Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming bales. The baler (10) which performs the method includes a bale chamber (16) having a forward inlet end. Mounted forwardly of the bale chamber are conveying means (26) which may include a crop pickup (76). Feeding means (28) are disposed between the conveying means and the inlet end of the bale chamber, the feeding means simultaneously engaging opposed surfaces of a rearwardly conveyed mat of crop material while alternately feeding opposed surfaces of the mat in a rearward direction to a location adjacent the inlet end of the bale chamber. Moving means (46) are provided to move the fed mat of crop material back and forth across the inlet end of the bale chamber to form successive layers of folded crop material within the bale chamber.

Abstract: A transmission utilizing a plurality of clutch packs, each of which couples the driving and driven gears of one of a plurality of gear sets, the plurality of clutch packs and gear sets being arranged equal radial distances about the input and output of a transmission with the input gear in constant mesh with the driving gears of the radially arranged gear sets and the output gearing in constant mesh with the driven gears of the gear sets.

Abstract: A clutch and transmission brake assembly which can be readily incorporated into existing vehicle drive trains without undue modification. The assembly includes a wet clutch connectable to a flywheel and a transmission brake adapted to be disposed between the wet clutch and a transmission housing, the clutch and transmission brake being operated by annular pistons (56, 118). The assembly further includes a control assembly including pressure responsive valves (202, 204) which are operated sequentially by cams (268, 270). A pedal is suitably interconnected with the cams in such a manner that the clutch will be progressively disengaged as the pedal moves from an initial position towards its depressed position, the clutch pedal passing through a dwell position before the brake is progressively applied. The clutch will be fully disengaged when the pedal is in its dwell position, and as the transmission brake is applied there will be an increase in pedal effort.

Abstract: A gear selector means for use with a transmission having a main change speed gear set (X) and one or more associated range change gear sets (Y, Z). The selector means includes a selector member (50) which is movable to a number of positions (1, 2, 3, 4) for the selection of a number of change speed ratios of the transmission and which has a neutral position or series of positions (n) corresponding to a neutral condition of the transmission. The selector member is movable from the or a neutral position (n) to an "up" position (52) in which upward range changes can be made in a predetermined sequence (A, B, C, D) and to a "down" position (53) in which downward range changes can be made in a predetermined sequence, each movement of the selector member to the "up" or "down" position being arranged to change the operative range of the transmission either up or down to the next range in the predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A power steering system for a vehicle of the type having an axle (12) which supports a pair of steerable wheels (24) at opposite ends of the axle, the steerable wheels being interconnected by a steering linkage which includes steering arms and a tie rod interconnecting the steering arms. The steering system includes a double rodded steering cylinder assembly (30) having a pair of rods (52, 54) extending outwardly of a cylinder (48), one end of one rod (52) being secured to the tie rod by suitable structure (56, 58). The cylinder is in turn secured to the axle by mounting means (60) including a spherical bushing assembly to provide for universal movement of the cylinder assembly. The mounting means includes a mounting member (62) secured to the axle, a cylinder extension (66) which passes through the mounting member, and a spherical bearing which interconnects the cylinder extension (66) with the mounting member (62).

Abstract: An improved console for a tractor or the like, the console being of the type carrying various instrumentation and controls. The console includes a relatively thick support member provided with at least one generally flat surface surrounding a plurality of openings with which various light emitting devices are associated and at least one aperture covered by a support panel to which various controls may be secured. The outer surface of the support panel is in line with the surface and a translucent sheet having symbols printed thereon is secured to the surfaces and with the symbols overlying the light emitting devices in the openings.

Abstract: A tractor draft sensing apparatus capable of sensing only draft forces. This invention is usable with a tractor provided with draft links (14) and includes a mounting member (30) to which the forward end of the draft links are secured by a mounting pin assembly (26), the mounting member in turn being secured by a support pin assembly (36) to a support plate (34) which is in turn secured to the tractor. The center lines of the mounting pin assembly (26) and the support pin assembly (36) lie in a vertical plane. A spring extends away from the support member and one end of it is disposed between restraining assembly (46). Sensing apparatus (72) are disposed adjacent and outwardly of the restraining assembly and is contacted by one end of a sensing arm (66), the other end of which is secured to the mounting member (30). The foregoing structure cancels deflections imposed by heavy draft loads and causes the sensor (72) to respond only to horizontal draft forces.

