Abstract: Apparatus for wrapping cylindrical bales of crop material formed in a bale forming chamber of an agricultural baler with sheet material such as net or plastic film. The apparatus includes a dispensing mechanism which is movable from a retracted position to a dispensing position for inserting a tail of the sheet material into the bale forming chamber of the baler so that the sheet material is wrapped circumferentially around a cylindrical bale disposed therein. The dispensing mechanism is comprised of a pair of clamping members that grip the tail of the sheet material and between which the sheet material is dispensed during bale wrapping. The apparatus also includes a motor and a plurality of links for moving the dispensing mechanism between its retracted and dispensing positions.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlling a shuttle shift transmission may be programmed while the gearshift lever is in neutral to preselect a forward and reverse gear into which the transmission is shifted when the gearshift lever is moved to a forward or reverse position. The microprocessor may also be programmed so that, in shifting between forward and reverse, the forward and reverse gears selected differ by a preprogrammed amount. The microprocessor may be programmed to control vehicle deceleration by selecting gears in the transmission so that the transmission and/or the vehicle engine become a load for decelerating the vehicle. In a diagnostic mode, the microprocessor executes a routine to develop a clutch calibration value which may later be used to insure uniformity of clutch operation in different vehicles, or in the same vehicle over a period of time. The normal speed ratio matching which normally takes place when shifting gears may be manually overriden by operator manipulation of the gearshift lever.

Abstract: A backhoe pivotally supported from a prime mover is disclosed wherein the hydraulic cylinders operably connected to the outrigger stabilizers are provided with a detent to maintain the outrigger stabilizers in an elevated transport position until being pressurized to extend the cylinders and, thereby, rotate the stabilizers into a ground engaging position. The detent is in the form of a projection extending inwardly from the barrel of the outrigger stabilizer cylinder and positioned for engagement with a deformable detent ring when the piston is moved to the fully retracted position. The detent includes a relief to permit the flow of hydraulic fluid past the engagement between the detent ring and the projection so that hydraulic cylinder will not become hydraulically locked.

Abstract: A reciprocating cutterbar of the type utilizing a pair of counter-reciprocating sickles driven at the opposing outboard ends and overlapping at the inboard ends thereof is disclosed wherein the knife sections are detachably affixed to the respective support bars of these sickles by special threaded fasteners to permit the overlapped knife sections to maintain a close shearing relationship. These special threaded fasteners include a head portion adapted to be countersunk into the body of the knife section below the surface thereof, a threaded portion adapted to be threadably engaged with a nut to effect a clamping load between the knife section and support bar, and an intermediate portion having a non-circular cross-sectional configuration engageable with a corresponding non-circular opening formed in the support bar to restrict rotation thereof when the fastener is engaged therewith.

Abstract: A backhoe pivotally supported from a prime mover is disclosed wherein the hydraulic boom cylinder operably interconnecting the frame of the prime mover and the boom member for operably moving the boom assembly generally vertically relative to the prime mover is provided with a decelerator to slow the flow of hydraulic fluid from the cylinder as the cylinder becomes completely collapsed, corresponding to a placement of a boom assembly into a transport position. The decelerator is formed as a piston extension detachably connected to the piston of the hydraulic cylinder and having an orifice therethrough to permit passage of hydraulic fluid at a slower rate once the piston extension seal has passed the corresponding port. An annular gap between the piston extension and the wall of the boom cylinder permits the flow of hydraulic fluid through the decelerator to reach the exhaust port irrespective of the radial location of the orifice through the piston extension relative to the exhaust port.

Abstract: In a forage harvester, a shear bar is adjusted relative to the knives of a rotating cutterhead by selectively energizing first and second motors to move one or the other end of the shear bar toward the cutterhead. A vibration sensor senses vibration of the shear bar and controls a circuit to deenergize an energized motor when vibration is induced in the shear bar. The vibration may be caused by impact of the cutterhead knives on the shear bar (a true hit) or by random noise (detected as a false hit). To discriminate between false hits and true hits, an energized motor is stopped when a first hit (true or false) is detected. A timer is set to time an interval at least as great as the time it takes the cutterhead to make one revolution, and during this interval the vibration sensor is repeatedly sampled to determine if a second hit has occurred. If a second hit is detected during the interval the first hit is assumed to be a true hit.

