Abstract: A method of conditioning forage crops utilizing a pair of counterrotating conditioning rolls mounted in a hay harvesting machine is disclosed wherein at least one of the conditioning rolls is transversely reciprocated relative to the other conditioning roll. An oscillating mechanism is provided to effect the transverse reciprocating movement of the conditioning rolls. The method of conditioning can be accomplished by a conditioning mechanism in which the entire conditioning roll is transversely reciprocated while being rotated or by a conditioning roll in which individual lobes circumferentially mounted for transverse reciprocation around the conditioning roll core effect the sliding action while being rotated.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a substance, in solid or liquid form, onto a crop material being baled, the substance being dispensed onto the crop material before it is baled at a rate which is dependent on the moisture content of the crop material and the bulk rate of flow of crop material through the baler. The method is applicable to round balers or square balers.

Abstract: A mower has features that allow it to mow directly over a flexible marker shaft without damage to the shaft. The mower has front and rear rollers mounted directly in front and behind each blade. These rollers engage the ground in rolling contact and support the housing. The rollers are spaced together a distance less than the height of the marker. The front roller contacts the marker and causes it to bend over. Before the front roller leaves the marker, the rear roller will be in contact with the marker to keep it in a prone position until the mower passes from the marker.

Abstract: A combine is improved to reduce corn cobs to usable segments automatically by changing the combine arc to circular and adjusting its clearance and altering its cross bar spacing; changing the straw walker sieve slots and adding a cob conveyer adjacent to the cleaning shoe.

Abstract: A wholestalk sugar cane loader apparatus is provided for the picking up and accumulating of windrowed wholestalk sugar cane from a cane field ground surface using a boom and grapple configuration that skews the grapple jaw travel path with respect to the longitudinal axis of the boom. This configuration allows use of a shorter boom and a shorter travel path. This configuration also allows greater spacing between the loader and the cane cart to improve cane quality by eliminating both cane rollover and the muddying of the cane which typically occurs by splashing of tires because of the close proximity of the cane loader and the cane cart.

Abstract: A support frame is provided for support from the three point hitch of a tractor and rotatably journals an elongated horizontal roll for rotation about an axis extending transversely of the support frame. The support frame includes opposite side ground skid portions and the roll has its lower periphery elevated slightly above the under surfaces of the ground skid portions. Although other structure may be provided for driving the roll, a forwardly directed swing arm is pivotally supported from the support frame at its rear end and rotatably journals a ground engageable drive wheel at its forward end. The roll is journalled for rotation about an axis coinciding with the axis of oscillation of the support arm and the drive wheel is drivingly coupled to the roll for rotating the latter in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the drive wheel and at a peripheral speed which is at least substantially equal to the peripheral speed of the ground wheel.

Abstract: The method of the invention mounts a mechanical fluffing or tedding device that is approximately the width of a tractor tire directly in line and behind the left hand wheels of a tractor pulling a hay mowing implement so that the area of previously cut hay that has been compacted by the wheels of the tractor is immediately tedded or fluffed and the area of non-compacted hay is not tedded or fluffed. The drying time of the hay is therefore reduced, due to the elimination of the compacted area that normally dries slower than the hay that is not compacted.

Abstract: A harvesting aid for fruit, particularly vine-borne fruit such as grapes, includes a steerable, self-propelled vehicle configured for straddling the row and supporting workers on either side of the vines. Workers sever the fruit and deposit it on a conveyor assembly which moves the fruit to a discharge point. The conveyor assembly includes a right angle conveyor segment for changing the direction of the movement of the fruit. Workers on one side deposit fruit directly onto a conveyor belt. Workers on the other side deposit fruit onto downwardly sloping pivotal diverter plates, positioned along the center line of the vehicle, having lower, outer ends above the conveyor belt. The diverter plates pivot out of the way when a vine trunk or stake is encountered as the vehicle moves down a row in either direction. The wheels of the vehicle are independently steerable over at least 90.degree. for maneuverability and for allowing the vehicle to maintain a constant azimuthal orientation.

