Abstract: A machine for removing debris from pine straw is described. The machine comprises a conveyor system, a doffer, a debris-pine straw separation zone, and a clean pine straw zone. The conveyor system and doffer thin, spread and fluff the pine straw, as well as control the flow of pine straw to the separation zone. A system of air is directed through the separation zone and engages pine straw and debris discharged into the separation zone and effectively separates the debris from the pine straw, after which the pine straw is directed from the separation zone to the clean pine straw zone.

Abstract: An articulated coupler permits vertical displacement of a towed vehicle relative to a towing vehicle while preventing lateral or horizontal displacement of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle. Multiple linkage arms provide coupling for special configuration towed vehicles such as short wheel-mounted lifts that experience torsional forces due to the presence and absence of loads on the lift.

Abstract: A haymaking device for displacing mown crop includes a frame having a main beam which extends in a longitudinal direction and defines a longitudinal center line, and at least a first side arm located on one side of the main beam, wherein the side arm carries at least one crop processing tool, preferably rotatably driven about a rotor center line. The crop processing tool can be a crop displacing tool, such as a rake. The crop processing tool is mounted on a first pivot arm which, in the region of a first pivot arm connection, is pivotably connected, about a substantially horizontal center line, to the first side arm for movement between an operative position and a transport position. In the operative position, the first pivot arm connection is located at a larger distance from the main beam than the rotor center line of the first crop processing tool.

Abstract: A mobile rake device for displacing mown crop has a frame with a rake tool assembly that has a path-shaped working range and includes two rake tools with rake tines. In an operative position, the rake tools are arranged behind each other in a staggered manner in the direction of travel to provide two path parallel sections to achieve the path-shaped working range. The rake tools displace the mown crop located in the path section to one side in a flow of crop in order to form ultimately one final windrow. The rake tool assembly has an auxiliary displacing tool, that is arranged to throw the crop, which has been collected by the first rake tool in a flow of crop or in the form of a windrow, a pre-windrow, across the front of the next rake tool towards the final windrow to be formed.

Abstract: A drawn agricultural machine comprising a carrier frame for carrying processing members, the carrier frame supportable on the ground, at least during transport, by means of a wheel set comprising at least a wheel, a coupling frame for coupling the agricultural machine 1 to the three-point suspension of a tractor, the coupling frame comprising two lower coupling points and an upper coupling point and the coupling frame being rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation relative to the carrier frame. The machine also comprises a drawing element for exerting a force on the coupling frame, wherein the coupling frame, the carrier frame and the drawing element are interconnected in such a manner that a downward force component is exerted on the lower coupling points when the drawing element exerts a force on the coupling frame.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to apparatus for selectively inverting one or more windrows of crop material on the ground as the apparatus is moved in a forward direction, each of the windrows having a lower surface and a generally defined width, the apparatus comprising, a frame for attachment to a vehicle, a first transport mechanism for picking up the crop material of a windrow, moving the crop material in a rearward direction, turning the crop material through a generally horizontal arc and depositing the turned crop material in an inverted condition, the first transport mechanism being movable between a raised non-operating position and a lowered operating position, a second transport mechanism having substantially the same structure and functionality as the first transport mechanism, and a hydraulic control system selectively moving the transport mechanisms between the raised and lowered positions and for driving the transport mechanisms.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to apparatus for selectively inverting one or more windrows of crop material on the ground as the apparatus is moved in a forward direction, each of the windrows having a lower surface and a generally defined width, the apparatus comprising, a frame for attachment to a vehicle, a first transport mechanism for picking up the crop material of a windrow, moving the crop material in a rearward direction, turning the crop material through a generally horizontal arc and depositing the turned crop material in an inverted condition, the first transport mechanism being movable between a raised non-operating position and a lowered operating position, a second transport mechanism having substantially the same structure and functionality as the first transport mechanism, and a hydraulic control system selectively moving the transport mechanisms between the raised and lowered positions and for driving the transport mechanisms.

