End of round bale twine guides

A round baler having a wrapping apparatus for wrapping bales with twine includes a twine dispenser moveable generally between the sidewalls for dispensing at least one strand of twine around the bale. The wrapping apparatus further includes a retractable twine guide for spacing the twine wrapped around the bale a certain distance from one of the sidewalls. The guide is shiftable into and out of an operating position, in which the guide engages and maintains the twine the distance from the one sidewall. The operating position of the twine guide is generally within or proximate to the path of inflowing crop material so that shifting of the guide out of the operating position minimizes interference with the flow of material and reduces accumulation of trash and material on the guide.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
See also the following contemporaneously filed applications for U.S. 
Letters Patent: Ser. No. 08/731,768, entitled ROUND BALER HAVING 
TAILGATE-RESPONSIVE CLUTCH; Ser. No. 08/731,764, entitled DOWN TURNING 
STUB AUGERS ON WIDE PICK-UP FOR ROUND BALERS; Ser. No. 08/733,758, 
entitled OVER-THE-TOP SUPPORT ARM FOR PICK-UP GAUGE WHEEL OF A BALER; Ser. 
No. 08/733,757, entitled TALL SLEEVES FOR ROUND BALER DRIVE ROLLS; Ser. 
No. 08/731,395, entitled EASED INLET TAILGATE ROLL ARRANGEMENT FOR 
VARIABLE CHAMBER ROUND BALER. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to round balers utilizing twine for 
wrapping successively formed bales and, more particularly, to a 
retractable twine guide for spacing the twine wrapped around the bale a 
certain distance from one of the sidewalls of the baler. 
2. Discussion of Prior Art 
Round balers of both the fixed and variable chamber varieties often utilize 
strands of twine to wrap a fully formed bale. However, it is a well 
recognized problem with such conventional balers that twine wrapped around 
the extreme ends of the bale adjacent the sidewalls of the baler tends to 
slip off the bale. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, 
this problem is attributable to various factors such as the decreased crop 
material density at the ends of the bale. The convolutions of twine 
wrapped around the relatively inadequately formed ends of the bale arc 
susceptible to unwrapping or may simply separate from the bale as the bale 
is discharged, transported, etc. As those of ordinary skill in the art 
will further recognize, this problem is magnified in dry, crumbly hay 
conditions. 
Detached convolutions of twine are troublesome for several reasons. For 
example, loose strands of twine are unsightly and obviously detrimental to 
the salability of the bale. Moreover, the ends of the bale tend to be 
insufficiently wrapped, allowing the bale to loosen and deteriorate, which 
is especially problematic when the bales are stacked. 
Accordingly, twine guides have been provided for spacing twine wrapped 
around the bale a certain distance inwardly from the sidewalls of the 
baler to ensure the twine remains wrapped around the bale. However, 
conventional twine guides consist of stationary devices mounted to the 
sidewalls of the baler. Since a majority of balers utilize a twine 
dispenser in the form of one or more pivotal twine dispensing tubes which 
dispense twine within the inflow of crop material so that the material 
carries the twine into the baling chamber and around the bale, the twine 
guide is positioned between the dispensing tube and the baling chamber and 
generally within the path of the inflowing material. Consequently, 
stationary twine guides interfere with the flow of crop material and are 
prone to collecting crop material and trash thereon which inhibits their 
twine guiding function. As those of ordinary skill in the art will 
appreciate, conventional twine guides are particularly problematic in 
balers utilizing a wide pickup. Wide pickups transfer and converge a wide 
windrow of crop material into the baling chamber and traditionally employ 
structure that congests the area within which the dispensing tube and 
twine guide are positioned and, more importantly, deliver a relatively 
heavy flow of crop material adjacent the sides of the baler. 
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Responsive to these problems, an important object of the present invention 
is to provide a baler with structure for assuring that during the wrapping 
cycle of the machinery, the endmost wraps of twine are placed around the 
bale in such a manner that the wraps are prevented from separating from 
the ends of the bale. The present invention is particularly concerned with 
a twine guide for spacing the endmost wraps of twine from the end of the 
bale. Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide the 
baler with a twine guide that does not collect crop material or trash 
thereon so as to maintain the twine guiding function thereof. Another 
object of the present invention is to provide a twine guide which 
minimizes interference with the inflow of crop material. Additionally, an 
object of the present invention is to provide a twine guide that is 
particularly useful with balers having a wide pickup. Yet another object 
of the present invention is to provide a twine guide which is shiftable 
out of a twine guiding position so that interference with inflowing crop 
material and accumulation of crop material and trash on the guide is 
reduced. 
In accordance with these and other objects evident from the following 
description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the round baler 
includes a wrapping apparatus having a retractable twine guide for spacing 
twine wrapped around the bale a certain distance inwardly from one of the 
sidewalls. The twine guide is shiftable into and out of an operating 
position, in which the guide is disposed to engage and maintain the twine 
the distance from the one sidewall. The twine guide may be shifted to a 
standby position, which is spaced substantially out of the path of 
inflowing crop material so that the guide does not interfere with the flow 
of crop material and does not catch material and trash thereon. 
In a first embodiment, a twine dispenser, which is moveable between the 
sidewalls during a wrapping cycle and rests in a home position adjacent 
the one sidewall between successive wrapping cycles, is operable for 
shifting the twine guide into its operating position. Preferably, the 
guiding apparatus includes an arm pivotal toward and away from the one 
sidewall for carrying the twine guide between its standby and operating 
positions. The twine guide is positioned adjacent an inboard end of the 
arm such that the arm projects inwardly beyond the one sidewall when the 
guide is in the operating position. Preferably, the dispenser releasably 
engages the arm as the dispenser moves out of the home position for 
shifting the guide from the standby position to the operating position. If 
desired, the arm includes a tang configured for releasable engagement with 
the dispenser as the dispenser moves out of the home position. 
The first embodiment further preferably includes latching mechanism 
operably coupled with the arm for releasably retaining the guide in its 
operating position when the mechanism is actuated. A return tension spring 
is connected between the arm and the one sidewall for yieldably biasing 
the guide into the standby position such that the guide shifts from the 
operating position to the standby position when the latching mechanism is 
deactuated. A stop is positioned for engagement with the arm when the 
guide is in the standby position for preventing the return spring from 
shifting the guide beyond the standby position. 
The preferred latching mechanism is disposed for operation by the tailgate, 
wherein the mechanism is actuated as the tailgate swings into the closed 
position and is allowed to deactuate as the tailgate swings out of the 
closed position. The latching mechanism includes a shiftable connecting 
bar positioned for releasable engagement with the tailgate as the tailgate 
swings into and out of the closed position. The tailgate engages the bar 
as the tailgate swings into the closed position for shifting the bar in a 
first direction, thereby actuating the latching mechanism, and disengaging 
the bar as the tailgate swings out of the closed position for allowing the 
bar to shift in the opposite direction, thereby deactuating the latching 
mechanism. The latching mechanism includes structure for deactuating the 
latching mechanism as the tailgate swings out of the closed position, 
preferably in the form of a tension spring connected between the bar and 
the one sidewall. 
Preferably, the arm has a portion with a notch defined therein, while the 
latching mechanism includes a shiftable latch element configured for 
complemental latching interengagement with the notch, when the guide is in 
the operating position and the latching mechanism is actuated. The portion 
includes a disk coaxial with the pivot axis of the arm such that pivoting 
of the arm causes rotation of the disk. The disk presents a substantially 
cylindrical marginal surface within which the notch is defined. The latch 
element and the bar are coupled for allowing limited relative movement 
therebetween so that when the latching mechanism is actuated the latch 
element is allowed to shift relative to the bar. Accordingly, the latching 
mechanism includes a tension spring coupled between the bar and the latch 
element for yieldably biasing the latch element against the portion of the 
arm when the mechanism is actuated so that the latch element yieldably 
presses against the marginal surface, as the twine guide shifts from the 
standby position toward the operating position, and shifts into latching 
interengagement with the notch once the guide reaches the operating 
position. 
