Abstract:
A device for compressing stacks of branches or twigs pruned from trees or shrubs into compact bundles includes a winch having an elongated tubular shaft terminated at one end thereof by a hand crank, and rotatably supported by a pair of longitudinally spaced apart support structures disposed transversely to the winch shaft. Each support structure has a base plate having a lower surface adapted to abut a stack of prunings, and a bearing support structure protruding upwards from the base plate for rotatably supporting the winch shaft. An aperture through the base plate disposed radially rearwards from the winch shaft receives a tensioning rope wound around the winch shaft. The opposite end of each tensioning rope encircles a pruning stack, and is attached at longitudinally spaced apart locations to an anchor rod. The anchor rod is restrained against forward radial movement from the support structure as the ropes are tightened around a pruning stack by laying the anchor rod into the openings of J-hooks which protrude upwards from the front portions of the base plates.

Description:
This application is a continuation in-part of application Ser. No. 09/027,505, filed Feb. 21, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,927, issued Jan. 18, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to articles and implements used to facilitate the handling and disposal of branches trimmed from trees or shrubs. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus that facilitates baling tree or shrub prunings into bundles sufficiently compact to permit an individual to conveniently transport and dispose of the prunings. 
     B. Description of Background Art 
     Branches pruned or cut from trees or shrubs can be somewhat of a nuisance to handle and dispose of. Thus, homeowners as well as professional tree trimmers and gardeners are confronted with the problem of bundling stacks of bulky, irregularly-shaped tree or shrub branches into bundles which are sufficiently compact to allow them to be picked up by hand and transported to a disposal site or truck with reasonable convenience. 
     One method of bundling prunings which is in common use consists simply of looping a length of twine or rope around a pile of branches, tightening the loop to compact the pile into a roughly cylindrically-shaped bundle, and tying the ends of the rope into a knot to secure the bundle. Oftentimes, especially when bundling prunings that are relatively long, two ropes or cords, one at each end of the bundle, must be used to secure the bundle in a compacted state. A disadvantage of this method of compacting bundles for prunings it that it often requires substantial tension to be exerted in the tie rope to compress the bundle to a desired size. Thus, people with limited physical strength cannot conveniently use this method to compress prunings into small bundles. Also, since the amount of tension required to compress a bundle of prunings is greater than that required to retain the bundle in a compressed state, the rope used to compact as well as secure a bundle must be substantially stronger than that required for merely securing the bundle at a desired girth. 
     The following two United States Patents disclose devices which may be used to compact tree trimmings. 
     Knutsen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,355, Jul. 16,1986 discloses an apparatus for compacting a stack of tree limbs to facilitate sawing the limbs which uses a windlass having two cables. 
     Gray, U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,765, Mar. 1, 1994 discloses a device for applying a radial compression force on a stack of tree trimmings to compact the stack, facilitating carrying the stack or lying a rope around the stack to retain its compacted shape. 
     Other references know by the present inventor to relate generally to his invention include the following U.S. Patents: Richmond, U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,099, Jan. 31, 1984, Tensioning Apparatus; Backmore et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,776, Jan. 6, 1987, Branchy Compactor; Rampe et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,700, May 9, 1989, Method And Apparatus For Wrapping Round Bales; Pope, U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,203, Feb. 13, 1990, Load-Tie-Down System And Winch Assembly; Shuker, U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,232, Jun. 2, 1992, Quick Tie; and Shuker, U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,298, Aug. 10, 1993, Quick Tie Load Binding System. 
