Method of applying a handle (1) to a netting roll (2) for round balers using an application equipment (3), said method comprising the following steps: picking up, by means of a first operating element (5) of the application equipment (3), a ring body (11) of the handle (1); placing the roll (2) on the running plane of a belt conveyor (4) of the application equipment (3) and causing, by means of the belt conveyor (4), to run said roll (2) up to a second operating element (6) of the application equipment (3); conveying, by means of the first operating element (5), the ring body (11) of the handle (1) to position said ring body (11) at the second operating element (6); picking up, by means of the second operating element (6), the ring body (11) from the first operating element (5); fitting, by means of the second operating element (6), said ring body (11) onto the roll (2); exerting, by means of a third operating element (7) of the application equipment (3), a pulling force on said ring body (11); applying, by means of at least one applicator of the application equipment (3), at least one fixing element to the ring body (11) of the handle (1) and the roll (2) to fix said ring body (11) to the roll (2) and thus define a grip portion (13) of the handle (1); releasing, by means of the third operating element (7), the pulling force applied to the ring body (11).

The invention relates a method using an application head for grouping articles that are held together by a strapping band. The method includes: providing the at least two grouped articles; inserting a prefabricated closed strapping band into the application head, wherein the strapping band is fixed in a defined position. The application head has a variable opening width of a cage which surrounds the grouped articles. It is then lowered over the articles by a feed movement which runs approximately parallel to longitudinal central axes of the articles, wherein the cage contacts the grouped articles and slightly compresses the grouped articles. The strapping band is then positioned by lowering the application head. The opening width of the cage is then increased while the strapping band is simultaneously released. Then the application head is raised over the strapped article grouping and is removed therefrom.