Lower guide track for down packing press apparatus and method

A lower guide track for disposition in a bale binder engaged with a down press, the down press having a frame, a first carriage section, a second carriage section, and a lower platen with a platen slot, said lower guide track comprising:

• two longitudinal sections defining a channel therebetween, the two longitudinal sections comprising:
• a platen section, said platen section being dimensioned for disposition within the platen slot;
• a first extension extended from said platen section and said first extension extending beyond an edge of the lower platen, said first extension being mounted separately from the first carriage section and disposed to be in operative cooperation with the first carriage section when the first carriage section is in a baling station;
• and
• a second extension extended from said platen section and said second extension extending beyond a second edge of the lower platen, said second extension disposed to be in operative communication with the second carriage section when the second carriage section is in said baling station;
• and
• a mounting bar, said mounting bar being fixed to said platen section of said lower guide track and said mounting bar being adapted to mount said lower guide track within said platen slot.

A method of guiding baling wire underneath a volume of bulk material to be baled by a down press comprising:

• dimensioning a lower guide track for disposition in a lower platen of a down press bed, the lower guide track comprising a platen section substantially as long as the lower platen, a first extension extended from said platen section, said first extension extending outward from a first extent of the platen, and a second extension extending outward from a second extent of the platen in a direction opposite said first extension extended from said platen section, said second extension, and a mounting bar, said mounting bar being fixed to said platen section and said mounting bar being adapted to mount said lower guide track within a platen slot in the lower platen;
• coordinating a first carriage guide track section and second carriage guide track section to operatively cooperate with said lower guide track when said first carriage section and said second carriage section are aligned with said lower guide track;
• and
• turning a channel within said lower guide track and at least one of said first or second guide track sections such that said channel becomes vertical substantially about seven inches from a nearest side of a bale.