Abstract: A windguard mechanism comprising a pair of arms attachable to an agricultural machine and a windguard plate extending between the pair of arms and positioned to hold down crop material processed by a pickup mechanism. The windguard plate comprises a first plate fixed between the pair of arms and a second plate positioned movably with respect to the first plate, wherein working surfaces of the first plate and of the second plate form a windguard working surface of an area independent on the position of the second plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a windguard that may be used with an agricultural harvester, such as a round baler, waste baler, combine, sugarcane harvester or cotton harvester. More particularly, the windguard utilizes at least a first and a second pivot tab, each comprising a cam that is adapted for alignment into a slot along a first and second side arms of the windguard and that allows a upward or downward movement of the pivot tabs in the slot. The sliding motion of the cam in the slot allows the windguard to automatically adjust during operation without manual adjustment or pre-adjustment prior to operation.

Abstract: A baffle arrangement is provided for a harvested crop recovery machine such as a baler. The baffle arrangement has two baffles that follow each other in the direction of the flow of the crop. The upstream baffle is configured in the form of a rake and permits harvested crop lying upon it to fall back into the flow of the crop. A second baffle following the above baffle is configured as a deflector plate having a substantially closed surface and extends above an overshot conveyor in order to conduct harvested crop lifted by it with a minimal amount of friction and prevents the harvested crop from leaving the flow of crop.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester is provided that Includes a frame carrying a structure movable about an endless path to deliver a crop to a header. The frame includes a guide assembly including a guide member supported by the frame. The frame also includes at least one tine secured to the guide member without extending through the guide member, and the at least one tine extending from the guide member above the structure to guide the crop between the at least one tine and the structure to the header. The at least one tine is installable and removable from the guide member without disconnecting the guide member from the frame. At least one tine is installable and removable from the guide member substantially without tools.

Abstract: An agricultural machine for harvesting forage including a frame supporting at least one device for picking up plants lying on the ground and at least one device for moving the plants that have been picked up. The machine includes a device for guiding the plants which is situated at least partially above and at a short distance from the pickup device and which is supported by arms which extend rearward above the moving device and whose rear ends are articulated relative to the frame by means of substantially horizontal axes situated, during work, above the rear portion of the moving device and about which they can pivot through a certain angle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for baling crop materials using a baler with a pickup thereon for picking up crop materials from the ground and moving such crop materials towards a baling chamber. The pickup has a pickup frame operatively attached to the baler, the frame having a plurality of laterally spaced apart tines of a type which is typical for balers. A powered rotor is rotationally attached to the baler a predetermined distance above and forwardly of the pickup frame, the rotor being powered to rotate in at least one direction. A plurality of blade assemblies are disposed on the rotor having blades extending radially outwardly from the axis of the rotor wherein at least at times one or more of the blade assemblies are disposed between one or more of the tines.

Abstract: A slide frame for a baler is provided for mounting one or more accessories such as a wind guard and/or a rotor, powered or non-powered, for assisting a pickup on a baler to pick up cut crops from the ground and deliver such crops to the inlet of a baling chamber. The slide frame is mounted in such a way as to automatically space each respective accessory a predetermined place with respect to the crop pickup device.

Abstract: A curtain for directing severed crop movement in a cutting header in an agricultural harvester. The curtain optimizes crop movement between a cutterbar to a crop conveying auger for lateral movement of the crop material from outboard ends of the cutting header toward an interior discharge zone for formation of a windrow. The curtain also reduces the tendency for clogging that occurs when crop approaches conveying augers on both sides of an axial centerline by directing all crop material toward the trailing side of the rotating auger and by preventing airflow generated by the auger from disrupting crop approaching the auger. Crop smoothing by the curtain also reduces disturbances to the crop material during movement within the header which reduces seed loss in seed-bearing specialty crops.

