Abstract: A tensioner assembly for tensioning a belt including a moveable arm, a first tensioner pulley mounted to the moveable arm, and a second tensioner pulley mounted to the moveable arm. In a first position of the moveable arm corresponding to a forward drive configuration, the first tensioner pulley is positioned in contact with the belt while the second tensioner pulley is spaced apart from the belt. In a second position of the moveable arm corresponding to a reverse drive configuration, the second tensioner pulley is positioned in contact with the belt while the first tensioner pulley is spaced apart from the belt.

Abstract: A tension roller assembly includes a tension roller, a pivotable support arm, a tension arm, a compression spring, a rod, first and second spring stops, a mounting plate, and an overcenter assembly connected to an end of the tension arm. The overcenter assembly connects the tension arm to the mounting plate. The overcenter assembly is configured to make a pivoting movement over a pivot trajectory between engaged and disengaged positions. The overcenter assembly further has a center position located between the engaged and disengaged positions. The pivot trajectory between the center position and the disengaged position is divided into a tensioned section in which the end stop does not engage the stop surface and the spring exerts a force on the overcenter assembly, and a free-moving section in which the end stop engages the stop surface and the spring does not exert any force on the overcenter assembly.

Abstract: A tension roller assembly includes a tension roller, a pivotable support arm, a tension arm, a compression spring, a rod, first and second spring stops, a mounting plate, and an overcenter assembly connected to an end of the tension arm. The overcenter assembly connects the tension arm to the mounting plate. The overcenter assembly is configured to make a pivoting movement over a pivot trajectory between engaged and disengaged positions. The overcenter assembly further has a center position located between the engaged and disengaged positions. The pivot trajectory between the center position and the disengaged position is divided into a tensioned section in which the end stop does not engage the stop surface and the spring exerts a force on the overcenter assembly, and a free-moving section in which the end stop engages the stop surface and the spring does not exert any force on the overcenter assembly.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a feeder housing pivotally mounted to the chassis. The agricultural harvester is characterized in that an axle assembly is pivotally mounted to the feeder housing. A hydraulic actuator is coupled with the axle assembly for pivotally moving the axle assembly in upward and downward directions from the feeder housing. A road mode switch provides a first output signal indicative of a field mode and a second output signal indicative of a road mode. A controller is coupled with the road mode switch and the hydraulic actuator. The controller receives the second output signal from the road mode switch and controls the hydraulic actuator, whereby the hydraulic actuator provides a substantially constant down force between the axle assembly and a ground surface.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a feeder housing pivotally mounted to the chassis. The agricultural harvester is characterized in that an axle assembly is pivotally mounted to the feeder housing. A hydraulic actuator is coupled with the axle assembly for pivotally moving the axle assembly in upward and downward directions from the feeder housing. A road mode switch provides a first output signal indicative of a field mode and a second output signal indicative of a road mode. A controller is coupled with the road mode switch and the hydraulic actuator. The controller receives the second output signal from the road mode switch and controls the hydraulic actuator, whereby the hydraulic actuator provides a substantially constant down force between the axle assembly and a ground surface.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling maximum available engine power of a combine harvester wherein the engine drives the harvester and additionally powers a threshing mechanism for separating harvested crop into grain and crop residue and at least one further crop processing subsystem that may be selectively configured and disengaged, including a straw chopper engageable for chopping the crop residue and propelling the chopped residue from the harvester, structure configurable for directing the crop residue into the chopper or to bypass the chopper, utilizing a controller for automatically reducing the maximum available engine power as a function of the status of the engagement of the subsystems, particularly the chopper and the configuration of the associated structure.

Abstract: A power transmission device for utility machinery is disclosed, the device including: a) a sleeve supporting a first sheave member having a first face; b) a hub received through said sleeve and moveable axially in relation thereto, said hub supporting a second sheave member having a second face that opposes said first face such that said first and second faces define therebetween a groove adapted to receive a belt and relative axial movement between said sleeve and said hub being adapted to vary at least one of pitch diameter and grip imparted to said belt from said sheaves; and c) an actuator mechanism adapted, through control of relative axial displacement between said sleeve and said hub, to vary at least one of said pitch and grip, said actuator mechanism comprising a control rod disposed substantially perpendicularly to the line of action of said axial displacement and connected to said hub through a link mechanism, said control rod being adapted to rotate and said link mechanism being adapted to transla

Abstract: A power transmission device for utility machinery is disclosed, the device including: a) a sleeve supporting a first sheave member having a first face; b) a hub received through said sleeve and moveable axially in relation thereto, said hub supporting a second sheave member having a second face that opposes said first face such that said first and second faces define therebetween a groove adapted to receive a belt and relative axial movement between said sleeve and said hub being adapted to vary at least one of pitch diameter and grip imparted to said belt from said sheaves; and c) an actuator mechanism adapted, through control of relative axial displacement between said sleeve and said hub, to vary at least one of said pitch and grip, said actuator mechanism comprising a control rod disposed substantially perpendicularly to the line of action of said axial displacement and connected to said hub through a link mechanism, said control rod being adapted to rotate and said link mechanism being adapted to transla

Abstract: A drive linkage is described for reciprocating a sieve that is suspended within a frame of a combine harvester for movement in mutually orthogonal directions. The drive linkage comprises a cranking mechanism for imparting a reciprocating motion to the sieve in the direction of travel of the harvester and a pivot arm pivotably connected at one end to one side of the sieve to cause the sieve to move in an arc centred on a pivot axis at the opposite end of the pivot arm as the sieve is reciprocated. In the invention, the pivot axis of the pivot arm is displaced relative to the frame in synchronism with the reciprocation of the sieve in such a manner as to cause the sieve to follow a substantially rectilinear path relative to the frame.

Abstract: An anti-wrapping device is described for preventing crop from being wrapped about the central shaft of a reel rotatably supported on side arms of a header of a combine. The device comprises an annular cover plate for securing to the axial end of the reel to prevent the crop from becoming entangled with projections from the reel and a tubular shroud for mounting on the header support arm to surround the central shaft of the reel, the axial end of the shroud being positioned when in use in close proximity to the annular cover plate of the reel to avoid any crop being caught therebetween.

Abstract: A concave arrangement is disclosed for a threshing machine such as a combine harvester 10. The arrangement includes a concave 30 having a moveable rear portion 48 that is adapted to vary the break-over angle presented to straw passing downstream. A flap member 54 is provided that moves jointly with the moveable rear portion 48 and ensures that a gap G between the moveable portion 48 and a later processing stage such as a beater apparatus is kept substantially closed. Variation of the break-over angle influences the length of the straw leaving the threshing machine and the loading of the further separation and cleaning mechanisms.