Abstract: A grass catcher for receiving air and grass clippings from a mower cutter deck includes an inlet for admitting air and clippings into the grass catcher, an outlet port for exhausting air out of the grass catcher, and at least two cylindrical, perforate air filters interposed between the inlet and the outlet port. The filters separate grass clippings from the air and permit air to pass through the filters and on to the outlet port. The grass catcher also includes a wave form energy transmitter and a wave form energy receiver positioned in the grass catcher. The transmission of wave form energy between the transmitter and the receiver is interrupted when the level of accumulated grass clippings in the catcher exceeds a predetermined level. The interruption of the transmission triggers an alarm to alert an operator of the mower of the high clipping level within the catcher.

Abstract: A sugar cane combine harvester having a topper/shredder in advance of a crop divider mechanism with the crop divider aiding in moving sugar cane to a knock down feed roll, base cutters, a feed roll system, a chopping system including a cleaning system, and an elevator system.

Abstract: A multi-blade mower deck having a center right and left blade chambers, which are partially connected to each other, each blade chamber including a rotary mounted cutting blade with lifting sails thereon for rotating and lifting the air into each blade chamber, a front skirt defining portions of said blade chamber; a continuous rear skirt wrapping around rear portions of each of said blade chambers; and a fan chamber positioned above the cutting deck and concentrically aligned over the center blade chamber and having an opening into the center fan chamber including concentrically mounted impeller blades for driving air and clipping from the fan chamber through a exhaust passage positioned over the cutting deck.

Abstract: A rear discharge mower unit (50) with a mower housing (55) defining grass clippings flow paths for directing grass clippings rearward. The mower unit includes a power transmission mechanism for rotating a center blade (58) and a second side blade (60) in one direction and a first side blade (59) in the other direction, a center baffle (63) extending around a rotational axis of the center blade and defining a center flow path (69a) for feeding grass clippings to a grass clippings outlet (66), a first side baffle (64) extending around a rotational axis of the first side blade (59) and defining a first side flow path (69b) for feeding grass clippings to the grass clippings outlet (66), and a second side baffle (65) extending around a rotational axis of the second side blade (60) and defining a second side flow path (69c) for feeding grass clippings to the center flow path (69a).

Abstract: A self-propelled forager can accumulate dust, dirt or crop material particles in its maintenance and/or engine compartment. To avoid such accumulations, suction devices are provided in the engine and/or maintenance compartment which extract dust, dirt or crop material particles. The suction is provided by the post-accelerator which conveys the chopped crop.

Abstract: A programmable lawn mower assembly (10) including a carriage (12) supporting a mower central processing unit (CPU) (24) for controlling the drive motors (18) to control the direction of movement of the carriage (12). The assembly (10) includes first and second locating transmitters to be disposed on posts in spaced positions about the lawn with each locating transmitter simultaneously transmitting a radio frequency signal which travels at a first velocity and an audio signal which travels at a second velocity slower than said first velocity. A carriage receiver (50, 52) is disposed on the carriage (12) for receiving the radio and audio signals from the locating transmitters and for providing signals to the CPU (24) for determining the position of the carriage (12) relative to the locating transmitters by measuring the time between said radio and audio signals from each locating transmitter.

Abstract: An attachment for a rotary lawn mower or a riding mower having a blower assembly located in an elevated position for effectively vacuuming and collecting debris generated by the operation of the mower. The debris discharged from the mower chute is drawn upwardly through a transfer tube and, via the blower assembly, is directed into a collection storage container. The blower assembly is operatively powered via an extended shaft from the drive system of the mower blade or a drive shaft extending from the top of the mower's engine. The collection container is mounted on the housing of the mower, the handle of the mower, or on a platform to the rear of the mower. A lid covers the open top of the container, and includes a perforated portion that allows air to escape from the container. A side door is provided in the container, to assist in removing the debris or a plastic trash bag used to hold the debris, from the container.

