Twine wrapping mechanism for a roll forming machine

An improved twine wrapping mechanism is provided for a roll forming machine having a frame defining a roll forming region. The twine wrapping mechanism includes an elongated dispensing tube and means for mounting the dispensing tube forwardly of the bale forming region on the frame such that the tube can be driven in a predetermined path across the bale forming region. The tube is fastened at one end to a gear segmented plate which is supported on one end of a shaft rotatably mounted on the frame. The dispensing tube is adapted to be driven along its predetermined path either manually by a handle having a gear segment that driveably mates with the gear segmented plate or automatically by a hydraulic cylinder that is operably connected to the shaft that rotatably supports the plate and the tube.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
Reference is hereby made to the following co-pending U.S. applications 
dealing with related subject matter and assigned to the assignee of the 
present invention: 
"An Improved Twine Wrapping Mechanism for a Roll Forming Machine" by Lowell 
R. Grube et al., U.S. Ser. No. 718,712, filed Aug. 30, 1976. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to a roll forming machine, and more 
particularly, is directed to an improved mechanism for wrapping twine or 
the like about a roll formed within the roll forming machine. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
In recent years, the practice of harvesting crop material such as hay or 
the like by forming it into large rolls through the use of large roll or 
round balers has become increasingly popular. One type of large round 
baler forms a swath or windrow of hay into a large cylindrical roll or 
round bale while the latter is supported on the ground. Another type of 
large round baler picks up the swath or windrow of hay and forms it into a 
large round bale off the ground. Both of these types of large round balers 
generally have mechanisms for applying twine or similar binding material 
about the bale once it has reached its desired maximum size. The wrapped 
bale is then discharged from the baler. 
Generally, the twine wrapping mechanism employed by these large round 
balers includes an elongated tube which oscillates in a predetermined path 
across the bale forming region to dispense twine as the twine is wrapped 
about the bale. In the past, the twine dispensing mechanisms have been of 
the type which are manually operated such as the one illustrated in U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,910,178 or automatically operated by a hydraulic cylinder such 
as the one illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,473. 
The manual and the automatic twine wrapping mechanisms each have their own 
advantages and features. The automatic or hydraulic driven wrapping 
mechanism, generally more costly then the manual operated mechaisms, is 
especially suitable to those customers that have tractors with cabs 
because it is practically impossible to negotiate the controls of a manual 
wrapping mechanism. 
Up to now, the round baler customer had to accept, at the time of purchase 
of a particular baler, the type of wrapping mechanism that happened to be 
on the particular baler he purchased and could not choose the type of 
wrapping mechanism he desired nor did the customer have the option of 
later changing to some other type of wrapping mechanism for his baler. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention gives the round baler customer the choice of 
selecting the type of twine wrapping mechanism he desires when purchasing 
a new round baler, and further, gives him the option of readily converting 
the type of wrapping mechanism on his baler to another without 
considerable cost or the expense of time and materials. Accordingly, the 
invention provides a round baler with an improved twine wrapping mechanism 
which is adapted to be actuated either manually or automatically by a 
power motor, such as a hydraulic cylinder. 
Specifically, the improved twine wrapping mechanism includes an elongated 
dispensing tube mounted at one of its ends on a plate having a gear 
segmented portion. The gear segmented plate is mounted on a shaft 
rotatably supported on the frame of the roll forming machine. Rotation of 
the plate and thus movement of the dispensing tube along a predetermined 
path across the roll forming region of the roll forming machine is 
effectuated either through movement of the gear segmented plate by a 
manually actuated handle having a gear segment that driveably mates with 
the gear segmented portion of the plate or by rotating the shaft, that 
supports the plate, and, thus moving the dispensing tube through the use 
of a power motor such as a hydraulic cylinder which is operably connected 
to the shaft. 
The present invention further includes the feature of a breakaway mechanism 
for the situation wherein the customer selects the hydraulically driven 
twine wrapping mechanism. The breakaway mechanism maintains the integrity 
of the components of the twine wrapping mechanism and thus prevents any 
damage thereto should the elongated dispensing tube encounter any 
impassable obstacles during its travel along its predetermined path. 
