Abstract: An apparatus for indicating the level of harvested cotton in a basket assembly of a cotton harvester is provided. The apparatus includes a transducer, a control circuit and an indicator. The transducer is coupled to a motor of a compaction member of a compaction assembly of the cotton harvester and measures the pressure exerted by the harvested cotton upon the compaction member. The transducer generates a pressure signal that is received by the control circuit. The control circuit generates a basket level indication signal a short time after the pressure signal indicates a predetermined pressure has been measured. Alternatively, the control circuit generates the basket level indication signal when the pressure signal indicates the basket assembly is approximately full. An indicator, such as a lamp or buzzer, receives the basket level indication signal and provides an indication to the operator of the level of harvested cotton in the basket.

Abstract: An offset auger feed assembly for use with a grain harvesting combine. A grain elevator is used to lift the grain into a storage tank on the combine. The grain elevator encloses a plurality of paddles connected to a continuous chain. Sprockets located at the top and bottom of the grain elevator support the continuous chain. An auger trough is connected to the bottom of the grain elevator. An auger positioned in the auger trough feeds grain into the bottom of the grain elevator. The shaft of the auger is offset from lower sprocket that supports the continuous chain at the bottom of the grain elevator in such a manner that the lower sprocket and the continuous chain do not interfere with the flow of grain into bottom of the grain elevator.

Abstract: A harvesting machine having a rotary crop processing unit supported between a pair of spaced side sheets with openings for access to the crop processing unit and a cleaning system therebelow. Molded plastic cover panels extend from the lower edge of the access openings on the side sheet to the crop processing unit to close the access openings. Multiple cover panels are used in each opening to minimize the size of each cover panel for ease in handling and the cover panels are retained by hand manipulated pins or fasteners to remove and install the panels without the use of tools.

Abstract: A rotary threshing and separation unit, comprising a rotor housing with a feeding zone, a separation zone and a discharge zone, parts of the circumferential housing being closed and other parts having openings, a rotary driven threshing and separation rotor arranged in the rotor housing, beater plates fixed on the threshing and separation rotor, and sucking air flow stream generating means sucking an air flow stream from the discharge zone through the rotor housing.

Abstract: An agricultural apparatus is disclosed herein for the harvesting of a low-density crop such as cotton. The agricultural apparatus includes a frame, a crop acquiring device associated with the frame; a crop collecting bin, or basket, which is supported by the frame, adjustable in position with respect to the frame, and provided with an opening in a wall of the basket for conveying of crop into the basket; a conveying device for conveying of crop from the acquiring device to the basket and having a first end associated with the acquiring device and a second end associated with the basket opening; and a hood pivotally attached to the basket for selectively covering the basket opening and for engaging the second end of the conveying device. The hood may include one or more latching apparatus for securing the hood in an opened position and in a closed position. The latching apparatus may be of the barrel, bolt, and keeper type, and may be disposed at a first end, a second end, or first and second ends of the hood.

Abstract: A seed package handling system is provided for a test plot combine. A seed packaging assembly in the combine packages the seeds and deposits the packages onto a conveyor, which transports the packages to a first hopper. After the first hopper has received a predetermined quantity or weight of seed, the first hopper is raised on an elevator and then tilted so as to dump the seed packages into a larger second hopper. After the second hopper has received a predetermined quantity or weight of seed, the second hopper is tilted to discharge the seed packages into a wagon separate from the combine, which transports the seed packages to a processing facility. The movement of the conveyor and first hopper is controlled by a PLC.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating the level of harvested cotton in a basket assembly of a cotton harvester is provided. The apparatus includes a transducer, a control circuit and an indicator. The transducer is coupled to a motor of a compaction member of a compaction assembly of the cotton harvester and measures the pressure exerted by the harvested cotton upon the compaction member. The transducer generates a pressure signal that is received by the control circuit. The control circuit generates a basket level indication signal a short time after the pressure signal indicates a predetermined pressure has been measured. Alternatively, the control circuit generates the basket level indication signal when the pressure signal indicates the basket assembly is approximately full. An indicator, such as a lamp or buzzer, receives the basket level indication signal and provides an indication to the operator of the level of harvested cotton in the basket.

