Tailgate latching apparatus for a round baler

Abstract

Improved tailgate latching apparatus for a round baler having a main frame, a tailgate, stub shafts for pivotally coupling the tailgate to the main frame, and a bale forming chamber mounted on the frame and the tailgate for forming crop material into a cylindrical package of crop material, which chamber has a generally transverse opening for permitting the ingress of crop material. The baler also includes a pickup for picking up crop material from the field and feeding it rearwardly along a path in the direction of the transverse opening, a drive for pivoting the tailgate from a closed position to an open position for discharging the bale onto the surface of the field, and a latching assembly for holding the tailgate in its closed position, which assembly comprises a latch arm mounted on the main frame, a latch pin mounted on the tailgate in operative relationship with the latch arm. The drive is coupled to the latch arm for moving the latch arm between latched and unlatched positions corresponding to open and closed positions of the tailgate. A stop is mounted on the main frame for engaging the latch arm to prevent the latch arm from exerting downward force on the tailgate via the latch pin to avoid any resulting transmittal of the downward force to the stub shaft.