Harris and Thrush Manufacturing Company

Don R Johnson

A cotton module builder has a hydraulic cylinder which extends far above the top of the builder in operating position. The cylinder is latched in the upper position so that it may be lowered when the module builder is moved. A wedge-shaped tongue upon the carriage of the builder is hydraulically moved into a tube having an inclined surface to snugly wedge and latch the tramper cylinder into the upper operating position. The source of hydraulic pressure to move the wedge-shaped tongues is taken from the top of the hydraulic latch cylinder; therefore the latch may be withdrawn or released only when there is pressure in the top of the tramper cylinder, which will be forcing the tramper cylinder in the up position.

Hydraulic packer safety latch

A seed cotton transport is provided to transport seed cotton from the cotton stripper or harvester to a module builder. The basket upon the trailer or transport is pivoted about a point which is elevated above the sides of the module builder which is approximately eleven feet above the surface of the ground. The pivot is outboard of the wheels of the trailer. In the dump position, the weight is primarily to one side and as indicated above is very high. To prevent the trailer from overturning, stabilizing struts are hydraulicly extended any time the tilt or dump cylinders are pressurized to elevate the basket. A restricted one-way valve is used to insure that the cylinders operate in proper sequence.

Stabilized dump trailer

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.

Module dump

A latch for the door of a module builder includes a plate attached to the door and a notched latch bar pivoted to the frame of the module builder. A hydraulic latch cylinder raises the latch bar at the same time pressure is applied to a main door cylinder to open the door. An orifice is placed adjacent to the main door opening cylinder to make certain sufficient hydraulic fluid is applied to the latch opener and also to limit the speed by which the door is closed. The latch cylinder is attached to a floating bar so that upon the door closing, the latch bar can rise to be latched closed even though the latch cylinder is closed.

Latch for module builder

A cotton module builder has a hydraulic cylinder which extends far above the top of the builder in operating position. The cylinder is latched in the upper position so that it may be lowered when the module builder is moved. A hook on the cylinder is engaged by bails upon a toggle lever so that the latch will not release the cylinder unless the cylinder is in a relaxed condition.

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Wolfforth, TX, United States of America

Don R Johnson