Abstract: A grain tank extension having side panels that are rotatably mounted to the grain tank to lower the extension by pivoting the side panels into the tank for storage. Corner panels are provided between adjacent side panels and are integrally formed with the stud at each end for coupling the corner panels to the side panels. Flanges extend beyond the ends of the side panels and overlap abutting ends of adjacent comer panels. The flanges each have an aperture that receives the stud from the adjacent corner panel. The stud is held therein by a retaining pin to avoid the need for hand tools to lower the extension for storage. The corner panels are molded of plastic as a single piece plastic body with the studs integrally formed therein.

Abstract: A compactor for a cotton harvester basket includes an automatic compactor auger control system having a pair of optical sensors mounted in the basket utilizing light blockage to detect a preselected level of cotton in the basket. When the preselected cotton level is reached, a full basket signal is sent to a microprocessor based controller which activates the compactor augers if certain interlock conditions are satisfied. The microprocessor control maintains the augers in operation until the cotton is compacted below the preselected level so the light signal is no longer blocked. An adjustable timer assures compactor operation for a minimum period of time to prevent short, intermittent periods of operation when the basket is filling and permits timing adjustments to accommodate varying cotton conditions.

Abstract: A filler block for clean grain tanks of grain harvesters which prevents the trapping of grain and other materials in the grain tank. The filler block fills the dead spaces of the grain tank where grain and other materials may be trapped and presents a top surface which sheds grain and other materials to ensure that all such materials are conveyed out of the clean grain tank upon emptying. The filler blocks eliminate the need for manual cleaning and extend the life of the grain tank.

Abstract: A leveling auger for an extendable height combine grain hopper is mounted onto supports pivoted on brackets so that the auger is effective to level grain in the hopper extension space when in a usable position. The auger will move grain into the regions defined by the hopper extensions. The supports can be pivoted to move the leveling auger to a lowered position. When in its lowered position, the auger is below the level of the hopper after the extension walls are folded down for clearance purposes. A separate grain level sensing switch is used for operating the leveling auger so that the leveling auger is run only when grain has reached a preselected height in the grain hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in combination with a combine for sensing the volume of tailings exhausted from a cleaning section of the combine and for providing a visual indication to the operator of the effectiveness of combine operation. The combine includes a mobile frame or chassis having an operator compartment arranged toward a forward end thereof. A threshing section of the combine separates grain from crop material delivered thereto. A cleaning section of the combine functions to remove chaff and tailings from the materials received from the threshing section. A tailings section of the combine is arranged to receive incompletely threshed and separated tailings from the cleaning section. The tailings section comprises a tailings conveyor for forcibly moving tailings toward an elevator that moves the tailings to one of the other sections on the combine for recycling.

Abstract: A grain sweeper mechanism having an auger supported in cantilevered fashion in front of a drive mechanism having a pair of wheels. A weight stack carried by the drive mechanism counterbalances the weight of the auger such that generally all weight is borne by the front drive wheel of the drive mechanism. The front drive wheel is operatively coupled with the outer end portion of the auger for receiving rotational power therefrom. An opening in a shroud of the auger extends generally the entire length of the auger. The drive mechanism is coupled with the auger shroud by way of an attaching mechanism which includes a slide member, channel member, threaded member and nut which allows vertical adjustment of the auger while hindering lateral movement of the drive mechanism with respect to the auger.

