Abstract: In a method for operating a round baler, the harvested crop flow is controlled at any time of the bale forming process by time control with the control and governing device of the round baler, based on a stored theoretical minimum time for pressing a harvested crop bale defined by predetermined parameters and based on actually determined harvested crop parameters, such that the harvested crop bale defined by the predetermined parameters is produced at maximum baler utilization in a nominal press time determined for the harvested crop bale.

Abstract: A method for harvesting bast plants that have stalks, husks, and seeds. The method includes cutting the bast stalks from the bast plants and receiving the bast stalks onto a first belt. The method then orients at least a portion of the bast stalks on the first belt by moving a bar back and forth across the first belt in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction the first belt is moving, the bar elevated above the first belt and having spaced tines extending toward the first belt, the longitudinal axis of the at least a portion of the bast stalks being generally oriented in the direction the first belt is moving. The husks and seeds may be removed from the bast stalks. The bast stalks may be packaged.

Abstract: A mowing machine includes a cutting unit, a conveying unit for conveying grass clippings away from the cutting unit, and a packing unit including a paper-rolling module and a paper-dispensing module. The paper-rolling module defines an accommodation space for collecting grass clippings from the conveying unit, and includes scrolling axles spaced apart from each other by a gap, and movable between an opened position, where the gap has a predetermined width for allowing passage of the grass clippings from the conveying unit through the gap into the accommodation space, and a closed position, where the scrolling axles rotate to pack the grass clippings with the paper dispensed from said paper-dispensing module.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for harvesting grain crops wherein the crop (grain included) is first baled, then combined. All parts of the plant may be separated and baled according to value or the entire plant may be baled. The baled form remains until the grain is needed for delivery. Then, bales are combined by a quasi-stationary combine apparatus to separate the grain which is then conveyed and/or augered either to a storage bin or to a load-out bin under which a truck can drive and load. The remaining plant parts are re-baled by a baler associated with the quasi-stationery combine. The benefits of this method are many and include reduction in need for large combines, labor at harvest time, traffic on roads, wait time at elevators, and soil compaction in addition to providing grain marketing advantages.

Abstract: Biomass handling and processing systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes cutting biomass, transferring the cut biomass to an auger, utilizing the auger to form a row of biomass, and baling the row of biomass. The biomass is optionally transferred from the auger to the baler utilizing one or more conveyors. Additionally, one or more cleaning steps may be performed to separate contaminants from the biomass. In another embodiment, a biomass processing system includes a sickle, a pick-ups unit, and an auger. Biomass is cut by the sickle and transferred to the auger utilizing the pick-ups unit. The auger forms the biomass into a row. The row of biomass may then be transferred to a baler utilizing a conveyor. Systems also optionally include a rotor located between the pick-ups unit and the auger, and one or more grates that reduce contamination included with the biomass.

Abstract: A cutter head for stalk-like harvested agricultural crop is provided including a number of pivoted knives arranged along side each other. Levers are associated with the knives and can be moved between an operating position in which they retain the knife associated with it in an active position, and a non-operating position in which they are preloaded by springs. A control shaft allows for the selection of the length of cut. An actuator, that is independent of the control shaft can move between a first position, in which all levers are brought into the non-operating position and a second position, in which the levers can reach the operating position and the control shaft retains the levers of the knives not selected in each case in the non-operating position.

Abstract: A method for creating a building material that makes use of a wheeled, moveable apparatus that moves through a field after the straw or other agricultural waste has been processed into tightly bound cables. Said cables are formed into woven mats, and said mats are bonded together to form flat or curved wall sections or panels.

Abstract: A cutter head for stalk-like harvested agricultural crop is provided including a number of pivoted knives arranged along side each other. Levers are associated with the knives and can be moved between an operating position in which they retain the knife associated with it in an active position, and a non-operating position in which they are preloaded by springs. A control shaft allows for the selection of the length of cut. An actuator, that is independent of the control shaft can move between a first position, in which all levers are brought into the non-operating position and a second position, in which the levers can reach the operating position and the control shaft retains the levers of the knives not selected in each case in the non-operating position.

