Abstract: A trencher comprising a digger located adjacent the rearward wheels, which pair of wheels are driven hydraulically and which have an open area between them into which the digger may be partially positioned. The forward wheels of the trencher are steerable by use of a self-locking angular adjustment mechanism. A hydraulic circuit which includes a pressure relief valve provides substantially constant pressure on the chain of the digger. A locking mechanism is provided for the forward wheels when initiating the cutting action of the digger.

Abstract: A trencher comprising a main frame. The main frame includes a pair of longitudinal, relatively narrow frame members spaced a distance apart and have a forward and rearward end. A first liquid carrying tank is mounted adjacent the rearward end of the trencher and extends between the frame members. The tank is operable to bear a significant structural load and to act as a cross member for the frame.

Abstract: A sugar cane harvester is disclosed in which chopped crop is conveyed from a chopping mechanism to a cleaning mechanism. The cleaning mechanism includes an extractor fan positioned in an upper portion of a cleaning cylinder and a substantially unobstructed air intake surrounding the periphery of the cleaning cylinder. The air intake draws air in a generally downward direction through the air intake and into the cleaning cylinder, and upwardly through a substantial portion of the crop after the crop exits from the chopping mechanism. Debris is expelled upwardly through the extractor fan, while cleaned crop drops into an elevator for transportation away from the cleaning mechanism. A energy absorbing plate is mounted in the cleaning area to contact crop billets as the billets leave the chopping mechanism. The plate is adjustably mounted to contact greater or lesser amounts of the crop after the crop passes through the chopping means.

Abstract: A sugar cane harvester is disclosed in which chopped crop is conveyed from a chopping mechanism to a cleaning mechanism. The cleaning mechanism includes an extractor fan positioned in an upper portion of a cleaning cylinder and a substantially unobstructed air intake surrounding the periphery of the cleaning cylinder. The air intake draws air in a generally downwardly direction through the air intake and into the cleaning cylinder, and upwardly through a substantial portion of the crop after the crop exits from the chopping mechanism. Debris is expelled upwardly through the extractor fan, while cleaned crop drops into an elevator for transportation away from the cleaning mechanism.

Abstract: A cane harvester for harvesting sugar cane. A cutter severs the cane and feed means feeds the cane along a longitudinal feed path to a chopping means which cuts the cane into billets. A discharge discharges the billets from the harvester. The chopping means comprises longitudinal, movable blades which rotate about an axis perpendicular to the feed path and which sweep out a cylindrical or frusto-conical path. A fixed blade cooperates with the movable blades which move upwardly past the fixed blade. A billet engaging means located between the axis and the movable blade engages and pretensions the cane prior to cutting. After cutting, the cane billets are thrown upwardly and away from the chopping means into the discharge chute.

Abstract: A sugar cane billet planter has a main bin and a sorter bin adjacent the main bin. Billets are moved by a main bin elevator from the main bin to the sorter bin and, thence, by a sorter bin elevator from the sorter bin to a billet chute. The elevator used to convey billets from the sorter bin to the billet chute uses a chain with conveyor fingers, each finger carrying an individual billet in an end-to-end relationship with adjacent billets. Sorter fingers project perpendicularly from the chain, align the billets within the sorter bin and allow them to be carried by the conveyor fingers. The chains and conveyor fingers are operable within a recess of a width slightly greater than the width of the chain and conveyor fingers.

Abstract: Torque limiting device especially applicable to the drive train to cane chopping apparatus in a sugar cane harvester. Abutments associated with the friction members of a band type clutch abut when slip occurs and trip an over-centre device to release the drive. About 360.degree. of slip can occur before the device trips. The drive is re-engaged by reversing the drive thereto.