Abstract: A produce harvesting apparatus, such as for harvesting tomatoes, which includes apparatus for harvesting produce, such as tomatoes, which includes an enclosed vehicle and a first conveyor belt extending forward of the vehicle for moving produce and associated vines into the enclosed vehicle. The apparatus further includes a ventilation system for drawing air from within the enclosed vehicle and expelling that air through an outlet that is disposed in alignment with the first conveyer belt to direct exhaust air from the enclosed vehicle toward the produce on the first conveyor belt whereby some dirt is dislodged from the produce and vines disposed on the first conveyor belt. The apparatus may have the outlet disposed to direct a stream of air from the enclosed vehicle in a direction that is aligned with the axis of the first conveyor belt.

Abstract: A combine including an improved HVAC control system. The frame of the combine supports an operator cab, a harvesting head and the other operational systems of the combine. The control system includes an operator control and a heat exchanger located in the cab. The control system also includes at least one sensor disposed to sense at least one of an ambient air temperature, a cab air temperature and solar loading, and to produce at least one sensed signal representative thereof. The operator control is configured to produce a set-point signal representative of a desired cab air temperature. An interface circuit is electromagnetically coupled to the valve assembly, the operator control, and the at least one sensor. A cooling coil may also be located in the cab, wherein the interface circuit is electromagnetically coupled to the associated coolant compressor.

Abstract: A threshing cage for a grain combine has a frame with permanent and removable panels. Each panel is a semi-circular arc which extends between adjacent frame members to form a cylindrical shape. Each panel has an arcuate rib on each axial end and a pair of axial supports which joins them together. A perforated screen extends between the ribs and axial supports. The panels are pivotally mounted on the frame members and rotated into a locking position with panel levers. The panel levers have a cam member which pivotally engages a mating slot in an adjacent frame member. The panels also have side arc clamps for locking their ribs to adjacent structural support members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combine grain receptacle which collects grain and chaff expelled from the combine to allow the operator to determine the amount of grain being expelled from the combine and therefore being wasted. A conventional combine or a rotor combine cuts the crop to be harvested and breaks the crop down into usable grain and unusable chaff. The grain receptacle is releasably attached to the underside of the combine and may be dropped directly upon the field being harvested when the operator so desires. Once the receptacle is released upon the field, the grain and chaff are collected thereon as the combine traverses the field, whereupon the operator will then stop the combine and inspect the receptacle.

Abstract: An arrangement for attaching a chopper to a combine harvester has two slide rails arrangeable on the combine harvester, a unit for suspending the chopper on the slide rails of the combine harvester, a unit for horizontally displacing the chopper and including a driven drive shaft having two ends each provided with a toothed gear, and a unit for preventing tilting of the chopper relative to the combine harvester during the horizontal displacement, the drive shaft being composed of two shaft parts having different lengths and each carrying a respective one of the toothed gears, and the shaft parts being radially adjustable relative to one another by a releasable connection so as to form the tilting preventing unit.

Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural harvester (1) is equipped with a fold up crop gathering attachment (6) having at least two sections which are adjustable for road travel. The adjustment narrows the harvester to a permissible width for road travel while maintaining adequate operator visibility to comply with governmental regulations.

Abstract: A method of harvesting grain involves placing a cutting and harvesting head on the front of a prime mover, moving the prime mover and the head through a field of mature grain plants with grain thereon. The grain bearing plants are then cut with the head, and then moved to a grain separating station on the head. The grain is then separated from the plants within the head, captured, and then moved to a grain reservoir on the prime mover. The severed plants are then deposited into the field after the grain is separated therefrom. A combine or prime mover has a grain harvesting head on the forward end thereof. A cutter bar or the like is on the head to cut grain bearing field plants. A conveyor moves the cut plants to threshing elements on the head for separating grain from the severed plants. A grain conveyor on the head moves the grain to a grain reservoir on the combine. An exit port is on the head for depositing all of the plants in the head on the field from which the plants were cut.

Abstract: The invention is a harvester which is able to weigh harvested fruit. The harvester transfers the fruit from the harvester by a transfer conveyor. The weighing system is a first shoe and a second shoe supported on the end of the transfer conveyor. A load cell supports the second shoe and is used to determine the weight of the fruit in the second shoe. A linkage system is used to keep the first shoe and second shoe in desired relative positions as the transfer conveyor is moved up or down.