Abstract: A method is provided for collecting at least partially retted plants and winding them into bales. The method is characterised in that the collected and wound plants are fibrous plants with previously cut tops and bottoms. A machine to perform the method has a gatherer (3) for collecting at least partially retted plants with previously cut tops and bottoms, a crusher (4) for grinding the stems of the plants without tops and bottoms to break the wood filaments therein, a decorticator (10) for scarifying the ground stems to release the wood filaments and shives, a unit (31) for laying flat the fibres scutched in this way, and a baler (32) for winding the same into bales.

Abstract: A metal detection device for a working unit with at least one driven working element for conveying crop material has windings for generating electrical detection signals when metal objects are present in the region of the working unit, and the detection signals generated by the windings are detected in a time window, thereby enabling a more accurate identification of the metal object.

Abstract: A flexible endless belt includes cords extending generally lengthwise of the belt in multiple turns. An Outer end of each cord may be located in a position that is not substantially laterally outward of other portion of the laterally outermost turn of the cord so as to prevent fraying of the cord at the outer end. When the belt is received on roller in a baler, the outer ends of the cords lead at least a part of respective transition portions. A carcass for the belt may have a first cord wound in a Z-direction along the length of the belt and comprising at least two threads wound in the Z-direction and a second cord wound in an S-direction along the length of the belt and comprising at least two threads wound in the S-direction.

Abstract: An operation sensor for a wrap material dispensing system of a round baler. The operation sensor includes a rotatable member with which the wrap material is engaged, and which rotates along with the wrap material as the wrap material is fed to a wrap material feeding arrangement for introduction into the round baler. Rotation of the rotatable member is detected by a sensing arrangement, which is interconnected with a visual display for providing a user with a visual indication as to the rate of advancement of the wrap material.

Abstract: A hedge trimmer of this invention is very lightweight and efficient. It has a very large clipping collection bag that has a capacity much larger than any known user-worn device of this type. The blades and guard are designed to pull and maintain the clippings in the system.

Abstract: A method and harvesting apparatus for stacking cut sod wherein the cut sod is formed into rolls at a rolling station carried by a machine and wherein alternating first and second series of rolls are conveyed in a first direction relative to a stacking station so as to form in the stacking station alternating first and second layers of rolls which are oriented generally perpendicularly to one another and wherein the rolls in each layer are oriented generally parallel with respect to one another. The second series of rolls are partially rotated approximately 90.degree. as they are conveyed to the stacking station so the second series of rolls are oriented generally perpendicularly with respect to the first series rolls. The apparatus also includes a wrapping device which is movable with respect to the stacking station so as to be maneuverable about the layers of sod rolls which are formed within the stacking station.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a cutting tool for use in the garden and workshops having a body (A) which houses a screw impeller (9) that can be driven by a motor (23). The screw impeller (9) being arranged to move waste along a flow path extending through the body (A) from an inlet (11) to an outlet (13), the outlet (13) being connectable to a receptacle which can then entrap any material so moved. A rotating cutting blade (35,41) controlled by the screw impeller (9) being located adjacent to the inlet (11) to act with a fixed cutting blade (31,37) to cut material projecting therebetween, which cut material is entrained through the body (A) by the screw impeller (9) to the receptacle.

Abstract: A semi-automated harvester for collecting fruits or vegetables comprising a retractable boom pivotally and rotatably mounted to a collection vehicle for movement up and down and around the collection vehicle, and a conveyor system integral to the retractable boom for engaging fruit or vegetables by vacuum means and conveying the fruit or vegetables along the retractable boom to a collection point for release and consolidation.

Abstract: Lawn and garden maintenance equipment for collecting and shredding debris and chipping branches is provided with wheel support, a housing, and a handle for guiding the apparatus, the housing having a substantially closed bottom wall below a motor-driven disc for rotation about a vertical axis, which disc is capable of chipping branches because of a knife on one side and of moving air because of blades on the other side. A circumfirentially extending screen within the housing is supported in a vertical orientation relative to the ground, which screen is formed of at least two segments, both of which are supported radially inwardly and spaced from the sidewalls of the housing. The air and entrained debris are drawn into and enters the housing through an inlet extending to a centrally disposed axial opening whereby the entrained air and debris are driven against the screen to be broken up into smaller pieces.

