Abstract: A reel-type lawn mower and tractor assembly which includes a pivotally-mounted lift arm on the tractor. A lawn mower is pivotally attached to the laterally extending end of the lift arm and is caster-connected relative to the lift arm by a device of an intervening link which is angulated to be at one elevation at the top of the mower and at a lower elevation to the rear of the mower where the connection is made with the tractor lift arm.

Abstract: A power-driven lawnmower having a main chassis supporting an operator, a pair of forward drive wheels, and a steering wheel utilizes a floating mower deck which covers or houses at least one driven mower blade. The deck is connected to the main chassis by a pair of arms terminating in ball joints affixed to the mower deck which is supported on ground engaging wheels such that the mower deck follows the contour of the ground. A flexible drive belt is connected to a constant power take off element on the main chassis and to the drive mechanism on the deck such that belt is entrained over a constant distance due to the connection of the arms to the chassis and the mower deck.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement to the header of an agricultural self-propelled windrower. The invention has a conditioner assembly and mower assembly that can be separated and removed. Hook and pin combination and a conditioner mounting bolt attach the conditioner assembly. A free link and bell crank allow the flotation springs to remain attached with the header is removed. A header top link can be attached to a bracket on either the conditioner or mower assemblies to assist in moving the header. There is a header lift manifold that moves a restricted flow control valve by a switch-actuated solenoid. When the solenoid is activated, the valve moves and forces hydraulic fluid through an orifice. This allows the header limited movement.

Abstract: A riding mower is provided and includes a frame, a drive shaft, an engine for selectively rotating the drive shaft, a mower deck having first and second ends, coupling for selectively coupling the drive shaft to the mower deck, a lift cylinder for selectively lifting the mower deck, and a deck attachment mechanism for attaching the mower deck to the frame and to the lift cylinder.

Abstract: A riding lawn mower has wheels which are spring suspended from the chassis and a floating-type cutter deck hangs from the chassis. When a wheel moves upwardly relative to the chassis, as occurs when the wheel goes across a bump or when the chassis leans in a turn, a nearby portion of the cutter deck is lifted upwardly in response. In one embodiment, the drive wheels are independently spring suspended rear wheels and the cutter deck is mounted between the front and rear wheels. On each side of the machine a chain runs from a lifting bracket attached to each rear wheel motor mount and runs down to the rear end of the deck. So, when a wheel moves upwardly the deck is moved upwardly. In another embodiment, the front wheels are the spring suspended drive wheels and the cutter deck is cantilevered from the front end of the machine. The rear end of the cutter deck is lifted upwardly upon upward wheel motion.

Abstract: A row crop header for cutting row crops beneath the ground surface thereby increasing the percentage of brittle and bent over row crop harvested. The inventive device includes a pair of frames defining a slot therebetween, a hydraulic motor, a pair of corrugated belts, a pair of cutting discs overlapping one another, the cutting discs include a plurality of arcuate notches, a pair of capturing discs having a plurality of resilient tines and a pair of hubs. The arcuate notches in the cutting discs prevent debris such as rocks from becoming lodged in between the cutting discs while allowing the cutting discs to cut thick stalks of the row crop. The hubs rotate near a front portion of the respective pair of frames thereby elevating the pair of frames at the desired elevation for maintaining the desired penetration into the ground of the cutting discs.

Abstract: A cutting machine which includes a hitching structure supporting, via a suspension arm, an elongated cutting mechanism connected to the suspension arm by one articulation of horizontal longitudinal axis pointing in the direction of travel during work, and a locking device intended in the transport position to lock automatically this one articulation. The locking device includes a connecting member connected on the one hand to the cutting mechanism by another articulation of geometric axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the one articulation, and on the other hand to the hitching structure by a connection allowing, in the work position, a movement of the connecting member with respect to the hitching structure, and preventing, in the transport position, a movement of the connecting member with respect to the hitching structure.

