Abstract: An automatic depth adjusting control system and method for controlling the vertical position of a pair of corn detasseling devices adjustably mounted on a farm implement for removing tassels from two adjacent rows of corn plants. The control system includes a parallel link system for supporting the corn detasseling devices, a hydraulic cylinder connected to the parallel link system for controlling the vertical movement thereof to raise and lower the pair of corn detasseling devices, and a crop sensing unit positioned forwardly of each of the detasseling devices for detecting the height of the corn plants in a corresponding corn row. Each crop sensing unit provides for the transmission of either a raise signal or a lower signal, in response to the height of the corn plants in an associated row, to electrical circuitry and then hydraulic circuitry for actuating the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: An agricultural machine displaceable in a predetermined travel direction and having relative thereto a plurality of forwardly extending arms forming forwardly open throats for receiving respective rows of a crop during harvesting thereof has a position-detecting system comprising a feeler pivoted about an upright axis underneath each of the arms. Each feeler is an elastically flexible plate carried on a rigid arm connected to the respective pivot and each plate has a pair of lateral edges each exposed in front of a respective one of the throats flanking the respective plate. The feelers are all mechanically connected for joint pivoting by a common link that is connected to a signal generator in turn connected to the steering system of the agricultural machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to crop harvesting machines fitted with detector means for detecting the presence of undesirable objects such as metallic objects. The invention seeks to solve the problem of known machines in which some form of slipping clutch is provided which operates when drive is arrested due to the presence of an undesirable object and which may overheat, and the problem of normal drive being re-established without first ensuring the removal of the offending object. According to the invention a harvesting machine comprises crop processing means, feeder means for feeding crop material to the processing means, a drive train for driving the feeder means, and detector means for detecting undesirable objects passing through the feeder means, the detector means being operable upon the detection of an undesirable object to initiate instantaneous arrest of the drive to the feeder means and to break the drive train for the feeder means.

Abstract: An attachment to a conventional tomato harvester to accommodate the harvesting of tomato crops in areas where tomato vines are grown through holes in sheet plastic, disposed atop the ground in the tomato fields. A shearing device is vertically pivotally carried centrally of the forward bottom end of a conveyor which transports the tomato vines rearwardly upwardly into the harvester, after being cut just above the sheet plastic, for removal of the tomatoes from the vines, as well as for cleaning, sorting, etc. Rearwardly of the shears, a pair of large rotary brushes feed the vines to a paddle wheel device which cooperates with the brushes in initiating the movement of the vines upwardly with the conveyor movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic speed control system for controlling the peripheral speed of a pick-up reel rotatively mounted about the front of a peanut combine. During the harvesting operation, the hydraulic speed control system is adapted to drive the pick-up reel at a generally constant speed as long as the ground speed of the peanut combine is equal to or less than a selected speed. The hydraulic control system is responsive to the ground speed of the peanut combine such that once the ground speed exceeds said selected speed, the hydraulic control system then drives the pick-up reel in proportion to ground speed such that the peripheral speed of the reel is generally equal the harvester ground speed in order that the relative velocity between the entering crop material being delivered to the combine by the reel and the combine itself is generally zero.

Abstract: A lawn mower, designed with a set of built-in mechanical sensor and piloting mechanisms, which enable it to pilot itself along the edge line between the grass already cut and grass not yet cut, in a fairly straight course, and then to reverse its direction at the end of a run, move itself sideways towards the uncut grass and proceed with another run. The lawn mower will not move in an area where there is no grass, and an obstacle in its path will reverse it. The lawn mower drive wheels are driven by a planetary gear mechanism which is coupled both to the motor and to rotatable sensor brushes mounted ahead of the drive wheels so that the planetary mechanism transmits power to the drive wheels only when the sensor brushes encounter resistance, such as from uncut grass, ahead of the drive wheels. The planetary gear mechanism is mounted on a guide frame that is pivotally mounted to the drive wheel frame so as to engage a first of two counter-rotating gears linked on the wheel frame to the drive wheels.

Abstract: This invention is a weed puller apparatus connectable to the rear or front portions of a tractor and can be used jointly with a cultivator to loosen the soil. The weed puller apparatus includes (1) a main support means selectively connected to the rear or front of the tractor; (2) a weed pulling means connected to the main support means; and (3) a power and control means operably associated with the power supply of the tractor and connected to the weed pulling means to drive same. The weed pulling means includes cooperating pairs of contacting weed pulling assemblies, some are driven by the power means and others are driven by frictional contact between adjacent ones.

