Abstract: An operator's control station for a hydrostatically driven tractor in which the operator's control station is rotatable to orient the operator selectively in opposing directions is disclosed wherein a control panel having control devices for manipulating operative functions of the tractor is connected to a pan member supporting the seat cushion receiving the operator such that the control panel rotates with the operator's control station. The pan member is positioned above both the fore-and-aft adjustment mechanism and the height adjustment mechanism for the seat so that the control panel is maintained in a constant positional relationship relative to the operator irrespective of the adjusted position of the seat relative to the steering mechanism.

Abstract: In a forage harvester, a microphone is used to detect air-borne sounds waves generated by impacts of a rotating cutterhead on a shear bar during adjustment of the shear bar relative to the cutterhead. In response to the detected sound waves, the microphone produces electrical output signals which are applied to a control circuit, the control circuit producing output signals to selectively drive first and second motors to move one end or the other of the shear bar. The microphone may be mounted in positions remote from the shear bar, such as on side sheets defining lateral limits of the crop feed path, or in the interior of a crop feed roll. A vibration absorbing pad is provided between the microphone and its support to isolate the microphone from mechanical vibrations of the support.

Abstract: In a power shift transmission system, two tables of values are established for modulating a clutch actuation, signal. When a clutch pedal is depressed below a limit position, both tables are accessed to obtain a pair of values, and the value which will result in the lower clutch pressure is used to modulate the actuation signal. One table is accessed in accordance with clutch pedal position and the other table is accessed in accordance with the selected gear speed ratio and engine speed. The arrangement prevents overheating of the clutch by the energy applied to it as a result of stalling the engine immediately after clutch inching.

Abstract: In a microprocessor controlled power shift transmission system having hydraulically actuated clutches, compensation is provided to offset the effects of centrifugal force on the fluid in the clutch piston cavity, these effects causing a variation in the response of a clutch to a clutch actuation signal. A table of compensation values is provided for each clutch which may be inched. Engine or input speed and vehicle or output speed are sensed to derive an address for addressing the table of an active clutch. The compensation value read from a table is used to modify a modulation value and the modulation value is then used to generate an actuation signal which is applied to the active clutch. If the piston cavity of a clutch is mounted on a member which is in direct drive connection with the input or output shaft of the transmission then the table is addressed by an address derived from the input speed or the output speed, respectively.

Abstract: A thin film highly directional audible sound sensor is mounted within a rotatable feed roll of a forage harvester to detect the presence of stones and other hard foreign objects in a crop material being fed past the feed roll to a cutter mechanism. Air-borne sound waves produced by the impact of foreign objects on metal parts of the harvester are detected by the sensor which produces a signal for stopping the crop feed mechanism before the foreign objects reach the cutter mechanism. The sensor is mounted on a stationary support within the rotatable feed roll. Output signals from the sensor control a stop mechanism for the crop feed mechanism via conductors extending through a stationary support shaft for the feed roll, thereby avoiding the need to commutate output signals from the detector.

Abstract: In a forage harvester having an acoustic detector for sensing air-borne sounds produced by the impact of hard foreign objects on the crop feed mechanism of the harvester, a start-up control is provided for inhibiting the detector output during the intervals when the crop feed mechanism is stopped or being brought up to running speed. In forage harvesters having metal detectors for sensing the presence of metal in the crop material, the electromagnetic sensor in the metal detector inherently produces a noise output signal which is dependent on the speed of the crop feed mechanism, and this signal is used to control the inhibiting of the acoustic detector output.

Abstract: A cart for draining, filtering and recycling oil or similar viscous fluids from vehicles comprising a wheel mounted fluid receiving chamber having a front to rear slope, handle means for positioning the open chamber beneath a vehicle, vertically disposed baffle plates positioned within the chamber to reduce movement of the fluid collected therein, drain means connected to the rear of the fluid receiving chamber and in fluid communication with a pump and filter means mounted alongside the chamber which provides pumping and filtering of the collected fluid to remove particles entrained therein and reintroduction of the filtered fluid back into the vehicle.

Abstract: In a baler having a plunger reciprocating in a bale case and knotters for tying strands of twine around bales, two trip mechanisms are provided for automatic actuation of the knotters. A first trip mechanism is capable of preventing operation of the knotters until a bale of desired length is formed. A second trip mechanism is operatively associated with the plunger in a manner so that the plunger does not prevent the second trip mechanism from permitting operation of the knotters provided the plunger is moving in a direction in the bale case to compress crop material into bales. A locking device coupled to the first trip mechanism is cooperable with the second trip mechanism for controlling the position thereof in accordance with the position of the first trip mechanism.

Abstract: A control mechanism for operating a backhoe is disclosed wherein the controls are adaptable to be configured in a selected one of a two lever system, a three lever system, or a four lever system. The control mechanism includes a first pivot axis on which the control levers are pivotally mounted and a second pivot axis on which a series of bell cranks are pivotally mounted. Various linkages interconnect the control levers with the bell cranks, and the bell cranks with hydraulic valve spools in a manner in which the valve body does not have to be reconfigured depending upon which the control system is utilized. The control levers are configured with a pivot casting having a bent control rod threadably received therein, the position of which is fixed by a lock nut permitting the control handle to be positioned in the orientation desired by the operator.

