BALER FOR HARVESTED AGRICULTURAL MATERIAL

Abstract

The present invention relates to a round baler for harvested agricultural material, which round baler forms a pressing chamber for pressing a round bale, comprising a wrapping device for wrapping the pressed round bale with a sheathing material and comprising a transfer device, which is configured to form a transfer segment, via which the pressed round bale can be transferred in a transfer direction from the pressing chamber to the wrapping device, and comprising at least one transfer segment device, which, at least in a first position, forms at least a predominant first part of the transfer segment, wherein the transfer device comprises a transfer drive element, which, to drive the pressed round bale to the wrapping device, is mounted movably relative to the transfer segment device at least proportionally in the transfer direction in at least one drive position, in which position the transfer segment device is arranged at least partially between the transfer drive element and a ground contact plane of the round baler. The present invention further relates to a method of operating a round baler.

Claims

1-29. (canceled)

30. A round baler (2) for harvested agricultural material, comprising of: a pressing chamber (4) for pressing a round bale (6), wherein the pressing chamber (4) includes a wrapping device (8) for wrapping the pressed round bale (6) with a sheathing material and comprising a transfer device (10), which is configured to form a transfer segment (12), via which the pressed round bale (6) can be transferred in a transfer direction (U) from the pressing chamber (4) to the wrapping device (8); and at least one transfer segment device (14), which, at least in a first position, forms at least a predominant first part (12a) of the transfer part (12), wherein the at least one transfer device (10) includes a transfer drive element (16) which, to drive the pressed round bale (6) to the wrapping device (8), is mounted movably relative to the transfer segment device (14) at least proportionally in the transfer direction (U) in at least one drive position (IV), in which position the transfer segment device (14) is arranged at least partially between the transfer drive element (16) and a ground contact plane (E1) of the round baler (2).

31. The round baler according to claim 30, wherein the transfer drive element (16) is movably mounted at least in a pick-up support position (II), in which the transfer drive element (16) forms a second part (12b) of the transfer segment (12).

32. The round baler according to claim 30, wherein the transfer drive element (16) is mounted in such a way that the second part (12b) of the transfer segment (12) is arranged between the pressing chamber (4) and the first part (12a) of the transfer segment (12).

33. The round baler according to claim 30, wherein the transfer drive element (16) in the pick-up support position (II) extends in a spatial section which is stationary relative to the pressing chamber (4) and into which a flap element (18) of the round baler (2) extends in a pressing position in which the flap element (18) cooperates to form the pressing chamber (4).

34. The round baler according to claim 30, wherein the transfer drive element (16) is mounted at least partially pivotably movable about a drive pivot axis (S1).

35. The round baler according to claim 30, wherein the drive pivot axis (S1) is arranged in an intermediate space between the ground contact plane (E1) and a reference plane (E2) that is parallel to the ground contact plane (E1) and adjacent to the transfer segment device (14), in which the transfer segment device (14) is also arranged.

36. The round baler according to claim 30, wherein the transfer drive element (16) is movably mounted at least in a dispensing support position (V), in which a transfer drive device (62) comprising the transfer drive element (16) and, in particular, mounted pivotably movable with the transfer drive element (16) about the drive pivot axis (S1) forms a further part (12c) of the transfer segment (12), which further part is arranged between the first part (12a) and the wrapping device (8).

37. The round baler according to claim 30, wherein the transfer device (10) includes an at least one actuating device (20) with an actuating element (22) for moving the transfer drive element (16) at least into the drive position (IV).

38. The round baler according to claim 37, wherein the at least one actuating device (20) is configured to pivot the transfer drive element (16) by at least 15, preferably by at least 120, particularly preferably by at least 160.

39. The round baler according to claim 37, wherein the at least one actuating element (22) in at least in one position (IV) of the transfer drive element (16) and in the first position of the transfer segment device (14) is at least partially arranged between the transfer segment device (14) and the ground contact plane (E1).

40. The round baler according to claim 37, wherein the at least one actuating device (20) includes a link arrangement that couples the actuating element (22) to the transfer drive element (16), the link assembly comprising a first link (24) that is mounted pivotably movable to the actuating element (22) and pivotably movable to a machine chassis (60) of the round baler (2), and a second link (26) that is mounted pivotably movable to the first link (24) and pivotably movable to the transfer drive element (16).