Abstract: A fully automatic self-propelled self-guiding lawn mower in which guidance of the lawn mower is based on the principal of a magnet following a passive ribbon or wire of ferromagnetic material. The lawn mower includes two drive wheels located on opposite sides of the vehicle. Each drive wheel is connected to a drive shaft on the vehicle through a separate solenoid controlled clutch and each drive wheel is equipped with a separate electromagnet controlled brake. The drive shaft is turned at a constant rate of speed by a battery powered electric motor. The guidance system for controlling the movement and direction of the lawn mower includes a rotably mounted bar magnet horizontally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and fixedly coupled to an electrical contact wiper arm that traverses an arcuate array of radially extending electrical contacts.

Abstract: Device for regulating the height of the cutter platform of a combine harvester by its automatic return to an adjustable, predetermined height after lowering by a jack includes a rod which slides freely downwards causing an abutment surface to compress a spring which reacts through a double arm lever to reset a distributor valve, causing the jack to raise the platform.

Abstract: An improved riding mower is described of the type having propulsion means, a seat for the operator, and at least one cutting head which is hydraulically driven. The cutting head is controllable between an operating norm and a non-operating norm by means of a hydraulic valve having two moveable spools, and the cutting head is moveable between a cutting position and a transport position by means of a hydraulic cylinder. A solenoid is employed to control one of the moveable spools. A first electrical switch actuated by pressure in the seat, a second electrical switch actuated by the hydraulic cylinder, and a third electrical switch actuated by the second of said spools independently actuate the solenoid in order to stop operation of the cutting head when the operator is out of the seat, when the cutting head is not in cutting position, and when the operator does not desire cutting action.

Abstract: An implement for cutting canes, foliage and the like of a row crop, the implement having a frame adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, such as a tractor having a tool bar movable to and from a lowered position, for movement with the vehicle along a path of travel substantially parallel to the row crop; a cutting head mounted on the frame for movement to and from an extended cutting position; a mechanism borne by the frame for moving the cutting head to and from the extended cutting position; and a control system operably interconnecting the tool bar and the mechanism for moving the cutting head to the extended cutting position when the tool bar of the tractor is moved to the lowered position.

Abstract: An automatic attitude control system is disclosed for a harvester having a crop pickup connected for pivoting about a transverse axis near the forward end of a crop-gathering head. The system automatically raises or lowers the crop-gathering head to maintain the angle between the upper run of the pickup belt or conveyor and the head within preselected angular limits to assure proper feeding of the crop from the pickup to a transverse auger or the like on the head. Two sensors are provided, each with a plurality of reed switches, including a group of parallel "raise" switches and a group of parallel "lower" switches, and a magnetic actuator mounted for relative movement with respect to the switches as the pickup pivots with respect to the head. The sensor switches are connected to a circuit for activating a control valve for the head cylinders to raise the head when one or more of the switches in either of the "raise" groups are closed by the actuator.

Abstract: A starting interlock system for power equipment having a cam rotatable between two positions corresponding to energization modes of the equipment and a lever for holding the cam in each position. The cam has two cam surfaces, each of which is engaged by a separate one of two contact surfaces on the lever. The cam is pivotally mounted in a housing on the power equipment operator handle and the housing has an opening for insertion of a key into engagement with the cam to facilitate manual rotation of the cam. In a first energization mode, the lever must be continually manually held by the operator to retain the cam against rotation. Upon release of the lever, the cam pivots to a position corresponding to a second energization mode where it is locked against rotation until the lever is again manipulated by the operator. In the first energization mode, the key is retained within the housing, and cannot be removed.

Abstract: A self-propelled harvesting machine of the type having an automatic steering system is provided with a pair of feelers extending toward one another from the facing surfaces of a pair of plant row dividers located at the forward end of the machine. Each feeler is mounted for motion within the casing of one of the dividers in cooperation with a magnetic transducer located within that casing, and extends from the interior of the casing through an elongated slot in the side wall of the casing. The external portion of each feeler extends in a rearward direction relative to the side wall of the casing and has a comparatively shallow convex arcuate configuration terminating at a free end of the feeler which is located to the rear of the rearward end of the slot.

