Abstract: A motor support system including a motor having a shaft rotatably secured to and maintained in a substantially axial alignment with a second shaft configured to change angular orientation along at least one plane of travel perpendicular to the axial alignment. The second shaft has a first pivot point with respect to a frame, the motor being secured to the frame by a cantilevered flexible member to maintain the motor shaft in substantial axial alignment with the second shaft.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester is provided that Includes a frame carrying a structure movable about an endless path to deliver a crop to a header. The frame includes a guide assembly including a guide member supported by the frame. The frame also includes at least one tine secured to the guide member without extending through the guide member, and the at least one tine extending from the guide member above the structure to guide the crop between the at least one tine and the structure to the header. The at least one tine is installable and removable from the guide member without disconnecting the guide member from the frame. At least one tine is installable and removable from the guide member substantially without tools.

Abstract: A motor support system including a motor having a shaft rotatably secured to and maintained in a substantially axial alignment with a second shaft configured to change angular orientation along at least one plane of travel perpendicular to the axial alignment.

Abstract: A stabilization system used with a crop harvesting header includes a frame carrying a belt to deliver a crop to the header. The frame is independently movable between a first angle between the frame and the header and a second angle between the frame and the header. A member has an inside surface connectable in substantially non-rotational contact to a first structure of one of the frame or the header, and an outside surface connectable in substantially non-rotational contact to a second structure of the other of the frame or the header. In response to rotational movement of the first structure in substantially non-rotational contact with the inside surface, rotational movement of the first structure occurring with respect to the second structure in substantially non-rotational contact with the outside surface, the member provides a stabilizing torsional force between the frame and the header between the first and second angles.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester is provided that Includes a frame carrying a structure movable about an endless path to deliver a crop to a header. The frame includes a guide assembly including a guide member supported by the frame. The frame also includes at least one tine secured to the guide member without extending through the guide member, and the at least one tine extending from the guide member above the structure to guide the crop between the at least one tine and the structure to the header. The at least one tine is installable and removable from the guide member without disconnecting the guide member from the frame. At least one tine is installable and removable from the guide member substantially without tools.

Abstract: A stabilization system used with a crop harvesting header includes a frame carrying a belt to deliver a crop to the header. The frame is independently movable between a first angle between the frame and the header and a second angle between the frame and the header. A member has an inside surface connectable in substantially non-rotational contact to a first structure of one of the frame or the header, and an outside surface connectable in substantially non-rotational contact to a second structure of the other of the frame or the header. In response to rotational movement of the first structure in substantially non-rotational contact with the inside surface, rotational movement of the first structure occurring with respect to the second structure in substantially non-rotational contact with the outside surface, the member provides a stabilizing torsional force between the frame and the header between the first and second angles.

Abstract: A plurality of elongate mounting brackets mounted in cantilever relation on a frame of a header at sidewardly spaced locations across at least a portion of a width of the header, respectively, support a sensor rod for rotation about its axis. Each of the brackets has a free end including a bearing having a bore therethrough which receives the sensor rod, at least some of the bearings being self-aligning bearings. The self-aligning capability enables accommodating irregularities in the mounting locations for the brackets, and also bends, flexure and other deformities of the header frame and sensor rod, for achieving free rotatability of the sensor rod. This mounting arrangement also facilitates installation by one person, from the bottom side of the header, both initially and in the field. Additionally, the brackets can include features for aligning the bores of the bearings, to facilitate the installation and free rotation of the sensor rod when installed.

Abstract: The device relates to a pivoting forearm rest positioned behind the hand controls of a skid steer loader. The device consists of a tube with an angled portion inserted into a ‘J’ shaped support bracket. The bracket is affixed to the cab sidewall and may be vertically adjusted. The rotation of the tube is adjusted by a tension bolt and shim within the support bracket. The tube has a pin seated within a tube slot in the support bracket which allows the tube to rotate 180 degrees. A portion of the tube and the support bracket are covered in padding.

Abstract: The device relates to a pivoting forearm rest positioned behind the hand controls of a skid steer loader. The device consists of a tube with an angled portion inserted into a ‘J’ shaped support bracket. The bracket is affixed to the cab sidewall and may be vertically adjusted. The rotation of the tube is adjusted by a tension bolt and shim within the support bracket. The tube has a pin seated within a tube slot in the support bracket which allows the tube to rotate 180 degrees. A portion of the tube and the support bracket are covered in padding.

Abstract: An agricultural baler for picking up crop material and forming it into a rectangular shaped package, having a main frame, and an engine mounted on the main frame for operating the baler. The engine includes a throttle, and remotely located controls for changing the condition of the throttle between idle and full open to selectively operate the baler plunger rate from the cab of the towing vehicle, e.g., a tractor or a pickup truck. A control system for the throttle utilizes an electric reversible directional motor assembly having input terminals and an output shaft rotatable at a predetermined speed and direction under conditions where a predetermined voltage at a predetermined polarity is applied across such input terminals. Rotation of the output shaft is translated to pivotal motion of a lever that is coupled to the throttle.

