Abstract: A method for moving a shearbar (102) towards a fixed stop (109), wherein the method comprises the steps of; energizing a bidirectional motor (110/112) for driving a guide screw (106/108) to move the shearbar towards the fixed stop (109), monitoring a variable indicative of the torque or force output of the motor (110/112), limiting the torque or force output to a first maximum value, moving the shearbar (102) against the fixed stop (109) and stalling the motor (110/112) thereby, deenergizing the motor (110/112), when the resulting torque or force output reaches or exceeds the first maximum value; and energizing the motor (110/112) for moving the shearbar (102) in the opposite direction, away from the stop (109), while not limiting the torque or force output or while limiting the same to a second maximum value, which is substantially larger than the first maximum value.

Abstract: A rotatable forage harvester cutterhead having a rotatable shaft, and a plurality of axially spaced disc shaped plate members having substantially the same diameters and affixed in parallel planes transversely along the shaft for rotation therewith. A plurality of mounting members are detachably secured to the plate members for mounting a drum having an inner surface having a diameter at least as great as the diameters of the disc shaped plate members. Attachment means are employed for detachably securing the drum to the mounting members. Each of a plurality of substantially flat knives with a cutting edge extending in a transverse direction less than half the axial length of the drum are mounted on knife support assemblies comprising support blocks. The attachment means for securing the drum to the discs also secures the knife support blocks to the outer surface of the drum.

Abstract: A roof for the cab of vehicle is constructed with a hollow plastic body that is molded in one piece with a blower and a heat exchanger fitted to the hollow body. The hollow body defines a cavity that forms an air duct through which air for ventilating the cab is ducted. Shuttered external and internal air intake vents allow the selection between fresh air from externally of the cab and recirculated air from within the cab. A well open through the roof provides an emergency exit from the vehicle cab.

Abstract: An agricultural baler for forming and wrapping cylindrical packages of crop material. The baler includes a sledge assembly moveable between a starting position and full bale position. A plurality of rollers on the sledge assembly cooperate with an apron to define a bale forming chamber. Wrapping is accomplished via a system that includes a dispensing mechanism carried on the sledge assembly for dispensing sheet material, such as net or the like, into the bale forming chamber whereupon it is wrapped circumferentially around a formed cylindrical package of crop material as it is rotated in the chamber. The net wrapping system includes means for controlling the position of the dispensing mechanism relative to the sledge assembly by continuously sensing its position.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a hydraulic control system for a transmission having first and second torque transmission paths arranged in parallel with one another between a common input shaft and a common output shaft, first and second hydraulically controlled clutches arranged in the first and second torque transmission paths, respectively, and a hydraulically controlled gear synchronizer in the second torque transmission path for selectively coupling a shaft for rotation with a gear wheel to effect a change in the transmission ratio through the second torque path while the second clutch is disengaged. To prevent wear on the synchronizer and the gear, prior to activating the hydraulic control for moving the synchronizer into engagement with the gear wheel, the hydraulic control system is operative first to move the synchronizer into a neutral position in which torque cannot be transmitted through the first torque transmission path.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for displacing a synchronizer into engagement with a rotating gear in a gearbox includes a hydraulic piston/cylinder unit mechanically coupled to the synchronizer, an electrically controllable pressure regulating valve for supplying hydraulic fluid to the piston/cylinder unit and an electrical control circuit acting on the pressure regulating valve to vary the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the piston/cylinder unit. In order to effect a rapid and smooth engagement of the synchronizer, the control circuit acts to increase the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the piston/cylinder unit progressively.

Abstract: A single handle control mechanism has two shafts for connection to two independently operable mechanisms, such as hydraulic valves controlling the position of hydraulic actuators in an agricultural tractor. The shafts are operable to rotate selectively either individually or in combination about a common longitudinal axis of rotation through manipulation of a handle member which is rotatable about two orthogonal axes oriented perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the shafts. The handle member has a first roller and slot coupling for effecting the rotation of the shafts and a second roller and slot coupling for effecting the rotation of the other coaxial shaft. The slots of the first and second couplings are orthogonal to one another to resolve the rotation of the handle member into a first component for rotating the first shaft and a second component for rotating the second shaft.