Abstract: In the operation of certain agricultural and industrial pursuits an excess of various chemicals results. For example, an excess of phosphorus results from the use of fertilizers in the general farming operations of stimulate the growing of grass in the dairy rich areas of central Florida. This excess quantity of phosphorus finds its way into the streams and rivers, and contaminates any of the streams and bodies of water that receive the outflow of these chemically rich waters. For example, the Kissimmee River flows through the dairy rich lands of central Florida and contaminates Lake Okeechobee into which they flow. Many other chemicals used as lubricants and additives in industrial operations that also are discharged into the various bodies of water are harmful to the fish and aquatic plants whose presence is necessary to recycle and purify the water.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for rolling and wrapping a crop bale are described. A baling press including a rolling chamber has an interior circumference lined with rotating conveyor elements. A crop entry port receives cut crops as well as a wrapping material. During a final layer formation of the bale, the crop material is fed to the entry port to roll with the baled crop exiting said entry port.

Abstract: Cordon-trained grape vines are pruned by positioning circular saw blades to form a cutting path of predetermined size and shape above and on both sides of the horizontal trellis wire on which the cordons are trained and by translating the cutting path along the trellis wire while maintaining the size and shape of the cutting path substantially constant, while maintaining the sides of the cutting path centered on the cordons and maintaining the upper part of the cutting path at a desired height above the cordons.

Abstract: In apparatus for conditioning crops such as grass, one or more conditioning devices engage crop passing through a passage and condition the crop by relative movement between the conditioning device and the crop. Preferably each conditioning device is a brush having a multiplicity of stiff, resilient, elongated elements which are yieldable in more than one plane in response to engagement by the crop by bending of the elements. One brush may form a rotary conveying device for conveying crop through the passage, and another brush may accelerate or retard the crop relative to the first brush. The second brush may be stationary or may be another rotary brush. The conditioning apparatus may be mobile or stationary, and when mobile may include cutting means for cutting crop to be conditioned.

Abstract: A process and apparatus applicable to solid-set fruit growth such as strawberries in which a single harvest applies to an entire solid-set field and the harvest does not destroy the plants but separates foliage and trash from the fruit in an aerodynamic sequence and subsequent singulation of the fruit occurs under conditions of aerodynamic levitation of the fruits and clusters at the point of cropping connective tendrils.

Abstract: In apparatus for picking up and conveying cut crop, a conveying rotor is mounted on a mobile frame which is moved over the ground, and is rotated in a manner such as to pick up previously cut crop lying on the ground and to convey the crop upwardly and rearwardly over the rotor and along a passage of the mobile frame. The rotor is a brush-like structure having a multiplicity of stiff, resilient, elongate elements which are yieldable in response to engagement with the crop but are sufficiently stiff to penetrate at least part of a stream of crop conveyed by the rotor. The elements pick-up and convey crop by an action including relative movement between the conveying elements and the crop engaged thereby. The elements are arranged in tufts of element supported and protected at the base by a sleeve, and the tufts are spaced apart in the direction of the rotor axis. In other arrangements the elements may be arranged with individual elements spaced apart in the direction of the rotor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting a swath of a first crop and then forming a windrow of such first crop to one side of such swath, whereby the ground thereunder can be planted to a second crop while the first crop is curing in the windrow. A mower with a single reversible conveyor belt for windrowing a first crop is attached to a prime mover, and a minimum tillage-type planting apparatus is attached behind such prime mover.

Abstract: A two row harvester running gear is of a tricycle type with all wheels being hydraulically driven and with a center rear wheel that is steerable and smaller than the two front wheels. The running gear configuration provides sharper turns in muddy fields without bulldozing, and space for side mounting pilers adjacent the front wheels and inboard of them to minimize the number and degree of changes of direction in cut cane travel. Closed loop and parallel connections of an hydraulic power system rotates all wheels for a common linear speed, and at torques relative to the size and positioning thereof for maximum traction.

Abstract: A method of harvesting cotton includes cutting the cotton plant a short distance above ground, clampingly hold the bush with its main stem substantially in the vertical and imparting revolving movement to the plant at high speed, thus causing cotton bolls to be thrown off the plant by centrifugal force and collecting the thrown off bolls.

