Abstract: A wheel-supported frame for an agricultural mower having a tongue, a pivotally connected frame having a pair of main wheel, and a pair of a retractable transport wheels connected to the frame. A mechanism is provided for each transport wheel to deploy the transport wheels and support the mower, the transport wheels being oriented for travel 90 degrees to the direction of travel of the main wheels. The pivoting tongue connection with the main frame provides for at least a 90 degree rotation of the frame relative to the tongue between operating and transport positions so that the mower may be pulled for transport with the mower moving in the direction of its normal lateral width. The transport wheel mechanisms also position the transport wheels where they will not interfere with mower operation, especially pivoting of the tongue.

Abstract: A wheel-supported frame for an agricultural mower having a tongue, a pivotally connected frame having a pair of main wheel, and a pair of a retractable transport wheels connected to the frame. A mechanism is provided for each transport wheel to deploy the transport wheels and support the mower, the transport wheels being oriented for travel 90 degrees to the direction of travel of the main wheels. The pivoting tongue connection with the main frame provides for at least a 90 degree rotation of the frame relative to the tongue between operating and transport positions so that the mower may be pulled for transport with the mower moving in the direction of its normal lateral width. The transport wheel mechanisms also position the transport wheels where they will not interfere with mower operation, especially pivoting of the tongue.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the lateral tilt of a header of an agricultural plant cutting machine, such as, but not limited to, a combine, windrower or the like, and more particularly, to an automatic lateral tilt control system for precisely controlling an angle of lateral tilt of the header relative to the machine based on a lateral tilt angle of the machine relative to a reference and at least one additional characteristic such that, when the machine is disposed on a laterally inclined surface, and the machine is at a tilt angle differing from an angle of the laterally inclined surface, the angle of lateral tilt of the header relative to the machine is responsively adjusted so an angle of the lateral tilt of the header relative to the reference is substantially equal to the angle of the laterally inclined surface, the system especially useful when operating in a stubble mode and traversing inclined surfaces.

Abstract: An on-board rectangular cotton module builder and transporter and method of operation of the same, wherein the module builder includes a cotton accumulating cavity for receiving harvested cotton, apparatus for distributing and compacting cotton in a module building chamber having a door through which a cotton module is unloaded from the chamber onto the transporter, and apparatus deployable for holding cotton in the accumulating cavity for conveyance and distribution into the module building chamber away from the door when open. As a result, a cotton module is movable from the module building to the transporter on-the-go while harvesting, and while cotton is conveyed and distributed in the module building chamber. The transporter is operable for carrying the module while continuing harvesting and for unloading the module when desired, including in sequence with a second module from the module builder.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the lateral tilt of a header of an agricultural plant cutting machine, such as, but not limited to, a combine, windrower or the like, and more particularly, to an automatic lateral tilt control system for precisely controlling an angle of lateral tilt of the header relative to the machine based on a lateral tilt angle of the machine relative to a reference and at least one additional characteristic such that, when the machine is disposed on a laterally inclined surface, and the machine is at a tilt angle differing from an angle of the laterally inclined surface, the angle of lateral tilt of the header relative to the machine is responsively adjusted so an angle of the lateral tilt of the header relative to the reference is substantially equal to the angle of the laterally inclined surface, the system especially useful when operating in a stubble mode and traversing inclined surfaces.

Abstract: An on-board rectangular cotton module builder and transporter and method of operation of the same, wherein the module builder includes a cotton accumulating cavity for receiving harvested cotton, apparatus for distributing and compacting cotton in a module building chamber having a door through which a cotton module is unloaded from the chamber onto the transporter, and apparatus deployable for holding cotton in the accumulating cavity for conveyance and distribution into the module building chamber away from the door when open. As a result, a cotton module is movable from the module building to the transporter on-the-go while harvesting, and while cotton is conveyed and distributed in the module building chamber. The transporter is operable for carrying the module while continuing harvesting and for unloading the module when desired, including in sequence with a second module from the module builder.

Abstract: A stone detection system of a harvester that automatically changes its sensitivity to signals from a stone sensor in response to the type of harvesting equipment connected to the harvester is provided. The stone detection system generally includes a stone sensor, a header sensor and a microprocessor. The stone sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of the presence of a stone in the crop harvesting system. The header sensor is disposed on the crop harvesting system to sense the header type and to generate a signal indicating the header type. The microprocessor is coupled to the stone sensor and the header sensor to process the stone sensor signal based at least in part upon the header sensor signal.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine comprises a crop processing apparatus and an elevator assembly for conveying harvested crop material to the crop processing apparatus. The elevator assembly comprises an elevator housing and an endless elevator apparatus mounted for rotation in the housing, the elevator apparatus having lower and upper lower runs. A shielding mechanism, such as an intermediate plate, shields the lower elevator run from the upper run. The intermediate plate is provided with at least one aperture enabling passage therethrough of crop material, and at least one removable cover for closing the aperture.

