Patent ID: 8326563

Claim:
A method for determining the weight of an agricultural bale formed in a baler comprising the steps of: determining an empty baler tare weight (W t ) while the baler is on a level surface; forming a bale in the baler; determining a full baler weight of the baler and completed bale (W f ); calculating a raw bale weight (W r ) wherein W r =W f −W t ; ejecting the bale from the baler and determining an empty baler weight (W e ); calculating a cosine of an angle of a slope upon which the baler sits (COS A) wherein COS A=W e /W t ; calculating an actual bale weight (W a ) wherein W a =W r /COS A; wherein W t is adjusted to compensate for a reduction in a weight of wrapping material consumed in the formation of the bale, comprising the additional steps of: determining a specific weight of a wrapping material (W wrap ) in one of unit weight per unit area for net/film and unit weight per unit length for twine; determining a material width (M w ) if W wrap is in unit weight per unit area; determining a completed bale diameter (B d ); determining a number of wraps (N w ) of wrapping material used on the bale; calculating a weight of wrapping material consumed in the bale (W n ) wherein one of, W n =Π*(B d /2) 2 *M w *N w *W wrap for net/film and W n =Π*(B d /2) 2 *N w *W wrap for twine; and, calculating a new empty baler tare weight (W t ′), wherein W t ′=W t −W n .