Abstract: A combine grain bin monitoring system includes a pair of detectors mounted on the upper edges of opposing side walls of a combine grain bin, for detecting the presence of grain. A visual display module mounted outside of the bin has a visual indicator which is operable in response to a signal received from either of the detectors. A third detector is preferably mounted on the upper end of a support located generally centrally within the bin, and is also electrically connected to the visual indicator such that the visual indicator will operate in response to a signal from either of the side wall detectors or the central detector. Additional detectors may be added to the central support to signal the level of grain within the bin. A visual alert device is electrically connected to the visual display module but spaced remote therefrom. The visual alert device is operable in response to the illumination of a lamp on the visual indicator.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine, such as a forage harvester, comprises a plurality of crop processing means (20, 21, 26, 27, 36,38, 49), which are driven in a first sense by an engine (70) through a main clutch (124) and a first drive line portion (111, 112, 39, 87, 89) or a second drive line portion (73, 75, 77, 80, 81, 83). A motor means (110), coupled to the first drive line portion and operable to drive one of the crop processing means, such as a cutterhead (36), in a second sense, opposite to the first sense, is permanently coupled to said first drive line portion, so that during normal harvesting it can provide driving power to auxiliary devices. The second drive line portion is linked to the first drive line portion by means of a belt transmission (95, 99, 100), which is engaged by a hydraulic cylinder (106) when the main clutch (124) is engaged. The first drive line comprises an overrun clutch (87) which is disengaged when the rotation of the cutterhead (36) is reversed by the motor means (110).

Abstract: A harvester with unconventional grain flow for collecting and measuring grain grown on strip test plots. A conventional harvester having a weigh bucket for measuring grain located at a high position is modified by reversing the grain flow of a lateral conveyor and locating the weigh bucket at a low position inside the vertical confines of the harvester. The modified grain path upstream of the weigh bucket reduces the time required to move harvested grain to the weigh bucket and thus the waiting time required between harvesting of successive strip plot tests.

Abstract: In combination with a combine having an unloading conveyor including an unloading conveyor tube and a material moving member or auger, a control system for preventing unexpected movements of the unloading tube or unexpected operation of the material moving member following an interruption in power to the control system as through shutting off the engine of the combine. The control system of the present invention remains effective to prevent unexpected movement of the unloading tube and unexpected operation of the material moving member until the system is purposefully reset by the operator to effect operation of the unloading conveyor components. The control system of the present inventor also prevents inadvertent engagement of the material moving member upon moving the unloading conveyor tube from its transport position.

Abstract: A combine for harvesting a crop has a threshing assembly with a threshing rotor and a threshing grate. The threshing assembly locates within the framework of the combine. A threshing assembly frame mounts to the threshing assembly and is removably mounted to the framework of the combine so that the threshing assembly is held within the framework. The threshing assembly frame has a support leg for engaging the ground so that the frame and threshing assembly can be supported in a freestanding position when removed from the combine. The frame is oriented in the freestanding position to facilitate mounting of the threshing assembly frame and threshing assembly to the framework. The frame has a pair of side members that are located on opposite sides of threshing assembly which correspond to guide members mounted to the framework. The side members allow the threshing assembly frame to be inserted into and pulled out of the framework of the combine.

Abstract: A grain combine according to the present invention includes a primary threshing rotor which rotates to thresh grain from crop, a sieve section for separating grain from chaff, a clean grain conveyor, a clean grain storage bin, and a rethreshing section for rethreshing tailings. The rethreshing section has a rethreshing rotor which receives the tailings from the sieve section. The rethreshing rotor extends completely across an end of the sieve section for rotating about an axis which extends in parallel to the end of the sieve section. The rethreshing rotor includes rasp bars which extend along the end of the sieve section for receiving the tailings and pressing the tailings against a rethreshing pan. In a preferred embodiment, blowers are provided for removing loose chaff from the tailings in the rethreshing section. The rethreshed tailings, including clean grain separated from the tailings by rethreshing, are returned to the primary rotor for rethreshing.

