Abstract: An operator's compartment for an industrial vehicle comprises a platform floor, an operator's seat, at least one presence sensing device and a control module. The operator's seat has a base structure coupled to the platform floor and an operator support coupled to the base structure such that the operator support may be rotated with respect to the platform floor. Each provided presence sensing device is arranged to sense an operator's presence in a predetermined location in or about the operator's compartment and the control module is configured to control at least one operation of the vehicle based upon a rotational position of the operator's seat and a signal from at least one of the presence sensing device(s).

Abstract: A lift truck is provided comprising: a power unit assembly comprising a power unit base, a wheel coupled to the base, and a system for driving the wheel; and a main frame assembly detachably connected to the power unit assembly. The main frame assembly comprises a main frame base, a mast assembly coupled to the main frame base, a carriage assembly coupled to the mast assembly, and hydraulic drive apparatus coupled to the mast assembly. Preferably, substantially the entirety of the hydraulic drive apparatus is provided on the main frame assembly such that the main frame assembly is detachable from the power unit assembly without requiring disconnecting hydraulic connections to the power unit assembly.

Abstract: Seat repositioning systems for vehicles comprise an operator's seat having a seat bottom and optionally, a seat back, where the operator's seat further comprises an adjustable characteristic, such as seat rotation, seat height adjustment, tilt, or X-Y position. A seat release control is operable to release the operator's seat from a locked position for repositioning of the adjustable characteristic of the operator's seat.

Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement is provided for a working vehicle comprising an operator's seat having an adjustable feature. A first control element is arranged such that a first work operative position is defined. A seat adjusting element is further provided for enabling the operator to set the adjustable feature of the operator's seat. The seat adjusting element is positioned relative to the first control element such that the operator may selectively control the adjustable feature of the seat without significantly interrupting the first work operative position or without significantly interrupting a transition from a first task to a second task and/or from a first work operative position to a second work operative position.

Abstract: An operator's seat for a vehicle includes a base structure that allows the operator's seat to be rotated with respect to a platform floor of an operator's compartment within the vehicle. The operator's seat may further include a swivel structure that allows an operator support to swivel independently of the rotation of the base structure. At least one presence sensing device may be provided to detect the presence of an operator. The presence sensing device(s), and rotational position of the operator support may provide input signals to a control module that controls the vehicle travel, load handling features, and/or other features of the vehicle that may be selectively enabled, limited or otherwise controlled.

Abstract: Seat repositioning systems for vehicles comprise a seat release element that is operable to cause an operator's seat to be temporarily released from a locked position such that the operator's seat may be adjusted to a new position. By optionally positioning the seat control element proximate to an operator's working position, a vehicle operator may reposition the seat while simultaneously performing another task. Moreover, a controller may be provided that is capable of deciding whether or not to allow the operator's seat to be released based upon vehicle parameters such as vehicle speed or load handling conditions. Still further, the controller may temporarily disable select features of the vehicle depending upon the position of the seat.

Abstract: A foliage harvester is provided, as is a mechanical drive arrangement which includes a pivotally mounted main gearbox. An extension assembly extends forwardly with respect to the main gearbox for a relatively short length, and a connection assembly operatively joins the rotating portion near the rear end of the mechanical drive assembly in a manner which prevents substantially any side-to-side or generally horizontal movement between that portion of the mechanical drive assembly and the rotatable main gearbox. At the same time, this operative joining incorporating use of the connection assembly permits limited up-and-down or generally vertical movement of the mechanical drive assembly with respect to the pivotable main gearbox. In an especially preferred arrangement, the implement is a center pivot mower conditioner, and the mechanical drive operates the cutting and conditioning assemblies during operation of the mower conditioner on either side behind the towing vehicle or tractor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for wrapping roll material around a round bale within a bale forming chamber of a round baler including a drive belt tensioner idler, a wrapping material brake and a wrapping material cut-off knife all disposed on a carriage that is articulated between a wrapping material feeding position and a cut-off/stop position. When baling is completed, a signal is provided for movement to the feeding position at which time the wrapping material is held taught to maintain bale compression. After sensor data are fed back to a controller to signal feeding has proceeded for the desired length of time and/or to deploy the desired length of wrapping material, the device articulates to the cut-off position to sever the wrapping material to allow completion of the bale wrapping procedure. A crop recycling mechanism can also be provided to re-feed stray crop material into the baling chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for wrapping roll material around a round bale within a bale forming chamber of a round baler including a drive belt tensioner idler, a wrapping material brake and a wrapping material cut-off knife all disposed on a carriage that is articulated between a wrapping material feeding position and a cut-off/stop position. When baling is completed, a signal is provided for movement to the feeding position at which time the wrapping material is held taught to maintain bale compression. After sensor data are fed back to a controller to signal feeding has proceeded for the desired length of time and/or to deploy the desired length of wrapping material, the device articulates to the cut-off position to sever the wrapping material to allow completion of the bale wrapping procedure. A crop recycling mechanism can also be provided to re-feed stray crop material into the baling chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus is presented for slicing a large round bale into two parts prior to discharge from the baler. Slicing is accomplished by inserting a knife blade into the bale forming chamber during or subsequent to the tying-off event while the bale rotates. The knife is inserted between the belts which encircle the periphery of the baling chamber. The butt end of a more than two foot long knife blade is secured to the center of a T-shaped crossbar. One end of the crossbar is hinge mounted to the top rear midpoint of the baler. The second end of the crossbar is pivotally mounted to the piston shaft of a hydraulic cylinder. The base end of the hydraulic cylinder is pivotally mounted to the top front midpoint of the baler. In the unactivated state of the cylinder wherein the shaft is in its extended position, the top edge of the knife blade will clear the lower edge of the top front roller of the baling chamber.

Abstract: A crop retainer unit is presented which prevents crop material from blocking the entrance throat of a cylindrical bale forming machine. The crop retainer unit mounts in the entrance throat of a baler having a fixed size horizontally oriented baling chamber. The gate comprises a shaft which spans the length of the chamber at a location near the top of the entrance throat. A plurality of rod-like elements project outwardly at spaced intervals from the shaft. All elements are in line. All extend radially outward from the shaft in a single direction. The shaft is mounted for rotation in the sidewalls of the machine. However, motion is restricted so the free ends of the elements are able to readily swing inward into the baling chamber but their outward motion is stopped at the point where the elements are tangentially in line with the circumferential periphery of the baling chamber.

Abstract: A latching mechanism is described which senses when a bale is ready for discharge from the bale forming chamber. As implemented, the enclosure for the baling chamber was hinged along the front edge to allow the upper portion to open like a rearward facing clam shell for discharge of a completed bale through a tailgate. The latching mechanism holds the opposing tailgate faces of the enclosure together while the bale forming process is being completed. The latching mechanism senses bale density while allowing only a slight opening of the tailgate in response to application of large compressive forces within the baling chamber. The profile of the slot in each latch is uniquely cut so that the forces tending to force open the tailgate can be matched to a spring. The spring is adjustable so as to allow the latch assembly to begin rotation toward the released condition as the bale density reaches a pre-established level.