Abstract: The present invention is a rake, comprising a tongue assembly and a wheel assembly operably coupled to the tongue assembly and being rotationally shiftable relative to the tongue assembly and the wheel assembly mounting a pair of rake assemblies. Each of the pair of rake assemblies is disposable in a generally horizontal disposition when the rake is in a transport disposition, the generally horizontal disposition being effected in part by the rotational shifting of the wheel assembly when transitioning between a working disposition and the transport disposition. The present invention is further a method of disposing the aforementioned rake in the transport disposition.

Abstract: A windrow merger having at least one pickup head member, the at least one pickup head member being selectively shiftable between a working disposition and a transport disposition and having at least a first pivot for shifting the at least one pickup head member from the substantially vertical transport disposition to a substantially horizontal intermediate disposition and at least a second pivot for shifting the at least one pickup head member from the substantially horizontal intermediate disposition through an arc to the working disposition.

Abstract: A windrow merger having at least one pickup head member, the at least one pickup head member being selectively shiftable between a working disposition and a transport disposition and having at least a first pivot for shifting the at least one pickup head member from the substantially vertical transport disposition to a substantially horizontal intermediate disposition and at least a second pivot for shifting the at least one pickup head member from the substantially horizontal intermediate disposition through an arc to the working disposition. A method of forming the windrow merger is further included.

Abstract: A windrow merger includes at least one pickup head member and an internal drive assembly disposed within a longitudinal aperture defined internal to the at least one pickup head member, the drive assembly being for imparting a rotational motion to a plurality of tines by means of a drive shaft operably coupled thereto, the drive shaft extending in opposed directions from the drive assembly. A method of forming the windrow merger is further included.

Abstract: A windrow merger having a plurality of rotationally driven tines that rotate around a non-circular cam to vary the rotational speed of the times. The tines extend from the cam on elongated cam followers such that the tines are moved through a flicking motion as the tines are rotated around the cam. The window merger also has an internal drive assembly positioned in an internal aperture around which the rotatable tines are rotated.

Abstract: A windrow merger includes at least one conveyor for transporting material picked up by at least one pickup head member, the at least one pickup head member having a plurality of spaced apart spacers disposed along a length dimension of the at least one pickup head member, and an internal drive assembly disposed within a longitudinal aperture defined internal to the plurality of spaced apart spacers, the drive assembly for imparting a rotational motion to a plurality of tines. A method of forming the windrow merger is further included.

Abstract: A windrow merger includes a plurality of rotationally driven tines, a rotation imparted to the tines being a cammed rotation, the camming of the rotation effecting a varying rotational speed of the tines. Further, the windrow merger has an internal drive assembly, the drive assembly being disposed generally in an internal aperture defined internal to a plurality of rotatable tines.

Abstract: The present invention is a rake, comprising a tongue assembly and a wheel assembly operably coupled to the tongue assembly and being rotationally shiftable relative to the tongue assembly and the wheel assembly mounting a pair of rake assemblies. Each of the pair of rake assemblies is disposable in a generally horizontal disposition when the rake is in a transport disposition, the generally horizontal disposition being effected in part by the rotational shifting of the wheel assembly when transitioning between a working disposition and the transport disposition. The present invention is further a method of disposing the aforementioned rake in the transport disposition.

Abstract: A manure spreader includes a box for containing manure. The manure spreader box includes a bottom wall, a front wall, two side walls, and a manure discharge opening. The manure spreader also includes a wheeled frame supporting the box, and a vertical beater assembly for engaging and expelling manure. The vertical beater assembly includes a first vertical beater rotatable about a first axis and includes a shaft having a first flighting forming a left-handed helix, and a second flighting forming a right-handed helix. The manure spreader also includes a manure transfer mechanism for moving manure contained in the box to the manure discharge opening for engagement with the vertical beater assembly.

Abstract: A manure spreader includes a box for containing manure. The manure spreader box includes a bottom wall, a front wall, two side walls, and a manure discharge opening. The manure spreader also includes a wheeled frame supporting the box, and a vertical beater assembly for engaging and expelling manure. The vertical beater assembly includes a first vertical beater rotatable about a first axis and includes a shaft having a first flighting forming a left-handed helix, and a second flighting forming a right-handed helix. The manure spreader also includes a manure transfer mechanism for moving manure contained in the box to the manure discharge opening for engagement with the vertical beater assembly.

