Abstract: The invention suggests a device for wrapping a bale with a wrapping sheet, which comprises one or more sensors that detect whether the bale is wrapped properly with the wrapping sheet. A baling press is equipped with such a wrapping device as well as a control or regulating unit (ECU) that receives a signal from the one or more of the sensors and acts to interrupt the wrapping of a bale in the event the signal indicates an improper wrapping process is underway.

Abstract: A single floating windguard that pivots at the front and the middle of the tine section causing the tines to maintain contact with the crop at all times as it moves over the pickup and across the stuffer assembly.

Abstract: When harvesting forage in the form of a large round bale, for instance, there are times in which a windrow of forage material lies outside the side boundaries of the bale-forming chamber. This may be due to the windrow being made wide by machinery having driven through it, or by wind, or because of the need to turn the forage harvesting equipment tightly. A wide pickup, notably wider than the width of the bale-forming chamber, provides a solution to this common problem. Dual augers at each end of the wide pickup provide the force to direct the forage into a narrower path, to enter the bale-forming chamber. The orientation and size of the augers permits the pickup header to reside in the same location it would if it was not wider than the baler. Tines or teeth of various rigidities and shapes are provided in the pickup for more effective pickup of the forage.

Abstract: A chassis-mounted round baler particularly useful with an on-board cotton module building system includes a bale release gate frame section connected to a forward frame section by a four bar linkage to define a gate path that allows the folding of the baler into both field transport and shipping configurations while maintaining desirable operating, transport and shipping heights. The gate linkage incorporates a self latching feature wherein a small vertical movement of the gate as the gate cylinders are operated releases a gate latch member from a forward frame member during gate opening and reengages the gate latch with the forward frame member during closing. The gate interacts with the bale handler to provide a stop for the baler gate when the baler gate is placed into a cradle on the handler.

Abstract: A reverser which, in a preferred embodiment, has a hydraulic cylinder supported by a chopper baler frame. The opposite end of the hydraulic cylinder is attached to the reverser driver. When activated by hydraulics on a tractor, the hydraulics will extend the cylinder, causing the sprockets to be disengaged. Further extension of the cylinder will cause the reverser driver to engage the reverser sprocket and turn the rotor backwards slightly. After full extension, the cylinder will then be retracted. This process can be repeated a couple of times in order to remove the blockage. The reverser enables the operator to restore the baler to its working condition from the tractor seat. Being able to disengage the rotor from the rest of the machine enables the bale to be wrapped if a major blockage occurs. Also a controlled reversing motion is beneficial, so over-reversing does not occur.

Abstract: A baler for forming large parallelepiped bales is equipped with a crop re-hydrating system for re-hydrating dry crop having a moisture content no greater than 14% with steam during the baling process. In one embodiment, the re-hydrating system includes a steam generator which mixes the steam with hot gas during the steam generation process, with the hot gas/steam mixture being distributed to treat the crop. In another embodiment, hot gas, in the form of hot air, is produced separate from the steam and is joined with it to form a mixture for distribution to treat the crop. In both embodiments, the hot gases serve to insulate and to transfer energy to the gaseous steam (saturated vapor), and are at no more than a minimum temperature required for preventing the steam from condensing prior to being applied to the crop.

Abstract: A large round baler is equipped with a plurality of components for delivering crop to an inlet of a baling chamber of a large round baler. These components have a width which is substantially wider than the baling chamber inlet and include a crop take-up device and a crop processing arrangement, such as a cutter head, that receives crop from the crop take-up device. The crop processing arrangement delivers the processed crop to a transverse conveyor, which narrows the stream of crop to the width of the baling chamber inlet.

Abstract: Lower spiked rollers in the bottom of a cotton accumulator are inclined in the downstream direction towards an opening and rotate in the same direction to pull cotton down to the opening. An upper spiked roller located above the opening and above the last of the lower spiked rollers is only partially exposed to the cotton in the accumulator. The upper roller meters the cotton and tears apart clumps. An opening above the upper roller defines an upper discharge opening over the main discharge opening. When in a non-rotating condition, the spiked rollers act as a floor for the accumulator and prevent egress of the cotton through the openings.