In a second embodiment, the wrapping apparatus includes recoil structure 
for yieldably biasing the twine guide into the operating position. In this 
respect, the twine guide may be positioned generally within the path of 
the inflowing crop material when the guide is in the operating position, 
such that crop material engaging the guide shifts the guide out of the 
operating position against the bias of the recoil structure. The wrapping 
apparatus includes a shiftable support member, in the form of an elongated 
rod, for carrying the twine guide into and out of the operating position. 
The rod is slidably received within a first cylindrically shaped, tubular 
sleeve member that is fixedly connected to the one sidewall. In this 
respect, longitudinal shifting of the rod relative to the sleeve allows 
for adjustment of the distance the twine guide spaces the twine from the 
one sidewall, while rotational shifting of the rod within the sleeve 
allows for shifting of the twine guide into and out of the operating 
position. 
The wrapping apparatus of the second embodiment further includes structure 
for securing the rod in longitudinally spaced positions relative to the 
first sleeve member. Preferably, the wrapping apparatus includes a second 
cylindrically shaped, tubular sleeve member slidably receiving the rod and 
a stationary retainer spaced from the first sleeve member, with the second 
sleeve member being disposed therebetween. The second sleeve member has a 
pair of diametrically opposed openings and the rod has a plurality of 
longitudinally spaced diametrical through-holes which may be selectively 
aligned with the openings of the sleeve. A pin is removably received 
within the openings and one of the through-holes for preventing 
longitudinal shifting of the rod relative to the second sleeve member and 
for releasably coupling the second sleeve member with the rod for 
rotational movement therewith. 
A third embodiment concerns the use of power mechanism, such as a hydraulic 
piston and cylinder assembly, for shifting the twine guide into and out of 
its operating position. The assembly is preferably connected between the 
twine cutter and the arm carrying the twine guide such that the assembly 
controls operation of the cutter and the twine guide. A sequencing circuit 
is provided for fluidly connecting the assembly and the piston and 
cylinder unit for the twine dispenser to a common source of hydraulic 
pressure. The sequencing circuit controls fluid flow to the assembly and 
the unit during the wrapping cycle so that the cutter shifts to its 
cutting position and the twine guide shifts out of its operating position 
once the dispenser reaches its home position. Additionally, because the 
dispenser is preferably configured to swing through the blades of the 
cutter, the sequencing circuit is also designed to open the cutter and 
shift the twine guide to the operating position before the dispenser 
passes the cutter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Turning initially to FIG. 1, the round baler 10 selected for illustration 
generally includes a chassis or frame 12 having ground wheels 14 and a 
forwardly extending tongue 16 that is adapted for connection with a towing 
vehicle (not shown). The chassis 12 carries a pair of upright, laterally 
spaced sidewalls 18 and 20 (see also FIG. 4) which cooperate to define a 
space within which bale forming and bale wrapping operations may be 
carried out as the baler is advanced across a field. A pair of left and 
right frame members extend upwardly from the chassis 12 (only the right 
frame member 23 disposed exteriorly of the right sidewall 20 being 
illustrated) these members assist with supporting the sidewalls 18 and 20 
in their upright disposition. Within the space defined by the sidewalls 18 
and 20, the baler 10 further includes bale forming mechanism for 
compacting and rolling crop material into a round bale. 
The sidewalls 18,20 present stationary forward portions fixed to the 
chassis 12 by suitable means and rearward portions swingably attached to 
the forward portions by an upper pivot assembly 24. The rearward portions 
of the sidewalls 18,20 cooperatively define a tailgate 26 which is 
swingable between an opened, discharge position (not shown), in which the 
tailgate 26 has sufficiently raised to allow a completely formed bale to 
be discharged from the baler 10, and a closed, baling position (FIG. 1), 
in which bale forming and wrapping operations are performed. A hydraulic 
cylinder 28 disposed exteriorly of each sidewall (only the cylinder 
corresponding with the right sidewall 20 being shown) is pivotally 
connected between the forward portion of the sidewall and the tailgate 26 
for effecting such raising and lowering of the tailgate. 
In the present embodiment, the bale forming mechanism and sidewalls 18,20 
cooperate to define a so-called "variable chamber," belt-type machine, 
wherein the baling chamber is initially relatively small and then grows 
progressively larger as the bale increases in diameter within the baler 
10. However, the principles of the present invention are equally 
applicable to various other baler constructions, such as fixed chamber 
balers. Although the bale forming mechanism is not illustrated or 
described in detail herein, it will be appreciated that the variable 
chamber baler includes a series of cooperating belts and rolls supported 
by the sidewalls 18,20 for rolling and compacting a bale as it forms 
within the baler 10. As those of ordinary skill in the art will 
appreciate, the baler 10 is provided with a plurality of laterally 
extending rolls, which include the pair of front and rear drive rolls 30 
and 32, idler roll 34 and pair of tailgate-mounted rear inlet rolls 36,38 
illustrated in FIG. 3. Furthermore, the rolls span the sidewalls 18,20 and 
are arranged in a generally circular pattern for guiding a plurality of 
endless, laterally spaced, side-by-side belts 40 as the belts 40 are 
driven linearly during bale formation and wrapping. 
The drive rolls 30 and 32 are drivingly coupled with the power source of 
the towing vehicle to drive the belts 40 and are driven in clockwise 
directions viewing FIG. 3. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the 
drive rolls 30,32 include a plurality of laterally spaced sleeves 32a 
(only the sleeves of the rear drive roll 32 each being of which underlies 
a corresponding belt 40. The sleeves 32a are specially configured for 
reducing trash and crop material accumulation between the drive rolls 
30,32 and belts 40. Furthermore, the sleeves 32a are the subject of the 
contemporaneously filed application for U.S. Letters Patent entitled TALL 
SLEEVES FOR ROUND BALER DRIVE ROLLS, in the names of J. Dale Anderson and 
LaVern Roy Goossen. 
As perhaps best shown in FIG. 3, the belts 40 loop around the rear drive 
roll 32 and rear inlet rolls 36,38 to form a baling chamber 42 which is 
bounded at the sides by the sidewalls 18,20. Although not illustrated, it 
will be appreciated that the chamber 42 assumes an initial, generally 
upright configuration, but becomes distended and circular in transverse 
configuration as the bale grows beyond its initial starting core 
dimensions to assume the shape illustrated in FIG. 3. Furthermore, the 
chamber 42 is open at the bottom to present a crop infeed opening or crop 
inlet 44 that is defined between the rear drive roll 32 and the 
forwardmost rear inlet roll 36. It will be appreciated that the vertical 
and fore-and-aft spacing of the rear inlet rolls 36,38 provide an eased 
crop inlet configuration that has proven particularly effective in 
introducing crop material into the baling chamber 42. This eased inlet 
configuration is the subject of contemporaneously filed application for 
U.S. Letters Patent entitled EASED INLET TAILGATE ROLL ARRANGEMENT FOR 
VARIABLE CHAMBER ROUND BALER, in the names of Howard J. Ratzlaff, et al. 
