Abstract: A harvesting header for use with a crop harvesting machine has a feederhouse interface and a header frame providing structural support for the harvesting header. A pivotable connection between the feederhouse interface and the header frame enable the header frame to pivot with respect to the feederhouse interface. At least one hydraulic ram connects between the feederhouse interface and the header frame to pivot the harvesting header on the feederhouse interface. A hydraulic supply provides pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic ram. An accumulator assembly fluidically connects between the hydraulic supply and the at least one hydraulic ram. The accumulator assembly has a precharge fluid/gas interface between a gas chamber and the hydraulic supply, and a working fluid/gas interface between the gas chamber and the at least one hydraulic ram.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a twin-row planter with tandem driven seed meters at a pair of row units at each row segment of a twin-row planter. A tandem drive system drives the seed meters in a tandem manner, which may include a single transmission assembly simultaneously rotating a pair of seed discs in the pair of seed meters at each row segment. An indexing system allows for quickly changing an amount of relative rotational or angular indexing of seed disks inside of the pair of seed meters at the pair of row units of each row segment to adjust longitudinal spacing between delivery locations of seeds from the seed disks at planted row segments of a planted twin-row. Adjustments can be made at disk hubs, between shaft segments linking the seed disks, or with multiple sets of mounting holds on the seed disks.

Abstract: A tree mounted tarp device couples a tarp to a tree under branches of the tree. The device includes a plurality of panels pivotally coupled together such that the panels are formable into a closed loop wrapping around a trunk of a tree. Each of a plurality of hooks is coupled to and extends from a top end of an associated one of the panels. Each of the hooks is directed towards a center of the closed loop for engaging the trunk of the tree facilitating suspension of the panels at a fixed height on the trunk of the tree. A tarp is coupled to the panels by a frame coupled to the panels. The frame supports the tarp in a deployed position wherein the tarp extends outwardly relative to the panels such that the tarp extends around the trunk of the tree under branches of the tree.

Abstract: A header of a combine harvester has a center part connected by an attachment frame to the combine feed channel. A first side part with first lateral frame and a second side part with second lateral frame are adjustable for changing their position relative to the center part. The first and second lateral frames are connected by a first ball joint and a second ball joint to the attachment frame, respectively so that the weight of the first and second lateral frames is supported by the first and second ball joints on the attachment frame. The first and second ball joints form first and second pivot axes. An end of the first lateral frame facing away from the center part is pivotable about the first pivot axis. An end of the second lateral frame facing away from the center part is pivotable about the second pivot axis.

Abstract: A suspension unit for an agricultural implement, the suspension unit includes a bearing unit. The bearing unit contains an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve which is rotatable relative to said inner sleeve, and a friction-reducing member arranged between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve. The suspension unit further includes a spring element, arranged radially outside the outer sleeve, and a holder which forms a spring chamber in which the spring element is accommodated. The spring element is fixed in the spring chamber between a circumferential, radially outwardly open groove, which is integrated with the outer sleeve, and a radially inwardly open groove, which surrounds the outer sleeve.

Abstract: An agricultural machine for working soil or for sowing seeds, including a trailed chassis and work elements distributed over a transverse beam including a central section including wheels and two side sections extending on either side of the central section during work, each end of the central section resting on the ground via a wheel. Each side section includes an extension arm and an intermediate arm, the extension arm is connected to the intermediate arm by a horizontal articulation with a substantially horizontal axis and is directed in a direction of advance at work and each intermediate arm is connected to the chassis via a vertical articulation and carries at least one work element.

Abstract: A feeder drum used in an agriculture head to force the cut crop through an opening of the head. More specifically, the feeder drum is used to produce the transition from the lateral movement of the crop through the platform to a transverse longitudinal movement (with respect to lateral movement) which directs it to the platform carrier's feeder. Even more specifically, the feeder drum comprises a plurality of fins or blades attached to a cylinder, wherein the fins contain one side with a profile describing a convex curve.

Abstract: A grain-moving arrangement is disclosed for agricultural combines. An elevator is configured to move grain in a first direction along an elevator path, within an elevator housing, and to receive grain from a first auger at a first location on the elevator path. A grain-moving device is configured to receive power from the elevator in order to move grain received from a second auger in a second direction along a device path, within a device housing, to an outlet of the device housing. Grain moved along the device path to the outlet of the device housing passes through the outlet of the device housing to a second location on the elevator path that is upstream of the first location on the elevator path, with respect to the first direction.

Abstract: A produce harvester that is operable to utilize a produce collection assembly wherein the produce collection assembly is rotatably moved during the collection of produce from a tree. The produce collection assembly includes a body that is spherical in shape having an upper portion and a lower portion forming an interior volume. The upper portion is rotatably mounted to the lower portion with the lower portion being secured to a conventional mechanical articulating boom that is operable to move the produce collection assembly in three axial directions. The upper portion includes an outer surface that has formed thereon a plurality of longitudinally oriented concave portions. Intermediate the plurality of concave portions are transition ridges. A conical protrusion is integrally formed with the upper portion and extends outward from the upper portion. A plurality of fruit apertures are journaled through the upper portion providing access to the interior volume.

Abstract: A self-aligning and self-engaging drive coupling on a seeding machine planting unit allows for one drive or driven device of the planting unit to be moved between a use position and a service position without the need to manually connect or disconnect the drive coupling between the two devices.

