Abstract: A cutting and mulching blade assembly for a rotary type lawn mower or similar device that can be installed as an original part or as an after market application by an owner or other operator. Consisting of a two bladed design, it will cut grass, leaves and other similar materials (medium) then re-cut it several times to reduce these medium to a size much less than a conventional mower (considered mulch). It can be used as strictly a mulcher dispensing cuttings below the deck onto the ground or may be used to disperse the cuttings out of a chute onto the ground away from the device or into a bag. This can all be done without changing the blade in any way.

Abstract: A multi-bladed mulching mower is convertible between a mulching mode in which the grass clippings are deposited as mulch or a discharge/collection mode in which the grass clippings are discharged from the housing or are bagged. The mower includes two separate cutting chambers which are staggered forwardly relative to one another but otherwise are arranged side-by-side next to one another. The peripheral wall of the forward cutting chamber has a selectively openable gate which is closed in the mulching mode but is opened in the discharge/collection mode. The rearward cutting chamber is provided with a discharge outlet which can be selectively opened in the discharge/collection mode but is otherwise closed.

Abstract: A combination mower/trimmer apparatus comprises a mower with a body, a driven horizontally oriented blade member, and a trimmer assembly. The trimmer assembly includes a pair of spools for dispensing flexible trimming lines, guides for directing the lines along the blade member, an activating assembly for extending and retracting the trimming lines, and a line for feeding assembly to supply additional line during use. The apparatus includes a pair of pivotally mounted guards which normally seek an elevated position but which assume a lowered position when the respective guard is urged against an obstacle whereby a generally horizontal elongate slot in that guard aligns with a similar slot in the mower body such that extended trimming lines simultaneously trim vegetation along the obstacle as the blade member mows the vegetation adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower blade has a plurality of shredders with cutting edges affixed to the blade. The shredders provide additional cutting edges for fine shredding of vegetation.

Abstract: A row crop attachment for forage harvesters has a plurality of row crop divider units arranged side-by-side on a base frame to define a plurality of crop conveying paths through which gathering chains pass for conveying crop material through the crop conveying paths. A pair of rotary knives with cooperating cutting edges are disposed adjacent an entrance of each crop conveying path for cutting off crop material before it is conveyed through the crop conveying path by the gathering chains. A mounting arrangement for each pair of rotary knives includes one knife of each pair of rotary knives fastened to a hub shaft which has a splined connection with a sleeve that is rotatably supported on the base frame. A spring urges the hub shaft in a direction to urge the cutting edge of the one knife into contact with the cutting edge of the other knife of each pair of rotary knives.

Abstract: A rotary mower blade for mounting on a power driven rotary lawn mower and designed for improved durability, performance, and safety. The blade is formed of solid metal in the conventional manner, but has an added elastomeric protective shielding applied to each uplifted flange area. The shielding of a layer of polyurethane can be mounted in a recess in the surface of the blade.

Abstract: A harvesting attachment for a combine that includes a table or platform carrying an auger to convey a cut crop into the combine body for threshing. The leading edge of the table carries a reciprocating knife to cut the crop. There is a considerable gap between the cutting knife and auger which is bridged by special rod-like teeth which are mounted on the knife and reciprocate therewith. Such teeth assist in conveying the cut crop to the auger especially when the crop is short, thin and has a strong tendency to bunch.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower blade is provided with opposite end dependingly supported rake springs. Each of the springs comprises a closed coil spring body whose upper end is removably supported from the underside of the corresponding rotary mower blade end and the lower convolution of each coil spring body includes a downwardly directed vertical spring tine or finger. The mower blade incorporates a pair of elongated opposite end blade end sections including remote and adjacent ends with the adjacent ends thereof disposed in end overlapped engagement with each other and the adjacent ends include meshed projections and recesses spaced longitudinally therealong. The adjacent ends are longitudinally slotted and a threaded shank type fastener is passed upwardly through the slots and may be threaded in a blind bore formed in the lower end of the vertical engine shaft of a rotary mower.