A wide crop pickup 46, supported by the chassis 12 generally below and 
forwardly of the crop infeed opening 44, is operable to lift crop material 
off the ground as the baler 10 is advanced across a field. In the present 
embodiment the pickup 46 projects laterally beyond the sidewalls 18,20 so 
that a large windrow that is wider than the baler may be delivered to the 
chamber 42. In short, the preferred pickup 46 includes a rotatable tine 
reel 48 having a plurality of tines 50 driven along a path, generally 
denoted by numeral 52 (FIG. 3), when the pickup reel 48 is rotated. The 
pickup 46 further includes a generally U-shaped wrapper 54 extending 
generally forwardly from the chassis 12 and having a plurality of 
laterally spaced slots (not shown) through which corresponding tines 50 
project as the tines move upwardly and rearwardly along the path 52. The 
pickup can swing up and down about a transverse pivot 56 (FIG. 3) to the 
extent necessary for accommodating changes in ground contour sensed by a 
pair of left and right gauge wheels, 58 and 60 respectively, so as to 
maintain the elevation of the tine reel 48. The gauge wheels 58 and 60 are 
secured to the pickup 46 by special upwardly arched arms 62 and 64 
respectively, such mounting arrangement for the gauge wheels 58,60 being 
the subject of contemporaneously filed application for U.S. Letters Patent 
entitled OVER-THE-TOP SUPPORT ARM FOR PICK-UP GAUGE WHEEL OF A BALER, in 
the names J. Dale Anderson and LaVern R. Goossen. 
As the crop material is picked up off the ground, it flows generally 
rearwardly along the outer surface of the wrapper 54 toward a transfer 
mechanism, generally denoted by the numeral 66, which serves to centralize 
the flow of crop material from the wide pickup 46 and transfer it to the 
infeed opening 44. The transfer mechanism 66 preferably includes a pair of 
center-gathering, left and right stub augers 68 (only one such auger being 
shown in FIG. 3). It will be appreciated that the augers 68 are driven to 
converge the flow of crop material to a width generally equal to the width 
of the baling chamber 42. A fork-type stuffer 70 having a plurality of 
laterally spaced prongs 72 is driven by a crank 74 to move the prongs 
along a path, generally denoted by the numeral 76 (FIG. 3), for 
transferring the converged flow of crop material rearwardly through the 
crop inlet 44 and into the chamber 42. An inclined ramp 78 positioned 
between the infeed opening 44 and the wrapper 54 of the pickup 46 has a 
plurality of laterally spaced slots (not shown), each configured for 
receiving a corresponding prong 72. As indicated by the path 76, the 
prongs 72 project through the slots of the ramp 78 as they shift 
rearwardly to move crop material along the ramp and into the crop inlet 
44. 
The pickup 46 and transfer mechanism 66 discussed hereinabove are disclosed 
in greater detail in contemporaneously filed application for U.S. Letters 
Patent entitled DOWN TURNING STUB AUGERS ON WIDE PICK-UP FOR ROUND BALERS, 
in the names of Howard J. Ratzlaff and J. Dale Anderson. As those of 
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, a so-called "open throat" baler 
is illustrated in the drawings in view of the fact that the throat area, 
generally referenced by the number 80 and leading from the front of the 
pickup 46 to the baling chamber 42, is completely open and unobstructed, 
without the presence of compression rollers or the like. 
As crop material is delivered to the baling chamber 42 by the pickup 46 and 
transfer mechanism 66, the bale forming mechanism operates in the usual 
manner during a baling cycle to form a full size bale, which is denoted by 
the numeral 82 in FIG. 3. Upon completion of the baling cycle, it is 
necessary to wrap the bale 82 before the tailgate 26 is raised to 
discharge the bale from the chamber 42, and accordingly, a wrapping 
mechanism is provided on the baler 10 for wrapping successively formed 
bales with strands of twine. The wrapping mechanism generally includes a 
twine dispensing assembly 84 (FIGS. 3-4) for dispensing at least one 
strand of twine around the bale 82 during the wrapping cycle, a twine 
cutting assembly 86 (FIG. 2) for cutting the strand(s) of twine upon 
completion of the wrapping cycle, and a twine guiding assembly 88 (FIGS. 2 
and 4) for spacing the strand(s) of twine inwardly a distance from the 
right sidewall 20 to prevent twine from wrapping around the right end of 
the bale 82. 
The preferred twine dispensing assembly 84 includes a "double-barrel" twine 
dispenser 90 having a pair of tubes 92,94 adjacent the distal end thereof 
for dispensing two separate strands of twine around the bale 82; although 
it is entirely within the ambit of the present invention to utilize a 
dispenser which dispenses only a single strand of twine. The proximal end 
of the dispenser 90 is attached to a shaft 96 rotatably carried within a 
bearing sleeve 98, which cooperatively support the dispenser for generally 
horizontal, pivotal movement between the sidewalls 18,20. A crank 100 is 
also attached to the rotatable shaft 96 in a generally radially opposed 
orientation to the dispenser 90. As shown in FIG. 3, the distal end of the 
crank 100 is pivotally connected with a double-acting hydraulic cylinder 
102, such that extension and retraction of the cylinder imparts pivotal 
movement to the dispenser 90. 
It will be appreciated that the dispenser 90 rests in a home position 
between successive wrapping cycles, wherein the dispenser is disposed 
generally transverse to the fore-and-aft axis of the baler 10 with the 
free end thereof projecting beyond the right sidewall 20 (shown with 
phantom lines in FIG. 4). A wrapping cycle may be initiated automatically 
by various sensors, such as position sensors which sense the position of 
moveable rolls (not shown) corresponding to a full size bale, or manually 
by the operator. Under any circumstances the wrapping cycle involves 
supplying hydraulic fluid to the rod end of the cylinder 102 so that the 
cylinder retracts, thereby swinging the dispenser 90 out of the home 
position and toward the left sidewall 18. Retraction of the cylinder 102 
continues until the dispenser 90 has reached a desired remote position 
(shown with dashed lines in FIG. 4), which is sufficiently spaced from the 
left sidewall 18 to dispense twine so that the left half of the bale 82 is 
adequately wrapped, without wrapping, the left end of the bale. Of course, 
the remote position may be adjustably shifted toward or away from the left 
sidewall (i.e., the operator may adjust the degree of pivoting of the 
dispenser 90) by varying the amount of hydraulic fluid supplied to the 
cylinder 102, or connecting the cylinder 102 to the crank 100 at a 
position spaced closer to or further from the shaft 96. Once the dispenser 
90 has pivoted into the remote position, the flow of hydraulic fluid is 
reversed so that the cylinder 102 extends, thereby pivoting the dispenser 
90 toward the right sidewall 20. In the preferred embodiment, the 
dispenser 90 makes only two passes between the sidewalls 18,20 during a 
wrapping cycle, pivoting from the home position to the remote position and 
then returning to the home position. 
As indicated above, the preferred dispenser 90 includes a pair of tubes 
92,94 for dispensing two individual strands of twine around the bale 82. 
Accordingly, a pair of twine balls (not shown) are stored within the baler 
10 for supplying twine to the respective tubes 92 or 94. As will be 
indicated below, the twine cutting assembly 86 is configured for cutting 
the twine after a wrapping cycle so that the individual twine strands 
dangle freely from the respective tubes 92 or 94 (FIGS. 2 and 3). 
Accordingly, as the dispenser 90 initially swings out of the home 
position, the dangling ends of the twine strands are placed within the 
open throat 80 and, more importantly, within the path of inflowing crop 
material such that the material pulls the twine strands into the baling 
chamber and around the bale 82 as the dispenser pivots between the 
sidewalls 18,20. 
