Abstract: An agricultural harvester is provided with a grain tank affixed to its main frame for storing therein processed crop material. The volume of the grain tank can be extended by an extension assembly comprising a first pair of mutually opposed panels and a second pair of mutually opposed panels. The panels are movable between a lower, inoperative position and a higher, operative position in which the panels substantially increase the volume of the grain tank. The movement of the second pair is controlled by the movement of the first pair of panels. The panels are provided with locking mechanism for keeping all panels in their operative position and which are disposed to become engaged and to secure the extension assembly in the extended position when the first pair of panels moves the second pair of panels to their operative position.

Abstract: A mass flow sensor apparatus (30) for a billet harvester(10) for sugar cane of the type having an elevator (20) with a plurality of flights (24) that transfer batches of billets (5) through an elevator housing and having a floor section (23) proximate an upper end (22) of the elevator housing, the mass flow sensor apparatus including: a weigh pad (31) for receiving batches of billets (5); a first transducer means (34) operatively associated with the weigh pad for producing mass signals (39) indicative of a mass received by the weigh pad and error correction mechanism (37, 38) for correction of measurement errors in the mass signals; whereby, in use, the weigh pad (31) is substantially co-planar with the floor section (23) in the elevator housing such that batches of billets (5) traverse the weigh pad and the error correction mechanism (37) is operatively associated with the crop harvester (10). A yield mapping system employing DGPS positioning techniques with the mass flow rate sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A locking arrangement for a concave of a rotary combine, the concave having first and second ends spaced circumferentially around a rotor of the combine. The first end includes a pivot member received in an opening of a hook member supported by a support structure so as to support the first end for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of rotation of the rotor. A locking member mounted on the hood member is pivotable between an engaged position for engaging the pivot member of the first end of the concave for retaining the pivot member in the opening of the hook member and a disengaged position wherein the locking member is disengaged from the pivot member while the pivot member is supported in the opening by the hook member.

Abstract: A disc cutterbar with at least one cutterhead having a two-piece mounting hub, one piece rotatably driven and the other supporting a knife for severing standing crop material, with an epoxy layer bonding the two pieces together and forming a shear device therebetween. A brake is associated with the knife-supporting piece whereby upon failure of said shear device, the knife-supporting piece is stopped from rotating within one revolution.

Abstract: A crop conveying drum for a drive disc cutter is mounted directly to the drive shaft mechanism providing rotational power to the cutterbar. The crop conveying drum is formed as mating segments, each forming a half of the drum. Each segment has a pair of support bars vertically oriented and extending between connecting flanges. A mounting bracket centrally supported by the vertical support bars is formed to partially wrap around the drive shaft mechanism. The mounting bracket has holes therein for the passage of fasteners to connect the drum segment directly to the drive shaft mechanism so that the crop conveying drum rotates with the drive shaft mechanism. Upper and lower mating connecting flanges are fastened together to form the entire crop conveying drum rotatable with the drive shaft. The crop conveying drum assists in conveying severed crop material laterally from outlying disc cutters that define a cutting width of the cutterbar that is greater than the operating width of the conditioning rolls.

Abstract: An agricultural machine for effectively mulching fodder within the space between crop rows with a single pass includes a frame having an adjustable tongue assembly for towing by a tractor at a preselected pitch and a retractable wheel assembly for transporting the machine over roads. Carriages attached to the frame carry freely rotating drums. Each carriage is slidable and rotatable on the frame for securing the carriage at a preselected orientation. Each drum has a rolling surface for engaging the ground being cultivated. Two carriages form a drum pair which straddles the crop row for permitting the drums within the drum pair to freely roll over ground on opposing sides of the crop row. A plurality of blades is carried on each of the rolling surfaces of the drums for penetrating the ground surface, with the blades extends radially outward from the axis of rotation. Each blade includes a cutting edge oriented with the blades on one drum orthogonal to the blades an the second drum of the drum pair.

Abstract: A tiller for cultivating soil has a power source and a tilling shaft mounted for undergoing rotation by a driving force supplied from the power source. The tilling shaft has a hollow outer shaft and an inner shaft extending through the outer shaft. The inner shaft has a variable rotating speed and/or direction of rotation relative to the outer shaft. A power transmission mechanism transmits a driving force from the power source to the tilling shaft. The power transmission mechanism has a first power transmission system for transmitting the driving force from the power source to the outer shaft and a second power transmission system transmitting the driving force from the power source to the inner shaft. The second power transmission system has a hydrostatic transmission comprised of a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor for effecting a stepless change of the rotating speed of the inner shaft as well as a selective change of its direction of rotation.

Abstract: A disc cutterbar having a two-piece mounting hub, one piece rotatably driven and the other supporting a knife for severing standing crop material, with an epoxy layer bonding the two pieces together and forming a shear device therebetween. A brake is associated with the knife-supporting piece whereby upon failure of said shear device, the knife-supporting piece is stopped from rotating within one revolution.