Abstract: The new yard-care machine includes features of a mower, a mulching mower and a branch chipper. Such machine has a cutting blade in an enlarged lower blade chamber and a fan and a chipper plate in an enlarged upper fan chamber. A restriction separates the chambers and a leaf and grass-comminuting mulching blade is interposed in the restriction between the blade and the plate. The machine shroud has an exhaust port equipped with an optional diffuser for spreading finely-divided mulch on a lawn. The shroud also has an opening through which branches can be introduced to the chipper plate. The resulting branch chips are exhausted into a collection bag. Manual and self-propelled ("walk behind" or riding) versions and various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A harvesting machine particularly useful in harvesting pyrethrum flowers has picking fingers resiliently mounted on a rotatable drum so as to capable of flexions in response to contact with plants during harvesting. The spacing between fingers in one array mounted on the drum is preferably different than the spacing in another array, with the more widely spaced array of fingers serving to comb through a plant canopy while the more closely spaced together array of fingers causes flower picking off the stem. The harvesting machine provides good efficiency picking of flower heads without a large amount of undesired plant material.

Abstract: A device for the automatic selective harvesting of mushrooms grown on a growing bed that includes: at least one camera for observing the mushrooms on the growing bed; a carrier which is movable above the growing bed relative thereto, and is provided with apparatus for positioning one or more picking heads for picking mushrooms on the basis of information coming from each camera; wherein the picking heads each have a deformable suction cup which is connected to a controllable source of reduced pressure for fixing by suction the cap of a mushroom against the suction cup and wherein each suction cup is rotatable through a certain angle for detaching the mushroom held by suction on the suction cup from the growing bed and wherein the picking head includes a torsionally essentially rigid, laterally flexible coupling member for interconnecting the suction cup with the positioning apparatus.

Abstract: A windrowed crop harvester of the type including a tined pickup drum and a transverse, center discharge auger is modified to include opposite side seed pickup vacuum heads for disposition within the outer furrows of a three furrow swath along which the harvester is being moved with the vacuum heads being operative to vacuum up any seeds disposed within the aforementioned outer furrows. Also, the harvester includes a center vacuum head downwardly receivable within the center furrow of a three furrow swath and operative to vacuum up seeds from the center furrow and to transfer those vacuumed seeds into the interior of the harvester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for harvesting and bundling plants, preferably energy forest plants and the like planted in rows. The plants may be harvested from one or several planting rows by a harvesting assembly. The harvesting assembly is advanced across the ground in such a manner that the plants are continuously gripped by a feeding apparatus and are cut off. The cut-off plants are broken at a position between their ends and are folded around the position of breaking, in a direction towards the subsequent plants for forming a continuous bead of folded plants. Subsequently, the plants are conveyed by a feeding apparatus for further treatment or storing.

Abstract: Lawn and garden maintenance equipment for collecting and shredding debris and chipping branches is provided with a wheel-supported housing having a handle for guiding the apparatus, the housing having a substantially closed bottom wall below the blades and having a portion thereof providing an air and debris inlet opening, a motor mounted on the housing with a shaft extending into housing and supporting a disc for rotation with the shaft within said housing, the disc having a cutter on its top for slicing limbs and a slot adjacent said cutting means to permit sliced material to pass through the disc, downwardly extending blades mounted on the bottom of the disc move air and air entrained debris within the housing to an exit opening in said housing generally opposite the inlet for air and entrained debris, and a top opening in the housing is radially aligned with the cutter to accept limbs and the like to be fed through the opening to be engaged by the cutter.

Abstract: A barrier gate for a longitudinal highway barrier of the type having first and second axially aligned barrier segments separated by a gap includes two elongated gates. These gates are mounted by rails and wheels for axial movement between an opened position in which the gates reveal the gap, and a closed position, in which the gates close the gap. The gates are designed to fit over and straddle the adjacent barrier segments, and are provided with a sidewall configuration that matches the shape of the barrier segments to eliminate snagging surfaces.

Abstract: In the harvesting of a crop there is always a portion of the crop that is lost as a result of the combine harvesting process. The present device is attached to the underside of the combine and is arranged to pick up seeds and short crop missed by the first sweep of the combine. The device provides a fan arrangement within a housing carried adjacent the surface of the ground. The vacuum device picks up the seeds and short crop left behind by the normal pick up action of the combine. The present invention increases the yield of the crop, thereby making harvesting more cost efficient.