Abstract: A wrapping implement is mounted to a rear location of a large round baler with connections permitting its quick attachment to, and detachment from, the baler. The wrapping implement includes a guidance ring that is essentially oriented vertically for guiding at least one wrapping material carrier about its periphery. The baler is equipped with a bale conveyor that receives a bale discharged from the baling chamber and transfers the bale to a bale carrier mounted to the guidance ring. The carrier supports and effects or permits the rotation of the supported cylindrical bale, where during the wrapping process the axis of rotation of the cylindrical bale extends perpendicular to the central axis of the circle of movement of the wrapping material carrier. The bale carrier is mounted for moving between a raised wrapping position, and a lowered discharge position, wherein in different embodiments, it respectively deposits the bale on its circumference or on its end.

Abstract: The wet leaf gathering and compressing machine includes a main frame supported by wheels and adapted to be moved along a path parallel to a leaf windrow. A leaf gathering and compressing frame is pivotally attached to the main frame. A leaf gathering assembly, a leaf elevator and a leaf compressor are attached to the leaf gathering and compressing frame. The leaf compressor includes a pair of cantilevered parallel driven augers. Leaves are deposited on top of a forward portion of the parallel driven augers. the rear portion of the driven augers cooperate with a compression housing to compress leaves and force the compressed leaves into the lower portion of a leaf storage bin.

Abstract: A round baler for forming round bales of agricultural crop material includes a bale kicker mechanism for ensuring that the bale is clear of the path of movement of the baler tailgate after the bale has been discharged from the baler and before movement of the tailgate from its open position to its closed position. The bale kicker mechanism includes an inner section which is movably mounted to the baler for movement between a raised position and a lowered position, and an outer section which is pivotably mounted to the inner bale kicker section, to form a jointed bale kicker construction. The inner bale kicker section extends downwardly and rearwardly from the bale-forming chamber at a relatively sharp angle when in its lowered position, to facilitate discharge of the bale from the bale-forming chamber. The outer bale kicker section defines an outer end which engages the ground when the inner bale kicker section is in its lowered position, to provide a ramp for moving the bale onto the ground.

Abstract: An agricultural crop processing machine, including a processing apparatus having a width; a crop pickup located forwardly of the crop processing apparatus and having a width greater than that of the crop processing apparatus; at least one auger having an axial core wherein the core has a drive wheel or sprocket at one end; and first and second bearing supports are disposed to journal the core and disposed inward of the drive wheel or sprocket. In a preferred embodiment, both bearing supports are inwardly disposed of the auger drive sprocket, which decreases the overall pickup width so as to increase the tine row-to-overall pickup width. A deflector plate acts as a bearing support and deflects crop material to allow for a shorter auger screw. A pickup cam drive wheel or sprocket and the auger drive wheel or sprocket are disposed in substantially the same plane.

Abstract: A pickup for an agricultural implement, the pickup including dual floating windguards that pivot and float causing the tines to maintain contact with the crop at all times as it moves over the pickup and across the stuffer.

Abstract: A large round baler is provided with a crop take-up arrangement as well as a knife shaft ahead of the inlet of a baling chamber which carries knives that cooperate with blades of a first rotor to cut crop material into pieces before the first rotor delivers the crop directly into the baling chamber. A second rotor is provided between the take-up rotor and the first rotor shaft for narrowing the crop flow from that of the crop take-up arrangement to that of the first rotor. All of the rotors perform an overshot conveying that requires a relatively low drive energy and guarantees a continuous flow of the crop into the chamber.

Abstract: A bale shape monitoring system for a round baler for detecting a misshapen bale during bale formation. The system includes a pair of spaced apart rollers mounted to a movable member located within the bale-forming chamber, and which are normally engaged with spaced apart baler belts when the bale has a uniform diameter in the vicinity of the rollers. A rotation sensing arrangement detects the rotation of the rollers, caused by engagement of the rollers with the belts during normal bale formation. In the event the bale is formed with a lesser diameter in the vicinity of one of the rollers, the associated belt moves out of contact with the roller, and the lack of roller rotation is sensed so as to provide a signal to the operator to steer the baler to supply crop material to the lesser diameter area of the bale. Once a uniform diameter is again obtained, both rollers continue to rotate so as to indicate to the operator that the bale has a uniform diameter.

