The present invention provides an improved mechanism for centering implements in agricultural fields by providing a laser guidance system with a laser attached to the implement. The laser may operate to emit a beam in order to produce a spot or beam onto the field which an equipment operator may visually target to improve steering of the implement. The laser may be centered on the implement, and the beam produced by the laser may be directed forward within a steering range of the implement and within a field of view of the equipment operator.

A method of grasping a bale of crop material and placing the bale in a bale wagon, the method comprising the steps of sensing, grasping and evaluating. The sensing step includes sensing a presence of a bale between grasping arms of a bale grasping mechanism. The grasping step includes grasping the bale with the grasping arms. The evaluating step includes evaluating a size of the bale that has been grasped.

A towing apparatus for agricultural machines of the type of balers and round balers, which comprise at least one device for gathering previously-cut agricultural products, of the type of grass, wheat, maize, hay, forage, and the like, and a chamber for the accommodation and compression of the agricultural products, which are received from the gathering device, for the formation of a bale; the towing apparatus comprises at least one first member, which can be coupled to the agricultural machine and is associated with a second member; the second member is in turn associated with a third member, which can be coupled to a tractor for towing the agricultural machine; either or both of the first member and the second member is controlled by at least one respective actuator, for the movement of the agricultural machine at least partially independently of the advancement of the tractor.

A towing apparatus for agricultural machines of the type of balers and round balers, which comprise at least one device for gathering previously-cut agricultural products, of the type of grass, wheat, maize, hay, forage, and the like, and a chamber for the accommodation and compression of the agricultural products, which are received from the gathering device, for the formation of a bale; the towing apparatus comprises at least one first member, which can be coupled to the agricultural machine and is associated with a second member; the second member is in turn associated with a third member, which can be coupled to a tractor for towing the agricultural machine; either or both of the first member and the second member is controlled by at least one respective actuator, for the movement of the agricultural machine at least partially independently of the advancement of the tractor.

A method and apparatus are provided for applying preservative to agricultural crops during baling. More particularly, a baler has a preservative application system and a crop moisture sensor array. The crop moisture sensor array is in communication with the preservative application system so that the application of preservative to the crop can be controlled in response to a moisture content sensed by the crop moisture sensor array that exceeds both a moisture content threshold value and a threshold value relating to the percentage of crop material having a moisture content above the moisture content threshold value.

In one embodiment, a towed implement proximity system, the system comprising: a first device comprising a transceiver, the first device configured to: transmit a signal; receive a first signal at a first angle and a second signal at a second angle responsive to the transmitted signal, the first and second signals comprising first information and second information, respectively, the first and second information each corresponding to respective positional information; and a controller coupled to the first device, the controller configured to determine a relative position in three axes between a first machine and a second machine based on the first and second information.

In one embodiment, a towed implement proximity system, the system comprising: a first device comprising a transceiver, the first device configured to: transmit a signal; receive a first signal at a first angle and a second signal at a second angle responsive to the transmitted signal, the first and second signals comprising first information and second information, respectively, the first and second information each corresponding to respective positional information; and a controller coupled to the first device, the controller configured to determine a relative position in three axes between a first machine and a second machine based on the first and second information.

A knotter system has a billhook; a twine receiver; a twine delivering system for delivering twines across the billhook to the twine receiver; a swing arm having a lower end portion with a knife blade, moveable below the billhook, a first drive to make the billhook perform at least a first and a second full rotation to move the swing arm two times from a backward to a forward position and back to form respectively a first and second consecutive knot; wherein the twine receiver comprises a rotatable twine disc and a twine holder adapted to clamp twines against the twine disc; wherein said twine disc is provided with at least a first and a second notch for receiving the twines, and a protruding ridge located after the second notch, such that the twine holder is pushed by the ridge during and/or after the formation of the second knot.

A sensor assembly and method is described for determining the position of a reciprocating plunger of a baler. A first sensor may detect at least one location of a crank arm driving the plunger as the crank arm rotates. A second sensor may detect a rotation of a crank gear that drives the rotation of the crank arm. A controller may determine a position of the reciprocating plunger relative to a baling chamber based upon, at least in part, the detected crank arm location and the detected rotation of the crank gear.

Yield monitoring systems for round baling machines and methods that can provide weight estimations for round bales at the time of formation are described. Balers can include those that incorporate hydraulically actuated bale kicking or pushing assemblies as well as those that incorporate spring-loaded off ramps. Farm implements including baling machines and cotton module builders are encompassed. The system includes a sensor that can ascertain a physical parameter associated with ejection of a round bale from the farm implement. Physical parameters as may be ascertained can include pressures, velocities, accelerations, etc. associated with bale ejection.