     All of the references know by the present inventor to be related generally to the problem of compacting bundles of prunings are of rather specialized designs which limit their suitability for general purpose use by gardeners and homeowners. At best, compacting and securing piles of tree or shrub prunings into reasonably manageable bundles by prior art methods can be an annoying and time consuming task The present invention was conceived of to provide a low-cost apparatus for baling tree and shrub prunings which may be easily stored and transported and which overcomes certain limitations inherent in prior art devices while providing additional advantageous features over prior art devices. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for compressing stacks of tree or shrub trimmings into compact bundles or bales, and for securing the bales in a compacted shape to facilitate their handling and transportation. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a pruning baler apparatus which may be readily used by a single individual to compact tree and shrub cutting into tight bales which may be easily handed and transported to a disposal site or pickup location for a trash hauler&#39;s subsequent removal. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a pruning baler having a substantial mechanical advantage which allows an individual to exert substantially greater compressive force on a pruning bundle than could be achieved by merely tightening a rope loop around the bundle. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a pruning baler which employs a winch mechanism to simultaneously tighten two tensioning ropes around longitudinally spaced-apart locations of a stack of prunings, thereby compacting and maintaining the stack in a compacted bundle while string is subsequently tied around the bundle to secure it in a compacted state. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a pruning baler having an apertured shield plate through which a tensioning rope is pulled as it is wound on the shaft of a winch, the shield plate preventing pruning debris from becoming entangled with rope wound around the winch shaft. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a pruning baler having a hand crank coupled to a rope tensioning windlass by means of a coaxal tubular safety clutch which limits tension in the rope to values low enough to prevent damage to the baler or injury to the user. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a pruning baler having an anchor rod provided with two longitudinally spaced apart tension ropes attached at one end thereof, the other ends of the ropes being attached to a winch shaft rotatably supported in a pair of longitudinally spaced apart support structures, each provided with an upstanding hook adapted to receive the anchor bar. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a pruning baler which utilizes a pair of disposable tensioning tie wraps used both to compact and secure a pruning bundle. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a pruning baler which uses a pair of disposable self-ratcheting tensioning tie wraps used both to compact and secure a pruning bundle. 
     Various other objects and advantages of the present invention, and its most novel features, will become apparent to those skilled in the art by perusing the accompanying specification, drawings and claims. 
     It is to be understood that although the invention disclosed herein is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages described, the characteristics of the invention described herein are merely illustrative of the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, I do not intend that the scope of my exclusive rights and privileges in the invention be limited to details of the embodiments described. I do intend that equivalents, adaptations and modifications of the invention reasonably inferable from the description contained herein be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly stated, the present intention comprehends a device which may be used to compress and secure a stack of branches pruned from a tree or shrub into a compact bundle or bale of sufficiently small girth to facilitate convenient handling and disposal of the prunings by a single individual. 
     The pruning baler according to the present invention includes a winch having an elongated shaft terminated at one end by a hand crank. The winch is of novel construction, in which the shaft thereof is rotatably supported by a pair of multi-function support structures, one located near the mid point of the winch shaft, and one located near the end of the shaft opposite that of the crank. Each multi-function support structure includes a transversely elongated rectangular base plate, and a pair of longitudinally spaced apart inverted U-shaped bearing clamps that protrude upwards from the base plate and serve as rotatable supports or bearings for the winch shaft. A pair of collars of larger diameter than the bearing clamp openings are attached coaxially to the shaft on outer longitudinal sides of each bearing clamp, thereby securing each support structure in a fixed longitudinal position relative to the shaft. 
     The base plate of each support structure has front and rear portions which protrude radially outwards with respect to the winch shaft. A laterally elongated aperture through the thickness dimension of the base plate extends radially outwards from front and rear sides of the shaft. Each support structure has near the front end thereof a pair of longitudinally spaced apart, upwardly and rearwardly curved plate sections, located on opposite sides of the front portion of the base plate aperture. The curved plate sections function as J-hooks which protrude forward from each of the two longitudinally spaced apart winch-shaft support structures, and are adapted to removably receive and hold opposite longitudinal ends of a cylindrical anchor rod disposed radially forward of and parallel to the shaft. Thus, the J-hooks function as anchor hooks which restrain radially outward or forward movement of the anchor rod relative to the support structures. A pair of bores extend radially through the anchor rod and are longitudinally spaced apart at the same distance as the center-to-center spacing between each pair of J-hooks. Each of the anchor rod bores insertably receives a tensioning rope having a knot, ferrule or other enlargement at one end thereof to secure the tensioning rope to the anchor rod. The opposite end of each tensioning rope passes upwards through the rear portion of the aperture through each support structure base plate, and is secured to and wound around the winch shaft. 
