Abstract: An agricultural baler (1) having a duct (26) for the transportation of crop material to a bale case (10), wherein it is compressed into bales. Above the duct (26) is provided a loading device comprising a pair of cyclically rotating cranks (74), pivotably connected to a pair of levers (72) of a stuffing fork assembly (66). During operation the levers (72) are moved along journals (88) which fit in oblong slots (90) of said levers (72). The journals (88) are installed on pivotable members (94) which are forced upwardly in a first position against stop members (98, 100) by springs (99). Upon rotation of the cranks (74) the tines (70) of the fork follow a generally kidney-shaped path (92). When the tines enter the duct (26), the pivot members (94) are forced downwardly to a second position by the abutment of the journals (88) against plugs (106) in the slots (90), whereafter they are force upwardly by the cam member (102) of the cranks (74).

Abstract: A baling press for forming bales of agricultural crop comprises an essentially horizontal longitudinal compression chamber with an intake aperture provided on its underside, a press slide which can be moved to and fro in the longitudinal direction in front of the intake aperture in the compression chamber, an intake duct which is connected to the intake aperture of the compression chamber, the section of the intake duct on the side of the compression chamber intake aperture sloping upwards, a pick-up device fitted in the vicinity of the take-up area of the intake duct and at least one intake element which projects into the intake duct through a side wall and can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the intake duct.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing and baling plastic webs from agricultural fields including a carriage, a conveyer for receiving and conveying a plurality of plastic webs with sufficient force to remove the webs from the ground, a guide for guiding the webs to the conveyer while removing substantial amounts of dirt and debris therefrom, a hopper for receiving the plastic webs from the conveyer, a baler for compacting the plastic webs into bales, and an hydraulic drive for driving the conveyer and the baler.

Abstract: A dejuicing press has a cylindrical main pressing chamber defined by a cylindrical dripping grate. A composite piston arrangement is used in the chamber which includes an internal piston surrounded by an external annular piston. Separate drives are provided for the two pistons so that they can be moved together or separately in the same direction or in opposite directions to effect the various stages of a pressing cycle. The press may also have a pre-pressing chamber which feeds the main pressing chamber and in which a pre-pressing piston operates, and a transfer chamber at one end of the pre-pressing chamber in which there is a third piston.

Abstract: An agricultural baler for making square bales of crop material having a bale case, a feed platform adjacent the bale case and a pickup in front of the platform for lifting crop material from the to the platform. A first feed mechanism, including a first set of crop engaging tines, is provided for urging crop material across the feed platform toward the bale case. Intermediate the first feed mechanism and the bale case is a second feeding mechanism having a second set of crop engaging tines for urging the crop material across the platform from said first feed mechanism into the crop inlet. The first and second sets of crop engaging tines are driven through endless paths each having arcuate portions in the vicinity of the feed platform and along which the tines travel in the general direction of the bale case. The paths of the second set of tines pass through said inlet into the bale case and are offset from the first set transversely relative to the general direction crop is being urged across the platform.

Abstract: A baling apparatus is provided for forming fibrous material into rectangular bales. The apparatus includes a bale chamber having a rectangular cross-section with a substantially vertically (typically 10.degree.-12.degree. from vertical) disposed inlet end. Structure is disposed forwardly of the bale chamber for delivering a mat of material to be baled to the bale chamber. The structure includes a conveyor having a vertically reciprocating discharge chute for discharging the mat of fibrous material in a vertical zig-zag pattern at the inlet end of the bale chamber to form successive layers of folded material within the bale chamber. Dedicated structure is provided for compressing the fibrous material with a flat surface at upper and lower portions of the bale chamber in a direction towards the rear of the bale chamber.

Abstract: In a baler having a plunger reciprocating in a bale case and knotters for tying strands of twine around bales, two trip mechanisms are provided for automatic actuation of the knotters. A first trip mechanism is capable of preventing operation of the knotters until a bale of desired length is formed. A clutch mechanism for driving the knotters includes a pawl assembly with an abutment tab. A second trip mechanism holds the pawl assembly in a position where it prevents the knotters from being driven when the plunger is retracted. The initial displacement of the second trip mechanism toward a position where the knotters are driven is in substantially the same direction as the initial displacement of the pawl assembly abutment tab.

