Abstract: An adjustable blade stabilizer and controls utilized in an earth-working machine such as a bulldozer. The blade and push arms of the machine form a U-shaped structure which is unable to adjust to substantial lateral loads imposed on the blade. The blade stabilizer of the present invention interconnects the front of the frame and either the rear of the blade or one of the push arms. The lift cylinders for the blade are mounted in trunnion assemblies for pivotal movement about mutually perpendicular axes. One of the lift cylinders has associated therewith controls for actuating the stabilizing cylinder in response to lateral forces imposed on the blade. Movement of the control lift cylinder as a result of lateral movement of the blade is sensed by a position switch mounted in the side wall of the main frame which actuates a selection valve thereby causing fluid pressure to be applied at either the head end or rod end of the stabilizing cylinder to stabilize the blade.

Abstract: An improved tractor draft sensing mechanism of a special construction so designed that it will transmit only draft signals to the tractor draft control linkage. The mechanism includes a rigid sensing arm hinged at one end to a mounting clamp disposed about a bendable shaft, the mounting clamp being provided with set screws which contact a surface of a housing to resist relative rotational movement of the mounting clamp about the bendable shaft.

Abstract: A draft power sensor is shown which is capable of determining the amount of power being applied to the soil in earthmoving equipment. The effective draft force and the true ground speed of the earthmoving equipment are measured. This information is processed electronically to provide the product of the two values, which is the draft power. Production from earthmoving equipment can be maximized if the highest value of the draft power is maintained.

Abstract: A lump peat machine mills peat by means of a rotating cutter which delivers the peat to a tube containing a screw conveyor for expression through a nozzle onto the ground. The cutter is raised and lowered through means of a hollow arm supporting the cutter at one end and mounted on the tube by means of an encircling bearing at the other end. The power train for the cutter is positioned within the hollow arm.

Abstract: A load-sensing device for sensing strain on the rear drive housing responsive to draft loads on the vehicle for generating a signal for controlling the raising and lowering of an implement through a hydraulic system of distributing vehicle weight or vehicle and implement weight.

Abstract: In a civil machine comprising a working tool provided on a vehicle with a travelling mechanism and a drive therefor, an automatic control system comprises a stroke detector for detecting the amount of stroke of a lifting cylinder operating to move the working tool up and down, an inclination angle detector for detecting the inclination angle of the vehicle, an arithmetic unit for obtaining data representative of the height of the working tool from the detection signals of the two detectors, and a control for operating the lifting cylinder by using the data to control the position of the working tool with high accuracy.

Abstract: A tractor draft load sensing apparatus in which a pair of draft links are pivotally connected to opposite end portions of a bar which extends transversely across the tractor and is supported thereon at spaced locations so that draft loads imposed on the links cause flexing of the bar. A tube is rotatably mounted on the bar and extends therealong while draft load signalling means are attached to the tube for rotation therewith. The tube is operatively associated with the tractor so that flexing of the tube, caused by the imposition of draft loads, results in rotation of the tube and hence the signalling means about the bar.

Abstract: A moldboard plow implement includes an elongated tool bar and several moldboard plow units, each plow unit including a plow bottom and a plow bottom support frame connected to the tool bar for pivotal movement about a pivot axis situated in vertical alignment with the point of the respective plow bottom. The plow units are pivotally moved in unison in response to the plowing speed to maintain the specific plow resistance constant for all tractor speeds.

Abstract: A control system is provided for a hydraulically operated tractor hitch assembly including a rockshaft operated by a main cylinder which is controlled through a spool valve operated by a pilot cylinder which is controlled, in turn, through a solenoid operated pilot valve. The pilot valve is controlled in response to a command signal and first and second feedback signals which correspond to the position of the rockshaft and to the position of the spool valve member. The velocity of the downward movement is limited by limiting the amplitude of a first error signal which is developed by a first comparator responsive to the command and first feedback signals with the first error signal and the second feedback signal being applied to a second comparator. Such velocity-limiting operations are controlled through a manually operated switch or by a motion sense circuit responsive to the rate of change of the command signal.

Abstract: A control system and method for loading an engine driven apparatus such as an engine driven tractor having a plough the depth of which can be regulated by a suitable control system. The engine has a fuel injection pump which includes a maximum fuel feed limiting structure, a stop, and a structure for urging the maximum fuel feed limiting structure against the stop when an overload is imposed on the engine. Under the latter overload conditions the force with which the maximum fuel feed limiting structure is urged against the stop is detected by way of a force transducer such as a strain gauge or hydraulic pressure transducer, so that a signal indicative of the overload is produced and can be utilized for reducing the load on the engine. Thus, in the case of an engine-driven tractor which operates a plough, the latter signal can be utilized to raise the plough so as to reduce the load on the engine.

Abstract: Hydraulic control system including a bypass provided in an intermediate portion of an oil passage extending from a position control valve to a hydraulic actuator for raising and lowering a working implement. A draft control valve disposed in the bypass controls the pressure of oil flowing into the bypass, in response to the displacement of a member for sensing the draft force of the working implement.

