Abstract: A lubricant tank structure for a cotton harvester wherein the tank is located at the rear of a harvester behind the engine and near the fuel and water tanks. The tank shares support with an adjacent tank and is shaped to optimize use of available space. A bladder is installed inside the tank with an opening exiting below the fluid level of the lubricant. The opening is connected to a relatively small diameter sight tube located externally of the tank. The bladder is filled to the bottom level of the gauge with a indicating liquid having a lower viscosity than the grease which is to be gauged and a specific gravity which is approximately the same as the high viscosity grease. When the lubricant tank is filled, the tank contents displaces the indicating liquid which rises in the sight tube until the height of the liquid is approximately the same as the height of the grease so pressures in the system are equalized.

Abstract: An easily assembled and accessible tank structure for a cotton harvester wherein three tanks are located on the rear of the harvester frame behind the engine and partially over the rear steerable wheels. The frame includes a rear transverse beam which is removable during harvester assembly to provide an opening so that the tanks, which include supporting ledge structure, can be aligned with the frame and slid horizontally to an assembled position. Once the tank structure is slid into position, the rear transverse beam is reattached and cooperates with bracket structure to prevent fore-and-aft tank movement. The harvester is painted prior to assembly of the tanks onto the frame to avoid masking and overspray problems, and the rear tank locations provide good weight distribution.

Abstract: Cotton harvester structure including centrally located, transversely mounted engine, rear mounted water and fuel tanks, and transversely centered conveyor fan having an upper, forwardly extending outlet located just below the level of the cab floor for improved weight distribution, air hose routing and air flow. The fan rotates about a transversely extending axis parallel to the engine crankshaft axis. The crankshaft and fan are connected by a belt and sheave assembly having an electric clutch mounted on a shaft assembly and located outside of the frame. The shaft assembly provides fan support, separates the fan inlet from the clutch, reduces lubrication requirements, and enhances accessibility.

Abstract: A harvester shield includes horizontal overlapping shingled panels supported by a framework between the drive tires and behind the cross axle of a harvester such as a cotton picker to protect otherwise vulnerable machine components and to allow the plants to smoothly pass under the machine with minimal crop damage. As the panels move and flex, residue on top of the panels drop out between the shingled surfaces to provide a self-cleaning effect. The panels are fabricated from polyethylene and can flex easily to avoid panel damage, for example, when the machine has to be backed up in tall standing crops. The shingling effect provides strength to resist flexing upwardly into the machine components as the rear portion of each panel contacts the forward supporting portion of the rearwardly adjacent panel. In an alternate embodiment, shortened panels are supported in non-overlapping fashion by angle structure having a substantial fore-and-aft component.

Abstract: The picker bar on a cotton harvester drum includes a lower bushing with a thrust surface added. The spindle drive shaft is drilled and tapped to receive a bolt inserted through the bottom of the picker bar. Bevel gear thrust loads are transferred through a thrust washer, secured by the bolt to the bottom of the drive shaft, to the lower bushing thereby eliminating need for a snap ring and snap ring groove at the top of the bar. The spur gear bending load at the top the bar is transferred through a large rigid gear section to the bearing at the top of the bar. The top bearing is supported closer to the gear load than in previous bars which utilize snap ring retention. The drive shaft, bevel gears, upper bearing and drive gear section are inserted as a single assembly into the upper end of the picker bar during manufacture.

Abstract: Cotton harvester basket structure including an upper basket portion telescopingly received within a lower basket portion and first hydraulic actuators for moving the basket between harvesting and dump positions and second actuators for telescoping the basket portions between a retracted storage position and an extended field-working position. An unloading conveyor and compacting augers are connected to and movable with the upper basket portion, and the compacting augers also serve to meter cotton during the dump cycle. Telescoping cotton conveying ducts are movable with the upper basket portion between retracted transport and raised field-working positions. Hydraulic circuitry includes valves for selectively controlling the basket telescoping and dump functions and the conveyor and compacting auger operations.

Abstract: A control system for terminating the power input to the picking units of a cotton harvester after a short delay by automatically causing a hydrostatic drive to return to neutral. A seat switch and a delay timer electrically connected to a solenoid valve on a servo control system of the hydrostatic pump deactivates the servo system and returns the pump swashplate to a neutral position to stop the unit movement when the operator leaves his seat. Another switch connected in parallel with the operator seat switch is activable when the unit drive is in neutral making the system effective only when the picking units are engaged. A service bypass circuit is provided which, when the hydrostatic lever is in a special low speed position and when the main ground drive of the transmission is in neutral, permits the units to be operated at a relatively slow speed by depressing a remotely located switch.

Abstract: An improved seal assembly for a cotton picker for reducing or eliminating passage of lubricant out of the spindle assembly area to increase service interval and decrease lubricant usage. A first sealing ring contacts and seals the outer surface of the spindle. A second sealing ring, mounted over the first ring, seals non-moving components. The first seal includes a tab which is received within a corresponding notch in a bushing located adjacent the sealing assembly. The sealing assembly is constructed such that presently available cotton picker spindle assemblies may be retrofitted easily with the new arrangement.

Abstract: A conveyor is mounted on the slope side of a cotton basket. Lift structure pivots the basket until the slope side of the basket angles slightly downwardly toward the trailer or module builder which receives the cotton. The conveyor moves the cotton from the basket, and a metering bar positioned above and inwardly from the dump end of the conveyor when the basket is in the dump position is rotated with the conveyor drive to assure a smooth continuous flow of cotton without bunching or stalling on the conveyor.

Abstract: A device for sensing the loading on an input drive of a cotton harvesting unit and providing a warning when an overload of the drive occurs. Normal tension in the belt drive to the unit input shaft is balanced by an adjustable spring load. Overload of the input shaft overcomes the spring load to activate an electrical switch that alerts the operator by lighting a warning lamp. The input drive includes a slip clutch, and the spring load is adjusted so that a warning is provided before the drive load reaches the loading which would cause the clutch to begin to slip.

Abstract: An air distribution system for a cotton harvester which permits use of a common air conduit to feed two cotton conveying ducts. An air distribution nozzle distributes an input flow of air from the air conduit between a jet nozzle associated with one of the conveying ducts and an outlet that is connected to a second jet nozzle associated with the other conveying duct.