Abstract: A carousel merger is provided that is designed to replace existing belt conveyor devices. The carousel merger device has a crop receiving passageway which extends through a top surface of the carousel merger device toward a bottom surface of the carousel merger device. The crop receiving passageway has a plurality of crop receiving regions and a crop flow region. The crop receiving regions have arcuate sidewalls, support plates rotatably mounted to the bottom surface and blades mounted to the support plates. The crop flow region is provided adjacent the crop receiving regions with a portion of the crop flow region extending through the crop receiving regions. The crop flow region has a back wall opposite from the arcuate sidewalls of the crop receiving regions. A discharge is in communication with the crop flow region.

Abstract: The apparatus is a coupling device that couples a cart to a continuously moving towline which is recessed into the cart support surface. A vertically movable coupling pin engages the towline and is lifted away from the towline to disengage the cart from the towline. To prevent irregularities in the support surface from accidentally lifting the pin away from the towline, the pin is attached to the cart through a structure that also permits the cart to move freely relative to the pin but maintain the pin engaged with the towline. The preferred embodiment attaches the coupling pin to a movable tube that moves within a fixed tube, and the movable tube also can be lifted by a cam and locked into a position with the pin disengaged.

Abstract: A flexible trash guard for a sickle bar mowing apparatus that sits between the hold-down and the stud plate, thus eliminating the “hair pinning” of crop matter in the opening of the hold-down clip where the stud passes through the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating a PTO for driving a header of an agricultural windrower, wherein a programmable control module in connection with at least signal operated device in operative control of a variable displacement pump operable for controlling operation of the PTO, is programmed as part of an automatic calibration routine for determining values for the control signals required for operating the header at a predetermined target speed for a plurality or range of speeds of an engine driving the pump, such at the pump can be controlled to minimize occurrences of overpumping of fluid and resultant problems.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump drive is mounted to the tongue of an agricultural implement. Connecting components between the pump and the drawbar extender of the towing tractor aim the pump input shaft toward the tractor. A short telescoping PTO assembly connects the pump shaft to the tractor PTO shaft using conventional PTO components operating in a nominal equal angle configuration.

Abstract: A steerable rear suspension for a tractor includes a chassis comprising a front end, a rear end, a left side and a right side; an engine mounted on the chassis; a pair of steerable front wheels coupled to the front end, left and right side of the chassis; a left rear suspension including a left rear suspension arm pivotally coupled to the chassis at a leading end of the suspension arm, and a first steerable planetary gear system mounted on a trailing end of the suspension arm; a right rear suspension including a right rear suspension arm pivotally coupled to the chassis at a leading end of the suspension arm, and a second steerable planetary gear system mounted on a trailing end at the right suspension arm; and left and right rear wheels driven by the first and second planetary gear systems.

Abstract: A hybrid hydraulic system for a work vehicle is provided that includes a first fixed displacement hydraulic pump whose outlet is connected to a priority valve. The priority valve, in turn, directs the pump's flow to a first group of closed center backhoe valves on a primary circuit and a second group of open center loader valves on a secondary circuit. A second hydraulic pump is provided with independent load sensing capability to supplement fluid flow provided by the first pump.

Abstract: A bale wagon for large bales that uses a load rack made of a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart channel members that move in segments to transfer the load rearwardly for unloading. A tilting bed round bale unloader deposits bales one tier at a time onto their cylindrical surfaces on the ground.

Abstract: A suspension system for the rear axle of a self-propelled agricultural windrower. The axle is split into two components, each having an air spring to absorb shocks. The two air springs are interconnected by a tube to equalize the internal pressure. A pair of pins can be inserted through the respective axle components and a structural member of the tractor to fix the components relative to the unit structure, thereby incapacitating the suspension and permitting effective steering of the tractor in the absence of a header.

