Abstract: Nozzles for an air duct arrangement of an air conveying system may include a first outlet nozzle that is divided into a plurality of chambers are disclosed. The plurality of chambers formed by the outlet provide for a more uniform flow of air exiting the outlet, which generates a greater induced air flow in an associated section of duct. An orientation of a second outlet relative to an inlet of the nozzle provides for a reduced head loss within the nozzle, thereby providing for reduced backpressure within the nozzle and, consequently, a reduced power consumption associated with generating a desired airflow through the nozzle.

Abstract: Nozzles for an air duct arrangement of an air conveying system may include a first outlet nozzle that is divided into a plurality of chambers are disclosed. The plurality of chambers formed by the outlet provide for a more uniform flow of air exiting the outlet, which generates a greater induced air flow in an associated section of duct. An orientation of a second outlet relative to an inlet of the nozzle provides for a reduced head loss within the nozzle, thereby providing for reduced backpressure within the nozzle and, consequently, a reduced power consumption associated with generating a desired airflow through the nozzle.

Abstract: A harvester system that includes a work vehicle. A harvester attachment removably couples to the work vehicle. The harvester attachment includes a tool bar. A quick connector couples to the tool bar. The quick connector removably couples and uncouples the harvester attachment to the work vehicle. A support system removably couples to the work vehicle. The support system supports operation of the harvester attachment.

Abstract: A harvesting machine including a harvesting unit and a system for recovering crop detached by the harvesting unit. The recovering system including at least one conveyor adapted to recover the crop detached by the harvesting unit and to convey the crop along a conveying path. The recovering system comprising a removing device for removing debris elements that might be conveyed with the detached crop. The removing device including two rotary organs which form therebetween a mouth that is adjacent to the conveying path to be able to catch debris elements protruding from the conveyor. The mouth converging into an inner gripping zone formed by a narrow gap between the rotary organs. The removing device further including a drive unit for the rotation of at least one of the two rotary organs to extract from the conveyor any debris element caught by the mouth and then gripped between the rotary organs.

Abstract: A double-stream stripping device, intended for the stripping of leaves from the vine, includes at least one stripping head (1) equipped with two counter-rotating drums (2) and (3), namely a first perforated (2a) drum (2) and a second drum (3) working in rotation with the first drum (2), a suction system (4) capable of creating negative air pressure in the first drum (2) and a system for driving drums (2) and (3) in rotation. The suction system includes two main suction openings and a turbine system and channeling elements (8, 9) making it possible to connect the latter to the main suction openings. Each open free end of the first drum is connected at one of the main suction openings in such a way as to create negative pressure, with a double air stream, constant and uniform, in the first drum, essentially over its entire length.

Abstract: An air system (50) for an agricultural harvester (10) includes an air flow splitter component (52) configured to be coupled to the agricultural harvester (10). The air flow splitter component (52) has an inlet (56) configured to receive air and a plurality of air outlets (58) configured to distribute the air. The air system also includes a plurality of air flow paths (60). Each air flow path of the plurality of air flow paths extends from a respective one of the plurality of air outlets and is configured to extend to a corresponding drum (12) of the agricultural harvester. Additionally, each air flow path includes a discharge outlet (80) that is configured to be disposed between a bottom surface (81) of the corresponding drum (12) and a bottom disc (85) of a doffer (42) of the corresponding drum (12) while the air system (50) is coupled to the agricultural harvester.

Abstract: An improved method of drying wet or water damaged surfaces using a vacuum source, a manifold, and a plastic sheet covered grid having a lattice formation with spaces to permit the passing of moisture and air from and beneath the surface to the vacuum source.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus that harvests crops as the apparatus moves in a direction of travel across a field. The apparatus includes a crop harvesting assembly configured as a line of implements, the line being transverse to the direction of travel. First and second devices for adjusting a vertical position of left and right sides of the apparatus, respectively, are independently operable. Adjustment of a vertical position of at least one of the left and right sides of the apparatus results in tilting the line of implements relative to a horizontal plane defined at a ground surface under left and right ground contacting elements. In other aspects, a method and system are disclosed for automatically positioning a line of implements of an apparatus to follow a ground surface proximate the line of implements.

