Abstract: The apparatus and method of the invention vary the sensitivity slope of the FNR control lever of an agricultural windrower, such that speed commands outputted through a first range of movements of the FNR lever are slower and increase less rapidly than commands outputted through a second range of movements greater than the first range, the first range corresponding to movements in closer proximity to the neutral position of the FNR lever. The different show is achieved by using different slopes for transfer function signals for the first and the second ranges of positions of the FNR lever.

Abstract: A knotter had a twine holder, a bill hook, an arm carrying a crotch and a cutter and a twine finger operated by a drive mechanism to form two knots consecutively, the first to tie together two runs of twine passed around a completed bale and the second to tie together two runs of twine drawn from respective supply rolls for the commencement of the next bale. The twine holder serves to grip the two runs of twine drawn from the supply rolls throughout the formation of the two knots. The bill hook serves to knot the runs of twine gripped by the holder. The cutter serves to sever the runs of twine between the holder and the bill hook. The crotch pushes the twine runs off the bill hook during the completion of each knot. The twine finger is pivotably mounted on the opposite side of the bill hook from the twine holder to bring the sections of the runs of twine to be knotted within the reach of the bill hook.

Abstract: A computationally efficient method for generating a spiral swath pattern for a region of a field bounded by a convex polygon, the method automatically generating curved portions for the swath pattern having radii of curvature greater than a minimum turning radius based on the minimum turning radius and a definition of the field boundary.

Abstract: An access control system for a work vehicle that has an engine and a location is provided, the system including location sensor that indicates the vehicle's location and an electronic control unit coupled to the sensor that receives the location signal and selectively disables the engine based upon the vehicle's position outside job site boundary's or based upon the time of operation at a plurality of job sites, each job site having its own time of operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically controlling a header lift system of an agricultural harvesting machine, particularly a windrower, to put a header of the machine into a transport mode wherein the header is raised to an elevated transport position, under certain specific conditions. Such conditions can include, but are not limited to, the machine operating in a high-speed range, the header not operating, the speed of the machine being above a predetermined level, and the last inputted control command being a header raise command. When in the transport mode, the lift system can also be operated in a float mode. Further, the header lift system can be returned to a normal mode when certain criteria are present for doing so.

Abstract: A tensioning device is described for mounting between a knotter and a twine supply roll in a baler. The device comprises a spring biased tensioning arm 210 for taking up slack in the twine 216 and a clamp 220 for gripping the twine 216 at a location between the tensioning arm 210 and the supply roll. In the invention, the clamp 220 is coupled to the tensioning arm 210 in such a manner that the force applied by the clamp 220 to grip the twine 216 varies with the position of the tensioning arm 210.

Abstract: A cut-out circuit for an air conditioner protects the air conditioning system components when subjected to low pressure conditions, without manually resetting the system after low pressure cut-out. The cut-out circuit preferably includes a relay, connectable to a voltage source through a normally closed low pressure switch to a compressor clutch, the relay operable in a closed state to output a voltage from the voltage source through the low pressure switch to the clutch, and in an open state to interrupt the voltage. The low pressure switch may open responsive to a low pressure condition interrupting voltage flow to the clutch. The circuit includes a normally open high pressure switch, connected to the relay and a voltage source, operable to close responsive to a high pressure condition, to output a voltage from a voltage source to the relay for changing the relay operating state to open.

Abstract: A metal track for crawler vehicles, the track having a metal chain hinged with substantially rectangular metal shoes, each of which has a work surface with arrow-shaped teeth defined by a front portion of one arrow-shaped tooth and a rear portion of another arrow-shaped tooth spaced apart on the work surface and complementary in shape; each portion of arrow-shaped tooth cooperating with a complementary portion on a respective adjacent shoe to define a complete arrow-shaped tooth.

Abstract: A baler has a bale chamber and a needle movable through the bale chamber to pass a strand of twine from one side of the bale chamber to a knotter located on the opposite side, the twine being engaged by a tip of the needle. In the invention, pressurized air is directed at the needle tip. The supply of pressurized air may be discontinuous and timed to coincide only with certain phases of the needle operating cycle. The air stream avoids crop material being caught up in the knots formed by the knotter.