Abstract: An agricultural baler for picking up crop material and forming it into a rectangular shaped package, having a bale density control system. The baler has a bale case including four wall members forming a generally rectangular opening, at least one of which wall members includes a tension rail movably mounted to vary the cross sectional area of the rectangular opening. The baler also has a hydraulic control arrangement including a hydraulic cylinder operable for changing the position of the tension rail, a pressure control valve comprising a variable relief valve, and a hydraulic circuit for coupling the hydraulic cylinder to the pressure control valve. The relief valve is selectively controlled by an electronic controller.

Abstract: A skid steer loader having a main frame including a compartment in which an engine, hydraulic drive components and other elements are contained. A cab is mounted above the compartment on the main frame with load bearing side walls extending upwardly to define an operator control area therebetween. Pivotally mounted on such walls is a boom structure including a pair of arms and a mounting assembly. An engine is operatively associated with the boom structure for raising and lowering each of the pair of arms along a generally vertical path adjacent a corresponding load bearing side wall to which it is coupled by the mounting assembly. The cab is mounted on the frame for conjoint movement of the side walls and the boom structure from an operative position to a remote position to provide unobstructed access to the compartment while maintaining the drive and transmission componentry in an operational mode.

Abstract: A round baler having a frame with opposing side walls, conveying apparatus including a series of inwardly facing moving surfaces defining a baling chamber for forming cylindrical bales of crop material and a feeder for feeding crop material into the chamber. Rotatable transverse rollers are mounted between the opposing side walls of the frame for operatively supporting the conveying apparatus, and a journal assembly having a bearing arrangement for mounting the rollers. The bearing arrangement includes a generally cylindrical stationary first race and a concentrically disposed generally cylindrical rotatable second race between which races a bearing cavity is formed for seating a series of bearings housed between said first and second races. A unique shield assembly encloses the cavity and prevents the intrusion of unwanted debris.

Abstract: A round baler having a bale forming chamber including one or more transversely mounted rolls and at least one elongated belt having opposing ends spliced together to form a continuous band. The splice includes a first and a second series of similar side-by-side loops connected to and extending from the respective opposing ends of the belt, and an attaching element extending through the first and second series of loops to maintain the opposing ends of the belt in alignment and close proximity to each other. Retention components affixed to the attaching element retain it in operative relationship to the first and second series of loops and are disposed outwardly of the outer loops.

Abstract: A bale accumulator and optional caboose are controlled by a microprocessor-based control circuit associated with and controlling the baler which pulls the bale accumulator. The control circuit monitors bale switches actuated by the presence of bales on four tables, two switches indicating the position of a bale push bar, and three table switches indicating when individual ones of three of the tables are latched or released for dumping bales therefrom. An operator's panel provides a visual display of the status of the bale accumulator and includes switches which may be actuated by the operator. In response to the switches on the bale accumulator the control circuit controls the push bar to move bales from a center table onto a left or right table at the sides of the center table, or inhibits movement of the push bar so that a succeeding bale ejected from the baler pushes a bale on the center table onto a trailing fourth table.

Abstract: A basic frame for a crop harvesting header which is attachable to a combine to sever standing crop and initiate the crop harvesting process is disclosed wherein the same frame can be utilized in the construction of both rigid and flexible headers. A connection member is provided for each attachment rib interconnecting the frame and the cutterbar, such that the attachment rib can be either pivotally connected to the frame to provide a flexible header or rigidly attached to the frame to provide a rigid header. Each connection member permits a rigidly attached rib to be vertically positionally adjusted to provide proper alignment of the cutterbar across the entire width of the header. The header frame includes a hat-shaped member corresponding to each of the connection members within which the attachment ribs can be nested.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transporting a crop harvesting header, attachable to a combine to sever standing crop and initiate the crop harvesting process, is disclosed wherein the apparatus is mounted on and carried with the header in a retracted position during the normal crop harvesting process until it is desirable to transport the header. A first wheel assembly is pivotally movable into a ground engaging position to support a part of the weight of the header above the ground for transport. A second wheel assembly is removed from a mounting bracket on the back of the header and is connected to the cutterbar in longitudinal alignment with the first wheel assembly. An axle is provided to interconnect the first and second wheel assemblies to provide a stable wheeled undercarriage for the transport of the header.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for use in converting a crop harvesting header from a harvest mode to a transport mode is disclosed wherein the wheel assembly is clamped onto the cutterbar by a clamping mechanism such that the header can serve as its own carrier. The clamping mechanism includes a clamping member pivotally connected to the main body member and an overcenter locking mechanism to force the clamping member into engagement with the cutterbar such that the main body member is releasably engaged with the mower guards to mobilely support a part of the weight of the header above the ground. The clamping mechanism is affixed to one end of a support post, which also has a spindle rotatably mounting a wheel at the opposing end.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header drive mechanism is disclosed wherein a toothed drive belt transfers rotational power from a drive sprocket to a driven sprocket, both of which have indentations around the perimeter thereof to correspond to and engage with the drive belt teeth to provide a positive driving action. Shielding is provided for the return run of the drive belt, wherein the teeth are projecting upwardly, to prevent dirt and/or debris from filling up the interstitial spaces between adjacent drive teeth and disrupting the positive drive relationship between the drive belt and the drive and driven sprockets. The shielding mechanism is pivotally attached at its rearward end to permit the forward end to be vertically movable with the driven sprocket. A detachable L-shaped member is provided to close off a gap formed in the shielding for access to the drive belt.