Abstract: A control linkage for actuating transmission shifts in an articulated tractor having a transmission and operator controls on opposing sides of the articulation axis is disclosed wherein an offset connecting rod is connected to the shift control arm of the transmission which is located proximate to the articulation axis for the tractor. A push/pull cable is detachably connected to the offset connecting arm at a position remote from the shift control arm such that the connection between the push/pull cable and the offset connecting rod is further from the articulation axis than the shift control arm. The rod portion of the push/pull cable is restrained from non-axial movement relative to the sheath portion of the cable by a bracket affixed to the transmission housing.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for improving the turning radius of a tractor is disclosed wherein the wheels are turned relative to the steering axle simultaneously with a pivotal movement of the steering axle relative to the chassis of the tractor. A connecting link interconnects the pivot mechanism pivotally supporting the steering axle relative to the chassis with the steering mechanism such that a manipulation of the steering mechanism to affect a turning of the wheels affects a pivotal movement of the steering axle in the same direction the wheels are being turned. The pivot mechanism allows for pivotal movement of the steering axle about longitudinally extending horizontal axis in addition to the pivotal movement of the steering axle about a generally vertical axis relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A telescopic rollover protective structure for use with an orchard tractor is disclosed wherein the protective member is operatively engaged with a counterbalancing spring to offset the weight thereof and to facilitate the movement of the protective structure between raised and lowered positions. A locking mechanism is connected to the mounting frame and engageable with the movable protective member to restrict movement thereof when the locking mechanism is engaged therewith. The counterbalancing system includes a compression spring concentrically mounted on a telescopic rod housed within the hollow protective member legs.

Abstract: A tractor-loader-backhoe is disclosed wherein the loader mechanism is mounted on the frame of the prime mover by a tapered pivot pin having a fastener extending entirely through the axis of the pivot pin to effect a clamping load operable to seat the tapered pivoted in the conical hub affixed to the frame of the prime mover to assure a firm fastening of the loader mechanism on the prime mover. The backhoe mechanism is provided with a transport lock remotely accuatable from the operator's cab mounted on the prime mover and incorporating a locking pin having a concentric spring mounted thereon to urge the pin out of engagement with the frame whenever the transport lock is disengaged to permit operation of the backhoe mechanism. The boom and dipper members of the backhoe mechanism are constructed from a pair of opposing C-shaped channels having inwardly directed legs centrally located within the boom and dipper members.

Abstract: A row crop attachment for forage harvesters has a plurality of row crop divider units arranged side-by-side on a base frame to define a plurality of crop conveying paths. A pair of gathering chains are arranged to pass through each crop conveying path from entrance to an exit thereof for conveying crop material rearwardly through the crop conveying paths. Each gathering chain is wrapped around a drive sprocket and an idler sprocket. An adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting tension in each gathering chain. The adjustment mechanism includes a shaft connected at one end with the idler sprocket, a pawl engageable with the shaft for holding the shaft in an adjusted position, and an adjusting bolt associated with the other end of the shaft for moving the shaft into the adjusted position.

Abstract: A tractor-loader-backhoe is disclosed wherein the loader mechanism is mounted on the frame of the prime mover by a tapered pivot pin having a fastener extending entirely through the axis of the pivot pin to effect a clamping load operable to seat the tapered pivoted in the conical hub affixed to the frame of the prime mover to assure a firm fastening of the loader mechanism on the prime mover. The backhoe mechanism is provided with a transport lock remotely accuatable from the operator's cab mounted on the prime mover and incorporating a locking pin having a concentric spring mounted thereon to urge the pin out of engagement with the frame whenever the transport lock is disengaged to permit operation of the backhoe mechanism. The boom and dipper members of the backhoe mechanism are constructed from a pair of opposing C-shaped channels having inwardly directed legs centrally located within the boom and dipper members.

Abstract: In a transmission system, a solenoid controlled electro-hydraulically actuated creeper gear coupler permits selection of very low speeds and provision is made to prevent creeper gear engagement/disengagement unless conrolled by the operator and then only if specified conditions exist. Current flow through the solenoid which actuates the creeper gear is monitored at all times to provide a controlled engagement/disengagement of the creeper gear in the event the monitoried conditions are not within prescribed limits. The current is monitored as the creeper solenoid is energized to insure sufficient pull-in current and while it is energized to insure sufficient hold-in current. The solenoid current is also monitored when the solenoid is not energized. Short or open circuit conditions are detected before they can cause an unexpected engagement or disengagement of the creeper gear.

