Abstract: A support ski for mounting to a line trimmer to support a trimmer in a spaced relationship to a ground surface. The ski is attachable to a line guard typically present on conventional trimmers and extends from a rearward position thereof to a forward position underneath the rotating line. The ski includes a pointed tip for permitting a forward sliding motion of the trimmer over the ground, and further includes upwardly curved side edges for allowing a lateral motion of the associated trimmer. An alternate embodiment of the present invention includes an adjustment means for selectively adjusting a relative height of the trimmer to the ground surface.

Abstract: An attachment for converting an electric or gasoline powered lawn trimmer into a temporary or permanent lawn edger is described herein.

Abstract: A device intended for installation onto a rotary cord herbage trimmer to permit the trimmer to easily slide omnidirectionally upon the ground being serviced is comprised of a circular saucer-like disc having a downwardly convex bottom surface and an upwardly concave top surface. A straight mounting post is upwardly emergent from the center of the concave surface, and terminates in a threaded distal extremity.

Abstract: A device that prevents wrapping of long strands of fibrous material around an exposed rotating shaft has a stationary flange fixed to the chassis or bearing housing for the shaft and a rotating flange fixed to the shaft. The flanges are positioned to pass one another during each revolution of the shaft. When the flanges are nearest to one another, a loop of vegetation forms tightly around the flanges. Continued rotation of the shaft then stretches and tears the loop apart. This loop forming and tearing is repeated for each revolution of the shaft to effectively prevent fibrous material from wrapping around the shaft.

Abstract: Flexible centering apparatus for centering a flexible drive cable within a cylindrial cable housing, the centering apparatus formed of an elongated finned sleeve in which radially disposed fins engage the cable housing, the fins being free and unattached at their outer ends. In one embodiment, the centering apparatus is of uniform construction; in another embodiment, the centering apparatus is of dual durometer construction.

Abstract: An angle gear drive for a portable lawn care implement including first and second housing portions molded to net shape. First and second housing portions support an input shaft having a bevel gear and an output shaft having a mating bevel gear. The assembled housing portions include annular ribs for locating and restraining the input and output shafts so that the bevel gears are securely enclosed in a sealed gear cavity. The gear cavity is sealed by an anaerobic sealant. Grease is supplied to the sealed gear cavity through an axial lubrication bore formed in the input shaft along the axis of the input shaft.

Abstract: A cutterhead for a string trimmer having a rotatable drive shaft is adapted to hold and meter a cutting filament during operational use thereof. The cutterhead includes a disc-like carrier fixedly connected to one end of the drive shaft to permit the carrier to rotate about a rotational axis. The carrier has a peripheral edge and a peripherally extending outer wall approximately perpendicular to the carrier along the peripheral edge. The outer wall defines a space for accommodating the cutting filament in the cutterhead and has a guide eyelet disposed therein to define a pass-through opening for guiding the filament from the space to the outside of the cutterhead where a segment of the filament extends radially outwardly from the outer wall to define a cutting plane when the drive shaft rotates. The guide eyelet is made of wear-resistant material and is adapted to the diameter of the cutting filament.

Abstract: A weed cutter structure having a handle shaft with a rotary head containing at least one flexible cutter filament thereon, includes a guide assembly mounted to the handle shaft in adjacency to the cutter head, wherein the guide assembly includes a mounting bracket arranged for securement to the handle shaft, and a support bracket fixedly secured to the mounting bracket, with the support bracket having a wheel member. The guide assembly projects from a first side of the handle shaft relative to a second side of the handle shaft mounting a shield housing projection.

Abstract: A wheeled support structure assists in supporting a cutting head of a string trimmer within a cutting plane which is parallel to, but vertically spaced above, ground surface. The wheeled support structure includes a wheel, and an extension shaft having an upper end which is connectable to a main shaft of the string trimmer rearwardly of the cutting head, and a lower end which is journally coupled to the wheel. In such a manner, the wheel is oriented in a rolling plane which is substantially transverse to the cutting plane within which the cutting head of the string trimmer is supported, and is capable of rolling movement over the ground surface. The wheel thereby establishes a point about which the cutting head of the string trimmer may be pivoted by an operator while assisting the operator in maintaining the cutting head of the string trimmer within the cutting plane. Vegetation can thus be cut by the cutting head of the string trimmer at a substantially uniform height throughout an arcuate segment.