Abstract: A drawn agricultural machine comprising a carrier frame for carrying processing members, the carrier frame supportable on the ground, at least during transport, by means of a wheel set comprising at least a wheel, a coupling frame for coupling the agricultural machine 1 to the three-point suspension of a tractor, the coupling frame comprising two lower coupling points and an upper coupling point and the coupling frame being rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation relative to the carrier frame. The machine also comprises a drawing element for exerting a force on the coupling frame, wherein the coupling frame, the carrier frame and the drawing element are interconnected in such a manner that a downward force component is exerted on the lower coupling points when the drawing element exerts a force on the coupling frame.

Abstract: A haymaking implement for displacing crop lying on the ground has a rotor and at least one tine arm, wherein the tine arm is pivotable with respect to the rotor about an associated pivot axis, for movement between a gripping position for gripping and taking along crop lying on the ground and a release position for releasing the crop. The tine arm has an outer arm portion carrying a plurality of tines, wherein each tine comprises a tine point for contact with the crop. In the gripping position, an innermost tine point positioned relatively closest to the rotor axis is located on or in front of the pivot axis with respect to the direction of rotation (R), while an outermost tine point positioned relatively distant from the rotor axis is located behind the pivot axis.

Abstract: A bifold rake for agricultural crop material includes a rear wheeled trolley and a forwardly extending drawbar adapted for interconnection with a tow vehicle such as a tractor. A pair of rake arms are pivotably interconnected to opposite sides of the trolley, and each rake arm carries a series of rake members such as rotatable rake wheels. An opening and closing mechanism is interposed between the drawbar and the rake arms, for moving the rake arms between open and closed positions. The rake includes a windrow width adjustment system for adjusting the width of a windrow of crop material formed by the rake, independent of adjustment in the width of the trolley. In one embodiment, the windrow width adjustment system is in the form of a variable position connection arrangement interposed between each rake arm and the trolley, for adjusting the lateral position of the rearward end of the rake arm so as to adjust the position of the innermost rake member.

Abstract: A hay making machine, particularly a windrower for plant matter, comprising a structure carrying at least one raking wheel. The latter is connected to the end of a carrying arm in such a way as to be able to pivot about a first axis and a second axis. The two axes of articulation of the raking wheel to the carrying arm form angles &agr; and &bgr;, the values of which are between 10° and 80°, with the direction of forward travel of the machine.

Abstract: A hay harvesting machine including a frame with several windrowing rotors, the frame including a draft beam and a connecting beam which is articulated with respect to the draft beam, at least the rotor of the connecting beam located farthest back being equipped with a windrowing deflector. The machine includes a retractable stop for the movement of the connecting beam about its axis of articulation, and a device for shifting the deflector notably with respect to the corresponding rotor. A device controls the stop, which device is actuated by the shifting device. The stop prevents the connecting beam and the corresponding rotor from moving from a first work position into a second work position as long as the deflector can collide with the rotor which precedes it. When the deflector is shifted into a position where the risk of collision is eliminated, the stop is retracted and the change in position is possible.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for inverting a windrow of agricultural crop material on the ground as the apparatus moves along the windrow in a first direction has a lifting mechanism for lifting the crop material from the ground substantially without destroying the integrity of the windrow as the apparatus moves in the first direction. In addition, a transporting mechanism receives the crop material from the lifting mechanism and positively transports the crop material along a generally semicircular path substantially also without destroying the integrity of the windrow so that the crop material is positively transported generally in the first direction when it reaches an exit location where the crop material is dropped to the ground. The continued movement of the crop material by the transporting mechanism results in the crop material passing the exit location so that a lower surface of the windrow is repositioned to a top of the windrow.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a hay rake where the hay rake includes a gearbox with a central nonrotating part, a peripheral rotating part, and rake arms attached to the peripheral rotating part. In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes an actuator where the actuator is mounted above the gearbox. A support frame is mounted below the gearbox and is movable between a first lower position and a second upper position. A connecting member is disposed through a bore in the central nonrotating part of the gearbox and is coupled at its upper end to the actuator and at its lower end to the support frame. The support frame is movable to its second upper position in response to a force imparted to it by the actuator through the connecting member. Additionally, the invention may include a tow bar assembly. The tow bar assembly has a rear extended part connected to the gearbox. A central extended part is connected to the rear extended part.

