Abstract: A fan apparatus may include a frame, a fan, and a drive mechanism. The fan may be supported for rotation relative to the frame and may include a fan shaft and a plurality of blades extending outward from the fan shaft. The drive mechanism may include a driven wheel, a drive shaft, a first drive wheel, a second drive wheel, and a torque-transmission loop. The driven wheel may be mounted on the fan shaft. The drive shaft may be supported for rotation relative to the frame. The first drive wheel may be mounted on the drive shaft. The second drive wheel may be mounted on the drive shaft. The torque-transmission loop may be engaged with the driven wheel and a selected one of the first and second drive wheels.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for use with mergers for processing a material on a ground surface includes detecting, via one or more sensors, an object of interest associated with the material when a merger is forming a windrow on the ground surface. The method also includes a step for facilitating removal of the object of interest from the material in response to the detection.

Abstract: An agricultural implement system includes an agricultural implement and a controller. The agricultural implement includes: a chassis; a pickup carried by the chassis and configured to rotate and convey crop material; a movable windguard carried by the chassis; and a windguard displacement sensor associated with the windguard and configured to output windguard displacement signals corresponding to a displacement of the windguard relative to a zero position. The controller is configured to: determine a plug condition exists when the displacement of the windguard exceeds a defined displacement; and output at least one plug condition mitigation signal to adjust at least one parameter of the agricultural implement system and mitigate the plug condition responsively to determining the plug condition exists.

Abstract: A baler pickup includes crop strippers looped around a reel. A pickup frame has upper and lower mounting stubs, wherein each of the upper mounting stubs has a notch located centrally in a forward end of the upper mounting stub. A rear end section of an upper leg of each stripper is engaged with a respective upper mounting stub and a rear end section of a lower leg is engaged with a respective lower mounting stub. A distal end of each upper leg has an outer plate separated from an inner plate so as to form a gap. The upper leg has an alignment tab such that when the leg is received on the stub, the tab engages with the notch in the stub. A gap-facing surface of the inner plate has a detent, the upper mounting stub comprises a keyhole opening formed therein rearward of the notch.

Abstract: A pickup for an agricultural vehicle includes: a rotatable tine carrier; a plurality of tines rotatably carried by the tine carrier through a rotation path; a pickup band assembly including a plurality of tine slots in which the tines are disposed in a position in the rotation path; and a tine guide having at least one guide slot. The tine guide is rotatable with at least one of the tines such that the at least one tine is disposed in the at least one guide slot in a position in the rotation path in which the at least one tine is outside any of the tine slots of the pickup band assembly.

Abstract: A square baler including a pickup mechanism configured to pick up crop material from a single windrow on the ground, and a rotor configured to receive crop material picked up by the pickup mechanism. The rotor includes a first toothed section, a second toothed section, and an interior auger flighted section located between the first toothed section and the section toothed section. The rotor is configured to separate crop material into two streams of crop material.

Abstract: A feeding assembly includes: a frame; a pickup assembly carried by the frame and including a pickup roll, a plurality of tines carried by the pickup roll, and a pair of end flares, each of the end flares being disposed adjacent to a respective lateral end of the pickup roll and configured to redirect crop material picked up by the tines as the pickup roll rotates; and a windguard assembly including a windguard roll coupled to the frame by a pair of arm assemblies. Each of the arm assemblies includes: a first arm pivotably coupled to the frame; a second arm coupled to the first arm and the windguard roll; and an arm connector coupling the first arm to the second arm such that the second arm is laterally offset relative to the first arm and is positioned laterally between a pair of vertical planes defined by the end flares.

Abstract: A header of a combine harvester includes an auger for directing a movement of harvested crop material toward a feederhouse of the combine harvester. The auger includes multiple protrusions configured to both extend from and retract into the auger during rotation of the auger to assist movement of the harvested crop material toward the feederhouse.

Abstract: A header includes a belt conveyor configured to direct a movement of harvested crop material toward a feederhouse of the combine harvester. The belt conveyor is located adjacent an inlet of the feederhouse. The belt conveyor includes at least one protrusion extending radially from the belt conveyor that helps direct movement of harvested crop material toward the feederhouse.