41. The round baler according to claim 30, wherein the at least one transfer segment device (14) includes at least one transfer segment device unit (28), which is pivotably movable relative to a machine chassis (60) of the round baler (2) about a pivot axis (S2) for the segment, from a first position (i), in which the transfer segment device unit (28) is arranged when the transfer segment device (14) is arranged in the first position, into a second position (ii).

42. The round baler according to claim 30, wherein the at least one transfer segment device unit (28) comprises a support surface (40) spaced apart from the pivot axis (S2) for the segment, which support surface is configured in such a way that the transfer segment device unit (28), at least in the first position (i), releasably contacts the support surface (40) on a support element (61) of the machine chassis (60).

43. The round baler according to claim 30, wherein the actuating device (20) includes at least one transfer element (30) by means of which the actuating device (20) is configured to move the transfer segment device unit (28) from the first position (i) to a second position (ii).

44. The round baler according to claim 30, wherein the actuating device (20) is configured in such a way that during a movement of the transfer drive element (16) from the pick-up support position (II) to the drive position (IV), the transfer element (30) contacts a transfer mating element (32) of the transfer segment device unit (28).

45. The round baler according to claim 44, wherein the transfer element (30) and/or the transfer mating element (32) are/is shaped in such a way that the movement of the transfer segment device unit (28) from the first position (i) ends in the second position (ii), whereas the transfer drive element (16) is moved from the pick-up support position (II) to the drive position (IV).

46. The round baler according to claim 44, wherein the transfer mating element (32) includes a transfer contour (34) in longitudinal section, which comprises a first contour section (36), in particular a straight contour section, and a second contour section (38), in particular a straight contour section which is angled with respect to the first contour section (36).

47. The round baler according to claim 30, wherein the at least one transfer segment device (14) comprises at least two transfer segment device units (28), which units are respectively spaced apart from a longitudinal center plane (E3) perpendicular to the ground contact plane (E1) and parallel to the transfer direction (U), which extends between the transfer segment device units (28), and which are formed, in particular, mirror-symmetrically to the longitudinal center plane (E3).

48. The round baler according to claim 30, further comprising a transfer drive device (62) that includes the transfer drive element (16) and/or the at least one transfer segment device unit (28) includes at least one frame element (42, 44) and, in particular, at least one roller element (46) rotatably mounted on the frame element (42, 44).

49. The round baler according to claim 48, wherein the at least one frame element (42, 44), in particular, two frame elements (42, 44), of the transfer drive device (62) is arranged at least in the pick-up support position (II) of the transfer drive element (16) in a top view at least partially between the two transfer segment device units (28).

50. The round baler according to claim 48, wherein the portion (48) of the at least one frame element (42) of the transfer drive device (62) that is spaced apart from the drive pivot axis (81) extends in an elongate manner in a portion direction (T) which, in the dispensing support position (V) of the transfer drive element (16), is less strongly angled to the ground contact plane (E1) than a radial (R1) with respect to the drive pivot axis (S1) and which radial intersects the portion (48).

51. The round baler according to claim 41, wherein an end of the transfer segment device unit (28) facing away from the pivot axis (S2) for the segment is formed by a collection element (50) which is arranged between the transfer drive element (16) and the ground contact plane (E1) at least in the first position of the transfer segment device (14) and when the transfer drive element (16) is arranged in the pick-up support position (II).

52. The round baler according to claim 30, wherein the wrapping device (8) comprises a wrapping table (51) forming a wrapping trough (52) for the pressed round bale (6) and comprises a wrapping table frame (54), wherein the wrapping device (8) comprises a brake roller element (58) that is rotatably mounted about a rotational axis (S3) of the brake roller that is, in particular, stationary relative to the wrapping table frame (54), and which is arranged between the wrapping trough (52) and the transfer device (10) at least in a wrapping position (W3) of the wrapping table (51).

53. The round baler according to claim 52, wherein the brake roller element (58) is mounted on the wrapping table frame (54) in such a way that the brake roller element (58) in a pick-up position (W2) of the wrapping table (51) is arranged between at least a part of the transfer segment device (14) and the ground contact plane (E1).

