Improved balers and methods for forming high density bales

摘要

An improved baler and a method of using the improved baler to produce high density bales. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly (15,16,17,200) configured to pick-up crop material (60, 205); a compression assembly comprising at least one pair of opposing compression rollers (100a, 100b; 220a, 220b) configured to generate a pressure on the crop material (60,205) sufficient to crush the nodes as it passes between the compression rollers (100a, 100b; 220a, 220b); and a bale chamber (19,250), wherein the crushed crop forms a bale. The compression rollers (100a, 100b; 220a, 220b) define an adjustable gap therebetween. By adjusting the gap, a pressure sufficient to crush the nodes of the crop may be exerted on the crop material (60, 205) as it passes between the compression rollers (100a, 100b; 220a, 220b) may be controlled, resulting in bales of higher density than conventional bales.