Abstract: A hydraulic lift/flotation system for the header of a crop harvesting machine wherein each side of the header is supported by a single cylinder, which performs both the flotation and lift functions. For even lifting and flotation of an unbalanced header, each cylinder has its own control valve, pump, and accumulator. The operator sets the desired flotation force by actuating rocker switches; one switch position allows hydraulic oil to enter an accumulator to reduce header contact force with the ground. The other position allows oil to exit the accumulator to increase header contact force with the ground. To evenly float an unbalanced header, separate switches adjust each side independently. Once the flotation forces are set, the control valves will return to this preset flotation condition whenever float mode is selected, regardless of subsequent header lift and lower operations.

Abstract: A utility vehicle that has a bogey beam suspension for the front steered wheels is also provided with all wheel drive by mounting a drive shaft within the bogey beam so that power can be furnished to the front axle. For a six wheel vehicle the middle axle is mounted on the rear of the bogey beam and driven from the rear drive axle by a universal drive assembly. In the four wheel version in which a resilient member is attached between the vehicle and the rear of the bogey beam, the rear drive axle is interconnected with the rear of the front wheel drive shaft by a universal drive assembly.

Abstract: A mechanism that interconnects the service brakes of a hydrostatically driven tractor with the hydrostatic pump to more effectively slow or stop the tractor, for example when towing a trailer. The service brakes are connected to a control servo on the hydrostatic pump such that actuation of the service brakes will destroke the pump, eliminating or reducing the torque of the pump as a factor to be overcome in slowing or stopping movement of the tractor. Both mechanical and electronic versions of the mechanism are effective in slowing and stopping the tractor.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a cab for an operator of the agricultural vehicle, the cab including a floor, and a utility box mounted beneath the floor for displacement between a storage and an extended position, the utility box including a latch for retaining the utility box in the storage position, the latch being releasable from within the cab.

Abstract: An access control system for work vehicles has a display, an operator input device and a computer configured to program individual vehicles keys to operate individual vehicles or groups of vehicles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for controlling machines, especially hydraulic machines, by hand or foot. The inventive device comprises an actuating element (1), especially a pedal or a control lever, which can be moved in several directions. The aim of the invention is to feel a resisting force when the actuating element (1) is displaced or adjusted, whereby said force is on the scale of hydraulic forces having a direct effect. The actuating element (1) engages with a transmitter device (3) which is not hydraulic or is hydraulically decoupled from the hydraulic system. A damping device (6) engages with the actuating element (1). Said damping device defies the movement in at least one direction of motion pertaining to the actuating element (1) by means of a fluid that is moved by the actuating element (1).

Abstract: An electronic control for damping oscillation of a swinging backhoe assembly includes a crossover valve that connects the hydraulic lines that supply hydraulic fluid to the boom swing cylinders to each other whenever an electronic controller senses incipient oscillation or swinging of the backhoe assembly. The electronic controller senses such parameters as pressure in the conduits and the position of the operator controls or the position of the boom swing control valve that the operator controls to determine incipient oscillation when the backhoe assembly is stopped. The crossover valve may remain open for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A pair of conditioning rolls is disclosed that comprise one steel and one rubber/urethane roll. The steel roll has raised ribs formed thereon or attached thereto in a spiral configuration, while the rubber/urethane roll contains grooves therein that intermesh with the raised ribs during operation to grip the crop material. The smooth areas of the rolls crush the crop stems. Alternative embodiments of the grooves provide the ability to work within a wide range of crops, including crops that have heretofore proven difficult to condition.

Abstract: A pre-cleaner for an air induction system of an internal combustion engine including a housing enclosing an upper chamber and an aspirator port chamber, the upper chamber containing a plurality of particulate separator tubes for removing particles from air flowing through the tubes en route to the engine.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling access to a work vehicle includes limiting an unauthorized operator's access to the work vehicle by disabling an engine subsystem and additionally limiting access to another vehicle system such as an auxiliary fluid actuator, by disabling at least one of the auxiliary fluid actuators. In this manner, even if a thief hot wires the engine of the work vehicle, he will not be able to use the work vehicle since the engine and the fluid actuators and the fluid controller that controls the actuators are independently disabled.