Turning particularly to FIG. 2, it is necessary to sever the strands of 
twine once the wrapping cycle has completed, and accordingly, the twine 
cutting assembly 86 is disposed for operation by the dispenser 90 to cut 
the twine as the dispenser returns to the home position. The cutting 
assembly 86 forms no part of the present invention, per se, and therefore 
is not described or illustrated in detail. Suffice it to explain that the 
preferred cutting assembly 86 includes an operating lever 104 disposed 
exteriorly of the right sidewall for temporary operating connection with 
the dispenser 90 as the latter approaches the home position. The operating 
lever 104 is fixed to a rotatable sleeve 106 for swinging movement about a 
horizontal axis. Sleeve 106 also supports a connecting link 108, such that 
swinging movement of the lever 104 causes swinging movement of the link 
108, and vice versa. The actual cutting mechanism preferably takes the 
form of a scissor-type cutter having an upper stationary blade 110 and a 
lower movable blade 112 that is swingable alongside the upper blade 110 
and into cutting interengagement therewith. An angled rod 114 is connected 
between the lower blade 112 and a bell crank 116 for imparting swinging 
movement to the lower blade 112 as the crank 116 rotates about bolt 
assembly 118. An adjustable turnbuckle 120 is pivotally coupled between 
the bell crank 116 and the connecting link 108, whereby swinging of the 
operating lever 104 causes rotation of the crank 116. Finally, a tension 
spring 122 is connected between the right sidewall 20 of the baler 10 and 
the connecting link 108 for yieldably biasing the link 108 and operating 
lever 104 rearwardly (leftwardly viewing FIG. 2), which in turn biases the 
turnbuckle 120 leftwardly, the bell crank 116 in a counterclockwise 
direction (viewing FIG. 2) and the lower blade into the open position 
illustrated in FIG. 2. 
Accordingly, as the dispenser 90 returns to its home position, it engages 
the operating lever 104 and swings the lever forwardly (rightwardly 
viewing FIG. 2) against the bias of spring 122. Furthermore, the strands 
of twine extending from the dispenser 90 into the baling chamber 42 are 
placed between the blades 110,112 of the cutting mechanism as the 
dispenser 90 pivots to the home position. The cutting assembly is 
configured so that once the dispenser 90 reaches its home position, the 
lower blade 112 has swung into cutting interengagement with the upper 
blade, thereby severing the twine disposed therebetween. It will be 
appreciated that the turnbuckle 120 may be lengthened or shortened by the 
operator to ensure this relationship exists. If desired, the operating 
lever 104 may be constructed as a leaf spring for preventing the dispenser 
90 from excessively swinging the lever 104 and damaging the cutting 
assembly 86. 
While the dispenser 90 rests in the home position between successive 
wrapping cycles, the blades 110,112 remain interengaged. However, at the 
beginning of each wrapping cycle, the dispenser 90 pivots out of the home 
position, performing the bias of spring 122 to swing the operating lever 
104 rearwardly (leftwardly viewing FIG. 2). Eventually, the dispenser 90 
disconnects from the operating lever 104 and the blades 110,112 remain in 
the open position, as depicted in FIG. 2, until the dispenser once again 
returns to the home position. In this respect, with the twine cutting 
assembly 86 disposed exteriorly of the right sidewall 20 and the dispenser 
90 projecting beyond the sidewall 20 in the home position, the dangling 
strands of twine are not within the inflowing crop material during bale 
formation. In other words, the strands of twine are spaced outside the 
open throat 80 between successive wrapping cycles. Additionally, the 
blades 110,112 are spaced sufficiently away from the dispenser 90, when 
the dispenser is in its home position, to produce dangling strands of 
twine after severance thereof which are sufficiently long to be disposed 
within the path of inflowing crop material as the dispenser pivots from 
the home position to the remote position. 
TWINE GUIDING ASSEMBLY 88 
The twine guiding assembly 88 includes a retractable twine guide 124 for 
spacing end wraps of the twine a certain distance from the right sidewall 
20; that is to say, the twine guide 124 prevents twine from wrapping 
around the right endmost extremity of the end of the bale 82. The twine 
guide 124 preferably consists of an angled rod having a lower hook section 
124a which projects slightly inwardly when the guide is in an operating 
position (see FIG. 5) to catch the twine and ensure engagement therewith 
as the dispenser 90 pivots toward the right sidewall 20. The twine guide 
124 is retractable in the sense that the guide is shiftable into and out 
of the operating position, in which the guide engages and maintains the 
strands of twine the aforementioned distance from the right sidewall 20. 
In the present embodiment, the twine guide 124 is also shiftable to a 
retracted, standby position (perhaps best shown in FIG. 6), in which the 
guide is disposed generally adjacent the sidewall 20. It will be 
appreciated that in the standby position, the twine guide 124 is disposed 
sufficiently out of the path of inflowing crop material to reduce 
interference with the crop material flow and accumulation of trash and 
material thereon. 
A horizontally swingable guide arm 126 is provided for carrying the twine 
guide 124 between its operating and standby positions, with an upper 
threaded end of the guide 124 being secured to the arm 126 by locking 
fastener 128. The arm 126 is supported for such swinging movement by a 
support plate 130 attached to the underside of a generally horizontally, 
outwardly projecting lip 20a of the right sidewall 20 (FIG. 6). As 
specifically shown in FIG. 8, an upright, tubular sleeve 132 fixedly 
connected to the support plate 130 rotatably receives a pivot shaft 134 
that projects downwardly through the plate 130 and connects with the arm 
126, such that rotation of the shaft 134 corresponds with swinging of the 
arm 126. The shaft 134 also extends upwardly beyond the sleeve 132 for 
fixed reception within a disk 136, whereby rotation of the disk 136 also 
corresponds with swinging of the arm 126. The generally cylindrical 
peripheral surface of the disk has a notch 138 defined therein, the 
purposes of which will be described hereinbelow. Of course, the principles 
of the present invention are equally applicable to various other structure 
for carrying the twine guide between the operating and standby positions, 
such as a longitudinally shiftable arm. 
The shaft 134 is connected to the arm 126 generally medially along the 
length thereof, with the twine guide 124 positioned adjacent the inboard 
end of the arm 126, such that the arm projects generally inwardly beyond 
the right sidewall 20 when the guide is in the operating position (FIG. 
5), and lies substantially parallel to the right sidewall when the guide 
is in the standby position (FIG. 13). Adjacent the inboard end of the arm 
126, a tang 140 depends downwardly from the underside of the arm. As best 
shown in FIG. 9, the tang 140 (illustrated in phantom) is configured for 
releasable, temporary engagement with the twine dispenser 90 as the latter 
pivots out of its home position, which, as will be further described 
hereinbelow, renders the dispenser 90 operable for shifting the twine 
guide 124 into the operating position. The tang 140 includes a downwardly 
tapering edge 140a which faces inwardly when the guide 124 is in its 
operating position (see FIG. 5). It will be appreciated that as the twine 
dispenser 90 pivots into its home position, twine engaging the edge 140a 
simply slips downwardly therealong and ultimately disengages the tang 140 
so that the twine is engaged by the outwardly spaced twine guide 124. 
As shown in FIG. 4, a return tension spring 142 is connected between the 
arm 126 and the relatively stationary baler frame member 23. Specifically, 
the arm 126 includes an opening 146 adjacent the outboard end thereof 
which receives an end of the spring 142, while an apertured bracket 148 
welded to the member 23 connects with the other end of the spring. The 
return spring 142 yieldably biases the arm in the clockwise direction 
viewing FIG. 4 and therefore yieldably biases the twine guide 124 into the 
standby position (FIG. 6 and 13). A stop in the form of a bolt assembly 
150 fastened to the lip 20a of the right sidewall is positioned for 
engagement with the arm 126 when the twine guide 124 is in the standby 
position (FIGS. 6 and 13) for preventing the return spring 142 from 
shifting the guide 124 beyond the standby position. 
