Case Corporation

J. I. Case Company

George M Butkovich

Jesse H Orsborn

John F Link

Michael J Covington

George R Vater

Vladimir D Shubinsky

Marvin A Prickel

Kenneth Clayburn

Thomas K Bessman

Troy D Bateman

An apparatus and method is disclosed for retaining a first and second PTO in longitudinal relation to an output sleeve in an agricultural vehicle. The output sleeve is for interchangeably supporting and transmitting rotational power to the first and second PTOs, and includes an outward protrusion proximate an end of the output sleeve. The apparatus includes an outer plate with an outer plate aperture such that the outer plate can be longitudinally positioned onto the first PTO behind a shoulder on the first PTO. The apparatus also includes an inner plate with an inner plate aperture such that the inner plate can be longitudinally positioned onto the output sleeve, and an inward protrusion into the inner plate aperture. The inward protrusion prevents removal of the inner plate from the output sleeve if, after the inward protrusion has been moved longitudinally past the outward protrusion, the inner plate is rotated with respect to the output sleeve so that the inward protrusion is in front of the outward protrusion. The apparatus further includes a fastener that couples the outer plate to the inner plate. Also disclosed is a bearing support assembly that includes a housing assembly, a bearing sleeve and a plurality of bearings. Further disclosed is a sensor for sensing the movement of teeth on the inner plate or on the bearing sleeve.

Dual speed PTO shaft retention and support system

A locking mechanism for releasably fixing an externally splined power take-off shaft to an output shaft of off-highway equipment such as a tractor. The output shaft has a hollow, internally splined hub portion adapted to axially receive the externally splined power take-off shaft to prevent relative rotational movement between the power take-off and output shafts. The locking mechanism includes a locking member supported within a radial opening in the power-take off shaft so as to be radially movable between an outer locking position and an inner unlocking position. In the outer locking position, the locking member is engageable with a recess formed in the hub portion of the output shaft to prevent relative axial movement between the power take-off shaft and the output shaft. In the inner unlocking position, the locking member is disengaged from the recess in the output shaft to permit such relative axial movement. An elongated actuator is positioned within an inner bore of the power take-off shaft and has a cam surface thereon. The actuator is movable between a first position in which the actuator operably maintains the locking member in its locking position, and a second position which permits radial movement of said locking member to its unlocking position. Upon return of the actuator to the first position, the cam surface operably engages the locking member to move the locking member to its locked position.

Locking mechanism for releasably retaining a power take-off shaft within

Combined control lever and handle for an agricultural implement

A system for mounting and supporting harvesting units on a forward end of a cotton harvester frame to allow them to be slidably moved relative to each other and laterally along an elongated tool bar structure. The tool bar structure is pivotally connected to the cotton harvester frame by a lift assembly. The harvesting units hang in a cantilevered fashion from and are independently connected at their rearward edges to the tool bar structure by a slide support structure which facilitates visibility of the harvesting units from a cab region of the harvester. The slide support structure maintains a non-rotatable and non-point contact relationship with laterally elongated generally flat support surfaces defined between opposite ends of the tool bar structure whereby substantial surface area contact is provided between each side support structure and the support surfaces on the tool bar structure. To facilitate numerous combinations of row spacings and harvesting capacities, the tool bar structure is preferably comprised of modular units which are connected together in axially aligned relation and includes a pivotal extension provided at each or both ends of the tool bar structure. When axially aligned with the tool bar structure, the pivotal extension provides coextensive elongation of the support surfaces on the tool bar structure. An operator-controlled driver mechanism is preferably provided to facilitate precise positioning of the harvesting units relative to each other and along the support surfaces of the tool bar structure.

Method and system for mounting and supporting harvesting units of a

A drive assembly for a cotton harvester with harvesting units mounted for vertical movement about a fixed axis and for lateral movement across a front end of the harvester. The drive assembly includes a harvesting unit drive section and a transmission section which are driven by a common power input. The harvesting unit drive section includes an upright fluidically sealed housing with an output shaft assembly and a pair of modular drive units supported and connected to the housing at opposite ends of the output shaft assembly. An elongated modular support connects at least one of the drive units to the housing to optimize the lateral location of the driving units and thereby maximizing transfer of rotary power through the harvesting unit drive section.

Drive system for a cotton harvester

A method and apparatus for controlling operation of an agricultural implement such as a cotton harvester. The control system includes operator presence circuitry, gear selector circuitry, and bypass circuitry arranged independently of each other for controlling operation of a drive assembly such as a hydrostatic drive mechanism used to drive a harvesting unit on and propel the cotton harvester.

Growing community of inventors

Lemont, IL, United States of America

George M Butkovich