     The pruning baler according to the present invention is used by releasing the anchor rod from the J-hooks, and pulling the rod and tensioning ropes attached thereto radially outwards, to unwind the tensioning ropes from the winch shaft. A stack of branches or prunings is then placed on the radially outwardly deployed pair of parallel tensioning ropes. The anchor rod and attached tensioning ropes are then looped upwards and rearwards around the stack. Next, the anchor rod is laid within the J-hooks, restraining the anchor rod against motion when the tensioning ropes are subsequently tightened around the stack. The crank arm of the winch is then turned to wind the tensioning ropes around the winch shaft and thereby increase tension in the ropes sufficiently to compress the stack of branches into a bundle of desired diameter. During this operation, the aperture through the base plate of each winch support structure provides radial clearance for tensioning rope wound around the winch shaft. Also, the rear portion of each winch support structure base plate serves as a debris shield, preventing prunings from becoming entangled with tensioning rope as it is wound around the winch shaft. While a bundle of prunings has thus been compacted by the pruning baler, a light string or rope is then looped and tied around the compacted bundle to maintain it at a desired girth. 
     In the preferred embodiments of pruning balers according to the present invention, the crank arm of the winch is coupled to the winch shaft by a novel slip clutch. The clutch limits the amount of torque which may be exerted on the winch shaft by the crank arm, thereby limiting forces which may be exerted by the tensioning ropes would around the winch shaft. This torque limiting action of the slip clutch prevents the operator from exerting forces on the device which are so large as to possibly damage or limit the operating life of the baler, or to cause injury to the operator. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an upper plan view of a pruning baler according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a lower plan view of the device of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of part of the device of FIG. 1, taken along line  3 — 3 . 
     FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, taken along line  4 — 4 . 
     FIG. 5 is a fragmentary end elevation view of the device of FIG. 1, showing one of the two support structures comprising parts of the device. 
     FIG. 6 is an upper elevation view of the structure of FIG. 5, on an enlarged scale. 
     FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the structure of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the structure of FIG. 6, taken along line  8 — 8 . 
     FIG. 9 is a fragmentary upper plan view of the device of FIG. 1, on a further enlarged scale. 
     FIG. 10 is a transverse sectional view of the structure of FIG. 9, taken along line  10 — 10 . 
     FIGS. 11A-11F are diagrammatic views of the apparatus of FIG. 1, showing steps  1 - 6 , respectively, of a method of using the apparatus. 
     FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional end view of a first modification of the apparatus of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of the structure of FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 14 is a fragmentary front elevation view of the modification of FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 15 is an end view of a modified cable tie used with the apparatus of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 16 is a front elevation view off the cable tie of FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 17 is an end elevation view of a second modification of the apparatus of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 18 is a fragmentary view of the structure of FIG. 17, on an enlarged scale. 
     FIG. 19 is an upper plan view of another modification of the device of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1 through 10 illustrate a basic embodiment of a pruning baler according to the present invention, and FIG. 11 illustrates the method of using the invention. FIGS. 12-18 illustrate modifications of a pruning baler according to the present invention. 
     Referring first to FIGS. 1-10, a pruning baler  20  according to the present invention may be seen to include a winch  21  having an elongated hollow cylindrical shaft  22  terminated at a longitudinal end thereof by a hand crank  23 . Hand crank  23  has a short handle section  24  disposed parallel to the axis of winch shaft  22 , an arm  25  which protrudes radially outwards from one end of the winch shaft, an outer right-angle tubular elbow  26  which couples the inner end of the handle section to the outer end of the arm, and an inner right-angle tubular elbow  27  which couples the outer end of the shaft to the inner end of the arm. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer end  28  of crank handle section  24  preferably is terminated by a cup-shaped protective end cap  29  which is attached coaxially over the end of handle section. 
     For reasons which will be made clear in the description of the method of using baler  20  given below, winch  21  preferably employs a torque limiting slip clutch. With this construction, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an outer longitudinal end portion  30  of winch shaft  22  is transversely segmented by an annular joint  31  into “input” and “output” tubular torque transmitting sections  32  and  33 , respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, input tubular section  32  is rigidly joined to inner hand crank elbow  27 . As is also shown in FIG. 3, output tubular section  33  is coextensive with that portion of winch shaft  22  located longitudinally inwards of annular joint  31 , and is coupled to input tubular section  32  by an elongated cylindrical member such as a tubular sleeve  34 , which fits coaxially within the input and output tubular torque transmitting sections, the sleeve extending longitudinally in opposite directions through joint  31  into both torque transmitting sections. 
