Abstract: A threshing rotor and front bearing housing shroud assembly for an agricultural combine having improved anti-wind characteristics, particularly with regard to long, wet straw. The invention resides in a front rotor inlet or infeed section having at least one radially outwardly extending impeller or auger flight having a front leading edge extending radially outwardly from a front center portion so as to be swept back relative to the rotational direction of the auger and so as to radiate from inwardly of, and form at least a 90 degree included angle in relation to, a wiping surface and anti-wind wiper of the shroud. A generally annular space exists between the shroud and a front bearing housing substantially surrounded thereby, and at least one radially outwardly raked anti-wind lug on the front center portion of the inlet section rotates through the space to agitate and clear plant material therefrom through pathways provided through the shroud for the flow of the plant material from the space.

Abstract: A chopper arrangement for a harvesting machine comprises a body that is rotated in a predominantly vertical axis of rotation. The body is provided with a plurality of radially extending knives that are axially distributed along the body. The knives have radially outer ends that are arranged in a conical shape. In this way the knives at the first end having a smallest radial extension are rotated at a slower circumferential speed than knives having a larger radial extension.

Abstract: A zero turning radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero radius turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned near this turning point or axis so that the standing occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero radius turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds. The low center of gravity created by the position of the riding platform for the standing operator also results in the mower having improved traction and being less likely to pop “wheelies” upon acceleration.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine has straw walkers or the like, an air sieve device, a straw chopping device, and a variable straw and chaff distribution arrangement. The arrangement includes an articulated lever combination; a servo element associated with the articulated lever combination; preferably two rotary distribution blowers each having a material inlet opening and a rotor circumference and being connected to the articulated lever combination. The rotary blower is movable between two different plane-parallel positions by the articulated lever combination and servo element. A guide is provided for supplying chaff radially to the distribution blower.

Abstract: A shield configuration for a snowthrowing discharge chute, which may be pivoted out of the way for clean-out purposes while reducing the opportunity for the user to extend a body part or other object into the chute while the engine is running. The apparatus makes a clean-out rod readily available to the user just after the shield has been opened.

Abstract: A large round baler includes an expansible baling chamber having an inlet at a forward location thereof and defined in part by a lower run of a flexible, endless component arrangement of an upper conveyor, and by an upper run of a flexible, endless component arrangement of a bottom conveyor. In each of two embodiments, the bottom conveyor includes a moveable roller which operates to selectively deflect the upper run of the bottom conveyor so that it cooperates with a lower run of the upper conveyor so as to define a baling chamber having a cross section conducive to starting a bale core at the beginning of the baling process and moveable to a discharge position for allowing a completed bale to roll onto the ground. In the second embodiment, the upper conveyor also includes a moveable roller that operates to yieldably resist expansion of the lower run of the upper conveyor.

Abstract: A portable modular implement system is described. The system comprises a power source which comprises a motor. The motor comprises a crank shaft with an upper end and a lower end. A casing is attached to the motor exterior to the upper end of the crankshaft. The casing further comprises a void. An implement assembly comprising an implement bracket is reversibly attached to the power source. An implement is attached to the implement bracket. The implement comprises an implement drive shaft wherein the implement drive shaft protrudes through the void and couples with the crankshaft below the casing when the implement bracket is attached to the power source.

Abstract: A scrapping plate assembly for cotton harvesters includes a series of elongated trapezoidal ribs on the pressure plate defining separate paths for each picker spindle and providing an increased zone for compressively engaging the cotton bolls and extending the contact zone with the spindle barbs thereby increasing removal of bolls from the plant stalks and reducing dropage.

Abstract: A passenger bridge for facilitating passengers boarding and disembarking a ship includes a first gangway section adjustably suspended within and partly enclosed by a frame of the bridge and sets of wheels for supporting the frame body and to provide maneuverability of the bridge in all directions along the quay.

Abstract: A locking system for coupling a first member including an aperture, and a second member having a receiving region is disclosed. The locking system comprises: (a) an interference element including (i) a first portion that fits within the aperture when the locking system couples the first member and the second member together, (ii) a second portion, wherein the first portion forms an angle with respect to the second portion, and (iii) a protrusion that extends into the receiving region when the locking system is in use; and (b) a locking element that engages the second portion of the interference element when the locking system is in use.

Abstract: A multifunctional, self-contained towable backhoe apparatus adapted for direct over-the-road trailering by a towing vehicle, has a support frame having a front and a rear, and a trailering hitch attached to the front. Wheels support the frame at the front and the rear. The rear wheels can function as drive wheels. A backfill blade is movably attached to the rear of the frame. An articulated arm assembly is pivotably mounted on the rear of the frame. A stabilizer with a street pad, a spade, or both, can be secured to the front of the frame for stabilizing the apparatus while in a digging position. The movable backfill blade is capable of movement to a raised position for supporting the articulated arm during transport and movement to at least one lowered ground-engaging position capable of stabilizing the apparatus, of earth moving, or a combination thereof. One end of the articulated arm is adapted for attachment of a tool, including a digging bucket, a pavement breaker, an auger, a grapple, or a fork.

