Abstract: A module builder includes a wrap floor system including a wrap floor belt wrapped around a front belt sheave and a first drive system coupled to the wrap floor system. The first drive system includes a main drive belt coupled to a rear belt sheave and the front belt sheave, wherein in an engagement mode of operation the main drive belt is tensioned to rotate the rear belt sheave, and in a disengagement mode of operation the main drive belt loses tension to cease rotation of the rear belt sheave. The builder includes a second drive system coupled to a baler belt to drive the baler belt into a module forming chamber. The first drive system further includes one or more of a rear lower gate roller, friction wheel, wrap box roller, electric clutch, or motor to engage and drive the main drive belt.

Abstract: A module builder includes a wrap floor system including a wrap floor belt wrapped around a front belt sheave and a first drive system coupled to the wrap floor system. The first drive system includes a main drive belt coupled to a rear belt sheave and the front belt sheave, wherein in an engagement mode of operation the main drive belt is tensioned to rotate the rear belt sheave, and in a disengagement mode of operation the main drive belt loses tension to cease rotation of the rear belt sheave. The builder includes a second drive system coupled to a baler belt to drive the baler belt into a module forming chamber. The first drive system further includes one or more of a rear lower gate roller, friction wheel, wrap box roller, electric clutch, or motor to engage and drive the main drive belt.

Abstract: A module builder includes a wrap floor system including a wrap floor belt wrapped around a front belt sheave and a first drive system coupled to the wrap floor system. The first drive system includes a main drive belt coupled to a rear belt sheave and the front belt sheave, wherein in an engagement mode of operation the main drive belt is tensioned to rotate the rear belt sheave, and in a disengagement mode of operation the main drive belt loses tension to cease rotation of the rear belt sheave. The builder includes a second drive system coupled to a baler belt to drive the baler belt into a module forming chamber. The first drive system further includes one or more of a rear lower gate roller, friction wheel, wrap box roller, electric clutch, or motor to engage and drive the main drive belt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting cotton including a cotton accumulator configured to accumulate cotton removed from cotton plants. A feeder system of a cotton harvester is configured to move independently of the cotton accumulator and along a longitudinal direction. A round module builder system is configured to move along the longitudinal direction toward the feeder system, wherein the round module builder includes a contact member adapted to contact the feeder system to establish a working gap between the feeder system and the round module builder. A wrap floor is moved toward and into contact with the feeder system, which is spring biased to maintain a substantially consistent gap between the between the feeder system and round module builder. Cotton is directed toward the round module builder and a directing mechanism directs a wrap for wrapping the directed cotton into a round module.

Abstract: A module wrapping assembly for a module builder having a first roller rotationally coupled to the module builder about a first axis, a bracket pivotally coupled to the module builder about a bracket axis, and a second roller rotationally coupled to the bracket about a second axis. Wherein, the second axis is offset from the bracket axis. Further wherein, the bracket is pivotable about the bracket axis to reposition the second axis relative to the first axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting cotton including a cotton accumulator configured to accumulate cotton removed from cotton plants. A feeder system of a cotton harvester is configured to move independently of the cotton accumulator and along a longitudinal direction. A round module builder system is configured to move along the longitudinal direction toward the feeder system, wherein the round module builder includes a contact member adapted to contact the feeder system to establish a working gap between the feeder system and the round module builder. A wrap floor is moved toward and into contact with the feeder system, which is spring biased to maintain a substantially consistent gap between the between the feeder system and round module builder. Cotton is directed toward the round module builder and a directing mechanism directs a wrap for wrapping the directed cotton into a round module.

