Case Corporation

John H Chance

Daniel A Miller

Robert M Fachini

David Brandt

Kenneth D Walser

Robert L Fachini

A lift system for individually elevating one or more harvesting units of a cotton harvester through a range of movement extending between an operational position and a raised position while maintaining other harvesting units in an operational position relative to the harvester. The lift system includes a source of actuating fluid, a fluid pressure actuator connected to each harvesting unit for elevating a respective harvesting unit, and a control system connected between the source of actuating fluid and each fluid pressure actuator for selectively controlling the elevation of the harvesting units relative to the chassis of the harvester. The control system includes ground sensors for individually maintaining the harvesting units in a preselected elevational position relative to the harvester. The control system further includes a series of electro/hydraulic valves for independently interrupting and effectuating the flow of actuating fluid to the fluid pressure actuators thereby providing independent control over elevation of the harvesting units.

Lift system for a cotton harvester

A discharge conveyor system for a cotton harvester which removes a commingled mixture of ripe and green bolls from cotton plants during a harvesting operation. The discharge conveying system includes duct structure having an inlet arranged proximate to an outlet on a harvesting head assembly from which the commingled mixture of harvested materials pass. An air system directs an air stream through the duct structure such that ripe or lighter bolls are drawn into the duct structure while heavier or green bolls fall from the outlet of the harvesting head assembly. A basket is mounted on the harvester for receiving the green bolls and includes a floor comprised of a plurality of louvers which combine with each other, in one position, to hold green bolls in the basket, and are movable to a second position wherein the louvers are arranged relative to each other for purposes of boll discharge. A conveyor assembly gravitationally receives and conveys green bolls away from the inlet to the duct structure thereby preventing them from interfering with the lighter bolls flowing into the duct structure.

Discharge conveying system for a cotton harvester

A hydraulic drive system for driving component parts such as harvesting units of a cotton harvester head assembly. The hydraulic drive system includes a source of actuating fluid and fluid pressure actuators for driving the harvesting units independently of each other. Suitable conduit structure connects each fluid pressure actuator to the source of actuating fluid. The conduit structure is preferably flexible to facilitate transverse positioning of the harvesting units on the head assembly. A control valve assembly is connected to the conduit structure and is operably interposed between the source of actuating fluid and the fluid pressure actuators for selectively interrupting and effectuating the supply of actuating fluid from the source of actuating fluid and each of the fluid pressure actuators thereby influencing operation of the harvesting units.

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Amarillo, TX, United States of America

John H Chance