Abstract: A non-binding reel mount for a harvester platform includes added clearance between the sidewalls of a reel mounting bracket and the reel lifting arms. Side bushings are provided between the brackets and the arms at the center of the arms to prevent lateral motion of the brackets relative to the arms but enable twisting or rotation of the brackets relative to the arms. The non-binding reel mount thus enables one lift cylinder to be fully extended without causing binding between the reel mounting brackets and the reel support arms during a cylinder charging operation. The reel mount can be designed to provide the desired amount of vertical adjustment to the reel. In an alternative embodiment, a single bushing is provided at the top of the support arm that extends between the two sidewalls of the mounting bracket and wraps around the upper corners of the support arm to prevent lateral shifting while permitting rotation of the mounting bracket on the support arm.

Abstract: A harvester is disclosed for harvesting leafy vegetables, lettuce and the like which are very delicate and which are grown in precisely configured beds of either a regular or single width (40 inches or 42 inches) or a double width (80 inches). A conveyer/cutter assembly is located on one side of the harvester centerline and has a width somewhat exceeding the width of a single width bed. The wheels on each side are separated by somewhat more than the width of a double bed. The driver and engine is located on the other side of the centerline. Such a harvester can cut single width beds, or can cut double width beds by making a first pass in one direction and a second pass in the other direction. An improved single conveyer/cutter assembly is disclosed along with a method of harvesting and processing leafy vegetables to reduce the amount of debris and unwanted material in the harvested leafy vegetables.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved harvester particularly of the type for harvesting peas. The harvester employees an improved technique of harvesting peas and similar crops. Instead of attempting to break the stem of the plant by pulling it away from the ground, which is the usual technique employed by current harvesters, the individual plants are drawn upwards then cut with a cutting bar or like device. This technique may be utilized by harvesters built specifically for this type of harvesting, or by existing harvesters after modifying the reel of the harvester, The improved harvester comprises a cutting bar, a rotary reel, a plurality of tines arranged in a plurality of rows on the reel, cam tracks and cam followers for raising the plurality of tines relative to crops in front of the cutting bar, as the reel rotates, thereby lifting the crops upwards to a position for cutting.

Abstract: An ensilage harvester is equipped with a blower including a rotor equipped with paddles for conveying crop along a housing wall surrounding the rotor. The paddles include cutting edges that reach close to the wall so as to cut crop that may enter the rotor between a paddle and the wall as the paddle is approaching the wall with the result that the crop captured between the wall and the cutting edges is cut thereby preventing crop from becoming jammed in the intervening gap and causing friction losses.

Abstract: A self-propelled windrower is provided with a platform including a reel which sweeps crop to be cut over a sickle cutterbar and into the nip of a pair of counter-rotating center-feed augers that, in turn, deliver the crop to the nip of a pair of counter-rotating conditioner rolls; and these driven components may be reversed to disgorge slugs of crop. The reversible drive includes a hydraulic pump carried by the traction unit and coupled to a motor carried by the platform. The hydraulic motor on the platform is coupled to power a main gear box which distributes power to the driven components of the platform. Operation of the pump is electro-hydraulically controlled with a single switch being operable to effect forward operation of the platform drive train, and with a second switch being designed to be moved and held in place to effect and maintain the drive train in reverse.

Abstract: A cutting table of a self-propelling harvester thresher is composed of two cutting table parts which are steplessly adjustable relative to one another so as to overlap each other in any possible position. In order to use the cutting table for harvesting of rape, both cutting table parts after releasing of a lock are extensible so that a distance is provided between the cutting table parts. The distance is overlapped by an additional bottom plate and two additional side wall parts, so as to produce a cutting table with such a distance from a cutter bar to a drawing roller which allows cutting and drawing in of rape.

