Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for working grass, hay or other crops on the field, provided with two rake members which are drivable about upwardly directed axes of rotation. During operation, the distance between the rake members can be changed by controls at the seat of the tractor on which the machine is mounted to adapt the machine to various circumstances. The machine is provided with swath forming crop guide members, the relative positions of which are automatically adapted to remain about the same irrespective of the distance between the rake members.

Abstract: A mowing machine comprising at least three mower members which are arranged rotatably about substantially vertical axes on a supporting beam containing drive means. The drive means includes a rotating torsion shaft which is driven at both ends thereof and carries gears for driving the mower members.

Abstract: A spreader for granular and/or powdery material such as fertilizer comprises a hopper having two delivery parts. Distribution members are provided under the delivery parts for broadcasting material fed to them from the hopper. The distribution members are mounted on a carrier rigidly supported by the hopper. This construction results in a fixed position of the distribution members (3, 4) with respect to the delivery parts, regardless of deflections which may occur as a result of the weight of material in the hopper. The distribution members may be driven by a mechanical transmission from a power take-off shaft of a tractor, or by a hydraulic motor.

Abstract: An implement for milking an animal, such as a cow, that comprises a milking parlor where the animal can be positioned so that a robot arm which carries teat cups for application to the animal's teats can be positioned between the animal's front and rear legs. The robot arm is linked to a padded sensor that contacts the animal's hindquarters such that the robot arm maintains a relatively stable position between the animal's legs upon the animal's forward or rearward movement. The end of the robot arm can be located precisely relatively to the teats by an ultrasonic sensor. The implement provides for individual application of each teat cup to a teat and, once the teat cup is attached to the teat, the teat cup to be released from the robot arm so that a flexible connecting member provides the link between the rotor arm and the teat cup during milking. Upon completion of the milking, the flexible connecting member is used to pull the teat cup to the robot arm and seat it thereon.

Abstract: A mowing machine having a mobile frame, made up of a portion including the mower units and a support frame, which can be coupled by means of a pivotal arm to a prime mover. During operation, the mobile frame is located behind and offset to one side of the prime mover. The pivotal arm carries drive means for driving the mowing machine through the PTO-shaft of the prime mover. The pivotal arm is constructed so that it may pivot over a broad range of angles thereby facilitating turns. To accomodate the construction of the pivotable arm, the drive means may be divided into three sections interconnected by two universal joints.

Abstract: A spreader has a hopper the lower region of which comprises a wall portion which coincides in part with a sphere and contains outlet ports for material to pass at an inclined angle from the hopper to a rotating distribution member. The free aperture of each port is adjustable by a dosing slide. These dosing slides are controlled by an adjusting mechanism capable of displacing either one of the dosing slides without displacing the other.

Abstract: A cutting unit for a mowing machine which is driven by means of beveled gears contained in a drive housing. The cutting unit, which includes a rotatable disc mounting pivotal cutting blades is resiliently attached to the units' upwardly extending drive shaft emerging from the drive housing where power is transferred thereto from the mowing machine's generally horizontal drive shaft.

Abstract: An implement for milking an animal, such as a cow, that provides for sensor guided, automated attachment of teat cups to the teats of the animal's udder. Following attachment to the udder the teat cups are released from the attachment member and remain connected only by a flexible connection to the carrier during the milking operation, the flexible member permitting limited movement by the animal. Upon completion of the milking operation, tension is applied to the flexible connection and the teat cup is reseated on the attachment member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for working grass, hay or other crops on the field, provided with two rake members which are drivable about upwardly directed axes of rotation. During operation, the distance between the rake members can be changed by controls at the seat of the tractor on which the machine is mounted to adapt the machine to various circumstances. The machine is provided with swath forming crop guide members, the relative positions of which are automatically adapted to remain about the same irrespective of the distance between the rake members.

Abstract: An agricultural spreader comprises distribution members (11, 12) which rotate to eject material such as fertilizer. The spreader can tilt to one side or the other so as to reduce the spreading distance on one side. This facility enables the spreader to be driven on a field along the same tracks as other agricultural machinery while avoiding waste of material at the edges of fields. Other embodiments utilize braking members which are movable into the path of ejected material to reduce its kinetic energy and consequently its spreading distance.

Abstract: A mowing machine has a cutter bar which is a plurality of drive housings and intermediate members between the drive housing held firmly together in compressing by a tie rod in tension. Each drive housing has a cutting unit which includes a rotatable disc and blades. At least some discs (for example the outermost two) have on their upper sides engaging members for engaging cut crop to convey the crop to the rear. The engaging members of outermost cutting unit are provided on a body which extends upwardly to where it is spaced above the cutting unit while the adjacent cutting unit has its engaging members closer to the disc. The machine is constructed so that it can be folded and partially dismantled for packing in a container of limited dimensions without it being unduly difficult to assemble for the purpose of providing an operable machine.

