Abstract: A header for an agricultural vehicle includes: a header frame; at least two row dividers carried by the header frame and defining a gap therebetween; and a crop material saver disposed in the gap and including a pair of saver flaps, each of the saver flaps being positioned such that the saver flaps co-act as a one-way pass-through to allow crop material flow past the saver flaps in an admission direction and inhibit crop material flow past the saver flaps in an inhibited direction opposite the admission direction.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle including a chassis, at least one power take off member, and a folding header operably coupled to the agricultural vehicle and supported by the chassis. The folding header includes a center section operably coupled to the chassis of the agricultural vehicle. The center section includes a pair of lateral ends and at least one drive assembly operably coupled to the at least one power take off member of the agricultural vehicle. The folding header also includes at least one additional section pivotally coupled to one of the lateral ends of the center section and operably coupled to the at least one drive assembly. The at least one additional section is selectively pivotable between an operational position and a nonoperational position. The center section is configured to harvest a crop material in both of the operational position and nonoperational position of the at least one additional section.

Abstract: A mulching device is equipped with a tool that can be set into rotation about an axis of rotation tilted upwards and to the rear in order to process plant stubble. The rotational direction of the tool can be selected such that the tool is pressed back out of the ground by the driving torque in the event of an overload.

Abstract: A row crop harvesting header (24) operable to be advanced along a forward travel direction to harvest a series of plants in a crop row. The row crop harvesting header broadly includes a row crop toolbar (48), a crop-gathering row unit assembly, and a plant stalk stomper (42). The row crop toolbar (48) extends laterally relative to the forward travel direction. The row unit assembly is supported by the toolbar (48) to define a forwardly extending row path, with the row unit assembly being operable to collect the crop row along the row path and sever crop stalks as the header (24) moves forwardly. The row unit housing (54) is attached to the row crop toolbar (48) with forward and aft fasteners (44). The plant stalk stomper (42) is attached to the toolbar (48) with at least one of the fasteners (44).

Abstract: A corn harvester that includes a corn head including a plurality of dividers is provided. Each divider includes a hood with a top surface, and first and second side surfaces, one of the first or second side surfaces including a recessed area formed therein. The corn harvester includes an auger mounted to the hood. The auger is configured to be powered to rotate about an auger central axis. The corn harvester includes a tall corn attachment mounted to the hood and configured to be positioned in a stored position or a working position. In the stored position, the tall corn attachment is received within the recessed area of the hood. In the working position, the tall corn attachment extends from the top surface of the hood and at least partially covers a radial section of the auger.

Abstract: A corn harvester that includes a corn head including a plurality of dividers. Each divider includes a top surface, first and second side surfaces, a proximal end and a distal end. One of the first or second side surfaces includes a recessed area formed therein. The corn harvester includes a tall corn attachment mounted to the hood and configured to be positioned in a stored position or a working position. In the stored position, the tall corn attachment is received within the recessed area of the hood. In the working position, the tall corn attachment extends from the top surface of the hood. The tall corn attachment includes a latching mechanism for locking the tall corn attachment in the stored position or the working position.

Abstract: A corn header for a combine harvester capable of lifting stalks that have fallen sideways in a row is provided. The corn header includes a frame, a plurality of row units and a plurality of row dividers for guiding crop plants toward the row units. The frame is mounted to a forward end of the combine harvester. The plurality of row units extends forward from the frame. Each row divider is connected to and extends forward of at least one row unit, and includes a conveyor connected to a lateral side of the row divider for the purpose of lifting and propelling crop plants into the corn header. In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor is an auger including a helical flight having a non-circular profile or a plurality of notches to increase its ability to lift and propel crop plants into the corn header.

Abstract: A corn header for an agricultural harvester is disclosed. The header includes a chassis having first and second lateral ends and a plurality of row units defining crop receiving gaps. The header further includes a power takeoff member having a first end operatively connected to the agricultural harvester. A plurality of chopping units is carried by the chassis adjacent the row units, each chopping unit including a rotating blade configured to span a crop receiving gap of the row unit. A drive assembly including a gearbox, driveshaft and secondary gearbox is operably connected to the second end of the power takeoff member. The drive shaft extends from the gearbox to the secondary gearbox disposed between the first and second lateral ends of the chassis. The drive shaft is operably connected to a rotating line shaft of the row units or the chopping units via the secondary gearbox.

