J. I. Case Company

Lee F Garter

Michael J Covington

Jesse H Orsborn

G Neil Thedford

Kevin Scott Richman

Joel Soto

Earl R Snyder

An improved height control system for adjusting the elevation of a harvesting unit supportd for vertical movement on a cotton harvester. The height control system includes a signal receiving apparatus movable within a range of movement and arranged in combination with a lift mechanism for adjusting the elevation of the harvesting unit. A signal transmitting mechanism carried on the harvesting unit for ground engagement is connected to the signal receiving apparatus for causing the lift mechanism to effect harvesting unit elevation correlated with vertical movement of the signal transmitting mechanism relative to the harvesting unit. A linkage assembly interconnects the signal receiving apparatus and signal transmitting mechanism. The linkage assembly includes a lost motion mechanism for permitting relative movement between the signal transmitting mechanism and signal receiving apparatus following the signal receiving apparatus reaching on extreme limit of its travel thereby allowing for continued travel of the signal transmitting mechanism beyond a normal range of travel and thereby inhibiting damage to the component parts of the height control system.

Height control system for a cotton harvester

A system for controlling the elevation of a harvesting unit of a cotton harvester relative to a ground surface. The control system includes a valve assembly whose position controls operation of a lift mechanism connected to the harvesting unit and which is operated by a ground contour sensor assembly carried by the harvesting unit. Harvesting unit elevation is correlated with the extent that the ground contour sensor assembly moves relative to the harvesting unit. The ground contour sensor assembly includes a shoe with a ground engaging surface wherein such surface is movable vertically relative to the harvesting unit and also is pivotable sideways about a fore-and-aft extending axis thereby enhancing ground contact of the sensor assembly with the ground contour.

Harvesting unit height control for a cotton harvester

A cotton conveying structure which directs doffed cotton toward a cotton receptacle and readily allows both vertical and lateral movement of a harvesting unit to which it is connected. The conveying structure includes at least one discharge duct assembly defining an elongated cotton flow passage opening at one end to a harvesting mechanism of a harvesting unit and opening at an opposite end to exahust cotton into a cotton receptacle. The duct assembly is provided with an intermediate section defined by a pair of elongated tubes which telescopically move relative to each other to maintain integrity of the duct assembly upon movement of the harvesting unit.

Cotton conveying structure for a cotton harvester

An apparatus for mounting a row unit for lateral movement relative to a chassis of an agricultural implement. The row unit mounting apparatus includes a laterally extending tool bar assembly supported on a chassis and having a support surface extending between opposite ends thereof. The row unit is supported on the main frame in a manner allowing sliding movement of the row unit along the support surface of the tool bar assembly. The tool bar assembly includes a main frame and an extension frame selectively attachable to a first end of the main frame for easily and conveniently extending the support apparatus to provide additional row unit capacity or to accommodate lateral movement of the row units in a manner facilitating inspection and servicing thereof.

Apparatus for mounting a row unit for lateral movement

A cotton conveying structure for a laterally movable cotton harvesting unit of a cotton harvester. The cotton conveying structure comprises a cotton receiving assembly and a duct structure. The cotton receiving assembly vertically moves with and is inhibited against lateral movement to a tool bar assembly on which the harvesting unit is supported for lateral movement. The cotton receiving assembly includes first and second conveying sections which remain integrally connected to each other while allowing relative lateral movement of the harvesting unit from a harvesting position to permit servicing thereof. By inhibiting its lateral movement, the cotton receiving assembly is aligned in a cotton conveying relationship with and when the harvesting unit is returned to its harvesting position.

Growing community of inventors

Western Springs, IL, United States of America

Lee F Garter