Abstract: A bale binding mechanism is configured to secure a strand of binding material around a bale of severed crop material. The bale binding mechanism includes a chassis, a knotter head assembly, and a captive lock. The knotter head assembly is operable to form at least one knot in the strand of binding material. The knotter head assembly includes a knotter head frame swingably mounted relative to the chassis and rotatable into and out of an operating position where the knotter head assembly can form the at least one knot. The captive lock is shiftably supported by one of the chassis and the knotter head frame. The captive lock is removably engaged with the other one of the chassis and the knotter head frame to secure the knotter head assembly in the operating position, with the captive lock being releasable to permit rotation of the knotter head assembly out of the operating position.

Abstract: A ladder system includes a fixed support, a ladder bracket supported by the fixed support, a ladder coupled to the ladder bracket and configured to rotate with respect to the ladder bracket between a lowered position and a storage position, and an air spring coupling the ladder to the ladder bracket and configured to apply a force to the ladder when the ladder is in the lowered position to keep the ladder in the lowered position. An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels, and a ladder system carried by the chassis. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system comprising a reel, a tether configured to be wound about the reel, and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle attached to the tether. When unmanned aerial vehicle is at rest, the unmanned aerial vehicle resides on the reel. Related methods of operating such a system can be used to extract crop from a field.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement located on a baler for detecting rotation of a dispensing reel of wrapping material and including a rotary element having a textured surface and a sensor mounted on a displaceable mounting bracket wherein the rotary element is rotated by the dispensing reel during baling.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an in-line tandem axle assembly comprising: a tandem wheel arm (46); a pair of wheel connecting assemblies (44A, 44B), each comprising a hub (60A, 60B) and a spindle (58A, 58B); a pair of mounts (50A, 50B) coupled respectively to the pair of wheel connecting assemblies; a pair of wheels (52A, 52B) coupled respectively to the pair of wheel connecting assemblies, the pair of wheels separated by the tandem wheel arm and in a same fore-and-aft position; and plural pairs of parallel links (48A, 48B) of equal length pivotably mounted to the pair of mounts and pivotably mounted to the tandem wheel arm.

Abstract: An agricultural applicator machine has a frame and at least one horizontally extending boom assembly. The boom assembly pivots to a folded position in which it is secured in a boom-cradle mechanism. The boom-cradle mechanism includes a crossmember and a boom rest at an outer end of the crossmember, the boom rest having a rigid inboard boom stop, a rigid outboard boom stop, and a saddle portion. The inboard boom stop extends from the saddle portion in an out-of-phase configuration relative the outboard boom stop. The boom-cradle mechanism has a locking assembly having an actuator assembly configured to rotate the crossmember, and thus the cradle boom rest. The actuator assembly connects to the crossmember through a linkage assembly. The actuator assembly causes the crossmember to rotate causing the boom rest to move between an open position and a locked position.

Abstract: A vehicle control device is mounted on an adjustable armrest assembly coupled to a frame of a vehicle. The longitudinal position of the vehicle control device and an armrest may be adjusted by rotating the armrest upward towards a vertical position, sliding the armrest forward or rearward relative to the base and into the desired position, and then rotating the armrest downward toward the horizontal position.

Abstract: A method including entering, by machine, a first field defined by first field boundaries; and automatically associating the machine with a first wireless network defined by the first field boundaries, the first wireless network comprising a secured data communications network.

Abstract: A tensioning bar assembly for a tensioning assembly of a drive system of an agricultural machine includes a longitudinal bar having a top end, a bottom end, and a threaded portion. An attachment device is coupled to the top end to attach to a tensioning arm. A compression spring is located around a portion of the longitudinal bar. A first spring retainer engages with and retains a first end of the spring. A first locking nut fits to the threaded portion of the bar and retains the first spring retainer longitudinally in place relative to the bar. The longitudinal bar is rotationally freely coupled to the attachment device to permit free axial rotation of the bar about its longitudinal axis relative to the attachment device, and an engagement head is attached to and located at or proximate the bottom end of the longitudinal bar for engagement with a tool.

Abstract: An undercarriage assembly for a work machine including a drive wheel; front and rear idler wheels; an endless track belt about the drive and idler wheels; mid-rollers located between the front and rear idler wheels to engage the endless track belt; a track roller frame mounted on the machine at a main pivot, between front and rear ends of an elongate member, with the front idler wheel connected near the front end of the roller frame; a major bogie connected to the roller frame at a major bogie pivot, and the rear idler wheel connected to a trailing arm of the major bogie; a minor bogie, mounted on a forward arm of the major bogie, and pivotably connected to the major bogie at a minor bogie pivot, and including front and rear axles, supported by a suspension that provides damping between the front and rear axles and the minor bogie pivot.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for cooling an engine damper, including converting a gas to a liquid, and cooling an engine damper by passing the liquid through a tube portion located between fan air flow and the engine damper.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented that receives first and second parameters including first parameters from plural harvesting machines, determines a batch unload for a specified quantity of material to unload from each of the harvesting machines, requests permission to receive the batch unload from one of the harvesting machines, and communicates a control signal to trigger the requested batch unload from the one of the harvesting machines.

Abstract: An implement comprising a center section and a pair of wing sections, each of the sections comprising a pair of parallel frame members pivotably coupled to each other, wherein one of the frame members comprises a toolbar; and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders enabling rotational movement between the parallel frame members, wherein the hydraulic cylinders of the wing sections comprise double-rod cylinders and the hydraulic cylinders of the center section comprises single-rod cylinders.

Abstract: A tillage implement has a frame with a center section and first and second outer wing sections hingedly attached to respective outer ends of the center section. Controlling a pressure in a secondary side of a hydraulic circuit enables adjustment of the downward pressure precharge provided by hydraulic cylinders based on a desired stiffness of the implement. Flow from a hydraulic supply through a pressure-reducing valve puts the downward pressure precharge on gauge wheels. Once this desired downward pressure precharge has been achieved, flow from the hydraulic supply is shut off and a check valve holds the pressure such that the hydraulic cylinders hold the gauge wheels in the desired position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a steering system for a machine, the steering system comprising: a steer-by-wire system configured to provide rear wheel based steering, the steer-by-wire system comprising: a human-machine-interface (HMI) configured to provide a force feedback to the HMI that influences the HMI to a center position; plural sensors; and one or more controllers configured by executable code to receive input from one or more of the plural sensors and reduce a risk of rollover by: causing the rear wheels to maintain or return to straight forward travel in conjunction with the force feedback; and limiting a steering angle of the machine, beyond which a rollover condition occurs, based on computation of a rollover equation with parameters corresponding to the input and machine geometry.

Abstract: A wheel-mounting assembly for an agricultural utility vehicle includes a chassis and a telescopic axle arrangement fixed to the chassis. The telescopic axle arrangement includes an inner axle telescopically received in an outer axle, which is fixed to the chassis. A wheel-support assembly is mounted to an outboard end of the inner axle. A steering-control actuator is connected between the inner axle and the wheel-support assembly. The steering-control actuator is connected to the inner axle through an opening provided in the outer axle, which allows the steering-control actuator to translate together with the inner axle when track width is adjusted.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester, such as a combine harvester, which has an auxiliary axle assembly for support of the feeder house of the harvester. The auxiliary axle assembly can be provided in a retracted position when in a field mode, and can be locked in an extended position when in a road mode, where a wheel of the assembly contacts the ground. When in the locked, extended position, the auxiliary axle assembly supports substantially all of the weight of the feeder house and any attached implements, allowing the feeder house to pivot relative to the main chassis of the harvester.