Abstract: A lawnmower blade for cutting grass with a scything action. The lawnmower blade includes elongated bar. The bar is adapted to engage a drive shaft of a lawnmower. The bar has a generally arcuate first cutting edge. The first cutting edge extends along a first side edge of the bar proximate a first end of the bar to a distal end of a second side edge of the bar. The bar further has a generally arcuate second cutting edge. The second cutting edge extends along the second side edge of the bar proximate a second end of the bar to a distal end of the first side edge of the bar.

Abstract: A mowing and mulching system for lawnmowers having multi-blade knives coupled to a motor-driven driving shaft and rotating in a pot-like cover opening at the bottom side. The blades are attached to a central hub part forming several cutting edge segments on the leading edge zones of the knife blades in the direction of rotation and repelling or bucket-like baffle elements on the trailing edge zones.

Abstract: A chopper arrangement for a harvesting machine comprises a body that is rotated in a predominantly vertical axis of rotation. The body is provided with a plurality of radially extending knives that are axially distributed along the body. The knives have radially outer ends that are arranged in a conical shape. In this way the knives at the first end having a smallest radial extension are rotated at a slower circumferential speed than knives having a larger radial extension.

Abstract: A cutting element for a rotary cutting machine comprising several adjacent cutting members each of which is intended, during work, to rotate about an upwardly directed respective axis. The cutting element comprises an active zone intended to cut plants and a connecting zone intended to connect the cutting element to a support of a respective one of the cutting members of the cutting machine. The connecting zone has, in cross section, a relatively flat central part, a first edge inclined toward one side of a plane of extension of the central part, and a second edge inclined toward the other side of the plane of extension.

Abstract: A riding mower having two side cutting units and a front cutting unit operatively connected to a traction frame. Each side cutting unit can pivot about a substantially vertical axis relative to the traction frame when impact shocks occur on the outer sides of the cutting units. A shock absorber cushions and absorbs such impact shocks, and resists the pivoting motion of the side cutting units, in a bi-directional fashion to be effective during forward or reverse motion of the traction frame. The mower also includes a front cutting unit. The cutting units, both the side cutting units and the front cutting unit, have multiple cutting blades and a single drive motor mounted on the cutting unit for driving all the cutting blades contained on that cutting unit. The drive motor is mounted coaxially on the blade spindle of one of the cutting blades and adjacent blades on the cutting unit are driven by one or more drive belts arranged in straight belt runs.

Abstract: A spindle assembly for a rotary mower comprises a spindle that is drivingly connected between an output shaft of a hydraulic motor or other rotary power source and a horizontal blade assembly, and a spindle housing that rotatably supports the spindle for rotation and thrust loads. The spindle is formed from conventional steel rod stock and is machined to produce an upper end of reduced diameter. An impeller and thrust washer fits on the narrower upper end of the spindle and is held in place by a tapered snap ring that fits in a tapered groove in the spindle. In at least one embodiment, radial grooves on the washer facilitate oil flow and assist to impel or pump oil or hydraulic fluid outwardly as the washer rotates. In various aspects of the invention, case drain oil pressure or oil pressure produced by the washer causes oil flow over the spindle assembly bearing surfaces. The spindle assembly can include an oil leak detection passageway.

Abstract: A blade-mounting system for a rotary mower includes a platform operatively connected in driven relationship with a drive axle of the rotary mower. The platform includes a pair of raised edges spaced from one another and disposed on opposite sides of the platform and a plurality of upstanding lugs projecting from the platform and between the pair of edges with at least one of the upstanding lugs including a transverse hole extending through the lug. A blade is adapted to be disposed adjacent the platform and between the pair of raised edges. The blade includes apertures corresponding to the plurality of upstanding lugs such that the lugs are received through the apertures in the blade. A fastener is adapted to be received through the transverse hole in the at least one upstanding lug so as to removably mount the blade in adjacent relationship to the platform and between the pair of raised edges.

