Abstract: A system for lubricating picker spindles on a cotton harvester. The lubrication system includes a source of pressurized lubricant located on the cotton harvester and which is connected to a lubricant manifold assembly provided at an upper end of each picker rotor of the cotton harvester. The lubricant manifold assembly defines a cavity which receives lubricant through a lower end of the picker rotor. The manifold assembly further defines a series of lubricant passages which direct lubricant from the cavity toward an upper end of each picker bar and, ultimately, to an inner end of each of the picker spindles and the drive mechanisms therefor.

Abstract: A single lever directional control system for positively conditioning a tractor transmission for either a forward or reverse mode of operation. The control system includes a controller for engaging the transmission in either of two modes of operation as a function of the electrical signals directed to the controller, an electrical switch for directing electrical signals to the controller as a function of the operative state of the switch, and an over-center control lever for controlling the operative state of the switch. The over-centering of the control lever positively positions the lever in either of two positions corresponding to the two modes of operation of the transmission. Precise shifting of the transmission is facilitated by configuring the control lever for movement in two distinct directions of movement to shift the transmission.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based electronic control system for a powershift transmission having at least one proportional actuator, such as a solenoid-operated proportional valve, is disclosed. The controller operates a plurality of on-off solenoid valves and the solenoid-operated proportional valve to provide operator-selected gear shifts in both forward and reverse directions having controlled clutch engagements achieved by modulation of clutch engagement pressure by the proportional valve. The key parameters associated with the gradual clutch engagement are all easily varied by the controller, most under program control during operation, to provide for optimized clutch engagements for smooth gearshifts. The key parameters include: fast-fill clutch delay, initial clutch engagement pressure, rate of increase of clutch engagement pressure, and the length of the reduced pressure clutch engagement interval.

Abstract: A system for monitoring cotton flow through a conveying system of a cotton harvester. The monitoring system includes acoustic sensors for generating pulses or signals as a function of sound produced from cotton impinging upon a walled conveying duct of the conveying system. The sensors are connected to detector circuitry which provides a first signal condition when cotton flow through the duct is above a first level and a second signal condition when cotton flow is below the first level. The system of the present invention further includes an alarm which is responsive to outputs from the detector circuitry.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that aids an operator in entering or leaving the cab of a large construction or farm vehicle. This apparatus consists of a series of steps leading from the ground up into the cab of the vehicle and two guide rails that guide the operator up into the cab. A first guide rail is fixed to the cab outer housing, and a second guide rail is fixed to the inner face of the cab door that provides access to the cab. The cab door guide rail is angled and positioned so as to aid in guiding the operator into or out of the cab and is also positioned so as not to interfere with the use of any accessories that may be mounted within the door. In addition, the cab door guide rail is useful as a door handle and allows the operator to guickly enter or exit the cab.

Abstract: A multiple row cotton harvester machine having a plurality of harvesting units and a system for individually mounting the harvesting units at a front end of the cotton harvester. The mounting system includes a lift arm assembly which is adapted for vertical movement with respect to the frame of a harvesting machine. The harvesting units are individually connected to the lift arm assembly in a manner allowing the harvesting units to be pivotally moved relative to each other between first and second positions about a substantially vertical axis and in a generally horizontal direction to provide access for servicing or to effect wider row cotton harvesting operations.

Abstract: In general, an auxiliary system for steering a vehicle includes a power steering unit coupled to the vehicle steering wheel so that the steering unit is thereby made capable of being manually powered by a vehicle operator for providing a supply of fluid at a first pressure. Valve means is connected between the steering unit and a pressure intensification device for selectively providing motive power to the device. Actuator means is connected between the device and the steering linkage of a vehicle for steering movement of the wheels. The intensification device is powered for rotation by the fluid at the first pressure when the steering unit is manually operated. The intensification device thereby delivers hydraulic fluid to the actuator means at a second pressure for steering the vehicle during auxiliary conditions.

Abstract: A rotary fluid swivel for use with a cab heating system of a large construction vehicle is disclosed. The cab of the vehicle may be rotated through 360 degrees with respect to the vehicle frame. The cab heating system utilizes heated fluid from an engine mounted within the frame. The heated fluid must pass into the cab to heat the cab and must then be returned back to the engine. The rotary fluid swivel consists of a first fixed boss portion extending upwardly from the vehicle frame and a second spindle portion mounted to the cab. The spindle portion is rotatable about the boss portion and includes several channels. The boss portion includes a central conduit for passage of fluid from the engine to the cab heating unit and an outer conduit for return of the fluid to the engine.

Abstract: A cold start system is connected in an electrical circuit to a neutral start switch of a diesel powered vehicle. The electrical circuit includes a thermal switch and an electrical valve. The electrical valve is openable to permit communication between an ancillary fuel reservoir and the diesel engine manifold. The electrical valve opens only when the transmission is in neutral, the ancillary fuel switch is closed, and the thermal switch is not opened.

Abstract: An air intake system for an agricultural implement having a mobile frame, an internal combustion engine carried by the frame, a heat exchanger defining front and rear planar faces, an engine driven fan and a walled structure enclosing the engine, heat exchanger and fan. The walled structure defines a screened air inlet through which environmental air is drawn upon operation of the fan. An air plenum directs environmental air between the air inlet and the front face of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is mounted proximate to the fan toward one end of the air plenum. A bypass channel arranged adjacent the heat exchanger directs environmental air around the heat exchanger and exhausts a downstream of the rear face of the heat exchanger. Foreign material, carried in the environmental air, is likewise directed around the heat exchanger whereby preventing relatively rapid plugging of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A clutch assembly is provided for selectively establishing a drive connection between a pair of relatively rotatable members. The clutch assembly includes a series of interleaved plates operably effective when axially compressed to couple the rotatable members. A fluid pressure operated clutch actuator is provided for effecting clutch engagement and regulating the torque carrying capacity of the clutch assembly. The clutch actuator includes an annular clutch engaging face area. The present invention contemplates arranging a series of deflectable springs between the annular face area on the clutch actuator and the interleaved plates to provide a gradual deceleration of the clutch actuator during clutch engagement in a manner significantly reducing impact loading and associated torque peak to the clutch assembly.

