Abstract: One embodiment is a combine having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, a grain bin for receiving grain from the forward section grain transfer assembly, and a transverse crop residue baler disposed at the rear of said combine and moving integrally with said combine. The transverse crop residue baler also can be towed by the combine and is connected to the combine by two widely spaced-apart joints that permit only movement in the pitch axis. The combine can be devoid of an on-board grain bin and comprise a forward unit; the transverse crop residue baler disposed at the rear of and carried by the forward unit; and the combine includes a rearward unit jointedly attached to the forward unit and having, steerable and powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin, and a grain off-loading assembly.

Abstract: A combine having an integral crop residue round baler includes an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, a grain bin, and a grain off-loading assembly. The towed crop residue round baler is located at the rear of the combine and moves integrally therewith for forming a crop residue bale. The towed crop residue round baler can be connected to the combine by a pair of widely spaced apart joint assemblies that permit the towed crop residue round baler to move only in the pitch axis. A tractor assembly for baling crop material, is fitted with a quick hitch assembly for towing a towed crop residue round baler connected to the tractor by said quick hitch assembly configured such that only movement in the pitch axis is permitted and such that tractor carries a portion of weight of the towed rear unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an articulated harvester composed of a forward bogey having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, but being devoid of an on-board grain bin. A rearward bogey is attached by a joint to the forward bogey and has a powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward bogey grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The disclosed improvement includes the rearward bogey having a powered wheel assembly of a powered stiff axle wheel assembly pivotable for steering the articulated harvester when the joint has articulated by a defined number of degrees. The joint may be connected to the rearward bogey powered stiff axle wheel assembly by a beam that has a second joint disposed ahead of the stiff axle and actuatable to crab the articulated harvester for grain unloading.

Abstract: Disclosed is an articulated harvester composed of a forward bogey having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, but being devoid of an on-board grain bin. A rearward bogey is attached by a joint to the forward bogey and has a powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward bogey grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The disclosed improvement includes the rearward bogey having a powered wheel assembly of a powered stiff axle wheel assembly pivotable for steering the articulated harvester when the joint has articulated by a defined number of degrees. The joint may be connected to the rearward bogey powered stiff axle wheel assembly by a beam that has a second joint disposed ahead of the stiff axle and actuatable to crab the articulated harvester for grain unloading.

Abstract: Disclosed is an articulated harvester composed of a forward bogey having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, but being devoid of an on-board grain bin. A rearward bogey is attached by a joint to the forward bogey and has a powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward bogey grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The disclosed improvement includes the rearward bogey having a powered wheel assembly of a powered stiff axle wheel assembly pivotable for steering the articulated harvester when the joint has articulated by a defined number of degrees. The joint may be connected to the rearward bogey powered stiff axle wheel assembly by a beam that has a second joint disposed ahead of the stiff axle and actuatable to crab the articulated harvester for grain unloading.

Abstract: Disclosed is an articulated harvester composed of a forward bogey having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, but being devoid of an on-board grain bin. A rearward bogey is attached by a joint to the forward bogey and has a powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward bogey grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The disclosed improvement includes the rearward bogey having a powered wheel assembly of a powered stiff axle wheel assembly pivotable for steering the articulated harvester when the joint has articulated by a defined number of degrees. The joint may be connected to the rearward bogey powered stiff axle wheel assembly by a beam that has a second joint disposed ahead of the stiff axle and actuatable to crab the articulated harvester for grain unloading.

Abstract: A combination of a powered combine carrying a combine grain bin for housing harvested grain and a towed grain cart carrying a grain cart bin for housing harvested grain includes harvested grain transfer between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin and improved off-loading of harvested grain from the combination. A generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly is pivotally connected to a second grain movement assembly, which in turn is pivotally connected to a vertically disposed grain movement assembly in the grain cart, such that the rear end of the second grain movement assembly moves in all horizontal directions, but not in the vertical direction. The first grain movement assembly has an arcuate trolley ahead of the pivoted joint with the second grain movement assembly. An off-loading grain movement assembly is disposed for off-loading grain only from the combine grain bin.

Abstract: Disclosed is an articulated harvester composed of a forward bogey having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, but being devoid of an on-board grain bin. A rearward bogey is attached by a joint to the forward bogey and has a powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward bogey grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The disclosed improvement includes the rearward bogey having a powered wheel assembly of a powered stiff axle wheel assembly pivotable for steering the articulated harvester when the joint has articulated by a defined number of degrees. The joint may be connected to the rearward bogey powered stiff axle wheel assembly by a beam that has a second joint disposed ahead of the stiff axle and actuatable to crab the articulated harvester for grain unloading.

Abstract: An improved combination of a powered combine carrying a combine grain bin for housing harvested grain and a towed grain cart carrying a grain cart bin for housing harvested grain includes improved harvested grain transfer between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin and improved off-loading of harvested grain from the combination. A generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly is pivotally connected to a second grain movement assembly, which in turn is pivotally connected to a vertically disposed grain movement assembly in the grain cart, such that the rear end of the second grain movement assembly moves in all horizontal directions, but not in the vertical direction. The first grain movement assembly has an arcuate trolley ahead of the pivoted joint with the second grain movement assembly. An off-loading grain movement assembly is disposed for off-loading grain only from the combine grain bin.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved grain unloader for off-loading (unloading) grain from a grain bin carried by one or more of a combine or a grain cart. A second grain movement assembly is coupled in parallel to the first grain movement assembly so that both grain movement assemblies can simultaneously off-load the grain bin. A third grain movement assembly feeds the second grain movement assembly. The first and second grain movement assemblies move together from a stowage position to an unloading position. The third grain assembly can only feed the second grain transfer assembly when the second grain assembly is in the off-load position.

