Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine having a plurality of cleaning sieves which are operated to arrange grain in a thin veil or crop mat on the sieves. The cleaning system of the present invention includes an elongated transverse cleaning fan and an air plenum. The cleaning fan is rotatably driven about a fixed axis and includes a plurality of spaced apart blades peripherally disposed about the fan. The air plenum extends parallel to and along substantially the entire length of the fan for directing a forced flow of air from the fan rearwardly through the cleaning sieves. The air plenum includes upper and lower air directing baffles.

Abstract: A fluid conduit delivers hydraulic cooling fluid to a mechanism including a clutch assembly which releasably joins two members rotatably mounted on a shaft. A linearly positionable clutch actuator controls operation of the clutch assembly. To avoid flooding of the clutch area with cooling fluid, a mechanism is provided for metering fluid flow delivered to the clutch area as a function of clutch operation. The mechanism includes a sleeve coaxially mounted on the shaft for metering the fluid flow exhausted from the fluid conduit in response to movement of the clutch actuator.

Abstract: A crop delivery system for an axial flow combine having a crop harvesting apparatus and a threshing apparatus including a rotor having an impeller at its forward end. The crop delivery system is interposed between the crop harvesting apparatus and the threshing apparatus. The crop delivery system includes a crop feeder, a transition housing with one or more transport vanes, and a crop delivery vane assembly. The transition housing surrounds the impeller and has an inlet end which opens to the crop feeder and an outlet end which opens to the the threshing apparatus. The crop delivery vane assembly is arranged with the transition housing substantially normal to the rotor and in crop receiving relation with the crop feeder. The vane assembly includes a plurality of delivery vanes for positively moving crop material rearwardly and peripherally outward toward the transport vanes.

Abstract: Improved tractor frontal three-point connection apparatus with lower links attached to the front bolster at a pivot axis behind the front panelling of the tractor housing and pivotable to positions behind such panelling, the lower links having rear extensions acted on by lower ends of substantially vertical hydraulic cylinders to pivot the lower links to a substantially vertical orientation, thereby facilitating movement of lower links to inoperative positions over the front axles. Preferred embodiments include a tubular rock shaft rotatably mounted on the front bolster and having rearwardly extending cylinder-attachment lugs, opposite ends removably receiving journals of the lower links, and pocket members at each end receiving and interacting with the rear extensions of the lower links.

Abstract: An indexing mechanism comprising a member adapted to be advanced a predetermined amount and along a predetermined path, a pair of spaced drivers, and a control valve for operating the drivers in an alternative manner. The member adapted to be advanced defines a profile surface including a plurality of spaced radial segments. Each radial segment includes a crown section which is joined to an adjacent crown section by two oppositely directed ramps defining a fillet radius therebetween. The spacing between the drivers being such that when one driver is urged against a crown section the other driver acts against a fillet radius. The drivers are operated by the control valve 180.degree. out of phase relative to each other. A driver, after moving off a crown section, coacts with ramp to impart a driving force to the member. The driving force being sufficient to move the member in an indexed fashion the predetermined amount of its movement.

Abstract: A device for closing an ignition-enablement switch only if a drive control is in neutral position includes a stop member, a switch mount and a closing member each biased toward its position of engagement with the stop member and movable to positions displaced therefrom, the switch mount having the switch on it such that it is closed by the closing member only when the closing member and switch mount are both in their stop-engaging positions, and an actuator mechanism movable with the drive control between positions displacing the closing member and positions displacing the switch mount, through a position displacing neither. The device may be integrated with the drive control, with major parts pivotable about the control axis. Or the device may be attached to the drive control by a link arm, with major parts pivotable about a separate axis.

Abstract: A dozer blade mounting assembly for angling and tilting the blade, while preventing or adjustably limiting pitching, without inducing stresses in the assembly. The blade is supported on a conventional C-frame by a universal connection in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a mast assembly connected to the frame midportion and extending upwardly from the frame, a pair of hydraulic angling cylinders connected between the side portions of the blade and the mast assembly adjacent the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, a tilt cylinder connected between the frame and the mast assembly and a bracket assembly supporting the upper portion of the blade and preventing or adjustably limiting pitching of the blade.

Abstract: A three point implement hitch arrangement for a tractor including a frame assembly, a pair of draft arms pivotally supported on the frame assembly intermediate their ends and lift cylinders having a cylinder portion pivotally supported on the frame assembly above the draft arms and having a rod portion pivotally connected to the draft arms, forwardly of the draft arm pivotal connections. The lift cylinders are connected in series, wherein the area of the rod end of one cylinder is equal to the area of the head end of the second cylinder, whereby the cylinders may be operated independently to tilt the implement or operated in unison to lift the implement, eliminating the requirement for a complex structural support and control.

Abstract: A shift control system for automatically shifting a multi-speed hydromechanical transmission one gear ratio at a time. The shift control system includes a cam element and an electronically controlled shifter assembly. The cam element is shiftable between distinct angular positions corresponding to different and distinct gear ratios for the transmission. The shifter assembly includes an actuator for imparting movement to the control element and a pair of stop assemblies. The stop assemblies limit angular movement of the cam element in incremental steps and, thereby, sequence transmission operation to one gear ratio at a time.