     Sleeve  34  is attached rigidly to either input tubular section  32  or output tubular section  33 , and fits into the other section in an interference friction fit. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, an outer end of sleeve  34  is irrotatably fastened fixed to input tubular section  32 , by a welded adhesive joint, for example. The inner end of sleeve  34  fits relatively tightly within the bore  35  of shaft  22 , but is free to rotate therein upon application of sufficient relative torque between input tubular section  32  and output tubular section  33 . In an example embodiment of baler  20 , shaft  22  of baler  20  was made of PVC tubing having an outer diameter of 1.3 inches and an inner diameter of 0.95 inches, while sleeve  34  was made of PVC tubing and had an outer diameter of 1.05 inches, and a length of 6 inches. With that construction, torque of up to about 25 foot pounds could be transmitted from input tubular section  32  to output tubular section  33  before relative slippage occurred between input and output sections. Constructed as described, clutch sleeve  34  cooperates with input tubular section  32  and output tubular section  33  to comprise a slip clutch  36 . It should be noted that the relatively long frictional contact area between outer cylindrical wall surface  37  of sleeve  34  and inner cylindrical wall surface  38  of winch shaft  22  causes the breakaway torque between input section  32  and output section  33  to be consistently repeatable. Moreover, the exact desired value of breakaway torque may be readily adjusted by adjusting the extension length of clutch sleeve  34  within bore  35  of winch shaft  22 . Thus, reducing the length of sleeve  34  from 6 inches to 3 inches would be expected to reduce the breakaway torque by about one-half, i.e., from 25 foot pounds to about 12.5 foot pounds. Similarly, increasing the length of sleeve  34  from 6 inches to 9 inches would be expected to increase the breakaway torque by about 50 percent, i.e., from 25 foot pounds to about 37.5 foot pounds. 
     Slip clutch  36  includes means for preventing relative longitudinal movement between input tubular section  32  and output tubular section  33  of the clutch. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, inner transverse end wall  39  of clutch sleeve  34  is capped by a circular end plate  40 . Also, inner transverse end wall  41  of input tubular end section  32  located within inner hand crank elbow  27  is capped by a circular end plate  42 . An elongated straight rigid restraining bar  43  extending coaxially through clutch sleeve  34  protrudes through and is attached at opposite ends thereof to end plates  40  and  42 , thereby preventing relative longitudinal movement of hand crank  23  and winch shaft  22 . 
     Referring now to FIGS.  1  and  5 - 9 , winch  21  of pruning baler  20  may be seen to be rotatably supported by a pair of longitudinally spaced apart support structures  44 . As shown in FIG. 1, one winch shaft support structure  44 - 1  is located near the outer transverse wall  45  of winch shaft  22 , at the longitudinal end of the shaft opposite hand crank  23 . The second support structure  44 - 2  is located approximately mid way between outer transverse winch shaft end wall  45  and elbow  26  of hand crank  23 . 
     Referring now primarily to FIGS. 6-9, it may be seen that each of the two winch shaft support structures  44  is constructed to perform multiple functions. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, each support structure  44  includes a transversely elongated, generally rectangular plan-view base plate  45  which has front and rear portions  45 A and  45 B, respectively, that protrude radially forward and rearward approximately equal distances from winch shaft  22 . A pair of upstanding, longitudinally spaced apart, inverted semi-circular-shaped flanged bearing clamps  46  are attached to the upper surface of front portion  45 A of base plate  45 . As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each bearing clamp  46  may be formed from an elongated metal strap  47  which is bent into an arch-shaped upper section  48  having a generally semi-circularly-shaped opening  49  therethrough, and front and rear radially outwardly protruding flange sections  50 . Bearing clamps  46  are attached to base plate  45  of support structure  44  by any convenient means, such as by bolts  51  which pass through holes  52  provided through the thickness dimension of flanges  50 , and through holes  53  provided through base plate  45 . Bolts  51  are secured by nuts  54  on the underside of the base plate. 