Abstract: An adjustable gathering chain assembly includes a drive unit, a driven unit spaced from and movable with respect to the drive unit and an endless gathering chain extending between the drive unit and the driven unit. An adjustment unit including an idler member in engagement with the gathering chain is operable to move the idler member with respect to the drive unit in order to move the driven unit between first and second positions relative to the drive unit whereby the header may effectively harvest both standing crop and downed or lodged crop depending on harvesting conditions.

Abstract: A narrow row head unit may include a back plate secured to a left gearbox and a right gearbox, which gearboxes may be positioned adjacent one another. Each gearbox may provide rotational power to a pair of stalk rolls and a drive sprocket for a gathering chain. A right mounting tab may be secured to the back plate and the right gearbox, and a left mounting tab may be secured to the back plate and left gearbox. A right plate and leg may extend outward from the back plate adjacent the right mounting tab and a left plate and leg may extend outward from the back plate adjacent the left mounting tab. A narrow row head unit positioned left-of-center on a header may have the gathering chain positioned substantially over the right plate, and right-of-center substantially over the left plate.

Abstract: Four (4) methods to reduce stalk shear in a corn head row unit utilize a non-variable or dependent drive system. The four methods described include altering the gearbox ratio, increasing the lengths of the fluted portion of the stalk roll, increasing stalk roll diameter or reducing the size of the gathering chain drive sprocket. A method for reducing the size of the gathering chain drive sprocket includes the steps of providing a kit with a kit gathering chain drive sprocket of reduced size and replacing the gathering chain drive sprocket with the kit gathering chain drive sprocket.

Abstract: One embodiment of a narrow row head unit may include a back plate secured to a left gearbox and a right gearbox, which gearboxes may be positioned adjacent one another. Each gearbox may provide rotational power to a pair of stalk rolls and a drive sprocket for a gathering chain. A right mounting tab may be secured to the back plate and the right gearbox, and a left mounting tab may be secured to the back plate and left gearbox. A right plate and leg may extend outward from the back plate adjacent the right mounting tab and a left plate and leg may extend outward from the back plate adjacent the left mounting tab. A narrow row head unit positioned left-of-center on a header may have the gathering chain positioned substantially over the right plate, and right-of-center substantially over the left plate.

Abstract: The system and method automatically controls the position of at least one deck plate of a harvesting unit of a corn header so as to increase the width of a stalk receiving channel or reduce pinching forces between the plates when entering a stand of corn to facilitate alignment with the corn rows, and to change the position after a suitable time period or other condition or event, to narrow the channel width and/or increase pinching force, to reduce kernel loss while also monitoring forces exerted against the plates by the stalks and responsively adjusting the plate position for maintaining a desired force on the stalks or width.

Abstract: There is described a method of forming a touch screen laminate for use in a resistive touch screen display, the method comprising the steps of bonding a layer of ultra-thin glass to a polymer layer by means of an optical adhesive applied uniformly between the glass layer and the polymer layer and applying a non-electrically conductive insulating layer to a lower surface of the polymer layer in a peripherally extending band.

Abstract: A stripper plate having for use with a corn head row unit includes a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion is substantially flat such that the lateral surface of the front portion is parallel to the ground surface. The rear portion is integrally formed with the first portion and is beveled downward toward the ground surface. The interface between the front portion and the rear portion may be a gradually beveled area wherein the downward slope of the stripper plate increases along its length from the front thereof to the rear thereof.

Abstract: A corn head includes a tension control system that adjusts tension or biasing force of each deck plate of the corn head based upon user inputs, sensor signals, or both.

Abstract: A harvester drive system includes a main hexagonal cross shaft which may be either continuous or include short shaft sections joined by couplers. Row units are pivotally connected to a cross auger housing for pivoting about the axis of the cross shaft and can slide relative to the cross auger and the drive shaft to accommodate different row spacings. A slip clutch and bevel gear assembly, which slides on the cross shaft, drives each row unit and permits simple transverse adjustments of the units. A cross shaft extension is added if harvesting widths are needed which cannot be provided by the original shaft. Each row unit drive extends forwardly from the bevel gear, and a sturdy bearing mount arrangement connected to the row unit wall immediately adjacent the bevel gear maintains proper gear mesh.

