Method of determining baling conditions in a round baler

Abstract

A large round baler equipped with moisture sensing apparatus and a bale scale to improve information useful in baling and using bales. Moisture sensing begins after the bale reaches a predetermined diameter. A history of bale weights is used to estimate how much tension to apply to a belt tensioner to achieve both a target bale weight and a target bale size.

1 - 4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . A method of determining baling conditions when baling with a large round baler, the method comprising:
 (a) beginning a formation of a cylindrical bale;   (b) sensing a bale diameter;   (c) sensing when the bale diameter exceeds a predetermined value, said predetermined value being greater than zero;   (d) sensing a bale moisture content after the bale diameter exceeds the predetermined value; and   (e) using the sensed bale moisture content to judge baling conditions.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein sensing the bale moisture content comprises:
 (a) taking a plurality of moisture readings;   (b) sensing the bale diameter at a time of each of the plurality of moisture readings; and   (c) calculating a volume-averaged moisture content using the plurality of moisture readings and the bale diameters associated with each of the plurality of moisture readings.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein taking the plurality of moisture readings comprises:
 (a) taking a first plurality of moisture readings for each of the bale diameters; and   (b) averaging the first plurality of moisture readings to determine a single moisture content for each bale diameter.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein calculating the volume-averaged moisture content comprises:
 (a) forming a first summation by summing products of each of the plurality of moisture readings and the associated bale diameters;   (b) forming a second summation by summing all the bale diameters; and   (c) dividing the first summation by the second summation.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5  additionally comprising:
 (a) sensing a weight of the cylindrical bale;   (b) calculating a dry matter weight of the cylindrical bale using the moisture content and the weight of the cylindrical bale.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6  additionally comprising:
 (a) completing the cylindrical bale;   (b) calculating the volume-averaged moisture content for the completed cylindrical bale;   (c) weighing the completed cylindrical bale;   (d) operatively attaching an identification to the completed cylindrical bale; and   (e) correlating the volume-averaged moisture content and the weight of the completed cylindrical bale to the identification.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein operatively attaching an identification to the completed cylindrical bale comprises:
 (a) wrapping the cylindrical bale with bale wrap; and   (b) inserting the identification beneath the bale wrap.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein operatively attaching an identification to the completed cylindrical bale comprises painting an identifying symbol on a visible surface of the completed cylindrical bale. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein inserting the identification beneath the bale wrap comprises inserting a printed page beneath the bale wrap. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein inserting the identification beneath the bale wrap comprises inserting a transmitter beneath the bale wrap. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein inserting the identification beneath the bale wrap comprises inserting a transponder beneath the bale wrap. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  additionally comprising operatively attaching the transmitter to the bale wrap at predetermined intervals prior to baling. 
   
   
       17 - 25 . (canceled) 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 10  additionally comprising:
 (a) calculating a dry matter weight of the cylindrical bale using the moisture content and the weight of the cylindrical bale; and   (b) correlating the dry matter weight of the completed cylindrical bale to the identification.   
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 10  additionally comprising:
 (a) determining a position of a completed bale according to a global positioning system; and   (b) correlating the position of the completed cylindrical bale to the identification.