IP Library Granted Patent US 12677753
Granted Patent B2
US 12677753 · App. 18/359,781 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Round balers with a redirecting assembly

Inventors: Bryce Heitman (Newton, IA); Spencer Fynaardt (Pella, IA); Calvin Meinders (Pella, IA); Blake Wilson (Altoona, IA); JJ Dooyema (Pella, IA)
Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
A01F15/106A01F15/18A01F2015/183
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12677753
App. No.
18/359,781
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A baling system for baling crop material. The baling system includes one or more bale-forming belts, one or more rollers, and a bale formation chamber defined in part by the one or more bale-forming belts and the one or more rollers. The baling system also includes a crop feeding device operable to convey crop material towards the bale formation chamber and a redirecting assembly in a fixed position proximate the bale formation chamber to redirect stray crop material exiting the bale formation chamber towards the crop feeding device.

Claims (31)

1 . A baling system for baling crop material, the baling system comprising:

one or more bale-forming belts;

one or more rollers;

a bale formation chamber being defined in part by the one or more bale-forming belts and the one or more rollers;

a crop feeding device operable to convey crop material towards the bale formation chamber; and

a redirecting assembly in a fixed position spaced from the bale formation chamber to redirect stray crop material exiting the bale formation chamber towards the crop feeding device.

2 . The baling system of claim 1 , wherein the redirecting assembly comprises a belt.

3 . The baling system of claim 1 , wherein the redirecting assembly further comprises at least one roller that rotates about an axis in a fixed position relative to the bale formation chamber.

4 . The baling system of claim 1 , wherein the redirecting assembly comprises a plate.

5 . The baling system of claim 1 , wherein the bale formation chamber comprises a gap, the gap creating a stray crop material exit location as crop material is rotated in the bale formation chamber.

6 . The baling system of claim 5 , wherein the redirecting assembly includes a belt including a length that is longer than the gap of the bale formation chamber, and wherein the redirecting assembly is orientated such that the belt spans across the gap.

7 . The baling system of claim 5 , wherein the gap is formed where crop material rotating in the bale formation chamber transitions from a belt surface of the one or more bale-forming belts to a roller surface of the one or more rollers.

8 . The baling system of claim 5 , further comprising a wrapping device, wherein wrap material fed by the wrapping device enters the bale formation chamber at a location distinct from the gap.

9 . The baling system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more rollers defining the bale formation chamber comprise a lower inlet roller and one or more upper inlet rollers, the lower inlet roller and the one or more upper inlet rollers defining a crop inlet through which crop material is conveyed from the crop feeding device towards the bale formation chamber.

10 . The baling system of claim 9 , wherein the redirecting assembly is positioned to redirect stray crop material towards the crop feeding device for passage through the crop inlet towards the bale formation chamber.

11 . The baling system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more bale-forming belts travel in a first direction, and wherein the lower inlet roller rotates in the first direction to propel crop material into contact with the one or more bale-forming belts.

12 . The baling system of claim 1 , the redirecting assembly and the bale formation chamber are positioned on opposing sides of the one or more rollers.

13 . The baling system of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the redirecting assembly is positioned vertically above the bale formation chamber at some time during bale formation.

14 . A round baler comprising:

a crop pickup device;

one or more bale-forming belts;

one or more rollers;

a bale formation chamber being defined in part by the one or more bale-forming belts and the one or more rollers;

a crop feeding device operable to convey crop material from the crop pickup device towards the bale formation chamber; and

a redirecting assembly in a fixed position spaced a distance from the bale formation chamber to redirect stray crop material exiting the bale formation chamber towards the crop feeding device.

15 . The round baler of claim 14 , wherein the redirecting assembly comprises a belt.

16 . The round baler of claim 14 , wherein the redirecting assembly further comprises at least one roller that rotates about an axis in a fixed position relative to the bale formation chamber.

17 . The round baler of claim 14 , wherein the redirecting assembly comprises a plate.

18 . The round baler of claim 14 , wherein the bale formation chamber comprises a gap, the gap creating a stray crop material exit location as the crop material is rotated in the bale formation chamber.

19 . The round baler of claim 18 , wherein the redirecting assembly includes a belt including a length that is longer than the gap of the bale formation chamber, and wherein the redirecting assembly is orientated such that the belt spans across the gap.

20 . The round baler of claim 14 , wherein the one or more rollers defining the bale formation chamber comprise a lower inlet roller and one or more upper inlet rollers, the lower inlet roller and the one or more upper inlet rollers defining a crop inlet through which crop material is conveyed from the crop feeding device, and wherein the redirecting assembly is positioned to redirect stray crop material towards the crop feeding device for passage through the crop inlet towards the bale formation chamber.