Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removing a rotor of a rotary machine, such as a rotary combine harvester. The method comprises the steps of exposing one end of the rotor while ensuring that the rotor remains safely anchored within the machine, securing to the exposed end of the rotor a plate that is mounted on a support block carried on the lifting platform of a movable lifting device, disconnecting the rotor from all remaining components of the machine to permit the rotor to be slid out of the machine, and moving the lifting device away from the machine while simultaneously controlling the height of its lifting platform to cause the end of the rotor to move along a path parallel to the axis of the rotor and thereby extract the rotor from the machine while supporting the weight of the portion of the rotor projecting from the machine.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle is disclosed having ancillary equipment that may be raised and lowered relative to the ground with consequential changing of the position of the centre of gravity of the vehicle and having a hydraulic braking system comprising a master cylinder and a slave cylinder. The braking system further includes a pressure relief valve for limiting the hydraulic pressure applied to the slave cylinder only when the vehicle is in road mode. This ensures that the braking force does not exceed a safe limit below which the vehicle does not risk toppling forwards when braking.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle is disclosed having ancillary equipment that may be raised and lowered relative to the ground with consequential changing of the position of the centre of gravity of the vehicle and having a hydraulic braking system comprising a master cylinder and a slave cylinder. The braking system further includes a pressure relief valve for limiting the hydraulic pressure applied to the slave cylinder only when the vehicle is in road mode. This ensures that the braking force does not exceed a safe limit below which the vehicle does not risk toppling forwards when braking.

Abstract: A grain tank for an agricultural harvester has an extension assembly to enable the volume of the tank to be increased. The extension assembly comprises two pairs of mutually opposed panels that are movable relative to the tank between a lowered position in which they serve as a cover for an opening in the top of the tank and a raised position in which they define the side walls of an extension volume that communicates through the opening with the interior of the tank. In the invention, a blind is secured to the opposed panels of one of the pairs to cover the grain tank when the extension assembly is raised. The blind is automatically deployed from a stowed position to a extended position as the two panels are moved to their raised position.

Abstract: A sickle bar hold-down formed with a protruding ridge across the lower rear end is disclosed. The hold-down is generally an elongate member having a finger-like front portion and an opposing rectangular rear portion with means for affixing the member to a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a raised rectangular step above which the rear portion of the hold-down is positioned, with the protruding ridge adapted to fit over the step such that the protruding ridge overhangs the step and properly aligns the finger-like front portion of the hold-down with the knife sections of the sickle bar.

Abstract: The apparatus is a slip clutch with matching and interlocking peaks and valleys on its two engageable surfaces and sloping sides on the peaks and valleys so that the surfaces slip on the sloping sides when the force between the surfaces exceeds the force of a spring holding the surfaces together. The slopes of the opposite sides of the peak and valleys are different so that the slip point of the clutch is different depending upon the direction of motion of the clutch.

Abstract: The apparatus is a 28 speed, two section, transmission that requires only a single clutch swap for most changeovers between adjacent ratios. It uses a first section with three close ratio forward speeds and one reverse along with a second section that is an 11 speed, wide ratio, transmission. The two transmission sections are arranged in series resulting at least 28 usable forward speeds. The second section includes an intermediate planetary gear set without a ring gear and an output planetary gear set that is a conventional simple planetary gear set with a two sun gears, two planes of planetary gears on a single carrier, and two ring gears.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically swinging a center pivot, towed implement from one side to the other side of a farm machine. The apparatus includes a Global Positioning System for locating the farm machine and sensors and remote controls for various functions of the machine to check and change the status of each machine function. An on-board computer uses the sensors and the GPS and a previously installed program to automatically determine what portion of the field has been worked and to direct the farm machine to swing the implement from one side to the other as required.

Abstract: A wrapping material brake release assembly, including a wrapping material dispenser roll mount pivotable between a first functional position to dispense material from a dispenser roll and a second access position to provide access to the dispenser roll. A brake assembly having a brake member is arranged to brake the dispenser roll when the mount is in the first functional position. A ramp-shaped lifting member is arranged to lift the brake member from the dispenser roll when the mount is pivoted from the first position to the second position. The roll mount includes a pivot plate arranged to pivot from the first to the second positions, and a shaft attached at one end to the pivot plate. The roll mount has a brake drum, and the brake member has a brake arm and a brake pad attached to the brake arm.

Abstract: These and other objects are attained by providing an improved harvester header side shield and latch mechanism consisting of a shield vertically pivotable upwardly and rearwardly about a horizontal hinge located on the upper rear portion of the header. The shield is lockable in the operational position and automatically engages a latch mechanism in the raised position that is manually released by the operator for lowering. Guides are provided on the inner side sheet of the header to assure that the shield moves into, and stays, in the proper location during operation.

