Method and system for wrapping a bale

Abstract

A novel method and system for wrapping a bale supported on a platform in a wrapping position with a bale wrapping apparatus including a rotating arm positioned above the bale, a downright member extending downwardly from an outward end portion of the rotating arm, and a wrap carriage movable up and down the downright, wherein the downright and the wrap carriage orbit the bale in the wrapping position as the rotating arm rotates to apply a film or wrap material about the bale. A bale stabilizer, positioned above the bale in the wrapping position, with a plate extendable into contact the bale stabilizes the bale during application of the wrap about the bale. An upender with laterally movable arms and pivoting paddles is positionable to engage and disengage the bale. The upender is movable to raise and lower the clamped bale from and back to the platform, and the paddles are pivotable to rotate the raised bale. The upender includes a carriage movable up and down relative to a base. Each arm is pivotally coupled to the carriage by a second pivot assembly to laterally move the paddles toward and away from each other, and each arm is pivotally coupled to the carriage by a third pivot assembly to pivot the arms between a raised position and a lowered position. The platform for supporting the bale in the wrapping position is mounted on a dolly translatable between a bale press station wherein a bale is loadable onto the platform, the wrapping position, and a conveyor station wherein the bale is unloaded from the platform.