Abstract: A module builder includes a wrap floor system including a wrap floor belt wrapped around a front belt sheave and a first drive system coupled to the wrap floor system. The first drive system includes a main drive belt coupled to a rear belt sheave and the front belt sheave, wherein in an engagement mode of operation the main drive belt is tensioned to rotate the rear belt sheave, and in a disengagement mode of operation the main drive belt loses tension to cease rotation of the rear belt sheave. The builder includes a second drive system coupled to a baler belt to drive the baler belt into a module forming chamber. The first drive system further includes one or more of a rear lower gate roller, friction wheel, wrap box roller, electric clutch, or motor to engage and drive the main drive belt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting cotton including a cotton accumulator configured to accumulate cotton removed from cotton plants. A feeder system of a cotton harvester is configured to move independently of the cotton accumulator and along a longitudinal direction. A round module builder system is configured to move along the longitudinal direction toward the feeder system, wherein the round module builder includes a contact member adapted to contact the feeder system to establish a working gap between the feeder system and the round module builder. A wrap floor is moved toward and into contact with the feeder system, which is spring biased to maintain a substantially consistent gap between the between the feeder system and round module builder. Cotton is directed toward the round module builder and a directing mechanism directs a wrap for wrapping the directed cotton into a round module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting cotton including a cotton accumulator configured to accumulate cotton removed from cotton plants. A feeder system of a cotton harvester is configured to move independently of the cotton accumulator and along a longitudinal direction. A round module builder system is configured to move along the longitudinal direction toward the feeder system, wherein the round module builder includes a contact member adapted to contact the feeder system to establish a working gap between the feeder system and the round module builder. A wrap floor is moved toward and into contact with the feeder system, which is spring biased to maintain a substantially consistent gap between the between the feeder system and round module builder. Cotton is directed toward the round module builder and a directing mechanism directs a wrap for wrapping the directed cotton into a round module.

Abstract: A module wrapping assembly for a module builder having a first roller rotationally coupled to the module builder about a first axis, a bracket pivotally coupled to the module builder about a bracket axis, and a second roller rotationally coupled to the bracket about a second axis. Wherein, the second axis is offset from the bracket axis. Further wherein, the bracket is pivotable about the bracket axis to reposition the second axis relative to the first axis.

Abstract: A folding implement frame having seven sections in a use position and nine sections when folded. The frame design allows a frame having a width of greater than 27 meters to be folded into a transport position having a width of less than eight meters and a height of less than six meters. The hydraulic system transfers weight to the center frame section during folding and unfolding to enhance stability. The hydraulic system uses accumulators to minimize the amount of oil reduction in the tractor reservoir resulting from extension of the hydraulic cylinders of the implement. Implement raise and lower cycle times are minimized by a helper cylinder to lift the frame main section when the entire implement weight is on the main section and allowing a smaller cylinder to lift the frame main section in the use position for shorter cycle times to raise and lower the implement.

Abstract: Gang tube rail structure is attached to the lower front and rear corners of the implement gang tube to provide a lower clamp support. Two pivoting clamp jaws are attached to the clamp support and secured against the support by tightening a single clamp bolt extending between the lowermost portions of the jaws. A locator shoe is secured between the tube and the c-spring and includes a protrusion that projects into a hole in the c-spring. The ends of the locator shoe include short legs that wrap around the gang tube rail. The single clamp bolt provides a vertical clamp force that is approximately twice the tension generated in the bolt when the nut is tightened.

Abstract: An implement wheel assembly includes two individual wheel arms tied together by a linkage that pivots about a fore-and-aft extending axis at a location above the wheels and generally above the plane of the implement frame. The linkage constrains the wheel arms to pivot in opposite vertical directions as the implement moves over irregular ground surfaces to improve weight distribution on the wheels. Spring structure may be interposed between the ends of a pivoting linkage and the individual wheel arms to lower frame impact forces. The structure allows two wheels to be placed side-by-side with their axes generally aligned and reduces under-frame hardware to improve crop and soil and trash flow.

Abstract: Gang tube rail structure is attached to the lower front and rear corners of the implement gang tube to provide a lower clamp support. Two pivoting clamp jaws are attached to the clamp support and secured against the support by tightening a single clamp bolt extending between the lowermost portions of the jaws. A locator shoe is secured between the tube and the c-spring and includes a protrusion that projects into a hole in the c-spring. The ends of the locator shoe include short legs that wrap around the gang tube rail. The single clamp bolt provides a vertical clamp force that is approximately twice the tension generated in the bolt when the nut is tightened.

Abstract: An implement wheel assembly includes two individual wheel arms tied together by a linkage that pivots about a fore-and-aft extending axis at a location above the wheels and generally above the plane of the implement frame. The linkage constrains the wheel arms to pivot in opposite vertical directions as the implement moves over irregular ground surfaces to improve weight distribution on the wheels. Spring structure may be interposed between the ends of a pivoting linkage and the individual wheel arms to lower frame impact forces. The structure allows two wheels to be placed side-by-side with their axes generally aligned and reduces under-frame hardware to improve crop and soil and trash flow.