Abstract: A winged implement includes an hydraulic control circuit having two operator-controlled valves, including a work valve and a transport valve. Using only these controls, and without leaving the tractor cab, the operator can (1) fold the implement for transport; (2) unfold the wings; (3) place the implement in the field use position with substantial constant down pressure on the wings; and (4) raise the wings and center section to an intermediate position with the wings inclined upwardly for end row turns.

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 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 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.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes a tailings conveyor housing. The agricultural harvesting machine provides a cleaning device for cleaning threshed and separated grain. The tailings conveyor housing collects tailings from the cleaning device and propels the tailings with a first impeller against a first rethreshing member and radially to a second impeller. The second impeller propels the tailings against a second rethreshing member and radially to a conduit in the tailings conveyer housing, where the tailings are redirected back to the cleaning device and spread out over the cleaning device.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring at least one parameter of material and 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 planter/fertilizer assembly that can be configured to facilitate either rapid seeding/fertilizing or transport and including an implement bar mounted on a wheel supported carrier frame for rotation between a transport position where the implement bar is parallel to a transport direction and an operating position where the implement bar is perpendicular to the transport direction, row units mounted to the implement bar on a side opposite the wheels and including central units adjacent the wheels and lateral units disposed laterally of the wheels, lateral coulter/fertilizer units mounted to the lateral row units, a coulter bar mounted to an underside of the carrier frame on a side opposite the support wheels and a separate coulter/fertilizer unit mounted to the coulter bar and aligned with each of the central row units.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing an agricultural implement to a hitch receiving member of a vehicle including at least first, second and third tongue members where each tongue member forms a passageway and the members are arranged in a telescoping fashion where the second member is received within the first member passageway and the third member is received in the second member passageway, the apparatus also including at least first and second hydraulic cylinders for extending the second and third members from the first and second member passageways, respectively, wherein at least one of the cylinders is mounted externally of the members and the other cylinder may be mounted either internally or externally and including a single stage locking mechanism for locking stage members in each of the extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has sprung suspensions that can be locked to prevent vertical movement with respect to the chassis of the vehicle. The operator controls include a switch that the operator can manipulate to lock the suspensions on command. The switch is mounted on a joystick that is used to perform other vehicle functions such as moving the vehicle, raising loader arms, or tilting the bucket or other implement attached to the loader arms. The switch is located on the joystick such that the operator can manipulate the switch without having to remove his hands from the joystick.

Abstract: A lighting system for an off-road vehicle includes one or more exit lights that are activated upon operator demand and that are automatically deactivated a designated period of time after exit lights activation, thereby facilitating the operator's departure from the vehicle. The lighting system includes an electrical power source, at least one running light, at least one exit light, and a control system that is coupled to the power source and to the lights and that controls operation of the running light and the exit light. The control system includes a manually operated switch movable between (1) an OFF position in which neither the running light nor the exit light is coupled to the power source, (2) a running light activation position in which at least the running light is coupled to the power source, and (3) an exit light activation position.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for regulating pressure equalization in hydraulic mechanisms to suppress oscillation in heavy equipment. The system includes a first and second hydraulic lines, a crossover valve in communication with each of the first and second hydraulic lines, a timing system in communication with the crossover valve, and a motion detector in communication with a heavy equipment component. The motion detector senses a linkage motion and operatively opens the crossover valve, which remains open as directed by the timing system.

Abstract: A skid steer loader has a chassis with spring-loaded suspensions that are pivotally coupled to the chassis closer to the center of gravity than the wheels. The suspensions include fore-and-aft extending swing arms that pivot about a lateral axis with respect to the chassis. A torsion spring such as a torsion bar is coupled to the control arm to provide torsional support for the suspension. The torsion spring is anchored to the chassis nearer the center of gravity than the point where the swing arm is coupled to the chassis.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has sprung suspensions, variable displacement pumps and motors connected to those pumps that drive the wheels on the vehicle as well as an electronic controller that receives signals that indicate lateral acceleration of the skid steer vehicle during turns. The controller determines whether the lateral acceleration exceeds a predetermined value, and locks up the outboard suspensions if that value is exceeded. The signals can be provided by an accelerometer, a satellite receiver, wheel/motor speed sensors, sensors in the pumps that signal the specific displacement of the pumps (such as their swash plate position, or memory locations that contain previously calculated specific displacement commands that are used to drive the pumps to a particular displacement.

