Method for removing a twist-module sub-assembly in a knotter assembly

1. A method for removing and reinserting a twist-module sub-assembly in a knotter assembly on a material baling apparatus, the knotter assembly including a frame having a base plate and a pair of parallel opposed side walls, a knotter cover arm assembly including a pair of opposed knotter cover arms coupled, at a first end of each arm, to a knotter cover, and pivotably coupled, at a second end of each arm, to a shaft such that rotation of the arms about the shaft causes the knotter cover to at least partially extend from a first side of the knotter assembly, the method comprising:

rotating the knotter cover arm assembly outwardly from the first side of the knotter assembly;

securing the knotter cover arm assembly in a raised rotated position;

accessing, through the first side of the knotter assembly, one or more coupling devices securing the twist-module sub-assembly to the knotter assembly;

removing the one or more coupling devices; and

extracting the twist-module sub-assembly as a unit from the knotter assembly substantially via the first side of the knotter assembly,

wherein upon extraction of the twist-module sub-assembly as a unit from the knotter assembly substantially via the first side of the knotter assembly, the knotter assembly is configured to receive the twist-module sub-assembly reinserted into the knotter assembly.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

reinserting the twist-module sub-assembly into the knotter assembly substantially via the first side of the knotter assembly;

installing the one or more coupling devices;

releasing the knotter cover arm assembly from the raised rotated position; and

rotating the knotter cover arm downwardly to a substantially vertical original position.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the reinserted twist-module sub-assembly is configured for operation of the knotter assembly using a different gauge of wire than the twist-module sub-assembly as configured prior to the extracting step.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the reinserted twist-module sub-assembly includes one or more new or remanufactured wear components.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the knotter assembly includes a ratchet assembly configured to lock the knotter cover arm assembly in the raised rotated position, and wherein securing the knotter cover arm assembly in a raised rotated position further comprises:

engaging a ratchet gear associated with the knotter cover arm assembly with a pawl associated with the frame assembly.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the raised rotated position is approximately 60 degrees from vertical.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein extracting the twist-module sub-assembly from the knotter assembly substantially via the first side of the knotter assembly comprises sliding the twist-module sub-assembly along one or more guide rails associated with the frame assembly.

8. A method for removing a twist-module sub-assembly, as a unit, from a knotter assembly on a material baling apparatus, the method comprising in a knotter assembly including a knotter cover arm assembly having at least a knotter cover, and pivotably coupled, to the knotter assembly such that rotation of the knotter cover arm assembly causes the knotter cover to at least partially extend from a front of the knotter assembly, and a first twist-module sub-assembly that includes a modular housing that houses a twister pinion and one or more wire guides:

rotating the knotter cover arm assembly outwardly from the front of the knotter assembly;

securing the knotter cover arm assembly in a raised rotated position;

accessing, through the first side of the knotter assembly, one or more coupling devices securing the first twist-module sub-assembly to the knotter assembly;

removing the one or more coupling devices;

extracting the first twist-module sub-assembly as a unit from the knotter assembly substantially via the front of the knotter assembly; and

inserting a second twist-module sub-assembly into the knotter assembly.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

upon inserting the second twist-module sub-assembly into the knotter assembly, installing the one or more coupling devices;

releasing the knotter cover arm assembly from the raised rotated position; and

rotating the knotter cover arm downwardly to a substantially vertical original position,

wherein the second twist-module sub-assembly is inserted into the knotter assembly substantially via the front of the knotter assembly.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the second twist-module sub-assembly is configured for operation of the knotter assembly using a different gauge of wire than the first twist-module sub-assembly.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein replacing the first twist-module sub-assembly with the second twist-module sub-assembly for operation of the knotter assembly using a different gauge of wire is faster than replacing one or more gauge-specific components in the first twist-module sub-assembly and reinstalling the first twist-module sub-assembly.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the second twist-module sub-assembly includes one or more new or remanufactured wear components.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein replacing the first twist-module sub-assembly with the second twist-module sub-assembly is faster than replacing one or more wear components in the first twist-module sub-assembly and reinstalling the first twist-module sub-assembly.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the knotter assembly includes a ratchet assembly configured to lock the knotter cover arm assembly in the raised rotated position, and wherein securing the knotter cover arm assembly in a raised rotated position further comprises:

engaging a ratchet gear associated with the knotter cover arm assembly with a pawl associated with the frame assembly.

15. The method of claim 8 , wherein the raised rotated position is approximately 60 degrees from vertical.

16. The method of claim 8 , wherein extracting the first twist-module sub-assembly from the knotter assembly substantially via the front of the knotter assembly comprises sliding the first twist-module sub-assembly along one or more guide rails associated with the knotter assembly.

17. A method for removing a twist-module sub-assembly in a knotter assembly on a material baling apparatus, the knotter assembly including a frame having a base plate and a pair of parallel opposed side walls, a knotter cover arm assembly including a pair of opposed knotter cover arms coupled, at a first end of each arm, to a knotter cover, and pivotably coupled, at a second end of each arm, to a shaft such that rotation of the arms about the shaft causes the knotter cover to at least partially extend from a first side of the knotter assembly, the method comprising:

rotating the knotter cover arm assembly outwardly from the first side of the knotter assembly;

securing the knotter cover arm assembly in a raised rotated position using a ratchet assembly coupled to the knotter assembly;

accessing, through the first side of the knotter assembly, one or more coupling devices securing the first twist-module sub-assembly to the knotter assembly;

removing the one or more coupling devices; and

extracting the first twist-module sub-assembly as a unit from the knotter assembly substantially via the first side of the knotter assembly,

wherein upon extraction of the first twist-module sub-assembly as a unit from the knotter assembly substantially via the first side of the knotter assembly, the knotter assembly is configured to receive a second twist-module sub-assembly.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein securing the knotter cover arm assembly in a raised rotated position comprises engaging a ratchet gear associated with the knotter cover arm assembly with a pawl associated with the frame assembly.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

inserting the second twist-module sub-assembly into the knotter assembly substantially via the first side of the knotter assembly.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:

installing the one or more coupling devices;

releasing the knotter cover arm assembly from the raised rotated position; and

rotating the knotter cover arm downwardly to a substantially vertical original position.