A bale forming apparatus and a bale forming method for forming cylindrical bales of material are provided. An intake device conveys material through an outlet into a bale forming chamber which is surrounded by a bale forming mechanism and which is situated adjacent to the outlet. A front housing part and a rear housing part are adapted for being connected with each other to form a bale forming housing. The rear housing part together with a bale on a bale carrying member can be pivoted with respect to the front housing part around an angle of at least 90 degrees. The rear housing part can be pivoted from a bale receiving position into a bale ejecting position where the bale is ejected.