Abstract: A variable speed, reversible drive for rotating elements of a feeder and a header of an agricultural combine including a first rotatable power input, a second rotatable power input, and a planetary gear arrangement or set including a first rotatable input, a second rotatable input, and a rotatable output, the rotatable elements of the feeder and the header being connected to the rotatable output of the planetary gear arrangement for rotation thereby.

Abstract: A communications system for a work vehicle is shown for managing communications between control units which control various functions of the vehicle. The system includes a data bus supported by the vehicle for communicating messages between control units on the bus. Each control unit has a processor for controlling bi-directional communications with the other control units, including the transmission of first messages onto the data bus and reception of second messages from the bus. The processor of each control unit schedules the transmission of only a predefined number of the first messages on the bus during a predefined time period. This number of first messages is selected to insure that each control unit is able to transmit its scheduled messages within the time period.

Abstract: The transmission includes a planetary gear arrangement having a rotatable output, a first rotatable input connected to an output of a fluid motor, and a second rotatable input connected to a clutch or other device engageable or operable for connecting the second input to a rotatable mechanical power source. The transmission includes a fluid operated brake or other device engageable or operable when fluid therein is pressurized for connecting the second input of the gear arrangement to a fixed member for preventing rotation of the second input. When the transmission is placed or moved into a neutral operating state or condition, the fluid brake or other device is automatically engaged or operated to prevent rotation of the second input, and flow of pressurized fluid through the fluid motor is automatically prevented, such that driving rotation of the output of the transmission is prevented. Then, when the fluid brake or other device is depressurized, the transmission output can be manually rotated.

Abstract: An agricultural combine includes a rotor drive system to which sensors are coupled to signal the rotational speed of a hydraulic motor and an engine. An electronic controller that contains a mathematical model of the system reads the sensors and using the model estimates additional parameters of the system. The estimated parameters include a gearbox's gear ratio and a planetary ring gear's speed. These estimated parameters and the sensor readings are used in a PID feedback control loop to control the speed of a planetary ring gear by controlling the speed of a hydraulic motor driving the sun gear. In this manner, the controller can drive the ring gear to a predetermined speed that reduces the difference in the input and output speeds of a hydraulic clutch and thereby engage that clutch while reducing shock to the clutch and other mechanical components of the combine.

Abstract: An agricultural combine is provided that estimates a hydraulic pressure of a rotor drive system based upon the speeds of the pump (or engine) and motor that drive the rotor. The pressure is estimated by generating a pump displacement control signal in a convention feedback control algorithm and using that signal together with a sensed motor speed signal and a sensed pump speed (proportional to engine speed) to estimate the hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has a drive system that includes hydraulic motor coupled to a reduction gearbox. A driveshaft extends fore-and-aft from the gearbox and is coupled at each end to a combined housing including a reduction gear set and an axle. The axle extends laterally outward from the vehicle and a wheel is fixed to its outer end. There are two housings on either end of the driveshaft. There are two such drive systems on the vehicle, one on either side. Thus the vehicle has two separate drive systems, each capable of independently driving two wheels on opposing sides of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a planting assembly including a first mounting member having first and second horizontally separated ends, the apparatus comprising first and second rigid support members that extend in the same direction from and substantially perpendicular to the first and second ends of the mounting member and that form first and second support surfaces, respectively, a hopper including first and second lower wall members that together define an upwardly facing cavity and form first and second downward and oppositely facing external surfaces, respectively, the external surfaces sloping downward toward a hopper opening along first and second trajectories, respectively, the hopper positioned on the support members such that the first and second external surfaces are received on the first and second support surfaces, respectively, the first external surface forming a first hopper coupler having an engaging length dimension along the first trajectory and a first locking member having a first

Abstract: A skid steer loader has a chassis having front and rear ends, and an engine mounted to the rear end of the chassis. There are four suspensions pivotally coupled to the chassis to pivot with respect to the chassis. Two of the suspensions are extended laterally outward from the left side of the chassis and the other two suspensions are extended laterally outward from the right side of the chassis. Wheels on the suspensions are driven by drive shafts extending from a longitudinal splitter box that, in turn, are coupled to two hydraulic motors.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has a drive system that includes hydraulic motor coupled to a speed-reduction gearbox. One or more drive shafts extend fore-and-aft from the gearbox and are coupled at each end to two axle housings. Each axle housing includes two reduction gear sets and an axle. Each of the axles extends outward from the vehicle and a wheel is fixed to its outer end. A spur gear on a parallel shaft inside the axle housing engages a spur gear on the axle and drives it to provide one gear reduction. A bevel gear in the axle housing engages a bevel gear on the parallel shaft to provide another gear reduction. The vehicle has a drive system located on each side of the vehicle to collectively drive four wheels.

