Abstract: A twine cutting and clamping apparatus for a roll baling machine includes an arm having one edge which cooperates with a cutting member such as a knife to cut twine therebetween. The arm has another edge which cooperates with a resilient member such as a spring clip to clamp twine therebetween.

Abstract: A solar heat collector for use at a predetermined latitude includes a surface of revolution comprising an inner, upwardly convex right conical frustum and an outer, upwardly concave right conical frustum, the walls of which each have a rise angle equal to the latitude plus from zero to about fifteen degrees, fluid conduit means defining a spiral path along the surfaces of the frustums, and means for circulating fluid through the conduit means. In preferred embodiments, the collector includes a translucent, circular, upwardly convex dome-shaped cover.

Abstract: A machine is provided for continuously forming roll bales of crop material while moving across a field without stopping to discharge the bales. The machine includes a lower apron and a pair of upper aprons. One of the upper aprons cooperates with the lower apron to define a front bale forming chamber while the two upper aprons cooperate with each other to define a rear bale forming chamber.

Abstract: A mobile transport carrier for large articles of agricultural products, such as bales, including an elongated frame having an elongated draft member pivotally connected at one end to a side rail of the frame, latch mechanism carried by the draft member to secure the draft member in transport position adjacent the side rail, a fluid operated cylinder unit arranged to move the draft member toward and away from the side rail, latch releasing mechanism operable upon the initiation of movement of the fluid operated cylinder unit to effect unlatching of the latch mechanism, and latching of the latch mechanism occurring automatically when the draft member is moved to the transport position adjacent the side rail.

Abstract: A twine cut and clamp mechanism for a roll baling machine includes a pair of arms and a pair of intermeshing spur gears connected, respectively, to the arms. A lever is connected to one of the arms to pivot it. The spur gears cause concurrent pivoting of the other arm when the one arm is pivoted by the lever.

Abstract: In a roll baling machine having a floor roller and an apron which cooperate in suitable manner to form roll bales, a sprocket-shaped member is provided to support the transverse tubes of the apron against bending and twisting loads during bale formation and thereby prevent damage to the apron.

Abstract: In a roll baling machine having a floor roller and a bale forming apron, a stripper bar is provided to remove crop material from the floor roller and thereby minimize the amount of crop material lost between the floor roller and the apron while baling.

Abstract: An overfill protection apparatus is provided for a roll baling machine to prevent overfilling the bale chamber. The overfill protection apparatus includes a trip lever and an actuating lever. When the bale chamber is filled to a predetermined level, the trip lever moves from a first to a second position to allow the actuating lever to interrupt the driving of the pickup header of the machine.

Abstract: In a roll baling machine having an apron movable in suitable manner to form roll bales of crop material, air springs are used to maintain tension in the apron. The air springs each include an air bag and a piston. The air pressure in the air bags is adjustable in order to adjust the tension in the apron.

Abstract: A roll baling machine includes a floor roller and an apron movable in suitable manner to form roll bales of crop material. The floor roller and the apron cooperate to define a bale forming chamber of generally wedge shape having a forward end which is narrower than the rearward end thereof. The apron moves upwardly and rearwardly of the machine at the rear of the bale forming chamber and then downwardly and forwardly of the machine at the top of the bale forming chamber.

Abstract: A roll baling machine including a floor roller, a bale forming apron, and drive apparatus connected between the floor roller and the bale forming apron. The drive apparatus causes rotation of the floor roller in response to movement of the apron in a normal direction during bale formation. The drive apparatus includes a clutch mechanism which drivingly disconnects the floor roller from the apron in response to movement of the apron in reverse direction such as when a bale is discharged from the machine.

Abstract: A roll baling machine includes a frame, an apron supported on the frame for forming a roll bale of crop material, and an arm assembly mounted on the frame supporting part of the apron. Air springs are connected between the arm assembly and the frame normally urging the arm assembly in a direction to dispose part of the apron in a substantially S-shaped configuration in side elevation.

Abstract: In a roll bearing machine having an apron movable in suitable manner to fom roll bales of crop material and air springs for maintaining tension in the apron, a method of adjusting the apron tension is disclosed. The method comprises adjusting the air pressure in the air springs to any desired level within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A roll baling machine includes a frame, an apron supported on the frame for forming roll bales of crop material, and an arm assembly mounted on the frame supporting part of the apron. Air springs urge the arm assembly in a direction to maintain tension in the apron. Bar structures pivotally connect the air springs to the arm assembly, and bracket members rigidly connect the air springs to the frame.

Abstract: In a roll baling machine having an apron movable in suitable manner to form roll bales of crop material and air springs for maintaining tension in the apron, a method of releasing the apron tension is disclosed. The method comprises reducing the air pressure in the air springs to a level where the aprong tension is relaxed.

Abstract: A windguard for use on the pick-up mechanism of a crop harvesting machine. The windguard automatically adjusts to varying sizes of windrows of crop material as the machine and its pick-up mechanism are being operated. The windguard has an unlimited number of adjustment positions for different sizes of windrows.

Abstract: A roll baling machine includes an apron supported on a base frame and movable in suitable manner to form roll bales of crop material. A bale retainer is mounted on the base frame to momentarily hold a roll bale upward in the base frame during its discharge therefrom. The bale retainer is movable from an inoperative position during bale formation to an operative position during discharge of a roll bale from the base frame.

Abstract: In a roll baling machine, a portion of the bale chamber is tapered in width from top to bottom or from rear to front to facilitate bale ejection.

Abstract: A roll baling machine includes an apron movably supported on a base frame and a rear frame for forming roll bales of crop material. The rear frame is pivotally connected to the base frame. A rotatable arm assembly is mounted on the base frame and supports part of the apron. The arm assembly has guide members carried on front and rear arms for engaging the apron. When the machine is empty, the arm assembly is positioned so that its rear arms extend into the rear frame. When a completed bale has been formed, the arm assembly is positioned so that its rear arms are disposed outside the rear frame.

Abstract: In a crop roll forming machine having a reversibly rotatable bale forming means and a drive means there is provided a control means affixed to the frame movable between at least a first position and a second position for cooperative interaction with the drive means and the bale forming means to selectively cause the bale forming means to cease being driven in a first direction and cause it to be driven in an opposing second direction when the control means is moved from the first position to the second position so that a completed crop roll is ejected rearwardly from the machine onto the ground.