Agco Corporation

Robert A Stelzer

Leroy M Kluver

Eric W Clausen

A foliage harvester is provided, as is a mechanical drive arrangement which includes a pivotally mounted main gearbox. An extension assembly extends forwardly with respect to the main gearbox for a relatively short length, and a connection assembly operatively joins the rotating portion near the rear end of the mechanical drive assembly in a manner which prevents substantially any side-to-side or generally horizontal movement between that portion of the mechanical drive assembly and the rotatable main gearbox. At the same time, this operative joining incorporating use of the connection assembly permits limited up-and-down or generally vertical movement of the mechanical drive assembly with respect to the pivotable main gearbox. In an especially preferred arrangement, the implement is a center pivot mower conditioner, and the mechanical drive operates the cutting and conditioning assemblies during operation of the mower conditioner on either side behind the towing vehicle or tractor.

Foliage mowing implement having mechanical drive with main gearbox

A baler including a plurality of endless belts and opposing side walls defining therebetween a chamber for receiving forage material and forming a bale. Each of the belts is formed as a full width belt extending substantially a transverse distance from one of the side walls to the other of the side walls. In order to maintain proper tracking of the full width belts, a drive roller for each of the belts is formed with a sleeve centrally located on the drive roller and defining a crown for the roller, as well as improving traction between the roller and the belt. In addition, each of the full width belts is formed with a differential stiffness wherein the belt exhibits a greater stiffness against bending about an axis perpendicular to the rollers than the stiffness against bending about an axis parallel to the rollers. In order to facilitate removal of debris from an area adjacent to an inner surface of the belt, a roller for guiding the belt is provided with a helix structure wherein the helix acts as an auger to convey debris away from the center and toward the ends of the roller.

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Coldwater, OH, United States of America

Robert A Stelzer