Abstract: A combine comprising a feeder housing, and an auger for receiving harvested crop. The auger includes an auger tube rotatable around an auger axis, and a tined-tube positioned inside the auger tube and rotatable around a tined-tube axis that is offset from the auger axis, the tined-tube including fingers extending from the tined-tube and protruding through the auger tube to convey the harvested crop to the feeder housing.

Abstract: A combine feeder assembly having conveyors and slats pivotally connected to the conveyors to rotate about respective slat pivot axes. Each slat has a paddle that is movable between a first position in which the paddle extends outside the travel path of the conveyor by a first distance, and a second position in which the paddle does not extend outside the travel path or extends outside the travel path by a second distance that is less than the first distance. A cam surface moves the slats to the first slat position along a delivery path of the conveyors. A first housing wall extends over the delivery path and is spaced from the travel path by at least the first distance. A second housing wall extends over a return path. The second housing wall is spaced from the travel path by less than the first distance.

Abstract: An agricultural baler includes a processing conveyance that is positioned between a pickup roll and a main bale chamber for conveying crop material from the pickup roll to the main bale chamber. The processing conveyance includes at least one of a bottom wall and side wall having at least one sieve with a plurality of openings extending through the sieve. The openings are sized and configured for allowing non-crop material to exit from the at least one processing conveyance through the openings.

Abstract: A flail assembly for a straw chopper shaft including: a bolt element passing through the mounting hole of the bracket, an anti-rotation element supporting the bolt element on the bracket against rotation, a first flail having a bore and being seated on the bolt element with said bore, a first fastening element connected to a first free end portion of the bolt element, and a first washer having a bore with which the first washer is seated on the bolt element. The first washer is between the first fastening element and the first flail, and is radially slotted. The bolt element is axially braced with the first fastening element relative to the longitudinal axis of the bolt element and a smallest cylindrical envelope of the first fastening element coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the bolt element has a smaller radius than the bore of the first flail.

Abstract: Harvesting machines and agricultural harvesting heads for harvesting machines are disclosed herein. A harvesting machine includes a frame, an elongate reciprocating knife, a conveyor system, a drum conveyor, and a crop deflector. The elongate reciprocating knife is coupled to a forward edge of the frame and configured to cut crop material adjacent to the ground. The conveyor system is supported by the frame and configured to carry cut crop material toward a central portion of the frame and rearward therefrom. The drum conveyor is located directly behind at least a portion of the conveyor system, and the drum conveyor includes an elongate cylindrical drum supported for rotation on the frame about a drum axis and a plurality of elongate fingers that at least partially extend through an outer wall of the cylindrical drum.

Abstract: A corn cob harvesting machine includes a tractor, cob harvester, and trailer that together lift, clean, and separate corn cobs from a corn harvester combine chaff windrow. The cob harvester has a floating cob lift immediately adjacent to and through various skirts engaging the earth that is supported by and floats with respect to a support frame. The floating cob lift has a rotary paddle that lifts and throws cobs into the first cross draft separator. The first cross draft separator has a blower that generates a vacuum within the floating cob lift. An adjustable flap intermediate between rotary paddle and blower deflects cobs and other heavier matter out of the air stream, while lighter matter is removed. A first cross draft separator removes chaff, a rock trap separates rocks, and a second cross draft separator removes additional chaff. A discharge conveyor transfers cleaned corn cobs to the trailer.

Abstract: A draper belt system is provided that includes first and second draper belt assemblies. The first draper belt assembly includes first and second rollers, and a draper belt looped around the first and second rollers. The first roller defines a first roller diameter, a first central longitudinal axis, and a first plane extending through the first central longitudinal axis. The second draper belt assembly includes third and fourth rollers, and a draper belt looped around the third and fourth rollers. The third roller defines a third roller diameter dimensioned smaller than the first roller diameter, a second central longitudinal axis, and a second plane extending through the second central longitudinal axis. The third roller of the second draper belt assembly is disposed adjacent to the first roller with the first central longitudinal axis extending parallel to the second central longitudinal axis, and the second plane offset from the first plane.

