Patent Publication Number: US-6655266-B2

Title: Hay bale stacking apparatus

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/203,707, filed Dec. 2, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,563). 
     This application claims the benefit of copending U.S. Provisional application No. 60/067,510, filed Dec. 4, 1997. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the handling of bales of hay and is particularly directed to apparatus for stacking bales of hay into a large, matrix-like bundle to form a solid, rigid, self-supporting package which is easily handled and stored without cutting or otherwise damaging the hay bales. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cut hay is collected in the form of bales which are typically 14 inches by 18 inches by three and one half feet and are bound by twine or wire. The hay baler compresses the bale prior to applying the twine. The twine is of limited strength, limiting the extent to which the hay can be compressed and the density of the hay bale. This generally results in a rather loose bale. 
     Attempts have been made to stack hay bales to form a large bundle of hay without success. A bundle of hay weighing many hundreds of pounds is more easily stored and affords economic advantages in handling, shipping and in feeding livestock over individual bales. However, these large bundles cannot be moved by hand and thus require mechanical means for moving and storing the bundles. If the individual bales are rather loosely bound such as by twine or are damaged by cutting or shredding, the resultant large bundle of bales is even more loosely constrained rendering handling of the bundle difficult even by a machine and frequently resulting in loss and waste of hay. 
     The present invention addresses the aforementioned problems encountered in the prior art by providing a hay bale stacking apparatus which under the control of a computer receives individual hay bales, stacks the bales in a large bundle, tightly bounds the bundle, and discharges the banded bundle from the aft of the apparatus as it traverses a field. The bundles are configured to facilitate handling such as by pallet forks, the individual bales are positioned and oriented in the bundle in a manner which enhances hay storage, and the bundle itself is a solid, rigid and self-supporting package with minimum damage to the hay. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to stack a plurality of small hay bales into a large bundle which is securely banded in a manner which avoids severing the binding of the individual bales as well as cutting or shredding the hay during banding or during subsequent handling of the bundle. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide for the automatic stacking of individual bales of hay into large banded bundles in a computer controlled apparatus capable of operating in “on the go” as it traverses a field. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for the stacking of hay bales into a large matrix-like bundle of hay bales which is solid, rigid and self-supporting. 
     A further object of the present invention is to stack bales of hay in a large securely banded bundle which can be lifted and moved by means of pallet forks without damaging or severing the bundle&#39;s banding or the binding of the individual bales. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to bundle and store a plurality of hay bales in a manner which avoids contact of the bundle banding or the individual bale&#39;s binding with the ground and eliminates the damage and deterioration of the banding/binding associated therewith. 
     Another object of the present invention is to incorporate banding zones extending inwardly into the bales in a large bundle of hay to permit a restraining band to be wrapped around the bundle without application of great tension to the band to avoid damage to the hay by the restraining band during banding or during subsequent handling of the bundle. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The appended claims set forth those novel features which characterize the invention. However, the invention itself, as well as further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference characters identify like elements throughout the various figures, in which: 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a hay bale showing the manner in which it is bound such as by wire or twine; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a bundle or stack of hay bales formed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 are side elevation views of a bundle of hay bales containing a plurality of banding zones in accordance with one aspect of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic diagram showing the manner in which the banding zones are formed in the bundle of hay bales; 
     FIGS. 7-21 are a series of side elevation views in simplified schematic diagram form illustrating the manner in which a bundle of hay bales is formed in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 22 is a side view of the hay bale stacking apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the front portion of the hay bale stacking apparatus shown in FIG. 22; 
     FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an upper, front portion of the hay bale stacking apparatus of FIG. 22 showing the pivoting arms of the vertical plunger in the upraised position; 
     FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the hay bale stacking apparatus as shown in FIG. 24 showing the pivoting arms of the vertical plunger in the lowered position; 
     FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the vertical and horizontal plunger portions of the hay bale stacking apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 27 is a front view of a lower portion of the hay bale stacking apparatus of FIG. 22; 
     FIG. 28 is an aft view of the hay bale stacking apparatus illustrating the chamber in which a bundle of hay bales is formed; 
     FIG. 29 is a perspective view of one of the strap guides showing the strap guide hinge in two different orientations; 
     FIG. 30 is an aft view of the hay bale stacking apparatus of the present invention showing the back gates in the open position; 
     FIG. 31 is an aft view of the hay bale stacking apparatus showing the back gates in the closed position; 
     FIG. 32 is a side view of the hay bale stacking apparatus illustrating the manner in which a large bundle of hay bales is discharged from the apparatus; 
     FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a proportion of the hay bale stacking apparatus illustrating the hay bale inlet or receiving conveyor; 
     FIG. 34 is a partial perspective view of the hay bale stacking apparatus of the present invention illustrating details of the hydraulic control system; 
     FIG. 35 is a partial perspective view of the inventive hay bale stacking apparatus shown partially cutaway illustrating the hay bale elevator portion thereof; 
     FIGS. 36-39 are perspective views of the banding mechanism used in the hay bale stacking apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 40-50 are a sequence of side views showing details of the manner in which one section of strapping is manipulated in the banding apparatus of the hay bale stacking apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 51 is a simplified block diagram showing the various inputs to and outputs from the computer which automatically controls the operation of the inventive hay bale stacking apparatus; 
     FIGS. 52-55 are simplified schematic diagrams showing hydraulic circuitry of manifolds and complex hydraulic circuits; 
     FIGS. 56-61 are a series of side elevation views in simplified schematic diagram form illustrating the manner in which strapping is mechanically pulled from the banding dispenser for forming a curved edge on the strapping sides; and 
     FIG. 62 is a partial perspective view of the lower banding troughs. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown perspective views of a hay bale  10 . In the following description, the terms “banding” and “strapping,” or “straps,” are inter-changeable. Hay bale  10  is generally rectangular in shape and is held together by means of first and second bindings  12   a  and  12   b  which are typically wire or twine. The directions of the forces employed to compress and form bale  10  are shown by direction arrows  14   a  and  14   b.  Direction arrows  14   a,    14   b  thus show the direction that the hay bale  10  was compressed when formed in a hay baler. When the hay bale  10  exits the hay baler, bindings  12   a  and  12   b  are positioned on the top, bottom and ends of hay bale  10  as shown in FIG.  1 . In this orientation, the hay bale is described as being in the “flat” position. FIG. 2 shows hay bale  10  rotated 90° from its orientation in FIG. 1, where the hay bale has been rotated about a horizontal axis extending along the lengthwise dimension of the hay bale. The direction arrows  14   a  and  14   b  of hay bale compression are oriented horizontally in this orientation of the hay bale  10  as shown in FIG.  2 . In this orientation, bindings  12   a  and  12   b  are now disposed on the sides and ends of the hay bale  10  which is described as being in the “on edge” position. Hay quality is maintained better when stored on edge as shown in FIG. 2 than when stored in the flat position as shown in FIG.  1 . Moreover, bindings  12   a  and  12   b  are removed from the support surface which may be the ground or a floor of a storage building. When oriented on edge as shown in FIG. 2, bindings  12   a,    12   b  are less likely to be damaged or destroyed by rodents or the elements as compared with the flat position shown in FIG. 1 where the bindings are in contact with the hay bale support surface. The hay bale stacking apparatus of the present invention stores the hay bales in the on end position as shown in FIG. 2 as described in detail below. 