Abstract: The present disc opener assembly for a seed planter is for a single disc opener arrangement and is embodied in several embodiments. FIGS. 1 and 1a illustrate two embodiments of the present disc opener assembly the specifics of each will be described below. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 1a and 2, there is illustrated a disc opener assembly (10) mounted on a tool bar (7) connected to a work vehicle (5) for opening a seed trench (8) in the ground upon which the vehicle (5) moves. A main arm (12) is attached to the tool bar (7) with a disc (14) mounted for rotation on the main arm (12). A depth adjustment mechanism (40) is used to adjust the depth of the disc (14) in the seed trench (8) with a seed placement device (70) positioned in the seed trench (8) for depositing a seed (71) in the seed trench (8). The seed trench (8) having been opened by the disc (14) as the work vehicle (5) moves across the ground.

Abstract: The present disc opener assembly for a seed planter is for a single disc opener arrangement and is embodied in several embodiments. FIGS. 1 and 1a illustrate two embodiments of the present disc opener assembly the specifics of each will be described below. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 1a and 2, there is illustrated a disc opener assembly (10) mounted on a tool bar (7) connected to a work vehicle (5) for opening a seed trench (8) in the ground upon which the vehicle (5) moves. A main arm (12) is attached to the tool bar (7) with a disc (14) mounted for rotation on the main arm (12). A depth adjustment mechanism (40) is used to adjust the depth of the disc (14) in the seed trench (8) with a seed placement device (70) positioned in the seed trench (8) for depositing a seed (71) in the seed trench (8). The seed trench (8) having been opened by the disc (14) as the work vehicle (5) moves across the ground.

Abstract: A moistener supply system for a cotton picking machine including a cleaner injection system that supplies cleaner to the system from a location remote from a water tank or other source of water. The outlet of the cleaner injection system preferably is positioned at a location that assures good mixing of the cleaner with the water before the resultant moistener is dispensed onto the moistening pads. Cleaner flow rate preferably is slaved to the water flow rate in order to maintain a generally constant cleaner concentration in the moistener in the absent external intervention. The cleaner flow rate can also be adjusted independently of the water flow rate to vary the cleaner concentration to meet the needs of the prevailing operating conditions. The cleaner concentration adjustment may be effected manually, automatically, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A tine harrow assembly includes a frame member; a plurality of tines pivotally connected to the frame member to permit a rake angle adjustment of the tines. The tines are arranged in a plurality of transversely extending rows and an adjustment mechanism operably connects to the tines for effecting a change in the rake angle, where the adjustment mechanism includes a tine slide having a stop formed therein corresponding to each the transverse row of tines. The tine slide being movable relative to the frame to position the stops at one of multiple selected positions, the transverse rows of tines are pivotable against the corresponding stops to define a selected rake angle.

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: A mechanical overload member apparatus for use with a planter apparatus including a coulter bar and coulter/fertilizer units mounted thereto, the coulter bar pivotally mounted to the underside of a wheel supported carrier frame designed for transport in a transport direction where a hydraulic cylinder is linked between the frame and the bar for moving the bar between a ground clearing transport position and a ground engaging position where the frame, cylinder and frame form a linkage path, the overload member linked within the linkage path such that a draft force applied to the bar in a direction opposite the transport direction causes a secondary force on the member and, when the secondary force exceeds a threshold force, the overload member failing and thereby rendering the linkage path non-rigid.

Abstract: An elevated drawbar for a grain cart that can be attached to the rear end of an agricultural combine above the crop residue discharge opening. The elevated position of the grain cart drawbar allows the crop residue to be discharged under the drawbar. The crop residue can therefore travel unobstructed from the combine's discharge opening to the ground.