Abstract: In a cooling structure for a construction machine, to appropriately install a condenser of an air conditioning system in a machine room to thereby ensure a superior cooling ability for a radiator and a oil cooler, while cooling the condenser, open air sucked by a fan through the intake ports cools a condenser, an oil cooler and a radiator successively, following which it is discharged to the outside through exhaust ports. The oil cooler is erected parallel to the radiator, while the condenser is inclined so as to extend from a portion near a lower end of the uppermost intake port formed in a side wall of an engine cover to a position near a lower end of the side-facing surface of the oil cooler.

Abstract: A cooling structure for a construction machine is disclosed to minimize the occurrence of a turbulent flow of air, provide a better cooling ability, and reduce surroundings noise. A recess is formed in a portion of an engine cover above a front portion of an engine, and exhaust ports are formed in a slope of the recess on the same side as a fan. A space having a proper size is thereby defined among a portion of the engine cover, which is positioned radially outside the fan, the exhaust ports and the fan. That portion of the engine cover constitutes a first guide for guiding the cooling air just after having passed the fan, as a laminar flow, to the exhaust ports, and an opposite slope of the recess constitutes a second guide for guiding the cooling air discharged through the exhaust ports as a laminar flow.

Abstract: A round baler, having a pair of spaced side walls mounted on a main frame, is supported on wheels and adapted to be pulled across a field. Positioned between the side walls is a crop confining apron for defining an expandable chamber that is adapted to rotatably form a cylindrical package of crop material. A pickup picks up crop material and conveys it into the chamber through a generally transverse crop infeed opening operatively associated with the pickup. Knives on a crop cutting device, controlled by an actuator, extend at varying positions into the expandable chamber to cut crop material on the surface of the cylindrical package as it is being formed. A control system. includes a sensor for sensing the size of the cylindrical package of crop material as it is being formed, and for providing a first signal corresponding to such size. Additionally, a second signal is provided corresponding to the position of the knife elements.

Abstract: A pivotable tractor fender assembly permits the fender to follow the turning movements of the front wheels of a tractor, yet be pivotable relative to the corresponding front wheel so that the fender will not engage the chassis of the tractor. A fixed control link is pivotally connected between the fender base and the front axle to provide a fixed distance between the respective connection points. The control link will limit the pivotal movement of the fender and effect a relative pivotal movement thereof relative to the corresponding front wheel as the front wheel is turned. The geometry of the pivotable fender assembly is such that the fender lags more behind the corresponding front wheel during an inboard turn than during an outboard turn. This geometry prevents the pivoted fenders from impacting the tractor chassis on tight turns.

Abstract: Rotationally molded component parts for a skid steer loader are disclosed wherein the parts provide specialized operative functions heretofore unrealized. A fuel tank structure includes both a tank body and a separate filler tube formed from a rotational molding process. The filler tube is connected to the fuel tank body by a fastening mechanism and an O-ring to provide a liquid-tight connection. The coolant recovery bottle formed with the rotational molding process incorporates an inwardly directed vent tube formed as an integral part of the recovery bottle. The container for the operator's manual is formed with the rotational molding process to incorporate a live hinge connecting a lid closable against the body of the container to provide a substantially dirt-free environment. Double walled light housings mounting front and rear lights serve as bumpers protecting the frame of the skid steer loader from damage from impact.

Abstract: Rotationally molded component parts for a skid steer loader are disclosed wherein the parts provide specialized operative functions heretofore unrealized. A fuel tank structure includes both a tank body and a separate filler tube formed from a rotational molding process. The filler tube is connected to the fuel tank body by a fastening mechanism and an O-ring to provide a liquid-tight connection. The coolant recovery bottle formed with the rotational molding process incorporates an inwardly directed vent tube formed as an integral part of the recovery bottle. The container for the operator's manual is formed with the rotational molding process to incorporate a live hinge connecting a lid closable against the body of the container to provide a substantially dirt-free environment. Double walled light housings mounting front and rear lights serve as bumpers protecting the frame of the skid steer loader from damage from impact.

