Round baler with continuous bale size monitoring

Abstract

A potentiometer is driven by one of the serpentine arm assemblies used to maintain apron tension during formation of a round bale so that the output of the potentiometer continuously provides an indication of the size of a bale being formed in the baler. A microprocessor based control circuit senses the output of the potentiometer, converts it to a digital value, and compares the digital value with a value representing a desired bale size. When the two values are equal, the microprocessor computes the number of revolutions of a net feed roll that is required to wrap the bale a preselected number of times, energizes the net feed roll mechanism to feed net into the bale forming chamber, and counts the revolutions of the net feed roll. When the required amount of net has been dispensed, the microprocessor stops the net feed roll and activates a mechanism to cut the net. The size of a 'full bale' is selected by actuating keys on a control panel. An offset is automatically provided to compensate for wear in the apron mechanism affecting the 'zero' setting of the bale size sensor. The system permits signalling the operator to steer left or right along a windrow to control bale shape as the bale being formed in the chamber increases in diameter, the signalling rate being non-linear with respect to bale diameter.