Abstract: A counterweight system for a lift-type vehicle, which includes a lifting arrangement for lifting a load at one end of the vehicle, includes a counterweight compartment located at an opposite end of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a set of ground-engaging wheels, and the lifting arrangement is located on one side of the set of wheels and the counterweight compartment is located on the other side of the set of wheels. The lifting arrangement includes a boom assembly mounted for pivoting movement between a pair of uprights located toward the same end of the vehicle as the counterweight compartment. The uprights are constructed to provide a first amount of counterweight to the vehicle, to provide a first lifting capacity for the vehicle. The counterweight compartment is located between the uprights, and one or two counterweights can be received within the counterweight compartment.

Abstract: A center pivot mower conditioner includes an input driveline connected directly to a power transfer arrangement forming a part of the mower conditioner for providing input power to the cutterhead assembly and to the conditioning roll drive arrangement. The power transfer arrangement is in the form of a gearbox having a stationary lower section fixed to the frame of the mower conditioner, and an upper section pivotably mounted to the lower section for movement about a substantially vertical pivot axis. The driveline provides input power to the gearbox upper section, which is transferred to the lower section through a vertical pinion shaft. The vertical pinion shaft is connected to the cutterhead assembly for providing input power to the cutterhead assembly. The gearbox is preferably located toward the center of the mower conditioner, to provide input power to the cutterhead assembly substantially in the center of the cutterhead assembly.

Abstract: A pull-type harvesting machine is adapted for laterally offset attachment to a tractor. The machine has a frame and a harvesting head supported by the frame including a cutting apparatus for cutting crops as the machine is towed across a field, and a gear box operably connected with the cutting apparatus. A pull tongue is pivotally coupled to the frame about a first vertical axis for varying the position of the machine relative to the tractor. A mechanical drive line extends along and is rotatably supported by the pull tongue for supplying driving power to the cutting apparatus through the gear box. The gear box is pivotally mounted on the header about a second vertical axis spaced from the first vertical axis. The drive line includes a fixed position portion and a telescoping portion supported at fore and aft ends by the tongue and the gear box, respectively.

Abstract: A round baler for forming round bales of crop material includes side-by-side belts trained for movement between a starting position and a finish position around a series of stationary rollers including a forward baler roller and a rear baler roller spaced apart from the forward baler roller. Upper and lower roller arrangements are continuously engageable with the crop material. The upper roller arrangement, the lower roller arrangement and a run of the belts extending between the forward baler roller and the rear baler roller together define a starting baler chamber. A belt tracking and tensioning device is interposed between the forward baler roller and the rear baler roller. The belt tracking and tensioning device is mounted on the upper roller arrangement, and functions to maintain the belts in a predetermined relationship relative to the upper roller arrangement and to increase the tension of the belts in response to bale growth, as the belts move between the starting position and the finish position.

Abstract: A bale-accumulating trailer is connectable to a baler for forming round bales of agricultural crop material. The trailer includes a fixed frame having a set of ground-engaging wheels, and a dumping frame pivotably mounted to the fixed frame for movement between a bale accumulating position and a bale dumping position in response to operation of a dumping cylinder assembly. A bale transfer mechanism functions to receive bales discharged from the baler and to place the formed bales onto the dumping frame. The bale transfer mechanism includes a carriage movable between a forward position and a rearward position in response to operation of a cylinder assembly. A bale receiver is mounted to the carriage, and is movable between a bale receiving position and an upright position in response to operation of a pair of cylinder assemblies.

Abstract: An agricultural forage box includes an infinitely positionable variable speed drive system and an improved trip mechanism. The variable position drive system utilizes a drive belt for driving the floor conveyor of the forage box, which is driven in response to rotation of a pair of sheave sections. One of the sheave sections can be moved relative to the other, and a sheave positioning mechanism provides adjustment in the position of the movable sheave section. The variable position mechanism includes a yoke which is movable in response to operation of an actuator plate and linkage mechanism, which in turn is interconnected with a control lever. The improved trip mechanism includes a trip bar mounted to the forage box for pivotal movement about its longitudinal axis. A trip lever is located adjacent a declutching tab associated with the power train. A pair of cables extend between the trip bar and the trip lever, and are connected one on either side of the trip bar longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A cylindrical baler is comprised of an adjustable bale forming chamber for forming spirally wound, cylindrical bales. A completed bale is discharged on the ground through a rear tailgate. The chamber is defined by a plurality of belts supported on a system of rollers. Tensioning cylinders are mounted on each side of the baler to provide variable bale density and tailgate cylinders are positioned on the rear of the baler to actuate the tailgate after a bale is formed. A two-way proportional valve acts alone or in cooperation with an adjustable rotary valve and an adjustable relief valve to coordinate the flow, to vary the belt tension, and to open and close the tailgate.

Abstract: A mixing and feeding apparatus is provided for processing long-stemmed and livestock feed material. The apparatus comprises a receptacle having upright front and rear walls and side walls defining a mixing chamber for blending the feed material. One of the side walls has a discharge door which is generally aligned with the mid portion of the mixing chamber. The receptacle also has a scalloped bottom wall defining a pair of side-by-side troughs, each of the troughs having an inwardly projecting hay bar located on an upper end of the trough. An auger arrangement is disposed in the receptacle to blend the feed material in the mixing chamber. The auger arrangement includes first and second lower augers located in the bottom portion with one of the lower augers in each of the troughs. The auger arrangement further includes third and fourth upper augers positioned above and generally parallel to the first and second lower augers.