Abstract: In a piston press for bales of harvested material, comprising a plunger piston (K) movable forwards and backwards, a feeding channel (Z) including a reel (R), driven by a crank mechanism, with reel levers (10) on a crankshaft journal (8) of the crank mechanism, a control drive, and a switching device (V) for changing the movement path (l, f) of the reel tips between loading and feeding strokes, wherein a control arm (11) elongating the reel lever (10) is coupled with a control rod (13) supported in a displaceable control joint (G) and the control joint (G) is fixable in at least one position corresponding to a feeding stroke movement path, the control joint (G) is fixed only in the position for a feeding stroke (l) while it remains freely movable during each loading stroke (f).

Abstract: Module builder including holding chamber, wheeled frame towable behind a harvester; compaction chamber, compaction means, forming chamber, door assembly. The compaction chamber having compaction surface oriented between and substantially perpendicular to compaction chamber sidewalls. Compaction surface is nominally vertical and translatable through the compaction chamber at vertical and near-vertical. The compaction chamber is situated to receive material from the holding chamber. Compaction means are coupled to the compaction surface, and operative to translate it in a substantially horizontal direction through the compaction chamber at vertical and near vertical. The forming chamber is aligned with the compaction chamber trailing edge. The forming chamber door assembly includes a substantially vertical door frame at least spanning the forming chamber trailing edge, and is movable toward and away from the forming chamber along the wheeled frame.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for the functional elements in a round baler for agricultural crops includes a tensioning arm which is provided with guide rollers and a pivotal arm and which is pivoted on the frame of the baler via a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is arranged between the pivotal arm and a first arm of a bell crank, which is pivotally mounted on the tailgate. A second arm of the bell crank is selectively engageable with the front part of the housing.

Abstract: A wrapping material brake release assembly, including a wrapping material dispenser roll mount pivotable between a first functional position to dispense material from a dispenser roll and a second access position to provide access to the dispenser roll. A brake assembly having a brake member is arranged to brake the dispenser roll when the mount is in the first functional position. A ramp-shaped lifting member is arranged to lift the brake member from the dispenser roll when the mount is pivoted from the first position to the second position. The roll mount includes a pivot plate arranged to pivot from the first to the second positions, and a shaft attached at one end to the pivot plate. The roll mount has a brake drum, and the brake member has a brake arm and a brake pad attached to the brake arm.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for compacting and baling leaves, grass clippings, sticks, pine straw and other debris on lawns, yards, or fields is provided. The apparatus 10 may have diagonal brushes 26 to gather debris for processing though a crusher 28, a conveyor belt 30 to transport the crushed debris, and a baler 32 to compact and bale the debris. The baler 32 may compact the debris by rotating the debris in a continuous band 52, into which baling material 72 may be inserted to bale the debris. Alternatively, the debris may be gathered and feed into a crusher 28 that deposits the crushed debris directly into the baler 32 for compacting and baling. Further still, the apparatus 10 may gather the debris with brushes 26 and feed it onto a conveyor mechanism 30 that then introduces it into a crusher 28. The crushed debris may then be feed into a baling mechanism 32 that compacts and bales the debris for easy removal and disposal.

Abstract: A baler for forming large parallelepiped bales is equipped with a crop re-hydrating system for re-hydrating dry crop having a moisture content no greater than 14% with steam during the baling process. In one embodiment, the re-hydrating system includes a steam generator which mixes the steam with hot gas during the steam generation process, with the hot gas/steam mixture being distributed to treat the crop. In another embodiment, hot gas, in the form of hot air, is produced separate from the steam and is joined with it to form a mixture for distribution to treat the crop. In both embodiments, the hot gases serve to insulate and to transfer energy to the gaseous steam (saturated vapor), and are at no more than a minimum temperature required for preventing the steam from condensing prior to being applied to the crop.