Abstract: A mower deck is disclosed that utilizes an auxiliary source of pressurized air in order to avoid clipping buildup under the mowing deck, most particularly at the trailing edge of the discharge chute.

Abstract: A mower unit includes a blade housing, and a guide plate for dividing a grass clipping flow space formed in the blade housing, along a flowing direction into a first flow space and a second flow space communicating with each other in a downstream position with respect to the flowing direction. The blade housing has a discharge section for discharging grass clippings cut by cutting blades, in a predetermined direction along with air flows. The discharge section has an intake opening for drawing ambient air into the second flow space. The guide plate may be displaceable relative to the blade housing to vary a sectional passage area of the first flow space.

Abstract: A hand-holdable trimmer for garden and lawn applications has an elongated housing defining an air passage extending from the trimmer's rotating trimmer head to a collection container for cuttings mounted distally on the housing. An impeller wheel driven by the trimmer motor causes air to flow under positive pressure from the region surrounding the trimmer head through the housing air passage to eventually deliver the trimmer cuttings to the collection container. A dual, axially adjustable trimmer head assembly also is provided to more efficiently cut grass, weeds, etc. into small pieces capable of being easily transferred to the collection container.

Abstract: An apparatus connectable toward a downstream end of an agricultural combine for uniformly distributing residue material over a broad area. The apparatus is rotatable within a housing and about an axis extending generally parallel to a longuitudinal axis of the combine for distributing residue material from opposite sides of the combine. In those combines that use a cleaning system including a blower for directing a stream of air rearwardly toward a discharge end of the combine, the apparatus of the present invention accepts the stream of cleaning air from the blower and redirects or turns the air along with the residue material entrained therewith outwardly from opposite sides of the combine to broadly distribute the residue under the influence of an air flow thereby projecting the residue material over a broad area with uniformity.

Abstract: A mower clipping collection system for a riding mower comprises a collector housing having an interior collection chamber and having an interior cylindrical wall forming a cylindrical separation chamber positioned above and in communication with the collection chamber. A clipping transfer conduit extends from the mower deck and is mounted tangentially with respect to the cylindrical wall of the collector housing such that mower clippings, entrained in a stream of air exiting the mower, are blown tangentially into the separation chamber through an opening in the cylindrical wall. The collector housing includes a floor which slopes downward to a clipping dump opening extending across a rear side of the housing. A door is pivotally mounted to the collector housing across the clipping dump opening and moveable in and out of covering relationship therewith by a door operating assembly engageable by an operator while seated on the mower.

Abstract: A lawn mower is provided having a chassis, a mower deck dependent from the chassis, having a chute for discharging clippings generally in a first direction onto the ground; and a blower assembly mounted to the chassis on the same side as the chute, and having an outlet oriented such that a stream of air from the blower extends along a second direction and intersects the clippings discharged from the chute in the first direction and redisperses the clippings over an area greater than that achieved by the mower deck alone.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the problem of chopping, drying and compressing into pellets--which shall be used especially as a fuel--freshly harvested biomass, especially cereal plants, in one operation. The chopped stalk material is moved forward for this purpose according to the present invention over a broad surface in a thin layer (32) in the manner of an accordion, while a warm air flow passes through it, before the stalk material is fed into the intake wedge of a pelletizing device (15). Screw conveyor groups (11, 12, 13) arranged at different levels are preferably used as the conveying means, and their direction of conveyance (23) is at right angles to the direction of travel (24) of the harvester (1), whereas the gaseous heating medium flows through the layers (32) being conveyed vertically (29) from bottom to top.

Abstract: A belt driven auxiliary blower is provided for use with rotary mower decks used in wet and difficult cutting conditions. The blower is pivotally and slidably attachable to the deck for ease of installation and removal. It includes a quick release latch mechanism that allows it to swing open for cleanout or service. A lockable tensioner is provided that permits clean out of the impeller, quick replacement of the belt or removal of the blower when its use is not desired. The blower impeller also rotates in a direction that complements the flow of the cut material being discharged to minimize blockages in the impeller chamber.