Abstract: A motor control circuit for controlling the operation of an electric lawnmower comprising an operator sensor responsive to the bridging of first and second operator contacts mounted on the lawnmower handle to provide a motor actuate signal and a power control circuit responsive to the motor actuate signal to connect the blade motor to a power source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a speed control unit associated with a peanut combine for driving and controlling the peripheral speed of a forwardly disposed crop engaging pick-up reel rotatively mounted transversely about the front of the peanut combine. The speed control unit basically includes a dual input drive system including a first drive operatively connected to at least one ground engaging wheel of the combine for providing an input drive corresponding to the ground speed of the peanut combine. A second generally constant input drive is provided from a power take-off source associated with the peanut combine. These two drives simultaneously drive a centrifugal clutch which includes an output drive member that is driven at a speed corresponding to the faster of the two input drives.

Abstract: A vine crop, e.g. tomato harvester is disclosed which has a crop processing mechanism that is movable through a field and a rearwardly and upwardly inclined elevator or header that is pivotally connected to a forward end of the processing mechanism. A leading edge of the elevator is proximate the ground and a level control wheel is vertically movably connected to the header and positioned forward of its leading edge. The wheel is defined by a multiplicity of tines, the free ends of which engage the ground so that the wheel rolls over the ground as the harvester moves through the field. The tines have a longitudinally convex configuration facing in the direction of rotation of the wheel. A control mechanism is actuated by relative vertical movements of the wheel for raising and lowering the leading edge of the elevator in response to ground surface irregularities sensed by the wheel.

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting vegetable heads is disclosed. A sensing means including a pair of parallel, laterally movable, head-engaging units, which are counter-rotated, is fixed to a frame. A cutting means is mounted on the frame and is responsive to the sensing means. The cutting means includes a horizontal knife blade rotatable 180.degree. for each head cut. The severed head is removed from the cutting area by a pair of counter-rotating lifter belts.

Abstract: A closed-loop height control for the header of a combine harvester permits adjustment of height setpoint and deadband from the operator's platform without stopping the combine. A variable capacitance is rotated in accordance with minimum clearance between header and ground to generate a continuous electrical header height signal which is compared to a setpoint signal indicative of desired header height to derive a height error signal whose value is at a null level when actual header height is equal to desired height indicated by the setpoint signal and which deviates in both magnitude and direction from the null level as a function of the variation between actual header height and setpoint height. Raise and lower command signals are derived in response to a predetermined deviation of the height error signal in opposite directions respectively from the null level by first and second Schmitt trigger circuits having switching levels which respectively are greater than and less than the null value.

Abstract: An automatic lawn mower operable to cut about the periphery of a lawn, moving inwardly, and automatically shutting off at the conclusion of the cutting operation. A cut border is placed about the periphery of the lawn to be mowed and also about any obstacles within the area. The mower utilizes an array of light sensitive resistors and a columnized light source to detect the transition between cut and uncut grass in order to track in an irregularly shaped spiral to the center of the lawn. A portion of the sensor system provides for proper guidance of the mower around the cut perimeter of any obstacles in the cutting area. The mower may utilize an array of light sensitive resistors, a columnized light source and actuated light reflectors to detect the transition between cut and uncut grass in order to track in an irregularly shaped spiral to the center of the lawn.

Abstract: A system is provided for automatically controlling the forward speed of travel of a combine in response to feeder and separator loading and to reduce speed in proportion to grain losses exceeding predetermined limits. A hydrostatic transmission between the combine engine and drive wheels is controlled by a control element actuated by a hydraulic cylinder which is controlled from a control valve actuated by solenoids connected to the output of a comparator circuit. Signals from separator and feed load sensors and also from grain loss monitors are combined and applied to one input of the comparator circuit and a signal from a feedback sensor coupled to the hydraulic cylinder is applied to the second input of the comparator. The load sensors include potentiometers coupled to spring-loaded idler pulleys which are engaged with drive belts for the separator and feeder drive shafts and the feedback sensor is also a potentiometer.

Abstract: A system for the lateral guidance of agricultural machines, especially harvesting machines to be guided along a line determined by a crop row or a stand of crop along a previously cut swath, has a deflectible sensor for feeling the position of the crop along the guide line and means for automatically steering the vehicle to maintain the latter along a predetermined path established by this line. The improvement of the invention comprises a deflector fixed rearwardly of the sensor to prevent excessive displacement thereof by individual stalks which may be out-of-place and thereby preclude an excessive response of the automatic steering system because of occasional out-of-place stalks.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester having a header pivotally connected to the forward end of said harvester and said header having a flexible floating cutterbar on the forward lower edge thereof and a rotary reel mounted for automatically adjustable movement toward and from said cutterbar by power means to prevent accidental contact between the same. The harvester also includes power means to elevate the header to enable the same to effect desired spacing from the surface of a field when the contour is such as to require the same. Sensing means responsive to the surface of a field control the operation of the respective power means for said reel and header automatically.