Abstract: An ink jet print head is provided which, during a suction-based recovery operation, can effectively remove air bubbles from the common ink path by producing an ink flow in the common ink path. In each of a plurality of bubble forming chambers where an element is installed to generate a thermal energy, there are provided a first ink path for leading ink directly from the ink supply port and a second ink path for leading ink from the common ink path formed on a far side of the array of the bubble forming chambers with respect to the ink supply port. The plurality of the first ink paths include those ink paths with less flow resistance than that of the second ink paths and those ink paths with higher flow resistance than that of the second ink paths.

Abstract: A cotton air harvester header assembly for attachment to the front lifting mechanism of a conventional self propelled cotton harvester's chassis, for movement through a field of cotton plants in equally spaced rows. Air harvesters use air flow (wind, vacuum, atmospheric pressure) to harvest cotton. The enormous amount of plant material moving thru harvester's row units, create a self cleaning environment using cotton plants as a cleaning method to continually push unwanted material past harvester's self cleaning extractor units. Air harvesters do not require spindles, doffers, brushes, rotating drums or cutter blades, and the elimination of thousands of parts, allows harvester's row units to be grouped closer together than spindle or stripper harvesters, resulting in a more versatile cotton harvester which can be configured to harvest wide row or narrow row cotton, and be mounted on a tractor or used as a single walk behind air harvester row unit.

Abstract: A method for determining protein binding specificity using a screen of a peptide library is provided. The method can be used to determine binding specificity for human NAD+-dependent deacetylase SIRT1, and to identify the most efficiently deacetylated peptide sequences. The method can be also used to screen a combinatorial H4 histone N-terminal tail peptide library to examine the binding preferences of a ?-phos (S1) H4 antibody toward all known possible H4 histone modification states.

Abstract: A drag-type cotton harvester operated by an independent driving unit, which comprises a stripper-type cotton picker platform having a series of fingers that are aligned parallel to the forward direction of the machine, wherein the front ends of the fingers are close to ground level and the back ends thereof are ramped in an upward direction; a cleaning apparatus that receives the picked cotton from the picker platform, which cleaning apparatus comprises a set of rotary dentate cylinders that engage the cotton and remove the heavy masses or impurities therefrom, while a rotary brush that is disposed tangential to the dentate cylinders disengages the clean cotton from the aforementioned fingers; and a trailer that receives the clean cotton from the cleaning apparatus, then stores it and transports it.

Abstract: A low-cost, highly maneuverable cotton harvester (10) with a row unit (26) that effectively follows the ground contour includes frame structure (30) pivotally connected to the two lower links (22) of a tractor three-point hitch (14). A picking unit (26) is connected by a linkage structure (52) to the frame (30) and is closely coupled behind a rear drive wheel (16) of the tractor (12). A lift arm (98) extends forwardly and downwardly from an end (99) pivotally connected to the linkage structure (52a). The lower forward end of the lift arm includes a non-steerable gauge wheel (44) generally aligned with the tractor axle (44a), and a hydraulic cylinder (100) pivots the lift arm (98) relative to the linkage structure to adjust row unit operating height and to raise and lower the row unit to and from the field operating position. The gauge wheel axis (44a) is aligned with the axis (16a) of the drive wheel (16). A variable speed pulley assembly (90) synchronizes picker drum speed to ground speed.

Abstract: The pneumatic cotton harvesting apparatus includes a plurality of harvesting heads arranged in adjacent spaced relation side by side with each having a side panel opposing a side panel on an adjacent opposing harvesting head. An air intake manifold within each side panel has a plurality of extraction units with air intake ports for harvesting of seed cotton. The extraction units are each arranged in a staircase configuration to extract cotton into a pass-through chamber housed within the harvesting head. The cotton is transferred through the air plenum transfer chamber attached to the harvesting heads to a cotton storage container. Air supply nozzles arranged before the extraction units aid the extraction of cotton by blowing air on the cotton plant before entering the extraction units to loosen the cotton.

Abstract: A cotton picking machine comprises a chassis for moving the machine in a traveling direction, a vacuum pump provided to create a predetermined vacuum and a cotton picking unit including a cotton picking head supported by the chassis. The cotton picking head includes upper and lower vacuum compartments both in fluid communication with the vacuum pump and connecting tubes vertically extending between the upper and lower vacuum compartments and movable along a predetermined endless path so as to be in sliding contact with the upper and lower vacuum compartments at the corresponding distal ends thereof. Each of the connecting tubes includes a set of hollow picking fingers radially outwardly extending therefrom. The predetermined endless path includes an extracting zone and an inoperative zone. The connecting tubes fluidly connect the upper and lower vacuum compartments only when the connecting tubes pass the extracting zone of the predetermined endless path.