Abstract: A harvesting device for agricultural products having an elongated shape, includes a frame having a main extension direction, a plurality of harvesting elements for agricultural products, each including an elongated harvesting prong, a plurality of bands attached to the frame, arranged along the main extension direction and spaced apart so that each harvesting element is at least partially interposed between two successive bands. A transport path includes a first section, where a prong portion radially outside the band has a constant or increasing size, and a second section, where a prong portion radially outside the band has a decreasing size to a disengagement point. A plurality of sorting members is each associated to a band and positioned below the band, along the second section of the transport path, in which each sorting member is rotatable about its central axis.

Abstract: Pick-up devices of a forage implement such as a round baler may include stripper bands that define slots between the stripper bands to allow tines to pass through during rotation of the tines. The pick-up device may include a back-plate for attaching stripper bands that includes chambers to receive the bands.

Abstract: An integrated reel arm and reel cam for use in an agricultural harvesting header that positions both within the same lateral space in order to reduce the width of the integrated assembly. The reel arm connects directly to a rearwardly facing structure on the reel cam and may include adjustment means for varying cam timing. The lateral width of the reel arm and connection is configured to be no greater than the lateral width of the reel cam thereby enabling positioning of a reel cam between adjacent reels in little more than the lateral width of the cam itself. The integrated reel arm and reel cam may also benefit conventional outboard reel cam configurations by reducing the lateral space requirements at the ends of a header reel.

Abstract: A windguard is provided that may be used with an agricultural harvester, such as around baler, waste baler, combine, sugarcane harvester or cotton harvester. More particularly, the windguard utilizes at least a first and a second pivot tab, each comprising a cam that is adapted for alignment into a slot along a first and second side arms of the windguard and that allows a upward or downward movement of the pivot tabs in the slot. The sliding motion of the cam in the slot allows the windguard to automatically adjust during operation without manual adjustment or pre-adjustment prior to operation.

Abstract: A pawl carrier system comprising a pawl hub disposed substantially coaxially to a pawl carrier, a spring circumferentially disposed between the pawl hub and the pawl carrier, a pawl pivotably mounted to the pawl hub on a pivot joint, the pivot joint comprising an axially extending pin mounted to the pawl hub, wherein the axially extending pin extends through the pawl carrier and the pawl hub. A ratchet carrier system is provided comprising a ratchet carrier disposed substantially coaxially to a ratchet hub, wherein the ratchet hub comprises a ratchet tooth, a spring circumferentially disposed between the ratchet carrier and the ratchet hub and a retaining pin axially extending through the ratchet carrier and the ratchet hub.

Abstract: A pickup head having a materials lifting end and a materials lofting end, the pickup head including a lifting roller, a transfer roller and a lofting roller. The lifting roller is adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation and disposed on the materials lifting end and includes picking fingers protruding from the lifting roller. The transfer roller is adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation and includes picking fingers protruding from the outer surface of the tube of the transfer roller. The transfer roller is disposed at an elevation higher than the lifting roller between the materials lifting end and the materials lofting end. The lofting roller is adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation and includes lofting effectors protruding from the outer surface of lofting roller. The lofting roller is disposed at an elevation higher than the transfer roller at the materials lofting end.

Abstract: A windguard mechanism comprising a pair of arms attachable to an agricultural machine and a windguard plate extending between the pair of arms and positioned to hold down crop material processed by a pickup mechanism. The windguard plate comprises a first plate fixed between the pair of arms and a second plate positioned movably with respect to the first plate, wherein working surfaces of the first plate and of the second plate form a windguard working surface of an area independent on the position of the second plate.

Abstract: Rotor strippers are sized and shaped to securely fit between adjacent rotor fingers on a rotor shaft of a rotor for stripping crop material and for conveying the crop material to a bale chamber for forming a bale. Each rotor stripper is formed of a segment comprised of two opposing side walls with an interior section extending between the two opposing side walls. A first end portion has a curved hook section shaped to securely fit around a majority portion of the rotary shaft for secure engagement therewith; a second end portion is secured to a backbone portion of the rotor allowing the segment to remain fixed with respect to rotation of the rotary shaft; and a middle portion extends between the first and second end portions in a curved manner.

