Abstract: The mechanism alters the position of a set of auger fingers positioned in front of a feederhouse opening relative to auger fingers on the outer ends of a transverse auger of a header of a combine harvester. A center finger auger shaft is positioned between two outer finger auger shafts. An outer shaft plate having a series of radially placed holes may be adjusted to change the position of a center shaft plate. This changes the position of the center auger finger shaft affixed to the center shaft plate. This permits the auger fingers to be moved either towards or away from the header floor.

Abstract: A disc cutterbar with at least one cutterhead having a two-piece mounting hub, one piece rotatably driven and the other supporting a knife for severing standing crop material, with an epoxy layer bonding the two pieces together and forming a shear device therebetween. A brake is associated with the knife-supporting piece whereby upon failure of the shear device, the knife-supporting piece is stopped from rotating within one revolution. The brake includes upper and lower locking blocks having generally mating teeth. Upon failure of the shear device, the teeth of the upper and lower locking blocks engage, thereby stopping the rotation of the mounting hub.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided with a bogey beam on which are mounted the steering axle at the forward end of the bogey beam and the middle axle on the rearward end of the bogey beam. A rear drive axle is supported by the frame of the utility vehicle. The bogey beam is connected to the frame by a pivot assembly defining a transverse pivot axis about which the bogey beam can oscillate. The weight transferred to the bogey beam is proportionately distributed between the front steering axle and middle axle. As a result, the steering characteristics of the steering axle are not impaired by the imposition of a load in the load bed of the utility vehicle, as the middle axle cannot be loaded sufficiently to overpower the front steering axle. The middle axle is rotatably driven by the rear drive axle.

Abstract: A crop residue spreader for an agricultural combine including a unique support element which is an elongate tube, including a center portion and a pair of legs extending outwardly in opposite directions from the center portion, each of the legs including an end portion opposite the center portion and an intermediate portion. The end portions include pivot elements coaxially aligned about a pivotal axis for pivotal connection to a rear end of the combine for movement between spreading and non-spreading positions. The intermediate portions include mounting elements for supporting rotatable crop accelerators in side-by-side relation, and the center portion includes at least one mount for mounting a pair of crop residue deflectors in cantilever relation to the tube and extending partially around the crop residue accelerators, respectively. The tube can also include mounts or supports for holding a shield in desired relation to the crop residue accelerators.

Abstract: A chassis frame for a self-propelled harvester including a pair of rails extending in side-by-side, spaced relation between forward ends thereof and opposite rearward ends thereof, the rails including compound bend portions adjacent to the rearward ends thereof which extend downwardly and convergingly to a cross member which is connected thereto. A rear axle is connected to the cross member in transverse relation to the rails and has wheels located in wheel cavities defined by the compound bend portions of the rails and pivotable about upright steering axes. The rails of the chassis frame can also include elements for mounting at least one radiator or cooler therebetween forwardly of the bend portions, and elements for mounting at least one radiator or cooler therebetween rearwardly of the bend portions, and an air flow duct can be disposed between the rails to provide a straight air flow path between the radiators or coolers.

Abstract: A vent tube for a splitter gearbox mounted on the rear axle assembly of a four-wheel drive tractor. The vent tube extends into the rear axle assembly, while in fluid flow communication with the lubricating oil in the splitter gearbox, and either breaks a vacuum at a balance hole or permits oil transfer from the splitter gearbox, depending upon which direction the output gears are being driven. The output gears turn at high rpm and cause churning of the oil. The vent tube assembly relieves this condition and thereby significantly reduces parasitic power losses.

Abstract: A system for controlling the speed of a feeder and header drive of a harvesting machine at a varying ratio to ground speed as a function of an operator inputted signal and the ground speed. The system utilizes a sensed ground speed of the harvesting machine, a sensed feeder and header drive speed, and a speed control input from an operator, for controlling a feeder and header drive control for controllably varying the ratio of the feeder and header speed to the ground speed as a function of the operator input and the sensed ground speed.

Abstract: A propulsion unit for a tractor includes a diesel engine and two electrical machines. The diesel engine and the two electrical machines are connected mechanically to a device for subdividing and re-combining of the output powers delivered by the diesel engine and delivered or absorbed by the electrical machines. The electrical machines are capable of operating both as generators and as motors. The propulsion unit is operable such that in at least one interval of the ground speed of the tractor, the electrical fraction of the power delivered or absorbed by the electrical machines is zero.

Abstract: A variably positionable chaff pan for attachment to an oscillating element of a cleaning apparatus or system of an agricultural combine for oscillation therewith for conveying chaff from the oscillating element to a non-oscillating chopper or spreader mounted to a fixed frame of the combine. The chaff pan is also sidewardly tiltable with the cleaning apparatus or system, if so capable.

Abstract: A method of regulating and controlling an internal combustion engine forming part of a hybrid power unit of a self-propelled vehicle, the method employing a first graph showing the power transmitted by the engine as a function of the rotation speed of a drive shaft, and for different injector openings of a power-regulating injection device; and a second graph showing the torque transmitted by the drive shaft as a function of the rotation speed of the drive shaft, and for different injector openings of the power-regulating injection device; the second graph also showing the injector opening of the power-regulating injection device.