Abstract: A control system for an agricultural implement such as a large round baler includes a microprocessor-based implement module mounted to the baler and a microprocessor-based input device mounted within the cab of the tractor behind which the baler is towed. A communications link extends between the input device and the implement control device, for communicating signals therebetween. Sensors are interconnected with one or more of the components of the large round baler for sensing operation of such components, and providing signals to the implement control device microprocessor indicative of one or more baler operations. The sensor signals are analyzed by the microprocessor, and signals are communicated via the communications link to the cab module microprocessor. The input device includes a visual display, and the display is actuated responsive to the cab module microprocessor to provide a visual indication to the operator of the one or more sensed operations of the baler.

Abstract: A control system for a large round baler includes a microprocessor-based implement module mounted to the baler and an input device mounted within the cab of the tractor behind which the baler is towed. The implement module receives inputs from the input device for setting and/or adjusting parameters of baler operation. Sensors are interconnected with various components of the baler for sensing operation of such components, and provide signals to the implement module indicative of baler operations. The sensor signals are analyzed by the microprocessor of the implement module, and various operations of the baler are controlled responsive to the sensor inputs.

Abstract: A manure spreader includes a generally V-shaped hollow body, or hopper, disposed on a movable frame and having a side discharge rotary expeller for spreading the manure over a wide area as the spreader is displaced. A conveyor auger within a lower portion of the V-shaped body moves the manure toward a forward discharge aperture disposed adjacent the expeller for discharge. A pair of hydraulic cylinders move the rotating auger from a lower portion of the V-shaped body upward along an inclined body wall, maintaining an essentially fixed, close spacing between the conveyor auger and the expeller and also maintaining a working relationship between the conveyor auger and the body wall. The upward displacement of the conveyor auger loosens and breaks bridge formations of the manure above the conveyor auger, while continuing to convey the material in all positions of elevation.

Abstract: A stabilizing device for use with a vehicle such as a rough terrain forklift. The stabilizing device employs a cylinder with a movable piston mounted therein, with upper and lower piston rods extending from the piston. The cylinder is fixed to the frame of the vehicle, and an end of the lower piston rod is fixed to the rear axle of the vehicle, which is pivotably mounted to the underside of the frame. A fluid communication system including restrictive orifices provides communication between upper and lower chambers of the cylinder so that, during upward or downward movement of the piston within the cylinder, fluid is forced to pass through the restrictive orifices to provide damping of oscillations, and thereby a firmer feel and more stable handling to the vehicle. A valve is movable to varying positions in response to the position of the boom relative to the frame, so that a more restrictive orifice is employed when the boom is moved above a predetermined angle, to increase the stability of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring bale density in a round baler. A pair of hydraulic cylinders are operable to move a movable portion of the baler between its open and closed position. The bale density monitoring apparatus of the invention monitors pressure on the cylinders during bale formation. Upon sensing a differential in pressure between the cylinders, a signal is provided to the operator so that the tractor can be moved relative to the window to equalize pressure within the bale-forming chamber.

Abstract: A belt type variable chamber round baler includes a starting chamber for receiving crop material at the outset of bale formation. An adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting the volume of the bale starting chamber, for accommodating baling of various crops. A series of starting chamber rollers are supported between a pair of arms, which are pivotably mounted to the baler. The adjustment mechanism is operable to control the position of the pair of arms prior to bale formation, and thereby the position of the starting chamber rollers within the bale forming chamber of the baler. In this manner, the size of the starting chamber can be adjusted.

Abstract: A wrap material dispensing system for supplying wrap material to the bale-forming chamber of a baler for forming round bales of crop material. A wrap material supply assembly is mounted to the baler for supplying wrap material to a conveying assembly for advancing the wrap material to the opening of the bale-forming chamber. The conveying assembly includes a moving belt arrangement in which the wrap material is captured between the baler belts and conveying belts for advancement toward the chamber opening. The conveying belts are arranged so as to be driven by movement of the baler belts.

Abstract: A conditioning implement having first and second conditioning rolls, one of which is movably mounted, includes a mounting system for selectively urging the movable roll toward the other roll. The mounting system includes a pair of mounting plates adapted for placement one on either side of the movable roll, with the mounting plates being pivotably mounted to a frame. An adjustment subassembly is connected to the mounting plates. In a first position, the adjustment subassembly exerts a maximum biasing force on the mounting plates for urging the movable roll toward the other roll with a maximum biasing force. In a second position, the adjustment subassembly relieves the biasing force exerted on the mounting plates, thus allowing movement of the movable roll away from the other roll to accommodate passage of a mass of material therethrough. A system is provided for interconnecting the adjustment subassembly with a lifting and lowering system for the conditioner.

Abstract: A quick-attaching mechanism for mounting an implement to the remote end of a boom or the like includes a mounting structure provided at the end of the boom and a receiving structure provided on the implement. The mounting structure and receiving structure are provided with upper pivotable engagement means defining an upper pivot axis. When pivoting the mounting structure and the receiving structure about the pivot axis to an engaged position, a latch mechanism provided at the lower end of the mounting structure is automatically moved to its latching position for securely connecting the implement to the boom. The latching mechanism is a pivotable latch member, which is manually movable to a release position for allowing uncoupling of the implement from the mounting structure.

Abstract: A wrap material dispensing system for supplying wrap material to the bale-forming chamber of a baler for forming round bales of crop material. A wrap material supply assembly is mounted to the baler for supplying wrap material to a conveying assembly for advancing the wrap material to the opening of the bale-forming chamber. The conveying assembly includes a moving belt arrangement in which the wrap material is captured between the baler belts and conveying belts for advancement toward the chamber opening. The conveying belts are arranged so as to be driven by movement of the baler belts.