Abstract: A large round baler includes a crop pick-up having a tined reel for lifting a windrow of crop to a secondary feeder which moves the crop into the baling chamber. Crop feeding is aided by an integrated crop baffle and hold-down assembly suspended from the baler frame for vertical floating movement by a trailing four-bar linkage arrangement. The baffle is located ahead of the pick-up tine reel, and the compressor rods extending rearwardly over the reel from a location close to an upper rear region of the baffle to a region beneath a bale starter roll. The linkage arrangement controls the movement of the integrated crop baffle and hold-down assembly such that the assembly quickly adjusts to varying windrow thickness, and so that interference between the starter roll and the rear sections of the crop hold-down compressor is avoided.

Abstract: A pickup for an agricultural implement, the pickup including spaced-apart end members supporting an upper windguard and adaptable for selective connection to multiple windguard configurations.

Abstract: A latch retainer mechanism for securely holding the windrow pipe of an agricultural crop pickup.

Abstract: The device consists of a replaceable windguard tine for a windguard assembly on an agricultural round baler. The windguard tine comprises a first tine portion parallel to a second tine portion. A support region connects the first tine portion and second tine portion. The windguard pipe has a series of tine apertures through which the first and second tine portions are inserted. The support region is bound to the windguard pipe by using a clip. The clip has a tine catch and a pipe release to allow for easy removal and installation of the windguard tine.

Abstract: A method of harvesting crops of the type falling in the genus Brassica comprises lodging the crops using a crop pusher assembly transported by a tractor and including a stationary crop pushing surface which is inclined downwardly and rearwardly from an upper top edge to a position adjacent the ground. The surface is convex and includes a bottom pivotal flap for following ground contour. The standing crop is moved to a lodged position against the ground without cutting or breaking the crop stems. This prevents shattering of the crop by maintaining the crop in the lodged position and causes the crop to continue to mature by maintaining the stems without cutting or breaking. After the crop has matured, the lodged crop is cut with a header of a combine harvester for harvesting the crop.

Abstract: A round hay baling machine having a pickup assembly, a windguard assembly, a latch assembly, and a twine tie assembly is improved upon by connecting an elongated cable at opposite ends to the twine tie assembly and to the latch assembly. When an accumulation of hay becomes stuck between the pickup assembly and windguard assembly during operation of the machine, the twine tie assembly can be actuated from the tractor pulling the machine to pull on the cable thereby releasing the latch assembly to allow the windguard assembly to pivot away from the pickup assembly such that the accumulation of hay may pass therebetween into the baling chamber of the machine.

Abstract: An endless belt type windrow pickup mechanism is mounted on the front of a combine platform and includes a frame with opposite sides supported on ground engaging gauge wheels so that the opposite sides of the frame swing vertically relative to one another as the machine advances over uneven terrain. The pickup mechanism includes a belt with a large number of fingers that lift the crop from the ground and move the crop rearwardly along the upper run of the belt. An improved windrow hold-down device has a plurality of flexible fingers that engage the top of the mat of crop material moving rearwardly on the upper run of the belt, and means are provided for adjusting the attitude of the fingers and also accommodating vertical shifting of one side of the pickup mechanism relative to the other.

Abstract: A characteristic feature of the present invention resides in the fact that in the pickup of an agricultural machine, incorporating a pickup-and-conveying mechanism driven from said farm machine and held to a frame which is articulated to the machine and rests upon the ground by the support wheels thereof, a grate composed of a beam carrying levers rigidly fixed at the beam ends and of a number of rods fitted into the holes in the beam so as to be cantilevered thereto, said grate being articulately suspended from said frame above the pickup-and-conveying mechanism, adjustable limit stops made fast on said frame and adapted for the beam levers to rest against, relieving links carrying elastic members and held with one of their ends to agricultural machine, provision is made for a number of cranks rigidly fixed on the grate beam, the journals of said cranks being connected to the other ends of the relieving links and being so arranged that the line of action of the relieving links establishes a moment effective

Abstract: An improved tobacco harvester including roller members positioned adjacent to the upper rear end of the conveyor which functions to disengage leaves from the return side of the conveyor, and a cover arrangement over the discharge end of the conveyor to protect the discharged leaves from the force of winds.