Abstract: A mower unit (B) having a housing (13), blades (12) supported in the housing to be rotatable about vertical axes (P1) acting as the centers of rotation, cutting edges (12A) defined at front edge regions of each blade with respect to a direction of rotation thereof, and lift vanes (12B) erected from rear edge regions of each blade with respect to the direction of rotation thereof. Each of the lift vanes includes a first vane portion (12b) extending the more rearwardly, with respect to the direction of rotation, the farther away the first vane is from the center of rotation, and a second vane portion (12c) bent in the direction of rotation from a radially outward end of the first vane portion.

Abstract: A vegetation cutting tool such as a brush cutter, lawn mower, etc. includes a hub (110) for mounting on the rotary shaft of the brush cutter and blades (112) mounted thereto via pivoted links (116). In use the blades are held by rivets (114), having enlarged eccentric heads (122), which are received in keyhole-shaped slots in the blades. Thus the blades may be readily removed without tools by first rotating a blade and then translating it relative to the hub. The blades may be enlarged in width towards their distal ends which are radiused with a smaller radius than that of the cutting circle.

Abstract: A lawn mower assembly having a leaf blowing blade includes a blade assembly for converting a lawnmower into a leaf blower. The blade assembly includes a substantially planar disc member that includes an outer perimeter edge. A connection portion extends outwardly from the disc member. The connection portion is designed for coupling to a blade attachment portion of the lawnmower such that the disc member is rotatable by the lawnmower. A plurality of spaced elongated blades extends downwardly from a lower surface of the disc member. The disc member is coupled to the lawnmower with the blades extending radially outward from the connection portion.

Abstract: Cutting apparatus (10) comprising a body assembly (11) including a lower wear disc (12) and an upper lifting and cutting assembly (13), mounted for driven rotation on a mower via driving hub (14). The lifting and cutting assembly (13) includes four blade assemblies (15) each comprising a pivoting angled blade (16) pivotally supported on lug (17) by bolt (20), located at the outer end of lifting means (21) comprising a curve walled portion (22) extending from a hub (23) and having an upper edge (24) which curves in a trailing direction out to the blade assembly (15 at 25). The cutting apparatus (10) forms a mower in assembly with a frame assembly (35) having mounted thereto a plane roller (36), a ribbed roller (37), describing therebetween a nip (40). The rollers are driven by train (41) adapted to be engaged by the PTO of a vehicle.

Abstract: A rotary cutter disc includes shields for the nuts of the knife mounting bolts. Each shield includes a U-shaped well in which a respective one of the nuts is located, the well being oriented so that its open side is directed away from the center of the disc, whereby centrifugal force ejects crop particles and other matter from the well. In one embodiment, the shield is provided with inclined wear surfaces which also serve as crop guide vanes. In a second embodiment, the shield is integral with a crop guide vane. In each embodiment, the underside of the shield is provided with a locating lug which is adjacent the knife mount bolt hole in the bottom wall of the shield. The disc is provided with an elongated knife mounting bolt hole and the shield locating lug is positioned to enter the elongated hole alongside the knife mounting bolt so as to properly orient the shield and keep the shield from rotating when the mounting bolt nut is being screwed on or off.

Abstract: A vortex reducing mower blade for use with a rotary lawn mower having a motor and a depending drive shaft has a cutting edge on each leading edge thereof, an airlift on each trailing edge thereof, and outboard ends extending between the terminations of the leading and trailing edges. The outboard ends generally meet with the trailing edges at respective trailing corner- or tip-regions. Each outboard end has margins formed as a boundary-layer fence that is angled either upwardly or downwardly relative to a given relative up direction which is parallel to the central axis of the depending drive shaft. These boundary-layer fences reduce the production and/or strength of vortices in the wake of the trailing corner- or tip-regions of the blade. Each boundary-layer fence may be angled either upwardly or downwardly at generally a right angle.

Abstract: A lawn mower cutting blade spindle assembly having an elongate spindle shaft and a spindle shoulder projecting radially outward from the lower end thereof. A bearing assembly mounted within a spindle housing provides rotational support for the spindle shaft. Mounted on the upper end of the spindle shaft is at least one pulley configured to be driven by a drive belt connected to the mower's engine. A compression nut screwed onto the upper end of the spindle shaft is used to place the pulley or pulleys and bearing assembly in compression against the top face of the spindle shoulder. The spindle assembly also includes a cutting blade attached to the bottom face of the spindle shaft with a through-bolt and cutting blade attachment nut. Significantly, the cutting blade can be detached from the bottom face of the spindle shoulder without disturbing the compression placed on the pulley or pulleys and bearing assembly.