Abstract: A rotary cutting system for use with a row crop harvesting apparatus includes a pair of contra-rotating sickle assemblies operating in conjunction with a system of flexible, toothed crop-gathering belts. Each sickle assembly includes at least a pair of multi-toothed sickle blades arranged to cooperate with a stationary cutting member. As the belts are driven to gather in crop material, the sickle blades function to sever the material near ground level, the two sickel assemblies being arranged to operate simultaneously on two adjacent rows of crop material. Mirror-image construction of the sickle assemblies permits use of sickle blades having multiple, double-edged teeth such that the blades can be interchanged between assemblies for optimum blade utilization. The stationary cutting member is also of double-edged construction and is mounted for reversible operation.

Abstract: A mobile ground vehicle is provided intended to move along a path oriented in predetermined position relative to the vehicle and blower structure is mounted on the vehicle and includes an outlet opening outwardly from the vehicle laterally of the aforementioned path. Deflector structure is operatively associated with the outlet for variably deflecting the discharge of air from the outlet through an arch of angular deflection disposed in a plane generally paralleling the aforementioned path and including extremes inclined in opposite directions along the path. Drive structure is operatively associated with the deflector structure for driving the latter between the extremes of angular deflection thereof and object sensor structure is carried by the vehicle for sensing objects past which the vehicle is moved.

Abstract: A guidance assist system is mounted on an agricultural machine for directing the lateral movement thereof with respect to the severed edge of the crop material being harvested thereby. The crop, including the severed edge, is periodically, optically, scanned and an output signal, in response to the reflected illumination therefrom, is generated having a discontinuity therein representative of the severed crop edge. The deviation of this discontinuity from a predetermined point along the scan is determined by the apparatus and an error signal representative thereof is coupled to the utilization means for directing the lateral movement of the agricultural machine such that the error signal is reduced towards zero.

Abstract: The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to a monitoring system for detecting variations in the flow of a fluid through a passage such as an air duct associated with a cotton picker or other harvesting machine. Air flow sensing means is provided for mounting in the air duct to provide a first signal condition in response to the flow of air above a predetermined minimum level and a second signal condition in response to the flow of air below the predetermined minimum level. The air flow sensing means is coupled to an indicator means which attracts the attention of the harvesting machine operator and indicates which one, of a plurality of air ducts, is malfunctioning.

Abstract: An engine with an air vane type governor and provision for preventing overspeeding of the engine in the event the governor fails to do so, wherein a normally restrained or loaded spring acts to effect closing adjustment of the throttle valve upon release of its restraint by a tripping device actuated by a centrifugally projected plunger on the engine flywheel. In a modified embodiment, the release of the spring effects closure of an ignition grounding switch.

Abstract: A portable power tool particularly suited for use in removing plant growth and debris from the peripheral zones of upstanding heads for subterranean sprinkler systems. The tool is characterized by a portable frame adapted to be positioned above an upstanding sprinkler head in an operative relationship therewith, a drive shaft mounted on the frame having a rotatable cutting head connected thereto for cutting an annular swath about the sprinkler head in response to rotary motion imparted to the drive shaft, and an electrically energizable motor connected to the drive shaft and adapted to respond to a positioning of the frame into an operative relationship with a sprinkler head for imparting rotary motion to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A safety system for a lawn mower is provided for disengaging the blade from the drive when the mower is backing up. The safety system includes a gear which rotates with a wheel of the mower and a toothed member engagable with the gear. When the mower backs up and the gear rotates in one direction, it engages the toothed member and moves it from a first to a second position. A linkage connected with the toothed member and a clutch in the drive train then disengages the clutch and disconnects the mower blade from the drive. When the mower moves forwardly again, the toothed member is moved by the gear back to the first position and the linkage moves the clutch to its engaged position again to rotate the blade by the drive, assuming the shift lever is in its engaged position.

Abstract: An automatic height control for the header of a combine in which the elevation of the header relative to the ground is varied by hydraulic means under the control of the system using the presence or absence of light to lower or raise the header, the light being regulated by feeler members engageable with the ground and being responsive to changes in ground contour.