Abstract: A detachable and swingable blower is provided for use with rotary mower decks. The blower is slidably and pivotally mountable on the deck, allowing it to quickly be swung open. A hand activated quick release latch mechanism serves to secure the blower with the mower deck and facilitates quick and easy access to the blower inlet for cleanout and/or service.

Abstract: A lawn tractor has an engine with a vertical output shaft, front wheels and rear wheels, a body frame extending longitudinally of the tractor, a mower unit supported by the body frame, a grass catcher supported the by body frame, a blower unit supported by the body frame, and a duct for transporting grass clippings cut by the mower unit into the grass catcher. The duct includes a first duct portion extending between the mower unit and the blower unit, and a second duct portion extending between the blower unit and the grass catcher. The mower unit has a vertical mower drive shaft for receiving engine power. The blower unit has a vertical blower input shaft for receiving engine power. An intermediate shaft is disposed between the mower unit and blower unit. The intermediate shaft has a first, a second and a third pulleys mounted thereon. The first pulley is drivably connected to the engine output shaft. The second pulley is drivably connected to the mower drive shaft.

Abstract: A lawn tractor has an engine, front wheels and rear wheels, a body frame extending longitudinally of the tractor, a mower unit supported by the body frame, a grass catcher supported by the body frame, a blower unit supported by the body frame, and a duct for transporting grass clippings cut by the mower unit into the grass catcher. The duct includes a first duct portion extending between the mower unit and the blower unit, and a second duct portion extending between the blower unit and the grass catcher. An output shaft of the engine, an input shaft of the mower unit and an input shaft of the blower unit all extend vertically. The engine output shaft, mower input shaft and blower input shaft are arranged inwardly of the rear wheels in the transverse direction of the body frame and substantially linearly in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: A picking system for cranberries or similar small berries carried on vines lying across the ground includes a plurality of tines arranged as an array across the picking system transverse to the direction of movement. The tines include a vertical portion, a curved section and a horizontal front portion projecting forwardly. The tines are reciprocated by a cam action behind the vertical portion. Each tine has a vertical slot along its center line through which passes a stationary blade with a hooked upper end so that the movement of the tine provides a scissors action with the stationary blade. A suction duct is positioned directly above the horizontal front portion to draw the collected berries vertically upwardly for collection. An air jet nozzle is positioned at the front of the suction duct with an air jet projecting downwardly and rearwardly to hold berries onto the horizontal portion.

Abstract: A mulcher for grass and leaves utilizing a hammer mill to finely shear the clippings from a riding lawn mower, into a mulch. Grass is fed from the mower-deck of a lawn mower into a centrifugal fan containing a paddle-wheel style impeller. The clippings pass through the rotating impeller, and then are blown into a hammer mill where they are finely chopped before being deposited upon the ground. The hammer mill and blower are powered by a motor or a gear box mechanically connected to the power take-off of a tractor.

Abstract: This invention provides an indicator means for a grass mower to detect blockages of a duct used to transport clippings from a mower head to a storage container. The indicator is mounted on the duct and is responsive to air flow rate in the duct thereby indicating any reduction of air flow rate from a predetermined normal flow rate and therefore when a blockage is occurring so that the operator can take actions to prevent it.

Abstract: Cotton harvester structure including centrally located, transversely mounted engine, rear mounted water and fuel tanks, and transversely centered conveyor fan having an upper, forwardly extending outlet located just below the level of the cab floor for improved weight distribution, air hose routing and air flow. The fan rotates about a transversely extending axis parallel to the engine crankshaft axis. The crankshaft and fan are connected by a belt and sheave assembly having an electric clutch mounted on a shaft assembly and located outside of the frame. The shaft assembly provides fan support, separates the fan inlet from the clutch, reduces lubrication requirements, and enhances accessibility.