Abstract: A quantity of a harvested product supplied by an elevator of a harvester from a lower side to an upper side is determined by measuring an elevator when it is located with the harvested product with consideration of weight of the empty elevator.

Abstract: Cotton harvester multi-piece duct structure for conveying cotton materials between a cotton harvesting row unit, arranged toward a lower end of the duct structure, and an inlet opening of an extendable/retractable basket assembly. Toward an upper end thereof, the duct structure has a distal end operably connected to a remaining portion of the duct structure to allow the distal end of the duct structure to period between an operational position, wherein an outlet end of the duct structure is in general registry with the inlet opening to the basket assembly, and a storage position, wherein the distal end of the duct structure is lowered from the operational position to facilitate transportation of the cotton harvester. A lock mechanism is also disclosed for releasably fastening the distal end of the duct structure in an operational position relative to the remaining portion of the duct structure.

Abstract: A grain combine threshes grain from crop and deposits the grain in a grain bin. A discharge conveyor is mounted to the grain bin. At the distal end of the discharge conveyor is a discharge for expelling the grain. A telescopic, secondary unloader which is smaller than the discharge conveyor is located immediately below the discharge. The secondary unloader may be variably extended beyond the end of the discharge, or retracted when it is not in use. The secondary unloader is divided into grain conveying and paddle return sections which are formed from a partition which extends along the length of the secondary unloader. Paddles are provided in each section and are joined to a continuous flexible linkage mounted around sprockets. The secondary unloader uses hydraulic cylinders to extend and retract. When the secondary unloader is retracted, it is recessed inward from the distal end of the discharge conveyor which operates in a conventional manner by discharging grain from the discharge.

Abstract: Shielding for a tractor having rear mounted harvesting units such as cotton picker row units includes assemblies mounted on the tractor to allow full axle oscillation and full range of tractor steering while providing crop protection. A first assembly is connected to steering components on the front of the tractor and provides protection of the crop against damage by the front tires. A shield which turns with the steering components is cut to a profile that allows full range of steering as it interacts with a second assembly. The second assembly includes parts rigidly connected directly to the front axle casting of the tractor to define the leading edge of the shielding at the front axle casting. A bevelled front edge and layered construction prevent relatively sharp edges from contacting and damaging the crop. The parts profile assures a full range of steering where the parts interact with the front tire shield.

Abstract: A laterally adjustable harvester head assembly for a cotton harvesting machine has a width greater than the remainder of the machine, and is selectively linearly movable from a normally centered position at the front of the machine to a laterally offset position. The normally centered position is essentially laterally symmetrical relative to the remainder of the machine and is the position of choice for the head assembly during cotton harvesting operations, with the ends of the harvester head extending past the sides of the wheeled portion of the machine in order to harvest a greater number of rows simultaneously. The laterally offset position displaces the head assembly laterally from its centered position, to essentially align one end of the head assembly with the corresponding side of the harvester machine.

Abstract: A periscope of the present invention is adapted to allow a farmer to monitor the inside of a wagon while it is being filled with grain from a grain cart. In this way, the farmer will know when the wagon is full and can prevent the wagon from overfilling and spilling grain. The top mirror of the periscope is convex in shape and can be adjusted to change the field of view.

Abstract: A system for processing freshly picked ears of sweet corn in the field. In the preferred embodiment, a portable, towable processing machine having an on-board hydraulic power system includes a hopper for receiving whole ears, a husking bed for removing the husks, a bucket elevator for raising the husked ears to an upper level, a plurality of kernel cutting machines for cutting kernels from the ears, scalping beds for separating cut kernels from cutting debris, and a hopper for receiving and storing the cut corn and for delivering it to another vehicle or receptacle. The ears and kernels are moved through the machine by an integrated system of conveyors and bucket elevators. The conveyors and the cutting machines are so arranged that a stream of ears is recirculated past entrances to the machines, which are arranged in parallel flow so that any ear may be presented for kernel removal to any cutting machine. Ears enter the first available cutting machine they encounter.