Abstract: A forage harvester is provided with a cutterhead frame (34), mounted on a support (40) which can be pivoted about an cylindric beam (80) at the top thereof. The cutterhead frame (34) can be pivoted about the axis (39) of the cutterhead (36) under the action of hydraulic cylinders (90). Lower feedrolls (26, 27) are installed in a lower feeder frame (24), attached to the cutterhead frame (34), and upper feedrolls (20, 21) are installed in an upper feeder frame (18), which can be tilted forwardly about a cylindric beam (67) attached to the front of the lower feeder frame (24). A coupling arrangement (61, 62) for the coupling of a crop collecting apparatus (10) also serves to support the upper feeder frame (18), when the latter is separated from the lower feeder frame (24). This arrangement (61, 62) enables the attachment of the upper feeder frame (18) to a tractor (110). Thus can be gained access for inspection and servicing between the upper (20, 21) and lower feedrolls (26, 27) and to the cutterhead (36).

Abstract: A grain storage unit for a combine is provided having a grain bin which has a lower section which is divided into two compartment by means of a partition. The partition has sloped surfaces to facilitate the flow of grain to the intakes of two conveyor systems. The conveyor systems include a discharge conveyor and an auxiliary conveyor. The discharge conveyor is provided with plurality of paddles joined to a flexible linkage which is continuously moved throughout the interior of a discharge conveyor housing. Grain from one of the compartments of the grain bin is collected through an intake of the discharge conveyor housing and is delivered upwards and away from the combine through a discharge located at the end of the discharge conveyor housing opposite the intake. The auxiliary conveyor has an inlet located within the other of the two compartments for removing grain therefrom. The auxiliary conveyor has a conveyor housing which opens into the housing of the discharge conveyor.

Abstract: A control system for effecting removal of cotton from an elevationally movable basket of a cotton harvester. The control system includes operational circuitry for allowing removal of stored cotton from the basket after the basket is elevated to a discharge position relative to a frame of the harvester. The control system further includes by-pass circuitry for effecting expeditious removal of stored cotton from the basket of the cotton harvester while the basket remains in a lower cotton receiving position relative to the harvester. A control switch is provided to allow the operator to select which circuitry is enabled to effect the discharge of cotton to allow the cotton harvester.

Abstract: A lubricant tank structure for a cotton harvester wherein the tank is located at the rear of a harvester behind the engine and near the fuel and water tanks. The tank shares support with an adjacent tank and is shaped to optimize use of available space. A bladder is installed inside the tank with an opening exiting below the fluid level of the lubricant. The opening is connected to a relatively small diameter sight tube located externally of the tank. The bladder is filled to the bottom level of the gauge with a indicating liquid having a lower viscosity than the grease which is to be gauged and a specific gravity which is approximately the same as the high viscosity grease. When the lubricant tank is filled, the tank contents displaces the indicating liquid which rises in the sight tube until the height of the liquid is approximately the same as the height of the grease so pressures in the system are equalized.

Abstract: An easily assembled and accessible tank structure for a cotton harvester wherein three tanks are located on the rear of the harvester frame behind the engine and partially over the rear steerable wheels. The frame includes a rear transverse beam which is removable during harvester assembly to provide an opening so that the tanks, which include supporting ledge structure, can be aligned with the frame and slid horizontally to an assembled position. Once the tank structure is slid into position, the rear transverse beam is reattached and cooperates with bracket structure to prevent fore-and-aft tank movement. The harvester is painted prior to assembly of the tanks onto the frame to avoid masking and overspray problems, and the rear tank locations provide good weight distribution.

Abstract: A shielding system for the engine compartment of a combine harvester includes shields that are mounted around the engine coolant radiator to close openings around the radiator communicating between the engine compartment and outside ambient conditions. It has been found that the high speed air flow drawn through the radiator by the cooling air fan will induce a large flow of air through openings around the radiator, carrying with it dust, chaff and other foreign material that is deposited in the engine compartment.

