Curious, does anyone know or care how a baler knotter works?

Question

I've been working with balers for the last two summers and never really stoppped to think.

Answer 1

Wow, we just came up with this question today as we watched bales being made in the field.  We realized they were knotted and wondered how complex the mechanism would have to be to actually tie a knot.  We thought of how hard it is to teach a young child to tie a knot, let alone design a machine to do it.  Please if anyone knows the true mechanics or a source to "see inside" the machine and how it's done, we'd love it.  We are a homeschooling family and it would be a great science/technology topic!  Thanks.

Answer 2

This was a better question than I thought at first.

I think it might be interesting.

I tried explaning to a friend how a simple bale knotter works in words, and failed.

Then I tried a search for an article about bale knotters.

I could not find one.

There are pages from manuals and from twine makers on trouble shooting but nothing showing how the knotter actually works.

Maybe you should film one in action and post it in you tube or About.com.

Even with photos and a decent explanation it would be good.

Answer 3

Well, if you really want to know: An automatic tie system for a baler for tying a bale of compressible material comprises a reciprocating ram for pushing the bale along a path. A continuous strand of baling wire extends generally transverse to the path and engages the bale front end and wraps around the bale as it moves along the path. A reciprocating inserter arm engages the continuous wire strand to form a partial loop at the bale back end having an apex and an upstream wire section and a downstream wire section. A first gripper arm grips the upstream loop section when the loop is cut and moves the upstream loop section generally parallel to an incoming section of wire from a baling wire supply roll to create a supply wire overlap. A second gripper arm grips the downstream loop section and moves it adjacent to the bale and generally parallel to wire from a baling wire supply roll to form a bale wire overlap. A twisting mechanism engages the bale wire overlap and supply wire overlap and twists the overlaps to tie the bale with two in-line twists which have opposite hand twist orientations and lie generally flat against the sides of the bale. Another opposite hand twist reforms the continuous strand of baling wire.

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5870950...

Now, I have to admit that I really can't follow all of that real well, but could work on'em when they fouled up, or get it going again when it broke a wire. Also grease and oil it when it needed it. The twine knotter was a little before my time (or before the time when we used them), I know some are still being used, but very few I think. The newer round balers just wrap the bale with twine and doesn't tie a knot.

Answer 4

Watch it as it works, and watch as maintenance is being done on it. It's pretty simple tech that has been around a long long time in a lot of industries that make knots from long spools. Kind of hard to explain without your seeing it. But as you are right there and the equipment is being serviced now for the season, get in on how it is done. Then you get another feather for your war bonnet. Check out the second link with other safty stories about lost limbs putting your body in places where it should not be BEFORE you stick your head in the hole.