Abstract: A transmission for use with a power source and a load includes a primary sun gear adapted to be coupled to the power source, a hydrostatic power unit including a pump coupled to a motor, a ring gear driven by the motor, a secondary sun gear coupled to a first output shaft, a compound planetary gear carrier coupled to a second output shaft and a compound planetary gear carried by the compound planetary gear carrier and in engagement with the ring gear and the secondary sun gear. The first output shaft and the second output shaft are adapted to be selectively coupled to the load.

Abstract: A method of automatically setting an auxiliary hydraulic valve's flow rate and returning to that flow rate automatically is disclosed. The work vehicle such as a backhoe has two hand controls, one of which has a button, and the other has a thumb wheel. To set the hydraulic flow rate, one both presses the button one hand control and moves the thumb wheel on the other hand control until the proper flow rate is reached. At this point, both button and thumb wheel are released. This causes the flow rate to be saved in RAM or ROM memory. The flow rate can be varied at any time by rolling the thumb wheel up or down. One can return to the previously save flow rate by pressing the button. Both controls are preferably spring loaded.

Abstract: Rotary accelerating apparatus for a crop residue spreader of an agricultural combine, including blades mounted to a rotatable hub for rotation therewith, each of the blades having a surface oriented to face in the direction of rotation, the surface having opposite, spaced axial edges, and a mounting portion disposed intermediate the edges, and arms connected to and extending between the blades and the hub, each of the blades having first and second surface portions disposed primarily for contacting different flows of crop residue emanating from different locations for integrating, accelerating and discharging the flows for dispersal over an agricultural field, the mounting location of the blades, and the relative shapes and sizes of the portions thereof providing advantageous load distribution and transfer characteristics.

Abstract: A lift structure for a work vehicle including a pair of lift arms arranged on opposite sides of the work vehicle, each lift arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the work vehicle and a second end for coupling to a tool. Each lift arm includes a first side plate member, a second side plate member, an elongated top tubular member and a bottom member. Each side plate member has a plurality of pivot orifices including at least one pivot orifice near each end of the side plate members and at least one intermediate pivot orifice located between each end of the side plate members. The elongated top tubular member is attached between each of the parallel side plate members at the top edge so as to connect to each side plate member. A bottom member is positioned in a spaced relationship from the top member between each side member and is connected to each side member. The top tubular member provides additional strength to the side plate members to resist bending and torque loads.

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 computer calibration method and apparatus for calibrating one or more auxiliary hydraulic valves on a work vehicle includes the steps of selecting a first auxiliary hydraulic valve, applying a valve opening signal to that valve, measuring a pressure in a flow restricted signal circuit coupled to the valve, comparing the first pressure with a predetermined pressure to see if the valve is cracked open and if the valve is not cracked open, incrementing the signal to a second level and repeating the foregoing steps until the first valve cracks open. The final step is saving a value indicative of the signal at which the valve just cracked open.

Abstract: A method for determining whether vehicle servicing or maintenance is required is disclosed. Vehicle information is downloaded to a remote maintenance computer via a wireless link. The information includes sensor data such as temperatures and pressures of fluid in the vehicle. The remote computer analyzes this information and determines what, if any maintenance is required. Once the maintenance is determined, the maintenance computer determines who should perform the maintenance, what supplies are required and when and where the maintenance should occur. The system is configured to schedule such maintenance for several different vehicles based on the information it has downloaded from those vehicles. the type of maintenance needed to determine the maintenance personnel, the parts and supplies, and the maintenance sites are available.

Abstract: A planter apparatus includes a seed meter including a housing assembly with a cover releasably connected to a shell. The housing assembly includes at least one opening formed therein adjacent a seed discharge area to promote the release of seeds from a disc rotatably attached to the housing assembly. The disc divides an interior of the housing assembly to include a vacuum chamber and a seed chamber. The disc including a plurality of openings formed adjacent a periphery of the disc. The planter apparatus may also include a singulator assembly having rotatably spools, a rotatable chute door, a disc having clusters of openings for simultaneous release, and a one-piece baffle.

Abstract: An automatic spring-reset shank for agricultural use has a high retaining force and an improved trip clearance. The field use position of the shank is defined by a saddle in the mount weldment. The raised position of the shank is defined by the upper edge of a slot in a vertical guide plate for the shank assembly, located in the mounting weldment. The shank assembly pivots about a location which is below and forward of the transverse frame member or toolbar to which it is mounted. The action line of the spring is located at an angle of approximately 65° above the horizontal, and it is inclined rearwardly and upwardly, never crossing the horizontal axis (i.e., center) of the main pivot.