Abstract: A detachable knife assembly having a hanger bracket forming a curved end. The curved end defines an opening large enough to fit the curved end of the hanger bracket over a mounted hanger rod. A retaining bracket is positioned adjacent the hanger bracket and close enough to the curved end of the hanger bracket to enclose and retain the hanger rod within the hanger bracket opening. A knife blade is either a part of or secured to the hanger bracket. The retaining bracket is detachably secured to the hanger bracket. The curved end of the hanger bracket preferably forms a curve about an arc segment of approximately 180.degree..

Abstract: In order to obtain a lengthening maneuver of the active ends emerging from the rotating housing (1, 5, 3) containing the bobbin or bobbins (16) of the cords (F) during the rotation of said housing, the bobbin (16) has in the wall (18) of the internal hole two series of mutually staggered teeth (20, 22; 120, 122), some (20; 120) of which are developed along one axial section and the others (22; 122) along the remaining axial section; an element (34, 30), which is capable of axial sliding movements, has a disk (30) which projects elastically below the housing (1, 5, 3) and is capable of being made to reenter by means of pressure on the ground, as well as entrainment teeth (36) which are axially slidable, rotationally engaged on said housing and capable of engaging alternately the teeth of the two series (20, 22; 120, 122) upon each axial stroke and thus of permitting each time a unitary angular advance in two stages.

Abstract: A convertible mulching mower (10) including a housing (12) and chute (30). Chute (30) can be selectively blocked with a chute plug (32) to selectively put mower (10) in a mulching mode. Mounted beneath housing (12) is a plurality of kickers (72) which serve to deflect the grass clippings generally downwardly and inwardly to cause them to penetrate the standing grass blades in the cutting path, when the mower (10) is in its mulching mode (when chute plug (32) is blocking discharge chute (30)). When chute plug (32) is removed, it can be replaced by various grass handling means, including a grass bag (36) or a side discharge chute extension (140). A wash-out system (129) can be included in plug (32) to allow the underside of housing (12) to be sprayed with water to remove accumulated grass clippings. Wash-out system (129) can be used for mulching or non-mulching mowers.

Abstract: A rotor cutter comprises a cutting member (1) adapted to be driven into rotation about an axis of rotation (3). The cutting member comprises a knife holder (6) connected with a knife (12). The knife (12) comprises a blade, which during the rotation of the cutting member (1) rotates in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation (3) of the cutting member (1). The knife (12) comprises furthermore a shank (13) rotatably journalled relative to the knife holder (6) about a swivel axis (11), said swivel axis forming an acute angle (.alpha.) with the axis of rotation (3) of the cutting member (1), the angle space of said angle facing upwards.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutter blade for mowers of harvesting machines the cutter bevel of which comprises two zones of different inclination relative to the blade leaf plane wherein between the zone molded to the cutting edge and the zone extending to the upper blade plane a gradation is provided. It relates furtheron to a method for the production of said cutter bevels on cutting blades of mowers which comprise two zones having different blade angles relative to the blade leaf plane wherein in a first embossing process the zone of the cutter bevel extending to the upper blade plane is pressed into the blade blank in parallel to the cutting edge provided and in a subsequent embossing process, the zone extending to the cutting edge is molded on and the embosssing portion extending beyond the lower blade leaf plane is ground away.

Abstract: A straw cutter for a combine has a rotatable rotor (11), counterknives (13) and knife arms (12) which pass between the counterknives. To increase the blowr action of the rotor and to thereby improve the distribution of disintegrated straw, the knife arms have a V- or arch-shaped cross section.

Abstract: A rotary blade for lawnmower and the like having a plurality of flexible blade members angularly spaced about a central hub portion. The blade is made of plastic, plastic composite, or composite material and is designed to cut grass and the like efficiently but to deflect around obstacles rather than cutting through them and possibly causing injury. Where impact with an obstacle is unavoidable by flexing, points of weakness are provided near the central hub portion of the blade to ensure that the blade members break off during use rather than cutting through an obstacle such as the operator's foot.