54. A method for operating a round baler (2) comprising: transferring a pressed round bale (6) from the pressing chamber (4) that is to be opened by a flap element (18) towards the transfer device (10), into the wrapping device (8), which comprises a/the wrapping table (51) that is movable from a wrapping position (W3) into a/the pick-up position (W2) on the transfer segment (12) and forms a/the wrapping trough (52) for the pressed round bale (6); braking the pressed round bale (6) when the wrapping table (51) is moved into a bale braking position (W1) and/or is held in the bale braking position (W1), which corresponds to the wrapping position (W3) or in which the wrapping table (51) is arranged between the wrapping position (W3) and the pick-up position (W2); opening the pressing chamber (4) with the flap element (18), subsequently, to discharge the pressed round bale (6) from the pressing chamber (4) to the transfer device (10); moving the wrapping table (51) to the pick-up position (W2), subsequently, for picking up of the pressed round bale (6), and subsequently, and moving the wrapping table (51) to the wrapping position (W2), subsequently, to wrap the picked up round bale (6).

55. The method according to claim 54, wherein the movement of the wrapping table (51) into the pick-up position (W2) takes place after a certain period of time has elapsed after the opening of the flap element (18) and/or as a function of an output signal from a bale brake sensor for detecting a round bale (6) being in contact with the wrapping device (8), in particular with the brake roller element (58).

56. The method according to claim 54, wherein the bale braking position (W1) is set as a function of the size of the pressed round bale (6).

57. The method according to claim 54, wherein the movement of the wrapping table (51), in particular the determination of the duration or the setting of the bale braking position (W1), is dependent on an inclination of the round baler (2).

58. A process for utilizing a round baler (2) for harvested agricultural material, comprising of: operating a pressing chamber (4) for pressing a round bale (6), wherein the pressing chamber (4) includes a wrapping device (8) for wrapping the pressed round bale (6) with a sheathing material and comprising a transfer device (10), which is configured to form a transfer segment (12), via which the pressed round bale (6) can be transferred in a transfer direction (U) from the pressing chamber (4) to the wrapping device (8); driving the pressed round bale (6) to the wrapping device (8) with at least one transfer segment device (14), which, at least in a first position, forms at least a predominant first part (12a) of the transfer part (12), wherein the at least one transfer device (10) includes a transfer drive element (16) that is mounted movably relative to the transfer segment device (14) at least proportionally in the transfer direction (U) in at least one drive position (IV), in which position the transfer segment device (14) is arranged at least partially between the transfer drive element (16) and a ground contact plane (E1) of the round baler (2); and utilizing a control device to automatically provide the following functions that include a transfer for a pressed round bale (6) from the pressing chamber (4) that is to be opened by a/the flap element (18) towards the transfer device (10), into the wrapping device (8), which includes a wrapping table (51) that is movable from a wrapping position (W3) into a pick-up position (W2) on the transfer segment (12) and forms a wrapping trough (52) for the pressed round bale (6), provide braking of the pressed round bale (6), with the wrapping table (51) is moved into a bale braking position (W1) and/or is held in the bale braking position (W1) which corresponds to the wrapping position (W3) or in which the wrapping table (51) is arranged between the wrapping position (W3) and the pick-up position (W2) and then having the flap element (18) open the pressing chamber (4) to discharge the pressed round bale (6) from the pressing chamber (4) to the transfer device (10), and then having the wrapping table (51) moved to the pick-up position (W2) for picking up of the pressed round bale (6), and then having the wrapping table (51) move to the wrapping position (W2) to wrap the picked up round bale (6).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Several embodiments in which the present invention can be practiced are illustrated and described in detail, wherein like reference characters represent like components throughout the several views. The drawings are presented for exemplary purposes and may not be to scale unless otherwise indicated. Further details and advantages of the invention can be found in the schematic figures described below:

[0058] In the drawings:

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a round baler according to the invention and which is coupled to a tractor unit;

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section of a part of the round baler according to the invention with the transfer drive element in a rest position I;

[0061] FIG. 3 shows the longitudinal section according to FIG. 2, without showing a flap element, with the transfer drive element in a pick-up support position II;

[0062] FIG. 4 shows the longitudinal section according to FIG. 3, with the transfer drive element in a contact pick-up position III;

[0063] FIG. 5 shows the longitudinal section according to FIG. 3, with the transfer drive element in a first drive position IV;

[0064] FIG. 6 shows the longitudinal section according to FIG. 3, with the transfer drive element in a second drive position IV;

[0065] FIG. 7 shows the longitudinal section according to FIG. 3, with the transfer drive element in a dispensing support position V;

[0066] FIG. 8 shows the longitudinal section according to FIG. 7, with the round bale transferred to a wrapping device;

[0067] FIG. 9 shows the longitudinal section according to FIG. 3, with a wrapping table of the wrapping device in a bale braking position W1;

[0068] FIG. 10 shows the longitudinal section according to FIG. 3, with the wrapping table between the bale braking position W1 and a pick-up position W2;

[0069] FIG. 11 shows the longitudinal section according to FIG. 3, with the wrapping table in the pick-up position W2;

[0070] FIG. 12 shows the longitudinal section according to FIG. 11, with the round bale transferred to the wrapping device;

[0071] FIG. 13 shows an enlarged partial longitudinal section of the round baler according to the invention;

[0072] FIG. 14 shows a partial top view of the round baler according to the invention; and

[0073] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a part of the round baler according to the invention.

