Patent ID: 7181899

Claim:
A machine for collecting and pressing a crop to roll-shaped bales, the machine comprising: a crop collecting device; a bale-forming device defining a winding chamber that is arranged downstream of the crop collecting device and adapted to be opened; a first and a second stationary deflection devices, wherein the bale-forming device is guided about the first and second stationary deflection devices and a load run of the bale-forming device extends from the first stationary deflection device to the second stationary deflection device and a return run of the bale-forming device extends from the second stationary deflection device to the first stationary deflection device; stationary guides positioned along the load run between the first and second stationary deflection devices; at least one deflection roller positioned along the return run between the second and the first stationary deflection devices; wherein the load run of the bale-forming device, during a first bale-forming phase within the winding chamber, travels on the stationary guides along a spatially determined movement path defined by the stationary guides; wherein the load run of the bale-forming device is adapted to be transferred from the spatially determined movement path during the first bale-forming phase to additional movement paths during a subsequent bale-forming phase up to a movement path matching an adjustable maximum bale diameter of the bale to be formed, wherein the load run on the additional movement paths is independent of and no longer supported on the stationary guides and the additional movement paths of the load run are determined by the diameter of the bale to be formed; wherein the adjustable maximum bale diameter is selectable by moveable control means; and wherein, after the bale being formed by the bale-forming device has reached a selected maximum bale diameter and is complete, the bale-forming device initiates a compression phase in which the bale-forming device exerts a compression force on the bale in a direction from the exterior to the interior of the bale.