Side-delivery Rake Patents (Class 56/366)
  • Patent number: 11753351
    Abstract: A compost turning apparatus mountable on a loader for turning composting materials may include a mobile base having a frame with inboard, outboard, and bridging portions defining a windrow tunnel through which a windrow of composting materials are passed. The inboard portion may be configured to mount on the loader. The apparatus may include a rotor extending across the windrow tunnel, and the rotor may include a rotor shaft and paddles on the rotor shaft. A rotor drive assembly on the mobile base may rotate the rotor using a motor hydraulically-connectable to a hydraulic power system of the loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Kooima Ag, Inc.
    Inventors: Thor Anderson, Joel A. Negus, Nolan Den Boer, Greg Dejager
  • Patent number: 11266071
    Abstract: Windrow mergers employ one or more design features as described herein in connection with a suspension assembly that allows the pickup head to rise or fall relative to a frame of the merger. One feature maintains a substantially constant force or pressure between a pickup head of the merger and the terrain regardless of a height of the head. Another feature maintains a substantially constant hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic actuator that connects the pickup head to a frame assembly of the merger. Still another feature employs a hydraulic pump driven by a power takeoff (PTO) of the tractor to charge and discharge a hydraulic actuator arranged to raise and lower the pickup head of the merger between an upper limit and a lower limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: H & S Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Krahling
  • Patent number: 11154012
    Abstract: A device for tedding or turning crops, such as hay, can be used to facilitate a faster drying of the hay uses a fan wheel to blow the hay off the ground and toss the hay simultaneously. A device for windrowing hay before the hay is harvested by harvesting machines can also be used with the device for tending or turning crops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: ERE EHF.
    Inventors: Eirikur Mikkaelsson, Eirikur R. Eiriksson, Eythor R. Eiriksson
  • Patent number: 10971465
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a driving chip, a display substrate, a display device and a method for manufacturing a display device. The driving chip according to the present disclosure includes a substrate; and a plurality of connecting bumps and a plurality of supporting bumps disposed on the substrate. The plurality of connecting bumps include at least one set of connecting bumps arranged along a first direction, and the plurality of supporting bumps include the supporting bump that is located between the adjacent connecting bumps arranged along the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Liqiang Chen, PaoMing Tsai, Jianwei Li, Dejun Bu, Shuang Du, Can Zheng
  • Patent number: 8402730
    Abstract: A crop merging machine includes a trailer frame, a drawbar assembly coupled to an axle, and a header assembly including a frame and a wheel. The merging machine further includes a pick-up assembly coupled to the header frame and a cross-conveyor assembly coupled to the header frame adjacent to the pick-up assembly. The pick-up and cross-conveyor assemblies are configured to cooperate to lift crop materials off the field surface and move the crop materials laterally to discharge onto the field surface to form a windrow. The merging machine includes a suspension assembly disposed between the trailer frame and header assembly, the suspension assembly being coupled to the header assembly and trailer frame and configured to allow the header assembly to pivot, relative to the trailer frame, about a first axis of rotation and to pivot about a second, distinct axis of rotation to follow a contour of the field surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Kuhn North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Damion D. Babler, Dorian V. Lust
  • Publication number: 20120247079
    Abstract: The present invention is a rake, comprising a tongue assembly and a wheel assembly operably coupled to the tongue assembly and being rotationally shiftable relative to the tongue assembly and the wheel assembly mounting a pair of rake assemblies. Each of the pair of rake assemblies is disposable in a generally horizontal disposition when the rake is in a transport disposition, the generally horizontal disposition being effected in part by the rotational shifting of the wheel assembly when transitioning between a working disposition and the transport disposition. The present invention is further a method of disposing the aforementioned rake in the transport disposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Gregory L. Landon
  • Publication number: 20120117935
    Abstract: An adjustable rake for raking agricultural products includes a wheeled cart configured to be pulled in a direction of travel on a surface of travel and first and second rake arm positioners coupled to the wheeled cart and configured to translate in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the wheeled cart. First and second front rake arm assemblies are pivotably coupled to the first and second rake arm positioners, respectively. First and second inner rear supports are included, and each of the first and second inner rear supports is pivotably coupled to the wheeled cart and is configured to pivot as a result of translation of the first and second rake arm positioners in the direction transverse to the direction of travel of the wheeled cart. The rake may include optional splitter wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Kuhn North America, Inc.
