Systems and methods are disclosed herein for estimating remaining life in an agricultural baler comprising a reciprocating plunger for compressing gathered agricultural material into bales. A first sensor generates signals corresponding to force applied to the reciprocating plunger and any baling components configured to at least partially carry forces applied to the plunger. Based on input signals from at least the first sensor, forces associated with a load are recorded and a life state is estimated for the reciprocating plunger and/or at least one associated baler component. An output signal is then generated corresponding to the one or more estimated life states. In an embodiment, an input signal from a second sensor indicates completion of a bale, wherein an amount of life consumed from the plunger and/or baling components is determined in association with the bale, based at least in part on operating conditions of the baled material.

A baler is provided, including a baling chamber that includes a bale-forming channel including at least one adjustable friction control element; a plunger mounted within the channel; a rotary drive mechanism to drive reciprocating movement of the plunger; a control system to control operation of the baler and being configured to determine an actual maximum torque value (MTV) associated with the mechanism, to compare the actual MTV with a selected desired MTV, and to adjust the control element to regulate the actual MTV according to the selected desired MTV; a sensor that senses a force value; and a sensor that senses a cyclical position of a component of the mechanism, the control system being further configured to determine the actual MTV by measuring the force value, sensing the cyclical position of the component, and deriving the actual MTV from the measured force value and the sensed cyclical position.

A compactor has a plunger housing with a door for insertion of waste. The plunger presses waste into a bag on a pallet within an enclosure with panels and a pair of panels in the form of doors at the rear. Side panels, are joined along their lower edges to a floor panel, the side panels supporting the end panels at vertical hinges. There is resilience due to the ability of the various panels to move, in which each side panel is cantilevered about the corner at which it is joined to the floor panel, and the end panels can rotate about the relevant vertical axis of the hinges. As the plunger presses axially to compact waste within a bag when the bag approaches being full.

Disclosed are embodiments of a system and method for baling recyclable materials and managing the baling of recyclable materials. The apparatus for baling includes a baler for compressing and baling recyclable materials, a scale, label printer, and a processor. Certain embodiments further comprise at least one digital camera, RFID dispenser, and an internet connection that allows the processor to transmit collected data to a remote database for further analysis. The disclosed method for baling recyclable materials comprising the steps of baling materials; weighing the bale automatically using a digital scale operably connected to the processor; recording the weight of the bale automatically; and printing a label which displays the recorded weight of the bale. Additionally, the method may comprise inputting information and/or automatically recording data, and/or automatically transmitting the data associated with a bale to a remote database.

A conveying and collecting device for a crop press has a conveying and collecting unit switchable from a collecting mode into a lifting mode. A first cam track for rotating feed tines of a feed bar is switchable from a fixed state, in which it is stationary and the conveying and collecting unit is in collecting mode, into a moving state, in which it is driven by the conveying and collecting unit that is in lifting mode. A coupling device for operatively coupling the first cam track with the conveying and collecting unit is provided, and a switching device triggers or prevents coupling based on the filling level of the collecting chamber that is detected by a sensor unit. Triggering or preventing of the coupling process is mechanically independent of the detected filling level. A crop press is provided with such a conveying and collecting device.

Systems and methods for controlling a configuration of a bale chute of a baler and, particularly, a square baler are disclosed. In some implementations, methods include determining a condition of a baler to determine whether a bale chute of the baler is to be extended or retracted.

A weight-measurement system for inclusion or use with a waste container includes scale devices in communication with a remote computer via a communications module. In some embodiments, the scale devices are mounted to a wheeled base frame that is integral with and supports the waste container. In other embodiments, the scale devices are mounted to a stationary base frame upon which a conventional waste container is retrofittingly positioned and supported during use. The scale devices can be provided by load cells, for example load-pin load cells used as axles for wheels of the integral base frame or as axles for rollers of the retrofit stationary base frame. The remote computer can be programmed to receive weight data from the scale devices, via the communications module, determine the actual weight of the waste contained in the waste container, and provide pre-defined weight-based notifications.

Disclosed are embodiments of a system and method for baling recyclable materials and managing the baling of recyclable materials. The apparatus for baling includes a baler for compressing and baling recyclable materials, a scale, label printer, and a processor. Certain embodiments further comprise at least one digital camera, RFID dispenser, and an internet connection that allows the processor to transmit collected data to a remote database for further analysis.

The disclosed method for baling recyclable materials comprising the steps of baling materials; weighing the bale automatically using a digital scale operably connected to the processor; recording the weight of the bale automatically; and printing a label which displays the recorded weight of the bale. Additionally, the method may comprise inputting information and/or automatically recording data, and/or automatically transmitting the data associated with a bale to a remote database.

A baling machine including a bale-forming chamber for receiving plant matter and forming it into a bale. The bale-forming chamber includes one or more rotatable, bale-forming rollers and a feed mechanism for feeding a flexible wrapping material into the bale-forming chamber for wrapping a bale therein. The baling machine further includes an acoustic or vibration sensor that is configured for generating an output. The acoustic or vibration sensor generates an output signal that is characteristic of operation of the baling machine while wrapping material is being fed into the bale-forming chamber. The status of the output signal indicates whether the wrapping material is being wrapped onto the bale or around the one or more rotatable, bale-forming rollers.

A square baler comprising a first bale-forming area in which are formed a first series of first individual bales, and a second bale-forming area in which are formed a second series of second individual bales. The square baler additionally comprises a singulator configured to receive the first and second individual bales from the first and second bale-forming areas and to form a single row of the first and second individual bales.