     As shown in FIG. 6, base plate  45  of support structure  44  has through its thickness dimension a laterally elongated aperture  55  located between bearing clamps  46 . Aperture  55  has a front portion  56  and rear portion  57  which protrude radially forwards and rearwards, respectively, between bearing clamp flanges  50 . Preferably, front and rear radially outward transverse edges  58 F and  58 R of aperture  55  are arcuately outwardly curved, or radiused. 
     As may be seen best by referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, base plate  45  of each winch shaft support structure  44  has mounted on the upper surface  59  thereof a pair of J-hooks  60  formed of longitudinally spaced apart, flat metal straps curved upwardly and rearwardly into a J-shaped hook. Each J-hook  60  has a flat horizontally and rearwardly disposed leg  61  which is fastened to base plate  45 . As shown in FIGS. 6-8, rear leg  61  has through its thickness dimension a mounting hole  62 , and is positioned between base plate  45  and bearing clamp flange  50 . With this arrangement, J-hook  60  may be secured to base plate  45  by the same bolt  51  used to secure bearing clamp  46  to the base plate. In an alternative construction, J-hook  60  could be fabricated as a continuous forward extension of front flange  50  of bearing clamp  46 . 
     As may be seen best by referring to FIGS. 6-8, opposite longitudinal edges of base plate  45  are preferably bent downwards into flanges to form longitudinally disposed side walls  45 C and  45 D which depend perpendicularly downwards from the flat upper surface of the base plate. The function of these side walls is to space winch shaft  22  away from a pruning bundle on which base plate  45  is placed, thereby permitting unimpeded rotation of the winch shaft. The side walls also increase the rigidity of base plate  45 . As is also shown in FIGS. 6-8, the front and rear edges of base plate  45  may be bent upwards to form transversely disposed front and rear edge walls  45 E and  45 F, respectively, whose function is to increase the rigidity of the base plate, and to provide a rounded surface which facilitates free passage of tensioning ropes, as will be described below. 
     As will be made clear in the ensuing further description of the structure and function of pruning baler  20 , aperture  55  through base plate  45  allows a tensioning rope to pass through support structure  44  and be wound around that portion of the winch shaft  22  radially aligned with the aperture. As will also be described below, rear portion  45 B of base plate  45  serves as a debris shield, blocking pruning debris from becoming entangled with tensioning rope wound around winch shaft  22 . 
     As shown in FIG. 1, J-hooks  60  are used to secure an anchor rod  63 , which comprises part of pruning baler  20 , against forward movement relative to winch shaft  22  of the baler, as will be explained in detail below. 
     FIGS. 1 and 9 illustrate how winch shaft  22  of pruning baler  20  is held in a fixed longitudinal position relative to support structure  44 , while permitting free rotation of the winch shaft relative to the support structure. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, a collar  64  is attached coaxially over winch shaft  22  adjacent the outer transverse edge walls  65  of each bearing clamp  46 . Collar  64  has a larger diameter than that of opening  49  through arch  48  of bearing clamp  46 , thus preventing inward longitudinal movement of winch shaft  22  relative to bearing clamp  46 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, a pair of collars  64  on opposite longitudinal sides of each bearing clamp  46  secures the winch shaft  22  against longitudinal movement relative to support structure  44 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, pruning baler  20  includes a pair of tensioning ropes  66 , each attached to winch shaft  22  between each pair of bearing clamps  46 . As may be seen best by referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a preferred method of attaching each tensioning rope  66  to winch shaft  22  consists of forming an enlargement such as a knot  67  in one end of a tensioning rope that has been threaded through a hole  68  provided through that portion of cylindrical wall  69  of the winch shaft which is located between bearing clamps  46  of support structure  44 . To facilitate this attachment, a first, inner free end of tensioning rope  66  may be inserted radially inwards through hole  68 , and threaded through bore  70  of winch shaft  22  until it emerges through opening  71  in outer transverse end wall  72  of the shaft. Knot  67  may then be tied at the inner end of tensioning rope  66 , and the outer end of the rope pulled to withdraw the knotted end through the bore  70  of winch shaft  22 . 
