Abstract: A vehicle control device, in particular a clutch mechanism for a tractor, includes a control lever and guide mechanism in which the lever is selectively movable from a first rest position to a second engaged position. The control lever is subjected to the action of an elastic apparatus operable to move the lever into the first rest position if the lever is released before reaching a given point along the guide mechanism. The elastic apparatus also being operable to move the control lever into the second engaged position if the control lever is released past the given point.

Abstract: A device manually controls the acceleration system of a tractor having both a foot pedal accelerator and a hand lever accelerator which can be positioned at different heights above the ground. The acceleration control mechanism includes a first lever hinged at a first end to a fixed pin; a first tie connecting a second end of the first lever to the acceleration system; and a second lever hinged at a first end to the fixed pin. The control mechanism also includes a pedal, which when activated rotates the first lever in a given direction to control the acceleration system by means of the first tie. A third lever is fitted to a fixed structure and can be activated manually to control the acceleration system by rotating the second lever in the aforementioned direction. A second tie connects the third lever to the second lever which rotates the first lever in the aforementioned direction to also control the acceleration system by manually activating the third lever.

Abstract: An agricultural baler comprises a frame, a pick-up assembly for picking up crop material from a field and a baling chamber for receiving crop material from the pick-up assembly, the baling chamber having at least one movable wall portion. A plunger is mounted for reciprocating movement in the baling chamber for compression of the crop material therein, the plunger being driven by a gearbox which is affixed to the frame. A control unit adjusts the position of the movable wall portion in response to the signal from a load sensor, which is connected by a lever to the plunger gearbox for monitoring the reaction forces of the crop material on the plunger during the compression stroke. The lever arrangement includes a longitudinal pull member connected to one arm of the lever and a ball bearing mounted over the load sensor and connected to the other arm of the lever for precluding the effects of transverse or upward vibrations of the gearbox on the sensor.

Abstract: A reimpactor for an agricultural flail-conditioner is described to redirect conditioned crop to the rotating flail-conditioner for additional treatment prior to depositing it on the ground for drying. The reimpactor is constructed partially of a shock-absorbent material, such as urethane, so that it may retain its shape even upon impact with foreign objects such as stones or misshapen flails, thus displaying significant longevity and durability characteristics.

Abstract: An agricultural implement, such as a baler comprises a main frame and a hitch for attachment of the implement to a towing vehicle. The frame is supported on a bogie comprising a pair of steerable wheels. A pair of hydraulic rams can block these wheels in a fore-and-aft position for reversing the baler or for preventing fluttering during road transport. Hydraulic circuitry, which is used for controlling functions of said implement, such as the retraction of a bale chuteor the operation of a bale eject apparatus can be used to actuate the rams. The rams are loaded by providing pressurized oil to the return line and using a non-return valve for making the oil flow to the guiding the said circuitry to the rams.

Abstract: A folding seat is described for the cab of an agricultural vehicle. The seat is provided with a mounting bracket secured by bolts to an inclined -horizontal surface in the cab, such as part of the wheel arch. A seat member is pivotably mounted at its rear end on the mounting bracket for pivotal movement between a horizontal operative position and an inclined storage position in which the seat member lies against the mounting bracket. A stay is mounted to pivot between an operative position in which it extends vertically from the mounting bracket to the seat member in order to support the weight of the seat member on the mounting bracket and a storage position in which it lies between the mounting bracket and the seat member.

Abstract: A combine harvester comprises a threshing and separating arrangement mounted to a main frame, which includes a generally cylindrical chamber having a generally longitudinal axis and comprising a separating concave assembly and an upper guide cover provided with fins arranged to move harvested crop material along a helical path inside the chamber. The threshing and separating arrangement further comprises a rotor assembly mounted for rotation in the chamber and comprising a generally cylindrical rotor body with a separating section associated with the separating concave assembly and having a circumscribed diameter D. The pitch angle &agr; of the rotor fins has been optimized with respect to power requirements and rotor losses.

Abstract: A baler (10) for wrapping a rotating bale (52) of crop material (16) with strands of twine (72) has two twine tubes (68) through which the twine is fed so that ends of the strands dangle from the tubes. A bale density sensor (36) senses bale density and a controller (42) compares the sensed density with a desired density selected by an operator via an operator control panel (34). When the sensed density reaches about half the desired density the twine tubes are moved to a twine insert position so that the ends of the strands dangle adjacent the rotating bale. When a full bale has been formed, the controller automatically actuates a duckbill (60) to push the ends of the strands toward the bale where they are caught up in the crop material. If either strand is not caught up in the rotating bale, a new wrap cycle is automatically initiated.