Abstract: In an agricultural pick-up baler, forming rectangular bales of harvested agricultural material or field fodder like hay, straw, grass-silage, the agricultural material is loaded to a compressing device shredding and crushing the fodder to a highly densified tough layer, urged to a baling chamber via a press channel. The fed-in portion of the layer is then additionally densified and compacted at its flat side by a pressing plate against the resistance of friction within the baling chamber with simultaneous extruding said rectangular bale through a rear discharge opening of said baling chamber.By the crop baler according to the invention properly shaped and highly densified bales are produced with relatively light-weighted and simple-driven compacting structural elements. Thus, the massive and expensive pitman-and-crank-assembly of conventional balers can be avoided.

Abstract: A shear bolt coupling incorporated in a drive transmission of an agricultural baler comprises a first rotatable member, a second rotatable member disposed coaxial with the first rotatable member, and a shear bolt operatively interconnecting the first and second rotatable members for transmitting power therebetween during normal operation. The shear bolt is arranged to shear off under excessive load conditions in order to interrupt power transmission between the rotatable members and thereby permit the rotatable members to move relative to each other. A shear bolt introducing lever is operatively associated with either the first or the second rotatable member for urging the shear bolt into a drive coupling position wherein the rotatable members are drivingly coupled together.

Abstract: In a reciprocating piston press where a compressing piston operates in a nonuniform manner, the piston cooperates with conveyor prongs which move material into the path of the piston. The conveyor prongs are guided by a crank and rocker linkage mechanism by way of elliptical gear wheels for movement around a kidney-shaped orbit. The prongs perform a more rapid motion in the region of a fill opening for charging material into a compaction channel containing the compressing piston. The reciprocating piston press is, in particular, employed for compacting cardboard waste in combination with a feeder space which opens into the compaction channel for charging cardboard waste into the channel. The feeder space and piston press are located in a stationary housing.

Abstract: In a baler having a plunger reciprocating in a bale case and knotters for tying strands of twine around bales, two trip mechanisms are provided for automatic actuation of the knotters. A first trip mechanism is capable of preventing operation of the knotters until a bale of desired length is formed. A second trip mechanism is operatively associated with the plunger in a manner so that the plunger does not prevent the second trip mechanism from permitting operation of the knotters provided the plunger is moving in a direction in the bale case to compress crop material into bales. A locking device coupled to the first trip mechanism is cooperable with the second trip mechanism for controlling the position thereof in accordance with the position of the first trip mechanism.

Abstract: In an agricultural pick-up baler, forming rectangular bales of harvested agricultural material or field fodder like hay, straw, grass-silage, the agricultural material is loaded to a compressing device shredding and crushing the fodder to a highly densified tough layer, urged to a baling chamber via a press channel. The fed-in position of the layer is then additionally densified and compacted at its flat side by a pressing plate against the resistance of friction within the baling chamber with simultaneous extruding said rectangular bale through a rear discharge opening of said baling chamber. By the method and apparatus according to the invention properly shaped and highly densified bales are produced with relatively light-weighted and simple-driven compacting structural elements. Thus, the massive and expensive pitman-and-crank-assembly of conventional balers can be avoided.

Abstract: The agricultural baler operable to produce square bales and comprising a bale case having an inlet opening formed therein, a feeder communicating at one end with the inlet opening in the bale case and feeder tines operable to feed crop material into the feeder duct to form a wad of crop material for subsequent transfer to the bale case. A wall of the feeder duct is provided with rollers or a conveyor operable to assist in the movement of crop material within the feeder duct and contactable by the crop material as it passes through the feeder duct, whereby the frictional forces produced by the passage of the crop material over that wall of the feeder duct are reduced.

