Abstract: A stripper type harvesting machine has a forward harvesting header that carries a plurality of modular independently vertically shiftable stripping units at the front end of the header for engaging the upper seed bearing portions of a standing crop as the machine advances over the field. Each stripping unit comprises an axially transverse rotor having a plurality of disk-like stripping elements mounted side-by-side on the rotor, each stripping element including a hub and a relatively thin annular web portion coaxially mounted on the hub. A plurality of ribs project laterally from the opposite sides of the web portion and extend outwardly from the hub to the periphery of the stripping element.

Abstract: A harvesting machine has a mobile main frame with a forwarding harvesting header that includes an axially transverse stripping rotor that is rotated with the front side moving upwardly to engage the grain bearing heads of a standing crop and separate the grain from the crop by impact while leaving the stem attached to the field. The impact with the stripping elements projects the grain rearwardly on the header to a crop collecting mechanism, which conveys it to a grain cleaning means in the body of the harvesting machine. An upper drum-type rotor is mounted on the header above and parallel to the stripping rotor and is provided with vanes and an arcuate hood, the upper rotor being rotated in the opposite direction from the lower rotor and generating an air flow between the drum and the hood that exits from the hood in a downward and rearward direction to assist in directing the grain heads into the stripping rotor and to convey the stripped grain rearwardly to the crop collecting mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cutting and feeding foliage material from a stack, the apparatus comprising a wheeled vehicle, for example a wagon pulled by a tractor, capable of being displaced along the ground, a tiltable bed thereon disposed in a parallel position between ground engaging wheels and a powered conveyor so that a stack of foliage may be loaded onto the bed from a position on the ground (or unloaded from the bed back to the ground) and also may be successively advanced along the conveyor bed to provide an overhang beneath and forward of a rotating angularly disposed variable cutter which travels horizontally and then vertically downward in a zig-zag pattern to successively cut slices of foliage from the overhang of the stack.

Abstract: A system for weighing and placing stacked foliage in inventory and for, thereafter, precisely determining and feeding a metered or controlled amount of foliage material from inventory on a stack-by-stack basis. A foliage stacking machine is used to stack, weigh and place the foliage in cumulative inventory. A stack feeder is used from time to time to feed to livestock predetermined and metered amounts of foliage from successive stacks taken from inventory, while continuously monitoring the cumulative amount of foliage in inventory. Electronic strain gauges are disposed upon the frame of both the stacking machine and the stack feeder which strain gauges are calibrated to provide a total stack weight readout (at any time before, during or after each feeding operation). A calculator for determining the amount of feed to be discharged on each occasion is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cutting and feeding a metered or controlled amount of foliage material from the stack, the apparatus comprising an underlying wheeled framework, capable of being displaced along the ground by a tractor or the like, a tiltable bed thereon disposed in a parallel position between the wheels and a powered conveyor so that a stack of foliage may be loaded onto the bed from a position on the ground (or unloaded from the bed back to the ground) and also may be successively advanced a short distance along the conveyor bed until the desired amount of stack foliage overhangs a transverse conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cutting and feeding foliage material from a stack, the apparatus comprising a wheeled vehicle, for example a wagon pulled by a tractor, capable of being displaced along the ground, a tiltable bed thereon disposed in a parallel position between ground engaging wheels and a powered conveyor so that a stack of foliage may be loaded onto the bed from a position on the ground (or unloaded from the bed back to the ground) and also may be successively advanced along the conveyor bed to provide an overhang beneath and forward of a rotating angularly disposed variable cutter which travels horizontally and then vertically downward in a zig-zag pattern to successively cut slices of foliage from the overhang of the stack.