Abstract: A vehicle control device, in particular a clutch mechanism for a tractor, includes a control lever and guide mechanism in which the lever is selectively movable from a first rest position to a second engaged position. The control lever is subjected to the action of an elastic apparatus operable to move the lever into the first rest position if the lever is released before reaching a given point along the guide mechanism. The elastic apparatus also being operable to move the control lever into the second engaged position if the control lever is released past the given point.

Abstract: A vehicle control device, in particular a clutch mechanism for a tractor, includes a control lever and guide mechanism in which the lever is selectively movable from a first rest position to a second engaged position. The control lever is subjected to the action of an elastic apparatus operable to move the lever into the first rest position if the lever is released before reaching a given point along the guide mechanism. The elastic apparatus also being operable to move the control lever into the second engaged position if the control lever is released past the given point.

Abstract: A vehicle control device, in particular a clutch mechanism for a tractor, includes a control lever and guide mechanism in which the lever is selectively movable from a first rest position to a second engaged position. The control lever is subjected to the action of an elastic apparatus operable to move the lever into the first rest position if the lever is released before reaching a given point along the guide mechanism. The elastic apparatus also being operable to move the control lever into the second engaged position if the control lever is released past the given point.

Abstract: A forage harvester and a method of operating the same which comprises a crop processor unit located in a crop flow between a cutterhead and a blower rotor, the crop processor unit being for handling crop material including kernels, the crop processor comprising a pair of counter-rotating processor rolls arranged to crack kernels between the rolls when the rolls are in a first position, both processor rolls being movable away from each other to move each roll substantially out of the crop flow into a second position. A cover plate is preferably arranged to move and cover the lower roll when the rolls are in a second position and to isolate the lower roll from the crop flow. The processor rolls are preferably driven by independent drives. One of the drives can be a hydraulic motor supplied with pressure from a hydraulic pump which can also work as a motor. When used as a motor the cutterhead may be driven in the reverse direction for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: The device relates to a pivoting forearm rest positioned behind the hand controls of a skid steer loader. The device consists of a tube with an angled portion inserted into a ‘J’ shaped support bracket. The bracket is affixed to the cab sidewall and may be vertically adjusted. The rotation of the tube is adjusted by a tension bolt and shim within the support bracket. The tube has a pin seated within a tube slot in the support bracket which allows the tube to rotate 180 degrees. A portion of the tube and the support bracket are covered in padding.

Abstract: A hitch control unit for use in a tractor comprises a housing that defines an arcuate surface having a tangentially extending slot. An arm extending through the slot is rotatably mounted in the housing and connected to a transducer to produce a signal indicative of the position of the arm along the slot. A stop movably mounted in the housing defines a reference position for the arm along the slot, and a finger-actuated wheel rotatably mounted in the housing allows the position of the movable stop along the slot to be adjusted. The wheel has an internally screw threaded bore and is mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis that extends parallel to the slot and the adjustable stop is connected to an arcuate rack in screw threaded engagement with the bore in the wheel.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided with a steering mechanism that increases the turning angle of the steered wheels without requiring a lengthening of the wheel base of the vehicle. The steering mechanism includes a pair of bell cranks pivotally mounted to the steering axle of the vehicle. A tie rod extends between the two bell cranks to effect coordinated pivotal movement therebetween. A rack and pinion mechanism transfers manipulation of the operator's steering wheel to move the rack connected to the first bell crank and cause pivotal movement thereof. Each bell crank is associated with a steering link connected thereto at a connection point which moves on an arc centered on the respective pivot of the bell crank. The connection point moves forwardly with respect to the inner steered wheel to permit the steering arm of the inner steered wheel to rotate to an orientation that is substantially transverse to provide an enhanced turning angle for the inner steered wheel.

Abstract: An earthmoving machine wherein a driver's cab and a propulsion device for powering the machine are located on opposite sides of a central lift arm. The propulsion device is provided with a cooling device located over the propulsion device itself.

Abstract: The device consists of a tapered spline coupler for a drive shaft of a pull-type forage harvester. The first drive shaft and second drive shaft each have a set of tapered splines that are inserted into a tapered, internally splined coupler. A pair of retaining rings affixed to the drive shafts draws the shafts into the coupler. A retaining bolt may be tightened to force the shafts into the coupler.