The neighbor-joining method

A machine for forming large cylindrical bales of hay or the like has a mobile main frame with opposite upright sides defining a baling chamber therebetween. A windrow pickup unit removes the crop from the field and delivers it rearwardly between a pair of compressor rolls, which deliver the crop material in a mat to a baling zone between upper and lower endless conveyors, the lower conveyor having a generally horizontal upper run which supports the underside of the bale and the upper conveyor having an upwardly and forwardly moving lower run which engages the crop moving rearwardly on the lower conveyor to roll it into a bale. The upper conveyor envelops the bale as it is formed and a rear gate assembly is provided in association with the upper conveyor for permitting rearward discharge of the formed bale, the gate assembly including a pair of vertically swingable upper arms and vertically swingable lower arms carried by the upper arms, a linkage being provided between the lower arms and the frame to control the movement of an upper conveyor roller extending between the lower ends of the lower arms, which defines the rearward end of the baling chamber as the bale is being formed.