Abstract: A control system for operating one or more different mechanisms on a cotton harvester as a function of engine speed. The control system includes an apparatus for generating a speed signal representative of current engine operating speed and control circuitry connected to the apparatus for controlling operation of at least one and, preferably, a plurality of different mechanisms arranged on the harvester as a function of engine speed.

Abstract: A cotton harvesting unit with a cotton doffer assembly rotatable about a vertical axis and including an adjustable drive unit with a vertical drive shaft for imparting rotary motion to and for vertically positioning doffer pads of a doffer unit relative to picker spindles of an adjacent picker rotor. The drive unit vertically positions the doffer pads through an operative mechanism rotatable about a second axis adjacent to the doffer assembly. A motion converting mechanism converts rotary motion of the operative mechanism into linear motion of the drive unit drive shaft. The drive shaft of the drive unit and doffer unit are releasably interconnected to each other to facilitate repair/replacement of the doffer unit. To inhibit contaminants for encumbering adjustment of the drive unit, the motion converting mechanism is wholly arranged within the housing assembly and protected from the ambient environment in which a harvester is operated.

Abstract: A system for mounting and supporting harvesting units on a forward end of a cotton harvester frame to allow them to be slidably moved relative to each other and laterally along an elongated tool bar structure. The tool bar structure is pivotally connected to the cotton harvester frame by a lift assembly. The harvesting units hang in a cantilevered fashion from and are independently connected at their rearward edges to the tool bar structure by a slide support structure which facilitates visibility of the harvesting units from a cab region of the harvester. The slide support structure maintains a non-rotatable and non-point contact relationship with laterally elongated generally flat support surfaces defined between opposite ends of the tool bar structure whereby substantial surface area contact is provided between each side support structure and the support surfaces on the tool bar structure.

Abstract: A system for mounting and supporting cotton harvesting units for vertical displacement on a forward end of a cotton harvester frame. The mounting and supporting system includes a parallelogram-type linkage assembly for connecting the harvesting units to the frame such that the harvesting units maintain a generally level attitude in either lowered or raised positions. The linkage assembly includes vertically spaced and generally parallel lift arms and tension arms. Each lift arm and tension arm is pivotally attached at its rear end to the frame and at its forward end to the harvesting units. A tilting mechanism connects the rear end of the tension arms to the frame and is operable to move the harvesting units about their pivot attachment to the lift arm to a tilted position and thereby facilitate an increase in ground clearance for the cotton harvester.

Abstract: A system for lubricating picker spindles on a cotton harvester. The lubrication system includes a source of pressurized lubricant located on the cotton harvester and which is connected to a lubricant manifold assembly provided at an upper end of each picker rotor of the cotton harvester. The lubricant manifold assembly defines a cavity which receives lubricant through a lower end of the picker rotor. The manifold assembly further defines a series of lubricant passages which direct lubricant from the cavity toward an upper end of each picker bar and, ultimately, to an inner end of each of the picker spindles and the drive mechanisms therefor.

Abstract: A multiple row cotton harvester machine having a plurality of harvesting units and a system for individually mounting the harvesting units at a front end of the cotton harvester. The mounting system includes a lift arm assembly which is adapted for vertical movement with respect to the frame of a harvesting machine. The harvesting units are individually connected to the lift arm assembly in a manner allowing the harvesting units to be pivotally moved relative to each other between first and second positions about a substantially vertical axis and in a generally horizontal direction to provide access for servicing or to effect wider row cotton harvesting operations.

Abstract: A multi-row cotton harvester machine having a plurality of harvesting units and a system for individually mounting the harvesting units at a front end of the cotton harvester. The mounting system includes a tool bar which is adapted for vertical movement with respect to the frame of the harvesting machine. The harvesting units are individually connected to the tool bar in a manner allowing the harvesting units to be readily moved relative to each other between a first position wherein the units are arranged to effect narrow row cotton harvesting and a second position wherein the harvesting units are further spaced apart to provide access for servicing or to effect wider row cotton harvesting operations.

Abstract: A cotton harvester machine having a plurality of cotton harvesting units and a system for mounting the harvesting units at a front end of the cotton harvester. The harvesting units are connected to a frame of the cotton harvester machine in a manner allowing vertical displacement of the harvesting units with respect to the frame. The mounting system arranges the harvesting units forwardly of the frame at different distances in a manner improving weight distribution for the machine while facilitating narrow row cotton harvesting.

Abstract: A cotton picker doffer element adjustment mechanism which continuously and automatically adjusts the elevation of the doffer elements in relationship with the picker spindles as the doffer pads wear. The doffer elements continuously gravitate downwardly to maintain contact between the doffer pads and the picker spindles. A hydraulic fluid arrangement is provided to automatically prevent upward movement of the doffer elements. A manually operable device may be provided to selectively exert additional pressure over gravity to the doffer elements or to permit gravity to be overridden. An external pressure source may be provided to supplement the downward gravitation of the doffer elements.

Abstract: The present invention is for a mounting system for supporting harvesting units from the frame of a cotton harvester. The present invention allows greater access to the rear of the harvesting unit while also allowing independent mounting of each harvesting unit.

Abstract: A cotton harvesting machine is provided with an on board cotton module maker. The module maker is capable of operating simultaneously with the harvesting of cotton by the harvesting machine.

Abstract: A cotton harvester basket for accumulating picked cotton comprises four walls, a floor with a conveyor and a detachable roof section. The basket is vertically moveable between its raised and lowered positions by hydraulic cylinders disposed at the opposite ends of the basket. The same cylinders can be used for telescopically bringing the roof section into and out of the space encompassed by the basket walls.

Abstract: A basket lift apparatus for a cotton harvester including a pair of linear hydraulic motors having floating axially unrestrained housings is provided with a variable length guide tube assembly pivotally connected between the respective cylinder housings to prevent rotation thereof.

Abstract: A cotton harvester (10) is provided with several independently hydraulically adjustable header units (16) that are movable in unison or completely independently responsive to ground plane elevation. A rotary flow divider (30) is positioned between a manual control valve (32) and the header units to control synchronous movement of the units. A plurality of one way check valves (44 and 104) are positioned between the manual control valve and the rotary flow divider (30) and the header units respectively for prioritizing fluid flow from the manual control valve to the adjustable header units.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a harvesting header to the vertically fixed subframes of a cotton harvester chassis including apertured horizontal header frame support plates extending forwardly from the lower portion of the subframes, latch pins on the header for engaging the apertures, linear adjustable drawing members releasably interconnecting the upper portion of the header to the upper portion of the subframe, and a pair of spaced vertical plates extending rearwardly from the header and intermeshing with a vertical interface member on the subframe, preferably being pinned thereto for operation of the harvester.