Abstract: Systems for harvesting cotton from plants are provided. In this regard, a representative system incorporates an extracting zone and nozzles. The extracting zone is operative to receive therein stalks of plants from which cotton is to be removed. The nozzles are operative to direct vacuum pressure toward the stalks of the plants received within the extracting zone such that cotton is removed from the stalks and drawn into the nozzles. The nozzles also are operative to move relative to the extracting zone.

Abstract: A cotton picking machine comprises a chassis for moving the machine in a traveling direction, a vacuum pump provided to create a predetermined vacuum and a cotton picking unit including a cotton picking head supported by the chassis. The cotton picking head includes upper and lower vacuum compartments both in fluid communication with the vacuum pump and connecting tubes vertically extending between the upper and lower vacuum compartments and movable along a predetermined endless path so as to be in sliding contact with the upper and lower vacuum compartments at the corresponding distal ends thereof. Each of the connecting tubes includes a set of hollow picking fingers radially outwardly extending therefrom. The predetermined endless path includes an extracting zone and an inoperative zone. The connecting tubes fluidly connect the upper and lower vacuum compartments only when the connecting tubes pass the extracting zone of the predetermined endless path.

Abstract: A cotton picking machine comprises a chassis for moving the machine in a traveling direction, a vacuum pump provided to create a predetermined vacuum and a cotton picking unit including a cotton picking head supported by the chassis. The cotton picking head includes upper and lower vacuum compartments both in fluid communication with the vacuum pump and connecting tubes vertically extending between the upper and lower vacuum compartments and movable along a predetermined endless path so as to be in sliding contact with the upper and lower vacuum compartments at the corresponding distal ends thereof. Each of the connecting tubes includes a set of hollow picking fingers radially outwardly extending therefrom. The predetermined endless path includes an extracting zone and an inoperative zone. The connecting tubes fluidly connect the upper and lower vacuum compartments only when the connecting tubes pass the extracting zone of the predetermined endless path.

Abstract: Apparatus for collapsing an on-board crop receiver of a harvester to a transport position, utilizing a remotely releasable locking element to allow telescopic collapsing or retracting the receiver without entering the receiver, and powered apparatus for positively collapsing a duct extending between a row unit of the harvester and an inlet opening of the receiver. The duct is telescopically retractable at an inclined angle by a similarly inclined duct driver to a height about equal to that of the receiver when in the transport position, so as to be freed from the receiver and any associated hood extending outwardly therefrom associated with the inlet opening. Using crop compactor apparatus within the interior of the receiver, the compactor can be lowered and the locking mechanism unlocked, and then the compactor operated to telescopically collapse or retract the receiver. The receiver can be extended in the reverse order.

Abstract: A differential pressure sensor measures the vacuum in a material conveying duct relative to atmospheric pressure or to a positive pressure farther upstream in the duct on an agricultural harvester. The output from this sensor is monitored electronically, and the resulting output is used to optimize harvester speed. In one embodiment, a processor monitor output is used in conjunction with the pressure sensor output to control ground speed. Processor speed or loading and air duct pressure are monitored to determine which area of the machine is the limiting factor and to adjust the harvester speed accordingly.

Abstract: A multi-rotor blower fan assembly for a cotton picker utilizes a plurality of separate fan enclosures each containing a fan for supplying an individual air flow to a picker unit of the picker, the fans being mounted on a common shaft for rotation therewith, with a unitary removable or openable cover or hood covering access openings of the fan enclosures. One or more of the fan assemblies can be mounted on the picker, for instance, on an existing platform on the picker chassis just rearward of the operator cab, in end-to-end relation, and rotatably driven using a common drive.

Abstract: A multi-rotor blower fan assembly for a cotton picker utilizes a plurality of separate fan enclosures each containing a fan for supplying an individual air flow to a picker unit of the picker, the fans being mounted on a common shaft for rotation therewith, with a unitary removable or openable cover or hood covering access openings of the fan enclosures. One or more of the fan assemblies can be mounted on the picker, for instance, on an existing platform on the picker chassis just rearward of the operator cab, in end-to-end relation, and rotatably driven using a common drive.