Abstract: The sunflower harvesting attachment comprises a generally triangular-shaped blade which is attached to a blade mount having an elongated upper plate member, an elongated lower plate member, a space member fixedly attached to and separating the two plate members, and an eyelet member to which the blade is fastened. Two longitudinal grooves extend along either side of the blade mount and are defined by the two plate members and the spacer member. The sunflower harvesting attachment is fastenably inserted in the crop-gathering channel between two adjacent crop dividers or deck plates with the cutting edge of blade disposed in the direction of operationally movement of the implement head so that as the stalks of the sunflowers enter the crop-gathering channel they are severed and the sunflower portion is fed through the implement header and combine into a holding bin.

Abstract: A crop or produce cutting assembly for mounting in a combine header, which assembly is characterized by multiple cutter blades mounted by means of a pair of blade mount brackets on the platform of the combine header, such that the cutter blades are located in close proximity to the combine cross auger. The blades serve to cut vines associated with crop or produce such as soybeans which tend to wrap around the rotating cross auger and reduce efficient processing of the crop through the combine. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the cutter blades are characterized by triangular, double-serrated blades and the blade mount brackets are adjustable to facilitate location of the blades in a selected close proximity to the rotating cross auger. The blades are spaced from each other to facilitate access by auger fingers projecting from the cross auger, which fingers aid in movement of the crop or produce from the rotating cross auger through the combine.

Abstract: A conventional header of a combine is modified by the addition of a second sickle knife positioned rearwardly of the pan of the header. The second sickle knife is mounted on a bar which is connected to a pair of arms extending under the pan to a forward end pivotally mounted just behind the conventional sickle knife of the header. The arms and the second sickle knife can thus pivot upwardly and downwardly and are mounted on suspension springs carried on the frame of the header. A simple drive from the conventional shaft of the header is connected through a belt to a drive wobble box carried on the second sickle knife at a position partway along its length.

Abstract: A flotation mechanism for use on a crop harvesting machine having a header suspended from the frame thereof by flotation springs is disclosed wherein a hydraulic cylinder interconnects the frame and at least one of the springs to allow selective adjustment of the weight of the header supported from the frame. The extensible hydraulic cylinder is operable to vary the length of at least one of the flotation springs while the crop harvesting machine is in operation and movable over the ground.

Abstract: An auger cutter, windrower and conditioner for standing and downed crops such as hay, or forage harvester crops such as corn, sorghum and cereals including a cutter auger with cutting teeth attached to an auger flight and a conveyor auger to move the cut crop to a central area or to either side of the cutter to be discharged as a windrow or as a mass of material, or to be fed to a second crop processing device such as a forage harvester. An improved relationship of the cutting augers and the conveyor augers and height control mechanism to improve the cutting and transport of the crop.

Abstract: The invention concerns a new arrangement of the reaping platform of harvesting machines with a feed drum (2) supported behind the cutter bar (3) in the direction of travel and with, where appropriate, a reel (5) interacting with it, the bearing arrangement of the feed drum (2) being adjustable forwards and backwards in the horizontal direction relative to the cutter bar (3) and, if appropriate, being adjustable so that it can move up and down in the vertical direction relative to the bottom of the reaping platform trough (1).

Abstract: A method and mechanism for harvesting standing crops for a combine such as rows on corn of sunflowers including flattening the stalks and removing the tops, first encountering the stalks with leading separating devices fashioned as ships for separating the crop plants arranged in rows, engaging the stalks with a rotary shaft and with a draw-in drum having dogs on the surface, engaging the plants with a reaper element and then with a deflection shaft all for flattening the plants and removing the tops and conveying the tops laterally inwardly with an auger to pass to a conveying channel to be transported to a harvesting combine.

Abstract: A header for a combine harvester includes gauge wheels which can be converted from a normal gauge position to a transport position in which the header is wholly supported by the gauge wheels and towed longitudinally of its length. One of the gauge wheels is a single wheel which moves inwardly toward the centre of gravity in the transport position. The other of the wheels is a walking beam system in the working position and forms a transverse axle in the transport position. Each of the gauge wheels is mounted upon a bracket which can pivot about a horizontal axis from a raised spring biased gauge position to a vertically depending position allowing rotation of the wheel about a vertical axis on the bracket. The header therefore can be transported without the necessity for a separate trailer system.

