Abstract: A detasseling apparatus includes a chassis having a head mounted to the chassis. The head supports a plurality of row units, each of the row units having an independently adjustable vertical position. Each row unit is independently vertically adjustable. Each row unit includes a puller or cutter, a height adjustment assembly for independently adjusting vertical position of the detasseling assembly to maintain the puller or cutter at a predetermined height relative to seed corn plants being engaged, and an optical sensing assembly. The optical sensing assembly includes a first photoelectric sensor at a first sensor height and a second photoelectric sensor at a second sensor height, the first sensor height being above the second sensor height. A processor receives and stores detasseling data related to detasseling including corn height, depth of cut, height after cutting. The information may be shown on displays to the operator, stored on board the detasseler and/or transmitted to a central control center.

Abstract: An over the row berry harvester provides flexible cushioned elements and surfaces to limit bruising of the fruit harvested. A chassis defines a picking tunnel that passes over rows of plants. A picking system removes fruit from the plants as the harvester moves along the rows. A catching system configured to receive fruit removed from the plants. The catching system includes groups of catch assemblies with soft surfaces on each side of the picking tunnel, each of the catch assemblies at least partially overlapping adjacent catch assemblies. Each of the catch assemblies has a lightweight frame with an aperture and a membrane over molded to bond to the frame and extend across the aperture. The harvest also includes soft surfaces assemblies with membranes stretched between edge frame elements.

Abstract: A harvester or combine includes a folding corn head with a center section and folding wing sections. A folding row separator cover at the hinge location of the folding head sections folds to an angled position so that the folding action between the wings and the center section is not impaired. A single assembly actuates the folding of the row separator as well as locking and unlocking of the wing sections relative to the center frame section. A hydraulic cylinder actuates a main link that connects to the row separator cover and to a lock pin. Actuation of the hydraulic cylinder raises and lowers the cover and disengages and engages the locking pin.

Abstract: A berry harvester includes a chassis, a berry removal system, a berry delivery system, an inspection station and a container filling station. The container filling station includes a berry delivery apparatus that conveys berries to containers on a container support. A container weighing system includes a container fill indicator generating a weighing signal. A processor is in communication with the weighing system and incorporates a filter for cancelling vibrations from the weighing signal. A method uses the container weighing system and the processor to indicate when a container is filled to contain a desired amount of berries and automatically reset when the filled container is removed.

Abstract: A harvester or combine includes a folding corn head with a center section and folding wing sections. A folding row separator cover at the hinge location of the folding head sections folds to an angled position so that the folding action between the wings and the center section is not impaired. A single assembly actuates the folding of the row separator as well as locking and unlocking of the wing sections relative to the center frame section. A hydraulic cylinder actuates a main link that connects to the row separator cover and to a lock pin. Actuation of the hydraulic cylinder raises and lowers the cover and engages and disengages the locking pin.

Abstract: Stalk rolls are used for a corn harvester or combine having a chassis, an engine, a cab mounted to the chassis with a head mounted at the front of the body. The head includes an auger, row separators, corn stalk gathering assemblies between the row separators and ear removal assemblies. Each ear removal device includes a pair of stalk rolls. Each stalk roll has a core and longitudinally extending flutes about a periphery of the corn extending along the core. Each stalk roll has a straight first section and a tapered second section. The flutes on each stalk roll have different lengths and end at different locations at the front of the stalk roll. The flutes of the stalk roll may also have notches and different shaped leading edges.

Abstract: A windrow merger includes heads having cams that control the speed of the tines. The cam is configured with a section that slows the speed of the tines while passing a lower front portion of the path of rotation to lift material from the ground at lower speeds and therefore handles the material more gently at the point of pickup. The cam is configured to accelerate the tines at the point where the lifted material is propelled rearward from the pickup assembly. The merger heads also include a widened conveyor that is configured with an upper surface extending rearward and slightly downward to further evenly distribute material across the width of the conveyor. The heads are supported on skids that have a linkage connecting the skids at each end of the head with one of the skids having a mechanism that acts as a master to control the slave of the linked opposite skid.

Abstract: A harvester includes a cross conveying auger with a helical blade. An auger pan extends under and behind the auger and forms a trough portion below the auger. A lower rear quadrant of the auger pan is contoured includes one or more projections to provide resistance to radial movement of the ears of corn so that the ears and are moved longitudinally inward along the auger.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a conveyor with openings, a conveyor motor coupled with the conveyor, and an agitator that is configured to impart an agitating motion to the conveyor motor to aid in the separation of materials.

