Abstract: A protective device for telescopic driveshafts used in driving agricultural implements has two protective tubes (8, 9) which are axially inserted into, and overlap, one another. The tubes (8, 9) are adjustable relative to one another along their longitudinal axis (5) and are made of plastics. The outer protective tube (8) includes three circumferentially distributed pairs of ribs ( 13, 14). The ribs (13, 14) are arranged at a distance from one another and a groove (11) is formed between the ribs (13, 14). Guiding webs (15) are provided between pairs of ribs ( 13, 14). The webs (15) project inwardly towards the longitudinal axis (5) from the inner face (12) of the outer protective tube (8). The webs (15) also project inwardly towards the longitudinal axis (5) and serve to center and radially support the tube (9). The outer face of the outer protective tube has a smooth finish. Thus, there are no projections which may possibly injure the operative when unintentionally rotating the protective device.

Abstract: A length adjusting mechanism for a driveshaft has two tubular profiles, an outer profile (6) and an inner profile (7). The outer profile (6) includes two circumferentially offset drawn in wedges (8) which project inwardly beyond the inner face of the otherwise circular cross-section of the outer profile (6). The wedges (8) engage grooves (11) of an inner profile (7). The grooves (11) are also drawn in. In this way it is possible to produce a pair of profiles which are suitable to transmit high torques and which, furthermore, do not include any parts which project in a radially outward direction.

Abstract: A driveshaft for driving agricultural machinery has two profiled tubes which are movable one inside the other and serve to transmit torque. Two protective tubes (5, 6) are provided which are also axially movable one inside the other. To be able to lubricate the profiled tubes, a maintenance aperture is provided which, at a certain driveshaft length, is obtained as a result of the overlapping position of two apertures (11, 12) in the protective tubes (5, 6). However, when not used, the aperture (11) in the outer protective tube (6) is covered by a closing sleeve (9). When extending the driveshaft after moving the closing sleeve (9), for the purpose of providing access to the apertures, the closing sleeve (9) is automatically returned into the closed position by a cam (13). This design measure results in a higher degree of safety by ensuring that the apertures are always closed when the driveshaft is in operation.

Abstract: A drive unit 1 for driving agricultural implements or effecting the drive in agricultural implements, has an input shaft 4 and at least one output shaft 10, 10a and a torque measuring device associated with at least one of the shafts 4 or 10, 10a. The shafts 4, 10, 10a are rotatably held in two spaced bearings 5, 6, 13, 14. To determine shaft twisting as representative of the shaft torque, strain gauges 32, 32a are provided and associated with the first shaft 4. The gauges 32, 32a are attached to the outer face 19 of the first shaft 4 between its bearings 5, 6. An electronic measuring unit 31 is arranged and protected in a transverse bore 26 of the shaft 4. Slip rings, which serve to transmit values and energy, are arranged in a separate, sealed receiving space 33 outside the drive housing filled with lubricant, towards the connecting journal 7 of the first shaft 4. By arranging the electronic measuring unit 31 in a transverse bore 26 it is ensured that even at higher speeds, no rotational out-balance occurs.

Abstract: A telescoping torque transmitting shaft has an outer shaft element non-rotatably and slidably mounted upon an inner shaft element and both shaft elements have conforming cross-sections. A tubular shaft is concentrically arranged about the outer shaft element and the opposing surfaces of the tubular shaft and the outer shaft element are provided with axially extending grooves in which are positioned a plurality of linearly arranged torque transmitting balls. Springs are mounted on the tubular shaft to limit the axial movement of the balls in each groove and a restoring spring biases the tubular shaft and the outer shaft element to a predetermined axial position with respect to each other.