Abstract: A hood receives a stream of material including a mix of cotton, air and debris from an air delivery system on a cotton harvester. A forward deflector directs the mixture towards the rear of an accumulator. The deflected mixture passes under finger grates which retains cotton but allows some of the air and light trash to pass through out of the stream. A curved rear deflector forces the remaining mix downwardly towards the accumulator and prevents build-up on receptacle walls. Air and light debris change direction abruptly at the bottom of the rear deflector and exit through an inlet area and upwardly directed path at the back of the deflector. The momentum of the heavier cotton prevents cotton from making the tight turn around the bottom of the deflector and directs the cotton towards the receptacle or accumulator. The inlet area can be adjusted or closed completely to prevent cotton loss in certain conditions.

Abstract: A harvester having a receptacle movable between a harvest position for receiving crop and a dump position for unloading the crop includes an air duct system with a first duct extending upwardly towards the inlet of an accumulator located adjacent the receptacle. An air system propels the removed crop upwardly through the air duct towards the inlet. A second upright duct located adjacent a lower accumulator outlet directs crop from the accumulator to the receptacle. When the receptacle is raised to the dump position, all the crop is directed into the accumulator and the outlet is blocked so that the harvester can continue to operate while the receptacle is unloaded. Diverter structure may be provided for facilitating movement of the removed crop directly into the receptacle when the receptacle is in the harvest position and directing the removed crop downwardly into the accumulator when the basket is moved towards the dump position.

Abstract: A duct support and transition structure for the air system of a cotton harvester includes a plurality of upright telescoping duct sections connected to a vertically adjustable support tube extending transversely between the sections providing lateral support for the ducts. Hydraulically operated slide structure connected to the support tube moves the sections vertically between operating and transport positions and eliminates duct binding problems. A telescoping harvester basket supports forwardly extending hood structure. The hood structure opens downwardly towards the upper ducts and includes grates for exhausting air and debris. The ends of the ducts open upwardly rather than rearwardly into the hood structure. The basket can move to and from the dump position without interference from the ducts, and the hood structure reduces cotton loss without need for side shields.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating the level of harvested cotton in a basket assembly of a cotton harvester is provided. The apparatus includes a transducer, a control circuit and an indicator. The transducer is coupled to a motor of a compaction member of a compaction assembly of the cotton harvester and measures the pressure exerted by the harvested cotton upon the compaction member. The transducer generates a pressure signal that is received by the control circuit. The control circuit generates a basket level indication signal a short time after the pressure signal indicates a predetermined pressure has been measured. Alternatively, the control circuit generates the basket level indication signal when the pressure signal indicates the basket assembly is approximately full. An indicator, such as a lamp or buzzer, receives the basket level indication signal and provides an indication to the operator of the level of harvested cotton in the basket.

Abstract: A conveying duct for a cotton harvester includes forward and rear panels having generally continuously curved S-shaped configurations and fore-and-aft extending sides. The panels are joined to the sides by Pittsburgh lock joints without spot welds or separate connecting hardware. The width gradually increases and the fore-and-aft dimension decreases approximately proportionately in the upward direction so the cross sectional area remains generally constant along the length of the duct. The curved configuration lends strength and bend resistance to the duct to eliminate fatigue caused by flexing and facilitates use of thinner stock material for fabrication. The configuration also assures excellent distribution of material within the duct and across separation grates without need for vanes or baffles.

Abstract: A cotton harvester conveying system includes a cross auger with dual flighting that moves the material to a central location where four rapidly rotating paddles direct the material rearwardly into a separation duct. Heavier trash and debris settle towards the bottom of the auger, and the paddles propel the heavier material along a lower wall of the separation duct. The separation duct includes deflectors which intercept a lower portion of the rearwardly directed material. Heavy material loses momentum as it contacts the deflectors and drops out of the stream of conveyed material. Auger and paddle speed is maintained above approximately 750 rpm to break up clumps and provide efficient skimming action for removal of unwanted heavy material in the separation duct.

