Abstract: A method of wrapping crop material in 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 dispensed into the chamber for wrapping the periphery of the formed cylindrical package of crop material in the chamber. A supply of twine is simultaneously dispensed into the chamber for wrapping the periphery of the cylindrical package of crop material.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit is disclosed for a tractor in which a steering circuit and an implement circuit are utilized to provide a high flow capability to the implement valve stack. A series of priority valves are operable to divert hydraulic flow from the steering circuit to the implement circuit under conditions where the steering mechanism is not being operated and the implement circuit pump is operating at full capacity. The first priority valve diverts the hydraulic flow from the steering circuit to a second priority valve that is controlled by a pressure differential valve that senses the implement circuit pump working at full displacement, whereupon the second priority valve directs the diverted hydraulic flow into the implement circuit. The first priority valve retains hydraulic flow within the steering circuit whenever the steering mechanism is being operated.

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 forage harvester comprises a rotatable cutterhead (36), operable to comminute crop material and to deliver the same to a blower assembly (48, 49), which propels the material upwardly into a duct (52), which in turn directs it into a collecting vehicle, which is moved aside or behind the harvester. The blower assembly (48, 49) includes a rotatable blower (49) and a housing (48), which is attached to a support frame (60), affixed to the main frame (1) by three bolts (67, 65) only. The duct (52) is mounted onto a base plate (78), which is not connected to the blower (48, 49), and can be rotated at a variable speed with respect to the main frame (1). A set of pull rods (68) and studs (70) permit easy and precise adjustment of the rotor (49) to the housing (48). This arrangement prevents the deformation of the blower housing (48), during and after its assembly to the harvester, and eliminates the need for subsequent readjustment of the blower (49) to the housing (48), in order to restore the blower efficiency.

Abstract: A skid steer loader having a main frame supported on four wheels and including a compartment in which an engine, hydraulic drive components and other elements are contained. A cab is mounted above the compartment on the main frame with side walls extending upwardly to define an operator control area therebetween. Supported on the frame is a boom structure including a pair of arms and a mounting assembly. The engine is operatively associated with the wheels for propelling the loader. The engine is also operatively associated with the boom structure for raising and lowering the pair of arms. The wheels are controlled by a pair of hand actuated levers in the operator control area, while boom control is convertible between a foot actuated control lever in the operator control area and a hand operated element pivotally operative on one of the hand actuated levers.

Abstract: A skid steer loader having a main frame including a compartment in which an engine, hydraulic drive components and other elements are contained. A cab is mounted above the compartment on the main frame with load bearing side walls extending upwardly to define an operator control area therebetween. Pivotally mounted on such walls is a boom structure including a pair of arms and a mounting assembly. An engine is operatively associated with the boom structure for raising and lowering each of the pair of arms along a generally vertical path adjacent a corresponding load bearing side wall to which it is coupled by the mounting assembly. A unique noise isolation mounting arrangement is used to couple the cab structure to the main frame, on which cab the entire boom structure is mounted.

Abstract: An automatic bale wagon for forming a weather resistant block shaped stack from a plurality of similarly shaped bales as the bale wagon picks up and handles bales during traversal of a field in which a plurality of formed bales have been deposited. A first tier is formed by placing a plurality of bales within a generally rectangular configuration, and a tie tier is formed by placing a plurality of bales within a generally rectangular configuration similar in shape to the rectangular configuration of the first tier, the outermost of which bales in the tie tier not being in alignment with the bales in the first tier. The tie tier is positioned above the first tier. A tight top tier is then formed by placing a plurality of bales in a generally rectangular configuration similar in shape to the rectangular configuration of the tie tier. Adjacent ends and side surfaces of all bales in the top tier are contiguous, the outermost of which bales are not in alignment with the bales in the tie tier.

