Abstract: A vehicle transmission has first and second shafts rotatable in a housing, a spring applied, pressure released bake mechanism for preventing vehicle movement, and a torque disconnect mechanism for controlling transmission of torque from the first shaft to the second shaft. An interlock mechanism includes an opening formed in the housing through which an operator may access the torque disconnect mechanism, a fluid pressure supply passage for communicating pressurized fluid to the brake mechanism, a dump port formed in the housing in a wall of the opening, a pressure dump passage communicating the supply passage with the dump port, and a plug member mountable in the opening. The plug member closes the dump port and closes communication between the dump passage and the environment when the plug member is mounted in the opening The dump port and the dump passage are communicated with the environment, and the brake is spring applied when the plug member is removed from the opening.

Abstract: A torque disconnect mechanism controls transmission of torque from a first shaft to a second shaft in a transmission. The mechanism includes a housing which rotatably supports the first and second shafts, and which has an opening formed therein. A coupling member is movable from an engaged position wherein the coupling member couples the first shaft with the second shaft to a disengaged position wherein the first and second shafts are uncoupled from each other. A plug member is mountable in the opening and is engagable with the coupling member. The plug member is movable from a first position holding the coupling member in its engaged position to a second position holding the coupling member in its disengaged position.

Abstract: The entire right, title and interest in and to this application and all subject matter disclosed and/or claimed therein, including any and all divisions, continuations, reissues, etc., thereof are, effective as of the date of execution of this application, assigned, transferred, sold and set over by the applicant(s) named herein to Deere & Company, a Delaware corporation having offices at Moline, Ill. 61265, U.S.A., together with all rights to file, and to claim priorities in connection with, corresponding patent applications in any and all foreign countries in the name of Deere & Company or otherwise.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for securing a backhoe loader stabilizer arm in a stowage position. The latch mechanism comprises of a first portion attached to the machine frame and a second portion attached to the stabilizer arm. The first portion is a receptacle having two parallel members of a resilient material. The second portion is a probe having a head and a shank. The latch mechanism automatically engages and disengages as the arm approaches or departs the stowage position by the force applied in moving the stabilizer arm. The latch secures the stabilizer arm in the stowage position from external forces insufficient to disengage the latch.

Abstract: A sprayer switching control system includes toggle switch structure incorporated into the main control handle of the sprayer and toggling spray sections sequentially so that each section changes condition in turn as the switch structure is operated. A reset switch located adjacent the toggle switch structure is operable to reset all the sections to a preselected operating condition. A first switch toggles section condition sequentially in a first direction along the sprayer boom, while operating a second switch reverses the direction. Such toggle operation is simple and easy to learn, and can be implemented without removing the hand from the control handle. To accommodate special skip patterns and shut off unused boom sections, individual section control switches mounted away from the handle to avoid handle clutter permit selective disabling any one or more of the spray sections.

Abstract: A cooling system is connected to a fuel cell stack which has a hydrogen inlet, an air inlet, a coolant inlet, a coolant outlet and an exhaust water outlet. The cooling system includes a heat exchange unit coupled to the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet, a coolant pump for circulating coolant therethrough, and a blower for blowing air through the heat exchange unit. The cooling system also includes an evaporator unit exposed to the blown air, and a conduit which communicates exhaust water from the fuel cell stack exhaust water outlet to the evaporator unit. The exhaust water evaporates in the blown air and thereby cools the air and reduces the amount of liquid exhaust water. In one embodiment, the evaporator unit is a wick mounted on an exterior surface of the heat exchange unit. As the exhaust water evaporates it increases the cooling performance of the heat exchange unit.

Abstract: A multi-axis vehicle control device or “joystick” includes one or more sensors defining discrete sensor zones on the handle portion thereof. The sensors are operative to passively detect the presence of a person or object in the vicinity of the handle. Location of the sensor zones in the regions of the handle engaged by the thumb and fingers of the operator's hand during normal operation allows the sensors to detect when the operator has manually engaged the joystick for normal operation. The sensors are in communication via a logic circuit to the actuator circuitry so that the actuator portion of the joystick is enabled only when a presence is detected in the discrete sensor zones and disabled when no presence is detected. The use of such sensors greatly reduces the risk of inadvertent actuation of the joystick and the associated safety hazards, while maintaining the positive ergonomic characteristics of the joystick.

Abstract: A transmission controller determines a requested engine torque value. For an upshift the requested engine torque value is determined as a function of slippage of one of an off-going clutch. For a downshift, the requested engine torque value is determined as a function of actual sensed engine torque. The requested torque value is sent to an engine controller which controls the engine so that the engine generates the requested engine torque. Then the appropriate transmission clutches are swapped to complete the requested shift while the engine torque is controlled. The engine controller also limits engine torque to the requested engine torque value.

