Material layer diverting means for a crop material roll forming machine

Abstract

A roll forming machine picks up crop material and forms, twine wraps and discharges rolls or large round bales thereof as the machine is continuously moving across the field. The machine has a mobile frame supporting a pickup and a floor, the latter supporting a lower conveyor. A rear upper apron is movably supported on the frame above a rear portion of the lower conveyor and floor and defines a rear roll forming region therewith. A front upper apron is movably supported on the frame above a front portion of the lower conveyor and floor and defines a front roll forming region therewith having an inlet end and a discharge end. The front upper apron has a portion located at the discharge end of the region which is disposable in closely spaced relationship above the conveyor means and floor. The lower conveyor is operable to move crop material along one path from the inlet toward the discharge end of the roll forming region, while the front upper apron is movably operable to move crop material along another path generally upwardly away from the discharge end of the roll forming region. Two embodiments of means are disclosed which are movable with the upper apron and have portions which extend outwardly therefrom and into the space between the apron and lower conveyor at the discharge end of the region and are thereby effective to divert crop material upon its arrival at the discharge end of the region out of the conveyor path and into the apron path away from the discharge end.