Abstract: An automatic running work vehicle in which both front wheels and rear wheels can be steered and which is provided with a follower sensor for detecting the boundary between an unworked area and a worked area and an orientation sensor for detecting the running direction so as to run automatically along the boundary. Based on the result of detection of the boundary by the follower sensor and on the result of detection of the orientation of the vehicle body by the orientation sensor, the front and rear wheels are steered automatically to correct the running direction automatically.

Abstract: An agricultural machine having a machine element supported by and movable relatively to a wheel-supported main frame with power means for moving it up and down relatively in small incremental steps, to vary the distance to ground level. The distance to ground is determined and electrical signals corresponding to the distance generated. A control circuit receives the signals and provides "up" and "down" pulses. A monitor-controller circuit receives the "up" and "down" pulses and transmits them to the power means for actuating an incremental step up or down for each pulse.

Abstract: In a combine harvester with a belt pickup platform, the attitude of the belt pickup is automatically controlled in any one of three preselected ranges by an electrical position sensor switch. The switch is mechanically actuated by connection between the pickup and its platform so as to send raise or lower signals to the electrohydraulic control system of the combine. The belt pickup is torsionally flexible and the mechanical input to the electrical position sensor switch is arranged so that the relatively higher end of the pickup controls actuation of the switch.

Abstract: A safety interlock system for mounting on the support assembly of a row-crop harvester is provided to protect against damage from a loose or broken gathering member being drawn into the chopper of the harvester. Specifically, the system includes a guide sprocket mounted on an idler arm that is urged by spring means to tension the gathering member. If the gathering member is loose or breaks, the idler arm swings forward under the force of the spring. A linkage, connected to the idler arm, moves in response thereto and interacts with a finger lever to activate a switch. Activation of the switch energizes an interrupter means, such as an electronic clutch, that interrupts the drive to the gathering member. The switch is protected from damage, dirt and debris by being mounted away from the gathering member within a compartment in the support assembly.

Abstract: The apparatus is of the kind comprising detectors (21,23) of deviation of vehicle positional parameters from a path which is fixed in advance providing electrical data which actuates a control device (14) connected to a steering device (7) for steering the steered wheels (2) of the vehicle. The problem to be solved is to avoid the influence of shocks and vibrations and reduce the interventions of the driver. To this end, the detectors comprise a travelled distance detector (21) and a detector (23) of the steered angle of a steered wheel that provide data to a comparator (28) which is also connected to a memory (30) storing positional data relating to a path to be followed, including a manually set device (43) for introducing the desired spacing between parallel passes.The invention is especially applicable to agricultural machines.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a combine harvester is disclosed wherein the grain pan and chaffer sieve are mounted for pivotal leveling movement about both a transversely extending axis and a longitudinally extending axis. The grain pan and chaffer sieve are mounted in a subframe pivotally supported by a shaker shoe such that the subframe is pivotable about a longitudinally extending axis relative to the shaker shoe, which in turn is pivotally supported on the combine main frame for pivotal movement about a transversely extending axis. A pair of inclinometers disposed to sense the inclination of the combine are utilized to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to hydraulic actuators arranged to pivotally move the shaker shoe and the subframe in response to a sensing of a non-horizontal inclination by the inclinometers.

Abstract: A monitoring module is provided for monitoring a plurality of functions and conditions of a vehicle including a plurality of sensors for producing sensor signals in response to a plurality of vehicle functions and conditions. The monitoring module comprises a plurality of inputs each for receiving one of the sensor signals, the inputs being fewer in number than the vehicle functions and conditions to be monitored. The monitoring module also includes a processor responsive to the sensor signals from the inputs for producing display signals corresponding to the values of the respective functions and conditions. The monitoring module further includes a memory for storing data and instructions for enabling the processor to respond to any of the sensors for monitoring any of the vehicle functions and conditions. The monitoring module further includes a sensor identifying arrangement for producing signals to identify the particular sensors coupled to the inputs.

