Abstract: A lighting control system for a tractor is disclosed wherein the various lights on the tractor are controlled through a pair of switch devices. The first lighting control switch is a rotary switch controlling the macro positions of the lighting operation from an off position to selected combinations of groups of lights on the vehicle. The second lighting control switch is operable to select individual lights within respective groups. The electronic instrument cluster upon which the lighting control switches are mounted includes a memory to store the last selected combination of selected individual lights to permit the same combination of lights to illuminate automatically whenever the main control switch is moved from the off position to the appropriate on position.

Abstract: A round baler having a pickup, a chamber for forming a cylindrical package of crop material and a generally transverse opening for feeding crop that has been picked up into the chamber. The baler includes a twine handling assembly having at least one twine arm with a twine dispensing end from which twine is dispensed in the vicinity of the transverse opening for applying a plurality of helical wraps on the cylindrical package of crop material formed in the chamber. A twine cutting mechanism for cutting the twine, cooperates with a unique twine guide arrangement mounted to guide the twine to the cutting mechanism after a predetermined amount of twine has been dispensed.

Abstract: An agricultural baler for making cylindrical bales of crop material having a sledge assembly moveable between bale starting and full bale positions. The sledge assembly includes a plurality of rollers which cooperate with an apron to define a bale forming chamber. A dispensing mechanism is carried on the sledge assembly for dispensing web material into the bale forming chamber whereupon it is wrapped circumferentially around a cylindrical package of crop material. A net supply assembly is associated with the dispensing mechanism to provide net for feeding into the bale chamber via the dispensing mechanism. Included along the feed path of the net is a net severing assembly for cutting the net after it has been wrapped around the cylindrical hay package. The net severing assembly includes a free falling knife for operatively engaging the net prior to entry into the chamber. A knife constraint system is employed to maintain the knife inoperative in a holding range while permitting it to fall in a release range.

Abstract: An agricultural baler for making cylindrical bales of crop material having a sledge assembly moveable between bale starting and full bale positions. The sledge assembly includes a plurality of rollers which cooperate with an apron to define a bale forming chamber. A dispensing mechanism is 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 cylindrical bale of crop material in the bale forming chamber. A net supply assembly is associated with the dispensing mechanism to provide net for feeding into the bale chamber via the dispensing mechanism. Included in the net supply assembly is a net brake for restraining the net during various parts of the wrapping process, e.g, cutting. The brake is operated in cooperation with a counter arrangement that includes an idler roll in continuous contact with the surface of the net supply roll.

Abstract: A combine harvester (1) having a threshing and separating mechanism (8), a cleaning mechanism (9) disposed to receive threshed and separated crop material from the threshing and separating mechanism (8) and operable to separate tailings therefrom. Tailings rethresher means (44) are associated with the cleaning mechanism (9) for rethreshing the tailings separated therein, and tailings conveyor means (52) are provided for recycling rethreshed tailings from the rethresher means (44) to the cleaning mechanism (9). Above the cleaning mechanism (9) at a location offset from a discharge aperture (62) of the tailings conveyor means (52) a resilient screen (86) is provided which, in use, intersects the tailings flow and is operable to absorb the kinetic energy thereof which is imparted thereto by the tailings conveyor means (52). A deflector (72) is operatively associated with a forwardly inclined outlet portion (70) of the tailings conveyor means (52) to evenly spread and project the tailings against the screen (86).

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. A crop confining apron is mounted between the side walls for defining an expandable chamber that is adapted to rotatably form a cylindrical package of crop material between the side walls. A pickup picks up crop material and conveys it into the chamber through a generally transverse crop infeed opening operatively associated with the pickup. A transverse starter roll extends between the side walls to provide the upper limit of the infeed opening. A crop severing device extends into the expandable chamber in the vicinity of the starter roll to cut crop material on the surface of the cylindrical package as it is being formed.

Abstract: A method of forming a cylindrical bale of crop material having a generally round cross section. The method is carried out in a round baler performing the steps of picking up crop material as it travels across a field and feeding the picked up crop material into a bale forming chamber in the baler. The crop material is formed into a cylindrical package having a generally round cross section, and then wrapped with at least two separate strips of self adhering tape around the outer periphery to encompass such package and form a bale having a generally round cross section, conforming substantially to the cross section of the cylindrical package.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cylindrical bale of crop material having a generally round cross section, comprising a pick up for picking up crop material as the apparatus travels across a field. The apparatus is adapted to feed the picked up crop material into a bale forming chamber where it is formed into a cylindrical package having a generally round cross section. The package is then wrapped with self adhering tape around the outer periphery to encompass such package and form a bale having a generally round cross section, conforming substantially to the cross section of the cylindrical package. A tape dispensing assembly is provided to receive tape from at least two supply rolls and dispense it around the periphery of the cylindrical package along separate paths. Individual one way clutch drives are associated with each tape dispenser for individualized trouble free tape payout.

Abstract: A method of splicing a belt in a round baler having a bale forming chamber defined by at least one elongated belt having opposing ends spliced together to form a continuous band. The splice includes a first and a second series of similar side-by-side loops connected to and extending from the respective opposing ends of the belt, and an attaching element extending through both series of loops to maintain the opposing ends of the belt in alignment and close proximity to each other. Retention components affixed to the attaching element retain it in operative relationship to the loops and are disposed outwardly of the outer loops.

Abstract: A round baler having a frame with opposing side walls, a series of inwardly facing moving surfaces defining a baling chamber for forming cylindrical packages of crop material, a pick up for feeding crop material into the chamber, a plurality of rotatable transverse rollers mounted between the opposing side walls of the frame, and a support assembly for mounting at least one of the rollers. The support includes a bearing assembly having 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 second race is rotatable with the one roller relative to the first race.