Abstract: A method for harvesting crops, such as rows of corn, using a harvester, which provides independent drives and independent controls for gathering belts, and independent drives and independent controls for knife rolls used on the corn harvester. The independent drives and independent controls allow the speed of the gathering belts or the knife rolls to be varied without affecting other harvester components. The independent speed control between the gathering belts and the knife rolls, allow for better harvesting in various crop conditions. The harvester also includes a set up for changing the angle of the corn head to allow better harvesting under varying conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a harvester to harvest crops such as rows of corn. The invention provides independent drives and independent controls for gathering belts, and independent drives and independent controls for knife rolls used on a corn harvester. The independent drives and independent controls allow the speed of the gathering belts or the knife rolls to be varied without affecting other harvester components. The independent speed control between the gathering belts and the knife rolls, allow for better harvesting in various crop conditions. The invention also provides a means for changing the angle of the corn head to allow better harvesting under varying conditions.

Abstract: This corn harvesting row unit, which can be assembled into a corn header capable of efficiently harvesting individual rows of corn regardless of the row width. This improvement or novel structure is configured to reduce the number of moving parts required for the efficient harvesting of corn and in addition reduces the power requirements. This novel corn unit will assemble as a corn head with any number of rows and wherein each row unit is capable of harvesting, individually the planted row assigned to it. This novel corn row unit permits the efficient gathering of narrow row, larger spacing corn populations, as well as wider rows and closer spacing populations. Efficient harvesting of narrow row corn has not been possible prior to this invention which is universal in that it can handle any row width.

Abstract: The harvesting device for harvesting corn or other grains is embodied as an attachment for a combine and provided with a draw-in device (3) and one picking gap for separating the cobs from the plants (stalks). Furthermore, the harvesting device has one driven picking roller (4) with beater plates per row, as well as a cheek-like guide plate associated with this picking roller (4) and partially enshrouding it, or alternatively, a bracing support extending paraxially to the picking roller and embodied as a driven counter-roller (5). A connection piece (20) acting as a separating and comminuting cutter and stabilizing the distance between the picking roller (4) and the bracing support (5) is disposed in the plant intake (PE) between the picking roller (4) and bracing support (5).

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower having a trimming attachment for trimming around fence posts and the like is provided. The trimming attachment assembly includes an auxiliary trimming blade mounted in a housing and attached to a swing arm assembly mounted on the primary mower housing. In the forward position, the trimming attachment extends outwardly from, but slightly overlaps, the mowed path of the primary mower. The trimming blade preferably is driven by the primary mower motor. As a fence post or the like adjacent the primary mower is encountered by the trimming attachment assembly, the trimming attachment assembly is pushed rearwardly by the obstruction and swings into the mowed path of the primary mower, during which process the grass near the fence post is cut. As the fence post or other object is passed, an actuator assembly forces the trimming assembly back into its original forward auxiliary cutting position.

Abstract: A powered mower has a cordless electric power source defined by a rechargeable battery and a solar panel. The rechargeable battery is connected to a direct current motor for driving the mower blade and drive system for the powered mower. The solar panel supplies the rechargeable battery with additional voltage and current to assist the battery in maintaining its functional operating level.

Abstract: A solar powered lawnmower is disclosed comprising an electric motor, a rechargeable battery pack, and a panel of photovoltaic cells built into the handle of the lawnmower. The angle of the handle is arranged to ensure that the photovoltaic cells will receive nearly maximal solar exposure when the lawnmower is left in the sun with the angle of the handle approximately perpendicular to the sun's rays. In case of insufficient photovoltaic recharging, the solar powered lawnmower comprises the means to employ standard AC current to recharge the battery pack. The solar powered lawnmower is used to mow a lawn without generating air pollution or excessive noise pollution.

Abstract: Three versions of a gear box for a combine corn head are illustrated. The gearing to drive a pair of snapping roll shafts and a pair of gathering chain drive shafts are housed in two casings releasably secured to one another in an end-to-end relationship.

Abstract: A material handling attachment for small vehicles such as a garden tractor, riding lawn mowers, all terrain vehicles, etc. wherein the material handling attachment may be vertically moved by an electrically operated screw ram which may be controlled by either the electrical system on the vehicle or by a storage battery.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for the harvesting of corn or other granular fruits, particularly embodied as a front-mounted unit for a reaper, in which the plant stems are drawn through a picking aperture and a separation of the fruit from the plant is characterized in that the plant is grasped only on one side and is drawn through the picking aperture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for harvesting corn or other cereals with a harvester, particularly a combine attachment for a thresher-harvester, in which the ears of corn or other grains are separated from the plants by way of a single-sided draw of the crop through a gap and is characterized in that a mincing of the crop plants is effected simultaneously with the single-sided draw-through operation. The mincing occurs by a movement of the drawn crop plants relative to a stationary comminution device.

