Abstract: Transducer structure for a steerable axle includes a transducer assembly having a housing and a cup-shaped journal, having an apertured bottom portion, fixed to the spindle of a steerable wheel by the spindle bolt for rotation with the spindle about the spindle axis. A bracket connected to the guide axle knee nonrotatably supports housing structure above the spindle, and the journal is rotatably received within a bearing and seal in the housing structure. The journal includes apertures which receive mating pins which constrain the rotary member for rotation with the journal relative to the housing structure. A special fixture supported by the tie-rod bolt accurately centers the journal during assembly and facilitates calibration of the transducer.

Abstract: A cotton harvester basket is pivotally connected inwardly of the side walls and has a flat, gravity actuated lid that opens at the end of the dump cycle to prevent cotton loss. The dump or slope side of the basket includes a pivoting door, also gravity actuated, connected by a linkage to the basket lid. The weight of the slope side door tends to open the basket lid near the final dump position of the basket. As the basket is pivoted downwardly to the lowered field-working position, the weight of the lid forces the slope side door to the closed position.

Abstract: A cotton stripper with an improved row unit having brush rolls and augers with parallel shafts driven by a gear drive. The parallel shafts permit the unit to be narrowed several inches compared with the conventional units. A cut-off member between the brush roll and auger has an edge which runs parallel to the shafts below the axis of the brush roll shaft to break up stalks and facilitate power feeding of stripped material toward the lower part of the auger. The auger housing is formed with angled flat walls for better stalk breakage. The row unit housing includes a light, low friction plastic cover with a quick attach and release mounting arrangement including a rear panel that serves both as a unit drive cover and a hold-down structure for the rear of the plastic cover. The cover includes inner and outer walls separated by a hollow interior for strength, rigidity and noise and weight reduction.

Abstract: A cotton stripper with an improved row unit having brush rolls and augers with parallel shafts driven by a gear drive. The parallel shafts permit the unit to be narrowed several inches compared with the conventional units. A cut-off member between the brush roll and auger has an edge which runs parallel to the shafts below the axis of the brush roll shaft to break up stalks and facilitate power feeding of stripped material toward the lower part of the auger. The auger housing is formed with angled flat walls for better stalk breakage. Upright forward slots and rear fore-and-aft extending slots in flat auger walls provide increased dirt and trash elimination. The top of the row unit housing is formed with a low friction material that is angled downwardly toward the row receiving area to reduce cotton loss.

Abstract: A cotton stripper with an improved row unit having brush rolls and augers with parallel shafts driven by a gear drive. The parallel shafts permit the unit to be narrowed several inches compared with the conventional units. A cutoff member between the brush roll and auger has an edge which runs parallel to the shafts below the axis of the brush roll shaft to break up stalks and facilitate power feeding of stripped material toward the lower part of the auger. The auger housing is formed with angled flat walls for better stalk breakage. Upright forward slots and rear fore-and-aft extending slots in flat auger walls provide increased dirt and trash elimination. The top of the row unit housing is formed with a low friction material that is angled downwardly toward the row receiving area to reduce cotton loss.

Abstract: An interlock system for a telescoping dumping basket on a cotton harvester includes a rotary control valve which controls basket telescoping and unloading functions. A lever on the basket operates an interference lock restricting rotation of the control valve away from the telescoping position toward an unloading position when the basket is retracted a preselected amount toward a compact storage position. The lever is connected through a push-pull cable to the lock on the valve so that valve rotation is mechanically restricted when the basket is retracted.

Abstract: Cotton harvester basket structure including an upper basket portion telescopingly received within a lower basket portion and first hydraulic actuators for moving the basket between harvesting and dump positions and second actuators for telescoping the basket portions between a retracted storage position and an extended field-working position. An unloading conveyor and compacting augers are connected to and movable with the upper basket portion, and the compacting augers also serve to meter cotton during the dump cycle. Telescoping cotton conveying ducts are movable with the upper basket portion between retracted transport and raised field-working positions. Hydraulic circuitry includes valves for selectively controlling the basket telescoping and dump functions and the conveyor and compacting auger operations.

Abstract: A cylinder valve includes a body with a threaded extension defining a first output port which screws directly into the cylinder port. An input port connected to a source of hydraulic fluid communicates with the first output port through an axially extending passage in a cylindrical valve spool. The passage also communicates with a second output port axially aligned with the first port and connected through a hose to a second cylinder which operates in unison with the first cylinder. A handle is provided for rotating the spool ninety degrees to block the ports and lock the cylinders against movement. The valve is particularly useful for locking the basket lift cylinders on a cotton harvester in the raised position for maintenance work.

Abstract: The innermost end of a platform is pivotally connected to an implement adjacent upright sidewall structure which supports moving parts that normally are shielded but from time to time require inspection and service. The platform is rockable between a horizontal access position and a vertical shielding position. A door or shield is connected to the outer end of the platform, and four-bar linkage structure maintains the door in an upright position to provide a railed work station for the operator when the platform is in the horizontal position and a generally continuous upright shield structure when the platform is in the vertical position. The four-bar linkage structure includes upper and lower links which contact each other when the platform is horizontal to support the platform without need for obstructive braces or the like.