Other advantages and attainments of the present invention will become 
apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following 
detailed description when taken in conjuction with the drawings in which 
there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the present 
invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
In the following description, right hand and left hand references are 
determined by standing at the gear of the machine and facing in the 
direction of forward travel. Also, in the following description, it is to 
be understood that such terms as "forward," "left," "upwardly," etc., are 
words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. 
IN GENERAL 
Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a 
crop material roll forming machine, generally indicated by numeral 10, 
being provided with a base frame, generally designated 12, having right 
and left sides (the right side being omitted for clarity) between which 
extends a roll forming region, being generally designated by 14 and within 
which a completed roll R is illustrated. The frame 12 is supported and 
made mobile by right and left ground-engaging wheels 16 (only the left one 
being shown) rotatably mounted respectively on spindles 18 (only the left 
one being shown), being connected to and extending outwardly from 
respective opposite sides of the machine 10. 
The machine 10 is adapted to be connected to a tractor (not shown) for 
towing the machine forwardly across a field in field operation or road 
transport by means of a tongue 20 which is connected at its rear end to 
and extends forwardly from a horizontal beam 22 of the frame 12. 
Horizontal beam 22 extends transversely between and interconnects with the 
opposite sides of frame 12. 
Extending forwardly from the lower front portion of the mobile frame 12 of 
the machine 10 is a pickup 24. The pickup 24 is adapted to engage, elevate 
and rearwardly feed a swath or windrow of crop material into the roll 
forming region 14 of the machine 10. The material fed by the pickup 24 is 
passed rearwardly to the front end of a lower apron, generally indicated 
by the numeral 26. 
The lower apron 26 is formed by a series of endless flexible lug-bearing 
chains 28 which are transversely spaced apart even distances and which 
extend around front drive sprockets 30 mounted on front saft 32 rotatably 
supported between the sides of the frame 12 at the front thereof. The 
chains 28 also pass around rear idler sprockets 34 mounted on shaft 36 
rotatably supported between the sides of the frame 12 at the rear thereof. 
Mounted upon fore-and-aft spaced transverse members 38 of the base frame 12 
is a floor 40. The floor 40 is rigid and generally horizontally disposed. 
The upper course of the lower apron chains 28 move in a rearward directon 
across the floor 40 to convey the crop material received from the pickup 
24 toward the rear of the machine 10. 
The lower course of an upper apron assembly, being generally designated by 
the numeral 42, engages and directs the material reaching the rear end of 
the frame 12 into an upward and forward direction to effect, in 
combination with the lower apron 26 at the roll forming region 14 of the 
machine 10, a rolling of the crop material into roll R in the direction of 
the arrow A of FIG. 1. During roll forming, as the lower and upper courses 
of the upper apron 42 move respectively in the directions of the arrows A 
and B in FIG. 1, it will be understood that the lower course of the upper 
apron 42 is capable of expanding as the roll R expands in diameter. This 
is allowed by idler sprockets 44 and 46, which movably support portions of 
the upper course of apron 42, being mounted upon arms 48,50 disposed 
adjacent each side of the frame 12 and supported on a transverse shaft 52 
rotatably mounted between the sides of frame 12 at the upper portions 
thereof. The arms 48,50 are biased by extension springs (not shown) 
mounted along the frame sides which normally position the upper apron 42 
in a contracted condition wherein the lower course thereof is adjacent the 
lower apron 26, but are yieldable for allowing the aforementioned 
expansion of the lower course during roll formation. 
The upper apron 42 also extends about front drive sprockets 54 mounted on a 
shaft 56 rotatably supported between the sides of the frame 12 at the 
front portion thereof. 