Abstract: A grass pick-up broom for riding, walk-behind and tow-behind mowers includes a cylindrical sleeve rotatably mounted on a rear axle of a mower and having spaced elongate brushes fixedly attached to the sleeve and extending radially therefrom. The sleeve is connected by a belt to a rotary cutting blade powered by an engine mounted on the mower. When the cutting blade is engaged, the sleeve automatically rotates about the axle causing the brushes to rotate thereabout, propelling grass clippings and other debris into a grass catcher located behind the broom. The brushes of the broom also comb the surface of the newly cut grass, picking up grass clippings and other heavier debris and transfering the debris to the grass catcher.

Abstract: A flexible header for a combine or swather includes a pair of wing sections which can flex relative to a central section. Each wing section carries a draper canvas for transporting a cut crop inwardly toward the central section. Beneath the inner ends of the drapers is mounted a further draper for transporting the crop rearwardly through an opening in the central frame into the feeder housing of the combine. Above the central draper is mounted a roller member having a central paddle portion and auger portions outside of the central portion for confining and directing the crop in cooperation with the central draper into the feeder housing. The pivot axis of each wing portion is inclined inwardly and forwardly so that the axes intersect at the sickle knife. This arrangement allows the manufacture of a large width flexible combine header.

Abstract: A header for a combine moves between retracted and extended positions. The header has a platform with at least two platform sections. The platforms will extend in longitudinal directions relative to each other. A rotatably driven auger is mounted to the platform and has at least two auger sections. The auger sections telescope. The helical flight on one of the sections collapses when the auger sections retract. A sickle has at least two sickle sections. A sickle extender moves the sickle sections in longitudinal directions relative to each other. A drive mechanism reciprocates the sickle sections relative to the platform for cutting vegetation.

Abstract: An attachment for an open fronted harvesting machine to assist movement of cut heads to the harvester conveyor system has a flexible skirt extending rearwardly of the cutter blades. The skirt is supported along its forward edge by a relatively rigid support member which is reciprocated to impart reciprocal movement to the skirt. The support member can be connected to the reciprocating cutter blades of the harvester or can be moved independently thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus detachably mounting to the header platform of a combine in aligned relation to the sickle bar assembly for converting over to sunflower harvesting. The assembly comprises a plurality of sunflower pans attached in spaced apart, slightly elevated relation to a tubular support member that mounts to the header platform via a plurality of chainbuckle and stop members. Assembly requires only the aligning of the attachment to the header platform and the tightening of the turn buckles.

Abstract: In a flexible floating cutterbar cutting platform for a combine harvester, compact spring elements connected to cutterbar suspension linkage subassemblies are remotely controlled for adjustment of cutterbar counterbalance force so that pressure between the ground and the cutterbar skid plates may be adjusted, on-the-go, to suit varying harvesting conditions. Pinned pivotable connection of the cutterbar suspension linkage subassemblies to the rigid portion of the platform facilitate assembly and offer an improved method of adjustment of cutterbar attitude relative to the ground (tilt) when in working position.

Abstract: A self-propelled harvester thresher has a liftable and lowerable front inclined transporting channel, as considered in a travelling direction, and a cutting table connected therewith and having a rear wall mounted on the transporting channel, wherein a cutter bar, a drawing roller, and a winch are liftably and lowerably connected with said rear wall.

Abstract: A driven transverse spreader forcibly spreads a windrow to be uniformly distributed in front of a crop pick-up device. Flexible aprons at the sides of the device prevent transverse spreading beyond the grasp of the pick-up device.