Abstract: A rotative plant material squeezing and shear force cell rupturing machine having a plurality of rollers, each with lobes and grooves intermeshing with the lobes and grooves of other rollers; the lobes and grooves may be either radial or axial irregularities of the rollers. By adjustment of roller spacing material processing may be varied from slight squeezing and shear fracture of the cells to almost total pulverization of the plant material.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for harvesting a crop of the character having stalks which carry seed pods, such as the sesame plant. The apparatus includes a harvesting vehicle which mounts at its front end a header structure. The header structure includes side-by-side guide units adapted for movement along individual rows of the stalks. Each guide unit includes a pair of forwardly diverging guide members which gently guide the stalks for relative movement toward rotary cutter units disposed generally at the apex of the guide members. Horizontally extending, spaced-apart stabilizer fingers are mounted for movement along each guide unit in a path toward the cutter units for stabilizing the stalks prior to and during the time that they are cut off. Drive means is provided for controlling rearward movement of the fingers at a rate substantially equal to the rate of forward vehicle travel whereby the fingers maintain registry with the stalks up to the point at which they are cut off.

Abstract: In a roll bearing machine having an apron movable in suitable manner to fom roll bales of crop material and air springs for maintaining tension in the apron, a method of adjusting the apron tension is disclosed. The method comprises adjusting the air pressure in the air springs to any desired level within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of removing aquatic plants growing from the bed of a lake or other body of water includes the steps of moving a horizontally oriented bar through the plants beneath the surface of the water, permitting the plant stalks to wrap themselves around the bar. As the bar continues to move, the plant stalks are pulled and either broken at a point between the bar and the roots or are pulled out of the lake bottom by the roots. Once the plants have been broken off or pulled out of the bottom, the bar is moved to a desired position and the plant stalks severed to free them from the bar. An apparatus for carrying out the method provides a plant-engaging bar mounted on the free end of a boom pivotally mounted on a hull floating in the water. The boom can be lowered to place the bar beneath the surface of the water and the hull has a propulsion system to move it through the water, thereby moving the bar through the plant beds.

Abstract: In a roll baling machine having an apron movable in suitable manner to form roll bales of crop material and air springs for maintaining tension in the apron, a method of releasing the apron tension is disclosed. The method comprises reducing the air pressure in the air springs to a level where the aprong tension is relaxed.

Abstract: A method used to wrap roll bales of crop material with plastic film. The method involves holding the end of a supply roll of plastic film between stationary feed rolls as a bale is formed, and then delivering the end of the plastic film to the outer surface of a completed roll bale by driving the feed rolls. The method also involves wrapping the roll bale with a suitable number of layers of the plastic film by driving the feed rolls while rotating the roll bale, and then severing the plastic film at a location between the roll bale and the feed rolls by stopping the feed rolls and moving a cutoff bar into contact with the plastic film while continuing to rotate the roll bale.

Abstract: A wrapping mechanism for use in combination with a round baling machine is disclosed wherein the baling machine has a frame, a baling chamber, and arms for supporting the roll of flexible material. An electric motor is provided on a shaft upon which the flexible material is mounted for selectively imparting rotational motion to the roll. The shaft is provided with an overriding clutch. A pulley is provided on the shaft for the roll. A belt extends around the pulley and is secured by its ends to a spring which in turn is secured to the frame of the machine to provide a drag for the shaft and the roll.A plate means is mounted on the frame adjacent the roll to separate a layer of material as it departs from the roll. The layer of material is directed towards the baling chamber or compartment.A wind shield plate is mounted on the frame adjacent the separated layer of material to protect the material from drafts. A cutter bar is mounted adjacent the entrance to the baling compartment.

Abstract: The bale-forming machine has rolling mechanism that initially tumbles loose crop material forwardly between the mechanism and the ground as the machine advances along a windrow. Thereafter, the rolling material becomes confined off the ground in an elevated forming chamber as additional material is fed into the chamber and as the mechanism rolls the material into a bale. Upon reaching a predetermined size, the bale can be tied and then ejected from the chamber through the raised rear section of the machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pull type multi-pass automatic tobacco harvester adapted to be connected to a farm tractor and pulled through a tobacco field for harvesting tobacco within the field. The pull type automatic tobacco harvester includes a main frame that supports a leaf defoliator assembly and a conveying system on each side thereof for receiving the defoliated tobacco leaves and conveying them to an area of collection. Connecting the harvester to said tractor is a hydraulically actuate swingable tongue that is pivotably mounted about the front portion of said harvester's main frame. When pivotably connected to a draw bar on the tractor, said tongue may be pivoted such that the trailing position of the harvester can be laterally varied relative to the tractor such that the defoliator assembly of said harvester can be properly aligned with any one of two adjacent tobacco rows that run along one side of the tractor.