Abstract: A method for retrofitting a swing damping circuit to a work vehicle such as a backhoe includes disconnecting a boom swing valve from a boom swing cylinder, and coupling the swing damping circuit to the boom swing valve. Alternatively, it may include replacing a boom swing valve with a combined boom swing valve and swing damping circuit that form a unitary valve body.

Abstract: A welded cylinder is provided wherein a seal (such as an O-ring seal or a cured anaerobic sealant) is disposed between the tube of a cylinder and its welded end plug. The seal is spaced away from the circumferential weld that joins the end plug to the cylinder to reduce the hoop stress in the tube adjacent the weld, thereby reducing the tensile stress at the weld joint.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle includes a chassis mounted on four sprung suspensions that are controlled by an electronic controller. The controller monitors the speed of the vehicle and locks the suspensions when the vehicle falls below a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has a sprung suspension system including four wheels mounted on four swing arms that are pivotally coupled to the chassis of the vehicle. An electronic controller is connected both to position sensors coupled to the swing arms to sense the position of the swing arms and wheels with respect to the chassis and also to hydraulic cylinders that control the position of the swing arms and wheels. The electronic controller determines the average position of each suspension and controls the flow of fluid to the cylinders to keep the swing arms and wheels at their proper target height when vehicle load changes.

Abstract: A grain module for an agricultural combine. The module includes a longitudinally elongated grain tank. An endless conveyor conduit receives grain from the combine's grain tank and selectively feeds it into the module grain tank or removes it from the module grain tank. The module may comprise the rear section of an articulated combine vehicle wherein the front section contains grain threshing and separating systems.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has a drive system that includes hydraulic motor coupled to a speed-reduction gearbox. One or more drive shafts extend fore-and-aft from the gearbox and are coupled at each end to two axle housings. Each axle housing includes two reduction gear sets and an axle. Each of the axles extends outward from the vehicle and a wheel is fixed to its outer end. A spur gear on a parallel shaft inside the axle housing engages a spur gear on the axle and drives it to provide one gear reduction. A bevel gear in the axle housing engages a bevel gear on the parallel shaft to provide another gear reduction. The vehicle has a drive system located on each side of the vehicle to collectively drive four wheels.

Abstract: A hydraulic leakage rate testing device for testing hydraulic components has two circuits, 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 provided through the leakage circuit.

Abstract: A system for calibrating the fill times of clutches using a pressure transducer service tool includes attaching the tool to an electronic controller on the vehicle and the a clutch hydraulic fluid line, signaling the controller to calibrate the clutch, then removing the service tool. The tool is sequentially moved from one clutch hydraulic line to another to calibrate several clutches. A single service tool with several transducers and a means of switching between them may also be used. The process is automated and the controller signals the user when to make the various connections. The operator then signals the controller when the connections have been made and calibration commences automatically.

Abstract: A particulate distribution system for transporting seed or other particulate from a source into a plurality of metering bins, the system including a manifold duct that begins and ends at the source and an air delivery system mounted to the duct to transport particulate there through and a plurality of particulate flow diverting structures that extend from the manifold into each metering bin, whereby each metering bin is filled in accordance with the flow of air available thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a planting assembly including a mounting member and comprising a hopper including first and second wall members that form first and second hopper external surfaces wherein first and second forces applied perpendicular to the first and second surfaces include at least components along first and second opposing trajectories, respectively, a first elongated bearing member rigidly linked to the mounting member and forming a first bearing surface that applies a first applied force to the first hopper surface wherein the first applied force includes at least a first compressing component along the first trajectory, a second elongated bearing member forming a second bearing surface and having a first end and a retainer linked to the first end of the second bearing member and rigidly linking the second bearing member to the mounting member in any of several different positions relative to the first bearing member so that the second bearing surface applies a second applied force to the second

Abstract: A particulate distribution system for transporting seed or other particulate from a source into a plurality of metering bins, the system including a forced air source, a converter for splitting air form the source into separate flows in converter outlet lines, venturis for receiving the air flows and entraining particulate from a main hopper therein and a manifold delivery system that directs the entrained particulates to mini-hoppers and that opens at an outlet end back into the main hopper.