Abstract: Force-measuring devices are provided for measuring the force transmitted between two members, including a force-transmitting element of resiliently deformable material and of generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration having inner and outer generally cylindrical and concentric surfaces and an axially extending slot defined by facing angularly spaced surfaces. The outer cylindrical surface is engagable by the members at diametrically opposite portions of the element which lie along a diametral plane generally transverse to a radial plane through the slot with the diametrically opposite portions being relatively displaced toward each other in proportion to the force transmitted between the members. Such displacement is measured by a potentiometer having an arm rotated through a lever member from displacement of one of the diametrically opposite portions relative to the other.

Abstract: Load control for engine of vehicle for agricultural work with rotary working implement, for avoiding too much deviation of the working depth while preventing the engine from stopping under heavy overloading. The rotary working implement is automatically raised and lowered in accordance with the results of sensing the engine rotation and of the actual working depth. For prevention of the engine failure, the rotary working implement is unconditionally raised whenever engine rotation below a predetermined value is sensed.

Abstract: An electronic control system for controlling the depth of a vehicle drawn implement as a function of a plurality of sensed variables including a plurality of transducers one for sensing the value of each of the variables, and an electronic control circuit for initially generating a pulsating signal having a characteristic which varies in accordance with and is representative of the value of each variable, for converting that variable to a variable amplitude signal, for algebraically adding the various signals and for producing a control signal to operate an electrically operated valve in response to the polarity and amplitude of the signal to selectively raise and lower the implement to the desired depth.

Abstract: A tractor has a power lift mechanism controllable automatically in known manner by implement draft load sensing apparatus. This apparatus comprises two leaf springs which are spaced apart in a lateral direction relative to the tractor, the springs being connected at their front ends to the tractor and being adapted to flex in the lateral direction but being stiff longitudinally of the tractor and vertically; two hitch links each connected to the rear end of one of the springs; and equipment for transmitting to the power lift mechanism a control signal derived from any variation in the distance between the flexible portions of the springs.

Abstract: The lower draft link of a tractor three-point hitch includes a sensor to sense draft loads imposed on the draft link by an earth-working implement. Variations in the draft load cause variations in the pressure of the fluid in the sensor from a preselected pressure. A pilot-operated, load control valve is connected to the sensor and is shiftable in response to pressure above and below the preselected pressure to actuate a control mechanism. The control mechanism actuates a direction control valve for directing fluid to and from a hydraulic lift cylinder for respectively raising and lowering the draft link to adjust the implement so as to maintain the preselected pressure and thus maintain the desired draft load.

Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural machine which includes a vehicle capable of automonously advancing when driven, and an assembly of implements capable of processing the soil during advancement of the vehicle. The machine includes a primary source of mechanical energy operatively connected with at least two transducers which are each individually capable of transforming the mechanical energy of the primary source into independent non-mechanical energy. The respective transducers in turn are each connected in circuit with an associated driving member wherein one of the driving members is operatively connected to the vehicle to effect the drive thereof; and the other driving member is operatively connected to the implements to effect the drive thereof, whereby the power provided by the primary source can be selectively and variably applied to either the vehicle and the implements as the vehicle is driven.

Abstract: A tractor-implement hydraulic system having a valve interposed between a cylinder-piston assembly, a reservoir and a variable displacement pressure and flow compensated pump having compensating means is disclosed herein. The valve has a housing which has a bore supporting a valve spool and an inlet chamber and pressure chamber in communication with the valve bore with the inlet chamber being connected to the pump while the pressure chamber is connected to both the cylinder and the compensating means so that the cylinder and compensating means are immediately interconnected when the valve spool is actuated in one direction. The valve housing also has a return passage between the cylinder and the reservoir with a valve therein that normally blocks flow and is opened in response to movement of the valve spool in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the load exerted on a member includes two spaced apart, aligned stationary capacitor plates and a movable capacitor plate disposed intermediate the two stationary plates and spaced therefrom to form two air dielectric capacitors. The stationary plates are attached at one point to the member and the movable plate is connected by a shaft to a second point. Loading the member causes elastic deformation between the first and second points which causes the movable plate to move relative to the stationary plates. This relative movement causes differential changes in capacitance in the two capacitors which are detected and conditioned to form a usable control signal.

Abstract: The lower draft link of a tractor three-point hitch includes a sensor to sense draft loads imposed on the draft link by an earth-working implement. Variations in the draft load cause variations in the pressure of the fluid in the sensor from a preselected pressure. A pilot-operated, load control valve is connected to the sensor and is shiftable in response to pressure above and below the preselected pressure to actuate a control mechanism. The control mechanism actuates a direction control valve for directing fluid to and from a hydraulic lift cylinder for respectively raising and lowering the draft link to adjust the implement so as to maintain the preselected pressure and thus maintain the desired draft load.

Abstract: Automatic height control system for crop pick up reel of peanut combine. The implement is supported at the front on the draught links of a tractor and at the rear on its own ground wheels. A height sensing wheel adjacent the pick-up reel senses ground contours. A linkage of pivotally interconnected links transmits height control signals from the height sensing wheel to the top control link of the tractor's hitch whereby the tractor's draught control system maintains the reel at constant height.