speed before activating the power take-off for continuous operation, thereby maximizing a flywheel's momentum during the restart.

Abstract: A baling system acts at shut-down to automatically pre-position a plunger so that it is just past a rear-dead-center position when the baler is restarted, thereby minimizing the load on a power take-off during the next restart. In particular, when the power take-off is deactivated, a control unit automatically brakes the power take-off so that the plunger stops in the desired position. Alternatively, the baling system acts at restart-up to automatically repeatedly activate and deactivate the power take-off in order to accelerate the plunger to a predetermined minimum operating speed before activating the power take-off for continuous operation, thereby maximizing a flywheel's momentum during the restart.

Abstract: A pickup for a combine-towed baler. In one embodiment, crop material such as the residue or material other than grain (MOG) from the back of the combine is directly projected toward a target on a baler collection device. A tailboard with deflection panels may be used to alter the direction of the crop residue from the combine. The tongue of the baler is configured to not obstruct the crop material as the crop material is projected toward the baler. One or more knives of a chopper coupled to the combine may be configured to optimally project MOG toward the baler. Also, the stuffer chute of the baler may be configured to facilitate the flow of crop material such as MOG and therefore minimize obstructions. The crop material is transferred from the combine to the baler without the use of a conveyor.

Abstract: A pickup for a combine-towed baler. In one embodiment, crop material such as the residue or material other than grain (MOG) from the back of the combine is directly projected toward a target on a baler collection device. A tailboard with deflection panels may be used to alter the direction of the crop residue from the combine. The tongue of the baler is configured to not obstruct the crop material as the crop material is projected toward the baler. One or more knives of a chopper coupled to the combine may be configured to optimally project MOG toward the baler. Also, the stuffer chute of the baler may be configured to facilitate the flow of crop material such as MOG and therefore minimize obstructions. The crop material is transferred from the combine to the baler without the use of a conveyor.

Abstract: A rotor discharge shield may be disclosed. The rotor discharge shield may comprise a planar wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The planar wall may define an opening. The first sidewall may be located proximate the opening. The second sidewall may be located proximate the opening. The first sidewall and the second sidewall may define a passage having an inlet and an outlet. An actuator may be arranged to selectively pivot the first sidewall.

Abstract: A baling apparatus for towing behind a combine, said baling apparatus comprising a tongue to enable said towing, said baling apparatus defining a target for receiving at least a portion of material discharged directly from the combine across a gap extending the distance from a rear of the combine to a front of said baling apparatus to impact on said target of said baling apparatus through an opening defined by forward frame members and a cross member connected to the tongue rather than impacting the ground.

Abstract: A pickup for a combine-towed baler. In one embodiment, crop material such as the residue or material other than grain (MOG) from the back of the combine is directly projected toward a target on a baler collection device. A tailboard with deflection panels may be used to alter the direction of the crop residue from the combine. The tongue of the baler is configured to not obstruct the crop material as the crop material is projected toward the baler. One or more knives of a chopper coupled to the combine may be configured to optimally project MOG toward the baler. Also, the stuffer chute of the baler may be configured to facilitate the flow of crop material such as MOG and therefore minimize obstructions. The crop material is transferred from the combine to the baler without the use of a conveyor.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a roller bale chute accumulator apparatus includes a roller bale chute configured to receive a bale from a discharge opening of a baler and a bale drop mechanism configured to change the roller bale chute between a drop condition for dropping the bale from the roller bale chute and a non-drop condition for maintaining the bale on the roller bale chute. In one example embodiment the bale drop mechanism comprises a brake that is configured to manipulate a roller of the roller bale chute. In another example embodiment, a foldable bale chute portion is movable between a lower bale drop position and an upward non-drop position.

Abstract: A tongue for towing a baler behind a combine harvester for biomass collection. In one embodiment, crop material such as the residue or material other than grain (MOG) from the back of the combine is directly projected toward a target on a baler collection device. A tailboard with defection panels may be used to alter the direction of the crop residue from the combine. The tongue of the baler is configured to not obstruct the crop material as the crop material is projected toward the baler. One or more knives of a chopper coupled to the combine may be configured to optimally project MOG toward the baler. Also, the stuffer chute of the baler may be configured to facilitate the flow of crop material such as MOG and therefore minimize obstructions. The crop material is transferred from the combine to the baler without the use of a conveyor.