Abstract: A variable speed, reversible drive for rotating elements of a feeder and a header of an agricultural combine including a first rotatable power input, a second rotatable power input, and a planetary gear arrangement or set including a first rotatable input, a second rotatable input, and a rotatable output, the rotatable elements of the feeder and the header being connected to the rotatable output of the planetary gear arrangement for rotation thereby.

Abstract: A self-propelled mower and vacuum has a front-mounted flail blade mower assembly. After being cut, the grass clippings are propelled through a discharge chute into a cuttings basket by air pressure created by the flail blades and vanes attached to the blade rotor. Additional suction may be provided by a blower system which blows air into the discharge chute. The width of the flale blade mower assembly and the large volume of cuttings which may be held in the cuttings basket make the disclosed device particularly beneficial for mowing large areas of grass and turf, including athletic fields, belt ways and airstrips.

Abstract: A cutter blade for lawn mowers having an airlift curved from a cutting edge formed on a rotationally leading edge toward a rotationally trailing edge. The trailing edge of the airlift is shaped in a waveform comprising a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of depressions. The protrusion closest to an outer end where the centrifugal force is greatest during the rotation of the cutter blade, is greatest in width so as to improve the discharging capability of grass clippings. The depressions limit negative pressure generated rotationally behind the airlift. A plurality of vent holes formed in the airlift is arranged radially in lines.

Abstract: The friction reducing drill pipe component in the form of a sub (10) is adapted to form part of a drill string. The sub (10) comprises a tubular mandrel (12) having first and second ends for connection to adjacent components of the drill string. A sleeve (18) is mounted on the mandrel (12), and first and second stops on the mandrel (16, 20) restrain the sleeve 18 against axial movement relative to the mandrel (12). One of the stops (20) is removable or retractable to permit the sleeve (18) to be removed over the first end of the mandrel.

Abstract: A large rectangular baler includes pick-up and packer rotors, a pivotable stuffer, a plunger head, a knotter shaft and a needle yoke, and tension panels that are all driven hydraulically and independently controlled through electrically controlled valves that actuate the various hydraulic power devices used to power the various functions. An electronic control unit is coupled to each of the control valves and receives feedback signals from the controlled functions which are compared with values representing desired function results so as to further control the valves to attain the desired results. In addition to the feedback signals from the powered functions, signals from a bale length sensor and a ground speed sensor are also coupled to the electronic control unit for use in controlling the powered functions.

Abstract: An aquatic shredder includes a watercraft and a pair of large, high speed propellers mounted at both the bow and stern ends of the watercraft. The propellers are configured to not only propel the watercraft through the water but also to chop vegetation at or near the water surface. Moreover, the bow propellers are similar in construction to the stern propellers so that they similarly effect comminution of the vegetation and propulsion of the watercraft. In particular, each pair of propellers extends completely across the width of the watercraft and projects laterally outward beyond the port and starboard sides of the watercraft. Each pair of propellers is preferably supported by a swingable frame that permits the user to raise and lower the propellers as desired. To enhance the cutting action of the propellers, the blades of the propellers may be provided with fore and aft extending knives.

Abstract: A system for inhibiting a wheeled, personal mobility unit, such as skateboards and in-line skates, from sliding along a surface having two or more surface portions oriented at mutually different angles has at least one part having a contact surface that generally complements the two or more surface portions of the surface. The part also has a body extending from the contact surface and terminating at an exposed surface. The part may have hinges to enable the part to bend and conform to complement the surface. The part may have three dimensional features extending from the contact surface for increased adhesive contact area relative to a flat contact surface. The part is anchored to the surface by way of offset fastening members extending from the contact surface and into a substrate of the surface.

Abstract: A self-propelled power equipment unit having a frame with a handle having a general U-shaped rear end; a drive located on the frame and connected to a drive wheel by a transmission; and a user actuated control connected to the transmission. The user actuated control comprises a speed control lever pivotably connected to the handle proximate the U-shaped rear end and an operator presence lever pivotably connected to the speed control lever.

Abstract: An MWD method and apparatus for determining parameters of interest in a formation has a sensor assembly mounted on a slidable sleeve slidably coupled to a longitudinal member, such as a section of drill pipe. When the sensor assembly is held in a non-rotating position, for instance for obtaining the measurements, the longitudinal member is free to rotate and continue drilling the borehole, wherein downhole measurements can be obtained with substantially no sensor movement or vibration. This is particularly useful in making NMR measurements due to their susceptibility to errors due caused by tool vibration. In addition, the substantially non-rotating arrangement of sensors makes it possible to efficiently carry out VSPs, reverse VSPs and looking ahead of the drill bit. A clamping device is used, for instance, to hold the sensor assembly is held in the non-rotating position.