A pickup unit for an agricultural harvesting machine includes a frame; a pickup roll carried by the frame; and a feed assist roll carried by the frame and positioned adjacent to the pickup roll. The feed assist roll has a plurality of radially outwardly extending cleats spaced apart around a periphery thereof, and a plurality of extension plates. Each extension plate is removably attached to and extends a corresponding cleat.

A baler and a method of using the baler to produce high density bales based on arrangement and control of compression rollers. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a rotary feeder; a compression assembly comprising at least one compression roller configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression roller and another compression component in the baler; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression roller and compression component define an adjustable gap therebetween. The one or more compression rollers and/or baler compression components may be located in various locations in the baler. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers and baler compression components may be controlled, resulting in bales of higher density.

A biomass harvesting system for harvesting agricultural plant growth from agricultural fields comprises a power source for providing mechanical and electric power to the system, a biomass accumulator for producing discrete units of accumulated biomass, a windrower for feeding biomass to the accumulator, a biomass quality analyzer for sensing and transmitting a set of quality characteristics of the biomass, a soil chemical analyzer for sensing and transmitting in real time soil chemical characteristics of the agricultural field soil, an active tracking system for identifying individual ones of the discrete units of accumulated biomass, and a central processing unit including a memory module storing an executable instruction set therein. The central processing unit executes the instruction set and integrates the sensed biomass quality characteristics and the sensed optimal quantity of biomass residue to remain on the field to determine a biomass quality index of the discrete units of accumulated biomass.

A binding machine, includes: an accommodating portion configured to accommodate a wound binding tape; a main handle; and a clincher arm. The accommodating portion includes, with the wound binding tape in an accommodated state, a side wall portion that faces a side surface of the binding tape, and a circumferential portion that is continuous with the side wall portion, faces a front surface of the binding tape, and is provided with an opening for accommodating the binding tape in a part of the circumferential portion.

A binding machine, includes: an accommodating portion configured to accommodate a wound binding tape; a main handle; and a clincher arm. The accommodating portion includes, with the wound binding tape in an accommodated state, a side wall portion that faces a side surface of the binding tape, and a circumferential portion that is continuous with the side wall portion, faces a front surface of the binding tape, and is provided with an opening for accommodating the binding tape in a part of the circumferential portion.