     The hay bale stacking apparatus of the present invention arranges a number of hay bales as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a matrix-like bundle  16  of hay bales as shown in FIG.  3 . The hay bale bundle  16  shown in the figure includes twenty-one hay bales which are stacked three bales high and seven bales wide. Hay bale  10  is in the upper left-half corner of the bundle  16  and is tied by bindings  12   a  and  12   b,  as previously described. Arrows  18   a  and  18   b  represent the direction of bundle compression as the bundle is formed by application of opposing compression forces by the hay bale stacking apparatus of the present invention. Comparing the direction of compression forces in FIG. 3 with the compression forces applied to an individual bale in FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the bundle compression forces are applied to the same opposed lateral surfaces of the hay bale as are the compression forces applied in initially forming the hay bale. When a hay bale exits the baler chamber of the baling apparatus, it expands outwardly in directions opposite to the direction of the compression forces used in forming the bale. To form a solid, rigid, self-supporting large package of hay in the form of bundle  16  shown in FIG. 3, the individual hay bales must again be compressed in the same direction with greater force than they were originally compressed during formation. This is a key aspect of the present invention and represents a fundamental departure from the prior art. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown another view of the bundle  16  of hay bales illustrating the position of one of the bands  20   a  (shown in dotted line form) disposed about the bundle. FIG. 5 is another side view of the bundle  16  of hay bales illustrating additional details of the manner in which the bundle is securely held together by means of first and second bands  20   a  and  20   b  disposed about the hay bales. As previously described, the compression force applied to the bundle  16  of hale bales is in the opposed directions of arrows  18   a  and  18   b,  which are in the same directions as the forces used to initially compress the individual hay bales during formation. In FIG. 4, the first band  20   a  is shown disposed on the outer lateral surfaces of the bundle  16 , but is positioned within the individual hay bales at the top and bottom of the bundle. This is more clearly shown in the side elevation view of FIG. 5, where the first band  20   a  is shown disposed within an upper recessed banding zone  22   a  as well as in a lower recessed banding zone  22   c.  Similarly, second band  20   b  is disposed within an upper recessed banding zone  22   b  and a lower recessed banding zone  22   d.  The bindings  12   a  and  12   b  of the top hay bale  24  are shown in dotted line form in FIG.  5 . It can be seen from these figures that while the bundle bands  20   a  and  20   b  may contact the bindings of the individual hay bales along opposed lateral surfaces of the bundle  16  of hay bales, the bundle bands do not engage the bindings of the top and bottom rows of hay bales. In other words, the bundle bands  20   a,    20   b  do not engage the bindings of the hay bales in the top and bottom rows where the individual hay bale bindings are more likely to be damaged or severed. This essentially eliminates the possibility of the bundle bands severing the bindings of the upper and lower row of hay bales so as to maintain the bundle tightly bound without the damaging the hay. 
     Also in accordance with the present invention, the recessed banding zones  22   a - 22   d  in the upper and lower rows of hale bales permit the first and second bundle bands  20   a,    20   b  to be wrapped around the bundle of hay bales  16  without applying tension to the bands while still permitting the bands to securely maintain the hay in a solid, rigid, self-supporting large package. It is not possible to maintain the hay in a tightly bound bundle by applying a high tension and pulling the banding tight, as in prior art approaches, because this will result in severing the bindings of the corner hay bales resulting in cutting and shredding of the hay and a general loosening of the bundle of hay bales. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention and as described in detail below, the bundle  16  of hay bales is tightly compressed by mechanical apparatus at high pressure, permitting the bundle bands  20   a  and  20   b  to be wrapped around the bundle without the application of high tension to the bands. As the bundle  16  of hay bales is compressed by the mechanical apparatus, the four banding zones  22   a - 22   d  are formed in the upper and lower surfaces of the bundle for receiving the first and second bands  20   a,    20   b.  After bands  20   a,    20   b  are secured, the mechanical compression apparatus is released and the bales of hay expand outwardly against the bands, while maintaining high compression, without cutting the binding of the individual hay bales or shredding the hay in the outermost bales. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a simplified schematic diagram of the manner in which the banding zones  22   a - 22   d  are formed in the bundle  16  of hale bales. A vertical  20  plunger applies a downwardly directed force in the direction of arrow  30  to the bundle  16  of hay bale which is disposed upon a support member  32 . Shown in FIG. 6 are first and second vertical plunger elements  26   a,    26   b  which are part of the vertical plunger. Additional details of the vertical plunger are described in detail below. The first and second vertical plunger element  26   a,    26   b  form the upper banding zones  22   a  and  22   b  in the upper row of hay bales. Attached to support member  32  are a pair of spaced lower strap guides  28   a  and  286  which engage the lower row of hale bales and form the lower banding zones  22   c  and  22   d  therein. It is in this manner that the banding zones  22   a - 22   d  are formed in the upper and lower rows of hay bales within the bundle  16  of hay bales by the vertical plunger device. These banding zones permit the bundle  16  to be moved by pallet forks (not shown for simplicity), maintain the bundle bands displaced from the support surface, and permit the bands to be tightly positioned about the bundle without the application of high tension to the bands. 
     Referring to FIGS. 7-21, there is shown a series of simplified schematic diagrams of the operation of a hay bale stacking apparatus  40  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. FIGS. 7-21 are in the form of side elevation views of the hay bale stacking apparatus  40  and omit many structural details of the apparatus in order to specifically illustrate the series of operations carried out by the hay bale stacking apparatus  40  in forming a bundle of hay bales in accordance with the present invention. These structural details of the hay bale stacking apparatus are fully described herein following the description of the operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 7-21. 
     The hay bale stacking apparatus  40  includes a pair of banding dispensers (only one of which is shown as element  42  in FIGS. 7-21 for simplicity). Banding dispenser  42  holds and dispenses banding  44  which is shown in the figures in dotted line form. There are two banding dispensers  42  disposed side by side each of which lets out a respective length of banding  44  although only one is shown in the figures for simplicity. Banding  44  is tightly wrapped around a bundle of hay bales by the hay bale stacking apparatus  40  as described in the following paragraphs. One end of banding  44  is attached to a banding apparatus  56 . The hay bale stacking apparatus  40  further includes a banding clamp  46  through which the banding  44  passes and a vertical plunger  48 . Vertical plunger  48  includes a pair of pivoting arms (only one of which is shown in the figures as element  76 ). Vertical plunger  48  further includes a pair of strap guides  54  for supporting a hay bale  50   a.  Hay bale  50   a  is bound together by bale bindings  52   a  and  52   b  (also shown in dotted line form). Hay bale stacking apparatus  40  further includes a pair of upper banding troughs  58  and a pair of lower banding troughs  60 . 