Abstract: A tractor driven stump grinder for a wheeled tractor frame having a drive motor operating the wheels to move the tractor forwardly and rearwardly, the tractor having a support member movable vertically on the tractor frame and rotatably carrying a generally vertically disposed broadsidely oriented grinder disc. A series of circumferentially spaced generally radial stump grinding tools project peripherally from each vertical face of the grinder disc, and a drive mechanism is provided for rotating the grinder disc in a plane transverse to the longitudinal tractor frame as it cuts a horizontal swath and then a subjacent swath in a pass across the upper end of a stump in both forward and rearward directions of movement of the tractor.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement includes an inverted u-shaped frame having opposite legs joined by a transverse bight portion. The lower draft links of a tractor three-point hitch are connected to lower ends of the legs of the frame for pivoting about a horizontal transverse axis. Located centrally between the frame legs along the bight portion of the frame is an angle member having a horizontal limb defining a first link and being joined to a vertical limb defined in part by an upwardly projecting bearing axle. An implement draft tongue includes a forward extension to which upwardly and downwardly projecting bearing axles are fixed along a vertical axis. The coupling arrangement includes a second link spaced vertically above the first link and having ball joints in its opposite ends respectively mounted to the bearing axle of the angle member and the upwardly projecting bearing axle of the draft tongue.

Abstract: A machine for cutting and chopping corn and similar stalk-like harvested crops independently of rows includes drawing-in and cutting drums which are overlapped on the upper side in the region of their rotational sector by cover plates which interact each with a divider point for the harvested crops to be cut. The divider point extends in the driving direction. The outer edge of the cover plates in the region adjoining the respective divider point has an arching counter to the driving direction. The arching exposes the driving teeth of the associated drawing-in and cutting drum and forms an opening for the entry of the harvested crop between the driving teeth. This opening can optionally be closed by means of a blocking element depending on the nature of the crops being harvested.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for towing a mower includes a tool bar, a first hitch member for mounting on the tool bar, a pivot pin extending from the mower for engagement by the hitch member, and a spring for exerting a lifting force between the pin and the hitch member to transfer a portion of the weight of the mower to the hitch assembly. The spring may be a tension spring extending between the pivot pin and an upper hitch portion to bias the pivot pin toward the upper hitch portion, or a compression spring captured between the hitch member and a spring seat to bias the pivot pin upward relative to the hitch member.

Abstract: An implement hitch is mounted to the forward end of an implement tongue for swivelling about an upright axis. The hitch includes right- and left-hand arm assemblies which each include separate inner and outer arms mounted for swinging about a horizontal transverse axis defined by a connection pin located in respective rear ends of the arms. A first embodiment of the inner and outer arms includes apertured balls universally mounted in forward ends of the arms, with the balls of each adjacent pair of inner and outer arms having a hitch pin extending therethrough which is adapted for being received in the receptacle of the hook of the corresponding side of a quick-coupler carried by the three-point hitch of a tractor. In a second embodiment, radiused apertures are provided in the forward ends of the inner and outer arms in lieu of the apertured balls.

Abstract: A front-mount mower tractor including a front axle case, a driver's platform disposed above the front axle case and in a front region of the tractor, a platform support frame having one end thereof fixed to the front axle case and extending under the driver's platform longitudinally forwardly of the tractor, and a mower unit raising and lowering link mechanism. The mower unit raising and lowering link mechanism includes lift links pivotally connected to the front axle case for suspending a mower unit from free ends thereof, lift arms pivotally connected to the front axle case above the lift links, at least a portion of each lift arm extending along a side surface of the platform support frame, connecting links each pivotally connected at one end thereof to one of the lift arms, and at the other end to one of the lift links, at least a portion of each connecting link extending along a side surface of the platform support frame, and a cylinder for swinging the right and left lift arms.

Abstract: A cutting device includes a cutting mechanism, a hitching structure designed to be connected to a motor vehicle, a support beam joined to the hitching structure and to the cutting mechanism and a traction device. The traction device is comprised of at least one draw-spring designed to lighten the cutting mechanism during operation and a control device designed to void the action of the at least one draw-spring when the cutting device is placed. The control device has, among other things, a rod at one of the ends to which the at least one draw-spring is attached. The control device is comprised of a cylinder which has the rod, a body, a piston which separates the body into first and second chambers, and a fluid circuit which has a device which allows the fluid to enter the first chamber located on the side of the at least one draw-spring when the latter must be tightened, and allows the fluid to leave the first chamber when the at least one draw-spring must be relaxed.

