Abstract: A windrow gathering machine including a main frame, first and second combined pickup and conveyor units pivotally mounted on skewed axes on opposite sides of the main frame, for movement between substantially horizontal operating positions and inclined vertical stowed positions, first motors for driving the conveyors in the same and opposite directions, second motors for moving the combined pickup and conveyor units between the operating and stowed positions, third motors for moving the combined pickup and conveyor units transversely of the main frame, and mountings for moving only the conveyors relative to each other and relative to the pickups of the combined pickup and conveyor units.

Abstract: A system for threshing podded produce such as peas and beans, which may be harvested with their vine attached. A horizontal, cylindrical, rotating screen encloses a main beater having numerous paddles of height about one-twelfth the beater diameter. Paddles are pitched at an angle of about 25 degrees to a plane including the axis of the main beater and are also raked backwards by about 15 degrees from radial. A counter-rotating first satellite beater disposed above the main beater collects produce which has been macerated between the main beater and the screen and cooperates with the main beater, the linear tip speeds of the paddles and blades of both beaters being identical, to discharge a radially narrow, high-speed stream of macerated material across the interior of the cylindrical screen against a first sieving region of the screen above a second satellite beater.

Abstract: A system for processing freshly picked ears of sweet corn in the field. In the preferred embodiment, a portable, towable processing machine having an on-board hydraulic power system includes a hopper for receiving whole ears, a husking bed for removing the husks, a bucket elevator for raising the husked ears to an upper level, a plurality of kernel cutting machines for cutting kernels from the ears, scalping beds for separating cut kernels from cutting debris, and a hopper for receiving and storing the cut corn and for delivering it to another vehicle or receptacle. The ears and kernels are moved through the machine by an integrated system of conveyors and bucket elevators. The conveyors and the cutting machines are so arranged that a stream of ears is recirculated past entrances to the machines, which are arranged in parallel flow so that any ear may be presented for kernel removal to any cutting machine. Ears enter the first available cutting machine they encounter.

Abstract: A latch (48) for securing a pivotable portion (34) of a foldable corn head (10) to a fixed portion (32) thereof, the latch being actuated to close or open by the folding action of the corn head portions. In closing the latch, a slidable pin actuator (50) on one of the frame portions, which extends beyond the frame is engaged by the other frame portion. The motion of the pin rotates a crank (56) connected by a connecting link (64 to a rotatable overcenter catch (62) extending through a slot (69) in the other frame portion. The crank rotation causes the catch to rotate to engage and secure the other frame portion on its rear surface (70). Opening of the latch is the reverse of closing. Preferably, the lengths of the crank arms (58 & 60), connecting link, catch shaft (67), and the angles therebetween are selected such that the motion of the catch mimics in synchrony the motion of the pin.

Abstract: Parallelogram linkage apparatus for slidably shifting stripper plates in a corn head of a corn harvesting machine to widen or narrow the gap between opposed plates in a row harvester. Each slidable stripper plate has a parallelogram linkage which slidably connects the plate to a supporting frame. The linkage includes two bell cranks pivotably mounted in spaced apart relationship on the frame and connected by an interconnecting arm and having an actuation shaft extending upward from a lobe of each bell crank to engage motion-transforming members at the stripper plate for transforming the arcuate motion of the bell cranks into linear motion of the stripper plate. The upper ends of the actuation shafts are guided in guide elements at the stripper plate elongated in the direction parallel to an edge of the stripper plate.

Abstract: A foldable corn head having separable, matable auger sections which are cantilever suspended from the ends thereof to provide an obstruction-free path for harvested ears of corn being transported by the auger. Outer sections of the corn head are foldable vertically about horizontal hinges to reduce the width of the head for over-the-road travel. Stub auger sections are cantilever mounted from end plates in the pivotable outer corn head sections, at least one of the stub sections being driven by an actuator, such as a hydraulic motor means. The stub sections are provided with coupling elements at their inner ends which are matable with coupling elements in the ends of the main auger section. The elements have non-symmetrically disposed mating pins and bores to form the couplings and to align the ends of the helical auger flanges.

Abstract: An articulated tracked vehicle for agricultural harvesting which reduces damage to fields and can be driven on paved roads at reasonable speeds. The vehicle has front and rear elements, linked by an articulating joint which permits turning and rotation of one element with respect to the other. Each element is motivated by a pair of tracked power units which are hydraulically driven by a heavy duty differential between the units. Each power unit is rotatably mounted solely on a shaft sleeve of the differential and is free to oscillate vertically and independently to absorb irregularities in its path. Each unit includes an endless elastomeric track which has two rows of lugs on its inner surface. A novel drive mechanism engages these lugs to motivate the vehicle. A sealed transmission housing in each power unit protects key drive elements from environmental damage without interfering with operation of the unit.

Abstract: An articulated tracked vehicle for agricultural harvesting which reduces damage to fields and can be driven on paved roads at reasonable speeds. The vehicle has front and rear elements, linked by an articulating joint which permits turning and rotation of one element with respect to the other. Each element is motivated by a pair of tracked power units which are hydraulically driven by a heavy duty differential between the units. Each power unit is rotatably mounted solely on a shaft sleeve of the differential and is free to oscillate vertically and independently to absorb irregularities in its path. Each unit includes an endless elastomeric track which has two rows of lugs on its inner surface. A novel drive mechanism engages these lugs to motivate the vehicle. A sealed transmission housing in each power unit protects key drive elements from environmental damage without interfering with operation of the unit.

Abstract: A corn harvesting system integrates automatic separation and removal of ears of corn from a plurality of rows of corn plants (the stalks thereof), the husking of the ears, the cutting or the kernels and the deposit thereof into a container from which the kernels can be removed for canning or other processing. A tracked vehicle has a structure on which mechanisms for corn ear from stalk separation (picking), husking, kernel cutting and conveying ears between the picking, husking, cutting and a cut kernel container are arranged on two levels or stories and is of height, length and width so as to be capable of being self-propelled through the fields and carried on a flat bed truck or trailer between fields on roads without special permits or routing to make bridge and tunnel clearances. The system has mechanisms for the ejection of stalks, husks and cobs directly on the field.

Abstract: A harvester especially adapted for removing ears of sweet corn from stalks which are severed and enter the harvester, rather than being ejected by the snapping rolls of a primary ear stripping mechanism of the harvester, uses stalk engaging belts which bring the severed stalks into stalk ejecting rolls. Ahead of the rolls are stripping rods which engage the ears at their shanks and peel the ears off the stalks as the stalks are pulled outwardly out of the harvester by the ejecting rolls.

Abstract: An improved Corn Ear Cutter reduces kernel damage through the use of a cushion in the form of a strip of cushioning material, preferably urethane having a hardness in the range from about 50 to 60 Shore A, which is removably installed on the stripper plates by channels which are mounted on the plates and receive the strips by sliding them into the channel. The strips support the ears of corn at the moment they are cut from the stalk and then propelled along the gap by lugs extending from gathering belts.