Abstract: A rotary weed cutter or trimmer establishes two cone shaped guard volumes about the drive shaft to prevent weeds or vines, whether cut or uncut, from wrapping around the shaft during operations. A motor-driven weed cutting machine drives a main filament spool mounted on the drive shaft. When the spool is rotated at high speed by the motor the filaments create a conventional cutting plane. An auxiliary spool is employed to create a guard zone comprising two cone shaped guard volumes coaxial with the drive shaft. The auxiliary spool is mounted on the shaft between the main spool and the frame of the machine. The hub of the auxiliary spool defines a central orifice to accommodate the shaft. An upper disk and a lower disk extend from the hub. A plurality of holes are drilled about the periphery of the disks. Cutting line or braided wire is disposed through the holes. Each of the bitter ends of the line or wire are left unanchored to provide cutting action in the vicinity of the shaft.

Abstract: A cutting head for a cord-type mower driven by an engine is disclosed. The cutting head includes a rotor capable of rotating about an axis and a bobbin with a cord wound on it. The bobbin can rotate relatively to the rotor about the axis in the rotor. The cutting head includes two types of cord feeding systems. The first cord feeding system automatically feeds a cord in response to cord wear. The second cord feeding system feeds a cord in response to a manual tapping operation executed during driving of the cutting head. The second cord feeding system disconnects one of the bobbin and rotor from the engine in response to the tapping operation.

Abstract: A mowing system capable of being pulled behind a tractor or other prime mover utilizes a support apparatus for supporting a grass cutter adapted to cut grass as the cutter is rotated and moved forwardly into cutting relationship with grass. The support apparatus includes a wheeled frame for supporting the cutter for rotation and including a guard disposed on the forward side of the cutter. A pair of arm members are pivotally connected between the rear of the tractor and the wheeled frame to accommodate pivotal movement of the wheeled frame between an operative position at which the cutter is positioned for cutting grass disposed generally to one side of the tractor and a deflected position.

Abstract: A line head (10) for a rotary line trimmer uses a bail (16) to clasp a single length of cutting line (18). The head has a first and second side (12, 14). The first side (12) of the head (10) has a plurality of radial ridges extending radially from a central shaft engagement hub (20). The second side has several raised portions (44, 46, 48, 50) which define a first and second channel (17, 19). The bail (16) rotates between an open position to a closed position in the first channel. The second channel (19) is dimensioned to engage the cutting line. The bail (16) has a clasp means (16c) which removably engages a lip portion (42) when the bail is in the closed position. The bail (16) also has a central portion (16b) which overlays the second channel (19) when the bail is in the closed position.

Abstract: An edging machine having a frame with a handle at one end, a prime mover mounted on the frame, an edger blade rotatably connected to the frame, a first wheel mounted on the frame so as to support the frame above a surface, a second wheel interconnected to the frame and arranged in tandem with the first frame, an adjustment lever interconnected to the second wheel for changing a distance of the frame from the surface. A guide member is rotatably connected to the frame so as to have a surface extending below the frame. The guide member is positioned in parallel relationship to the edger blade. The second wheel is rotatably mounted to a wheel bar. The wheel bar is pivotally connected to the frame on a side of the frame opposite the edger blade. The adjustment lever is interconnected to the wheel bar so as to controllably adjust the position of the second wheel relative to the frame.

