Abstract: A cotton receiver for a cotton harvesting machine and a method of operation of the same. The receiver includes a cotton compacting chamber, a precompacting area above the chamber, and an accumulator deployable upwardly from the precompacting area to increase the cotton holding capacity thereof. Compactor apparatus is located in the compacting chamber and is configured for holding cotton thereabove separate from cotton therebelow. The compactor apparatus is movable downwardly against cotton therebelow for compacting it into a unitary body or module, including while holding cotton thereabove, and is controllably operable for conveying cotton held thereabove downwardly therethrough, subsequent to unloading a completed compacted body of cotton.

Abstract: The cotton harvester includes a cotton picker housing having at least one plant lifter defining a plant row channel extending back into the housing to a plant compressor sheet. A picker rotor is mounted in the cotton picker housing adjacent to the plant row channel and traverse to the plant compressor sheet. A doffer in the housing near the picker rotor removes picked cotton from the picker rotor and moves the picked cotton to an outlet at the rear of the cotton picker housing. A power unit includes an internal combustion engine mounted on the housing including a rotatable output selectably connectable in rotatably driving relation to the picker rotor and the doffer for imparting rotation thereto. The power unit can also selectably drive at least one wheel of the harvester for moving it over the ground at a speed corresponding to a rotational speed of the picker rotor.

Abstract: Cotton compacting structure for distributing and compacting cotton within a cotton compactor chamber of a cotton module builder or packager, including a frame adapted to be supported in the chamber for downward movement against cotton collected in a lower portion of the chamber for compacting the cotton therein into a cotton module or package, the frame including a plurality of elongate cotton compactor members disposed in a longitudinally extending concave array defining a downwardly facing cavity. The cotton compactor members include at least one center compactor member defining a longitudinally extending highest region of the cavity and compactor members spaced from the center compactor member defining lower regions of the cavity. At least some of the cotton compactor members include augers rotatable for moving cotton downwardly through the frame and in at least one longitudinal direction beneath the frame.

Abstract: A mobile, self-propelled cotton harvester having a cotton module building or packaging capability, having at least one harvesting unit; a compactor structure including a first surface or floor having a predetermined extent and other surfaces such as side walls and ends defining and substantially enclosing an interior space or module building chamber for receiving the harvested cotton; and apparatus for distributing and compacting the cotton evenly within the interior space or chamber, including a compacting element or frame located therein, the compacting element supporting at least one member for movement relative thereto for distributing the cotton substantially evenly between the compacting element and the first surface, and at least one driver supporting the compacting element spaced from the first surface operable for moving it between positions spaced different distances from the first surface and for forceably moving it toward the first surface from the positions, respectively, and against cotton distr

Abstract: A method for forming a cotton module on a mobile cotton harvester, including the steps of: (a) removing cotton from cotton plants as the harvester is moved across a cotton field; (b) conveying the removed cotton into a cotton receiver structure including a plurality of surfaces of known extent defining and substantially enclosing an interior space; (c) distributing the cotton in the cotton receiver structure substantially evenly with respect to a selected one of the surfaces of the receiver structure; and (d) periodically compacting the cotton in the cotton receiver structure substantially evenly against the selected one of the surfaces by forceably moving a compacting element having an extent only marginally smaller than the extent of the selected one of the surfaces against the distributed cotton and toward the selected one of the surfaces.

Abstract: A rotary screen assembly rotatable about a rotational axis for filtering air entering an air inlet of a work machine, the screen assembly having an axially facing screen surface including an outer circumferential edge disposed around the rotational axis in radially spaced relation thereto, an elongate brush having bristles disposed along a longitudinal extent thereof in contact with the axially facing screen surface for brushing collected material and contaminants therefrom, the longitudinal extent or axis of the brush forming a chord of the outer circumferential edge spaced a distance from the rotational axis or being skewed relative to the rotational axis such that when the screen is rotated about the rotational axis in a predetermined direction a force is imparted to the collected material and contaminants by the bristles of the brush sufficient to move the collected material and contaminants radially outwardly past the circumferential edge.

Abstract: A rotary screen assembly rotatable about a rotational axis for filtering air entering an air inlet of a work machine, the screen assembly having an axially facing screen surface including an outer circumferential edge disposed around the rotational axis in radially spaced relation thereto, an elongate brush having bristles disposed along a longitudinal extent thereof in contact with the axially facing screen surface for brushing collected material and contaminants therefrom, the longitudinal extent or axis of the brush forming a chord of the outer circumferential edge spaced a distance from the rotational axis or being skewed relative to the rotational axis such that when the screen is rotated about the rotational axis in a predetermined direction a force is imparted to the collected material and contaminants by the bristles of the brush sufficient to move the collected material and contaminants radially outwardly past the circumferential edge.

Abstract: An improved cotton harvester having a plurality of harvesting mechanisms, each harvesting mechanism having at least one light grease receiving area including a picker bar having a plurality of rotatably driven picker spindles, and at least one heavy grease receiving area including a cam and a roller arrangement and a gear arrangement for drivingly oscillating the picker bar, and an automatic lubrication system for periodically lubricating the light grease receiving area with a light grease at a first pressure, the improvement including a heavy grease reservoir on the harvester for receiving a quantity of a heavy grease; a pump on the harvester having an inlet connected to the heavy grease reservoir and a discharge, the pump being operable for drawing the heavy grease from the heavy grease reservoir and discharging the heavy grease from the discharge at a second pressure which is substantially greater than the first pressure, the discharge being connected to one end of at least one high pressure lubricant line

Abstract: A row unit movable in a forward direction for simultaneously picking cotton from at least two parallel rows of cotton plants, the rows of cotton plants being spaced a predetermined distance apart in a transverse direction relative to the forward direction.