Abstract: A self-cleaning device for filtering air in a harvester includes a venturi ejector connected to a source of pressurized air which, in a cotton harvester, includes the cotton handling system blower. The ejector includes nozzle, a vacuum chamber shaped to minimize dead air zones and eddy currents, and a diffuser section. The vacuum chamber is supported near a rotating air inlet screen to vacuum debris from the inlet side of the screen. The debris is drawn into the negative pressure air stream upstream of the nozzle and is positively directed away from the engine compartment and other components on the harvester. The engine cooling fan receives only screened air, and the use of a source of air which is independent of the cooling fan, as well as any separate screen cleaning fan, helps to retain maximum engine cooling capacity.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a self-aligning coupling structure for releasably connecting a rear end of a feeder assembly to a frame of an agricultural harvester such as a combine and the like. The self-aligning coupling structure includes a pair of releasable couplings laterally spaced from each other on opposite sides of the feeder assembly and combine frame. Each releasable coupling includes first and second apertured coupling elements. One of the apertured coupling elements is provided on and extends from the combine frame while the other apertured coupling element is provided on and extends from a housing of the feeder assembly. The coupling elements each have complementary guide surfaces provided thereon.

Abstract: A cotton harvester basket structure includes a closure section connected to a rigid basket by a flexible material such as canvas above and rearwardly of the cotton compacting structure. As the basket is filled, the pressure from the cotton pushes the closure section up to provide only as much volume as necessary to accommodate the added volume of cotton after the basket fills to its normal capacity. Hinged side brackets help guide the lid section during the basket expansion and provide lid section stability, both in the lateral and fore-and-aft directions. After the cotton in the basket is unloaded, the lid automatically returns under the influence of gravity to its lowermost position.

Abstract: A cotton basket is pivotally connected to a harvester frame for rocking about a fore-and-aft extending axis located a substantial distance above the basket floor on the side of the basket opposite the dump side. Simple single beam mast structures at the front and rear ends of the basket replace more conventional and massive multi-element mast structures typical in previously available harvesters. Cylinders connected near the center of gravity at the basket ends rock the basket upwardly and outwardly about the axis to a position above the wagon or module builder. The pivot angle through which the basket is rocked is substantially less than 30 degrees for minimal shifting of the center of gravity during dumping. Dump height is controlled by cylinder extension. The main conveyor floor has front and rear conveyors which move cotton to an independently controlled conveyor built into a fold-down door. The door conveyor can be emptied independently of the main conveyor operation for a partial dump.

Abstract: Cotton harvester structure including centrally located, transversely mounted engine, rear mounted water and fuel tanks, and transversely centered conveyor fan having an upper, forwardly extending outlet located just below the level of the cab floor for improved weight distribution, air hose routing and air flow. The fan rotates about a transversely extending axis parallel to the engine crankshaft axis. The crankshaft and fan are connected by a belt and sheave assembly having an electric clutch mounted on a shaft assembly and located outside of the frame. The shaft assembly provides fan support, separates the fan inlet from the clutch, reduces lubrication requirements, and enhances accessibility.

Abstract: A harvester shield includes horizontal overlapping shingled panels supported by a framework between the drive tires and behind the cross axle of a harvester such as a cotton picker to protect otherwise vulnerable machine components and to allow the plants to smoothly pass under the machine with minimal crop damage. As the panels move and flex, residue on top of the panels drop out between the shingled surfaces to provide a self-cleaning effect. The panels are fabricated from polyethylene and can flex easily to avoid panel damage, for example, when the machine has to be backed up in tall standing crops. The shingling effect provides strength to resist flexing upwardly into the machine components as the rear portion of each panel contacts the forward supporting portion of the rearwardly adjacent panel. In an alternate embodiment, shortened panels are supported in non-overlapping fashion by angle structure having a substantial fore-and-aft component.

Abstract: A combine has a conveyor for returning clean grain and grain returns to a grain bin and threshing rotor, respectively, using a single conveyor housing which is divided by a partition into separate clean grain and grain returns compartments. A plurality of paddles are mounted within the compartments and are driven by a flexible linkage which extends around the frame of the combine within the conveyor housing. The grain bin is pivotally mounted along a pivot axis which allows the grain bin to be pivoted toward an opening of the grain bin to facilitate the flow of grain from the grain bin to an unloader for discharging the grain from the combine.

