Abstract: An articulated top tension rail is provided in the bale chamber of a baler for improving control over the shape of bales successively formed within and moved toward the rear discharge end of the bale chamber. A tension control device on the bale chamber disposes a rear portion of the top rail in a position in which it is spaced above and substantially parallel to a bottom rail of the bale chamber and disposes a front portion of the top rail, which is pivotally connected to the rear portion, in a position in which it rearwardly declines toward the bottom rail.

Abstract: An improved clutch assembly includes a rotatable driving clutch part having leading and trailing lug portions thereon and a coaxially rotatable driven clutch part. First and second adjacently-positioned pawl elements are mounted on the driven part for opposing pivotal movements between respective retracted and extended positions, being urged by respective springs to their respective extended positions. In their respective extended positions, the first pawl element is disposed for driving engagement with the leading lug portion while the second pawl element is disposed for engagement with the trailing lug portion so as to prevent any substantial amount of overrun of the driven clutch part relative to the driving clutch part. In their respective retracted positions, the first and second pawl elements are withdrawn from engagement with their respective lug portions.

Abstract: A baler has improved linkage for controlling a needle safety latch mechanism being supported on the baler and biased for movement from a retracted position to an extended position for stopping the reciprocation of a plunger within a bale case on the baler if the timing between the plunger and a needle-carrying member on the baler is disrupted and the plunger moves on a working stroke when the needles are projected across the bale case and the path of the plunger. The improved linkage includes an elongated rigid member extending along the bale case and pivotally interconnected at one end to the latch mechanism and a link pivotally coupled adjacent one of its ends to pivot means which also pivotally mounts the needle-carrying member. The link adjacent an opposite one of its ends is pivotally coupled to an opposite end of the elongated member. Also, the link includes a portion disposed in the path of movement of the needle-carrying member.

Abstract: An improved assembly on a baler for guiding a tying medium, such as at least one strand of wire, toward the bale tying mechanism on the baler includes at least one roller element mounted for rotation on the baler and having an annular portion defining a wire guiding channel which opens outwardly, a replaceable wear collar or wrapper element removably received about the roller element within its channel and at least one guide element mounted on the baler adjacent the roller element. The wrapper element is engaged by the wire strand during guiding of the same toward the bale tying mechanism. The guide element has a portion which extends alongside the strand guiding channel and has a pair of spaced apart flanges which extend toward and within the channel to define a guiding passageway for the wire strand through the guide element which is generally aligned with the channel of the roller element.