Abstract: An agricultural apparatus is disclosed herein for the harvesting of a low-density crop such as cotton. The agricultural apparatus includes a frame, a crop acquiring device associated with the frame; a crop collecting bin, or basket, which is supported by the frame, adjustable in position with respect to the frame, and provided with an opening in a wall of the basket for conveying of crop into the basket; a conveying device for conveying of crop from the acquiring device to the basket and having a first end associated with the acquiring device and a second end associated with the basket opening; and a hood pivotally attached to the basket for selectively covering the basket opening and for engaging the second end of the conveying device. The hood may include one or more latching apparatus for securing the hood in an opened position and in a closed position. The latching apparatus may be of the barrel, bolt, and keeper type, and may be disposed at a first end, a second end, or first and second ends of the hood.

Abstract: A conveyor system for a cotton picking machine having a duct for the air transport of cotton from the picking heads and cotton transport apparatus for receiving air borne cotton and moving it to a common collection location for the transport to a storage bin.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating the level of harvested cotton in a basket assembly of a cotton harvester is provided. The apparatus includes a transducer, a control circuit and an indicator. The transducer is coupled to a motor of a compaction member of a compaction assembly of the cotton harvester and measures the pressure exerted by the harvested cotton upon the compaction member. The transducer generates a pressure signal that is received by the control circuit. The control circuit generates a basket level indication signal a short time after the pressure signal indicates a predetermined pressure has been measured. Alternatively, the control circuit generates the basket level indication signal when the pressure signal indicates the basket assembly is approximately full. An indicator, such as a lamp or buzzer, receives the basket level indication signal and provides an indication to the operator of the level of harvested cotton in the basket.

Abstract: Cotton harvester multi-piece duct structure for conveying cotton materials between a cotton harvesting row unit, arranged toward a lower end of the duct structure, and an inlet opening of an extendable/retractable basket assembly. Toward an upper end thereof, the duct structure has a distal end operably connected to a remaining portion of the duct structure to allow the distal end of the duct structure to period between an operational position, wherein an outlet end of the duct structure is in general registry with the inlet opening to the basket assembly, and a storage position, wherein the distal end of the duct structure is lowered from the operational position to facilitate transportation of the cotton harvester. A lock mechanism is also disclosed for releasably fastening the distal end of the duct structure in an operational position relative to the remaining portion of the duct structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for sensing material build-up, such as the undesirable build-up of cotton in a mechanized cotton harvester. A tube is mounted for eccentric rotation adjacent an area where build-up occurs, such as near a doffer. The tube is biased by a spring into one position and is eccentrically rotated against the spring by forces applied to the tube by accumulating material, such as cotton. A switch is mounted within the tube, and, as the tube rotates, the state of the switch changes in accordance with the rotation. A signal generated by the switch is used to alert an operator.

Abstract: A cotton harvester receptacle including a lower basket portion and upper basket portion arranged for elevational movement relative to the lower basket portion the cotton receiving receptacle further includes a hood assembly mounted for generally linear movement along a generally horizontal path of travel between a retracted position and an extended position. In an extended position, the hood assembly is positioned to guide harvested materials exhausted from a discharge end of a cotton conveying duct structure into the receptacle. To facilitate elevational movements of the upper basket portion of the receptacle, a control system moves the upper basket portion of the receptacle and the hood assembly in timed sequential relation relative to each other.

Abstract: A cotton picker row unit includes a specially configured access door which is pivotally connected to the front structural post of the unit so that forward movement of the door against an adjacent row of cotton plants will act to close the door, even if the door is unlatched. The front pivot also provides more unrestricted access to the rear harvesting structure. The door has an offset cross section so that the cotton passage defined by the door is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom to provide a funnelling effect of cotton toward the discharge area leading into the conveying duct. The offset cross section strengthens the door and increases the accommodation space for the adjacent row of cotton plants so that cotton planted in very narrow row spacings can be harvested with minimal plant damage and cotton loss.

Abstract: A cotton harvester including a lower basket portion and an upper basket portion telescopically received by and elevationally movable with respect to the lower basket portion between a raised field working position and a lowered storage or transport position. The upper basket portion of the receptacle defines a material inlet opening which, when the upper basket portion is in an elevated position, is in general registry with an outlet opening defined toward an upper end of duct or cotton material delivery system. The receptacle further includes a hood assembly that is mounted on the upper basket portion in the region of the material inlet opening for guiding cotton materials discharged from the duct structure into the receptacle.