Abstract: A harvester for harvesting fruits from plants such as trees or bushes. The harvester uses a shaker head, which rotationally oscillates a vertical brush. A shaker frame is able to rotate around a wide arch which allows more than half the tree to be reached in a single pass. The other half of the tree may be reached by the brush in a pass in the opposite direction. The harvester also uses lifts to raise the brush to a height suitable for harvesting fruits from trees.

Abstract: An agricultural machine has a fixed structure, a retractable assembly connected to the fixed structure by at least one joint such that said retractable assembly can move to at least one locking position, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes (i) at least one stop element mounted for movement with one of the fixed structure and retractable assembly and cooperable with the other of the fixed structure and the retractable assembly to lock the retractable assembly in one locking position; (ii) at least one elastic element cooperating with the at least one stop element to bias the at least one stop element into a stop element lock position in cooperation with the other of the fixed structure and the retractable assembly so as to lock the retractable assembly in the locking position. The stop element is enclosed in the stop lock position such that the stop element can be moved from the said stop lock position only by a special tool.

Abstract: A mower-conditioner platform or header is suspended from the main frame of the mower-conditioner by a pair of transversely spaced lower links and a single upper link or lift arm. A hydraulic lift cylinder is connected directly to the lift arm. The lift arm is mounted between the main and platform frames in a manner for permitting the lift arm to undergo a given amount of side-to-side movement about its connection with the main frame in response to relative vertical movement between the opposite ends of the platform as the platform travels over uneven ground contour during cutting operation, and for limiting the side-to-side movement of the upper link to an amount considerably less than said given amount when the platform is raised to its transport position. Three different connection points are provided at the forward end of the lift arm for connection to the platform frame and by selecting different ones of these points different platform cutting angles may be obtained.

Abstract: A drivetrain and load bearing swivel hitch assembly is provided which separates the load carrying function from the power transmitting function and features a swivel hitch assembly having three axes of rotation which allow for roll, pitch and yaw movement, respectively. One end of the load bearing swivel hitch assembly is secured to an implement such as a peanut combine, while the other end is securely joined to the drawbar of a pulling vehicle such as an agricultural tractor in a manner such that the draft and tongue load are not borne by the drivetrain assembly. Drivetrain assembly includes a swivel gearbox having a generally vertical axis above the generally vertical yaw axis of the load bearing swivel hitch assembly. Combines incorporating this drivetrain and load bearing swivel hitch assembly are also provided in order to present combines that will maintain the proper operational angle for combine operation irrespective of the tractor type or size used as the pulling vehicle.

Abstract: A farm machine, and a connecting and transmission device for a farm machine are provided in which the farm machine possesses various degrees of freedom with respect to a tractor vehicle. The connecting assembly includes a tow-bar having a primary tow-bar connected to two lower bars of a tractor hitching device, and a secondary tow-bar connected to a body which is equipped with work elements. A connecting and transmission device links the primary tow-bar to the secondary tow-bar. The assembly and connecting arrangements of the assembly provide a great range of mobility with respect to an axis extending approximately in the direction of advance, with the connecting and transmission device improved from a standpoint of the transmission of forces, with the primary tow-bar connected to the front and to the back of the connecting and transmission device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-buck vehicle comprising an engine chassis, an implement pivotally connected to a front end of the engine chassis, and an anti-buck device connecting the engine chassis to the implement to prevent sudden pivotal movement of the engine chassis toward the implement.

Abstract: A rough terrain hydraulic mower, with dual blades, attached in a non-rigid manner to a backhoe boom mounted on the towing tractor by way of a three point hitch arrangement.

Abstract: A header is mounted on a separate tractor and takes drive from a PTO shaft of the tractor and communicates the drive to a main drive shaft of the header longitudinal of the main beam of the header. The angle drive necessary to communicate this power is formed by three CV joints. A first CV joint is connected to the PTO shaft and a third CV joint is connected to the main drive shaft of the header. Between the first and third CV joints is provided a first shaft extending to the second CV joint and a second shaft from the second CV joint to the third CV joint. The first shaft is carried on a hanger bearing which can pivot about a horizontal axis with the first shaft mounted in a spherical bearing on the hanger bearing plate. The second shaft is telescopic. The three CV joints pivot to divide the total angle approximately equally so that each can run within a reasonable angle. The pivoting hanger bearing and the telescopic shaft accommodate relative movement between the tractor and the header.