Abstract: A rotatable blade assembly suitable for use on a rotary power lawn mower is provided having an elongated bar member adapted to rotate in a substantially horizontal plane within the housing of a rotary lawn mower to which is detachably secured at diametrically opposed ends thereof cutting blade elements having cutting edges formed at oppositely facing edges which can be secured to the bar member without the need for special tools for removing the blade assembly from the shaft of the mower motor.

Abstract: A rectangular metallic plate cutting blade having an opening at the center thereof for attaching the plate to a rotary power shaft. A pair of trapezoidally-shaped cutting recesses are cut into the leading edges of the blade. The edges of the plate defining the cutting recesses are beveled to provide sharp cutting edges. A turbulence flange extends upwardly from the trailing edge of the metallic plate on the opposite side of the plate from each of the trapezoidally-shaped cutting recesses. Each of these turbulence flanges is from about 1.0 to about 1.5 times as long as the width of the trapezoidally-shaped recess with which it is aligned across the blade, and defines an angle of from about 35.degree. to about 55.degree. with respect to the major plane of the rectangular plate.

Abstract: A convertible mulching mower (10) including a housing (12) and chute (30). Chute (30) can be selectively blocked with a chute plug (32) to selectively put mower (10) in a mulching mode. Mounted beneath housing (12) is a plurality of kickers (72) which serve to deflect the grass clippings generally downwardly and inwardly to cause them to penetrate the standing grass blades in the cutting path, when the mower (10) is in its mulching mode (when chute plug (32) is blocking discharge chute (30)). When chute plug (32) is removed, it can be replaced by various grass handling means, including a grass bag (36) or a side discharge chute extension (140).

Abstract: A disc cutter forming a part of a disc cutterbar used on harvesting implements such as disc mower-conditioners is configured to permit a movement of the disc member relative to the driven shaft on which it is mounted. The disc member, which carries knives for rotation within a path of travel at a generally high speed to sever standing crop material by impact action, is clamped in a split hub by a spring-loaded fastener. At least one-half of the split hub is affixed to the driven shaft for rotation therewith. The disc member is frictionally held in place by the spring-loaded fastener which permits movement of the disc member relative to the split hub upon impact with a substantial object restricting rotative movement. The spring-loaded fastener can be in the form of an assembly of cupped washers compressed by a nut threaded onto the driven shaft of the disc cutter.

Abstract: A disc cutterbar for use on a harvesting implement, such as a disc mower-conditioner, is driven by an endless timing belt entrained around toothed sprockets corresponding to each disc cutter within the transmission casing. The positive engagement between the toothed timing belt and the corresponding toothed sprocket provides a means for timing the rotation of adjacent disc cutters to minimize the possibility of interference between rotating knives. The toothed timing belt, however, is capable of movement relative to the toothed sprocket should the corresponding disc cutter become restricted in its rotation, such as by impact with a substantial object.

Abstract: A mowing apparatus has a reciprocating drive portion comprising a casing, a pinion connected to a prime mover, two gears disposed on both sides of the pinion so as to engage therewith, reciprocating rods which are respectively passed through both sides of the casing and which are supported so as to be reciprocable in the lateral direction, and connecting members which are respectively disposed between eccentric pins respectively provided on the gears and the internal ends of the reciprocating rods so as to be movable.

Abstract: The mowing and chopping machine comprises at least two rotors, which are rotatable about vertical axes, which are spaced apart transversely to the direction of travel of the machine. Each rotor comprises a tooth-carrying disc and a plurality of cutting rotor teeth, which are angularly spaced apart and pivoted to said disc by means of vertical pins and protrude from the periphery of said disc. The rotor teeth are either curved upwardly and downwardly out of the plane of the disc or are composed of a plurality of superimposed cutter blades. A fixed backing cutter is provided in the generally triangular space defined by the flight paths described by the rotor teeth.