The twine guiding assembly 88 further includes a latching mechanism, 
generally denoted by the numeral 152, for releasably retaining the twine 
guide 124 in its operating position when the mechanism is actuated. As 
shown in FIG. 9, the mechanism 152 generally includes a latch bar 154 
having a forwardmost end (rightwardmost end viewing FIG. 9) configured for 
complemental latching interengagement with the notch 138 in the disc 136 
of arm 126, a relatively longer connecting bar 156 configured for 
releasable engagement with the tailgate 26 as the tailgate swings into and 
out of the closed position, and an intermediate bar 158 fixed to the 
connecting bar 156 for longitudinal shifting therewith. 
Tuning first to the latch bar 154, a pair of frontal (adjacent the right 
end of the bar viewing FIG. 9) and medial elongated slots, 160 and 162 
respectively, are defined within the latch bar. An upright lug 164, 
attached to the support plate 130 by suitable means such as welding, 
supports a horizontal bolt assembly 166 having a brass bushing 168 that is 
slidably received within the frontal slot 160 for guiding and limiting 
longitudinal shifting of the latch bar. The latch bar 154 fixedly carries 
a horizontal bolt assembly 170 adjacent the rearwardmost end thereof 
(leftwardmost end of latch bar 154 viewing FIG. 9). For purposes which 
will be discussed below, the bolt assembly 170 includes a brass bushing 
172. 
The connecting bar 156 is generally L-shaped, with the relatively shorter 
leg thereof projecting generally transverse to the fore-and-aft axis of 
the baler 10 for ensuring engagement with the tailgate 26. A push plate 
174 is attached to the tailgate 26 in a position for engaging the inturned 
shorter leg of the connecting bar 156 as the tailgate 26 swings into and 
out of the closed position. If desired, the push plate 174 may be 
adjustably attached to the tailgate 26 for further ensuring the operable 
engagement between the tailgate 26 and connecting rod 156. A support 
bracket 176 secured to the right sidewall 20 by suitable means such as 
welding includes an opening (not shown) configured for slidably receiving 
the connecting bar 156, thereby assisting with supporting the connecting 
bar in the illustrated disposition. A pair of front and rear bolt 
assemblies, 178 and 180 respectively, are fixed to the connecting bar 156, 
with the front bolt assembly 178 having a brass bushing slidably received 
within the medial slot 162 of the latch bar 154. Each of the bolt 
assemblies 178 and 180 include a respective spacer 182 and 184 for spacing 
the connecting bar 156 and intermediate bar 158 from one another. 
The bolt assemblies 178,180 are also fixed to the intermediate bar 158 such 
that the intermediate bar 158 longitudinally shifts with the connecting 
bar 156, and vice versa. An elongated fore-and-aft slot 186 defined within 
the intermediate bar 158 slidably receives the brass bushing 172 
associated with the latch bar 154. 
The latching mechanism 152 includes a deactuating tension spring 188 
connected between the rear bolt assembly 180 and the relatively stationary 
support bracket 176 for yieldably biasing the connecting bar 156 in the 
rearward direction (leftward viewing FIG. 9). As will be described 
hereinbelow, the deactuating spring 188 serves to deactuate the mechanism 
as the tailgate 26 raises out of the closed position so that the latch bar 
154 withdraws from the notch 138, thereby allowing the return spring 142 
to swing the twine guide 124 into the standby position (as seen by 
comparing FIGS. 10 and 12). 
The latching mechanism further includes a latch tension spring 190 
connected between the bolt assembly 170 fixed to the latch bar 154 and the 
front bolt assembly 178 fixed to the connecting bar 156 and intermediate 
bar 158 for yieldably biasing the latch bar in the forward direction 
(rightward viewing FIG. 9). As will be subsequently described, with the 
latching mechanism 152 actuated (i.e., with the tailgate 26 in its closed 
position), as the twine guide 124 shifts out of the standby position and 
into the operating position, the latch spring 190 causes the latch bar 154 
to yieldably press against the peripheral surface of the disk 136 and 
slide therealong, as the disk rotates and then shift into latching 
interengagement with the notch 138. In this respect, since the return 
spring 142 is continuously biasing the arm 126 in the clockwise direction 
(viewing FIG. 9) to shift the twine guide 124 into the standby position, 
the operating position of the twine guide 124 corresponds with the 
disposition of the guide (or support arm 126) at the time the latch bar 
154 shifts into latching interengagement with the notch 138. Accordingly, 
if the notch 138 were repositioned circumferentially on the disk 136 from 
the location illustrated in the drawings (or if the disk were rotated 
relative to the arm 126), the disposition of the twine guide 124 in its 
operating position would consequently shift nearer to or further from the 
right sidewall 20. 
OPERATION 
It will be appreciated that at the initiation of a baling cycle, the 
tailgate 26 is in the closed position and the twine guide 124 rests in the 
standby position, as shown in FIG. 13. Under these circumstances, the 
connecting link 156 and intermediate bar 158 have shifted to their 
respective forwardmost positions such that the latching mechanism 152 is 
actuated, whereby the latch spring 190 biases the latch bar 154 forwardly 
against the cylindrical marginal surface of the disk 136. The baling cycle 
proceeds in the usual manner, with the pickup 46 and transfer mechanism 66 
delivering crop material to the baling chamber 42 as the baler 10 is towed 
across the field, and the bale forming mechanism forming and compacting 
the delivered material into a round bale 82. As previously described, once 
the bale has reached full size the wrapping cycle is triggered by any one 
of a variety of means responsive to the full size condition of the bale. 
Upon commencement of the wrapping cycle, the twine dispenser 90 pivots out 
of the home position in the direction indicated by the arrow 192 in FIG. 
6. On its way out of the house portion, the dispenser 90 engages the tang 
140 depending from the arm 126, causing the arm 126 to swing in the 
direction indicated by the arrow 194 in FIG. 9 against the bias of the 
return spring 142. Consequently, the disk 136 rotates in the 
counterclockwise direction (viewing FIG. 9), such that the latch bar 154 
yieldably pressing against the peripheral surface of the disk slides along 
the surface as the disk 136 rotates. Once the notch 138 is disposed in the 
"9 o'clock" position illustrated in FIG. 9, the latch spring 190 shifts 
the latch bar 154 forwardly (rightwardly viewing FIG. 9) into latching 
interengagement with the notch for retaining the twine guide 124 in the 
operating position. 
The positions of the latch bar 154 corresponding to the standby and 
operating positions of the twine guide 124 may be discerned by contrasting 
FIG. 13 (standby position) and FIG. 9 (operating position). Particularly, 
the connecting bar 156, intermediate bar 158 and corresponding front bolt 
assembly 178 remain stationary, while the latch bar 154 shifts forwardly, 
such that the bolt assembly 170 on the rear of the latch bar 154 shifts 
within the slot 186 of the intermediate bar, while the medial slot 162 of 
the latch bar 154 allows the latch bar to shift relative to the bolt 
assembly 178. Additionally, the bushing 168 of the stationary bolt 
assembly 166 attached to the lug 164 slides within the frontal slot 160 of 
the forwardly shifting latch bar. 