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 skid steer loader having a frame, ground support wheels extending from the frame, a cab with load bearing side walls extending upwardly from the frame to define an operators control area therebetween, and a boom structure comprising a pair of arms and a linkage assembly for operatively coupling the arms to the load bearing side walls. Each arm includes a front portion having a front end extending beyond the cab to support a bucket, a rear portion extending behind the cab, and an integral intermediate portion between the front and rear portions. The linkage assembly includes upper and lower links associated with each of the arms, each link being pivotally secured to the cab at a location above the wheels. The boom structure is powered for raising and lowering in concert each of the pairs of arms through a generally vertical path for moving the front end of the boom arms and bucket along a lift path.

Abstract: A rearwardly pivotable hood for enclosing a tractor engine is disclosed wherein a hinge member pivotally mounts the hood to the tractor chassis. The hinge member includes an upper hinge portion movably supported on a lower hinge portion, which is fixed to the chassis of the tractor. The upper hinge portion carries a generally transverse and horizontally extending hinge axis which is connected to the hood to allow a rearwardly pivotable movement thereof. An adjustment mechanism to provide a side-to-side movement of the hood includes a centrally positioned vertical pivot pin interconnecting the upper and lower hinge portions to define an axis of rotation about which the upper hinge portion is movable into a selected orientation relative to the lower hinge portion. A pair of bolts passing through slotted openings serve to clamp the upper and lower hinge portions together.

Abstract: A utility vehicle, such as a grape harvester (1) comprising 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 in order to level the frame (2). The rear cylinders (23, 24) are normally 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 articulated axle (56). The hydraulic cylinders (17, 18, 23, 24) are governed by two control valves (38, 39) which enable lifting, lowering and sideways levelling of the frame (2). During levelling operations, the hydraulic connection between the front cylinders (16, 17) is automatically broken by a control valve (65) in order to enhance the stability of the vehicle (1). This is particularly advantageous when the vehicle (1) is levelled during downhill travel.

Abstract: A rearwardly pivotable hood for enclosing a tractor engine is disclosed wherein a latching mechanism selectively retains the hood in a closed position. The latching mechanism includes a releasable clasp member mounted on the subframe structure supporting the air intake apparatus for the engine along a longitudinally extending centerline of the chassis forwardly of said hinge axis. The latching mechanism further includes a centrally positioned latch pin supported from the hood in alignable with the clasp member. A remote release mechanism, including a pivoted handle and a connecting linkage transferring pivotal motion of the handle to the clasp member for actuation thereof, is operable to effect actuation of the latching mechanism from a location along a transverse side of the hood. The pivoted handle can be access through the opening of the daily access door to initiate the raising of the hood for full access to the engine.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine, such as a forage harvester, comprises a plurality of crop processing means (20, 21, 26, 27, 36,38, 49), which are driven in a first sense by an engine (70) through a main clutch (124) and a first drive line portion (111, 112, 39, 87, 89) or a second drive line portion (73, 75, 77, 80, 81, 83). A motor means (110), coupled to the first drive line portion and operable to drive one of the crop processing means, such as a cutterhead (36), in a second sense, opposite to the first sense, is permanently coupled to said first drive line portion, so that during normal harvesting it can provide driving power to auxiliary devices. The second drive line portion is linked to the first drive line portion by means of a belt transmission (95, 99, 100), which is engaged by a hydraulic cylinder (106) when the main clutch (124) is engaged. The first drive line comprises an overrun clutch (87) which is disengaged when the rotation of the cutterhead (36) is reversed by the motor means (110).

Abstract: A skid steer loader is disclosed with an operator's seat that is movable between a lowered operative position and an elevated inoperative position to facilitate the access to drive components located beneath the seat. The seat includes a latch mechanism that detachably fixes the operator's seat to the loader frame and a prop rod slidable within a bayonet slot formed in the loader frame to move into a restraining position whenever the operator's seat is moved into the elevated inoperative position. The movement of the prop rod into the restraining position of the bayonet slot requires a positive movement of the prop rod out of the restraining position to enable the seat to be returned to the lowered operative position to be latched against the frame. The seat is hinged to the loader frame to allow the movement thereof between the operative and inoperative positions.