Abstract: A cotton harvester which includes at least one cotton picker unit for harvesting cotton from plants planted in narrow, parallel rows. The cotton picker unit comprises a cotton picker housing that supports a lateral plant lifter which extends forward of the housing and defines a plant row channel for receiving cotton plants planted in a row. The plant channel extends back into the housing to a plant compressor sheet which facilitates the picking of the cotton from the cotton plant by a picker rotor which is supported in the housing adjacent to the plant row channel and traverse to the compressor sheet. A doffer column also supported in the housing is near the picker rotor and removes the picked cotton from the picker rotor and moves the cotton towards an outlet and through an exhaust chute for receiving the cotton. The cotton is then collected in an appropriate cotton basket.

Abstract: A conveyor system for a cotton picking machine having a duct for the air transport of cotton from the picking heads and cotton transport apparatus for receiving air borne cotton and moving it to a common collection location for the transport to a storage bin.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a vehicle system at least partly in response to an anticipated condition along the vehicle's course of travel is disclosed herein. The vehicle includes a drive train powered by an engine, and the anticipated condition may affect engine load. The control system includes a location signal generation circuit for receiving positioning signals and generating location signals therefrom, a memory circuit for storing a predetermined geo-referenced map including map data indicative of anticipated conditions along the course of travel which may affect engine load, and a control circuit. The control circuit predicts the anticipated condition using at least the location signals and the map data, generates a control signal based at least upon the anticipated condition, and applies the control signal to the vehicle system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lubrication system for an agricultural implement such as a cotton harvester having a plurality of harvesting units mounted thereon. Each harvesting unit of the cotton harvester includes a harvesting mechanism whose operation is facilitated by supplying lubricant thereto. The lubrication system preferably includes an on-board grease reservoir with a constant displacement pump assembly having an input connected to the reservoir and an output for providing lubricant under pressure to the harvesting mechanisms of each harvesting unit. The pump assembly is operated under the influence of a controller which operates the pump for a preselected period of time thereby causing preselected amounts of pressurized lubricant to be provided to the harvesting mechanism of each harvesting unit.

Abstract: A system for mounting and supporting harvesting units on a forward end of a cotton harvester frame to allow them to be slidably moved relative to each other and laterally along an elongated tool bar structure. The tool bar structure is pivotally connected to the cotton harvester frame by a lift assembly. The harvesting units hang in a cantilevered fashion from and are independently connected at their rearward edges to the tool bar structure by a slide support structure which facilitates visibility of the harvesting units from a cab region of the harvester. The slide support structure maintains a non-rotatable and non-point contact relationship with laterally elongated generally flat support surfaces defined between opposite ends of the tool bar structure whereby substantial surface area contact is provided between each side support structure and the support surfaces on the tool bar structure.

Abstract: A lubrication system including a lubricant reservoir connected to a pump assembly which selectively operates in either of two modes of operation. In one mode of operation, the pump assembly provides pressurized lubricant to various lubricant receiving areas. In a second mode of operation, the same pump assembly is used to refill the lubricant reservoir from a lubricant supply source.

Abstract: A system for controlling the elevation of a harvesting unit of a cotton harvester relative to a ground surface. The control system includes a valve assembly whose position controls operation of a lift mechanism connected to the harvesting unit and which is operated by a ground contour sensor assembly carried by the harvesting unit. Harvesting unit elevation is correlated with the extent that the ground contour sensor assembly moves relative to the harvesting unit. The ground contour sensor assembly includes a shoe with a ground engaging surface wherein such surface is movable vertically relative to the harvesting unit and also is pivotable sideways about a fore-and-aft extending axis thereby enhancing ground contact of the sensor assembly with the ground contour.

Abstract: A system for mounting and supporting harvesting units on a forward end of a cotton harvester frame to allow them to be slidably moved relative to each other and laterally along an elongated tool bar structure. The tool bar structure is pivotally connected to the cotton harvester frame by a lift assembly. The harvesting units are independently connected at their rearward edges to the tool bar structure by a slide support structure. The slide support structure maintains a non-rotatable and nonpoint contact relationship with laterally elongated generally flat support surfaces defined between opposite ends of the tool bar structure whereby subsantial surface area contact is provided between each side support structure and the support surfaces on the tool bar structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling operation of an agricultural implement such as a cotton harvester. The control system includes operator presence circuitry, gear selector circuitry, and bypass circuitry arranged independently of each other for controlling operation of a drive assembly such as a hydrostatic drive mechanism used to drive a harvesting unit on and propel the cotton harvester.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a picker rotor assembly of a cotton harvesting unit. The drive mechanism includes a bidirectional torque limiting mechanism operatively arranged between a rotor drive mechanism and the rotor assembly. The bidirectional torque limiting mechanism for applying a relatively low torque in a first rotational direction to the picker rotor assembly so as to inhibit damage thereto resulting from a chokage or jamming of the picker rotor assembly. The bidirectional torque limiting mechanism further applying a relatively high torque in a second or reverse rotational direction to the picker rotory assembly to facilitate removal of that which choked or stopped the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A cotton conveying structure for a laterally movable cotton harvesting unit of a cotton harvester. The cotton conveying structure comprises a cotton receiving assembly and a duct structure. The cotton receiving assembly vertically moves with and is inhibited against lateral movement to a tool bar assembly on which the harvesting unit is supported for lateral movement. The cotton receiving assembly includes first and second conveying sections which remain integrally connected to each other while allowing relative lateral movement of the harvesting unit from a harvesting position to permit servicing thereof. By inhibiting its lateral movement, the cotton receiving assembly is aligned in a cotton conveying relationship with and when the harvesting unit is returned to its harvesting position.