Abstract: An agricultural baler operable to produce square bales compries a bale case having an inlet opening formed therein, a feeder duct communicating at one end with the inlet opening in the bale case, and feeder tines operable to feed crop material into the feeder duct to form a wad of crop material for subsequent transfer to the bale case. The feeder duct is provided with an opening in a wall thereof, and releasable doors are provided for the opening in the wall of the feeder duct. Thus, in the event of the feeder duct becoming plugged, all that is necessary to remove the plug of crop material is for the doors for the opening in the wall of the feeder duct to be released and for the feeder tines to be driven so that the plug of crop material is dislodged and discharged through the opening in the feeder duct wall.

Abstract: An agricultural baler having a feeder mechanism operable to accumulate a charge of crop material in a feeder duct thent transfer an accumulated charge of crop material into a bale case. The feeder mechanism includes a plurality of tine bars provided with sets of tines so that at least two sets of tines are operative in the feeder duct at any given instant. A first tine bar carries two sets of packer tines while a second tine bar carries a set of packer tines and a set of stuffer tines. A third tine bar carries a set of packer tines along with a set of combination packer and stuffer tines. All of the packer tines have outer ends following a first path of movement and the stuffer tines have outer ends following a second path of movement which is offset relative to the first path of movement. The combination packer and stuffer tines have outer ends following a third path of movement which is offset relative to both the first and second paths of movement.

Abstract: An agricultural baler comprises a bale case having an inlet opening in one side wall thereof; a plunger mounted for reciprocation within the bale case and back-and-forth across the inlet opening; a feeder duct communicating at one end with the inlet opening in the bale case and curving forwardly therefrom; the feeder duct comprising a pair of curved opposed wall means of which is movable relative to the other; and feeder means cooperable with the feeder duct to accumulate a charge of crop material therein and then stuff that charge into the bale case. The movable wall means is movable relative to the other wall means along substantially its entire length such that one cross sectional dimension of the feeder duct is variable along substantially the entire length of said feeder duct to ensure that, in use and as a charge of crop material is being accumulated in the feeder duct, said opposed wall means generally maintain contact with said crop material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pickup baler for making parallelepipedic bales of cropped material, comprising a supply mechanism and a precompression channel, opening laterally into a baling chamber in which a baling plunger moves in reciprocating motion, and a feeding device for transferring the material precompressed by the supply mechanism within the precompression channel from this channel up to the baling chamber. The walls of the precompression channel are at least partially made of a material which presents a low surface tension with respect to water, or are coated with such a material.

Abstract: A piston type bailer for producing bales of agricultural material comprising a bailing chamber with a reciprocating pressing piston, a crank drive for reciprocating the pressing piston. A feeding element is arranged to feed agricultural material to the bailing chamber. As auxiliary drive changes a position of the feeding element from the crank drive. The auxiliary drive having a first crank unit associated with the feeding element and including a first crank pin rotatably supporting the feeding element, a crank axle and a first crank arm arranged on the crank axle, and a second crank unit associated with the crank drive of the pressing piston and includes a second crank arm driven from the pivot axle of the crank drive and a pivot pin driven by the crank arm.

Abstract: An inexpensive square baler is provided with an arcuate baling chamber and a plurality of spaced apart plunger elements shiftable about a kidney-shaped, closed loop path of travel. The baling chamber is partially defined by a horizontal table and a wrapper which have a number of common openings each corresponding to one of the elements. During a return stroke portion of the plunger elements, the latter retract out of the baling chamber and re-enter the chamber between the openings in the table to enable the chamber to accumulate significant quantities of crop materials without interference with the plunger elements during their return stroke portion thereof.

Abstract: A baler comprises two winding spaces disposed side-by-side. In use, a pick-up device picks up crop from a swath and feeds it to one of the spaces. A pivotable wall portion comprising powered rollers initiates winding of a bale and pivots upwardly about an axis as the bale grows. Other powered rollers surrounding the winding space assist in the formation of the bale. When the bale is complete, it is bound with twine, a door is raised by a ram and the bale is discharged. As soon as winding of a bale in one of the spaces is complete, the pick-up device in whole or part is shifted relatively laterally with respect to the winding spaces so that crop is then fed to the other winding space while the completed bale is bound and discharged.

