Abstract: Apparatus for collapsing an on-board crop receiver of a harvester to a transport position, utilizing a remotely releasable locking element to allow telescopic collapsing or retracting the receiver without entering the receiver, and powered apparatus for positively collapsing a duct extending between a row unit of the harvester and an inlet opening of the receiver. The duct is telescopically retractable at an inclined angle by a similarly inclined duct driver to a height about equal to that of the receiver when in the transport position, so as to be freed from the receiver and any associated hood extending outwardly therefrom associated with the inlet opening. Using crop compactor apparatus within the interior of the receiver, the compactor can be lowered and the locking mechanism unlocked, and then the compactor operated to telescopically collapse or retract the receiver. The receiver can be extended in the reverse order.

Abstract: An unloader for a cotton compacting structure such as a module builder, including loose cotton retaining apparatus configured and operable for retaining loose cotton carried from, and returning the loose cotton to, the compacting structure. Apparatus of the invention can include an array or arrays of individual upstanding filaments, or flaps, located on a cotton conveying surface of a door arrangement or ramp extending from the compacting structure and over which a mass of compacted cotton or module is unloaded. The apparatus is configured to allow passage of a mass or module of compacted cotton thereover, while preventing passage of at least a substantial portion of any loose cotton following the mass or module along the surface. The apparatus is also configured for returning the loose cotton to the compacting structure upon folding or closing of the door or ramp.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for collapsing an on-board crop receiver of a harvester to a transport position, utilizing a remotely releasable locking element to allow telescopic collapsing or retracting the receiver without entering the receiver, and powered apparatus for positively collapsing a duct extending between a row unit of the harvester and an inlet opening of the receiver. The duct is telescopically retractable at an inclined angle by a similarly inclined duct driver to a height about equal to that of the receiver when in the transport position, so as to be freed from the receiver and any associated hood extending outwardly therefrom associated with the inlet opening. Using crop compactor apparatus within the interior of the receiver, the compactor can be lowered and the locking mechanism unlocked, and then the compactor operated to telescopically collapse or retract the receiver. The receiver can be extended in the reverse order.

Abstract: A cotton receiver for a cotton harvesting machine and a method of operation of the same. The receiver includes a cotton compacting chamber, a precompacting area above the chamber, and an accumulator deployable upwardly from the precompacting area to increase the cotton holding capacity thereof. Compactor apparatus is located in the compacting chamber and is configured for holding cotton thereabove separate from cotton therebelow. the compactor apparatus is movable downwardly against cotton therebelow for compacting it into a unitary body or module, including while holding cotton thereabove, and is controllably operable for conveying cotton held thereabove downwardly therethrough, subsequent to unloading a completed compacted body of cotton.

Abstract: The cotton harvester includes a cotton picker housing having at least one plant lifter defining a plant row channel extending back into the housing to a plant compressor sheet. A picker rotor is mounted in the cotton picker housing adjacent to the plant row channel and traverse to the plant compressor sheet. A doffer in the housing near the picker rotor removes picked cotton from the picker rotor and moves the picked cotton to an outlet at the rear of the cotton picker housing. A power unit includes an internal combustion engine mounted on the housing including a rotatable output selectably connectable in rotatably driving relation to the picker rotor and the doffer for imparting rotation thereto. The power unit can also selectably drive at least one wheel of the harvester for moving it over the ground at a speed corresponding to a rotational speed of the picker rotor.

Abstract: A cotton receiving and densification apparatus for an upper region of a cotton module builder adapted for receiving a plurality of side-by-side flows of cotton and air and converging and densifying the cotton for distribution and conveyance downwardly into the module builder, including a cotton receiving chamber which tapers into a cotton densification chamber, both chambers being located above and downwardly opening into an upper region of a cotton compacting chamber of the module builder, the apparatus being capable of remaining intact when the module builder is collapsed for transport and storage.

Abstract: A cotton receiver for a cotton harvesting machine and a method of operation of the same. The receiver includes a cotton compacting chamber, a precompacting area above the chamber, and an accumulator deployable upwardly from the precompacting area to increase the cotton holding capacity thereof. Compactor apparatus is located in the compacting chamber and is configured for holding cotton thereabove separate from cotton therebelow. The compactor apparatus is movable downwardly against cotton therebelow for compacting it into a unitary body or module, including while holding cotton thereabove, and is controllably operable for conveying cotton held thereabove downwardly therethrough, subsequent to unloading a completed compacted body of cotton.