Abstract: A lawn edger generates a forced air stream which is divided into two separate air paths, one path discharging a first forced air stream behind a cutting blade of the edger to direct clippings generated by the cutter blade away from the edger and the underlying surface and a second path in which a second forced air stream is discharged in front of the cutter blade to clear the surface over which the edger is moved of debris. In an alternate embodiment, exhaust gasses from the drive motor are directed by a conduit into the two separate air paths.

Abstract: A machine for harvesting foodstuffs, such as nuts from the ground, uses compressed air passing through at least one venturi to create a vacuum at the inlet of a pickup conduit. Nuts are sucked into the pickup conduit which provides a straight flow path for the nuts. Compressed air is also discharged near the pickup conduit inlet to blow nuts to the inlet of the pickup conduit. Additionally, the machine discharges air from laterally extending blower arms to move nuts from obstacles which cannot be easily reached by the pickup conduit to locations where the foodstuffs can be reached by the pickup conduit.

Abstract: Device for cutting, picking up, and for temporarily storing grass or similar products with a view to transporting the stored product to a site for further processing. The device is integrally mounted to a vehicle so that it may be moved over an area of grass to be cut. The device includes a cutting head to cut and to take-up the lawn clippings. The cutting head is connected to first and second transfer pipes utilized to direct the cut grass to the interior of a storage enclosure. A turbine is horizontally mounted under the storage enclosure between the first and second transfer pipes and is dissociated from the cutting head. The turbine provides suction inside the first pipe so that cut grass may be moved from the cutting head toward the turbine. A turbine wheel with blades moves the cut grass tangentially into the second pipe which is integrated with the storage enclosure so as to direct the flow of cut grass into the enclosure.

Abstract: An anti-wrap structure is provided for the bearing support of a blower fan blade carried at the edge of a multi-spindle mower deck. The blower fan shaft is supported at one end with the fan carried at its other end to facilitate improved material flow to and through the blower. On bearing support for the shaft is carried within the blower fan chamber to narrow its width and minimize the difficulty in cutting close to obstacles. Surrounding the bearing within the housing is the anti-wrap structure to protect the bearing against trash accumulation and blower clogs.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a blade housing enclosing grass cutting blades and having a lateral discharge opening, a blower unit connected to the discharge opening, and a duct connected to the blower unit for transporting grass clippings to a grass catcher. The blower unit includes an elbow-like lower blower housing connected to the blade housing, an upper blower housing having a substantially vertical cylindrical side wall connected to the duct, and an impeller mounted in the upper blower housing to be rotatable about a vertical axis. The impeller has a plane of rotation above a plane of rotation of the blades. The lower blower housing includes a flange for connection to the upper blower housing. The flange has an opening elongated in a direction along a passage defined by the two blower housings. This opening has width approximately half of the diameter of the impeller.

Abstract: A self-propelled compost windrow turning and aerating machine includes a longitudinally extending vehicle main frame supported on a pair of front wheels and a rear castered wheel. An upper longitudinally extending subframe is swingably supported from the rear end of the main frame to raise and lower the front end of the subframe relative to the main frame. A blower housing mounted on the subframe has a material admitting opening leading to a rotary fan provided in the housing, the blower housing having a discharge opening with a spout for directing material blown out of the housing. Material debridging and feeding mechanism supported on the subframe in advance of the blower housing removes material from a compost windrow and delivers it to the material admitting opening, and an engine drive system powers the front wheels, the fan, and the material debridging and feeding mechanism.

Abstract: A discharge conveyor system for a cotton harvester which removes a commingled mixture of ripe and green bolls from cotton plants during a harvesting operation. The discharge conveying system includes duct structure having an inlet arranged proximate to an outlet on a harvesting head assembly from which the commingled mixture of harvested materials pass. An air system directs an air stream through the duct structure such that ripe or lighter bolls are drawn into the duct structure while heavier or green bolls fall from the outlet of the harvesting head assembly. A basket is mounted on the harvester for receiving the green bolls and includes a floor comprised of a plurality of louvers which combine with each other, in one position, to hold green bolls in the basket, and are movable to a second position wherein the louvers are arranged relative to each other for purposes of boll discharge.

