Abstract: In one embodiment, a towed implement proximity system, the system comprising: a first device comprising a transceiver, the first device configured to: transmit a signal; receive a first signal at a first angle and a second signal at a second angle responsive to the transmitted signal, the first and second signals comprising first information and second information, respectively, the first and second information each corresponding to respective positional information; and a controller coupled to the first device, the controller configured to determine a relative position in three axes between a first machine and a second machine based on the first and second information.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with an adapter, a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a fore-and-aft draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine. The fore-and-aft draper includes a draper frame swingably supported on the header frame at a pivot to project forwardly therefrom and a draper belt supported on the draper frame to present a rearwardly moving run for conveying the crop rearwardly.

Abstract: A furrow closing apparatus is used with a planter that opens a furrow and deposits seeds as the planter moves in a forward direction over the ground. The furrow closing apparatus includes a frame attached to the planter and first and second closing wheels rotatably mounted on respective first and second closing wheel axles. A pivot axle extends from the frame generally transverse to the direction of travel of the planter and an equalizer bracket pivotably connected to the pivot axle. The equalizer bracket receives the first closing wheel axle in a position aft of the pivot axle and receives the second closing wheel axle in a position forward of the pivot axle such that the equalizer bracket pivots as the closing wheels traverse uneven ground to cause the first closing wheel and the second closing wheel to apply a substantially equal force in closing the furrow.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a stuffer system for a baler, the stuffer system comprising: a pre-compression chamber used to transport crop material to a plunger; and plural stuffer arms having coupled to the plural stuffer arms a retractable fork, each of the plural stuffer arms pivotable about an axis and driven in a clockwise and counterclockwise shared path by a first motive apparatus, the fork driven by a second motive apparatus, the fork and stuffer arm independently controlled, wherein the first and second motive apparatuses cause the plural stuffer arms and the fork, upon engagement, to advance plural crop material charges along the pre-compression chamber before delivering the plural charges to the plunger.

Abstract: A seeder implement (125) includes a fork (146) having a first spindle support arm (150) that supports a first spindle (164) and a second spindle support arm (152) that supports a second spindle (168). A first disk (160) is supported on the first spindle (164), wherein the first spindle (164) is oriented in a first orientation and at a first acute angle relative to a lateral line. The first disk (160) is oriented at a second acute angle relative to the ground surface. A second disk (166) is supported on the second spindle (168), wherein the second spindle (168) is oriented in a second orientation and at a third acute angle relative to the lateral line. The second disk (166) is oriented at a fourth acute angle relative to the ground surface. The first disk (160) is longitudinally offset ahead of the second disk (166), and there are no structural components between the first and second disks (160, 166) other than the first and second spindles (164, 168).

Abstract: An intelligent stuffer trip mechanism is configured to detect a characteristic of a charge within a stuffer chute and actuate the stuffer in response to the characteristic. A user interface may receive desired characteristics of a charge from a user, a sensor may be used to detect characteristics of a charge in a stuffer chute and a controller configured to actuate the stuffer in accordance with a predetermined scheme and the detected characteristics of the charge.

Abstract: A combine harvester has a suspension axle assembly supporting the rear end of the chassis of the harvester. Side frames of the chassis direct loading down to a transverse axle through a pair of suspension devices interposed between the side frames and the axle. The suspension devices are resilient and expandable to cushion the chassis and to provide changes in the fore-and-aft attitude of the combine. The suspension devices may be independently operated to tilt the axle relative to the chassis, and provision is made for shifting the axle longitudinally, side-to-side of the chassis to facilitate turning of the steerable rear ground wheels.

Abstract: A tractor (10) comprising a power takeoff stub (20) which is drivingly connected to an engine (12) by a driveline (14) is provided. A power takeoff clutch (16) is provided in the driveline for selectively powering the power takeoff stub. A first hydraulic pump (26) is drivingly connected to the driveline between the engine and the power takeoff clutch, while a hydraulic pump/motor (30) is drivingly connected to the driveline between the power takeoff clutch and the power takeoff stub. The pump/motor can operate as a pump driven by the connection to the driveline so as to deliver an additional hydraulic output (B) when required for high capacity implements for example. The PTO clutch (16) can be employed to selectively control operation of the pump/motor. Alternatively, the pump/motor can serve as a motor driven by a hydraulic connection (35) to the first hydraulic pump. In combination with disengagement of the PTO clutch, the pump/motor can provide a hydrostatic drive for the PTO stub.

Abstract: A shaft shielding assembly (26) comprising first and second telescopic sleeve members (31, 32) is provided. The sleeve members are each disposed around, and shield a portion of a rotatable shaft (22). Mutually cooperating guide means, such as an array of grooves and ridges (33, 34), are provided on the sleeve members and which forcibly reduce longitudinal overlap therebetween when rotated with respect to one another so as to extend the shielded region of the shaft.

Abstract: A combine harvester (10) comprises separating apparatus (32,36) arranged to receive a threshed crop stream and convey in a rearward direction. The separating apparatus comprises a grate (42) for allowing grain and chaff to fall under gravity onto an underlying separator pan (44), the separator pan being driven in an oscillating manner to convey a grain/chaff stream forwardly for delivery to a cleaning unit. The separator pan comprises a first portion (44R) suspended from a combine frame by front and rear suspension means (72,70), and a second portion (44F) disposed forwardly of the first portion and pivotally mounted at the forward end.