     Hay bale stacking apparatus  40  operates in the following manner to form a large bound bundle of hay bales. Hay bale  50   a  is received by the hay bale stacking apparatus  40  and is positioned on the vertical plunger  48 . Vertical plunger is attached to and supported by a support frame  49  and moves vertically both upwardly and downwardly on the support frame. Vertical plunger  48  includes the aforementioned pivoting arms  76  and strap guides  54 . Pivoting arms  76  are horizontally spaced from one another as are the strap guides  54 . The pivoting arms and strap guides  76 ,  54  initially move as a single unit in forming a stack of hay bales, but later separate to accommodate a stack of two or more hay bales as described below. The pivoting arms and the strap guides  76 ,  54  as part of the vertical plunger  48  are vertically displaced in both directions along support frame  49 . 
     Banding  44  which is let off from the banding dispenser  42  is connected at one end thereof to a banding mechanism  57  within the banding apparatus  56 . With hay bale  50   a  positioned on the strap guides  54 , the pivoting arms  76  are lowered onto the upper surface of the hay bale as shown in FIG.  8 . Attached to the lower surfaces of the pivoting arms  76  are a pair of vertical compression members  76   a  for forming upper banding zones within the hay bales as described below. With hay bale  58  securely positioned between pivoting arms  76  and strap guides  54 , the hay bale is lowered by the vertical plunger  48  as shown in FIG.  9 . As the vertical plunger  48  lowers hay bale  58  to form the first stack of three bales, banding  44  is let out by the banding clamp  46  and is maintained in contact with the lower surface of the hay bale  58  by means of the strap guides  54 . With the strap guides  54  lowered a distance equal to the height of a hay bale, the upper portion of the vertical plunger  48  including the pivoting arms  76  is raised to receive a second hay bale  50   b  which is positioned on the first hay bale  50   a  as shown in FIG.  10 . Again, pivoting arms  76  are lowered to a position in contact with the upper surface of the hay bale, as shown for the case of hay bale  50   b  in FIG. 11, and the vertical plunger  48  lowers the first and second hay bales  50   a,    50   b  a distance equal to the height of the second hay bale. A third hay bale  50   c  is then positioned on top of the second hay bale  50   b  as shown in FIG.  12 . The three hay bales  50   a,    50   b  and  50   c  are thus supported by the strap guides  54  which have been separated from the upper portion of the vertical plunger  48  to accommodate the three stacked hay bales. The vertical plunger  48  is then displaced downwardly in the direction of arrow  62  as shown in FIG. 13 letting out additional banding  44  from the banding dispenser  42 . During the stacking and lowering of the three hay bales, the end of banding  44  is securely clamped to the banding mechanism  57  within the banding apparatus  56 . As shown in FIG. 13, the strap guides  54  form a pair of spaced, parallel lower compressed banding zones  66 , while the vertical compression members  76   a  on the pivoting arms  76  form a pair of parallel, spaced upper compressed banding zones  64 . As shown in FIG. 14, a first bundle  80  of three stacks of hay bales, each three bales high, has been formed by the hay bale stacking apparatus  40  with each successive stack of three hay bales displaced in the direction of arrow  38  causing additional banding  44  to be withdrawn from the banding dispenser  42  so that the banding is guided around three sides of the hay bale bundle and is disposed within the upper and lower compressed banding zones formed in the upper and lower rows of hay bales. 
     As each stack of three hay bales is displaced in the direction of arrow  38  so as to form a larger bundle of bales, the vertical plunger  48  returns to the raised position as shown in FIG. 14 for receiving the first bale of another stack of bales. As also shown in FIG. 14, hay bale  51   a  is positioned in the vertical plunger  48  and is disposed upon the strap guides  54 . After the first stack of three bales of a particular bundle is displaced, the banding clamp  46  clamps and holds banding  44   a  as the vertical plunger  48  lowers hay bales  51   a,    51   b  and  51   c.  This action pulls banding  44   b  through strap guides  54  to the position of banding  44   a,  removing the slack  44   b  that is created by the lowering of vertical plunger  48  in FIGS. 15,  16  and  17 . In FIG. 15, pivoting arms  76  of the vertical plunger  48  are placed over and in contact with hay bale  51   a  and the hay bale is lowered as previously described. In FIG. 16, the vertical plunger  48  has received a second hay bale  51   b  which is disposed upon the lowered first hay bale  51   a.  In FIG. 17, the three stacked hay bales  51   a,    51   b  and  51   c  are shown in the vertical plunger  48 . Pivoting arms  76  are lowered in the direction of arrow  62  so as to form the upper compressed banding zones in the top hay bale  51   c  while the strap guides  54  form the lower compressed banding zones in the bottom hay bale  51   a  as previously described. During movement in the direction of arrow  38 , the strap guides  54  guide the banding  44  on top of lower banding trough  60  and the banding is held there by each successively formed stack of three hay bales. 
     FIG. 18 shows a horizontal plunger  68  moving a first bundle of hay bales  80  in the direction of arrow  70 . Hay bale bundle  80  is bound by a pair of bindings, one of which is shown in dotted line form as element  82 . Disposed above bundle  80  is a pair of spaced upper compression members  58  and disposed below the bundle is a pair of lower spaced compression members  60  which are attached to a lower frame member  78 . Each of the four compression members  58 ,  60  forms a respective banding trough and compression zone for receiving one of the bandings  82 . A pair of back gates  72  (only one of which is shown in the figure for simplicity) on the aft portion of the hay bale stacking apparatus  40  are shown in the closed position in FIG. 18, allowing the hay bale bundle  80  to be horizontally compressed by the horizontal plunger  68  during the banding operation. Following the securing of bandings  82  about the periphery of the hay bale bundle  80 , the back gates  72  are moved outwardly then to the right and left of the hay bale stacking apparatus  40  and assume an extended position as shown in FIG.  19 . Following formation of the first hay stack bundle  80 , a second hay stack bundle  84  is formed in a similar manner and is also moved rearwardly in the direction of arrow  70  by the horizontal plunger  68  as shown in FIG.  20 . Continued rearward displacement of the second hay stack bundle  84  by the horizontal plunger  68  causes a corresponding rearward displacement of the first hay stack bundle  80 . An aft, lower portion of the hay bale stacking apparatus  40  includes a hinged back floor  74  which may be released as shown in FIG. 21 for the discharge of the first hay bale bundle  80  as the second hay bale bundle  84  is moved by the horizontal plunger  68  in the direction of arrow  70 . The second hay stack bundle  84  will next be discharged from the hay bale stacking apparatus  40  in a similar manner following the formation and rearward displacement of a third hay stack bundle which is not shown in the figure. 
