Abstract: An agricultural implement for distributing a product by dense phase flow is disclosed. The agricultural implement comprises a frame and a product distribution system configured to distribute the product to different positions on the frame by dense phase flow. The product distribution system includes a primary container configured to accommodate the product and includes a primary container inlet and a product exit. The product distribution system also includes a pressure supply assembly configured to provide a pressurized fluid and is in fluid communication with the primary container through the primary container inlet. The product distribution system also includes a distribution conduit that includes a conduit first end connected to the product exit and a conduit discharge end opposite the conduit first end.

Abstract: A cushion standard shield system to remove and deflect residue, dirt, debris, and soil from a cushion bearing hanger, or cushion standard, portion of a disk gang type agricultural implement is provided. The cushion standard shield system includes a mounting bracket supported by a common axle which carries multiple disk blades of the disk gang. A blade assembly is mounted to an upright portion of the mounting bracket, and is positioned generally behind and above the axle, behind the cushion standard. The blade assembly includes one or more plate member with arcuate lateral edges. The radii of the arcuate lateral edges correspond closely in magnitude to the radii of the concave and convex surfaces of the disk blades. The plate members are laterally adjustable with respect to each other, whereby the width dimension of blade assembly is variable to accommodate different axial spacing widths of adjacent disk blades.

Abstract: A friction drive for an agricultural planter has a linear actuator, which may be hydraulically or pneumatically controlled, to selectively raise or lower a drive wheel into frictional engagement with a carrying wheel. A valve network is fluidly associated with the linear actuator and allows the operator or pilot to variably define the degree of frictional engagement. This allows the operator to vary the amount of frictional engagement of the drive wheel and the carrying wheel, the output of which is used by a material dispensing system to deposited planting material onto a planting surface.

Abstract: A seed tank arrangement is provided with improved access to seed tanks of an agricultural planter and the contents thereof, while simplifying the manufacturing of such tanks. The seed tank has a fill opening formed in the upper surface of the tank for loading and accessing seeds in the interior of the tank. Features of the tank are mirror images about a diagonal plane of the tank, which enables the same tank to be used for both the left and right sides of the planter. This is achieved by rotating the left tank 90 degrees with respect to the right tank. The design provides improved access to the interior of the tanks for filling and servicing the seed.

Abstract: A tensioning arrangement to an endless linkage of a drive train is provided. The tensioning arrangement includes a tension arm and a spool mounted at the tension arm. The spool includes a rib generally centrally located between opposing first and second endwalls of the spool. The rib includes a greater outer diameter relative to an outer diameter of adjacent cylindrical portions abutting the rib. Both opposing first and second endwalls of the spool are of greater outer diameter so as to steer the endless linkage therebetween in general alignment with the rib. A spring includes a hook free end engaged at the tension arm, and a linear shaped free end engaged at the frame so as to bias the spool against the endless linkage.

Abstract: An enclosure assembly configured to enhance accessibility to a drive unit of a vehicular agricultural applicator is provided. The enclosure assembly generally includes a housing, and a hinged panel pivotal about an axis defined by a hinge assembly between an open and a closed position with respect to the housing. The axis is generally aligned in a fore and aft direction. The enclosure assembly further includes an arm pivotally coupled at the hinged panel and movable between a stowed position and an extended position. In the folded position, the arm is retained in a slot at the hinged panel. In the extended position, the arm is in general vertical alignment engaged at the housing so as to hold the hinged panel in the open position.

Abstract: A knife opener includes a pair of flared blades designed to cut spaced, but paired furrows. The knife opener is particularly well-suited for use in no-till or minimum-till agricultural operations primarily in conjunction with seed and/or fertilizer placement adjacent a soil cut-line generally in the direction of travel. In addition to being angled away from the main body of the knife, one of the blades is angled forward and the other blade is angled rearward. Seed and/or fertilizer dispensing receivers may be associated with each of the blades.