Abstract: A sugar cane harvester has a cutting mechanism which utilizes pairs of cutting disks and does not require synchronization of the cutting disks. Each of the cutting disks has a revolving cutter mounted on its circumference. The cutters are formed from saw-toothed, concatenated arcuate segments which are removably mounted on the cutting disks. The arcuate segments of each pair of cooperating cutting disks overlap slightly where the two disks meet and are slightly eccentrically arranged on the cutting disks such that the external boundary line of the circumference of the segments tapers off from a maximum to a minimum.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for lawn mowing comprising at least one rotor operating at a plurality of cutting levels. The rotor assembly has an abutment structure which is arranged at least at the upper cutting levels and has supporting points adjacent to the rotor to keep grass upright while being cut by the rotor.

Abstract: A cutting element for a rotary cutting machine comprising several adjacent cutting members each of which is intended, during work, to rotate about an upwardly directed respective axis. Said cutting element comprises an active zone intended to cut plants and a connecting zone intended to connect said cutting element to a support of a respective one of said cutting members of the cutting machine. Said connecting zone has, in cross section, a relatively flat central part, a first edge inclined toward one side of a plane of extension of said central part, and a second edge inclined toward the other side of said plane of extension.

Abstract: A pruning machine, for pruning or trimming a row of vines or other plants, includes first and second sets of pruning apparatus. The first set includes a first mounting plate having a central axis and an outer edge, a first set of blades mounted on the first mounting plate and protruding outwardly from the outer edge, a second mounting plate having a central axis and an outer edge located close to the first mounting plate so that the respective central axes and outer edges substantially coincide, and a second set of blades mounted on the second mounting plate and protruding outwardly from the second mounting plate outer edge. In operation, the first set of blades rotates relative to the second set of blades so that scissor like cutting actions are formed between them. The blades on the first mounting plate and/or the blades on the second mounting plate taper from a broader width at the outer edge of the respective mounting plate to a narrower width at the point furthest from the central axis.

Abstract: Implements for attaching to a hand-held, powered “Weed-Eater” type device to perform various work or chores (filament cutting, blade cutting, brushing, blowing, mixing, etc.). After disconnecting the device's original implement typically a spool of filament (6) with a bumper feed (7), an initial, cultivator/cutter implement (10), cylindrical in shape with a substantially solid, circular top (12) and a relatively thin, continuous wall of constant thickness, is attached by an appropriate threaded member (e.g. a nut or bolt, usually with one or more washers) to the bottom end of the powered device (FIGS. 1A-D) through a central opening (13). The cultivator's top includes a series of circumferentially spaced, “snap-in” openings (14; e.g. two or more) through and into which other implements (e.g. those of FIGS. 3-20) can be attached (FIGS.

Abstract: A lawn mower system includes a deck having a side wall with a vertical axis and a top wall coupled to the upper edges of the side wall and with an opened bottom. The side wall also forms an open front. Two pair of wheels are provided. Also provided is a handle having a pivotable lower end coupled with respect to the housing adjacent to the rear edge and having an upper handle area for use by the user. A motor is mounted in a central region of the deck with a rotatable drive shaft extending downwardly therefrom. A rotatable blade is mounted to the lower end of the drive shaft. A trap door has a width essentially equal to the free front upper edge of the deck with a hinge coupling the deck and trap door. The trap door has an arcuate cross-sectional orientation and is adapted to be lowered to a first orientation whereby its exterior edge is essentially at the same height as the lower edge of the deck and raised to a second orientation whereby the entire trap door is above the upper surface of the deck.

