Abstract: An earth-moving vehicle includes a mobile operating arm; at least one actuator for moving the operating arm through a plurality of positions, wherein one of the plurality of positions is a pre-defined reference position; a control for actuating the actuator; and a configuration device. The configuration device includes a sensor designed for detecting at least the pre-defined reference position of the operating arm and for issuing a corresponding position signal, a disabling valve activated automatically according to the position signal to disable actuation of the actuator when the operating arm reaches the predetermined reference position, and a re-enabling switch which can be switched manually by an operator for deactivating the disabling means to enable the actuator to be actuated.

Abstract: A tractor/implement combination is controlled through the use of real-time data on the true draft force generated by engagement of an implement with the ground. A method of controlling a tractor/implement combination includes obtaining and storing calibration data on the torque generated at the tractor flywheel, while the implement is disengaged from the ground, including such data the rolling resistance and frictional/parasitic losses between the flywheel and driven wheel axle of the tractor. During subsequent operation of the tractor/implement combination, the calibration data is subtracted from instantaneous data to generate a signal indicative of the implement draft force. The draft force signal may be factored to take account of the tractor power train ratio and the rolling radius of the tractor tires. The method allows generation of accurate draft force data, regardless of the nature and mounting location of the implement.

Abstract: A baler is described which has a collection chamber or duct and a baling chamber. Crop material enters the duct until a pre-determined level has been reached at which time a stuffer transfers the pre-compressed crop to the baling chamber. A control system is provided for calculating the ratio between the amount of crop material which should be formed into bales under optimal conditions and the rate of flow of crop material entering the duct. This ratio can be displayed and used to control the speed of the towing vehicle. The present invention uses the duct as a kind of measuring cylinder to determine the rate at which crop material is entering the baler.

Abstract: An agricultural rake basket flotation system that employs tension springs to support a portion of the weight of the rake basket, toward the lateral ends thereof, thus allowing for a more sensitive and complete response to encounters with obstacles and irregularities in the ground level.

Abstract: A field marker for mounting on an agricultural implement includes an elongated arm adapted to project outwardly laterally of the implement when in its operating position and is adapted to carry a field marking device at its outer distal end for making a score mark on the ground. A mount for the arm at an inner proximal end thereof allows pivoting of the arm abut first and second transverse axes whereby to allow the arm to swing upwardly and downwardly about the first one of the axes when operating on uneven ground while also allowing the arm to swing around the second of the axes from its outwardly projecting operating position into another position. The arm includes inner and outer arm sections secured together by a folding joint to permit the inner and outer arm sections to be folded into juxtaposition with one another and brought into the transport position.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a frame having a pair of tool-carrying wings pivotally mounted thereon for pivotal movement between raised transport positions and lowered ground-working positions. Each wing has a hydraulic wing actuator connected thereto which is extendable and retractible for effecting the pivotal motion. A hydraulic wing actuator circuit is connected to each of the wing actuators, which circuit, when connected to a tractor hydraulic system, enables the wing actuators to apply down pressure to said wings when the wings are in the lowered working positions. A hydraulic pressure control valve system controls the down pressure exerted by the wing actuators.

Abstract: The apparatus is an improvement to a feederhouse on an agricultural combine. The apparatus has a first acoustic array having a first sounding board and acoustic sensor positioned beneath the front drum and feederhouse floor. There is a second acoustic array positioned behind the front drum and between the conveyor chain encircling the front and rear drums. The second acoustic array also has a second acoustic sensor and second sounding plate. The acoustic sensor detects the impact of a stone on the sounding plates. A signal is transmitted via a controller from the sensor to a solenoid controlling a stone trap door latch. When the door opens, a sled also rotates into contact with conveyor chain. This deflects any crop flow containing stones. To close the door, the feederhouse is raise and the door rotates into contact with the latch.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing particles includes a storage tank for containing particles to be dispensed a metering mechanism for transferring particles from the storage tank and an air distribution system for receiving particles from the metering mechanism The air distribution system includes a bank of tubes for transporting particles in a flow of air having a flow rate, and a damper mechanism at the bank of tubes for selective control of the flow rate within the bank of tubes. The apparatus for dispensing particles also includes an air flow source for providing a flow of air to the bank of tubes, a sensor located at each tube for providing a sensor output signal indicative of a value of a flow characteristic, and a controller operably connected to the sensors and to the damper mechanism.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine, such as a baler, is provided with a pick-up assembly and a feeder mechanism for picking up crop material from a field and feeding it to the inlet of a baling chamber. A crop retainer mechanism, such as a windguard, are mounted above the feeder mechanism for engaging the upper portion of said crop material whilst it is being fed to said inlet. The retainer mechanism is movable between a lower position assumed when no crop material is present on said crop intake apparatus and an upper position when a considerable amount of crop material is present on said crop intake apparatus. The harvesting machine is also provided with a dampening mechanism for damping the motion of said crop retainer mechanism. Advantageously, the motion is damped by a pair of gas springs mounted to the transverse rod of the windguard. This arrangement precludes sudden movements of the windguard and ensures a regular flow of the picked up material to the baling chamber.

Abstract: A nurse inductor mechanism for an agricultural seeding implement converts an air seeder meter box into a nurse inductor box to convey seed particles to the singulator of a planting mechanism. The nurse inductor mechanism is detachably mounted on the meter box of the air seeder to receive a supply of seed particles therefrom. The nurse induction mechanism intercepts the normal air flow for the metering mechanism to divert the stream of air into engagement with a pile of seed particles and induce the entrainment of the seed particles for conveyance thereof to the remote planting mechanism. A partition wall divides the nurse induction mechanism into a seed side and an air side. The seed side receives the supply of seed particles from the hopper and allows the seed to pass through a passageway into the air side for engagement by the stream of air.