Abstract: A continuously variable hydro-mechanical transmission. The transmission includes a transmission housing and a hydrostatic power unit associated with the housing. The hydrostatic power unit includes a pump coupled to a motor with the hydrostatic power unit coupled to a first input shaft and a first output shaft. The hydrostatic power unit is selectively coupled to a synchronous lockup clutch with the first output shaft, wherein a hydrostatic input speed range is selected. A compound planetary gear unit is mounted in the housing with the compound planetary gear unit including a second input shaft, a third input shaft, a fourth input shaft and a second output shaft. The compound planetary gear unit is selectively coupled to the load, selectively coupled to the hydrostatic power unit and coupled to the power source.

Abstract: A shim for use in combination with a pin and fastener assembly, the pin having a shank portion with an outer diameter and a shoulder on an end of the shank portion, the shoulder defining a reduced diameter portion having threads, the fastener adapted for engagement with the threads on the reduced diameter portion, the shim includes at least one annular member having an inner diameter and an outer diameter with a flat portion at the inner diameter and a cupped portion at the outer diameter, the inner diameter adapted to fit over the outer diameter of the shank portion of the pin, the cupped portion receiving the fastener when the fastener is engaged with the threads on the reduced diameter portion of the pin so as to restrict radial movement of the shim as the fastener is threaded into abutting contact with the shoulder on the pin.

Abstract: A method of individually adjusting auxiliary hydraulic valves for work vehicles is provided such that they provide different maximum flow rates for opposite flow directions through the valve. The valve is controlled by a flow rate control for setting a maximum flow rate and is also controlled by a proportional control input device having one range of positions for providing a corresponding first range of flow rates in the one direction, a central position for providing substantially no flow, and another range of positions for providing a corresponding second range of flow rates in the other direction.

Abstract: A disc gang is provided that is suitable for use as part of a multifunctional seedbed preparation implement or in a standalone disc harrow. The disc gang is configured to permit a gang angle of the disc gang to be adjusted to accommodate differing soil conditions and/or to obtain different tillage characteristics. The disc gang may include a frame mounted on a mainframe of a primary tillage implement such as a cultivator. The frame includes a main beam mounted on the implement's mainframe and a disc support beam connected to the main beam and supporting a plurality of rotating discs. The gang angle can be infinitely adjusted through a designated range by pivoting one end of the disc gang about a vertical pivot axis while permitting another end portion of the disc gang to slide along a support surface for that end.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a plurality of clutches in a powershift transmission. The transmission is coupled to an engine of an off-road vehicle. The method includes receiving a shift command having a shift direction. Clutch timing is selected based on the shift direction. Using the selected shift timing, on-coming clutches are engaged in sequence with disengagement of off-going clutches to achieve smooth shifting.

Abstract: A foldable chaff pan for attachment to an oscillating element of a cleaning apparatus or system of an agricultural combine for oscillation therewith for conveying chaff from the oscillating element to a non-oscillating chopper or spreader mounted to a fixed frame of the combine. The chaff pan is also sidewardly tiltable with the cleaning apparatus or system, if so capable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring at least one parameter of material are disclosed herein. The method includes generating multiple frequency signals having frequencies selectable by control signals, combining the multiple frequency signals into a combined frequency signal having multiple frequency components, and applying the combined frequency signal as an excitation signal to a sensing element. The frequency response of the material is determined at each of the multiple frequencies using output signals from the sensing element, and a frequency analysis is performed to determine the parameters of the material. The sensing element may include a capaciflector sensor located non-intrusively along the surface of a conveyor. However, other sensing elements such as capacitive, resistive and inductive elements may be used. The parameters being measured may include mass flow rate and moisture content.

Abstract: A control handle pivot apparatus includes a pair of control handles movable toward and away from each other. A lap bar is movable between a raised position, spaced above the control handles, and a lowered position adjacent the handles. A linkage assembly interconnects the lap bar and the control handles. The linkage assembly is connected to move the handles away from each other in response to the lap bar being moved to the raised position, and is connected to move the control handles toward each other in response to the lap bar being moved to the lowered in-use position.

Abstract: A crop residue spreader for an agricultural combine including a unique support element which is an elongate tube, including a center portion and a pair of legs extending outwardly in opposite directions from the center portion, each of the legs including an end portion opposite the center portion and an intermediate portion. The end portions include pivot elements coaxially aligned about a pivotal axis for pivotal connection to a rear end of the combine for movement between spreading and non-spreading positions. The intermediate portions include mounting elements for supporting rotatable crop accelerators in side-by-side relation, and the center portion includes at least one mount for mounting a pair of crop residue deflectors in cantilever relation to the tube and extending partially around the crop residue accelerators, respectively. The tube can also include mounts or supports for holding a shield in desired relation to the crop residue accelerators.

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: 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.