Patent ID: 7104191
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: A01F

Abstract:
1. A method of determining a throughput of a parallelepiped agricultural baler, the baler having a feed duct communicating between a crop pick-up assembly and a baling chamber, the feed duct serving as a pre-compression chamber to accumulate crop to a predetermined density before the crop is transferred to the baling chamber, the transfer of the crop from the feed duct to the baling chamber being accomplished by a stuffer mechanism actuated in response to a crop density sensor associated with the feed duct, the baler further having a plunger mechanism that compresses the crop into a column to form a bale in the baling chamber, the method comprising the steps of: sensing when the crop in the feed duct has reached a predetermined density for transfer to the baling chamber; sensing when the plunger has attained a home position that allows for transfer of crop from the feed duct into the baling chamber; calculating a wait time between when the feed duct has reached a predetermined density for transfer of crop to the baling chamber and the plunger is in the home position; displaying to an operator of the baler information indicative of a current baler throughput based upon the calculated wait time; and, adjusting a speed of the baler to approach a maximum throughput of zero wait time in response to the displayed current baler throughput.