Control system for a crop package accumulator and method of using same

A method for sequentially accumulating multiple bales processed by an agricultural baler on an accumulator, the method comprising:

• sensing, by a controller receiving position signals from at least one sensor, a position of one or more of a carriage or a bale separating member relative to a base frame, the carriage being laterally movable relative to the base frame, the carriage having a platform and first and second upstanding side walls defining a crop package receiving area therebetween that is sized and configured to receive a bale from the baler, the bale separating member extending into the crop package receiving area;
• actuating, by the controller after processing the received position signals, one or more actuators to move one or more of the bale separating member or the carriage relative to the base frame into position to accept a first bale from the baler with the bale separating member positioned outside of a first bale receiving area of the crop package carrying area;
• and
• actuating, by the controller after processing the received position signals, the one or more actuators to move one or more of the bale separating member or the carriage relative to the base frame into a position to accept a second bale from the baler in a second bale receiving area of the crop package carrying area with the bale separating member and the first bale outside of the second bale receiving area;
• initiating a bale index routine which includes moving the bale separating member to move the first bale to a first side of the crop package carrying area by the controller controlling the at least one actuator to move the carriage in response to the first bale engaging the first upstanding side wall,
• wherein the carriage has a fixed lateral width and the crop package receiving area has a fixed lateral width during all movement of the carriage relative to the base frame.

A method for sequentially accumulating multiple bales processed by an agricultural baler on an accumulator, the method comprising:

• sensing, by a controller receiving position signals from at least one sensor, a position of one or more of a carriage or at least one actuator relative to a base frame, the carriage being laterally movable relative to the base frame, the carriage having a platform and first and second upstanding side walls defining a crop package receiving area therebetween that is sized and configured to receive a bale from the baler;
• actuating, by the controller after processing the received position signals, one or more actuators to move the carriage relative to the base frame into position to accept a first bale from the baler;
• and
• actuating, by the controller after processing the received position signals, the one or more actuators to move the carriage relative to the base frame into a position to accept a second bale from the baler;
• initiating a bale index routine which includes moving the bale separating member to move the first bale to a first side of the crop package carrying area by the controller controlling the at least one actuator to move the carriage in response to the first bale engaging the first upstanding side wall,
• wherein the carriage has a fixed lateral width and the crop package receiving area has a fixed lateral width during all movement of the carriage relative to the base frame.