Abstract: A rinse tank for use with an agricultural machine that has a routing tunnel formed in a tank bottom wall for routing hoses through the routing tunnel between the rinse tank and a frame side-rail associated with the agricultural machine. The routing tunnel allows hoses to be routed from a first end of the agricultural machine to a second end of the agricultural machine. Additionally, brackets can be installed to the top wall of the frame side-rail. The brackets can be used to help locate the rinse tank about the frame as they are configured to fit within the routing tunnel. Additionally, the hoses can be routed through the brackets to prevent the hoses from being misplaced or damaged once the rinse tank is installed onto the frame side-rail.

Abstract: Electronically controlled hydraulic valves can be directly mounted to rear steering cylinders of a four wheel steering machine to improve steering, reduce space consumption, reduce leak points and allow ease of routing. The valves can receive hydraulic fluid from a pump and release hydraulic fluid to tank, while controlling an amount of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder via inlets and outlets in direct contact. The valves can be controlled by a controller that is also in communication with position sensors configured to sense positions of the front and rear steering cylinders, so that the directly mounted valves in the rear can be correspondingly controlled to follow steering in the front.

Abstract: A high clearance sprayer with a four-wheel steering system includes a steering input, a steering control system, a front steering system, and a rear steering system. The front and rear steering systems are mirrored images of one another, which simplifies and improves the accuracy of the four-wheel steering control methodology. In doing so, the control system may calculate a single value that is used for controlling the front steering system, and an inverse of the single value that is used for controlling the rear steering system. Both of the front steering system and the rear steering system include wheels, steering actuator systems, swingarms, and wheel supports, which all of position of the wheels relative to the sprayer to be rotated. The steering control system may allow for various steering maneuvers to occur, including a turn-steering maneuver and a crab-steering maneuver.

Abstract: In one aspect, a control system is provided which determines fluid flow in a suspension system for an agricultural machine by determining total fluid in a closed loop piston system. Fluid is determined using position sensors and a pressure transducers and application of the ideal gas with respect to each accumulator. A closed loop control system can then target an amount of fluid for optimum suspension control.

Abstract: A lock system can be provided at each rear wheel assembly of a four wheel steering system to physically lock the rear wheel assemblies in a fixed direction to safely prevent rear wheel steering when such feature is undesirable. The lock system can use an electronically controlled actuator to hydraulically drive or retract a lock cylinder to lock or unlock the rear wheel assemblies, respectively. Sensors can be used to detect whether the lock cylinders are driven or retracted by their respective actuators, so that a controller monitoring the sensors can determine whether four wheel steering is enabled or disabled.

Abstract: An engine compartment support arrangement for an agricultural machine includes first and second support rails disposed within an engine compartment, a horizontal platform disposed between the first and second support rails and coupled thereto, and a plurality of engine accessory mounts welded to at least one of the first support rail and the second support rail. The first support rail includes a horizontal portion and an angled portion, wherein a second end of the horizontal portion is aligned with a first end of the angled portion. The second support rail includes a horizontal portion and an angled portion, wherein a second end of the horizontal portion is aligned with a first end of the angled portion.

Abstract: An agricultural machine such as a high clearance sprayer is provided with a frame capable of supporting wheels at a variable tread width. The frame includes a first cross member and a second cross member, both of which have slider receivers formed in an outer edge of either side of the frame. The machine also includes a first axle slider for a first side and a second axle slider for a second side. Each axle slider includes a pair of axle slider legs configured to be telescopically inserted into and out of the respective slider receiver, as well as a main slider body extending between the pair of axle slider legs. The axle sliders are configured to support a pair of wheels on either side of the frame. Additionally, actuators are mounted within the cross members that enable the telescopic movement of the axle sliders relative to the cross members.

Abstract: In one aspect, a control system is provided which determines fluid flow in a suspension system for an agricultural machine by determining total fluid in a closed loop piston system. Fluid is determined using position sensors and a pressure transducers and application of the ideal gas with respect to each accumulator. A closed loop control system can then target an amount of fluid for optimum suspension control.

Abstract: In one aspect, a suspension control system is provided for dynamically adjusting pistons located proximal to wheels of an agricultural machine to substantially equalize distribution of weight of the machine at each wheel and/or provide a substantially constant desired orientation of the machine above a ground surface thereby protecting laterally extending sprayer booms from contacting the ground. Articulation, pitch, roll and/or machine height can be determined from piston measurements on the machine to apply such height corrections. For sprayers, this allows controlling clearance and suspension height to maintain the boom parallel to the ground to prevent damage.

Abstract: In one aspect, a suspension control system is provided for dynamically adjusting pistons located proximal to wheels of an agricultural machine to account for tire deflection or squat with varying loads. Articulation, pitch, roll and/or machine height can be determined from pressure measurements on the machine to apply such tire height corrections. For sprayers, this allows controlling clearance and suspension height to maintain the boom parallel to the ground to prevent damage.

Abstract: A front-boom sprayer is provided that includes a boom center section and lift arm arrangement that provides a field of view below the boom when the boom is in a raised state that is substantially free of view obstructions from torque tube or other crosswise-extending components. The lift arm arrangement may provide different link tube geometries so that the respective left and right pairs of upper and lower lift arms align with each other in the line of sight of the in-cab operator.