     Referring to FIGS. 22-39, additional details of the structure and operation of the hay bale stacking apparatus  100  of the present invention will now be described. Hay bale stacking apparatus  100  includes a hay bale receiving or inlet portion  116  adapted to receive a hay bale  120  shown in FIG. 22 in dotted line form. The bale receiving portion  116  of the hay bale stacking apparatus  100  sequentially delivers hay bales to a vertical lift or elevator  122  which lifts the bale while reorienting the bale 90° from the orientation of bale  120  as shown in FIG.  22  and delivers the bales to an upper portion of a vertical plunger  128 . The hay bales may be provided to the hay bale receiving portion  116  of the stacking apparatus either by hand or automatically by a hay baler (not shown for simplicity) which may be disposed in front of and connected to the hay bale receiving portion. The hay bale stacking apparatus  100  is intended for “on-the-go” operation as it traverses a field of hay. Vertical plunger  128  forms a vertical stack of three hay bales, vertically compresses the stacked bales forming a pair of elongated, linear banding zones in the top and bottom bales, and delivers the three stacked bales to a horizontal plunger  132 . Horizontal plunger  132  moves the three stacked bales toward the rear of the hay bale stacking apparatus  100 , or to the right as viewed in FIG.  22 . In moving each stack of three hay bales rearwardly, the vertical plunger  128  forms a bundle of stacked hay bales, preferably three bales high and seven bales in width as shown and described below. The bundle of hay bales is tightly wrapped by a pair of bands disposed about the bundle by means of a pair of strap guides and upper and lower compression members in combination with a banding apparatus  124  located on an upper portion of the hay bale stacking apparatus  100 . Continued rearward displacement of the successively stacked bales of hay causes the banded large bundle of hay bales to be discharged from an aft portion of the hay bale stacking apparatus  100  after a pair of back gates  134   a  and  134   b  are opened and a back floor  136  hingedly coupled to a floor  230  of the apparatus is lowered as described in detail below. The large bundle of banded hay bales is thus deposited in a field as the hay bale stacking apparatus  100  is transported through the field in an “on-the-go” operation. 
     Attached to a forward portion of the bale receiving portion  116  of the hay bale stacking apparatus  100  is a hitch  118  to facilitate pulling of the stacking apparatus aft of a baler by a traction vehicle (not shown in the figures for simplicity). The bale receiving portion  116  includes a bale support panel  144 , a bale door  145 , three forward support members  158 , and a pair of aft support members  152   a  and  152   b  for supporting the hay bales as they are displaced rearwardly toward vertical lift  122 . First and second forward guide panels  140   a  and  140   b  in combination with third and fourth aft guide panels  142   a  and  142   b  ensure that the hay bales loaded onto the bale receiving portion  116  are moved to the vertical lift  122  without being discharged or falling from the apparatus. The bale receiving portion  116  includes an endless transport chain  154  as shown in greater detail in the perspective view of FIG.  33 . The transport chain drive mechanism includes forward and aft sprockets where only the forward sprocket  156  is shown in FIG. 33 for simplicity. One of these sprockets is connected to drive means such as a hydraulic motor which also is not shown in the figures. Disposed in a spaced manner along the transport chain  154  are a plurality of teeth  154   a  for engaging the hay bales and transporting them rearwardly toward and into the vertical lift  122 . Element  108  generally designates the support frame of the hay bale stacking apparatus  100  which supports the various components of the stacking apparatus which are described in detail below. As the hay bales are received by the bale receiving portion  116 , they are displaced in the direction of arrow  98  in FIG.  33 . An optical sensor  90  such as a photoswitch detects the presence of a hay bale and activates the hydraulic motor which drives the transport chain  154 . 
     Vertical lift  122  raises the hay bales to an upper portion of the hay bale stacking apparatus  100  and positions the hay bales on a vertical plunger  128 . Vertical lift  122  includes first and second side panels  160   a  and  160   b  as well as a forward guide panel  162  and an aft guide panel  174  as more clearly shown in the partially cut away perspective view of FIG.  35 . The aforementioned panels align each hay bale with its longitudinal axis generally vertical and confine the hay bale so that it is properly positioned at the upper end of the vertical lift  122  for deposit in the vertical plunger  128 . The lower portion of the forward guide panel  162  is curved so as to guide the hay bales to the proper position within the vertical lift  122 . Forward guide panel  162  is mounted to the support frame by means of a plurality of springs  148   a  and  148   b  to permit the forward guide panel to urge the moving bales into the vertical lift  122  with their lengthwise axis aligned generally vertical. An endless lift chain  164  disposed within the vertical lift  122  engages and raises the hay bales to an upper portion of the vertical lift. Lift chain  164  is coupled to upper and lower sprockets, where the lower sprocket is shown as element  184  in FIG.  35 . Sprocket  184  serves as the drive sprocket for the lift chain  164  as it is coupled to and driven by a hydraulic motor  180 . Disposed along the length of the chain  164  in a spaced manner are a plurality of teeth  182  which engage and raise the hay bales within the vertical lift  122  in the direction of arrow  146  in FIG. 35. A second optical sensor (not shown for simplicity) in the vertical lift  122  detects the presence of a hay bale to hold the bale in the vertical lift. 
     Disposed in an upper portion of the vertical lift  122  are a plurality of curvilinear guide members  138  which engage and turn the hay bale  120  as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 so as to change the orientation of the hay bale from vertical to horizontal, or flat. As also shown in the partially cut away view of FIG. 24, as the upper outer corner of hay bale  120  engages the curvilinear guide members  138 , continued upward displacement of the hay bale causes it to assume a generally horizontal, or flat, orientation and to be displaced leftward in the direction of arrow  92  in FIGS. 24 and 25. Once oriented horizontally, the hay bale  120  is positioned upon support members  148   a  and  148   b.  The hay bale is then displaced horizontally onto first and second strap guides  200   a  and  200   b  by means of a kicker arm  170 . Kicker arm  170  is initially aligned with the curvilinear guide members  138  and has disposed on a lower end thereof a kicker plate  170   a.  Kicker arm  170  is attached to and supported by a pivot shaft  178  at its upper end. Connected to pivot shaft  178  by means of a pivot arm  176  is a hydraulic cylinder  172  having an extendible rod  172   a.  In the retracted position, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, kicker arm  170  is aligned with the curvilinear guide members  138  and kicker plate  170   a  is disposed outside of the guide members. Following the lifting and horizontal reorientation of a hay bale by the vertical lift  122 , rod  172   a  is extended from the hydraulic cylinder  172  causing clockwise rotation of the pivot shaft  178  and kicker arm  170  attached thereto as viewed in FIG.  25 . Kicker plate  170   a  engages and displaces hay bale  120  to the left as viewed in FIG. 25 so that the hay bale rests upon and is supported by the first and second strap guides  200   a,    200   b.  In this position, hay bale  120  is ready for stacking by the vertical plunger  128  as described in the following paragraphs. The kicker arm  170  and its plate  170   a  also compress bales that are too long approximately 3-4 inches. Following displacement of the hay bale  120  onto the first and second strap guides  200   a,    200   b,  hydraulic cylinder  172  retracts its extendible arm  172   a  resulting in kicker arm  170  again assuming a position in alignment with curvilinear guide members  138  in the upper portion of the vertical lift  122 . A photoelectric sensor  94  detects the presence of a hay bale at the top of the vertical lift  122  for activating the kicker arm  170  for moving the bale onto the vertical plunger  128 . 
