Engineering Commons^™

Harvester Guidance Control System, George B. Day V, Timothy D. Smith

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Patents

A guidance control system for a harvester or like machinery includes a steering linkage operatively connected to at least one ground engaging wheel. Harvester steering is controlled through the linkage by either an operator controlled steering wheel or a sensor responsive self-steering mechanism. The sensor responsive self-steering mechanism includes a guide assembly pivotally mounted to the harvester. The guide assembly includes a pair of laterally spaced, cooperating tines that define a path therebetween for plants being harvested. A sensor positioned on each tine senses the position of plants as they are harvested. A control circuit is responsive to the sensors …

Transplanter Mounting Attachment For A Harvester, Larry D. Swetnam, James H. Casada, Linus R. Walton

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Patents

A transplanter mounting attachment for attachment to a crop harvester including a pivot shaft operatively connected for rotation about an axis extending longitudinally with respect to a support frame of a crop harvester. A rotating sleeve substantially orthogonally disposed with respect to the pivot shaft and rotatably mounted relative thereto. A connecting shaft substantially orthogonally disposed with respect to the pivot shaft and rotatably mounted relative thereto. At least one transplanter attaching assembly operatively connected to the rotating sleeve and being raised or lowered upon rotary motion being imparted to the rotating sleeve. Wheels are provided which are operatively connected …

Cultivating Attachment For Crop Harvester Support Vehicle, Larry D. Swetnam, James H. Casada, Linus R. Walton

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Patents

A cultivator for attachment to a crop harvester including at least one tool frame member with soil tilling tools adjustably mounted relative thereto. A shaft is provided rotatably mounted relative to a support frame of the crop harvester. An actuating member is operatively connected to the shaft and the support frame for selectively imparting rotation to the shaft. A link is operatively, pivotally connected between the tool frame member and the support frame for guiding the frame member and the soil tilling tools between a raised position out of engagement with a ground surface and a lowered position into engagement …

Two Row Crop Harvester, Larry D. Swetnam, James H. Casada, Linus R. Walton

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Patents

A two row harvesting aid including an easily adjustable, semi-floating, self-steering primary cutter head and an auxiliary second row attachment for harvesting row crops. Self-steering capabilities, a cut-off mechanism and a quick-adjustment are combined into a single integral unit on the primary harvester. Direction sensing is accomplished by utilizing a feeler arm or a set of feeler arms which follow the plant stock row or other protrusions or indentations. Forces detected by the guidance sensors are transmitted to a ring which is a part of the housing and/or shielding of the cut-off device. The steering forces may be transmitted to …

Crop Harvester Including A Quickly Adjustable Semi-Floating, Self-Steering Cutter Head, Larry D. Swetnam, James H. Casada, Linus R. Walton

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Patents

The present invention is directed to an easily adjustable, semi-floating, self-steering cutter head for row crops. The present invention incorporates self-steering capabilities, a cut-off mechanism and a quick-adjustment into a single integral unit. Direction sensing is accomplished by utilizing a feeler arm or a set of feeler arms which follow the plant stock row or other protrusions or indentations. Forces detected by the guidance sensors are transmitted to a ring which is a part of the housing and/or shielding of the cut-off device. The steering forces may be transmitted to a steering system through a single connection. The present invention …

Tobacco Plant Harvester, James H. Casada, Edward M. Smith

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Patents

A harvester for tobacco plants is provided for towing by a prime mover to which an articulated frame is attached, the frame mounting a movable turret having spears on which tobacco stalks are impaled. During removal of the stalks from the spears, they are loaded on sticks which are then manually removed from the harvester.

A hydraulic system powered from the prime mover serves to actuate each of the turrets, an empty stick supplying mechanism, a loaded stick removing mechanism, and the mechanism for transferring stalks from the spears to the sticks; and a mechanical power takeoff shaft driven by …