Abstract: A machine for harvesting fruits, berries and the like, from fruit trees and bushes planted in rows, the machine comprising a straddling chassis capable of moving across a field, a shaker assembly mounted on the chassis and including at least one pair of elongated shaker members which extend generally in the longitudinal direction of the machine and which are spaced transversely from one another and situated respectively on opposite sides of the central fore-and-aft axis of the machine so as to define an active shaking zone. Each shaker member is formed by a rod of flexible material. The machine further comprises a control mechanism operatively connected to the rods to drive them synchronously with a reciprocating motion in a direction extending transversely relative to said fore-and-aft axis.

Abstract: A rear hinged pivotable hood for enclosing a tractor engine is disclosed wherein a hinge member pivotally mounts the hood to the tractor chassis for movement about a generally horizontal, transverse hinge access between a closed position in which the engine is inaccessibly covered and an opened position in which the engine is accessible. The engine hood includes a primary hood member that is pivotally movable about the hinge axis and a fixed portion that includes a pair of laterally spaced daily access doors pivotally mounted for outward movement to gain access to preselected frequently accessed service components of the engine. The lateral width of the primary hood member is substantially greater that the lateral spacing of the daily access doors so that the operator may have greater visibility of the position where said front tires engage the ground.

Abstract: A combine harvester (1) is provided with a grain cleaning mechanism (12), comprising a fan (33) installed in a generally volute-shaped fan housing (72), having primary air inlets (73) in its side walls and a secondary air inlet (74) in its top wall. The housing (72) further has a main outlet duct (80) directed to a chaffer sieve (31) and a lower grain sieve (32) and an additional outlet duct (81) directed to a pre-cleaning sieve (29) and an associated grain pan (30). The secondary air inlet (74) is covered with a plurality of juxtaposed plates (75), comprising sets of louvres (76) which are opened rearwardly. Grain kernels which unwantedly fall off the leading edges of the sieves (29, 31, 32) or the grain pan (30) and into the outlet duct (80, 81), may be engaged and thrown upwardly by the blades (95) of the fan (33), but will be returned into the fan housing (72) by the louvres (76), which nevertheless do not obstruct an efficient air intake by the fan (33) .

Abstract: A round baler having a main frame, a bale forming chamber on the main frame, a pickup for feeding crop material into the chamber, and a tailgate pivotally connected to the main frame for rearwardly discharging completed bales. The chamber is defined by an apron extending around a plurality of guide rolls on the periphery of the chamber, the tailgate, and a floor. The bale forming chamber varies in size from a core starting position to a full bale position. A crop loading monitor, having sensors in the bale forming chamber, provides signals representing compactness of the crop material during bale formation. The signals are utilized in a system that displays information in a bar graph format that enables the operator to enhance his capabilities for making properly shaped bales.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission presents a main stage and a range reducer cascade connected to each other. The main stage includes an input shaft, two drive shafts coaxial with each other and selectively connected to the input shaft by respective hydraulic clutches, a countershaft, and a driven shaft connectable to the countershaft according to a number of gear ratios. The countershaft is selectively connectable to one of the drive shafts directly or via an inverting train by means of a first synchronized clutch, and is selectively connectable to the other drive shaft according to a step-down ratio and a step-up ratio by means of a second synchronized clutch. The hydraulic clutches and first and second synchronized clutches are controlled by an electronic control unit in response to manual operation and in predetermined sequences.

Abstract: A round baler having a main frame, a bale forming chamber on the main frame, a pickup for feeding crop material into the chamber, and a tailgate pivotally connected to the main frame for rearwardly discharging completed bales. The chamber is defined by an apron extending around a plurality of guide rolls on the periphery of the chamber, the tailgate, and a floor. The bale forming chamber varies in size from a core starting position to a full bale position. A crop loading monitor having sensors in the bale forming chamber provides signals representing compactness of the crop material during bale formation. The signals are utilizable by the operator to enhance his capabilities for making properly shaped bales.