     Vertical plunger  128  includes first and second pivoting arms  192   a  and  192   b.  Pivoting arms  192   a,    192   b  are coupled by cross members such as connecting arm  194  and move in unison. The pivoting arm assembly is pivotally coupled to the vertical plunger  128  by means of first and second pivot couplings  96   a  and  96   b.  The first and second pivoting arms  192   a,    192   b  are moved between an upraised position as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 and a lowered position as shown in FIG.  25 . The pivoting arm assembly in the vertical plunger  128  is moved between the upraised and lowered position by means of a hydraulic cylinder  196  connected to a cross member of the assembly. Disposed below the first and second pivoting arms  192   a,    192   b  when in the lowered position are the first and second strap guides  200   a,    200   b.  Vertical plunger  128  is mounted to and supported by first and second vertical rails  216   a  and  216   b.  Attached to aft portions of the first and second vertical rails  216   a  and  216   b  are respective racks, while a pair of pinions are coupled to the vertical plunger  128  as shown in FIG.  26 . The first and second rack and pinion arrangements  206   a,    206   b  allow for vertical displacement of the vertical plunger  128  on the first and second vertical rails  216   a,    216   b.  A pair of single flange rollers  186   a  and  186   b  allow the vertical plunger  128  to be displaced vertically on the first and second vertical rails  216   a,    216   b.    
     The first and second strap guides  200   a,    200   b  are also respectfully attached to and supported by the first and second vertical rails  216   a  and  216   b.  Strap guides  200   a,    200   b  support the hay bales as they are lowered and guide the banding into the banding apparatus  124  as well as to the lower banding compression zones. Upper and lower sprockets in combination with an endless drive chain are disposed on respective forward portions of each of the vertical rails. Thus, drive chain  210   a  is disposed on vertical rail  216   a,  while drive chain  210   b  is disposed on vertical rail  216   b.  The aforementioned sprockets are omitted from the drawings for simplicity. Drive chain  210   a  is coupled to the first strap guide  200   a,  while drive chain  210   b  is coupled to the second strap guide  200   b.  Each of the first and second drive chains  210   a,    210   b  is displaced by a respective drive sprocket for raising and lowering the first and second strap guides  200   a  and  200   b  on the first and second vertical rails  216   a  and  216   b.  First and second double flange rollers  188   a  and  188   b  allow the first and second strap guides  200   a,    200   b  to be displaced vertically on the first and second vertical rails  216   a,    216   b.    
     As previously described, vertical plunger  128  in combination with the first and second strap guides  200   a,    200   b  arranges three hay bales in a vertical stack and compresses the stack of bales for forming a large bundle of hay bales. The vertical plunger  128  and strap guides  200   a,    200   b  move downwardly the thickness of one bale as detected by a proximity switch (not shown) with the deposit of a hay bale on the vertical plunger  128 . With three hay bales arranged in a vertical stack, the first and second pivoting arms  192   a,    192   b  are lowered onto the upper hay bale and the stack of hay bales is compressed. Upper compression members  193   a  and  193   b  respectively attached to the first and second pivoting arms  192   a,    192   b  form a pair of upper compression banding zones in the upper hay bale, while the first and second strap guides  200   a,    200   b  form a pair of lower compression banding zones in the bottom hay bale as previously described. 
     Disposed in a forward portion of the hay bale stacking apparatus  100  is a horizontal plunger  132 . Horizontal plunger  132  includes first, second and third vertical panels  212   a,    212   b  and  212   c.  A first vertical slot  214   a  is disposed between panels  212   a  and  212   b,  while a second vertical slot  214   b  is disposed between panels  212   b  and  212   c.  The first strap guide  200   a  is disposed within slot  214   a,  while the second strap guide  212   b  is disposed within slot  214   b.  The elongated, vertical slots  214   a,    214   b  allow the first and second strap guides  200   a,    200   b  to be displaced vertically within the hay bale stacking apparatus, while permitting the three panels  212   a,    212   b,  and  212   c  to engage and displace a vertical stack of three hay bales rearwardly within the apparatus in forming a bundle of stacked hay bales. The three panels  212   a,    212   b  and  212   c  are connected by various structural members of the horizontal plunger  132  to allow the three panels to be displaced in unison forward and aft by means of a hydraulic cylinder  218 . Each of the strap guides  200   a,    200   b  has a generally rectangular cross section and is in the form of a hollow tube permitting a strip of banding to extend through the strap guide from one end to the other. Thus, first and second strips of banding  202   a  and  202   b  are respectively let off of the first and second banding dispensers  112 , 114  and are routed through the first and second strap guides  200   a  and  200   b.  This arrangement allows the vertical plunger  128  and pair of strap guides  200   a,    200   b  to arrange the hay bales in stacks of three, while wrapping the two strips of banding about a bundle of stacked hay bales. Following the stacking of three hay bales, the horizontal plunger  132  is displaced rearwardly with the extension of the rod of hydraulic cylinder  218  causing panels  212   a,    212   b  and  212   c  to engage and displace rearwardly a stack of three hay bales in forming a bundle of hay bales as previously described. The first and second strips of banding  202   a  and  202   b  are respectively directed through first and second banding clamps  238   a  and  238   b  before entering the first and second strap guides  200   a,    200   b.  Banding clamps  238   a,    238   b  control the let out and take up of the strips of banding  202   a,    202   b  from the two banding dispensers  112  and  114  and pull the banding from the rear of a strap guide to the front of the strap guide. Rollers  254   a  and  254   b  are attached to respective lateral portions of horizontal plunger  132 . Fixed structural members  252   a  and  252   b  each having a respective slot therein are oriented generally horizontal and are aligned parallel as shown in FIG.  27 . The first and second rollers  254   a,    254   b  are disposed in respective slots in the first and second structural members  252   a,    252   b  allowing for forward and aft displacement of the horizontal plunger  132  by means of hydraulic cylinder  218 . The horizontal plunger  132  is in the extended position upon the delivery of a first bale to the vertical plunger  128  to permit the bale door  145  to catch the first bale. 