Abstract: A seed meter includes an input port configured to receive a supply of seeds and an output port configured to deliver the supply of seeds for dispensing to a planting area and a seed disk configured to receive the supply of seeds from the input port and deliver the supply of seeds to the output port at a substantially uniform rate. The seed disk has a seed side where seeds flow from the input port, and a vacuum side opposite the seed side. The seed meter further includes a first housing portion surrounding a first portion of the seed disk in a fixed relationship to direct the supply of seeds against the seed disk and a second housing portion.

Abstract: An air velocity indicator and control device is provided for use with pneumatic distribution systems used in air seeders that pneumatically discharge agricultural product to the ground, seedbed, or furrow. The air velocity indicator and control device includes a tubular housing, extending between an inlet and an outlet, and pivotally housing a deflectable plate that actuates in response to encountering an airflow entrained with agricultural product. A magnitude of deflection of the deflectable plate, corresponding to airflow velocity, can be displayed through an indicator assembly. This enables a user to identify velocity variances and differentials within the air seeder and make corrective adjustments. In some implementations, multiple air velocity indicator and control devices are ganged together with deflectable plates that pivot in unison with each other. The relative angle of fixation of the deflectable plates, upon the pivot pin, can be adjusted to permit airflow tuning as needed.

Abstract: A folding marker for connection to an agricultural implement toolbar with a marker shoulder pivot, an inner arm and a double acting hydraulic cylinder both pivotally connected to the shoulder pivot. A middle arm bracket is pivotally connected to the inner arm and the cylinder. A middle arm is connected to the middle arm bracket, with two beams extending from the bracket and terminating at an outer arm pivot, with a third beam connected between the bracket and a crossbrace. An outer arm pivot bracket is pivotally connected to the outer arm pivot, an outer arm connected thereto and having two legs connected between the outer arm pivot bracket and a plate assembly. The legs define a channel therebetween, and an adjustable arm is slidably connected within the channel. An extension element is insertable within the channel and lockable with the plate assembly, with a marking element connected thereto.

Abstract: A branch for distributing granular material includes an inlet portion, a transition portion downstream of the inlet portion, and an outlet portion downstream of the transition portion. Each portion has a critical air flow rate that is required to cause the granular material to flow through the respective portion. The branching that occurs at the transition portion results in the critical air flow rate of the transition portion being greater than the critical air flow rate of the inlet portion, typically requiring an amount of air at least equal to the critical air flow rate of the transition portion to flow granular material through the branch. In the disclosed branch, the inlet portion is oriented relative to the outlet portion such that applying air to substantially equal the critical air flow rate of the inlet portion results in granular material being urged by gravity to move through the transition portion and into the outlet portion.

Abstract: A system for distributing seeds is configured to be transported by an agricultural vehicle along a direction of travel. The system includes a main frame extending along the direction of travel, a first wing frame extending from a first side of the main frame in a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel, and a second wing frame extending from a second side of the main frame in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel. The system further includes at least one row unit arranged on the first side of the main frame and supported by the first wing frame, at least one row unit arranged on the second side of the main frame and supported by the second wing frame, a first seed reservoir arranged on the first side of the main frame, and a second seed reservoir arranged on the second side of the main frame.

Abstract: A lock assembly operable to secure a lift linkage associated with moving a boom assembly between a lowered, operative position and a raised, inoperative position is provided. The lock assembly includes a lock pin mounted at a carrying frame interconnected between a lift linkage and the boom assembly. The lock assembly also includes a lock plate mounted at the lift linkage. In the raised position of the lift linkage, the lock plate includes a slot configured to align so as receive the lock pin. Once aligned, the boom is pivoted toward the folded, stowed position. As the boom pivots, the boom pushes the lock pin through the slot. The lift linkage is then lowered to seat the lock pin in the slot and thereby secure the lift linkage and supported boom in the raised, folded position.