    Inventors: George CICCI, William Bassett, Jeffrey Marggi
  • Publication number: 20120036820
    Abstract: A pair of rake wheels in an assembly is referred to as a center splitter assembly. Each rake wheel is configured for free-rotation, meaning it is powered by contacting the ground. The center splitter is used to separate material, each wheel moving material in a different direction. The rake wheel on the left side of the center splitter assembly will rotate in a clockwise direction, as viewed from behind the wheel, which will cause the material to move from the right to the left. The opposite applies to the rake wheel on the right side of the center splitter assembly, where it will rotate counter-clockwise, moving material from the left to the right. Since these rake wheels are attempting to move material in opposite directions, the spacing between the wheels has been found to be critical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Jesse T. Munk
  • Publication number: 20110088366
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved raking or sweeping implement such as a yard and trail rake that is configured to be pulled by an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), lawn mower, or the like. Rake can include a frame portion connected to a rotary portion. Frame portion can include an attachment mechanism for attachment to a pulling mechanism, such as an ATV. Rotary portion can include a drive shaft, a plurality of rotary shafts with raking tines, and a planetary gear system for driving the rotary shafts as the rotary portion is rotated. Rotary portion can be rotated by engaging a tire of frame portion with a drive mechanism connected to drive shaft such that rotation of the tire caused by pulling the rake causes the rotary portion to rotate. As rotary portion rotates, planetary gear system causes raking tines to rotate forwardly, raking up debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: ALTON GRAETZ
  • Publication number: 20100031622
    Abstract: A self-supporting merger for use with a cutting machine for cutting plant material, the merger having a frame, a bed assembly mounted to the frame, a support assembly for supporting the weight of the merger, and a coupling assembly for coupling the frame to the cutting machine. The bed assembly is configured for receiving cut plant material discharged by the cutting machine, and includes a conveyor movable in at least one direction for displacing the cut plant material to at least one side of the merger. The bed assembly may be movably mounted to the frame, and be movable between an engaged position wherein the bed assembly is positioned to receive the cut plant material discharged by the cutting machine, and a bypass position wherein the cut plant material discharged by the cutting machine bypasses the bed assembly. The support assembly including at least one wheel coupled to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Agway Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Steven O. Frey
  • Publication number: 20090241503
    Abstract: A crop merging machine includes a trailer frame, a drawbar assembly coupled to an axle, and a header assembly including a frame and a wheel. The merging machine further includes a pick-up assembly coupled to the header frame and a cross-conveyor assembly coupled to the header frame adjacent to the pick-up assembly. The pick-up and cross-conveyor assemblies are configured to cooperate to lift crop materials off the field surface and move the crop materials laterally to discharge onto the field surface to form a windrow. The merging machine includes a suspension assembly disposed between the trailer frame and header assembly, the suspension assembly being coupled to the header assembly and trailer frame and configured to allow the header assembly to pivot, relative to the trailer frame, about a first axis of rotation and to pivot about a second, distinct axis of rotation to follow a contour of the field surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Kuhn North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Damion D. Babler, Dorian V. Lust
  • Patent number: 6715274
    Abstract: A towable windrow merger including a pickup head for raising the crop material form the ground surface and a transverse conveyor assembly for laterally displacing the crop material. The transverse conveyor assembly includes an accelerator roller system, supported by the frame and at the outboard discharge end of the transverse conveyor assembly. The accelerator roller has a movable element for receiving and propelling the windrow material beyond the discharge end of said transverse conveyor and imparting a vertical as well as a horizontal velocity to the windrow material to fluff it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: H&S Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Peeters, Gregory L. Landon
  • Patent number: 6662541
