Abstract: An example machinery includes an automated crop management motorized vehicle having an intelligent, modularized image sensor (e.g. camera or video) system that is portable to other crop management vehicles such as a combine, planter or a tillage machine. The image sensor system includes a framework having a bank of procedures for monitoring and control of navigation, spray application, weeding, seeding, machine configuration, in real time as the machines go through a crop field throughout a crop cycle. One example implementation includes electronic circuits, with more than one set mounted on a platform that facilitates moving the setup to other agricultural machines. The framework captures, preserves and corrects the captured images for real time analysis and response, and for spray management to improve crop yield that is correlated with the machine settings and crop management practices.

Abstract: Performance information indicative of operator performance of a mobile machine is received. A performance opportunity space is identified, indicative of possible performance improvement. Savings identified in the performance opportunity space are quantified.

Abstract: An example machinery includes an automated crop management motorized vehicle having an intelligent, modularized image sensor (e.g. camera or video) system that is portable to other crop management vehicles such as a combine, planter or a tillage machine. The image sensor system includes a framework having a bank of procedures for monitoring and control of navigation, spray application, weeding, seeding, machine configuration, in real time as the machines go through a crop field throughout a crop cycle. One example implementation includes electronic circuits, with more than one set mounted on a platform that facilitates moving the setup to other agricultural machines. The framework captures, preserves and corrects the captured images for real time analysis and response, and for spray management to improve crop yield that is correlated with the machine settings and crop management practices.

Abstract: An example machinery includes a crop management motorized vehicle having an intelligent, modularized image sensor (e.g. camera or video) system that is portable to other crop management vehicles such as a combine, planter or a tillage machine. The image sensor system includes a framework having a bank of procedures for monitoring and control of navigation, spray application, weeding, seeding, machine configuration, and so on, in real time as the machines go through a crop field throughout a crop cycle. One example implementation includes electronic circuits, with more than one set mounted on a platform that facilitates moving the setup to other agricultural machines. The framework captures, preserves and corrects the captured images for real time analysis and response, and for crop yield analysis that is correlated with the machine settings and crop management practices.

Abstract: Performance information indicative of operator performance of a mobile machine is received. A performance opportunity space is identified, indicative of possible performance improvement. Savings identified in the performance opportunity space are quantified.

Abstract: A compact row unit positioning structure includes a gear and mating toothed surface to positively position agricultural row units on an implement. An electric or hydraulic motor may be used to drive the gear and move row units individually or in groups to change row spacings, follow rows or move row units to a maintenance position. In one embodiment, position sensing structure such a row finder or GPS device connected to a controller operates the positioning structure. Automatic on-the-go row alignment may be implemented, and various row spacings, skip-row patterns or repair access positions may be provided either manually or automatically.

Abstract: A system wherein plastic wrap on round bales of cotton is partially slit starting at one end of the bale and continuing to a location offset from the opposite end of the bale. One or more partial lengthwise slits allow the cotton to fall into a gin input hopper in a controlled manner and maintain the entire wrap, including any non-adhered inner tail remnants, attached to an intact circumferential wrapper portion at the end of the bale opposite the slit end. The non-slit wrapper end portion is pulled from end of the bale, and the remaining cotton material drops into the receptacle free of contamination by any wrap material.

Abstract: Transducer structure for a steerable axle includes a transducer assembly having a housing and a cup-shaped journal, having an apertured bottom portion, fixed to the spindle of a steerable wheel by the spindle bolt for rotation with the spindle about the spindle axis. A bracket connected to the guide axle knee nonrotatably supports housing structure above the spindle, and the journal is rotatably received within a bearing and seal in the housing structure. The journal includes apertures which receive mating pins which constrain the rotary member for rotation with the journal relative to the housing structure. A special fixture supported by the tie-rod bolt accurately centers the journal during assembly and facilitates calibration of the transducer.

Abstract: Cotton harvester structure including centrally located, transversely mounted engine, rear mounted water and fuel tanks, and transversely centered conveyor fan having an upper, forwardly extending outlet located just below the level of the cab floor for improved weight distribution, air hose routing and air flow. The fan rotates about a transversely extending axis parallel to the engine crankshaft axis. The crankshaft and fan are connected by a belt and sheave assembly having an electric clutch mounted on a shaft assembly and located outside of the frame. The shaft assembly provides fan support, separates the fan inlet from the clutch, reduces lubrication requirements, and enhances accessibility.

Abstract: A self-cleaning device for filtering air in a harvester includes a venturi ejector connected to a source of pressurized air which, in a cotton harvester, includes the cotton handling system blower. The ejector includes nozzle, a vacuum chamber shaped to minimize dead air zones and eddy currents, and a diffuser section. The vacuum chamber is supported near a rotating air inlet screen to vacuum debris from the inlet side of the screen. The debris is drawn into the negative pressure air stream upstream of the nozzle and is positively directed away from the engine compartment and other components on the harvester. The engine cooling fan receives only screened air, and the use of a source of air which is independent of the cooling fan, as well as any separate screen cleaning fan, helps to retain maximum engine cooling capacity.

Abstract: A cotton harvester basket structure includes a closure section connected to a rigid basket by a flexible material such as canvas above and rearwardly of the cotton compacting structure. As the basket is filled, the pressure from the cotton pushes the closure section up to provide only as much volume as necessary to accommodate the added volume of cotton after the basket fills to its normal capacity. Hinged side brackets help guide the lid section during the basket expansion and provide lid section stability, both in the lateral and fore-and-aft directions. After the cotton in the basket is unloaded, the lid automatically returns under the influence of gravity to its lowermost position.

