Abstract: A draper seal for a crop harvesting header including a forwardly disposed cutter bar assembly and a rearwardly disposed draper deck assembly. The draper seal includes a flexible strip that runs parallel to the cutter bar assembly and perpendicular to the direction of travel. A bracket secures the forward edge of the flexible strip to an upper surface of the cutter bar assembly, which bracket also biases a rearward edge of the flexible strip into engagement with an upper surface of the draper deck assembly, thereby creating a seal between the cutter bar assembly and the draper deck assembly.

Abstract: A front-mounted attachment (2) for harvester-threshers (1) for harvesting soy-beans and peas has a resiliently mounted additional cutting mechanism (4), whose cutter drive (5) can be derived from the drive of the cutting mechanism of the harvester-thresher (1). To ensure a simple and trouble-free operation, the cutter drive (5) includes an oil-bath transmission (6) to be connected to the drive of the cutting mechanism of the harvester-thresher (1) via a belt drive (7), which oil-bath transmission is mounted on a lateral runner (8) pivotally mounted at the cutting mechanism (10) of the harvester-thresher so as to be swivelled about a horizontal transverse axis (A) by a swivel arm (9).

Abstract: A preform for impregnation of a metal or ceramic matrix material comprising a multiplicity of reinforcement particles bonded together so as to define a three-dimensional, open-cell reticulum comprising a plurality of randomly oriented thread-like portions interconnected one to the next via a plurality of nodes. A reinforced composite made from such preform and method of making the preform is disclosed/claimed wherein the reinforcement particles are mixed with prepolymers used to produce a fugitive binder for the particles comprising a foamed polymer, and the particles align themselves with the polymer portions of the resulting foam.

Abstract: A lawn mower has at least one rotary cutting blade and an internal combustion engine for operating the at least one cutting blade, wherein the lawn mower can be operated on a substantially horizontal surface, while inclination of the mower on various surface slopes is also possible, while still maintaining adequate lubrication of the operating parts of the mower.

Abstract: A harvesting attachment for a combine that includes a table or platform carrying an auger to convey a cut crop into the combine body for threshing. The leading edge of the table carries a reciprocating knife to cut the crop. There is a considerable gap between the cutting knife and auger which is bridged by special rod-like teeth which are mounted on the knife and reciprocate therewith. Such teeth assist in conveying the cut crop to the auger especially when the crop is short, thin and has a strong tendency to bunch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lubrication system for an agricultural implement such as a cotton harvester having a plurality of harvesting units mounted thereon. Each harvesting unit of the cotton harvester includes a harvesting mechanism whose operation is facilitated by supplying lubricant thereto. The lubrication system preferably includes an on-board grease reservoir with a constant displacement pump assembly having an input connected to the reservoir and an output for providing lubricant under pressure to the harvesting mechanisms of each harvesting unit. The pump assembly is operated under the influence of a controller which operates the pump for a preselected period of time thereby causing preselected amounts of pressurized lubricant to be provided to the harvesting mechanism of each harvesting unit.

Abstract: A lubrication system including a lubricant reservoir connected to a pump assembly which selectively operates in either of two modes of operation. In one mode of operation, the pump assembly provides pressurized lubricant to various lubricant receiving areas. In a second mode of operation, the same pump assembly is used to refill the lubricant reservoir from a lubricant supply source.

Abstract: An improved lubrication system for the spindle bar assembly of a cotton harvester apparatus is disclosed. The system comprises a hydraulic pump connected to the hydraulic system of a harvester which pumps lubricant from a disposable cube of lubricant located on board the harvester into a manifold system having conduits in fluid communication with the existing lubrication system of the harvester, and a fluid restriction device disposed in line with the conduits to control the flow of lubricant to each spindle bar so that equal amounts of lubricant are provided thereto, notwithstanding differences in the lengths of the conduits.

Abstract: A system for lubricating picker spindles on a cotton harvester. The lubrication system includes a source of pressurized lubricant located on the cotton harvester and which is connected to a lubricant manifold assembly provided at an upper end of each picker rotor of the cotton harvester. The lubricant manifold assembly defines a cavity which receives lubricant through a lower end of the picker rotor. The manifold assembly further defines a series of lubricant passages which direct lubricant from the cavity toward an upper end of each picker bar and, ultimately, to an inner end of each of the picker spindles and the drive mechanisms therefor.

Abstract: An automatic lubrication distribution system includes a conduit system for supplying equal volumes of grease to each of a plurality of row units, the row units each supporting a manifold which is connected to the conduit system and proportions the grease received therefrom to simultaneously supply first and second grease receiving areas having substantially different grease volume requirements. The distribution system, from the supply pump to the grease receiving areas, is completely passive and reqiures no control valves, flow dividers or metering pumps.

Abstract: A single constant displacement pump provides lubricant under pressure from an on-board grease reservoir through a two-position valve to a selected group of distribution manifolds mounted on a cotton harvester. Each manifold of the group is connected to a plurality of conduits which lead to harvester row unit lubrication points, such as on the picker bar cam tracks, picker drum drive gears and the lubricant cavity for each of the picker drums. A line from the picker drum cavity opens into and lubricates the drum thrust washer area. The quantity of lubricant to each point is determined primarily by relative conduit resistance, which in turn is controlled by conduit length and cross section so that individual metering valves or pumps for each lubrication point are obviated. Conduits of substantially equal length and cross section are provided for each group of points which are to receive equal amounts of lubricant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for checking the volume of lubricant in the rotary cutterbar of a disc mower-conditioner is disclosed wherein the header of the disc mower-conditioner is provided with a jackstand to affect a tilting of the disc cutterbar at a predetermined angle relative to horizontal. The fill hole for adding lubricant to the cutterbar is positioned such that the volume of the cutterbar vertically below the fill hole when the cutterbar is tilted at the predetermined angle is substantially equal to the recommended volume of lubricant to be carried by the entire disc cutterbar. The proper volume of lubricant for the cutterbar can easily be determined by filling the cutterbar with lubricant up to the fill hole when the cutterbar is tilted at the predetermined angle.

Abstract: An apron chain lubricating apparatus for roll baling machines is actuated to automatically lubricate the apron chains in response to the rear frame of the machine being raised and lowered such as in discharging a bale from the machine. The apron lubricating apparatus includes a reservoir, containing lubricant, and a pump both preferably mounted on the rear frame of the machine. The pump is operated to deliver lubricant from the reservoir onto the apron chains when the rear frame is raised and lowered.

Abstract: Problems associated with row crop attachments for harvesting machines are limited by replacing previously known gathering chains with a plurality of rotary elements adapted to define a stalkway formed of intermeshing rotary crop conveyors.

Abstract: Control means for the feeding of crop material from a header and condensing auger to the forward, inlet end of an upwardly and rearwardly extending elevator having an endless flight therein, said control means comprising plates connected to the inlet end of said elevator to restrict the width thereof and thereby prevent crop material from being engaged by the outer edges of said endless flight in said elevator, thereby preventing the accumulation and backfeeding of crop material along opposite side edges of said elevator.