    Abstract: A pine straw rake apparatus and system, and a square drive for the pine straw rake. Typically, the square drive includes three sprockets, one larger than the other two in a triangular and planar arrangement, and a roller chain wrapped around the partial circumferences of the sprockets. A motor is typically connected to the large sprocket. An embodiment of the pine straw rake includes two square drives in an offset and parallel arrangement with a plurality of rake bars connected to corresponding points on the roller chain of each square drive. The rake bars include rake teeth. In the pine straw rake system, a pine straw rake is connected to a carrier that can be self-propelled or can be adapted to be pulled by a tractor or other vehicle. An elevation adjustment can be used to adjust the elevation of the raking action to compensate for uneven ground or other terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: James L. Meier
  • Publication number: 20020000083
    Abstract: An implement for displacing crop lying on the ground comprising a rake having two rotatable motor-driven side-by-side rake wheels which form crop lying on the ground into a swath which is formed between them. Immediately behind the rake is a motor-drivable tedder comprising two rotatable tedder members which immediately spread the crop which was just formed into a swath over the ground. The raking members and the tedder members are supported on a frame which includes mechanisms to raise the raking members and the tedder members from a working position to a transport position and vice versa. The frame is supported by a pair of ground engaging wheels which are disposed between the rake and the tedder members on opposite sides of the just formed swath. The tedder members are equipped with hook-shaped tines and are provided with an rpm-variator to govern the rpm of the tedder members. The working width of the rake is in a range of about three to four times wider than the working width of the tedder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Applicant: LELY RESEARCH HOLDING A.G., a Swiss Limited Liability Company
    Inventor: Alfonsus Jacobus Van den Engel
  • Patent number: 6212865
    Abstract: A windrow merger for merging product material disposed in a windrow on a ground surface, the windrow merger having a transverse conveyor assembly carried on a merger fame, at least a portion of the frame underlying the transverse conveyor assembly, a tongue operably pivotally coupled to the merger frame, the tongue being couplable to a vehicle for towing the windrow merger, the windrow merger includes a pickup head having a pickup conveyor system including a rotatable pickup conveyor belt for picking up product material disposed in a windrow on a field surface. The pickup head is pivotally coupled to the merger frame and has a leading pickup edge. The pickup head has a suspension for suspending the leading pickup edge such that the leading pickup edge exhibits two degrees of motional freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: H&S Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Peeters, Gregory L. Landon
  • Patent number: 6205757
    Abstract: A windrow gathering machine including a main frame, first and second combined pickup and conveyor units pivotally mounted on skewed axes on opposite sides of the main frame, for movement between substantially horizontal operating positions and inclined vertical stowed positions, first motors for driving the conveyors in the same and opposite directions, second motors for moving the combined pickup and conveyor units between the operating and stowed positions, third motors for moving the combined pickup and conveyor units transversely of the main frame, and mountings for moving only the conveyors relative to each other and relative to the pickups of the combined pickup and conveyor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Byron Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven S. Dow, Hubert A. Wick
  • Patent number: 6164052
    Abstract: The invented fluffer is a retractable hay and bean agricultural design for use in fluffing hay, bean and other crops. The retractable fluffer comprises: a pickup assembly 40 for fluffing hay or beans, the pickup assembly 40 is attached to and supported by a pickup frame 30, the pickup frame 30 is pivotally attached to a hitch attachment assembly 50 at a pair of pivots, the hitch attachment assembly 50 attaches to a standard three-point hitch located on the rear of a tractor 200. Preferably, a gauge wheel assembly 60 is attached to the pickup frame 30 for assisting in holding the pickup frame 30 above the surface of the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: George Rex Golay
  • Patent number: 6050076
    Abstract: A haymaking machine, especially a windrower of mown plant matter, comprisinga frameseveral windrowing rotors which are driven in rotation during work about substantially vertical axes having supports fitted with carrier wheels,the frame comprising a draft beam and a connecting beam to which at least one of the windrowing rotors is connected,the connecting beam being articulated with respect to the draft beam so that it can be moved, together with the rotor or rotors connected to it, laterally to the right and/or to the left,at least the rotor furthest from the articulation to the draft beam being flanked by a windrowing deflector which can be adjusted into several positions with respect to the rotor,the windrowing deflector is connected by means of at least one lever to a support,the support is connected to the substantially vertical axis of the rotor beside which the windrowing deflector is situated,the lever is connected to the connecting beam by means of a rod and can be moved with respect to the support t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Kuhn S.A.