Abstract: A combine attachment for harvesting radish seeds and the like includes a fixed lower harvesting roll and an upper roll spaced vertically therefrom and mounted for spring-biased movement toward and away from the lower roll. The rolls are spaced a distance sufficient of split seed-containing pods, but not so close as to crush the seeds. The upper and lower rolls are carried by a frame mounted to a forward portion of the combine rearward of a pick-up belt and forward of an auger. The frame is detachably mounted to the frame by fastening means for easy attachment to and detachment from the frame. The split pods are conveyed to a thresher which separates the seeds from the preconditioned pods.

Abstract: This invention relates to a combine harvester apparatus having a cutting mechanism apparatus of this invention connected thereto which may be of substantial length. The cutting mechanism apparatus is divided into three sections being a center platform assembly; a right platform assembly; and a left platform assembly. Each platform assembly is capable of performing a crop harvesting function as having (1) a reel assembly to direct the crop; (2) a sickle assembly to sever the crop; and (3) an auger assembly to carry the severed crop to a center point for elevation into a combine harvesting mechanism. The right and left platform assemblies are pivotally connected to the center platform assembly and adapted to be raised or lowered manually or automatically to compensate for variances in levels of the terrain. Numerous special design features are necessary to allow for this vertical movement while maintaining driving forces between the sickle assemblies; auger assemblies; and the reel assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the efficiency of sunflower harvesting by combine consists of a sunflower header attachment secured over a reciprocating sickle bar assembly at the front end of the combine. A plurality of spaced apart pans are secured over the sickle bar assembly to extend forwardly from the combine. Pivotally mounted at the forward end of each pan is an elongated snout tapered to a rounded tip at its front end. The snouts have smooth sides and rounded edges to allow the combine to gently engage sunflower stalks during the harvesting operation. A reel is rotatably mounted transversely over the pans and is driven to rotate on a generally horizontal axis for urging sunflowers into the combine. Preferably, the reel has only two wings, the axes of which are substantially coplanar, so that in operation the reel does not prevent a combine operator from observing a significant degree of the sunflower gathering and cutting operations.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header, attachable to a combine to sever standing crop and intiate the crop harvesting process, is disclosed wherein both the cutterbar and the floor of the header are somewhat flexibly constructed to follow the contour of the ground and harvest low growing crops. A counterbalancing force for the cutterbar is provided by leaf spring members spaced along the width of the header. These leaf spring members are connected to a lower portion of the header in such a manner as to enable the amount of countebalancing force supplied to the cutterbar to be variable by changing the number of leaf spring members exerting a counterbalancing force, either by increasing the number of locations that the leaf spring members are connected to the header frame or by increasing the number of leaf spring members at each location.

Abstract: A basic frame for a crop harvesting header which is attachable to a combine to sever standing crop and initiate the crop harvesting process is disclosed wherein the same frame can be utilized in the construction of both rigid and flexible headers. A connection member is provided for each attachment rib interconnecting the frame and the cutterbar, such that the attachment rib can be either pivotally connected to the frame to provide a flexible header or rigidly attached to the frame to provide a rigid header. Each connection member permits a rigidly attached rib to be vertically positionally adjusted to provide proper alignment of the cutterbar across the entire width of the header. The header frame includes a hat-shaped member corresponding to each of the connection members within which the attachment ribs can be nested.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header drive mechanism is disclosed wherein a toothed drive belt transfers rotational power from a drive sprocket to a driven sprocket, both of which have indentations around the perimeter thereof to correspond to and engage with the drive belt teeth to provide a positive driving action. Shielding is provided for the return run of the drive belt, wherein the teeth are projecting upwardly, to prevent dirt and/or debris from filling up the interstitial spaces between adjacent drive teeth and disrupting the positive drive relationship between the drive belt and the drive and driven sprockets. The shielding mechanism is pivotally attached at its rearward end to permit the forward end to be vertically movable with the driven sprocket. A detachable L-shaped member is provided to close off a gap formed in the shielding for access to the drive belt.