Abstract: A tobacco harvester having a hydraulic control system for automatically and continuously controlling and maintaining the speed of a leaf defoliator assembly relative to and in proportion to the ground speed of the tobacco harvester. The hydraulic control system is adapted to continuously control the horizontal rearward speed component of the defoliating elements of a leaf defoliator assembly such that the defoliating elements move rearwardly during leaf defoliation at approximately the same speed the harvester is moving forward.To provide for continuous speed control of the defoliator assembly, the hydraulic speed control system is operative to continuously effectively sense or monitor harvester ground speed and to continuously drive the defoliator assembly in proportion to the effectively sensed or monitored ground speed.

Abstract: A harvester has an apron on whose leading edge is provided a sickle bar. Immediately behind and parallel to this sickle bar there is provided a flexible tube having at its front edge a lip connected to the apron and at its rear edge a lip connected to a horizontally extending throw-off member. Inside the tube there is provided a pair of parallel metal strips which on, compression of the tube, close a circuit that generates a signal. This signal may be employed to warn the operator that a rock rests on the apron or may serve to stop the mower and/or reverse the crop feeder. In addition an automatic flipper is provided to pivot the throw-off member secured to the rear lip of the tube so as to automatically to flip the picked-up foreign body off the apron.

Abstract: A safety start system for lawn and garden equipment in which a single safety switch completes the starting circuit of the power source by responding to the disengaged condition of both the main clutch and the implement clutch of the machine. The starting circuit is completed in direct response to the operator's moving the implement clutch handle to its disengaged position thereby permitting a resilient actuating member to close a safety switch and complete the circuit. The circuit is interrupted upon his engagement of the main clutch through a release of the clutch pedal which changes the deflection point of the resilient actuating member from the safety switch to linkage which is connected to the clutch pedal mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided a rotary corn stalk cutter for use as an attachment on a combine type of harvesting machine which is equipped with a vertically inclined corn head and platform. The cutter includes a housing which is dependingly attached to the bottom of the platform in the open space between two successive row divider points. A telescopic linkage is provided for adjusting the attitude of the cutter housing in order to maintain the knives of the cutter in parallel relationship with the ground regardless of the angular position of the corn head and platform. A ledger blade in combination with the cutter knives is provided for comminutating the cut stalks and an opening is provided in the housing for discharging the chopped material rearwardly of the direction of travel of the combine.

Abstract: Automatic height control system for crop pick up reel of peanut combine. The implement is supported at the front on the draught links of a tractor and at the rear on its own ground wheels. A height sensing wheel adjacent the pick-up reel senses ground contours. A linkage of pivotally interconnected links transmits height control signals from the height sensing wheel to the top control link of the tractor's hitch whereby the tractor's draught control system maintains the reel at constant height.

Abstract: A static magnetic field detector for harvesting machines senses the passage of ferrous or magnetic objects utilizing a balanced magnetic field excitation configuration which provides substantial self-cancellation of spurious background signals. A novel filtering means provides normalization of the fluctuations in the background noise due to the variations in the angular velocity of the rotating harvesting machine components. Additionally, the detector apparatus is disposed within a compressor feed roll of the machine thereby reducing the area which must be scanned and increasing the sensitivity of the device.

Abstract: A harvester displaceable along the ground in a transport direction determined by a steering mechanism itself operated by a controller has a sensor formed of a pair of sensor arms pivotal on the harvester about pivot axes spaced apart transverse to the harvester transport direction. These arms are biased into a position extending normally toward and in line with each other and have inner ends which overlap so that displacement of the chassis of the harvester along the ground will bring crop into engagement with these arms and deflect them backwardly. Each of the arms is connected to a potentiometer and these potentiometers are wired in series such that as the one arm is deflected backwardly the resistance of its potentiometer increases and as the other arm is deflected backwardly the resistance of its potentiometer decreases.

Abstract: The stone trap of the present invention is used in cooperation with the crop elevator of a threshing and separating machine. The crop elevator has an opening positioned in its bottom wall along the path of the incoming crop material. A pivotally mounted door is positioned above the opening. A lip is rigidly mounted around the periphery of the opening and extends below the crop elevator. This lip maintains the door in a closed position until the door has moved through a predetermined distance. The movement of the door is determined by the operation of a controlling means mounted to both the door and the crop elevator and a force exerting means operably associated with the controlling means.

Abstract: An electrical grounding system for grounding the ignition system of an internal combustion engine on a tractor or the like to prevent the starting of the engine and to stop the engine when operating unless switches of the grounding system are so set by operating conditions and positions of parts of the tractor or the like. The grounding system is arranged so that unless switches in an electrical circuit of the grounding system are set or maintained in proper position by operations of the tractor or the like, (such as the clutch of a grass cutting unit carried by the tractor or the like, such as the clutch of the drive mechanism of the tractor or the like, such as by the occupancy or non-occupancy of the seat of the tractor or the like, or such as the connection or dis-connection of a grass catcher to the tractor or the like) the ignition system of the engine is grounded or short circuited and the engine is inoperative.