     FIG. 28 is an aft view of the inside of the hay bale stacking apparatus where the hay bales are stacked and arranged in a large bundle. The first and second strap guides  200   a,    200   b,  are shown extending through respective slots  214   a  and  214   b  which are respectively disposed between front panels  212   a,    212   b  and  212   c.  Strips of banding  202   a  and  202   b  are let off of a respective banding dispenser and are secured at one end to the banding apparatus which is not shown in the figure for simplicity. A pair of upper compression members  234   a,    234   b  and a pair of lower compression members  232   a,    232   b  are disposed aft of and aligned with the first and second strap guides  200   a  and  200   b.  The upper and the lower compression members maintain the compression banding zones within the upper and lower stacked hay bales which are formed by the pivoting arms  192   a,    192   b  of the vertical plunger  128  and by the aforementioned first and second strap guides. The lower compression members  232   a,    232   b  are disposed upon and extend upwardly from a back floor  136  of the stacking apparatus, while the upper compression members  234   a  and  234   b  are attached to and extend downwardly from an upper panel  150  of the stacking apparatus. 
     Referring to FIG. 29, there is shown a perspective view of a portion of the second strap guide  200   b  showing a strap guide hinge  220   b  disposed on the aft end thereof. Strap guide hinge  220   b  is connected to the second strap guide  200   b  by means of a pivot pin  240  which allows the strap guide hinge to be displaced upwardly as shown in dotted line form in the figure. Banding  202   b  is disposed within and extends the length of strap guide  200   b.  Disposed on the distal end of strap guide hinge  220   b  is a roller  242  which facilitates displacement of banding  202   b  through the strap guide hinge  220   b.  The pivoting strap guide hinge  220   b  allows for clearance of the end of the strap guide  200  from other components as the strap guide is vertically displaced during let out of the banding  202   b  through the strap guide as the bundle of hay bales is banded. 
     Referring to FIGS. 30 and 31, there are shown back elevation views of the hay bale stacking apparatus showing the back gates  134   a  and  134   b  in the open and closed positions, respectively. Additional details of the operation of back gates  134   a,    134   b  are described below. Each of the back gates is connected to the stacking apparatus by means of a plurality of hinges, as shown for the case of the second back gate  134   b  and hinges  246  in the partial side elevation view of the stacking apparatus of FIG.  32 . Three stacked hay bales  236   a,    236   b  and  236   c  are shown in dotted line form in FIG. 30 disposed in the hay bale stacking apparatus  100 . A pair of upper banding zones are shown in the top hay bale  236   a  as formed by the first and second upper compression members  234   a  and  234   b.  A pair of lower banding zones are shown in the bottom hay bale  236   c  as formed by the first and second lower compression members  232   a,    232   b.    
     A back floor  136  is hingedly coupled to an aft portion of the stacking apparatus floor  230 . A hydraulic cylinder (not shown in the figures for simplicity) on the underside of the stacking apparatus is coupled between the frame of the apparatus and the back floor  136  for lowering the back floor for the discharge of a large bundles  258  of hay bales as shown in dotted line form in FIG.  32 . First and second support hooks  248   a  and  248   b  respectively attached to the first and second back gates  134   a,    134   b  as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 are adapted for engaging respective lower sides of the hinged back floor  136  for maintaining the back floor in the upraised position as shown in FIG.  31 . First and second latches  250   a  and  250   b  are also disposed on the first and second back gates  134   a,    134   b,  respectively. When the back gates are closed, the first and second latches  250   a,    250   b  respectively engage the first and second lower compression members  232   a,    232   b  for maintaining the back gates in the closed position as shown in FIG.  31 . In lowering the back floor  136  to discharge a large bundle of hay bales as shown in FIG. 32, the two back gates  134   a,    134   b  are moved outwardly by their respective hydraulic cylinders releasing the two support hooks  248   a,    248   b  from the back floor. This allows the back floor  136  to be lowered by means of the hydraulic cylinder on the bottom of the stacking apparatus. The back floor  136  is also raised by the aforementioned bottom hydraulic cylinder, followed by the inward displacement of the two back gates  134   a,    134   b  permitting the two support hooks  248   a,    248   b  to again engage and support the back floor. The two latches  250   a,    250   b  again engage the first and second lower compression members  232   a,    232   b  for maintaining the back gates  134   a,    134   b  closed. A pair of hydraulic cylinders each mounted to a respective lateral portion of the stacking apparatus are coupled to the aft panels of the first and second back gates  134   a,    134   b  as shown for the case of hydraulic cylinder  236  in FIG.  32 . These two hydraulic cylinders operate in conjunction with the upper hydraulic cylinders  244   a  and  244   b  for pivotally displacing the aft portions of the back gates outwardly when the back gates are opened, and for pivotally displacing the back portions of the back gates inwardly when the back gates are moved to the closed position. 
     A computer  258  is disposed within a closed housing  260  on a side portion of the stacking apparatus as shown in FIG.  32 . Computer  258  controls the operation of the stacking apparatus including the various components thereof as described in detail below. One of the components controlled by computer  258  is a hydraulic manifold  262  which is shown in FIG.  34 . The hydraulic manifold  262  is connected to the various hydraulic cylinders discussed above by means of hoses also shown in FIG.  34 . The hydraulic manifold  262  is further connected to the hydraulic system of the traction vehicle pulling the hay bale stacking apparatus, where a pair of hydraulic lines  110  from the traction vehicle to the hay bale stacking apparatus  100  are shown in FIG.  22 . Also shown in FIG. 34 is a portion of the first vertical rail  216   a  and the first drive chain  210   a  used in raising and lowering the strap guides. A hydraulic motor  264  is coupled to drive chain  210   a  by means of a slip clutch  266  which maintains the pair of strap guides at the same vertical level as they are displaced upward and downward. 
     FIGS. 40-50 are a series of simplified side elevation views in schematic diagram form which will be used in explaining the operation of the banding apparatus  124  shown in the perspective views of FIGS. 36,  37 ,  38  and  39 . FIGS. 40-50 are directed to the left hand portion of the banding apparatus  124  as shown in FIGS. 36-39 involving a first fetcher cylinder  282   b  and trough  288   b  and associated components. Like reference numerals are used in FIGS. 40-50 to identify the corresponding structures in FIGS. 36-39. Banding apparatus  124  includes a housing  280  having a removable cover (which is not shown for simplicity). Banding apparatus  124  further includes first and second fetcher cylinders  282   a  and  282   b  respectively connected to first and second fetcher arms  290   a  and  290   b  and fetcher carriages  296   a  and  296   b.  Each of the fetchers moves with the extension or retraction of the extendible arm of its associated fetcher cylinder. FIG. 36 shows the first and second fetcher cylinders  282   a,    282   b  in the retracted position with the first and second fetchers  290   a,    290   b  in position toward a forward portion of the banding apparatus  124 . The right hand or first fetcher cylinder  282   a  and associated components operate in a similar manner and thus are not described in detail herein. 
