Abstract: An enclosed cab on a combine harvester has an HVAC unit and fresh air filter affixed to the exterior of the lower rear panel. The fresh air is brought through the filter and into the HVAC unit. The air is then inserted into the cab by a distribution duct. A return air filter is positioned above the lower panel so as to minimize particulates entering the return system. The engine coolant line and refrigerant line can be slid out of the unit without the need for breaking the lines.

Abstract: A modular disc cutterbar utilizes self-contained cutter modules clamped between alternating spacer modules by fasteners engaged with the spacer modules. To resist bending moments in the cutterbar, selected fasteners can have a length to span more than one cutter module. The drive mechanism is also of a modular construction including a symmetrical, reversible sealed drive apparatus within each cutter module and a transfer shaft passing through each interstitial spacer module to interconnect each cutter module drive mechanism. The drive apparatus incorporates an oil slinger to keep the remote seals lubricated. The rock guard for each cutter module is mounted on the adjacent spacer modules, while the skid shoe mounting is simplified. A crop mover mounted on each disc member above the cutting knife improves the transfer of severed crop material.

Abstract: An agricultural baler for picking up crop material and forming it into a rectangular shaped package, having a main frame, and an engine mounted on the main frame for operating the baler. The engine includes a throttle, and remotely located controls for changing the condition of the throttle between idle and full open to selectively operate the baler plunger rate from the cab of the towing vehicle, e.g., a tractor or a pickup truck. A control system for the throttle utilizes an electric reversible directional motor assembly having input terminals and an output shaft rotatable at a predetermined speed and direction under conditions where a predetermined voltage at a predetermined polarity is applied across such input terminals. Rotation of the output shaft is translated to pivotal motion of a lever that is coupled to the throttle.

Abstract: A skid steer loader having a main frame supported on four wheels, and a cab with upwardly extending side walls mounted on the main frame for providing an area in which an operator can control the loader. The loader is propelled by an engine operatively coupled to the wheels by a first assembly of suitable control components. A boom structure comprising a pair of arms and a mounting assembly is also mounted on the frame. A second assembly of suitable components is also coupled to the engine to provide appropriate control of the boom structure for raising and lowering the pair of arms. The first assembly of control components includes a pair of hydraulic motors for driving the wheels, and a system associated with the motors for selectively changing the speed ranges of the motors to change the speed at which the wheels propel the loader.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing plant material in which a first rotatable crushing roller with an outer generally cylindrical surface cooperates with a second adjacent rotatable crushing roller also having an outer generally cylindrical surface. The rollers, mounted with their surfaces positioned in close proximity to each other, rotate in opposite directions to receive and crush plant material. A unique rotatable impact rotor having a plurality of outwardly extending projections is mounted rearwardly of the crushing rollers for impacting plant material that has passed between the rollers to macerate the plant material that has been previously crushed by the rollers. The crushed and macerated plant material is diverted and again impacted one or more times by the outwardly extending projections of the impact rotor after which it is deflected in rearward path by a variably positioned baffle.

Abstract: Apparatus for coupling a front end loader to a tractor comprising a longitudinally extending loader mounting frame for pivotally supporting a pair of loader boom arms. The frame comprises a pair of transversely spaced support arms, and a pair of forwardly extending members affixed to the support arms. A pair of front mounting pins extend from the tractor for coupling the forwardly extending members of the frame to the front of the tractor. A pair of rear mounting pins extending from the tractor, cooperate with a latch assembly for coupling each transversely spaced support arm to a corresponding mounting pin under conditions where the forwardly extending members are coupled to the tractor. The latch assembly includes a notch in each of the support arms for receiving a mounting pin and a latch plate for holding the pin in the notch under conditions where the pin is received by the notch.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering column which is capable of moving four ways. The steering column has a base support affixed to a horizontal cab floor. The base support has a steering motor. The steering column has an input shaft with a upper telescoping shaft. Attached to the upper telescoping shaft is the steering wheel. Also attached to the upper telescoping shaft is the upper input shaft. The first universal joint connects the upper input shaft to the inner input shaft. Torque is transferred by a key on the exterior circumference of the inner input shaft to a key slot on the interior circumference of the outer input shaft. The outer input shaft is connected to the lower input shaft by the second universal joint. The lower input shaft is connected to the steering motor. Attached to the base support is the lower pivot assembly. The lower pivot assembly rotates about the base support by actuating a lower gas cylinder. The lower pivot assembly can translate by operating the lower locking knob.

Abstract: A modular disc cutterbar utilizes self-contained cutter modules clamped between alternating spacer modules by fasteners engaged with the spacer modules. To resist bending moments in the cutterbar, selected fasteners can have a length to span more than one cutter module. The drive mechanism is also of a modular construction including a symmetrical, reversible sealed drive apparatus within each cutter module and a transfer shaft passing through each interstitial spacer module to interconnect each cutter module drive mechanism. The drive apparatus incorporates an oil slinger to keep the remote seals lubricated. The rock guard for each cutter module is mounted on the adjacent spacer modules, while the skid shoe mounting is simplified. A crop mover mounted on each disc member above the cutting knife improves the transfer of severed crop material.

Abstract: A main frame of a row crop attachment adapted to be attached to a field traversing forage harvester having a crop inlet. An auger, mounted on the main frame generally transverse to the direction of travel of the forage harvester, comprises a tube and flighting mounted on the tube for engaging the upper portion of standing row crops as the forage harvester traverses the field. A transverse cutting assembly, mounted below the auger, has a cutting mechanism for cutting the lower portion of standing row crops. Also mounted below the auger are elements for engaging the lower portion of the stalks in cooperation with the auger flighting under conditions where the auger is rotated in a direction that urges the crop material downwardly and inwardly. After the crop is cut it is urged rearwardly by the auger toward a crop outlet in the attachment adjacent the inlet in the harvester on which the attachment is mounted.