Abstract: A roll baling machine includes a main frame, a tailgate pivotally connected to the main frame, and an apron extending around a plurality of guide rolls disposed in the main frame and in the tailgate. A pair of take up arms are rotatably mounted in the tailgate and carry an additional guide roll for the apron. A pair of levers are connected to rotate with the take up arms, and springs are connected to the levers to urge the take up arms into a bale starting position. The machine is provided with a twine wrapper, and a mechanism for automatically tripping the twine wrapper into operation comprises a cam surface on one of the levers engageable with a cam roller carried on a first link. This first link is rotatably mounted on the main frame and is connected to a sliding member which is movable toward and away from a tripping position. The tripping mechanism also includes second, third and fourth links connecting the first link to the sliding member.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for measuring grain loss in a harvesting machine in substantially absolute terms. This apparatus comprises one or more first detectors operable to detect one or more operating condition parameters and to produce a first electrical output signal representative thereof, a plurality of second detectors operable to detect grain separation at a plurality of locations within the machine and to produce second electrical output signals representative thereof, processor means to which the first and second output signals are applied and operable to derive therefrom a substantially absolute indication of grain loss at a given instant, and display means for displaying the grain loss indication.

Abstract: A mounting frame for use with a tractor loader is disclosed wherein the main support arms extend generally linearly from the rear pivot mounting thereof with the tractor to the front pivot mounting with the loader bucket. The thickest portion of the main support arm is positioned immediately rearwardly of the transverse torque tube interconnecting the laterally spaced main support arms. Each main support arm decreases in size from this intermediate portion toward the forward and rearward pivots. The main support arm is generally symmetrical about a straight line interconnecting the forward and rearward pivots.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlling a shuttle shift transmission may be programmed while the gearshift lever is in neutral to preselect a forward and reverse gear into which the transmission is shifted when the gearshift lever is moved to a forward or reverse position. The microprocessor may also be programmed so that, in shifting between forward and reverse, the forward and reverse gears selected differ by a pre-programmed amount. The microprocessor may be programmed to control vehicle deceleration by selecting gears in the transmission so that the transmission and/or the vehicle engine become a load for decelerating the vehicle. In a diagnostic mode, the microprocessor executes a routine to develop a clutch calibration value which may later be used to insure uniformity of clutch operation in different vehicles, or in the same vehicle over a period of time. The normal speed ratio matching which normally takes place when shifting gears may be manually overridden by operator manipulation of the gearshift lever.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlling a shuttle shift transmission may be programmed while the gearshift lever is in neutral to preselect a forward and reverse gear into which the transmission is shifted when the gearshift lever is moved to a forward or reverse position. The microprocessor may also be programmed so that, in shifting between forward and reverse, the forward and reverse gears selected differ by a preprogrammed amount. The microprocessor may be programmed to control vehicle deceleration by selecting gears in the transmission so that the transmission and/or the vehicle engine become a load for decelerating the vehicle. In a diagnostic mode, the microprocessor executes a routine to develop a clutch calibration value which may later be used to insure uniformity of clutch operation in different vehicles, or in the same vehicle over a period of time. The normal speed ratio matching which normally takes place when shifting gears may be manually overridden by operator manipulation of the gearshift lever.

Abstract: A power shift transmission having a ratio matching feature whereby the disengagement of the transmission by moving the gearshift lever to the neutral position or by depressing the clutch pedal initiates a routine in the microprocessor controlling the operation of the transmission to calculate the ratio of the rotation of the input and output shafts of the transmission and select the gear most closely matching the calculated ratio is disclosed wherein the ratio matching routine can be manually overridden by signalling a gear change with the gearshift lever. The override feature for the ratio matching routine can be permanent for each disengagement of the transmission or temporary for the running of a timer for a predetermined length of time.

