Abstract: A spring-loaded feeding device for a ditch digging apparatus. The spring-loaded feeding device includes a shaft rotatably mountable on a frame and rotatable in a direction of rotation, and one or more feeder paddle assemblies. each feeder paddle assembly comprises a bracket on the shaft extending radially outward, the bracket comprising a pivot axis proximate the shaft and a spring-connection point spaced apart from the pivot axis. The feeder paddle assembly also has a feeder paddle with a first end near the shaft and a second end spaced apart from the first end, the feeder paddle extending radially outward from the shaft from the first end to the second end, the feeder paddle being pivotally coupled to the bracket at the pivot axis and also coupled to the bracket by a spring positioned between the feeder paddle and the spring-connection point of the bracket.

Abstract: Described herein is a combination apparatus and methods of using the combination apparatus. The combination apparatus is operable as both an edger and a sod cutter. The combination apparatus includes an arm that oscillates when driven by a motor. Both a sod cutter blade and an edger blade are coupled to the arm.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for creating merged triple windrows within a field may include performing a first cutting pass across a first triple windrow set of the field in a first harvesting direction so as to sever materials from the ground and deposit the severed materials within a first cut strip to form a first deposit of severed materials. The method may also include performing a second cutting pass across a second triple windrow set of the field subsequent to the first cutting pass in a second harvesting direction opposite the first harvesting direction so as to sever materials from the ground and deposit the severed materials within a second cut strip to form a first separate deposit of severed materials. Moreover, the method may include performing subsequent cutting passes across the first triple windrow set to create a merged triple windrow within the first cut strip.

Abstract: A high-efficiency cutting system for an autonomous mower provides a multiple blade tip cutting radius for a cleaner cut, and more complete mow. The system includes a spinning blade disk provided within a housing including a vertical standoff. The blade disk includes a first pair of cutting blades located between the center of the blade disk and the circumference of the blade disk, and a second pair of cutting blades located radially inward from the first pair of cutting blades. The cutting blades extend downward and away from the blade disk at an angle.

Abstract: A system for proactively controlling a rimpull limit of a machine includes a hydraulic system having a lift cylinder to move an implement; a lift cylinder pressure sensor that senses a hydraulic pressure of the lift cylinder and responsively produces a lift cylinder pressure signal; and a controller in operable communication with the power train and the lift cylinder pressure sensor. The controller is configured to receive the lift cylinder pressure signal; determine the rimpull limit based at least in part upon the lift cylinder pressure signal; and adjust the torque of the power train to the rimpull limit.

Abstract: A spring-loaded feeding device for a ditch digging apparatus. The spring-loaded feeding device includes a shaft rotatably mountable on a frame and rotatable in a direction of rotation, and one or more feeder paddle assemblies. each feeder paddle assembly comprises a bracket on the shaft extending radially outward, the bracket comprising a pivot axis proximate the shaft and a spring-connection point spaced apart from the pivot axis. The feeder paddle assembly also has a feeder paddle with a first end near the shaft and a second end spaced apart from the first end, the feeder paddle extending radially outward from the shaft from the first end to the second end, the feeder paddle being pivotally coupled to the bracket at the pivot axis and also coupled to the bracket by a spring positioned between the feeder paddle and the spring-connection point of the bracket.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis, a threshing and separating system for separating grain from MOG, and a grain cleaning system for further separating grain from residual MOG. The grain cleaning system has a main grain pan beneath the threshing and separating system with the grain pan having openings in its forward and to selectively receive grain from the forward portion of the threshing and separating system. A component beneath the main grain pan directs flow in parallel to the cleaning system either to a pre-sieve within the cleaning system or to an upper sieve.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a hitch frame, a center frame pivotally attached rearward of the hitch frame about a hitch pivot axis. Wing frames are pivotally attached to ends of the center frame and a center actuator is pivots the center and wing frames from a rearward extending operating position to an upward extending transport position. Caster wheels are pivotally mounted on front sides of the wing frames about caster and transport axes. In the operating position, the caster axes are oriented vertically and the transport axes are oriented horizontally, and in the initial transport position, the caster axes are oriented horizontally, perpendicular to the hitch pivot, the transport axes are oriented vertically, and caster wheel actuators pivot the caster wheels 90 degrees about the transport axes to align the caster axes with the hitch pivot axis. The caster wheels support the wing frames in both operating and transport positions.

Abstract: A device for coupling to a working end of a hydrovac boom hose includes a tubular suction tube for removably coupling to the working end of the hydrovac boom hose such that an opening of the working end remains unobstructed. A plurality of high pressure turbo nozzles configured for emitting high pressure water are located around a circumference of the tubular suction tube such that the turbo nozzles surround the working end of the hydrovac boom hose to dislodge earthly materials under the device. An outer housing to enclose and protect the tubular suction tube, turbo nozzles, and onboard locating device, and to provide an air duct for ambient air to pass down threw. A plurality of air vents in the outer housing that provide flow of ambient air to an area being excavated. The conduit coupled with the outer housing, for allowing ingress of water to the plurality of high pressure turbo nozzles.