Abstract: There is disclosed a combine harvester in which a traveling change speed mechanism is automatically controlled in response to workload variations in order to maintain the workload within a predetermined range. In normal circumstances, controls are effected on the basis of an average value of deviations from a control target value of values of the load sampled a predetermined number of times. A change speed operation is immediately effected in an amount corresponding to the deviations when a difference between a value of variation of the sampled values from sampled values obtained a previous time from sampled values obtained earlier is greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a combine harvester is disclosed wherein the grain pan and sieves are mounted in a shaker shoe pivotally supported on the main frame of the combine for movement about a transversely extending axis. Hydraulic actuators interconnecting the main frame and the shaker shoe affect a pivotal movement of the shaker shoe to level the cleaning apparatus under conditions where the combine has an inclined fore-and-aft orientation. An inclinometer is utilized to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuators to permit the shaker shoe to be leveled in response to a sensing of a non-horizontal fore-and-aft inclination by the inclinometer.

Abstract: An automatic running work vehicle adapted to automatically run straight along a predetermined boundary of a running area by being subjected to steering control based on the combination of parameters detected by a follower sensor for detecting the boundary and an orientation sensor for detecting the running direction.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a control system for automatically controlling the height of a header on a combine. The combine header includes a cutter bar which is adapted to float upwardly and downwardly in response to variations in the terrain. A linkage interconnects the cutter bar with a movable cam and a microswitch so that the microswitch is actuated in response to upward and downward movement of the cutter bar. The microswitch is connected to solenoids within a hydraulic valve and the hydraulic valve is connected in the hydraulic system with the hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the header. When the cutter bar lifts upwardly the microswitches are moved to a condition wherein they cause the valve to actuate the hydraulic cylinder for lifting the header. Similarly when the cutter bar moves downwardly the hydraulic cylinder is actuated to lower the header. When the cutter bar is in a neutral position, the hydraulic cylinder remains motionless.

Abstract: A combine harvester having a rotary threshing and separating mechanism is disclosed wherein a grain loss sensor is mounted to one side of the threshing and separting mechanism such that separated grain is propelled onto the sensor by the threshing and separating mechanism. The sensor is vertically mounted in an impervious casing for the rotary threshing and separating mechanism to sense the grain being separated just before the crop material is discharged from the combine.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a combine harvester is disclosed wherein the grain pan and chaffer sieve are mounted in a subframe pivotally supported by a shaker shoe for a laterally tilting movement about a fore-and-aft extending axis. The shaker shoe is connected to an eccentric drive to effect a generally fore-and-aft shaking action to convey threshed grain thereon in a rearward direction. The pivotal movement of the subframe relative to the shaker shoe is accomplished through the use of a hydraulic cylinder interconnecting the shaker shoe and the subframe to permit a lateral leveling of the grain pan and chaffer sieve when the combine is operated under sidehill conditions. An inclinometer is utilized to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder to permit the subframe to be leveled in response to a sensing of a non-horizontal transverse inclination by the inclinometer.

Abstract: A method and system for harvesting fruit, such as citrus fruit. A modularized housing is provided with a mechanism for disposing the housing opposite a picking zone of a tree, with an open side thereof defining a picking aperture. The picking zone is illuminated, and an electronic camera at the geometric center of the housing having a 256.times.256 sensor array records the picking zone. Electronic processing circuits identify the X-Y coordinates with respect to the aperture of each identified fruit with color discrimination means utilized for such identification. The X-Y coordinates are stored in memory. An extensible picking arm is then placed with a pivot at the geometric center and sequentially extended through each stored X-Y coordinate. An optical seeker, having a light source and a quadrature optical detector, disposed at the distal end of the arm detects a fruit in the path of the extending arm and controls the movement of the arm to cause a severance head on the arm to contact the fruit.

