Abstract: A rotary composter having a rotatably mounted cylindrical vessel is divided into a plurality of compartments, including a first infeed compartment, a last discharge compartment, and a plurality of intermediate digesting compartments, by baffles. The baffles between each of the infeed and discharge compartments and the adjacent digesting compartments are provided with weirs to retain a supply of microbial inoculant material. The drive mechanism operably powering the rotation of the vessel is variable in speed to permit the rotational speed of the vessel to be selectively varied. Air is forced through the vessel by a variable speed fan for selectively changing the rate of air flow through the vessel from the discharge end to the infeed end.

Abstract: A material spreader comprising a mobile tank for receiving and discharging waste material, such as manure. The spreader includes a conveying assembly comprising one or more augers rotatably mounted in the tank for conveying material received in the tank to a discharge area. An opening in the vicinity of the discharge area permits material to be dispensed to a slinger assembly mounted outside the tank adjacent the opening. Material is distributed by the slinger in a controlled pattern as the tank is transported over a field. A control system is provided for selectively controlling the rate and pattern of the material being distributed, based on characteristics of the material. A field is divided into cells and data relating to the nutrient demand of each cell is collected and stored in tables in a memory. A GPS receiver detects the location of the spreader as it moves over a field.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly comprising a series of belt links arranged in superimposed successive overlapping relation secured together by interlocking belt link fasteners and apertures, combined with a compressible layer to reduce the noise produced when material is placed on the conveyor assembly. The compressible layer is formed of a plurality of cushioning links that interlock with the links of the belt forming a surface which contacts the materials being conveyed.

Abstract: A material spreader comprising a mobile tank for receiving and discharging waste material, such as manure. The spreader includes a conveying assembly comprising one or more augers rotatably mounted in the tank for conveying material received in the tank to a discharge area. An opening in the vicinity of the discharge area permits material to be dispensed to a slinger assembly mounted outside the tank adjacent the opening. Material is distributed by the slinger in a controlled pattern as the tank is transported over a field.

Abstract: A rotary composter is provided with a control system that is operable to control the operation of a rotary composter equipped with a variable rate air flow mechanisms and a variable speed drive for rotating the composter vessel. The control system includes a microprocessor in which is stored a look-up table to control the variable rate of application of both air flow and vessel rotation in response to sensed parameters corresponding to the operation of the composter. The control system further includes sensors at each digesting compartment within the composter vessel to provide information relating to the temperature within the vessel. Gas sensors detect the levels of carbon dioxide and ammonia within the air flow through the composter vessel. The microprocessor compares the temperature and gas data to permissible ranges therefor and determines if the composter is operating properly.

Abstract: A mobile spreader having a main frame, a tank mounted on the main frame for receiving manure or other fertilizer material, and a ground engaging wheel assembly mounted on the main frame for supporting the tank. A pair of augers rotatably mounted in the tank for conveying material received in the tank to a discharge area where an opening is provided in the tank. An expeller assembly, also mounted on the main frame, receives material conveyed to the discharge area and discharges it from the tank as it is transported over a field. The pair of augers consist of a first auger having a tubular element with continuous flighting extending therefrom, and a second auger mounted parallel and adjacent the first auger. The second auger also has a tubular element. Interrupted flighting elements extends from the tubular element of the second auger to aggressively engage clumpy material and break it up into particles small enough to be transferred to the discharge area by the augers.

Abstract: A spreader having a main frame, and a tank mounted on the main frame for receiving manure or other fertilizer material. At least one auger is rotatably mounted in the tank for conveying material received in the tank to a discharge area where an opening is provided in the tank. A distribution assembly, also mounted on the main frame, receives material conveyed to the discharge area and expels it from the tank as it is transported over a field. Included in the distribution assembly is an expeller comprising first and second side-by-side rotary slingers mounted in the opening for receiving material conveyed to the discharge area and expelling it outwardly in a generally even distribution pattern.

Abstract: A material spreader comprising a mobile tank for receiving and discharging waste material, such as manure. The spreader includes a conveying assembly comprising one or more augers rotatably mounted in the tank for conveying material received in the tank to a discharge area. An opening in the vicinity of the discharge area permits material to be dispensed to a slinger assembly mounted outside the tank adjacent the opening. Material is distributed by the slinger in a controlled pattern as the tank is transported over a field.

Abstract: A rotary composter is provided with a control system that is operable to control the operation of a rotary composter equipped with a variable rate air flow mechanisms and a variable speed drive for rotating the composter vessel. The control system includes a microprocessor in which is stored a look-up table to control the variable rate of application of both air flow and vessel rotation in response to sensed parameters corresponding to the operation of the composter. The control system further includes sensors at each digesting compartment within the composter vessel to provide information relating to the temperature within the vessel. Gas sensors detect the levels of carbon dioxide and ammonia within the air flow through the composter vessel. The microprocessor compares the temperature and gas data to permissible ranges therefor and determines if the composter is operating properly.

Abstract: A rotary composter having a rotatably mounted cylindrical vessel divided by baffles into a plurality of compartments, including a first infeed compartment, a last discharge compartment, and a plurality of intermediate digesting compartments. The baffles between the infeed and discharge compartments and the adjacent digesting compartments are configured to retain a supply of microbial inoculant material. A drive mechanism is operable to rotate the vessel at variable speeds to permit the mixing process of material in the vessel to be selectively varied. Air, forced through the vessel from the discharge end to the infeed end, may be preheated prior to introduction into the vessel to assure proper composting during cold weather.