Abstract: Bypass grate and door control structure for a cotton-cleaning machine mounted on a cotton harvester, and structure for spreading conveyed cotton uniformly across the width of the cleaning machine. A control linkage moves two grates, a door sheet, and an air door assembly in unison between cleaning and bypass mode positions. In the cleaning mode, cotton is directed downwardly from the air duct into the cleaning machine by the grates while air, fine dirt and trash are diverted through the grates and over the air door assembly away from the cotton basket. The cotton conveying duct and air nozzle are shaped to spread cotton uniformly across the upper portion of the duct, and diverging vane structure located above the cleaning machine distributes the downwardly directed cotton evenly across sawgrid type cleaners. An adjustable green boll opening below the grate structure permits heavy trash to drop from the conveying system to reduce gumming.

Abstract: A mounting and dismounting system for a rear-mounted cotton harvester or similar implement which permits the tractor to be removed from under the crop receptacle without utilizing a hoist or other large equipment. By attaching dismounting stands to the rear cross auger frame and to the rear lift frame assembly, the rear basket posts which normally are connected to the tractor axle can be lifted therefrom by extending the hydraulic cylinders connected to the rear lift frame assembly. The front basket support posts are unpinned from the forward frame of the basket, and as the rear basket posts tilt rearwardly, the basket is lifted to provide clearance in the forward direction. The tractor can then be driven out from under the basket. An extension hose is connected to the lift cylinders so that they remain connected to the source of pressure on the tractor as the tractor is driven forwardly.

Abstract: A cotton harvester for mounting on a tractor or similar vehicle, wherein a transversely extending cross auger frame is supported by a lift frame assembly rearwardly of the rear tractor wheels. Individual cotton harvesting units are supported above the ground by the cross auger frame and include plant passages located generally rearwardly of the rear wheels. The lift frame assembly is pivotally connected to the tractor adjacent the rear axle and includes four-bar linkage structure for positioning the row units in the desired attitude as the cross auger frame is pivoted up and down. The linkage permits the row units to be positioned closely adjacent the rear wheels without interfering with them as the cross auger frame is raised or lowered. A cotton receiving basket is supported directly above the tractor.

Abstract: A head assembly for a cotton harvesting machine which provides many combinations of row widths and various row harvesting capacities. The head assembly includes a main cross auger frame with row unit support structure which slidably receives a plurality of vertically adjustable row units. The support structure permits simultaneous transverse adjustment of each individual row unit and its associated hydraulic lift cylinder. An extension frame is provided for adding extra row units for increased capacity or accommodating widely spaced rows of cotton. Row units and lift cylinders are freely slidable between the main frame and the extension, and the extension is removable to lessen machine width during transport. The main cross auger frame includes a pair of transversely spaced bearings which journal opposite ends of a main cross auger. An auger extension is attached to a shaft which extends through the extension end bearing to eliminate need for relocating the bearing or providing a telescoping auger.

Abstract: For a cotton harvester, a low profile row unit which is light in weight and which has a removable top panel structure for easy access to the brush rolls and augers. Rows of horizontal bristles mounted on the panel structure close the top of the row unit to prevent detached cotton from being thrown out of the harvesting compartment. A reinforced lower shell assembly maintains sufficient transverse and vertical stability in the row unit structure and together with the top panel structure eliminate need for an upper supporting arch.

Abstract: A cotton harvester with an offset head having four row units positioned for harvesting cotton planted in uniformly spaced narrow rows. The frame of the harvester is supported near its forward end by a pair of drive wheels adapted to run between two pairs of rows of cotton. The head is offset so that three rows of cotton are accommodated between the wheels and one row of cotton is accommodated outside one of the wheels. The machine drive and guide wheels can therefore be positioned between the rows for ease in steering and driving. A cotton basket on the harvester can be dumped toward the side which is unobstructed by a harvesting unit so the receiving implement can be positioned closer to the harvester and so the head which is offset in the opposite direction can act as a counterweight to balance the harvester as the basket is extended transversely for dumping.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having a plurality of independently supported row crop harvesting units is provided with a hydraulically operated vertical positioning mechanism for adjusting the height of the units in accordance with ground surface variations. Each unit is provided with a ground-engaging feeler mechanically coupled to a control valve which adjustably varies the hydraulic fluid flow to a single acting unit lift cylinder. The cylinder includes fluid bypass capabilities to permit continued hydraulic fluid flow upon full extension of the cylinder piston and thereby avoid a fluid system pressure and consequent temperature increase.

Abstract: A pair of transversely aligned upright columns of bristles are mounted on the forward gatherers of a cotton harvester. The bristles extend horizontally with the free ends of the bristles in the columns being closely adjacent to one another thereby closing the forward end of the passage through which the cotton plants pass. The harvesting mechanism of the harvester will often throw cotton bolls out of the forward end of the plant passage and with the bristles arranged as proposed the cotton will be prevented from leaving the passage and/or will be impinged on the ends of the bristles. Cotton plants moving against the bristles will bend or deform them and will comb any cotton that is retained on the bristles back into the area of the harvesting equipment.