Round Baler with Scale and Moisture Meter

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 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A 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, wherein sensing the bale moisture content comprises:
 (1) taking a plurality of moisture readings wherein taking the plurality of moisture readings comprises:
 (i) taking a first plurality of moisture readings for each of the bale diameters; and 
 (ii) averaging the first plurality of moisture readings to determine a single moisture content for each bale diameter; 
 
 (2) sensing the bale diameter at a time of each of the plurality of moisture readings; and 
 (3) 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, wherein calculating the volume-averaged moisture content comprises:
 (i) forming a first summation by summing products of each of the plurality of moisture readings and the associated bale diameters; 
 (ii) forming a second summation by summing all the bale diameters; and 
 (iii) dividing the first summation by the second summation; 
 
 (4) using the sensed bale moisture content to judge baling conditions; 
   (e) sensing a weight of the cylindrical bale;   (f) calculating a dry matter weight of the cylindrical bale using the moisture content and the weight of the cylindrical bale.   (g) completing the cylindrical bale;   (h) calculating the volume-averaged moisture content for the completed cylindrical bale;   (i) weighing the completed cylindrical bale;   (j) operatively attaching a visible identification label including a transmitter or transponder to the completed cylindrical bale, wherein operatively attaching an identification label to the completed cylindrical bale comprises:
 (i) wrapping the cylindrical bale with bale wrap; and 
 (ii) inserting the identification beneath the bale wrap; 
   (k) correlating the volume-averaged moisture content and the weight of the completed cylindrical bale to the identification;   (l) determining a position of a completed bale according to a global positioning system; and   (m) correlating the position of the completed cylindrical bale to the identification.