Patent ID: 6098391
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: A01F

Abstract:
A round baler for forming crop material into cylindrical bales, said baler havinga main frame,a tailgate pivotally connected to said main frame said tailgate operative between a closed position during which a bale is being formed, and an open position during which a formed bale is being discharged,a sledge assembly mounted on said main frame for movement between a bale starting position and a full bale position, said sledge assembly including conveying means having a crop engaging surface extending transversely of said main frame,an apron supported along a continuous path on said main frame and on said tailgate by a plurality of rotatable guide members, said apron path having an inner course that cooperates with said conveying means on said sledge assembly to define a bale forming chamber,drive means for moving said apron along said continuous path, said drive means including means operatively engagable with said apron, anda pickup for feeding crop material into said chamber, the improvement comprisinga pair of take up arms affixed to said sledge assembly for movement therewith between said bale starting position and said full bale position, andone of said rotatable guide members comprises a take up roll mounted between the distal ends of said take up arms, said take up roll providing slack in said apron under conditions where said tailgate is moved from said closed position to said open position, causing said means operatively engagable with said apron to become disengaged from said apron.