Abstract: The device consists of a replaceable windguard tine for a windguard assembly on an agricultural round baler. The windguard tine comprises a first tine portion parallel to a second tine portion. A support region connects the first tine portion and second tine portion. The windguard pipe has a series of tine apertures through which the first and second tine portions are inserted. The support region is bound to the windguard pipe by using a clip. The clip has a tine catch and a pipe release to allow for easy removal and installation of the windguard tine.

Abstract: A door for the operator's cab on an agricultural tractor is formed from a frameless single pane of transparent material pivoted at one edge on a pillar of the tractor. The pivot is formed of two hinges affixed to the pane and a reinforcing member extending generally parallel to the pivot axis and interconnecting the wings of the hinges that are affixed to the pane. The reinforcing member is arranged in line with the pillar on which the door is mounted, when viewed from the position of the driver of the vehicle, so as to minimize obstruction of the field of view of the driver. In another aspect of the invention, the surfaces on the hinges that mate with the pane are machined to match the contours of the pane while the reinforcing member and the hinges are in one piece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically swinging a center pivot, towed implement from one side to the other side of a farm machine. The apparatus includes a Global Positioning System for locating the farm machine and sensors and remote controls for various functions of the machine to check and change the status of each machine function. An on-board computer uses the sensors and the GPS and a previously installed program to automatically determine what portion of the field has been worked and to direct the farm machine to swing the implement from one side to the other as required.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided with a middle axle that is mounted at the end of a bogey beam for both flotational and oscillatory movement relative to the frame of the vehicle. The middle axle is restrained longitudinally by support links that are pivotally connected to the frame at a location that is forward of the rear drive axle. The middle axle is formed by a pair of stub axles interconnected by a support beam that is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the bogey beam. Vertical movement of the middle axle support wheels results in a corresponding vertical movement of the rearward end of the bogey beam and a rotation of the support beam about its pivotal connection on the bogey beam. The oscillatory movement is accomplished by a pivotal connection via a ball joint between a central support bracket mounting the transverse support beam to the longitudinally extending bogey beam.

Abstract: A baler is described which has a collection chamber or duct and a baling chamber. Crop material enters the duct until a pre-determined level has been reached at which time a stuffer transfers the pre-compressed crop to the baling chamber. A control system is provided for calculating the ratio between the amount of crop material which should be formed into bales under optimal conditions and the rate of flow of crop material entering the duct. This ratio can be displayed and used to control the speed of the towing vehicle. The present invention uses the duct as a kind of measuring cylinder to determine the rate at which crop material is entering the baler.

Abstract: The apparatus is a spring system on forage harvester feedrolls. The upper forward feedroll has two concentric springs on each side. The outer spring is operative over the whole range of displacement. The inner spring exerts tensioning force on the feedroll only as of a certain minimal lifting of the feedroll. The rear upper feedroll has one spring on each side. This one spring has a substantially smaller spring force than the forward spring package. The feedroll supporting linkages are arranged with complementary and cooperating cam surfaces which are disposed so that, when the forward feedroll is lifted above a predetermined minimum value, the rearward feedroll is also lifted thereby (to a lesser degree) without even any lifting force from the crop material passing therebelow.

Abstract: A wrapping material brake release assembly, including a wrapping material dispenser roll mount pivotable between a first functional position to dispense material from a dispenser roll and a second access position to provide access to the dispenser roll. A brake assembly having a brake member is arranged to brake the dispenser roll when the mount is in the first functional position. A ramp-shaped lifting member is arranged to lift the brake member from the dispenser roll when the mount is pivoted from the first position to the second position. The roll mount includes a pivot plate arranged to pivot from the first to the second positions, and a shaft attached at one end to the pivot plate. The roll mount has a brake drum, and the brake member has a brake arm and a brake pad attached to the brake arm.

Abstract: An integrated combine reel drive system for an agricultural vehicle such as a combine harvester, the drive system having the features of a single integrated hydraulic circuit for activating multiple hydraulic devices carried by the agricultural vehicle. The integrated circuit includes a header circuit, wherein the header circuit includes a steering circuit, an implement circuit, and a reel circuit. The header circuit includes two valve stacks for operating multiple hydraulic devices which enables the integrated circuit to drive the multiple hydraulic devices using manageable hydraulic pressures. Specifically, the integrated hydraulic circuit activates a hydraulic power steering mechanism, a hydraulic header adjusting apparatus and other hydraulic devices associated with the header, a hydraulic drive for the reel, and a hydraulic positioning mechanism for the reel of an agricultural vehicle.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an adapter assembly for a towing vehicle having a drawbar hitch for connecting a towed implement having a pull-through swivel hitch assembly to the towing vehicle. The adapter assembly includes a drawbar extension member having a horizontal cross pin, a clamp assembly to secure the drawbar extension member to the drawbar, an adapter frame having a hook to engage the cross pin, and a trunnion pin to couple the adapter frame to the swivel hitch assembly.