Abstract: A frame assembly mounted in the windrow discharge area on a swather or windrower on which a plurality of vertical assemblies, are mounted thereto. On these assemblies are mounted fraying and cutting blades. These blades are operated at a required speed to fray and distort the tips of the stubble and/or cut and reduce the length of the straw of the standing stubble so as to ensure that the supportive strength of the straw is not exceeded by the weight of the swath or windrow placed upon it. This will eliminate any distortion or buckling of the remaining conditioned standing stubble straws. A windrow delivery plate is mounted on the swather frame assembly within the windrow discharge area. This plate assures delivery of the windrowed material onto the swath support fingers which effect a gradual release of the windrowed material onto the remaining standing frayed and conditioned stubble directly behind the frayer conditioners track of travel in the field.

Abstract: An auger flotation limit for a crop harvesting header on which a floating auger is utilized is disclosed wherein a lower stop, defining the lower limit of movement of the auger, is connected to the upper stop, defining the upper limit of auger movement, by a strap mechanism. An adjusting mechanism operatively engages the lower stop for selectively adjusting the positional relationship between the auger and the floor of the header. The strap mechanism interconnecting the upper and lower stops permits the lower stop to be selectively adjusted without effecting the amount of flotational movement permitted to the auger. A fore-and-aft adjustment mechanism is also provided to permit the auger to be selectively adjusted in a fore-and-aft direction relative to the rear wall of the header.

Abstract: A hay-type crop harvester has a chassis supported on the ground on wheels and normally displaceable along the ground in a predetermined travel direction. A crop cutter is mounted ahead of the wheels on the chassis and extends transversely substantially the full width of the chassis so as to cut a swath of crop and pass it backward. A central crop conditioner is provided on the chassis between the wheels thereof and two outer crop conditioners are each provided on a respective side of the chassis to respective sides of the wheels. An auger provided with oppositely directed screwthread formations at each of the conditioners transports the crop laterally so that after being cut in a single wide swath it is subdivided into three portions each of which is fed to a respective conditioner. Thereafter the portions may be laid down in windrows between and outside the wheels of the harvester.

Abstract: A crop harvesting machine is disclosed wherein a crop engaging reel is mounted forwardly of a disc-type cutterbar so as to pick up downed crop material and to pull it rearwardly over the cutterbar toward a crop conditioner. The cutterbar includes a plurality of bottom driven rotary disc cutter units and an individually removable arcuate shield over each disc cutter unit partially forming a floor to aid the reel in conveying the severed crop material to the crop conditioner and to prevent the cutterbar from recutting the crop once initially severed from the ground. The shields are positioned so that only the cutter blade projects beyond the forward peripheral edge thereof to sever crop material from the ground.

Abstract: An adapter frame for mounting a hay head of a forage harvester to a grain combine comprising an upper frame member for attachment to the upper combine frame, a lower frame member for attachment to the lower combine frame, vertical frame members interconnecting the upper and lower frame members, and horizontal attachment rods secured to the respective upper and lower frame members for reception into clevis members on a forage harvester, a threshold member on the lower frame member to bridge the output opening of the forage harvester with the input opening on the combine frame, and a hydraulic operating motor on the forage harvester connected to the hydraulic circuit of the combine.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for treating agricultural products to enhance drying of the products by macerating the products and then forming the macerated products into a mat. The agricultural products, such as forage products and more particularly hay, are macerated by passing the products between two cylindrical rollers rotating in opposite directions at different speeds. The macerated products are then formed into a mat, if desired, by conveying the products between conveyor belts to a matting roller adjacent to one of the conveyor belts. The thus formed mat of macerated material permits drying of the products within a few hours.

Abstract: A mobile, self-propelled chaff-production means in which windrowed hay is picked up and conveyed to a chaff-cutter via a covered conveyor. As the hay moves along the conveyor it is moistened by steam applied to it through jets located beneath the input region of the conveyor so that when the hay reaches the chaff-cutter it is moist enough not to be fractured on impact of the blades and cutter bar. The resulting chaff is then conveyed by an auger to a twin-column screw bagger as a final, saleable product.

