Abstract: An improved swingable tractor-backhoe interconnection for a tractor-mounted backhoe having a pair of vertically-spaced articulation means along the axis forming an axially-aligned void space therebetween, a preferably free-floating center yoke in the void space with two vertical rows of openings securing hydraulic hoses in two adjacent rows, and a pair of side yokes on the tractor, one for each row of hoses, positioned on opposite sides of the center plane and spaced from the axis and center plane such that the two rows of hoses are divergent between the center and side yokes.

Abstract: The present invention is a steering system for an articulated vehicle which has at least one axle mounted for wagon-wheel steering with respect to the vehicle, a hydraulic actuator for pivoting the axle with respect to the vehicle and a pair of hydraulic actuators for causing articulation of the vehicle. The improved steering system includes sensors for providing signals dependent on the degree of axle pivot relative to the vehicle, the degree of articulation of the vehicle and the desired direction of the vehicle travel. These signals are detected by a controller which in turn controls actuation of the axle and articulation hydraulic actuators. The actuators are operated in a sequential manner so that small directional changes of the vehicle are achieved solely through pivoting of the axle.

Abstract: A dual wheel mount assembly is disclosed which is particularly suited for heavy implements such as agricultural combines or earth moving equipment. Inner and outer wheels of the assembly are interchangeable and formed with circumferentially spaced mounting holes which are alternately of a smaller diameter and a larger diameter. Retaining nuts are threaded only on the mounting bolts in the smaller diameter holes in the inner wheel to operationally secure the same. The outer wheel is mounted so that the larger diameter holes therein fit over the retaining nuts for the inner wheel. Outer retaining nuts are operationally threaded on all of the bolts, including those securing the inner wheel. Removal of the outer wheel thus may be accomplished without affecting the securement of the inner wheel.

Abstract: A stone ejection door mechanism for harvesting equipment comprising a stone sensing mechanism which will sense the presence of stones being ingested into the combine. A trap door mechanism including front and rear doors which are opened when stones are detected in the entering crop. The front door is moved to the open position when the presence of stones is sensed, and this opening movement acts through a chain and sprocket to rapidly open the rear door. After the stones have been ejected, the front door is closed followed by the rear door.

Abstract: A furrow forming apparatus for a seed planter is disclosed wherein the construction facilitates convenient adjustment of spring-biasing exerted on furrow forming disks of the assembly. The apparatus includes a parallel linkage which permits relative vertical movement of the disks. Springs operatively associated with the linkage are positionable for creating either downward or upward pressure on the disks. Adjustment of the springs is accommodated by the provision of an upper support rod which receives upper ends of the springs, with the support rod selectively positionable along upper links of the parallel linkage by the provision of an adjustable rack and pinion mounting arrangement.

Abstract: A bleed circuit for a backhoe boom cylinder which minimizes cylinder pressure during over-center movement of the boom while permitting the maintenance of sufficient cylinder pressure during other boom operations. The boom cylinder is provided with a retract port, a head end port, and a small bleed port with a bleed line connecting the bleed and head end ports. As the boom cylinder crosses over-center, the fluid pressure in the retract side of the boom cylinder may be transmitted from the rod end to the head end of the cylinder thereby reducing cylinder pressure and improving the over-center controlability of the boom.

Abstract: A dirt deflector overtravel mechanism for a digging boom assembly which permits raising and lowering of the dirt deflector when the deflector is impacted by a rock or the like. The dirt deflector is pivotally attached at one end to a frame. A deflector link is pivotally attached at one end to the boom frame and its opposite end supports the dirt deflector. The opposite end of the deflector link is also pivotally attached to an overtravel link which, in turn, is pivotally attached to the deflector such that it remains in close proximity to the deflector under normal conditions. When a large rock or the like is thrown against the dirt deflector by the digging chain, the deflector link and overtravel link move from a scissors-like position to a colinear position which permits the dirt deflector to be displaced thereby preventing breakage or damage to the deflector. After the impact and displacement of the dirt deflector, the deflector will automatically fall back into place under its own weight.

Abstract: A foldable implement carrier is provided with a carriage having at least one support wheel and first and second toolbar sections carried by the carriage. First and second mounting mechanisms are provided for pivotally mounting the first and second toolbar sections respectively to the carriage about first and second vertical pivot axes, respectively, for pivoting movement between a generally transversely aligned end-to-end field configuration and a generally parallel transport configuration. The second pivot axis is located further forward on the carriage than the first pivot axis. First and second motors are provided for effecting pivoting movement of the first and second toolbar sections, respectively.

Abstract: A tractor power take-off shaft shield assembly having fixed side plates projecting from a tractor wall on either side of the shaft(s), a top plate hinged to the wall and sized to pivot between the side plates, and a slot in one and preferably both side plates each receiving a slot follower pivotably attached to the top plate, which is set in normal, lowered or raised position by positioning the slot follower(s). Preferred embodiments include each slot having an upper slot section angled downwardly somewhat from horizontal to support the slot follower when the tractor is not in use and cause it to automatically return the top plate to its normal position during tractor use. Some preferred embodiments include sidewalls on the top plate adjacent to the side plates.

Abstract: A quick coupler for attaching various material handling implements to a lift arm. The quick coupler includes an opening on one end for pivotal connection with the lift arm and a slotted end portion for selective engagement with a mounting pin on the implement. An intermediate portion of the quick coupler includes a mounting or coupler pin that extends laterally beyond the sides of the quick coupler. An actuating mechanism including a push-pull link is connected to the quick coupler for rotating it about the end of the lift arm. The quick coupler includes an element which may be used for lifting or positioning objects while the quick coupler is fully attached to the implement. Each implement is provided with a pair of opposed attachment members which include slots for receiving the outer laterally extending portions of the quick coupler mounting pin.

