Abstract: A harvester power takeoff (PTO) clutch system includes a detachable PTO extension module and transmission gearbox housing, which has a clutch compartment and a clutch service port through which the clutch compartment can be accessed. A PTO clutch is disposed in the clutch compartment, while a clutch shaft extends from the PTO clutch and projects from the clutch compartment through the clutch service port. The detachable PTO extension module includes, in turn: a PTO housing extension mounted to the transmission gearbox housing; a PTO shaft rotatably coupled to the PTO clutch and projecting from the PTO housing extension in a direction opposite the transmission gearbox housing; an inner extension bearing disposed in the PTO housing extension and rotatably supporting the clutch shaft; and an outer extension bearing further disposed in the PTO housing extension and rotatably supporting the PTO shaft.

Abstract: A harvester power takeoff (PTO) clutch system includes a detachable PTO extension module and transmission gearbox housing, which has a clutch compartment and a clutch service port through which the clutch compartment can be accessed. A PTO clutch is disposed in the clutch compartment, while a clutch shaft extends from the PTO clutch and projects from the clutch compartment through the clutch service port. The detachable PTO extension module includes, in turn: a PTO housing extension mounted to the transmission gearbox housing; a PTO shaft rotatably coupled to the PTO clutch and projecting from the PTO housing extension in a direction opposite the transmission gearbox housing; an inner extension bearing disposed in the PTO housing extension and rotatably supporting the clutch shaft; and an outer extension bearing further disposed in the PTO housing extension and rotatably supporting the PTO shaft.

Abstract: A hydraulic power module for a crop harvester, and in particular a cotton harvester, having an engine. The hydraulic power module includes a main drive gear, a drive shaft extending through the main drive gear, and a clutch operatively connected to the drive shaft, wherein the clutch has an engaged position and a disengaged position. The engaged position of the clutch fixedly connects the main drive gear to the drive shaft and the disengaged position of the clutch disconnects the main drive gear drive from the drive shaft. The hydraulic power module further includes a first pump device directly coupled to the drive shaft, wherein the first pump device is driven by the drive shaft during rotation of the drive shaft. A second pump device is indirectly connected to the drive shaft through the clutch, and is driven by the drive shaft when the clutch is in the engaged position.

Abstract: Systems for harvesting machines, transmissions for harvesting machines, and methods of operating systems for harvesting machines are disclosed herein. A system includes a drive unit, a cleaner unit, an aspirator, and a transmission. The drive unit is configured to produce rotational power in use of the system. The cleaner unit is fluidly coupled to the drive unit and configured to separate debris from air so that the air becomes cleaned air and provide the cleaned air to the drive unit in use of the system. The aspirator is fluidly coupled to the cleaner unit and configured to draw debris away from the cleaner unit and exhaust the debris in use of the system. The transmission is coupled to the drive unit and the aspirator.

Abstract: Systems for harvesting machines, transmissions for harvesting machines, and methods of operating systems for harvesting machines are disclosed herein. A system includes a drive unit, a cleaner unit, an aspirator, and a transmission. The drive unit is configured to produce rotational power in use of the system. The cleaner unit is fluidly coupled to the drive unit and configured to separate debris from air so that the air becomes cleaned air and provide the cleaned air to the drive unit in use of the system. The aspirator is fluidly coupled to the cleaner unit and configured to draw debris away from the cleaner unit and exhaust the debris in use of the system. The transmission is coupled to the drive unit and the aspirator.

Abstract: A hydraulic power module for a crop harvester, and in particular a cotton harvester, having an engine. The hydraulic power module includes a main drive gear, a drive shaft extending through the main drive gear, and a clutch operatively connected to the drive shaft, wherein the clutch has an engaged position and a disengaged position. The engaged position of the clutch fixedly connects the main drive gear to the drive shaft and the disengaged position of the clutch disconnects the main drive gear drive from the drive shaft. The hydraulic power module further includes a first pump device directly coupled to the drive shaft, wherein the first pump device is driven by the drive shaft during rotation of the drive shaft. A second pump device is indirectly connected to the drive shaft through the clutch, and is driven by the drive shaft when the clutch is in the engaged position.

Abstract: A drive mechanism comprises a flywheel, a flywheel damper removably connected to the flywheel, a pump drive, and an intermediate shaft. The pump drive comprises a housing, an input shaft mounted to the housing for rotation relative thereto about an axis of rotation, and a seal surrounding the input shaft to establish a sealed connection therewith. The intermediate shaft is co-axial with the input shaft relative to the axis of rotation and removably connected to the flywheel damper and the input shaft. The seal is replaceable. An associated method for replacing the seal is disclosed.

Abstract: A drive mechanism comprises a flywheel, a flywheel damper removably connected to the flywheel, a pump drive, and an intermediate shaft. The pump drive comprises a housing, an input shaft mounted to the housing for rotation relative thereto about an axis of rotation, and a seal surrounding the input shaft to establish a sealed connection therewith. The intermediate shaft is co-axial with the input shaft relative to the axis of rotation and removably connected to the flywheel damper and the input shaft. The seal is replaceable. An associated method for replacing the seal is disclosed.

Abstract: A drive assembly includes a drive housing, a bearing-mounted wheel mount configured to rotate about a rotation axis with respect to the drive housing, and a shift assembly coupled between an input shaft and the wheel mount to selectably cause rotation of the wheel mount various rotational speeds. The shift assembly includes a gear set and a brake arrangement. The gear set has a first gear and a second gear, each being rotatable by the input shaft independent of the other. The brake arrangement has a first brake component and a second brake component. During rotation of the wheel mount at a first rotational speed, the first brake component brakes the first gear with respect to the drive housing. During rotation of the wheel mount at a second rotational speed, the second brake component brakes the second gear with respect to the drive housing.

