Abstract: A microprocessor-based electronic control system for a powershift transmission having at least one proportional actuator, such as a solenoid-operated proportional valve, is disclosed. The controller operates a plurality of on-off solenoid valves and solenoid-operated proportional valve to provide operator-selected gear shifts in both forward and reverse directions having controlled clutch engagements achieved by modulation of clutch engagement pressure by the proportional valve. The key parameters associated with the gradual clutch engagement are all easily varied by the controller, most under program control during operation, to provide for optimized clutch engagements for smooth gearshifts. The key parameters include: fast-fill clutch delay, initial clutch engagement pressure, rate of increase of clutch engagement pressure, and the length of the reduced pressure clutch engagement interval.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine including at least one sieve located in a housing of the combine such that a flow of air from a fan mechanism is directed upwardly therethrough. The sieve includes a plurality of louvers which are are arranged relative to each other to define a first series of clean grain passages therebetween. A majority of the louvers define a series of openings which define a second series of openings which allow clean grain to pass therethrough and facilitate an increased flow of air therethrough to enhance separation of unwanted residue from clean grain.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a picker rotor assembly of a cotton harvesting unit. The drive mechanism includes a bidirectional torque limiting mechanism operatively arranged between a rotor drive mechanism and the rotor assembly. The bidirectional torque limiting mechanism for applying a relatively low torque in a first rotational direction to the picker rotor assembly so as to inhibit damage thereto resulting from a chokage or jamming of the picker rotor assembly. The bidirectional torque limiting mechanism further applying a relatively high torque in a second or reverse rotational direction to the picker rotory assembly to facilitate removal of that which choked or stopped the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A cotton conveying structure for a laterally movable cotton harvesting unit of a cotton harvester. The cotton conveying structure comprises a cotton receiving assembly and a duct structure. The cotton receiving assembly vertically moves with and is inhibited against lateral movement to a tool bar assembly on which the harvesting unit is supported for lateral movement. The cotton receiving assembly includes first and second conveying sections which remain integrally connected to each other while allowing relative lateral movement of the harvesting unit from a harvesting position to permit servicing thereof. By inhibiting its lateral movement, the cotton receiving assembly is aligned in a cotton conveying relationship with and when the harvesting unit is returned to its harvesting position.

Abstract: A rotor for a rotary threshing combine which is readily adjustable to provide a great variety of threshing patterns to suit the particular crops and conditions of use. The rotor drum has a plurality of mounting lugs affixed thereto in an array that includes longitudinal, circumferential, and helical rows. A variety of differently shaped threshing elements, each designed for efficient operation under particular conditions, is provided and said elements are selectively and interchangeably and releasably connectable to the mounting lugs.

Abstract: The invention is improved reel-carrying apparatus for facilitating cable-installing operations of the type with a carrier frame and a shaft supported at its opposite end portions by cradles on the frame. Bearings are secured to the shaft end portions, such bearings having inner members on the shaft end portions and outer members resting in the cradles, the outer member cross-dimensions fitting through the reel center hole. The outer portions preferably have cross-dimensions less than the cross-dimension of the shaft to protect the bearings during insertion and removal from the reel.

Abstract: A control system for operating one or more different mechanisms on a cotton harvester as a function of engine speed. The control system includes an apparatus for generating a speed signal representative of current engine operating speed and control circuitry connected to the apparatus for controlling operation of at least one and, preferably, a plurality of different mechanisms arranged on the harvester as a function of engine speed.

Abstract: A cotton harvesting unit with a cotton doffer assembly rotatable about a vertical axis and including an adjustable drive unit with a vertical drive shaft for imparting rotary motion to and for vertically positioning doffer pads of a doffer unit relative to picker spindles of an adjacent picker rotor. The drive unit vertically positions the doffer pads through an operative mechanism rotatable about a second axis adjacent to the doffer assembly. A motion converting mechanism converts rotary motion of the operative mechanism into linear motion of the drive unit drive shaft. The drive shaft of the drive unit and doffer unit are releasably interconnected to each other to facilitate repair/replacement of the doffer unit. To inhibit contaminants for encumbering adjustment of the drive unit, the motion converting mechanism is wholly arranged within the housing assembly and protected from the ambient environment in which a harvester is operated.

Abstract: A stabilizer pad assembly including a reversible stabilizer pad and a pad limit stop designed as an attachment to a positionable support arm of an earth moving apparatus such as a loader/backhoe. The pad limit stop is configured to wedge between the stabilizer pad and a distal end of the support arm in a manner limiting movement of the stabilizer pad between alternate positions and thereby inhibiting damage to a driver used to control the position of the support arm.

Abstract: A system for mounting and supporting harvesting units on a forward end of a cotton harvester frame to allow them to be slidably moved relative to each other and laterally along an elongated tool bar structure. The tool bar structure is pivotally connected to the cotton harvester frame by a lift assembly. The harvesting units hang in a cantilevered fashion from and are independently connected at their rearward edges to the tool bar structure by a slide support structure which facilitates visibility of the harvesting units from a cab region of the harvester. The slide support structure maintains a non-rotatable and non-point contact relationship with laterally elongated generally flat support surfaces defined between opposite ends of the tool bar structure whereby substantial surface area contact is provided between each side support structure and the support surfaces on the tool bar structure.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for connecting a ground-engaging blade to the frame of a vehicle is disclosed which allows the blade to tilt, pitch or angle relative to the frame. The disclosed arrangement includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders which control the tilting or pitching of the blade and a single hydraulic cylinder which controls the angling of the blade. The cylinders are all pivotally connected to an intermediate member which is pinned to the blade and guided through an arc on the frame by a guide bar formed on the frame. A single hydraulic circuit is disclosed which powers the pair of hydraulic cylinders to pitch or tilt the blade relative to the frame. The resulting arrangement is both simplified and relatively stable when compared to prior art structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing a chute includes a chute for dispensing a granular material. A gate assembly is mounted for controllably opening and closing the chute and includes a bridge member with a curved gate attached to it. The gate assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the gate permits granular material to be dispensed through the chute and in the second position, the gate co-acts with a sealing member and the chute to prevent material from passing through the chute. In a highly preferred embodiment, the sealing member comprises a plurality of inwardly projecting curved ridges formed on the interior of the chute.