[0074] An artisan of ordinary skill in the art need not view, within isolated figure(s), the near infinite number of distinct permutations of features described in the following detailed description to facilitate an understanding of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0075] The present disclosure is not to be limited to that described herein. Mechanical, electrical, chemical, procedural, and/or other changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. No features shown or described are essential to permit basic operation of the present invention unless otherwise indicated. The hereinafter elucidated features may also be an aspect of the invention individually or in combinations other than those shown or described, but always at least in combination with the features of the claims. Where appropriate, functionally equivalent parts are provided with identical reference numbers.

[0076] The round baler 2, according to the invention, is used for pressing agricultural harvested material into round bales 6. In operation, the round baler 2 is pulled by a tractor unit 70 (FIG. 1). The round baler 2 comprises a pressing chamber 4 for pressing the round bale 6. The round baler 2 moreover comprises a wrapping device 8 for wrapping the pressed round bale 6 with a sheathing material. Furthermore, the round baler 2 comprises a transfer device 10 between the pressing chamber 4 and the wrapping device 8.

[0077] FIG. 2 through FIG. 12 show longitudinal sections of at least the transfer device 10 and the wrapping device 8 of the round baler 2. FIG. 2 through FIG. 8 document a first method to be carried out with the round baler 2 for transferring the round bale 6. FIG. 9 through FIG. 12 document a further method to be carried out with the round baler 2 for transferring the round bale 6.

[0078] The transfer device 10 is configured to form a transfer segment 12, of which transfer segment at least a first part 12a is formed by a transfer segment device 14 of the transfer device 10 (FIG. 3 and FIG. 7). The pressed round bale 6 can be transferred by means of the transfer segment 12, in a transfer direction U, from the pressing chamber 4 to the wrapping device 8.

[0079] The transfer segment device 14 comprises twelve roller elements 46, which are arranged in two groups of six roller elements 46 each (FIG. 14). Four of the roller elements 46 of each group are comprised by a transfer segment device unit 28, which unit also comprises two frame elements 44. The two transfer segment device units 28 are pivotably movable from a first position i (amongst others FIG. 4) about a pivot axis S2 for the segment to a second position ii (amongst others FIG. 5).

[0080] In addition, the transfer device 10 comprises a transfer drive device 62 comprising a transfer drive element 16 and four frame elements 42. The transfer drive device 62 is mounted in a pivotably movable manner about a drive pivot axis S1. The drive pivot axis S1 is arranged between a ground contact plane E1 (FIG. 1) and a reference plane E2 (FIG. 2) that is parallel to the ground contact plane E1 and adjacent to the transfer segment device 14, wherein the transfer segment device 14 is arranged between the ground contact plane E1 and the reference plane E2. Both pivot axes S1, S2 are arranged in a stationary manner to a machine chassis 60.

[0081] FIG. 2 shows a pressed round bale 6 in the pressing chamber 4. During pressing, the pressing chamber 4 is formed, among other things, by a flap element 18 in a pressing position shown in dashed lines. It is also formed by a starter roller 72. After completion of the round bale 6, the flap element 18 is pivoted into the open position shown in order to discharge the round bale 6 from the pressing chamber 4.

[0082] While the flap element 18 is arranged in the pressing position, the transfer drive element 16 is in the rest position I shown in FIG. 2. During the opening process, immediately after the opening of the flap element 18, the transfer drive element is pivoted upward by 10 to 15 into a pick-up support position II (FIG. 3), in which it is located between the starter roller 72 and the transfer segment device 14. In the pick-up support position II, the transfer drive element 16 forms a second part 12b of the transfer segment 12.