Abstract: An articulated harvester includes a powered harvester having a pair of forward wheels or tracks, having a pair of rotatable rearward caster wheels, and carrying an on-board harvester grain bin for housing harvested grain. The harvester tows a grain cart, which carries a grain cart bin for housing harvested grain. A joint assembly interconnects the harvester and the grain cart. The joint assembly includes a grain cart tongue that mates with the harvester. An articulation cylinder assembly connects the harvester and the grain cart tongue in the region of the joint assembly. Bi-directional, biased guide rods connect between the grain cart tongue and the caster wheels. The grain car may be steerable and/or powered. The harvester may be steerable by its pair of forward wheels or tracks. A conventional harvester and grain cart assembly can be converted into the novel articulated harvester.

Abstract: An improved combination of a powered combine carrying a combine grain bin for housing harvested grain and a towed grain cart carrying a grain cart bin for housing harvested grain includes improved harvested grain transfer between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin and improved off-loading of harvested grain from the combination. A generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly is pivotally connected within the combine grain bin and pivotally connected within the grain cart bin and disposed for reciprocally transporting grain between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin. A generally vertically disposed second grain movement assembly is cooperatively operable with the first grain movement assembly for transferring grain from the grain cart bin to the first grain movement assembly and thence to the combine grain bin. An off-loading grain movement assembly is disposed for off-loading grain only from the combine grain bin.

Abstract: An improved combination of a powered combine carrying a combine grain bin for housing harvested grain and a towed grain cart carrying a grain cart bin for housing harvested grain includes improved harvested grain transfer between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin and improved off-loading of harvested grain from the combination. A generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly is pivotally connected within the combine grain bin and pivotally connected within the grain cart bin and disposed for reciprocally transporting grain between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin. A generally vertically disposed second grain movement assembly is cooperatively operable with the first grain movement assembly for transferring grain from the grain cart bin to the first grain movement assembly and thence to the combine grain bin. An off-loading grain movement assembly is disposed for off-loading grain only from the combine grain cart.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for articulating an articulated vehicle from a rest position, the vehicle being composed of a forward unit and a tracked rearward unit having a pair of powered tracks. The forward and rearward units are connected by a joint and an articulation cylinder. The method powers up only one track while simultaneously actuating the articulation cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention is a grain unloading assembly for unloading clean grain from a combine grain bin, wherein a combine harvests grain and cleans it to provide the clean grain. Such grain unloading assembly includes a vertical flighted conveyor adapted to operate in either direction which is disposed within a housing that is fitted at its top with a bin spout, a discharge spout, and a moveable door that permits communication of the flighted conveyor either with the bin spout or with the discharge spout. Another aspect of the invention is an unload assembly including a distal frame nested within a proximal frame. The distal frame is extensible from and retractable into the proximal frame. This unload assembly includes a conveyor system that permits the conveyor to extend as the distal conveyor extends and retract as the distal conveyor retracts.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a straw and chaff spreader for mounting in association with a grain cleaner of a combine. The chaff and straw spreader includes a pair of horizontally-disposed, outwardly rotating, cleated conveyors that receive straw and chaff discharged from the grain separator and cleaner of the combine. The conveyors may be configured to be independently reversibly rotatable.

Abstract: The present invention is addressed to a joint which includes an upper frame member carried by the forward unit and having a recess on its lower side and a lower frame member carried by the forward unit, having a recess on its upper side, and being spaced-apart vertically below the upper frame member so that the recesses are in vertical registration. The joint further includes a shaft carried by the rearward unit and a bearing retainer assembly carried by the end of the shaft and disposed between the recesses. The bearing assembly includes an annulus surmounting a hub connected to the shaft. Thrust bearings between the annulus and hub permit the hub to co-rotate with the shaft with respect to the annulus, while nibs carried by the annulus are associated with tapered roller bearings so that the outer annulus co-twists with the shaft respect to the forward unit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an airbag suspension system for a vehicle. The airbag suspension system includes a vehicle frame having an axle to which is affixed a longitudinal beam carrying at least one wheel. The airbag assembly of the suspension system includes an upper plate extending from the vehicle frame and a lower plate affixed to the longitudinal beam. Disposed between the upper and lower plates is an airbag. The lower plate carries a pair of vertical blocks having vertical slots, a pair of cams being carried by the upper plate and riding in the vertical slots. The airbag suspension system may be used with a vehicle such as an articulated combine, that rides on a pair of wheeled tires or on a pair of endless tracks.

Abstract: Broadly, one aspect of the present invention is an articulated combine having increased on-board grain storage capacity (e.g., 1,200 bushels) and which is composed of a forward unit having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, and being devoid of an on-board grain bin; and a rearward unit jointedly attached to the forward section and having, steerable and powered wheels, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward section grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The grain transfer assembly, joint, and grain off-loading assembly and controls, form other aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: Broadly, one aspect of the present invention is an articulated combine having increased on-board grain storage capacity (e.g., 1,200 bushels) and which is composed of a forward unit having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, and being devoid of an on-board grain bin; and a rearward unit jointedly attached to the forward section and having, steerable and powered wheels, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward section grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The grain transfer assembly, joint, and grain off-loading assembly and controls, form other aspects of the present invention.