Abstract: A mobile apparatus for carrying and weighing a load includes a mobile frame supported by a plurality of wheels. At least one container is supported on the mobile frame for carrying a load. A plurality of sensor assemblies are coupled between the frame and the container, the sensor assemblies resistive to a weight force exerted by the container towards the frame in a generally vertical sensing direction for sensing a weight of the load, and the sensor assemblies non-resistive to error forces exerted generally orthogonally to the sensing direction for filtering out the error forces from the sensed weight. A stabilizing assembly is coupled between the container and the frame, the stabilizing assembly freely accommodating transfer of the force exerted by the container towards the frame in the sensing direction, and simultaneously inhibiting shifting of the container relative to the frame in one or more shifting directions perpendicular to the sensing direction.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for carrying and weighing a load includes a mobile frame supported by a plurality of wheels. At least one container is supported on the mobile frame for carrying a load. A plurality of sensor assemblies are coupled between the frame and the container, the sensor assemblies resistive to a weight force exerted by the container towards the frame in a generally vertical sensing direction for sensing a weight of the load, and the sensor assemblies non-resistive to error forces exerted generally orthogonally to the sensing direction for filtering out the error forces from the sensed weight. A stabilizing assembly is coupled between the container and the frame, the stabilizing assembly freely accommodating transfer of the force exerted by the container towards the frame in the sensing direction, and simultaneously inhibiting shifting of the container relative to the frame in one or more shifting directions perpendicular to the sensing direction.

Abstract: A method of loading bales into a bale processing chamber of a bale processor. The bale processing chamber is mounted on a chamber frame mounted on wheels for travel on a ground surface in a forward operating travel direction. A bale fork is pivotally mounted on the chamber frame such that in a lowered position the bale fork is oriented substantially horizontally and rests on the ground surface. The chamber frame is moved rearward such that the bale fork slides under a bale resting on the ground surface with a bale axis oriented substantially horizontally in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the operating travel direction. The bale fork and the bale supported thereon are raised above the ground surface. The bale fork is turned such that the bale axis turns to a second direction substantially parallel to the operating travel direction while maintaining the bale rearward of the bale processing chamber.

Abstract: A method of loading bales into a bale processing chamber of a bale processor. The bale processing chamber is mounted on a chamber frame mounted on wheels for travel on a ground surface in a forward operating travel direction. A bale fork is pivotally mounted on the chamber frame such that in a lowered position the bale fork is oriented substantially horizontally and rests on the ground surface. The chamber frame is moved rearward such that the bale fork slides under a bale resting on the ground surface with a bale axis oriented substantially horizontally in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the operating travel direction. The bale fork and the bale supported thereon are raised above the ground surface. The bale fork is turned such that the bale axis turns to a second direction substantially parallel to the operating travel direction while maintaining the bale rearward of the bale processing chamber.

Abstract: A bale processor apparatus has a bale processing chamber mounted on a chamber frame on wheels for travel in a travel direction. A lift arm frame is pivotally attached to a rear end of the chamber frame about a lift pivot axis, and a lift actuator pivots the lift arm frame from a lowered position to a raised position. A bale turning assembly is pivotally attached to the lift arm frame and bale fork tines are attached to the bale turning assembly. A turning actuator pivots the bale turning assembly from a standard position, where the bale fork tines extend rearward from bale processing chamber to a turned position, where the bale fork tines are rearward of the bale processing chamber and perpendicular to the travel direction. A shear bar cuts twine on rectangular bales as they fall into the chamber but does not affect cylindrical bales.

Abstract: A bale processor has a bale chamber mounted on a frame and a disintegrator shreds material from a bale and discharges shredded material laterally. A fan receives the shredded material through a fan inlet and blows the material out through a fan discharge. A conveyor receives the shredded material from the disintegrator along an inner side thereof. A side opening extends along an outer side of the conveyor and a side door is movable from a closed position, where the side opening is closed and the conveyor is enclosed and moves the shredded material along the conveyor and into the fan inlet, to an open position where the outer side of the conveyor is open and the conveyor moves the shredded material laterally out through the side opening. An auger conveyor mounted only on an end opposite the fan inlet leaves the fan inlet unobstructed, increasing capacity.

Abstract: A bale processor has a bale chamber mounted on a frame and a disintegrator shreds material from a bale and discharges shredded material laterally. A fan receives the shredded material through a fan inlet and blows the material out through a fan discharge. A conveyor receives the shredded material from the disintegrator along an inner side thereof. A side opening extends along an outer side of the conveyor and a side door is movable from a closed position, where the side opening is closed and the conveyor is enclosed and moves the shredded material along the conveyor and into the fan inlet, to an open position where the outer side of the conveyor is open and the conveyor moves the shredded material laterally out through the side opening. An auger conveyor mounted only on an end opposite the fan inlet leaves the fan inlet unobstructed, increasing capacity.