[0083] After the round bale 6 has passed over the transfer drive element 16 in the pick-up support position II, the transfer drive element 16 is pivoted further into a contact pick-up position III (FIG. 4, see below for explanations). In the method shown, it drives the round bale 6 in the transfer direction U. The transfer drive element reaches the contact pick-up position III after pivoting from rest position I by about 18. In order to drive the round bale 6, the transfer drive element 16 is pivoted further from the contact pick-up position III into a first drive position IV (FIG. 5) and into a second drive position IV (FIG. 6; approx. 95 from rest position I), in which the transfer segment device 14 is arranged between the transfer drive element 16 and the ground contact plane E1. Thereinafter, the transfer of the round bale 6 is completed.

[0084] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 relate to the unintended case whereby a subsequent round bale 6 ends up in the area between the pressing chamber 4 and the transfer drive element 16 in the second drive position IV. For this case, the transfer drive element 16 is further movable from the second drive position IV and movable from the rest position I by almost 180 into the dispensing support position V shown, in which position the frame elements 42 of the transfer drive device 62 form a further part 12c of the transfer segment 12 between the first part 12a of the transfer segment 12 and the wrapping device 8. For this purpose, a portion 48 of the frame elements 42 is extended in an elongated manner in a portion direction T which, in the dispensing support position V, is less angled to the ground contact plane E1 than a radial R1 related to the drive pivot axis S1 and intersecting the portion 48 (FIG. 8).

[0085] The transfer device 10 includes two actuating devices 20, each located below one of the transfer segment device units 28. The actuating devices 20 each comprise an actuating element 22 configured as a hydraulic cylinder and a link arrangement between the actuating element 22 and the transfer drive device 62. The link arrangement comprises a first link 24 that is mounted pivotably movable to the actuating element 22 and mounted pivotably movable to the machine chassis 60, and a second link 26 that is mounted pivotably movable to the first link 24 and mounted pivotably movable to the transfer drive device 62 (FIG. 13).

[0086] The actuating devices 20 are configured to move both the transfer drive device 62 and the transfer segment device units 28. For this purpose, the actuating devices 20 have transfer elements 30 that cooperate with transfer mating elements 32, included by them, to move the transfer segment device units 28. The transfer mating elements 32 each have a transfer contour 34, which is composed of a first contour section 36 and a second contour section 38 angled relative to the first contour section 36.

[0087] The actuating devices 20 are configured in such a way that the transfer elements 30 contact the transfer mating elements 32 in the contact pick-up position III of the transfer drive element 16. When the transfer drive element 16 is pivoted upwards from the contact pick-up position III, the transfer segment device units 28 are lifted from the first position i (amongst others FIG. 4) to the second position ii (amongst others FIG. 5). The transfer mating element 32 is configured in such a way that the movement of the transfer segment device units 28 ends in the second position ii, whereas the transfer drive element 16 is pivoted into the second drive position IV. In so doing, an excessively large gap between the starter roller 72 and the transfer segment device 14 is avoided. In particular, the collection element 50 (FIG. 15), also serves this purpose. When the transfer drive element 16 is between the contact pick-up position III and the rest position I, the transfer segment device units 28 with support surfaces 40 rest detachably on a support element 61 of the machine chassis 60.

[0088] The transfer segment device units 28 are arranged mirror-symmetrically to a longitudinal center plane E3, which is arranged in the transfer direction U and at a right angle to the ground contact plane E1. In the top view, according to FIG. 14, it can be seen that two of the four frame elements 42 of the transfer drive device 62 are arranged between the transfer segment device units 28. Step elements 74 are arranged between these two frame elements 42.

[0089] The wrapping device 8 comprises a wrapping table 51 which forms a wrapping trough 52 for the pressed round bale 6 (FIG. 9). The wrapping table 51 moreover comprises a wrapping table frame 54 and four rotating elements 56, which rotate relative to the wrapping table frame 54 during operation (FIG. 14).

[0090] The wrapping device 8 further comprises a brake roller element 58 that is rotatably mounted about a rotational axis S3 of the brake roller element that is stationary relative to the wrapping table frame 54 (FIG. 14). The brake roller element 58 is arranged between the wrapping trough 52 and the transfer device 10, at least in the wrapping position W3 of the wrapping table 51 shown in FIG. 9, which is similar to the bale braking position W1. The brake roller element 58 is mounted rotatably about a rotational axis S3 of the brake roller on the wrapping table frame 54 in such a way that the brake roller element 58 is arranged in the pick-up position W2 of the wrapping table 51 shown in FIG. 11, between the transfer segment device 14 and the ground contact plane E1.

