Abstract: A grass trimmer with a trimmer shield that can be manually assembled to the housing without the use of tools is disclosed. The trimmer shield can also preferably be disassembled from the housing by a consumer to allow for replacement of the trimmer shield. One preferred trimmer shield includes at least one retaining member that prevents translational movement of the trimmer shield and at least one retaining member that prevents deflection of the trimmer shield in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A brush mower having deflection plate for reducing the amount of cut vegetation forwardly discharged from the intake opening at the front end of the deck. The mower additionally comprises a motor connected to the deck. The latter includes a top portion and a skirt portion extending downwardly on three sides from the top portion, thereby defining a cutting chamber. The deck also includes a blade rotatably mounted within the cutting chamber and a side discharge opening. The deflection plate has a height that is less wide than the height of the skirt portion. The deflection plate changes the airflow in the cutting chamber so that cut vegetation is directed out the side discharge opening, rather than out the intake opening.

Abstract: A pull-type harvesting machine is adapted for laterally offset attachment to a tractor. The machine has a frame and a harvesting head supported by the frame including a cutting apparatus for cutting crops as the machine is towed across a field, and a gear box operably connected with the cutting apparatus. A pull tongue is pivotally coupled to the frame about a first vertical axis for varying the position of the machine relative to the tractor. A mechanical drive line extends along and is rotatably supported by the pull tongue for supplying driving power to the cutting apparatus through the gear box. The gear box is pivotally mounted on the header about a second vertical axis spaced from the first vertical axis. The drive line includes a fixed position portion and a telescoping portion supported at fore and aft ends by the tongue and the gear box, respectively.

Abstract: A row crop header for a harvesting machine includes a frame, a row unit supported by the frame, a first surface supported by the frame forward the row unit on a first side of the row unit, a second surface supported by the frame forward the row unit on a second side of the row unit, a third surface supported by the frame between the first and second surfaces, and a fourth surface supported by the frame between the first and second surfaces. The first and second surfaces face one another and converge toward the row unit. The third surface faces the first surface to cooperate with the first surface so as to support and channel plants toward the row unit. The fourth surface faces the second surface to cooperate with the second surface so as to support and channel plants toward the row unit.

Abstract: A lawn mower including a deck having an inner surface forming a cutting chamber, a cutting blade disposed within the cutting chamber, a drive motor for rotating the cutting blade within the cutting chamber, and a separate wear-resistant liner removably attached to the deck and covering at least a portion of the inner surface of the deck. The liner conforms to the shape of the deck and is formed of a wear-resistant plastic material which substantially increases the life of the deck under abrasive conditions such as sandy soil. Other embodiments are disclosed wherein an integral layer of wear-resistant plastic is formed directly on the inner surface of the deck and wherein a separate rigid liner having an integral layer of wear-resistant plastic formed directly thereon is removably attached to the inner surface of the deck. The wear-resistant plastic is preferably a urethane polymer or a polyurethane elastomer.

Abstract: A guard assembly (2) is used to protect the cutter blades (20, 21) of a cane cutter (10). The guard assembly includes a guard body (4) which is mounted to the cane cutter. A series of guard blades (6) are pivotally mounted to the guard body. The guard blades are shaped, sized and positioned to permit smaller diameter objects, such as a cane (18) of a grapevine to pass between the guard blades so to be severed by the cutter blades while preventing larger diameter objects, such as posts (26), stakes and the trunks of the grapevines, from passing between the guard blades, thereby protecting both the cutter blades and the larger diameter objects from damage.

Abstract: A hole cover for covering and sealing the main pulley hole of a lawn and garden tractor mower belt housing. The cover includes a central hole adapted to receive the main pulley therein. A radial opening of the hole cover provides a passageway through which the main pulley may pass when the hole cover is placed around the main pulley. A fastener is used to secure the hole cover to the belt housing. The belt housing includes a bellows surrounding the central hole that provides better sealing and an adjustable central hole size making the hole cover universally acceptable to a wide variety of main pulley sizes. The radial opening defines facing sides of the hole cover that overlap one another to better provide sealing of the main pulley hole. An alternative interlocking mechanism attaches the facing sides to one another.

Abstract: Shielding for a tractor having rear mounted harvesting units such as cotton picker row units includes assemblies mounted on the tractor to allow full axle oscillation and full range of tractor steering while providing crop protection. A first assembly is connected to steering components on the front of the tractor and provides protection of the crop against damage by the front tires. A shield which turns with the steering components is cut to a profile that allows full range of steering as it interacts with a second assembly. The second assembly includes parts rigidly connected directly to the front axle casting of the tractor to define the leading edge of the shielding at the front axle casting. A bevelled front edge and layered construction prevent relatively sharp edges from contacting and damaging the crop. The parts profile assures a full range of steering where the parts interact with the front tire shield.