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 rotary composter having a rotatably mounted cylindrical vessel divided by baffles into a plurality of compartments, including a first infeed compartment, a last discharge compartment, and a plurality of intermediate digesting compartments. The baffles between the infeed and discharge compartments and the adjacent digesting compartments are configured to retain a supply of microbial inoculant material. A drive mechanism is operable to rotate the vessel at variable speeds to permit the mixing process of material in the vessel to be selectively varied. Air, forced through the vessel from the discharge end to the infeed end, may be preheated prior to introduction into the vessel to assure proper composting during cold weather.

Abstract: A disc mower incorporates a modular disc cutterbar. The drive mechanism for the mower utilizes a V-belt drive apparatus that requires proper tensioning which is accomplished through a spring tensioning mechanism that includes an indicator to visually determine when the proper tension has been applied. A split guard is mounted to the distal end of the mower canopy to keep objects away from the end of the disc cutterbar. The guard presents a smooth contiguous surface to prevent debris and crop material from catching the guard. The flotation mechanism supporting the cutterbar from the mower frame must be disconnected before the mower is dismounted from the tractor three-point hitch. The support jack is tethered to the mower frame from the pin engaging the flotation mechanism, requiring the pin to be removed to install the support jack.

Abstract: An air diffuser apparatus is provided for a rotary composter in which the air diffuser is constructed in a conical shape to provide a large area for the dissipation of air into the discharge end of the composter vessel. The surface of the air diffuser is provided with a plurality of holes therethrough for the passage of air into the discharge compartment. The air infeed port terminates within the air diffuser to discharge air directly therein. The sloped surface of the conical shape of the air diffuser permits any material engaging therewith to fall from the diffuser surface and prevents the diffuser from plugging with material.

Abstract: A forage harvester is provided with a rotatable cutterhead (9), a solid cylindrical grinding stone (15), a motor (33) for moving the stone (15) along a path adjacent the cutterhead (9) and an adjustment mechanism for moving the stone (15) towards the cutterhead (9). During the final stage of the sharpening cycle the stone (15) is automatically moved along the path at a substantially lower speed in order to improve the finishing of the cutterhead (9), such that the shearbar (11) can be adjusted closer to the rotating cutterhead (9).

Abstract: A fuel fill system for use on a tractor having a lower fuel tank provided with an upwardly projecting fuel fill neck and an upper tank connected to the lower tank for flow communication therewith is disclosed wherein a filler tube is sealed against the fuel fill neck to define the inlet opening for the introduction of fuel into the lower tank. The filler tube is provided with a distal elbow defining an outlet opening positioned below the upper tank to direct gaseous bubbles within the fuel away from the filler tube to collect in said fuel fill neck or in other remote parts of the upper and lower tanks. A vent hole is provided in the filler tube near the inlet opening to allow the fuel to rise within the fuel fill neck as the upper tank fills. An adapter is threaded onto the fuel fill neck to capture a flange formed on the filler tube at the inlet opening to seal the filler tube against the fuel fill neck. A detachable cap is threadably received on the adapter to close off the inlet opening.

Abstract: A device (21) for metering the mass flow of bulk material, such as grain or other crop material, comprises a sensor member (51) with a curved surface (53) installed adjacent the outlet of a conveyor (12). The sensor member (51) is mounted for pivotment about a transverse axis (P) and is subject to the moment (M) resulting from the material flow along its surface (53). A spring means (66) is provided to keep the sensor member (51) in zero load position. The displacement of the sensor member (51) is proportional to the mass flow rate. Changing friction coefficients .mu. between the bulk material and the surface (53) will affect the flow pattern therealong, but an array (70) of pivot points can be found about which the measured moments (M) remain substantially insensitive to these flow changes. Alternatively a force component may be sensed of the material flow on the sensor surface (53) in a particular direction.

Abstract: A forage harvester row crop attachment including a main frame 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 cutting device 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 floor of the attachment adjacent the inlet in the harvester on which the attachment is mounted.

