Abstract: Cutting blades and counterblades are presented having long edge life for chopping devices equipped with blades mounted on rotating drums and with counterblades which fit into the gaps between the blades, the blades and/or counterblades being produced by rolling at least one of the longitudinal edges of a piece of flat strip material to form a slightly rounded, prismatic cutting edge, the rolling being continued until satisfactory sharpness is obtained.

Abstract: A hitch device for a working vehicle for coupling a working device to the working vehicle has a lifting shaft unit supported in the frame structure of the working vehicle, and a coupling structure that is operatively connected therewith. The lifting shaft unit includes a lifting shaft, at least one lifting arm that is fixedly connected with the lifting shaft, and at least one reciprocating cylinder, which is hingedly connected with the lifting arm. The coupling structure includes first, upper coupling elements, which are located on the frame structure, second, lower coupling elements, which are hingedly connected to the frame structure, and connecting elements that are hingedly located on lifting arms of the lifting shaft. At least one of the connecting elements is rigid. In this manner, it is ensured that the load on the coupling elements that form the hitch device is balanced, even when a load is introduced asymmetrically.

Abstract: A hitch device for a working vehicle for coupling a working device to the working vehicle has a lifting shaft unit supported in the frame structure of the working vehicle, and a coupling structure that is operatively connected therewith. The lifting shaft unit includes a lifting shaft, at least one lifting arm that is fixedly connected with the lifting shaft, and at least one reciprocating cylinder, which is hingedly connected with the lifting arm. The coupling structure includes first, upper coupling elements, which are located on the frame structure, second, lower coupling elements, which are hingedly connected to the frame structure, and connecting elements that are hingedly located on lifting arms of the lifting shaft. At least one of the connecting elements is rigid. In this manner, it is ensured that the load on the coupling elements that form the hitch device is balanced, even when a load is introduced asymmetrically.

Abstract: A vibration-damping and oscillation-damping mounting system adjustably supports a vehicle cab on a vehicle chassis. The mounting system includes a plurality of variable-length links in the form of spring-damping elements (shock-absorbing elements) and/or adjusting elements. Preferably, the cab is supported on the vehicle chassis by at least six links, each having a first end coupled to the chassis and a second end coupled to the cab. The links are arranged in closed kinematic chains and with adjacent pairs of links arranged with convergently oriented axes so that active and/or passive shock absorption (spring damping) of the cab in six degrees of freedom is possible.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for determination of the sharpness of chopping blades of a field chopper during chopping includes the steps of measuring, at least at two points in time, a characteristic parameter of the operating oscillation of a component of the chopping unit. Each such measurement obtains the oscillation fractions of at least two frequency bands of the measured signal or its peak, with the ratio between the two measurements being evaluated to generate a signal, when a certain deviation is determined between the initial measurement and the current measurement, which is indicative of the need to sharpen the chopping blades and the counterblade. The sharpening process can then be automatically initiated.

Abstract: An implement attachment interface is described, that is used for the coupling of operating implements to a utility vehicle, and that contains six double-acting hydraulic cylinders, that are adjustable in length and which are arranged in the manner of a hexapod between the utility vehicle and a coupling frame. This contains two upper hydraulic cylinders that are arranged alongside each other and extend in a direction converging towards each other, two lower hydraulic cylinders arranged alongside each other and converging towards each other as well as two hydraulic cylinders at the sides. According to the invention means are provided that for a pendulous movement to the right the lower right hydraulic cylinder and the upper left hydraulic cylinder extend synchronously and the lower left hydraulic cylinder and the upper right hydraulic cylinder are retracted synchronously. For a pendulous movement to the left the hydraulic cylinders operate in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Cutting blades and counterblades are presented having long edge life for chopping devices equipped with blades mounted on rotating drums and with counterblades which fit into the gaps between the blades, the blades and/or counterblades being produced by rolling at least one of the longitudinal edges of a piece of flat strip material to form a slightly rounded, prismatic cutting edge, the rolling being continued until satisfactory sharpness is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining grain loss of a harvesting machine. The harvesting machine has a crop-separating region with separating members. The separating members each have separation sensors for generating a signal corresponding to the crop quantity separated. This signal is delivered to an evaluating unit for further processing. Processing includes determining a separation curve for at least some of the separating zones and converting the separation curve to a characteristic quantity. From this measured characteristic quantity, a loss is determined based on a characteristic curve deposited in the evaluating unit. By avoiding direct loss measurement on the harvesting machine, the negative crop-related effects on determining grain loss are considerably reduced.

Abstract: A vibration-damping and oscillation-damping mounting system adjustably supports a vehicle cab on a vehicle chassis. The mounting system includes a plurality of variable-length links in the form of spring-damping elements (shock-absorbing elements) and/or adjusting elements. Preferably, the cab is supported on the vehicle chassis by at least six links, each having a first end coupled to the chassis and a second end coupled to the cab. The links are arranged in closed kinematic chains and with adjacent pairs of links arranged with convergently oriented axes so that active and/or passive shock absorption (spring damping) of the cab in six degrees of freedom is possible.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for determination of the sharpness of chopping blades of a field chopper during chopping includes the steps of measuring, at least at two points in time, a characteristic parameter of the operating oscillation of a component of the chopping unit. Each such measurement obtains the oscillation fractions of at least two frequency bands of the measured signal or its peak, with the ratio between the two measurements being evaluated to generate a signal, when a certain deviation is determined between the initial measurement and the current measurement, which is indicative of the need to sharpen the chopping blades and the counterblade. The sharpening process can then be automatically initiated.