Abstract: A grain threshing mechanism has a concave assembly and rotor assembly positioned within the concave assembly. The concave assembly has a concave receiving end portion, a concave middle portion, and a concave discharge end portion. A supporting system supports and maintains the concave assembly substantially coaxially aligned with the rotor assembly. The concave receiving end portion is in contact with the supporting means and the concave middle portion and the concave discharge end portions of the concave assembly are cantilevered and free from supporting means and discharge end obstruction.

Abstract: The combine harvester (10) has a bar (94) with male ends (96) and (98) attached to the elevator housing (20). The male end (96) has an arcuate surface (100) and the male end (98) has an arcuate surface (102). A left female arcuate section (158) and a right female arcuate section (160) are secured to the header frame (64). An arcuate plate (168) of the arcuate section (160) engages the arcuate surface (100) and an arcuate plate 182 of the arcuate section 160 engages the arcuate surface 102. A hook assembly (110) in the lateral center of the elevator inlet (47) and below the floor (24) of the elevator housing engages the round bar (154) and clamps the header (62) to the elevator housing (20). A hydraulic cylinder (196) is connected to the elevator housing (20) and the header (62) and pivots the header relative to the elevator housing about a generally horizontal fore and aft axis adjacent to the hook assembly (110).

Abstract: An apparatus connectable toward a downstream end of an agricultural combine for uniformly distributing residue material over a broad area. The apparatus is rotatable within a housing and about an axis extending generally parallel to a longuitudinal axis of the combine for distributing residue material from opposite sides of the combine. In those combines that use a cleaning system including a blower for directing a stream of air rearwardly toward a discharge end of the combine, the apparatus of the present invention accepts the stream of cleaning air from the blower and redirects or turns the air along with the residue material entrained therewith outwardly from opposite sides of the combine to broadly distribute the residue under the influence of an air flow thereby projecting the residue material over a broad area with uniformity.

Abstract: A harvesting method gathers and threshes grain in the field, leaving behind the straw. It removes chaff and weed seeds from the field with the harvested grain, and separates the chaff, grain leavings and weed seeds from the grain in a separate yard plant. The chaff, grain leavings and weed seeds are compacted and crushed in a mill for use as animal feed. The simplified harvest units have augmented holding tanks, one version of which can be attached to (and detached from) existing farm tractors. An automated integrated yard plant (1) separates and cleans harvested grain and (2) compacts and crushes chaff, grain leavings and weed seeds for use as animal feed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a corn head auger crop divider located in the auger trough of a corn head. The divider is positioned between the center row divider and center of the feeder house opening. The divider does not contact the transverse auger and transverse auger flighting. The divider consists of a rear divider partially nested within the front divider. The front divider has a triangularly shaped top region. This orients a pair of side embankments so as to smoothly alter the flow of corn crop. In operation, the corn ears are pushed into the auger trough by the gathering chains within the row divider. The transverse auger pushes the corn crop to the center of the corn head where it contacts the side embankment of the front divider. The side embankment changes the direction of the corn crops flow so that it is directed into the feeder house opening.

Abstract: A grain combine for threshing grain from crop has a threshing rotor within a rotor housing, a front plate with a crop entry hole, a stationary ring mounted on the rearward side of the front plate, a plastic bearing pad mounted on the outer surface of the stationary ring, and a rotating ring mounted to the forward end of the rotor housing which lands on the bearing pad, thereby supporting the rotor housing. The bearing pad has a soft, elastomeric inner layer adjacent to the stationary ring, and a hard, elastomeric outer layer adjacent to the rotating ring. In addition, the rotating ring has a plurality of holes that allow dirt or other foreign material to exit the rotor housing.

