Abstract: An improved net cutting assembly that may be used with an agricultural baler net wrapping system. More particularly, an up-cut net knife for improved cutting of wrapping material (e.g., a net) used to wrap bales of crop material in an agricultural baler. The up-cut net knife assembly improves net cutting performance by providing an up-cut net knife that moves in the same direction as the net whereby the motion of the net helps the knife get into the cut position. Further, embodiments of the up-cut knife assembly move the up-cut knife cutting edge at substantially the same speed and in the same direction as the net to be cut. This motion of the up-cut knife allows the up-cut knife to be lifted up into the net motion using a driver and then to continue on with no relative motion—or at least minimal relative motion of the knife to the net—until the knife gets into the cut position. In the cut position, the knife stops and the net is pulled against the knife blade resulting in cutting the net.

Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle includes a vehicle body having longitudinally extending sides. An enclosed engine compartment is configured within the vehicle body. An air inlet is defined in side of the vehicle body for intake of air into the engine compartment. A grain bin forward of the engine compartment includes a grain bin extension skirt mounted above the grain bin. An intake housing is mounted over the air inlet in the vehicle body side and includes a forwardly extending portion mounted alongside the grain bin extension with an inlet opening oriented so as draw air primarily from an area forward of the engine compartment and above the vehicle body.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a chassis, an operator station, and a steering column. The operator station is carried by the chassis and includes a floor. The steering column is mounted to and extends upward from the floor. The steering column includes a pair of opposite sides and a pair of foot rests, with each foot rest extending laterally outward from a respective side. The position of the foot rests is preferably adjustable.

Abstract: A combine harvester that employs a sieve assembly having a frame structure with movement that facilitates pressurizing an air supply connected thereto. Various aspects of the subject disclosure provide for sieve elements having internal air passages that are supported in the frame structure. A plurality of pressurized air ports are disposed along the frame structure or sieve elements and are oriented at an angle so as to direct pressurized air upwardly through the sieve elements. The pressurized air supply is in communication with the air ports.

Abstract: An auger assembly for a combine harvester includes an auger trough having side walls with a length so as to extend laterally between opposed side sheets. Guide tracks are configured along bottom edges of the side walls. A flexible bottom cover member is slidably engaged within the guide tracks. The cover member is removably attached to the side walls by being slid into and out of the guide tracks from a longitudinal end of the side walls outboard of the side sheets for an auger clean-out procedure.

Abstract: An agricultural baler comprising a controller, sensor and an actuator connected such that in a first position of a bale chute upon sensing of the movement of a completed bale ready to be lowered by the sensor a signal indicative of said movement is fed to the controller by the sensor upon which the controller controls an actuator such that the bale chute is pivoted to the second position which is sufficiently inclined to the horizontal such that the trailing end is sufficiently lowered to prevent a completed bale from toppling or being damaged, wherein the controller is configured to control the actuator such that the bale chute is pivoted from the first position to the second position after receiving the signal indicative of movement from the sensor.

Abstract: A chopper knife for an agricultural machine has a plate-shaped blade having a front region and a rear region. The blade is confined in transversal direction by longitudinal edges. The front region comprises at least one elongate cutting edge provided with a coating extending along a surface of the blade over a width perpendicular to a longitudinal edge. The width of the coating decreases in a direction from the front region towards the rear region of the blade.

Abstract: A wireless communication system for agricultural vehicles, in which each vehicle has a global positioning system (GPS), a multi-channel transmitter/receiver module having a limited communication range, and a signal processor connected to the transmitter/receiver module. The transmitter is controlled by the signal processor to transmit on a predetermined communication channel a signal comprising a unique vehicle identifier and a signal indicating the current positional coordinates of the vehicle. The signal processor also analyzes the signals received from other vehicles within the communication range and determines from the identifier and the positional coordinates data when another vehicle is ready to perform a joint operation with the vehicle. Prior to initiation of a joint operation, the communication system is switched to a different communication channel.

Abstract: A PTO transmission system in a vehicle for transmitting power to a PTO shaft driving an implement comprises a planetary drive unit having first and second input and output coupled to the PTO shaft. The first and second input are coupled to an output shaft of the vehicle engine and to an output shaft of a drive motor, respectively. A control system controls the transfer of power from a power source to the drive motor. The power source is a variable power generating source driven by the PTO shaft. The drive motor is configured and adapted to decrease or increase the rotational speed of the output of the planetary drive unit on an increase or decrease of the power transferred to it, respectively.