Abstract: A method of forming bales in a round baler having a crop pickup and a bale forming chamber which is either fixed or expandable during bale formation. In one baler in which the method is readily carried out, the chamber is defined by a flexible apron comprising a plurality of side by side elongated belts trained about a plurality of rolls, a series of transverse crop engaging rolls and a floor roll. The method includes the steps of positioning the round baler to pick up crop material with the pickup, feeding the picked up crop material into the expandable bale forming chamber, sensing the compaction of the crop material in one or more regions during its formation in the bale forming chamber, generating a signal indicative of the level of compaction of the crop material in the region or regions, and repositioning the round baler in response to variations in the signal during expansion of the chamber to maintain the compaction at a predetermined level.

Abstract: A shiftable control console for an agricultural tractor is disclosed wherein the console is movable independently of the operator's seat to position the operative controls at the convenience of the operator. The console is mounted on pivoted linkages that are oriented to rotate the console clockwise as it is moved rearwardly to mimic the rotation of the operator's seat to an implement operating position. Fore-and-aft movement of the console is effected by an electric actuator controlled through a switch mounted on the console.

Abstract: A movable control console for an agricultural tractor is disclosed wherein the console is movable independently of the operator's seat to position the operative controls at the convenience of the operator. The orientation of the console is controlled by a guide assembly supported from the tractor chassis. The guide assembly is provided with non-linear slots cooperable with guide members on the console to rotate the console clockwise as it is moved rearwardly to mimic the rotation of the operator's seat to an implement operating position. Fore-and-aft movement of the console is effected by an electric actuator controlled through a switch mounted on the console.

Abstract: A manure spreader has a tank with endwalls including guides for receiving opposite ends of a rotating auger shaft thus permitting a change of position of the rotating auger in the tank relative to the manure. The auger may change position in response to the condition of the manure or may be a controlled change in response to actuation of fluid powered pistons.

Abstract: A round baler having a main frame, a tailgate pivotally connected to the main frame and an apron extending around a plurality of guide rolls disposed in the main frame and the tailgate. A pair of take up arms, rotatably mounted on the main frame, carry at least one additional guide roll for the apron. The apron defines a bale forming chamber which varies in size from a bale starting position to a full bale position under conditions where crop material is conveyed thereto. A pair of levers, connected to rotate with the take up arms as the girth of the bale being formed increases, are attached to a tensioning mechanism to urge the take up arms to the bale starting position of the apron. The tensioning mechanism includes a spring and a hydraulic cylinder mounted in tandem on one side of the baler and a spring on the other side of the baler.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cylindrical bale of crop material having a generally round cross section, comprising a pick up for picking up crop material as the apparatus travels across a field. The apparatus is adapted to feed the picked up crop material into a bale forming chamber where it is formed into a cylindrical package having a generally round cross section, and then wrapped with at least two separate strips of self adhering tape around the outer periphery to encompass such package and form a bale having a generally round cross section, conforming substantially to the cross section of the cylindrical package.

Abstract: A rectangular baler is disclosed comprising a bale case (6) into which successive charges of crop material are introduced; a plunger (7) disposed for reciprocating movement in the bale case (6) to compact the charges while advancing the compacted charges toward an exit opening in the bale case; and a knotter (8) for tying a flexible binding material, such as twine, in a form-stabilising manner around successive increments of compacted crop material while they advance in the bale case (6) to form bales. An elongated sensor (48), disposed on the knotter (8) in the trajectory of the flexible material (49) projecting from a twine holder (32) towards a billhook (33), is operable to detect the tensile forces occurring in the binding material during bale formation and to produce signals, which are processed by a microprocessor (24) to, if found necessary, lower the density of the bales in order to avoid twine failure.

Abstract: A round baler having a frame with opposing side walls, conveying apparatus including a series of inwardly facing moving surfaces defining a baling chamber for forming cylindrical bales of crop material and a feeder for feeding crop material into the chamber. Rotatable transverse rollers are mounted between the opposing side walls of the frame for operatively supporting the conveying apparatus, and a journal assembly having a bearing arrangement for mounting the rollers. The bearing arrangement includes 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 said first and second races. A unique shield assembly encloses the cavity and prevents the intrusion of unwanted debris.

Abstract: A tractor having a steerable axle that pivotally moves laterally in response to a corresponding steering action of the steerable wheels mounted on the steerable axle is disclosed wherein tie rods interconnect a detachable plate carried by the chassis along its centerline with the respective steerable wheels so that the pivotal movement of the steerable wheels effects a corresponding lateral shifting of the steerable axle relative to the chassis. The tie rods are connected to the detachable plate at chassis pivot points spaced, respectively, from the longitudinal centerline of the chassis so that the distance between the connection points between the steerable wheels and the respective tie rods decreases as the steerable axle shifts laterally to correct oversteering of the steerable wheels.

Abstract: A variable diameter belt type power transfer assembly having a drive sheave and a driven sheave, both of which are adjustable and include a pair of opposing coaxial flanges, one of which is axially movable relative to the other, is disclosed wherein both flanges of the drive sheave are provided with first and second belt engaging surfaces flaring radially outwardly with respect to each other so as to define first and second variable diameter belt receiving grooves therebetween. A dual range of velocity ratios between the drive sheave and the driven sheave is obtainable by selectively positioning a drive belt in the respective variable diameter belt receiving grooves. The inner and outer flange portions of one sheave member are constructed to allow the outer sheave portion to be selectively located in an operative position and an axially spaced retracted position relative to the inner sheave portion.