Abstract: A line trimmer is converted to a lawn trimmer/mower so that it can be used to mow areas of grass like a conventional mower; however, the line trimmer retains its functionality as a line trimmer and edger. The conversion device is a wheeled platform that holds the cutting assembly at a specified height above a lawn. The platform has an opening in its forward portion for the intake of grass and weeds and the exhaust of clippings. The opening also serves the functions of allowing the user to see the cutting line to determine when more should be advanced, allowing the line trimmer to be moved next to objects in a lawn for trimming weeds and grass, and allowing the line trimmer to be rotated to a horizontal orientation where edging can be performed. The wheels are preferably multidirectional so that the line trimmer can be swept across the lawn in a semi-circular pattern. Locking mechanisms associated with the wheels allow the sweeping motion to be performed more comfortably and quickly.

Abstract: A clearing apparatus which includes a clearing device for use in clearing operations, and a carriage for supporting the clearing device during use. The clearing device is of conventional type and has an elongated support tube, a clearing head mounted at one end of the support tube, and a motor mounted at the other end of the support tube. The carriage includes a frame, a single support wheel which is rotatably mounted on the frame to support the frame, and a guide handle for use in guiding the apparatus, and the frame has a mounting bracket which mounts the support tube on the frame so that the clearing apparatus will be supported proximate its center of gravity on the support wheel during use.

Abstract: A string trimmer provides a cutting head having a passage therethrough receiving a cutting element of fixed length. The cutting element includes a monofilament line and a resilient sleeve surrounds one end of the monofilament line. A rigid eyelet in one end of the resilient sleeve provides an external upset or abutment which cooperates with a shoulder or restriction in the passage to retain the cutting element in the passage during cutting. A groove in the periphery of the cutting head intersects the passage and provides a recess for wholly receiving the cutting element if the user positions the cutting head against an immovable obstacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutter guard (13, 14) in clearing assemblies (1) provided with a cutter (3) mounted on a shaft (6) and rotatable by means of a motor (11), said shaft (6) being carried in a body (8), the guard comprising a hub section (13) provided in association with the cutter (3) and essentially coaxial with the shaft (6), the hub section (13) having a diameter which is less than the diameter of the rotatable cutter (3) and carrying a plurality of fixed arms (14) which extend outwards beyond the periphery of the cutter (3).

Abstract: A lawnmower blade includes a center blade section having an opening for mounting and fastening the blade to the lower end of a mower drive shaft and a pair of opposite outer blade sections containing cutting edges. The outer blade sections are substantially equal in length to one another. Also, the blade includes a pair of assemblies defining yieldable articulating joints attaching one end portion of each outer blade section to one of the opposite end portions of the center blade section such that each outer blade section can both pivot upwardly and rotate backwardly relative to the forward direction of blade rotation and to the respective one opposite end portion of the center blade section so as to yield upon striking an object and thereby prevent damage to the engine crankshaft or the cutting edges.

Abstract: A powered lawn edging or trimming tool is provided with at least one flexible filament cutting line, rather than the usual rigid metal blade. The use of a filament type cutting element precludes many of the disadvantages of such tools using rigid blades, such as the need to sharpen blades regularly and the relative hazard of such rapidly rotating rigid blades. The flexible elements also reduce the number and size of foreign objects (gravel, etc.) thrown about by the tool in operation. A method of modifying a standard grass trimmer having a horizontally disposed cutting head to form the tool of the present invention, is also disclosed.

Abstract: Secondary cutting blades are mounted on a line trimmer between the hub carrying the cutting line and the shield. The cutting blades extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the hub carrying the cutting line. The blades have one end adjacent to the periphery of the hub, and the other end supported at or above the shield. Tall grass or other long stalks will therefore be cut by the blades and unable to wrap around the trimmer.

Abstract: An attachment for a line trimmer comprises a wheel in the form of a drum having an axis of rotation and a peripheral flange between its ends, the flange extending outward from the drum in a plane perpendicular to said axis, means for supporting the drum from the shaft of the line trimmer, and a clamp, attachable to the trimmer, for securing the supporting means.

