Abstract: A human power mower (10) comprising a mower housing (12). Four mower wheel assemblies (14) are provided. Each mower wheel assembly (14) is affixed in a rotatable manner to one side corner of the mower housing (12). A mower handle (16) extends upwardly at an angle from the mower housing (12), so that a person (18) can grip the mower handle (16). A mower blade (20) is also provided. An assembly (22) is for mounting the mower blade (20) in a rotatable manner centrally to the underside of the mower housing (12). A structure is coupled between the mower wheel assemblies (14) and the mower blade (20), for rotating the mower blade (20) to cut grass (26), when the person (18) pushes the mower (10) by the mower handle (16), to roll along a lawn (28) on the mower wheel assemblies (14).

Abstract: A low-polluting lawn mower includes a frame having ground-engaging wheels, a seat for a driver and a steering mechanism to permit the driver to control the direction of movement of the lawn mower on the frame, a four-cycle engine mounted on the frame and having a drive shaft operatively engaged with one of the wheels so that the engine propels the lawn mower, a propane gas supply on the frame including a tank containing liquified propane gas, a fuel connection from said propane gas supply to the engine including a carburetor having a venturi and equipped with a spud to feed propane to the venturi and a fuel control assembly including a regulator and a fuel lockoff, and a blade operatively engaged with the drive shaft so as to be driven for cutting grass when the engine is fueled by propane from the supply.

Abstract: An automatic tensioner to be used with a drive train of a self-propelled mower for drivingly connecting a ground wheel to the mower transmission, wherein the tensioner includes tensioning mechanism, which may be constructed as a spring biased idler arm having an idler member rotatably mounted thereon, to apply a tensioning force against the flexible element of the drive. The tensioner further includes an anti-slackening assembly having an elongated takeup rod being pivotally coupled with the idler arm at one end thereof so that the takeup rod moves generally with the idler arm, as the arm moves in a tensioning direction and opposed slackening direction. The anti-slackening assembly also includes a swingable control tab having an aperture receiving the other end of the takeup rod.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing cobalt complexes having the formula:[Co(NH.sub.3).sub.5 OAc]T.sub.ysaid method comprising reacting cobalt (II) acetate having the formula Co(OAc).sub.2 4H.sub.2 O with concentrated ammonium hydroxide/ammonium acetate, followed by oxidizing agent (e.g., peroxide).

Abstract: An improved ground-driven dethatching apparatus having at least two sets of independently rotating sets of dethatching tines. Each tine set is positioned along an independently rotating tine shaft which is rotated by a separate drive linkage and ground-engaging wheel. This arrangement ensures adequate torque to rotate the shafts and uniform dethatching when changing directions. The dethatcher automatically adjusts tine height, for example, in response to obstructions or variations in ground conditions.

Abstract: A bicycle powered mower comprises a securing member which connects to the front fork of a bicycle, a universal joint portion connected to the securing portion, and a mower connected to the universal joint portion. When a bicycle, with its front wheel removed and the securing portion of the bike mower secured to the front fork, is propelled by conventional means, the mower will move over an area to be mowed. The universal joint portion permits the bicycle to be turned without tilting the bike.

Abstract: A lawn mower for use both as walking operator type and riding type, having a grass cutting unit, an engine located rearwardly thereof, a driver's seat located above the engine, a floor step located over the grass cutting unit to be movable between an open position and a closed position, and right and left rear wheels driven by the engine. The rear wheels have respective stepless transmissions operable independently of each other to transmit engine drive in different speeds to the rear wheels. These transmissions are operable by shift levers located on opposite sides of the driver's seat when the lawn mower is used as the riding type, and by control levers extending rearwardly of the driver's seat when the lawn mower is used as the walking operator type.

Abstract: A manual powered lawn mower comprises a pair of large diameter drive wheels on an axle, two clutch and roller bearing mechanisms on the axle coupling the drive wheels thereto, a gear mechanism coupled to the axle for translating rotation of the drive wheels to rotation of a gear around a vertical axis, and a rotary type blade which is coupled to the gear mechanism via a vertical axle and another clutch and roller bearing mechanism. When the lawn mower is pushed forward, the clutch and roller bearing mechanisms on the wheel axle causes the axle to drive the gear mechanism, which in turn drives the vertical axle and the blade. When a drive wheel is not turning the axle faster than the speed that the axle is turning, that drive wheel is decoupled by the clutch and roller bearing mechanism and no longer adds either power or drag to the system. With clutch and roller bearing mechanisms on each wheel, a "differential" is provided which permits maneuverability without adversely affecting blade speed.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a windrow inverter having a crop pick-up mechanism operable to elevate a windrow of crop material from the ground onto a transversely moveable draper conveyor is disclosed wherein the draper conveyor is rotatably driven by a hydraulic motor operable to rotate the draper conveyor in opposing lateral directions. The crop pick-up mechanism is driven by a ground drive mechanism. A power transfer device including a movable power transfer gear provides the option of interconnecting the drive mechanisms for the draper conveyor and the crop pick-up mechanism upon disconnection of one of the drive mechanisms. A second movable transfer gear provides another option of mechanically driving the operation of the draper conveyor, in either lateral direction. A wing draper attachment mounted on the frame of the windrow inverter is drivingly coupled to the draper conveyor for rotatable operation therewith.

Abstract: A windrow inverter having a crop pick-up mechanism operable to elevate a windrow of crop material from the ground onto a transversely moveable draper conveyor is disclosed wherein a wing draper attachment mounted on the frame of the windrow inverter on the opposing side of the transverse cross conveyor from the discharge chute. The wing extension is moveable between a raised transport position and a lowered operating position and is latched into the selected position by a latching mechanism. A hydraulic system is provided to operatively drive the draper for the wing extension and the cross conveyor in opposing directions to permit the windrow inverter to be utilized to discharge windrows of crop material to either selected side of the windrow inverter. The drive mechanism utilizes a selective combination of a mechanical ground drive and a hydraulic drive to power the operation of the pick-up mechanism, cross conveyor and wing attachment.

Abstract: Aligning tobacco plants end to end in rows in a field with leaf ends trailing butt ends as the butt ends are picked up onto an elevating conveyor belt by turning it at the same speed as the ground or surface speed of a wheel of a trailer pulled by a tractor, the elevating conveyor being at one side of the trailer.

Abstract: A grass mowing or cutting machine suitable for towing by general application vehicles is disclosed. The machine is operated by its advance and comprises a wheeled frame having a horizontal cutting disc which rotates about a vertical axis. A drive mechanism connects the cutting disc to the wheel(s) of the wheeled frame so that when the mowing apparatus is pulled or pushed, the cutting disc will be rotated by the rotation of the wheel(s). A gearing mechanism is typically provided between the cutting disc and the wheel(s). The cutting disc is preferably of web-like construction and includes aerodynamics portions to exert a downward force on the disc as it rotates through the air. The moving apparatus is designed for relatively high speed towing.

Abstract: A ground wheel drive apparatus for producing rotational power to drive seed planters, fertilizer applicators or other devices of the type carried on a farm machine. The apparatus includes a fixed frame for mounting on the toolbar of the farm machine and that frame has a transverse drive shaft journaled thereon. A trailing frame is pivotably carried on the transverse drive shaft and has a ground engaging wheel journaled on its extending end. One end of the transverse drive shaft is coupled to the ground engaging wheel and the other end is coupled to the devices on the farm machine so that rotation of the wheel drives the transverse shaft which in turn drives the devices on the farm machine.