Abstract: A lawn mower blade includes a mulching blade and a discharge blade which operate in combination. Both the mulching blade and the discharge blade have primary and secondary cutting surfaces. Optional cut-out regions provided in both blades reduce the total weight of the lawn more blade. A third cutting surface can be provided in both blades by sharpening the trailing edge of the cut-out region. The primary cutting surface of the mulching blade resides on a first horizontal cutting plane, while the primary cutting surface of the discharge blade resides on a second horizontal cutting plane which is elevated above the first horizontal cutting plane of the mulching blade.

Abstract: A mowing machine for cutting plants with radially protruding blades of upper and lower blade disks which are coaxially disposed and rotated under the hood that is disposed at the end of a handle. The upper blade disk has a ring gear, the lower blade disk has a sun gear, and a transmission gear is provided between the ring gear and the sun gear and meshes these gears so as to rotate the ring and sun gears in the opposite directions, thus rotating the upper and lower blade disks in the opposite directions for producing a shearing force that cuts the plants.

Abstract: An industrial vehicle includes a frame, a motive device mounted on the frame, a platform mounted on the frame adjacent to the motive device, a main boom member associated with an industrial implement, the main boom member being coupled to the platform, and at least one secondary boom member attached to the main boom member. The industrial vehicle may comprise in one embodiment tilting structure that tilts the platform about an axis substantially perpendicular to a driving direction of the vehicle, or at least one pivot defining at least one axis about which the main boom member and/or the secondary boom member pivot, the at least one axis being substantially perpendicular to a driving direction of the vehicle. A linkage may be provided that pivots at least one of the main boom member and the at least one secondary boom member about an axis substantially perpendicular to a driving direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A portable trimmer has a supporting tube extending straight forward from an engine at its rearward end to a cutting device at a forward end. A handle-bar is mounted on a middle portion of the supporting tube at an intersecting point. First and second grips extend upwardly from two corresponding ends of the handle-bar. The handle-bar has a first portion extending from an intersecting point to the first grip, and a second portion extending from the intersecting point to the second grip. The first portion extends across a width of an operator's body, and is bent in a rearward direction. The supporting tube has an inclination with respect to a phantom line connecting the first and second grips such that said cutting device is located in front of a center of the operator's body when the operator holds the grips in a natural posture. This portable trimmer increases the area in which weeds can be cut in a single movement, and provides for easy handling.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a housing, and two cutter members rotatably attached to the housing and rotated relative to each other in a reciprocating action, such that the cutter members may be actuated as a shearing action for cutting and trimming purposes. The cutter members are not required to be rotated in a high speed such that the grass cut by the cutter members will not fly out in a fast speed. Two followers are secured to the cutter members respectively, and two cams are engaged with the followers for rotating the followers and thus the cutter members in the reciprocation action relative to each other for forming the shearing action.

Abstract: A mobile implement for mulching which provides complete control of the mulching process and uniformly distributes the mulch back upon the lawn. Grass and leaves are cut using a standard cutting blade. The mass of cut vegetation is then lifted upward into a hammermill by the trailing edge of the rotating cutting blade. The air stream generated by the rotating hammers of the hammermill forces the vegetation against a shear screen. Repeated blows by the hammers chop the vegetation to a controlled size and force it through the screen. A portion of the chopped mulch falls back upon the ground in the area of the trailing quadrant of the implement's path. The remainder of the mulch is forced into the discharge duct and blown uniformly out onto the lawn through the discharge opening of the mower housing. This same system of hardware may be incorporated into either a hand push or a power driven rotary mower as well as a gang unit, mounted on or pulled by a tractor.

Abstract: A cutter blade is pivotally attached to a blade carrier so that it may operate as a flail. The blade carrier itself rotates about a drive shaft spaced from the pivot axis. A pivot pin is received in respective bores of the cutter blade and the blade carrier; a distal, protruding portion of the pivot pin is threaded. A pair of clamping collar halves each have a threaded surface which threadedly engage the threaded portion of the pivot pin shaft. After the correct amount of axial play between the cutter blade and the carrier is adjusted by rotating the collar halves on the shaft threads, the collar halves are clamped together on the pivot shaft using fasteners so as to affix the clamping collar halves to the shaft.

