Transfer pan and pickup assembly

Abstract

A pickup for a combine-towed baler. In one embodiment, crop material such as the residue or material other than grain (MOG) from the back of the combine is directly projected toward a target on a baler collection device. A tailboard with deflection panels may be used to alter the direction of the crop residue from the combine. The tongue of the baler is configured to not obstruct the crop material as the crop material is projected toward the baler. One or more knives of a chopper coupled to the combine may be configured to optimally project MOG toward the baler. Also, the stuffer chute of the baler may be configured to facilitate the flow of crop material such as MOG and therefore minimize obstructions. The crop material is transferred from the combine to the baler without the use of a conveyor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An agricultural system comprising:
 a combine configured to project crop material rearward from the combine through the air; and   a baler towed by said combine, said baler receiving a substantial portion of said crop material projected by the combine without said crop material impacting the ground, the baler comprising a crop material target and a pickup, said target at a front end of the baler and extending to said pickup.   
     
     
         2 . The agricultural system of  claim 1  wherein said target comprises a transfer pan for receipt and transfer of said portion of material to said pickup, said pickup to receive said portion of material discharged directly from said combine and to impact on said target for transfer to said pickup-rather than impacting the ground, said target separated from said combine by said conveyorless medium. 
     
     
         3 . The agricultural system of  claim 2  in combination with a cutter positioned behind said pickup relative the direction of travel of said baler, said cutter for cutting said portion of material impacting said target. 
     
     
         4 . The agricultural system of  claim 2  with said pickup coupled to said baler with pivoting movement about a pivot axis. 
     
     
         5 . The agricultural system of  claim 1  wherein said baler comprises a tongue for towing said baler, said tongue permitting a flow of material from said combine through an opening to said pickup wherein said material is free from obstructions from said tongue. 
     
     
         6 . The agricultural system of  claim 5  wherein said tongue permits a flow of said portion of material from said combine through said opening to said pickup or permitting said pickup to lift another portion of material from the ground in front of said baler, wherein said portion and said another portion of material are free from obstructions from said tongue. 
     
     
         7 . The agricultural system of  claim 2  in combination with a cutter positioned behind said pickup relative the direction of travel of said baler, said cutter for cutting said portion of material impacting said target, wherein said baler comprises a tongue for towing said baler, said tongue permitting flow of material from said combine through an opening to said pickup wherein said portion of material is free from obstructions from said tongue, said pickup positioned closer to said opening and said combine than without said cutter. 
     
     
         8 . The agricultural system of  claim 2 , wherein said transfer pan comprises a surface that has different elevations on opposing ends.