Abstract: A primer system for agricultural product distribution machines, such as an agricultural air seeder, a precision planter, a sprayer, or the like, includes a tank or a bin for holding the product, a distribution system for conveying and distributing the product from the tank and a driving mechanism for driving the product from the tank into the distribution system at a certain rate. The driving mechanism can run automatically or can be selectively operated, based on commands received from a microcontroller. The microcontroller may receive signals from a user interface and from sensing equipment, such as a ground speed detector, a pressure sensor, a flow metre, or the like. In a regular mode of operation, the controller runs the driving mechanism automatically at a rate calculated based on the signals received from the above mentioned systems. Most agricultural machines have the automated mode of operation of the driving mechanism, conditioned by the ground speed of the tractor being higher than a minimum speed.

Abstract: The device consists of a two stage hydraulic tongue swing mechanism and a tongue latch mechanism for controlling and affixing the tongue of a pull type implement while the implement is being laterally transported. The two stage hydraulic tongue swing mechanism comprises a tongue plate attached to the tongue. A free plate is pivotally attached at the tongue pivot and is controlled by a hydraulic cylinder. The tongue plate and free plate are selectively attached to each other by a lateral transport latch. The tongue latch mechanism is partly affixed to the tongue and partly to the trailframe. Attached to the tongue is a tongue handle that controls the position of a tongue pin. The tongue pin is biased into an angled strike plate with a slot on the edge of the trailframe. The tongue pin may be held in a retracted position by a notched lock bar.

Abstract: In the field of mass flow measuring apparatuses, there is a need for greater accuracy of known devices. The invention concerns an impeller for projecting bulk material that otherwise might fail to contact a mass flow measuring apparatus during normal use. The impeller includes a surface inclined relative to a locus of its travel, whereby centrifugal forces cause granular material engaged by the surface to rise to a peripheral zone for projection towards a sensor member. The invention also relates to a radar doppler speed measuring apparatus for use in mass flow sensors; to methods and apparatuses for compensating for longitudinal inclination of mass flow sensor members; and to methods and apparatuses for calibrating such devices.

Abstract: A feederhouse on an agricultural combine. Having a first acoustic array having a first sounding board and acoustic sensor positioned beneath the front drum and feederhouse floor. A second acoustic array positioned behind the front drum and between the conveyor chain encircling the front and rear drums. The second acoustic array also has a second acoustic sensor and second sounding plate. The acoustic sensor detects the impact of a stone on the sounding plates. A signal is transmitted via a controller from the sensor to a solenoid controlling a stone trap door latch. When the door opens, a sled also rotates into contact with conveyor chain. This deflects any crop flow containing stones. To close the door, the feederhouse is raised and the door rotates into contact with the latch.

Abstract: A nurse receiver header for an agricultural planting implement is cooperable with a nurse mechanism that conveys a stream of seeds entrained in an air stream from a central hopper. A receiver is positioned at the planting mechanism to receive the seeds entrained in the air stream and accumulate a supply of the seeds for utilization by the associated planting mechanism. The receiver header may include a vent for dissipating the air stream when receiving the seeds for distribution to the receiver. The vent is provided with a hood to keep contaminants from entering the vent and passing into the planting mechanism. The receiver header is positioned so that an appropriate supply of seeds for the planting mechanism fills the tube between the receiver header and the receiver including the vent, resulting in a decreased volume of discharged air for the air stream and a diminished ability for the nurse mechanism to convey seeds. The receiver header can be configured to service multiple receivers.

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: The invention consists of an engine driving a wet clutch and hydrostatic pump and connected hydrostatic motor. The output of the motor drives the sun gear of a hydro-mechanical planetary drive and the output of the clutch drives the ring gear of the same drive. The carrier is the output and drives the rotors of an agricultural combine. The transmission is controlled by a microcomputer. The microcomputer receives signals from an engine speed sensor and a rotor speed sensor and transmits controlling signals to the hydrostatic pump's swash plate and to a clutch valve allowing a quantity of hydraulic fluid to enter the clutch. The microcomputer can also send a signal to brake the ring gear while reversing the direction of the hydrostatic pump motor to allow act as a reverser for the rotor. The microcomputer also can receive signals from the rotor speed sensor to open the clutch valve allowing a quantity of hydraulic fluid to enter and synchronize the clutch.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle is described having a chassis and a cab mounted on the chassis. The fore end of the cab is mounted on the chassis for pivotal movement about a transverse axis but is prevented from moving relative to the chassis in a vertical plane. The aft end of the cab is resiliently supported on the chassis by springs and is connected to the chassis by means of a linkage, preferably a Watts linkage, that permits movement of the aft end of the cab in a vertical direction towards and away from the chassis while preventing transverse movement of the aft end of the cab.

Abstract: An agricultural planter is provided with hydraulically operated devices to effect the folding and unfolding of the planter support structure between operative and transport configurations. The planter includes a telescopic hitch apparatus that lengthens as the pivoted wing members are folded forwardly to position a transport lock mechanism for engagement with vertically oriented wing latch retainer bars mounted in a latch tower on the draw bar. A hitch latch mechanism is also provided to control the movement of the telescopic draw bar. A caster lock apparatus is also provided to control the castering action of a wheel device positioned near the ends of the wing members. In operation, the laterally extending tool bar is pivoted on a transverse axis to forwardly roll the tool bar toward an intermediate transport position.