Patents Assigned to Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11952738
    Abstract: A coupler for releasably coupling an attachment to a heavy-equipment machine. The coupler comprises a frame, and a plurality of connection elements extending from the frame, with the connection elements configured to engage with the attachment. The coupler additionally comprises a locking pin configured to extend simultaneously through the frame and the attachment. The coupler further comprises a locking element configured to selectively engage with the locking pin to securely couple the coupler to the attachment. The coupler further comprises an actuator configured to shift the locking element between an unlocked position and a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Linden, James Allen
  • Patent number: 11885095
    Abstract: A compact utility loader compact utility loader comprising a frame, a first track and a second track positioned on either side of the frame, and a pair of loader arms. The loader arms are configured to couple with an attachment via a hitch plate and a hitch pin. The compact utility loader is configured such that as the loader arms are raised and lowered, the hitch pin follows a path approximately defined by a curve ƒ(x)=4.641e0.34x The value “x” represents a horizontal direction and the function f(x) represents a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Carlson, John Relph, Matthew Shobe, Jeff Welsh
  • Patent number: 11849661
    Abstract: An autonomous agricultural system comprising a mobile power unit including a frame and a power supply. A position of the power supply is shiftable with respect to the frame of the mobile power unit. The autonomous agricultural system additionally includes an implement releasably secured to the mobile power unit. The mobile power unit is configured to transport the implement. The mobile power unit is further configured to provide power from the power supply to the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: David Disberger, Benjamin M Smith, Rye DeGarmo, Gregory W. Arnett, Craig A Reed, Chris Coleman
  • Patent number: 11825773
    Abstract: A high capacity square baler including a pickup mechanism configured to pick up a single windrow of crop material off the ground. The baler additionally includes one or more stuffer chutes each configured to receive at least a portion of the crop material picked up by the pickup mechanism. The baler additionally includes one or more stuffer assemblies each configured to push crop generally upward through one of the stuffer chutes. The baler further includes a plurality of separate bale-forming chambers each configured to receive crop material from one or more of the stuffer chutes and to form a bale of crop material therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Olander, Taylor Bozarth
  • Patent number: 11788250
    Abstract: A compact utility loader compact utility loader comprising a frame, a first track and a second track positioned on either side of the frame, and a pair of loader arms. The loader arms are configured to couple with an attachment via a hitch plate and a hitch pin. The compact utility loader is configured such that as the loader arms are raised and lowered, the hitch pin follows a path approximately defined by a curve f(x)=4.641e0.34x The value “x” represents a horizontal direction and the function f(x) represents a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Carlson, John Relph, Matthew Shobe, Jeff Welsh
  • Patent number: 11787462
    Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly for controlling movement of a vehicle having independently rotatable left and right ground-engaging traction elements. The steering assembly comprises a steering handle coupled to the panel support structure and extending generally upwardly from the panel support structure. The steering handle comprises a laterally-extending crossmember and at least one upright extension member. The crossmember and the upright extension member are rigidly connected to one another so that shifting of the crossmember relative to the extension member is substantially prevented. The steering handle is shiftable in forward and rearward directions to thereby cause corresponding forward and rearward rotation of both of the left and right traction elements. The steering handle is rotatable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions to thereby cause a change in the relative speeds and directions of rotation of the left and right traction elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Carlson
  • Patent number: 11751495
    Abstract: A tillage implement, a tillage machine, and a method of tilling soil is provided. The tillage implement includes a mounting bracket that couples to a rolling frame, a shank pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket via a hinge assembly, a soil working tool operatively coupled to a distal end of the shank, and a preload assembly for moving the shank to a loaded position that is rotationally offset from an unloaded position. The tillage machine includes a rolling frame that is pulled by a tow vehicle when tilling a field and multiple ones of the tillage implements operatively coupled to the rolling frame that contact and till the field. And the method includes attaching the tillage implement to a rolling frame, preloading the hinge assembly by moving the shank to a loaded position that is rotationally offset from the unloaded position, and contacting the soil with the soil working tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew B. Huber, Craig A. Reed
  • Patent number: 11751502
    Abstract: A distribution tower comprising an upright conduit for pneumatically conveying particulate material in a primary stream. The tower additionally includes a distribution head at the upper end of the conduit, with the distribution head comprising a plenum chamber for receiving the primary stream of particulate material from the conduit. The distribution head further comprises a plurality of discharge outlets for directing particulate material out of the plenum chamber by splitting the primary stream into a plurality of secondary streams. Each of the secondary streams is discharged from the distribution head via one of the discharge outlets. The tower additionally includes a flow adjustment system configured to adjust a distribution of particulate material between the secondary streams without completely restricting the flow of any of the secondary streams through their respective discharge outlet. The tower further includes a control system for controlling operation of said flow adjustment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob R. Riffel, Gregory W. Arnett, Verne A. Hubalek
  • Patent number: 11711993
    Abstract: A wheel assembly for an agricultural implement. The agricultural equipment includes a laterally-extending toolbar with one or more agricultural tools extending from the toolbar. The wheel assembly comprises a wheel configured to rotate along a ground surface. The wheel assembly additionally comprises a base bracket configured to be rigidly secured to the toolbar. The wheel assembly further comprises a wheel bracket adjustably engaged with the base bracket. Adjustment of the wheel bracket with respect to the base bracket causes a corresponding lateral shifting of the wheel with respect to the toolbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ranjit Patwardhan
  • Patent number: 11700781
    Abstract: A ground opener for an agricultural implement. The ground opener comprising an opening disc, and a support assembly securing the opening disc to the agricultural implement. The support assembly comprises an upper bar, a lower bar, a forward bar, and a rearward bar. At least a portion of each of the bars is orientated at an offset angle with respect to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Ptacek, Gregory W. Arnett, Verne A. Hubalek