Once the twine guide 124 reaches the operating position, the twine 
dispenser 90 continues to pivot toward the left sidewall 18 beyond the 
support arm 126. As indicated by the phantom line in FIG. 10 depicting the 
path of movement of the twine dispenser 90, in order for the dispenser to 
disengage the tang 140 as the dispenser swings past the support arm 126, 
the aim must swing in the counterclockwise direction slightly beyond the 
position illustrated in FIG. 10 (corresponding to the operating position 
of the twine guide 124). Of course, the slight overtravel of the arm 126 
causes the disk 136 to rotate slightly, which in turn shifts the latch bar 
154 rearwardly (leftwardly viewing FIG. 10) in a relief movement against 
the bias of the latch spring 190. The respective slotted openings 160,162 
and 186 of the latch bar 154 and intermediate bar 158 accommodate for such 
rearward shifting of the latch bar 154 while the latching mechanism 152 is 
actuated. Furthermore, once the dispenser 90 disengages the tang 140, the 
arm 126 and disk 136 shift clockwise to return to the position illustrated 
in FIG. 10. 
As previously described, the wrapping cycle of the present embodiment 
consists of the twine dispenser 90 making only two passes through the 
baler. However, the principles of the present invention are equally 
applicable to a twine dispenser that makes more than two passes through 
the baler. In the present embodiment, for example, such a variation simply 
requires that the twine dispenser 90 not pivot to the home position until 
it is desired to actuate the twine cutting assembly 86 to sever the twine. 
In either case, it will be appreciated that the dangling strands of twine 
are not pulled by the inflowing crop material until the dispenser 90 has 
pivoted out past the arm 126 at the beginning of the cycle. Once the twine 
has been pulled into the baling chamber by the inflowing crop material, 
the towing vehicle is stopped, so that the inflow of crop material ceases 
and therefore accumulation of material on the twine guide 124 is 
minimized. 
The twine guide 124 remains in the operating position as the twine 
dispenser 90 pivots between the sidewalls. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, 
when the twine guide 124 is in the operating position, the guide is 
generally aligned along the fore-and-aft axis of the baler 10 with the 
rear drive roll 32 (i.e., between the twine dispenser 90 and the baling 
chamber 42), and generally at the same elevation as the rear inlet rolls 
36,38. That is to say, the twine guide 124 is disposed for engaging the 
strands of twine as the dispenser 90 swings in the vicinity generally 
defined between the guide and the right sidewall 20 so as to prevent the 
twine from wrapping around the extreme right end of the bale 82. 
Accordingly, with the present embodiment, the twine guide 124 engages the 
twine wrapped around the bale and maintains the twine a predetermined 
distance from the right sidewall 20, as the dispenser 90 returns to the 
home position in the direction indicated by the arrow 196 in FIG. 4. 
However, before the twine guide 124 provides its twine guiding function, 
the dispenser 90 on its way home, pivots into engagement with the tang 140 
and swings the support arm 126 in the counterclockwise direction slightly 
beyond the position illustrated in FIG. 4 in the manner previously 
described so that the dispenser may pass the arm without deactuating the 
latching mechanism. Additionally, before the twine is engaged by the twine 
guide 124, the twine initially engages the downwardly tapering edge 140a 
of the tang 140. As the dispenser continues to approach the right sidewall 
20, the twine slips downwardly off the tang 140 and is then caught by the 
hook section 124a of the twine guide 124. It will be appreciated that the 
tang 140 also serves as a guide once the twine is caught by the hook 
section 124a, preventing the twine from shifting laterally toward the left 
sidewall 18 beyond the tang. Once the dispenser 90 pivots past the support 
arm 126, twine which would otherwise wrap around the right end of the bale 
82 is engaged by the twine guide 124 and held out away from the right 
sidewall 20, as best depicted in FIG. 4. 
As the twine dispenser 90 pivots into its home position, the twine cutting 
assembly 86 is activated to sever the twine as previously described. Once 
the strands of twine have been cut, the remainder of the severed length of 
twine is pulled into the baling chamber by the rotating bale, while the 
strands of twine dangling from the dispenser 90 are disposed exteriorly of 
the path of inflowing crop material. 
Thereafter, the tailgate 26 is raised out of the closed position so that 
the wrapped bale may be discharged from the baling chamber 42. The push 
plate 174 swings generally rearwardly with the tailgate 26, as indicated 
by the arrow 198 in FIG. 11, allow the deactuating spring 188 to shift the 
connecting bar 156 and intermediate bar 158 rearwardly. As the connecting 
and intermediate bars 156,158 initially shift rearwardly, the brass 
bushing 179 of the front bolt assembly 178 slides rearwardly within the 
medial slot 162 of the latch bar 154, while the latch bar 154 remains 
stationary such that the intermediate bar 158 slides about the brass 
bushing 172 of the bolt assembly 170. In other words, the bolt assembly 
178 connected to the connecting and intermediate bars 156,158 shifts 
rearwardly toward the bolt assembly 170 connected to the latch bar 154 to 
relieve the tension of the latch spring 190. As illustrated in FIG. 11, 
the bushing 179 eventually engages the rearward end of the slot 162 and 
the forward end of the slot 186 abuttingly engages the bushing 172 so that 
further rearward shifting of the connecting and intermediate bars 156,158 
is imparted to the latch bar 154. Preferably, the latching mechanism is 
constructed so that the bushings 172 and 179 "bottom out" within the 
respective slots 186 and 162 simultaneously; although it is only necessary 
to have the bushing 172 "bottom out" within the slot 186 of the 
intermediate bar 158 to cause the latch bar 154 to shift rearwardly with 
the connecting and intermediate bars 156,158. Even though the tension of 
the latch spring 192 is eventually relieved, the deactuating spring 188 
continues to urge the connecting and intermediate bars 156,158 rearwardly 
and therefore the latch bar 154 rearwardly. The latch bar 154 ultimately 
shifts sufficiently rearwardly to disengage the notch 138 of the disk 136, 
allowing the return spring 142 to swing the support arm 126 toward the 
right sidewall 20 and thereby shift the twine guide into its standby 
position. It will be appreciated that although the push plate 174 
eventually disengages the connecting bar 156, rearward travel of the bars 
154,156,158 is checked by the frontal slot 160 defined within the latch 
bar 154, the forward end of which abuttingly engages the bushing 168 
connected to the stationary lug 164 (see FIG. 12). 
After the wrapped bale has been discharged, the tailgate 26 returns to its 
closed position so that baling operations may be resumed. As the tailgate 
26 swings into the closed position, the push plate 174 engages the 
connecting bar 156, pushing the connecting bar and intermediate bar 158 
forwardly (rightwardly viewing FIG. 12) against the bias of the 
deactuating spring 188. The latch bar 154 also shifts forwardly as the 
front bolt assembly 178 connected to the connecting and intermediate bars 
156,158 pulls the bolt assembly 170 forwardly via the latch spring 190. 
However, forward shifting of the latch bar 154 is eventually checked by 
the peripheral surface of the disk 136 (i.e., once the latch bar shifts 
into engagement with the disk). The connecting bar 156 and intermediate 
bar 158 continue to shift forwardly until the tailgate 26 reaches the 
closed position, thereby tensioning the latch spring 190 so that the latch 
bar 154 yieldably presses against the peripheral surface of the disk 136. 
In this respect, the latching mechanism 152 is once again actuated and 
baling operations may be resumed. 
Although the latching mechanism 152 of the present embodiment is actuated 
and deactuated in response to swinging of the tailgate 16 into and out of 
its closed position, it is entirely within the ambit of the present 
invention to actuate and deactuate the latching mechanism by various other 
means. For example, the latching mechanism 152 may alternatively be 
coupled with the twine dispenser 90 or cutting assembly 86 for deactuating 
the mechanism once the twine has been severed. The latching mechanism may 
also be altered or reconstructed in a variety of ways. For example, the 
twine guide may be spring biased into the operating position and 
releasably retained in the standby position. 