     As shown in FIG. 40, the banding apparatus  124  includes a first gripper foot  300 , fetcher arm  290   b,  and a strap gripper  304  used in the gripping of strapping  302   a  (shown in dotted line form in FIG. 40) about a large bundle of hay bales as described hereinafter. With reference to FIGS. 18 and 22, as horizontal plunger  132  moves stacks of three hay bales in the direction of arrow  70 , strapping  302   a  is pulled tightly against first gripper foot  300  as shown in FIG. 42 is ready for engagement with a second gripper foot  308  shown in FIG.  43 . The first step in the operation is the engagement of the second gripper foot  308  as shown in FIG.  43 . This grips strapping  302   a  between the first gripper foot  300  and second gripper foot  308  as shown in FIG.  43 . When strapping  302   a  is gripped by and between the first gripper foot  300  and the second gripper foot  308 , fetcher cylinder  282   b  extends outwardly releasing strapping  302   a  from strap gripper  304  and fetcher arm  290   b.  As fetcher cylinder  282   b  continues to extend outwardly, fetcher  290   b  and fetcher carriage  296  guide strapping  302   a  into trough  288   b  as shown in FIG.  44 . Each of the troughs is aligned with a respective strap guide as well as with a respective banding zone in a hay bale as previously described. When fetcher cylinders  282   a,    282   b  are completely extended, fetcher arms  290   a,    290   b  are rotated out of the path of strap guide  306  as shown in FIG. 47 by the extension of fetcher swing cylinders  284   a,    284   b.  When strap guides  306  are raised to the full up position in the banding apparatus  124 , the fetcher swing cylinders  284   a,    284   b  retract and rotate fetcher arms  290   a,    290   b  into the path of the strapping as shown in FIG. 47 for the case of strapping  302   a.  Once fetcher arm  290   b  is in the path of strapping  302   a,  the fetcher cylinder  282   b  is retracted. The fetcher carriage  296  maintains strapping  302   a  in trough  288   b  while the fetcher arm positions one section of strapping  302   a  over another section of the same strapping. When fetcher cylinder  282   b  is fully retracted, strapping  302   a  is laid on top of itself and over the second gripper foot  308  and is ready to be spliced together as shown in FIG.  48 . The segment of strapping labeled  312  is gripped between fetcher arm  290   b  and strap gripper  304  and forms the starting end of strapping for the next bundle. 
     With the fetcher  290   b  in the fully retracted position as shown in FIG. 49, a die and cutter  314  is displaced outwardly by the second banding mechanism  292   b  as shown in FIG.  39 . As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, the first and second banding mechanisms  292   a  and  292   b  are displaced outwardly following full retraction of the first and second fetcher cylinders  282   a  and  282   b.  Die and cutter  314  attached to the first banding mechanism  292   b  then engages the two adjacent ends of strapping sections  302   a  and  312  as shown in FIG. 49 for connecting the two ends together and severing the second end of the strapping disposed about the bundle of hay bales. After strapping  302   a  is spliced and severed by the die and cutter  314 , a first strapping section  310  is spliced together and disposed about a first bundle of hay bales (not shown) as shown in FIG. 50. A second section of strapping  312  is then engaged by the combination of fetcher  290   b  and strap gripper  304  as shown in FIG. 50 for wrapping around a second bundle of hay bales about to be formed. The new sections of strapping are shown in FIG.  39  and are designated by numerals  294   a  and  294   b.  Strapping  294   a  is engaged by the first fetcher  290   a,  while strapping  294   b  is engaged by the second fetcher  290   b.  Following splicing and severing of the two straps or bands, the first and second banding mechanisms  292   a  and  292   b  are displaced inwardly toward one another, as shown in FIG. 36 to initiate a new banding cycle. The second gripper foot  308  connected to the banding mechanism  292   a  also moves inwardly when the banding mechanisms are drawn toward one another. This leaves the first gripper foot  300  as well as the first fetcher  290   b  and strap gripper  304  in position to engage strapping  312  for positioning about a second bundle of hay bales as shown in FIG.  50 . The next cycle begins with strapping again pulled downwardly by the strap guide  306  as shown in previously discussed FIG.  40 . 
     Referring to FIG. 51, there is shown a block diagram of the computer control system used in controlling the hay bale stacking apparatus of the present invention. The computer control system includes a computer  320  having input and output interfaces  322  and  324 . The inputs to computer  320  include a first combination of a flow switch  336  and a pressure switch  334  and a second combination of a flow switch  340  and a pressure switch  342 . The two combinations of flow switches and pressure switches provide inputs to the computer  320  indicating a given operation or procedure is completed. For example, in detecting the completion of a cylinder stroke, the flow switch will indicate no hydraulic fluid flow and the pressure switch will indicate a high pressure signaling that the associated operation is completed and providing the appropriate input to computer  320 . Upon being informed of the completion of a given operation or sequence of operations, computer  320  proceeds to the next step in its programmed operation. A manual reset input  326  allows the operator to interrupt stacking apparatus operation and begin the stacking operation over. The operator may want to re-initiate operation of the stacking apparatus upon detection of a low strapping condition and following replacement of the strapping supply. Photosensor  328  is attached to the bale input stage as previously described, while photosensor  333  is incorporated in the vertical elevator to detect the lifting of a hay bale. Photosensor  332  detects the positioning of a hay bale on the vertical plunger. An input to computer  320  from photosensor  332  initiates the sequence of operations by the computer. Proximity sensor  338  is located in the vertical plunger to detect the lowering of a hay bale, or bales, by the vertical plunger so that the vertical plunger is lowered the correct distance according to the number of bales on the vertical plunger. Proximity sensors  344  and  346  are located in banding apparatus  124  as shown in FIG. 36 to detect the position of banding mechanisms  292   a  and  292   b,  respectively. 
     Outputs from computer  320  include a back gate output  348 , a back floor output  350 , a vertical elevator output  352 , and a vertical swing output  354 . The vertical swing output  354  controls the position of the vertical plunger pivoting arms. Additional outputs further include the vertical plunger output  364 , the horizontal plunger output  366 , the strap guide position control output  368 , and a strap clamp output  370  for clamping the strap in the banding apparatus to allow the strapping to backfeed when the strap guide is lowered. Additional outputs include the fetcher retraction output  372 , the fetcher extension output  374 , the fetcher swing output  376 , the lefthand banding apparatus output  378 , and input  380  for retracting the left and right banding apparatus. The R-band output  356  provides for extension of the righthand banding apparatus, while the sealcut up output  358  and sealcut down output  360  control the aforementioned banding mechanisms for severing and joining the ends of strapping enclosing a large bundle of hay bales. The kicker output  362  controls the operation of the kicker in positioning hay bales on the vertical plunger as previously described. 