    Inventors: Jerome Aron, Marc Helfer
  • Patent number: 5743075
    Abstract: A haymaking machine which includes a frame that has two windrowing rotors driven in rotation about substantially vertical axes, the frame having a linkage beam which connects the axle of the first rotor to that of the second rotor, the beam being articulated to the axle of the first rotor. The linkage beam includes at least one transverse joint shaft and the first rotor includes a toothed ring which meshes with a first gear wheel which is formed as one piece with a drive shaft and with a second gear wheel which is formed as one piece with a transmission shaft which extends to the second rotor and which includes a third gear wheel which meshes with a toothed ring of this rotor. The transmission shaft is housed in the linkage beam and is pivotable with the latter about the axle of the first rotor, the transmission shaft including at least one universal joint at the level of the joint shaft the linkage beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Kuhn, S.A.
    Inventors: Jerome Aron, Marc Helfer
  • Patent number: 5507139
    Abstract: An aerator main frame has wheels and a hitch by which the main frame is pulled on the ground, such as by a tractor. The main frame has a transverse conveyor for transporting a cut crop laterally of the direction of travel and for depositing the cut crop in a row on the ground. A header frame is pivotally supported to the main frame. Idler wheels attach to the header frame support it adjacent the ground. A header conveyor is supported by the header frame to lift a row of cut crop from the ground and to deliver the cut crop onto the transverse conveyor supported by the mainframe. A hydraulic ram extends between the main frame and the header frame so that the header frame may be pivoted upwardly to lift the idler wheels off the ground when the aerator is being transported from one location to another and pivoted downwardly to permit the idler wheels to roll on the ground so that the header frame is positioned close to the ground to pick up a row of cut crop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Parham Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Delperdang, Leonard R. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5459987
    Abstract: A side-delivery rake includes a main frame comprising right- and left-hand frame members which diverge rearwardly and are interconnected at their forward ends by a front support assembly and are further interconnected by front, intermediate and rear braces. The intermediate brace is constructed of a cylindrical tubular member and is bent to include opposite end sections that are respectively disposed at right angles to the right- and left-hand main frame members. Identical bell cranks are mounted for rocking about opposite ends of the intermediate brace and include first arms respectively connected, by suspension chains, to identical upstanding brackets fixed to a rake reel support basket extending beneath the main frame, and second arms respectively connected to right- and left-hand lift cranks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Larry D. Hining, Dale R. Dolberg, James L. Vogt
  • Patent number: 5450717
    Abstract: An aerator for crops such as hay which is pulled by a tractor or other vehicle. The aerator includes a first header conveyor to lift a first swath from the ground onto the first header conveyor. A first hitch extends between the tractor and the first header conveyor. A first rear conveyor transports the swath from the first header conveyor and thereafter returns it to the ground. A second header conveyor lifts a second, adjacent swath from the ground onto the second header conveyor. A second hitch extends between the first hitch and the second header conveyor. A second rear conveyor transports the swath from the second header conveyor and thereafter returns it to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Parham Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Delperdang, Leonard R. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5396756
    Abstract: There is provided an agricultural rake which comprises a frame having front rear sections angled with respect to one another. A plurality of angled rake wheels are mounted on the rear section of the frame. The rake wheels are characterized by having a plurality of spaced apart tines extending from the periphery of the rake wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Inventor: Melvin Franklin
  • Patent number: 5337546
    Abstract: A hay making apparatus includes a rotor carrying demountable rigid tynes spaced about its periphery and coupled to a drive motor, preferably a hydraulic type. The rotor has an annular body of a resiliently deformable elastomeric material advantageously having a cross-sectional shape similar to that of a tire for a motor vehicle with its longitudinal axis vertically oriented. The rotor has the following: an inwardly projecting upper wall which couples the annular body flexibly to the motor; an inwardly projecting lower wall which follows undulations in the ground surface; and a vertical wall in which passages are formed for seating the tynes. In use, the tynes are held in place solely by centrifugal force and by contact with the passage walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Nicolaas L. Sieling
  • Patent number: 5301496
    Abstract: A position locking mechanism for a windrow inverter having 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 and being manually movable between a horizontal operative position and a vertical transport position is disclosed wherein the wing extension is latched automatically when raised to the transport position. A rod connected to the pivotally movable wing extension is telescopically received within a bracket mounted to the frame of the windrow inverter and is appropriate notched and biased into engagement for fixing the wing extension when placed in both the operative and transport positions. A concentric compression spring mounted on the rod reduces the effort required to lift the wing extension into a raised transport position. A set of elastomeric bumpers requires the wing extension to be forced into the operative position to be latched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Ford New Holland, Inc.