Abstract: A belt-type power transfer assembly for driving the separating mechanism of a rotary combine harvester is disclosed wherein the assembly includes spaced apart driving and driven pulleys, an endless flexible belt interengaged between the pulleys to transfer rotational power therebetween and spring-loaded tensioning means operably engaged with the flexible belt to take up the slack thereof and to maintain proper tension therein when transferring rotational power. Stop means are associated with the spring-loaded tensioning means for restricting biasing movement thereof in the direction of the flexible belt, causing the tensioning means to act as fixedly positioned tensioning means after an initial belt tensioning movement thereof. The power transfer assembly according to the invention may be used to drive the separating mechanism of a rotary combine harvester.

Abstract: A monitoring circuit is provided for a metal detector which includes a metal sensor for producing a sensor signal in response to the passage of a metallic object through a rotating apparatus and a tachometer for producing a tachometer signal at a frequency proportional to the rate of rotation of the rotating apparatus. In accordance with the invention, the monitoring circuit comprises an adjustable tracking filter responsive to a predetermined control signal for tracking the frequency of the sensor signal in a predetermined fashion and a control circuit responsive to the tachometer signal for producing the control signal.

Abstract: A sensing unit for a row crop harvester guidance system is attached to a row crop harvester header. The header includes first and second crop dividers. Each divider has a pair of sidewalls. A crop receiving passageway is formed between the dividers. The unit comprises a rotatably mounted crop engaging arm biased into a crop engaging position by a torsion spring. In the crop engaging position the arm projects outwardly from one sidewall of one of the dividers into the passageway. The spring tension is adjustable to vary the amount of force required to actuate the crop engaging arm. Variation in the force is desirable to permit the sensing unit to operate reliably in a variety of crop and field conditions. Rotation of the crop engaging arm is limited by a shock absorbing guide movable in a slot in the sensing unit frame. The sensing unit has a housing for shielding critical components mounted on the unit from exposure to dirt and debris.

Abstract: The adjustment of operating parameters such as the sieve opening, concave opening, chaffer opening, rotor speed and/or fan speed is/are accomplished under the control of a microprocessor operating in response to the striking of keys on a keyboard. The combine harvester operator may select a particular parameter for adjustment by striking a key corresponding to that parameter. The desired setting of the selected parameter is then keyed into the keyboard and an ADJUST key struck to activate the adjustment process. Alternatively, the operator may strike a key corresponding to the crop to be harvested, a further key corresponding to the ambient moisture level of the crop, and then the ADJUST key. In this case the microprocessor reads from a stored table the values for adjusting all parameters so as to obtain a satisfactory sample and a maximum yield for the crop being harvested.

Abstract: A fruit harvesting apparatus in which the positions of fruit are searched and detected by a television camera with a variable shooting direction. Both the television camera and a spot light emitting device, such as a laser, are varied in position and direction in accordance with instructions to locate a fruit. A movable fruit picker is then moved to the determined position of the fruit and operated to pick the fruit.

Abstract: A combine grain loss monitor system includes sensors adjacent the discharge ends of straw walkers and the upper sieve or chaffer of a cleaning shoe. The shoe sensor is carried in an assembly which is easily mounted on and dismounted from the chaffer without the use of tools. The mounting of the straw walker sensor includes a shield which protects the rear edge and underside of the sensor from damage by flying particles of grain and other material. Both mountings include a baffle designed so as to deflect grain onto the sensor working surface without snagging or holding longer pieces of material such as straw and husks.

Abstract: A combine harvester having an engine, a traction drive transmission, a header, and a threshing and separating mechanism, is disclosed wherein the combine is provided with a machine throughput control system including a machine loading control loop operable to produce a signal representative of machine loading, and a grain loss control loop operable to produce a signal representative of grain loss. A grain loss controller is continuously operable to establish a causal relationship between machine loading and grain loss. The machine loading signal, the causal relationship current with that machine loading signal, and a reference loss signal is applied to the grain loss controller to derive a reference machine loading signal. A machine loading error signal, produced by summing the representative machine loading signal and the reference machine loading signal, is used to control the machine throughput.