Abstract: Cutting devices are known in rectangular baling presses that can be taken out of operation so that cut or uncut harvested material is selectively pressed. However, this is disadvantageous since it is difficult to hold cut harvested material together with binder twine under high tension. A rectangular baling press is proposed in which the cutting device is taken out of operation at least at the start and end of bale formation so that the twine presses only against uncut material at the end of the bale. The cutting device may additionally be taken in and out of operation during formation of the bale so that upper and lower layers of the bale are also formed by uncut material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discharging a bale from a baler including a bale ramp that is capable of moving a formed cylindrical bale away from the bale-forming machine. The bale ramp is capable of supporting the formed bale, and utilizing power from a linkage to the bale discharge gate to provide initial horizontal travel of the bale prior to the bale losing significant potential energy. The linkage between the bale discharge gate and the bale ramp includes a lost motion device including a spring that allows energy to be stored from the hydraulic system that powers the bale discharge gate open. That stored energy is applied to the bale, at the appropriate time, as it is able to move. A second stage is provided, which utilizes a traditional spring-loaded ramp. As the bale drops a portion of its potential energy is translated into horizontal momentum and the bale will be caused to move away from the baler.

Abstract: A device for determining and controlling a bale length on a pick-up baler for agricultural harvested material has a pick-up device, a feed channel connected to the pick-up device, and a pressing channel with pressing piston connected to the feed channel. A conveying device conveys the harvested material through the feed channel into the pressing channel. The pressing piston compacts the harvested material. A sensor detects a bale growth resulting upon compression of the harvested material during the feed stroke from the feed channel into the pressing channel. An electronic evaluation device is connected to the sensor that supplies a bale growth value to the electronic evaluation device where it is converted into an averaged operand or a statistical operand for determining a required number of feed strokes for reaching the nominal bale length. After the computed number of feed strokes is reached, the binding device is triggered for tying the finished bale.

Abstract: A reverser which, in a preferred embodiment, has a hydraulic cylinder supported by a chopper baler frame. The opposite end of the hydraulic cylinder is attached to the reverser driver. When activated by hydraulics on a tractor, the hydraulics will extend the cylinder, causing the sprockets to be disengaged. Further extension of the cylinder will cause the reverser driver to engage the reverser sprocket and turn the rotor backwards slightly. After full extension, the cylinder will then be retracted. This process can be repeated a couple of times in order to remove the blockage. The reverser enables the operator to restore the baler to its working condition from the tractor seat. Being able to disengage the rotor from the rest of the machine enables the bale to be wrapped if a major blockage occurs. Also a controlled reversing motion is beneficial, so over-reversing does not occur.

Abstract: A round baler including a housing; a bale chamber; bale forming apparatus; and bale wrapping apparatus including: four twine supply rolls defining four twine strands; four twine dispensing tubes, each tube presenting one of the strands so that each strand dangles from the corresponding tube, each tube movable between home and twine insert positions, wherein each strand dangles adjacent to a bale rotating in the chamber when the tubes are in the insert position; and two twine tensioning members disposed so that each tensioning member receives two strands, wherein each tensioning member has a receiving portion through which two strands are threaded, wherein each tensioning member is positioned to provide slack tension on two respective strands when the tubes are in the insert position, and wherein each tensioning member is positioned to increase wrapping tension on the two strands after the two respective strands have started to wrap the bale.

Abstract: An agriculture baler having a bale-forming mechanism; a pick-up assembly disposed forward of the bale-forming mechanism to pick up a cut crop material and convey the crop material towards the bale mechanism, the pick-up assembly having: (a) a pick-up apparatus; (b) a conveying rotor disposed to receive cut crop material from the pick-up apparatus and to move the cut crop material towards the bale forming mechanism; (c) a floor having a first slot formed therein; (d) a cutting mechanism including a first knife disposed to rotate from a first resting position to a second cutting position extending through the first slot in the floor; and (e) a first guide plate disposed adjacent to the first slot.

Abstract: A round baler, including a housing and bale wrapping apparatus, the bale wrapping apparatus comprising: a rotating twine supply roll defining a twine strand; a twine dispensing arm presenting the twine strand; a shear bar having a cutting surface; a knife assembly rotatingly connected to the housing by an elongated bar and rotatable from a first position to a second cutting position in contact with the cutting surface, wherein the twine dispensing arm is movable from a first position to a second cutting position wherein the twine strand extends transversely between the shear bar and the knife assembly; and a wiper is mounted to the twine dispensing arm so that when the twine dispensing arm moves from the first position to the cutting position, the wiper engages the cutting surface of the shear bar to clean trash from the cutting surface of the shear bar.

