Abstract: A lift system for individually elevating one or more harvesting units of a cotton harvester through a range of movement extending between an operational position and a raised position while maintaining other harvesting units in an operational position relative to the harvester. The lift system includes a source of actuating fluid, a fluid pressure actuator connected to each harvesting unit for elevating a respective harvesting unit, and a control system connected between the source of actuating fluid and each fluid pressure actuator for selectively controlling the elevation of the harvesting units relative to the chassis of the harvester. The control system includes ground sensors for individually maintaining the harvesting units in a preselected elevational position relative to the harvester.

Abstract: A cotton harvester having a harvesting head assembly mounted to a chassis of the harvester for generally vertical movement. The harvesting head assembly includes a plurality of harvesting units for removing a commingled mixture of materials including trash and cotton from plants as the harvester is driven across a field, and a cleaning mechanism for receiving and processing the commingled mixture of materials received from the harvesting units thereby separating trash from cotton as the harvester moves across the field. The cleaning mechanism is mounted between the harvesting units and a discharge area on the head assembly to facilitate the flow of cotton materials to a cotton receiving receptacle and increase the holding capacity of the receptacle by eliminating trash that normally flows thereto as a result of the harvesting operation.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for driving component parts such as harvesting units of a cotton harvester head assembly. The hydraulic drive system includes a source of actuating fluid and fluid pressure actuators for driving the harvesting units independently of each other. Suitable conduit structure connects each fluid pressure actuator to the source of actuating fluid. The conduit structure is preferably flexible to facilitate transverse positioning of the harvesting units on the head assembly. A control valve assembly is connected to the conduit structure and is operably interposed between the source of actuating fluid and the fluid pressure actuators for selectively interrupting and effectuating the supply of actuating fluid from the source of actuating fluid and each of the fluid pressure actuators thereby influencing operation of the harvesting units.

Abstract: In a self-propelled cotton harvester, a microprocessor circuit associated with the cotton compactor for automatically controlling the operating cycles of the compactor. A digital counter-type transducer is associated with the transmission gear or drive wheel and counts the number of revolutions of that member. Once the operator has entered in the microprocessor memory the starting time of the compactor operation in relation to the number of revolutions of the drive gear or wheel, each cotton picking cycle thereafter proceeds automatically without intervention by the operator, so that operation of the compactor begins at substantially the same point in each cotton load.

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 and picker unit is provided for the harvesting of narrow spaced row cotton. The cotton harvester is provided with novel picker units which overlap one another to reduce the total lateral width of the cotton harvester. The inventive harvesting units are also elongated in the direction of the travel to reduce the transverse width. The picker units also have a composite post assembly, compressor sheet and plant lifter which allows for quick disassembly without hand or power tools. Removal of the front post assembly provides easier access to the rotors for maintenance or removal of chokes.

Abstract: A self-propelled cotton harvester having a cotton receiving and unloading basket mounted for vertical movement between cotton-receiving and cotton-unloading positions in a level attitude wherein the basket comprises a chain conveyor for cotton unloading regardless of angle and moving load on the door in all basket height positions.

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: The present invention provides an improved cotton duct structure for a cotton harvester. The air supply line has a nozzle which releases air on the cotton ducts ascending front wall, thereby projecting harvested cotton in a direction towards the receptacle on the cotton harvesting machine.

Abstract: An indicator system connected with a guide wheels steering hydraulic cylinder and informing a vehicle operator about the guide wheel angular position relative to the vehicle rectilinear travel direction under any weather, terrain or light conditions. Right and left contact plates located along one selection of the outer surface of the cylinder are contacted by a contact arm moving with the piston rod of the cylinder. Since the rod reciprocates depending on the direction of turning the contact is used to complete a circuit lighting a left or right turn lamp, thus indicating when a predetermined turn angle is exceeded in either direction.

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: Power steering mechanism for a vehicle having a pair of front driving wheels and a rear steerable guide wheel assembly including a vertical pivot shaft pivoted on the vehicle frame, the steering mechanism including an actuating arm attached to the pivot shaft and a double acting hydraulic cylinder with a double ended piston rod, the body of the cylinder being pivotally mounted on the actuating arm and one end of the piston rod being pivotally attached to the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A cotton harvester having a hydrostaticly steered rear guide wheel assembly is provided with a steering arm having a raised horizontal segment which moves with the guide wheel. When the guide wheel off center, the raised horizontal segment contacts one of a pair of contact arms and grounds an electric circuit from one of a pair of indicator lamps in the operator's compartment turning the lamp on and informing the operator of the direction in which the harvester will steer.

Abstract: A cotton harvester and picker unit is provided for the harvesting of narrow spaced row cotton. The cotton harvester is provided with novel picker units which overlap one another to reduce the total lateral width of the cotton harvester. The inventive harvesting units are also elongated in the direction of the travel to reduce the transverse width. The picker units also have a composite post assembly, compressor sheet and plant lifter which allows for quick disassembly without hand or power tools. Removal of the front post assembly provides easier access to the rotors for maintenance or removal of chokes.