    Inventors: Cecil R. Sudbrack, James T. Clevenger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5272860
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Ford New Holland, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert F. Baril, Cecil R. Sudbrack, Richard E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 5261218
    Abstract: A powered rake for windrowing debris for subsequent collection is provided which includes a main frame for coupling to a tractor, a subframe mounted for pivotal movement relative to the main frame about an upright pivot axis, a roller pivotal with the subframe to an oblique angle relative to the direction of travel, and a material control member including a blade extending along the length of the roller and presenting a gap therebetween. The subframe is preferably pivotal for presenting the roller at an oblique angle to the right or left with respect to the intended direction of travel, thereby permitting the powered rake hereof to continuously windrow the debris in the path of the roller. The roller is rotatably mounted on a pair of downwardly and forwardly extending legs which present substantially open areas outboard of the roller to permit debris to pass freely outboard into a windrow without any obstruction from the frame or subframe supporting the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing Incorporated
    Inventors: Randall S. Jones, Eric Johnson, R. Nathan Massey
  • Patent number: 5251431
    Abstract: The invention relates to a windrow inverting device pulled by a tractor to turn over hay rows and aid in the drying process of the windrows. The windrow inverting device comprises a rotating turntable in connection with a rake also pulled by a vehicle. The raking device picks up hay and sends it on to the turntable for inversion. The turntable is mounted for rotation and is in connection with a wheel of the vehicle to provide turning movement to the turntable. The turntable rotates clockwise to propel hay to the left of the vehicle or counter-clockwise to propel hay to the right of the vehicle thereby inverting the windrow in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Inventor: Craig A. Shoop
  • Patent number: 5203154
    Abstract: A forage crop harvester is provided with a rotary crop pick-up which deposits crop deposited in an elongated swath and deposits it on a transversely extended, moveable conveyor which consolidates the crop material and deposits it in a windrow at one side of the harvester. The pick-up is disposed on the harvester in a position in advance of the harvester wheels, thereby eliminating damage to the crop caused by crushing of the material in the swath by the wheels. The harvester includes mechanism providing for maintaining it in an offset relationship with respect to the tractor during operation. The rake and conveyor are supported through a counterbalancing mechanism which maintains it in a floating relationship in a crop pick-up position and has ground engaging skids which limit contact of the rake teeth with the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Inventors: Glenn A. Lesher, Lee A. Schlappich
  • Patent number: 5177945
    Abstract: The present invention regards a rake head able to support a right hand and left hand finger wheel hay rake. The structure has been designed to be versatile and there apply many different models of rake frames: the simple type which is a single reduced frame supported by the tractor three point hitch; the double V type placed onto a fixed or bolted frame on the right side or left side; the more complex type on a frame which has been assembled onto a trolley with oleodynamic control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Tonutti S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carletto Tonutti
  • Patent number: 5175987
    Abstract: A hay harvesting machine in which previously cut crop material in a windrow or swath on the ground is picked up and inverted to position a damp side up and a dry side down; as the crop is inverted, it is directed laterally toward one side of the machine and rearwardly; after inversion, the crop is turned further and conveyed for discharge back onto the ground laterally displaced from its original position on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Pequea Machine Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Underhill, Jacob M. Fisher
  • Patent number: 5163277