Abstract: A grain combine has a header, a header discharge port, a feederhouse for transporting the cut crops from the header housing into a rotating concave threshing system. The header, discharge port and feederhouse are separated into separate first and second discrete cut crop passageways extending from the header to the intake end of the concave.

Abstract: A harvester thresher has a threshing mechanism, a separating device operating in accordance with the principle of an axial flow and having a separating rotor provided with transporting elements and a housing surrounding the separating rotor, at least one receiving axle, a chopping device associated with the separating device for chopping a straw. The chopping device is formed as an axial flow chopping device and is located inside a region of a transporting path of the separating rotor. The transporting elements of the separating rotor are provided for chopping with outwardly open radial slots. The chopping device has a plurality of chopping cutters arranged on the receiving axle at a distance from one another in a circumferential path of the transporting elements so that each of the chopping cutters is located for a cutting process for a short time inside a respective one of the radial slots.

Abstract: A device for automatic filling a traveling load container which travels adjacent to a traveling harvesting vehicle includes optical or acoustic sensors providing an optimal filling of the container. The sensors can be oriented toward the filling cone of the product stream and to the outer limits of the load container.

Abstract: A tracked agricultural combine vehicle for harvesting, hulling and sorting grain includes a grain working section driven via a tension roller clutch controlled power transmission belt and further including integrated control means for left and right side propulsion track assemblies wherein individual track steering commands in the form of differential track speed control are derived from a common steering wheel input; vehicle speed is controlled by a single input means which controls the speed of both tracks.

Abstract: A combine loading auger comprising a tube having auger flighting located therein. The tube is hinged to a transition housing containing the loading auger sump and held in place by two over-center latches. A first portion of each latch is coupled to the tube and the second portion of each latch is coupled to the loading auger. The transition housing is provided with a gear box drive for driving the auger flighting in the tube. The drive and flighting are provided with a coupling for transmitting rotational motion from the drive to the flighting. The coupling automatically disengages when the tube is lowered into its transport position, and automatically engages when the tube is raised into its working position. The coupling comprises a pair of axially extending engagement lugs mounted on the auger flighting and a pair of radially extending lugs mounted on the gearbox drive.

Abstract: A combine loading auger comprising a tube having auger flighting located therein. The tube is hinged to a transition housing containing the loading auger sump and held in place by two over-center latches. A first portion of each latch is coupled to the tube and the second portion of each latch is coupled to the loading auger. The transition housing is provided with a gear box drive for driving the auger flighting in the tube. The drive and flighting are provided with a coupling for transmitting rotational motion from the drive to the flighting. The coupling automatically disengages when the tube is lowered into its transport position, and automatically engages when the tube is raised into its working position. The coupling comprises a pair of axially extending engagement lugs mounted on the auger flighting and a pair of radially extending lugs mounted on the gearbox drive.

Abstract: A cotton harvester receptacle including a lower basket portion and upper basket portion arranged for elevational movement relative to the lower basket portion the cotton receiving receptacle further includes a hood assembly mounted for generally linear movement along a generally horizontal path of travel between a retracted position and an extended position. In an extended position, the hood assembly is positioned to guide harvested materials exhausted from a discharge end of a cotton conveying duct structure into the receptacle. To facilitate elevational movements of the upper basket portion of the receptacle, a control system moves the upper basket portion of the receptacle and the hood assembly in timed sequential relation relative to each other.

Abstract: A self-propelling processing machine, in particular an agricultural harvesting machine has an axle receiving front wheels, a removable attachment, a driver's cabin located above the axle, a substantially horizontal inlet platform located at an outlet side of the driver's cabin, an outlet being arranged in a free space between a respective one of the front wheels which is associated with the inlet platform and the attachment, and a walkable outlet platform mounted on the attachment at a side facing the outlet in a position substantially corresponding to a position of the outlet.