Abstract: A yield monitoring system for a grain harvester includes a large strike plate mounted on parallel four bar linkages. The strike plate intercepts a larger portion of the clean grain flow and is supported near the four corners to provide even translation and force transmission even if not struck in the center of the plate. The four bar linkages provide translational movement relative to a center load cell. An engagement bracket at the center of the strike plate includes a surface that is aligned perpendicularly to the sensing element of the load cell.

Abstract: A trunk shaker harvester includes a shaker assembly with four synchronized shaker drives. The shaker drives are mounted on a frame of trunk engagement members. The shaker drives include offset weights that are synchronized so that all are directed to the left or right side at the same time. However, the front and rear motors on each side of the drive rotate in the opposite direction so that the weights face toward or away from one another at the same time and cancel out longitudinal forces.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a right front wheel, a left front wheel, a right rear wheel and a left rear wheel. A suspension system for the vehicle includes a first cylinder supporting the vehicle at the right front wheel in fluid communication with a second cylinder supporting the vehicle at the left front wheel, wherein the first and second cylinders form a virtual articulated front axle. The suspension system also includes a third cylinder supporting the vehicle at the right rear wheel and a fourth cylinder supporting the vehicle at the left rear wheel. The suspension system includes two spool valves in fluid communication with the first and second cylinders and intermediate the first and second cylinders. When one of the rear wheels is unweighted, an associate one of the spool valves closes and fluid flow between the first and second cylinders is blocked to create a virtual locked axle.

Abstract: A fruit harvester includes a chassis; a motor; wheels; and a trunk shaker assembly. The shaker assembly includes engagement members configured to engage plants to loosen fruit. A mount connects the engagement members to a drive mechanism and includes an elastomeric block. The block includes a first passage formed therein extending from one side to an opposite side. Second passages extend from a third side to an opposite fourth side. A first tubular insert extends into the first passage and a second tubular inserts extend into the second passage. A backing plate is adjacent the fourth side and has orifices aligned with the second passages.

Abstract: A self-propelled windrow merger includes a motor and a chassis. At the front of the merger are a first pickup and transfer assembly, a second pickup and transfer assembly and a third pickup and transfer assembly. A cab is above and behind the second pickup and transfer assembly. A folding mechanism for moves each of the pickup and transfer assemblies between a first position wherein the first, second and third pickup and transfer assemblies are laterally aligned and a second position wherein the first and third pickup and transfer assemblies are positioned rear of the cab.

Abstract: A tensioner includes a base and an idler support assembly slidably retained on the base, the idler support assembly including a support element having a cam surface at a first end. A spring loaded handle assembly includes a tension bar rotatably mounted to the base, and a handle longitudinally adjustably mounted to the tension bar, an engagement element, and a biasing element intermediate the engagement element and the handle. The handle is assembly rotatable between a first position and a second position. The engagement element disengages the cam surface in the first position and the engagement element engages the cam surface in the second position.

Abstract: A windrow merger has a frame supporting first, second and third pickup assemblies, with the two outside pickup assemblies foldable between an extended use position and a retracted travel position. Each of the pickup assemblies includes a reversible conveyor providing multiple windrow merging configurations. The pickup assemblies are interchangeable and aligned to define an unobstructed pickup face.

Abstract: A trunk shaker harvester includes a shaker assembly with four synchronized shaker drives. The shaker drives are mounted on a frame of trunk engagement members. The shaker drives include offset weights that are synchronized so that all are directed to the left or right side at the same time. However, the front and rear motors on each side of the drive rotate in the opposite direction so that the weights face toward or away from one another at the same time and cancel out longitudinal forces.

Abstract: A windrow merger including three pickup and transfer units, a folding system, and a plurality of float mechanisms. The folding system employs simultaneous rearward, outward, and upward folding motion so as to ensure none of the units interfere with the other units while folding, and likewise while unfolding. The folding system can further fold and unfold each of the three pickup and transfer units at the same time. During merging operations, the plurality of float mechanisms of the windrow merger limits the range of motion of each pickup and transfer unit. The float mechanisms further transfer a portion of the weight of each pickup and transfer unit from the ground to the frame of the merger. The units of the windrow merger can also include a rub rail having a surface that reduces swirling or clumping of material as the material is conveyed toward an end of the windrow merger.

Abstract: A self-propelled windrow merger includes a motor and a chassis. At the front of the merger are a first pickup and transfer assembly, a second pickup and transfer assembly and a third pickup and transfer assembly. A cab is above and behind the second pickup and transfer assembly. A folding mechanism for moves each of the pickup and transfer assemblies between a first position wherein the first, second and third pickup and transfer assemblies are laterally aligned and a second position wherein the first and third pickup and transfer assemblies are positioned rear of the cab.