Abstract: A height adjuster may be provided. The height adjuster may comprise a hydraulic lift cylinder and a ram configured to receive the hydraulic lift cylinder. The height adjuster may further comprise a wheel motor housing connected to a lower end of the ram. A lower end of the hydraulic lift cylinder may be connected to the wheel housing. In addition, the height adjuster may comprise a king-pin configured to receive the ram.

Abstract: A door latch mechanism (10) comprises a pin (11) having an elongate axis, and releasable jaw means (12) comprising a pair of jaw elements (18) which engage the pin therebetween to latch a door (16) in a closed position to a door frame (14). The pin is mounted on the door or the door frame with biasing means, such as a pair of springs, so as to allow the pin to move substantially linearly in a direction perpendicular to the elongate axis of the pin and substantially parallel to the plane of the door when in the closed position. The movement of the pin (11) allowed by the biasing means caters for any vertical displacement of the door caused by worn hinges for example without any forced distortion of the door. The invention is of particular benefit to doors having no frame and which are susceptible to flexing and come with the associated risk of structural failure.

Abstract: A mount for supporting plumbing conduits on an agricultural sprayer includes a mounting base mountable on the boom arm at its proximal end and having a platform portion extending to a distal end. The platform portion has front and rear faces, and opposing side faces, the front face forming a base interface having a center groove running between two tracks. The tracks run from the distal end to a primary stop. One of the tracks has a secondary stop formed thereon located between the primary stop and the distal end of the mounting base. The plumbing mount also has at least one conduit bracket having a conduit retaining portion and a bracket interface configured to lock with the base interface. The bracket interface has a center tongue with skids on opposing sides. The conduit bracket is configured to engage the mounting base by interlocking the center tongue and center groove.

Abstract: A harvesting header and feederhouse for use with a crop harvesting machine has a feederhouse interface at a distal end of the feederhouse and a header frame providing structural support for the harvesting header. The header frame has a top beam, a bottom beam, and first and second vertical main structures connecting the top and bottom beams. The feederhouse interface and the vertical main structures of the header frame are pivotably connected to enable the header frame to pivot with respect to the feederhouse interface.

Abstract: A combine harvester has a threshing mechanism for threshing grain and cleaning apparatus for removing chaff from the threshed grain. The threshing mechanism includes a plurality of concaves and the cleaning apparatus includes and upper chaffer and a lower sieve. The combine harvester also has a blower having a rotating impeller and a blower housing. The blower housing has a first duct that directs a first airstream onto the upper chaffer and lower sieve, and a second duct that directs a second airstream along the underside of the concaves. An inlet to the second duct has a cross-sectional area that is larger than the cross-sectional area of an outlet of the second duct. The blower has a divider plate that separates high-velocity air from the impeller and directs the high-velocity air to either the first duct or the second duct.

Abstract: A sensor detects a characteristic of accumulated crop material and a controller manipulates the speed of a baling chamber in response thereto. 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: A bracket for supporting conduits on a boom arm has a variable-diameter conduit retaining portion having a flexible tie strap and a saddle with a strap-receiving channel formed therein. The saddle has a plurality of paths for the tie strap. A large diameter path is provided by having the tie strap pass through the upper opening into the channel, out through the first cavity so that the tie strap passes on a conduit-facing side of the vertex of the saddle, back into the channel through the second cavity, and out through the lower opening. A medium diameter path is provided by having the tie strap pass through the upper opening, through the channel and through the lower opening. A small diameter is path provided by having the tie strap pass through the first cavity into the channel and through the second cavity.

Abstract: A control system for a tractor (10) fitted with two or more axles (21, 22) which carry wheels (13, 14) having pneumatic tyres and which is set up to pull an implement or trailer. The system having a display means (28) for displaying to a tractor operator tractor performance parameters and has sensors to determine the current pull force (F) applied to the implement or trailer, the current wheel load and the current tractor ground speed (V). The system also has a control unit which determines and advises the tractor operator via the display means (28) as to the optimum weight of the tractor (10) using a predetermined relationship between pull force (F) and tractor weight and also the required load on each axle (21, 22) to achieve a predetermined optimum axle load ratio. The system also advises via the display means (28) the appropriate tyre pressure for the current wheel load and tractor ground speed (V) using a look-up table.

Abstract: A combine harvester has a thresher rotor assembly having a thresher rotor and a grate. At least one distribution device is disposed beneath the thresher rotor and is controllable to deflect grain falling from the thresher rotor assembly in a transverse direction. The distribution device may take the form of stub augers, pivoting plates or sliding plates. A cleaning shoe has a pan upon which grain falling from the thresher rotor assembly impacts. Plural sensors are disposed adjacent the pan and are each arranged to generate a signal indicative of crop load on the pan, wherein the distribution device is controlled automatically in response to the generated load signals.

Abstract: A harvesting header and feederhouse for use with a crop harvesting machine has a feederhouse interface at a distal end of the feederhouse and a header frame. The header frame has a top beam, a bottom beam, and first and second vertical main structures connecting the top and bottom beams. The feederhouse interface and the vertical main structures of the header frame are pivotably connected to enable the header frame to pivot with respect to the feederhouse interface. At least one hydraulic ram connects between the feederhouse interface and the header frame to pivot the harvesting header on the feederhouse to a desired fore/aft pitch angle. A hydraulic supply provides hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic ram. Front and rear ground sensors provide an output that is used to control the fore/aft pitch angle of the harvesting header relative the ground by pivoting the header frame relative the feederhouse interface.