Abstract: A composite engine enclosure for a tractor or like power-driven implement is disclosed. The enclosure includes a pivotal upper hood which is movable between raised and lowered positions, and at least one associated lower hood panel which cooperates with the other hood for substantially enclosing the engine of the implement. Each of the lower hood panels is provided with a hinging and latching arrangement to permit either pivotal opening movement of each panel, or complete removal of the panel from the implement, as may be required.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a transmission including a speed transmission assembly, a range transmission assembly, and a hydraulically actuated master clutch for selectively coupling the transmission assemblies. The speed transmission assembly includes a plurality of hydraulically actuated clutch assemblies for effecting different forward output speeds and at least one reverse output speed. The range transmission assembly also includes a plurality of hydraulically actuated clutch assemblies. The control system includes a valve body connected to a hydraulic source of fluid pressure. A plurality of control valves are positioned in the valve body by an operator controlled shift lever. The control valves direct fluid pressure to various clutch assemblies in the speed and range transmission assemblies to condition the transmission into a forward, reverse, or neutral mode of operation as a function of shift lever position.

Abstract: A vibratory plow including a cutter assembly which slices the ground covering and breaks the sod ahead of the cable-laying plow blade. The plow assembly includes a blade holder that is pivotally mounted to a vibrator frame. A mounting member attaches the cutting blade of the cutter assembly to the blade holder. The cutting blade is polygonal in shape and includes a plurality of mounting holes located in polygonal patterns. The mounting member includes a complementary set of mounting holes also arranged in a polygonal pattern. The present construction permits the cutting blade to be moved to a plurality of cutting positions rather than replacing the cutter after a cutting edge is worn.

Abstract: An axial flow combine harvester incorporating a novel air flow system for separating grain from material other than grain. The system includes a cross-flow fan located at the exit end of the threshing cage which acts in conjunction with a cross-flow fan located adjacent the inlet end of the threshing cage to positively direct air past the cage to provide amore efficient separation of the grain from the chaff or straw.

Abstract: A latch device for a hinged door including a resiliently flexible latch bar secured to the door and having a free portion extending along the inside of the door to an end portion, near the door edge, which engages a catch by means of the bending and straightening of the latch bar. Preferred embodiments include a stop bar similar to the latch bar, but extending beyond the opposite door edge to engage another catch to hold the door open. The latch and stop bars are preferably a single bar with two free portions at its opposite ends. The catches have bearing surfaces which distort the bar as the door swings to prepare it to snap into locking engagement with the catches. Access to the latch bar, to allow unlatching, is provided through the door.

Abstract: An implement floating frame hinge assembly is provided for accommodating the folding of pivotally connected first and second frame sections wherein a first lever is pivotally connected to the first frame section, a second lever is connected between the second frame section and the first lever, an an extendable and retractable actuator is pivotally connected between the first frame section and the second lever. The assembly includes a connection of the second lever to the second frame section about a pivot axis fixed relative to the second frame section. A pin is moveable with the second lever at a fixed distance from the pivot axis of the connection between the second frame section and the second lever.

Abstract: A sway limiting apparatus for a tractor hitch assembly including draft links which are vertically movable between a lower operative position and an upper transport position. The sway limiting apparatus includes a telescopic linkage assembly whose operative effectiveness in limiting lateral sway of the hitch assembly is controlled by a cam defining a cam profile. The cam profile and the linkage assembly cooperate to normally control lateral sway of the hitch assembly as a function of the vertical position of a draft link relative to the horizontal.

Abstract: A cable guiding chute assembly suitable for attachment to a vibratory plow blade to dispense a cable at a selected drop radius. The cable chute assembly includes a pair of generally vertical side wall members joined by a forward wall to define a cable passageway and interchangeable gate members extending the length of the passageway to define cable guiding conduits having different radii. Each gate member is releasably secured to the side walls of the chute to permit expeditious removal and replacement. Further, the chute assembly is constructed with minimal surface area to reduce drag and a leading edge to reduce the build-up of material between the chute and plow blade. Moreoever, the chute assembly includes a downwardly directed bottom opening which permits pulling of the cable when the plow blade is removed from the ground without damaging the cable exterior.

Abstract: A radiator restraining assembly which permits limited flexing of the radiator while retaining it in its desired position. The radiator restraining assembly generally comprises a ring mounted to the radiator, a resilient bushing within the ring, and a fastener inserted into the bushing. The fastener includes a bearing portion which engages a washer element that is positioned between the bearing portion and the bushing. The restraining assembly holds the radiator in a desired position while allowing flexing of the unit about the axis of the fastener. Moreover, the construction provides longevity to the flexing and shock absorbing characteristics of the assembly.

Abstract: A multi-speed powershaft transmission comprising a speed transmission assembly, a range transmission assembly, and a master clutch for selectively connecting the speed and range transmission assemblies. The speed transmission assembly includes a speed input section which is connectable to a driven powershaft and a speed output section which is connected to the master clutch. A cluster gear assembly interconnects the speed input and output sections. The speed input section includes two hydraulically operated clutch assemblies capable of producing two different forward input speed ratios. The speed output section comprises a plurality of clutch operated driven gear assemblies and is capable of producing at least three equally different forward output speed ratios and one reverse output speed ratio. Any of the plurality of driven gear assemblies included in the speed output section are engaged by powershifting through the pair of hydraulically operated clutch assemblies included in the speed input section.