Abstract: A conveyor system of a type having a flexible circuitous cable with discs attached thereto for conveying material through a circuitous tube, the system including a cable connector for attaching the ends of the cable together, the connector being designed to reduce cable flexing at the cable connector when the cable is going around a turn, for the purpose of increasing the life of the cable.

Abstract: An improved cable conveyor system in which buttons provided for pushing the conveyed material are fitted with bearings to relieve the cable of torsional stresses. As a cable is tensioned, torsional stresses are incurred, tending to unwind the braided wire. By providing an opportunity for the cable to unwind, stretching may be carried out without the usual unrelieved torsional stresses.

Abstract: An opening and closing apparatus for feed drops in a feed conveying system has a plurality of containers are disposed for receiving feed from a conveyor system, each of the containers having an opening in the bottom thereof. A respective valve member is disposed adjacent each one of the openings and each respective valve member has a closed position for preventing feed from falling out of each respective opening, and an open position permitting the feed to fall out of each respective container through each respective opening therein. A somewhat rigid transverse member is provided adjacent to each one of the containers and this transverse member is biased to a first position and is movable to a second position. A respective elongated member is operatively attached at one end thereof to the transverse member and is operatively attached to a respective one of the valve members at the other end thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a crop harvesting machine for collecting stalk crops having seed pods near ground level. The harvester includes a horizontally disposed reel structure. As the reel rotates, bat-assemblies thereon successively urge the stalks of the crop against a cutter bar which severs them close to the ground. The cutter bar and its associated sickle drive assembly accommodate the irregular variations in ground contour, by reason of the interposition of leaf springs between the cutter bar assembly and the cutter carrying platform. When not required the flexible cutter bar feature can be disabled. Sensing fingers mounted on the underside of the machine relay information to an automatic elevational control unit assuring that the cutter carrying platform closely follows the contour of the ground.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a crop harvesting machine for collecting stalk crops having seed pods near ground level. The harvester includes a relatively large horizontally disposed reel structure. As the reel rotates, bat-assemblies thereon successively sweep downward into the crop and urge the stalks against a cutter bar. These assemblies feature a combination of flexible flaps and pickup reel tines which conserve and prevent loss of crops.