Abstract: A round baler having a frame, a baling chamber for forming cylindrical packages of crop material mounted on the frame, a pickup for feeding crop material into the chamber including a tubular rotatable shaft extending transverse of the frame and concentric with a stationary shaft also extending transverse of the frame. The tubular shaft is journalled via a bearing assembly including a generally cylindrical stationary first race and a concentrically disposed generally cylindrical rotatable second race between which races a bearing cavity is formed for seating a series of bearings housed between the first and second races. The first race is affixed to the stationary shaft and the second race is rotatable relative to the first race and affixed to the tubular shaft for rotating in concert therewith relative to the first race. An annular shaped cover encloses the cavity and has a first edge adjacent the stationary shaft.

Abstract: A heating element for the reservoir of the hydraulic system of an agricultural tractor is disclosed wherein the heating element is positioned within the interior of the inlet screen member. The heating element is formed with a threaded portion cooperable with the threaded opening of the screen member to permit mounting of the screen member directly on heating element, which in turn is threadably received in the interior wall of the hydraulic system reservoir. The screen member is sealed against the heating element to prevent the leakage of hydraulic fluid into the interior of the screen member. The heating element can be replaced with a stationary stud and sealed against the reservoir wall to allow the mounting of the screen member without utilization of the heating element.

Abstract: Improved tailgate latching apparatus for a round baler having a main frame, a tailgate, stub shafts for pivotally coupling the tailgate to the main frame, and a bale forming chamber mounted on the frame and the tailgate for forming crop material into a cylindrical package of crop material, which chamber has a generally transverse opening for permitting the ingress of crop material. The baler also includes a pickup for picking up crop material from the field and feeding it rearwardly along a path in the direction of the transverse opening, a drive for pivoting the tailgate from a closed position to an open position for discharging the bale onto the surface of the field, and a latching assembly for holding the tailgate in its closed position, which assembly comprises a latch arm mounted on the main frame, a latch pin mounted on the tailgate in operative relationship with the latch arm.

Abstract: Improved pickup apparatus for a round baler for traversing a field to form cylindrical bales of crop material. The baler comprises a main frame having a bale forming chamber thereon with a generally transverse opening for permitting the ingress of crop material. The chamber includes a floor roll for supporting the bale as it is being formed, which floor roll includes conveying means disposed to engage the crop material after it has passed through the transverse opening. An improved pickup is provided for picking up crop material from the field and feeding it rearwardly along a path in the direction of the transverse opening. Also included in the pickup is a stuffer mechanism comprising crop engaging elements for engaging the crop material as it is being fed rearwardly and urging it along the path and into the transverse opening. The stuffer includes a striping function for engaging the crop material and stripping some or all of it from the crop engaging elements in the vicinity of the transverse opening.

Abstract: A round baler having a main frame including opposing sidewalls, and an apron assembly comprising crop engaging elements disposed between said sidewalls for defining a bale forming chamber having a fixed generally cylindrical shape with a transverse inlet. The crop engaging elements move along a path having an inner course contiguous with a major portion of the fixed periphery of the cylindrical chamber, and a pickup assembly for feeding crop material to the chamber through the inlet whereby crop material accumulated in the chamber is engaged by the crop engaging elements and formed into a compacted cylindrical package under conditions where a sufficient amount of crop material has accumulated in the chamber. A supply of net material is dispensed via a dispensing assembly having grasping elements for feeding the net into the chamber for wrapping the periphery of the cylindrical package of crop material in the chamber to form a round bale of crop material.

Abstract: A round baler having a main frame including opposing sidewalls, and an apron assembly comprising crop engaging elements disposed between said sidewalls for defining a bale forming chamber having a generally cylindrical shape with a transverse inlet. The crop engaging elements move along a path having an inner course contiguous with a major portion of the fixed periphery of the cylindrical chamber. The baler also includes a pickup assembly for feeding crop material to the chamber through the inlet whereby crop material accumulated in the chamber is engaged by the crop engaging elements and formed into a compacted cylindrical package. A supply of net material is selectively dispensed via a dispensing assembly into the chamber for wrapping the periphery of the formed cylindrical package of crop material in the chamber. A supply of twine fed to a twine dispensing assembly is also selectively dispensed into the chamber for wrapping the periphery of the cylindrical package of crop material.