Abstract: A high efficiency work vehicle drivetrain contains a variator having an inline dual planetary configuration. The work vehicle drivetrain includes an engine, an auxiliary power takeoff (PTO) shaft coupled to the engine and rotatable about a primary power path axis when driven by the engine, and the variator assembly. The variator assembly includes a variator motor and a variator gearbox. The variator gearbox contains a planetary gear system, which is coupled to the variator motor and to the auxiliary PTO shaft. The planetary gear system is rotatable about a planetary axis, which is coaxial with the primary power path axis.

Abstract: A modular assembly is described for a power train. An assembly housing includes first and second cavities connected by an inter-cavity passage. An input shaft and an output shaft linked by a first clutch are disposed, at least in part, in the first cavity. A hydraulic control assembly provides hydraulic control signals to control, at least in part, the first clutch device. A hydraulic quill insert disposed, at least in part, in the inter-cavity passage, includes a plurality of control passages. The hydraulic quill insert receives the hydraulic control signals and directs the signals to control power flow from the input shaft to the output shaft.

Abstract: High efficiency work vehicle drivetrains containing variator assemblies are provided. In one embodiment, the work vehicle drivetrain includes an engine, a variator assembly, and an auxiliary power takeoff (PTO) shaft, which is coupled to the engine and rotatable about a primary power path axis when driven by the engine. The variator assembly includes, in turn, a variator motor and a variator gearbox. The variator gearbox contains a planetary gear system, which is coupled to the variator motor and to the auxiliary PTO shaft. The planetary gear system is rotatable about a planetary axis substantially parallel and offset from the primary power path axis.

Abstract: A drive assembly includes a drive housing, a bearing-mounted wheel mount configured to rotate about a rotation axis with respect to the drive housing, and a shift assembly coupled between an input shaft and the wheel mount to selectably cause rotation of the wheel mount various rotational speeds. The shift assembly includes a gear set and a brake arrangement. The gear set has a first gear and a second gear, each being rotatable by the input shaft independent of the other. The brake arrangement has a first brake component and a second brake component. During rotation of the wheel mount at a first rotational speed, the first brake component brakes the first gear with respect to the drive housing. During rotation of the wheel mount at a second rotational speed, the second brake component brakes the second gear with respect to the drive housing.

Abstract: A high efficiency work vehicle drivetrain contains a variator having an inline dual planetary configuration. The work vehicle drivetrain includes an engine, an auxiliary power takeoff (PTO) shaft coupled to the engine and rotatable about a primary power path axis when driven by the engine, and the variator assembly. The variator assembly includes a variator motor and a variator gearbox. The variator gearbox contains a planetary gear system, which is coupled to the variator motor and to the auxiliary PTO shaft. The planetary gear system is rotatable about a planetary axis, which is coaxial with the primary power path axis.

Abstract: High efficiency work vehicle drivetrains containing variator assemblies are provided. In one embodiment, the work vehicle drivetrain includes an engine, a variator assembly, and an auxiliary power takeoff (PTO) shaft, which is coupled to the engine and rotatable about a primary power path axis when driven by the engine. The variator assembly includes, in turn, a variator motor and a variator gearbox. The variator gearbox contains a planetary gear system, which is coupled to the variator motor and to the auxiliary PTO shaft. The planetary gear system is rotatable about a planetary axis substantially parallel and offset from the primary power path axis.

Abstract: A modular assembly is described for a power train. An assembly housing includes first and second cavities connected by an inter-cavity passage. An input shaft and an output shaft linked by a first clutch are disposed, at least in part, in the first cavity. A hydraulic control assembly provides hydraulic control signals to control, at least in part, the first clutch device. A hydraulic quill insert disposed, at least in part, in the inter-cavity passage, includes a plurality of control passages. The hydraulic quill insert receives the hydraulic control signals and directs the signals to control power flow from the input shaft to the output shaft.

Abstract: A transmission interlock assembly is described. A shift rail may include an interlock passage containing at least one interlock member. First and second gear engagement devices mounted to the shift rail may include, respectively, first and second interlock indents. The interlock member may extend into the first or the second interlock indent when, respectively, the first or the second gear engagement device is in neutral. With both gear engagement devices in neutral, as the first (or second) gear engagement device is moved to engage a gear, the interlock member may be urged out of the first (or second) indent and into the second (or first) indent, the interlock member thereby preventing the second (or first) gear engagement device from moving out of neutral.

Abstract: A modular assembly is described for a power train. An assembly housing includes first and second cavities connected by an inter-cavity passage. An input shaft and an output shaft linked by a first clutch are disposed, at least in part, in the first cavity. A hydraulic control assembly provides hydraulic control signals to control, at least in part, the first clutch device. A hydraulic quill insert disposed, at least in part, in the inter-cavity passage, includes a plurality of control passages. The hydraulic quill insert receives the hydraulic control signals and directs the signals to control power flow from the input shaft to the output shaft.

Abstract: A transmission interlock assembly is described. A shift rail may include an interlock passage containing at least one interlock member. First and second gear engagement devices mounted to the shift rail may include, respectively, first and second interlock indents. The interlock member may extend into the first or the second interlock indent when, respectively, the first or the second gear engagement device is in neutral. With both gear engagement devices in neutral, as the first (or second) gear engagement device is moved to engage a gear, the interlock member may be urged out of the first (or second) indent and into the second (or first) indent, the interlock member thereby preventing the second (or first) gear engagement device from moving out of neutral.