Abstract: A driving device of a conveyor device such as an intake finger assembly of an auger of a harvesting device includes a feeder aid disposed in an interior of the conveyor device, a swivel bearing for supporting the feeder aid on a control shaft, a first fastening section assigned to the swivel bearing, and a second fastening section. The second fastening section is disposed at a distance from the first fastening section, between which a predetermined breaking point is disposed on the feeder aid. The first fastening section and the second fastening section are interconnected by a resiliently elastic connecting element.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a pick-up (10) with a frame (12), with at least one tine carrier (26) that can be moved relative to the frame (12), with tines (14) that are fastened on the tine carrier (26) and with strippers (30) that are arranged adjacent to one another transverse to the forward direction (V) and between which are formed intermediate spaces (28) through which the tines (14) extend outward and along which the tines (14) can be moved, wherein the strippers (30) feature a first end that is detachably fastened on the frame (12) and a second end that is detachably fastened on the frame (12), and wherein the strippers (30) are connected to the frame (12) at the first end by means of two form-fitting connections (56, 62, 38, 58). It is proposed that the strippers (30) be inherently rigid and respectively connected to the frame (12) at their second end by means of a force-fitting connection.

Abstract: A spring tine for use on the pickup assemblies of crop baling machines and the like comprises a single, continuous strand of resilient material formed into a base of multiple, side-by-side, helical coils and an elongated leg projecting outwardly from the base. The leg is formed to present a relief notch in an inner section of the leg adjacent the base for avoiding interference with a support member for the tine when the tine springs back and forth during operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting tines of a header includes a reel lift arm, a reel comprising a plurality of tines, a tine adjustment ring, and an actuator. The reel is operatively connected to the reel lift arm. The tine adjustment ring is may be operatively connected to the reel and the plurality of tines. The actuator is operatively connected to the reel lift arm and the tine adjustment ring.

Abstract: A tine mounting bracket for connecting tines to tine bars on an agricultural pick-up reel. The tines include a coiled spring section at the base of the tine and adjacent to the tine bar connection. The improved mounting bracket includes a flange that extends in adjacent contact with a portion of the coiled spring section and inhibits lateral deflection of the tine spring.

Abstract: A pickup assembly of an agricultural machine has a rotatable shaft and bulkheads with a reel assembly having plural double-stacked tine rows flanked by reel cover attachment areas. Each double-stacked tine row has a plurality of spaced apart tines with a pair of radially extending portions for engaging crop material. Each double-stacked tine row has a first row of tines and a second row of tines offset from the first row such that adjacent tines are offset in both a direction around the circumference of the shaft and also in a transverse direction along the shaft. A reel cover is coupled to the bulkhead and has slots through which portions of the tines extend.

Abstract: A windrow merger including three pickup and transfer units, a folding system, and a plurality of float mechanisms. The folding system employs simultaneous rearward, outward, and upward folding motion so as to ensure none of the units interfere with the other units while folding, and likewise while unfolding. The folding system can further fold and unfold each of the three pickup and transfer units at the same time. During merging operations, the plurality of float mechanisms of the windrow merger limits the range of motion of each pickup and transfer unit. The float mechanisms further transfer a portion of the weight of each pickup and transfer unit from the ground to the frame of the merger. The units of the windrow merger can also include a rub rail having a surface that reduces swirling or clumping of material as the material is conveyed toward an end of the windrow merger.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a reel assembly for a pickup assembly of an agricultural machine, the reel assembly comprising: a rotatable bulkhead; plural rows of tines rotatable with the bulkhead; and a reel cover coupled to the bulkhead and comprising plural slots through which the tines extend.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a reel assembly for a pickup assembly of an agricultural machine, the reel assembly comprising: a rotatable shaft; a bulkhead rotatable with the shaft, the bulkhead comprising alternating tine occupying and non-tine occupying areas; a first row of tines extending from a first of the tine occupying areas according to a first orientation at a given moment in time; and a second row of tines offset from the first row, the second row of tines extending from the first of the tine occupying areas according to the first orientation at the given moment in time.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a camless pickup assembly comprising a cam independent, rotatable reel having a plurality of tines affixed thereto and spaced apart from each other by a respective predefined first gap radially on the reel and spaced apart by a respective predefined second gap transversely across the reel; and a plurality of tine wrappers distributed transversely along the reel and occupying each of the respective second gaps, wherein a first of the plurality of tines is configured to extend past a plane of the tine wrapper surface according to a substantially constant length throughout a first arc of rotation and a second of the plurality of tines is configured to extend past the plane of the tine wrapper surface according to a gradually decreasing length throughout a second arc of rotation, the second of the plurality of tines spaced radially from the first of the plurality of tines by the predefined first gap.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting tines of a header may be disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a reel lift arm, a reel comprising a plurality of tines, a tine adjustment ring, and an actuator. The reel may be operatively connected to the reel lift arm. The tine adjustment ring may be operatively connected to the reel and the plurality of tines. The actuator may be operatively connected to the reel lift arm and the tine adjustment ring.