Abstract: A stalk-crop harvester having a chassis displaceable along the ground in a transport direction and supporting a transverse conveyor having in turn a forwardly open transversely elongated intake has a pickup formed of a front drum and a rear drum. The front drum has a front axle centered on a horizontal front axis transverse to the transport direction and forward of the conveyor intake. This front axle carries a plurality of spring tines. The rear drum has a rear axle centered on a horizontal rear axis transverse to the transport direction and between the front axis and the intake. A plurality of axially spaced rigid rear tines is fixed on the rear axle axially offset from but engageable between the spring tines of the front axle. A plurality of strippers secured to the harvester chassis at the intake extend forwardly between the rigid tines and a crop holddown secured to the chassis extends backwardly from above the front axle to above the intake.

Abstract: A h ay conditioner comprised of a hay pick-up, a covered conveyor, a discharge chute and a steam generator in communication with a plurality of steam input nozzles, wherein the conditioned hay is continuously discharged from the chute as the vehicle progresses so as to traverse a windrow.

Abstract: A self-propelled combine includes a corn picker head having a cornstalk harvesting and windrow attachment on its underside which includes gathering guide fingers for each row for feeding stalks into a sickle cutter and either a paddle reel or rotary cutter forwardly of augers which optionally convey cut stalks to a centrally positioned discharge whereby the stalks are dropped onto the ground in a windrow or upon opening of a gate rearwardly of the augers the stalks are discharged directly onto the ground. A gathering chain is provided on one of the guide fingers for each row and includes upper and lower sections with the lower return section being displaced laterally outwardly away from the stalks engaged by the upper section. The sickle cutter is positioned rearwardly of the forward end of the snapping rollers and cutting of the stalks occurs after the stalks are engaged by the snapping rollers which rotate inwardly and downwardly.

Abstract: A hay conditioner is provided with a crop deflecting baffle having an operative position for deflecting crops for deposit in a swath. Rearwardly converging deflector vanes are mounted on the baffle, preferably about halfway respectively between the transverse edges of the baffle and the center of the crop stream. Preferably, the angle of convergence of the vanes is less than that of the fixed side deflectors of the preferred windrowing apparatus.

Abstract: A twin sickle drive system for a crop harvesting machine is disclosed wherein universal rotary input shafts are connected to each end of the upper conditioning roll to transfer rotational forces therefrom to individual wobble drive units situated along the outside of the machine to either side of the crop conditioning unit. Each wobble drive unit is connected to a drive shaft which transmits reciprocating motion to the sickle bar located adjacent that respective side of the machine.

Abstract: The invention seeks to improve the versatility of mower-conditioners by providing a single machine which can produce a relatively confined windrow of cut crop or a relatively scattered windrow for fast drying of the crop and without the need for a separate tedding operation. In accordance with the invention a mower-conditioner comprises mower means for cutting standing crop, rotary crop conditioner and spreader means located rearwardly of the mower means for operating on the cut crop, fixed deflector means positioned rearwardly of the crop conditioner and spreader means and further deflector means movable between first and second positions relative to the fixed deflector means, the fixed and movable deflector means being operable in one position of the movable deflector means to form a windrow of the crop discharged from the crop conditioner and spreader means and in the other position of the movable deflector means to allow the crop conditioner and spreader means to widely spread the cut crop.

Abstract: A hay conditioner is provided with a crop deflecting baffle having a raised inoperative position and a lowered operating position for deflecting crop downwardly for deposit in a swath. The baffle position control includes a transverse rod having chains attached to its periphery and to the baffle, a ratchet and pawl for holding the rod against the force of gravity, and a handle selectively engageable for rotating the ratchet.