     As shown in FIG. 9, the outer cylindrical wall surface  73  of winch shaft  22  between facing inner transverse edge walls  74  of each pair of bearing clamps  46  serves as a winding surface or winch drum on which tensioning ropes  66  may be wound. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 9, a pair of annular flange plates  75  are attached coaxially over winch shaft  22  at opposite longitudinal ends of cylindrical drum sections  69  between bearing clamps  46 . The function of drum flange plates is to confine longitudinally therebetween lengths of tensioning rope  66  wound thereon. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, anchor rod  63  of baler  20  has a generally cylindrical rod shape, and is provided with a pair of radially disposed bores  76  spaced apart at the same longitudinal distance as the center-to-center spacing between pairs of J-hooks  60 . Bores  76  receive the outer ends  77  of tensioning ropes  66 , which are secured to anchor rod  63  by an enlarged end such as a knot  78  formed in the outer end of the tensioning rope after it is inserted through the bore. 
     A preferred method of using pruning baler  20  according to the present invention may be best understood by referring to FIG.  11 . Thus, as shown in FIG. 11A, anchor rod  63  of baler  20  is disengaged from anchor hooks  60 , disposed parallel to winch shaft  22 , and pulled forward away from the winch shaft to unwind tension ropes  66  from the winch shaft. Baler  20  is then laid on the ground or other support surface in an inverted position, i.e., with J-hooks  60  facing down, and anchor rod  63  is laid on the ground or support surface parallel to winch shaft  22 , with tension ropes  66  taut. A stack of prunings A is then placed on top of tensioning ropes  66 , between anchor rod  63  and winch shaft  22 , as shown in FIG.  11 B. Winch shaft  22  and tension ropes  66  are then lifted upwards and forwards to position the winch shaft and tensioning ropes over stack A, with winch support structures  44  in an upright position in which base plates  45  of the support structures rest on top of the bundle, as shown in FIG.  11 C. Next, as is also shown in FIG. 11C, anchor rod  63  is lifted upwards along with those lengths of tensioning ropes  66  protruding forwards from stack A. The anchor rod and tensioning rope lengths are then looped upwards and rearwards over stack A, and the anchor rod laid into the curved inner portions of J-hooks  60 . With anchor rod  63  thus secured against forward motion within J-hooks  60 , hand crank  23  is turned by grasping and orbitally rotating handle  24 , thus winding tension ropes  66  around winch shaft  22 , and thereby creating tightening the tensioning ropes around pruning stack A. 
     As shown in FIG. 11D, tension in tensioning ropes  66  looped around pruning stack A causes the ropes to exert a radially inwardly directed compressive force to be exerted on stack A. During this step, small twigs or other debris in the pruning stack which might become entangled with tensioning ropes  66  as they are tightened around winch shaft  22  are prevented from being drawn unto the winch shaft by rear base plate portion  45 B adjacent aperture  55  through which each tensioning rope is drawn. Thus, rear portion  45 B of each base plate  44  functions as a debris shield, preventing pruning debris from becoming entangled with lengths of tensioning rope  66  being wound around winch shaft  22 . As tensioning ropes  66  are tightened around pruning stack A, support structure base plates  45  of baler  20  rest on the stack, and serve as an anchor plate or fulcrum on which the compression forces exerted on the stack may be exerted while the winch remains in a fixed position relative to the bundle. When pruning stack A has thus been compressed into a bundle of a desired girth, a string loop B is looped around the bundle and tied, as shown in FIG.  11 E. This operation may be performed by the same individual who operated hand crank  23 . This is made possible by the fact that once pruning bundle A has been compressed, it will not elastically expand upon removal of hand crank torque, because compacted pruning bundles tend to be inelastic. 
     With a pruning bundle A secured in a compact bundle by a string B, hand crank  23  of pruning baler  20  may be turned in the appropriate direction to unwind tensioning ropes  66  from winch shaft  22 , allowing anchor rod  63  to be lifted upward and rearward to disengage the anchor rod  63  from J-hooks  60 , as shown in FIG.  11 F. Bundle A may then be lifted away from pruning baler  20 , and suitably disposed of. 