Abstract: The cotton harvester includes a cotton picker housing having at least one plant lifter defining a plant row channel extending back into the housing to a plant compressor sheet. A picker rotor is mounted in the cotton picker housing adjacent to the plant row channel and traverse to the plant compressor sheet. A doffer in the housing near the picker rotor removes picked cotton from the picker rotor and moves the picked cotton to an outlet at the rear of the cotton picker housing. A power unit includes an internal combustion engine mounted on the housing including a rotatable output selectably connectable in rotatably driving relation to the picker rotor and the doffer for imparting rotation thereto. The power unit can also selectably drive at least one wheel of the harvester for moving it over the ground at a speed corresponding to a rotational speed of the picker rotor.

Abstract: A fault tolerant operating method for a cotton compactor of a cotton module builder or packager of a cotton harvesting machine, which serves as an alternative to shutting down the compacting process or erratic operation thereof, in the event of indication of a fault or failure condition involving one or more sensors associated with the compactor, or a conductive path in connection with a sensor, all generally identified as a fault or failure condition.

Abstract: A foldable extension for an unloading door of a cotton receiving receptacle of cotton harvester which, when in a deployed position, increases the overall length of the door and directs cotton conveyed over the extension in a downward direction so as to facilitate more precise placement in a receiving receptacle. The extension does not have to be folded to its stored position each time the unloading door is closed, and when folded into its stored positions, does not increase the overall height of the harvester or interfere with telescopic operation of upper and lower portions of the basket.

Abstract: The cotton harvester includes a cotton picker housing having at least one plant lifter defining a plant row channel extending back into the housing to a plant compressor sheet. A picker rotor is mounted in the cotton picker housing adjacent to the plant row channel and traverse to the plant compressor sheet. A doffer in the housing near the picker rotor removes picked cotton from the picker rotor and moves the picked cotton to an outlet at the rear of the cotton picker housing. A power unit includes an internal combustion engine mounted on the housing including a rotatable output selectably connectable in rotatably driving relation to the picker rotor and the doffer for imparting rotation thereto. The power unit can also selectably drive at least one wheel of the harvester for moving it over the ground at a speed corresponding to a rotational speed of the picker rotor.

Abstract: A row unit movable in a forward direction for simultaneously picking cotton from at least two parallel rows of cotton plants, the rows of cotton plants being spaced a predetermined distance apart in a transverse direction relative to the forward direction.

Abstract: A cotton harvester which includes at least one cotton picker unit for harvesting cotton from plants planted in narrow, parallel rows. The cotton picker unit comprises a cotton picker housing that supports a lateral plant lifter which extends forward of the housing and defines a plant row channel for receiving cotton plants planted in a row. The plant channel extends back into the housing to a plant compressor sheet which facilitates the picking of the cotton from the cotton plant by a picker rotor which is supported in the housing adjacent to the plant row channel and traverse to the compressor sheet. A doffer column also supported in the housing is near the picker rotor and removes the picked cotton from the picker rotor and moves the cotton towards an outlet and through an exhaust chute for receiving the cotton. The cotton is then collected in an appropriate cotton basket.

Abstract: A cotton compacting structure arranged in combination with a cotton receiving basket on a cotton harvester for compacting the relatively light and fluffy cotton materials directed and blown into the basket to increase the maximum capacity of the basket without increasing basket size. The compacting structure of the present invention includes a rigid frame assembly mounted for movement within the basket. One or more rotatable members are mounted on and for movement with the frame assembly for forcibly imparting direction to the cotton received in the basket. A method of filling a cotton basket assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lubrication system for an agricultural implement such as a cotton harvester having a plurality of harvesting units mounted thereon. Each harvesting unit of the cotton harvester includes a harvesting mechanism whose operation is facilitated by supplying lubricant thereto. The lubrication system preferably includes an on-board grease reservoir with a constant displacement pump assembly having an input connected to the reservoir and an output for providing lubricant under pressure to the harvesting mechanisms of each harvesting unit. The pump assembly is operated under the influence of a controller which operates the pump for a preselected period of time thereby causing preselected amounts of pressurized lubricant to be provided to the harvesting mechanism of each harvesting unit.

Abstract: A lubrication system including a lubricant reservoir connected to a pump assembly which selectively operates in either of two modes of operation. In one mode of operation, the pump assembly provides pressurized lubricant to various lubricant receiving areas. In a second mode of operation, the same pump assembly is used to refill the lubricant reservoir from a lubricant supply source.

Abstract: A system for controlling the elevation of a harvesting unit of a cotton harvester relative to a ground surface. The control system includes a valve assembly whose position controls operation of a lift mechanism connected to the harvesting unit and which is operated by a ground contour sensor assembly carried by the harvesting unit. Harvesting unit elevation is correlated with the extent that the ground contour sensor assembly moves relative to the harvesting unit. The ground contour sensor assembly includes a shoe with a ground engaging surface wherein such surface is movable vertically relative to the harvesting unit and also is pivotable sideways about a fore-and-aft extending axis thereby enhancing ground contact of the sensor assembly with the ground contour.

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.