Abstract: A lawn sweeper and bagger which increases the efficiency of the device by utilizing a Bernoulli Effect to increase the pickup capabilities of the device and which also permits handling of the bags more readily by positioning them on the front rather than on the rear of the machine.

Abstract: A rotary combine is disclosed to include a wheel-supported main frame supporting, among other components, a cylindrically shaped rotor and a grain bin having sides and a bottom for the temporary storage of crop material treated by the combine. A support structure supported by the main frame overlying the rotor and including a lower portion having a semi-circular surface partially surrounding the upper longitudinal half of the rotor and including an upper portion having two inclined surfaces meeting to form an inverted-V shaped surface extending, in spaced-apart relationship, along and above the semi-circular surface and comprising at least a portion of the bottom surface of the grain bin.

Abstract: A lawn rake includes a number of tines attached onto a rake member, and a single presser bar disposed across the tines and secured to the rake member for easily and quickly securing the tines to the rake member. A number of seats are formed on the rake member for receiving the presser bar. The rake member has one or more spring latches for securing the presser bar to the rake member. The tines each has a bent end engaged into the rake member or engaged into the bulges or engaged with pegs for being solidly secured to the rake member.

Abstract: A four wheel drive working vehicle such as a front mower has a dual one-way clutch mechanism interlocked to right and left dirigible wheels. When the vehicle makes a turn in forward or backward running, the clutch mechanism breaks drive transmission only to an outer one of the dirigible wheels.

Abstract: A hay making machine, particularly a windrower for plant matter, comprising a structure carrying at least one raking wheel. The latter is connected to the end of a carrying arm in such a way as to be able to pivot about a first axis and a second axis. The two axes of articulation of the raking wheel to the carrying arm form angles &agr; and &bgr;, the values of which are between 10° and 80°, with the direction of forward travel of the machine.

Abstract: A convenient user-friendly method to sharpen the rotary blade of a rotary cutter assembly without having to turn the rotary cutter assembly upside down. To this end, a rotary cutter assembly is provided with a special access door which is preferably securely fastened and/or locked during cutting and use of the rotary cutter assembly. When it is desired to sharpen the rotary blade, the door is unfastened and opened to permit access to the rotary blade. The rotary blade can then be clamped or otherwise secured and subsequently sharpened with a grinding wheel or other sharpening tool.

Abstract: A vibratory roller unit for replacement of a reel cutting unit in a multiple deck lawn mower for conversion of the mower into a greensroller. The vibratory roller unit has a frame, vibratory roller and a power train. The frame, vibratory roller and power train are universal. Different motor attachment devices and lift and tow devices are provided to customize the vibratory roller unit for use with different makes and models of lawn mowers. The power train includes a jack shaft such that a motor for driving the vibratory roller is mounted on a side of the frame opposite a power take-off for driving the vibratory roller.

Abstract: A dipper door pivotally mounted to a dipper is controlled as it pivots between open and closed positions. In one embodiment, the door is controlled by a brake pivotally linking the door to the dipper. In another embodiment, the door is pivotally mounted to the dipper by a pin, and the door is controlled by a linkage actuated by a linear actuator. The pivot point of the door is positioned above the dipper bottom to decrease the dump height of the dipper.

Abstract: A device for collecting and dumping Bermuda grass sprigs and disposing of grass clippings and other debris having a frame, an undercarriage, side rails, and rear frame members, defining an interior space. The frame is set on wheels mounted near the rear of the undercarriage, such that the device may be towed behind self-propelled power equipment. A receptacle is pivotally mounted in the space defined by the frame members. A channel conveys airborne debris particles from the mower or other power equipment into the receptacle for collection. The upper, rear edge of the receptacle is hingedly attached to the lateral rear frame member, such that the receptacle may be rotated backwards to empty its contents. At least one extendible, hydraulic arm is fixedly mounted at one end to the frame, and pivotally connected at the other end to the side wall of the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for varying the rate of seed population by planters or drills, comprising first and second squeeze jack variable speed pulleys, and a belt running around the pulleys; a cog mounted on the first pulley and a cog mounted on the second pulley, and a drive chain running around the cog mounted on the first pulley and a row unit chain running around the cog mounted on the second pulley; and apparatus to vary selectively the speed of the row unit chain at any given speed of the drive chain.

Abstract: Ground aeration apparatus (10) having a main frame (11) which has one or more ground contacting rollers in the form of a main drive roller (22) and a plurality of smoothing rollers (13, 14, 15) mounted to an undercarriage (12) attached to the underside of the main frame (11). There is also provided a slicing mechanism (25) which comprises spaced cutters (31, 32) mounted to a support axle (30). In use, a grass surface may be subjected to a rolling or smoothing operation as well as an aeration operation.

Abstract: Rolling apparatus for rolling of turf or grass surfaces including a mobile main frame (11) and one or more undercarriages (45, 46) attached to the main frame (11) wherein the or each undercarriage has one or more smoothing rollers (45A, 46A) and there is further provided a control (62) pivotally attached to the main frame (11) wherein the or each undercarriage is pivotally attached to the control such that, in use, the or each smoothing roller closely follows ground contours.