Abstract: A splitter gearbox for a four wheel drive, hydrostatically driven tractor integrates both the input drive train and the output drive train into a single gearbox. The drive mechanism eliminates the need for a separate mechanical gearbox by establishing pre-set fixed displacement settings that are electronically controlled along with the variable displacement of the hydrostatic motor and hydrostatic pump, to provide a smooth power shift through all ranges without requiring the tractor to stop. The drive mechanism is configured so that essentially all components are individually controlled so that the entire power generated by the tractor engine can be diverted to any one of the traction drive, the PTO mechanism, the auxiliary hydraulic drive or, to a somewhat lesser extent, the tractor hydraulic system. The splitter gearbox is mounted to the rear axle housing to allow the sharing of a common oil sump.

Abstract: A splitter gearbox for a four wheel drive, hydrostatically driven tractor integrates both the input drive train and the output drive train into a single gearbox. The drive mechanism eliminates the need for a separate mechanical gearbox by establishing pre-set fixed displacement settings that are electronically controlled along with the variable displacement of the hydrostatic motor and hydrostatic pump, to provide a smooth power shift through all ranges without requiring the tractor to stop. The drive mechanism is configured so that essentially all components are individually controlled so that the entire power generated by the tractor engine can be diverted to any one of the traction drive, the PTO mechanism, the auxiliary hydraulic drive or, to a somewhat lesser extent, the tractor hydraulic system. The splitter gearbox is mounted to the rear axle housing to allow the sharing of a common oil sump.

Abstract: A front axle assembly for a tractor or similar motor vehicle is provided with a front axle and a connecting unit interposed between the front axle and the frame of the tractor. The front axle assembly has an axle casing closed by oil-tight closing device supporting a gear for receiving motion from a propeller shaft forming part of the connecting unit.

Abstract: A forage harvester having a cutterhead with underbeveled knives thereon is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, each knife has a lateral cross sectional configuration closely resembling an isosceles trapezoid with the initial cutting edges formed by the sides and the longer base thereof. Sharpening of the knife results in the formation of a new cutting edge on the side which is closer to the shorter base than the previous cutting edge. The method of performing the sharpening operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable conveyor to load hay bales onto a bale wagon. The chain conveyor with cleats to catch the bales is held to the bale wagon frame by bolts which pierce slots on the conveyor support. Adjustment of the distance of the extension of the cleats through the support table on which the bales move is accomplished by moving the slots relative to the bolts.

Abstract: A rotor for an axial flow combine which is adapted to coact with conventional grate means in said combine, said rotor having on the forward end thereof interrupted infeed flight means which are spiral segments spaced both axially and circumferentially from each other, and certain of the leading ends of said flight segments in the direction of rotation of the rotor extending radially a limited distance beyond the outer edges of said segments to provide aggressive engagement of said segments with crop material being delivered to said flight from conventional elevator mechanism and the like normally employed in combines.

Abstract: The instant disclosure is directed to an access ladder for the elevated operator's platform of a vehicle, the ladder being pivotable in two planes between operative and inoperative positions about two separate axes. Counterbalance means interconnecting the ladder and the platform assist pivotal movement in the first plane. A biased locking mechanism releasably holds the ladder in the operable position relative to the second plane.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine comprises a frame, a crop pick-up mechanism mounted on the frame for flotational movement with respect thereto, and counterbalancing means operable to counterbalance at least a portion of the weight of the pick-up mechanism. The counterbalancing means comprise a combined sheave structure rotatably mounted on the frame and having a first sheave coaxial with the axis of rotation, and a second sheave connected for rotational movement with the first sheave and having a nonuniform radius relative to the axis of rotation, resilient means coupled between the frame and the sheave structure and first and second interconnecting means interconnecting the combined sheave structure with the pick-up means and the resilient means respectively.

Abstract: A knotter mechanism, primarily for use in crop baling machines, with an improved billhook and actuation means therefor is disclosed. The billhook is rotatably mounted on the knotter frame and includes a fixed jaw having an elongate shaft and a movable jaw with an integral heel portion is pivotally fixed to the fixed jaw whereby pivotable of the moveable jaw opens and closes the billhook. An actuation means in the form of a rotatable roller is mounted on the knotter frame adjacent the billhook on an axis of rotation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fixed jaw shaft. As the billhook rotates, the heel portion of the moveable jaw periodically engages the roller, resulting in selective opening and closing of the billhook.

Abstract: A knot tying mechanism with improved operational capabilities is disclosed. A twine disc rotatably mounted about a central fixed hub is angularly arranged to position the twine-gripping area for better acceptance of twine from the needle and thereby reduce the incidence of misties due to inadequate gripping. A billhook shaft extends through the fixed hub to properly support the billhook adjacent the twine-gripping area, and to transmit rotational power from the shaft to the twine disc.