Abstract: An axial agricultural combine having independently driven threshing and separating sections. A midpoint support bearing is located between the threshing and separating sections of the rotor. The midpoint support bearing is provided with a saddle mounted to the sidesheets of the combine and extending across the bottom portion of the rotor housing. A sealing disc is mounted to the saddle and has a sealing ring that covers the threshing section/separating section interface and a web that is provided with a bearing assembly. The drive shaft for driving the threshing section passes through this bearing.

Abstract: A cost effective and efficient method and apparatus for converting a "husk-off" corn picker into a "husk-on" corn picker to reduce kernel loss and damage. The husking bed of the "husk-off" corn picker is removed and replaced with a corn conveyor consisting of a series of driven flights which convey corn from one end of the picker to the other. The corn conveyor is set at an elevated angle so that the uptake end is lower than the deposit end of the conveyor. A suction fan is attached to the picker above the corn conveyor and sets of rubber air dams are placed around the conveyor to increase the effectiveness of the fan. An air inlet means is provided in the side of the picker so that the suction means can pull air under the corn conveyor and across the deposit end of the corn conveyor as the ears of corn fall from the conveyor. This directed air flow pulls the debris from the ears of corn as the ears fall and carry the debris into the suction means where it is blown out and away from the corn picker.

Abstract: A combine having a transverse threshing cylinder and concave and an axial separator. The axial separator comprises a pair of side-by-side axial separator units each having a rotor and a casing in which the rotors are housed. Each axial separator units is provided with three detachable covers having inwardly projecting spiral vanes. The covers are axially arranged and the first cover is adjacent to the transverse threshing cylinder and concave. The first cover is provided with at least five spiral vanes. The first vane has an angle of inclination to the transverse axis of approximately forty-five degrees; the second, third and fourth vanes have an angle of inclination of approximately thirty degrees; and the fifth vane has an angle of inclination of approximately twenty-five degrees. In small grains, such as rice, the second and third covers each have at least four vanes all with an angle of inclination of approximately twenty degrees.

Abstract: A device with which mowed straw material is prepared, that is, broken up into fibers, in order to speed up the drying process. In order to create a compact device that effectively prepares the straw material, there is an aggregate 3 provided with a central roll 5, to which there are assigned planetary rolls 6, 7 arranged around part of the outer circumference and rotating in the opposing direction, and the straw material is led into the clearance zone between the planetary rolls 6, 7 and the central roll 5. In order to improve preparation, the central roll 5, as well as the planetary rolls 6, 7, are provided with a surface structure matched to one another. The aggregate 3 comprises all components necessary for preparation and can be pre-assembled and installed in a grass-matting machine in vibration-isolated fashion via the elastic support 20.

Abstract: A combine harvester stone trap having its upwardly facing inlet generally in the proximity of the transition between the discharge end of the crop elevator and the forward end of the combine threshing concave. The stone trap includes a front wall in the form of a door which can be opened into a retracted position for emptying the stone trap and a rear wall which, in an operative position, effectively closes the gap between the forward end of the threshing concave and the forward end of the combine grain pan located below the concave in a conventional manner. The rear wall is movable into an inoperative position providing access to the gap between the forward ends of the threshing concave and the grain pan.

Abstract: A conventional header of a combine harvester includes a sickle knife and a table onto which the crop material is deposited by a reel. The crop material is transported toward the feeder housing of the combine harvester by an auger transportation system. At the feeder housing, the auger includes a cylindrical drum portion with fingers to push the material into the feeder housing. This conventional arrangement is modified by the addition of a suction shroud positioned over the central cylindrical portion of the auger to extract dust when cutting dusty crops such as peas.

