Abstract: A reciprocating cutterbar of the type utilizing a pair of counter-reciprocating sickles driven at the opposing outboard ends and overlapping at the inboard ends thereof is disclosed wherein the knife sections are detachably affixed to the respective support bars of these sickles by special threaded fasteners to permit the overlapped knife sections to maintain a close shearing relationship. These special threaded fasteners include a head portion adapted to be countersunk into the body of the knife section below the surface thereof, a threaded portion adapted to be threadably engaged with a nut to effect a clamping load between the knife section and support bar, and an intermediate portion having a non-circular cross-sectional configuration engageable with a corresponding non-circular opening formed in the support bar to restrict rotation thereof when the fastener is engaged therewith.

Abstract: An inversion chute for use on a windrow turner having a pickup mechanism for elevating a windrow of crop material off the ground and a cross conveyor for receiving the elevated windrow and conveying the windrow laterally of the direction of travel is disclosed wherein the inversion chute is telescopically mounted in a mounting sleeve to permit lateral adjustment thereof relative to the discharge end of the cross conveyor. The inversion chute is also pivotally mounted on the frame of the windrow turner for movement between an operating position adjacent to and laterally outboard of the cross conveyor and a transport position rearwardly of the pickup and cross conveyor. An overcenter biasing spring retains the inversion chute in its selected position.

Abstract: A header flotation mechanism for a hay harvesting machine having a header is disclosed wherein a first flotation mechanism floatingly supports a first header section from the frame of the harvester and a second flotation mechanism floatingly suspends a second header section from the first header section. A pair of intermeshing conditioning rolls is mounted in the first header section, while a reel and a cutterbar are mounted in the second header section. The second header section is connected to the first header section by upward and lower links, the lower links having first and second stops to limit the amount of vertical movement of the second header section relative to the first header section. The header lift mechanism is operatively associated with the linkage mechanism interconnecting the frame of the harvester in the first header section and is operable to raise both header sections.

Abstract: A movable unloading auger is automatically latched and unlatched with respect to a support member by connecting a lifting winch and cable to a movable latch arm attached to the auger, thus advantageously permitting hands-off latching and unlatching operations. A latch arm receiver protrudes from the support member for engagement with a notch formed in the latch arm.

Abstract: Remote control of unloading augers on agricultural grinder-mixers is accomplished by hydraulic motors arranged to adjust the height of the remote end of the auger and to rotate its position in the horizontal plane. These motors are each controlled by solenoid operated valves in the hydraulic system and the valves are operated by sets of electrical controls located in the tractor cab and in proximity to the unloading auger.

Abstract: A cam operated rotating reel for use in a crop harvesting apparatus is generally described. Specifically, the disclosure is directed to such a reel having an improved mechanism thereon for selective lateral adjustment of a tine bar relative to its support bearings without limiting the normal rotational characteristics of the bar.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header and power unit or tractor of a self-propelled windrower incorporate improved structure for attaching the header to the tractor. The improved structure includes a saddle bracket fixed to an outer end of each of a pair of laterally spaced apart lower lift arms pivotally mounted on the forward end of the tractor and a spacer sleeve mounted to each of a pair of correspondingly spaced apart lower portions of the header. Each header sleeve may readily be seated within a respective one of the saddle brackets on the lower lift arms by the tractor operator manipulating the position of the lower lift arms and maneuvering the tractor. The improved attaching structure further includes a front lip formed on each saddle bracket which will overlie a retaining pin insertably mounted in each respective lower header portion by the operator adjacent each header sleeve after the sleeve has been seated in its corresponding lift arm saddle bracket.