Abstract: A compact epicyclic drive includes a pinion rotatable about a ring gear and an eccentric element fixedly connected to the pinion so as to be rotated thereby, a knife head bearing supported on and extending around the eccentric element, and a knife head assembly connected to a sickle knife assembly. The knife head assembly is configured so as to translate rotation of the eccentric element into sideward reciprocating movements of the sickle knife assembly, and to transfer forces resulting from the movements to a housing supporting the drive. Two of the drives can be utilized for reciprocatingly driving two of the sickle knife assemblies in opposite directions, such that the transferred forces will at least partially cancel one another.

Abstract: A compact epicyclic drive includes a pinion rotatable about a ring gear and an eccentric element fixedly connected to the pinion so as to be rotated thereby, a knife head bearing supported on and extending around the eccentric element, and a knife head assembly connected in driving relation to a sickle knife assembly. The knife head assembly includes an element supported on and extending around the knife head bearing and configured so as to transfer sidewardly directed components of rotations of the eccentric element into sideward reciprocating movements of the sickle knife assembly. The eccentric element, knife head bearing, and knife head assembly are generally flat and axially coextensive, contributing to the compactness of the drive. The sickle drive is adapted to incorporated into or beneath a floor or pan of a header of an agricultural harvesting machine.

Abstract: A header for a plant cutting machine uses a plurality of compact sickle drive mechanisms incorporated into or beneath a floor or pan of the header at a location between and spaced from the sides or ends of the header, each of which mechanisms can be configured for reciprocatingly driving two knife assemblies disposed in end to end relation, in opposite directions, such that potentially vibratory forces, including those generated by the moving masses of the knife assemblies, at least substantially cancel one another and thus are not transferred to structure of the header. As a result, the knife assemblies can each be relatively short, to lessen the mass thereof so as to be capable of being operated at higher speeds, to enable operation of the header at faster ground speeds.

Abstract: A header for a plant cutting machine uses a plurality of compact sickle drive mechanisms incorporated into or beneath a floor or pan of the header at a location between and spaced from the sides or ends of the header, each of which mechanisms can be configured for reciprocatingly driving two knife assemblies disposed in end to end relation, in opposite directions, such that potentially vibratory forces, including those generated by the moving masses of the knife assemblies, at least substantially cancel one another and thus are not transferred to structure of the header. As a result, the knife assemblies can each be relatively short, to lessen the mass thereof so as to be capable of being operated at higher speeds, to enable operation of the header at faster ground speeds.

Abstract: A large rectangular bale loading, hauling and stacking vehicle that mounts on a production truck chassis. Loading is accomplished with a bale manipulator that can selectively pick up and rotate bales, depositing them in tiers on a load rack, some in tie tiers. The manipulator works in conjunction with a transverse pivoting mast along the length of which the manipulator is selectively movable. A stack of bales is thus formed on the load rack and later deposited at a storage site.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism that is particularly suited for use as an attachment to a skid steer loader or forklift. The clamping mechanism can grasp both regularly and irregularly shaped objects between a moving clamp and retractable paddles.

Abstract: A system for push-steering an implement includes a pair of links, each link connecting the implement to a front portion of a motorized vehicle. Each link of the pair of connected links between the motorized vehicle and the implement is non parallel to each other. In response to the motorized vehicle traveling at a first predetermined steering angle, a traction element developed between at least two wheels of the implement and the driving surface rotatably urges one link toward a predetermined offset angle in a rotational direction opposite of the first predetermined steering angle. The pair of links simultaneously rotatably urges the implement to be steered toward a second predetermined steering angle in the same rotational direction as the first predetermined steering angle. The predetermined offset angle and second predetermined steering angle define a substantially stable position in response to the first predetermined steering angle.

Abstract: A large bale loading, hauling and stacking apparatus that mounts on a production truck chassis. Loading is accomplished with a centrally located bale clamping mechanism that picks up a bale, rotates it approximately 180 degrees and deposits it on a manipulator that can selectively reorient the bale for selective placement on a load rack. A stack of bales is thus formed on the load rack and later deposited in the field.

