Abstract: A device for harvesting long agricultural products, such as grass, straw, pulses, biomass products and the like, includes a frame having a main axis of extension, a plurality of agricultural product harvesting elements, each in turn equipped with at least one long harvesting prong, a movement system for moving each of the harvesting elements along a closed trajectory surrounding the main axis of extension, and a plurality of bands fixed to the frame, positioned one after another and spaced out along the main axis of extension. The device also includes a conveyor unit including an elongate body extending along its own axis of rotation and provided with at least one peripheral step forming an agricultural product feed shoulder extending, along an axis which is substantially radial relative to said axis of rotation, between an edge proximal to the axis of rotation and an edge distal from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A windrow merger including three pickup and transfer units, a folding system, and a plurality of float mechanisms. The folding system employs simultaneous rearward, outward, and upward folding motion so as to ensure none of the units interfere with the other units while folding, and likewise while unfolding. The folding system can further fold and unfold each of the three pickup and transfer units at the same time. During merging operations, the plurality of float mechanisms of the windrow merger limits the range of motion of each pickup and transfer unit. The float mechanisms further transfer a portion of the weight of each pickup and transfer unit from the ground to the frame of the merger. The units of the windrow merger can also include a rub rail having a surface that reduces swirling or clumping of material as the material is conveyed toward an end of the windrow merger.

Abstract: A towable hay rake that includes an automatic steering mechanism. The hay rake includes a front portion, such as a separate carriage section, connectable to the towing vehicle. In addition, the hay rake includes at least one wheel, but preferably two wheels, mounted to, e.g., a rear end, of the hay rake. The automatic steering mechanism is coupled to the front portion of the hay rake and is configured to be actuated by a change in towing direction of the towing vehicle. The automatic steering mechanism is configured upon actuation to steer the wheels of the hay rake. According to various embodiments, the automatic steering mechanism may be configured to steer any wheels of the hay rake, regardless of the position of the wheels on the hay rake.

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.

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.

Abstract: A windrow merger being a machine for merging crop material disposed in a windrow on the ground surface, the windrow merger being situated on a frame which supports a tongue for towing, a pickup head for raising the crop material from the ground surface and a transverse conveyor assembly for laterally displacing the crop material and said transverse conveyor assembly includes an accelerator roller system, supported by said frame and in closely spaced relation with a outboard discharge end of said transverse conveyor assembly, and having a movable element for receiving and propelling the windrow material beyond the discharge end of said transverse conveyor. A method of displacing a windrow and an accelerator roller system are further included.

Abstract: A pine straw rake apparatus and system, and a square drive for the pine straw rake is disclosed. 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.

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 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: The present invention teaches a novel steering apparatus which functions in conjunction with the tandem rake offset mechanism. The rear rake may be offset either left or right, thus permitting single or double windrowing, and also transmits steering commands to the rear rake unit such that it follows the tractor more precisely around the field and more effectively windrows the hay. A unique linkage assembly provides for both offset commands and steering commands to be passed to the rear rake unit.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for displacing material lying on the ground transversely to the direction of travel, in particular a raking apparatus for mown crops, such as hay, comprising at least two endless draw members operative in upright planes oriented transversely to the direction of travel. The draw members being arranged in tandem and mutually laterally offset relationship relatively to the direction of travel. The draw members are interconnected by linkages, each consisting of an intermediate bar extending at least partly in an oblique direction relative to the direction of travel. At least one part of each linkage is designed as a carrier of downwardly directed rake tines. The draw members are designed in such a manner that the rake tines perform a translation motion at least over the greater part of their path of movement.

Abstract: A rake for attachment to a tractor and operation by the tractor hydraulic system. Rake tines are carried on an endless chain by pivotally mounted brackets along upper and lower runs with counterbalance means providing pivotal movement of the tines between folded and extended positions while traveling along the upper and lower runs, respectively. The rake may be moved to extend laterally outward from the tractor for raking between trees, and the like. The mounting and guide means for the chain and teeth-carrying brackets provide a sturdy and efficient raking action while avoiding clogging as brush is removed.

Abstract: A transversely extendable tool bar for multiple hay rakes which is adapted to be mounted directly to the three-point hitch of a farm vehicle so that the gang of rakes mounted on the tool bar may be simultaneously lifted from or adjusted relative to the earth's surface.

Abstract: A haymaking machine comprising drums rotating about substantially vertical axes and driving thin flexible skirt-like elements of rubber or the like with or without stiffeners or control devices. The skirt-like elements may be attached to the drums or to an endless belt which laps the drums, and these elements may be of various shapes and be with or withut edge spikes or other projections. In operation these elements follow the ground contours and lift and entrain the cut fodder.

Abstract: A combination hay conveying belt and working element is provided which comprises a belt made primarily of elastomeric material and having an inner compression section, a load-carrying section and an outer tension section, the tension section having grooves disposed transverse to the endless path of the belt, and a working element attached exteriorly to the belt within each groove by means substantially conforming to at least a portion of the groove. Also provided is a hay or vegetation gathering apparatus which employs at least one of the above belts in combination with the working elements so that the belts travel parallel to the ground and the working elements extend perpendicular to the ground.

Abstract: An elongated frame is provided including front and rear ends. The rear end portion of the frame includes rear wheeled transverse axle structure supported from the frame for adjustable angular displacement in a horizontal plane relative to the frame. The front end portion of the frame includes towing structure supported from the frame for adjustable shifting transversely thereof and operative, in conjunction with the adjustable axle structure, to establish an angularly adjusted towed relationship of said elongated frame behind a towing vehicle to which the towing structure is attached. The frame further includes longitudinally extending and traversely facing rake structure.