Abstract: A plant harvesting machine is organized as a wheeled tricycle having a plant elevator, plant inverter assembly, and plant sticking assembly and designed to move along a row of tobacco plants and successively harvest the plants. The plant elevator includes a powered circular saw blade at its base that severs the stem of each successive plant as the plant is gripped between opposed spike chains of the plant elevator. The severed plant is carried by the plant elevator and transferred to a plant inverter assembly that inverts the plant. The plant inverter assembly includes a spike-plate and cooperating pressure plate assembly that inverted the plant. The pressure plate assembly includes a spring-loaded pressure plate that accommodates plant stems of different diameters and shapes as the plant is inverted. Another set of spike chains engage the inverted plant and impale the plant onto a spear-shoe that is carried on a wooden stick.

Abstract: An implement includes a clevis assembly connected to the forward end of the implement hitch for limited fore-and-aft movement to permit holes in the clevis and of a tractor drawbar to become aligned for receiving a hitch pin, a latch then being operable to prevent further fore-and-aft movement of the clevis. First and second parallel legs of the clevis are provided with holes in which are received first and second bushing portions respectively of first and second jaws. The bushing portion of the first jaw is threaded and the hitch pin has a threaded end received therein, the pin being operable to move the first jaw towards the second jaw so that the jaws may tightly clamp a drawbar located therebetween.

Abstract: A drivetrain and load bearing swivel hitch assembly is provided which separates the load carrying function from the power transmitting function and features a swivel hitch assembly having three axes of rotation which allow for roll, pitch and yaw movement, respectively. One end of the load bearing swivel hitch assembly is secured to an implement such as a peanut combine, while the other end is securely joined to the drawbar of a pulling vehicle such as an agricultural tractor in a manner such that the draft and tongue load are not borne by the drivetrain assembly. Drivetrain assembly includes a swivel gearbox having a generally vertical axis above the generally vertical yaw axis of the load bearing swivel hitch assembly. Combines incorporating this drivetrain and load bearing swivel hitch assembly are also provided in order to present combines that will maintain the proper operational angle for combine operation irrespective of the tractor type or size used as the pulling vehicle.

Abstract: A mowing machine has a frame with driving wheels, which are adjustable in height, and a yoke carrying a cutter beam. The yoke is suspended from the frame such that it can move up and down with respect to the frame, and the cutter beam is swingably journalled on the yoke. The yoke and the beam are balanced by an upwardly directed spring force. Minor elevations on the ground make the cutter beam swing upwardly so that it is just the weight of the cutter beam itself which is accelerated.

Abstract: A machine for mowing and chopping corn and similar stalk-like harvested crops includes at least two drawing-in and mowing devices which rotate about vertical axes and which are disposed on either side of the vertical, longitudinal midplane of the machine ahead of a chaff blower and, in each case, form several cutting sites. Push-in rollers, which form an inlet gap for the harvested crops, run in a horizontal plane lying at a distance above the working plane of the drawing-in and mowing device and are disposed ahead of the chaff blower for the purpose of charging it with the cut harvested crops.

Abstract: In a sugar-cane harvesting machine with a mobile machine base frame and a chopping mechanism (8), harvesting attachments which can be optionally fixed on the machine base frame are provided for adapting to different harvesting circumstances and terrain conditions, of which harvesting attachments one is designed for single-row harvesting and another for multi-row harvesting. The harvesting attachments contain row dividers (5, 6, 7), a mowing mechanism (23, 24, 25, 26) and a feeding mechanism (b 19, 20, 21, 41, 42). The multi-row harvesting attachment projects beyond the chopping mechanism (8) predominantly on one side so that symmetry is produced with respect to the running gear. In the uniform feeding space behind the mowing mechanism, the stream of material is laterally constricted and, specifically, preferably on one side.