Abstract: A rod press fruit harvester having a plurality of fruit removing rods combined with a mechanism for allowing movement of the harvester through a fruiting canopy without damage to limbs and branches of the tree. The harvester is also provided with mechanisms for automatically removing or clearing it of branches and debris and for repositioning rods which are moved out of operating position during the harvesting operation.

Abstract: Lift arms are mounted upon a cotton module builder. Cotton harvested from the field is placed into a basket which sets upon a convex guide upon a trailer. The trailer is pulled by a tractor to the module builder alongside the arms. The guide, together with the basket, is moved laterally toward the module builder. The arms are actuated to lift the basket from the guide to above the module builder. As the basket moves above the module builder a trip upon the module builder unlatches a door formed by one of the sides of the basket allowing the cotton to fall from the basket into the module builder. After the cotton has emptied into the module builder the basket is returned to the guide upon the trailer. The basket on the trailer is then moved to a harvester and refilled with harvested cotton.

Abstract: A self-propelled crop harvester having a header for harvesting crop material, a macerator for shredding the crop into small particles, a press for separating the crop material into liquid and fibrous fractions, a blower for conveying the fibrous fraction into a trailing wagon, a separator for separating the liquid fraction into a protein portion and a heated deproteinized juice, and a system for directing the deproteinized juice in a high pressure flow to cut the standing crop at the header. In another embodiment the heated juice is applied to the standing crop to moisten and heat the crop for more efficient subsequent processing.

Abstract: The bale-forming machine has rolling mechanism that initially tumbles loose crop material forwardly between the mechanism and the ground as the machine advances along a windrow. Thereafter, the rolling material becomes confined off the ground in an elevated forming chamber as additional material is fed into the chamber and as the mechanism rolls the material into a bale. Upon reaching a predetermined size, the bale can be tied and then ejected from the chamber through the raised rear section of the machine.

Abstract: A means and method are provided for harvesting field crops such as watermelon, tomatoes, cabbages, brocolli, cauliflower, cucumbers, spinach, onions, red beets, turnips, squash, mixed melons, and others. The system utilizes about six identical or very similar trucks, one of which is modified to act as the harvesting truck by the attachment of a series of conveyors and hydraulic structure whereby laterally directed wing conveyors extend out over the fields and convey crops deposited thereon through other conveying mechanism up to the truck bed where it is put directly into crop shipping containers which are palletized on a roller grid attached to the truck bed. The trucks other than the harvesting truck act as shuttle trucks and back up in sequence to the rear of the harvesting truck and are coupled to it, subsequent to which a winch and T-bar are extended from the shuttle truck into the harvesting truck to draw, in a single pull, all of the filled containers onto a roller grid in the bed of the shuttle truck.

Abstract: A harvesting apparatus adapted to move through a field of vegetation having a liquid component and a fiber component to mow and gather the vegetation and a processing means to grind the vegetation to a pulp as it is received, extract and collect the liquid component thereof, and condition and discharge the fiber therefrom.

Abstract: The drive unit of a conventional mechanically actuated shaker for removing comestibles from their support vines is supplanted by a pair of hydraulic motors capable of effecting extremely rapid forward and reverse movement of the shaker. An adjustable multivibrator circuit produces electrical pulses of predetermined duration and frequency. The pulses activate a solenoid-operated hydraulic valve supplying first the forward motor and then the reverse motor with hydraulic fluid. The quick, snapping action of the shaker afforded by the electro-hydraulic drive apparatus effectively denudes the plants or vines of their fruit.

Abstract: In the process of the invention, the onion stalks are cut and the upper ends thereof are agitated prior to drying thereof to effect removal of the seed capsules from the umbels.The apparatus of the invention comprises means for cutting the onion stalks and conveying the upper portions thereof with the umbels thereon into one end of a perforated rotating drum. A beater is coaxially and rotatably supported within the drum to agitate the onion stalk portions and thereby separate the seed capsules from the stalks and umbels. The drum and beater are peferably rotated in the same direction, but can be counter-rotated. Said seed capsules fall through the perforations of the drum into appropriate receiving means and the stalks and other debris are discharged from the other end of the drum.

Abstract: A mechanism for wrapping a plastic cover sheet about a round bale of hay is incorporated in a round bale forming machine. The mechanism includes an arbor for receipt of a roll of wrapping material. The arbor is positioned in the bale forming machine forward of the bale forming mechanism. The wrapping material is fed from the roll and wraps about the formed round bale as the baling machine moves forward. After the wrapping material encircles the bale, it is cut. The cut end is overlapped on the wrapped bale and glued thereto. Various wrapping material feed and cut off mechanisms are disclosed.