Abstract: A baling machine according to the invention has a frame having walls defining an elongated compaction chamber having a front end provided with a transversely open intake to which a stream of crop is fed substantially continuously. At least one compacting member is periodically displaced in the chamber between a front position forward of the intake and a back position rearward of the intake by an appropriate drive so as to rearwardly compact crop in the chamber. A plurality of pushers are each displaceable between an advanced position projecting into the chamber and only partially blocking the intake and a retracted position substantially out of the chamber by a linkage that advances the pushers into their advanced position only when the member is rearward of the intake and of the pushers. Thus advance of the pushers into the advanced position immediately after movement of the compacting member rearward past the pushers parts the stream of crop between the pushers and compacting member.

Abstract: The baler uses a single stuffer assembly to take crop materials from the center gathering augers of the windrow pickup and sweep such materials upwardly and rearwardly through a loading duct into the baling chamber via an opening in the bottom of the latter. A single set of side-by-side crop engaging forks of the stuffer assembly moves through a generally kidney shaped path of travel that includes extending the forks forward of the deposit zone, plunging the tips of the forks down to the deposit zone between the augers at a point forwardly of the mouth of the duct, sweeping rearwardly and upwardly thereafter through the remainder of the duct along the lower stretch path of fork travel, and the returning downwardly and forwardly along the upper stretch of the path of fork travel to the deposit zone. Such forks are able to extend forward of the deposit zone by positioning the augers, the deposit zone and the mouth of the duct back underneath the axis of rotation of the rotary drive of the forks.

Abstract: An agricultural baler comprises a bale case having an inlet opening for charges of crop material to be transferred thereto from a feeder duct, a plunger reciprocable within the bale case to compress successive charges of crop material from the feeder duct to form a bale, and a feeder mechanism mounted within the duct to accumulate a charge of crop material therein and then stuff that charge into the bale case. The feeder mechanism comprises a first rotatable tine bar having mounted thereon a first set of packer tines and a set of stuffer tines angularly offset from the first set of packer tines, and a second rotatable tine bar on which is mounted at least a second set of packer tines.

Abstract: Apparatus for packing bulk material including high moisture agricultural products such as grain in plastic bags has a transferring mechanism with a rotating device disposed in a generally upwardly directed plane relative to a support frame for positioning and locating the rotating device to create a rotating wedging action against bulk material within a plastic bag to provide an acceptable level of density both for ensiling of agricultural products and for storage of bulk materials.

Abstract: A baler feed assembly includes a stuffer mechanism having a smooth acting lever or slotted member which moves between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position. The slotted member pivots about a fixed shaft and includes an upper slot and a lower slot. A crank shaft having a roller member associated therewith, engages the upper slot by means of the roller member to thereby impart motion to the slotted member so that the slotted member can move between the aforesaid positions. A spring is connected to the slotted member at one end and to a fixed support at another end. Preferably, the spring is connected so that its line of action is aligned with the center of the fixed shaft when the slotted member is in the substantially vertical position. By this construction, when the slotted member is moved from the vertical position, the spring insures that the roller member, associated with the crank shaft, is in engagement with only one side of the upper slot.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for adjusting the packer assembly of an agricultural baler. The apparatus includes a control link or rod having one end thereof connected to a trunnion which is rotatably mounted between the forks of the packer assembly. A support member or clevis rotatably supports another trunnion that is connected to the other end of the control link. An adjusting device or knob is connected to the support member by a screw to move the support member to different positions in order to adjust the penetration of the packer forms into the bale case of the baler. An important feature of the disclosed apparatus is that the adjusting device or knob remains stationary relative to the bale case of the baler during movement of the packer forks. This feature facilitates adjustment of the packer assembly when the baler is operating.

