Abstract: Cotton harvester frame structure includes main structural members elevated to approximately cab floor level and extending horizontally rearwardly in a planar fashion over the engine compartment and the rear axle. The structural members attach to the central portion of the rear axle to provide added clearance for larger wheels and tires. The single elevated plane of the main frame structure provides simplified attachment of a power module including a transversely mounted engine. Access areas under the main structural members are of sufficient minimum width and height to allow an operator or an assembler to stand fairly erect while accessing most areas of the power module and a harvester fan.

Abstract: Cotton harvester frame structure includes main structural members elevated to approximately cab floor level and extending horizontally rearwardly in a planar fashion over the engine compartment and the rear axle. The structural members attach to the central portion of the rear axle to provide added clearance for larger wheels and tires. The single elevated plane of the main frame structure provides simplified attachment of a power module including a transversely mounted engine. Access areas under the main structural members are of sufficient minimum width and height to allow an operator or an assembler to stand fairly erect while accessing most areas of the power module and a harvester fan.

Abstract: A chassis-mounted round baler particularly useful with an on-board cotton module building system includes a bale release gate frame section connected to a forward frame section by a four bar linkage to define a gate path that allows the folding of the baler into both field transport and shipping configurations while maintaining desirable operating, transport and shipping heights. The gate linkage incorporates a self latching feature wherein a small vertical movement of the gate as the gate cylinders are operated releases a gate latch member from a forward frame member during gate opening and reengages the gate latch with the forward frame member during closing. The gate interacts with the bale handler to provide a stop for the baler gate when the baler gate is placed into a cradle on the handler.

Abstract: A hood receives a stream of material including a mix of cotton, air and debris from an air delivery system on a cotton harvester. A forward deflector directs the mixture towards the rear of an accumulator. The deflected mixture passes under finger grates which retains cotton but allows some of the air and light trash to pass through out of the stream. A curved rear deflector forces the remaining mix downwardly towards the accumulator and prevents build-up on receptacle walls. Air and light debris change direction abruptly at the bottom of the rear deflector and exit through an inlet area and upwardly directed path at the back of the deflector. The momentum of the heavier cotton prevents cotton from making the tight turn around the bottom of the deflector and directs the cotton towards the receptacle or accumulator. The inlet area can be adjusted or closed completely to prevent cotton loss in certain conditions.

Abstract: Lower spiked rollers in the bottom of a cotton accumulator are inclined in the downstream direction towards an opening and rotate in the same direction to pull cotton down to the opening. An upper spiked roller located above the opening and above the last of the lower spiked rollers is only partially exposed to the cotton in the accumulator. The upper roller meters the cotton and tears apart clumps. An opening above the upper roller defines an upper discharge opening over the main discharge opening. When in a non-rotating condition, the spiked rollers act as a floor for the accumulator and prevent egress of the cotton through the openings.

Abstract: A duct support and transition structure for the air system of a cotton harvester includes a plurality of upright telescoping duct sections connected to a vertically adjustable support tube extending transversely between the sections providing lateral support for the ducts. Hydraulically operated slide structure connected to the support tube moves the sections vertically between operating and transport positions and eliminates duct binding problems. A telescoping harvester basket supports forwardly extending hood structure. The hood structure opens downwardly towards the upper ducts and includes grates for exhausting air and debris. The ends of the ducts open upwardly rather than rearwardly into the hood structure. The basket can move to and from the dump position without interference from the ducts, and the hood structure reduces cotton loss without need for side shields.

Abstract: A duct support and transition structure for the air system of a cotton harvester includes a plurality of upright telescoping duct sections connected to a vertically adjustable support tube extending transversely between the sections providing lateral support for the ducts. Hydraulically operated slide structure connected to the support tube moves the sections vertically between operating and transport positions and eliminates duct binding problems. A telescoping harvester basket supports forwardly extending hood structure. The hood structure opens downwardly towards the upper ducts and includes grates for exhausting air and debris. The ends of the ducts open upwardly rather than rearwardly into the hood structure. The basket can move to and from the dump position without interference from the ducts, and the hood structure reduces cotton loss without need for side shields.

Abstract: A harvester includes an integral two-section baling device with the section movement designed to provide both a bale discharge function and a transport height reduction function. In one embodiment, one section of the device includes rollers which follow a downwardly sloped ramp as the sections are opened relative to each other. The sloped ramped additionally serves as a portion of a finished bale handler and bale support. In a second embodiment, an additional hydraulic cylinder system controls the downward movement of the opened sections towards the transport position. Existing baler functions are advantageously utilized to provide transport height reduction with a minimal amount of additional hardware, and the operator can switch between transport and operational modes quickly and easily.

Abstract: Cotton accumulator structure includes an upright storage area supported behind the cab of a cotton harvester. A screened upper cover area is supported above the storage area by hydraulic cylinders which move the cover between a raised harvest position and a lowered storage position for reduced transport height. As harvested material is directed through ducts towards the storage area, debris can exit through the screened cover. The lower end of the storage area includes an opening for egress of the cotton. Several shafts having timed projections are journalled for rotation adjacent the opening about parallel axes. The shafts, when not rotating, generally close the lower end and prevent cotton from falling through the opening. To meter the cotton from the storage area to an operating on-board processor, a drive is activated to rotate the shafts.