Abstract: A primary drive line for delivering power from a power-take-off (pto) shaft on a tractor to an input shaft on an implement includes a swivel hitch comprised of an upper gearbox and a lower gearbox. The upper gearbox is fastened to a pair of spaced apart, upper vertical plates carried on a tongue extending forwardly from the implement, and the lower gearbox is fastened to a pair of spaced apart, lower vertical plates carried by a yoke assembly that is attached to the tractor. An output shaft on the upper gearbox is coupled to the implement input shaft. The lower gearbox has two shafts, one of which is coupled to an input shaft on the upper gearbox. The other shaft on the lower gearbox is connected to the tractor pto shaft. A pivot tube secured to the upper vertical plates is surrounded by a pivot housing fastened to the lower vertical plates to permit pivoting movement of the lower gearbox relative to the upper gearbox about a generally vertical axis when the tractor makes turns during normal operation.

Abstract: A harvester apparatus having adjust suppression system provided for suppressing grain dust during crop harvesting operations wherein the harvester apparatus has a vehicle body with a harvesting mechanism for harvesting the crops and supplying the crops to an accumulator bin on the vehicle body. A discharge apparatus is provided to empty the accumulator bin and includes an elongated housing extending from the accumulator bin and terminating in a discharge opening. An elongated auger is rotatably mounted to the vehicle body about a longitudinal axis in an interior of the tubular housing. The auger transports the crops from the accumulator bin to the discharge opening during rotation. A nozzle mounted to the elongated housing has a spray opening located in the tubular passageway. Structure is provided for supplying a dust suppressing fluid to the spray opening of the nozzle for application to the crops being transported through the elongated housing by the auger.

Abstract: A farm machine comprises at least one group of working elements and a structure having a hitching mechanism for hitching the farm machine to a motor vehicle during work. The group of working elements is connected to the structure which comprises a tongue (hitching mechanism), and a frame through a deformable quadrilateral suspension device which comprises suspension elements each one of which is connected to the structure through a first joint and to the group of working elements through a second joint.

Abstract: A device and method for automated, mechanical harvesting of plants having differing heights and stem lengths, wherein a stem portion of the plant must be severed at a uniform, predetermined length from the top of the plant.

Abstract: A mower-conditioner includes mowing elements for cutting hay and throwing the hay in a backward direction relative to a work direction, conditioning rollers mounted on lateral walls behind the mowing elements, and deflectors positioned at least partially in the path of the thrown hay. The deflectors are mounted adjacent the lateral walls. Each deflector includes an upright planar portion and a front portion. The planar portion is backwardly inclined away from a corresponding lateral wall so as to form a first angle with respect to the axes of the rollers. The planar portion is also angled by an acute second angle with respect to a vertical plane parallel to the first angle such that an upper part of the planar portion is closer to the corresponding lateral wall than is a lower part of the planar portion. The front portio is rounded about an upwardly directed axis and extends outwardly away from the other of the reflectors.

Abstract: A self-propelled powered mower (11) and a towed trailing mower (12) are connected together by an adjustable height connector assembly (13). When the powered mower begins to move through a turn, the alignment detector cylinder (60) is required to retract due to the pivoting of the draw bar (21) and its angled support arm about the vertical pivot pin (50) of the connector assembly (13) (FIG. 3). The fluid displaced from alignment detector cylinder (60) causes the rod (56) to extend from height adjustment cylinder (55), thereby raising the forward portion of the towed mower.

Abstract: A farm product pickup baler has a frame, ground wheels and a baling device within the frame. A produce pickup device is connected to the frame, as is a tongue. A U-shaped hitch bar pivotably connects the tongue to lifting arms of a tractor about 2 orthogonal axis.

Abstract: An agricultural tool assembly includes a rotary disk mounted on a lower end of a rotary spindle. A mount for the spindle includes a shank adapted to be received in the vertical slot of a clamp and a sleeve for rotatably supporting the spindle. The sleeve is connected to the shank by spaced side plates connected to the sleeve with a lower pivot member and an upper fastener extending through arcuate slots in the spaced plates. A cultivator implement has front and rear disk gangs and a rear centered tool assembly. An onion undercutting implement has a front tool bar with front tool assemblies clamped thereto and a rear tool bar with rear tool assemblies clamped thereto.A tool assembly for material distribution has a spindle with a through hole, a swivel fitting at the inlet and a flared section at the outlet. Crop cutting and windrowing apparatus has pairs of tool assemblies tilted in and down toward the crop row and forwardly and down.