Abstract: An implement for displacing crop lying on the ground comprising at least one rake member which is driven so as to be rotatable about an upwardly orientated axis and which is provided with a plurality of outwardly extending arms, each of which pivots in upward direction about a pivot axis. Each arm has a pair of outwardly extending tines connected pivotably thereto. The pivotal connections of the arms to the rake wheels and the tines to the arms of each assemble of arms and tines is such that the center of gravity, when the implement is operating, is so disposed that the resultant of the gravitational and centrifugal forces urge the arms and the tines towards the underlying ground. The rake wheels can be folded upwardly about their pivot axes into a transport position wherein the arms are received in a locking device which comprises a resilient member having a recess for receiving each arm. The resilient member may comprise a spring or be composed of an elastic material such as plastic or rubber.

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.

Abstract: A hay making machine including at least two working elements in the form of rotary rakes which are carried by intermediate frames. The intermediate frames are arranged on a support frame and supported on the ground by at least one land wheel. The intermediate frames are pivotally connected for following the contours of the ground as picked-up by the land wheels, and for pivoting about axes which extend in the direction of travel between a working position and a transportation position and vice versa. The intermediate frames also support the transmission members of the drive train, especially shafts and the power train, which are needed for conveying the drive energy to the rotary rakes rotating about vertical axes. Furthermore, the intermediate frames are connected together in the vicinity of the articulated connection between adjacent intermediate frames by coupling consisting of two coupling units that co-operate via meshing elements.

Abstract: A new and improved rake apparatus and methods are provided for the easy and safe exchange of process equipment towed behind the rake for combined raking and processing agricultural operations. The rake may be mounted on a large frame with a substantial extension PTO shaft capable of transferring power from the power source (usually a tractor) to a baler, fluffer rake, or other towed farm implement attached to the end of said frame, through connection to a tractor's PTO shaft via the use of a telescopic PTO shaft. Once connected to the power source, one has a combination of a rake having mounted swing arms that extend outwardly from the framed device and a PTO shaft driving the baler, tedder rake, or other towed farm implement, enabling the rake to swing hay and other cut materials into the path of the towed implement for further processing.

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

Abstract: A device is provided for raking and tedding a crop, such as hay. The device includes a frame with a main conveyor rotatably mounted on the frame. The main conveyor has an input end and a discharge end. A pick-up roller is located adjacent the input end of the main conveyor. A rear conveyor assembly is located adjacent the discharge end of the main conveyor. The rear conveyor assembly includes at least one auxiliary conveyor having a first end and a second end, with the second end of the at least one auxiliary conveyor pivotally mounted on the frame. Also, a raking and tedding device is provided in which the rear conveyor assembly includes a lateral conveyor hingedly mounted on the frame and configured to move from a first, operative position under the discharge end of the main conveyor to a second, inoperative position.

Abstract: A haymaking machine having a chassis which is composed of a central section and several lateral sections which are articulated together and carry rotors. On each side of the central section four lateral sections are provided which are articulated together by axes extending in the direction of travel, the length of each first lateral section being at least equal to the distance between the support spindles of two adjacent rotors, the length of each second lateral section being substantially longer than the distance between the support spindles of the two adjacent rotors, the length of each third lateral section being substantially shorter than the distance between the support spindles of the first adjacent rotors, and the length of each fourth lateral section being at most equal to the distance between the support spindles of the two adjacent rotors.

Abstract: A material aerating and mixing machine having a material elevator which elevates, mixes and aerates the material to be processed. The material from the elevator is discharged onto a pair of conveyors, a cross conveyor that can be side shifted for windrow turning, and a discharge conveyor that is pivotally mounted for swingable movement in a horizontal plane into a different positions, one position being in line with the cross conveyor for truck loading, another at an angle for stack turning, and a third position where the conveyor is folded for windrow turning or transport. Each of the conveyors is independently powered depending upon the mode in which the machine is operated.