Abstract: An axial separator of an agricultural combine comprises a rotor housed in a housing. The housing includes a lower separating grate and a top cover plate with spiral-shaped guide vanes, which are aligned to feed harvested crop on a helical path. A section of one of the guide vanes forms an acute angle with the housing as it extends outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A tractor-mounted front end loader includes lift boom having a tool, disclosed as a bucket, pivotally mounted to one end of the boom for selected movement by one or more hydraulic adjustment cylinders. A safety valve is associated with one of the pressure chambers of each adjustment cylinder to prevent unintended lowering of the tool in the event a supply-return hose extending between a direction control valve and the adjustment cylinder should rupture. Also connected to this pressure chamber of each adjustment cylinder is an accumulator for providing a damping action. The connection between the pressure chamber and the accumulator is made by rigid tubing, and in one disclosed embodiment, includes a remotely operable on/off valve for selectively coupling the accumulator to the pressure chamber.

Abstract: The invention refers to a forced steering device of a vehicle, with a master cylinder, which extends between the vehicle-stationary point and a point following the steering movement and is connected to a slave cylinder coupled for the forced steering of a wheel. It is proposed to have a force-limiting element absorb the movement between the vehicle-stationary point and the point following the steering movement, as soon as the pressure in a chamber of the master cylinder exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A planetary gear train includes a sun gear, a planet carrier, and a plurality of planet gears, which are rotatably mounted on the planet carrier. The gear train may also include a ring gear or housing surrounding the planet gears. Space filling members are mounted in the spaces between adjacent planet gears, the sun gear, and, if necessary, the ring gear or the housing. These space filling members extend axially from the planet carrier and are spaced apart from the gears by a gap having a uniform thickness.

Abstract: A large round baler is equipped with an enveloping arrangement that moves a run of enveloping material to the circumferential surface of a bale with a pivot arm including a driver having projections in the form of teeth that can be caused to penetrate the enveloping material to cause a positive locking with the run of enveloping material so that the enveloping material may be selectively inserted into the baling chamber at the beginning of a wrapping cycle and engaged with a contact plate to effect separation of the enveloping material once a predetermined number of wraps have been applied to the circumference of the bale.

Abstract: A hitch for a work vehicle includes a plurality of links pivotally coupled to a vehicle body and to an implement, either directly or indirectly via a hitch frame or quick coupler. The hitch preferably includes at least one upper link, two lower links and two longitudinally adjustable lift links for raising and lowering the hitch. Each lift link is coupled to an associated lower link near an aft end thereof. The hitch may selectively comprise both rigid and longitudinally adjustable links. The functionality of the hitch can be changed by replacing, adding or removing links. The hitch can be converted between a simple three-point hitch and a “hexapod” type hitch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for adjusting the cutting length of a chopping device. It is proposed that a sensor ascertain a parameter of the harvested crop and that the cutting length of the chopping device be adjusted automatically as a function of the measured parameter.

Abstract: A crop pick-up arrangement and height gauge arrangement is proposed in which, on the one hand, a skid shoe and on the other hand, a wheel are attached to a pivot arm assembly and can be pivoted about a horizontal transverse axis located between the skid shoe and the wheel. The skid shoe extends under the crop pick-up arrangement and therefore does not increase its width. Crop pick-up arrangements and height gauge arrangements may be used on various kinds of agricultural machines for lifting crop into the machines for further processing or transport.

Abstract: A spring trip shank assembly with a fixed downstop includes a pivot area with an eccentric mechanism for varying the location of the shank pivot relative to the downstop so that shank position and tool pitch can be adjusted without need to change downstop location. A bushing with an eccentric bore and a keyway receives a threaded bolt with a mating key. A captive nut fastens the assembly in position for the desired shank pitch. Marks located on the mounting bracket and on the bolt head provide an easily readable indication of the selected pivot location so a plurality of the assemblies can be adjusted to the same pitch quickly and easily.

Abstract: A transmission having one or more clutches and brakes wherein only one clutch or brake need be engaged to connect the input to the output is equipped with a two-step actuator valve arrangement in which two valves, arranged in series, must be opened before any clutch or brake is engaged to power the output shaft. A single first-step actuator valve is arranged in series with a plurality of second-step actuator valves. Each of the second-step valves controls a clutch or brake.

Abstract: A starting system is provided for an engine having a starting ring gear on the engine flywheel. The starting system includes an integrated starter generator having a rotor coupled to the flywheel, a starter motor having a drive gear which selectively engages the ring gear, and an electronic controller coupled to the starter motor and to the starter generator. The electronic controller activates only the starter generator when only low starting torque is required. The electronic controller activates both the starter generator and the starter motor when high starting torque is required.

Abstract: A cylinder position sensing system includes a cylinder housing which slidably receives a rod or shaft element. The cylinder housing has an end piece which slidably receives the shaft element. A first axial groove is formed in the shaft element, and a first magnet member is mounted in the first groove. A second helical groove is formed in the shaft element and is spaced apart from the first groove. A second magnet member is mounted in the second groove. A magnetic field sensor is mounted in the cylinder housing so that the sensor generates an output signal as a function of a relative distance between the first and second magnet members as the second element moves with respect to the first element. Preferably, the shaft element includes a central cylindrical shaft and a hollow cylindrical sleeve mounted over and receiving the shaft. Preferably, the first and second grooves are formed in an inner surface of the sleeve, and the sleeve and the end piece are formed of nonferrous material.