Abstract: A baler is described which has a collection chamber or duct and a baling chamber. Crop material enters the duct until a pre-determined level has been reached at which time a stuffer transfers the pre-compressed crop to the baling chamber. A control system is provided for calculating the ratio between the amount of crop material which should be formed into bales under optimal conditions and the rate of flow of crop material entering the duct. This ratio can be displayed and used to control the speed of the towing vehicle. The present invention uses the duct as a kind of measuring cylinder to determine the rate at which crop material is entering the baler.

Abstract: A crop residue spreader for an agricultural harvesting machine, including a housing at least partially containing a rotor rotatable about an rotational axis, the housing including at least one inlet opening for receiving a flow of crop residue from the harvesting machine and a discharge opening through which the flow will be propelled by the rotor when rotated, and a linkage arrangement movably connecting the housing containing the rotor to the agricultural machine for allowing the housing and rotor to be moved between at least one position in relation to the harvesting machine for receiving a flow of crop residue from a threshing mechanism of the machine and a flow of crop residue from a cleaning mechanism of the machine through the at least one inlet opening, at least one position for receiving a flow of crop residue from the cleaning mechanism of the harvesting machine through the at least one inlet opening while preventing a flow of crop residue from the threshing mechanism from entering the at least one

Abstract: A rotatable drive for a feeder and a header of an agricultural combine for drivingly connecting spaced rotatable elements on the feeder and the header to a rotatable power source on a chassis of the combine, the feeder and the header being jointly mounted to the chassis for pivotal movement relative thereto about a predetermined pivotal axis through a predetermined range of harvesting positions. The drive includes a first gear box mounted on the feeder for pivotal movement therewith and including a rotatable input, a first rotatable output rotatably connected to the input and to at least one of the rotatable elements, and a second rotatable output rotatably connected to the input. The drive includes a second gear box mounted on the feeder and having a rotatable input rotatably connected by a drive shaft to the second output of the first gear box and at least one rotatable output connected to another of the rotatable elements.

Abstract: A round baler includes a housing, a bale chamber, and a bale wrapping apparatus. The bale wrapping apparatus includes two twine supply rolls providing two twine strands; two twine dispensing arms, each presenting one of the two strands; a shear bar connected to the housing; and a knife assembly rotatingly connected to the housing by an elongated bar to rotate from a first position to a second cutting position, the two twine strands extending transversely between the shear bar and the knife assembly, the knife assembly comprising: a mounting assembly comprising a mounting member having two protruding posts; a knife having two slots formed therein and a cutting edge, the knife mounted on the mounting member so each protruding post extends through one of the slots; and a biasing member disposed on each post to bias the knife toward the mounting member while permitting the knife to move relative to the mounting member.

Abstract: An exhaust stack system for a muffler having an exhaust stub pipe including a self-holding taper on the outer diameter of the exhaust stub pipe. The exhaust stack pipe also has a self-holding taper on the inner diameter of the proximal end so as to matingly connect to the taper on the exhaust stub pipe. Preferably a securing mechanism holds the exhaust stack pipe in proper orientation with the muffler stub pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the securing mechanism further includes a spring clip member. The exhaust stack pipe has a longitudinal slot approximate the taper and the muffler stub pipe has a hole in alignment with the longitudinal slot so that a hooked end of the spring clip can fit through the longitudinal slot and into the hole. In another embodiment, the securing mechanism is a screw through the exhaust stack pipe and the muffler stub pipe.

Abstract: A test for hydraulic leakage in hydraulic components uses a rate testing device having two circuits including a filling circuit that fast-fills the component with hydraulic fluid and a leakage circuit that measures the leakage rate of fluid flow through the component. The filling circuit is first connected to the component to fill the component. Once full, flow through the filling circuit is blocked and flow to the component is provided by the leakage circuit, which includes a leakage flow rate measuring device. The filling circuit provides a flow rate that is at least twice the flow rate that is provided by the leakage circuit.