Abstract: A single imaging device collects image data of a storage portion. A container module identifies a container perimeter of the storage portion in at least one of the collected image data. A spout module is adapted to identify a spout of the transferring vehicle in the collected image data. An arbiter determines whether to use the image data based on an evaluation of the intensity of pixel data or ambient light conditions. An alignment module is adapted to determine the relative position of the spout and the container perimeter and to generate command data to the propelled portion to steer the storage portion in cooperative alignment such that the spout is aligned within a central or target zone of the container perimeter.

Abstract: System utilizes stereo cameras to sense the position of a tractor-drawn grain cart relative to a combine during the unloading (on-the-go) process. The sensing system also detects the fill level of grain in the cart and adjusts the relative position of the tractor to the combine to achieve an even fill to the desired fill level.

Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a charge pump which supplies fluid to variable displacement main pump, a fluid reservoir and valve unit. The valve unit includes a hollow housing having a first end communicated with the reservoir and a second end communicated with the charge pump and the main pump. A housing valve land member is located between the first and second ends. A valve member is movably mounted in the housing. The valve member has a valve disk attached to first and second valve stems which project from opposite sides of the valve disk. The valve disk has a central position wherein the valve disk is received by the ring. The valve stems are slidably supported by stem support members at opposite ends of the housing. A hollow sleeve projects from an end of the valve unit. A spring is mounted in the sleeve and is engagable with an end of one of the valve stems and is biased to urge the valve member away from the sleeve.

Abstract: A self-propelled harvesting machine has a chassis that is supported for travel over the ground by a front pair of propulsion wheels and a single steerable rear wheel. The rear wheel is mounted for being selectively shifted along the direction of operation for changing the spacing between the front wheels and rear wheels so as to effect a difference in the weight distribution between the front and rear wheels. This adjustment can be made automatically in accordance with the weight of a front-mounted harvesting attachment and/or the load imposed on a trailer coupling by a towed trailer.

Abstract: A raw material is stored in a storage container. The stored raw material is physically processed in the storage container to obtain a processed material based on the raw material. Link data is recorded for associating the raw material with the processed material across any transformation between the raw material and the processed material. A graphical user interface is provided to facilitate at least one of entry, storage, retrieval, and data processing of the recorded link data for management of the storage containers.

Abstract: A straw chopper blade comprising a flat blade defining a plane. The blade has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading edge is provided with a sharpened cutting edge that extends from the tip of the blade radially inward towards its mounting assembly. The leading edge is also provided with a paddle that extends perpendicular from the blade adjacent to the mounting assembly.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a housing and a first connector mounted on the housing and adapted for mating with a second connector. Both connectors have electrical conductors for communicating electrically with each other. The assembly also includes a yoke pivotally coupled to the housing. The yoke is pivotal to an open position and to a closed position. The yoke is engagable with the second connector to move the second connector into full mating engagement with the first connector as the yoke is pivoted to its closed position. A latching device is coupled to the yoke, and the latching device is releasably engageable with the housing to releasably hold the yoke in its closed position. The latching device is operable to unlatch and permit the yoke to be pivoted to its open position and allow the second connector to be disconnected from the first connector if sufficient tension is applied to the second connector in a direction to pull the second connector away from the first connector.

Abstract: An arrangement proposed for the wrapping of a bale with a wrapping material is provided with a drive element that is driven only briefly at the beginning of the wrapping process over a clutch arrangement and which permits the bale to carry the wrapping material along during the remainder of the wrapping process.

Abstract: An arrangement is proposed that responds to the upward movement of a discharge gate, which forms a rear housing section of a baling chamber to the cylindrical bale in such a way that contact elements of the arrangement are pressed into the surface of the cylindrical bale, preferably by means of a servo motor, in order to reliably grasp the cylindrical bale and move it together with the gate until the bale is free of a fixed forward section of the baling chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for measuring the weight force of a bale in a baler wherein the bale moves between a first position, within the baling chamber, and a second position, within a wrapping apparatus carried by the baler chassis. A measurement device, which is connected to a data processing device, is provided, for measuring a measurement parameter influenced by the weight force of said bale in each of said first and second positions and developing a signal representative of the weight of the bale at those positions. The processing device is set up to calculate the weight force of the bale taking into account a first signal output from the measurement device when the bale is in the first position and a second signal output from the measurement device when the bale is in the second position.

Abstract: A tool coupler comprises a coupler frame and an attachment frame. The attachment frame is provided with two hooks that engage two catches located on the coupler frame. The coupler frame is provided with two locking pins and the attachment frame is provided with two receiving apertures, for locking the coupler frame to the attachment frame. Both locking pins are actuated by a double acting hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is slidably mounted on the coupler frame. The hydraulic cylinder is provided with a barrel end having the first locking pin and a piston rod having the second locking pin. The coupler frame and the hydraulic cylinder are provided with limiters which limit the sliding movement the piston rod and the barrel end relative to the coupler frame.