The base frame 12 also includes a rear upper frame or tailgate assembly 58 
which is pivotally connected at 60 to the upper portions of the sides of 
the frame and extends transversely therebetween. The tailgate assembly 58 
is pivotally moved clockwise from its lower roll forming position, as 
shown in FIG. 1, to an upper discharge position (not shown) by a pair of 
hydraulic cylinders 62 (only the left one being shown) respectively 
mounted on and extending along the sides of the frame 10. The tailgate 58 
rotatably mounts upper, rear, and lower idler sprockets 64,66 and 68 
respectively about which the upper apron 42 also extends. 
For providing rotary power to the pickup 24 and the lower and upper aprons 
26,42 an input driveline (not shown) is provided along the tongue 20 being 
adapted for connection at its forward end to the power takeoff (PTO) shaft 
of the tractor for rotation in unison therewith to supply rotary driving 
power to various of the operative components of the machine through power 
transmitting components (not shown). The hydraulic cylinders may be 
suitably connected to hydraulic sources on the tractor. 
IMPROVED TWINE WRAPPING MECHANISM 
In order that the roll R may be stabilized when discharged from the machine 
10, the machine is provided with a supply of twine or the like, not shown, 
located on the right sidewall of frame 12. The twine is applied to the 
roll R by a twine wrapping mechanism, which incorporates the improvement 
provided by the present invention and is generally designated by the 
numeral 70 in FIG. 1, just before the upper frame or tailgate 58 is 
pivoted to its upper position for discharge of the roll R from the machine 
10. 
The improved wrapping mechanism 80, generally includes a twine dispensing 
assembly, generally indicated by the numeral 72, and selective components 
for actuating the assembly 72 which comprise the parts of the improved 
mechanism 70 constituting the present invention. Also, the wrapping 
mechanism 70 includes twine severing means, generally indicated by the 
numeral 74, and latch means, generally indicated by numeral 76, 
interconnected to the severing means 74 and cooperative with the twine 
dispensing assembly 72 for effecting control of the severing means 74 in 
response to movement of the dispensing assembly 72 for severing the twine 
after the roll has been externally wrapped. The severing means 74 and the 
latch means 76, being interconnected to the severing means 74 and 
cooperative with the dispensing assembly 72 for effecting control of the 
severing means 74, are the parts of the improved wrapping mechanism 70 
which comprise the invention claimed in a copending patent application 
cross-referenced above; however, such parts are illustrated and will be 
described later on in detail herein for facilitating a thorough and 
complete understanding of the present invention. 
The twine dispensing assembly 72 is positioned forwardly of the roll 
forming region 14 and generally includes an elongated dispensing tube 78 
having a twine tensioning device 79 attached to its free end for applying 
tension to the twine as it is dispensed across the bale forming region 14. 
Twine from the supply is routed through means not shown through the 
receiving end of the tube 78 with a short length of twine extending or 
dangling from the opposite free end of the tube 78. 
The twine receving end of the tube 78 is fixed by brackets 80 (see FIG. 6) 
to one side of a plate 82 having an outer peripheral edge gear portion 83. 
The plate 82 is mounted on one end of a rotatably supported shaft 84 that 
extends normal to the plate 82. The shaft 84 protrudes through the upper 
end portion of an upright support member 86 being secured to the 
transverse frame member 22 and is rotatably supported within two bearings, 
one bearing 88 which is secured to the upright member 86 by a bracket 90 
and another bearing 92 supported within the upright member 86. The 
mounting of the tube 78 to the plate 82 is such that upon rotation of the 
shaft 84 and the plate 82 and tube 78 therewith the free end of the tube 
78 moves in a predetermined path across the roll forming region 14. 
Further and in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the 
above described mounting of the dispensing tube 78 enables the free end of 
the tube to be moved along its predetermined path by a selected one of two 
different actuating components; namely, either a manually operable 
component 94, as seen fragmentarily in FIG. 2, or automaticaly by a power 
motor component, such as the hydraulic cylinder 96 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 
3. 