Abstract: A hydraulic modulation valve for use in conjuction with a tractor power-takeoff shaft to prevent an instantaneous loading of the hydraulic clutch controlling the operation of the power-takeoff shaft is disclosed wherein the supply line leading from the valve spool to the hydraulic clutch is in flow communication with a modulation chamber. A yieldable spring-loaded piston is moved within the modulation chamber from an initial position to an operating position to allow the hydraulic pressure to increase from zero pressure to a working pressure for the hydraulic clutch. A bypass line bleeds hydraulic fluid from the inlet end of the modulation chamber to slow the rate at which hydraulic pressure is increased within the modulation chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining the cylindrical profile of forage harvester cutterheads involves moving a grinding stone back and forth along a predetermined path between positions which are adjacent opposite ends of a cutterhead. Initially, the grinding stone is moved gradually toward the cutterhead along a first slope until it is fully engaged with the cutting edges of the cutterhead knives. Next, the grinding stone is moved generally lengthwise of the cutterhead along a line substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cutterhead while it is kept fully engaged with the cutting edges of the cutterhead knives. Finally, the grinding stone is moved gradually away from the cutterhead along a second slope until it is fully disengaged from the cutting edges of the cutterhead knives.

Abstract: In a transmission system having range shift levers mechanically linked to couplers and shiftable between first and second positions to select ranges of gears and electro-hydraulic powershift clutches for selecting a gear within the range selected by the range shift lever, the powershift clutches are located on each side of at least one of the couplers, between the input shaft and the coupler and between the output shaft and the coupler. A dump solenoid is controlled by operation of a clutch pedal to release fluid from the powershift clutches as the clutch pedal is depressed but before it reaches the fully depressed position so that the coupler is not being driven when coupler shifting takes place.

Abstract: A method of controlling an inching clutch in response to movement of an inching clutch pedal between up and down positions in a power shift transmission comprises, for clutch pedal positions below a limiting position, applying to the clutch a control signal which is non-linearly dependent upon the position of the pedal and, for clutch pedal positions above the limiting position, applying to the clutch a control signal which linearly increases with time and is entirely independent of clutch pedal position. Within one range of clutch pedal positions below the limiting position, the magnitude of the control signal applied to the clutch is constant when a high gear speed ratio has been selected, and varies linearly with the clutch pedal position when a low gear speed ratio has been selected. Within a range of pedal positions adjacent the fully down position, the control signal remains constant regardless of the position of the pedal.

Abstract: A primary drive line for delivering power from a power-take-off (pto) shaft on a tractor to an input shaft on an implement includes a swivel hitch comprised of an upper gearbox and a lower gearbox. The upper gearbox is fastened to a pair of spaced apart, upper vertical plates carried on a tongue extending forwardly from the implement, and the lower gearbox is fastened to a pair of spaced apart, lower vertical plates carried by a yoke assembly that is attached to the tractor. An output shaft on the upper gearbox is coupled to the implement input shaft. The lower gearbox has two input/output shafts, one of which is coupled to an input shaft on the upper gearbox. The other input/output shaft on the lower gearbox is connected to the tractor pto shaft. When changing tractor pto speeds (i.e.

Abstract: A manure spreader includes a box carried by a base frame for holding and transporting manure. The box has a floor made up of a plurality of individual boards preferably formed of plastic material such as polyethylene. A conveyor moves manure along the floor toward one end of the box where a distributor mechanism is mounted. Clips flastened to rearward ends of the floor boards slidably engage a cross frame member of the base frame, and an end cap slidably receives forward ends of the floor boards. Fasteners such as bolts securely fasten the floor boards to the base frame intermediate their forward and rearward ends. The clips and the end cap permit lengthwise expansion and contraction of the floor boards to insure that the floor maintains an even surface for the conveyor to travel across.