Abstract: The material loading machine supported on the ground surface is in combination with a return to travel assembly. The combination includes a material loading machine chassis, a work implement, and at least one lift arm supported by the chassis to pivot between an uppermost position and a lower most position while supporting the work implement. Actuators pivotally raise and lower the lift arm. A lift arm position control system automatically stops the lift arm in an uppermost position when it is raised upwardly and automatically stops the lift arm in a return to travel position when it is lowered. In the return to travel position the work implement is located safely above the ground surface so that the vehicle may travel without scraping the work implement on the ground surface.

Abstract: A wrist rest is disclosed for use with a large construction or farm vehicle having a rotatable operator's seat. The rest is associated with joystick-like control mechanisms and assures that the operator's arm remains positioned stationary relative to the joystick control mechanism. That is, even if the operator were to rotate about the cab in his seat the rest will ensure that the operator's arm remains operably positioned stationary with respect to the joystick control mechanisms. The rest is releasably fixed to a control console and may be released and rotated or moved vertically to any desired position. In addition, the rest is configured to have a slanting portion that will overlie a corresponding slanting portion on the control console and allow the arm rest to be placed in a stowed position where it directly overlies the control console and is out of the operator's way.

Abstract: A tilt steering wheel assembly has a steering column that may be pivoted to a variety of tilt positions for adjusting the steering wheel to the comfort of an operator of a motor vehicle. The range of adjusted positions is limited between comfortable driving positions. A latch lever is provided for releasing the steering wheel from one of the adjusted positions so that it may be tilted to another of the adjusted positions. The lever is limited in its rotatable travel to limit the range of adjustable positions, but may be released from this limitation so that the steering column and steering wheel may be tilted to an extreme position for servicing components connected to the steering column.

Abstract: A system for mounting and supporting cotton harvesting units for vertical displacement on a forward end of a cotton harvester frame. The mounting and supporting system includes a parallelogram-type linkage assembly for connecting the harvesting units to the frame such that the harvesting units maintain a generally level attitude in either lowered or raised positions. The linkage assembly includes vertically spaced and generally parallel lift arms and tension arms. Each lift arm and tension arm is pivotally attached at its rear end to the frame and at its forward end to the harvesting units. A tilting mechanism connects the rear end of the tension arms to the frame and is operable to move the harvesting units about their pivot attachment to the lift arm to a tilted position and thereby facilitate an increase in ground clearance for the cotton harvester.

Abstract: A vehicle cab duct arrangement allows an operator to gain access to two vents typically included in an air circulation system from a single opening for maintenance or replacement of filters. A fresh air vent communicates air into the housing from the outside environment and an interior vent recirculates air from the cab into the inlet plenum. Filters are received in both vents for removing impurities from the air passing into the inlet plenum. The fresh air vent has a removable grill that allows access to the filter, and the interior vent is spaced from the fresh air vent opening such that it is accessible from the opening so that the interior vent filter may also be removed for maintenance. The two vents are disposed parallel with respect to each other and the vehicle cab door, so that when the vehicle cab door is closed, air is forced inwardly through the interior vent and towards the filter on the fresh air vent to clean the filter.

Abstract: An axial-flow combine with an improved rotor assembly which is configured to be less sensitive to crop material conditions. The rotor assembly includes a rotor casing with a rotor rotatably arranged therewithin. At its forward end, the rotor casing is provided with a transition section having a forward crop receiving end and an aft end. The rotor is provided with an impeller section which leads in a downstream direction to a threshing section. The impeller section of the rotor includes a plurality of impeller blades arranged within the transition section of the rotor assembly. A rearward end of each blade terminates upstream of the aft end of the transition section whereby allowing threshing instrumentalities on the threshing section of the rotor to extend into the transition section thereby extending the threshing area of the rotor thus enhancing crop material flow through the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A throttle holding device is disclosed that allows an operator to hold open the throttle of the vehicle when the vehicle is not being driven. This increases the amount of available heat to the heating system of the vehicle cab and will allow the vehicle cab to be more quickly and efficiently heated. The throttle hold device of the present invention acts in conjunction with the parking brake and is actuated upon engagement of the parking brake through a pneumatic circuit. Upon actuation a piston is moved against a spring bias and causes the throttle cord of the vehicle to further open the throttle thus raising the idle speed of the vehicle. A shut-off switch is included on the pneumatic circuit to disconnect the system should the operator not desire that the higher idle be obtained. The shut-off switch is particularly useful in the summer months or whenever it is more important to conserve gasoline than to adequately heat the vehicle cab.

Abstract: In a front-end loader, a lift arm structure including a pair of lift arms which are rigidly joined by an improved cross-piece assembly. The cross-piece assembly includes first and second members which are configured to transversely extend one within the other between the lift arms. Along their lengths, the first and second members are separated from each other such that each is permitted to distort and absorb stress. The end portions of the first member are welded to an outside surface of the respective lift arms which the end portions of the second member are welded to an inside surface of the respective lift arms.