Abstract: A hard object or stone detection method and apparatus for detecting and removing discrete hard foreign objects from mobile agricultural equipment, particularly an agricultural harvester including apparatus for providing a flow of cut crop material to an elevator for delivery to a threshing system. The apparatus includes a foreign object detecting mechanism, including a foreign object detecting circuit for detecting foreign objects and an object exclusion or rejection mechanism operationally connected to be activated by the detecting circuit. The detecting circuit includes at least one vibration sensor operable for outputting a signal, and a combination of high pass filters and frequency bandpass filters and variable threshold comparators for processing the signal along first and second signal paths, and at least one microprocessor or microcontroller including a pulse rejection network.

Abstract: An unloader control for an unloader conveyor and grain tank conveyor of an agricultural combine, which, when an unload command is received, will automatically initiate operation of the unloader conveyor to commence conveying grain in an inlet end thereof toward the outlet end thereof so as to allow smooth transition of grain from the grain tank conveyer to the inlet end of the unloader conveyor, then automatically initiate operation of the grain tank conveyor for moving grain into the inlet end of the unloader conveyor, and, when a clean out command is received during operation of the unloader conveyor and the grain tank conveyor, will automatically cease operation of the grain tank conveyor, then, after a sufficient time period for the unloader conveyor to convey substantially all of any grain therein through the outlet end, automatically cease operation of the unloader conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a non-frangible object detection mechanism on an agricultural harvester, the detection mechanism including a sensing surface and a sensor for sensing force applied to the sensing surface that is associated with a foreign object adjacent the sensing surface, the harvester including a transport surface along which harvested materials are transported toward the sensing surface, the apparatus including at least first and second ramp members positioned between the transport surface and the sensing surface, the ramp members separated by a gap, each ramp member including a front ramp surface that extends between a front ramp end adjacent the transport surface and a ramp member apex, the ramp member apexes positioned at a location higher than the sensing surface and proximate the sensing surface, wherein, as harvested material and non-frangible objects are conveyed along the transport surface and toward the sensing surface, at least a portion of the harvested material passes betwee

Abstract: A round baler having a main frame, a tailgate pivotally connected to the main frame and an apron extending around a plurality of guide rolls disposed in the main frame and the tailgate. A pair of take up arms, rotatably mounted on the main frame, carry at least one additional guide roll for the apron. A bale forming chamber, including the apron, varies in size from a bale starting position to a full bale position. A crop loading monitor is provided for signaling the operator when the compactness of the crop material in at least one portion of the bale being formed in the bale forming chamber reaches a predetermined acceptable level.

Abstract: In a leaf loading method, leaves are picked up from the ground by operating a rotary beater and a rotary broom. The leaves are then delivered between the beater and the broom by rotating the beater and the broom in opposite directions. Next, the leaves are guided from between the beater and the broom toward an auger disposed rearwardly of the broom. Finally, the leaves are transferred from the auger into a thrower by rotating the auger and then the leaves are discharged by operating the thrower.

Abstract: A leaf loading machine designed for use in combination with a towing vehicle includes a mobile frame with a tongue extending forwardly thereof for connection to the towing vehicle. The machine has a rotary beater and a rotary broom extending transversely of the mobile frame. The broom is disposed rearwardly of an in tandem relation to the beater. The beater and the broom have lower sides thereof disposed adjacent the ground and they are operable to counterrotate relative to one another so as to deliver material from the ground upwardly therebetween. The machine also includes an auger extending transversely of the frame rearwardly of the broom for receiving material from the broom, and a thrower mounted on the frame for receiving material from the auger and for discharging the material into the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A leaf loading machine has a rotary beater and a rotary broom extending transversely of a mobile frame. The broom is disposed rearwardly of and in tandem relation to the beater. The beater and the broom have lower sides thereof disposed adjacent the ground and they are operable to counterrotate relative to one another so as to deliver material from the ground upwardly therebetween. A shroud mounted on the frame fully covers an upper side of the beater and partially covers an upper side of the broom. The shroud is open at its front and rear ends, and includes a top wall and a pair of side walls. A housing is also mounted on the frame overlying and enclosing the broom and an auger disposed rearwardly of the broom. The housing is closed at its rear end but is open at its front end where it communicates with the rear end of the shroud to guide material delivered between the beater and the broom to the auger. The housing includes a top wall, a pair of side walls, and a rear wall.

Abstract: A leaf loading machine has a rotary beater and a rotary broom on a mobile frame, both of which extend transversely of the frame. The broom is disposed rearwardly of and in tandem relation to the beater. Both the beater and the broom are disposed adjacent to the ground and are operable to counterrotate relative to one another so as to deliver leaves from the ground upwardly therebetween. The broom rotates substantially faster than the beater.

Abstract: A spreader adapted for spreading compost includes a container in which an apron conveyor is disposed to move compost toward a cylindrical brush rotatably mounted at one end of the container for discharging compost therefrom. An adjustable flow gate controls the amount of compost moved toward the brush by the apron conveyor. An adjustable impact plate and an adjustable baffle assembly direct compost discharged from the container by the brush toward the ground. The baffle assembly includes a plurality of directional vanes for properly dispersing the compost. A drape extends around the discharge side of the brush.

Abstract: A leaf harvesting machine has an auxiliary rotary beater and main rotary pickup broom on a mobile frame which both extend transversely of the direction of travel of the frame. The main pickup broom is disposed rearwardly of and in tandem relation to the beater. Both the beater and pickup broom are disposed adjacent to the ground and operable to counterrotate relative to one another so as to deliver leaves from the ground upwardly therebetween. One feature of the machine relates to the provision of, and cooperation which occurs between, a plurality of lifting elements of the beater and pluralities of sweeping and lifting elements of the pickup broom. Another feature relates to an arrangement for adjustably mounting the beater for movement toward and away from the pickup broom for presetting the positional relationship of the beater lifting elements relative to the pickup broom sweeping and lifting elements.

Abstract: A rotor for axial flow combines having an auger of predetermined length on one end thereof which, when rotated, feeds crop material to the main portion of the rotor which coacts with a concave and grate to thresh and separate grain from the crop material. The auger has a spiral flight provided with a smoothly curved peripheral edge and in order to minimize wear of said edge and also provide increased aggressive engagement of the auger with crop material, a series of similar projections are detachably connected to said flight adjacent the peripheral edge thereof, in circumferentially spaced relationship to each other.

Abstract: A windguard for the upper end of an upstanding grain discharge conduit having an auger therein and including a tubular wall of larger diameter than said conduit and surrounding the upper end thereof in radially spaced relationship thereto, the upper end of said tubular wall extending beyond the upper end of said conduit to provide a wind shield or guard, whereby when the auger is operated to discharge grain from the upper end of said conduit, it will fall through an annular space between said tubular wall and conduit, out of contact with wind blowing past said conduit. The tubular wall preferably is axially adjustable relative to the upper end of said conduit in order to accommodate different discharge rates of grain and/or different amounts or velocities of wind blowing past said conduit.