Abstract: A cotton cleaner for cleaning cotton harvested by a cotton stripper comprises grid bars, a saw drum, and a buffer ring. The saw drum is positioned in proximity to the grid bars and rotatable about an axis of rotation of the saw drum for saw teeth of the saw drum to remove cotton from harvested cotton plant material that passes between the saw drum and the grid bars. The buffer ring is supported by and disposed around the saw drum such that an outer diameter of the buffer ring is greater than an outer diameter of the saw teeth for contact of a grid bar of the grid bars with the buffer ring upon deflection of that grid bar toward the saw drum.

Abstract: A cotton picker unit lift structure having a first frame, a second frame pivotally coupled to the first frame about a pivot axis, and at least one sliding joint coupling the first frame to the second frame. Wherein, the sliding joint is not positioned at the pivot axis.

Abstract: A cotton cleaner for cleaning cotton harvested by a cotton stripper comprises grid bars, a saw drum, and a buffer ring. The saw drum is positioned in proximity to the grid bars and rotatable about an axis of rotation of the saw drum for saw teeth of the saw drum to remove cotton from harvested cotton plant material that passes between the saw drum and the grid bars. The buffer ring is supported by and disposed around the saw drum such that an outer diameter of the buffer ring is greater than an outer diameter of the saw teeth for contact of a grid bar of the grid bars with the buffer ring upon deflection of that grid bar toward the saw drum.

Abstract: A cotton picker unit lift structure having a first frame, a second frame pivotally coupled to the first frame about a pivot axis, and at least one sliding joint coupling the first frame to the second frame. Wherein, the sliding joint is not positioned at the pivot axis.

Abstract: Cotton cleaner assembly with saw drum and releasable grid bar mechanism that includes bars and a release mechanism that moves the bars between operational and released positions is disclosed. In operational position, the release mechanism locks the bars in a fixed position relative to the saw drum to knock debris from cotton that rotates with the saw drum. In released position, the release mechanism moves the bars away from the saw drum to enable blockages that interfere with saw drum rotation to be cleared. The grid bar mechanism can include side members, where the bars extend between the side members, and the release mechanism moves the side members. The release mechanism can manually or hydraulically pivot the side members about pivot points against and away from stops. The pivot points and stops can be adjustable to adjust distance between the bars and saw drum in the operational position.

Abstract: A cotton picker unit lift structure having a first frame, a second frame slidably coupled to the first frame about a pivot axis with a plurality of sliding joints. Wherein, the pivot axis is spaced from the second frame and extends in a fore-aft direction and the second frame is pivotal about the pivot axis in a first direction and a second direction relative to the first frame.

Abstract: A cotton doffer structure for doffing cotton snagged on a surface having debris. The cotton doffer structure comprises a plurality of single-piece extrusions cooperating to provide a rim. The rim has a longitudinal axis and a periphery with radial protrusions integrally extending outward from the periphery. A shaft is coupled to the rim for rotation therewith about the longitudinal axis in a forward direction and surrounded by the rim. Brushes are provided. Each brush has a base end supporting upstanding bristles, an opposing distal end, a leading side generally facing the forward direction, and an opposing trailing side. Each support member is provided that has a leading end and a trailing end with an upright flange. The brush support member secures a responsive one of the base ends of the plurality of brushes against a respective one of the radial protrusions with the upright flange located adjacent the leading side.

Abstract: A cotton picker unit lift structure having a first frame, a second frame pivotally coupled to the first frame about a pivot axis, and at least one sliding joint coupling the first frame to the second frame. Wherein, the sliding joint is not positioned at the pivot axis.

Abstract: Cotton cleaner assembly with saw drum and releasable grid bar mechanism that includes bars and a release mechanism that moves the bars between operational and released positions is disclosed. In operational position, the release mechanism locks the bars in a fixed position relative to the saw drum to knock debris from cotton that rotates with the saw drum. In released position, the release mechanism moves the bars away from the saw drum to enable blockages that interfere with saw drum rotation to be cleared. The grid bar mechanism can include side members, where the bars extend between the side members, and the release mechanism moves the side members. The release mechanism can manually or hydraulically pivot the side members about pivot points against and away from stops. The pivot points and stops can be adjustable to adjust distance between the bars and saw drum in the operational position.

Abstract: A cotton doffer structure for doffing cotton snagged on a surface having debris. The cotton doffer structure comprises a plurality of single-piece extrusions cooperating to provide a rim. The rim has a longitudinal axis and a periphery with radial protrusions integrally extending outward from the periphery. A shaft is coupled to the rim for rotation therewith about the longitudinal axis in a forward direction and surrounded by the rim. Brushes are provided. Each brush has a base end supporting upstanding bristles, an opposing distal end, a leading side generally facing the forward direction, and an opposing trailing side. Each support member is provided that has a leading end and a trailing end with an upright flange. The brush support member secures a responsive one of the base ends of the plurality of brushes against a respective one of the radial protrusions with the upright flange located adjacent the leading side.

