Integrated baler and bale wrapping device

In a large round baler including a support frame, a baling chamber defined by upper and lower housing sections which meet at a substantially horizontal plane when the baler is in a condition for forming a bale, and a guide structure coupled between said support and said upper housing section and including a powered actuator for elevating said upper housing section away from said lower housing section, the improvement comprising:

• said guide structure including guide elements coupled between said upper housing section and said support frame such that substantially all of said upper housing section moves vertically the same amount so that a gap of substantially constant height above said plane exists between said upper and lower housing sections when said powered actuator is actuated to elevate said upper housing section;
• a wrapping arrangement provided at said horizontal plane;
• said wrapping arrangement including at least a fixed partially circular, substantially horizontal guide track encompassing all but a rear portion of said baling chamber and having opposite spaced ends located for defining an opening in a rear region of said baler so as to permit discharge of a formed bale between said spaced ends;
• said wrapping arrangement also including a wrap material carrier mounted for following said guide track for dispensing wrapping material in a generally horizontal zone between said upper and lower housing sections so as to wrap a bale when said upper housing section is elevated to expose a bale located in said bale chamber.