Abstract: An asparagus harvester has a frame movable along and above a bed of growing asparagus. Spears above a selected height are detected optically and are severed below ground and held and conveyed to a storage area.

Abstract: An automatic height control system for a header on a farm implement is disclosed wherein the height of the header is continuously controlled in response to the height of the crop on which the header is operating. The top of the crop is detected by sonar detection units, and appropriate electronic and electromechanical means are provided for controlling the height of the header in response to signals from the sonar detection units.

Abstract: A row crop harvester guidance system control circuit comprises a control valve for actuating a hydraulic cylinder connected to the tongue of a pull type harvester responsive either to first and second row crop sensing units mounted on opposite sides of a crop receiving passageway of the harvester or to a manual override switch. The row crop sensing units operate respectively a pair of sensor switches connected in circuit with the control valve. To prevent simultaneous generation of signals by both of the sensor switches, a pair of relays are connected in circuit with the sensor switches and the control valve. The manual override switch is connected in circuit with the relays and generates a control signal for operation of the hydraulic cylinder. The control signal has priority over any contradictory signal generated automatically by either of the sensor switches.

Abstract: A linkage system riding mower have an operator station located lever positionable between a first and second position corresponding respectively to a disengaged and engaged state of an attached mower deck. The linkage system cooperated with an interlock switch which shut down the vehicle engine should the vehicle operator disembark the vehicle while the mower deck is engaged.

Abstract: Sensor member having on it a ceramic crystal, is secured to a sieve or sieve frame of a combine harvester to be shaken with the sieve or sieve frame being so located that any grain which is discharged from the sieve and otherwise wasted will impact upon the sensor and cause an electrical signal to be transmitted by the crystal, the signal being amplified and transmitted to a readout station which enables the operator to immediately identify when grain is wasted. In being shaken along with the sieve the sensor presents a clean face to the grain, which might otherwise be partly obscured by chaff or other discrete material and this results in a higher degree of accuracy in the determination of wasted grain.

Abstract: An automatic control varies the ground speed of a combine due to changing field conditions, based on engine speed and combine feeder conveyor load variables.

Abstract: A combine harvester having a tube type sensor the full width of its chaffer sieve for detecting grain loss through the vertical area between the tail end thereof and the underside of the straw walker, comprises a carrier to which the sensor is mounted and structure providing for manual positioning thereof by the harvester operator within said area at will. In another embodiment a stationary tube sensor is mounted somewhat above the chaffer sieve tail end to also indicate the effect of excessive fan speed on grain loss.

Abstract: An electrically operated automatic adjustment system for a reel blade lawn mower to provide the proper contact pressure and cutting clearance between the reel blade and the bedknife at all times. An electrical signal is generated across the bedknife and reel blade that functionally represents the contact pressure. One or more measurable parameters of the signal define an optimum contact pressure. A control circuit uses signal values to continuous monitor and drive (if necessary) a motor or other control device connected to either the bedknife or the reel blade to maintain the optimum spatial relationship between the bedknife and the reel blade for optimum cutting.

Abstract: A two row harvesting aid including an easily adjustable, semi-floating, self-steering primary cutter head and an auxiliary second row attachment for harvesting row crops. Self-steering capabilities, a cut-off mechanism and a quick-adjustment are combined into a single integral unit on the primary harvester. Direction sensing is accomplished by utilizing a feeler arm or a set of feeler arms which follow the plant stock row or other protrusions or indentations. Forces detected by the guidance sensors are transmitted to a ring which is a part of the housing and/or shielding of the cut-off device. The steering forces may be transmitted to a steering system through a single connection. The auxiliary second row attachment includes a motor operatively connected to an auxiliary cutter head for simultaneously harvesting an adjacent row of crops.

