Collecting apparatus for round bales

A collecting apparatus (2) for round bales comprising of:

• a frame device (4) and a conveying device (6) which includes a plurality of round bales relative to the frame device (4) in a conveying direction (FR) and has at least two traction members (8) which are spaced apart from one another transversely to the conveying direction (FR), are designed to rotate about a front deflection axis (U1) and a rear deflection axis (U2) and have a conveying run (10) and a return run (12), and has at least two conveying elements (14, 16) which are arranged offset relative to one another in the conveying direction (FR) and which at least in one conveying configuration of the conveying device (6) extend longitudinally between the conveying runs (10) of the traction members (8) transversely to the conveying direction (FR), are attached to the traction members (8) and wherein the at least two conveying elements (14, 16) each having a conveying section (18) arranged centrally between the traction members (8) and comprising a width of each the at least two conveying elements (14, 16) that is less than the width of the distance between the traction members (8), wherein the conveying sections (18) in the conveying configuration are spaced apart from the frame device (4) by a conveying distance (FA) in order to form a receiving space (20) extending between them for receiving a round bale to be conveyed such that a weight of the round bales rests on the at least two conveying elements, wherein the at least two conveying elements are oriented to receive the round bales with an axis of the round bales is substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction, and wherein the conveying device receives one of the plurality of round bales directly from a baler and wherein said conveying device (6) moves the plurality of round bales in a direction that is opposite to a direction of travel of the collecting apparatus;
• wherein the conveying device (6) comprises at least a first conveyor unit (26) and a second conveyor unit (28), which each comprises a first conveying element (14) and a second conveying element (16), which are attached adjacent to one another in the conveying direction (FR) to the traction members (8), wherein a distance (A1) between the first conveying element (14) and the second conveying element (16) of the first conveyor unit (26) is equal to a distance (A2) between the first conveying element (14) and the second conveying element (16) of the second conveyor unit (28).