Device for folding leading end of net-type bale wrapping material to enhance its full-width conveyance into the baling chamber

Abstract

A large round baler is equipped with a net wrap feeding mechanism mounted to the rear and bottom of the bale discharge gate. The feeding mechanism includes upper and lower feed rolls, with the lower roll being located closer to the discharge gate than the lower roll and, the pair of rolls thus being arranged to deliver wrapping material against an upright run of bale forming belts, the latter acting to carry the net to a pinch point formed between the belts, where they pass around a lower rear belt support roll, and a guide pan of a net material guide assembly that extends beneath and adjacent a lower run of the belts. A net wrap material cut-off device includes a fixed knife blade located forwardly of and extending parallel to the lower feed roll. The cut-off device further includes a pair of transversely spaced cut-off arms between which extend and to which are fixed an anvil. The arms are mounted for pivoting between a raised standby position, wherein the anvil is located adjacent the upper feed roll and a lowered cut-off position, wherein the anvil is engaged with the knife blade. A row of bristles is located between the lower feed roll and the knife blade at a position where it acts to strip the lower roll of net material having a tendency to wrap about the lower roll and to entangle the net material as the latter is brought against the bristles during severing of the net material tensioned between the feed rolls and the pinch point after a bale has been wrapped. The entangled net material results in the leading end of the net material becoming folded back on itself at the beginning of the next wrapping cycle, such doubling together with the operation of spreader rolls acting to deliver the net material to the baling chamber at its full width.