Abstract: A connection apparatus for connecting a knife to a rotary disc cutterhead comprising a mounting stud having a specifically configured head disposed on the rotating cutterhead and a key hole opening on one end of the knife which permits the knife to moved into engagement with the stud and head when the knife is specifically oriented and then retained in place by the stud and head when the knife is moved into a normal operating position. A hand-operated biasing element prevents inadvertent disengagement of the knife from the stud. The key-hole opening and connection stud may also be configured to limit the angular orientation of the knife which will permit disengagement of the knife from the connection apparatus.

Abstract: A control system for managing rotation of a bale loading arm in a bale loader in which a pair of sensors combined with a purposefully designed sensor target enable loading arm position to be efficiently derived by a controller in order to direct the actuator movements based upon loading arm position necessary for automated operation of a bale loading cycle. Additional inputs to the controller enable initiation of a bale loading cycle to be automatically initiated. The controller may also determine when a complete bale wagon load is achieved and automatically direct loading arm motions necessary to configure the bale wagon for transport.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A connection apparatus for connecting a knife to a rotary disc cutterhead comprising a mounting stud having a specifically configured head disposed on the rotating cutterhead and a key hole opening on one end of the knife which permits the knife to moved into engagement with the stud and head when the knife is specifically oriented and then retained in place by the stud and head when the knife is moved into a normal operating position. A hand-operated biasing element prevents inadvertent disengagement of the knife from the stud. The key-hole opening and connection stud may also be configured to limit the angular orientation of the knife which will permit disengagement of the knife from the connection apparatus.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A control system for managing rotation of a bale loading arm in a bale loader in which a pair of sensors combined with a purposefully designed sensor target enable loading arm position to be efficiently derived by a controller in order to direct the actuator movements based upon loading arm position necessary for automated operation of a bale loading cycle. Additional inputs to the controller enable initiation of a bale loading cycle to be automatically initiated. The controller may also determine when a complete bale wagon load is achieved and automatically direct loading arm motions necessary to configure the bale wagon for transport.

Abstract: An improved crop conveying drum for a drive disc cutter mounted directly to the drive shaft mechanism providing rotational power to the cutterbar. The crop conveying drum includes a pair of mating segments, each forming a half of the drum. Each segment is formed from a single piece of plate material and stamped into the desired curvilinear configuration. A central mounting portion of each segment is contoured to match the drive shaft mechanism and allow connection thereto. Holes in the central mounting portion allow insertion fasteners to connect the drum segments directly to the drive shaft mechanism so that the crop conveying drum rotates in unison with the drive shaft. By forming the drum segments from a single plate of material, material characteristics can be more easily selected or more quickly modified compared to the fabricated weldments known in the art.

Abstract: An improved crop conveying drum for a drive disc cutter mounted directly to the drive shaft mechanism providing rotational power to the cutterbar. The crop conveying drum includes a pair of mating segments, each forming a half of the drum. Each segment is formed from a single piece of plate material and stamped into the desired curvilinear configuration. A central mounting portion of each segment is contoured to match the drive shaft mechanism and allow connection thereto. Holes in the central mounting portion allow insertion fasteners to connect the drum segments directly to the drive shaft mechanism so that the crop conveying drum rotates in unison with the drive shaft. By forming the drum segments from a single plate of material, material characteristics can be more easily selected or more quickly modified compared to the fabricated weldments known in the art.

Abstract: A sheave structure adapted to prevent the build-up of soil and other foreign materials in the v-grooves of sheaves utilized with ground engaging implements such as rotary tillers is provided. The sheave is constructed of mating halves, which when joined form a sheave with a v-groove that includes circumferentially spaced apart openings in the v-groove apex, below the belt contact area of the flanges. The openings are provided adjacent to, but below the belt contact area so that the belt pushes against any materials that collect in the v-groove. In this way, the belt serves to break apart the materials and push them through the openings. With this structure, accumulations of materials in the sheave are minimized, belt contact with the sheave flanges is improved and power transmission is enhanced.