Abstract: A control device for use in a dual function machine includes a first disconnecting device for connection between a first operator's control knob and at least one control valve usable for controlling a first function of the machine. A second disconnecting device is provided for connection between a second operator's control knob and at least one second control valve usable for controlling a second function of the machine. The disconnecting devices are arranged for mounting in actuating relationship to a swivel-type operator's seat, the first disconnecting device being actuated for disabling the second function when said seat is in a first position for operating the first function and the second disconnecting device being actuated for disabling the first function when the seat is in a second position for operating the second function.

Abstract: An improved pipe-moving apparatus is disclosed having a pipe-insertable elongate member which is articulated for ease of use, particularly for pipe laying near trench ends. In a preferred form, the elongate member has a series of at least two carrier members pivotably interconnected end-to-end, with the proximal end of such series of carrier members attached to the controlling mechanism, and structure supporting the carrier members in alignment when the carrier member series is suspended by its proximal end. A highly preferred embodiment accommodates the removable insertion of one or more additional carrier members in the series to extend the length of the elongate member.

Abstract: A lubricating system for a mechanism having a rotatable shaft supported in a housing by bearings. The lubrication system includes an open-ended axially extending fluid passage defined by the shaft, a fluid conduit defined by the housing, and a disc-shaped fluid diverter for fluidically joining the fluid passage in the shaft with the fluid conduit in the housing. The fluid diverter is arranged at the open-end of the shaft and includes a concentric hollow pilot portion extending at least partially, within the fluid passage in the shaft. The fluid diverter defines a series of open-ended channels which radially extend from and are joined in fluid communication with the hollow pilot portion. At least one port extends from the channel to direct lubrication toward the bearings supporting the shaft. Annular seals provided at the radial edges of the disc-shaped fluid diverter facilitate fluid flow between the channels in the diverter and the fluid passage in the housing.

Abstract: An air system for a cotton harvester having a harvester mechanism including a doffer assembly which forcibly directs doffed cotton toward a discharge compartment arranged on the cotton harvester. The air system of the present invention provides an elongated member which directs a stream of air rearwardly from the doffer assembly in a manner inhibiting doffed cotton from repeating around the doffer assembly. The air system of the present invention further contemplates directing a column of air downwardly behind the doffer assembly to positively evacuate an upper end of the discharge compartment and inhibit rebounding cotton from repeating around the doffer assembly. The air system of the present invention is especially useful for handling of harvested cotton in damp or high yield cotton conditions.

Abstract: A multi-row cotton harvester machine having a plurality of harvesting units and a system for individually mounting the harvesting units at a front end of the cotton harvester. The mounting system includes a tool bar which is adapted for vertical movement with respect to the frame of the harvesting machine. The harvesting units are individually connected to the tool bar in a manner allowing the harvesting units to be readily moved relative to each other between a first position wherein the units are arranged to effect narrow row cotton harvesting and a second position wherein the harvesting units are further spaced apart to provide access for servicing or to effect wider row cotton harvesting operations.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder, piston and rod assembly wherein the piston is secured to the rod in an efficient and inexpensive manner. The piston includes a threaded interior which is secured to a corresponding threaded portion on the end of the piston rod. An opening through a portion of the piston is aligned with a recess within the end portion of the piston rod to permit the insertion of a locking pin into the aligned openings. Thereafter, a compression ring, which is pivotally attached to the locking pin, is slipped into a complementary groove that is provided on the exterior periphery of the piston end portion. This provides a positive connection between the rod and piston which tolerates dimensional variations and eliminates play.

Abstract: A cotton harvester machine having a plurality of cotton harvesting units and a system for mounting the harvesting units at a front end of the cotton harvester. The harvesting units are connected to a frame of the cotton harvester machine in a manner allowing vertical displacement of the harvesting units with respect to the frame. The mounting system arranges the harvesting units forwardly of the frame at different distances in a manner improving weight distribution for the machine while facilitating narrow row cotton harvesting.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for use in moving a bucket on an earth-working machine that includes a hydraulic cylinder and power piston with the piston being operably connected to the bucket. A change-over valve connects a source of pressure fluid and the reservoir to the opposite axial sides of the piston to move the piston in a selected direction and pivot the bucket either clockwise or counterclockwise. When the bucket is being moved in its clockwise position to dump the bucket, gravity assists its movement, and the bucket begins to actually move the power piston. When this happens, the piston may move so quickly that the hydraulic pump cannot supply adequate hydraulic fluid to the chamber in the cylinder. To supplement the hydraulic pump and ensure that the hydraulic chamber has sufficient fluid in it, a regeneration valve is disposed in a line returning fluid to the reservoir.

Abstract: A sensor assembly and a protection device for use in conjunction with an air pressure tank. The sensor assembly consists of sensors that each act to give a visual indication when the pressure within the air pressure tank exceeds a preselected actuating pressure for the individual sensor. By observing the status of the sensors, an operator can quickly arrive at an approximation of the pressure within the air pressure tank. The sensor protection comprises a vapor separation unit that is disposed on the line that connects the air pressure tank to the sensor assembly. This protection unit acts to remove any vapor or fluids from the compressed air before it will reach the sensor unit. Due to the nature of the sensor units utilized, if the vapor or fluid were to reach the sensor units, it could clog them and prevent their operation.