Abstract: A hay making machine includes a rake which is supported on the ground and which includes a prong carrier having a longitudinal axis. A double prong spring element is carried on the prong carrier, the double prong spring element including first and second leg springs and a connecting section connecting the first and second leg springs. The connecting section includes two helical coils coiled in opposite directions and a U-shaped loop between the two helical coils. The helical coils have an axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the prong carrier. The double prong spring element has a crank-shaped section providing an offsetting relationship between the first and second leg springs.

Abstract: A pull-type bifold hay rake includes a draw bar assembly connected to a tow vehicle, a support linkage mounted to the draw bar assembly, a trolley assembly having a cross-member assembly, and a pair of articulated rake arm assemblies, each being pivotably connected to an end of the cross-member assembly. Each of the rake arm assemblies are also connected to the support linkage at a point spaced from the pivotable mounting of each rake arm assembly to the cross-member assembly. A series of rotatable rake wheels are mounted to each rake arm assembly as well as the trolley assembly for movement between a raised and a lowered position. The rake arm assemblies are movable between an operative, open position and an inoperative, closed position. A hydraulic cylinder mounted on the trolley assembly moves the rake arm assemblies between their open and closed positions.

Abstract: A swath turner for inverting a swath or windrow of cut crop has a pickup followed by a moldboard. The moldboard extends rearwardly from one side of the pickup and across the direction of travel. It engages one side of the swath or windrow as it leaves the pickup discharge and inverts the swath or windrow before it falls on the ground. As the inverted swath or windrow is deposited onto the ground, the tail end of the moldboard forces it down on the ground. A swath setter may follow the inverter to set the swath firmly to avoid subsequent wind losses.

Abstract: A haymaking machine in which fork-bearing arms are mounted in a pivoting fashion on a ring. These fork-bearing arms are controlled so that they can pivot about their respective longitudinal axes during rotation of the ring via a belt driving the ring and which is located at least in part near said ring, so that the area near the center of the rotor is clear. The fork-bearing arms are controlled in such a manner that their forks extend approximately vertical and will gather plants approximately on the entire forward half of their trajectory and that subsequently they are raised and the plants are deposited gently in the form of a swath. In this way the forage does not undergo any loss and it is not necessary to have a second rotor which works together with the swathing rotor in order to form a swath. Since the central part of the ring remains unobstructed, this allows passage of parts of the support frame and/or devices used for controlling the spacing with respect to the ground of the working forks.

Abstract: A turf care implement includes a frame mounted on a pair of opposed wheels. The frame supports a pair of lift arms which are mounted at an angle to the direction of travel of the implement. The lift arms support a plurality of rakes on mounting arms. The radial-type wheel rakes which have tines extending radially outward from a central hub. A series of cables and pulleys connects from the lift arms to a lift handle by a forward portion of the frame for raising and lowering the arms and positioning the arms at various heights.

Abstract: A hay tedder adapted to be supported from a tractor and which includes a plurality of raking rotors supported for rotation about generally vertical, inclined axes. The tedder includes a main frame for connection with the tractor and a carrier beam pivotally supported from the main frame with the rake rotors being supported from the carrier beam and also supported from travelling wheels. An angle adjustment mechanism is provided to change the inclination of the rake rotors to obtain optimum spreading of the hay or grass crop. The structural association of components enables adjustment of the angle of the rake rotors to be automatically accompanied by a corresponding height adjustment of the travelling wheels which support the rake rotors thereby avoiding the necessity of independently adjusting the rake rotors and travelling wheels.

Abstract: A rotary rake is provided with a hydraulic lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the rake. A vertical shaft extending through the center of a rotary gearbox on the rake serves as a hydraulic fluid port. Pressurized hydraulic fluid from a remote source passes through the shaft to a hydraulic cylinder mounted on a support frame. The hydraulic cylinder operates a mechanical linkage which raises and lowers the rake. The mechanical linkage includes an over-center position for securely holding the rake in the raised position.