Abstract: Two pairs of cane gatherers are mounted forwardly on a four-wheeled power train, for driving a plurality of constant and variable volume hydraulic pumps, the cane gatherers being provided with gathering chains for holding and moving cane through a pair of cane passageways defined thereby and by sticker and moving chains mounted for endless rotation for guiding two rows of cane to cane toppers and cutters mounted in each passageway, and then to a pair of articulated pilers mounted on the rear of the power train. Cut-cane passageways through the pilers are defined by cane moving chains and rub bars. The pilers in one articulated position lay the cut cane of one row just behind the cut cane of the second row in a continuous transverse windrow across the cut rows and behind the power train and in a second articulated position lay the cut cane across adjacent cut rows. Front wheels are pivotable up to 90.degree.

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

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower having a housing with a continuous side wall and an open bottom. A motor on the housing drives a rotating cutting blade. The housing has a top with a front portion provided with an arcuate discharge opening. A discharge chute secured to the housing extends upwardly and in a rearward direction projected neck having an exit opening for discharging grass clippings and particulate materials into a disposable bag. A holder attaches the upper end of the bag to the neck. The lower end of the bag rests on a platform located between the rear wheels of the mower.

Abstract: In a baling operation that uses a continuously reciprocating plunger, if the next charge to be stuffed into the chamber has not yet reached the desired size and density by the time the stuffing fork is ready to begin its next operating cycle, the fork is temporarily deactivated, without affecting the plunger, until the charge reaches full size and density. Thereupon, the fork stuffs the entire charge into the baling chamber in a single cycle of operation for compaction by the plunger. The baler is loaded from the bottom of the baling chamber through an upwardly curved duct that serves both as an accumulating chamber and as a precompression area into which the charge is progressively packed by a rotating, retractable finger drum at the lower end of the duct. A backstop for precompression purposes may be presented at the top of the duct in a number of alternative ways, i.e.

Abstract: If the next charge to be stuffed into the baling chamber has not yet reached the desired size and density by the time the stuffing fork and compacting plunger are ready to begin their next operating cycles, the plunger and the fork are temporarily deactivated until the charge reaches full size and density. Thereupon, the fork stuffs the entire charge into the baling chamber in a single cycle of operation for compaction by the plunger. The baler is loaded from the bottom of the baling chamber through an upwardly curved duct that serves both as an accumulating chamber and as a pre-compression area into which the charge is progressively packed by a rotating, retractable finger drum at the lower end of the duct. The plunger closes the top of the duct during such accumulation and pre-compression, and in order to provide ample time for the plunger to retract from the duct when the stuffing cycle commences, the fork moves slowly at first but then quite rapidly once the plunger has retracted.

Abstract: A portable storage bin having a capacity of about 50 metric tons of grain is located at a field during the harvesting of grain from the field. The combines empty their hoppers into grain carts, each grain cart having a capacity of 10 metric tons. If a truck to carry the grain to the elevator is available, the grain carts discharge the grain directly into the truck. However, if a truck is not presently available, the grain carts discharge their grain into the storage bin. When a truck becomes available to pick up the grain to carry it to the elevator, it may be loaded from the storage bin or from the grain carts as capacity is available.

Abstract: The combination of a tractor, a swather of the type including a center rear discharge towed behind the tractor and a side delivery rake towed behind the swather. First towing structure is utilized to couple the side delivery rake to the swather for towing therebehind and second towing structure is utilized to towingly couple the swather behind the tractor. The first and second towing structures are operative to inversely laterally shift the side delivery rake relative to the swather and the swather relative to the prime mover. In this manner, movement of the combination along parallel side-by-side paths, while moving in opposite directions, may result in windrowing of the cuttings made by the swather in a single windrow and it is therefore possible for a baler or other pick-up device to pick up the cuttings of the swather as a result of the pick-up or baling structure making only one-half the number of passes made by the swather and the baler is capable of forming tighter and heavier bales.