Abstract: A large round baler is equipped with a bale processing arrangement in the form of a bale wrapping arrangement. A wrapping table is mounted to a guide arrangement for guided movement between a bale-receiving position and bale wrapping and bale discharge positions. The guide arrangement includes two sections, one of which can be moved to a near vertical non-operating position so as to diminish the overall length of the baler and processing arrangement. The wrapping arm of the bale wrapping arrangement can be dismounted for an operating mode where formed bales are deposited directly on the ground by the wrapping table.

Abstract: A large round baler is equipped with a plurality of components for delivering crop to an inlet of a baling chamber of a large round baler. These components have a width which is substantially wider than the baling chamber inlet and include a crop take-up device and a crop processing arrangement, such as a cutter head, that receives crop from the crop take-up device. The crop processing arrangement delivers the processed crop to a transverse conveyor, which narrows the stream of crop to the width of the baling chamber inlet.

Abstract: A large round baler is equipped with a chassis, including an outer pair of fixed side walls, that extend rearwardly beyond a pair of inner side walls which form opposite sides of a baling chamber. In an upper region of the baler, belts or the like are supported by a plurality of fixed rotary bodies extending either between the inner or the outer side walls and a movable rotary body carried at the end of a pivotally mounted tension arm, to form a large take-up loop that becomes smaller as a run of the belts expands during growth of the bale being formed. The run of belts, which is looped about the bale being formed, is conducted over rollers carried by a vertically pivoted frame, such that when the frame is swung between a lower extreme position, which it occupies during formation of a bale to a raised position, the formed bale is deposited on the ground.

Abstract: A large round baler includes bale-forming means conducted over rotary bodies with stationary axes and rotary bodies with movable axes so as to define an expansible circumference of a baling chamber. Some of the movable rotary bodies are mounted to a carrier mounted to fixed side walls defining opposite sides of the baling chamber. The carrier is pivotally mounted to opposite side walls defining opposite sides of the baling chamber for movement between a lowered operating position and a raised discharge position wherein it holds a span of the bale-forming means, which during operation, forms the rear portion of the circumference of the baling-chamber above the formed bale so that the latter may be discharged.

Abstract: A bale unloading arrangement of a large round baler includes a bale take-up device mounted to a carrier which is in turn mounted to the axle of the baler for vertical pivoting movement beneath the baling chamber of the baler. A spring is mounted between the carrier and the axle for keeping the carrier in an elevated position until a completed bale is discharged onto the carrier. The carrier is shaped such that the bale take-up device, which is mounted for movement along the carrier, moves down the carrier to the rear and into a position for gently depositing the bale on the ground. The bale take-up device includes an upper bale-receiving structure that may be selectively pivoted about a fore-and-aft axis so as to deposit a bale on its end, and the carrier is mounted for being shifted sideways so that a bale deposited in this manner may be deposited outside the path traveled by the baler.

Abstract: A large round baler is provided with a crop take-up arrangement as well as a knife shaft ahead of the inlet of a baling chamber which carries knives that cooperate with blades of a first rotor to cut crop material into pieces before the first rotor delivers the crop directly into the baling chamber. A second rotor is provided between the take-up rotor and the first rotor shaft for narrowing the crop flow from that of the crop take-up arrangement to that of the first rotor. All of the rotors perform an overshot conveying that requires a relatively low drive energy and guarantees a continuous flow of the crop into the chamber.

Abstract: A non-stop, large round baler is provided with transversely spaced side walls having peripheries which are not connected to any structure or to the chassis and mounted so as to be adjusted transversely to increase or decrease the width of a bale forming chamber formed between them. Furthermore flexible bale forming elements are trained over rolls carried on the free end of revolving arms mounted outside the side walls, the rolls moving along the periphery of the side walls so as to define between them separate expansible chamber sections permitting one chamber section to begin filling with oncoming crop while the other chamber is being emptied of a completed bale.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a simple, A variable design for a device for feeding webs of netting or film for wrapping bails (3), especially round bails, on their lateral surface in a round bailer. The netting/film web (2) is drawn off from a netting or film roll (5) through guiding rollers (4, 4′). To this end, the invention provides that at least one guiding roller (4), preferably both two guiding rollers (4, 4′), is/are knurled (7) in the axially central area.