Abstract: A motorized lawn mowing machine has a generally horizontal deck with an engine releasably mounted thereon. A vertical drive shaft driven by the engine protrudes through an opening in the deck to mount a grass cutter blade thereon below the deck. A releasably mounted adaptor plate is mounted on the deck between the engine and deck, the plate having an opening for passing the shaft and having radially extending extension arm mechanism with parallel arms projecting radially at a sidewisely forward angle. The plate houses a first pulley fixed to rotate with the shaft at the level of the arms. The arm mechanism slideably supports a vertical flail assembly having an upper second pulley in alignment with the first pulley. An endless belt drive member is trained around the pulleys, and manipulatable mechanism is connected to slide the vertical flail device on the arm mechanism to engage and tauten the endless member to rotate the flail assembly.

Abstract: A weed-cutting, tool-carrying apparatus which comprises a pair of wheels secured to the legs of an upright, U-frame, handle element having a connecting bar, a backward, laterally extended, U-frame guide bar and rest element secured to the legs of the U-frame handle element, and a cap and clamping plate secured to the connecting bar, the clamping plate adapted to receive the shaft of the weed-cutting tool, and U-threaded bolts to secure the shaft in an adjustable position within and to the clamping plate, thereby providing an effective carrying apparatus for a portable weed-cutting tool.

Abstract: A cutting head for a cord-type mower driven by an engine is disclosed. The cutting head includes a rotor capable of rotating about an axis and a bobbin with a cord wound on it. The bobbin can rotate relatively to the rotor about the axis in the rotor. The cutting head includes two types of cord feeding systems. The first cord feeding system automatically feeds a cord in response to cord wear. The second cord feeding system feeds a cord in response to a manual tapping operation executed during driving of the cutting head. The second cord feeding system disconnects one of the bobbin and rotor from the engine in response to the tapping operation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cutting filament for a vegetation cutter. The vegetation cutter includes a drive motor which sets the cutting filament in motion thereby producing noise. The cutting filament extends substantially radially outwardly because of the centrifugal force. The cutting filament reduces noise especially at high rotational speeds and thus also at high peripheral speeds. This is achieved in that the cutting filament is configured to have a cross section not having point symmetry. The cutting filament preferably has at least one slot and/or protrusion formed in the surface thereof to extend in the longitudinal direction. The slot and/or protrusion can, for example, be formed so as to follow a helical path with respect to the longitudinal axis of the filament or it can extend parallel to this axis.

Abstract: A one piece, durable, maintenance free, filament trimmer cutting head which is easily adaptable to virtually any power weedeater. The cylindrical design ensures ease of manufacture and results in a well balanced cutting head. The design further provides for ease of filament replacement and allows the usage of standard filament from bulk spools.

Abstract: A battery powered line trimmer possessing a relatively high ratio of mass moment of inertia about a vertical axis extending through its center of gravity to mass. The device comprising a motor and head assembly at the forward end and a rechargeable battery pack at the rearward end of a support shaft. Also, adjustable handles, for supporting the line trimmer, attached about either side of the center of gravity.

Abstract: A combination mower/trimmer apparatus comprises a mower with a body, a driven horizontally oriented blade member, and a trimmer assembly. The trimmer assembly includes a pair of spools for dispensing flexible trimming lines, guides for directing the lines along the blade member, an activating assembly for extending and retracting the trimming lines, and a line for feeding assembly to supply additional line during use. The apparatus includes a pair of pivotally mounted guards which normally seek an elevated position but which assume a lowered position when the respective guard is urged against an obstacle whereby a generally horizontal elongate slot in that guard aligns with a similar slot in the mower body such that extended trimming lines simultaneously trim vegetation along the obstacle as the blade member mows the vegetation adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A hub attachment for a rotating drive shaft of a hand-held, portable string cutter for grass and weeds having a centrally located cylindrical anchor lug for a nylon cutting line which is held in a retainer line anchor that is in turn positioned in the semi-cylindrical cavity of the hub attachment. The retainer line anchor is provided with a latching tab that can be rotated from an unlatched position to a position in which the tab is removably attached to the hub.

