Abstract: An arrangement is provided for leveling the blade housing of a mower. The housing is suspended from the underside of a vehicle frame by pairs of connecting links pivotally connected to the housing and the frame. A pair of fixed plates, secured to opposite sides of the housing, are joined by pivotal connections to respective adjusting plates. The associated pairs of fixed and adjusting plates are provided with overlying slots which receive respective pins provided with locking structure which are selectively operable to lock the respective fixed and adjusting against movement relative to one another. At least one of the pins also extends through an aperture in a lift link. An operator-controlled lift lever is joined to a lift pin which passes through a slot in said lift link whereby actuation of the lift lever causes the housing to be raised or lowered.

Abstract: A disc mower incorporates a modular disc cutterbar surrounded by a flexible canopy supported from a frame. A split guard is mounted to the distal end of the mower canopy to keep objects away from the end of the disc cutterbar. The guard presents a smooth contiguous surface to prevent debris and crop material from catching the guard. The guard has an L-shape configuration, including a front member leg oriented to project rearwardly while a rear leg member is oriented to project forwardly. The front and rear legs overlap in line with the transverse pivot axis of said canopy support such that the split guard presents a continuous edge for effectively deflecting crop material.

Abstract: A cutting machine includes a cutting mechanism, an operating device and a carrying beam connected to the cutting mechanism by an articulation. The operating device includes a retractable stop which limits the upwards pivoting of the carrying beam about a longitudinal axis of the articulation when the cutting mechanism is extending in a windrowing position and which is retracted to allow the cutting mechanism to be placed in a transport position. The retractable stop is set in place and retracted automatically by a control mechanism when the cutting mechanism is brought from a work position or from the windrowing position into the transport position.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for latching together front and rear frame portions which are pivotal to expose the underside of a deck. The locking mechanism includes a lever, intermediate link and blocking member that provide an over-center feature for securing the locking mechanism in its latched mode. Pivoting of the lever lifts the front and rear frame portions to their proper orientation for being latched together by the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A gang mower, with a frame supported upon plurality of ground engaging wheels, a prime mover, and a plurality of reel-type lawn mowers. At least one of the reel-type mowers is secured to an arm member which is secured to and pivots about frame so that the reel-type mower may be moved from an operating position beneath the frame to a service position adjacent to the frame. An electric motor provides the driving torque for moving the mower over surfaces to be mowed. Individual electric motors provide driving torque for each of the reel lawn mowers. Further, electrically driven lift mechanisms move the reel-type lawn mowers between a lowered operating position in which the reel lawn mowers engage the turf being mowed and a raised non-operating or transport position. The pivot support includes a king pin secured to the frame. The king pin enables movement of a swing member. An arm secured to the swing member may be releasably secured in an operating position by a latch to the frame.

Abstract: Apparatus for suspending, raising and lowering the cutting deck beneath the frame of a riding lawn mower, comprising a pair of lifting arms having first ends rotatably secured to the frame and second ends secured to the cutting deck, rotation of the lifting arms effecting vertical movement of said cutting deck. A pedal operated lifting mechanism is provided, selectively operable by the user of the mower to rotate the lifting arms, thereby raising and/or lower the cutting deck. A suspending member is disposed through an opening in the frame above a portion of one lifting arm, said suspending member having a lower end secured to the lifting arm and an upper end disposed above the opening in the frame. A support member secured to the upper end of the suspending member engages the frame to limit downward movement of the suspending member and lifting arm, and is selectively adjustable by the user to adjust the cutting height of the deck.

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: A hinged safety shield for a crop cutting apparatus having a frame for attachment to a tractor. A transversely extended cutter bar is supported on the frame for pivotal movement between a lower, operating position and a raised, transport position. The safety shield is pivotally mounted at one end portion thereof to the frame. A hydraulic cylinder for pivotally moving the cutter bar also acts to raise the shield from a lower, shielding position to an upper position. The safety shield is held in the upper position while the cutter bar is lowered whereupon unrestricted access is gained to the cutter bar for repair and maintenance procedures.

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

Abstract: A mounting structure for attaching an elongated swather head to a tractor of the bi-directional type, the structure mounting the head in front of the tractor in a swathing direction of travel and accommodating swinging movement of the head to a trailing transport mode behind the tractor when travelling in a direction opposite to the swathing direction. The mounting structure is carried by the tractor which, in the operational mode of the swather, is disposed to one side of the center-line of the swather head. The mounting structure includes members for securement to the tractor and an elongated support member projecting transversely across the front of the tractor to the side of the tractor opposite to the center-line of the swather head. The head has a rear frame member which extends parallel to the head behind an intermediate portion thereof and is carried at one end by a hinge connection to the support member at the side of the tractor opposite to the center-line of the swather head.

Abstract: A weight transfer control for a front mount mower including a foot pedal actuated mechanical linkage to selectively transfer a portion of the mower weight to the drive vehicle. The operator can easily and quickly engage and disengage the weight transfer control as the mowing conditions and terrain dictate. The foot pedal, through a series of control links, actuates or winds a torsion spring which will transfer a large portion of the mower weight to the drive vehicle.

Abstract: An implement for a tractor is provided with a height adjusting mechanism, including a control lever swingable in a horizontal plane about a fixed vertical axis and operably coupled with an articulate linkage for translating the horizontal swinging of the lever to vertical movement of the implement without creating a force moment thereacross. The articulate linkage spans a pivotal coupling between the main frame of the implement and a mounting bracket secured to the tractor such that the linkage operates to swing the bracket and frame toward and away from one another causing the pivotal coupling to move up and down. A belt drive on the implement is maintained in constant, substantially uniform tension by a shiftable idler pulley operably coupled with the control lever for automatic belt-tension adjustment in response to raising and lowering of the implement.