Knotter assembly

1. A knotter assembly in a wire-tying system of a baler, the assembly comprising:

a base plate;

a pair of parallel opposed side walls each having a first edge, the first edges together defining a first side of the knotter assembly;

a guide mechanism on each side wall and extending inwardly therefrom, said guide mechanism having a planar top surface;

a torque tube assembly disposed between the side walls, the torque tube assembly including a torque tube, a cutter-assembly-actuating component fixably associated with the torque tube, a gripper-assembly-actuating component fixably associated with the torque tube, and a first and second operator member fixably attached to the torque tube, the first operator member including components for actuating-a first cover arm, the first cover arm being coupled with a knotter cover, and the second operator member including components for actuating a second cover arm, the second cover arm being coupled with the knotter cover, the first and second operator members actuating the first and second cover arms to cause the first and second cover arms and the knotter cover to at least partially extend from the first side of the knotter assembly; and

a twist-module assembly that is removable as a unit via the first side of the knotter assembly, the twist-module assembly including a modular housing having spaced-apart guide structures, each having a channel that matingly slides over a corresponding guide mechanism along said top surface to guide said housing into and out of said side walls; said housing having the cutter assembly, a twister pinion, pair of pinion bushings, and a pair of wire guides removeably mounted to the modular housing.

2. The knotter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the twist-module assembly is removable as a unit using said guide mechanisms and said guide structure.

3. The knotter assembly of claim 2 , wherein replacing the twist-module assembly as a unit provides operation of the knotter assembly with a different gauge of wire.

4. The knotter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the knotter cover is attached to a first end of the first and second cover arms and the first and second cover arms are rotatable about a second end thereof to engage a ratchet assembly proximate to the second ends and configured to retain the first and second cover arms in a raised rotated position, and wherein rotation of the first and second cover arms about their second ends causes the knotter cover to at least partially extend from the first side of the knotter assembly.

5. The knotter assembly of claim 4 , wherein the raised rotated position is approximately 60 degrees from vertical.

6. The knotter assembly of claim 4 , wherein rotation of the first and second cover arms about their second ends provides access to and allows removal of the twist-module assembly via the first side of the knotter assembly.

7. A knotter assembly in a wire-tying system of a baler, the assembly comprising:

a base plate;

a pair of parallel opposed side walls each having a first edge, the first edges together defining a first side of the knotter assembly, each of said sidewalls including a mounting area;

a guide mechanism on each side wall and extending inwardly therefrom;

a torque tube assembly disposed between the side walls, the torque tube assembly including a torque tube, a cutter-assembly-actuating component fixably associated with the torque tube, a gripper-assembly-actuating component fixably associated with the torque tube, and a first and second operator member fixably attached to the torque tube, the first operator member including components for actuating-a first cover arm, the first cover arm being coupled with a knotter cover, and the second operator member including components for actuating a second cover arm, the second cover arm being coupled with the knotter cover, the first and second operator members actuating the first and second cover arms to cause the first and second cover arms and the knotter cover to at least partially extend from the first side of the knotter assembly; and

a twist-module assembly removeably secured to the first side of the knotter assembly by securing bolts to said mounting areas, said twist module assembly is removable as a unit via the first side of the knotter assembly, the twist-module assembly including a modular housing having spaced-apart guide structures to guide said housing into and out of said side walls, said guide structures and said guide mechanisms cooperating to hold said twist module assembly in place between said side walls when said bolts are removed from said mounting areas; said housing having the cutter assembly, a twister pinion, pair of pinion bushings, and a pair of wire guides removeably mounted to the modular housing;

wherein said twist module assembly can be removed as a unit by an operator after said bolts are removed from said mounting areas, aided by said guide structures and guide mechanisms.

8. A knotter assembly in a wire-tying system of a baler, the assembly comprising:

a base plate;

a pair of parallel opposed side walls each having a first edge, the first edges together defining a first side of the knotter assembly, each of said sidewalls including a mounting area;

a guide mechanism associated with each side wall;

a torque tube assembly disposed between the side walls, the torque tube assembly including a torque tube, a cutter-assembly-actuating component fixably associated with the torque tube, a gripper-assembly-actuating component fixably associated with the torque tube, and a first and second operator member fixably attached to the torque tube, the first operator member including components for actuating-a first cover arm, the first cover arm being coupled with a knotter cover, and the second operator member including components for actuating a second cover arm, the second cover arm being coupled with the knotter cover, the first and second operator members actuating the first and second cover arms to cause the first and second cover arms and the knotter cover to at least partially extend from the first side of the knotter assembly; and

a twist-module assembly removeably secured to the first side of the knotter assembly at said mounting areas, said twist module assembly is removable as a unit via the first side of the knotter assembly, the twist-module assembly including a modular housing having spaced-apart guide structures to guide said housing into and out of said side walls, said guide structures and said guide mechanisms cooperating to hold said twist module assembly in place between said side walls when said twist module assembly is not secured to said mounting areas; said housing having the cutter assembly, a twister pinion, pair of pinion bushings, and a pair of wire guides removeably mounted to the modular housing;

wherein said twist module assembly can be removed as a unit by an operator when said twist module assembly is not secured to said mounting areas, aided by said guide structures and guide mechanisms.