Abstract: A seeding machine is provided with banks of individual seed hoppers for directing seed to auxiliary seed hoppers located on individual planting units. The individual seed hoppers of each bank are provided with adjoining walls. The adjoining walls have notches so that seed in one individual seed hopper can flow into an adjoining individual seed hopper. A portion of the planting units can be disabled by placing them in a non-working position. The individual seed hoppers supplying seed to the disabled planting units are provided with removable baffles. Each removable baffle is provided with a downwardly extending leg that cooperates with the notches to prevent seed in an active individual hopper from entering an inactive individual hopper.

Abstract: A self-propelled harvesting machine has an attachment for picking up cut crop or for harvesting stalked crop and a processing device for chopping the crop. A curved spout is arranged downstream of the processing device for picking up the crop at a pick-up location and transferring it to a drop location on a transport vehicle. A control device adjusts an operating speed of the drive motor to idle speed, nominal speed, and a speed range below the nominal speed. The drive motor, when the attachment has a great working width and the distance between pick-up location and drop location of the curved spout has a great length, is operated at nominal speed and, when the attachment has a minimal working width and the distance between pick-up location and drop location of the curved spout has a minimal length, is operated at a reduced speed.

Abstract: A system for harvester speed control includes a header position sensor connected to a processor. If the header is lowered during crop cutting, harvester speed is immediately decreased to prevent a sudden increase in material downstream of the feeder house input. The percentage speed reduction preferably is approximately equal to the estimated percentage increase in material for the given height change as set manually by the operator, calculated during a brief calibration process, or derived utilizing an adaptive learning technique. Signals from a throughput transducer and from harvesting quality transducers such as grain loss transducers are communicated to the processor to determine desired harvester speed.

Abstract: A combine with a throughput dependent speed control includes an angle sensor responsive to uphill, downhill and sidehill slopes. When the combine is angled from a level position, harvest speed is lowered to prevent grain losses from increasing above a target level. The control continuously learns tilt angle, loss and throughput correlation, and the speed reduction is selected based upon the learned correlation. In the preferred embodiment, throughput is estimated utilizing rotor variable drive actuator pressure (RVDAP), and a target RVDAP is modified for short periods of time in accordance with the learned correlation.

Abstract: Machine for cutting grass comprising a plate located in the front part of the machine, a storage container located between the axes of rotation of the front wheels and rear wheels of the machine and connected to the plate by a duct, the machine comprising a device for moving the container to cause the outward movement and overturning thereof so as to unload the cut grass in the longitudinal direction and toward the rear of the machine.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header includes a cutter bar arranged across a forward edge of a header frame structure, a draper or auger transport arrangement for transporting the cut crop for further processing, and a reel mounted on reel arms for controlling movement of the crop in the area over the cutter bar with the reel having a plurality of reel bats at spaced positions around the reel axis each reel bat having reel fingers projecting generally radially outwardly from the reel axis, the reel bats all lying on a common bat circle around the reel axis so that rotation of the reel causes the reel bats to follow a path of movement lying on the bat circle. A non-circular stationary cam track surrounds the reel axis within the bat circle so that the end most fingers of the bats are located in line with the cam and immediately adjacent-the end sheet.

Abstract: Row unit lift structure includes electrohydraulic proportional valves connected to an electronic controller which receives inputs from a manual raise/lower switch, a rate response potentiometer, and height control potentiometers in the cab. Signals are also received from row unit height sensing transducers, a tachometer and shaft rotation sensors. When the units are lowered and operational, the controller compares the signals from the height sensing transducers with the signals from the height control potentiometers and sends an electrical control signal to the proportional valves to maintain a selected row unit height. The magnitude of the control signal and thus the rate of correction of height are determined by the rate response potentiometer and the amount of variation between the actual and desired row unit height.

Abstract: A foliage mower and height adjustment assembly for a foliage mower are provided. This is a foot-operated adjustment assembly which has a plurality of pivot lugs from which a cutter deck assembly is suspended. Each pivot lug pivots in unison in order to thereby raise or lower the cutter deck. Movement of a foot pedal raises the cutter deck to a transport height, at which the foot pedal is latched in place and the deck height is maintained. A stop mechanism has an adjustable component by which the extent of downward movement of the suspended cutter deck is selected upon release of the latched foot pedal.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for a work machine, particularly suitable for use in a track-type tractor, is provided with a frame having a generally vertical pivot axis. A pair of draft arms are carried by the frame, with each draft arm being pivotable about a corresponding generally horizontal axis. A drawbar is carried by the frame and is pivotable about the pivot axis of the frame. The drawbar may be fixed or movable relative to the frame, and also pivots about the common pivot axis.

Abstract: A seeding machine comprises a main frame segment and two wing frame segments. The wing frame segments are provided with a rear rank of planting units that are mounted to the wing frame segments by pivot arms that extend downwardly and rearwardly from the wing frame segments. The pivot arms are pivotally mounted to the wing frame segments by a rock shaft having an actuator bell crank. The bell crank is coupled to a linear actuator for rotating the rock shaft relative to the wing frame segments. The pivot arms have a working position, wherein the planting units are in contact with the ground, an intermediate holding position, wherein the planting units are raised out of the ground, and a transport position, wherein the planting units have been pivoted on their noses into their substantially vertical transport position. To maintain the rear rank of planting units in the intermediate holding position, a U-shaped stop is placed over the linear actuator so that the linear actuator cannot retract.