Abstract: A height adjustment assembly for a lawn sweeper may include a clip that may have a body portion with an aperture, a tab that extends into a slot on the lawn sweeper and a projection that engages the lawn sweeper, a shaft that engages the body portion and a fastener to movably secure the clip to the lawn sweeper in a desired position.

Abstract: A draper assembly for a crop pick-up has an endless draper belt assembly wrapped around a smaller front roller and a larger rear drive roller where the endless draper belt assembly is formed by four endless belts connected side by side at spaced positions along their length for common movement around the rollers. A tracking guide device is defined by a plurality of plastic guide elements mounted in a row on an inside surface of one belt at longitudinally spaced positions along the belt length which cooperates with a groove in the drive roller so that there are least two guide elements in the groove at any point in time. The guide elements are wider than their length and can be fastened through the belt so as to connect to the mounting of some of the fingers on the exterior of the belt.

Abstract: A crop pick-up frame has mountings for attachment to the feeder house of a combine harvester with a pick up assembly having transverse tine bars parallel to a transverse axis which move in a composite movement both around the transverse axis and parallel to the transverse axis such that each tine describes a closed path around the transverse axis and inclined to a radial plane of the transverse axis. Behind the bars is a belt conveyor followed by a converging auger where the belt conveyor is offset to one side relative to the bars so that the ends of the bars define a first path of travel at a first end of the bars and a second path of travel at a second end of the bars and the belt conveyor is offset such that one side edge extends beyond an outermost part of the second path of travel.

Abstract: An tine reel for a round baler pickup unit allows tine position to be altered dependant of rotational position of the tine reel and the lateral position of the tine on the pickup. A plurality of tine bars are mounted on the tine reel, with separate tine bars provided for the centrally located tines and the outboard located tines. A linkage connects the centrally located inboard tine bars to the outboard tine bars so that rotation of the outboard tine bars by a tine reel cam and cam follower mechanism is transferred to the inboard tine bar without the need for a second cam or second cam follower mechanism. The linkage configuration is adjusted to provide optimal tine extension position for both the centrally located and the outboard located tines.

Abstract: An improved tine and tine connection device for removably connecting a tine to a pick-up reel tine bar in an agricultural harvesting machine. The improved tine incorporates an elastomeric portion interconnecting the tine fingers and the tine bar which enables limited tines movement relative to the tine bar. The elastomeric portion may also be shaped to fit around the tine bar enabling the elastomeric portion to also function as the tine mount. The tine mount is configured to enable installation by hand or using only simple tools and, once installed, provide sufficient connection strength to retain the tine in position during reel operation.

Abstract: A tine divider plate for use on a pick-up assembly for an agricultural harvester that is connected to the tine guard and pick-up assembly frame structure using a combination of hooks and slots to retain the divider plate in position once installed. An additional hat section may be provided adjacent to the one end of each tine divider plate to direct bent tines through spaces in the tine guard upon reverse tine reel rotation.

Abstract: A flexible reel (100) for an agricultural harvesting head (115) includes a plurality of reel sections (102, 104, 106) coupled together with flexible joints (210), wherein bats (206, 218) mounted on one reel section (102, 104, 106) overlap and interleave with the bats (206, 218) of an adjacent reel section (102, 104, 106).