    Abstract: A machine for spreading, turning and raking together hay, straw and similar materials. The machine has rotors (65, 84) which are rotatable around substantially vertical axles and are provided with rake arms (67) which extend radially and substantially horizontally from the rotation axles (58) of the rotors (65, 84). A number of parallel rods (68) are connected to the outermost ends of the rake arms (67) which rods constitute a rake. The rotors (65, 84) have a guide device (79, 85) so the rake arms (67) may be turned a previously determined angle around their longitudinal axis so that the rods (68) may interact with or go free of straw crops laid out in a field area. The guide devices (79, 85) are adapted to be turned around the axles (58) of the rotors (65, 84), and the guide device of one rotor (84) may be turned into the opposite direction of work so that it is possible to guide the laying down of the material into single swathes (105 ), double swathes (102, 104) or into a middle tract (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Fransgaard Maskinfabrik A/S
    Inventor: Thorkild B. Fransgaard
  • Patent number: 5127216
    Abstract: A hay raking and windrowing apparatus having a tool bar adapted to be attached to a prime mover and having a side delivery rake attached to one side thereof for raking hay rearwardly and inwardly and a second side delivery rake on the other side of the tool bar for also raking hay rearwardly and inwardly so that both side delivery rakes together produce a single windrow. A folding apparatus is provided on each end of the tool bar for hydraulically folding the rakes between a lowered field operative position and a raised transport position. Hydraulic cylinders are preferably used to move the rakes between the transport and operative positions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Inventor: Gary L. Kelderman
  • Patent number: 4926625
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for inverting a windrow of hay or the like. The apparatus is in the form of an implement to be drawn by a tractor or any other appropriate vehicle and comprises a carriage supported at the front by skids and on which is mounted a pick-up conveyor assembly for gathering and elevating material from a windrow and depositing the elevated material on a rotating platform which moves the material 180 degrees along a circular path. The material is then discharged on the ground in inverted condition by the forward motion of the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: B. & R. Choiniere Limited
    Inventor: Yves Laquerre
  • Patent number: 4785614
    Abstract: An agricultural implement is disclosed for raking and tedding a swath of hay into a tedded windrow with a single pass of the implement along the swath of hay. The implement includes a plurality of circular rake wheels and a rotatable tedder, both mounted on a common base frame. First and second height adjustment mechanisms are included for the selective, independent adjustment of the height of the tedder and the height of the rake wheels. A lateral adjustment mechanism is provided for selectively adjusting the lateral relationship of the implement with respect to a towing vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: H & S Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore F. Schoenherr
  • Patent number: 4777788
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for inverting a windrow of hay or the like. The apparatus is in the form of an implement to be drawn by a tractor or any other appropriate vehicle and comprises a wheeled carriage on which is mounted a pick-up conveyor assembly for gathering an elevating material from a windrow and depositing the elevated material on a rotating platform which moves the material 180 degrees along a circular path. The material is then discharged on the ground in inverted condition by the forward motion of the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: B. & R. Choiniere Limited
    Inventor: Yves Laquerre
  • Patent number: 4768333
    Abstract: This invention relates to a farm machine having a device (2) for picking up hay on the ground and a device (3) for moving the hay laterally and turning it over. The device (3) for moving and turning over the hay includes a flexible belt (21) equipped with drivers (22) and oriented crosswise to the flow of the hay. An at least approximately flat guide plate (23) extends from the pickup device (2) to the drivers (22). The machine according to the invention makes it possible to move and turn over windrows of hay or other plants that are on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Kuhn, S.A.
