Deere + Company

Steve H McBee

Joel M Schreiner

Kenneth C McConnell

Timothy Arthur Deutsch

Francis E Schlueter

Steve A Junge

Bruce L Hubbard

Allen D Hudson

A tether switch is connected to both the operator presence system and the automatic lubrication distribution system on a harvester such as a cotton picker. A lubrication control switch on the instrument panel of the harvester is connected to the tether switch and to the lubrication control and is switchable to a first condition wherein depression of the tether switch activates driven components on the harvester and the lubrication system to cause lubrication to be pumped to the moving components. The tether switch may be moved between harvester cab and harvester unit locations so that, when the control switch is in the first condition, the operator can cause the units to be lubricated while he watches the driven components from a location remote from the cab. The operator presence and lubrication systems are fully integrated with each other, and the presence system includes condition responsive switches connected such that the operator may activate the lubrication distribution system with the control switch without depressing the tether switch when he is in his seat in the cab.

Remotely operable lubrication system for a harvester

A single pivot and ledge structure located on the back wall of a lower duct of cotton harvester duct structure supports an upper telescoping duct section and facilitates free movement of the sections relative to each other, for example, when the row unit which is serviced by the duct is moved transversely or raised and lowered relative to the harvester frame. The pivot includes a bushing which extends rearwardly from an angle forming a ledge on the lower duct section. The upper duct section extends over the lower duct section and includes a U-shaped bracket which rests on the ledge. An aperture in the U-shaped bracket is received over the bushing to help position the duct sections and permit free pivoting of the upper duct section in both the fore-and-aft and the transverse directions.

Multi-directional single pivot for a cotton harvester duct

Cotton harvester basket structure including an upper basket portion telescopingly received within a lower basket portion and first hydraulic actuators for moving the basket between harvesting and dump positions and second actuators for telescoping the basket portions between a retracted storage position and an extended field-working position. An unloading conveyor and compacting augers are connected to and movable with the upper basket portion, and the compacting augers also serve to meter cotton during the dump cycle. Telescoping cotton conveying ducts are movable with the upper basket portion between retracted transport and raised field-working positions. Hydraulic circuitry includes valves for selectively controlling the basket telescoping and dump functions and the conveyor and compacting auger operations.

Telescoping basket for a cotton harvester

Row unit and conveying structure for a cotton harvester having transversely rollable row units adapted for opening up the area between units to provide access to the harvesting mechanisms for servicing. The inner row units on the harvester include suction door structure which is supported from the row unit support frame and remains stationary as the row unit is rolled transversely. The row unit includes compartment structure fabricated from individually removable panels to define a cotton path extending in the fore-and-aft direction alongside the spindle drums and which opens at the lower rear end of the row unit into the suction door. The opening automatically aligns with the suction door as the row unit is rolled back to the row-harvesting position. The outer row units include duct support structure mounted on the unit support frame, and the suction door is connected directly to the row unit for transverse movement therewith. The duct support provides a transition area between the upper cotton conveying structure and the upper door structure and permits the outer unit to be rolled transversely without disconnecting ducts. Upon movement of the row unit back to the harvesting position, the upper door structure automatically aligns with the duct support structure. Therefore, servicing of the units can be accomplished without unfastening doors and ducts.

Alignable cotton conveying structure for a transversely movable row unit

A control system for terminating the power input to the picking units of a cotton harvester after a short delay by automatically causing a hydrostatic drive to return to neutral. A seat switch and a delay timer electrically connected to a solenoid valve on a servo control system of the hydrostatic pump deactivates the servo system and returns the pump swashplate to a neutral position to stop the unit movement when the operator leaves his seat. Another switch connected in parallel with the operator seat switch is activable when the unit drive is in neutral making the system effective only when the picking units are engaged. A service bypass circuit is provided which, when the hydrostatic lever is in a special low speed position and when the main ground drive of the transmission is in neutral, permits the units to be operated at a relatively slow speed by depressing a remotely located switch.

Operator presence switch with service by-pass

A monitor for detecting an overload condition of the vertical picker drum on a cotton harvester picker unit. A leaf spring contact is supported above a slip clutch having a driven portion meshing with a driving pinion. An overload condition forces the driven portion upwardly against the contact, shorting the contact to the unit frame which causes an overload indicator lamp on the operator's panel to light.

Growing community of inventors

Ankeny, IA, United States of America

Steve H McBee