Abstract: A round baler has a tailgate moveable between a closed position in which the tailgate extends along the back side of the baling chamber and an open position in which a completely formed bale can be discharged from the baling chamber and a controller programmed to open and close the tailgate in response to a bale discharge signal. The tailgate opens and closes initially relatively quickly and then more slowly as the tailgate approaches the fully open or fully closed position, the rate of opening and closing being determined by the period of time lapsing from the bale discharge signal.

Abstract: A method for real time determination of a base torque value, representative of maximum available torque of an engine at a specified engine rpm, as a function of engine torque during predetermined engine conditions. The base torque value is used to determine shift points for an automatic transmission of an self propelled work machine.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a frame and an axle assembly coupled to the frame, including a first axle shaft substantially disposed in an axle housing. A first wheel couples to the first axle shaft of the axle assembly. An axle lubricating fluid is disposed within the axle housing. A cooling circuit fluidly coupled to the axle assembly circulates cooling fluid therethrough. A hydraulic motor fluidly coupled to a fluid circuit includes a device disposed in parallel with the fluid circuit to discontinue operation of the motor in response to a predetermined pressure of at least one of the first and second circuit being exceeded.

Abstract: A road grader having the components or assemblies of a rear counterweight, lights and a bumper. This rear frame should consist of few individual parts, render possible a simple assembly for the rear counterpoise weight and offer sufficient options for building on different pieces of rear-mounted equipment. That is achieved if the bumper and the rear counterweight consist of a rear end plate vertically aligned and extending across the entire width of the grader, which represents the rearmost part of the rear frame and onto which the lighting is attached in the region of its outer ends.

Abstract: An improved modular disc cutterhead connecting drive shaft configuration having a means for laterally centering the shaft between adjacent cutterhead modules thereby equalizing engagement on each end of the shaft with the module connectors. Further durability improvement is realized by a structure to radially center the shaft in the shaft receptacles of each module to maintain uniform loading on the shaft/receptacle interface which improves the durability of the connecting drive shaft end connections. Additional connecting shaft durability is provided by a means to lubricate the drive shaft connector connecting interfaces using lubricant reservoirs disposed within the modules.

Abstract: A controller area network based climate control system for a work machine, and a method of operation of the same, which advantageously and economically integrates into and utilizes the resources and capabilities of a CAN of a work machine, including, but not limited to, shared data from other systems of the machine, particularly engine data including engine operating speed and temperature, for controlling climate control system operation, as well as for troubleshooting and diagnosing problems.

Abstract: A CVT hydromechanical drive having: an engine (12) rotating a propeller shaft (11); a hydrostatic unit (13), in turn having a hydraulic pump (14) and a hydraulic motor (15) connected hydraulically to each other; an epicyclic transmission (16); a number of clutches (CH1, CH2, CH3); a differential; and an assembly (PTO). The hydromechanical drive (10) is characterized in that the hydrostatic unit (13) is substantially U-shaped, and in that a longitudinal axis of symmetry (b) of the pump (14) is substantially in line with a longitudinal axis of symmetry (a) of the propeller shaft (11).

Abstract: A cooling system for a work vehicle is disclosed that includes first and second heat exchangers disposed one above the other to create two discrete flow paths. The upper heat exchanger is an engine water cooler and the lower heat exchanger may be an intercooler, an oil cooler or a refrigerant condenser. The lower heat exchanger is disposed forward of the upper heat exchanger. Additional heat exchangers may be positioned in front of the first and second heat exchangers to provide additional cooling. The first and second heat exchanger may be cross-flow heat exchangers conducting the fluid to be cooled laterally through the core of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An improved crop conveying drum for a drive disc cutter mounted directly to the drive shaft mechanism providing rotational power to the cutterbar. The crop conveying drum includes a pair of mating segments, each forming a half of the drum. Each segment is formed from a single piece of plate material and stamped into the desired curvilinear configuration. A central mounting portion of each segment is contoured to match the drive shaft mechanism and allow connection thereto. Holes in the central mounting portion allow insertion fasteners to connect the drum segments directly to the drive shaft mechanism so that the crop conveying drum rotates in unison with the drive shaft. By forming the drum segments from a single plate of material, material characteristics can be more easily selected or more quickly modified compared to the fabricated weldments known in the art.