     FIGS. 12-14 illustrate a first modification of a pruning baler according to the present invention. The modified pruning baler  90  shown in FIGS. 12-14 substitutes one-time use cable ties for both tensioning ropes  66  and the tie-string B. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 12-14, modified pruning baler  90  includes a pair of elongated flat nylon cable ties  91 , each of which is provided at a first end  92  thereof with a ratcheting buckle  93 . The opposite end  94  of each cable tie  91  is inserted through its ratcheting buckle  93  and attached to each of the two winch drum sections  73  of winch shaft  22  located between pairs of bearing clamps  46  of each of the two support structures  44 . Thus, as shown in FIG. 14, each drum section  73  of winch shaft  22  is provided with a radially outwardly protruding anchor pin  95  which is insertably received through an aperture  96  in end  94  of cable tie  91 . 
     To use modified baler  20 , a pair of longitudinally spaced apart cable ties  91  are looped around a pruning stack A, inserted through ratcheting buckle  93 , and hooked onto anchor pins  95  on winch shaft  22 . Hand crank  23  of pruning baler  90  is then turned to tension cable tie  91  around a pruning stack A, until the bundle has been compressed to desired girth. Finally, that portion of cable tie  91  between ratcheting buckle  93  and anchor pin  95  is cut off and discarded. 
     FIGS. 15 and 6 illustrate a modification of the cable tie  91  shown in FIGS. 12-14. In modified cable tie  101  shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a length of inexpensive binding strap  107  made of nylon or other flexible material is spliced between first and second ends  102  and  104  of a nylon cable tie including a ratcheting buckle  103 . A hole  106  is provided through end  104  of cable tie  101 , for receiving anchor pin  96  of winch shaft  22 . Since the nylon cable tie material used to engage buckle  103  tends to be relatively expensive, using a shorter length of nylon cable tie material spliced to a length of a less expensive binding strap material results in a cable tie suitable for use with baler  20  which may be of reduced cost. 
     FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a second modification of a cable tie useable with baler  20 . As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, second modified cable tie  111  utilizes a wedge friction brake  107  to secure first and second ends  112  and  114  of the cable tie together after the cable tie has been tightened by baler  20  around a pruning bundle. 
     End portion  112  of cable tie  111  is provided with a hole  116  located a short distance inwards of the outer end of end portion  112 , for receipt of winch shaft anchor pin  96 . When attached to anchor pin  96 , a short length of winch cable tie  111  extends beyond anchor pin  96 . After winch action is complete and the bale is compressed, the tension band&#39;s free end, i.e., the end beyond the shaft attachment point, is looped back to the wedge friction clamp and fed into the clamp, as shown in FIG.  18 . 
     The free end fed to wedge against the tension band creates a friction brake that maintains the band&#39;s tension on the bale after the crank is relaxed. After securing the tension band in the wedge friction brake, the tension band loop is cut between the wedge brake and the shaft to allow removal of the bale from the baler. 
     Other modifications to the novel pruning baler according to the present invention are possible, such as the incorporation of ratcheting mechanisms to permit rotation of the winch shaft only in a desired direction. 
     FIG. 19 illustrates another modification of a pruning baler according to the present invention. As shown in FIG.  19  and described in more detail below, modified pruning baler  120  utilizes a continuous tensioning cable  166 , and means for adjusting the length of the cable paid out from the baler, to accommodate different bale sizes. Modified pruning baler  120  also utilizes a ratchet drive  123  rather than a crank handle to turn a winch shaft  121  on which tensioning cable  166  is wrapped, and a stiffening tube  176 , which fits coaxially over the winch shaft, both to resist undue bending of the shaft, and to provide a backlash limiting frictional reaction torque on the shaft. 
     Referring still to FIG. 19, it may be seen that baler  120  includes a winch shaft assembly  125  that includes a central, preferably tubular winch shaft  121 . Winch shaft assembly  125  includes an anchor stop and stress reduction collar  124  which fits coaxially over one end of shaft  121 , longitudinally outward of a winch shaft support structure  144 . Collar  124  is fixed to shaft  121  by any convenient means, such as by an adhesive joint. Shaft assembly  125  also includes a socket  126  having a hexagonal blind bore which fits coaxially within the end of shaft  121 , and is retained therein, as by pop rivets  127  which extend radially through collar  123  and shaft  121  into the cylindrical wall of the socket. 
