Abstract: A system, suitable for high-speed operation, by which raw product (45), such as a slab of meat, can be accurately processed, such as by slicing into segments of desired weight, comprises a product profiling apparatus (15). The product profiling apparatus (15) measures the profile of the physical process. The product profiling apparatus (15) includes line lasers (75, 85) for directing a line of light across the upper and lower surfaces of the product (45) and visual image cameras (80, 90) directed toward the profile surface to capture, at fixed increments, the product profile. The product may also be weighed and the product density determined from the overall profile measurements. A controller (150) receives this data, and instructs the physical process accordingly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blade of an ice skate includes the steps of providing a T-shaped stock piece of material having a plate and a leg extending from a center of the plate; machining the plate to form at least one mounting platform for connecting the blade to a skate shoe; machining the leg to form a skate body section that extends from the platform and includes a blade runner holder portion having a diamond cross-sectional shape with a downwardly directed slot. A separate blade runner is fixed to the blade runner holder portion within the slot and positioned for contacting the ice when in use. The blade runner is formed by providing a blade runner-shaped workpiece having a substantially constant thickness; using a vein cutting tool, and machining both lateral sides of an upper edge region of the blade runner-shaped workpiece simultaneously to form a thinner base region. The base region is sized to fit and be secured within the slot.

Abstract: A drive system reciprocates a mold plate between a cavity fill position and a patty discharge position, and can also reciprocate knock out plungers to discharge molded food patties from cavities in the mold plate at the patty discharge position. This drive system includes a first electric motor; a first rotary-to-linear motion converting apparatus operatively connected to the first electric motor; at least one drive member operatively connected between the first rotary-to-linear motion converting apparatus and the mold plate to reciprocate the mold plate. The drive system can also include a second electric motor; a second rotary-to-linear motion converting apparatus operatively connected to the second electric motor; and at least one knock out member operatively connected between the second rotary-to-linear motion converting apparatus and the knock out plungers, to reciprocate the knock out plungers.

Abstract: A mutually-engageable or interlocking connection between a seed tube guard and a frame member mounted to a seed planting machine. The mutually-engageable connection includes a yoke having a front journal and a rear journal with a gap, the yoke, carried on the frame member, and a pin connected to a neck, carried by the guard. The pin is sized to fit between and into the front and rear journals, wherein the neck has a thickness less than a width of the gap in order to slide though the gap during installation, and a length to fit between and through the front and rear journals.

Abstract: A fully integrated drying or heating system utilizes forced air and electrical heaters. A solid cartridge heater is enclosed within a compact air plenum with a circuitous air path arranged within the plenum in heat transfer communication with the heater. The plenums are shaped and configured to be used in banks of plural plenums, with the operating controls and all the components of the air distribution system and air heating system fully integrated into a modular package.

Abstract: A speed control system for a utility vehicle, the vehicle having a forward-facing driving position and a rearward-facing seat, includes a creep control system for moving the utility vehicle, controlled from the rearward-facing seat. The vehicle includes a speed-controllable transmission operable to output power to drive a wheel. The vehicle includes a creep speed control actuator located adjacent to the rearward-facing seat and a creep speed control system operatively connected to the actuator and to the transmission. The system converts movement of the actuator to speed change of the transmission. The transmission can be a mechanically or electronically controlled hydrostatic transmission, or an electronically controlled reverser transmission.

Abstract: A cleanout configuration is provided for a grain compartment on a harvesting apparatus. The grain compartment has walls that form a trough, and a vertically arranged auger that is supported on an auger casting located in a sump at a bottom of the trough. Wall portions, in the form of a unitary casting with the auger casting are adjacent to the auger casting and comprise cleanout openings covered by removable covers. The openings are in a grate pattern. The unitary casting can be a bridge member, which supports all, or a substantial amount of the weight of the unitary casting and the auger.

Abstract: An air cleanout system is provided for a grain unloader tube for a harvesting apparatus. The unloader tube has an auger therein and a plurality of air nozzles located at least partially within the unloader tube. The air nozzles have air outlets directed substantially longitudinally within the tube to deliver air into the tube to effect cleaning of grain and residue from the unloader tube. A pressurized air manifold is flow-connected to the plurality of air nozzles. The air nozzles comprise nozzle housings that penetrate a wall of the unloader tube, the housings having a tapered profile in an upstream direction within the tube to minimize resistance to grain flow through the tube during normal unloading operation. The nozzles are arranged longitudinally spaced apart along the tube. The nozzles of the plurality can be sequentially operated in a direction along the tube from an upstream end toward a tube outlet.