Abstract: A mowing machine which has a rotary cutting member rotatably journalled to a shaft received in a drive housing. The drive housing has connected to it a supporting skid extending under and forward thereof for engagement with the ground. The skid defines, with the drive housing, a space which is filled with a lightweight material such as foam. The material prevents foreign matter from getting into the space, strengthens the skid, reduces the connective welding required and alters the weight and other characteristics of the machine. A plurality of like rotary cutting members with supporting skids are mounted side-by-side.

Abstract: A spreader comprises a hopper having two delivery parts. At the bottom of each delivery part there is a delivery member having an outwardly and upwardly inclined wall in which are which has outlet ports (29, 30) in it. The bottom of the delivery member (25) is closed by a distribution member (4). The inclined position of the wall of the delivery member (25) in which the outlet ports (29, 30) are provided enables high rates of flow of material from the hopper (2) to be achieved. A cover for the outlet ports is urged by clamping springs against the delivery member wall. Such wall and the cover conform to a conical surface and are movable relative to each other around the common vertical axis of their mating conical surfaces.

Abstract: A haymaking machine comprises a sub-assembly provided with two rake members, the sub-assembly being connected to a frame for pivotal movement about a pivotal axis that slopes upwardly to the rear. The center of gravity of the sub-assembly is ahead of such axis and a locking mechanism is provided for retaining the sub-assembly in a required working or transport position with respect to the frame. The disposition of the center of gravity and the pivotal axis is such that, when the locking mechanism is released, lifting machine above the ground causes the sub-assembly to swing automatically about the pivotal axis towards a transport position. If the machine is lifted more, the sub-assembly then swings automatically towards the working position.

Abstract: Instead of being bound by being wrapped with twine, wire or plastics sheeting, relatively large bales of crop formed by winding are made cohesive by pressing a pushing or penetrating member into the bales as the outer layers are formed. The pushing member forces stalks from each layer of crop into inner layers, to achieve a plaited or braided effect that keeps the bale intact.In another embodiment U-shaped binding elements are shot into the bale for holding the bale together after it has been formed.

Abstract: A mowing machine has a main frame made up of driving units and intermediate pieces which are mounted alternatively on a tie member. The tie member is normally under tension to compress the driving units and the intermediate pieces together to make the main frame substantially rigid. The tie member is positioned substantially centrally of the driving units and the intermediate pieces so as to provide even loading of their mating faces. The driving units preferably have cutting units with flexible hoods. The cutting units are driven by a common continuous drive shaft through bevel gearing and the direction of rotation of each cutting unit can be changed by removing the gear and replacing it the other way round within the driving unit housing on the driving shaft.

Abstract: A spreader has a hopper the lower region of which comprises a wall portion which coincides in part with a sphere and contains outlet ports for material to pass at an inclined angle from the hopper to a rotating distribution member. The free aperture of each port is adjustable by a dosing slide. These dosing slides are controlled by an adjusting mechanism capable of displacing either one of the dosing slides without displacing the other.

Abstract: A soil cultivating machine comprising soil cultivating members which are rotated about upwardly extending axes and carried by a gear box which extends transversely of the intended direction of operative travel whereas behind the cultivating members a supporting roller is provided that is vertically adjustable on the gear box by means of carrying arms. Legal provisions in force in various countries limit the maximum widths of the machine for highway travel, for example, to three meters. The gear box can be limited to the prescribed dimension, by, at least at one end of the gear box, providing an end plate which extends above the gear box and pivotally engaging on the inboard side thereof a carrying arm for the roller. In this manner the outer surfaces of the two end plates for the gear box are exactly at a relative distance corresponding to the maximum width allowed while at the same time there is no sacrifice in the width along the gear box required for connecting the roller.

Abstract: A spreader comprises a hopper having two delivery parts. At the bottom of each delivery part there is a delivery member having an outwardly and upwardly inclined wall in which are which outlet ports. The bottom of the delivery member is closed by a distribution member. The inclined position of the wall of the delivery member in which the outlet ports are provided enables high rates of flow of material from the hopper to be achieved.

Abstract: A mowing machine has a main frame made up of driving units and intermediate pieces which are mounted alternately on a tie member. The tie member is normally under tension to compress the driving units and the intermediate pieces together to make the main frame substantially rigid. The tie member is positioned substantially centrally of the driving units and the intermediate pieces so as to provide even loading of their mating faces. The driving units preferably having cutting units with flexible hoods. The cutting units are driven by a common drive shaft through bevel gearing and the direction of rotation of each cutting unit can be changed by removing the gear and replacing it the other way round on the driving shaft.