Abstract: An agricultural vehicle is operable in a first state for transport and in a second state for field work and includes a frame supported by a plurality of tires. A processor is operable to receive a signal generated as a result of the agricultural vehicle transitioning from the first state to the second state or from the second state to the first state. A gas system is operable to modify the tire pressure of the plurality of tires of the agricultural vehicle in response to the signal.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle for picking or harvesting a product includes a motor, a plurality of tires, a transmission mating the motor to the plurality of tires, an accumulator operable to store the product, a module builder operable to receive the product from the accumulator, and a frame supporting the accumulator and the module builder. The frame defines a hatch through which an operator is capable of accessing the motor and/or the transmission. The agricultural vehicle is operable to transition between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the module builder and the accumulator prohibit access through the hatch. In the second state, the module builder and the accumulator are rotated relative to the frame and provide access through the hatch.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle for picking or harvesting a product includes a motor, a plurality of tires, a transmission mating the motor to the plurality of tires, an accumulator operable to store the product, a module builder operable to receive the product from the accumulator, and a frame supporting the accumulator and the module builder. The frame defines a hatch through which an operator is capable of accessing the motor and/or the transmission. The agricultural vehicle is operable to transition between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the module builder and the accumulator prohibit access through the hatch. In the second state, the module builder and the accumulator are rotated relative to the frame and provide access through the hatch.

Abstract: A cotton doffer structure for doffing cotton snagged on a surface having debris. The cotton doffer structure comprises a plurality of single-piece extrusions cooperating to provide a rim. The rim has a longitudinal axis and a periphery with radial protrusions integrally extending outward from the periphery. A shaft is coupled to the rim for rotation therewith about the longitudinal axis in a forward direction and surrounded by the rim. Brushes are provided. Each brush has a base end supporting upstanding bristles, an opposing distal end, a leading side generally facing the forward direction, and an opposing trailing side. Each support member is provided that has a leading end and a trailing end with an upright flange. The brush support member secures a responsive one of the base ends of the plurality of brushes against a respective one of the radial protrusions with the upright flange located adjacent the leading side.

Abstract: A cotton doffer structure for doffing cotton snagged on a surface having debris. The cotton doffer structure comprises an extrusion. The extrusion has a longitudinal axis and a periphery with a plurality of radial protrusions. A shaft is coupled to the extrusion for rotation therewith about the longitudinal axis in a forward direction. A plurality of brushes are provided. Each brush has a base end supporting upstanding bristles, an opposing distal end, a leading side generally facing the forward direction, and an opposing trailing side. A plurality of brush support members are provided that have a leading end and a trailing end with an upright flange. The plurality of brush support members securing the base ends of the plurality of brushes against the protrusion with the upright flange located adjacent the leading side.

Abstract: A harvester having a harvesting structure for harvesting crop and a crop receptacle for receiving harvested crop. The harvester comprises a crop conveying fan configured to operate at a fan speed to facilitate transfer of harvested crop from the harvesting structure to the crop receptacle. A control system for controlling the fan speed based on crop mass flow comprises a crop mass flow feedback device that provides a crop mass flow feedback signal indicative of crop mass flow. A controller is in communication with the crop mass flow feedback device and is configured to automatically lower the fan speed when the crop mass flow feedback signal indicates a lower crop mass flow and automatically raise the fan speed when the crop mass flow feedback signal indicates a higher crop mass flow.

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 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 harvester having a harvesting structure for harvesting crop and a crop receptacle for receiving harvested crop. The harvester comprises a crop conveying fan configured to operate at a fan speed to facilitate transfer of harvested crop from the harvesting structure to the crop receptacle. A control system for controlling the fan speed based on crop mass flow comprises a crop mass flow feedback device that provides a crop mass flow feedback signal indicative of crop mass flow. A controller is in communication with the crop mass flow feedback device and is configured to automatically lower the fan speed when the crop mass flow feedback signal indicates a lower crop mass flow and automatically raise the fan speed when the crop mass flow feedback signal indicates a higher crop mass flow.