Abstract: A closing mechanism for the trap door of a stone trap mounted in the floor of the feeder house on a combine harvester is disclosed wherein the trap door can be moved from a opened position to a closed position by the raising of the header. If the stone trap door has been opened for the ejection of non-crop material within the flow of crop material within the feeder house, a link interconnecting the trap door and the frame of the combine effects a pivotal movement of the trap door to its closed position upon actuation of the header lift cylinders to raise the feeder house and attached header above the ground. The link includes a spring to permit extension of the link should the feeder house be raised above a position necessary to affect the closing of the trap door.

Abstract: In a combine harvester, a microprocessor controls the adjustment of the cleaning sieve or sieves and/or chaffer sieve or sieves in response to information keyed into a keyboard by the combine operator. If the actual setting of a device (sieve or chaffer) is greater than the desired setting the device is first fully opened and maintained in that position for a predetermined period of time to allow foreign objects and crop material to clear itself from the device by normal combine operation. This avoids damage to the control linkage, sieve slats, and so forth. After the device is fully opened and maintained open for the predetermined interval of time it then closes beyond the desired setting by some predetermined amount after which the device is opened to the desired setting. This arrangement insures that the approach to the final adjustment is always made as the device is being opened, thereby allowing for compensation of play or backlash in the mechanical linkages which adjust the device.

Abstract: A combine harvester having threshing and separating mechanism, sieve through which crop material separated by the threshing and separating mechanism passes, cleaning mechanism having a fan operable to blow air through the sieve and hence clean the crop material on the sieve, the fan being driven by variable speed drive, sensor operable to sense the fore-and-aft inclination of the machine and produce a signal representative thereof, a device for selecting a nominal rotational speed for the fan during operation of the machine on level ground and producing a signal representative of that nominal speed, a device for combining the inclination signal and the nominal speed signal to produce a signal representative of the desired speed of the fan as a function of the fore-and-aft inclination of the machine, mechanism for measuring the actual rotational speed of the fan, and control mechanism responsive to the desired fan speed signal and the actual fan speed signal to produce a command signal for application to the v

Abstract: A ground speed control for an agricultural combine driven by a turbocharged engine through a variable transmission continuously monitors a plurality of speed and load parameters of the combine and engine, identifies the controlling parameter representing the limiting capacity in the harvesting process as field conditions change, and varies combine ground speed in response to such controlling parameter to maximize the harvest cutting rate. Sensors monitor ground speed, boost pressure and engine speed parameters and convert them to electrical signals which are compared to boost pressure and ground speed setpoint signals selected by the operator and to a fixed engine speed setpoint signal to derive error signals for such parameters. Voltage level sensitive OR-means and AND-means establish deadbands for the error signals having upper and lower limits on opposite sides of the corresponding setpoint signals.

Abstract: A rake wheel attachment for a harvesting machine such as a cylindrical baler comprises a wheel for engaging and moving crop material laterally of the path of the baler. The wheel is rotatably supported by a wheel support and is pivotably mounted on an arm attached to the machine about the axis of the arm which is generally perpendicular to the axis of the rotation. The rake wheel is biased into an operative position by a spring connected between the wheel support and the arm. The spring is yieldable to permit the wheel to pivot about the arm axis responsive to the engagement of the wheel with a rock or other foreign bodies.

Abstract: The floating cutter bar (37) of a harvester is mounted on the header by a series of laterally spaced parallel linkages (60). The cutter bar (37) is counterbalanced by the combination of compression springs (104) acting on the lower link (62) of each linkage (60) and overlapping sheet springs (111, 112) which also serve as an access ramp for harvested crop. The front ends of the links (61, 62) of the parallel linkages (60) are connected to the cutter bar skids (41, 43, 45, 47) by ball and socket joints (71, 76 and 72, 77).

