Abstract: In one embodiment, a reel assembly for a pickup assembly of an agricultural machine, the reel assembly comprising: a rotatable bulkhead; plural rows of tines rotatable with the bulkhead; and a reel cover coupled to the bulkhead and comprising plural slots through which the tines extend.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a continuous baler includes a round baler and an adjustable conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The adjustable conveyor may include a conveyor belt and a controller for manipulating the conveyor belts. In one example embodiment, the speed of the conveyor is adjusted in accordance with the operation of the baler.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a starter roll for a baler includes a continuous chevron-shaped rib provided on a contact surface of the starter roll. The rib may include a center portion arranged generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the starter roll and outwardly and rearwardly extending wings. A plurality of ribs may be provided to form guide channels for guiding wrapping material that is provided to the bale and engaged by the starter roll outward to cover the edges of a bale and distribute the wrapping material over the lateral surface of the bale.

Abstract: A continuous baler includes a round baler and an accumulation conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The accumulation conveyor may include a conveyor belt. A controller may determine an operational mode of the baler and manipulate the accumulation conveyor in response to the operational mode. For example, the controller may be configured to operate the accumulation conveyor in a feed direction during a bale-forming mode of the baler and operate the conveyor from an initialized position at a coincident speed during a non-bale-forming mode. A pickup may provide crop material to the accumulation conveyor during both bale-forming and non-bale-forming modes.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a continuous baler includes a round baler and an adjustable conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The adjustable conveyor may include a conveyor belt and a controller for manipulating the conveyor belts. In one example embodiment, the speed of the conveyor is adjusted in accordance with the operation of the baler.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a stuffer method of a baler, the method comprising conveying with a plurality of pivotally-biased elements coupled along a moveable link a first portion of crop material from an inlet of a stuffer chute to a location proximal to an outlet of the stuffer chute; and responsive to a crop material density of the first portion meeting or exceeding a first predefined threshold density, conveying with a subset of the plurality of pivotally-biased elements a subsequent portion or portions of crop material from the inlet to the first portion until the subsequent portion or portions meets or exceeds a second predefined threshold density that substantially equals the first predefined threshold density.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a bale wrap mechanism is configured to wrap a bale with a pre-tensioned wrap material and include a wrap material dispensing mechanism and a wrap material tensioning mechanism. The dispensing mechanism is configured to provide wrap material to a rotating bale in a baling chamber, and the tension mechanism is configured to pretension the wrap material by manipulating the speed of the meshwrap supply relative to the speed of the rotating bale in accordance with a predetermined scheme. The tensioning mechanism may include a brake to manipulate a material wrap payoff roll and a controller to manipulate the brake. A user interface may be used to provide a desired scheme to the controller, such as a desired tension.

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: In an example embodiment, a continuous baler includes a round baler and an adjustable conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The adjustable conveyor may include a conveyor belt and a controller for manipulating the conveyor belts. In one example embodiment, the speed of the conveyor is adjusted in accordance with the operation of the baler.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a continuous baler includes a round baler and a pickup conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The pickup conveyor may include a conveyor belt and a controller for manipulating the conveyor belts. In one example embodiment, the speed of the conveyor is adjusted in accordance with the operation of the baler.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a starter roll for a baler includes a continuous chevron-shaped rib provided on a contact surface of the starter roll. The rib may include a center portion arranged generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the starter roll and outwardly and rearwardly extending wings. A plurality of ribs may be provided to form guide channels for guiding wrapping material that is provided to the bale and engaged by the starter roll outward to cover the edges of a bale and distribute the wrapping material over the lateral surface of the bale.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a continuous baler includes a round baler and a pickup conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The pickup conveyor may include a conveyor belt and a controller for manipulating the conveyor belts. In one example embodiment, the speed of the conveyor is adjusted in accordance with the operation of the baler.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a continuous baler includes a round baler and an adjustable conveyor for providing crop to the round baler. The adjustable conveyor may include a conveyor belt and a controller for manipulating the conveyor belts. In one example embodiment, the speed of the conveyor is adjusted in accordance with the operation of the baler.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a baler includes a variable speed baling chamber. The variable speed baling chamber may include a baling chamber and a variable speed drive. A method of baling crop material includes running a baling chamber at a first speed during a bale-forming cycle and running the baling chamber at a second speed during a non-bale-forming cycle, such as a bale wrapping cycle.

