Deere + Company

Gary L Warnsholz

Timothy Arthur Deutsch

Jeffrey Scott Wigdahl

Michael Lee Pearson

Kenneth C McConnell

Kevin D McKee

Wendell D Reece

Jeffery D Behan

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.

Duct support and transition structure for a harvester

Cotton harvester structure including centrally located, transversely mounted engine, rear mounted water and fuel tanks, and transversely centered conveyor fan having an upper, forwardly extending outlet located just below the level of the cab floor for improved weight distribution, air hose routing and air flow. The fan rotates about a transversely extending axis parallel to the engine crankshaft axis. The crankshaft and fan are connected by a belt and sheave assembly having an electric clutch mounted on a shaft assembly and located outside of the frame. The shaft assembly provides fan support, separates the fan inlet from the clutch, reduces lubrication requirements, and enhances accessibility. Two variable displacement hydraulic pumps connected to the row unit drive and ground drive motors, respectively, are driven in tandem from the crankshaft at one side of the engine and are adjustable to vary the ratio of row unit speed to harvester ground speed over a range of ratios, including a ratio that synchronizes ground speed and row unit speed. A side mounted radiator with a rotary cleaner is located on the opposite side of the frame between the front and rear wheels. The water and fuel tanks are nested closely to each other and extend rearwardly of the rear wheels.

Cotton harvester

Picking unit drive structure for transversely adjustable row units of a cotton harvester. A hydraulic drive system with an engine driven pump supplies fluid under pressure through flexible conduits to individual hydraulic motors located on the row units and drivingly connected to the unit harvesting structures. Flow to the motor is regulated by a flow-control valve and an electronic valve controller to synchronize picker drum speed with harvester ground speed. The hydraulic drive eliminates external drive shafts and significantly enhances transverse adjustment of the row units.

Hydraulic row unit drive for a cotton harvester

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Des Moines, IA, United States of America

Gary L Warnsholz