Abstract: An adjustable height cutting head for a string trimmer machine provides for the positive locking in place of the cutting string or line holder portion of the device, relative to a cylindrical central core which secures conventionally to the machine. The central core includes a series of adjustment holes of different heights through the wall thereof, with the collar of the line holder having a series of holes corresponding to any one of the heights of the adjustment holes in the central core. The height of the line holder disc is quickly and easily positively locked in place at the desired height relative to the central core, by securing a few bolts in the desired position. The present system precludes slippage of the line holder portion relative to the core, and moreover distributes the cutting lines evenly about the periphery of the line holder disc for proper balance of the assembly to preclude vibration and fatigue of the machine and operator.

Abstract: A rotary blade assembly for a rotary mower that provides an equivalent cut with a substantial reduction in necessary driving power, and a method of implementing the same to reduce the necessary driving power of a mower. The rotary blade assembly includes a support structure fixedly disposed to a rotary drive shaft, at a height sufficient to avoid or to minimize contact with vegetation, such that the rotary drive shaft rotates the support structure about an axis. The rotary blade assembly includes a plurality of cutting elements that project downwardly and outwardly from the support structure to a predetermined distance such that the cutting elements are positioned to avoid contact with the ground and to cover the area to be cut in a more uniform way. The support structure of the rotary blade assembly can be a support arm having the cutting elements spaced over a length thereof.

Abstract: A stump cutting apparatus for connection to an excavator or other prime mover for conveyance in any ground breaking or farm industry. The stump cutter apparatus comprises a chassis for supporting for supporting stump cutter, a cutting assembly, an engine for providing power to the cutting assembly, an attachment member for releasably attaching the stump cutter to an excavator or other prime movers. The chassis may include one or more support legs or in the alternative one or more wheels to allow for support and easy movement of the apparatus. The cutting assembly comprises of support legs which comprises one or more spikes extending downward to be able to be received by the surface to enable the apparatus to be secure during stump cutting operation. The stump cutting apparatus also has several hydraulic cylinders for supporting the stump cutter by retracting and extending the members of the apparatus and enable to cutter wheel to move to meet the objective of user for cutting stumps and roots.

Abstract: A cutting disc (12) for a lawn mower, the disc (12) having a plurality of cutting blades (13) and being formed with apertures (23). Associated with the apertures (23) are fan blades (22) which force air downwardly through the disc (12) to aid in mulching cut grass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lawn mower blade spindle assembly which can be easily serviced in the field, which includes a blade height adjustment feature which allows a blade to be replaced or be adjusted without removing the blade spindle bearings. An improved stress loading arrangement is further provided which reduces spindle stress and lessens the opportunity for spindle assembly failure upon catastrophic blade impact with an immovable object such as with a rock.

Abstract: The sharpness or efficiency of cutting edges of blade rails or other blades used in mowing mechanisms is very rapidly lost on meeting a obstacle. The blade shape of this invention, presents a cutting edge including a series of adjacent parallel recesses transversely to the cutting edge on the top of the blade. This gives equidistant thin and complete material. A differentiation is made on the cutting edge between the protective material (full thickness) and sharp edges (recesses). Experience has shown that, on the encountering of an obstacle, the cutting edge (thin Material) is protected by the full material to its left and right which results in a long useful life with relatively constant cutting efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting head, more particularly for a lawnmower with a rechargeable battery, comprising an electric motor (1) with a driving shaft (3) connected to a cutting disk (4) perpendicular to said shaft (3). The cutting disk (4) is provided with at least one blade (5) at its periphery. There is also provided a lower plate (7) parallel to and located under said cutting disk (4). The lower plate (7) is free wheeling around the axis though the use of a roller bearing (8). In the case of friction or jamming due to debris, the lower plate (7) starts to rotate to expel the debris by centrifugal effect.

Abstract: A rotary blade for a mower or cutter is formed from boron steel, such as 10B38 steel, and is heat treated to yield high hardnesses of 48 Rockwell C or above. The blade has increased hardness because of the heat treating, but due to the alloy composition, is still sufficiently tough to perform satisfactorily as a cutting blade, in particular to pass conventional impact tests. Furthermore, the low carbon content of the blade makes cold working of the part practical.

