Abstract: A belt tensioning assembly for use with a power transmission system including a belt extending between a driver pulley and a driven pulley is provided. The tensioning assembly includes an idler engageable with the belt and rotatably attached to a frame pivotally secured to a base for the power transmission system adjacent the driver pulley. A biasing assembly is pivotally attached between the frame and the base for the transmission system and includes a biasing mechanism adapted to urge the idler contact with into the belt. As the tension in the belt changes due to changes in the power demand, the idler is automatically urged with varying force against the slack side of the belt by the biasing mechanism to provide near constant tension on the belt as it moves between the pulleys.

Abstract: A belt tensioning assembly for use with a power transmission system including a belt extending between a driver pulley and a driven pulley is provided. The tensioning assembly includes an idler engageable with the belt and rotatably attached to a frame pivotally secured to a base for the power transmission system adjacent the driver pulley. A biasing assembly is pivotally attached between the frame and the base for the transmission system and includes a biasing mechanism adapted to urge the idler contact with into the belt. As the tension in the belt changes due to changes in the power demand, the idler is automatically urged with varying force against the slack side of the belt by the biasing mechanism to provide near constant tension on the belt as it moves between the pulleys.

Abstract: An operator control console and motion/speed linkage assembly for a bidirectional vehicle is provided. The operator console includes a platform, an operator seat attached to the platform and integral control and steering units. The operator console is mounted for rotational movement around a bearing ring. An interface link in the linkage assembly includes a rotatable sleeve supporting a pin attached to a throttle cable which actuates the reversible valve of the hydrostatic drive of the vehicle. When the control lever is in the neutral position, the pin and supporting sleeve extend along the rotational or pivot axis of the console. The rotatable sleeve swings about an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis, acting to operate the throttle cable which in turn actuates the hydrostatic drive of the vehicle. When the platform is rotated to switch the direction of vehicle movement, the rotatable sleeve freely pivots around the pin to provide proper operator orientation and throttle operation.

Abstract: An adjustable multiple row head assembly for a crop harvester provides cantilevered support arms for a plurality of row head units. The units are adjustably positioned for harvesting crops planted in differently spaced rows. An adjusting device for the row head units provides infinitely variable adjustment, and specifically includes a jackscrew operating between a moveable frame member of the row head unit and the fixed cantilevered support arm therefor. The row head units extend in a fore-and-aft direction with respect to a base and include gathering conveyors driven by sprockets. The conveyors cooperatively form passageways having inlets for the crop, and engage idler sprockets adjustable in accordance with the row head unit adjustment to maintain proper tension in the conveyors.

Abstract: A safety interlock system for mounting on the support assembly of a row-crop harvester is provided to protect against damage from a loose or broken gathering member being drawn into the chopper of the harvester. Specifically, the system includes a guide sprocket mounted on an idler arm that is urged by spring means to tension the gathering member. If the gathering member is loose or breaks, the idler arm swings forward under the force of the spring. A linkage, connected to the idler arm, moves in response thereto and interacts with a finger lever to activate a switch. Activation of the switch energizes an interrupter means, such as an electronic clutch, that interrupts the drive to the gathering member. The switch is protected from damage, dirt and debris by being mounted away from the gathering member within a compartment in the support assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable multiple row head assembly for a crop harvester provides cantilevered support arms for a plurality of row head units. The units are adjustably positioned for harvesting crops planted in differently spaced rows. An adjusting device for the row head units provides infinitely variable adjustment, and specifically includes a jackscrew operating between a moveable frame member of the row head unit and the fixed cantilevered support arm therefor. The row head units extend in a fore-and-aft direction with respect to a base and include gathering conveyors driven by sprockets. The conveyors cooperatively form passageways having inlets for the crop, and engage idler sprockets adjustable in accordance with the row head unit adjustment to maintain proper tension in the conveyors.

Abstract: A cutting reel grinder is disclosed which includes an automatic control for operating the grinding device as well as an indexing device that advances cutter reel knives for sharpening by the grinding device. The control includes a pair of electrical actuators: one actuator driving the indexing device; the other actuator driving the grinding device so as to translate it axially of the cutting reel. In addition, a plurality of cam-actuated switches are employed that are positioned with respect to the indexing device and the grinding device so as to shift the control circuit between an indexing cycle in which the cutter reel knives are repositioned with respect to the grinding device and a grinding cycle in which a properly indexed cutter knife is sharpened by the grinding device. A simple and efficient mechanical indexing device is driven by the one actuator and includes a geneva gear arrangement.

Abstract: A vehicle with apparatus for discharging material such as salt on a roadway or the like at a rate that a control system automatically varies with vehicle speed includes means that ordinarily interrupts normal control to prevent discharge of material while vehicle speed is below preselected threshold value. The system also includes a blast circuit which responds to momentary manual operation of a switch to impose a blast signal on control system to override all other control activity to cause rapid dispensing of material for a preselected period even if vehicle is stopped or moving below the threshold speed.

Abstract: A forage cutter includes a housing having a pair of end walls, a forward inlet for receiving forage material and a rearward outlet for discharging forage material. A rotary cylinder shaft is journaled for rotation in the end walls, and a rotary cylindrical cutter having a plurality of cutting knives is mounted on the shaft for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The cutting knives are movable in a 360.degree. cylindrical cutting path having a 0.degree. reference on a horizontal plane extending radially from the axis of the cutter through the forward inlet. A recutter having a single recutter blade disposed at the outlet of the housing is positioned in coacting shearing relation with the cutting knives. The recutter blade is horizontally positioned between about 120.degree. to 150.degree. from the horizontal plane in the direction of the cylindrical cutting path.