     As shown in FIG. 19, stiffener tube  176  is attached at opposite longitudinal ends thereof to support structures  144 , and rotatably supports shaft  121  in a relatively loose fit which allows the shaft to rotate relatively easily within the bore of the stiffener tube. Modified pruning baler  120  includes an anchoring rod  163  attached to tensioning cable  166 , and functions similarly to the basic embodiment  20  of the baler as described above. Thus, baler  120  is placed over a stack of prunings, after anchor rod  163  and tensioning cables  166  are placed underneath and looped around the stack, and anchor rod  163  is seated within J-hooks  160 . Then, the handle  177  of a ratchet drive, such as a conventional ratchet wrench, is inserted into the bore of socket  126 , and torque applied to shaft assembly  125  of the baler by orbiting the ratchet handle  177  in a reciprocal, ratcheting manner about the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. This applied torque causes shaft  121  to rotate, thus winding the two parallel lengths of tensioning cable  166  around the stack of prunings, thereby tensioning the cable lengths and compressing the stack into a bale. 
     As shown in FIG. 19, the two lengths of tensioning cable  166  are attached to shaft  121  near the opposite longitudinal ends of the shaft, thus causing the shaft to bend arcuately towards a pruning stack as tension is increased in the tensioning cable. The outer cylindrical surface of stiffener tube  176  contacts the stack of prunings during tightening, and that contact inhibits rotation of the stiffener tube during rotation of winch shaft  121 . Also, the inner wall surface of stiffener tube  176  is in frictional contact with winch shaft  121 , thus resisting rotation of the shaft. This frictional reaction torque increases in proportion to the bending of winch shaft  121 . 
     When applying torque to the winch shaft assembly  125  with the ratchet drive handle  177 , there is a tendency for tensioning cables  166  to unwind, or backlash, during the ratchet&#39;s drive handles backstroke. As the winch shaft assembly  125  bends, the inside diameter of stiffener tube  176  binds to create a reaction torque. This reaction torque counter-acts the tendency of winch shaft assembly  125  to unwind during bale compression. In other words, frictional force between stiffener tube  175  and winch shaft  121  within the stiffener tube absorbs most of the backlash. 
     As bale compression is increased, winch shaft assembly  125  bends more, resulting in increased friction reaction torque. The upshot of these interacting forces is that the torque required to prevent unwind backlash as the bale compression continues is small and fairly constant throughout the ratcheting effort. 
     During operation of baler  120 , the operator grasps ratchet drive handle  177  with one hand, e.g., the right hand. To prevent unwind backlash during bale compression, resistance to unwind backlash is supplied by the operator as he grasps a “backlash reaction handle  184 ” with the other hand, e.g., the left hand, during the ratchet&#39;s backstroke, releasing his grip on the reaction handle during the forward stroke of ratchet drive handle  177 . Backlash reaction handle  184  is similar in construction to stress reduction collar  124 , fitting coaxially over the opposite longitudinal end of shaft  121  and being secured thereto by a bolt  185 . 
     It is desirable to make bales of pre-determined size and weight to avoid making a bale that a person cannot readily pick up. To increase the usefulness of baler  120 , means are included to allow the device to make bales of different, pre-determined diameters, or weights. This adjustment means is implemented by making the tensioning cable  166  continuous and long. The cable is anchored at the ratchet end of winch shaft  121  then rigged through anchoring rod  163  through the other end of winch shaft  121  and out through backlash reaction handle  184 . Tensioning cable  166  is anchored in backlash reaction handle  184  with a knot  186  tied in that portion of the cable which protrudes longitudinally outwards through a collar  188  within backlash reaction handle  184 , that collar having a bore of larger diameter than the cable but smaller than that of the knot. Excess cable needed to make larger bales forms a pig-tale  187  outside of backlash reaction handle  184 . 
     Pig-tale  187  of tensioning cable  166  is marked in different places  188 , e.g., one place for a 25-pound bale, another for a 50-pound bale, and another for a 75-pound bale. 
     Since tensioning cable  166  is rigged in one continuous run through the tension handle anchoring rod  163 , the anchoring rod will adjust its position to maintain constant cable tension in both parallel lengths of the cable. Thus, as tensioning cable  166  tightens during bale compression, both ends of the bale receive equal amounts of compression as the cable passes through the anchoring rod to maintain constant cable tension and a constant compressive force on the bale, irrespective of the bale&#39;s shape.