Abstract: The invention concerns a machine for cutting and gathering vegetables such as spinach, the machine consisting of a chassis having a wheeled front sub-chassis hinged to a wheeled rear sub-chassis about a vertical axis, means for varying the relative positions of the two sub-chassis around the axis, means carried by the front sub-chassis, for cutting and gathering a bucket for storage arranged on the rear sub-chassis, and a transporter device which joins the means for cutting and gathering to the bucket.

Abstract: An attachment to a conventional tomato harvester to accommodate the harvesting of tomato crops in areas where tomato vines are grown through holes in sheet plastic, disposed atop the ground in the tomato fields. A shearing device is vertically pivotally carried centrally of the forward bottom end of a conveyor which transports the tomato vines rearwardly upwardly into the harvester, after being cut just above the sheet plastic, for removal of the tomatoes from the vines, as well as for cleaning, sorting, etc. Rearwardly of the shears, a pair of large rotary brushes feed the vines to a paddle wheel device which cooperates with the brushes in initiating the movement of the vines upwardly with the conveyor movement.

Abstract: A roll opening device is provided for a hay harvesting machine of the type having a wheel supported main frame and a laterally elongated crop harvesting header mounted to the frame by pivotal linkage, the header having a fixed lower conditioning roll and an upper roll mounted on lever arms pivoted on said header and biased by tension spring to an operating position adjacent the lower roll. A toggle link is pivotally mounted to the header at each end of the roll adjacent the roll lever arms and is connected thereto. Tensile members interconnect the free ends of the toggle links with the frame so that when the header is raised to the transport position, the tensile members open the rolls against the force of the tensioning springs.

Abstract: A mower-conditioner for agricultural use employing one or more rotatably mounted drum type cutter units, each of which supports at least one cutter blade for cutting standing crop by impact under conditions where the drums are rotated about generally upright axes. A frame assembly is provided on which a crop conditioner is mounted for receiving severed crop material as it is being conveyed rearwardly by the cutter units.

Abstract: A self-propelled combine includes a corn picker head having a corn stalk harvesting and windrow attachment on its underside which includes gathering guide fingers for each row of feeding stalks into a sickle cutter and paddle reel forwardly of augers which convey cut stalks to a centrally positioned discharge, whereby the stalks are dropped onto the ground in a windrow.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a machine of mower or mower-conditioner type in which the working width is substantially equal to the total width and a drive element directly communicates its rotating movement to one of the discs mounted on an elongated housing which supports all the discs, of which that which co-operates with the drive element can advantageously be uncoupled therefrom.

Abstract: A mower with two pairs of counterrotating cutting disks has a frame on which two yokes are mounted for independent swinging about a horizontal axis transverse to the direction of travel, each yoke carrying a pair of coacting horizontal conditioning rollers which in a working position lie in the wake of a respective disk pair to gather and press the mown crop coming from these disks. The conditioning rollers are driven from a pair of ancillary shafts on the machine frame, operatively linked with the disk drive, through extensible and universally jointed transmission shafts enabling each yoke to be separately swung into a retracted position.

Abstract: A flexible header for a combine or swather includes a pair of wing sections .[.which can flex relative to.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.a central section .Iadd.mounted on a rigid header frame.Iaddend.. Each wing section carries a draper canvas for transporting cut crop inwardly toward the central section. Beneath the inner ends of the .Iadd.side .Iaddend.drapers is mounted a .[.further.]. .Iadd.feed .Iaddend.draper for transporting the crop rearwardly through an opening in the central frame into the feeder housing of the combine. .Iadd.The header frame is mounted on a fixed mounting frame for floating vertically and pivotally. .Iaddend.Above the central draper is mounted a roller member having a central paddle portion and auger portions outside of the central portion for confining and directing the crop in cooperation with the central draper into the feeder housing. .[.The pivot axis of each wing portion is inclined inwardly and forwardly so that the axes intersect at the sickle knife..]. .Iadd.