Abstract: A cotton doffer structure for doffing cotton snagged on a surface having debris. The cotton doffer structure comprises an extrusion. The extrusion has a longitudinal axis and a periphery with a plurality of radial protrusions. A shaft is coupled to the extrusion for rotation therewith about the longitudinal axis in a forward direction. A plurality of brushes are provided. Each brush has a base end supporting upstanding bristles, an opposing distal end, a leading side generally facing the forward direction, and an opposing trailing side. A plurality of brush support members are provided that have a leading end and a trailing end with an upright flange. The plurality of brush support members securing the base ends of the plurality of brushes against the protrusion with the upright flange located adjacent the leading side.

Abstract: A wrap guide arrangement is provided for an agricultural harvesting machine having a module-forming chamber and wrapping system having a source of a wrapping material and a wrap conveyor arrangement for guiding the wrapping material from the source to the conveyor arrangement. The wrap guide arrangement has a wrap roll extending along an axis of rotation and having an outer circumference receiving the wrapping material. A guide plate has an axially extending body and at least one finger extending from the body toward the wrap roll. At least a part of the at least one finger extends proximate the outer circumference of the wrap roll between the wrap roll and the wrapping material.

Abstract: A round module builder for forming a round module. The round module comprises a feeder and a module-forming portion. The module-forming portion comprises at least one baler belt configured to receive a crop from the feeder, at least one baler roller sheave configured to drive the baler belt, and a module-forming chamber. The module-forming portion is configured to receive the crop and rotate the crop in the module-forming chamber into the round module. A powered brush is coupleable to the module-forming portion above the feeder and at least one of positioned in contact with the baler belt and positioned adjacent the baler belt. The powered brush is configured to remove the crop from the baler belt outside the module-forming chamber and return the crop to the feeder which returns the crop to the module-forming chamber where the crop is formed into the round module.

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 round module builder for forming a round module. The round module comprises a feeder and a module-forming portion. The module-forming portion comprises at least one baler belt configured to receive a crop from the feeder, at least one baler roller sheave configured to drive the baler belt, and a module-forming chamber. The module-forming portion is configured to receive the crop and rotate the crop in the module-forming chamber into the round module. A powered brush is coupleable to the module-forming portion above the feeder and at least one of positioned in contact with the baler belt and positioned adjacent the baler belt. The powered brush is configured to remove the crop from the baler belt outside the module-forming chamber and return the crop to the feeder which returns the crop to the module-forming chamber where the crop is formed into the round module.

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 spindle assembly for a cotton harvester. The spindle assembly includes an elongated nut having a first end with a threaded portion configured for receipt by the spindle bar. The elongated nut also has a second end, opposite the first end, with a tool receiving portion configured to be received by a tool to tighten the threaded portion of the first end into the spindle bar. The elongated nut further has an aperture extending through the elongated nut from the first end to the second end. The spindle assembly also includes a cotton harvester spindle having a bearing portion rotatably supported by the aperture of the elongated nut and a picking end projecting outwardly from the second end of the elongated nut. The elongated nut is hard coat anodized to improve wear resistance.

Abstract: A light-weight upright shaft (14) supports cotton harvester doffers (12). An internally threaded mounting end (36) receives a bolt (38) which is stretchable to a greater degree than the shaft to provide a reliable shaft preload condition that prevents the doffers from spinning relative to the shaft. The shaft may be hollow and may have a diameter greater than conventional shafts to reduce weight and increase the stiffness and thereby increase critical speed. The preload structure does not require a nut and has increased thread engagement.

Abstract: A cotton harvester row unit includes belt drive and a variable transmission to reduce noise and optimize spindle and doffer speeds of rotation while permitting spindle drum structure rotational speed to change with changes in harvester speed. In one embodiment, a variable speed motor drives the ring gear of a planetary gear set to vary the ratio of spindle and doffer speed to drum speed. The planetary gear set may be enclosed to also help reduce noise and to decrease grease consumption. Nearly constant spindle and doffer speeds may be maintained over a wide range drum rotational speeds, and the upper speeds may be limited to avoid operation above critical speeds of components. The transmission may be configured to reduce or completely eliminates gear meshing off of the drum centerline to thereby reduce row unit manufacture precision, and a relatively low power motor may be used to adjust the ratio of spindle and doffer speed to drum speed.