Abstract: A power lawn mower is provided with a trimmer attachment pivotally attached to the mower deck and positioned adjacent a side edge of the deck to trim those areas not accessible to the mower blade. When a fixed obstacle such as a fencepost or tree is encountered, the attachment is rotated on a pivotal support arm against the force of a spring to a position adjacent the rear edge of the mower deck. When the obstacle has been passed, the force of the spring returns the trimmer to the side edge of the mower deck. The trimmer attachment is operated by a drive belt driven from the lawn mower engine and the trimmer attachment support arm includes a pair of overlapping telescoping members and a spring contained in one of the telescoping members to apply an outward force on the other telescoping member resulting in a positive tension being applied to the drive belt. The trimmer attachment may be retracted to the rear edge of the mower deck by operation of a lever mechanism and a link attached to the support arm.

Abstract: An edging and trimming mechanism is connected to the main housing of a power lawn mower and includes a bracket arm that supports a string deploying device. The string deploying device is connected to the lawn mower engine in one form of the invention and has an electric motor in another form of the invention. The bracket can be moved to adjust the height thereof and can be moved out of the way in the second form of the invention.

Abstract: A hitch system for connecting utility attachments, such as mower decks, to lawn and garden tractors. A pair of J-shaped hooks are attached to the front axle assembly to the tractor. An elongate hitch bracket, having a handle at its forward end, it pivotally connected to the forward end of the mower deck. A hanger rod extends across the hitch bracket and engages the hooks so that the hitch bracket and mower deck ar trailed behind the front axle of the tractor. A user-releasable latch helps retain the hanger rod within the hooks and can be released while the user grasps the handle. The handle provides a convenient means for manipulating the mower deck as it is connected and disconnected from the tractor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mowing a wide swath which is preferably hydraulically powered to provide reliability, efficiency, and ease of operation. The apparatus includes a rear section, or chassis, to which side-by-side wings are mounted which are pivotable by hydraulic cylinders from a folded position for trailering from location to location to an open position for mowing operations, the extent of pivoting being used to vary the width of the swath to be mowed. The wings are each provided with a second hydraulic cylinder for controlling the amount of weight on the casters mounted in the individual mowers mounted to the wings and a pressure regulator which compensates for changes in the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder to support a selected portion of the weight of the wing as the portion of the weight supported by the casters changes as the casters follow the contour of the swath being mowed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blade-protecting device (13, 14) for cleaning units (1) being provided with a rotary cutter or blade (3) which is supported on a shaft (6) and which can be rotated by means of a motor (11). The shaft (6) is mounted in a body (8). The blade-protecting device (13, 14) comprises a hub part (13) having a diameter being smaller than the diameter or the largest dimension of the rotatable blade (3). This hub part (13) is arranged substantially coaxially with the shaft (6) adjacent the blade (3) and is freely rotatable relatively to the body (8). A number of fixed, substantially radially oriented arms (14) are rigidly attached to the hub part and extend past the periphery of the blade or of the circle described by the rotating blade, said arms (14) preferably being arranged in locations spaced equiangularly around the hub part.

Abstract: Appliance for scrub clearance, grass cutting or the like, with multiple lines as cutting elements, with a casing in two parts (51, 53) coupled together and containing at least one spool on which said lines are wound, comprising: devices (77A, 77B) for coupling and decoupling of said parts (51, 53); resilient devices (75) designed to maintain said coupling devices in the hold position; and, of one piece with one (53) of the said two parts, devices for effecting connection (80) between said part and said spool (81), whilst the other (51) of the said parts exhibits outlet bushes for the ends of the lines (F); an intermediate bowl-shaped component (99) designed to be coupled to the rotary drive hub (95); and quick-release coupling devices (100,112) for coupling up said intermediate component (99) and the casing (51, 53) of the appliance, to ensure that the appliance is firmly supported by and rotated with the intermediate component (99).

