Abstract: A foliage harvester is provided, as is a mechanical drive arrangement which includes a pivotally mounted main gearbox. An extension assembly extends forwardly with respect to the main gearbox for a relatively short length, and a connection assembly operatively joins the rotating portion near the rear end of the mechanical drive assembly in a manner which prevents substantially any side-to-side or generally horizontal movement between that portion of the mechanical drive assembly and the rotatable main gearbox. At the same time, this operative joining incorporating use of the connection assembly permits limited up-and-down or generally vertical movement of the mechanical drive assembly with respect to the pivotable main gearbox. In an especially preferred arrangement, the implement is a center pivot mower conditioner, and the mechanical drive operates the cutting and conditioning assemblies during operation of the mower conditioner on either side behind the towing vehicle or tractor.

Abstract: A baler including a plurality of endless belts and opposing side walls defining therebetween a chamber for receiving forage material and forming a bale. Each of the belts is formed as a full width belt extending substantially a transverse distance from one of the side walls to the other of the side walls. In order to maintain proper tracking of the full width belts, a drive roller for each of the belts is formed with a sleeve centrally located on the drive roller and defining a crown for the roller, as well as improving traction between the roller and the belt. In addition, each of the full width belts is formed with a differential stiffness wherein the belt exhibits a greater stiffness against bending about an axis perpendicular to the rollers than the stiffness against bending about an axis parallel to the rollers.

Abstract: A pair of generally parallel snapping rolls are disclosed which mount beneath a stripper plate having a fore and aft extending slot through which stalks of corn may pass. The snapping rolls rotate in opposite directions and serve to draw stalks downwardly until the ears thereof strike the stripper plate and are snapped free. Each snapping roll has longitudinally extending flutes, the flutes of one roll being interleaved with those of the second roll. On each roll, the odd numbered (1, 3, 5, etc.) flutes extend radially outward while the even numbered (2, 4, 6, etc.) flutes extend outward at a non-radial angle. Rotating the two rolls in synchronism thus results in the generation of a cyclic narrow and wide spacing sequence between opposing flutes. This cyclic action provides improved efficiency in the harvesting operation.

Abstract: A forage harvester and fixed-construction row crop attachment therefor are disclosed. The attachment has three plant-receiving passages consisting of a central passage and a pair of side passages on opposite sides of the central passage. Each passage has an inner or channel section comprised of substantially parallel walls, an intermediate section or throat comprised of outwardly diverging intermediate walls and an outer section or mouth comprised of outwardly diverging outer walls. A cutter is provided in association with each of the throats or intermediate sections. Each of the intermediate walls of each side passage is constructed and arranged to define a comparatively wide cut-off area at the bottom. The cutter associated with the intermediate section or throat of each side passage is arranged adjacent its cut-off area. The comparatively wide cut-off areas and associated cutters cooperate with gathering chain sets to assure harvesting of plants having both narrow and wide row spacings.

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.