Abstract: A bale processor apparatus has a bale processing chamber mounted on a chamber frame on wheels for travel in a travel direction. A lift arm frame is pivotally attached to a rear end of the chamber frame about a lift pivot axis, and a lift actuator pivots the lift arm frame from a lowered position to a raised position. A bale turning assembly is pivotally attached to the lift arm frame and bale fork tines are attached to the bale turning assembly. A turning actuator pivots the bale turning assembly from a standard position, where the bale fork tines extend rearward from bale processing chamber to a turned position, where the bale fork tines are rearward of the bale processing chamber and perpendicular to the travel direction. A shear bar cuts twine on rectangular bales as they fall into the chamber but does not affect cylindrical bales.

Abstract: A rotary mower has a center mower deck and a hitch arm assembly adapted at a front end for connection to a tractor drawbar. A hydraulic pump is mounted on the hitch arm assembly and connected to a hydraulic motor mounted on the center mower. An upward arm section of the hitch arm assembly extends upward from a front portion of the hitch arm assembly to provide a desired clearance distance between a middle arm section of the hitch arm assembly and the ground, and a downward arm section of the hitch arm assembly extends downward from the middle arm section to a rear end of the hitch arm assembly which is pivotally connected to the mower deck about a hitch pivot axis oriented horizontally and perpendicular to the operating travel direction. The hitch pivot axis is located at a vertical position below top edges of the front wheels.

Abstract: A rotary mower has a center mower deck and a hitch arm assembly adapted at a front end for connection to a tractor drawbar. A hydraulic pump is mounted on the hitch arm assembly and connected to a hydraulic motor mounted on the center mower. An upward arm section of the hitch arm assembly extends upward from a front portion of the hitch arm assembly to provide a desired clearance distance between a middle arm section of the hitch arm assembly and the ground, and a downward arm section of the hitch arm assembly extends downward from the middle arm section to a rear end of the hitch arm assembly which is pivotally connected to the mower deck about a hitch pivot axis oriented horizontally and perpendicular to the operating travel direction. The hitch pivot axis is located at a vertical position below top edges of the front wheels.

Abstract: A bale processor has a bale chamber mounted on a frame and a disintegrator shreds material from a bale and discharges shredded material laterally. A fan receives the shredded material through a fan inlet and blows the material out through a fan discharge. A conveyor receives the shredded material from the disintegrator along an inner side thereof. A side opening extends along an outer side of the conveyor and a side door is movable from a closed position, where the side opening is closed and the conveyor is enclosed and moves the shredded material along the conveyor and into the fan inlet, to an open position where the outer side of the conveyor is open and the conveyor moves the shredded material laterally out through the side opening. An auger conveyor mounted only on an end opposite the fan inlet leaves the fan inlet unobstructed, increasing capacity.

Abstract: A chemical applying apparatus for use on a rotary mower that includes a mower deck, a blade pan under the mower deck mounted to a driven shaft, and a plurality of blades attached to the blade pan. A slinger ring is attached to a top surface of the blade pan such that a center of the slinger ring substantially coincides with a rotational axis of the driven shaft, and a bottom edge of the slinger ring is sealed to the blade pan. The slinger ring slopes upward and inward from the bottom edge thereof to the top edge thereof. Discharge ports extend through the blade pan adjacent to and inside the slinger ring. A conduit is fixed to the mower deck and oriented to direct chemical onto the top surface of the blade pan inside the slinger ring, and a chemical source delivers chemical through the conduit.

Abstract: A method of lifting corn stalks from a field surface and chopping the corn stalks with a rotary mower comprises configuring blades of the blade assembly such that as the blade assembly rotates, air is drawn upward under the mower deck; configuring the rotary mower such that an area of a circle defined by a circular path of outer tips of blades of the blade assembly is greater than 60 square feet; and rotating the blade assembly such that the outer tips of the blades move at a speed greater than 20,000 feet per minute and such that the air drawn upward under the mower deck draws corn stalks up from the field surface into contact with the blades.

Abstract: A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly includes a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a lost motion linkage, a hoe opener, and a packer wheel. The design provides improved seeding accuracy, by adjusting assembly components to and compensating for changes in terrain elevation.

Abstract: A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly includes a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a lost motion linkage, a hoe opener, and a packer wheel. The design provides improved seeding accuracy, by adjusting assembly components to and compensating for changes in terrain elevation.

Abstract: A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly includes a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a lost motion linkage, a hoe opener, and a packer wheel. The design provides improved seeding accuracy, by adjusting assembly components to and compensating for changes in terrain elevation.

Abstract: A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly features a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a ground engaging tool, and an adjustable packer wheel assembly. The design provides improved seeding accuracy by providing a variable distance between the ground engaging tool and the packer wheel. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention allow for adjustment of the distance between the ground engaging tool and wheel elements.

Abstract: A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly includes a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a lost motion linkage, a hoe opener, and a packer wheel. The design provides improved seeding accuracy, by adjusting assembly components to and compensating for changes in terrain elevation.

Abstract: A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly includes a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a lost motion linkage, a hoe opener, and a packer wheel. The design provides improved seeding accuracy, by adjusting assembly components to and compensating for changes in terrain elevation.

Abstract: A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly includes a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a lost motion linkage, a hoe opener, and a packer wheel. The design provides improved seeding accuracy, by adjusting assembly components to and compensating for changes in terrain elevation.