Press-type strapping machine

A strapping machine of the type for positioning, tensioning and sealing a strapping material to itself around a load, comprising:

• a frame;
• a vertically movable upper carriage;
• a strap chute, the strap chute including an upper leg mounted to the movable upper carriage, the strap chute further including variable height side legs mounted to the frame and a bottom leg;
• a pair of compression plates mounted to the movable upper carriage for vertically compressing the load, the compression plates being spaced from one another;
• a pair of side squaring elements movable toward and away from one another, the side squaring elements configured for horizontal movement to contact sides of the load, the side squaring elements disposed between the compression plates,
• a first drive for vertically moving the compression plates simultaneously;
• a pair of second drives for moving the side squaring plates simultaneously and independent of one another toward and away from the load;
• at least one corner pad applicator assembly mounted pivotally to the vertically movable upper carriage for applying a corner pad at an upper corner of the load prior to positioning, tensioning and sealing the strapping material to itself about the load, the at least one corner pad applicator assembly including a reciprocating arm, a pad clamp, and a prefolding element for folding the corner pad;
• a strapping head operably connected to the movable upper carriage, the strapping head configured to receive a free end of the strapping material, grip the free end and form a seal of the strapping material onto itself;
• and
• a control system,
• wherein the first drive actuates to move the compression plates into contact with the load to compress the load and wherein the second drives actuate to move the side squaring elements into contact with the load to square sides of the load, the load being compressed on both sides of the squaring elements.