Abstract: A cotton harvester row unit having an in-line drum arrangement and a door chamber cross section which remains generally constant from the rear structural post so that the suction door can be moved closer to the row centerline to narrow the overall width of the unit. The unit is sufficiently narrow that cotton in row spacings of less than 30 inches can be harvested. The new suction door location allows the cotton from the rear doffer to enter the door more directly. The row unit picker drums include picker bars with 14 or 16 spindles per bar to shorten the height and weight of the unit and permit use of shorter stalk lifters so that unit length is also reduced. A two-row tractor mounted picker utilizes the narrow row units mounted on a rail type of support system at the rear of a tractor. The units are laterally adjustable on rails for accommodating different row spacings and patterns, including 60 centimeter row spacings and 60-30 centimeter skip row spacings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an attachment for a crop harvesting apparatus, such as a cotton picker, to improve the yield thereof. A fluid source provides a pressurized fluid. A pipe, oriented substantially parallel to the ground, is coupled at a proximal end thereof in fluid communication with the fluid source. The pipe is provided with a plurality of holes therein, the holes being oriented such that the pressurized fluid passes through the holes in an upward direction to suspend the crop prior to and during harvesting, or to cause movement or turbulence of the bolls of cotton to increase the probability of the bolls being harvested by the harvesting apparatus.

Abstract: A cotton stripper with an improved row unit having brush rolls and augers with parallel shafts driven by a gear drive. The parallel shafts permit the unit to be narrowed several inches compared with the conventional units. A cut-off member between the brush roll and auger has an edge which runs parallel to the shafts below the axis of the brush roll shaft to break up stalks and facilitate power feeding of stripped material toward the lower part of the auger. The auger housing is formed with angled flat walls for better stalk breakage. Upright forward slots and rear fore-and-aft extending slots in flat auger walls provide increased dirt and trash elimination. The top of the row unit housing is formed with a low friction material that is angled downwardly toward the row receiving area to reduce cotton loss.

Abstract: A cotton harvester having a harvesting head assembly mounted to a chassis of the harvester for generally vertical movement. The harvesting head assembly includes a plurality of harvesting units for removing a commingled mixture of materials including trash and cotton from plants as the harvester is driven across a field, and a cleaning mechanism for receiving and processing the commingled mixture of materials received from the harvesting units thereby separating trash from cotton as the harvester moves across the field. The cleaning mechanism is mounted between the harvesting units and a discharge area on the head assembly to facilitate the flow of cotton materials to a cotton receiving receptacle and increase the holding capacity of the receptacle by eliminating trash that normally flows thereto as a result of the harvesting operation.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for driving component parts such as harvesting units of a cotton harvester head assembly. The hydraulic drive system includes a source of actuating fluid and fluid pressure actuators for driving the harvesting units independently of each other. Suitable conduit structure connects each fluid pressure actuator to the source of actuating fluid. The conduit structure is preferably flexible to facilitate transverse positioning of the harvesting units on the head assembly. A control valve assembly is connected to the conduit structure and is operably interposed between the source of actuating fluid and the fluid pressure actuators for selectively interrupting and effectuating the supply of actuating fluid from the source of actuating fluid and each of the fluid pressure actuators thereby influencing operation of the harvesting units.

Abstract: A discharge conveyor system for a cotton harvester which removes a commingled mixture of ripe and green bolls from cotton plants during a harvesting operation. The discharge conveying system includes duct structure having an inlet arranged proximate to an outlet on a harvesting head assembly from which the commingled mixture of harvested materials pass. An air system directs an air stream through the duct structure such that ripe or lighter bolls are drawn into the duct structure while heavier or green bolls fall from the outlet of the harvesting head assembly. A basket is mounted on the harvester for receiving the green bolls and includes a floor comprised of a plurality of louvers which combine with each other, in one position, to hold green bolls in the basket, and are movable to a second position wherein the louvers are arranged relative to each other for purposes of boll discharge.

Abstract: A cotton harvester duct system for pneumatically transporting cotton from a harvesting unit toward a receptacle. The duct structure has a generally horizontal section leading from an opening and joined to a generally vertical section extending in a generally straight line alignment with a conveyor tube. An air nozzle extends to an interior of the duct structure for propelling cotton through the duct structure upwardly through the conveyor tube. The air nozzle is mounted upstream from the opening at a foremost lower location and adjacent a wall of the vertical duct section.