    Inventor: Walter Reber
  • Patent number: 4748803
    Abstract: A discharge chute for use on a window turner having a pickup mechanism for elevating a windrow of crop material off the ground and a cross conveyor for receiving the elevated windrow and conveying the windrow laterally of the direction of travel as disclosed wherein the discharge chute is provided with an adjustable discharge edge for the floor member of the discharge chute over which the windrow must pass before being deposited on the ground. The floor member of the discharge chute is provided with an edge plate member positionally movable with respect to the floor base member, the edge plate member being fixed into a selected position relative to the floor base member by clamping bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: New Holland Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh J. MacMaster, Duane R. Deardorff, Barry L. Getz
  • Patent number: 4738092
    Abstract: An apparatus selectively operable either to invert and laterally displace the windrow from its original position or merely to laterally displace the windrow without effecting an inversion thereof is disclosed wherein a first discharge chute can be utilized to effect an inversion of the windrow while a second discharge chute can be utilized for merely shifting the windrow without inversion. The discharge chute is positioned laterally of and adjacent the discharge end of a cross conveyor conveying an elevated windrow of crop material laterally of its original path of repose upon the ground. The first discharge chute redirects the flow of crop material forwardly and over a discharge edge whereupon the forward motion of the apparatus will effect an inversion of the windrow into a second path of repose laterally spaced from its original path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: New Holland Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 4730447
    Abstract: An apparatus for laterally displacing and inverting a windrow of crop material is disclosed wherein a pickup engages a windrow of crop material along a first path and elevates the windrow into a table where it is conveyed in a semi-circular path by a horizontal conveyor until it is rolled off a discharge edge of the table into a second path laterally displaced from the first path. The speed relationship between the horizontal conveyor and the forward movement of the apparatus is such that the elevated windrow of crop material is gently rolled off the discharge edge of the platform in such a manner that the windrow is inverted when it engages the ground. A method of laterally displacing and inverting a windrow of crop material is also disclosed wherein the windrow is gently picked up, conveyed and turned upside down without the need for a structural device to engage the windrow and positively invert it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: New Holland Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob M. Fisher, Ivan L. Stoltzfus
  • Patent number: 4700535
    Abstract: A windrower has a transverse support positioned at an angle to the travel direction of the apparatus and attached by a towing bar to a tractor and the like. The transverse support is provided with a plurality of crop-transfer drums, which are attached rotatably under the transverse support parallel to each other, and displaced from each other. At least one crop-transfer drum is swingable about its adjacent crop-transfer drum 180.degree. with respect to the axis of the adjacent crop-transfer drum in such a way that its axis retains its angle to the ground. Thus the crop-transfer drums have at least two configurations, in one of which all the crop-transfer drums are side-by-side with an equal spacing between adjacent drums of a width which is much smaller than the width of a crop-transfer drum, and in another in which there is at least one comparatively large gap between two adjacent crop-transfer drums substantially equal in width to the diameter of the crop-transfer drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Klockner-Humboldt-Deutz AG Szeigniederlassung Fahr
    Inventor: Ulrich Wessel
  • Patent number: 4519194
    Abstract: A hay harvesting machine for windrowing hay, moving swaths of hay, tedding hay and the like includes at least one drum which has a base and a wall, and is rotatable about an axis which is inclined within a predetermined range to the vertical, a flexible skirt which has substantially the shape of a truncated cone, and is connected to the base for sweeping up the hay, and a plurality of arms arranged in a plurality of rows along the wall, and which extend therefrom so as to cooperate with the skirt for further movement of the hay, and wherein at least the arms of the row nearest to the skirt extend in a direction substantially parallel with an upper surface of the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: Belrecolt S.A.
    Inventors: Jerome Aron, Michel Quirin
  • Patent number: 4397135
    Abstract: A haymaking machine for the windrowing, tedding or turning of crops, includes at least one drum rotatable about an upright axis, a flexible and deformable skirt arranged to follow the contour of the ground, and connected near the bottom of the drum for sweeping up the crop to carry it on its upper surface, and a plurality of outwardly extending arms secured to the exterior of the drum above the skirt to aid in displacing the crop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: Belrecolt S.A.
    Inventor: Albert Wattron
  • Patent number: 4202160
    Abstract: A rake machine has two rake wheels that are driven to rotate about upwardly extending axes. Each member has a rim and groups of tines are pivoted to the rim. The tines can be pivoted from lower, crop working positions to raised, inoperative positions. A respective tine engaging device on a holder can be set to intersect the tines during rotation thereof and displace same upwardly against spring bias. A latch engages each of the inoperatively positioned tine groups until centrifugal force overcomes the resistance and the tines pivot outwardly and downwardly into operative positions. The devices of the rake wheels are linked to a lever which can displace the devices to protective positions for the tines. The rake wheels are displaceably mounted along the length of a transverse beam and the beam is linked to a coupling trestle by a parallelogram linkage that can be set to reposition the rake members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1980
    Inventor: Cornelis van der Lely
  • Patent number: 4179872
    Abstract: A haymaking machine for central tedding and lateral windrowing has a pair of rotary rake heads carrying working tools. The tools are rotatively interconnected by means of a support chassis that carries a forwardly extending frame beam. The direction of rotation of the rotary rake heads automatically reverses when the relative position between the support chassis of the rotary rake heads and the frame beam is modified, thereby to transpose the machine from the tedding position into the windrowing position and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Assignee: Kuhn, S.A.