Abstract: A material debagging apparatus includes a receptacle movable between upright loading and inverted dumping positions. The receptacle defines a bagged material holding chamber with a closed bottom and an open top. A rupturing mechanism in the form of a pair of generally parallel drums having circumferential rows of teeth thereon is carried on the receptacle adjacent the closed bottom of the chamber. The rupturing mechanism is operable for rupturing a bag at least partially filled with material and disposed in the chamber with the bottom of the bag overlying the rupturing mechanism. A clamping device is mounted on the receptacle adjacent the open top of the chamber for clamping and securing the top of the bag while the bottom of the bag is ruptured by the rupturing mechanism. The clamping device includes a pair of clamp members positioned side-by-side and normally urged into a clamping condition by a spring.

Abstract: A material debagging apparatus includes a receptacle movable between upright loading and inverted dumping positions. The receptacle defines a bagged material holding chamber with a closed bottom and an open top. A rupturing mechanism in the form of a pair of generally parallel drums having circumferential rows of teeth thereon is carried on the receptacle adjacent the closed bottom of the chamber. The rupturing mechanism is operable for rupturing a bag at least partially filled with material and disposed in the chamber with the bottom of the bag overlying the rupturing mechanism. A drive mechanism is coupled to the drums of the rupturing mechanism for transmitting rotary power thereto to cause counterrotation of the drums. A clamping device normally disposed in a clamping condition is mounted on the receptacle adjacent the open top of the chamber.

Abstract: A method of wrapping cylindrical bales of crop material with twine includes extending and retracting an electrical actuator to cause pivoting movement of a twine arm. When the electrical actuator is extended, the twine arm is moved from a rest position to a twine dispensing position and a feed roller is simultaneously driven to feed twine that is dispensed by the twine arm. Retraction of the electrical actuator moves the twine arm from the twine dispensing position toward a twine cutting position while the feed roller continues to be driven. When the electrical actuator is retracted further, the twine arm is moved into the twine cutting position and a knife is simultaneously actuated to cut the twine.

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 round baler includes a bale chamber in which, in use of the baler, a bale of crop material is formed; a source of bale wrapping material; bale wrapping control apparatus; and a knife operable under the control of the wrapping control means to cut the wrapping material. The bale wrapping control apparatus comprises a first set of worm and sector gears operable to drive the knife to a position ready for cutting the bale wrapping material and a second set of worm and sector gears operable to determine the length of wrapping material to be dispensed from the source of wrapping material for wrapping a given bale and then to initiate operation of the knife to effect cutting of the dispensed wrapping means from the source. Both of the worm gears are carried on a single master shaft which is rocked in one direction to activate the first set of gears and in the opposite direction to activate the second set of gears.

Abstract: A material debagging apparatus includes a receptacle movable between upright loading and inverted dumping positions. The receptacle defines a bagged material holding chamber with a closed bottom and an open top. A rupturing mechanism in the form of a pair of generally parallel drums having circumferential rows of teeth thereon is carried on the receptacle adjacent the closed bottom of the chamber. The rupturing mechanism is operable for rupturing a bag at least partially filled with material and disposed in the chamber with the bottom of the bag overlying the rupturing mechanism. A drive mechanism is coupled to the drums of the rupturing mechanism for transmitting rotary power thereto to cause counterrotation of the drums. The rupturing mechanism includes a grate-like structure consisting of a plurality of laterally spaced bars disposed above the drums for supporting the bag while it is being ruptured.

Abstract: A control mechanism for an electronically controlled power shift transmission is disclosed wherein the shift pattern for the control mechanism includes an upshift and downshift path of movement for each of the forward, neutral, and reverse positions through which the control lever is movable. The control lever is biased toward a no-shift sub-position for each position of movement of the lever. A latching mechanism engageable when the control lever is in the neutral position does not restrict movement of the lever between the upshift and downshift subpositions.