Abstract: A harvesting unit for graff (a mixture including grain, chaff and weed seeds). The unit includes a wheeled harvester body and a harvesting header. A threshing unit is provided to separate stalks from graff and a tank is provided for storing the graff. The tank has a rear well and a floor provided with a elements that move the graff to the well. A graff collection bed is provided beneath the threshing unit and has a transverse collection trough. Augers in the trough move the graff laterally and graff elevators lift on each side of the storage tank lift the graff to the storage tank.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device and procedure to regulate the bale length in a square baler. Sensors determine both the forward and backward movement of the crop bundle and transfer these measurements to an evaluation electronic. The evaluation electronic adds the measurements and triggers the tying process when the actual length value is reached. The procedure includes the steps of: sensing both the forward and backward movement of a crop bundle in a baling chamber; adding the measured forward and backward movements to determine an actual length value of the crop bundle; and triggering the tying device once a pre-set target actual length value is reached.

Abstract: An tobacco harvester which on a single pass through the field sorts tobacco leaves as the leaves are harvested based on the height at which they grow on the tobacco stalk. An adjustable guide directs leaves as they are stripped from the stalk onto upper and lower conveyor belts which transport the leaves into separate collection bins.

Abstract: A sand trap rake and storage apparatus, wherein a tubular storage compartment is sized to receive the sand trap rake therein. The tubular storage compartment is buried in the ground near a sand trap, so that the open top of the storage unit is above ground. A cover secures the sand trap rake in the tubular storage compartment. A compression spring pushes the rake above the top portion of the tubular storage unit for ease of access. The sand trap rake includes a head pivotally attached to the handle. A hand knob tightens the head against the handle in a first operating position perpendicular to the handle, and the hand knob is loosened to position the head in a second storage position parallel to the handle.

Abstract: A cam mechanism for use in a mowing machine. The cam mechanism is comprised of a spur gear and protruding eccentric cams from the top and bottom surfaces of the spur gear. The cam mechanism is formed from a half blanking press process. The eccentric cams are symmetrically formed around a shaft hole located in the center of the spur gear. Members with a hole equaling that of the eccentric cam and shaft hole point symmetry are then fitted onto the eccentric cam. The members are then capable of reciprocation with a phase differential of 180 degrees of each other. The concave portion of the eccentric cam permits lubricants to be filled in the space facilitating the smooth operation of the cam mechanism.

Abstract: A crop residue chopper for an agricultural combine including a spaced array of stationary knives. A rotor of the chopper is rotatable about an axis therethrough and includes mounting elements in axially spaced relation, and a plurality of offset knives, each of the offset knives including a mounting end portion fixedly mountable on one of the mounting elements and a an opposite free end portion disposed so as to extend radially outwardly in axially offset relation to the mounting end portion when mounted on the mounting element.

Abstract: A combine having a chopper arrangement for receiving and chopping harvested crop material that has been threshed and separated. The chopper arrangement comprises a web wheel disk having knives entrained thereon that cooperate with a stationary shear bar to chop the harvested crop material that has been threshed and separated.

Abstract: The vehicle part of a self-propelled forage harvester includes a chassis supported on front and rear sets of wheels. A mower-conditioner unit is mounted to the front of the chassis and mounted to opposite sides of the chassis are second and third mower-conditioner units. Mounting each of the second and third mower-conditioner units to the chassis is a support arm having a first end region mounted to the chassis, either forward of the rear set of wheels, in accordance with a first embodiment, or rearward of the rear set of wheels, in accordance with a second embodiment, with the support arms being configured so that the first and second mower-conditioner units extend generally in transverse alignment with the rear set of wheels, when the support arms are in lowered working positions, and are disposed in positions above the individual wheels of the rear set of wheels when the support arms are in raised transport positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic adjustment of a transfer device on an agricultural harvesting machine includes a sensor for determining the current position of the transfer device; means for adjustment of the transfer device; a navigation device located in the harvesting machine for determination of a first and a second navigated position in a field; and an electronic analyzer wherein the electronic analyzer automatically adjusts the transfer device through the means for adjustment as a function of the current position of the transfer device and the first and second navigated positions of the harvesting machine.

Abstract: A haymaking machine, particularly a mower of plant matter with a grouping device allowing the plant matter cut in two passes to be grouped together into a double windrow or alternatively a single windrow to be formed. The grouping device is made of a first member for moving the plant matter toward the rear side of the machine and of a second member for moving the plant matter toward a side, the second moving member being mounted on a support in such a way that it can be moved closer to or away from the first moving member for forming a double windrow or a single windrow.