Abstract: A self-propelled combine has a forward, vertically adjustable feeder house carrying a transversely elongated harvesting platform at its forward end. A flexible cutter bar is mounted on the leading lower edge of the platform by a plurality of transversely spaced independently vertically adjustable arms that permit different areas of the cutter bar to adjust independently of the other areas so that the cutter bar is free to follow the contour of the ground. A transverse rockshaft is journaled on the platform rearwardly of the cutter bar and has a plurality of radial feeler arms that engage the respective cutter bar mounting arms, so that as the mounting arms swing upwardly, the rockshaft rotates to a position that corresponds to the uppermost arm. One end of the rockshaft is connected by a suitable linkage to the movable element of an indicator at the side of the platform to give the operator a visual indication of the position of the uppermost area of the cutter bar.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a riding lawn mower including a bumper movably supported on the lawn mower frame rearwardly of the rear wheels for movement between an extended position and a retracted position, together with power transmission means connecting an engine to a rotary component and including a member movable relative to a first position permitting engagement of the transmission and to a second position preventing engagement of the transmission, and means connecting the bumper to the member so as to locate the member in the first position permitting engagement of the transmission when the bumper is in the extended position and in the second position to prevent engagement of the transmission when the bumper is in the retracted position.

Abstract: The windrow pickup header of a forage harvester is supported at least in part by gauging means that senses rises and falls in the terrain in front of the header to swing the latter up and down to accommodate such unevenness in the terrain. Long, generally fore-and-aft extending arms on opposite sides of the header have caster wheels at the forwardmost, free ends thereof and have inturned sections at their opposite ends which are fixed to the header adjacent the top of the latter and spaced substantially above the swinging axis of the header so that any rearwardly directed force applied to the caster wheels is transmitted through the arms to the top of the header to swing the same upwardly to overcome the force, rather than causing the header to buckle downwardly under as a result of the force application.

Abstract: A tethering device kit particularly adapted for use with a self-propelled lawnmower. The kit includes a turret head having a pair of upstanding winding stakes, a tether cord being wound in loop formation about those stakes. The turret head is provided with a base mount that permits it to be fixed onto the rim of an automobile wheel. The base mount is fabricated such that the central axis of the turret head is coaxially disposed with the rotational axis of the wheel when connected thereto. At least one ground stake extends from the underside of the turret head in a direction opposite to that which the winding stakes extend. The ground stake or stakes are positioned so that same penetrate the ground when the wheel, with the turret mounted unit, is laid flat on the ground so that the winding stakes extend upward. A center sleeve in the turret head provides the bearing which permits the wheel to be raised on edge by a special removable handle, and then rolled to a new position. The handle is included in the kit.

Abstract: A ferrous material detector operably associated with a crop harvesting machine including a signal generating means operably associated with the compressing means of a harvester. The signal generating means generates a signal during the normal operation of the harvester and interrupts the signal whenever undesirable objects pass in the vicinity of the compressing means. The ferrous material detector also includes a drive system interrupting means which is activated whenever the signal is interrupted.

Abstract: A standing-crop harvester has a chassis adapted to be displaced along the ground in a transport direction and carrying a pair of guide wheels which are normally controlled from a steering wheel. A sensor carried on an arm in front of the machine detects the edge of a swath in a standing crop and generates an output which varies the impedance of one element of a bridge circuit. Another element of this bridge circuit has its impedance varied in accordance with inclination of the harvester on the ground, another element is varied in accordance with the speed of the harvester on the ground, and a fourth element is varied in accordance with the position of the wheels of the harvester relative to the direction of travel.

Abstract: A device includes a transducer for measuring the amount of grain lost by the thresher and a transducer for measuring the amount of grain supplied to the hopper of a grain combine which transducers are connected through an electronic unit in the form of a ratio detector to an indicator calibrated in relative units to register the ratio of the output signals of the transducers for indicating the the magnitudes or rates of grain flow and of the changes in the process of separation of grain in the grain combine. The transducer for measuring the amount of grain supplied to the hopper of the grain combine is installed under the sieve of the cleaner and has an elongated form and a width which is smaller than that of the sieve of the grain combine. The utilization of the device reduces the losses of grain in the thresher and improves labour productivity.