For manual operation of the twine dispensing tube 78, the manually operable 
component 94, as best seen in FIG. 2, includes a drive shaft 98 journalled 
for rotation within a bearing 100 supported on the top edge of the upright 
member 86. One end of the drive shaft 98 mounts a gear 102 which driveably 
mates with the gear portion 83 of the plate 82 whereas the other end of 
the drive shaft 98 mounts one part of a universal joint 104 whose other 
part is mounted on the end of rod 106. The rod 106 extends within a 
telescoping sleeve 108 which is secured to a crank handle 110 having knob 
112. The sleeve 108 is supported on member 114 which extends upwardly from 
the forward portion of the tongue 20. A cotter pin 116 is extended through 
corresponding apertures provided in the sleeve 108 and the rod 106 for 
driveable connection thereof such that manual rotation of the crank handle 
110 rotates the gear 102 which moves the gear portion 83 and thereby 
rotates the plate 82 and the shaft 84 resulting in pivotal movement of the 
dispensing tube 78 along its predetermined path. 
The twine dispensing tube 78, due to its above-described unique mounting 
means, is also adapted to be actuared automaticaly by a power motor 
component such as hydraulic cylinder 96. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, a 
pin 118 pivotally mounts the base end of the hydraulic cylinder 96 on a 
bracket 120 secured to the transverse frame member 22. The piston end of 
cylinder 96 is pivotally connected by pin 122 to a breakaway mechanism, 
generally indicated by the numeral 124 and best seen in FIG. 5, that 
operably interconnects the hydraulic cylinder 96 to the twine dispensing 
assembly 72. The breakaway mechanism 124 also comprises a part of the 
present invention. The purpose of the breakaway mechanism 124 is to 
disconnect the cylinder 96 from the assembly 72 under conditions wherein 
the load on the shaft 84 exceeds a predetermined value. Such breakaway 
mechanism is beneficial in preventing damage to the components of the 
dispsensing assembly 72, as well as, damage to the other components of the 
wrapping mechanism 70, such as the severing means 74 and latch means 76. 
In particlar reference to FIG. 5, the brakaway mechanism 124 comprises an 
arrangement of components adapted to interconnect the hydraulic cylinder 
96 to the dispensing assembly 72, and as such, broadly includes a first 
lever 126, a second lever 128 and means, generally designated by the 
numeral 130, for coupling the first lever 126 to the second lever 128. The 
first lever 126 has one end fixedly mounted to a sleeve 132 and the second 
lever 128 has its corresponding end mounted to a hub 134 which is adapted 
to be inserted over the sleeve 132 and retained thereon by snap ring 135, 
adjacent to the fixed end of the first lever 126. The other end of the 
second lever 128 contains a stub member 136 secured thereto, such as by 
welding or the like, forming slot 138 for receiving the free end of the 
first lever 126. The coupling means 130 includes an internally threaded 
tube 140 that houses a coil spring 142 and an engaging ball 144. The 
threaded tube 140 is secured within a bore provided in the stub member 136 
such that the engaging ball 144 can be urged outwardly into engagement 
with the free end of the first lever 126 as an adjustment bolt 146 is 
threaded in the tube 140 to compress the spring 142 and preset the torque 
load at which the breakaway mechanism 124 reacts. The engaging ball 144 is 
of a diameter greater than the width of the sot 138 such that the ball 144 
will not be lost but confined within the slot 138 upon reaction of the 
breakaway mechanism 124 wherein the free end of the first lever 126 moves 
from within slot 138. 
When the hydraulic cylinder 96 is utilized to actuate the dispensing tube 
78 of the dispensing assembly 72, the sleeve 132 is inserted over shaft 84 
and retained thereon by retaining bolts 148. Hydraulic hoses 150 from the 
hydraulic cylinder 96 are connected to the hydraulic system of a tractor 
(not shown) for powering the cylinder. Preferably, the hydraulic cylinder 
96 is of the double actuation type, and thus, as the piston rod end of the 
cylinder 96 is extended, it moves the second lever 128 which is coupled to 
the first lever 126 by the coupling means 130, thereby rotating shaft 84 
in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. As shaft 84 rotates in a 
clockwise direction, the plate 82 rotates therewith resulting in a 
corresponding pivotal movement of the dispensing tube 78. Retraction of 
the piston rod end of the hydraulic cylinder 96 rotates the shaft 84 and 
the plate 82 therewith in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 
3, with corresponding pivotal movement of the dispensing tube 78. Should 
the dispensing tube 78 encounter any impassable obstacles that would 
create a torque load in excess of a predetermined value set by the 
compression load of the spring 142 on ball 144, the breakaway mechanism 
124 reacts in decoupling the first lever 126 from the second lever 128 and 
thus the first lever 128 pivots about its hub 134 around the sleeve 132. 
