Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an edge between a cut crop and an uncut crop in a field is disclosed. At least two scanlines of pixel data are processed based on an image of the field. A characteristic line corresponding to the cut/uncut edge is best fit between center location points of segments from each scanline using sequential regression analysis. A fuzzy logic algorithm is used to determine whether to continue processing each successive scanline of data based on the quality of the characteristic line. If certain fuzzy membership functions determine that the slope and intercept values have sufficiently converged, processing of the scanlines is completed and the agricultural vehicle is automatically guided along the cut/uncut edge corresponding to the characteristic line.

Abstract: An adjustable double sickle cutterbar assembly using sickle bar hold-downs that minimizes the interference to the flow of cut crop material rearwardly in the header, thus to reduce the catching of cut crop material.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method and apparatus for changing the real speed of a work vehicle with a continuously variable transmission and an electronic control device having a cruise control function.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a welded cylinder is provided wherein a seal (such as an O-ring seal or a cured polymeric sealant) is disposed between the tube of a cylinder and its welded end plug. The seal is spaced away from the circumferential weld that joins the end plug to the cylinder to reduce the hoop stress in the tube adjacent the weld, thereby reducing the tensile stress at the weld joint.

Abstract: A crop residue chopper for an agricultural combine including a spaced array of stationary knives. A rotor of the chopper is rotatable about an axis therethrough and includes mounting elements in axially spaced relation, and a plurality of offset knives, each of the offset knives including a mounting end portion fixedly mountable on one of the mounting elements and a an opposite free end portion disposed so as to extend radially outwardly in axially offset relation to the mounting end portion when mounted on the mounting element.

Abstract: A threshing rotor and front bearing housing shroud assembly for an agricultural combine having improved anti-wind characteristics, particularly with regard to long, wet straw. The invention resides in a front rotor inlet or infeed section having at least one radially outwardly extending impeller or auger flight having a front leading edge extending radially outwardly from a front center portion so as to be swept back relative to the rotational direction of the auger and so as to radiate from inwardly of, and form at least a 90 degree included angle in relation to, a wiping surface and anti-wind wiper of the shroud. A generally annular space exists between the shroud and a front bearing housing substantially surrounded thereby, and at least one radially outwardly raked anti-wind lug on the front center portion of the inlet section rotates through the space to agitate and clear plant material therefrom through pathways provided through the shroud for the flow of the plant material from the space.

Abstract: A folding door or gate arrangement and method of operation thereof for a mobile cotton harvesting machine including a tiltable cotton module builder. In one embodiment, folding door or gate arrangement includes primary and secondary folding door segment pivotal between a folded or closed position in at least partially closing relation to an open end of the module builder and an unfolded or open position at least substantially parallel to a floor thereof, and a door driver arrangement connected between the primary door segment and the secondary door segment including a pivoting link element that facilitates pivotally moving the secondary door segment while the module builder is pivoted to an unloading position without exerting binding or potentially damaging loads against the door segments or the drivers to provide a straight inclined path for unloading or loading cotton onto of from a surface lower than the module builder.

Abstract: A round baler includes a housing, a bale chamber, and a bale wrapping apparatus. The bale wrapping apparatus includes two twine supply rolls providing two twine strands; two twine dispensing arms, each presenting one of the two strands; a shear bar connected to the housing; and a knife assembly rotatingly connected to the housing by an elongated bar to rotate from a first position to a second cutting position, the two twine strands extending transversely between the shear bar and the knife assembly, the knife assembly comprising: a mounting assembly comprising a mounting member having two protruding posts; a knife having two slots formed therein and a cutting edge, the knife mounted on the mounting member so each protruding post extends through one of the slots; and a biasing member disposed on each post to bias the knife toward the mounting member while permitting the knife to move relative to the mounting member.

Abstract: An offset connection for a skid steer loader or other work vehicle having right and left boom assemblies, an implement connected to boom assemblies, and a body. An offset connection assembly is provided that includes (i) a seat member attached to one of the triangular plate member and the lower link member, the seat member having a first passage formed therethrough, and a seat formed therein, (ii) a hollow offset pin journaled within a hole in the other of the triangular plate and the link member, the offset pin having (a) a surface offset from a center of the pin constructed to engage the seat of the seat member at a selectable orientation, and (b) a second passage formed therethrough, and (iii) a fastener passing through the first and second passages and securely fastening the hollow offset pin and the seat member in the selectable orientation.

