Patents by Inventor Cecil R. Sudbrack
Cecil R. Sudbrack has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10980181Abstract: A header for an agricultural vehicle including a frame having lateral ends and a transport assembly connected to the frame and configured for being positioned in a transport position and a storage position. The transport assembly includes a tandem axle support device including at least one pivot shaft pivotally connected to the frame, a first walking beam, and a second walking beam. The first and second walking beams are operably connected to and moveable by the at least one pivot shaft. The transport assembly also includes at least four wheels including a first pair of tandem wheels removably connected to the first walking beam and a second pair of tandem wheels removably connected to the second walking beam.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Cecil R. Sudbrack, Todd F. Hertzler
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Publication number: 20200120873Abstract: A header for an agricultural vehicle including a frame having lateral ends and a transport assembly connected to the frame and configured for being positioned in a transport position and a storage position. The transport assembly includes a tandem axle support device including at least one pivot shaft pivotally connected to the frame, a first walking beam, and a second walking beam. The first and second walking beams are operably connected to and moveable by the at least one pivot shaft. The transport assembly also includes at least four wheels including a first pair of tandem wheels removably connected to the first walking beam and a second pair of tandem wheels removably connected to the second walking beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2018Publication date: April 23, 2020Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Cecil R. Sudbrack, Todd F. Hertzler
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Patent number: 9854723Abstract: A header assembly is removably attached to lift arms of an agricultural harvester by lift pins on the header assembly received in upwardly facing cups on the ends of lift arms. Guides including target portions suspended lower than the lift pins receive the lift arms to position the cups below the lift pins. The guides are pivotally connected to the header assembly and are rotated by the lift arms engaging guide lift elements as the lift arms are raised to engage the cups with the lift pins.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Cecil R. Sudbrack, Brendon Earl, Jeffrey B. Fay, II
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Patent number: 9717175Abstract: A rock guard for use on a rotary disc cutterbar having quick-release knife connectors wherein a knife removal relief channel is oriented 45 degrees from a straight-ahead orientation to allow more than one quarter of the knives on the cutterbar to be simultaneously aligned with the channels for removal. A second knife removal channel is also oriented 45 degrees from the straight ahead orientation and 90 degrees from the first channel to permit half of the knives on the cutterbar to be simultaneously aligned with the channels for removal. The incorporation of two knife removal channels as described benefits rotary cutterbars having two knives per rotary cutter and adjacent cutters rotationally offset by 90 degrees regardless of whether co-rotating or counter-rotating rotary cutters are employed.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Jeffrey Fay, II, Melanie W. Harkcom, Cecil R. Sudbrack
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Publication number: 20170150674Abstract: A header assembly is removably attached to lift arms of an agricultural harvester by lift pins on the header assembly received in upwardly facing cups on the ends of lift arms. Guides including target portions suspended lower than the lift pins receive the lift arms to position the cups below the lift pins. The guides are pivotally connected to the header assembly and are rotated by the lift arms engaging guide lift elements as the lift arms are raised to engage the cups with the lift pins.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2015Publication date: June 1, 2017Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Cecil R. Sudbrack, Brendon Earl, Jeffrey B. Fay, II
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Patent number: 9622404Abstract: A wheel-supported frame for an agricultural mower having a tongue, a pivotally connected frame having a pair of main wheel, and a pair of a retractable transport wheels connected to the frame. A mechanism is provided for each transport wheel to deploy the transport wheels and support the mower, the transport wheels being oriented for travel 90 degrees to the direction of travel of the main wheels. The pivoting tongue connection with the main frame provides for at least a 90 degree rotation of the frame relative to the tongue between operating and transport positions so that the mower may be pulled for transport with the mower moving in the direction of its normal lateral width. The transport wheel mechanisms also position the transport wheels where they will not interfere with mower operation, especially pivoting of the tongue.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Melanie W. Harkcom, Cecil R. Sudbrack, Derek S. Rude, Murray Kosokowsky, John H. Posselius, Roger Huggard, Michael J. Digman
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Patent number: 9370140Abstract: An improved control system for managing rotation of a bale loading arm in a bale loader in which a single position sensor combined with a purposefully designed sensor target enable loading arm position to be efficiently determined by a controller in order to direct the actuator movements based upon loading arm position necessary for automated operation of a bale loading cycle.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2014Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Cecil R Sudbrack, Robert L. Fackler
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Publication number: 20160021824Abstract: An improved control system for managing rotation of a bale loading arm in a bale loader in which a single position sensor combined with a purposefully designed sensor target enable loading arm position to be efficiently determined by a controller in order to direct the actuator movements based upon loading arm position necessary for automated operation of a bale loading cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: CECIL R. SUDBRACK, ROBERT L. FACKLER