Abstract: Plunger type hay baler having a frame 1 forming an internal pressing channel 5 in which a pressing plunger 9 moves in a reciprocating movement, an intake orifice 6 through which hay loads into the pressing channel 5 and a loading chute 7 which connects to the pressing channel 5 at the orifice 6. A loader 35 which operates in synchronization with the alternating movement of the plunger 9, periodically introduces into the loading channel 7 basic loads and causes them to go from the loading chute 7 into the pressing channel 5. The loader 35 and pressing plunger 9 are respectively associated with a transmission system 32, 22, 25, 24, 27, 28, 30 for transforming a continuously circular movement of a driving crankshaft 12 of the pressing plunger 9 into an alternating circular movement of the driving pivot 28 of the loader 35.

Abstract: An improved packing apparatus is disclosed for use in compacting various types of materials such as grain or green forage into large air-tight tubes or bags. The apparatus includes an auger for packing the materials which is supported in part by bearing means located outside of the material flowpath and in part by an extended section supported by the material itself thereby eliminating the possibility of material becoming entangled or jammed. A retractable conveyor assembly is also incorporated therein which may be easily moved between operating and transport positions. An optional grain loading auger is also disclosed which is particularly well suited for transfering grain or like materials from a transporter to the packing apparatus.

Abstract: In a baler having a duct communicating at one end with an inlet opening formed in a bale case, a feeder mechanism is provided to pack crop material into the duct and to stuff crop material from the duct into the bale case via the inlet opening. The feeder mechanism includes a first set of feeder elements arranged so that their outer ends follow a first path of movement and a second set of feeder elements arranged so that their outer ends follow a second path of movement. The first and second paths of movement are generally apple-shaped and are offset relative to each other.

Abstract: The baler uses a single rotary feeder to take crop materials from the center-gathering augers of the windrow pickup and to sweep such materials upwardly and rearwardly through a loading duct into the baling chamber via an opening in the bottom of the latter. A single set of side-by-side crop-engaging forks of the feeder rotates through 360 degrees of travel in a complete cycle of revolution that includes movement up into the bale chamber for presenting the crop materials to the plunger as the latter moves rearwardly in its compaction stroke. Such forks pass through clearance slots in the plunger as the latter wipes crop materials off the forks, but then the forks dip down quickly and temporarily out of the bale chamber into clearance positions as a trailing transverse knife on the plunger comes across the inlet opening of the chamber to sever any dangling strands of crop materials.

Abstract: A baler has a bale case disposed above and centrally of a pickup mechanism. A feed mechanism is provided to deliver crop material from a feed area into the bale case through an opening in the bottom thereof. The feed mechanism preferably includes two pairs of fingers movable in loop-like paths.

Abstract: A baler has a preservative applicator assembly with an improved nozzle array for applying a volatile crop treating fluid to crop material as the crop material is being formed into a bale. The nozzle has a centrally disposed passageway which has a cross-sectional area greater than the minimum sum of the cross-sectional areas of a plurality of fluid dispensing openings in the end of the nozzle. Each of the openings includes a throat and a lip outwardly diverging from the throat. The nozzle array maintains the fluid under high pressure and aids in dispersing the fluid with a high velocity to enhance the retention of the fluid as a liquid while in the nozzle and to promote wide and uniform dispersing of the fluid throughout the crop material during the application.

Abstract: A feeder mechanism for a baler including feeder elements that move along a predetermined path which may be adjustably positioned to vary the depth of penetration of the feeder elements into the bale case and also the angle of inclination of the feeder elements as they move through the bale case.

Abstract: A device for protecting a baler feeder mechanism against damage due to overloading. The device permits the otherwise stationary shaft to which the feeder elements are connected and rotatable about to move if the feeder mechanism becomes overloaded.

Abstract: A device for baling crop comprising a baling chamber having an inlet port and a ram adapted to reciprocate along said port and an auxiliary space joining the inlet port outside the baling chamber for temporalily storing crop to be compressed, said device is provided with a blocking member for predensifying the crop as well as compressing means for compressing the crop in a transverse direction in said auxiliary space, the blocking member is driven by means of a cam/cam wheel mechanism actuated by said ram, while said device furthermore comprises retaining members in said baling chamber to prevent rebounding of crop material already compressed and/or to retain crop in said baling chamber if said chamber is opened during the discharge of a bale.