Abstract: A combine harvester vehicle having threshing, separating and cleaning stages for cut crop material and a tailings return elevator for conveying tailings to one of the stages for recycling, is provided with a tailings monitor including a photodiode for transmitting a radiant energy beam across the path of tailings being conveyed in the elevator, an electrical circuit including a photodetector for deriving digital signals indicative of whether the beam is impinging on the photodetector or is being interrupted by the tailings, and an RC circuit which charges a capacitor through a resistance when the digital signal is present indicating that the beam is interrupted and discharges it when the opposite digital signal is present to thereby develop an average voltage across the capacitor which is an analog of the percentage of time that the beam is interrupted by the tailings being conveyed in the elevator and can be visually displayed on a voltmeter to the combine operator as a measure of tailings volume.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically controlling the operation of a non-track machine, such as a tractor used in plowing, fertilizing or mowing, may incorporate a guideway which limits the repetitive closed loop elongate path through which such a slave tractor operates to, electively, increasing or decreasing diametric distances, whereof a trolley, captive to the guideway, electively, pays out or takes in a control tether cable controlling the steering operation of the slave tractor.

Abstract: The method for automatically controlling the height of a header used with a farm implement comprises the steps of: sensing the height of the header above ground; selecting a desired height of the header above ground; determining any difference error between the selected height and the sensed height; determining the direction of the difference error, up or down; generating an electrical correction pulse having a duty cycle directly related to the amount of the difference error; supplying the electrical correction pulse to solenoid operated valving means to cause same to supply and/or relieve a pulse of pressurized fluid to a mechanism for raising or lowering the header; and repeating the above steps automatically and continuously to move the header in intermittent pulses toward the selected height, thereby automatically to control the height of the header above ground.

Abstract: An Agricultural combine having a sickle reciprocated by a wobble drive mechanism and a torsion bar coupled to the sickle to reduce the input torque requirement of the drive mechanism, is provided with a warning system to operate an alarm when energy is still stored in the torsion bar, unknown to the operator, when the drive mechanism is shut down and which stored energy could reciprocate the sickle and represent a hazard to the operator. The hazard warning system is disabled when the drive mechanism is operating.

Abstract: Disclosed is metal detector apparatus for protecting the crop processing unit of a forage harvester. A magnetic field is provided in the area through which crop material is being fed. The field is produced by magnets mounted in a pattern that creates lines of flux at an angle to the general direction of movement of material. A unique pick-up coil arrangement with windings in the magnetic field provides induced signals responsive to the presence of metal objects in the field.

Abstract: Tractor drawn baler for the formation of large diameter cylindrical or round bales. Baler comprises a bale-forming chamber into which the harvest products are fed through an opening by a pickup which removes the harvest products from a windrow. Detecting means such as pivoted arms with feeling rollers engaging the chamber circumference are provided along the length of the bale for detecting the lack of uniformity in the diameter of the latter. Steering means connected to the said detecting means for steering the baler by tansversely back and forth movement (zig-zag) relative to the windrow direct the harvest products toward the part of the bale that has the smallest diameter and thereby reestablishing the uniformity of diameter of the said bale.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrohydraulic control, which includes both an electrohydraulic valve (36) and an electronic control (382). The electronic control includes an offsetting circuit (622) and is effective to produce an effective driving voltage, for an electrical force-motor (52) of the electrohydraulic valve, that is pulse-width-modulated and that is greater than a fixed proportionality to an input signal (410) by a manually adjustable offset voltage. The offset voltage may be adjusted to produce a null force that exactly balances a spring (129) which presses the valve spool (54) to an overlapped position; so that fluid flow is proportional to an input signal irrespective of the initial load of the spring.

Abstract: An automatic asparagus picking machine is disclosed comprising a chassis able along a mound in which the asparagus are grown. The chassis has a picking tool which is mounted for horizontal and vertical translation at right angles to the direction of displacement of the chassis. The tops of the asparagus are back lit by a lighting system on one side of the mound and their images are picked up by a camera system on the other side. A microprocessor controls the direction of displacement of the chassis parallel to the mound and controls the horizontal and vertical translation of the picking tool. In one embodiment, there is one camera and the microprocessor has a window generator generating windows in two zones of the field of view of the camera. In another embodiment, juxtaposed wide angle and narrow angle cameras are used. Electric motors drive each of two front wheels at different speeds to control the direction of displacement of the machine.

