An agricultural baler comprising a baler mechanism and a carriage assembly coupled to the baler mechanism. A platform is coupled to at least one of the baler mechanism and the carriage assembly. The platform is configured to move a bale from the baler mechanism to the carriage assembly and remain tilted until the bale is moved onto the carriage assembly at least substantially out of contact with the platform. A sliding mechanism is coupled to the carriage assembly. The sliding mechanism is configured to move the bale onto the carriage assembly.

A bale collection system and method for receiving and storing a bale introduced at a first location and in a first direction, the bale defining an axis therethrough. The bale collection system includes a frame defining at least one storage bay sized to store a bale therein. The bale collection system also includes an arm pivotably coupled to the frame and movable with respect to the frame between a first position and a second position, the arm having a bale contact surface configured to contact a bale at least partially received within the storage bay, and a resistance member in operable engagement with the arm and configured to resist the motion of the arm between the first and second positions.

A bale collection system and method for receiving and storing a bale. The bale collection system including a baler having a rear aperture through which a bale may be ejected, a trough defining a storage bay sized to receive one or more bales therein, where the trough is coupled to the baler and movable with respect thereto between a first position, where no bale is positioned within the storage bay, and a second position where a bale is at least partially positioned within the storage bay, and where the first position is different than the second position. The bale collection system also includes a resistance element operatively coupled to the frame and configured to at least partially control the movement of the frame between the first and second positions.

Bale handling apparatus and associated methods are described. According to one aspect, a bale handling apparatus includes a primary chassis frame, wheels coupled with the primary chassis frame, a grapple system supported by the primary chassis frame, wherein the grapple system includes a plurality of grapples which move between open and closed positions, a hoist assembly supported by the primary chassis frame, wherein the hoist assembly comprises a load bed, and a lift device configured to move the load bed between a first position and a second position, wherein the grapples are configured to move from the open position to the closed position to engage a bale of a vertically arranged stack which is adjacent to the load bed positioned in the second position, and wherein the lift device moves the load bed from the second position to the first position with the grapples engaged with the bale.

A bale bundling system includes a frame (5) capable of being attached to and drawn by a tractor, a bale bundling chamber (4) disposed on the frame (5) to form a pack (3) of bales (2) disposed vertically in a longitudinal direction (Y) of the pack (3), a pushing device (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) disposed to insert bales (2) into the bundling chamber (4), a platform (19) for lifting bales mounted vertically displaceable inside the bundling chamber (4), and a retaining device (21) for retaining bales (2) in the upper position. The pushing device (13) includes a compressing surface (13a) adapted to apply on a layer (20) of bales (2) an active compression force in a transverse direction (X) of the pack (3), inside the bundling chamber (4), so that the compressing surface (13a) applies the active compression force on the layer (20) of bales (2), while the lifting platform vertically moves the layer (20) in the internal space of the bundling chamber (4).

An accumulator is coupled to an agricultural baler and is configured to support a crop package exiting the agricultural baler. The accumulator includes a frame including a first end, a second end, and a support structure positioned between the first and the second ends. The accumulator also includes a crop package moving assembly moveably coupled to the frame in a first direction and a second direction. The accumulator further includes a carriage coupled to the first end of the frame and configured to move relative to the frame between a retracted position and an extended position. The carriage is configured to move into the extended position to support the crop package. The carriage is configured to move into the retracted position in response to the crop package moving assembly moving in the second direction.

A system for controlling the speed of harvested crop as it is discharged from a crop accumulator onto a field comprising a discharge mechanism for imparting a desired rearward travel speed to the harvested crop as it is being discharged from the crop accumulator and a speed measurement device for measuring forward travel speed of the crop accumulator. A processor is in communication with the discharge mechanism and the speed measurement device and is operable to adjust the discharge mechanism for imparting the desired rearward travel speed or the forward travel speed of the crop accumulator, to discharge harvested crop with a rearward travel speed that is substantially equal to the forward travel speed such that the harvested crop has a substantially net zero speed as it contacts the ground.

A method of and apparatus for producing stacks of large square bales. Bales are received from the baler via a bale accumulator and formed into a stack, a plurality of bales high. The resulting bale stacks may be dropped in the field for pickup later.

A sled assembly for the transport of a one or more round bales across a ground surface being soft. Said sled configured to slide on top of said ground surface. Said hitch assembly having said lowered configuration and said raised configuration. Said hitch assembly configured to selectively attach to said vehicle and to enable said sled assembly to be dragged behind said vehicle. Said sled comprising said side rail assemblies and said cross beams. Said hitch assembly fixed to a first end of said sled. Said sled assembly further comprising a one or more wheel assemblies.

It comprises a frame (5) capable of being attached to and drawn by a tractor, a bale bundling chamber (4) disposed on the frame (5) to form a pack (3) of bales (2) disposed vertically in a longitudinal direction (Y) of the pack (3), a pushing device (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) disposed to insert bales (2) into the bundling chamber (4), a platform (19) for lifting bales mounted vertically displaceable inside the bundling chamber (4), and retaining means (21) for retaining bales (2) in the upper position. It is characterized in that the pushing device (13) comprises a compressing surface (13a) adapted to apply on a layer (20) of bales (2) an active compression force in a transverse direction (X) of the pack (3), inside the bundling chamber (4), so that the compressing surface (13a) applies the active compression force on the layer (20) of bales (2), while the lifting platform vertically moves the layer (20) in the internal space of the bundling chamber (4).