Abstract: Cotton harvester structure including centrally located, transversely mounted engine, rear mounted water and fuel tanks, and transversely centered conveyor fan having an upper, forwardly extending outlet located just below the level of the cab floor for improved weight distribution, air hose routing and air flow. The fan rotates about a transversely extending axis parallel to the engine crankshaft axis. The crankshaft and fan are connected by a belt and sheave assembly having an electric clutch mounted on a shaft assembly and located outside of the frame. The shaft assembly provides fan support, separates the fan inlet from the clutch, reduces lubrication requirements, and enhances accessibility.

Abstract: A cotton basket is pivotally connected to a harvester frame for rocking about a fore-and-aft extending axis located a substantial distance above the basket floor on the side of the basket opposite the dump side. Simple single beam mast structures at the front and rear ends of the basket replace more conventional and massive multi-element mast structures typical in previously available harvesters. Cylinders connected near the center of gravity at the basket ends rock the basket upwardly and outwardly about the axis to a position above the wagon or module builder. The pivot angle through which the basket is rocked is substantially less than 30 degrees for minimal shifting of the center of gravity during dumping. Dump height is controlled by cylinder extension. The main conveyor floor has front and rear conveyors which move cotton to an independently controlled conveyor built into a fold-down door. The door conveyor can be emptied independently of the main conveyor operation for a partial dump.

Abstract: A spindle nut and bushing assembly for cotton picker row units includes a light-weight spindle nut and a single elongated bushing having a length to outer diameter ratio of greater than two. The bushing extends through substantially the entire length of the spindle nut to provide a low friction bearing surface with sufficient strength to reinforce the spindle nut against breakage even when the spindle is impacted and fractured by an obstacle. In one embodiment of the invention, the nut is formed from a thermoplastic material and the bushing is fabricated from powdered metal, preferably a sintered bronze-iron alloy, and includes elongated grooves which act as lubricant reservoirs. In another embodiment, the bushing is formed from a filament-wound fiberglass material. The weight of the plastic nut is less than 75% of that of a conventional steel nut. In an alternative embodiment, the nut is fabricated from a light-weight metal such as aluminum.

Abstract: A cotton harvester row unit with an upright moistener column located at low acceleration point in the spindle path near the side of the harvesting drum diametrically opposite the row receiving area, rather than near the forward extremity of the drum, to decrease row unit length, increase spindle time in the column and better align moistener pad fins with the grooves between the barbs on the spindles. The moistener column pivots outwardly and can be accessed away from the row unit housing for servicing the moistener pads and fluid distribution system. The distributor and nozzle are supported outside the housing in both the operating and the access positions.

Abstract: A deflector for directing the upper portion of tall cotton plants downwardly below the top of the cotton opening on a row unit of a cotton picker. A single sheet of metal includes a connecting portion having an upright slotted section which is bolted to unit at the top of the opening. An inclined portion extends downwardly and forwardly from the connecting portion to a rounded portion for gently urging the plant below the level of the uppermost row of spindles on the picker drum to prevent drum overloads. The inclined portion in combination with a relatively large radius of curvature of the crop contacting portion minimizes cotton loss and trash build-up.

Abstract: A six row spindle type cotton picker includes a single drive wheel centrally located behind the two outer tandem drum row units at the right of the machine. An inner left drive wheel is located between the fourth and fifth row units just outwardly of the left side of the cab. The third or outer left drive wheel, connected by a spacer to the inner drive wheel, is located behind the fifth and sixth row units. The arrangement of the three wheels provides good weight distribution so that no one wheel is overloaded by the added weight of the sixth row unit. The relatively narrow tandem drum units and the wheel mounting arrangement facilitate unit positioning for harvesting narrow row cotton while assuring adequate support for the extra weight of the additional unit or units, and the third drive wheel is mounted to and spaced from the inner left wheel so that all wheels run between harvested rows to maximize tire wear and machine handling and minimize crop damage.

Abstract: Improved support structure for suspending transversely adjustable row units of a cotton harvester or other implement from a unit support frame. A pair of V-shaped rollers, carried by a track on opposite transverse sides of the center of gravity of the row unit, prevent fore-and-aft movement of the unit with respect to the support frame and prevent contact between the unit and the track to reduce the effort required to laterally move the units. The shaft supporting one of the rollers includes wrench flats for receiving a wrench to provide mechanical advantage for easy rolling of the units, even in the uphill direction if the machine is parked on an unlevel area. The track support includes an apertured portion which receives a tapered, spring-biased pin which automatically aligns with the holes to firmly lock the row unit in position and to prevent the unit from accidentally rolling too far if the track happens to be inclined downwardly in the direction of desired movement.

Abstract: Hydraulically driven compacting augers are supported within a cotton basket and are connected for operation to a hydraulic source through a remotely actuatable reversing valve. The augers are rotated a first direction to compress the cotton toward the front of the basket as the air duct system blows the cotton rearwardly into the basket. After the cotton is compacted toward the front of the basket, the reversing valve is actuated to cause the augers to rotate in the opposite direction and compress the cotton toward the rear of the basket. The augers additionally serve to help meter the cotton from the basket during dumping and are reversible during dumping.

Abstract: Row unit and conveying structure for a cotton harvester having transversely rollable row units adapted for opening up the area between units to provide access to the harvesting mechanisms for servicing. The inner row units on the harvester include suction door structure which is supported from the row unit support frame and remains stationary as the row unit is rolled transversely. The row unit includes compartment structure fabricated from individually removable panels to define a cotton path extending in the fore-and-aft direction alongside the spindle drums and which opens at the lower rear end of the row unit into the suction door. The opening automatically aligns with the suction door as the row unit is rolled back to the row-harvesting position. The outer row units include duct support structure mounted on the unit support frame, and the suction door is connected directly to the row unit for transverse movement therewith.