Abstract: In an agricultural pick-up baler a pick-up device loads harvested agricultural material into a supply passage connected to the inlet opening into a compressing channel, said inlet opening being located in the bottom of said compressing channel. A pressing ram is reciprocated back and forth in the compressing channel by at least one connecting rod and compacts the material introduced into the compressing channel. A conveying device fixed to the connecting rods extends into the supply passage and moves the agricultural material from the pick-up device through the supply passage toward the inlet of the compressing channel. A packing device located in the supply passage moves the agricultural material received from the conveying device through the inlet into the compressing channel. The path of travel of the conveying device within the supply passage passes through the path of travel of the packing device.

Abstract: A baler for baling crop material, comprising a feed mechanism including two relatively slidable elongate support members (6, 10) carrying a plurality of depending feed fingers (7, 9, 18), a feed area (1) within which the feed fingers are movable, a bale chamber communicating with one end of the feed area (1) and a bale plunger (25) reciprocable within the bale chamber, the two support members (6, 10) being constrained to move in continuous loop-like paths during a lower run of which one of the support members (6) leads and the other (10) trails as the feed fingers (7, 9, 18) engage the crop material within the feed area (1) and transfer the crop material towards, respectively into the bale chamber, at least one of the feed fingers (18) being mounted on the trailing support member (10) to ensure that crop material disposed at the other end of the feed area (1) is moved towards the bale chamber, thereby preventing an accumulation of crop material at the other end of the feed area.

Abstract: In an agricultural bag loading apparatus (10) having an output chamber tunnel (32), the improvement comprising a tunnel cleanout mechanism. The tunnel cleanout plate (82) is pivotally mounted on the output chamber tunnel (32) and is pivoted from a retracted position to an extended position by means of dual hydraulic cylinders (88). Compressed silage and material entrapped within the tunnel (32) is extracted by pivotal movement of the tunnel cleanout plate (82) from the retracted position, where the plate (82) does not interfere with the loading operation, to the extended position.

Abstract: A bale feed mechanism comprising a feed bar carrying a plurality of tines and drive means for driving the feed bar, the drive means comprising a stationary element and a movable element, the movable element being movable about the center of the stationary element in a first direction of movement and drivingly connected to the stationary element in a manner so that it is caused to move in a second direction of movement about its own center when moved in said first direction, the feed bar being coupled to the movable element at a location offset from the center thereof.

Abstract: An agricultural baler of monocoque construction having a fore-and-aft extending bale case, and a first rigid member connected at one end to the bale case intermediate its ends and extending away therefrom in a transverse direction, the bale case and the rigid member forming a self-supporting structure adapted to support further components thereof. A second rigid member may be provided attached at one end to the bale case.

Abstract: An agricultural implement, such as a baler, has a fly-wheel connection that disconnects drive to the ram and other baler parts upon overload. The fly-wheel includes a first member on a driving shaft that is connected to a second member on a driven shaft through at least one shear pin. Preferably, there are a plurality of pins that can be advanced upon overload and reduction in driving speed, to automatically re-establish connection between the two members.

Abstract: A device for baling cut crop, comprising a baling chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port and a compression member adapted to move in the baling chamber, the compressing stroke of the compression member extends along the inlet port to near the outlet port and is equal to or slightly larger than the distance between the inlet and outlet ports; a construction of the device according to the invention is suitable for making bundles having a materially higher "specific weight" than the generally known "straw bales".

Abstract: An agricultural baler has a device for picking up stalk-type and blade-type vegetation. The picked up vegetation is inserted into a precompacting chamber wherein it is subjected to initial compacting. The degree of compaction is sensed and, when it reaches a preselected magnitude, the precompacted body of vegetation is expelled from the precompacting chamber into a main compacting chamber. The precompacted bodies are of identical or substantially identical size and density.

