Abstract: In an example embodiment, a sensor detects a characteristic of accumulated crop material and a controller manipulates the speed of a baling chamber in response thereto. In an example method, the speed of a baling chamber of a variable speed baler is manipulated in response to a characteristic of an accumulated crop material. For example, the height of accumulated crop material in an accumulation area may be detected and the speed of the baling chamber manipulated in response thereto. The rate of growth of the bale may also be determined and used in manipulating the speed of the baling chamber.

Abstract: Steps to manufacturing a feed beater for a twin axial-flow crop processor in a combine harvester including cutting a flat state vane element from sheet material and bending along predetermined bend lines before being secured to a rotor core. The vane element includes a transverse vane section parallel to the rotation axis, and a directional vane section having an effective edge that extends at a non-zero angle to the rotation axis.

Abstract: A windrower has a crop merger attachment with a conveyor configured to receive crop material from a crop conditioning mechanism and direct the crop material to a side of the windrower, the crop merger attachment being mounted for adjusting movement between a lowered and a raised position. The windrower has a swathboard mounted for adjusting movement between a fully raised position in which the crop material passes beneath the swathboard for engagement with the merger attachment and a lowered position in which the crop material down to the ground under the merger attachment under the windrower. A control system automatically adjusts movement of the swathboard when movement of the merger attachment is detected.

Abstract: A baling system acts at shut-down to automatically pre-position a plunger so that it is just past a rear-dead-center position when the baler is restarted, thereby minimizing the load on a power take-off during the next restart. In particular, when the power take-off is deactivated, a control unit automatically brakes the power take-off so that the plunger stops in the desired position. Alternatively, the baling system acts at restart-up to automatically repeatedly activate and deactivate the power take-off in order to accelerate the plunger to a predetermined minimum operating speed before activating the power take-off for continuous operation, thereby maximizing a flywheel's momentum during the restart.

Abstract: A system and method for performing an agricultural process involving a plurality of otherwise substantially independent agricultural machines, in which each machine is engaged in performing an aspect of the overall process. Each machine is placed in electronic communication with every other machine involved in the process using a standardized communication and control protocol such that the machines form a networked group. The performance of each machine is then, at least in part, substantially automatically synchronized with the performances of the other machines in the networked group based on relevant information electronically communicated by each machine. The machines may include unmanned agricultural implements, manned tractors, and trucks, and the system may be extended to include sensors and stations involved in the overall process. The protocol may be the ISO 11783 Compliant Implement Control standard, including the ISO 11783 Virtual Terminal standard.

Abstract: A steering brake locking system for a vehicle, such as an agricultural tractor, has at least first and second adjacent steering brake pedals, and a locking pin arranged to selectively lock the pedals together. The locking pin and at least a portion of the first and second pedals are formed from a conductive material, such that an electrically conductive path is formed between the first and second pedals through the locking pin when the pin is used to lock the pedals together. The locking status of the pedals can be determined by measuring the electrical conductivity between the first and second pedals.

Abstract: A chain and slat conveyor with first and second continuous chains and a plurality of slats. Each slat is connected to the first chain by a keyhole connection and to the second chain by a bolt or rivet which passes through a hole in the slat.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a bale having a target weight set by a user. A processor compares stored actual weights to the target weight, and, based on a difference, adjusts the bale-forming process. The processor may calculate a load value for a connecting rod, measure an actual load value for the rod, and, based on a difference, set a new pressure value for the process, and then repeat these steps until the bale is fully formed. The processor may determine a first line relating a calculated load on the connecting rod to a current pressure, determine a second line relating a measured load on the rod to the current pressure, identify a pressure value at the intersection of the first and the second lines, and make this the new pressure value for the process, and then repeat these steps until the bale is fully formed.

Abstract: A method of inflating and deflating a tire on a vehicle, said vehicle having a rotatable air passage connectable to a tire and a non rotatable air passage through which air is conducted from a pressurized air supply. One of the passages has an associated sealing means for co-operating with a contact component associated with the other passage and wherein prior to inflation and deflation of the tire, one of the passages is pressurized to ensure the integrity of the sealing means with the contact component.