Abstract: An engine hood mounting system includes an engine hood having at least one engine hood pivot support disposed on an inner surface thereof, at least one pivot joint located on a chassis frame of the agricultural machine, and at least one pivot bar assembly configured to interfit with a respective pivot joint and engine hood pivot support. The at least one pivot bar assembly includes an outer pivot bar having a first end and a second end and an inner pivot bar disposed within the outer pivot bar having a first end and a second end. The outer pivot bar and the inner pivot bar are coupled to each other via at least one fastener. Further, the at least one pivot bar assembly, its respective engine hood pivot support, and its respective pivot joint are oriented along a rotation axis.

Abstract: A hose clamp assembly for use with an agricultural machine that help to route hoses or other elongate routed components about the agricultural machine. The hose clamp assembly may include a first clamp block having first and second outer walls, with at least a first set of openings formed in one of the first and second outer walls. Additionally, the first clamp block may further include a second set of openings formed into the other of the first and second outer walls. The first clamp block may be secured to the agricultural machine, to a mounting bracket, or to a lock plate. Additionally, the hose clamp assembly may have a second clamp block having third and fourth outer walls. The second clamp block may have a third set of openings formed therein, as well as a fourth set of openings. The clamp blocks may be mounted to one another.

Abstract: A split deck rail system including a front railing section and a rear railing section. The front railing section may include at least two vertical posts and at least two horizontal rail segments that extend to termination ends having attachment tabs. The rear railing section includes at least one vertical post, an angled rail segment, and at least two horizontal rail segments that also extend to termination end having attachment tabs. The attachment tabs may be attached to a boom rest. For instance, the boom rest may also include tabs that the various attachments tabs can be attached to. The split deck rail system can also include corresponding deck sections that an operator can stand on. Additionally, the split deck rail may include a ladder that an operator can walk up to get to the deck sections.

Abstract: An agricultural machine such as a high clearance sprayer is provided with a frame capable of supporting wheels at a variable tread width. The frame includes a first cross member and a second cross member, both of which have slider receivers formed in an outer edge of either side of the frame. The machine also includes a first axle slider for a first side and a second axle slider for a second side. Each axle slider includes a pair of axle slider legs configured to be telescopically inserted into and out of the respective slider receiver, as well as a main slider body extending between the pair of axle slider legs. The axle sliders are configured to support a pair of wheels on either side of the frame. Additionally, actuators are mounted within the cross members that enable the telescopic movement of the axle sliders relative to the cross members.

Abstract: A protected tread widening system for a self-propelled high clearance sprayer. The system includes a frame with side rails and a first cross member and a second cross member extending between the opposite side rails, with the cross members being substantially hollow. Each of the cross members form slider receivers. The system also includes axle slider assemblies that are telescopically inserted into the slider receivers. Additionally, actuators are mounted within the cross members. These actuators are secured to the frame and to the axle slider assemblies to allow for telescopic movement of the axle slider assemblies into and out of the cross members. The actuators run substantially through a central axis of the first cross member and a central axis of the second cross member. This minimizes the bending moment of each actuator. Additionally, this system isolates the actuators from materials outside of the cross members.

Abstract: A hose clamp assembly for use with an agricultural machine that help to route hoses or other elongate routed components about the agricultural machine. The hose clamp assembly may include a first clamp block having first and second outer walls, with at least a first set of openings formed in one of the first and second outer walls. Additionally, the first clamp block may further include a second set of openings formed into the other of the first and second outer walls. The first clamp block may be secured to the agricultural machine, to a mounting bracket, or to a lock plate. Additionally, the hose clamp assembly may have a second clamp block having third and fourth outer walls. The second clamp block may have a third set of openings formed therein, as well as a fourth set of openings. The clamp blocks may be mounted to one another.

Abstract: A chassis frame including a first section and a second section. The first section includes a top plate having a first thickness, a bottom plate, and a plurality of side plates extending from the top plate to the bottom plate. The second section includes a top plate having a second thickness, a bottom plate, and a plurality of side plates extending from the top plate to the bottom plate. The first section and the second section are joined at least one transition joint. Each transition joint includes a protrusion configured to engage a pocket. Each pocket is defined by angular edges of the top and bottom plates of the first section. Each protrusion defined by angular edges of the top and bottom plates of the second section.

Abstract: A chassis frame for an agricultural sprayer includes a top plate, a bottom plate spaced apart from the top plate, and a plurality of side plates extending from the top plate to the bottom plate. The top plate has a first thickness at a first location of the chassis frame to provide additional strength to the chassis frame at the first location. The top plate has a second thickness at a second location of the chassis frame to provide additional strength to the chassis frame at the second location.

Abstract: A chassis frame includes side rails and cross-members that intersect at a number of intersection points, which collectively define a chassis frame with front and rear portions that define a main support section and an integral engine support section. Each side rail includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and first and second side plates extending between the top and bottom plates. The first and second side plates each have a first end coupled to a bottom surface of the top plate and a second end coupled to the top surface of the bottom plate. Each cross-member includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and first and second side plates extending between the top plate and bottom plates. The first and second side plates each have a first end coupled to a bottom surface of the top plate and a second end coupled to the top surface of the bottom plate. A plurality of gusset portions is formed between the top plates of the side rails and cross-members at each intersection point.