Abstract: A new lawn mower blade for improving the cutting edge to produce a more efficient cutting area. The inventive device includes an elongate blade member, a first scalloped cutting edge region on one end of the blade member, a second scalloped cutting edge region on the other end, a first deflecting fin on the opposite edge of the second scalloped cutting edge region, a second deflecting fin on the opposite edge of the first scalloped cutting edge region, and a mounting means for mounting the blade member to a lawnmower. The new lawn mower blade is designed to increase the surface area of the cutting edge to effectively cut grass cleaner and more even than a conventional rotary lawn mower blade.

Abstract: A rotary blade for a mower or cutter is formed from boron steel, such as 10B38 steel, and is heat treated to yield high hardnesses of 48 Rockwell C or above. The blade has increased hardness because of the heat treating, but due to the alloy composition, is still sufficiently tough to perform satisfactorily as a cutting blade, in particular to pass conventional impact tests. Furthermore, the low carbon content of the blade makes cold working of the part practical.

Abstract: A mulching mower is provided which is capable of cutting grasses finely without leaving uncut grasses and which is capable of discharging the cut grass clippings onto the cut grass path so as to be evenly dispersed. A pair of cutter blades are arranged to the right and to the left of the mulching mower in a cutter housing which opens downwardly. A guitar-shaped or figure 8 shaped enclosure wall hangs down from an under surface of an upper wall of the cutter housing to completely surround the periphery of the right and left cutter blades along tip end rotation loci of the blades at a slight distance therefrom. The enclosure wall is formed by side wall portions ar right and left outsides of the cutter housing and front and rear enclosure wall portions hang down from the under surface. The cutter blades rotate in opposite directions from each other so that tip ends of the cutter blades move from front to rear at right and left outsides, respectively, of the mulching mower.

Abstract: The invention provides a rotary lawn mower with an improved mulching deck. The rotary lawn mower comprises a plurality of sets of cutting blades. Each of the blade sets includes a lower, leading blade and an upper, trailing blade. The lower blade has a leading cutting edge and an upwardly angled trailing edge. The upper trailing blade extends at an angle relative to the leading blade and has a leading cutting edge for cutting clippings deflected upwardly by the upwardly angled trailing edge of the leading blade. The lawn mower further comprises a mulching deck including a plastic, dent-resistant, rust-proof insert which is positioned in the deck. The insert provides correct air flow for mulching and a sound barrier for reduced noise. The insert defines a plurality of recesses. A blade set is mounted for rotation about an axis of each recess.

Abstract: A mowing mechanism having a spindle rotatively driven by a power source, a blade having a radially inner portion coupled for rotation with the spindle and a radially outer portion for cutting vegetation, a housing within which the blade rotates, and a disc coupled for rotation with the spindle and operatively carried within the housing for rotation with the blade and spaced above the blade. The inner and outer portions of the disc serve to channel air and clippings to the inner portion of the blade. The rotating disc prevents accumulation of the grass clippings beneath the disc and housing, and enhances airflow within the housing due to viscous drag or friction between the disc and the air within the housing. Deflectors carried by the disc are designed to further enhance airflows and generally deflect clippings back toward the inner portion of the blade for mulching.

Abstract: A disk mower moveable in a cutting direction includes a mower cutter support and a plurality of mowing disks mounted on the cutter support, the mowing disks being aligned in a direction generally perpendicular to the cutting direction. Each of the mowing disks rotate within a working circle having a working circle diameter, the working circle diameter of at least one of the mowing disks being different from the working circle diameter of at least one other mowing disk.

Abstract: A drive connection between a spindle and a mowing blade wherein the roots of the extending teeth of the interlocking member define an inner diameter substantially equal to the threaded stud utilized to hold the blade on the spindle.