In preparation for the roll wrapping operation, once the roll R has reached 
its desired size, the operator normally stops further forward movement of 
the machine 10 to interrupt the flow of material delivered by the pickup 
mechanism 24. Concurrently, the operator actuates the twine dispensing 
assembly 72, whether that being the hydraulic cylinder 96 or the manual 
handle 94, wherein the twine dispensing tube 78 is swung along its 
predetermined arcuate path from the left to the right side of the machine 
and then returned to its initial rest position on the left side of the 
machine. In its initial rest position, the tube 78 is disposed generally 
parallel to the transverse frame member 22, forwardly of the bale forming 
region 14, and with the free end of the tube 78 being disposed adjacent 
the left side of the machine 10. The predetermined arcuate path of the 
tube 78 is best described as being first a slightly rearward and generally 
downward movement toward the right side of the bale forming region 14 and 
then is returned therefrom in a generally upwardly and slightly forward 
movement to its rest position. Further, it should be pointed out at this 
time that the dispensing tube 78, at least during a portion of its cyclic 
movement, is guided along the underside of tubular member 170 which will 
be described in conjunction with the description of the severing means 74. 
As the tube 78 swings back and forth across the bale forming region 14 the 
twine is deposited on the lower apron 26 or if there is still crop 
material moving into the machine, the twine is deposited thereon and is 
intermeshed therwith. The twine is then caried rearwardly into the bale 
forming region 14 wherein it is exteriorly wrapped around the roll R as 
the roll is rotated. Since the dispensing tube 78 swings from one side to 
the other side of the machine as the roll R is rotated, the winding will 
obviously be in the form of a spiral. 
The parts of the improved wrapping mechanism 70 which comprise the 
invention claimed in the above cross-referenced copending application will 
now be described. 
Preparation for severing the twine occurs as the tube 78 approaches the end 
of its return cycle wherein the twine is brought into the vicinity of the 
severing means 74. The severing means 74 includes a striker plate 152, a 
severing knife 154 and a guide shield 156 which is attached by screws 158 
to the left sidewall of the machine, projects outwardly therefrom over the 
striker plate 152 and knife 154, and has a front edge tapered so as to 
guide the twine over the striker plate 152 as the tube 78 approaches its 
return cycle. The striker plate 152 is attached in a stationary position 
by bolts 160 to a transverse stub member 162 secured to the left sidewall 
of the machine, below the guide shield 156. The knife 154 is pivotally 
mounted rearwardly of the striker plate 152 so as to be moved away from 
and toward the striker plate 152 in an abutting severing relationship 
therewith. The knife 156 includes a blade 164 attached by bolts 166 to one 
end of an arm 168 which is secured to tubular member 170 for rotation 
therewith about shaft 172. The tubular member 170 is inserted over shaft 
172 which extends transversely between the opposite sidewalls of the 
machine and is suitably mounted at each of its ends within the respective 
sidewalls. 
