Patent ID: 7703391

Claim:
A method of achieving a desired bale weight using a large round baler producing cylindrical bales and having a belt tensioner with a variable tension, the method comprising: (a) selecting a target bale weight; (b) completing a plurality of cylindrical bales; (c) weighing each of said plurality of cylindrical bales after completing each of the plurality of cylindrical bales; (d) storing weights of the plurality of cylindrical bales; (e) tensioning the belt tensioner for each of the plurality of cylindrical bales; (f) storing a value related to the tension of the belt tensioner for each of the plurality of cylindrical bales; (g) utilizing the stored weights of the plurality of cylindrical bales and a plurality of the stored values related to the tension of the belt tensioner for each of the plurality of cylindrical bales to estimate a new tension of the belt tensioner to achieve the target bale weight; (h) adjusting the tension of the belt tensioner to the estimated new tension; and (i) completing an additional cylindrical bale.