Abstract: A foldable extension for increasing a grain holding capacity of a grain tank of an agricultural harvesting machine. The grain tank includes angularly related upper peripheral portions defining an upwardly facing opening, and the extension includes a corresponding number of extension panels mounted for pivotal movement about the respective upper peripheral portions of the grain tank. Each of the extension panels is pivotally positionable in a deployed position extending upwardly and outwardly relative to the opening of the grain tank at an acute angle of less than about 80° to horizontal, and a generally horizontal folded position extending over a portion of the opening, adjacent ones of the extension panels having adjacent ends defining corner spaces therebetween when in the deployed position.

Abstract: A disc cutterbar having a two-piece mounting hub, one piece rotatably driven and the other supporting a knife for severing standing crop material, with spring-mounted ball and detent devices holding the two pieces members together and forming a shear device therebetween is disclosed. A specially threaded retaining bolt is associated with the knife-supporting piece whereby, upon failure of the shear device, the knife-supporting piece is rotated out of the cutting plane and away from the operational cutterheads.

Abstract: In a vehicle transmission system including a transmission having an input shaft driven by an engine, an output shaft, and a clutch for controlling the transfer of torque from the input shaft to the output shaft, the clutch is controlled by sensing the speed of the engine and controlling engagement of the clutch according to the sensed engine speed. The system normally operates in a mode wherein clutch engagement is controlled according to the position of a clutch pedal. An auto-clutch mode, wherein engine speed controls clutch engagement is invoked when the transmission is in gear, brake pedals are depressed, and the engine speed is less than a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A test for hydraulic leakage in hydraulic components uses a rate testing device having two circuits including a filling circuit that fast-fills the component with hydraulic fluid and a leakage circuit that measures the leakage rate of fluid flow through the component. The filling circuit is first connected to the component to fill the component. Once full, flow through the filling circuit is blocked and flow to the component is provided by the leakage circuit, which includes a leakage flow rate measuring device. The filling circuit provides a flow rate that is at least twice the flow rate that is provided by the leakage circuit.

Abstract: A method of controlling the combination of a tractor and an attached implement includes the calibration of a tractor/implement combination to allow for variations in prevailing slip-pull data at progressively increasing implement draft levels. The recorded data is then interpolated at a reference slip value and compared with a series of reference slip-pull curves. The slip-pull curve approximately most closely to the recorded pull value at the reference slip value is then selected for subsequent use in a control algorithm.

Abstract: A variable speed, reversible drive for rotating elements of a feeder and a header of an agricultural combine including a first rotatable power input, a second rotatable power input, and a planetary gear arrangement or set including a first rotatable input, a second rotatable input, and a rotatable output, the rotatable elements of the feeder and the header being connected to the rotatable output of the planetary gear arrangement for rotation thereby.

Abstract: The apparatus is a crop harvesting machine with a header that discharges the crop toward the rear of the machine at the edge of the area harvested. A transverse auger conveyor moves the cut crop to one side of the machine where rotating paddles attached to the auger conveyor center tube push the cut crop out toward the rear through a discharge opening that defines the windrow being formed.

Abstract: A pivot tongue crop harvester, having an hydraulic system to selectively swing the pivot tongue about a pivot point on the harvesting mechanism, including a selector valve to cut off flow of hydraulic fluid to the tongue swing cylinder during loading of the harvester onto a transporter is the driveline of the harvester has not been disconnected.

Abstract: A round baler having a frame assembly, comprising: (a) a first frame assembly; (b) a pickup assembly comprising a pickup and a auger assembly integrally mounted on the first frame assembly to form a pickup module; (c) a second frame assembly connected to the first frame assembly; and (d) a conveyor module selected from the group consisting of a stuffer module and a rotor module, wherein each conveyor module comprises a conveyor mounted on the second frame assembly. The modular structure of the frame assembly facilitates manufacture of several diverse types of product balers while minimizing the complexity of the assembly line process.

Abstract: A drive system for the auger of a crop-harvesting header that includes a slip clutch to slow or stop auger rotation upon encountering a slug or foreign object of sufficient size, and pawls on the drive sprocket that engage a ratchet wheel on the auger drive shaft when the drive is reversed to provide positive power to the auger in reverse to eject the obstruction.