Abstract: The compact sickle drive mechanism is adapted to incorporated into or beneath a floor or pan of a header at a location between and spaced from the sides or ends of the header, and can be configured for reciprocatingly driving two knife assemblies disposed in end to end relation, in opposite directions, such that potentially vibratory forces, including those generated by the moving masses of the knife assemblies, at least substantially cancel one another and thus are not transferred to structure of the header. As a result, the overall width of the header and structure thereof can also be reduced.

Abstract: The compact sickle drive mechanism is adapted to incorporated into or beneath a floor or pan of a header at a location between and spaced from the sides or ends of the header, and can be configured for reciprocatingly driving two knife assemblies disposed in end to end relation, in opposite directions, such that potentially vibratory forces, including those generated by the moving masses of the knife assemblies, at least substantially cancel one another and thus are not transferred to structure of the header. As a result, the overall width of the header and structure thereof can also be reduced.

Abstract: An automatically actuating apparatus for engaging an implement to an ASAE S278.6 three-point hitch quick coupler utilizing a pivoting motion about an upper hitch point and an automatic latching mechanism to engage and retain lower hitch pins that simplifies connection of an implement. The mechanism also includes a mechanism for automatically engaging the PTO driveline between a tractor and a powered implement as the implement is engaged with the hitch.

Abstract: A lever-operated PTO shaft connection mechanism for use with a three-point hitch quick coupler that aligns and engages the PTO driveline between a tractor and a powered implement.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has a steering controller that monitors the speeds of the left and right wheels and steers those wheels in directions that are calculated to reduce, eliminate or minimize wheel skidding with respect to the ground while the vehicle is turning.

Abstract: A bale wagon for large bales that uses a load rack made of a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart channel members that move in segments to transfer the load rearwardly for unloading. A tilting bed round bale unloader deposits bales one tier at a time onto their cylindrical surfaces on the ground.

Abstract: An operator seat for a work vehicle is provided that is pivotable between at least two operating stations.

Abstract: A quick-release steering wheel for a work vehicle is configured to engage with and quickly release from one or more steering posts in an operator compartment of a vehicle. The operator compartment has two operator stations, each station having a steering post to which the steering wheel can be quickly and releasably attached. In use, the operator can pivot the operator seat in the operator compartment to face one or another of the two steering stations. The operator can quickly move the steering wheel from one operator station to the other without tools by depressing a spring-loaded pin. By removing the wheel from one station and moving it to the other, the operator makes additional room into which he can pivot or slide the seat. This arrangement permits the operator compartment to be made smaller and more compact by positioning the two steering posts and operator stations closer together.

Abstract: A pair of conditioning rolls is disclosed that comprise one steel and one rubber/urethane roll. The steel roll has raised ribs formed thereon or attached thereto in a spiral configuration, while the rubber/urethane roll contains grooves therein that intermesh with the raised ribs during operation to grip the crop material. The smooth areas of the rolls crush the crop stems. Alternative embodiments of the grooves provide the ability to work within a wide range of crops, including crops that have heretofore proven difficult to condition.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle includes a left side steering actuator that is coupled to left front and left rear drive wheels to steer the wheels with respect to the chassis, a right side steering actuator that is coupled to right front and right rear drive wheels to steer them with respect to the chassis. The actuators are fixed to the chassis and include steering arms or linkages that extend fore-and-aft to front and rear wheels and swivel housings that they pivot.

Abstract: The apparatus is a crop conditioner frame in which both conditioning rollers and the torsion bar assembly forcing them together are interchangeable with other such parts of different designs. The interchangeability of the rollers is accomplished by simultaneously changing the bearings for the rollers and the mounting fixtures holding the bearings, but constructing all the mounting fixtures at any location to be attachable by the same fasteners.

Abstract: A combine harvester has at its rear end separate chaff and crop residue discharge openings. A chopper is provided for cutting the crop residue into small pieces, and a chaff discharge device serves to disperse the chaff exiting from the chaff discharge opening. The chaff discharge device is movable between a first position, in which chaff can fall to the ground without passing through the chaff discharge device to lie in a string behind the combine harvester, and a second position, in which the chaff passes through the chaff discharge device and is dispersed laterally away from the combine harvester. The chaff discharge device is further movable to a third position in which chaff leaving the chaff discharge device is directed to enter the chopper through an opening that is different from the opening through which the crop residue is admitted into the chopper.