Abstract: An apparatus for varying the sensitivity of a tractor draft sensing and control system of the type including a draft sensing mechanism having an output link shiftable along its length in response to changes in draft and a draft control linkage having an input arm mounted for swinging movement about a pivot. The input arm is provided with a generally radially extending slot, and the output link is provided with structure slideably received within the slot. A control member, which is adjusted by a screw rod, selectively positions the structure within the slot to vary the moment arm of the input arm which, in turn, varies the sensitivity of the system.

Abstract: A transducer for sensing forces in a single axis. A beam (14) which may be the draft link of a tractor is provided with an intermediate central beam (32) defined by two relatively narrow parallel slots (30) disposed closely adjacent to the neutral plane (34) of the beam (14). The central beam (32) is provided with a reduced cross sectional area (44) which acts to mechanically amplify tensile and compressive loads applied along the axis of the beam. Strain sensing means, which may be strain gauges, are associated with the reduced cross sectional area. The slots (30) and reduced cross sectional area are formed by wire electro discharge machining.

Abstract: A compound master brake cylinder assembly (10) for a braking system, the cylinder assembly having a reservoir (34), a first low pressure cylinder (72), and a removable high pressure cylinder (58). A relief valve (84) is provided with a poppet valve (104) normally biased to a closed position. The relief valve (84) extends between the low pressure cylinder (72) and reservoir (34) and is responsive to first cylinder (72) pressure and outlet pressure through pilot passageways (114 and 111, respectively) to vent fluid from cylinder (72) to reservoir (34) to progressively reduce the pressure in the cylinder to insure that the force applied by push rod (14) does not substantially vary while cylinder (72) pressure is being reduced after outlet pressure exceeds a predetermined position.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly carried within a defferential housing immediately to the rear of a transmission housing. The brake assembly includes a casting mounted to the rear of the transmission housing and which supports a disc brake construction adapted to engage discs on the output shaft of the transmission. The casting also pivotally supports an actuating lever, the other end of the lever being provided with a cam follower surface. One end of a rod is rotatably journaled and supports a cam which engages the cam follower surface. The other end of the rod is provided with a modified spherical surface which passes through a cylindrical aperture in the differential housing so that the other end of the shaft projects outwardly therefrom. The parts are so made that they can be readily assembled.

Abstract: A tractor locking differential (12, 18) is controlled by a solenoid operated hydraulic valve (34). The solenoid valve is in turn controlled by a logic circuit (36) which is responsive to signals received from a differential lock floor switch (32), application of brake lights (26) through the closing of a contact (28 or 30), and also from powering up the tractor. When the ignition (20) is turned on a flip-flop (50) within the circuit (36) will be cleared by action of a power up to clear circuit (58, 60, 64, 66) to dispose valve (34) in its unlocked position. After power up the operator can selectively lock or unlock the differential by application of momentary contact switch (32) which causes flip-flop (50) to toggle. When a brake light switch (28 or 30) is closed the flip-flop (50) will be cleared causing valve (34) to be disposed in its unlocked position.

Abstract: A row crop unit (10) is provided with cooperating pairs of molded belts (40), the belts (40) being supported from overhead frame members (20, 22, 24, 26) whereby the build-up of trash within the unit is minimized. A cutoff mechanism (100) is provided, the mechanism (100) being driven by a drive mechanism (110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120) independent of the belts (40) whereby high driving torques on the belts (40) are avoided. The forward ends of the belts (40) are carried by spaced apart sprockets (56) located forwardly of the cutoff mechanism (100) to insure that standing crop material is properly gathered and engaged prior to severing by the cutoff mechanism (100).

Abstract: A two-speed planetary change gear mechanism 28 is added to a basic eight-speed change gear mechanism to provide a 16-speed transmission, the planetary transmission 28 including a manually operated forward/reverse gear mechanism. The two-speed mechanism is mounted within the housing 16 of the eight-speed mechanism. The forward/reverse mechanism includes a shift coupler 84 engageable with gears 80, 82 mounted about a shaft 78 which is coaxial with the upper shaft 30 of the eight-speed mechanism. The input gear 86 which is driven by the forward/reverse gears 80, 82 is mounted on the second shaft 38. The two-speed planetary gear set 96 is coupled on its input side to input shaft 98 and on its output side to shaft 78.

