A baler including a frame, and a compression system coupled to the frame, where the compression system at least partially defines a compression chamber. The baler also includes a feed pan at least partially defining a pre-compression chamber in operable communication with the compression chamber, where the feed pan includes an inlet defining an inlet area and an outlet defining an outlet area, and where the outlet of the pre-compression chamber is open to the compression chamber of the compression system. The baler also includes at least one actuator coupled to the feed pan, and a controller in operable communication with the at least one actuator, and where the controller is configured to adjust the inlet area and the outlet area independently.

A baler for use with a forming bale having a first bale attribute. The baler including a frame, and a compression system coupled to the frame where the compression system at least partially defines a compression chamber sized to receive at least a portion of the forming bale therein. The baler also includes a feed pan at least partially defining a pre-compression chamber, and where the shape of the pre-compression is adjustable, and where the pre-compression chamber is open to the compression chamber. The baler also includes a sensor configured to output signals representative of the first bale attribute, and a controller in operable communication with the feed pan and the sensor, and where the controller is configured to actively adjust the shape of the pre-compression chamber based at least in part upon the first bale attribute of the forming bale.

A baler for hay, straw, grass, and similar feed materials is provided. The baler communicates compressed material from a vertically inclined compression passage formed in between opposing conveyer belts to a central area of a baling chamber for baling. A plunger within the baling chamber can reciprocate in two directions to form bales which are tied and discharged from both ends of the baling chamber.

A machine for making bales from plant matter includes a compression chamber, a conveying device for conveying the plant matter into the compression chamber, a piston able to move in the compression chamber in order to compress the plant matter, and a drive device for driving the translational movement of the piston. The drive device further includes a hydraulic device comprising a hydraulic pump connected to the coupling member, a hydraulic motor powered by the hydraulic pump, a drive member driven by the hydraulic motor and configured to move the piston in a translational movement, and a control device for controlling the movement of the piston.

The present invention relates generally to wood chippers and baling machines and methods of operation therefor, and more specifically, to an apparatus and a method for chipping tree branches and the like and baling wood chips formed from such chipping activities. The apparatus includes a chipper assembly having a chipping mechanism operable to reduce the trimmed branches to wood chips. Also provided is a bale forming assembly operatively connected to the chipper assembly. The bale forming assembly has a housing and a baling mechanism contained within an interior space of the housing. The housing has an opening defined therein for receiving wood chips from the chipper assembly. The opening provides access to the interior space of the housing. The baling mechanism is operable to form a bale from the wood chips produced by the chipper assembly.

A method for removing a plug of crop material stuck in a feeder duct of a baler including a bale chamber; a feeder duct communicating with a bale chamber feeder operable within the feeder duct to accumulate a charge of crop material therein and then stuff that accumulated charge into the bale chamber; and crop holding fingers provided at an upper end of the feeder duct to hold back the crop material while the charge of crop material is being accumulated. The method includes steps of in case of a plug of crop material being stuck in the feeder duct with the crop holding fingers in their crop holding position, moving the crop holding fingers in their withdrawn position and causing the feeder to operate in the feeder duct with the crop holding fingers in their withdrawn position.

The present invention relates generally to wood chippers and baling machines and methods of operation therefor, and more specifically, to an apparatus and a method for chipping tree branches and the like and baling wood chips formed from such chipping activities. The apparatus includes a chipper assembly having a chipping mechanism operable to reduce the trimmed branches to wood chips. Also provided is a bale forming assembly operatively connected to the chipper assembly. The bale forming assembly has a housing and a baling mechanism contained within an interior space of the housing. The housing has an opening defined therein for receiving wood chips from the chipper assembly. The opening provides access to the interior space of the housing. The baling mechanism is operable to form a bale from the wood chips produced by the chipper assembly.

A method for removing a plug of crop material stuck in a feeder duct of a baler including a bale chamber; a feeder duct communicating with a bale chamber feeder operable within the feeder duct to accumulate a charge of crop material therein and then stuff that accumulated charge into the bale chamber; and crop holding fingers provided at an upper end of the feeder duct to hold back the crop material while the charge of crop material is being accumulated. The method includes steps of in case of a plug of crop material being stuck in the feeder duct with the crop holding fingers in their crop holding position, moving the crop holding fingers in their withdrawn position and causing the feeder to operate in the feeder duct with the crop holding fingers in their withdrawn position.