Abstract: An adaptor mechanism for use with a skid steer loader having an implement mounting plate configured in a first attachment configuration is disclosed wherein the adaptor mechanism permits the attachment of an implement configured in a second implement attachment configuration to the skid steer loader. The adaptor mechanism includes a movable locking mechanism having hook members protruding perpendicularly therefrom for engagement with the overcenter wedging mechanism in the implement mounting apparatus on the skid steer loader. A spring biases a locking mechanism toward a retracted position; however, engagement of the hook members by the skid steer loader overcenter wedging mechanism overcomes the biasing force exerted by the spring to force the locking mechanism into engagement with the implement being mounted thereto.

Abstract: In a forage harvester having a motor driven sharpening stone driven back and forth along a path parallel to the axis of a rotating cutterhead to sharpen the knives of the cutterhead, and a door which normally prevents access to the knives, a control circuit is provided for controllig the opening of the door, the movement of the sharpening stone to sharpen the knives, and the closing of the door after the knives have been sharpened. The circuit is controlled by switches located at an operator's control panel and accessible to the operator while he is in the driver's seat of the harvester so that the operator does not have to leave his driving position to accomplish the knife sharpening operation. The circuit includes visual indicators lcoated on the control panel for indicating the status of the circuit during the entire operation.

Abstract: A forage harvester having a feed mechanism for transporting crop material along a feed path to a rotating cutterhead is provided with a first detector for detecting metal objects in the crop material and a second detector for detecting hard objects. The feed mechanism includes a hollow feed roll rotatable about a fixed shaft and both detectors are supported by the fixed shaft inside the feed roll. The first detector is a metal detector mounted inside a housing supported by the fixed shaft. The second detector is a thin film microphone for sensing air-borne sound waves produced when hard objects impact the feed roll. The second detector may be mounted on the housing or, alternatively, mounted on a support member attached to the fixed shaft. In either arrangement, a vibration-absorbing pad is provided to isolate the microphone from mechanical vibrations occurring in its supporting structure.

Abstract: A shear bolt coupling incorporated in a drive transmission of an agricultural baler comprises a first rotatable member, a second rotatable member disposed coaxial with the first rotatable member, and a shear bolt operatively interconnecting the first and second rotatable members for transmitting power therebetween during normal operation. The shear bolt is arranged to shear off under excessive load conditions in order to interrupt power transmission between the rotatable members and thereby permit the rotatable members to move relative to each other. A shear bolt introducing lever is operatively associated with either the first or the second rotatable member for urging the shear bolt into a drive coupling position wherein the rotatable members are drivingly coupled together.

Abstract: A manure spreader has a tank with endwalls including guides for receiving opposite ends of a rotating auger shaft thus permitting a change of position of the rotating auger in the tank relative to the manure. The auger may change position in response to the condition of the manure or may be a controlled change in response to actuation of fluid powered pistons. A sealing mechanism is provided to prevent the loss of manure from inside the tank while permitting vertical movement of the auger within slots in the tank endwalls. The seals include a plate and compression springs interposed between the plate and the auger bearings to place an axial load on the seal via the auger.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for preventing overloading in drive lines in machinery. The assembly includes first and second clutch sleeves having first and second sets of recesses respectively. A clutch hub engages the sleeves with a plurality of spring loaded drive members for releasably engaging recesses in the clutch sleeve. One set of the recesses having equal torques in both forward and reverse direction. The second set of recesses are shaped to transmit more torque in the reverse direciton than in a forward direction.

Abstract: A tractor-loader-backhoe is disclosed wherein the loader mechanism is mounted on the frame of the prime mover by a tapered pivot pin or sleeve having a fastener extending entirely through the axis of the pivot pin or sleeve to effect a clamping load operable to seat the tapered pivot pin or sleeve in the conical hub affixed to the frame of the prime mover to assure a firm fastening of the loader mechanism on the prime mover. The backhoe mechanism is provided with a transport lock remotely actuatable from the operator's cab mounted on the prime mover and incorporating a locking pin having a concentric spring mounted thereon to urge the pin out of engagement with the frame whenever the transport lock is disengaged to permit operation of the backhoe mechanism. The boom and dipper members of the backhoe mechanism are constructed from a pair of opposing C-shaped channels having inwardly directed legs centrally located within the boom and dipper members.