Abstract: The exit end of the discharge chute of a riding lawn mower having rotating grass-cutting blades is provided with a rotatable deflector plate, the position of which is controlled through a linkage by the operator of the lawn mower while seated and without stopping the lawn mower. The operator, through the linkage, can shift the deflector plate between an operative position closing the exit end of the discharge chute, an inoperative position opening the said exit end, and positions therebetween. The deflector plate is provided with apertures of size and spacing sufficient to prevent the passage therethrough of stones large enough to cause physical injury to persons or damage to property in the vicinity of the exit end, while permitting the passage therethrough of grass cuttings, small stones having no potential to cause such physical injury or property damage, and air forced through the discharge chute by action of the grass-cutting blades.

Abstract: A device for mowing, cutting, and mulching of vegetation in a single pass over the terrain. A movable folding shroud is provided that is pivoted upward to expose a cutter for severing larger trees. The device may be configured so that mowing, cutting, and mulching operations are all performed while traveling in the same direction. Alternatively, the device may be configured so that mowing and mulching operations are performed while traveling in one direction, with cutting operations performed while traveling in the opposite direction. The device may also be configured with a dispensing assembly for applying chemicals onto the cut vegetation to obtain a more effective kill and minimize re-growth.

Abstract: A crop saving attachment is affixed to the outermost snouts of a combine crop header such as a corn header by being fastened only to the gathering point at its downwardly facing rear U-shaped edge and the metal tip at the forward end of the gathering point. The crop saving attachment is movable with the gathering point as it pivots relative to the rear snout section and the wall of the attachment extends upwardly and rearwardly over the rear snout section to deflect down corn stalks laterally inwardly towards the header snapper rollers.

Abstract: A safety guard for attachment to a pedestrian-operated or riding machine having rotatable blades utilizes at least one semi-rigid guard attached to the machine body and movable away from the ground when pushed upward by contact with an object while preventing lateral movement of objects under the machine. The moveable guard will act as a rigid barrier to an operator's foot or leg and reduce the possibility of the machine overrunning the operator's foot or leg, thereby minimizing injury from the rotatable blades.

Abstract: A lawn mower deck protecting device including a lawn mower deck mounting portion comprised of a right side brace and a left side brace secured to the deck of the lawn mower. A stress bar couples with a handle of the lawn mower and the right side brace of the lawn mower deck mounting portion.

Abstract: A device for mowing, cutting, and mulching of vegetation in a single pass over the terrain. A movable folding shroud is provided that is pivoted upward to expose a cutter for severing larger trees. The device may be configured so that mowing, cutting, and mulching operations are all performed while traveling in the same direction. Alternatively, the device may be configured so that mowing and mulching operations are performed while traveling in one direction, with cutting operations performed while traveling in the opposite direction. The device may also be configured with a dispensing assembly for applying chemicals onto the cut vegetation to obtain a more effective kill and minimize re-growth.

Abstract: A mower suitable for cutting high grass, brush, and like growth. The mower has a plurality primary cutting elements disposed ahead of a secondary cutting element. The primary cutting elements is that which first contacts growth, cutting this growth to a predetermined height. The secondary cutting element follows the primary cutting element, contacting the cut growth and cutting the same to a final, predetermined height less than that obtained by the first cut. The primary cutting elements are preferably unencumbered by a hood or guard, but preferably are partially encircled or surrounded at the front and sides by a bumper. The bumper prevents the mower from attempting to run over or cut rigid, immovable objects, such as trees, curbs, large stones, and the like. The primary and secondary cutting elements may be a singular element or plural elements arranged abreast of one another. The cutting elements may be rigid blades or flexible members, such as stranded metal, synthetic resin cords, or chains.

Abstract: A unique chute construction for a grass cutting mower which directs cut grass being ejected by its rotating blades through an opening in a hood surrounding its blades out of the mower in an upward fan-shaped pattern away from the mower and thereby preventing undesired clumping of the ejected grass when it hits the ground. The top portion of the hood that is adjacent to and which form an outer edge of the opening in the hood is tapered in an upward direction to form an upper first portion of the chute. A second portion of the chute forms an inside portion that employs a plate that is positioned beneath and in spaced apart relationship with the first portion and has the same taper as the first portion of the chute. The addition of this chute eliminates the need for an operator of a mower to take a second, time-consuming cut of the same grass in order to eliminate the clumps of grass that are generated by conventional mowers that do not have such a chute.