Abstract: A flexible flail trimmer for conventional trimming of grass, weeds and the like and for edging of sidewalks has a combined guide and guard rotatably mounted inboard of the trimmer cutting head. The guide and guard provides dynamic trimmer indexing on a sidewalk edge for guiding the trimmer vertically and horizontally to deliver a uniform, aesthetically pleasing turf edge. The combined guide and guard does not inhibit trimming of grass and weeds in the conventional trimming manner, and actually enhances the user's visualization and performance of such trimming.

Abstract: A line trimmer head 10 for a vegetation cutter having an automatic line feed mechanism which replenishes the line 19 as a result of changes in centrifugal force. The line trimmer head 10 comprises a reel housing 14 which rotates with a shaft 12. A spool 18 containing a supply of line 19 is located within the housing 14. An indexer cam 16 is journaled on the shaft 12 and is axially and rotatably shiftable with respect to the shaft 12. The indexer cam 16 is periodically axially shifted and rotated by a reduction in the centrifugal force applied by the line 19 to the spool 18. A spring 20 is provided to bias the indexer cam 16 axially relative to the housing 14 away from an interlocked posiiton. In the interlocked position, the indexer cam 16 and housing 14 are interlocked together so that the spool 18, indexer cam 16, housing 14 and shaft 12 rotate together.

Abstract: A spatial guide adapted to be affixed to a gasoline-powered line trimmer (also called a string trimmer) to serve as a stand-off device, such that the cutting head of the trimmer cannot come any closer to an obstacle than is permitted by the length of a rigid arm. A rigid block of material having a central bore is configured to be attached to the trimmer's tube near the cutting head. The rigid arm attaches to the block of material, preferably by use of the same fasteners that hold the block to the tube. A slot in the arm permits selective adjustment of the distance by which the arm protrudes in a cantilevered manner from the block and hence from the tube. A large roller is mounted at the distal end of the rigid arm and serves to foster sliding and/or rolling movement between the arm and any obstacle adjacent which vegetation is to be cut--as the cutting head is manually moved past the obstacle.

Abstract: A conventional rotating flexible line-type vegetation trimmer having a shield covering from above a length of line whipping from one end in a generally horizontal plane about a generally vertical axis, is provided with a swivelable ground-engaging wheel, supported out-of-the-way-of the rotating line, by adjustable swivel brackets respectively mounted by a clip and a clamp to a down-turned flange on the shield and an intermediate location on the handle shaft of the trimmer, and to a shaft on the lower end of which the wheel is swivelably mounted.

Abstract: In order to obtain a lengthening maneuver of the active ends emerging from the rotating housing (1, 5, 3) containing the bobbin or bobbins (16) of the cords (F) during the rotation of said housing, the bobbin (16) has in the wall (18) of the internal hole two series of mutually staggered teeth (20, 22; 120, 122), some (20; 120) of which are developed along one axial section and the others (22; 122) along the remaining axial section; an element (34, 30), which is capable of axial sliding movements, has a disk (30) which projects elastically below the housing (1, 5, 3) and is capable of being made to reenter by means of pressure on the ground, as well as entrainment teeth (36) which are axially slidable, rotationally engaged on said housing and capable of engaging alternately the teeth of the two series (20, 22; 120, 122) upon each axial stroke and thus of permitting each time a unitary angular advance in two stages.

Abstract: A wheeled attachment for a grass trimmer includes a mounting bar having a wheel at each end, detachably mountable to the grass trimmer to provide easy control and easy support for the grass trimmer. The detachable bar may be securable by a nut and bolt combination either to a housing or protective cover mounted on the grass cutting head immediately above the grass cutting element, or to an adjustable bar component which is detachably securable to the elongated shaft of the grass trimmer. For easy mounting upon the housing of a grass trimmer, the detachable bar includes adjustment slots for the nut and bolt fasteners so that the fasteners may be easily and quickly adjusted to the size of the housing component. For easy mounting upon the elongated shaft of the grass trimmer, the adjustable bar component includes two or more vertically extending bar members which are adjustably attachable to permit forward or rearward adjustment of the wheeled attachment.

