(19)Fresh off Patent
(45) Week of Oct 19, 2026 No. 7 3,667 lapsed 70 listed
Food, farm & garden tech · expired at full term Oct 16, 2026

Round baler with full-wall moisture sensor

A large round baler fitted with a moisture-sensing system that measures bale moisture while the bale is in the chamber. The sensor is mounted on one inner chamber wall and extends over the entire wall area to contact the bale; moisture is evaluated by measuring electrical resistance or capacitance between the two opposite chamber walls. Typical users are hay and forage producers operating large round balers.

Sheet 1 of the patent drawingsSheet 2 of the patent drawings

(57) What the patent covered

This write-up was generated by AI from the patent's text and may contain mistakes, so check it against the original patent before relying on it.

The main independent claim covers a large round baler having a moisture detection sensor that covers the entire inner surface of one baling-chamber wall and an evaluation arrangement that determines bale moisture by measuring electrical resistance or electrical capacitance between the first and second chamber walls.

Distinguishing feature: The sensor extends over the entire inner surface of a chamber wall so that the bale contacts a sensor area commensurate with the whole wall, and the system uses resistance or capacitance measured between the two walls to determine moisture.

Novelty 3/5. Measuring bale moisture on balers was known, but prior arrangements used small electrodes or local sensors; a full-wall sensor area and wall-to-wall electrical measurement is a substantive improvement rather than a wholly new product class.

Manufacturing

Likely formed by fixing a conductive sensing layer or conductive panels across the inner face of one chamber wall (for example by bonding or fastening a metalized sheet or multiple connected conductive segments), routing wiring through the baler frame to an evaluation module, and providing the opposite wall as the counter-electrode (metal plate or grounded surface); assembly involves panel forming, fasteners, wiring harness installation and enclosure mounting.

Materials: Metalized panel or conductive-coated sheet, insulating backing or substrate (plastic or composite), electrical connectors and wiring, protective wear-resistant cover (rubber or polymer).

Manufacturability 4/5. Requires several formed panels or a coated inner wall, wiring and an electronic evaluation module; no exotic parts but needs durable wear-resistant surfaces and reliable electrical contacts in an abrasive environment.

Market demand

This design, or something very close to it, is on sale now. Multiple suppliers offer on-board bale moisture sensing (H2O/Harvest Tec, Deere, New Holland) with round-baler compatibility; products emphasize real-time moisture readings across bale width; several listings show consumer prices around a few hundred dollars for standalone testers.

Demand check by web search, week of Oct 12, 2026. Listings change frequently.

Buyers: Hay and forage producers, contractors operating round balers.

Sourcing

Factories list this type of product on supplier marketplaces, at about $1699.00–$2199.00 per unit with a typical minimum order of 1 unit. Listings show baler-related machinery with moisture-sensing apparatus as part of broader round baler offerings; OEM/private-labeling and customization likely available through Alibaba suppliers, but exact baler moisture-sensor module specifications vary by listing.

Supplier prices are from public listings found by web search, quoted before customization, shipping and duties. Use them to decide whether to request a quotation.

Before manufacturing

No related continuation or divisional patents in force were found. Design patents, trademarks and unrelated patents may still cover the product.

Sensor surfaces must withstand abrasion and soiling; electrical-contact moisture measurements can be affected by salt, contaminants, insulation from debris, and require robust weatherproofing and calibration.

This patent has reached the end of its full term and cannot be revived. This page is a research lead, not legal advice. Obtain a freedom-to-operate opinion before manufacturing.

Claim 1, as granted

1. In a large round baler including a frame supporting a baling chamber for the production of a bale of harvested crop, with the baling chamber including opposite first and second walls having respective inner first and second surfaces disposed for engaging a bale formed between them, and a moisture detection sensor being arranged on said first surface of said first wall, which interacts with the bale formed of harvest crop and said sensor is connected to an evaluation arrangement, the improvement comprising: said moisture detection sensor extending over an entire inner surface of said first wall of said baling chamber and said evaluation arrangement determines a moisture content of said bale by measuring an electrical resistance between the first and second walls or measuring an electrical capacitance between the first and second walls.