Abstract: An automated mushroom harvester has a carriage adapted to be moved over a mushroom-growing area, a picking head assembly being mounted on the carriage. The assembly includes a pneumatic ram mounted for rotation about its own axis, the ram piston rod being non-rotatable with respect to the ram cylinder. A suction cap is mounted on the lower end of the rod, and control means is provided for the supply of air to and from the ram. The control means is operated to drive the ram in such a way as to maintain substantially constant the speed of the suction cap as it approaches a mushroom to be harvested, and to ensure the maximum energy of the moving parts of the picking head assembly is below 0.25 Joules, during that constant speed approach.

Abstract: A vegetable topper for cutting the leafy tops off of tubers, such as onions, as they lie in the field. This improved topping system is designed to be mounted on a wheeled moveable frame towed by a tractor, which uses a vacuum to lift the tops and snip them off. The power for the vacuum fan and topping operation is supplied by a primary motor mounted on a wheeled frame, or derived from a power take-off of the tractor. The shearing means comprises a linearly reciprocating sickle blade whose angle relative to the oncoming tops may be adjusted for an optimally perpendicular shearing type of cut, providing maximum efficiency. The sheared tops are substantially mulched into fine particles within a fan in the vacuum system and dispersed to the side of the topper. A conveyor system consolidates already topped onions with a first conveyor picking up a portion of the topped onions and a second conveyor delivering said portion over the remainder of the topped onions, resulting in a reduced gathering area.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of harvesting dry beans and similar crops supported on plants standing in rows in a field comprises severing the plants above ground level transporting the severed plants to a chamber, and discharging such plants from the chamber to the receiver of a combine from which the plants are delivered to the combine's threshing mechanism at which the crop is separated from the plant stems, foliage, and other debris.

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting delicate produce--but particularly mushrooms--includes a picking head which is controlled to be positioned over an item of produce to be harvested, by a camera which scans a tray of said items and a control unit operating on a camera output to determine the co-ordinates of those items found to be suitable for picking, for example from the size of those items. The picking head includes a bellows-like produce gripper through which air is drawn to hold an item of produce securely but gently against an engagement face at the free end of the gripper. Once the item has been securely held, it is pulled free by twisting and lifting action, imparted to the picking head. The stalk is then cut away by a cutter, and the item is deposited in a box carried on a separate conveyer.

Abstract: A process and machine for gathering products such as fruit from the ground and being of the type comprising a source of pressurized air connected to a delivery conduit having a nozzle near the ground, a chassis carrying an inclined ramp (12) resting on the ground opposite the nozzle, receiving means arranged near the upper end of the ramp, the delivery conduit and nozzle being arranged in such a manner that the nozzle delivers the flow of air toward the ramp (12) in a direction opposite the direction of travel of the machine, and the inclined ramp (12) is carried by articulation means adapted to confer upon the ramp a displacement movement such that its lower edge is displaced with respect to the chassis along a trajectory of which the tangent forms with the ground an acute angle opening toward the rear.

Abstract: A vegetable harvester of the type adapted to be mounted on a tractor locates the cutting mechanism, the pneumatic transport system and a collection box on a common frame which is movable vertically relative to the tractor on which it is mounted to adjust the height of the cutting blade and to raise the collection box to a height whereby the contents may be discharged through a bottom opening into a larger receptacle. The common frame is mounted on a telescopic slide frame which in turn is pivotally mounted at its lower end to the conventional three point hitch of a tractor whereby the telescopic frame and the common frame during the cutting mechanism may be tilted relative to the vertical to adjust the angle of the cutting mechanism relative to the ground.

Abstract: An elongate housing is provided for removable attachment to either a self-propelled windrower or conventional farm tractor. A flexible-bristle brush is adjustably secured to the housing such that when the housing is moved through a field of seed-bearing plants, the rotating brush interacts with the housing to strip seeds from the plants. The seeds are deposited in an auger trough and moved by the auger to one end of the housing. An impeller or blower located outside the housing creates a vacuum such that the seeds are drawn through a screened opening in the housing and conveyed to a seed storage area. In order to break apart agglomerations of seeds or seed bearing pods, the blower/impeller is preferably provided in the form of a fan having blades which rotate about a shaft aligned such that the harvested seeds strike the fan blades, thereby breaking apart the seed agglomerates and seed pods.