Abstract: The jaw clutch damper system includes a damper which can be a disk spring which absorbs shock forces generated by rapid re-engagement of clutch plates of the clutch and dissipates energy of the shock forces in cooperation with the other components of the clutch, including a clutch spring, such that resulting shock forces exerted against rotatable members connected to the clutch are damped and reduced substantially in magnitude within a time interval before occurrence of a subsequent shock force.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine (10) comprises crop processing means (16) and an elevator assembly (23) for conveying harvested crop material to said crop processing means (16). The elevator assembly comprises an elevator housing (50) and endless elevator means mounted for rotation in said housing (50), said elevator means having lower and upper lower runs (66a, 66b). Shielding means, such as an intermediate plate (70, 71), shield said the lower elevator run (66a) from the upper run (66b) The intermediate plate is provided with at least one aperture (78) enabling passage therethrough of crop material, and at least one removable cover (79) for closing said aperture (78). When the harvested crop material contains long stems, which easily wrap around the drive shaft (56) of the elevator assembly (23), the cover (79) is used to prevent the crop material from falling on top of the lower run (66a).

Abstract: An agricultural harvester having a header with a reel and an auger, wherein the reel and the auger provide crop material to an elevator and a foreign object detecting mechanism, wherein the foreign object detecting mechanism includes a foreign object detecting circuit for detecting foreign objects and an object extrusion mechanism operationally connected to be activated by the detecting circuit. The detecting circuit includes a first vibration sensor, a programmable amplifier, a frequency bandpass filter, a variable threshold comparator, and a microprocessor including a pulse rejection network. The microprocessor is electronically connected to control the threshold comparator and the programmable amplifier, and activates the object extrusion mechanism when the pulse rejection network generates an internal signal.

Abstract: A mechanism for manually and automatically adjusting the front support drum of an endless conveyor within the feederhouse of an agricultural combine. The front drum is rotatably affixed to the remote end of a pivot arm that is pivotably affixed to the side sheet of the feederhouse. The relative position of the drum to the floor of the feederhouse is manually adjustable by manipulation of a cam that moves the pivot arm toward and away from the floor to preset positions. In combination with the adjustment mechanism, is a pivot mounting for the pivot arm that allows the drum to move upwardly and rearwardly when a bulk or lump of crop material enters the opening between the drum and the floor, thereby preventing damage to the components of the feederhouse.

Abstract: A feederhouse on an agricultural combine include a pivoting faceplate between the header and feederhouse. The pivoting faceplate position indicia to assist an operator in properly positioning the faceplate. A front drum adjustment mechanism, which use a cam with cam position indicia to properly position the front drum. A stone roll mount plate permitting the proper adjustment of the stone roll relative to the feederhouse floor. A stone roll position indicia and a pointer to help position the stone roll.

Abstract: The apparatus is an improvement to a feederhouse on an agricultural combine. The apparatus has a first acoustic array having a first sounding board and acoustic sensor positioned beneath the front drum and feederhouse floor. There is a second acoustic array positioned behind the front drum and between the conveyor chain encircling the front and rear drums. The second acoustic array also has a second acoustic sensor and second sounding plate. The acoustic sensor detects the impact of a stone on the sounding plates. A signal is transmitted via a controller from the sensor to a solenoid controlling a stone trap door latch. When the door opens, a sled also rotates into contact with conveyor chain. This deflects any crop flow containing stones. To close the door, the feederhouse is raise and the door rotates into contact with the latch.

Abstract: A feederhouse on an agricultural combine. Having a first acoustic array having a first sounding board and acoustic sensor positioned beneath the front drum and feederhouse floor. A second acoustic array positioned behind the front drum and between the conveyor chain encircling the front and rear drums. The second acoustic array also has a second acoustic sensor and second sounding plate. The acoustic sensor detects the impact of a stone on the sounding plates. A signal is transmitted via a controller from the sensor to a solenoid controlling a stone trap door latch. When the door opens, a sled also rotates into contact with conveyor chain. This deflects any crop flow containing stones. To close the door, the feederhouse is raised and the door rotates into contact with the latch.

Abstract: The invention discloses improvements to a feederhouse on an agricultural combine. These improvements include a pivoting faceplate between the header and feederhouse. The pivoting faceplate has faceplate position indicia to assist an operator in properly positioning the faceplate. The invention also includes a front drum adjustment mechanism, which use a cam with cam position indicia to properly position the front drum. There is also a stone roll mount plate permitting the proper adjustment of the stone roll relative to the feederhouse floor. There are also stone roll position indicia and a pointer to help position the stone roll.