Abstract: A mid-roller (30) for a tracked work vehicle has a shaft (44) and a pair of hubs (50) assembled about the shaft (44), each hub having a cylindrical housing (52) with a flange portion (66) projecting radially outward. Each mid-roller also has a pair of metallic roller wheels (70) mounted on the pair of hubs, each roller wheel having a radial face connected to the flange portion of its respective hub and an outer cylindrical housing (76) symmetrical with the shaft axis (46) defining an outer peripheral surface (82) having an elastomeric coating (84) bonded thereon configured to engage the inner surface of the endless track belt. Each mid-roller also has a pair of non-metallic, ring-shaped reduced-friction guides (90). Each roller wheel has one of said reduced-friction guides mounted thereon such that the reduced-friction guide interacts with the track guide blocks such that the reduced-friction guide is configured to be the point of contact between the mid-roller and the track guide blocks.

Abstract: A grain cleaning system in a combine harvester including a frame, a chaffer sieve, and a lower sieve. A clean grain chute is located under the lower sieve to catch grain falling therefrom and is inclined to direct the caught grain to a clean grain trough. A tailings return chute is disposed under the clean grain chute and is configured to direct tailings to a tailings collection trough. A multi-configurable plate is mounted to the frame and positioned under a rear portion of the chaffer sieve. The plate is moveable between different operating positions. In a first operating position the plate is configured to guide material incident thereon to the tailings return chute. In a second operating position the plate is configured to guide material incident thereon to the clean grain chute.

Abstract: A combine harvester processing system comprises a rotor and a rotor cage encircling the rotor. The rotor cage comprises an arcuate section having an interior surface which includes a first vane and a second vane each disposed at an angle relative to a radial axis. The first vane is disposed forwardly of the second vane. The angle of the first vane is less than the angle of the second vane.

Abstract: An assembly includes first and second shafts and first and second sprockets. The first shaft has a first and second ends and a first longitudinal axis of rotation. The first sprocket is attached to the first shaft proximate the first end of the first shaft. The first sprocket rotates with the first shaft. The second shaft is spaced from the first shaft by a distance, the second shaft having a first end spaced from the first end of the first shaft by the distance, a second end spaced from the second end of the first shaft by the distance, and a second longitudinal axis of rotation substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis of rotation. The second sprocket is attached to the second shaft proximate the second end of the second shaft. The second sprocket rotates with the second shaft. The distance is adjustable.

Abstract: A windrower with a header has a conveying medium with first and second portions connected with a pivot joint and moveable across a plurality of rollers configured to receive crop material from the header and direct the crop material to a side of the windrower to form a windrow on the ground to the side of the windrower. In an operational position and with the frame selected to one of the predetermined angular adjustments, the conveying medium discharges the harvested crop material at an angle of trajectory determined by the selected angular positon of the second portion. The windrower harvests crop with the header, receives the mowed crop on the conveyor system, adjusts a rate at which the mowed crop is discharged from the conveyor system, and adjusts an angle of trajectory at which the mowed crop is discharged from the conveyor system.

Abstract: A combine harvester with a feeder house assembly, the assembly including a feeder house with an inlet end; a tilt frame surrounding the inlet end of the feeder house and in pivotal arrangement relative to the feeder house; a gearbox attached to the tilt frame; and a first dog clutch operably coupled to the gearbox.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle and method of controlling the same are provided, the vehicle having a motive power unit providing a driving torque to at least one driven wheel and having at least one tire or track frictionally coupled with the periphery of the driven wheel. A vehicle operating parameter is controlled in dependence on the driving torque and a slippage characteristic relating the respective driving torque at which the frictional coupling between driven wheel and tire or track begins to slip for a range of vehicle operating parameter values. The operating parameter is suitably a tire pressure or track tension, and the control may involve reducing driving torque or increasing pressure/tension to prevent slipping.