METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CYLINDRICAL BALES OF STRAW OR LIKE MATERIAL WITH PROTECTIVE FILM COVERING Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: agriculture. SUBSTANCE: method involves using straw baler for picking up, rolling and simultaneously compressing straw layer; while rolling straw layer, moving free end of film for drawing it inside bale on face surface between bale side and ultimately rolled straw layer; upon finishing straw layer picking process, providing further rotation of bale; lowering feeding bale with film edge for moving free end of film onto facing surface; providing holding adhesion between bale and edge of film and finishing subsequent rotation for wrapping bale; biasing feeding bale to higher position and cutting off film edge at the level below bale; separating film by interrupting rotation of feeding bale with film in the process of continuous rotation of cylindrical bale. Apparatus has devices for holding and supporting falling bale with film, device for placing bale on straw baler. Bale placing device is connected with guides and control units for moving holding and supporting device in up and down directions. Guides and control units are positioned relative to straw baler chassis at the level higher than straw layer picking zone. Holding device has spring of size less than that of cylindrical bale. Device for separating film from bale is positioned below film roll. Apparatus may be equipped with device for interrupting bale rotation. EFFECT: simplified straw picking up and packaging process and enhanced reliability in operation. 7 cl, 6 dwg