Abstract: A pull-type mower conditioner includes a crop harvesting header vertically movable relative to the frame of the mower conditioner between a raised transport position and a lowered operative position, a lift mechanism to effect the movement of the crop harvesting header relative to the frame, and a transport latch mechanism to control the locking of the lift mechanism in the transport position. The lift linkage incorporates a cam mechanism that serves as an upper flotation limit under normal operating conditions and automatically converts into a device for securing the header in the transport position when the header is moved into the transport position.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a plastic row divider assembly with a frame for a corn head on a combine. The invention consists of several center divider assemblies surrounded by a pair of end divider assemblies. A center divider assembly consists of a narrow island shield supported by a narrow island shield sub-assembly. Pivotially attached to the narrow island shield sub-assembly is a narrow point shield sub-assembly. The narrow island shield sub-assembly is pivotially attached to the row unit frame. Affixed to the narrow point shield sub-assembly is a narrow point shield. An end divider assembly consists of an end island shield supported by an end island shield support sub-assembly. The end island shield support sub-assembly is pivotially affixed to the end frame. An end point shield is supported by an end island shield sub assembly. The sub-assembly is pivotially affixed to the row unit. The end point shield and narrow point shield heights may be altered.

Abstract: A round baler comprising a baling chamber mounted on a main frame for forming cylindrical packages of crop material therein, the baling chamber being at least partially defined by a pair of side walls and an apron assembly having an inner run which is guided at the inside of a cylindrically shaped continuous wall, and an outer run which is guided at the outside of said continuous wall. The continuous wall is provided with an opening for the recuperation into the chamber of crop material which has been entrained by the apron assembly when the latter left the baling chamber and entered its outer run.

Abstract: A collapsible roll-over protection system is provided with an upper section pivotally connected to a fixed lower section by a four-bar linkage. The linkage permits the upper section to be pivotally rotated rearwardly of the lower section and lowered to an inoperative position adjacent to and immediately behind the lower section. The pivot linkage includes an apertured tab that registers with a locking opening on the lower section to fix the upper section in the inoperative position. The engagement surfaces of the upper and lower sections is slanted with respect to the axis of the legs of the upper and lower sections to facilitate the movement of the upper section between the operative and inoperative positions. A locking pin fixes the structure in both the positions to prevent loose parts whenever the structure is moved between positions.

Abstract: A compound steering mechanism for a vehicle includes a steering axle, steerable wheels mounted on the lateral ends of the axle for pivoting movement relative to the axle, and a mechanism for mounting the axle to the vehicle body to permit pivotal movement relative to the vehicle body about two orthogonal axes, the first axis being generally vertical and offset from the line of contact between the steerable wheels and the ground and the second axis extending generally fore-aft of the vehicle body. The mechanism for mounting the steering axle on the vehicle body is formed with an intermediate member, termed a skate, that is mounted on the vehicle body for pivoting about the said fore-aft axis and having a gimbal mount for supporting the steering axle in a manner to allow pivoting of the latter about the vertical axis.

Abstract: A forage harvester is provided with a front unit, comprising a rotatable cutterhead to which crop material is fed by stationary lower feedrolls and movable upper feedrolls. The latter are journalled in a pair of bearing housings, connected to load arms, which are linked to crank arms pivotally attached to a feeder frame. Each load arm has a protruding member to which a spring is attached for compressing incoming crop material to an even mat. The springs also push the upper feedrolls rearwardly to compensate the reaction forces from the material flow and prevent excessive wear of the feedroll axles at their passage through the feeder frame.

Abstract: A pull type forage harvester including a header, a cylindrical cutter head having rotating knives operatively associated with a shearbar, feed rolls for receiving crop material from the header and conveying it to the cutterhead, and a blower remotely located on the forage harvester relative to the cutterhead. The blower includes a spout for expelling cut crop material to a collecting receptacle. A transverse conveyor consisting of an auger mounted in a trough receives chopped crop material from the cutterhead and conveys it to the blower. Mounted adjacent the cutterhead is a crop processor for crushing chopped crop material received from the cutterhead. The processor comprises a pair of crushing rolls aligned with the cutterhead axis and above the transverse conveyor.

Abstract: An agricultural baler for picking up crop material and forming it into a rectangular shaped package, having a bale density control system. The baler has a bale case including four wall members forming a generally rectangular opening, at least one of which wall members includes a tension rail movably mounted to vary the cross sectional area of the rectangular opening. The baler also has a hydraulic control arrangement including a hydraulic cylinder operable for changing the position of the tension rail, a pressure control valve comprising a variable relief valve, and a hydraulic circuit for coupling the hydraulic cylinder to the pressure control valve. The relief valve is selectively controlled by an electronic controller.

Abstract: A control valve is provided for use in a hydraulic steering system of an agricultural vehicle of the type having a steering valve of the reactive type for controlling the supply of hydraulic fluid to hydraulic cylinders having opposed working chambers serving to move the steerable vehicle wheels in opposite directions. The control valve is connectable between the steering valve and the hydraulic cylinders and has a first setting in which fluid flow in both directions between the steering valve and the working chambers of the hydraulic steering cylinders is possible at all times and a second setting in which return flow of hydraulic fluid from any one working chamber of the hydraulic cylinders to the steering valve is only possible when a positive pressure is present at the outlet of the steering valve connected by the control valve to the opposed working chamber of the hydraulic cylinders.