Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing plant material in which a first rotatable crushing roller with an outer generally cylindrical surface cooperates with a second adjacent rotatable crushing roller also having an outer generally cylindrical surface. The rollers, mounted with their surfaces positioned in close proximity to each other, rotate in opposite directions to receive and crush plant material. A rotatable impact rotor having a plurality of outwardly extending projections is mounted rearwardly of the crushing rollers for impacting plant material that has passed between the rollers to macerate the plant material that has been previously crushed by the rollers. The crushed and macerated plant material is diverted and again impacted one or more times by the outwardly extending projections of the impact rotor.

Abstract: A spreader having a main frame, and a tank mounted on the main frame for receiving manure or other fertilizer material. At least one auger is rotatably mounted in the tank for conveying material received in the tank to a discharge area where an opening is provided in the tank. A distribution assembly, also mounted on the main frame, receives material conveyed to the discharge area and expels it from the tank as it is transported over a field. Included in the distribution assembly is an expeller comprising first and second side-by-side rotary slingers mounted in the opening for receiving material conveyed to the discharge area and expelling it outwardly in a generally even distribution pattern.

Abstract: A disc mower conditioner utilizing a modular disc cutterbar to sever standing crop material by impact action supports the cutterbar from the header of the mower conditioner by a pair of transversely spaced support arms mounted by spherical bushings to the header to allow flexing of the support arms as induced by the cutterbar. The mounting of the spherical bushings utilize conical washers engagable with conical sockets in spacers to limit vertical movement of the spacer relative to the header when the corresponding support arm flexes. The mower conditioner header further includes an optional viney crop guide that has a curved leading edge that directs viney crop downwardly into engagement with the adjacent disc cutter. The viney crop guide is also bent inwardly to contain and control the flow of crop material.

Abstract: A disc mower incorporates a modular disc cutterbar. The drive mechanism for the mower utilizes a V-belt drive apparatus that requires proper tensioning which is accomplished through a spring tensioning mechanism that includes an indicator to visually determine when the proper tension has been applied. The indicator includes a bracket positioned adjacent the spring and has a length substantially equal to the length of the spring required for exerting the proper spring force for tensioning the drive belt.

Abstract: A monitor for monitoring the moisture content of grain comprises at least one programmable PIN diode attenuator connected between a microwave measurement signal source and a transmit antenna. A controller stores an addressable attenuation table, each location in the table storing an attenuation value and an associated attenuator address. A counter accesses the table locations sequentially and the attenuator addresses are applied to the attenuator to cause a step-wise decreasing attenuation of the measurement signal which is then transmitted through the grain. After the signal passes through the grain, it is detected and applied to a threshold comparator. When the magnitude of the detected signal reaches the threshold, the counter is stopped and the attenuation value at the location pointed to by the counter is taken as the attenuation of the measurement due to moisture in the grain. Once the attenuation has been determined, the moisture content and mass grain flow may be calculated.

Abstract: An agricultural baler having a main frame, a stuffer for loading successive charges of crop material into a baling chamber installed on the frame and a plunger for compressing the charges into packages of crop material. When the package has reached a predetermined length, a trip mechanism actuates a tying mechanism to tie a series of strands around the package to form a finished bale. The drive line to the tying mechanism comprises a dog clutch assembly including a continuously rotated hub and a dog lever positioned for possible engagement of a cam lobe on the inner surface of the hub. In between tying cycles a lever of the trip mechanism keeps the dog lever away from the hub surface. A timing cam cooperating with a roller on the lever precludes the actuation of the dog clutch when the cam lobe passes in the vicinity of the dog lever.

Abstract: A microwave grain monitor determines grain density and moisture content without measuring the phase shift of the measurement signal in passing through the grain. A set of grain coefficients is determined and stored in a non-volatile memory. A microwave measurement signal is transmitted through the grain and the ambient temperature is sensed. The grain density and moisture content are determined from the attenuation of the measurement signal in passing through the grain, the sensed temperature and the set of grain coefficients.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an operator seat sliding control console located in the cab of a combine harvester. The console contains a variety of controls and is attached to the chair and may be adjusted forward or rearward, up or down so as to suit a variety of operators or to decrease fatigue. The invention consists of a support plate attached to the chair assembly. Attached to the support plate is an inclined plate with angled inclined length. The console is slideably attached to the inclined length by a series of parallel tracks. The movement between the console and inclined length is controlled by a release mechanism. The operator moves a handle which permits the tracks to slide relative to each other. This permits the console to be placed in a comfortable position. Maintenance of the controls can be accomplished by opening the control surface by means of a console hinge. The console may also be removed by unplugging the wire harness from the harness plug and by removing four bolts in the inclined plate.