Abstract: A sweeper apparatus for attachment to corn heads mounted on combines used in harvesting corn. The apparatus includes pivotally movable extended arms which are mounted on the corn head and are positionally adjusted with respect to the corn head by hydraulic cylinders. The outer ends of the arms support a rotatable axel which is driven by an adjustable speed motor and drive assembly. A plurality of spaced paddle assemblies are moveably attached to the rotatable axel. Spacers having various lengths are positioned over the axel and between the paddle assemblies to properly space and align the paddle assemblies to correspond to various corn heads. Each paddle assembly includes a hub and a plurality of vanes with a triangular support plate positioned between the vanes to support the vanes. The shape of the vanes and hub, the inclusion of the triangular support plates and the paddle assembly spacers prevent clogging of the corn and debris in the sweeper apparatus and in the corn head.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes a tailings conveyor housing. The agricultural harvesting machine provides a cleaning device for cleaning threshed and separated grain. The tailings conveyor housing collects tailings from the cleaning device and propels the tailings with a first impeller against a first rethreshing member and radially to a second impeller. The second impeller propels the tailings against a second rethreshing member and radially to a conduit in the tailings conveyer housing, where the tailings are redirected back to the cleaning device and spread out over the cleaning device.

Abstract: A grass-cutting tractor has an internal combustion engine, an apparatus which changes engine speed, and a generator. The apparatus includes a user-manipulated mechanism having a plurality of operating positions. Two of the operating positions are each identified by different grass-related mnemonics, e.g., NORMAL, HEAVY, MEDIUM, HIGH, REGULAR or TALL, which relate to the height of the grass to be cut and one of the positions corresponds to operation of the generator.

Abstract: A reel mower includes a bearing system having a spring that biases a plurality of ball bearings toward a cone. The cone is fixedly mounted on the reel shaft. The cone can be conically constructed, and used in combination with a washer that is fixedly attached to the reel shaft.

Abstract: An operator control system for a self-propelled vehicle such as a lawn mower wherein the control system includes two opposing and preferably upwardly extending and converging hand grips each having a corresponding drive control lever associated therewith. Each drive control lever may have at least a portion that is parallel to a grip axis of its respective hand grip. Further, each drive control lever may have a pivot axis that is substantially parallel to the corresponding grip axis such that the drive control lever remains substantially parallel to its respective hand grip throughout its travel. A latching device may be provided to permit latching of each drive control lever in two or more positions, e.g., a neutral position and a park position. Secondary levers such as operator presence control (OPC) levers may also be included.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a machine including several transversely spaced feed and mowing devices for mowing stalk-type crops. A transverse conveyor channel, through which the harvested crop can be conveyed at least approximately transverse to the forward driving direction, is provided on the rear side of the aforementioned feed and mowing devices, and a feed channel, through which the harvested crop can be fed to a chopping device, is arranged on the downstream end of the transverse conveyor channel. Provided and an intersection of the transverse conveyor channel and the feed channel is a deflector element that is mounted for deflecting downwardly and/or rearwardly plants that protrude out of the transverse conveyor channel such as to prevent them from becoming jammed in front of the feed channel.

Abstract: A self-propelled forage harvester is equipped with a crop gathering device which transports crop material from the ground to feed rolls that position the crop for being chopped into small pieces by a chopper drum. To prevent pieces of crop material from accumulating on top of the housing structure for the feed rolls and the chopper drum, a flexible shield is mounted between the bottom of the operator's cab and the top of the crop gathering device. Various different access elements of the shield may be quickly opened to provide access to the feed rolls, chopper drum and other functioning elements provided for processing the crop.

Abstract: A ground clearing machine including a mobile frame with a vertically adjustable support frame mounted thereon and mounting a ground clearing implement for vertical adjustment therewith, the implement including shaft mounted rotatable tines within a semi-circular drum with a downwardly opening mouth for both receiving and discharging debris with the debris pulverized within the drum between the intake and discharge thereof.

Abstract: A height adjustment apparatus having a frame bracket attached to the frame with no relative movement therebetween, and a threaded rod threaded through the frame bracket. A nut is rigidly attached to a top end of the threaded rod. A swivel head is rotationally attached to the lower end of the rod, with the swivel head being attached to a ground contacting support. The apparatus further includes a socket configured to slidably receive the nut and the frame bracket. A spring is provided for slidably biasing the socket into a non-rotational aspect relative to the frame bracket.

Abstract: A rotary cutter has a deck assembly including a central unit to which a wing unit is attached for flexing vertically. A hydraulic cylinder is provided for lifting the wing unit 90° to a fully raised transport or shipping position. Located above, and extending generally parallel to, the hydraulic cylinder is a telescopic strut incorporating a spring which becomes compressed as the wing unit approaches its fully raised position, the compressed spring unloading to thrust the wing unit down upon pressure being released from the hydraulic cylinder, even if the weight of the wing unit is tending to keep it in its raised position. Wing unit may be locked in its raised position by inserting a pin through the telescoped members of the strut when the latter is in its fully collapsed condition.