    Inventor: Frederic Gerlinger
  • Patent number: 4166352
    Abstract: A hay-making machine having a plurality of rotary rakes thereon which are rotatably driven about generally vertical axes or rotation. The hay-making machine is supported by a plurality of wheels to facilitate its movement relative to the ground. The hay-making machine is connected by a hitch mechanism to a tractor and the rotary rakes are driven by a shaft connection to the power take-off equipment on the tractor. The hay-making machine is comprised of a main frame and auxiliary frames. The main frame is pivotally secured to the hitch and the auxiliary frame is connected pivotally to the main frame to compensate for variations in ground irregularities. Telescoping shafts are utilized on the machine to facilitate a change in length between the rotary rake members and the hitch as the hay-making machine moves relative to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Wilhelm Stoll Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Gregor Knusting
  • Patent number: 4149364
    Abstract: The disclosure is of a haymaking machine for the tedding and/or windrowing of fodder, comprising at least two rotors the axes of which form a certain angle with the ground, these rotors being interconnected by a hollow beam through which there passes a transmission shaft intended to drive the rotors with a rotating movement about their respective axes, said machine co-operating in the windrowing position with guide elements situated to the rear and fixed respectively each to one of the ends of arms extending towards the front of the machine, characterized in that the other end of at least one of the arms cooperates with means for modifying the angle of inclination of the rotors when the guide element of said arm is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1979
    Assignee: Kuhn, S.A.
    Inventor: Jerome Aron
  • Patent number: 4148176
    Abstract: A haymaking machine has two side-by-side rake wheels that are driven to rotate about upwardly extending axes and move crop between the wheels. Converging guide walls of horizontal rods are positioned in front of the rake wheels and some of the rods extend rearwardly to intersect the working paths of the wheels. Preferably the walls are located above the wheels. Each wheel has arms pivoted to a central portion and groups of tines are pivoted to the outer ends of the arms to turn about horizontal axes. Each group of tines is mounted on a carrier by coils that surround a tube so that the coils can be turned relative to the tube about a vertical axis and set in swath or tedding positions. Swath guides can be positioned at the rear of the rake wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Assignee: C. van der Lely N.V.
    Inventors: Ary van der Lely, Cornelis J. G. Bom
  • Patent number: 4128987
    Abstract: In a haymaking machine having two staggered rotors with substantially vertical axes, the tine groups on the circumference of the rotors each comprise one or more fixed upper tines and one lower tine which can yield upwardly. Preferably, the number of tine groups of the forward rotor is one half the number of tine groups of the rearward rotor and there is a single, upwardly yielding tine between every two successive tine groups of the forward rotor. Preferably, the tines extend through slots in a closed cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Inventor: Petrus W. Zweegers
  • Patent number: 4056923
    Abstract: An agricultural implement for tedding, swath turning, hay collecting and similar operations. It comprises four rotors which rotate almost parallel to the ground and each of which carries series of outwardly directed tines. The four rotors may be alined transverse to the direction of motion, or they may be arranged according to a forwardly opening V or they may be arranged in a transport position in which the outer rotors are positioned practically in front of the inner rotors. Seen at the front of the implement, the two outer rotors always rotate toward one another, but the two inner rotors rotate away from one another in their first position and toward one another in their second position. This is obtained by swinging the pair of inner rotors over 180.degree. about a central, common pivot. The frame comprises a rearwardly extending main frame beam, a reversible cross beam at its rear end carrying the inner pair of rotors and a pair of adjustable side arms carrying the outer rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1977
    Inventor: Petrus Wilhelmus Zweegers