Abstract: A sickle bar hold-down formed with a protruding ridge across the lower rear end is disclosed. The hold-down is generally an elongate member having a finger-like front portion and an opposing rectangular rear portion with means for affixing the member to a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a raised rectangular step above which the rear portion of the hold-down is positioned, with the protruding ridge adapted to fit over the step such that the protruding ridge overhangs the step and properly aligns the finger-like front portion of the hold-down with the knife sections of the sickle bar.

Abstract: The apparatus is a crop conditioner frame in which both conditioning rollers and the torsion bar assembly forcing them together are interchangeable with other such parts of different designs. The interchangeability of the rollers is accomplished by simultaneously changing the bearings for the rollers and the mounting fixtures holding the bearings, but constructing all the mounting fixtures at any location to be attachable by the same fasteners.

Abstract: An operator interactive apparatus for monitoring work vehicles is disclosed. The operator interactive apparatus includes an operator and machine interface for generating inputs from a work vehicle operator. The generated inputs describe conditions or problems associated with the work vehicle. The information collected by a microprocessor is communicated directly to a remote data center over a wireless data link. The information is shared and a technical service group may dispatch parts and/or maintenance information directly to a fleet operation center or alternatively directly to the operator of the work vehicle.

Abstract: An optimized bale wagon cab that, while maintaining the previously used cab footprint, employs a layout with a wrap around front dash. The layout provides more efficient use of the space available and better placement of everyday controls such as the transmission shifter and bale stacking controls. The layout further addresses the customer desires for additional storage, cup holders, a writing surface and a place to keep papers and clipboards.

Abstract: A control system for the drive of a power take-off mechanism on an agricultural tractor that records machine-specific values of the implement attached to the tractor. The drive train between the tractor engine and the power take-off includes a CVT transmission. The control device is connected with a processor via a signal lead for receiving its output signals. The control device is connected for the formation of output signals via input leads with switches, controls, sensors, and actuators for the tractor to read the machine specific parameters of the attached implement.

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 three transmission position shift control includes a forward position, a neutral position and a reverse position, and a switch or button operable for engaging a park brake or park lock when in the neutral position. The control can include a shift lever shiftable or between the forward, neutral and reverse positions. The park switch or button which can be a momentary switch on the lever or a hand grip of the lever is operable for controlling a solenoid that activates the park brake or park lock. Park is deactivated or released by shifting into forward or reverse.

Abstract: A latch retainer mechanism for securely holding the windrow pipe of an agricultural crop pickup.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided with a wishbone-shaped frame having a forwardly extending stem terminating rearwardly of the front axle of the vehicle to permit the orientation of the vehicle in a shipping envelope that is significantly smaller in length than the corresponding operating envelope. The floor panel in the operator station is hinged to pivot upwardly, thereby permitting, upon the disconnection of the front axle from the frame, a rearward positioning of the front hood and front axle against the seats of the operator station. A method of configuring the utility vehicle into a compact shipping envelope is also disclosed.

Abstract: An articulated wheel loader provides a cushioned deceleration at the limits of its turning to the left and to the right by reducing fluid flow through a hydraulic steering cylinder as the articulated frames approach abutment. The throttled fluid flow causes a variable displacement pump to de-stroke, which further cushions the deceleration.

Abstract: A farm implement of a tractor is hitched to two lift arms, each of which is moved by a respective actuating cylinder having two chambers connected to a feed circuit supplying a pressurized fluid; the feed circuit having, for each chamber, two feed lines for feeding the fluid to and from the chamber respectively, and four independent valves, each located along one of the feed lines and movable between a closed position and at least one open position respectively closing and opening the relative feed line.

Abstract: A CVT transmission for agricultural tractors which envisages equipment for continuous variation of the motion by means of an epicyclic gear train. In the CVT transmission the input of the motion from an engine occurs in a direction substantially that is parallel to an axis of longitudinal symmetry of the tractor, whilst the axes of a shafts, respectively, between which there takes place variation of the transmission ratio, are transverse with respect to the axis of longitudinal symmetry of the tractor.

Abstract: A hybrid power train for farm tractors, wherein the elements defining at least one of the electric machines are housed in a structural casing formed in one piece. The structural casing forms an integral part of the supporting structure of the tractor in the form of a half-shell open on one side, so as to permit assembly of an insulating element, a stator, and a shaft fitted with a respective rotor to form the electric machine part of the hybrid power train. The diesel engine of the agricultural tractor is mechanically connected to the Power take-off mechanism by routing the PTO shaft through a number of hollow shafts for transmitting power from the diesel engine to and from the two electric machines by means of a conventional epicyclic gear train.

Abstract: Machine operators rely on intuition and experience to evaluate vehicle performance. As we increasingly turn to automation, it is important to automatically evaluate sensor data and system performance. Fuzzy logic allows us to take advantage of domain knowledge to evaluate data and to describe a system linguistically. In this application a fuzzy quality module evaluates output from a noisy sensor. It compares the sensor data with an estimated sensor value, and based on that comparison, dynamically adapts a fuzzy logic rulebase used to determine whether the sensor value is valid or not.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining when a component of a work vehicle experiences vibration above a predetermined threshold, and responding to the vibration so that the vibration is reduced below the predetermined threshold. The apparatus, which is in a work vehicle that includes a chassis, an operator's cab and an active cab suspension system, includes a sensor that is configured to sense a quantity representative of the vibration experienced by the component of the work vehicle and to develop a first signal indicative of that quantity. The apparatus also includes a signal processor that is coupled to the sensor and is configured to develop, in response to the first signal, a second signal indicative of whether the vibration experienced by the component is above the predetermined threshold.

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: An agricultural crop processing machine, including a processing apparatus having a width; a crop pickup located forwardly of the crop processing apparatus and having a width greater than that of the crop processing apparatus; at least one auger having an axial core wherein the core has a drive wheel or sprocket at one end; and first and second bearing supports are disposed to journal the core and disposed inward of the drive wheel or sprocket. In a preferred embodiment, both bearing supports are inwardly disposed of the auger drive sprocket, which decreases the overall pickup width so as to increase the tine row-to-overall pickup width. A deflector plate acts as a bearing support and deflects crop material to allow for a shorter auger screw. A pickup cam drive wheel or sprocket and the auger drive wheel or sprocket are disposed in substantially the same plane.

Abstract: Steering equipment for a work vehicle includes a steering transmission shaft mounted so that the shaft can turn within a steering column, and with a control device for actuating a steering operating unit. The control device includes a reference member, which can move along the transmission shaft and a sensor device fixed to the steering column in a position substantially facing the reference member for detecting a position of the reference member along the transmission shaft. The sensor provides a displacement signal that is used to vary the steering ratio, such as steering speed.