Abstract: A harvester having a harvesting structure, an accumulator, and a module builder having a throat. A plurality of meter rollers are positioned to receive crop and transfer crop at a feed rate in cooperation with a beater roller. A feeder belt receives crop from the meter rollers and the beater roller and transfers the crop to the throat. A feed rate control system comprises at least one crop mass flow feedback device providing a crop mass flow feedback signal indicative of crop mass flow. A controller is provided that is in communication with the at least one crop mass flow feedback device and configured to operate in a first mode by lowering the feed rate when the crop mass flow feedback signal indicates a threshold has been reached and by raising the feed rate when the crop mass flow feedback signal indicates the threshold has not been reached.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a pitch of a plurality of fan blades of a variable pitch fan driven by an engine of a harvester. The control system comprises first, second, and third feedback devices that provide first, second, and third feedback signals indicative of at least one harvester temperature, an ambient temperature, and an engine load. A controller is operable to receive the first, second, and third feedback signals, lookup an initial pitch setting, generate an initial pitch setting signal, and compare the harvester temperature to a harvester temperature limit and generate a fan reversal signal if certain conditions are met.

Abstract: A harvester having a harvesting structure, an accumulator, and a module builder having a throat. A plurality of meter rollers are positioned to receive crop and transfer crop at a feed rate in cooperation with a beater roller. A feeder belt receives crop from the meter rollers and the beater roller and transfers the crop to the throat. A feed rate control system comprises at least one crop mass flow feedback device providing a crop mass flow feedback signal indicative of crop mass flow. A controller is provided that is in communication with the at least one crop mass flow feedback device and configured to operate in a first mode by lowering the feed rate when the crop mass flow feedback signal indicates a threshold has been reached and by raising the feed rate when the crop mass flow feedback signal indicates the threshold has not been reached.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a pitch of a plurality of fan blades of a variable pitch fan driven by an engine of a harvester. The control system comprises first, second, and third feedback devices that provide first, second, and third feedback signals indicative of at least one harvester temperature, an ambient temperature, and an engine load. A controller is operable to receive the first, second, and third feedback signals, lookup an initial pitch setting, generate an initial pitch setting signal, and compare the harvester temperature to a harvester temperature limit and generate a fan reversal signal if certain conditions are met.

Abstract: A transmission arrangement is disclosed for a cotton harvester. A power take-off shaft may be configured to receive rotational power from an engine of the cotton harvester. An infinitely variable transmission may be configured to sum mechanical power from an infinitely variable power source and the engine and to output the summed power at a variable output shaft. A clutch arrangement may be configured, in a first state, to disconnect a harvesting unit of the cotton harvester from the power take-off shaft and route power from the variable output shaft to the harvesting unit. The clutch arrangement may be further configured, in a second state, to disconnect the harvesting unit from the variable output shaft and route power from the engine to the harvesting unit via the power take-off shaft.

Abstract: A transmission arrangement is disclosed for a cotton harvester. A power take-off shaft may be configured to receive rotational power from an engine of the cotton harvester. An infinitely variable transmission may be configured to sum mechanical power from an infinitely variable power source and the engine and to output the summed power at a variable output shaft. A clutch arrangement may be configured, in a first state, to disconnect a harvesting unit of the cotton harvester from the power take-off shaft and route power from the variable output shaft to the harvesting unit. The clutch arrangement may be further configured, in a second state, to disconnect the harvesting unit from the variable output shaft and route power from the engine to the harvesting unit via the power take-off shaft.

Abstract: A cotton conveying structure for a cotton harvester. The cotton harvester comprising a receptacle. A harvesting structure is configured for harvesting cotton. A first cross auger is in communication with the harvesting structure for receiving cotton therefrom. The first cross auger is coupleable to a forward portion of the cotton harvester. A second cross auger is in communication with the harvesting structure for receiving cotton therefrom. The second cross auger is coupleable to a forward portion of the cotton harvester adjacent the first cross auger. A first duct is in communication with the first cross auger. A first cleaner is in communication with the first duct. A second duct is in communication with the second cross auger and spaced from the first duct. A second cleaner is in communication with the second duct. The first and second cleaners are configured to transfer cotton to the receptacle.