A second embodiment of the present invention is provided on the baler 300 
illustrated in FIGS. 14-17. Mounted to the right sidewall 302 of the baler 
is a twine guiding assembly 301 having a retractable twine guide 304 that 
is shiftable into and out of an operating position (shown with full lines 
in FIG. 16). As with the previous embodiment when the guide 304 is in the 
operating position, it is disposed for engaging the twine as the twine 
dispenser (not shown) swings toward the right sidewall 302 for spacing 
twine, which would otherwise wrap around the right end of the bale, a 
certain distance from the right end of the bale (see also FIG. 15). As 
best shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the twine guide 304 is disposed generally 
at the same elevation as the rear inlet rolls 306,308 and generally behind 
and below the starter roll 310 when in the operating position. 
Accordingly, the twine guide 304 is disposed generally within the path of 
inflowing crop material when the guide is in the operating position; such 
path of material being defined by the wide pickup 312 and transfer 
mechanism 314 and extending generally upwardly and rearwardly from the 
ground to the baling chamber 316. 
The twine guide 304 is shiftable generally upwardly and rearwardly, as 
indicated by the arrow 318 in FIG. 16, to a substantially horizontal 
retracted, standby position (shown in phantom in FIG. 16). In this 
respect, it will be appreciated that the term "retractable" used herein 
shall be interpreted relatively broadly. That is to say, although the 
twine guide 304 does not shift out of the operating position to a standby 
position in which the guide is nearer to the right sidewall 302, the guide 
is retractable from the operating position and out of the path of 
inflowing crop material to a standby position. 
An elongated support rod 320 is rotatably supported on the right sidewall 
302 for carrying the twine guide 304 between its operating and standby 
positions. Specifically, the rod 320 is slidably received within an 
elongated, cylindrically shaped, tubular sleeve 322 that is welded to a 
mounting plate 324. The mounting plate is fastened to the right sidewall 
302 by a bolt assembly 326. 
As illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 17, the sleeve 322 allows for longitudinal 
adjustment of the support rod 320 relative thereto. In the present 
embodiment, the support rod 320 may be selectively disposed in a number of 
longitudinally spaced positions relative to the first sleeve 322 so that 
the spacing of the twine guide 304 relative to the right sidewall 302 is 
adjustable. The preferred structure for allowing such selective adjustment 
includes a second relatively shorter, cylindrically shaped, tubular sleeve 
328 which slidably receives the support rod 320 therein. A second bolt 
assembly 330 spaced rearwardly from the relatively shorter bolt assembly 
326, assists with fastening the mounting plate 324 to the right sidewall 
302 and, supports a stationary retaining plate 332 having a claw-shaped 
end which fits slidably about the support rod 320. It will be appreciated 
that the retaining plate 332 and sleeve 322 rotatably retain the second 
sleeve 328 therebetween, when the support rod 320 is received within these 
components, for preventing lateral shifting of the second sleeve 328 
relative to the right sidewall 302. A tubular spacer 334 is also supported 
on the second bolt assembly 330 for spacing the retaining plate 332 the 
necessary distance from the right sidewall 302. If desired, the retaining 
plate 332 and spacer 334 may be secured to one another by suitable means 
such as welding. Moreover, the second sleeve 328 includes a pair of 
diametrically opposed openings (not shown), and the support rod 320 
includes a plurality of corresponding longitudinally spaced, diametrical 
through-holes 336 (shown in phantom in FIGS. 15 and 17) which may be 
selectively aligned with the openings defined in the sleeve 328. A cotter 
pin 338 is received within the sleeve openings and a selected through-hole 
336 for releasably intercoupling the support rod 320 and the second sleeve 
328, thereby imparting rotational movement of the support rod 320 to the 
second sleeve 328, and vice versa. The cotter pin 338 also prevents 
lateral shifting of the support rod 320 relative to the second sleeve 328 
and therefore the right sidewall 302 so as to maintain the position of the 
twine guide 304 relative to the sidewall 302. 
The twine guiding assembly 301 further includes structure for yieldably 
biasing the twine guide 304 into the operating position, which in the 
present embodiment comprises a recoil tension spring 340. The recoil 
spring 340 is connected between a crank member 342 fixed to the second 
sleeve 328 and a relatively stationary L-shaped bracket 344 attached to 
the right sidewall 302. It will be appreciated that the recoil spring 340 
is configured for allowing inflowing crop material engaging the twine 
guide 304 to shift the guide out of the operating position against the 
bias of the spring so as to minimize interference with the inflow of crop 
material and reduce accumulation of trash and material on the twine guide. 
In the present embodiment, the spacer 334 also functions as a stop 
disposed for engaging the crank member 342 when the twine guide 304 is in 
the standby position for preventing shifting of the guide beyond the 
standby position. 
Accordingly, inflowing crop material engaging the forwardly facing boundary 
of the twine guide 124, swings the guide out of the operating position in 
the direction indicated by arrow 318. Such swinging of the guide causes 
the support member 320 and second sleeve 328 to rotate in the 
counterclockwise direction (viewing FIG. 16), which in turn shifts the 
crank member 342 rightwardly viewing FIG. 15 to stretch the recoil spring 
340. Of course, the recoil spring 340 returns the twine guide 304 to the 
operating position once the inflow of crop material has stopped. In this 
respect, the twine guide 304 is normally out of its operating position 
during bale formation as crop material is delivered to the baling chamber 
316, yet returns to the operating position as the wrapping cycle begins 
(i.e., once the inflow of crop material has ceased). 
A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 18-20. The 
third embodiment includes a twine guide 400 carried on a swingable arm 402 
similar to the first embodiment (shown in FIGS. 1-13). However, a 
hydraulic cylinder 404 is provided for shifting the twine guide 400 into 
and out of its operating position. As perhaps best shown in FIG. 18, the 
cylinder 404 is pivotally connected between the arm 402 and twine cutter 
406 for controlling operation of both the twine cutter and twine guide, as 
will subsequently be described. With respect to the twine guide 400, the 
rod end of the hydraulic cylinder 404 is fastened to a crank 407 which is 
fixed to the rotatable shaft 408 carrying the arm 402. 
The twine cutter 406 is also similar to the first embodiment and generally 
includes an upper stationary blade 410 and a lower blade 412 selectively 
swingable toward the upper blade for severing twine therebetween. Mounted 
to the end of the lower blade 412 is a relatively small triangular plate 
414 which prevents the twine from slipping off the lower blade as the 
blade swings upwardly to the cutting position. The linkage operably 
connecting the cylinder 404 with the blades includes a swingable crank 416 
connected to the cylinder, and an angled rod 418 connected between the 
crank and cylinder. 
Extension of the cylinder 404 swings the arm 402 toward the operating 
position of the twine guide 400 and rotates the crank 416 in a 
counterclockwise direction (viewing FIG. 18). The angled rod 418 in turn 
transfers counterclockwise rotation of the crank 416 to swinging movement 
of the lower blade 412 and thereby shifts the blade out of the cutting 
position. A stop 420 attached to the right sidewall 422 is configured to 
engage the arm 402 for preventing swinging movement of the arm beyond the 
operating and retracted positions of the twine guide 400. The blades 
410,412 similarly have a pin-and-slot connection 424 for limiting swinging 
movement of the lower blade 412 between the cutting and open positions of 
the cutter. Thus, if the cutter 406 reaches its open position (shown in 
FIG. 18) before the twine guide reaches its operating position, the pin 
will bottom out within the slot to prevent further swinging movement of 
the lower blade 412 such that continued extension of the cylinder 404 will 
swing the arm 402 until it engages the stop 420. Retraction of the 
cylinder 404 will conversely shift the twine guide 400 to its retracted 
position and swing the lower blade 412 to the cutting position. Because of 
the relatively small size of the hydraulic cylinder 404, the cylinder 
extends and retracts relatively quickly (i.e., the arm 402 "flips" to and 
from the operating position). Consequently, the twine guide 400 and twine 
cutter 406 shift virtually simultaneously. 