Abstract: A cotton conveying structure which directs doffed cotton toward a cotton receptacle and readily allows both vertical and lateral movement of a harvesting unit to which it is connected. The conveying structure includes at least one discharge duct assembly defining an elongated cotton flow passage opening at one end to a harvesting mechanism of a harvesting unit and opening at an opposite end to exahust cotton into a cotton receptacle. The duct assembly is provided with an intermediate section defined by a pair of elongated tubes which telescopically move relative to each other to maintain integrity of the duct assembly upon movement of the harvesting unit.

Abstract: A cotton path blockage detector has an acoustic output directed toward the discharge door floor on the cotton picking unit directly behind and to one side of the stream of cotton coming off a doffer. When the unit is operating properly, the floor area is generally clear of cotton and a first distance signal is provided. When a blockage occurs, the area begins to fill with cotton and debris, causing a decrease in the monitored distance. A threshold distance signal which is less than the distance signal to the floor causes an alarm to be activated to warn the operator of a plug. To prevent false alarms where the blockage may only be temporary, a slew rate limitation is built into the processing circuit.In another aspect of the invention, the signal radiated into the cotton conveying path is reflected by cotton, and a doppler circuit detects the presence of a doppler shift in frequency indicating moving cotton in the path.

Abstract: A cotton conveying structure for a laterally movable cotton harvesting unit of a cotton harvester. The cotton conveying structure comprises a cotton receiving assembly and a duct structure. The cotton receiving assembly vertically moves with and is inhibited against lateral movement to a tool bar assembly on which the harvesting unit is supported for lateral movement. The cotton receiving assembly includes first and second conveying sections which remain integrally connected to each other while allowing relative lateral movement of the harvesting unit from a harvesting position to permit servicing thereof. By inhibiting its lateral movement, the cotton receiving assembly is aligned in a cotton conveying relationship with and when the harvesting unit is returned to its harvesting position.

Abstract: A six row spindle type cotton picker includes a single drive wheel centrally located behind the two outer tandem drum row units at the right of the machine. An inner left drive wheel is located between the fourth and fifth row units just outwardly of the left side of the cab. The third or outer left drive wheel, connected by a spacer to the inner drive wheel, is located behind the fifth and sixth row units. The arrangement of the three wheels provides good weight distribution so that no one wheel is overloaded by the added weight of the sixth row unit. The relatively narrow tandem drum units and the wheel mounting arrangement facilitate unit positioning for harvesting narrow row cotton while assuring adequate support for the extra weight of the additional unit or units, and the third drive wheel is mounted to and spaced from the inner left wheel so that all wheels run between harvested rows to maximize tire wear and machine handling and minimize crop damage.

Abstract: A single pivot and ledge structure located on the back wall of a lower duct of cotton harvester duct structure supports an upper telescoping duct section and facilitates free movement of the sections relative to each other, for example, when the row unit which is serviced by the duct is moved transversely or raised and lowered relative to the harvester frame. The pivot includes a bushing which extends rearwardly from an angle forming a ledge on the lower duct section. The upper duct section extends over the lower duct section and includes a U-shaped bracket which rests on the ledge. An aperture in the U-shaped bracket is received over the bushing to help position the duct sections and permit free pivoting of the upper duct section in both the fore-and-aft and the transverse directions.

Abstract: A cotton picker row unit includes tandem drum structure for harvesting cotton from one side of a row of cotton. A front drum trash slot directs trash and cotton discharged from the front drum into the row and permits the rear drum to pick the discharged cotton. Fore-and-aft spaced discharge doors are located on the side of the unit and are connected so that cotton from the rear door is combined with that from the front door. The combined cotton is conveyed through a single duct to the basket. The tandem drum and side door structure provide a narrow row unit configuration, and a plurality of identical units are spaced on a harvesting frame forwardly of the drive wheels for picking narrow row cotton.

Abstract: Jet post assemblies providing both structural support and an air curtain over the floor panel structure of the cotton discharge compartment to increase the cotton-handling capacity of the compartment and prevent clogging in damp, high yield cotton. Air is bled from a nozzle located on the cotton-conveying duct and channelled through upright structural posts connected to the floor panel structure. Lower outlets in the posts direct air over the floor panel structure. The air preserves the kinetic energy of the doffed cotton and positively directs cotton to the discharge opening.