Abstract: A wheel lift assembly lockout mechanism for an agricultural mower having a lift cylinder for moving the mower frame between raised and lowered positions. The lockout mechanism is positioned adjacent to a rod end of a lift cylinder and is pivotable between generally opposing lockout and free positions. First and second stops interact with the lift cylinder depending upon the position of the lockout mechanism to provide at least two stop positions allowing minimum mower heights in each stop position to be established. The lockout mechanism further includes a bias apparatus and a lockout limiter to enable a specific lockout height to be imposed with minimal impact other operational aspects of the wheel lift assembly.

Abstract: A gusset for use with a roll-over protection system of work a vehicle is disclosed. The gusset may include a first sidewall, a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall and an outer face extending between the first and second sidewalls. The outer face may at least partially define an opening. The opening may be configured such that at least one of the first sidewall or the second side wall deforms relative to the outer face when the work vehicle experiences a roll-over event.

Abstract: A sickle drive incorporated into a generally flat package or enclosure or floor. The drive includes an epicyclic mechanism, including a rotatable input element in an upper region of a cavity of the enclosure, and an eccentric element below the input element rotatable eccentrically thereby. A drive arm is connected to the eccentric element for rotation about, and eccentric rotation with, the eccentric element, and extends to a pivot element which can be the only component extending upwardly from the enclosure or floor, such that the shaft will be pivoted by the eccentric movement of the drive arm. A knife arm connects to the pivot element and a sickle knife assembly which will be reciprocated by the pivoting action. A second epicyclic arrangement can be employed such that opposite forces generated by operation of the drive will be largely canceled.

Abstract: A corn head assembly for a combine harvester capable of reducing grain loss. The corn head assembly includes a frame, a plurality of row units and a hood. The frame is mounted to a forward end of the combine harvester. The plurality of row units extends forward from the frame. The hood extends between an adjacent pair of row units. The hood includes a first end proximal to the frame, a second end distal to the frame and opposite the first end, and an outer surface extending between the first and second ends. The outer surface has a plurality of structures configured to inhibit a flow of grain in a forward direction along the outer surface.

Abstract: A system and method of operation of a draper header of an agricultural work machine during a deslugging or clean out operation and after resumption of normal crop processing. During the deslugging or clean out operation, a feed draper is reversed or paused and the at least one side draper is paused. The method includes automatically resuming operation of the feed draper and at least one side draper in a graduated progression for more efficient clearing of the slug or blockage of crop material.

Abstract: A fan powered extractor system for a harvester, such as a sugarcane harvester, utilizes a rotary extractor screen larger than an air flow path to the fan, that moves through the air flow path such that the air flows through the screen to collect airborne leaves and other crop residue thereon, and carries them from the air flow and deposits them on the ground beside or behind the harvester or on another receiver without passing through the fan. The extractor screen can also pass through the exhaust air flow from the fan for blowing remaining collected residue therefrom, and the location of deposition of the leaves is optionally selectable.

Abstract: A non-zero caster angle for the rear axle swivel caster wheels on a self-propelled agricultural harvesting machine wherein steering is accomplished by varying speed and/or direction of forward drive wheels. The non-zero caster angle may be fixed or an adjuster mechanism may be provided to allow adjustment within a range of caster angles. The adjuster mechanism incorporates a fixed portion connected to the tractor frame and a pair of rotating portions, one connected to each caster wheel which allows rotation of the caster axis in a plane parallel to the machine longitudinal axis. Also disclosed is an actuator mechanism for providing powered adjustment of the caster angle, even including a control system for active caster angle adjustment.

Abstract: A net wrapping system includes an insertion assembly configured to move between a home position and an insert position. The insertion assembly has at least one insertion assembly spreader roll configured to engage net wrapping from a net roll. The net wrapping system also includes a fixed spreader roll proximate to the net roll and configured to engage the net wrapping along a length of the fixed spreader roll circumferential surface when the insertion assembly is in the home position. The net wrapping system further includes a back wrap roll located along a net path between the fixed spreader roll and the at least one insertion assembly spreader roll and configured to cause the net wrapping to maintain engagement with substantially the same length of the fixed spreader roll circumferential surface when the insertion assembly is in the insert position.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a location of an unloaded unit of agricultural product and locating a desired unit of agricultural product or identifying a candidate unit of agricultural product as a function of sensing system information indicating contact of the unit with the ground or other surface onto which the unit is unloaded, global positioning system or other location system information identifying the contact or related location, and heading information, which information can then be used to discern the unit from others at the location for desired loading.