Abstract: A mower-conditioner has a header equipped with a rotary cutterbar for severing crop and directing it to a crop conditioner spanning a crop discharge opening centered rearwardly of the cutterbar and having a width some-what less than the length of the cutterbar. The cutter discs at the extreme outer ends of the cutterbar are equipped with upright, crop converging drums. For shorter cutterbars, paddles are mounted only to the tops of the cutter discs at the extreme outer ends of the cutterbars for operating in conjunction with the converging drums to move cut crop inwardly and rearwardly to the crop conditioner. For cutterbars of an intermediate length, paddles are also provided on the pair of discs respectively adjacent the discs at the extreme outer ends of the cutterbar and for cutterbars having a longer length, short crop converging drums are mounted to these adjacent discs.

Abstract: A lawnmower blade with replaceable knife members (40) mounted on the leading edge of a rotating blade body wherein the entire assembly to a rotating shaft of a lawnmower or the like. The knife member (40) is manufactured from carbides, high speed steels, or powder metals, thus producing a cutting edge with high quality and durability. Knife member is attached to a rotating body in either a safety cage assembly (100) or embedded in the body of the blade. The knife member is retained on the blade body and can be rotated to a fresh sharp edge or replaced.

Abstract: A modular disc cutterbar utilizes self-contained cutter modules clamped between alternating spacer modules by fasteners engaged with the spacer modules. To resist bending moments in the cutterbar, selected fasteners can have a length to span more than one cutter module. The drive mechanism is also of a modular construction including a symmetrical, reversible sealed drive apparatus within each cutter module and a transfer shaft passing through each interstitial spacer module to interconnect each cutter module drive mechanism. The drive apparatus incorporates an oil slinger to keep the remote seals lubricated. The rock guard for each cutter module is mounted on the adjacent spacer modules, while the skid shoe mounting is simplified. A crop mover mounted on each disc member above the cutting knife improves the transfer of severed crop material.

Abstract: A mulching mower is provided for mowing and mulching turf vegetation in order to reduce the size of the cut vegetation and more evenly distribute the vegetation once thus cut. Counterrotating, coaxial mowing blade and mulching tool assemblies are provided. The mowing blade assembly is driven by a central shaft rotatably mounted through a drive barrel which drives the mulching tool. The mulching tool assembly includes a plurality of blades, typically pivotally mounted, at least one of the mulching blades being in a lower mulching plane, and at least one other of the mulching blades being in an upper mulching plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mowing machine with at least one blade (4) rotating about a spindle (3), preferably with two mowing cutters (6) arranged symmetrically to the spindle, and preferably with several and especially three blades (4) rotating about parallel spindles (3), which is/are arranged in a mower housing (1) with the cuttings ejected towards the rear (regarded from the direction of mowing). In order to provide a mulch from the cuttings with such a mower, it is proposed that the blade(s) (4) be contained in the ejection direction by a wall system (8, 9).

Abstract: The present invention provides a lawn mower blade spindle assembly which can be easily serviced in the field, which includes a blade height adjustment feature which allows a blade to be replaced or be adjusted without removing the blade spindle bearings. An improved stress loading arrangement is further provided which reduces spindle stress and lessens the opportunity for spindle assembly failure upon catastrophic blade impact with an immovable object such as with a rock.

Abstract: A rotary mower (42) suitable for mowing ground vegetation including a cutting system (76) having a cutting deck (105). Mounted beneath the cutting deck (105) is a plurality of rotatable cutting blades (16), wherein each cutting blade (16) comprises a central portion (60) and first and second spaced apart tip portions (62a, b), wherein each tip portion (62) comprises a leading edge (56 ) having a sharpened cutting surface (64) for cutting the vegetation, a trailing edge (58), and an extending surface or "sail" (70) generally extending from the tip portion (62), whereby the sail (70a) of the first tip portion (62a) is different from than the sail (70b) of the second tip portion (62b).

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a cutting unit having two rotors coupled together within a single casing which rotate in opposite directions. The rotors carry at least two aligned blades. The distance between the axes of the rotors is such that the areas covered by the blades when rotating are partially superposed in correspondence with an axis of symmetry of the pair of rotors which coincides with the mower axis. The direction of rotation of the two rotors is such that the direction of movement of the blades when in proximity to said axis of symmetry is the same as the forward travel direction of the mower.