Abstract: A stalk roll assembly for header of a combine harvester. The assembly includes first and second stalk rolls spaced laterally with respect to one another and rotating in opposite directions. Each stalk roll includes a frusto-conical nose and a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body includes a plurality of radially extending flutes. The nose includes a pair of helical flights. The plurality of flutes includes at least one cutting flute having a straight edge and a plurality of puncturing flutes with teeth. The stalk rolls are laterally offset a distance that permits the tips of the flutes to laterally overlap and the teeth of the puncturing flutes are longitudinally offset so the tips of the teeth are received between with the valleys of the teeth of the other stalk roll.

Abstract: An agricultural planter row unit has a gauge wheel supported by a gauge wheel arm, to control planting depth. An actuator drives movement of a mechanical stop that bears against a gauge wheel support arm to position the gauge wheel support arm to obtain a desired planting depth. A seed depth control system generates a force estimate indicative of a force to make a planting depth adjustment. The control system automatically controls actuation of the seed depth actuator to exert the estimated force.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for detecting stalks processed by a combine harvester, for measuring stalk diameters, and for displaying harvest metrics and yield data to a user based on stalk locations and stalk diameters.

Abstract: A mower includes a plurality of grass cutting units, either reel or rotary, arranged in a gang configuration. Each cutting unit is connected to the mower by a separate suspension that includes a lift and lower portion for lifting and lowering the cutting unit out of and into contact with the ground, respectively. The suspension includes a ground contour following portion permitting the cutting unit to have one or more degrees of freedom relative to the lift and lower portion to independently follow the ground contours the cutting unit encounters. A tuned mass damper is installed in the ground contour following portion of the suspension or is adjacent to a connection between the ground contour following portion and the lift and lower portion for damping undesired vertical bobbing of the cutting unit.

Abstract: A rotor apparatus for a baler is provided such that hay on the ground is picked up by a hay pick-up apparatus installed at the side of the baler and the picked-up hay is fed without being wound around the rotor feeding the hay to the region of the roll forming apparatus, whereby the hay of the hay pick-up apparatus is fed to the region of the roll forming apparatus quickly, precisely, and evenly. In addition, a load of the rotor is minimized when the hay is fed to the region of the roll forming apparatus, thereby extending the service life of the rotor.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a bucket which can perform a tilting operation with a hydraulic oil, a valve adjusting a flow rate of the hydraulic oil having the bucket perform the tilting operation, an electromagnetic proportional control valve generating a pilot pressure guided to the valve, a controller outputting a current to the electromagnetic proportional control valve, and a first sensor for detecting the tilting operation. The controller detects a horizontal state of the bucket based on an output from the first sensor. The controller adjusts a value for the current output to the electromagnetic proportional control valve after the horizontal state of the bucket is detected, and starts calibration of data for predicting an operation speed of the bucket in the tilting operation.

Abstract: A mower deck stabilizer releasably and adjustably engages the mower deck to the mower frame to provide a counterbalancing force to the cantilevered load of a side-mounted catcher.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to sense the weight of grain in a grain elevator are disclosed. A disclosed example grain elevator includes a grain transport member to transport grain, a driving member to move the grain transport member, a first tension sensor to sense a first tension in the driving member, and a weight determiner to estimate a weight of the grain based on the first tension.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting head for an agricultural harvester has a constant force assembly that changes the mechanical advantage of a spring applied to the mainframe of the agricultural harvesting head. As the mainframe of the agricultural harvesting head moves up and down on the front of the combine feederhouse, compressing and decompressing the spring, the constant force assembly changes the mechanical advantage of the spring such that the spring provides a relatively constant lifting force to the mainframe of the harvesting head as the mainframe moves up and down.

Abstract: A walk-behind, self-propelled machine includes a clutch having a driving state where a motor drives wheels to rotate and an unlocked state where the wheels freely rotate relative to the motor. The clutch includes a movable member and a driving member. The movable member is capable of moving between a locked position where the clutch is in the driving state and an unlocked position where the clutch is in the unlocked state. The driving member transfers power to the wheels by means of friction.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for managing implement weight. In some embodiments, a position sensor is used to determine a position of the wing section and a downforce applied to the wing is modified in order to lower the wing section. In some embodiments, the position sensor indicates the position of a wing wheel assembly of the wing section. In other embodiments, the position sensor indicates the position of a center wheel assembly of a center section of the implement.