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.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for turning, and otherwise agitating, compost materials in an elongated windrow, is described. The invention includes a chute structure, that can be moved into, and along, the windrow. A toothed drum, at the leading end of the chute structure, penetrates the compost material, and throws it upwardly, and rearwardly, onto an inclined conveyor. The conveyor transports the materials upwardly to a discharge point, located at the trailing end of the chute structure. Gravitational forces cause the materials to intermittently fall back toward the drum, thereby churning and mixing the materials. Pressurized air is continually sprayed onto the materials on the conveyor, in order to aerate the materials while they are being churned and transported.

Abstract: A haymaking machine, particularly a windrower of cut plants comprises a support mount which is attached to a frame that is adapted to be coupled to a hydraulic power lift of a tractor. At least one raking wheel being connected to one end of the support mount. The haymaking machine further comprises a protective device which extends at least partially around the at least one raking wheel and a deflector which works with the at least one raking wheel and limits a lateral ejection of cut plants. The haymaking machine further includes an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a position of the deflector with respect to the at least one raking wheel. The adjusting mechanism comprising a hydraulic cylinder which is connected to the deflector for changing the position of the deflector with respect to the at least one raking wheel.

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.

Abstract: A crop harvesting machine comprises a main frame attached to a hitch of the type which pivots about a centre point of the main frame. On the main frame is attached a draper frame which pivots relative to the main frame and includes arms extending downwardly and forwardly from the main frame for supporting a draper section which comprises a single draper extending across the full width of the machine with rollers at the ends of the draper positioned directly at the ends of the machine. In front of the single draper is positioned a pickup section pivotally mounted relative to the draper frame and controlled in height by guage wheels. The width of the machine is sufficient to pickup two windrows simultaneously at fourteen foot spacings, to deposit the crop from the windrows simultaneously onto the draper and to move the crop to one end of the draper for deposit onto the ground.

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).

Abstract: This invention relates to a haymaking machine which includes a frame having a central section and three lateral sections which are connected to one another and which carry rotors rotatably driven during working operation. The lateral sections can be folded for transport by hydraulic cylinders. On each side of central section there are located the three lateral sections, each of which includes a pipe and a housing equipped with a rotor. A hydraulic cylinder extends directly from the central section to each third lateral section and in the transporting position, the first and second lateral sections are directed upward and the third lateral sections are directed downward.

Abstract: This invention relates to a farm machine with a toolholding frame including a crosswise support provided with at least two rotors which is jointed to a coupling device by way of a pin.The crosswise support is made up of a central part and two lateral parts jointed to the ends of the central part by way of substantially horizontal pins.Each of these lateral parts is provided with a coupling device having three hooking points for connection to a rotor.

Abstract: A windrowing rotor 1 is driven in rotation and equipped with tools to windrow plants that are on the ground. A cover 26 is jointed on a beam 2 by a hinge pin 33 that is at least approximately horizontal and that is at least approximately perpendicular to the beam 2. A central support pin 7 is housed in a bore 25 in the cover 26 so as to be able to turn during work in relation to the hinge pin 33 together with a control cam 16, a frame 18, and small wheels 19, 20, and 21.

Abstract: A haymaking machine having a frame supporting at least one raking wheel equipped with tool-carrying arms controlled during work. The raking wheel is rotatable about a support pin which carries a control cam and which is free in rotation in relation to the frame during work. The support pin is connected to at least one support which is offset in relation to the support pin in the direction of movement of the machine, with the support being stationary in relation to its connection to the support pin in the horizontal plane. The support thus assures a continuous predetermined orientation of the support pin and of control cam as a function of the direction of movement to permit formation of well-formed and regular windrows during movements of the haymaking machine both in a straight line or around curves or turns.