  • Patent number: 11692328
    Abstract: A compact utility loader compact utility loader comprising a frame including a lower portion and an upper portion. A width of the lower portion is smaller than a width of the upper portion. The compact utility loader additionally comprises a first track and a second track, with each track being positioned on a side of the frame. Each of the tracks has a width of at least 7.5 inches, and the compact utility loader has an overall width of no more than 36 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Carlson, Toshihiko Takemura, John Relph, Matthew Shobe
  • Patent number: 11649605
    Abstract: A compact utility loader compact utility loader comprising a frame, and a pair of loader arms supported by the frame. The frame includes a right side, a left side, and a bottom side extending between the right side and the left side. The compact utility loader additionally includes an engine mount secured to the bottom side of the frame and spaced apart from each of the left side and the right side of the frame. The compact utility loader further comprises an engine supported on the engine mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Carlson, Toshihiko Takemura, John Relph, Jeff Welsh
  • Patent number: 11632893
    Abstract: A depth-adjustment assembly for ground openers of an agricultural implement. The ground openers each include an opening disc, a gauge wheel, and a support assembly securing the ground opener to the agricultural implement. The support assembly is configured to raise and lower the ground opener with respect to the ground and/or to adjust a down-pressure of the ground opener. The depth-adjustment assembly comprises for each of the ground openers, a linkage assembly and a depth-adjustment arm configured to adjust a relative position between the opening disc and the gauge wheel. At least a portion of the linkage extends in parallel relationship with the support assembly. The depth-adjustment assembly further comprises a laterally-extending common pivot bar. Each linkage assembly is secured to the common pivot bar, such that rotation of said common pivot bar is configured to simultaneously adjust the relative position between the opening disc and the gauge wheel of each of the ground openers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Ptacek, Gregory W. Arnett, Verne A. Hubalek
  • Patent number: 11622493
    Abstract: An agricultural implement broadly includes a ground-engaging tool, a time-of-flight sensor, and a controller. The time-of-flight sensor is configured to obtain information indicative of seed parameters, furrow parameters, and/or soil condition parameters. The controller is configured to process the information obtained by the time-of-flight sensor to generate the parameters, wherein the controller is further configured to automatically control operation of one or more components of the implement based on the parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Arnett, James Edward Schott, Paul Harold Haggard, Matthew D. Goodon, Michael Ohnsat
  • Patent number: 11622494
    Abstract: A control system for a tillage implement broadly includes front and rear sensors, a leveling assembly, and a controller. The front sensor is positioned on a front of a central section, wherein the front sensor is configured to obtain height information indicative of a height of the front of the central section above a ground. The rear sensor is positioned on a rear of the central section, wherein the rear sensor is configured to obtain height information indicative of a height of the rear of the central section above the ground. The leveling assembly is configured to adjust a front to rear orientation of the central section. The controller is configured to receive the height information from the front sensor and the height information from the rear sensor, and to provide instructions to the leveling assembly to adjust the front to rear orientation of the central section based on the received height information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Arnett, James Edward Schott, Paul Harold Haggard, Matthew D. Goodon, Michael Ohnsat
  • Patent number: 11592122
    Abstract: A hose clamp for supporting a hose with respect to a machine. The hose clamp may include a deformable clamping element comprising a section of material at least partially surrounding an opening. The opening extends through a thickness of the clamping element and is configured to receive the hose. The hose clamp additionally comprises a support element configured to secure the clamping element to the machine. The support element is further configured to compress the clamping element along a direction of the thickness of the clamping element, thereby deforming the clamping element and causing the clamping element to constrict around the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Relph
  • Patent number: 11576307
    Abstract: A baling system including a first bale-forming area configured to form a first series of first individual bales, and a second bale forming-area configured to from a second series of second individual bales. The baling system further includes a bale bundler configured to receive the first and second individual bales from the first and second bale forming-forming areas and to tie a group of at least six bales together to form a bale bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Olander, Taylor Bozarth
  • Patent number: 11576306
    Abstract: A baling system comprising a high capacity baler, and an electronic display configured to display baling information to an operator of the baling high capacity baler. The baler additionally comprises a first bale-forming area in which a first series of first individual bales can be formed, and a second bale-forming area in which a second series of second individual bales can be formed. The baler further comprises one or more first sensors configured to sense one or more parameters related to at least one of the first bales, and one or more second sensors configured to sense one or more parameters related to at least one of the second bales. The electronic display is configured to simultaneously display data generated from at least one of the first sensors and at least one of the second sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Olander, Taylor Bozarth, James Edward Schott
  • Patent number: 11559002
    Abstract: A square baler comprising a first bale-forming area in which are formed a first series of first individual bales, and a second bale-forming area in which are formed a second series of second individual bales. The square baler additionally comprises a singulator configured to receive the first and second individual bales from the first and second bale-forming areas and to form a single row of the first and second individual bales.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Olander, Taylor Bozarth, Christian Hayes Desbien
  • Patent number: 11547055
    Abstract: A square baler including a pickup mechanism configured to pick up crop material from a single windrow on the ground, and a rotor configured to receive crop material picked up by the pickup mechanism. The rotor includes a first toothed section, a second toothed section, and an interior auger flighted section located between the first toothed section and the section toothed section. The rotor is configured to separate crop material into two streams of crop material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor Bozarth, Brian Olander