Abstract: A round module builder for forming a round module. The round module comprises a feeder and a module-forming portion. The module-forming portion comprises at least one baler belt configured to receive a crop from the feeder, at least one baler roller sheave configured to drive the baler belt, and a module-forming chamber. The module-forming portion is configured to receive the crop and rotate the crop in the module-forming chamber into the round module. A powered brush is coupleable to the module-forming portion above the feeder and at least one of positioned in contact with the baler belt and positioned adjacent the baler belt. The powered brush is configured to remove the crop from the baler belt outside the module-forming chamber and return the crop to the feeder which returns the crop to the module-forming chamber where the crop is formed into the round module.

Abstract: A round module builder for forming a round module. The round module comprises a feeder and a module-forming portion. The module-forming portion comprises at least one baler belt configured to receive a crop from the feeder, at least one baler roller sheave configured to drive the baler belt, and a module-forming chamber. The module-forming portion is configured to receive the crop and rotate the crop in the module-forming chamber into the round module. A powered brush is coupleable to the module-forming portion above the feeder and at least one of positioned in contact with the baler belt and positioned adjacent the baler belt. The powered brush is configured to remove the crop from the baler belt outside the module-forming chamber and return the crop to the feeder which returns the crop to the module-forming chamber where the crop is formed into the round module.

Abstract: An adjustable material-conveying duct and a flow area adjustment device are described. The duct may include two wall sections, the second wall section having two mounting connections, oriented at an angle with respect to one another. When the second wall section is mounted to the first wall section via a first mounting connection, the wall sections form a first angle in a flow channel of the duct. When the second wall section is mounted to the first wall section via a second mounting connection, the wall sections form a second, different angle in the flow channel. A flow sensor, controller and automatic adjustment device may also be utilized to control the orientation of the wall sections.

Abstract: An adjustable material-conveying duct and a flow area adjustment device are described. The duct may include two wall sections, the second wall section having two mounting connections, oriented at an angle with respect to one another. When the second wall section is mounted to the first wall section via a first mounting connection, the wall sections form a first angle in a flow channel of the duct. When the second wall section is mounted to the first wall section via a second mounting connection, the wall sections form a second, different angle in the flow channel. A flow sensor, controller and automatic adjustment device may also be utilized to control the orientation of the wall sections.

Abstract: A cotton accumulator system for a cotton harvester. The cotton accumulator system includes a cotton storage structure having an upper inlet and a lower outlet. A paddle shaft is coupleable to the cotton storage structure and configured to rotate about an axis. A plurality of paddles is coupleable to the paddle shaft. The plurality of paddles is configured to rotate with the paddle shaft to disperse cotton substantially evenly in the cotton storage structure.

Abstract: A cotton accumulator system for a cotton harvester is disclosed. The cotton accumulator system includes a cotton storage structure having an upper inlet and a lower outlet. A paddle shaft is coupleable to the cotton storage structure and configured to rotate about an axis. A plurality of paddles is coupleable to the paddle shaft. The plurality of paddles is configured to rotate with the paddle shaft to disperse cotton substantially evenly in the cotton storage structure.

Abstract: A self-compensating multiple-section agricultural implement is disclosed. The agricultural implement includes a first ground-engaging tool coupled to a first frame section. A lift device in fluid communication with a hydraulic controller is coupled to the first frame section. The lift device is configured for raising and lowering the first frame section to move the first ground-engaging tool between a first ground-engaging tool transport position and a first pre-selected operating depth. A second frame section is coupled to the first frame section forward of the first ground-engaging tool. A second ground-engaging tool is coupled to the second frame section. An extendable and retractable cylinder is in fluid communication with the hydraulic controller and is coupled to the first frame section and the second frame section.

Abstract: A self-compensating multiple-section agricultural implement is disclosed. The agricultural implement includes a first ground-engaging tool coupled to a first frame section. A lift device in fluid communication with a hydraulic controller is coupled to the first frame section. The lift device is configured for raising and lowering the first frame section to move the first ground-engaging tool between a first ground-engaging tool transport position and a first pre-selected operating depth. A second frame section is coupled to the first frame section forward of the first ground-engaging tool. A second ground-engaging tool is coupled to the second frame section. An extendable and retractable cylinder is in fluid communication with the hydraulic controller and is coupled to the first frame section and the second frame section.