Abstract: A spreader implement and drive gearbox therefor are provided that incorporate a single gearbox for driving both a distributor assembly for throwing manure and the like out of the spreader implement and for driving a transporting assembly for moving the manure or the like toward the distributor assembly. The single gearbox provides direct gear drive of one of the assemblies. The drive gearbox may include one or more biased clutch assemblies for clutching or varying the driving speed transmitted by the gearbox.

Abstract: Apparatus is presented for slicing a large round bale into two parts prior to discharge from the baler. Slicing is accomplished by inserting a knife blade into the bale forming chamber during or subsequent to the tying-off event while the bale rotates. The knife is inserted between the belts which encircle the periphery of the baling chamber. The butt end of a more than two foot long knife blade is secured to the center of a T-shaped crossbar. One end of the crossbar is hinge mounted to the top rear midpoint of the baler. The second end of the crossbar is pivotally mounted to the piston shaft of a hydraulic cylinder. The base end of the hydraulic cylinder is pivotally mounted to the top front midpoint of the baler. In the unactivated state of the cylinder wherein the shaft is in its extended position, the top edge of the knife blade will clear the lower edge of the top front roller of the baling chamber.

Abstract: A tractor drawn and powered machine is disclosed for forming large round bales of fibrous agricultural crops in a chamber of fixed size. The baling chamber consists of a lower and an upper section. The lower section includes a wheel mounted main frame, along with a pickup reel and a bottom conveyor comprising side by side belts entrained on four transversely extending rollers. The upper section is supported on a subframe which is hinge mounted along its front edge to the main frame allowing thereby the rear portion of the upper section to open as a rearward facing tailgate for discharge of a completed bale. Situated within the subframe of the upper section are all of the conveying elements which make up the rear, top and front of the generally cylindrical periphery of the baling zone. Each conveyor element in the upper section comprises a plurality of side by side belts entrained on spaced apart transversely mounted upstream and downstream rollers.

Abstract: This invention relates to the inlet throat of a machine for forming large round bales of fibrous agricultural material. The machine includes a single axle chassis and a tongue enabling it to be towed along a windrow by a tractor. On top of the chassis is a generally cylindrical housing containing a baling chamber of fixed size having a horizontal axis. Around the periphery of the baling chamber is a plurality of serially arranged conveying elements. The rear portion of the housing swings upward from a hinge point at the top to enable rearward discharged of a completed bale. A pickup mechanism is transversely mounted across the lower front of the chassis. Behind the topside of the pickup mechanism there is a conveyor which forms the bottom of the front part of the baling zone. The conveyor consists of a plurality of side-by-side belts entrained on four parallel rollers which extend horizontally across the entire bottom of the machine.