Abstract: Apparatus for wrapping cylindrical bales of crop material with twine includes a feed roller, a knife, and a twine arm connected to an electrical actuator for dispensing twine. The electrical actuator is extendable and retractable in order to cause pivoting movement of the twine arm between a rest position, a twine dispensing position and a twine cutting position. A first link is connected between the electrical actuator and a crank lever, and a second link is connected between the crank lever and the twine arm. Extension of the electrical actuator moves the twine arm from the rest position to the dispensing position and simultaneously results in the feed roller being driven. Retraction of the electrical actuator moves the twine arm from the twine dispensing position toward the twine cutting position while the feed roller continues to be driven. When the electrical actuator is fully retracted, the twine arm is moved into the twine cutting position and the knife is actuated.

Abstract: A reversible actuation linkage associated with a control lever determining the speed and direction of travel of a hydrostatically driven tractor in which the control is mounted with an operator's station pivotally supported to permit orientation of the operator in a selected one of opposing directions is disclosed wherein the linkage includes a cable actuator pivotally connected to a fixed linkage mechanism. The actuator cable includes a clevis mounted for pivotable movement about a vertical pivot axis coinciding with the axis about which the operator's station is rotatably movable. As a result, the actuator cable reversibly effects operation of the hydraulic system to effect movement of the tractor in the direction corresponding to the direction of movement of the control lever irrespective of the rotated position selected for the operator's station.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting tine guards on a pickup of an agricultural machine such as a baler or a forage harvester comprises upper and lower mounting plates which are removably attached to upper and lower frame members, respectively, on the pickup. The pickup includes a reel having a plurality of tines which project, as the reel rotates, through spaces or gaps formed between the tine guards. The upper ends of the tine guards are secured to the upper mounting plate while the lower ends of the tine guards are secured to the lower mounting plate so that the tine guards are removed together with the mounting plates when the mounting plates are detached from the pickup frame members.

Abstract: A wet flywheel housing is disclosed wherein a central web member separates the flywheel housing into first and second cavities in which a flywheel and a driven gear set are respectively rotatable. The web member supports a seal engageable with a hubbed gear forming part of the driven gear set and connected with the flywheel to permit the transfer of rotational power therebetween. A detachable lid member closes the second cavity in which the driven gear set is rotated to permit the introduction of an oil bath into the second cavity for lubrication of the driven gear set without permitting the migration of oil to the first cavity for engagement with the rotating flywheel.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling multiple functions of an agricultural implement such as a baler or a harvester includes first, second and third hydraulic cylinders which are operated to control first, second and third functions, respectively, of the implement. A shuttle valve is mechanically coupled to the first hydraulic cylinder by a rock shaft so that when the first hydraulic cylinder is retracted and extended, the shuttle valve selectively connects either the second or the third hydraulic cylinder to an independent source of hydraulic fluid. The first hydraulic cylinder is connected to another independent source of hydraulic fluid. In a baler having a bale case, a pickup, a tongue and a bale thrower, the first hydraulic cylinder raises and lowers the pickup, the second hydraulic cylinder moves the tongue between a transport position and an operating position, and the third hydraulic cylinder adjusts the bale thrower relative to the bale case.

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 crop harvesting machine having mounting arms engageable with a tractor to effect a mounting of the harvester on the tractor is disclosed wherein the hydraulic cylinders used to raise the crop gathering header are double-acting cylinders operable to orient the mounting arms relative to the crop gathering header to facilitate engagement thereof with the tractor. These hydraulic cylinders are converted from double-acting cylinders to single-acting cylinders after the header is mounted on the tractor by disconnection of the hydraulic hose powering a downward movement of the header and the subsequent connection thereof to the return line for the hydraulically driven motor powering operation of the crop gathering header.

Abstract: A grain loss monitor for a harvesting machine is provided with detector mechanism including a sensor plate and a transducer associated with the sensor plate. The detector mechanism is disposed for detecting grain loss through the impact of grain kernals on the sensor plate and the transducer has a resonant frequency in the range of 8 to 25 KHz. The grain loss monitor also includes a circuit operable to process the output signals from the transducer.

Abstract: A machine for making cylindrical bales of crop material utilizes a combination of rollers and belts arranged to define a bale starting chamber. A run of the belts forms the rear wall of the bale starting chamber while the rollers form the front wall of the bale starting chamber. The belt run extends upwardly and forwardly when the chamber is empty and is expandable in length during bale formation.

Abstract: A locking device for a rotatable operator's station for use on a hydrostatically driven tractor is disclosed wherein the locking device includes a spring-loaded pin connected to a flexible cable interconnected with a pivotable steering mechanism. The locking device is released by a pivotal movement of the steering mechanism beyond a normal range of tilting movement to an actuation position in which the overall length of the operator's station is minimized to facilitate the rotation thereof within the narrow confines of a cab enclosure. A pair of latching devices are provided to control the normal tilt movement of the steering mechanism and, respectively, to allow the steering mechanism to move beyond the normal range of tilting movement into the actuation position. Both latching devices must be released to move the steering mechanism to an actuation position to release the locking device and permit rotative movement of the operator's station.