Abstract: A plurality of annular collars are provided formed from collar halves. The collar halves are at least partially separable from one another to allow the collar halves to be slipped into and around a groove in a grooved roller for a reel-type cutting unit. The collar halves can then be abutted and secured together to substantially fill in the roller groove. When collars are placed into the last two or three grooves on each end of a grooved roller, a non-shouldered grooved roller is thereby converted into a shouldered grooved roller without having to remove and replace one set of rollers with another.

Abstract: A chassis frame for a self-propelled harvester including a pair of rails extending in side-by-side, spaced relation between forward ends thereof and opposite rearward ends thereof, the rails including compound bend portions adjacent to the rearward ends thereof which extend downwardly and convergingly to a cross member which is connected thereto. A rear axle is connected to the cross member in transverse relation to the rails and has wheels located in wheel cavities defined by the compound bend portions of the rails and pivotable about upright steering axes. The rails of the chassis frame can also include elements for mounting at least one radiator or cooler therebetween forwardly of the bend portions, and elements for mounting at least one radiator or cooler therebetween rearwardly of the bend portions, and an air flow duct can be disposed between the rails to provide a straight air flow path between the radiators or coolers.

Abstract: A mowing machine includes a vehicle body (1), a mower unit (4) connected to and supported by the vehicle body and having flow generating members driven by power supplied thereto for generating grass carrier air flows, a grass catcher (6) disposed at a rear end of the vehicle body and defining an opening for receiving grass clippings, a grass transport duct (17) for guiding grass clippings transported by the carrier air flows to the grass catcher, and a moving mechanism (5) for moving the grass catcher between a collecting position for connecting the grass catcher to the grass transport duct and a discharge position for separating the grass catcher from the grass transport duct. A power cutoff mechanism (11, 100) is provided for stopping power supply to the mower unit in response to a movement caused by the moving mechanism of the grass catcher from the collecting position to the discharge position.

Abstract: A kernel processor includes a pair of rollers which are controlled such that the spacing between them varies inversely, or such that the contact pressure between them varies directly, in response to varying moisture content of the crop material being processed.

Abstract: A seeding machine having a wing frame with planting units. The planting units are coupled to the wing frame by a pivot arm. The pivot arms move the planting units between a horizontal working configuration and a vertical transport configuration. An operator walkway is located above the planting units. The operator walkway comprises a walkway frame and a footboard. The walkway frame is pivotally coupled to the wing frame segment by a walkway frame pin. The footboard is pivotally coupled to the walkway frame by a footboard pin. As the planting units are moved from their horizontal working configuration to their vertical transport configuration the walkway frame and attached footboard are automatically folded between the planting units and the respective wing frame segment.

Abstract: A mower deck cleaning device for a rotary mower for removing clippings from the inside of the mower blade housing. A tubular conduit is mounted on the mower so as to extend through the deck of the mower. A garden hose may be attached to the conduit to flow water through the conduit. A rotor mounted on the conduit receives the water from the hose and projects a rotating pattern of pressurized fluid for cleaning the inside of the housing.

Abstract: A seeding machine having a main seed hopper is in communication with a planting unit by a flexible tube. The planting unit has a horizontal working position and a vertical transport position. The main hopper supplies seed by gravity to the planting unit through the flexible tube. The planting unit is provided with a vacuum seed meter. The seed meter has a seed disc with a vacuum side and a working seed puddle side. An isolator brush, arranged in a chordal manner on the seed puddle side of the seed disc, defines the discharge area of the seed meter. A first brush intersecting the isolator brush extends downwardly and radially inward along the seed disc. The first brush, together with the isolator brush, defines boundaries of a transport seed puddle when the planting unit is pivoted into its vertical transport position. A second brush extends downwardly and radially inward along the seed disc.

Abstract: A pivotal drive assembly is provided for the ease of removal and/or replacement of a drive belt. The drive assembly preferably includes a splined input shaft connected to a gear box which drives a rotating drive pulley. The entire drive assembly is connected to the lower deck by front and rear mounting plates. Each mounting plate also includes two bent ears which are aligned with front and rear deck brackets. The ears are connected to the deck brackets with bolts. The bolts on the rear deck bracket and rear mounting plate are positioned in axial alignment on a generally horizontal plane to allow pivotal movement of the drive assembly. The bolts on the front deck brackets may be removed to allow for pivotal movement of the drive assembly and replaced to secure the drive assembly for operation of the mowing deck.

Abstract: A sieve for a harvester thresher which consists of a frame and adjustable louvers that are mounted therein and can be adjusted by a motor-driven adjusting drive, wherein the sieve consists of at least two sieve elements that are arranged in the same plane and are respectively provided with a frame. In order to prevent the play of the adjusting drive and to adjust the louvers of the sieve elements independently of one another, separate adjusting drives are assigned to the sieve elements.

Abstract: An improved and more efficient means to route air and newly cut grass particles under and around circular lawn mower housings near the ends of the horizontal rotating blade permitting an improved flow of air and grass particles through the use of semicircular baffles concentric to the axis of the rotating blade and extending downward from the circular housing. Two short concentric semicircular baffles are used each of which having slanting portions extending outward and upward from the lowest edge of each baffle to the housing. This slanting portion, is a section of a cone and helps to avoid the accumulation of grass particles on the outer, upper edges of the housing. The result is the creation of a partial laminar flow near the inside surface of the housing and the distribution of the cut grass particles in a fan like pattern behind the lawn mower.