Abstract: A rotary composter is provided with a control system that is operable to control the operation of a rotary composter equipped with a variable rate air flow mechanisms and a variable speed drive for rotating the composter vessel. The control system includes a microprocessor in which is stored a look-up table to control the variable rate of application of both air flow and vessel rotation in response to sensed parameters corresponding to the operation of the composter. The control system further includes sensors at each digesting compartment within the composter vessel to provide information relating to the temperature within the vessel. Gas sensors detect the levels of carbon dioxide and ammonia within the air flow through the composter vessel. The microprocessor compares the temperature and gas data to permissible ranges therefor and determines if the composter is operating properly.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine, such as a forage harvester, comprises a feeder means for feeding crop material to crop processing means and a feeder arrest means for immediately arresting at least a portion of said feeder means upon detection of a foreign object. Said arrest means comprises a ratchet wheel mounted onto the drive line of said feeder means and an electrical actuator means for loading a pawl into engagement with said ratchet wheel.The harvesting machine comprises a means for automatically monitoring the good operative condition of the electrical actuator means and the means for generating an alarm signal upon detection of a bad operative condition by said monitoring means. The monitoring means checks the condition of the electrical actuator and its circuitry by applying a voltage thereto during a short interval and monitoring the response during or immediately after said interval. The length of this short interval is chosen to preclude actual engagement of the pawl.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a concave latch mechanism for an agricultural combine. The invention consists of concave surrounding a rotor. The concave has a concave pin and an adjust pin. The adjust pin is inserted into a support slot located in the frame. The concave pin is inserted into a handle also located on the frame. The handle has a lever which orients a curved cradle plate which supports the concave pin. When the lever is released, the cradle plate correctly orients the concave pin with the handle. The concave pin enters the cradle plate through an aperture. The aperture can have a sloped lead-in which assists in the positioning of the concave pin. The handle can also have an isolation mount between a portion of the handle and the frame. This isolation mount helps minimize vibrational noise from the rotor.

Abstract: A guide link mechanism is supported from the draft tongue of a pull-type harvester and connected to the gearbox mounted on the crop harvesting header to provide rotational power thereto wherein the guide link is supported from a sliding mechanism mounted on the tongue that accommodates the changes in distance in respective points associated with the pivotal movement of the draft tongue about a different pivot center than the gearbox. The sliding mechanism includes a bracket affixed to the underside of the draft tongue and low friction inserts, such as nylon, phenolic, urethane or polyethylene inserts, carried by the bracket. The guide link is connected to a slider plate that is slidably received by the phenolic inserts to permit a sliding movement thereof relative to the draft tongue. The rearward end of the guide link is pivotally connected to the gearbox to accommodate vertical movements of the crop harvesting header relative to the draft tongue.

Abstract: A round baler comprising a baling chamber mounted on a main frame for forming cylindrical packages of crop material therein, the baling chamber being at least partially defined by a pair of side walls and an apron assembly having an inner run which is guided at the inside of a cylindrically shaped continuous wall, and an outer run which is guided at the outside of said continuous wall. The continuous wall is provided with an opening for the recuperation into the chamber of crop material which has been entrained by the apron assembly when the latter left the baling chamber and entered its outer run.

Abstract: A round baler having 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 the tailgate. A pair of take up arms, rotatably mounted on the main frame, carry at least one additional guide roll for the apron. A bale forming chamber, including the apron, varies in size from a bale starting position to a full bale position. A trash baffle is provided for preventing trash from entering the area between the belts and one or more of the rolls as the bale is being formed in the bale forming chamber. An auxiliary trash baffle is also provided for preventing trash from entering the area between the belts and one or more of the rolls under conditions where the belts are moving in the direction opposite to the direction of travel during bale formation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a cab roof for an agricultural combine. The invention consists of an outer roof. Affixed within the outer roof is a left inner roof, right inner roof and a headliner. The left inner roof contains a fresh air duct with a fresh air inlet for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. The left inner roof also has three light pockets. Each pocket contains either a distance or flood light fixture. Each light pocket also contains a light shroud having a top lip and an elongated bottom lip. The elongated bottom lip prevents light from reflecting off the cab glass. The right inner roof is similarly designed. The headliner contains a pair of molded conditioned air ducts for smoothly transferring conditioned air to several side defrost vents and several front defrost vents. A mirror support bar passes through the left inner roof, headliner and right inner roof. The entire roof is secured to the cab by several bolts.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a dual pivoting buddy seat with utility tray located near the operator's chair in the cab of a combine harvester. The seat base is pivotally attached to the storage compartment by a seat base hinge. The slide rail assembly is pivotally attached to the seat base by the seat back pivot hinge. The slide rail assembly is inserted between the utility tray and the seat back. The utility tray has a molded rail guide which receives the slide rail assembly. The seat back has a pair of slide strips which the slide rail assembly also is located. The motion of the utility tray and seat back relative to the slide rail assembly is controlled by four adjustment screws.

Abstract: An enclosed cab on a combine harvester has an HVAC unit and fresh air filter affixed to the exterior of the lower rear panel. The fresh air is brought through the filter and into the HVAC unit. The air is then inserted into the cab by a distribution duct. A return air filter is positioned above the lower panel so as to minimize particulates entering the return system. The engine coolant line and refrigerant line can be slid out of the unit without the need for breaking the lines.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a cab on a combine harvester. The cab has a lower panel with four posts perpendicularly attached. An upper panel is supported by the posts. A windshield with a first compound curved glass is attached to the front. A left door and right door are pivotally affixed to the left front post and right front post respectively. Each door consists of a self-supporting compound curved glass. A rear panel has an upper rear panel, lower rear panel and a horizontal deck. The horizontal deck has two storage boxes.

Abstract: An agricultural baler for picking up crop material and forming it into a rectangular shaped package, having a main frame, and an engine mounted on the main frame for operating the baler. The engine includes a throttle, and remotely located controls for changing the condition of the throttle between idle and full open to selectively operate the baler plunger rate from the cab of the towing vehicle, e.g., a tractor or a pickup truck. A control system for the throttle utilizes an electric reversible directional motor assembly having input terminals and an output shaft rotatable at a predetermined speed and direction under conditions where a predetermined voltage at a predetermined polarity is applied across such input terminals. Rotation of the output shaft is translated to pivotal motion of a lever that is coupled to the throttle.