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Publication number: 20150305236Abstract: A rock guard for use on a rotary disc cutterbar having quick-release knife connectors wherein a knife removal relief channel is oriented 45 degrees from a straight-ahead orientation to allow more than one quarter of the knives on the cutterbar to be simultaneously aligned with the channels for removal. A second knife removal channel is also oriented 45 degrees from the straight ahead orientation and 90 degrees from the first channel to permit half of the knives on the cutterbar to be simultaneously aligned with the channels for removal. The incorporation of two knife removal channels as described benefits rotary cutterbars having two knives per rotary cutter and adjacent cutters rotationally offset by 90 degrees regardless of whether co-rotating or counter-rotating rotary cutters are employed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA, LLCInventors: JEFFREY FAY, II, MELANIE W. HARKCOM, CECIL R. SUDBRACK
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Patent number: 9101090Abstract: An autoguidance interface for a hydraulic steering system for a differential steered self-propelled agricultural windrower, windrower speed and direction controlled by adjustment to a control input shaft to control the output of a pair of tandem-mounted hydraulic drive pumps and provide motive power for the windrower. The control input shaft is rotatable and axially moveable. A hydraulic steering motor is operably connected to the input shaft to effect control input shaft rotation. Rotation of the hydraulic steering motor is selectively managed by a steering control valve attached to a cab-mounted windrower steering wheel or a proportional steering valve managed by the autoguidance system. A selector valve controls the active steering input. An emergency disengagement positions the selector valve to restore manual control by the steering wheel.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Todd B. Pierce, Philip J. Ehrhart, Mark D. Layton, Cecil R. Sudbrack
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Publication number: 20150068177Abstract: A wheel-supported frame for an agricultural mower having a tongue, a pivotally connected frame having a pair of main wheel, and a pair of a retractable transport wheels connected to the frame. A mechanism is provided for each transport wheel to deploy the transport wheels and support the mower, the transport wheels being oriented for travel 90 degrees to the direction of travel of the main wheels. The pivoting tongue connection with the main frame provides for at least a 90 degree rotation of the frame relative to the tongue between operating and transport positions so that the mower may be pulled for transport with the mower moving in the direction of its normal lateral width. The transport wheel mechanisms also position the transport wheels where they will not interfere with mower operation, especially pivoting of the tongue.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: CNH AMERICA, LLCInventors: MELANIE W. HARKCOM, CECIL R. SUDBRACK, DEREK S. RUDE, MURRAY KOSOKOWSKY, JOHN H. POSSELIUS, ROGER HUGGARD, MICHAEL J. DIGMAN
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Publication number: 20140358354Abstract: An autoguidance interface for a hydraulic steering system for a differential steered self-propelled agricultural windrower, windrower speed and direction controlled by adjustment to a control input shaft to control the output of a pair of tandem-mounted hydraulic drive pumps and provide motive power for the windrower. The control input shaft is rotatable and axially moveable. A hydraulic steering motor is operably connected to the input shaft to effect control input shaft rotation. Rotation of the hydraulic steering motor is selectively managed by a steering control valve attached to a cab-mounted windrower steering wheel or a proportional steering valve managed by the autoguidance system. A selector valve controls the active steering input. An emergency disengagement positions the selector valve to restore manual control by the steering wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2013Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: CNH AMERICA, LLCInventors: TODD B. PIERCE, PHILIP J. EHRHART, MARK D. LAYTON, CECIL R. SUDBRACK
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Patent number: 8056310Abstract: A conditioner roll tread pattern comprising a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced ribs separated by grooves extending across the axial length of the conditioner roll. The ribs are angled relative to the axial centerline, either with a fixed positive/negative angle or a continuously varying angle alternating between positive and negative extremes. The conditioner roll is configured to work in conjunction with a paralley disposed roll of similar tread pattern configuration, reversed end-for-end so that the ribs of one roll intermesh with the grooves of the adjacent roll. The location of the transition points at which the angle reverses along the axial length are coordinated with the transverse locations of converging and diverging crop flows being discharged from a forwardly disposed rotary disc cutterbar in a manner that results in a crop mat having more uniform thickness being discharged from the conditioner.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Donald R. Whitenight, Roger Huggard, Cecil R. Sudbrack, Luke J. Harris, Mark D. Layton
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Patent number: 7980049Abstract: An improved shield panel for use in the top shield of a rotary disc cutterbar equipped mower that features a twin sheet, vacuum formed plastic panel with a steel frame that interfaces with existing hinge and mounting structures on the mower to enable the plastic shield panel to directly replace a steel shield panel. Stiffening ribs formed into the plastic shield provide the necessary strength for the shield panel while the resiliency of the plastic material enables the plastic shield panel to better withstand impacts from flying debris generated from cutterbar operation. Molded receptacles in the exterior surface of the shield panels are configured to receive connectors for the mower front shield curtain and any stiffening members necessary for attachment to the mower. The predominate use of plastic reduces weight and lowers production costs compared to a comparable steel panel with a plastic protective liner.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Douglas G. Branham, Nicole L. Fair, Cecil R. Sudbrack, Robert L. Rice, Philip J. Ehrhart