Abstract: Apparatus for varying the height of a cutter head on a motor mower vehicle, whereby the cutter head has ground contact wheels and is attached to the motor mower vehicle. The apparatus includes a flexible linkage member which is also able to be extended, thereby enabling the cutter head to follow the contours of the ground being traversed. The cutter head is also able to be pivoted to the vertical position about a pivotal joint between the cutter head and the motor mower vehicle.

Abstract: A shield and structure for mounting the shield to a hand held grass trimmer is provided. The generally flat shield is perpendicularly mounted to a gear box extension which is carried coaxial with the drive shaft tube. Twisting and moment forces incurred by the shield when the trimmer is resting on the ground are reduced by mounting the shield to support the weight of the trimmer generally perpendicular to the length of the drive shaft tube. The mounting structure prevents sliding of the shield on the drive tube and provides multiple attaching members to prevent rotation of the shield on the drive tube.

Abstract: A flexible line trimmer attachment for a tractor driven mower deck for trimming around trees and other objects simultaneously with mowing. A pivotal boom projects laterally from the mower deck and carries one or more trimming heads which rotate flexible lines using motive power supplied by the tractor. The boom deflects when it encounters a tree and is able to trim around more than 180.degree. of the tree circumference. A tension spring returns the boom to its normal lateral position after the tree has been cleared. The boom can be swung upwardly for compact storage by a power cylinder.

Abstract: A shredder attachment for a round bale hay baler which will effectively shred corn stalks or stubble, milo stubble and the like and discharge the shredded stubble into a round bale hay baler which will form a bale of stubble which has been shredded which can be used for feed, bedding and the like. The shredding attachment can be easily and quickly attached to a round bale hay baler at the front lower area thereof and is drivingly connected to the power system of the hay baler and includes a rotatable shaft having a plurality of pivotal flail elements or knives mounted thereon for shredding stubble or stalks and discharging the shredded material rearwardly and upwardly into the hay baler in the same manner that hay enters the hay baler with the shredded stubble being rolled into a hay bale in the same manner that hay is baled by the round bale hay baler.

Abstract: This invention is a mowing machine which is to be hitched to the back of an agricultural tractor. The primary purpose of the invention is to cut and clean vegetation and debris from along agricultural fence rows. The cutting assembly of the mowing machine includes flails which are rapidly rotated and are made from fabric reinforced rubber. The flails are flexible and are about two feet long, about three-fourths of an inch thick, about three inches wide, and weigh about five pounds. The invention may be used to cut and remove vegetation and debris from under fence rows since the flails are flexible and easily mow around fence posts without damaging either the posts or the flails. The cutting assembly can be positioned so that a plane in which the cutting flails rotate is either inclined or declined to match the inclined slopes of embankments and declined slopes of drainage ditches.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a plurality of flexible cutting filaments having an angular cross-section for cutting grass and the like comprises a rotary member. The rotary member includes a hub for mounting the member to a drive shaft of a lawn mower or the like. The member includes a rim disposed around the hub. A disk secures the rim to the hub. The member includes at least a pair of passageways for securing at least one pair of flexible cutting filaments. The passageways are keyed to the cross-section of the cutting filaments and extend through the rim for permitting the filaments to be positioned within each respective passageway at a specific orientation. Each of the passageways extends through the rim at different elevations above the ground for permitting the cutting filaments to cut the grass at different heights.

Abstract: A lift arm assembly (30, 32) for a commercial riding mower includes pivotal lift arms (36, 38, 40, 120), each of which is biased downwardly by an adjustable spring arrangement for better control and contact between the underlying turf and the cutting reels supported on the outer ends of the lift arms.

Abstract: A flexible flail trimmer for conventional trimming of grass, weeds and the like and for edging of sidewalks has a combined guide and guard rotatably mounted inboard of the trimmer cutting head. The guide and guard provides dynamic trimmer indexing on a sidewalk edge for guiding the trimmer vertically and horizontally to deliver a uniform, aesthetically pleasing turf edge. The combined guide and guard does not inhibit trimming of grass and weeds in the conventional trimming manner, and actually enhances the user's visualization and performance of such trimming.