Abstract: A PTO transmission system in a vehicle for transmitting power to a PTO shaft driving an implement comprises a planetary drive unit having first and second input and output coupled to the PTO shaft. The first and second inputs are coupled to an output shaft of the vehicle engine and to an output shaft of a drive motor, respectively. A control system controls the transfer of power from a power source to the drive motor. The power source is a variable power generating source driven by the PTO shaft. The drive motor is configured and adapted to decrease or increase the rotational speed of the output of the planetary drive unit on an increase or decrease of the power transferred to it, respectively.

Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a valve in fluid communication with first and second actuating cylinders and with first and second fluid conduits. The valve is configured to control fluid flow from the first and second fluid conduits to the first and second actuating cylinders. Furthermore, a controller is communicatively coupled to first and second pressure sensors and to the valve. The first pressure sensor is coupled to the first fluid conduit, and the second pressure sensor is coupled to the second fluid conduit. The controller is configured to determine whether the first fluid conduit or the second fluid conduit is supplying fluid to the valve based on signals from the first and second pressure sensors, and to automatically control fluid flow to the first and second actuating cylinders such that wheel assemblies are rotated to a desired angle relative to an implement frame.

Abstract: A vertical tilling implement to be pulled behind and agricultural vehicle having a number of gangs of fluted-concave disc blades, rolling baskets, and wheels connected to a main frame. As the vertical tilling implement is pulled, the fluted-concave disc blades move the soil in a direction lateral to the side of the blades as well as up. Meanwhile, the rolling bars aid in leveling the seedbed and crushing the remaining large pieces of soil. The vertical tilling implement reduces the amount of subsoil compaction and cuts through heavy residue making it ideal for use in the fall or in the spring.

Abstract: A windguard mechanism comprising a pair of arms attachable to the agricultural machine and a windguard plate extending between the pair of arms and positioned to hold down the crop material processed by the pickup mechanism. The windguard plate comprises a first plate fixed between the pair of arms and a second plate positioned movably with respect to the first plate, wherein the working surfaces of the first plate and of the second plate form a windguard working surface of an area independent on the position of the second plate.

Abstract: A vertical tilling implement to be pulled behind and agricultural vehicle having a number of gangs of fluted-concave disc blades, rolling baskets, and wheels connected to a main frame. As the vertical tilling implement is pulled, the fluted-concave disc blades move the soil in a direction lateral to the side of the blades as well as up. Meanwhile, the rolling bars aid in leveling the seedbed and crushing the remaining large pieces of soil. The vertical tilling implement reduces the amount of subsoil compaction and cuts through heavy residue making it ideal for use in the fall or in the spring.

Abstract: A threshing element includes a structure having an outside surface for threshing a crop material, and an inside surface. A body is operatively connected to a sensor. The body is secured to the inside surface of the structure, the body having a connecting feature for securing at least the body and the structure to each other. The structure is securable to a rotatable threshing rotor of a harvester threshing system. In response to operation of the threshing rotor of the harvester threshing system, the sensor outputs a signal corresponding to forces generated by contact between the outside surface of the structure and the crop material.

Abstract: A combine threshing system includes a rotor having and in-feed area at a front end of the rotor and a rotor body configured to convey material along a helical path from the front end of the rotor body to a rear end of the rotor body. The system also includes a substantially cylindrical threshing chamber positioned circumferentially around and spaced apart from the rotor body. The threshing chamber includes a lower portion substantially concentric with the rotor body and having an inner surface positioned a first distance from an outer surface of the rotor body and an upper portion having a first inner surface substantially concentric with the rotor body and positioned the first distance from the outer surface and a second inner surface that is substantially concentric with the rotor body, positioned a second distance from the outer surface and is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: A square baler weighing system weighs a bale during a weighing timespan when the rear portion pivots into the bale discharging position. The rear portion further having a brake for changing the speed of a bale moving along the rear portion. The brake is configured to exert an adjustable braking force.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a continuously variable transmission by means of which torque is transmitted from an engine to drive wheels of the vehicle, a braking system for applying a braking force to the drive wheels and a controller for setting the transmission ratio of the transmission. Additionally, means are provided for applying to the controller a signal indicative of the engine applied torque, and means for supplying to the controller a signal to indicate application of wheel brakes. The controller is operative when the brakes are applied to discontinue setting the transmission ratio in dependence upon the speed of the drive wheels and to set the transmission ratio instead in such a manner as to minimize the absolute value of the engine output torque or the torque transmitted through the transmission or to follow a desired torque setpoint.