Abstract: A mobile machine for harvesting growing flowers comprises a shroud at the forward end of the machine in which is mounted a substantially horizontally disposed, cylindrical, fluted picking rotor operable to engage the stems of plants and sweep their flower heads rearwardly into the shroud in response to movement of the machine through a field of such flowers. A rotary drum interacts with the fluted rotor to effect separation of a flower head from its stem. The drum is driven in the same direction as the picking rotor and has a peripheral speed greater than the ground speed of the machine to induce tension in the stem of an engaged plant near the flower head and relieve tension in the stem near its roots.

Abstract: The leaves and stalks of plants have previously been topped using pick-up fingers for raising the leaves and stalks to an elevated more or less vertical position, and blades for cutting the thus elevated plant tops. The plant tops can be elevated more effectively by blowing air against the leaves and stalks simultaneously from opposite sides thereof. A cutter is provided at the trailing end of the streams of air.

Abstract: A high speed blower feeds airstreams to a plurality of lower ducts that produce sheets of high velocity lower air stream moving upward through various gaps in a rake plate through which tines of a rotary pickup drum pass as the drum lifts a windrow of dry, brittle sesame seed crop, creating a lower "air seal" that prevents loss of large numbers of sesame seeds that pop out of the dry pods as a result of snapping and cracking of the dry crop material. The air seal prevents the seeds from falling through the gaps to the ground. The blower also feeds a plurality of upper ducts that produce a high velocity air stream flowing rearward over the upper surface of the matt, intercepting large numbers of sesame seeds that pop outward and upward from the pods and otherwise would be lost as a result of the snapping and cracking of the dry crop material.

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting mature pyrethrum flowers comprises a mobile chassis movable through a field of growing flowers and having a pair of drums rotatable in opposite directions about vertically spaced axes. Each of the drums has a plurality of longitudinally extending, radially projecting, circumferentially spaced flutes which confront one another momentarily during rotation of the drums. The vertical spacing between the axes of the drum is such that there exists a space between confronting flutes that is too great to sever an immature flower from its stem, but is sufficiently small to sever a mature flower from its stem. An air duct communicating with a fan receives severed flowers and conducts them to a storage bin.

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting pyrethrum flowers comprises a rotary picking head within which are mounted picking fingers reciprocable between retracted and projected positions. The fingers are spaced apart a distance to enable mature blooms to be severed from their stems. The picking head is partially enclosed by a shroud that communicates via ducting with a bin. An air stream is created within the shroud and ducting to cause picked blooms to be conveyed from the picking head to the bin.

Abstract: A machine that attaches to a tractor is structured to reap, blind, and shock mature sesame plants. The machine is capable of engaging two rows of plants simultaneously, the two stalkways merging into one prior to the tying mechanism. Each row of plants is severed at the base by a pair of disc cutters. The cut stalks are moved rearwardly in an upright position by vertically disposed conveyor belts having fingers attached thereto to grasp the stalks. The stalks from both stalkways are gathered at a first tying station having two tying mechanisms which ties them into bundles. The bundles are moved rearwardly on a horizontal conveyor belt to a second tying station having one tyer where the bundles are gathered and tied together into stacks of optimum size. The stacks, comprising about five bundles each, slide down a ramp to engage the stubble of the cut sesame plants. The stacks stand upright on the ground thereafter to dry naturally.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with apparatus for harvesting mushrooms and the like. The apparatus comprises cutting means such as a knife which may be moved over a mushroom bed to sever mushrooms in the bed and lifting means for removing the severed mushrooms from the bed and transferring them to collecting means. The lifting means comprises an air mover. The air mover is comprised of a cylindrical chamber or bore having an inlet disposed above the cutting means and an outlet communicating with the collecting means. Compressed air is directed into the chamber through an annular orifice which is so profiled to cause the air stream to flow towards the outlet. A zone of low pressure is created adjacent the chamber inlet which draws ambient air into the chamber. The cut mushrooms are lifted into the chamber, are entrained in the stream of air passing through the chamber, and are delivered onto the collecting means which preferably is a conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a bean harvesting apparatus mounted on the forward end of a motorized combine. The harvesting apparatus has a housing open along its leading edge for the reception of bean stalks. A power driven cutter bar is provided along the front of the housing which cuts the bean stalks and deposits them into the housing through the opening. A power driven suction apparatus creates a vacuum in the housing which urges the bean stalks upward and into the housing, following cutting. A power driven conveyor belt is disposed longitudinally across the housing. The conveyor belt is sufficiently porous to allow the drawing of a vacuum therethrough. A scraper mechanism scrapes the bean stalks from the conveyor belt, thereby dropping the bean stalks into the bottom of the housing. A power driven auger is disposed near the bottom of the housing which receives the bean stalks dropped from the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A reaping maching for parsley with automatic mechanisms for reaping and bundling parsley while it is moving over a parsley field. A pair of rotating cutter blades cut the plants at their lower stems. The plants are then moved rearward between endless elastic belts and the lower withered leaves removed by comb-like rotating mechanisms. At the end of the belts the parsley plants are bunched by a movable arm and moved to a position where each bunch is tied automatically with string.