Abstract: A corn pickup attachment for a combine is provided wherein the combine is adapted to be propelled along the ground and there is provided a unique and highly efficient framework together with a novel means for gathering corn and the like that has fallen to the ground. A hydraulic motor is provided for driving a shaft which operates a plurality of chains that carry pickup fingers that are positioned above the usual pickup snouts of the corn pickup attachment for a combine.

Abstract: This compact gear box is intended for a corn harvesting unit having a pair of harvesting rolls and a pair of gathering chain assemblies. The gear box includes a drive shaft and first and second pairs of shafts connected to the harvesting rolls and the gathering chain assemblies respectively. The drive shaft includes a bevel gear driving a bevel pinion gear mounted to the end of each of the first pair of shafts to rotate the harvesting rolls. The first shafts each include worm gears and the second shafts each include worm wheels engageable by associated worm gears of the first pair of shafts to rotate the gathering chain assemblies.

Abstract: A corn snapping header for a forage harvester is provided with corn snapping units of the snapping plate type which are disposed with their crop passages converging to a single rear outlet. A single transverse drive line with flexible drive means is provided to drive the snapping units.

Abstract: A divider structure for a row crop harvester which includes a hood (8) and point (9) having flexible plastic sheathing (106, 37) supported on subframes (12, 13) which in turn are mounted on adjacent row units (131, 132).

Abstract: An electric lawn mower including an A.C. motor and a D.C. motor connected through a gearing and clutch arrangement for operation of either motor separately or concurrently. The gearing arrangement includes a mower blade drive gear acted upon by either of the respective driven gears associated with the A.C. and D.C. motors. The mower may be operated by either the A.C. motor or the D.C. motor separately, or by both motors combined to provide increased power to the cutting blade for mowing of dense areas of vegetation.

Abstract: The invention is a plant lifting apparatus of the opposed belt type that can be quickly adjusted in the field to accommodate different plant row spacings. The lifting belts are carried on individual supporting frames. These, in turn, are pivotally mounted at their proximal ends to a subframe member. The distal plant receiving ends of the supporting frames are bridged by spreading means which vary the spacing between adjacent pairs of lifting belts. Preferably the outer belt supporting frames are adjusted separately. The inner pairs are bridged by toggles, turnbuckles or similar means that control their spacing within the limits set by the outer supporting frames.

Abstract: A gang mower comprises a number of individual reel mowers ganged together, each reel being driven by an electric motor from an electric power source, such as an alternator, associated with the mower. The alternator is typically driven by the same motor that propels the gang mower along.

Abstract: A multirow header for cutting and conveying standing row crops from a standing position in the field into the crop receiving throat of the attached harvester for crop processing. The header comprises a main frame comprised of mechanically attached, modular-type subframes. Included among the mechanically attached subframes are a rear attachment frame, a pair of sealed gear cases which form the basic central subframe of the header, and a plurality of row unit frames.

Abstract: A multirow harvester header comprising a plurality of pairs of crop conveyors. Each conveyor pair corresponds to a single row of crop and is used to converge and convey a single row from a standing position in the field into the crop receiving throat of the harvester attached to the rear of the header. A first and second pair of the conveyors is inclined transversely and downwardly in a direction toward a third and fourth pair of the conveyors. The third and fourth pair of conveyors are inclined transversely and downwardly in the direction of the first and second pair of conveyors. The second and third pair of conveyors are vertically spaced above and in overlapping relationship respectively with the first and fourth pair of conveyors. The transverse inclination and overlapping relationship of the conveyors enables the rear drive shafts of each pair of conveyors to be closely spaced together in front of the crop receiving throat of the harvester.

Abstract: A corn snapping header frame having transverse beam assemblies pivotally mounted at each end of a transverse main frame, the transverse beams being forwardly offset from the frame and having corn snapping units mounted thereon.