Abstract: A high torque infinitely variable traction drive has concentric input and output shafts 22, 24 within portions disposed within a housing 12. A cup shaped input carrier 26 is rotatable with the input shaft and carries a pair of pins 46. Planetary members 54 are journaled on the pins, each of the planetary members in turn driving an output gear 62. The gears 62 are in turn interconnected with gearing 76 rotatable with the output shaft. A traction ring 60 is mounted within the housing 12 coaxial with the output shaft 24. The ring contacts an outer spherical surface 58 of the planetary members 54 to establish the rotational speed of the members. Means 82, 84, 102 are provided to axially shift the traction ring 60 relative to the outer spherical surface 58 of the planetary members whereby the speed of the members may be varied. A power take-off shaft 38 may be disposed within the output shaft 24, one end of the PTO shaft being coupled to the inner end of the input shaft 22.

Abstract: A draft sensing apparatus for an agricultural tractor or the like. The tractor is provided with a transversely extending bending shaft (18). The forward ends of a pair of lower draft links are secured to the outer ends of the shaft (18). The shaft (18) will bend in proportion to the draft in the links. The draft is sensed through a Hall effect device (52) carried by a yoke (54). The forward end of the yoke (54) is pivotally mounted on a fixed transversely extending shaft (48) and the rear portion of the yoke slideably receives the bending shaft (18). A link (60) pivoted to the yoke (54) has one end portion contacted by the shaft (18) and the other end is in contact with one end of a spring biased pin (70). The other end of the pin carries a permanent magnet (78) in axially alignment with the sensor (52). As the shaft deflects as the draft varies the magnet (78) will be shifted towards and away from the sensor (52) causing a voltage variation in line (98).

Abstract: A braking system for a towing vehicle having a trailer brake valve (24) and hydraulically operated brakes (12) and a trailer having hydraulically operated brakes (14). A novel pilot operated control valve (34) directs the output of the trailer brake valve (24) to both the vehicle brakes (12) and the trailer brakes (14). If the line (46) to the trailer brakes (14) should burst, flow to the trailer brakes is substantially throttled off due to the valve spool (62) shifting to substantially block the flow of fluid through port (40) thereby permitting continued operation of the vehicle brakes. The operating pressure ranges of the brakes may be different. Thus, the operating pressure range of the vehicle brakes (12) is the same as pilot line (74) pressure, which is the output pressure of the brake master cylinder (16), while the operating pressure range of the trailer brakes (14) is the same as output pressure of the trailer brake valve (24) in line (44).

Abstract: An improved tractor draft sensing mechanism of a special construction so designed that it will transmit only draft signals to the tractor draft control linkage. The mechanism includes a rigid sensing arm hinged at one end to a mounting clamp disposed about a bendable shaft, the mounting clamp being provided with set screws which contact a surface of a housing to resist relative rotational movement of the mounting clamp about the bendable shaft.

Abstract: A steering system .Iadd.40 .Iaddend.for an articulated vehicle .Iadd.10 .Iaddend.having a pair of double acting steering cylinders .Iadd.24, 26 .Iaddend.and power steering means .Iadd.44 .Iaddend.consisting of a pump .Iadd.48 .Iaddend.and a hydrostatic steering unit .Iadd.50 .Iaddend.to which the steering wheel .Iadd.42 .Iaddend.of the vehicle is interconnected. Control means .Iadd.46 .Iaddend.are disposed between the power steering means .Iadd.44 .Iaddend.and the double acting cylinders .Iadd.24, 26 .Iaddend.for causing fluid to be directed from the power steering means .Iadd.44 .Iaddend.to both of the first and second cylinders .Iadd.24, 26 .Iaddend.during rotation of the steering wheel .Iadd.42 .Iaddend.at a first steering ratio when the pump .Iadd.48 .Iaddend.is in operation, and at a second higher steering ratio when the pump .Iadd.48 .Iaddend.is not in operation to permit manual steering of the vehicle .Iadd.10.