Raising and lowering mechanism for the rear chamber in a crop material

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 front upper apron is supported on the frame above a front portion of the lower conveyor and floor and defines a front roll forming region therewith. A rear upper apron is supported on the frame above a rear portion of the lower conveyor and floor and defines a rear roll forming region therewith. Formation of a crop material roll is initiated in the front region and completed in the rear region after the roll has been partially formed in the front region and transferred to the rear region. Mechanism on the frame supports portions of the rear upper apron being located respectively at front and rear ends of the rear region. The mechanism is operable for raising and lowering the rear upper apron portions toward and away from the lower conveyor and floor in a coordinated manner for facilitating receipt through the front end of the rear region of the roll when transferred from the front region, completion of the formation of the transferred roll in the rear region and discharge of the roll through the rear end of the rear region when completed.