Abstract: An agricultural sprayer for metered application of a liquid includes a chassis, and a carrier tank fixedly mounted to the chassis. The carrier tank is configured for containing a carrier liquid therein. One or more active ingredient tanks are each configured for containing an active ingredient therein. A storage area associated with the chassis is configured for and dedicated to removable storage of each active ingredient tank.

Abstract: A net dispensing assembly in a baler includes a net roll support tube configured to hold the net roll and a brake drum assembly coupled to the net roll support tube and configured to rotate about the net roll support tube and apply tension to the net wrapping dispensed from the net roll. The net dispensing assembly also includes a pivoting element configured to move the net roll support tube between an operating position and a load-unload position. The net dispensing assembly further includes a locking mechanism coupled to the brake drum assembly and configured to prevent the brake drum assembly from rotating in a direction opposite the operating direction when the net roll support tube is in at least one of (i) the load-unload position and (ii) the operating position.

Abstract: An output control system of an agricultural work vehicle includes a controller, a reference indicator communicatively coupled to the controller, and a dial communicatively coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to control power output through an output value range between a minimum output value and a maximum output value based at least in part on a manual input signal, to determine a current setting of the power output, and to adjust the power output from the current setting upon receipt of the manual input signal. The reference indicator is configured to indicate the current setting.

Abstract: A visual steering wheel direction indicator for a self-propelled machine. The indicator may additionally exhibit an indicator of the amount that the steering wheel must be turned in order to reach neutral. The indicator may be integrated into a neutral start system and may include dedicated direction indicators that function independently of the main operator display.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for applying an active ingredient to a geographic area includes a chassis, and at least one active ingredient tank. Each active ingredient tank is removably positioned on and carried by the chassis. Each active ingredient tank contains an active ingredient therein which is to be applied to the geographic area. Each active ingredient tank has an identification (ID) tag representing data associated with the active ingredient. An electrical reader carried by the chassis is configured for reading the ID tag and providing an output signal. An electrical processing circuit is coupled with the reader and receives the output signal.

Abstract: An agricultural implement having a steering mechanism comprising a outer hitch, a main carriage connected to the outer hitch by a first pivoting connection, a steering system disposed on the main carriage and an endless track assembly connected to the main carriage by a second pivoting connection and to the steering system by a third pivoting connection. The pivoting connections enable the tracks to be actively steered and remain parallel to the surface over which the implement travels.

Abstract: A gate assembly for use with a baler that includes a belt guide mechanism coupled to a side of the baler frame and guide one or more belts used to form the bale. The gate assembly also includes a shield pivotably coupled to the side of the baler frame and configured to limit contact with one or more components of the baler. The gate assembly further includes a linkage assembly coupled between the belt guide mechanism and the shield. The belt guide mechanism is configured to pivot between a lower belt guide mechanism position and a raised belt guide mechanism position to allow the bale to be ejected from the bale chamber. The linkage assembly is configured to pivot the shield between a lower shield position and a raised shield position responsive to the pivoting of the belt guide mechanism.

Abstract: A harvester for agricultural products such as fruits such as grapes, berries, vegetables, and the like, and method of harvesting, using an RFID system capable of detecting and interrogating RFID tags associated with objects or conditions along a path of the harvester in a manner to determine both presence and location of the associated object or condition, to enable responsively adapting or altering the operation of harvesting apparatus in a predetermined manner, such as by reducing or interrupting forces exerted thereby when about or proximate the object or condition.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hydrostatic drive unit of a work vehicle is disclosed. The method may generally include determining a reference swashplate position for a hydraulic pump of the hydrostatic drive unit, wherein the reference swashplate position is associated with an uncompensated current command, and monitoring an actual swashplate position of the hydraulic pump, wherein the actual swashplate position differs from the reference swashplate position due to a loading condition of the work vehicle. In addition, the method may include determining a current compensation based at least in part on the actual and reference swashplate positions and generating a compensated current command by adjusting the uncompensated current command based on the current compensation, wherein the compensated current command is associated with a compensated swashplate position for the hydraulic that differs from the reference swashplate position.

Abstract: One row unit for an agricultural implement includes a ground engaging tool configured to penetrate soil and to form a furrow in the soil. The row unit also includes gauge wheels disposed adjacent to the ground engaging tool and configured to enable the ground engaging tool to penetrate the soil at a selectable penetration depth. Each of the gauge wheels extends substantially parallel to a direction of travel of the row unit.