Abstract: A combine harvester stone trap having its upwardly facing inlet generally in the proximity of the transition between the discharge end of the crop elevator and the forward end of the combine threshing concave. The stone trap includes a front wall in the form of a door which can be opened into a retracted position for emptying the stone trap and a rear wall which, in an operative position, effectively closes the gap between the forward end of the threshing concave and the forward end of the combine grain pan located below the concave in a conventional manner. The rear wall is movable into an inoperative position providing access to the gap between the forward ends of the threshing concave and the grain pan, and includes agitator means operatively associated therewith.

Abstract: A sampling arrangement for a grain stream to extract a grain sample for analysis from the grain conveyed into a grain tank. The sampling arrangement comprises a closed crop guide that is provided with a closing arrangement that can be operated for the controlled extraction of a crop sample and transports this to a sample container of a sample extraction arrangement.

Abstract: A combine of the type in which a harvesting head permanently affixed to a feeder housing is modified to permit rapid and simple replacement and exchange of the head without removing the feeder housing from the combine. The head is provided with openings for receiving complementary members extending upwardly from the feeder housing for initially removably mounting the head to the housing. Lower attachment elements are provided on the sides of the feeder housing, and an adjustable connector element secures the lower head portion to the lower feeder housing portion. Guide elements on the head assure ready alignment between the housing and the head during replacement or exchange of the head, and portions of the feeder housing are equipped with reinforcement elements to increase its structural integrity. The feeder housing and the head each include sprockets for an endless drive chain, and the length of the chain is adjusted to accommodate different heads exchangably mounted to the feeder housing.

Abstract: A corn harvesting system integrates automatic separation and removal of ears of corn from a plurality of rows of corn plants (the stalks thereof), the husking of the ears, the cutting or the kernels and the deposit thereof into a container from which the kernels can be removed for canning or other processing. A tracked vehicle has a structure on which mechanisms for corn ear from stalk separation (picking), husking, kernel cutting and conveying ears between the picking, husking, cutting and a cut kernel container are arranged on two levels or stories and is of height, length and width so as to be capable of being self-propelled through the fields and carried on a flat bed truck or trailer between fields on roads without special permits or routing to make bridge and tunnel clearances. The system has mechanisms for the ejection of stalks, husks and cobs directly on the field.

Abstract: A grain tank for a harvester thresher has a plurality of walls including side walls and end walls which together form an upper filling opening, a cover articulately connected with each of the side walls and adapted to close the filling opening, vertically displaceable plates connected with the end walls and associates with the covers so that the covers in an upwardly folded condition together with the upwardly placed plates form a box-shaped structure to increase a volume of the grain tank, straight guides mounted on an inner side of the end walls, a power element operatively connected with the plates, so that the plates are upwardly and downwardly displaceable in the straight guides by the power element and the covers which are articulately connected with the side walls are turned by the plates.

Abstract: A door assembly for an axial-flow combine having a crop receiving and generally tubular rotor casting defining an elongated axis, a rotor coaxially disposed within the casing, and a vaned impeller arranged at a forward end of the rotor. The door assembly extends across and at least partially closes a forward open end of the casing. At least a portion of the door assembly has a surface configuration extending circumferentially about its outermost edge for positively moving crop material axially rearward through the rotor casing to reduce crop material repeat on the downward rotational direction side and improving endwind efficiency.

Abstract: An agricultural carrier vehicle comprises a vehicle, an agricultural aggregate connectable with the vehicle, a saddle unit arranged on the vehicle, a driver's cabin, at least two clamping devices arranged for bracing the driver's cabin in two different positions, an upwardly guiding transporting device arranged so that the agricultural aggregate and the saddle unit are connectable with the transporting device.

Abstract: A harvester thresher includes a chassis, a housing, a threshing mechanism operating in accordance with the principle of a tangential flow, straw shaking means, and a threshing and separating unit located after the straw shaking means in the housing including a rotor and a casing, the threshing and operating unit operating in accordance with the principle of an axial flow and formed as a separate unit which is supported in the housing exchangeably so that it can be exchanged by another structural unit.

Abstract: An unloading chute for a combine which may be swiveled so as to discharge crop outside the combine to a loading vehicle which may be operated to receive crop from the unloading chute on either side of the combine.