Abstract: An improved knot tying mechanism, primarily for use in the agricultural industry, is disclosed. A twine disc rotatably mounted about a central fixed hub is angularly arranged to position the twine-gripping area for better acceptance of twine from the needle and thereby reduce the incidence of misties due to inadequate gripping. A billhook shaft with a worm gear thereon extends through the fixed hub to properly support the billhook adjacent the twine-gripping area. Cooperating gear teeth on the twine disc are engaged by the worm gear so that rotational power applied to the billhook shaft is transmitted therethrough to provide corresponding movement of the twine disc.

Abstract: A rotary baler is provided, front mounted on a self-propelled power unit, to ground roll cylindrical bales of fibrous material. A pick-up assembly at the rear of the baler lifts the fibrous material from the ground to engage a generally vertical rear belt assembly which moves the material upwardly. Rotating discs at the upper end of the rear belt assembly deflect the material forward to engage a forwardly extending upper belt assembly which biases the material forwardly. The upper belt assembly is pivotally mounted at its rear end so that it can rotate with the expansion of the forming bale. Flexible lengths of cable hang down forward of the upper belt assembly; these cables act to shape and contain the forward portion of the forming bale. A spring-biased arcuate arm assembly, positioned intermediate the upper belt assembly and the cables, guides and compresses the forming bale once it has reached a pre-determined size.

Abstract: A baling machine for making large rectangular bales of straw or hay has a bale chamber with an entry opening at one end. Material is fed under compression to the entry opening to fill the chamber. So that the bale is formed of consolidated columns of material a guide is located adjacent the entry opening and can be moved in and out of the chamber after each column is formed.Pivoting of the guide pushes completed columns along the chamber to make way for incoming material.

Abstract: In a crop roll forming machine having cooperating upper and lower bale forming means there is provided an improved automatic twine wrapping mechanism for binding a completed crop roll with binding material. The automatic twine wrapping mechanism is triggered by one of either two trip devices to automatically effect the serial steps of the twine wrapping cycle.

Abstract: A knotter mechanism, primarily for use in crop baling machines, with an improved billhook and actuation means therefor is disclosed. The billhook is rotatably mounted on the knotter frame and includes a fixed jaw having an elongate shaft and a movable jaw with an integral heel portion is pivotally fixed to the fixed jaw whereby pivotable of the moveable jaw opens and closes the billhook. An actuation means in the form of a rotatable roller is mounted on the knotter frame adjacent the billhook on an axis of rotation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fixed jaw shaft. As the billhook rotates, the heel portion of the moveable jaw periodically engages the roller, resulting in selective opening and closing of the billhook.

Abstract: A roll forming machine picks up crop material and forms, twine wraps and discharges rolls or large round bales thereof as the machine is continuously moving across the field. The machine has a mobile frame supporting a pickup and a floor, the latter supporting a lower conveyor. A front upper apron is supported on the frame above a front portion of the lower conveyor and floor and defines a front roll forming region therewith. A rear upper apron is supported on the frame above a rear portion of the lower conveyor and floor and defines a rear roll forming region therewith. Formation of a crop material roll is initiated in the front region and completed in the rear region after the roll has been partially formed in the front region and transferred to the rear region. Mechanism on the frame supports portions of the rear upper apron being located respectively at front and rear ends of the rear region.

Abstract: A roll forming machine picks up crop material and forms, twine wraps and discharge rolls or large round bales thereof as the machine is continuously moving across the field. The machine has a mobile frame supporting a pickup and a floor, the latter supporting a lower conveyor. A front upper apron is supported by the frame above a rear portion of the lower conveyor and floor and defines a rear roll forming region therewith. Also, rear upper apron is supported by the frame above a rear portion of the lower conveyor and floor and defines a rear roll forming region therewith. Also, drive means is provided for moving the pickup and lower conveyor and also for moving the upper aprons each in a direction opposite to that in which the lower conveyor is moved for performing roll forming operations at the front and rear regions.

Abstract: A roll forming machine picks up crop material and forms, twine wraps and discharges rolls or large round bales thereof as the machine is continuously moving across the field. The machine has a mobile frame supporting a pickup and a floor, the latter supporting a lower conveyor. A front upper apron is supported on the frame above a front portion of the lower conveyor and floor and defines a front roll forming region therewith. A rear upper apron is supported on the frame above a rear portion of the lower conveyor and floor and defines a rear roll forming region therewith. A twine wrapping mechanism is supported by the frame above the lower conveyor and between the front and rear upper aprons and is operable for twine wrapping a roll formed at the rear region of the machine. Wrapping of a roll being formed in the rear region is initiated in response to the roll reaching a predetermined size.