Abstract: A dual headlight assembly for use on agricultural and industrial equipment, such as tractors. Invention includes a sealed assembly of a transparent lens element, an intermediate lamp reflector member with reflective cavities, a removable lamp assembly and a rear enclosure member. The transparent lens and the rear enclosure create a housing for the other elements of the assembly. Access to the internal parts is provided through a removable access cover in the rear enclosure member.

Abstract: A seed hopper construction for use in connection with rotary drum seed planter requiring positive pressure for its seed metering operation. The hopper comprises a tapering bottom wall with an opening therein and an internal duct associated with said wall and opening. A deformable tubular diaphragm valve is positioned in the duct and projects from the opening in the bottom wall. A vertical air pressure tube is mounted in the hopper and carries a two-position valve for directing air into the hopper or to the diaphragm valve. The pressure tube also has a bottom air inlet depending from the bottom wall. A centrifugal blower having a positive pressure side outlet communicates with the pressure tube air inlet and the seed drum. The blower has a negative pressure central opening in spaced registry with the diaphragm valve.

Abstract: A hoe-opener assembly having a "float" feature is disclosed. The present invention ties operation of several hoe openers to a common framework so that uniform depth control can be maintained. The hoe-opener assembly of the present invention is drawn behind an agricultural implement having a tool bar, and comprises a vertically movable framework. A frame lift-and-lower arrangement is provided for adjusting the spacing of the framework relative to the ground. The hoe-opener assembly includes a plurality of spring-biased hoe openers, each pivotally carried for limited pivotal movement by the framework at spaced intervals along the length thereof. A biasing-spring arrangement in operative association with each hoe-opener is provided whereby each hoe opener is substantially fixed against independent movement, relative to the framework.

Abstract: An improved vehicle-mounted lifting apparatus for a vibratory device. The apparatus includes bearings in which a principal pivot shaft is journaled, a lifting link and at least one center-bonded joint spaced along and nonrotatably mounted on the pivot shaft, a lift cylinder secured to the vehicle and extending to the lifting link, and a rigid arm extending from each center-bonded joint to a support for the vibratory device. Although a compact simplified lifting structure, excellent vibratory isolation to protect the lift cylinder is provided.

Abstract: In a self-propelled cotton harvester, a microprocessor circuit associated with the cotton compactor for automatically controlling the operating cycles of the compactor. A digital counter-type transducer is associated with the transmission gear or drive wheel and counts the number of revolutions of that member. Once the operator has entered in the microprocessor memory the starting time of the compactor operation in relation to the number of revolutions of the drive gear or wheel, each cotton picking cycle thereafter proceeds automatically without intervention by the operator, so that operation of the compactor begins at substantially the same point in each cotton load.

Abstract: An adjustable down pressure mechanism is disclosed for use in association with a furrow forming apparatus of a seed planter. A parallel linkage arrangement is provided for mounting the apparatus on a tool bar of a tractor or the like, whereby the apparatus can follow the contour of the ground for efficient and consistent furrow formation. The down pressure mechanism comprises one or more springs operatively extending between upper and lower links of the parallel linkage. An upper support member for the springs is configured for convenient adjustable positioning along the upper links, whereby the pressure exerted by the springs on the furrow forming apparatus can be readily varied.

Abstract: A digging boom assembly including a first section which is attached to a trencher and a second section that may be disconnected from the first section and replaced with another identically configured section of longer or shorter length. The boom assembly is attached to the trencher such that the first section always remains connected to the trencher while the second section may be selectively exchanged with another section of a different length thereby permitting variable digging depths. An auger attachment and a crumber attachment are connected to the first boom section, which remains attached to the trencher at all times. Thus, when the second boom section is disconnected and replaced with another section of longer or shorter length, the auger and crumber attachments do not have to be disassembled from the boom assembly.

Abstract: A cotton picker doffer element adjustment mechanism which continuously and automatically adjusts the elevation of the doffer elements in relationship with the picker spindles as the doffer pads wear. The doffer elements continuously gravitate downwardly to maintain contact between the doffer pads and the picker spindles. A hydraulic fluid arrangement is provided to automatically prevent upward movement of the doffer elements. A manually operable device may be provided to selectively exert additional pressure over gravity to the doffer elements or to permit gravity to be overridden. An external pressure source may be provided to supplement the downward gravitation of the doffer elements.

Abstract: An anti-fatigue mounting mechanism, which is used to join a drag bar to an endless chain in a combine feeder mechanism, is disclosed. A combine feeder mechanism typically includes a feeder housing, a feeder drum rotatably carried within the housing, and endless chains rotatably carried in the housing and used to rotate the drum about an axis of rotation. A spaced pair of the chains is typically mounted on end portions of the drum, and a third chain is preferably mounted therebetween. One of the embodiments of the present invention pivotally joins a drag bar lateral end portion to one of the end-mounted chains. The other embodiment pivotally joins facing drag bar end portions to each other and to the chain disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A cotton harvester and picker unit is provided for the harvesting of narrow spaced row cotton. The cotton harvester is provided with novel picker units which overlap one another to reduce the total lateral width of the cotton harvester. The inventive harvesting units are also elongated in the direction of the travel to reduce the transverse width. The picker units also have a composite post assembly, compressor sheet and plant lifter which allows for quick disassembly without hand or power tools. Removal of the front post assembly provides easier access to the rotors for maintenance or removal of chokes.