Abstract: A vehicle has a hydraulic utility system for supplying a pressurized fluid to a number of user devices, including two axles, each having at least one wheel; and a brake assembly for each of the axles; a valve being provided to feed the pressurized fluid of the hydraulic system directly to one of the two brake assemblies in response to a signal from the other of the two brake assemblies.

Abstract: A method of identifying pixels of a given color in a field of YUV video manipulates color difference signals (R-Y, B-Y) corresponding to defining axes (U,V) of a color space to maximize the video signal in a region of interest of the space, and minimize the signal in all other regions. Additionally, the color difference signal corresponding to one axis may be rotated toward the other axis, or the entire color space may be rotated to bring the region of interest onto or near one of the axes. The signal gains and rotations may be carried out in the signal processing circuits (52) of a conventional color camera (50) so that only one comparator (90) is needed to detect the target color. After rotation and application of gain, the color difference signal defining the region of interest is compared with a threshold value to determine if a pixel is of the target color.

Abstract: A user interface for a harvesting machine, such as a combine harvester, having a position adjustable header implement. Specifically, the user interface is operationally connected to a microcomputer that controls a position adjusting apparatus for positioning the position adjustable header implement. The user interface includes two rocker key switches for selecting between, and subsequently adjusting, two operational modes for the position adjusting apparatus, being a stubble height mode and a pressure compensation mode of operation.

Abstract: An implement is provided that includes a frame, a ground engaging roller mounted to the frame, and a suspension system that includes a spring for biasing the roller toward the ground, and a frame support member fixed to the frame above the roller. The frame support member prevents the implement from experiencing high forces when moved into the transport position or when a strong downpressure is exerted on the frame by transferring the forces through the ground working tools to the ground. The frame support member can be a rigid protrusion, a flat plate, or a rolling element. In preferred embodiments, the implement is an agricultural packer and frame support members are positioned above each roller.

Abstract: A foldable chaff pan for attachment to an oscillating element of a cleaning apparatus or system of an agricultural combine for oscillation therewith for conveying chaff from the oscillating element to a non-oscillating chopper or spreader mounted to a fixed frame of the combine. The chaff pan is also sidewardly tiltable with the cleaning apparatus or system, if so capable.

Abstract: An agricultural apparatus is disclosed herein for the harvesting of a low-density crop such as cotton. The agricultural apparatus includes a frame, a crop acquiring device associated with the frame; a crop collecting bin, or basket, which is supported by the frame, adjustable in position with respect to the frame, and provided with an opening in a wall of the basket for conveying of crop into the basket; a conveying device for conveying of crop from the acquiring device to the basket and having a first end associated with the acquiring device and a second end associated with the basket opening; and a hood pivotally attached to the basket for selectively covering the basket opening and for engaging the second end of the conveying device. The hood may include one or more latching apparatus for securing the hood in an opened position and in a closed position. The latching apparatus may be of the barrel, bolt, and keeper type, and may be disposed at a first end, a second end, or first and second ends of the hood.

Abstract: This invention pertains to personal watercraft and to brace assemblies for use on personal watercraft. The brace assembly enables a rear-facing rider to be stabilized so that the rider is not uncomfortable and does not readily fall from the watercraft. Such rear-facing rider spots for a water skier being pulled by the personal watercraft. The brace assembly includes an engagement structure, a support column supporting the engagement structure, and a support housing supporting and containing the support column. The support column raises the engagement structure to a first raised position and retracts into the support housing at a second lowered position. Height adjustment apparatus controls moving the engagement structure between the raised and lowered positions. Mounting apparatus, including a mounting bracket, mounts the brace assembly to the personal watercraft. Fasteners preferably mount the brace assembly to a boarding handle of the personal watercraft.

Abstract: Collector assemblies and methods of making and using them, and electrochemical cells made with such current collector assemblies, are disclosed. The invention provides a current collector assembly which permits safe, effective venting of pressure in the cell; reduces early activation of venting structures in the current collector assembly; contains fewer piece parts than known structurally-robust current collectors; is easy to implement; and provides superior tolerance to outside impact forces. Current collectors of the invention provide a stiffer, more rigid washer, repositioned closer to the bottom plate at its central region while the washer maintains the traditional function of controlling positioning of the seal body of the current collector assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to absorbent pads, and methods for fabricating absorbent pads, having improved fluid intake and preferential wicking in the longitudinal direction. The absorbent pads have patterns of apertures which encourage the preferential wicking. The apertures are characterized by size, spacing from each other, and depth of penetration into the absorbent pad, such that fluid intake rate is increased and distribution of fluid in the longitudinal direction is improved. Apertures are preferably spaced close enough to each other that aqueous liquid is preferentially transferred from aperture to aperture by capillary effect, along the length of the absorbent pad. Preferential wicking between apertures in the longitudinal direction increases the overall effective liquid absorption rate of the absorbent pad, thereby increasing overall effective liquid capacity of the respective absorbent article.

Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for breaking a web along spaced lines of weakness. The invention includes a compact breaker bar assembly comprising at least one breaker bar in a gap. The apparatus also includes driving apparatus to power the breaker bar assembly in breaking the web. In some embodiments, one or more breaker bars engage and stress the web along a single transverse line across the web, breaking the web. In other embodiments, at least first and second breaker bars engage and stress the web along spaced first and second transverse lines across the web. The breaker bars can be mounted on one or more rotary elements, or can be mounted on one or more belts or other breaker bar carriers, traversing closed-loop paths.