Abstract: Rotationally molded component parts for a skid steer loader are disclosed wherein the parts provide specialized operative functions heretofore unrealized. A fuel tank structure includes both a tank body and a separate filler tube formed from a rotational molding process. The filler tube is connected to the fuel tank body by a fastening mechanism and an O-ring to provide a liquid-tight connection, The coolant recovery bottle formed with the rotational molding process incorporates an inwardly directed vent tube formed as an integral part of the recovery bottle. The container for the operator's manual is formed with the rotational molding process to incorporate a live hinge connecting a lid closable against the body of the container to provide a substantially dirt-free environment. Double walled light housings mounting front and rear lights serve as bumpers protecting the frame of the skid steer loader from damage from impact.

Abstract: A controller system is provided for controlling the power boost operation of an internal combustion engine by increasing fuelling, the controller means comprising a fuel controller for controlling the rate of fuel supplied to the engine and for supplying an increased rate of fuel in response to a power boost demand signal. The controller system further includes a first timer for measuring a first time period during which the power boost signal is supplied to the fuel controller, a comparator for supplying a prevent boost signal when the first time period exceeds a maximum boost time period, and a second timer for preventing the fuel controller from supplying the increased rate of fuel for a second time period in response to the prevent boost signal.

Abstract: A modular disc cutterbar utilizes self-contained cutter modules clamped between alternating spacer modules by fasteners engaged with the spacer modules. Each cutter module has detachably mounted thereon a disc member carrying a pair of opposingly mounted cutting knives pivotally supported on a pivot member to sever standing crop material by impact action upon rotation of the disc member. The disc member also carries on each pivot member above the corresponding cutting knife, but independently movable, a crop mover operable to move the severed crop material away from the corresponding cutting knife. The crop mover has a tapered leading edge that terminates in an outer tip that is narrower than the outer tip of the corresponding cutting knife so as to not interfere with the cutting action of the knife. The crop mover also includes a vertical portion for aggressively moving the severed crop material.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for controlling the position of a header relative to the ground surface, the apparatus including one or more pivotable shoes arranged to contact the ground and to move in dependence on changes in the ground contour. A further member secured to such a pivotable shoe includes a reflecting surface remote from the point of contact of the shoe with the ground surface. An emitter/receiver is spaced from the reflecting surface and connected to a control circuit whereby the position of the header relative to the ground may be measured by virtue of the position of the reflecting surface. The position of the header relative to the ground surface is then adjustable in dependence on the detected measurements, by means of various actuators associated with the apparatus.

Abstract: A traveling control system for a hydraulically driven vehicle enables the vehicle to travel at a higher speed and also enables a vehicle body to be braked appropriately when the vehicle descends a slope with a travel control valve kept in its neutral position. The traveling control system includes pressure switches for detecting an operative state of a travel control valve, a detection line for detecting a shift position of a transmission, and a controller, a solenoid valve, load lines, a shuttle valve and a control line for cooperatively increasing the capacity of a travel motor upon the detection of that the travel control valve is in its neutral position and also the transmission is shifted to a high-speed gear. A timer function of the controller allows the capacity of the travel motor to be increased after the elapse of a predetermined time after the detection of that the travel control valve is in the neutral position.

Abstract: A utility vehicle, such as a grape harvester (1), comprises a straddling frame (2), supported at its front and rear ends by double-acting hydraulic cylinders (17, 18 and 23, 24), which can be extended or retracted for levelling the frame (2). During horizontal or uphill travel, the rear cylinders (23, 24) are blocked for providing the vehicle (1) with a fixed rear axle (55), while the front cylinders (16, 17) are hydraulically interconnected in order to let them extend or retract in opposition to each other for providing the vehicle (1) with an oscillating front axle (56). During downhill travel the front cylinders (17, 18) are blocked for fixing said front axle (56) to the frame (2) and the rear cylinders (23, 24) are hydraulically interconnected for letting the rear axle (55) oscillate to the frame (2). The rear and front oscillation is controlled by an inclination sensor (91).