Abstract: A vacuum blower-type mobile unit for shredding leaves and other garden debris. The unit comprises a pair of coaxially disposed rotors operated at respectively different speeds, the blades of the two rotors being separated by a minimum practical axial clearance to provide shredding action. Shredding is further enhanced by stationary radial blades fixed to the casing adjacent the input to the slow speed rotor, and a circular plate formed to include a large number of exit guide vanes including fixed blades disposed adjacent the output from the high speed rotor. The speed differential between the rotors and the shapes of the blades cooperate to create between them a high velocity axial stream of air and debris which moves smoothly through the machine, depositing the product in comminuted form in a bag or other container.

Abstract: A cutting machine including a mobile housing having mounted thereon a cutting blade driven by a prime mover in the form of a motor or the like which also drives a source of fluid flow disposed in communicating relation with the cutting area defined by the operative positioning of the cutting blade such that the debris from the cut grass is forced into a collection container or the like which is disposable and removably mounted from the housing. The cutting blade is interconnected to a drive shaft by a cam element engaging the cutting blade in such a manner as to move it in an eccentric fashion relative to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft but in a non-rotational direction relative thereto.

Abstract: Vacuum device moves seeds and debris from an orchard floor to a troughed screen where flexible rotating fingers vibrate screen which separates the seeds from the debris and rotating rigid fingers move debris to a point of discharge. An auger may also be provided beneath the screen for moving separated seeds and fines to a cleaner for removing fine particles from the separated seeds, if desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to conserve moisture for growing crops. An over-the-field carrier is provided with harvesting means for severing a prior year's crop stubble from a field. The leaf and stalk material are separated and the leaf material is retained for feed while the stalk material is returned to the field for building up the organic matter in the soil and also controlling erosion. Cultivating means may be incorporated on the carrier to work the soil and enhance the effectiveness of the recycled stalk material. In areas where sufficient moisture is a major concern slotting apparatus is incorporated onto the carrier to form a longitudinally and vertically extending slot through the field. This slot is then filled with the separated stalk material which is effective in retaining water entering the slot. An inclined and compacted watershed area is formed on either side of the slot by grader blades and rollers.

Abstract: A vacuum sweeper device for use with a tractor-type rotary mower has a vacuum blower which is mounted on a frame and which is driven by a drive shaft connected to the power-take-off of the tractor. The frame is attached to the rear of the main frame of the tractor and includes provision for removably mounting a cylindrical container which collects material picked up by the vacuum blower.

Abstract: In an apparatus for increasing the yield of beans or grain wherein a primary harvesting machine or header is mounted forward of the combine with a secondary harvesting device located immediately to the rear of the primary harvester. The secondary harvesting device is vacuum operated to pick up beans or grain knocked to the ground under the primary harvester. The vacuumed up beans or grain are fed into the onboard chaffer and separator mechanism of the combine for cleaning and combining with the beans or grain picked up by the primary harvester.

Abstract: Conventional rotary lawn mowers have a rotating cutter blade traveling at high velocity. This invention relates to an attachment for forming an enclosed housing containing the conventional mower components to create a vacuum chamber with a single input port which may be coupled to a flexible conduit to suck up leaves and other debris within an extended area for collection in conventional bags.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower with various interchangeable parts can be utilized not only as a standard lawn mower but also a vegetation chopper or shredder, a leaf blower or a snow blower. A vacuum attachment is also provided to permit inaccessible areas to be maintained.