Abstract: A lift system includes parallel connected cylinder circuits with cylinders mechanically tied together on a first lift wheel arm. The base end of a third cylinder connected to a second lift wheel arm is connected in parallel with the pair of cylinders. The rod end of the third cylinder is constrained for movement with the rod end of a fourth cylinder also connected to the second wheel arm. The rod end of one of the pair of cylinders is connected in series with the base end of the fourth cylinder to thereby constrain the third and fourth cylinders on the second lift wheel arm to move in unison with the pair of cylinders on the first lift wheel arm. Series cylinder circuits move the wing cylinders in unison with the main frame cylinders to keep the implement level. The hydraulic circuit is also plumbed to retract outer wing wheels during wing fold operations to eliminate outer wing wheel interference.

Abstract: Tube mounted bracket structure for a toolbar or similar tube with a rectangular cross section includes a bracket having a tube abutting flange with an aperture offset from an elongated slot. A rotatable insert has an inwardly directed and elongated projection conforming to the shape of the elongated slot and an aperture located at one extremity of the projection. The aperture extends through the projection and through an integral washer portion which defines an enlarged shoulder area for contacting the tube abutting flange when the insert is positioned in the slot. The elongated projection generally fills the entire slot with the exception of the aperture, thereby presenting a relatively solid bolt receiving area for mounting a U-bolt or similar bolt structure. For a toolbar or tube having relatively large cross section, the insert is positioned in the slot to provide maximum offset from the flange aperture.

Abstract: Down pressure structure for providing an adjustable down force on a rig of row crop implement such as a cultivator includes an overcenter toggle connected to the rig for pivoting about a toggle axis between a first and second positions. The toggle has a protrusion that contacts the edge of a rig plate at two different locations corresponding to a light and a heavy down pressure position. A down pressure spring is tensioned between the frame and the toggle and maintains the toggle in a selected one of two overcenter positions corresponding to the two different spring tension positions. A hex projection on the toggle receives a conventional wrench for moving the toggle between the first and second positions. A second toggle and down pressure spring combination provide additional spring adjustments so that at a numerous easily determinable down pressure settings are available.

Abstract: A series of notches are provided in the upright plates on one end of a parallel bar linkage connecting a cultivator rig or planter assembly to a tool bar. Coil springs are tensioned between the opposite end of the linkage and a rod and trunnion assembly that fits into the series of notches. The coil springs maintain the rod and trunnion in a selected set of notches. A handle on the rod allows the operator to walk the rod and trunnion assembly up and down the series of notches to select a different set of notches and thereby incrementally adjust the down pressure to a known value or setting. When the tool bar is raised to a transport position and the linkage pivots downwardly to a lowermost position, the spring is stretched only slightly so that down pressure adjustments can be made easily using only the handle on the rod.

Abstract: A gauge wheel assembly includes a gauge wheel arm that straddles the rig tube and is supported on the tube by two bushings inserted through holes on either side of the tube. The bushings contact each other near the center of the tube to provide a solid or hard joint which permits the pivot bolt to be tightened without crushing the sides of the tube. The bushing has protrusions that are pressed into the tubing wall during installation and thereby prevent bushing rotation. Two different straps at the lower end of the wheel arm permits at least three different combinations of gauge wheels to be quickly and easily mounted. A compact and easily accessible depth adjusting crank is supported entirely above the rig tube. A depth indicator projects from the crank trunnion mounting on the upper end of the wheel arm to provide an indication of depth adjustment.

Abstract: A cultivator sweep includes a body with a forward point and wings diverging outwardly in the rearward direction. In one embodiment, a row side sweep includes a row side wing angled upwardly from the horizontal at an angle of approximately 27 degrees, and the opposite wing is angled downwardly, to closely match the profile of the ground from the row bed to the row middle. In another embodiment of the invention, a wide sweep extends between the beds of adjacent rows and includes wings with outermost portions bent upwardly at an angle with respect to the horizontal to provide a sweep profile which closely approximates the ground profile between the rows for more uniform depth of penetration, less soil throw and crop root damage, and reduced draft.

Abstract: A simple, light-weight C-shank standard is mounted on a bracket which is corner clamped to a rig cross tube on a row crop cultivator. A pin inserted through apertures in the bracket maintains the shank in a preselected field-working attitude. The pin can be removed to allow the shank to be pivoted upwardly for maintenance, sweep removal, or residue removal. The shank can be supported in the raised position by the pin when the cultivator configuration is changed for cultivation in lay-by conditions, or for operation in skip row or other special crop configurations. In one embodiment of the invention, the shank is edgebent and selective placement of the pin through one of a plurality of sets of mating holes in the bracket and the upper portion of the shank permits adjustment of the working position of the shank. A mounting slot at the lower end of the one embodiment of the shank provides pitch adjustment for the earthworking tool.