Abstract: A guard for covering a wheel pulley of a powered sickle-bar mower. The inventive device includes a semi-circular panel positionable over the wheel pulley of the mower. A pair of lateral panels extend from opposed ends of the semi-circular panel and cooperate with a pair of mounting projections to secure the semi-circular panel to a pulley housing of the mower. The device cooperates with a cover plate of the mower to fully enclose the wheel pulley to preclude an entrance of debris into the pulley housing which could jam the wheel pulley.

Abstract: A trail shield for a lawn mower is disclosed having a snap on head section with the body extending symmetrically off the center line thereof.

Abstract: An outboard guard assembly includes a support tube, barrier panel attached to the support tube, and reinforcing brace attached to the barrier panel. The outboard guard assembly is mounted on each of a pair of outboard crop divider structures of an existing multi-row crop gathering header used to harvest crops planted in rows, such as corn. When installed on the outboard crop divider structures at either end of the multi-row corn header, the outboard guard assembly improves the effectiveness of the multi-row crop gathering header and reduces yield loss caused by variation in row spacing and bent and tangled corn stalks.

Abstract: An attachment for converting an electric or gasoline powered lawn trimmer into a temporary or permanent lawn edger is described herein.

Abstract: The harvester has a transverse cutter bed provided with a series of rotary cutting units that rotate about individual upright axes. Those cutting units located outboard of the discharge opening behind the cutting bed are provided with specially configured impeller plates that assist in the proper delivery of cut materials into the opening.

Abstract: A debris guiding device is provided for a lawn mower of the type having a deck, an engine supported on the deck, wheels, a handle and a grass catcher bag. The debris guiding device contains a structure located at a front portion of the deck for directing lawn debris directly under the front portion of the deck. The lawn debris will be lifted, cut and sucked into the grass catcher bag, when a person gripping the handle pushes the lawn mower along to cut grass by operation of the engine.

Abstract: The high speed rotary cutter bed of a harvester or other mowing machine has a rubberized deflector curtain that wraps around opposite ends and front extremities of the cutter bed to guard against thrown objects, yet permit the ingress of standing crop materials as the machine is advanced. The curtain is divided into a series of discrete sections which mutually overlap along their upright marginal edges so as to permit independent raising and lowering of the curtain sections with their respective, overhead rigid covers into positions permitting access to the cutter bed for maintenance or other purposes.

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 powered lawn edging or trimming tool is provided with at least one flexible filament cutting line, rather than the usual rigid metal blade. The use of a filament type cutting element precludes many of the disadvantages of such tools using rigid blades, such as the need to sharpen blades regularly and the relative hazard of such rapidly rotating rigid blades. The flexible elements also reduce the number and size of foreign objects (gravel, etc.) thrown about by the tool in operation. A method of modifying a standard grass trimmer having a horizontally disposed cutting head to form the tool of the present invention, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plant deflector assembly adapted for mounting to an open frame of a row crop harvester which is movable over a field of plants. The plant deflector assembly includes a series of fore-and-aft spaced elongated deflector members which are adapted to pass beneath at least a portion of a drive assembly on the harvester and extend transversely across a frame of the harvester for vertically deflecting and inhibiting plants passing beneath the harvester from rising into contact with the drive assembly and becoming entangled therewith. The series of spaced deflector members are mounted to extend from an area adjacent a forward end of the harvester frame and extend rearwardly to an area adjacent an engine forming part of the drive assembly. The plant deflector assembly may further include a mounting apparatus adapted for securement to the frame of the harvester and to which the plant deflector members are secured.

Abstract: A hinged safety shield for a crop cutting apparatus having a frame for attachment to a tractor. A transversely extended cutter bar is supported on the frame for pivotal movement between a lower, operating position and a raised, transport position. The safety shield is pivotally mounted at one end portion thereof to the frame. A hydraulic cylinder for pivotally moving the cutter bar also acts to raise the shield from a lower, shielding position to an upper position. The safety shield is held in the upper position while the cutter bar is lowered whereupon unrestricted access is gained to the cutter bar for repair and maintenance procedures.

Abstract: A support for mounting an implement engine onto an implement and supporting the engine crakshaft which has an extending end. The support is attached to the engine base and presents a rotation support for the engine shaft and presents an additional rotation support for the implement tool. The support serves the dual purpose of resisting shaft bending and providing a simplified attachment for the engine on the implement.