Abstract: An apparatus for merging a pair of windows into a single window for subsequent processing by a forage harvester, square baler or the like. The apparatus includes a main frame, a rotary pickup head for picking up the first windrow, a cross conveyor mounted on the main frame and disposed rearwardly of the pickup head for transporting the first windrow transversely between a windrow receiving end and a windrow discharge end, a hydraulic drive circuit including a cross conveyor drive motor and a pickup drive motor, a speed control mechanism for controlling the speed of the cross conveyor independently of the speed of the pickup head so that conveyor belt speed may be adjusted depending upon the distances between windrows to either discharge or throw the first windrow a further distance or a shorter distance so as to be combined with a second adjacent windrow. There is also disclosed a quick attachment assembly for pivotally and releasably attaching the main frame to a tractor.

Abstract: A windrow mover having a frame with a linkage arm on each side. Each of the linkage arms having a first end pivotally attached near the front of and at a point on the axis of the frame. An axle is attached to a second end of each linkage arm defining an axis. Ground engaging wheels are mounted on each of the axles, thereby permitting movement of the frame over a groundsurface. A hydraulic cylinder is provided for moving the linkage arm such that the axis of the frame moves in a substantially vertical plane radially about the axis of the wheels as defined by the axle, thereby altering the spacial relationship between the frame and the wheels from an operative position where the front of the frame is adjacent the groundsurface to a transport position where the front of the frame is spaced from the groundsurface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for working grass, hay or other crops on the field, provided with two rake members which are drivable about upwardly directed axes of rotation. During operation, the distance between the rake members can be changed by controls at the seat of the tractor on which the machine is mounted to adapt the machine to various circumstances. The machine is provided with swath forming crop guide members, the relative positions of which are automatically adapted to remain about the same irrespective of the distance between the rake members.

Abstract: An agricultural machine operative to pick up, convey and invert a swatch or windrow of hay for the purpose of accelerating the curing thereof. The machine has a mobile frame which carries at its fore part a swath-straddling pick-up which function to pick up the swath bodily and to convey it rearwardly and then obliquely to the line of advance for return to the ground or stubble as an inverted swath ribbon or mat. The oblique conveyor comprises a plurality of parallel, closely side-by-side belts whose upper runs carry the swath ribbon from the pick-up mechanism to a discharge zone at which the discharge ends of the belts are arranged in staggered fashion along a line oblique to the path of travel of the belts.

Abstract: An inversion chute for use on a windrow 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 is disclosed wherein the inversion chute is telescopically mounted in a mounting sleeve to permit lateral adjustment thereof relative to the discharge end of the cross conveyor. The inversion chute is also pivotally mounted on the frame of the windrow turner for movement between an operating position adjacent to and laterally outboard of the cross conveyor and a transport position rearwardly of the pickup and cross conveyor. An overcenter biasing spring retains the inversion chute in its selected position.

Abstract: A frame for a machine operable to invert and laterally displace a windrow of crop material is disclosed wherein the frame includes a support portion having a windrow pickup mechanism and a windrow inversion mechanism mounted thereon and being mobilely supported over the ground by a pair of ground wheels. The frame also includes a hitch portion pivotally connected to the support portion for articulation about a transversely extending horizontal pivot axis. A latching mechanism is operable to interengage the hitch and support portions of the frame to positionally fix the pivotal motion therebetween to lock the frame into an elevated transport position. The hitch and support portions are free to pivotally move relative to one another during operation to permit the pickup mechanism to floatingly follow the contours of the ground.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing material from a work area during substantially continuous movement therealong, the apparatus having a frame; a wheel assembly mounted on the frame for rotation about a substantially upright axis of rotation; a plurality of material removing members mounted on the wheel assembly in outward extension therefrom; and an assembly for mounting the frame on a vehicle for movement along the work area with a portion of the wheel assembly in ground engagement whereby the wheel assembly is rotated to remove material from the work area with the removing members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for working grass, hay or other crops on the field, provided with two rake members which are drivable about upwardly directed axes of rotation. During operation, the distance between the rake members can be changed by controls at the seat of the tractor on which the machine is mounted to adapt the machine to various circumstances. The machine is provided with swath forming crop guide members, the relative positions of which are automatically adapted to remain about the same irrespective of the distance between the rake members.

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.