Abstract: A motor vehicle for industrial and/or agricultural operations, in particular an agricultural tractor, is described with an attachment interface containing a three-point implement hitch (24). In order to widen the spectrum of applications of the vehicle and the capability of the attachment interface and in order to open up new areas of application for the motor vehicle, a telescoping arm (16) that can be pivoted in the vertical direction is connected in a joint to the vehicle chassis (14). A support (22) is arranged at the free, extensible end of the telescoping arm (16) and carries the attachment interface for the three-point implement hitch (24). A locking arrangement (38, 40) is provided by which the support (22) can be immobilized with respect to the vehicle chassis (14), when the telescoping arm (16) is in an operating position.

Abstract: An implement attachment interface is described, that is used for the coupling of operating implements to a utility vehicle, and that contains six double-acting hydraulic cylinders, that are adjustable in length and which are arranged in the manner of a hexapod between the utility vehicle and a coupling frame. This contains two upper hydraulic cylinders that are arranged alongside each other and extend in a direction converging towards each other, two lower hydraulic cylinders arranged alongside each other and converging towards each other as well as two hydraulic cylinders at the sides. According to the invention means are provided that for a pendulous movement to the right the lower right hydraulic cylinder and the upper left hydraulic cylinder extend synchronously and the lower left hydraulic cylinder and the upper right hydraulic cylinder are retracted synchronously. For a pendulous movement to the left the hydraulic cylinders operate in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A hitch for coupling an implement to a utility vehicle includes adjustable length coupling elements and a pivotal coupling unit coupled thereto. A control system automatically controls the length of the coupling elements to control the direction of the line of action of the draft forces, the position of the towing point defined by the coupling unit, and the orientation of the Implement relative to the utility vehicle. The control system includes sensors for sensing the position of the implement relative to the vehicle, for determining a set of reference positions, and for sensing forces applied to the coupling elements. The control system also automatically controls the length of the coupling elements as a function of the sensor signals.

Abstract: A chopper arrangement for a harvesting machine comprises a body that is rotated in a predominantly vertical axis of rotation. The body is provided with a plurality of radially extending knives that are axially distributed along the body. The knives have radially outer ends that are arranged in a conical shape. In this way the knives at the first end having a smallest radial extension are rotated at a slower circumferential speed than knives having a larger radial extension.

Abstract: A hitch control system controls a hitch for coupling an implement to a utility vehicle. The hitch includes longitudinally adjustable coupling elements operable to shift or pivot the implement in a lateral direction relative to the utility vehicle. A sensor, such as a wheel steering angle sensor, senses a parameter associated with lateral or turning movements of the vehicle. A control unit automatically adjusts the length of the coupling elements as a function of the sensor signals so that the position of the implement relative to the vehicle is adapted to the curved path. This reduces the outer radius of the area over which the vehicle and implement travel when traveling along a curved path and helps avoid collisions with objects.

Abstract: A combine having a chopper arrangement for receiving and chopping harvested crop material that has been threshed and separated. The chopper arrangement comprises a web wheel disk having knives entrained thereon that cooperate with a stationary shear bar to chop the harvested crop material that has been threshed and separated.

Abstract: A control lever controls movement of a system to be controlled. The control lever includes a manually operable handgrip attached to a platform. At least six connecting elements are arranged between the platform and a fixed console. Length sensors sense the length of the connecting elements, and/or force sensors sense forces acting on the connecting elements. A control unit evaluates the sensor signals and generates a control signal for controlling movement of the system. The connecting elements are be arranged in the form of a hexapod. The connecting elements may be telescoping members or rigid fixed length members.

Abstract: A hitch for a work vehicle includes a plurality of links pivotally coupled to a vehicle body and to an implement, either directly or indirectly via a hitch frame or quick coupler. The hitch preferably includes at least one upper link, two lower links and two longitudinally adjustable lift links for raising and lowering the hitch. Each lift link is coupled to an associated lower link near an aft end thereof. The hitch may selectively comprise both rigid and longitudinally adjustable links. The functionality of the hitch can be changed by replacing, adding or removing links. The hitch can be converted between a simple three-point hitch and a “hexapod” type hitch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining grain loss of a harvesting machine. The harvesting machine has a crop-separating region with separating members. The separating members each have separation sensors for generating a signal corresponding to the crop quantity separated. This signal is delivered to an evaluating unit for further processing. Processing includes determining a separation curve for at least some of the separating zones and converting the separation curve to a characteristic quantity. From this measured characteristic quantity, a loss is determined based on a characteristic curve deposited in the evaluating unit. By avoiding direct loss measurement on the harvesting machine, the negative crop-related effects on determining grain loss are considerably reduced.

Abstract: A coupling system couples an implement to a utility vehicle, such as an agricultural or industrial vehicle, and includes a vehicle-mounted coupling frame and an implement-mounted coupling frame. The position of the vehicle-mounted coupling frame is adjustable by an adjustment mechanism. A position sensor senses the position of the implement-mounted coupling frame. An analysis unit determines the position of the implement-mounted coupling frame relative to the vehicle-mounted coupling frame. A control unit calculates a coupling motion path of the vehicle-mounted coupling frame. In response to a starting signal, the control unit causes the adjusting mechanism to move the vehicle-mounted coupling frame along the coupling motion path.