Abstract: An improved tine reel for a round baler pickup unit that allows tine position to be altered dependant of rotational position of the tine reel and the lateral position of the tine on the pickup. A plurality of tine bars are mounted on the tine reel, with separate tine bars provided for the centrally located tines and the outboard located tines. Separate cams control rotation of the centrally located inboard tine bars and the outwardly located outboard tine bars so that outboard tine position can be optimized without limitation by the inboard tines.

Abstract: A thatch rake comprising a handle, a body assembly comprising two side plates, a belt drive system comprising first and second rotating pulley wheels, a motor, a flexible thatching assembly comprising two thatching rods, and a guide arm situated in between the two side plates. Each thatching rod is situated between a side plate and the guide arm. A universal joint is located between each side plate and a thatching rod and between each thatching rod and the guide arm. Each thatching rod comprises a plurality of outwardly extending tines. The guide arm has two ends and is pivotally attached to the body assembly on one end and attached to a center wheel on the other end.

Abstract: The heat resistant conveyer belt with side walls according to the invention aims at solving such a prior technical problem that cleats and skirt-boards easily get loose from a base belt. The conveyer belt of the invention comprises a base belt and cleats positioned on the base belt, wherein the conveyer belt is provided with metal frameworks embedded in the cleats and the cleats are fixed on the base belt through fasteners. The cleats and the skirt-boards are respectively embedded with metal frameworks within, so that they can be fixed on the base belt through fasteners, thereby preventing from getting loose from the base belt and increasing the life time of the conveyer belt and reducing its cost.

Abstract: An pickup comprising offset pickup tines for the feeding of balers or harvesters. The tines are mounted to a rotating tine bar and arranged such that a plurality of elongate tines are connected to the trailing edge of the tine bar at the end portions and a plurality of elongate spaced-apart rotor tines are connected to the leading edge of the tine bar at the central portion.

Abstract: A wide pick-up for a baler includes a crop feed rotor and auger arrangement located at an elevated position rearward of a tined pick-up reel arrangement. Positioned for receiving crop delivered by the reel arrangement, and extending beneath the crop feed rotor and auger arrangement is a crop guide plate arrangement including a central movable crop guide plate portion mounted to be moved vertically between a raised feed position, wherein it is relatively close to a circular path traced by the outer peripheries of the crop feed rotor and the converging augers, and a lowered, crop unplugging position, wherein it is spaced to create a gap between the crop guide plate portion and the crop feed rotor and auger arrangement.

Abstract: A tine connection device for removably connecting a tine to an elongate tine bar in an agricultural harvesting machine wherein the device comprises a mounting base that is contoured to simultaneously engage the tine bar and a mounting portion of the tine and in combination with a contoured clamp fastener, restrain the mounting portion of the tine in a predetermined position relative to the tine bar. The mounting base and clamp fastener further enable a plurality of tines to be easily and uniformly connected to a tine bar while the specific contours of the mounting base and clamp fastener in adjacent contact with the tine serve to reduce stress concentrations thereby promoting extended tine service life.

Abstract: A tine assembly is used with an agricultural machine such as a harvester or hay merger. The tine assemblies mount on a reel that rotates about an axis extending transverse to the direction of travel. The tine assembly includes a first tine and a second tine, each having a main extended portion and a lateral portion extending transverse to the main portion at a mounting end of the tines. The lateral portions mount into tabs or opposite ends of a sleeve. The sleeve or tabs and mounting end of the tines are enclosed by a molded mounting portion that also includes a reinforcing arcing element configured for mounting to the reel bar. The arcing element includes orifices that allow for easily bolting and unbolting the tine assemblies for easy attachment and removal.

Abstract: A tine connection device for removably connecting a tine to an elongate tine bar in an agricultural harvesting machine wherein the device comprises a mounting base that is contoured to simultaneously engage the tine bar and a mounting portion of the tine and in combination with a contoured clamp fastener, restrain the mounting portion of the tine in a predetermined position relative to the tine bar. The mounting base and clamp fastener further enable a plurality of tines to be easily and uniformly connected to a tine bar while the specific contours of the mounting base and clamp fastener in adjacent contact with the tine serve to reduce stress concentrations thereby promoting extended tine service life.