Abstract: A crop cutting apparatus has two vertical axis rotary drum cutters 13, each having an upper rotor with a crop conveying surface 19 and a lower rotor carrying knives 21. Gears drive the upper and lower rotors at different angular velocities. The lower rotor has an annular rim 18 having an upper surface shaped to continue the outline of the conveying surface 19. The knives 21 protrude outwardly from beneath the rim 18 and rotate with the rim. A wiper brush 34 mounted on the conveying surface 19 projects outwardly over the rim 18 for lifting and transferring crop to the surface 19. The upper rotor may have conditioning brushes 35 for conveying crop and conditioning crop by relative movement between the brushes and the crop. The upper and lower rotors may be rotated in opposite senses to effect at least partial shear cutting.

Abstract: A mower has a mower support mount beam with at least one rotating mowing device as well as a flexible coupling to a carrying mount beam and a hitching mount. The carrying mount, when the machine is moving forward is in front of the mower support mount and above it. A latching mechanism is supplied for the carrying mount beam which includes a biased spring member and a movable intermediate member which projects into a clasping pocket of the carrying mount beam so that a swinging locking clasp which has a pull cord thereon can grip it.

Abstract: A bean cutting device to cut beans when harvesting a bean crop. The device is mountable on the front of a tractor and includes a frame carrying a plurality of generally upright but forwardly inclined columns. Each column carries a cutting assembly including a cutting blade mounted on a shaft rotated by a hydraulic motor. The cutting blade is comprised as a spherical segment and has a leading edge disposed in slightly penetrating relationship relative to the soil surface. The cutting blades operate in counter-rotating pairs to cut and windrow rows of beans. Deflector units are mounted at the bases of the columns to deflect cut beans into a windrow located between pairs of counter-rotating blades.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a first frame portion for coupling to a tractor and a second frame portion has one end pivotally connected to the first frame portion. The pivotal connection is such that the second frame portion will pivot with respect to the first frame portion only when a force exerted on the second frame portion exceeds a pre-determined magnitude. A carrier, upon which are mounted working tools, is pivotally connected to the other end of the second frame portion and there is a spring device between the carrier and the second frame portion. This spring device exerts such a force that the outer end portion of the carrier can only pivot in the direction of normal operation of the implement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for collecting the discharged grass clippings of a lawn mower. The lawn mower includes a discharge opening at the lateral side or the rear side of the lawn mower. Grass clippings are directed through the discharge opening to a conveyor member, thereafter the clippings are deposited in a catcher. The present invention does not require a high speed air flow to discharge the grass clippings. Further, since the grass clippings are discharged by a conveyor member into the top opening of a catcher the level of grass clippings positioned in the catcher may readily be observed so that it is very easy to determine when the catcher should be emptied.

Abstract: Individual row units on the harvester, each including a crop transfer trough, cutting apparatus at the forward end of the trough, and cooperating conveyors along the trough, are independently swingable relative to one another for changing the distance between the troughs at their forward ends in accordance with the row spacing encountered in a particular field. The spacing at the rear ends of the troughs remains unchanged in all positions of swinging movement of the units so that the dimensions of the discharge zone into which the crops are delivered by the units may remain constant. Individual sets of disc cutters serve as the cutting apparatus for the row units and are driven by the same mechanism that operates the conveyors.

Abstract: A pull-type mower conditioner type harvester has a mobile main frame carrying a vertically adjustable header or subframe which carries a plurality of harvesting components that extend between the opposite sides of the header, including a reciprocating sickle type cutter bar. The cutter bar includes a transverse support member that spans the width of the header and carries the cutter bar components, including a wobble type drive at one end of the cutter bar.

Abstract: Mounting apparatus for connecting a sickle bar mower to a hitch frame adapted for attachment to a tractor comprising a pair of laterally spaced links interconnecting the hitch frame with the drag bar and cutterbar assembly to form a generally horizontal four bar linkage having one rigid corner, the link adjacent the rigid corner being resilient in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A device and method for automated, mechanical harvesting of plants having differing heights and stem lengths, wherein a stem portion of the plant must be severed at a uniform, predetermined length from the top of the plant.