Latch means 76 has been provided for coordinating the pivotal movement of 
the knife 154 toward and away from the striker plate 152 in response to 
the dispensing tube 78 being pivoted from its rest position along its 
predetermined path. As best seen in FIG. 4, the latch means 76 is 
supported on the upper end of upright member 174 which is attached by 
fastening elements 176 to the transverse frame member 22 and includes a 
first rectangular latch plate 178 having one edge provided with a tube 
receiving slot 180 and its opposite edge provided with a pair of 
positioning notches 182,184. Bar 185 is secured to the end of the plate 
178 having slot 180 and projects outwardly therefrom in further defining 
the tube's receiving area provided by the slot 180. The latch plate 178 is 
secured to one end of a short transverse shaft 186 which extends through 
the upper end portion of the upright member 174 and is rotatably mounted 
thereon. The other end of shaft 186 supports crank arm 188. Biasing lever 
190 is provided with abutting knob 192 that projects outwardly from one 
side thereof toward the latch plate 178 for registering with the 
positioning notches 182,184 of the latch plate. One end of lever 190 is 
connected by spring 194 to the upper portion of the upright member 174 
whereas the other end of lever 190 is pivotally mounted on the upright 
member 174 by pin 196, located below shaft 186. 
An interconnecting rod 198 is provided for coordinating the movement of the 
knife 154 in response to movement of the latch plate 178. More 
particularly, the knife 154 is pivoted toward the striker plate 152 as the 
latch plate 178 is moved from its tube receiving position to its tube 
holding position as respectively shown in solid-line form and broken-line 
form in FIG. 4. The rod 198 is connected at its lower end to a crank arm 
200, secured to tubular member 170, and extends upwardly and forwardly 
therefrom between portions of the left sidewall of the machine. The upper 
end of the rod 198 carries nut 201 and extends through an eye bolt 202 and 
spring 204. Spring 204 is coiled about rod 198 and confined within a state 
of compression between the eye bolt 202 and a retaining nut 206 threaded 
on the end of the rod 198. The eye bolt 202 is fasten to crank arm 188 for 
movement therewith as it is pivoted on shaft 186. 
During the roll forming operation, the dispensing tube is normally in its 
rest position, being disposed generally parallel to the transverse frame 
member 22, with its free end or dispensing end being held in slot 180 as 
the latch plate 178 is in its tube holding position as shown in broken 
line form in FIG. 4. In such tube holding position of the latch plate 178, 
the knife 154 is abutting the striker plate 152 with the free end of the 
twine being clamped therebetween. 
When the roll R has been formed, the operator actuates the twine dispensing 
assembly 72 wherein the twine dispensing tube 78 is pivoted from its rest 
position along its predetermined path. As the tube 78 moves rearwardly, 
the latch plate 178 pivots rearwardly to its tube receiving position 
wherein the abutting knob 192 registers with notch 184 to retain the latch 
178 in such position. Further, as the latch plate 178 pivots, the crank 
arm 188 pivots forcing the eye bolt 202 against the nut 201 which in turn 
forces the rod 198 downwardly whereby the crank arm 200 is pivoted 
rearwardly in driving the knife 154 away from the striker plate 152. As 
the knife 154 moves away from the striker plate 152, the free end of the 
twine is released therefrom and free to be carried by the dispensing tube 
78 back and forth across the roll forming region 14. As the tube 78 
approaches its rest position, on its return cycle, the twine is guided 
over the striker plate 152 by the guide shield 156. Then, as the tube 78 
is driven into the latch plate 178, the plate 178 pivots forwardly to its 
rest position wherein abutting knob 192 registers with retaining notch 
182. This forward pivotal movement of the latch plate 178 pivots the crank 
arm 188 and the eyebolt 202 forwardly compressing the spring 204 against 
the retaining nut 206 which forces rod 198 forwardly to pivot the crank 
arm 200 forwardly resulting in driving the knife 154 toward the striker 
plate 152. The spring 204 urges the knife 154 against the striker plate 
152 to pinch the twine therebetween. The rotation of the roll R as shown 
by the arrow in FIG. 1, pulls the twine over the knife 154 resulting in 
severance of the twine. The portion of the twine rearwardly of the cut 
being pulled into the roll forming region 14 by the rotating roll R, while 
the forward end of the severed twine remains clamped between the knife 154 
and striker plate 152 as the dispensing tube remains in its rest position. 
It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will 
be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that 
various changes may be made in form, construction and arrangement of the 
improved twine wrapping mechanism without departing from the spirit and 
the scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, 
the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred or exemplary 
embodiment thereof.