Abstract: A cleaning section of an agricultural harvester including a sieve and at least one variable stroke sieve drive wherein the sieve is positioned in the harvester to receive crop material from a threshing section and the at least one variable stroke sieve drive is coupled to the sieve wherein the variable stroke sieve drive has a first shaft and a second shaft concentric with the first shaft and the relative angular position between the first shaft and the second shaft establishes an amount of eccentricity of the variable stroke sieve drive.

Abstract: A rechopper for chopped crop includes first and second rollers having axially parallel rotational axes, peripheral surfaces disposed opposite one another delimiting a comminution gap and truncated-cone shaped sections. The truncated cone-shaped sections have a base surface (G, G?), a top surface (D, D?) and peripheral surfaces extending at a slant relative to the rotational axis of the respective roller. The base surface (G, G?) and the top surface (D; D;) disposed on the first roller and the second roller have diameters that vary in an alternating manner as viewed in an axial direction (R).

Abstract: An agricultural particulate delivery system includes a tank operable to contain particulate, a metering structure including a metering element operable to regulate flow of particulate from the tank, and a collector assembly configured to receive particulate from the metering structure. The collector assembly directs particulate into a particulate-transporting line configured to deliver particulate toward an implement. The system also includes a sensor located between the metering element and the particulate-transporting line and that is configured to detect particulate flow from the metering element to the particulate-transporting line.

Abstract: A planter unit for planting seeds as it traverses a field in a direction of travel includes a seed delivery tube and a furrow opener configured to open a furrow in the soil for receiving seeds dropped through the delivery tube. A gauge wheel assembly controls the depth of penetration of the furrow opener. The planter unit also has a furrow closing tool that closes the furrow, the furrow closing tool positioned after the delivery tube in the direction of travel. The planter unit also has a row cleaning and depth control tool positioned after the furrow closing tool. The row cleaning and depth control tool has first and second row whippers that push excess soil out away from above where seeds were dropped in the furrow, wherein vertical position of first and second row whippers is selectively adjustable relative the vertical position of the furrow opener.

Abstract: A direct drive seed metering device for sowing machines operated by vacuum or high pressure and driven by a coaxial electric motor with a seed metering disc for capturing seeds from a reservoir and laying the seed in a controlled manner in a furrow in the soil. The coaxial electrical motor couples directly and coaxially to the metering disc without the need for intermediate transmission elements, redactors, gears or timing belts, and the coaxial electrical motor is a toroidal electric motor with a perforated hollow rotor shaft which fluidly captures the seed with a vacuum or high pressure generating device.

Abstract: A distribution box for a single-seeder including a disc including radial grooves that are regularly spaced apart and open on a periphery of the disc, the disc being rotatably mounted on a horizontal axis and separating a seed reservoir from a suction device such that seeds are picked up from the reservoir by the disc via air flow by negative pressure and are held over at least part of their angular travel until they are expelled from a discharge opening. Each groove includes a suction hole smaller than a size of the seeds to be distributed, the suction hole emerging on a channel with a width smaller than the diameter of the suction hole, the channel being open up to the periphery of the disc. A single-seeder can include at least one distribution box.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for a machine includes a work implement having a float mode, in which the work implement moves relative to the machine, and a lock mode, in which the work implement has a fixed position relative to the machine. A pin assembly connects the work implement to the machine and itself is movable between a float position, in which the pin assembly supports the work implement in the float mode, and a lock position, in which the pin assembly supports the work implement in a lock mode. A retainer has a float assembly configuration, in which the retainer holds the pin assembly in the float position, and a lock assembly configuration, in which the retainer holds the pin assembly in the lock position, thereby facilitating adjustment of the work implement between float and lock modes.

Abstract: An operator detection system for sensing the presence of an operator at an operator control station of a turf-care vehicle is provided. The system comprises at least one operator presence sensor structured and operable to sense whether an operator is present at the operator control station and a controller communicatively connected to the operator presence sensor(s). The controller structured and operable to determine whether each of the operator presence sensor(s) sense(s) that an operator is present at the operator control station, enable operation of an engine of the vehicle and at least one cutting unit of the vehicle when one or more operator presence sensor(s) sense(s) that the operator is present at the operator control station, and disable operation of the engine and at least one cutting unit when one or more operator presence sensor(s) sense(s) that the operator is not present at the operator control station.

Abstract: A combine harvester (10) has a feederhouse assembly (20) that comprises a housing (62). The housing (62) contains feederhouse rollers (64, 80), about which an endless conveying element (82) circulates. The endless conveying element (82) is made from an inherently flexible material having slats (84) fastened thereon. A first feederhouse roller (80) is mounted movably along an imaginary connecting line (95) between the feederhouse rollers (64, 80) and can be coupled to a spring (86) that pre-tensions the endless conveying element (82) and brings the first feederhouse roller (80) into a target position. The movement of the first feederhouse roller (80) toward the second feederhouse roller (64) is limited to this target position.

Abstract: A cutting blade includes a blade body 10 with one or more cutting elements 20/50 positioned along its periphery. The elements can be keyed to the blade core to help provide secure mounting onto the blade, and can include a polycrystalline diamond composite (PDC) portion as a primary cutting material. Protection elements 80 can be positioned to reduce wear and other damage to the blade core 10 and/or any substrate supporting the PDC, and thereby extend the life of the blade assembly.