Abstract: A baler adapted for towing by a tractor to pick up a windrow of hay and roll the hay into a cylindrical bale of substantial size and weight. The baler includes a front mounted pickup and a bale forming structure directly behind the pickup. The bale forming structure is of the type including an endless lower belt and a plurality of upper belts defining an expansible bale forming zone in conjunction with the lower belt. Suitable bale-density and bale-discharge structures are included. The baler includes a wheeled frame which provides a pivot connection for a draft tongue laterally offset from the baler centerline. The draft tongue extends forwardly for hitching to a tractor which can be disposed in towing relation alongside the windrow. A hydraulic cylinder is mounted between the baler frame and the draft tongue for powered steering of the baler relative to the windrow.

Abstract: Sod is removed from the field in standard width strips and the strips are cut into equal length sections. Excess moisture, when present, is removed from the sod prior to delivering the sod sections to an apparatus which removes excess soil from the bottom of the sod to reduce weight and form a product of uniform thickness. The sod sections are then delivered soil side up to a scoring and trimming apparatus which trims each section to an accurate length and scores the sod partly through the root structure longitudinally and transversely to form a plurality of equally-sized rectangular plugs in each sod section which can be easily separated by a user. Prior to the second scoring operation, pairs of sod sections are placed on moisture-absorbing trays and following the second scoring, plural layers of processed sod sections and intervening trays are placed in superposed relation in a shipping carton having a moisture-impermeable liner.

Abstract: A roll forming machine picks up crop material and forms, twine wraps and discharges rolls or large round bales thereof as the machine is continuously moving across the field. The machine has a mobile frame supporting a pickup and a floor, the latter supporting a lower conveyor. A front upper apron is supported on the frame above a front portion of the lower conveyor and floor and defines a front roll forming region therewith. A rear upper apron is supported on the frame above a rear portion of the lower conveyor and floor and defines a rear roll forming region therewith. Formation of a crop material roll is initiated in the front region and completed in the rear region after the roll has been partially formed in the front region and transferred to the rear region. Mechanism on the frame supports portions of the rear upper apron being located respectively at front and rear ends of the rear region.

Abstract: A tractor mounted forage harvester includes a transverse hitch bar or frame, a crop processing unit mounted on the frame and a windrow pickup unit releasably attached to the front of the crop processing unit during the field operating mode. The total width of the harvester is reduced when converted to the transport mode by uncoupling the pickup unit, moving the same to the rear of the processing unit and the tractor, and coupling it to the frame via a subframe mounted thereon such that the major axis of the pickup unit is maintained in the same transverse relationship to the direction of movement of the forage harvester as when the unit is attached to the front of the processing unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for harvesting crops in adjacent rows or swaths using a tractor-drawn crop harvester adapted for operation on either side of the pulling tractor. The crop harvester is provided with an arched hitching tongue extending from a location proximate to the transverse center of the harvester frame to the hitch of the tractor which is capable of swinging over the harvesting apparatus and of sufficient length to permit the harvester to be positioned by a control mechanism to operate on either side of the tractor.

Abstract: A rotary mower comprising at least one rotary cutter unit mounted on a framework, the framework having at least one forwardly extending lower support for rotatably supporting the cutter unit at its lower end, and a freely rotatable shield disposed proximate to the foremost edge of the or each support and underneath the or each cutter unit for shielding said foremost edge.

Abstract: A method for stacking bulk hay comprising picking up hay from the field, elevating the same and distributing the crop therefrom into the receptacle of a hay wagon, the hay in the receptacle being vertically compacted from time to time by a compacting head mounted for vertical reciprocal movement within the receptacle, resulting in a self-contained stack of compacted hay. Hay is permitted to be delivered into the wagon at an accumulator site during the compacting operation.

Abstract: A pull-type crop harvesting implement has a mobile frame which may be converted from a forward harvesting mode to a lateral transport mode by utilizing a first jack to support a left forward end of the frame, pivoting a field tongue connected to the left forward frame end from a forwardly-extending position, in which it may be coupled to a tractor for towing the implement in a forward direction in its harvesting mode, to a transversely-extending fixed position, pivoting the one of two spaced-apart ground wheels which is mounted at the left rearward frame end from a forwardly-directed position to a transversely-directed position, disposing a transport tongue at the right lateral side of the frame in a fixed position extending outwardly from the right lateral frame side, supporting the right lateral frame side by utilizing a second jack, removing the other of two ground wheels which is mounted at the right rearward frame side in a forwardly-directed position and remounting the other wheel in a transversely-dire