Similar to the other embodiments discussed hereinabove, swinging movement 
of the twine dispenser 426 is controlled by a hydraulic cylinder 428 
(shown only in FIG. 20). Furthermore, the dispenser 426 is configured to 
swing between the blades 410,412 as it passes the cutter 406 for ensuring 
that the strands of twine are placed between the blades when the dispenser 
is in its home position. The sequence of operation of the twine cutter 406 
and the dispenser 426 therefore must be coordinated so that the blades 
410,412 are placed in the open position before the dispenser passes the 
cutter; otherwise, the dispenser will "crash" into the blades. Of course, 
the operation of the twine guide 402 and the dispenser 426 must also be 
coordinated so that the guide is placed in its operating position before 
the dispenser returns to its home position. 
In this respect, the wrapping apparatus is provided with a sequencing 
circuit, generally denoted by the numeral 430 (FIG. 20), for coordinating 
the sequence of operation of the twine guide 400, twine cutter 406 and 
twine dispenser 426. The circuit 430 has a pair of ports 432 and 434 which 
connect to a single source of pressurized fluid, whereby the guide/cutter 
cylinder 404 and the dispenser cylinder 428 are controlled by a common 
fluid source. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, this 
configuration is particularly valuable in light of the fact that most 
towing vehicles have a limited number of hydraulic jacks for supplying 
pressurized fluid to the baler. As shown in FIG. 20, the ports 432 and 434 
connect to a tractor remote valve which allows the operator to remotely 
control fluid supply to either port. 
The sequencing circuit 430 includes a pair of fluid flow lines 436 and 438 
extending between the ports 432 and 434 and the dispenser cylinder 428. 
Similarly, a second pair of fluid flow lines 440 and 442 are provided for 
interconnecting the guide/cutter cylinder 404 and the ports 432 and 434. 
Therefore, pressurized fluid supplied to port 432 flows to lines 436 and 
440, while fluid supplied to port 434 flows to lines 438 and 442. The 
circuit 430 further includes three pilot-operated valve assemblies, 
generally designated by the numerals 444, 446 and 448. The valve 
assemblies are similarly constructed, and accordingly, only one of the 
assemblies will be described in detail with the understanding that the 
other assemblies have like components. The valve assembly 444 includes an 
adjustable relief valve 444a, a check valve 444b and a counterbalance 
pilot line 444c which serves to open the relief valve when the fluid 
upstream from the valve reaches the selected relief pressure. The 
counterbalance pilot line 444c minimizes the risk of valve overload when 
the primary pilot line fails to open the relief valve, although this is 
rarely a problem with the illustrated embodiment. An adjustable flow 
restrictor 450 is interposed within line 436 for controlling the flow rate 
through the line 436. It will be appreciated that the operator is able to 
vary the speed of the dispenser 426, and thereby the twine spacing on the 
bale, by adjusting the flow rate through line 436. 
Assuming the wrapping cycle begins with the dispenser 426 in its home 
position (i.e., the dispenser cylinder 428 fully extended), the twine 
guide 400 in its retracted position and the cutter in its cutting position 
(i.e., the guide/cutter cylinder fully retracted), the tractor remote 
valve is adjusted to supply pressurized fluid to the port 434. Pressurized 
fluid flows through line 442 to extend the guide/cutter cylinder 404 and 
thereby shift the guide 400 to its operating position and the cutter to 
its open position. The fluid returning from the guide/cutter cylinder 404 
flows freely through the line 440 and over the check valve of the assembly 
448 so that the cylinder extends virtually immediately. Pressurized fluid 
also flows through line 438 to the dispenser cylinder 428. The relief 
pressure of the valve 444a is preferably set relatively low so that the 
pressure of pilot line 452 opens the valve almost immediately. Although 
the valve assembly 444 does not restrict fluid flow returning from the 
dispenser cylinder 428 as it retracts, a one-way flow restrictor 454 is 
provided for restricting flow through line 436 and thereby slowing 
retraction of the cylinder 428. Consequently, the speed of the dispenser 
as it swings out of its home position is decreased sufficiently to allow 
the cutter to shift to its open position (i.e., allow the guide/cutter 
cylinder 404 to fully extend) before the dispenser moves past the cutter. 
If desired, the relief pressure of the valve 444a may be set so that the 
valve does not open until the guide/cutter cylinder has fully extended, in 
which case the restrictor 454 may be removed. 
Fluid will continue to flow through lines 436,438 until the dispenser 
cylinder 428 is fully retracted. The valve assembly 446 prevents fluid 
backflow once the dispenser has reached its remote position and the supply 
to line 438 is shut off so as to prevent drifting of the dispenser out of 
the remote position. The valve assembly 444 also locks the circuit when 
the dispenser is in its home position for preventing inadvertent drifting 
into and out of the home position. 
The dispenser 426 is returned to its home position simply by reversing the 
fluid flow from the remote tractor valve, which may be accomplished by 
manual manipulation of the valve or automatic controls. In either case, 
pressurized fluid supplied to the port 432 flows through line 436 and 
freely over the check valve 444b. As indicated above, the restrictor 454 
restricts flow only in one direction and therefore the fluid also flows 
freely through the restrictor toward the dispenser cylinder 428. The 
relief pressure for the relief valve of the assembly 446 is set relatively 
low so that as soon as the pressurized fluid is supplied to the line 436, 
the pilot line 456 opens the valve. Thus, the dispenser 426 swings 
unrestricted toward its home position. The guide/cutter cylinder, on the 
other hand, is locked until the relief valve of the assembly 448 is 
opened. Particularly, fluid flow through the line 440 is checked by the 
assembly 448 until the pressure of the pilot line 458 is sufficient to 
overcome the selected relief pressure. Preferably, the relief pressure for 
the relief valve of the assembly 448 is set relatively high so that the 
relief valve does not open until the dispenser 426 reaches its home 
position (i.e., until the dispenser cylinder 428 is fully extended). It 
will be appreciated that when the dispenser 426 reaches its home position, 
the line 436 and pilot line 458 experience a pressure "spike" which in 
turn causes the relief valve of assembly 448 to open. Thereafter, the 
guide/cutter cylinder is retracted to actuate the cutter and shift the 
twine guide to its retracted position. 
The circuit 430 therefore sequences operation of the twine guide 400, the 
twine cutter 406, and the twine dispenser 426 for preventing the dispenser 
from crashing into the cutter blades 410,412 and ensuring the twine guide 
is in its operating position before the dispenser returns to its home 
position. Further, the sequencing circuit 430 connects both cylinders 
404,428 to a common source of hydraulic pressure so that the wrapping 
apparatus does not consume to sources of hydraulic pressure. Such a 
circuit is available from the Modular Controls Division of Vickers, Inc. 
of Carrol Stream, Ill. as Part No. MCD-5558, labeled the Counterbalance 
Control Package. 
The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as 
illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in 
interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to 
the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made 
by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the 
present invention. For example, the baler may be provided with more than 
one twine guide for a twine dispenser which swings beyond both sidewalls, 
or when employing two dispensers for interlacing the twine. 
The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of 
Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the 
present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing 
from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the 
following claims.