Abstract: A reverser which, in a preferred embodiment, has a hydraulic cylinder supported by a chopper baler frame. The opposite end of the hydraulic cylinder is attached to the reverser driver. When activated by hydraulics on a tractor, the hydraulics will extend the cylinder, causing the sprockets to be disengaged. Further extension of the cylinder will cause the reverser driver to engage the reverser sprocket and turn the rotor backwards slightly. After full extension, the cylinder will then be retracted. This process can be repeated a couple of times in order to remove the blockage. The reverser enables the operator to restore the baler to its working condition from the tractor seat. Being able to disengage the rotor from the rest of the machine enables the bale to be wrapped if a major blockage occurs. Also a controlled reversing motion is beneficial, so over-reversing does not occur.

Abstract: A roll baler including circumferentially rotatable conveyor elements limiting a compression space therebetween, and a device for wrapping up a roll bale, which is formed in the compression space, with a section of a sheath web, the wrapping-up device including a pivotable start-up element for pressing the sheath web, against a surface of one of the rotatable conveyor elements, a separation element for cutting the sheath web off after the wrapping-up process ends and pivotable between cutting and non-cutting positions, and a common pivot axle for supporting the start-up element and separation element for pivotal movement.

Abstract: An agricultural crop processing machine, including a processing apparatus having a width; a crop pickup located forwardly of the crop processing apparatus and having a width greater than that of the crop processing apparatus; at least one auger having an axial core wherein the core has a drive wheel or sprocket at one end; and first and second bearing supports are disposed to journal the core and disposed inward of the drive wheel or sprocket. In a preferred embodiment, both bearing supports are inwardly disposed of the auger drive sprocket, which decreases the overall pickup width so as to increase the tine row-to-overall pickup width. A deflector plate acts as a bearing support and deflects crop material to allow for a shorter auger screw. A pickup cam drive wheel or sprocket and the auger drive wheel or sprocket are disposed in substantially the same plane.

Abstract: A large round baler includes an expansible baling chamber having an inlet at a forward location thereof and defined in part by a lower run of a flexible, endless component arrangement of an upper conveyor, and by an upper run of a flexible, endless component arrangement of a bottom conveyor. In each of two embodiments, the bottom conveyor includes a moveable roller which operates to selectively deflect the upper run of the bottom conveyor so that it cooperates with a lower run of the upper conveyor so as to define a baling chamber having a cross section conducive to starting a bale core at the beginning of the baling process and moveable to a discharge position for allowing a completed bale to roll onto the ground. In the second embodiment, the upper conveyor also includes a moveable roller that operates to yieldably resist expansion of the lower run of the upper conveyor.

Abstract: A wide pickup header on the baler picks up windrows that are signficantly wider than the centrally disposed inlet of a passage containing cutter apparatus that reduces the materials into smaller pieces for compaction into a bale. In order to provide smooth, even, continuous flow of crop materials into and through the cutter apparatus at the inlet, the pickup is provided with a pair of lower, upturning stub augers on opposite sides of the inlet and a full length, downturning top auger spaced above and somewhat forwardly of the stub augers. The top auger not only assists the stub augers in consolidating the wide windrow of materials in toward the center of the machine but also keeps the stream fairly low and concentrated at a level where the stream is readily accepted by the rotary cutter apparatus.

Abstract: A rotor includes a tube having an outer cross section which is non-circular onto which is assembled one-piece drivers provided with central openings of the same shape and size as the outer circumferential surface of the tube and thereby create a connection, fixed against rotation, between these parts. The rotor is shown used in a crop reducing arrangement of a large round baler.

Abstract: A large round baler includes a chassis which forms a forward part of a baling chamber, with a rearward part of the chamber being formed by a bale discharge gate. The discharge gate is constructed of first and second, separate parts that are, either each separately pivotally connected to chassis or are mounted such that the second part is pivotally attached to the first part. The parts are arranged such that arms of the second part overlap the opposite sides of the first part. Different embodiments disclose various driving structures for causing one part to be moved by moving the other part, with the arrangement of the two parts resulting in the gate being quickly moved to its open position for discharging a bale.