Abstract: An air diffuser apparatus is provided for a rotary composter in which the air diffuser is constructed in a conical shape to provide a large area for the dissipation of air into the discharge end of the composter vessel. The surface of the air diffuser is provided with a plurality of holes therethrough for the passage of air into the discharge compartment. The air infeed port terminates within the air diffuser to discharge air directly therein. The sloped surface of the conical shape of the air diffuser permits any material engaging therewith to fall from the diffuser surface and prevents the diffuser from plugging with material.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a cylindrical bale of crop material having a generally round cross section, comprising a pick up for picking up crop material as the apparatus travels across a field. The apparatus is adapted to feed the picked up crop material into a bale forming chamber where it is formed into a cylindrical package having a generally round cross section. The package is then wrapped with self adhering tape around the outer periphery to encompass such package and form a bale having a generally round cross section, conforming substantially to the cross section of the cylindrical package. A tape dispensing assembly is provided to receive tape from at least two supply rolls and dispense it around the periphery of the cylindrical package along separate paths. Individual one way clutch drives are associated with each tape dispenser for individualized trouble free tape payout.

Abstract: A conditioning roll for use in an agricultural machine for conditioning crop material includes a hollow inner core and an outer shell bonded to the inner core. The inner core has a plurality of ridges extending generally lengthwise thereof. These ridges form a plurality of generally longitudinal lobes on an exterior surface of the conditioning roll. The inner core is preferably formed of extruded aluminum while the outer shell is preferably formed of a relatively thin layer of polyurethane, resulting in a conditioning roll that is lightweight.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing moisture in crop material includes a probe mounted on a pickup of an agricultural baler for movement between a retracted position and an operative position. The probe has a pair of fingers arranged in a spaced apart relationship so that crop material picked up by the baler bridges the space between the fingers when the probe is in the operative position thus creating a signal path between the fingers. The moisture sensing apparatus also includes a cam roller carried on the pickup to move the probe from its retracted position to its operative position, and a computer connected to the probe to measure the conductance level of the crop material creating the signal path.

Abstract: A conditioning roll mechanism is disclosed for use on a mower-conditioner to provide uniform conditioning of crop material passing therebetween. Each conditioner roll is formed with a plurality of transversely extending lobes interspersed with corresponding troughs to provide an intermeshing configuration with the opposing conditioning roll. The configuration of the external surface of each conditioning roll permits the rolls to be mounted in a nominal working position in which a substantially uniform clearance is maintained between the conditioning rolls during rotation thereof to provide uniform conditioning of the entire crop material plant.

Abstract: A method of conditioning forage crops utilizing a pair of counterrotating conditioning rolls mounted in a hay harvesting machine is disclosed wherein at least one of the conditioning rolls is transversely reciprocated relative to the other conditioning roll. An oscillating mechanism is provided to effect the transverse reciprocating movement of the conditioning rolls. The method of conditioning can be accomplished by a conditioning mechanism in which the entire conditioning roll is transversely reciprocated while being rotated or by a conditioning roll in which individual lobes circumferentially mounted for transverse reciprocation around the conditioning roll core effect the sliding action while being rotated.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a preservative or other substance, in solid or liquid form, onto a crop material being baled, the substance being dispensed onto the crop material before it is baled at a rate which is dependent on the moisture content of the crop material and the bulk rate of flow of crop material through the baler. The apparatus, which may be mounted on a square baler or a round baler, includes a first sensor for sensing the moisture content of the crop material and producing a first signal, a second sensor for producing an output signal indicative of the bulk rate of corp flow through the baler, and a control circuit responsive to the first signal and the second signal for producing a pulse width modulated signal for controlling the speed of a motor. The motor controls the rate at which the substance is dispensed from a container onto the crop material.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a substance, in solid or liquid form, onto a crop material being baled, the substance being dispensed onto the crop material before it is baled at a rate which is dependent on the moisture content of the crop material and the bulk rate of flow of crop material through the baler. The method is applicable to round balers or square balers.

Abstract: A conditioning roll for use in a conditioning mechanism on a hay harvesting machine is disclosed wherein the conditioning roll is formed by a plurality of axially stacked lobed rings movably mounted on a core member rotatably supported by the hay harvesting machine. Key members affixed to the core and engaged with slots in the lobed rings effect a rotation of the lobed rings with the core. An oscillating mechanism is operatively associated with the lobed rings to position the lobed rings in a plane non-perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the core. The oscillating mechanism effects an oscillating movement of the lobed rings during rotation of the core to provide a transverse movement of the outer peripheral surface of the lobed rings while in engagement with the crop material to effect a more aggressive conditioning thereof.

Abstract: A conditioning roll mounting structure is disclosed wherein the mounting shaft for the conditioning roll is permitted to be rotatably driven while permitted to reciprocate linearly transversely of the bearing apparatus. A bushing in the form of a support hub having an antifriction surface engaged with a non-circular conditioning roll mounting shaft is pressed within the inner race of a ball bearing whose outer race is secured to the frame of the hay harvesting machine. A drive mechanism can be attached to either the support hub or directly to the shaft provided that provisions are made for accommodating the transversely reciprocating roll movement. The structure permits the conditioning roll to be rotatably supported within the frame of the hay harvesting machine, while being capable of a linear movement between the non-circular conditioning roll mounting shaft and the support hub to which it is mounted. The non-circular mounting shaft can be in the form of splines or standard hexagonal configuration.