Abstract: An improved knotter primarily for use with a crop baling machine is disclosed. As is known in the art, a quantity of compacted crop material is encircled with a length of twine, or similar binding material, and a knot is tied in primary and secondary portions thereof to produce a discrete package of material. The improved knotter includes a rotatable twine holder for gripping the primary and secondary portions of twine and holding them in a side-by-side relationship extending along a predetermined path. A rotatable billhook is mounted adjacent the twine holder and positioned to intersect the predetermined path. Drive means interconnecting the twine holder and billhook rotate the two elements in timed relation such that during a first cycle of the billhook the twine portions are positioned thereabout, and during a second cycle of the billhook a knot is tied therein.

Abstract: An improved knot tying mechanism, primarily for use in the agricultural industry, is disclosed. A twine disc rotatably mounted about a central fixed hub is angularly arranged to position the twine-gripping area for better acceptance of twine from the needle and thereby reduce the incidence of misties due to inadequate gripping. A billhook shaft with a worm gear thereon extends through the fixed hub to properly support the billhook adjacent the twine-gripping area. Cooperating gear teeth on the twine disc are engaged by the worm gear so that rotational power applied to the billhook shaft is transmitted therethrough to provide corresponding movement of the twine disc.

Abstract: A multi-row crop header for a forage harvester having a plurality of forwardly extending dividers to provide crop passageways therebetween, the inner ends of said dividers being adjustably connected to a transverse frame member to vary the spacings between said passageways, and a rotatable feed assist roller mounted adjacent the inner end of the outermost divider to assist in guidng down crops picked up by said dividers to the inner ends of said passageways for discharge therefrom and prevent hairpinning of said down crops from jamming said header thereby.

Abstract: An improved bale wagon is disclosed which employs novel apparatus for maintaining the positional integrity of bales in a tier during the transfer thereof from a bale-accumulating table to a load bed. A pair of stationary open frame structures extend from the main frame adjacent the bale-accumulating table upwardly and rearwardly to the respective sideboards on each side of the load bed to provide a retaining wall adjacent the path of travel of the opposing sides of the bale-accumulating table. The retaining structures prevent the outward dislocation of bales during the transfer step, even in steep hillside conditions and thus promote increased operation efficiency.

Abstract: A rotatable cutterhead for a forage harvester having a plurality of parallel support members within plans perpendicular to a central shaft and spaced axially therealong. A plurality of similar chopping blades are affixed in circumferentially spaced relationship to each other around the support members, whereby the interior of said cutterhead is open and susceptible to ingress of cut forage material. Baffle strips extend from each blade inwardly from and adjacent the cutting edge at a sufficient distance and angle to deter the ingress of cut material into the interior of said cutterhead.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a combine with a unique sealing arrangement between the pivotable feeder housing and the inlet opening. The feeder housing includes axially aligned pivot arms which extend away therefrom to engage a pair of support yokes which permit the feeder housing to pivot vertically. The pivot arms include curved contact plates which sealingly engage at least partly semi-circular resilient closure members on the combine frame to prevent crop material from escaping between the feeder housing and the inlet opening.

Abstract: An improved support for the forward end portion of the wooden floor of a manure spreader is disclosed. The forward edge of the floor is enclosed by a channel-shaped cap portion which is in turn supported by an elongated brace member affixed at its ends to structural elements of the spreader. The cap portion may extend across the entire edge of the floor; however, its primary advantages may be obtained by making it substantially conterminous with the conveyor chain width.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header has a transversely extending crop consolidating component that detachably mounts either one of a plurality of interchangeable crop gathering components, such as a crop windrow-pickup or a row-crop. The lower front portion of the consolidating component is provided with a plurality of spaced apart truncated cone-shaped recessed structures which are respectively adapted to receive a corresponding number of truncated cone-shaped projecting structures mounted on the lower rear portion of the gathering component. The projecting structures are coupled within the recessed structures to detachably mount the crop gathering component forwardly of the crop consolidating component.

Abstract: A safety lock for an agricultural windrower and/or conditioner comprising a self-propelled machine having a pair of drive wheels respectively powered by individual hydraulic motors each powered by separate hydraulic pumps driven by a fuel powered motor, the pumps being variable for driving the motors at desired speeds and directions to comprise a hydrostatic steering system for said machine, said pumps being variable by a rotatable steering wheel, and a speed control level also is movable to cause actuation of both pumps equally and also actuates lock pins which secure the steering wheel in neutral position. The safety feature is effected by the speed control lever being biased into a latching notch when the steering wheel is moved to neutral position and thereby moves the lock pins automatically into locking position relative to holes in plates associated with linkage between the column of the steering wheel and said hydraulic pumps.

Abstract: A disc mower which is silent in operation and simple to maintain. The mower comprises a casing (1) on top of which is mounted at least one pair of rotatable cutter discs (8) driven by a belt transmission (9) housed within the casing (1). The casing (1) has a base portion (3) and an upper portion (2) hingedly connected together along one edge and releasably secured together by a plurality of skids (33-37) which in use are contactable with the ground to support the mower.