Sperry Corporation

Ford New Holland, Inc.

Robert E Jackson

LeRoy A Crawford

Bryant F Webb

Earl A Hudson

A knotter mechanism, utilized on a square baler to encircle the bale with a wrapping material and tie a knot in the material after the wrap is complete, is provided with a detector mechanism for detecting knotter malfunction. The detector mechanism comprises an elongated detector pin which is mounted to pivot in a vertical plane, the pin being mounted on the twine finger of the knotter mechanism so as to pivot therewith in a horizontal plane. The pin is encircled by the wrapping material as the bale is encircled and is within the loop of wrapping material after a knot is tied. As the tied bale is moved rearwardly from the knotter station the detector pin engages the loop of wrapping material and pivots the twine finger thus causing a switch to be actuated. Failure to actuate a switch signals a knotter failure. Upon further movement of the tied bale rearwardly, the loop of wrap material slips over the end of the detector pin and a spring mechanism returns the twine finger and the pin to their initial position.

Mistie detector and indicator system

A cam member for knotters has a cam section, on which a cam surface is formed, and a flange section. The cam surface is engaged by a cam follower carried on the movable jaw of the knotter billhook. Fasteners such as bolts extend through the flange section of the cam member into the main frame of the knotter to detachably fasten the cam member to the main frame.

Replaceable cam member for knotters

A twine needle is provided particularly for use on large crop balers. The twine needle includes a body portion and a tip portion detachably secured to the body portion. The tip portion is designed to break off, if a predetermined force is exerted thereon, without damaging the body portion. A broken tip portion may be easily replaced without replacing the entire twine needle.

Growing community of inventors

Terre Hill, PA, United States of America

Robert E Jackson