[0091] For the transfer of the wrapping table 51 from the wrapping position W3 or alternatively bale braking position W1, to the pick-up position W2 and back, the wrapping device 8 comprises a wrapping device actuating element 90 as well as a first wrapping table link 76 and a second wrapping table link 78. On the side facing away from the transfer device 10, a locking device 82 is arranged on the wrapping table frame 54, which locking device is coupled to the second wrapping table link 78 by means of a locking device link 80. The locking device 82 is coupled in such a way that it is arranged in a lowered position relative to the wrapping table frame 54 when the wrapping table 51 is arranged in the wrapping position W3, and is arranged in a raised position when the wrapping table 51 is arranged in the pick-up position W2. A rotatably mounted locking roller element 84 is arranged on the upper side of the locking device 82. On the side of the wrapping table frame 54 facing the transfer device 10, a locking roller element 86 is rotatably mounted on a locking lever 88, which pivots downward in a spring-loaded and yielding manner when the round bale 6 is transferred and is intended to prevent movement of the round bale 6 in a direction contrary to the transfer direction U after a subsequent pivoting backwards.

[0092] According to the method portrayed by FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, when the flap element 18 is opened, the wrapping table 51 is in the bale braking position W1 spaced apart from the transfer device 10. After the round bale 6 has made contact with the brake roller element 58, the wrapping table 51 is moved to the pick-up position W2 and the round bale 6 turns up on the wrapping table 51 due to gravity. In this, the locking device 82 prevents the round bale 6 from rolling out of the wrapping table 51, even during upward travel. The wrapping table 51 is subsequently moved to the wrapping position W3 to wrap the round bale 6.

[0093] From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of the stated objectives.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0094] The following table of reference characters and descriptors are not exhaustive, nor limiting, and include reasonable equivalents. If possible, elements identified by a reference character below and/or those elements which are near ubiquitous within the art can replace or supplement any element identified by another reference character.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 List of Reference Characters 2 Round baler 4 Pressing chamber 6 Round bale 8 Wrapping device 10 Transfer device 12 Transfer segment 12a First part of transfer segment 12b Second part of transfer segment 12c Further part of transfer segment 14 Transfer segment device 16 Transfer drive element 18 Flap element 20 Actuating devices 22 Acuating element 24 First link 26 Second link 28 Transfer segment device unit 30 Transfer elements 32 Transfer mating elements 34 Transfer contour 36 First contour section 38 Second contour section 40 Support surfaces 42 Four frame elements 44 Two frame elements 46 Roller elements 48 Portion of the frame elements 50 Collection element 51 Wrapping table 52 Wrapping trough 54 Wrapping table frame 56 Four rotating elements 58 Brake roller element 60 Machine chassis 62 Transfer drive device 70 Tractor unit 72 Starter roller 76 First wrapping table link 78 Second wrapping table link 80 Locking device link 82 Locking device 84 Rotatably mounted locking roller element 86 Locking roller element 88 Locking lever 90 Wrapping device actuating element i First position tt Second position I Rest position II Pick-up support position III Contact pick-up position IV First drive position/second drive position V Dispensing support position E1 Ground contact plane E2 Reference plane E3 Longitudinal center plane R1 Radial S1 Drive pivot access S2 Pivot axis S3 Rotational axis T Portion direction U Transfer direction W1 Bale braking position W2 Pick-up position W3 Wrapping position

Glossary

[0095] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used above have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the present invention pertain.

[0096] The terms a, an, and the include both singular and plural referents.

[0097] The term or is synonymous with and/or and means any one member or combination of members of a particular list.

[0098] The terms invention or present invention are not intended to refer to any single embodiment of the particular invention but encompass all possible embodiments as described in the specification and the claims.

[0099] The term about as used herein, refers to slight variations in numerical quantities with respect to any quantifiable variable. Inadvertent error can occur, for example, through the use of typical measuring techniques or equipment or from differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of components.

[0100] The term substantially refers to a great or significant extent. Substantially can thus refer to a plurality, majority, and/or a supermajority of said quantifiable variable, given proper context.

[0101] The term generally encompasses both about and substantially.

[0102] The term configured describes a structure capable of performing a task or adopting a particular configuration. The term configured can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases, such as constructed, arranged, adapted, manufactured, and the like.

[0103] Terms characterizing sequential order, a position, and/or an orientation are not limiting and are only referenced according to the views presented.

[0104] The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The scope of the invention is further qualified as including any possible modification to any of the aspects and/or embodiments disclosed herein which would result in other embodiments, combinations, subcombinations, or the like that would be obvious to those skilled in the art.