Abstract: A machine has two relatively movable portions and relative movement between the portions is sensed by means generating an electric current. In the preferred embodiment this means comprises a permanent magnet on one portion and an induction coil and a soft-iron core on the other portion. The two portions are parts of an overload coupling interconnected with a shear pin. When the coupling is overloaded, a shear pin fractures and the two portions rotate relative to one another. This causes a current to be generated in the coil which actuates a signal element. The device provides a visual indication of the operative condition of the two portions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for keeping a machine member of an agricultural machine at a substantially constant height above a field during its movement through the field. A wheel-supported main frame supports, for vertical movement, an auxiliary frame carrying the machine member and also carrying an ultrasonic transducer spaced at a constant distance away from the machine member. The machine member is set at an initial position relative to the surface of said field. Thereafter the position of said machine member relative to said main frame is determined, and an electrical signal corresponding thereto generated. The height of said transducer above the field is determined ultrasonically and an electrical signal corresponding thereto generated.

Abstract: Crop collecting apparatus comprising a platform (1) adapted for pivotal up and down movement about an axis that is located at the rear of the platform and extends transversely with respect to the direction of usual forwards motion of the apparatus, the platform comprising a leading section (11) and a rear section (4) hinged together about an intermediate transverse axis (12) extending parallel to said rear axis, and actuation means (3) provided to pivot the platform about the rear axis so as to raise and lower the platform relative to the ground, support means (23) connected between the leading and rear sections (11,4) of the platform (1) so as to support the weight of the leading section and allow it to pivot within a pre-set angular range, sensor means (29,30) that senses when the leading section (11) reaches the limits of the pre-set angular range, and control means (33,34,35) provided to control operation of the actuation means (3) in a manner dependent upon operation of the sensor means (29,30) so that i

Abstract: A self propelled combine having forward main drive wheels and rear steerable wheels. A hydrostatic drive including a variable displacement motor is arranged to drive the main drive wheels. An electronic-hydraulic control system is automatically operable to drive the rear steerable wheels in response to sensing preselected pressure and combine attitude values while automatically varying the displacement of the hydrostatic drive motor to minimize combine speed changes and to provide torque as required under varying loads imposed by hilly terrain or increasing amounts of grain collected in the grain tank of the combine.

Abstract: It is desirable to ascertain the amount of grain passing over the sieves and the like of a combine harvester so that adjustments can be made to reduce this loss to a minimum. Acoustic, electronic and other involved devices are available but these are relatively expensive, and, if faults occur, difficult to replace and/or repair, particularly in the field. The present device is basically mechanical and comprises a hinged frame under the harvesting machine just forwardly of the straw and chaff discharge with a cover plate hinged to it and a drop box detachably held in the frame. When in the closed position it is held by a latch which, when actuated, releases the frame and drops the rear end by gravity onto the ground and holds the cover up so that the drop box slides free of the frame onto the ground. When the straw and chaff discharge passes over the drop box, it collects a sample of grain discharged with the straw and chaff.

Abstract: A root crop harvester comprises means for picking up a mixture of roots, dirt and debris from the surface of a cultivated field and conveying the mixture upwardly and rearwardly along the harvester. The mixture is cleaned of small articles of dirt and debris by apertures along the conveyor means, ribbed rollers and the like. The partially cleaned mixture is passed to sorting conveyors which counterrotate to convey approximately one-half (1/2) of the mixture towards each side of the harvester. Sources of light are positioned to transmit light along the terminal ends of the sorting conveyors and a plurality of light sensors are positioned to receive light reflected from objects located at the terminal ends of the sorting conveyors. The reflected light is processed to generate root signals and dirt/debris signals. Rejecting fingers respond to the root signals to pass roots to a root crop conveyor and respond to dirt/debris signals to pass dirt and debris to a dirt and debris conveyor.