The pickup is designed and built by John Deere in Ottumwa, Iowa. The John Deere MegaWide large square balers (LSBs) pickups use a low-profile pickup drum with a large-diameter roller baffle to efficiently pick crop up from the field. The performance of the roller baffle compressing the crop against the pickup tines means more crop in the bale and fewer leaves and crop left in the field.

2.2-m (7.2-ft) wide pickup is available on the L331 and L341 Baler

• Available with standard or premium components
• Tooth-to-tooth width is 1.92 m (76 in.)
• Eight staggered tooth bars help prevent overload
• Standard semi-pneumatic fixed gauge wheels provide smooth ground gauging over uneven terrain and protection to the pickup

2.5-m (8.1-ft) wide pickup is available on the L341 Baler

• Available only with premium components
• Tooth-to-tooth width is 2.18 m (86 in.)
• Eight staggered tooth bars help prevent overload
• Standard semi-pneumatic pivoting gauge wheels reduce sliding and scuffing of the tires in the field when the baler turns
• MegaWide pickup makes it easier to produce better-shaped bales and improves crop pickup in wide, windblown, or scattered windrows
• MegaTough pickup teeth provide greater strength and durability
• Chain driven for positive feeding
• Mechanical cutout clutch protection for added durability

Mega and MegaTough pickup teeth are base equipment:

• Mega pickup teeth, at the ends of the pickup, are heavy-duty for long life and improved crop retrieval
• MegaTough pickup teeth are designed to withstand the harshest baling conditions and provide long service life

Both pickup widths use a heavy, C-channel construction for the toothbar assembly. The pickup toothbars are divided into two half sections that mount to a center spider for increased strength and even crop feeding.

Semi-pneumatic gauge wheels provide smooth ground gauging over uneven terrain and protection to the pickup.

• Stiffer rubber sidewalls
• No air pressure to maintain, which means no flat tires
• Adjustable to meet pickup tooth-to-stubble height requirements

Converging wheels are available on the 2.2-m (7.2-ft) pickup to increase the overall feeding width to 2.8 m (9.2 ft):

• Rubber-mounted steel tines offer better durability
• Tines are sized to prevent dirt buildup

The pickup float springs are positioned for excellent flotation.

• Adjustable to meet varying field conditions
• Float springs only support the pickup reel
• Rotor assembly is fixed to the baler frame, eliminating additional weight on the pickup system

The premium MegaWide pickup is available for the L331 and L341 Large Square Balers. The premium pickup offers larger components to increase the durability and reliability of the pickup.

Changes to the premium Megawide pickup include:

• Larger cams and cam bearings
• Larger spider gears

The spider gears on the premium pickup have bearings that give the reel increased durability (longer life), as well as offering a more quiet operation of the pickup. The spider gears are also larger in diameter for increased life.

L331 and L341 Large Square Balers (LSBs) come standard with double-tie knotters.

John Deere-designed knotters are designed for performance, reliability, and reduced maintenance requirements. The auto-lube system is integrated into the knotter frames, and two internal grease ports reduce the time spent on pre-baling maintenance.

Integration of the lube system block into the knotter frame reduces the number of grease lines required for each knotter.

The integrated grease block results in a reduction in the amount of grease lines required to grease the knotter system and the number of grease line connection points. Fewer feet of grease lines and fewer connection points mean less maintenance and more time baling.

If service to the knotter stack is required, the knotters are positioned using an adjustment screw instead of shims. This saves time by having the ability to make adjustments at any point of assembly.

The split-knotter frame is directly mounted to the intermittent gear so the frame can be removed without servicing the knotter stack.

Like the John Deere single-tie knotter, the billhook cam and wiper arm plate are removable and individually serviceable. This allows replacement without replacing large castings or assemblies.

Instances where competitors must adjust the wiper arm to the billhook with a hammer, the John Deere solution allows the setting to be made with two bolts. This provides a more precise and repeatable setting, which results in more consistent knot wipe-offs.

The one series LSBs store twine in single-row twine boxes. The twine is then routed to the sealed gear tensioners. The sealed tensioner gears have been proven to provide more consistent twine tension during knot formation. This increases knotter performance and consistency. Once the correct bale length is achieved, the tie system clutch is activated.

The John Deere-designed double-tie knotting system is gear and driveline driven to ensure the needle-to-plunger timing is maintained throughout the life of the baler.

The needle lift crank and clutch rocker arm are made of hardened cast iron to improve strength and durability of the knotter clutch. The gearbox drives the system around 360 degrees to complete a tie.

On the L331 and L341 Large Square Balers, the producer can choose between a mechanical trip system or an electrical trip system.

The electrical trip system offers the following advantages:

• Bale length adjustment from the cab
• Tying off the last bale from the cab
• Reduction in maintenance requirements
• Improved length accuracy
• Predictive tie

Predictive tie takes into account the flake size throughout the bale and desired length of bale. When a bale is approaching the desired length and the next flake will put it at or over the desired length, predictive tie will trip the tie system. Whereas the mechanical system has to pass the desired length then it will tie on the next flake.

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