Abstract: An aerator main frame has wheels and a hitch by which the main frame is pulled on the ground, such as by a tractor. The main frame has a transverse conveyor for transporting a cut crop laterally of the direction of travel and for depositing the cut crop in a row on the ground. A header frame is pivotally supported to the main frame. Idler wheels attach to the header frame support it adjacent the ground. A header conveyor is supported by the header frame to lift a row of cut crop from the ground and to deliver the cut crop onto the transverse conveyor supported by the mainframe. A hydraulic ram extends between the main frame and the header frame so that the header frame may be pivoted upwardly to lift the idler wheels off the ground when the aerator is being transported from one location to another and pivoted downwardly to permit the idler wheels to roll on the ground so that the header frame is positioned close to the ground to pick up a row of cut crop.

Abstract: An aerator for crops such as hay which is pulled by a tractor or other vehicle. The aerator includes a first header conveyor to lift a first swath from the ground onto the first header conveyor. A first hitch extends between the tractor and the first header conveyor. A first rear conveyor transports the swath from the first header conveyor and thereafter returns it to the ground. A second header conveyor lifts a second, adjacent swath from the ground onto the second header conveyor. A second hitch extends between the first hitch and the second header conveyor. A second rear conveyor transports the swath from the second header conveyor and thereafter returns it to the ground.