Strapping machine with strapping head sensor

A strapping machine for positioning a strapping material around an associated load and sealing the strapping material to itself around the load, the strapping machine comprising:

• a frame;
• a chute defining a strap path, the chute being mounted to the frame;
• a feed assembly mounted to the frame, the feed assembly configured to operate in a feed mode to feed the strapping material and to operate in a take-up mode to retract the strapping material;
• a strapping head configured to seal the strapping material to itself;
• a controller for controlling the operation of the strapping machine, the controller being operably connected to the feed assembly;
• and
• a sensor disposed to sense the presence and absence of strapping material at the strapping head, the sensor including first and second movable biased elements cooperating with one another, the movable biased elements being movable between a first position in which the sensor senses the presence of strapping material and a second position in which the sensor senses the absence of strapping material, the sensor being operably connected to the controller, wherein when the sensor senses the absence of strapping material at the strapping head, a control signal is generated to initiate operation of the feed assembly in a refeed mode.