Abstract: In known large round balers, a rotating side wall is provided that can be pivoted away from a baling chamber either in a straight line or about a pivot axis, so that the pressure on the end faces of the cylindrical bale is reduced during the unloading process. A large round baler is proposed in which a support structure provided with rolls for supporting one or more flexible bale-forming elements, which can be pivoted about a pivot axle that penetrates the side walls of the baling chamber. At least one side wall is provided with a cam having an inclined surface which is ramped outwardly from the side wall from top to bottom. The support structure is provided with a cam follower that can slide on the surface cam so as to move from bottom to top when the support structure is raised to effect a discharge of a formed bale.

Abstract: A round baler for forming round bales of crop material includes a crop pickup which feeds crop material rearwardly toward a bale-forming chamber defined by a series of rollers in combination with a bale-forming section of a series of side-by-side baler belts. The series of rollers include front and rear floor rollers which rotate in the same direction, as well as an upper stripping roller and a powered feed roller. The powered feed roller cooperates with the front floor roller to define a crop inlet, and the feed roller and the front floor roller aggressively feed crop material into the bale-forming chamber. The front and rear floor rollers cooperate with the bale-forming section of the baler belts and the upper stripping roller to define an open initial bale-forming chamber. As the bale grows, the bale-forming section of the belts expands and the bale is supported by the rear floor roller without support from the front floor roller.

Abstract: A large rectangular baler includes pick-up and packer rotors, a pivotable stuffer, a plunger head, a knotter shaft and a needle yoke, and tension panels that are all driven hydraulically and independently controlled through electrically controlled valves that actuate the various hydraulic power devices used to power the various functions. An electronic control unit is coupled to each of the control valves and receives feedback signals from the controlled functions which are compared with values representing desired function results so as to further control the valves to attain the desired results. In addition to the feedback signals from the powered functions, signals from a bale length sensor and a ground speed sensor are also coupled to the electronic control unit for use in controlling the powered functions.

Abstract: A round baler having a frame assembly, comprising: (a) a first frame assembly; (b) a pickup assembly comprising a pickup and a auger assembly integrally mounted on the first frame assembly to form a pickup module; (c) a second frame assembly connected to the first frame assembly; and (d) a conveyor module selected from the group consisting of a stuffer module and a rotor module, wherein each conveyor module comprises a conveyor mounted on the second frame assembly. The modular structure of the frame assembly facilitates manufacture of several diverse types of product balers while minimizing the complexity of the assembly line process.

Abstract: Module builder including holding chamber, wheeled frame towable behind a harvester; compaction chamber, compaction devices, forming chamber, door assembly. The compaction chamber having compaction surface oriented between and substantially perpendicular to compaction chamber sidewalls. Compaction surface is nominally vertical and translatable through the compaction chamber at vertical and near-vertical. The compaction chamber is situated to receive material from the holding chamber. Compaction devices are coupled to the compaction surface, and operative to translate it in a substantially horizontal direction through the compaction chamber at vertical and near vertical. The forming chamber is aligned with the compaction chamber trailing edge. The forming chamber door assembly includes a substantially vertical door frame at least spanning the forming chamber trailing edge, and is movable toward and away from the forming chamber along the wheeled frame.

Abstract: A crop pick-up arrangement and height gauge arrangement is proposed in which, on the one hand, a skid shoe and on the other hand, a wheel are attached to a pivot arm assembly and can be pivoted about a horizontal transverse axis located between the skid shoe and the wheel. The skid shoe extends under the crop pick-up arrangement and therefore does not increase its width. Crop pick-up arrangements and height gauge arrangements may be used on various kinds of agricultural machines for lifting crop into the machines for further processing or transport.

Abstract: A large rectangular baler is provided with a crop material feeding arrangement including curved duct defining a pre-compression chamber from which a pre-compressed crop material charge is ejected, through an inlet of a baling chamber, by a stuffer arrangement. The duct includes a rear section curved about a horizontal, transverse axis and a stuffer frame, that carries a reciprocable tine arrangement, is mounted for rotation about this axis. A double acting injection cylinder reciprocates the tine arrangement between retracted and extended positions, respectively, wherein transversely spaced tines are withdrawn from, and extended into, slots provided in a top wall of the duct rear section. A double-acting hydraulic lift cylinder is provided for controlling the pivoting of the frame for effecting lifting of a pre-compressed charge of crop material and ejecting it through the baling chamber inlet.