     Referring to FIG. 52, there is shown a block diagram of the hydraulic circuits in manifold  262  shown in FIG. 34. A valve  500  is used as a safety valve to stop flow to all manifolds. Circuit  450  controls hydraulics to the back floor. Circuit  452  controls hydraulics to the horizontal and vertical elevators. Circuit  462  controls hydraulics to the kicker. Circuit  464  controls hydraulics to the vertical plunger. Circuit  454  controls hydraulics to the vertical swing plunger, while circuit  470  controls hydraulics to the strap clamps. Circuit  468  controls the hydraulic motor for the strap guides  54 . When strap guide  54  is to be raised from the lowered position shown in FIG. 13, valve  468   a  is energized and the hydraulic motor  264  shown in FIG. 34 raises the strap guides. When vertical plunger  48  is about to be lowered as shown in FIG. 8, valve  468   b  is energized causing the vertical plunger to mechanically push the strap guides down which in turn drives hydraulic motor  264  shown in FIG. 34 which operates as a hydraulic pump, pumping hydraulic oil from the tank through hydraulic pump  264  creating a restriction which produces a clamping action on the bales as the vertical plunger and strap guides are lowered. Circuit  466  controls hydraulics to the horizontal plunger as described in the following paragraph. 
     Referring to FIG. 53, there is shown a complex hydraulic circuit  466  for the operation of the horizontal plunger. The purpose of hydraulic circuit  466  is to reduce the demand for a large capacity of hydraulic oil, as measured in gallons per minute, while maintaining the horizontal plunger&#39;s cycle time, speed and high compression needed to handle a large volume of hay bales, in forming a solid rigid, self-supporting large package of hay bales formed into a bundle. The pressure supply line goes through a pressure compensated flow control valve regulated at 20 gallons per minute, the two position four-way directional control valve in the de-energized mode places the horizontal plunger and cylinder  218   b  and  218   a  in the retracted position. When the directional control valve is energized, the pressure supply is directed to the piston side of cylinder  218   a.  Cylinder  218   a  is mechanically joined together with cylinder  218   b  so that as cylinder  218   a  extends, it mechanically pulls or extends cylinder  218   b  and moves the horizontal plunger. As cylinder  218   b  extends mechanically, a pilot check valve allows flow from the tank to fill the piston side of cylinder  218   b  with hydraulic oil. Cylinder  218   a  produces ample force to displace the first six stacks of three bales. On the seventh and final stack of three bales when the bundle is highly compressed for banding, cylinder  218   a  extends approximately ½ stroke (10 inches). The circuit pressure exceeds the sequence valve setting, shifting the sequence valve so as to allow high pressure into the piston side of cylinder  218   b  which is then full of hydraulic oil from the tank and closes the pilot check valve. Cylinder  218   a  and cylinder  218   b  work in tandem to produce high compression in displacing the horizontal plunger. 
     Cylinder  218   b  is used as a one way cylinder with hydraulic force on the piston side of the cylinder. The rod side of cylinder  218   b  is used as a reservoir. When the directional control valve is de-energized, the pressure in the supply line is directed to the rod side of cylinder  218   a  and opens the pilot check valve allowing the oil on the piston side of cylinder  218   a  and cylinder  218   b  to return to the rod side of cylinder  218   b  and to the tank. The return flow rate on the piston side of cylinder  218   a  and cylinder  218   b  is sixty-two (62) gallons per minute. The normal system return flow rate is 20 gallons per minute. Forty-two (42) gallons per minute returns through the pilot check valve into the rod side of cylinder  218   b  and twenty (20) gallons per minute returns to the tank. 
     Referring to FIG. 54, there is shown a block diagram of the hydraulic circuits in manifold B. Circuit  472  controls hydraulics to the fetcher cylinders. Circuit  476  controls hydraulics to the fetcher swing cylinders. Circuit  456  controls hydraulics to the left banding mechanism, while circuit  478  controls hydraulics to the right banding mechanism. Circuit  458  controls the operation of the dies and cutters. 
     Referring to FIG. 55, there is shown a complex hydraulic sequence circuit for the operation of the back gate extension cylinders and the back gate swing cylinders. When directional valve  501  is de-energized, back extension cylinders extend fully and the sequence valve shifts. The back gate is then opened by swing cylinders. When directional valve is energized, pressure in the line is directed to the rod side of the back gate cylinders. Pressure in the circuit then exceeds the setting for the sequence valve  502 . The sequence valve  502  then shifts and directs pressure to the rod side of the back gate extension cylinders  236   a  and  236   b.  When cylinders  236   a  and  236   b  are fully retracted, circuit pressure exceeds settings for sequence valve  503  which then shifts, directing pressure to the pilot of valve  504  which shifts and connects the rod side of the back gate extension cylinders to pressure relief valve  505 . Pressure relief valve  505  is manually set to control the desired compression of the hay bundles. As the horizontal plunger compresses the hay against the back gates, the back gates mechanically pull out on the rod end of the back gate extension cylinders  236   a  and  236   b  generating pressure at relief valve  505 . When the pressure exceeds the setting of the relief valve  505 , back gate extension cylinders  236   a  and  236   b  then extend outwardly to produce a controlled setting for compressing a bundle of hay. 
     Referring to FIG. 56, there is shown the curved edge apparatus  404  used to curve the edges of banding  44  as the banding is mechanically pulled from the banding dispenser  42  by retraction of the horizontal plunger  68 . Guide roller  402  is used to keep the banding  44  in a horizontal plane to the curved edge apparatus  404 , while the curved edge is being formed in banding  44 . Thus, the banding is maintained straight while a pair of opposed curved edges are formed in the banding in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. 
     Referring to FIG. 57, horizontal plunger  68  is shown in the retracted position  408   n  after having mechanically pulled banding  446  off of banding dispenser  42  and through curved edging apparatus  404 , for forming the banding straight with curved edges. As the horizontal plunger moves to the retracted position  408 , strap clamp  46  clamps banding  44 . An adjustable banding length bar  406  is used to determine the length of banding  44   b  pulled by the horizontal plunger  68  in the retracted position  408 . Horizontal plunger pulley  400  is used to eliminate drag of banding  44   b  as the horizontal plunger  68  pulls banding  44   b.    
     FIG. 58 shows the horizontal plunger  68  in the extended position  410 . Element  44   c  represents the slack in banding that was applied around the bundle of hay bales as the horizontal plunger  68  was being extended to position  410 . This eliminates the cutting and shredding of hay and bale binding as the banding  44  is being applied in a slack condition around the bundle of hay bales. 
     Referring to FIG. 59 is a side view of the curved edge apparatus  404 . 
     Referring to FIG. 60, there is shown is an end view of the curved edge apparatus  404  showing the roller  416  and die  412  that forms the curved edge of banding  414 . 
     Referring to FIG. 61, there is shown an enlarged view of curved edge banding  414  showing the curved edge  422  in relation to a bale binding  420 . As banding is pulled tight against bale binding  420 , the curved edge  422  will not cut the bale binding. 
     Referring to FIG. 62, there is shown a partial upper perspective view of a lower banding trough  60 . Lower banding trough  60  includes a recess channel in an upper surface thereof. This allows banding to move freely within the compression zones within a hay bale as the horizontal plunger  68  moves forward and aft. FIG. 58 shows the horizontal plunger  68  in an extended position for applying banding  44  without cutting or shredding hay and the bale binding. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.