Abstract: A telescoping cotton harvester basket includes latches adjacent the four corners of the basket and spring loaded to automatically lock a basket extension in position as the extension moves from a retracted storage position to an extended harvest position. The latches are connected by fore-and-aft extending linkages and a transverse shaft for operation in unison from a single location to release the basket extension for movement back to the retracted storage position. A reset mechanism automatically moves the latches to a closed or locking position in preparation for the subsequent movement of the basket back to the extended harvest position so that only one manual activation of the latches is required for a complete basket extension-retraction cycle.

Abstract: A cotton harvester basket is pivotally connected inwardly of the side walls and has a flat, gravity actuated lid that opens at the end of the dump cycle to prevent cotton loss. The dump or slope side of the basket includes a pivoting door, also gravity actuated, connected by a linkage to the basket lid. The weight of the slope side door tends to open the basket lid near the final dump position of the basket. As the basket is pivoted downwardly to the lowered field-working position, the weight of the lid forces the slope side door to the closed position.

Abstract: A self-propelling harvester thresher has a drive motor, a cooler with a cooler fan for supplying a cooling air, a sieve device arranged before the cooler for retaining dirt particles entrained in the cooling air, an outer housing associated with the sieve device and having a smaller efficient surface than an air inlet surface of the sieve device. The housing has a side which faces toward the sieve device and is at least partially open. A conduit connects the housing with a suction side of a blower. A screening element is arranged inside the sieve device opposite to the open side of the housing. The screening element is formed as an inner housing having a surface which faces toward the end surface of the sieve device and has an opening. The opening of the inner housing of the screening element is greater than the opening of the outer housing connected with the blower.

Abstract: A cotton compacting assembly arranged in combination with a basket or receptacle that receives and holds cotton materials harvested by a cotton harvester. The cotton compacting assembly compacts the relatively light and fluffy cotton materials in the basket to increase the maximum capacity of the basket without increasing the size of the receptacle or basket. The cotton compacting assembly includes a frame mounted for movement in the basket. A powered rotatable member is mounted on and movable with the frame for imparting movements to the cotton materials in the basket. A control circuit automatically moves the frame to compact cotton materials in the basket in response to a predetermined increase in the power requirements of the rotatable member. The control circuit further includes an apparatus for indicating the level of harvested cotton materials in the basket.

Abstract: A self-propelling agricultural machine has a chassis, and a traveling mechanism composed of two forward semi-caterpillars and one rearward rear steerable semi-caterpillar.

Abstract: A cotton harvester including a lower basket portion and an upper basket portion telescopically received by and elevationally movable with respect to the lower basket portion between a raised field working position and a lowered storage or transport position. The upper basket portion of the receptacle defines a material inlet opening which, when the upper basket portion is in an elevated position, is in general registry with an outlet opening defined toward an upper end of duct or cotton material delivery system. The receptacle further includes a hood assembly that is mounted on the upper basket portion in the region of the material inlet opening for guiding cotton materials discharged from the duct structure into the receptacle.

Abstract: A combine including an improved HVAC control system is disclosed herein. The frame of the combine supports an operator cab, a harvesting head and the other operational systems of the combine. The control system includes an operator control located at the roof of the cab and a heat exchanger located at the floor of the cab. An interface circuit is electrically coupled to the control circuit and the heat exchanger valve to control the amount of heat output by the heat exchanger. A cooling coil may also be located at the floor of the cab, wherein the control and interface circuit cooperate to control the associated coolant compressor.

Abstract: A cotton compacting structure arranged in combination with a cotton receiving basket on a cotton harvester for compacting the relatively light and fluffy cotton materials directed and blown into the basket to increase the maximum capacity of the basket without increasing basket size. The compacting structure of the present invention includes a rigid frame assembly mounted for movement within the basket. One or more rotatable members are mounted on and for movement with the frame assembly for forcibly imparting direction to the cotton received in the basket. A method of filling a cotton basket assembly is also disclosed.