Abstract: A foldable agricultural mower for preferable forward mounting on a tractor, the mower having a central cutterbar and at least one foldable wing cutterbar disposed on a first end of the central cutterbar. The foldable wing cutterbar is movable from an operable position that is generally in line with the central cutterbar to a folded position that is generally parallel to and spaced above the central cutterbar. A second wing cutterbar may be provided on the opposite end of the central cutterbar and similarly moveable between an operable position that is generally in line with the central cutterbar and a folded position that is generally parallel to and spaced above the central cutterbar, the second cutterbar being disposed above the first cutterbar when both are in the folded position.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit mechanically link to a tailgate of an agriculture harvester. The hydraulic circuit of the present invention can be used to facilitate the transition of hydraulic states from a quick speed to a slow speed, when opening and closing the tailgate. The hydraulic circuit includes a fluid stop valve having a restrictive orifice which, when narrowed, reduces the rate of pressurized fluid flow into a hydraulic actuator during the actuator's extension. The reduced flow of pressurized fluid into the hydraulic cylinder substantially reduces the speed at which the panel opens or closes.

Abstract: A foldable agricultural mower for preferable forward mounting on a tractor, the mower having a central cutterbar and at least one foldable wing cutterbar disposed on a first end of the central cutterbar. The foldable wing cutterbar is movable from an operable position that is generally in line with the central cutterbar to a folded position that is generally parallel to and spaced above the central cutterbar. A second wing cutterbar may be provided on the opposite end of the central cutterbar and similarly moveable between an operable position that is generally in line with the central cutterbar and a folded position that is generally parallel to and spaced above the central cutterbar, the second cutterbar being disposed above the first cutterbar when both are in the folded position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic circuit mechanically linked to a panel and agricultural harvesters comprising the same. The hydraulic circuit of the present invention can be used to facilitate the transition of hydraulic states from a quick speed to a slow speed, when opening and closing the panel. The hydraulic circuit comprises a fluid stop valve comprising a restrictive orifice which, when narrowed, reduces the rate of pressurized fluid flow into a hydraulic actuator during the actuator's extension. The reduced flow of pressurized fluid into the hydraulic cylinder substantially reduces the speed at which the panel opens or closes.

Abstract: A conditioner roll tread pattern comprising a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced ribs separated by grooves extending across the axial length of the conditioner roll. The ribs are angled relative to the axial centerline, either with a fixed positive/negative angle or a continuously varying angle alternating between positive and negative extremes. The conditioner roll is configured to work in conjunction with a paralley disposed roll of similar tread pattern configuration, reversed end-for-end so that the ribs of one roll intermesh with the grooves of the adjacent roll. The location of the transition points at which the angle reverses along the axial length are coordinated with the transverse locations of converging and diverging crop flows being discharged from a forwardly disposed rotary disc cutterbar in a manner that results in a crop mat having more uniform thickness being discharged from the conditioner.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting impending failure of a component of a disc cutterhead of a cutterbar of a plant cutting machine, the components will generate at least one indicator of an impending failure thereof, utilizing a plurality of sensors distributed among the cutterheads, each of the sensors being configured and operable for sensing at least one of the indicators of impending failure and outputting signals representative thereof to a controller automatically operable for processing the signals, to enable identifying an individual location or one of the cutterheads in which an impending failure of one or more of the components is present, and outputting a signal representative thereof to a warning device. The indicators can include, but are not limited to, temperature, sound, and vibration. The controller is also operable for determining comparative threshold values for the indicators, to adapt to changing conditions and norms.

Abstract: A conditioner roll tread pattern comprising a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced ribs separated by grooves extending across the axial length of the conditioner roll. The ribs are angled relative to the axial centerline, either with a fixed positive/negative angle or a continuously varying angle alternating between positive and negative extremes. The conditioner roll is configured to work in conjunction with a paralley disposed roll of similar tread pattern configuration, reversed end-for-end so that the ribs of one roll intermesh with the grooves of the adjacent roll. The location of the transition points at which the angle reverses along the axial length are coordinated with the transverse locations of converging and diverging crop flows being discharged from a forwardly disposed rotary disc cutterbar in a manner that results in a crop mat having more uniform thickness being discharged from the conditioner.

Abstract: A hydraulic driver for powering the conditioner mechanism on an agricultural mower-conditioner, the hydraulic driver being powered by the same hydraulic power circuit that powers the cutting mechanism, but which includes controls for varying the speed and/or direction of rotation of the conditioner mechanism independent from the speed of the cutting mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting impending failure of a component of a disc cutterhead of a cutterbar of a plant cutting machine, the components will generate at least one indicator of an impending failure thereof, utilizing a plurality of sensors distributed among the cutterheads, each of the sensors being configured and operable for sensing at least one of the indicators of impending failure and outputting signals representative thereof to a controller automatically operable for processing the signals, to enable identifying an individual location or one of the cutterheads in which an impending failure of one or more of the components is present, and outputting a signal representative thereof to a warning device. The indicators can include, but are not limited to, temperature, sound, and vibration. The controller is also operable for determining comparative threshold values for the indicators, to adapt to changing conditions and norms.

Abstract: A manually operated mechanism for locking the first table of a bale wagon in the raised position. The mechanism uses gravity to both engage and disengage the lock to permit an operator to safely service the components of the wagon below the first table.