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Publication number: 20110138763Abstract: A conditioner roll tread pattern comprising a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced ribs separated by grooves extending across the axial length of the conditioner roll. The ribs are angled relative to the axial centerline, either with a fixed positive/negative angle or a continuously varying angle alternating between positive and negative extremes. The conditioner roll is configured to work in conjunction with a paralley disposed roll of similar tread pattern configuration, reversed end-for-end so that the ribs of one roll intermesh with the grooves of the adjacent roll. The location of the transition points at which the angle reverses along the axial length are coordinated with the transverse locations of converging and diverging crop flows being discharged from a forwardly disposed rotary disc cutterbar in a manner that results in a crop mat having more uniform thickness being discharged from the conditioner.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Donald R. Whitenight, Roger Huggard, Cecil R. Sudbrack, Luke J. Harris, Mark D. Layton
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Patent number: 7162950Abstract: A round baler having storage and dispensing mechanisms for both twine and net/plastic wrapping materials for the bales can be modified to provide a lower cost twine baler. A pivoting dispensing assembly across the front of the baler is replaceable by a similar-sized twine box to convert the baler to an all-twine baler with sufficient twine storage to make the machine efficient in field operations.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2002Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: John R. McClure, Fred M. Horchler, Jr., Ronald L. McAllister, James T. Clevenger, Jr., John H. Merritt, Cecil R. Sudbrack, Joseph N. Smith
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Patent number: 6981352Abstract: A round baler comprising: a housing; a bale chamber receiving cut crop material; a bale forming apparatus for bale forming; a wrapping apparatus comprising a wrapping material supply roll that provides wrapping material from the supply roll to wrap about the bale, and a sensor member disposed on a pivoting sensor arm member so the sensor member abuts an outer surface of the wrapping material stored on the supply roll, and the sensor arm member moves between first position and second positions; and a low wrapping material indication system comprising a sensor disposed to sense at least the second position of the sensor arm member corresponding to a minimum thickness of the wrapping material stored on the supply roll, wherein the sensor generates a signal to indicate that the thickness of the wrapping material is at the minimum thickness when the sensor arm member is at the second position.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Mark K. Chow, Cecil R. Sudbrack
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Publication number: 20040177773Abstract: A round baler having storage and dispensing mechanisms for both twine and net/plastic wrapping materials for the bales can be modified to provide a lower cost twine baler. A pivoting dispensing assembly across the front of the baler is replaceable by a similar-sized twine box to convert the baler to an all-twine baler with sufficient twine storage to make the machine efficient in field operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2002Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: John R. McClure, Fred M. Horchler, Ronald L. McAllister, James T. Clevenger, John H. Merritt, Cecil R. Sudbrack, Joseph N. Smith
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Publication number: 20040016204Abstract: A round baler comprising: a housing; a bale chamber receiving cut crop material; a bale forming apparatus for bale forming; a wrapping apparatus comprising a wrapping material supply roll that provides wrapping material from the supply roll to wrap about the bale, and a sensor member disposed on a pivoting sensor arm member so the sensor member abuts an outer surface of the wrapping material stored on the supply roll, and the sensor arm member moves between first position and second positions; and a low wrapping material indication system comprising a sensor disposed to sense at least the second position of the sensor arm member corresponding to a minimum thickness of the wrapping material stored on the supply roll, wherein the sensor generates a signal to indicate that the thickness of the wrapping material is at the minimum thickness when the sensor arm member is at the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2002Publication date: January 29, 2004Applicant: New Holland North America, Inc.Inventors: Mark K. Chow, Cecil R. Sudbrack
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Patent number: 6073431Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement to the header of an agricultural self-propelled windrower. The invention has a conditioner assembly and mower assembly that can be separated and removed. Hook and pin combination and a conditioner mounting bolt attach the conditioner assembly. A free link and bell crank allow the flotation springs to remain attached with the header is removed. A header top link can be attached to a bracket on either the conditioner or mower assemblies to assist in moving the header. There is a header lift manifold that moves a restricted flow control valve by a switch-actuated solenoid. When the solenoid is activated, the valve moves and forces hydraulic fluid through an orifice. This allows the header limited movement.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.Inventors: Donald L. Osborne, Cecil R. Sudbrack, Robert L. Rice, Kenneth W. McLean, Philip J. Ehrhart