Abstract: An engine and transmission control system is responsive to manipulation of manually operated control devices which can cause actions which result in increased load on the vehicle engine, before the engine actually begins to be effected by the load increase. The control system monitors manipulation of control devices and engine load, and when engine load decreases, the system stores the identity and displacement direction of the manipulated control device. When the same control device is then manipulated in the opposite direction, the control system will begin to temporarily boost or raise engine rpm and decrease the transmission ratio in anticipation of the expected load. After the control system has boosted the engine rpm, it monitors whether or not the engine speed was boosted high enough to prevent the engine speed from dropping below a threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission transmits torque from an engine to a drive axle and includes a power shift transmission and a reverser module. A control system and method automatically partially disengages the reverser module during a shift of the power shift transmission with nearly no effect upon the operating condition of the engine, so that a portion of the torque generated by the engine continues to be transmitted at all times to the drive axle.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid brake utilizing a positive displacement fluid pump adapted to pump a magnetorheological fluid through a viscosity regulator. The viscosity regulator is adapted to controllably vary the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid, altering the pumping restriction against the fluid pump, resulting in variable resistance to pump shaft rotation relative to the pump housing. An electronic steering system for a work vehicle utilizing the illustrated magnetorheological brake as a resistance device to provide tactile feedback as a function of steering shaft rotational position.

Abstract: A securing bolt device is inserted into a bore of a subassembly body. The device has a bolt and a spring element. The bolt has a shank which is insertable into the bore. A radial transverse bore extends through an end portion of the shank opposite to the insertable portion of the shank, and the shank has a blind bore in an axially directed end face. The spring element includes a loop, a first end of which is insertable into the transverse bore and a second end which is insertable into the end face bore. The loop forms a crossmember which extends across the shank of the bolt, and pressed against the bolt element by the spring force of the spring element. The locking device includes a subassembly body having a bore in which the bolt is axially movable. In a locked state a free end of the shank extends out of the bore and locks the securing bolt.

Abstract: A self-locking threaded bushing is provided for mounting a steel fan shaft in an aluminum support. The bushing is threaded so that it may be threaded into the aluminum structure. The bushing is provided with a bore corresponding to the shaft diameter such that a normal press fit is established when the shaft is initially pressed into the bushing. A reduced diameter portion of the bushing bore results in an interference fit between the shaft and the bore. Relief cuts in the bushing allow the bushing to expand in the vicinity of the reduced diameter portion as a result of interference from the shaft. The expansion of the bushing results in an interference fit between the threads of the bushing and those of the aluminum structure such that the bushing and shaft are essentially locked in place until such time as the shaft is extracted from the bushing.

Abstract: A cleaning shoe of an agricultural combine is provided with a front chaffer located upstream from the main chaffer. The front chaffer has a closed upstream portion and an open downstream portion. The closed upstream portion is upwardly inclined and the open downstream portion is downwardly inclined. The front chaffer is oriented so that an air blast from the cleaning fan passes beneath the closed upstream portion and upwardly through the declined open downstream portion. The open downstream portion is provided with transversely extending louvers through which the air blast passes. The cleaning fan comprises a plurality of radially and transversely extending fan blades. Blade inserts forming air dams are located near each transverse end. The blade inserts are provided with apertures that limited the transverse air flow along the blades.

Abstract: Cutting devices are known in rectangular baling presses that can be taken out of operation so that cut or uncut harvested material is selectively pressed. However, this is disadvantageous since it is difficult to hold cut harvested material together with binder twine under high tension. A rectangular baling press is proposed in which the cutting device is taken out of operation at least at the start and end of bale formation so that the twine presses only against uncut material at the end of the bale. The cutting device may additionally be taken in and out of operation during formation of the bale so that upper and lower layers of the bale are also formed by uncut material.

Abstract: A sugarcane chopper harvester is equipped with a cleaning chamber for cleaning extraneous leafy matter and dirt from harvested and chopped cane delivered to the chamber. Located within the chamber is an axial flow fan for effecting an upward flow of air including a high-velocity, outer, ring-shaped upwardly flowing air stream. Mounted to the bottom of the axial flow fan is a blower wheel for creating an upwardly and outwardly flowing air stream beneath the center of the axial flow fan such that leafy matter and dirt passing into the middle of the cleaning chamber below the axial flow fan is caused to be directed outwardly to the high-velocity, ring-shaped stream of air.

Abstract: Disclosed is a large round bale wrapped with a protective covering for permitting it to be stored outside. The covering is constructed of one or more layers of semi-permeable material. It is possible for an additional layer to be added to a region of the baler to be placed on the ground during storage, this additional layer resulting in the covering becoming essentially non-permeable in the region of the additional layer. A baler for applying the covering to a bale is disclosed together with a device for placing a visual marker on the bale so as to aid a person handling a discharged bale in knowing where the region covered with the additional layer of material is located so that this region may be manipulated into ground contact for storage.