Abstract: A cover for use on the outer surface of a skid plate of a combine grain head comprises a plurality of side-by-side cover panels, each cover panel corresponding to a specific skid plate panel of the skid plate. The inner surface of each cover panel is configured to matingly engage the outer surface of its corresponding skid plate panel, while the outer surface of each cover panel is substantially parallel to its inner surface and has formed therein a first living hinge adjacent and parallel to the leading edge of the cover panel and a second living hinge adjacent and parallel to the trailing edge of the cover panel. The living hinges permit the angles of the leading and trailing edges to be adjusted to accommodate tolerances in the manufacture of the skid plate panels and to accommodate deformations which occur in the cover panels due to the passage of time and variations in temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a protective flap assembly to the deck housing of a lawn and garden device is disclosed. The deck housing includes a horizontal support member having an open end and a closed end at opposite lateral edges thereof. The properties flap assembly has an upper socket portion adapted to surroundingly capture the support member upon inward sliding insertion onto the open end thereof. A lower portion of the protective flap assembly extends downwardly toward the ground. The support member is adapted to inhibit removal of the flap assembly following installation on the deck housing.

Abstract: A lawn mower having a plurality of discharge exit ports and exit port closure means disposed about the periphery of the housing member of said lawn mower. Each closure means is selectively and individually operable between a fully closed position and a fully open position by a control lever disposed on the handle of the lawn mower to provide means for selective discharge of cut grass by the operator while standing behind the lawn mower and while the lawn mower is being propelled.

Abstract: A guard and guide for a powered, hand-operated, grass and weed trimmer having a trimming filament segment extending from a rotating spool thereof. The trimmer comprises an elongated tubular body having a forward end and a rearward end. The trimming filament segment and its spool are rotatively supported at the forward end of the trimmer body and are rotatable at high speed by operative connection to an internal combustion or electric prime mover. The guard and guide comprises an element having a forward portion having a substantially semi-circular peripheral configuration and an upwardly, inwardly and rearwardly extending rearward portion operatively attached to the trimmer body.

Abstract: A rotary mower is provided with a side guard preferably along the left side of the housing and extending fore-and-aft to the outboard sides of the left-hand front and rear wheels at about axle height for the purpose of protecting the mower against obstacles at that side. The guard is extended in J fashion at its front and rear ends to extend around the front of the front wheel and in back of the rear wheel and each J portion has a short leg for affixation to existing parts of the mower, such as the housing, front and rear axles and the like. The guard is adjustable fore-and-aft to compensate for differences in spacing of the front and rear axles.

Abstract: A mower according to the invention includes a mowing group provided with a cutting bar and skids. The rear connection of each one of the skids includes connection means that allow the rear part of the skid to separate from the cutting bar in a relative movement directed backwardly, considering the direction of advance.

Abstract: A cover for use on the outer surface of a skid plate of a combine grain head, the skid plate comprising a plurality of side-by-side skid plate panels of different widths, comprising a plurality of side-by-side cover panels, each cover panel corresponding to a specific skid plate panel and each cover panel having an outer surface, an inner surface, opposed leading and trailing edges, and a pair of opposed side edges. The inner surface of each cover panel is configured to matingly engage the outer surface of its corresponding skid plate panel, while the outer surface of each said cover panel is substantially parallel to its inner surface. The side edges of each said cover panel are slightly inset from the side edges of its corresponding skid plate panel, whereby each cover panel is spaced apart from its adjacent cover panel to permit relative horizontal movement between adjacent cover panels and their corresponding skid plate panels.

Abstract: A pair of U-shaped sheet metal brackets are fixably mountable to the rear vertical wall of a power lawn mower deck to opposite sides of the deck or to the top wall of the deck with the open ends facing end other. Bent wire rod angle arms have their free ends of arm first branches pivotably mounted to the base of the U-shaped sheet metal brackets for pivoting internally of the bracket legs limited to contact with the legs of the brackets and their other branch has ends fixed to an axle rotatably supporting a roller for rotation horizontally about its axis and between the angle arm branches at the rear of the rotary power mower. Pivoting of the angle arms limits vertical travel of the roller to several inches to prevent the operator's foot from being projected relatively beneath the mower deck and into the path of the rotating blade of the power mower.

Abstract: The innermost end of a platform is pivotally connected to an implement adjacent upright sidewall structure which supports moving parts that normally are shielded but from time to time require inspection and service. The platform is rockable between a horizontal access position and a vertical shielding position. A door or shield is connected to the outer end of the platform, and four-bar linkage structure maintains the door in an upright position to provide a railed work station for the operator when the platform is in the horizontal position and a generally continuous upright shield structure when the platform is in the vertical position. The four-bar linkage structure includes upper and lower links which contact each other when the platform is horizontal to support the platform without need for obstructive braces or the like.