Abstract: A skid steer loader having a main frame including a compartment in which an engine, hydraulic drive components and other elements are contained. A cab is mounted above the compartment on the main frame with load bearing side walls extending upwardly to define an operator control area therebetween. Pivotally mounted on such walls is a boom structure including a pair of arms and a mounting assembly. An engine is operatively associated with the boom structure for raising and lowering each of the pair of arms along a generally vertical path adjacent a corresponding load bearing side wall to which it is coupled by the mounting assembly. The cab is mounted on the frame for conjoint movement of the side walls and the boom structure from an operative position to a remote position to provide unobstructed access to the compartment while maintaining the drive and transmission componentry in an operational mode.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for lubricating a tractor transmission and associated master clutch is disclosed wherein a high cooling flow of lubrication oil is delivered to the master clutch whenever the clutch is being modulated, but a normal lower oil flow is delivered to the clutch whenever the clutch is either disengaged or fully engaged. The hydraulic circuit includes a clutch lubrication control spool operatively associated with a pilot line sensing pressure from the hydraulic system controlling the application of the master clutch and a transmission brake that is engaged to stop the transmission when the master clutch is disengaged. The pilot line controls the positioning of the clutch lubrication control spool to shift the spool to a high flow position whenever less than full pressure is sensed in either the clutch applied or brake applied hydraulic lines.

Abstract: A skid steer loader having a main frame including a compartment in which an engine, hydraulic drive components and other elements are contained. A cab is mounted above the compartment on the main frame with load bearing side walls extending upwardly to define an operator control area therebetween. Pivotally mounted on such walls is a boom structure including a pair of arms and a mounting assembly. An engine is operatively associated with the boom structure for raising and lowering each of the pair of arms along a generally vertical path adjacent a corresponding load bearing side wall to which it is coupled by the mounting assembly. The cab is mounted on the frame for conjoint movement of the side walls and the boom structure from an operative position to a remote position to provide unobstructed access to the compartment while maintaining the drive and transmission componentry in an operational mode.

Abstract: A vehicle clutch assembly, particularly for tractors, is provided having a first clutch interposed between the vehicle drive shaft and transmission, and a second clutch interposed between the drive shaft and an output shaft defining the power take-off of the vehicle. The assembly further comprises an elastic device for maintaining the second clutch in the released position wherein the output shaft is operatively disconnected from the drive shaft and a manually operated activating device for exerting a force in opposition to that of the elastic device, and setting the second clutch to the engaged position wherein the two shafts are operatively interconnected.

Abstract: A skid steer loader having a main frame including a compartment in which an engine and transmission components are contained, ground support wheels extending from the main frame, and a cab mounted on the main frame. The cab includes load bearing side walls extending upwardly from the main frame to define an operators control area therebetween. A boom assembly comprising a pair of arms having material handling front portions and linkage structure that operatively attaches the arms to the cab side walls. The linkage structure includes an upper link coupled to each of the arms and pivotally secured to the cab at a location above the top surface of the wheels, and a lower link which is also pivotally secured to the cab at a location above the wheels.

Abstract: A mechanism controls the pivotal positioning of a hydraulic control lever on tractors wherein a gated plate is affixed to the control lever to be pivotally moveable therewith into selective engagement with a lockout pin projecting outwardly from a pivoted actuating lever. The gated plate has first and second gates for selectively receiving the lockout pin when in a first position to restrict the pivotal movement of said control lever in preselected manners. The gated plate further includes a stop engageable with the lockout pin when in a second position to prevent the control lever from being placed in a float position. A third selectable position of said actuating lever places the lockout pin out of engagement with said gated plate to allow an unrestricted freedom of movement of the control lever. The pivoted control lever and the pivoted actuating lever project outwardly through a control panel for manipulation thereof.