Abstract: A bale wrapping control system that enables several custom bale wrapping patterns which more effectively wrap and maintain the integrity of bales formed in a round baler. The bale wrapping control system controls operation of a dispensing arm which dispenses twine or other bale wrapping material. The dispensing arm is moveable between a start position where an end of the dispensing arm is closest to the bale, a left edge position where the end of the dispensing arm is near a left edge of the bale, a right edge position where the end of the dispensing arm is near a right edge of the bale, and a cutoff or home position where the end of the dispensing arm passes a cutting mechanism. The bale wrapping control system includes a baler controller for controlling movement of the dispensing arm and a user interface for receiving operating instructions from an operator of the baler and for controlling certain functions of the baler controller in response to the operating instructions.

Abstract: A bale wrapping control system that enables several custom bale wrapping patterns which more effectively wrap and maintain the integrity of bales formed in a round baler. The bale wrapping control system controls operation of a dispensing arm which dispenses twine or other bale wrapping material. The dispensing arm is moveable between a start position where an end of the dispensing arm is closest to the bale, a left edge position where the end of the dispensing arm is near a left edge of the bale, a right edge position where the end of the dispensing arm is near a right edge of the bale, and a cutoff or home position where the end of the dispensing arm passes a cutting mechanism. The bale wrapping control system includes a baler controller for controlling movement of the dispensing arm and a user interface for receiving operating instructions from an operator of the baler and for controlling certain functions of the baler controller in response to the operating instructions.

Abstract: A round baler is disclosed as including an improved bale wrapping mechanism that provides positive feeding of the wrapper at the start of the wrapping cycle. The mechanism includes a shiftable frame carrying a pair of feed rollers, with one of the rollers being brought into engagement with a stretch of the belts moving toward the baling chamber when the frame is shifted to a starting position. The wrapping mechanism is configured so that the belt stretch and the one feed roller cooperatively define a nip that is located downstream along the wrapper path from the nip defined between the feed rollers. A cutting assembly is disposed to sever the wrapper at a point spaced downstream from the nip defined between the belt stretch and the one roller, thereby insuring the wrapper presents a free end that is trapped between the one roller and the belt stretch when the frame is moved to the starting position.

Abstract: A non-row-sensitive forage harvesting header for attachment to a mobile frame carrying a chopper has a pair of rotatable cutting discs for severing stalks as the frame moves across a field. Positioned above the cutting discs are a pair of drum-shaped transfer devices rotatable in opposite directions about upright axes coaxial with the rotational axes of the respective cutting discs for gathering severed stalks to a central location between the devices. A pair of endless gripping elements extend about respective ones of the transfer devices and present opposed rearwardly moveable runs extending between the central location and the chopper when the header is attached to the frame. The opposed runs of the gripping elements are operable to cooperatively grip each gathered stalk therebetween while moving the stalk rearwardly from the central location to the chopper.

Abstract: A single length, wire-formed latch is pivotally attached to the hook of the chain and is so configured as to blockingly span the mouth of the chain-receiving slot of the hook when the latch is in its closed position. By grasping opposite limbs of the latch disposed on opposite sides of the hook, the latch may be pulled back against the resistive tension in the limbs to open the slot and allow the ingress and egress of the chain. One illustrated embodiment utilizes a pair of spaced mounting holes in the hook body which receive corresponding inturned, free ends of the limbs, while a second embodiment utilizes a single mounting hole in the hook body to receive one of the free ends of the limbs, the other limb having its free end extending across and bearing against an exposed, offset fulcrum surface on the exterior of the hook body to resiliently stress the limbs when the latch is pulled back into its open position.

Abstract: A material-conveying apparatus includes an endless belt supported for travel in a path extending around a pair of rollers. A pair of support plates extend beneath the lateral edges of the belt along an upper run of the belt each of the support plates including an opening extending therethrough which permits material passing incidentally between the belt and the support plate to pass to an area beneath the support plate. A pair of deflection plates are disposed beneath the support plates. The deflection plates each include an upper edge which is disposed beneath and between the lateral edges of the upper run of the belt and extend downward and laterally outward relative to the upper run of the belt to a lower edge which is disposed laterally outward of the edges of the belt, whereby the material passing through the openings is directed by the deflection plates to an area laterally displaced from the lower run of the belt.