Self-propelled wrapping machine and wrapping method

A self-propelled wrapping machine movable on a supporting plane around a load to wrap the load with a film made of plastic material during a wrapping cycle, the self-propelled wrapping machine comprising:

• a self-propelled carriage;
• an upright fixed to said carriage and slidably supporting an unwinding unit provided with at least one reel of film;
• an anchoring element provided with a locking system selectively operable in a closed position or in an open position respectively to tighten or to release an initial flap of the film unwound from the reel;
• a first gripping unit supported by said carriage, movable and suitable for positioning and releasing said anchoring element, which is associated with the initial flap of film tightened by said locking system arranged in the closed position, on the supporting plane adjacent to the load in an initial step of the wrapping cycle, and suitable for grasping and lifting said anchoring element and activating, in the open position, said locking system so as to release the initial flap of film after at least one turn travelled by said self-propelled wrapping machine around the load while wrapping the load with the film delivered by said unwinding unit.