Abstract: A row crop header for mounting on the front of a combine has a transversely elongated main frame and a plurality of forwardly extending transversely spaced row units, each row unit being independently floatably supported by the frame. Each row unit has a forwardly and downwardly inclined frame with a top surface and a central fore-and-aft trough which forms the bottom of a fore-and-aft passageway. A pair of endless, flexible conveyor members are mounted on each row unit frame adjacent the top surface and have rearwardly moving inter-meshing inner runs on opposite sides of the passageway, a rotary cutting device being provided on the underside of the row unit frame adjacent the forward ends of the conveyor members for severing the crop from the field. A transverse conveyor spans the rearward ends of the row units for conveying gathered material to a feeding unit for delivery to a processing unit on the combine.

Abstract: A drive system for a corn harvesting header is disclosed wherein the power input shaft delivering rotational power to the individual row units is positioned externally of the gear housing. A slip clutch for each individual row unit is affixed to the power input shaft rearward of each gear housing and is connected thereto by an endless chain. This improved drive system allows maintenance of the row units without disturbing the power input shaft and maintenance of the slip clutches without disturbing the row units.

Abstract: A row crop harvesting header has a main frame with a plurality of forwardly extending, independently vertically adjustable row units mounted on the frame, each row unit including a frame attached to the header frame at its rearward end and a ground engaging skid at its forward end. A pair of endless flexible conveyors are mounted on the row unit frame and have opposite, rearwardly moving, upwardly and rearwardly inclined inner runs adapted to engage the stalks of row planted crops as the machine advances and convey it rearwardly, a cutting apparatus below the forward inlet ends of the belts severing the crop material from the field as it is engaged by the conveyor.

Abstract: A corn saver apparatus removably attached to a self-propelled commercially available corn harvester which facilitates harvesting of corn growing in a field. The apparatus comprises an agricultural implement which augments a standard corn harvester by picking up stalks of corn which have fallen, and further by moving broken stalks of corn into the harvesting apparatus. The apparatus of the present invention is removably mounted in overlying relationship respective to the gathering apparatus of a conventional corn harvester and significantly increases the yield realized from a field of corn by avoiding the waste of corn which heretofore has been left lying on the ground.

Abstract: A multi-row crop header for a harvesting machine has a plurality of fore-and-aft extending row crop units, each having an elongated passageway with a front inlet opening and a rear discharge opening. The row crop units are pivotally mounted such that they can be swung toward and away from one another so as to vary the lateral distance between the inlet openings of adjacent units to thereby accommodate crops planted in various width row spacings.

Abstract: A harvesting header for a combine in which a consolidating auger of appreciable length extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the combine and said auger having reversely spiralled flights respectively extending inward from opposite ends of the auger toward the midpoint of the axis thereof, the improvement comprising barrier means in the form of one or more discs on said auger between the inner ends of said flights and operable to prevent any substantial movement of ears of corn along the auger trough past the center of the auger when the combine is operating on a sloping field area.

Abstract: A self-propelled combine has a forwardly extending housing with a row crop header mounted on the front end of the housing. The header has a transversely elongated frame, a transversely elongated floor, a transverse auger immediately above the floor for converging the crop laterally along the floor and discharging it rearwardly into the combine crop feeding housing, and a plurality of transversely spaced row units mounted on and extending forwardly from the header frame, each row unit being adapted to sever the crop standing in a row as the machine advances and discharge the crop rearwardly onto the header floor forwardly of and below the auger. Each row unit has a forwardly and downwardly inclined frame, with a top surface and a central fore and aft trough, which forms the bottom of a fore and aft passageway.

Abstract: A corn harvester header attachable to a forage harvester and provided with a plurality of shield units spaced apart to form passage ways to receive corn stalks and including endless flexible means respectively on each side of said passage to positively feed corn stalks along said passage relative to a narrow slot formed by opposed stripping members which accommodate the stalks but prevent the ears from passing therethrough, and a pair of stalk rolls extending longitudinally below said slot at opposite sides thereof and rotated in opposite directions in a manner to pull said stalk, downward through said slot and thereby strip the ears from said stalk. The present invention concerns the shape of elongated flutes which are attached to the stalk rolls for improved engagement of the stalks thereby.

Abstract: A multi-row crop header for a harvesting machine has a plurality of fore-and-aft extending row crop units, each having an elongated passageway with a front inlet opening and a rear discharge opening. The row crop units are pivotally mounted such that they can be swung toward and away from one another so as to vary the lateral distance between the inlet openings of adjacent units to thereby accommodate crops planted in various width row spacings.