Abstract: A towable windrow merger including a pickup head for raising the crop material form the ground surface and a transverse conveyor assembly for laterally displacing the crop material. The transverse conveyor assembly includes an accelerator roller system, supported by the frame and at the outboard discharge end of the transverse conveyor assembly. The accelerator roller has a movable element for receiving and propelling the windrow material beyond the discharge end of said transverse conveyor and imparting a vertical as well as a horizontal velocity to the windrow material to fluff it.

Abstract: A windrow merger being a machine for merging crop material disposed in a windrow on the ground surface, the windrow merger being situated on a frame which supports a tongue for towing, a pickup head for raising the crop material from the ground surface and a transverse conveyor assembly for laterally displacing the crop material and said transverse conveyor assembly includes an accelerator roller system, supported by said frame and in closely spaced relation with a outboard discharge end of said transverse conveyor assembly, and having a movable element for receiving and propelling the windrow material beyond the discharge end of said transverse conveyor. A method of displacing a windrow and an accelerator roller system are further included.

Abstract: An economical wheeled towable folding wheel rake of robust, largely welded construction utilizing a single hydraulic cylinder to fold two opposed wheel rake assemblies via a four bar linkage. The folding mechanism folds the opposed rake assemblies to a compact, symmetrical, easily locked, vertical orientation for shipping transit and storage. The folding mechanism is simple and utilizes few wearing pivots yet enables flotation of the opposed rake assemblies independent of one another and of the main frame of the wheel rake. The opposed wheel rake assemblies are independently adjustable in raking angle, raking width and raking down pressure.

Abstract: A bale wrapper includes a frame with a leading end having steerable wheels and a transport pole connected to the steerable wheels, a trailing end with braked wheels, and a central portion. A bale-loading deck adjacent the leading end including spaced-apart guide rails, tubular supports between the spaced-apart guide rails which define a standard path and an elevated path, and a hydraulically powered pushbar for translating a bale. A single centrally located hoop assembly, has two opposed rolls of plastic film and is carried and supported by and between a first idler assembly mounted on one side of the frame and a second idler assembly mounted on the opposite side of the frame, the hoop assembly having an inner edge and a powered rubber wheel bearing against the inner edge. The bale wrapper includes a power source.

Abstract: A windrow merger for merging product material disposed in a windrow on a ground surface, the windrow merger having a transverse conveyor assembly carried on a merger fame, at least a portion of the frame underlying the transverse conveyor assembly, a tongue operably pivotally coupled to the merger frame, the tongue being couplable to a vehicle for towing the windrow merger, the windrow merger includes a pickup head having a pickup conveyor system including a rotatable pickup conveyor belt for picking up product material disposed in a windrow on a field surface. The pickup head is pivotally coupled to the merger frame and has a leading pickup edge. The pickup head has a suspension for suspending the leading pickup edge such that the leading pickup edge exhibits two degrees of motional freedom.

Abstract: A bale wrapper includes a frame with a leading end having steerable wheels and a transport pole connected to the steerable wheels, a trailing end with braked wheels, and a central portion. A bale-loading deck adjacent the leading end includes spaced-apart guide rails, tubular supports between the spaced-apart guide rails which define a standard path and an elevated path, and a hydraulically powered pushbar for translating a bale. A single centrally located hoop assembly has two opposed rolls of plastic film and is carried and supported by and between a first idler assembly mounted on one side of the frame and a second idler assembly mounted on the opposite side of the frame, the hoop assembly having an inner edge and a powered rubber wheel bearing against the inner edge. The bale wrapper includes a power source.

Abstract: A rake arm deployment spreader with two arms and an elbow member arrangement, optionally and preferably having a locking mechanism involving an overcenter arrangement of certain pivots, for deployment or retraction of a folding hay rake which is towable by a tractor. The hay rake has a primary towable frame with right and left secondary frames pivotally attached adjacent the rear of the primary frame. The deployment spreader assembly is pivotally attached to the primary and secondary frames for pivoting the secondary frame relative to the primary frame. The deployment spreader includes a telescopic arm and a leg and link to control the telescopic arm.