Abstract: A device for forming bales of hay, straw or similar crops includes a container in which there is yieldably mounted a holding member situated between the inlet end and the outlet end of the baling chamber of the container. The device picks crops up from the ground and advances the same into the inlet end of the baling chamber so that the crops form a bale thereat, and the holding member presses against the forming bale for the entire duration of the formation of the bale. The holding member retards the advancement of the forming bale toward the outlet end of the baling chamber and yields only after the material of the forming bale has reached a desired degree of packing. The holding member may be a flap pivoted in the container or a shield mounted on a tiltable frame for movement relative thereto and for tilting therewith.

Abstract: A baling press for pressing waste materials such as refuse into bales comprises a pressing box, a filler shaft for feeding waste material to be pressed from above into the pressing box and a plunger having a driving mechanism for moving it laterally into the pressing box to press material in the box. An inclined material inlet chute leads into the filler shaft and a material preparation device for loosening or separating the waste material is provided at the bottom of the chute; the preparation device comprises a rotor having shredding teeth for engaging waste material from the chute and the rotor is mounted to rotate about a stationary horizontal axis which extends across the bottom of the chute. The rotor is driven in a direction such that the shredding teeth of the rotor move upwardly adjacent the chute.

Abstract: If the next charge to be stuffed into the baling chamber has not yet reached the desired size and density by the time the stuffing fork and compacting plunger are ready to begin their next operating cycles, the plunger and the fork are temporarily deactivated until the charge reaches full size and density. Thereupon, the fork stuffs the entire charge into the baling chamber in a single cycle of operation for compaction by the plunger. The baler is loaded from the bottom of the baling chamber through an upwardly curved duct that serves both as an accumulating chamber and as a precompression area into which the charge is progressively packed by a rotating, retractable finger drum at the lower end of the duct. The plunger closes the top of the duct during such accumulation and pre-compression, and in order to provide ample time for the plunger to retract from the duct when the stuffing cycle commences, the fork moves slowly at first but then quite rapidly once the plunger has retracted.

Abstract: An improved adjustable feeder finger assembly for a hay baler is disclosed. The improved assembly is comprised generally of three elements, i.e., a bracket for affixment to a driven element of the infeed mechanism, a feeder finger, and means to hold the two together. Frictional mating surfaces on the bracket and finger insure that the selected relative relationship between the two elements is maintained during operation.

Abstract: An elongated guide rail provided on the bale case of a baler is laterally adjustable to a position parallel to the natural straight line path of reciprocatory movement of a plunger within the bale case in order to facilitate accurate guidance of the plunger along its natural path and thereby in substantially parallel alignment with the reciprocatory motion transmitted to the plunger by a drive rod on the baler.

Abstract: In a baling operation that uses a continuously reciprocating plunger, if the next charge to be stuffed into the chamber has not yet reached the desired size and density by the time the stuffing fork is ready to begin its next operating cycle, the fork is temporarily deactivated, without affecting the plunger, until the charge reaches full size and density. Thereupon, the fork stuffs the entire charge into the baling chamber in a single cycle of operation for compaction by the plunger. The baler is loaded from the bottom of the baling chamber through an upwardly curved duct that serves both as an accumulating chamber and as a precompression area into which the charge is progressively packed by a rotating, retractable finger drum at the lower end of the duct. A backstop for precompression purposes may be presented at the top of the duct in a number of alternative ways, i.e.

Abstract: If the next charge to be stuffed into the baling chamber has not yet reached the desired size and density by the time the stuffing fork and compacting plunger are ready to begin their next operating cycles, the plunger and the fork are temporarily deactivated until the charge reaches full size and density. Thereupon, the fork stuffs the entire charge into the baling chamber in a single cycle of operation for compaction by the plunger. The baler is loaded from the bottom of the baling chamber through an upwardly curved duct that serves both as an accumulating chamber and as a pre-compression area into which the charge is progressively packed by a rotating, retractable finger drum at the lower end of the duct. The plunger closes the top of the duct during such accumulation and pre-compression, and in order to provide ample time for the plunger to retract from the duct when the stuffing cycle commences, the fork moves slowly at first but then quite rapidly once the plunger has retracted.