Abstract: A leaf and vegetation shredder is formed by a power driven rotary blade cupped fan rotating in a fan housing connected in trailer fashion with a riding rotary lawn mower and operatively connected with the lawn mower vegetation discharge opening for increasing the air blast through the fan housing. Friction bars on the fan blades and an arc of the fan housing wall shred leaves and vegetation centrifugally forced therebetween.

Abstract: A riding mower is provided having a generally conventional engine, seat, frame, cutting deck and hydrostatic transmission. The cutting deck may be vertically adjusted for a plurality of cutting height settings, and may be locked in its uppermost setting and returned to the pre-selected cutting height, by selective operation of a foot-operated pedal. Linkage connects the pedal to the deck and to a variable-height adjustment link. A transmission speed control includes a handle protruding upwardly adjacent the seat, connected to a transverse control rod with a distal end operatively secured to the conventional speed adjustment mechanism of the transmission. Positioned adjacent the distal end of the control rod is a friction-generating device which engages the rod and prevents unintentional movement thereof. A grass collection bag is included with a blower mounted on the cutting deck for providind an enhanced airflow from the cutting deck through the duct leading to the bag.

Abstract: In the combination of a rotary lawn mower, an improved mounting for an air impermeable bag is disclosed. The standard rotary lawn mower includes a rotating blade for cutting and blowing grass upwardly, a housing overlying the ground and surrounding the rotating blade for confining the upwardly blown cut grass about the rotating blade, a discharge aperture defined by the housing for permitting the upwardly blown grass to be discharged from the housing in a confined stream of air and cut grass, and an exhaust aperture from the bag for permitting air discharge from the air impermeable bag. The improved mounting for the air impermeable bag includes an underlying support attached to and supported over the ground from the rotatory lawn mower for receiving from above the air impermeable bag and supporting the bag above the ground. A bag stabilizing member fastens to the upper end of the bag at one end and is hinged with respect to the lawn mower at the mount for movement towards and away from the mount.

Abstract: The attachment is mounted on the combine near the chaff discharge outlet and includes a transverse trough positioned to receive chaff particles issuing from the outlet. A powerful, fast-moving stream of air introduced into the trough near its center is split into two oppositely moving streams directed toward opposite ends of the trough so that the chaff particles become entrained in the streams and propelled to outboard locations before dropping to the ground in a dispersed and scattered condition.

Abstract: A two-axle four-wheel power vehicle is equipped between the front and rear wheels with a mower which comprises a plurality of cutters each rotatable about a vertical axis. The cutters are power-driven, and the clippings of grass thereby cut are discharged from an opening provided at one side of the vehicle body. The discharge opening is provided with an impeller power-driven about a lateral axis for transferring the discharged grass clippings through a duct to a collection box attached to the vehicle.

Abstract: A driven cylinder mower comprises a mower body 101 and a grass box. An electric motor drives a cutter assembly 202, and also a turbo fan drawing air through an opening 207, both mounted in the body. The grass box has a mouth 204 over the cutters and an opening 302 which mates with the opening 207 in the mower body, and through which the turbo fan sucks air from the cutting region through the grass box. The air from the turbo fan may be discharged within a skirt on the underside of the mower body to assist in supporting the mower above the ground. This skirt, and the land wheels and rear roller, lie behind the cutters, so as to avoid flattening the grass before it reaches the cutters. The land wheels are preferably inset, so that they run only on cut grass.

Abstract: An electrically or petrol driven cylinder mower comprises a mower body 101 and a grass box. An electric motor or petrol engine drives a cutter assembly 202, and also a turbo fan drawing air through an opening 207, both mounted in the body. The grass box has a mouth 204 over the cutters and an opening 302 which mates with the opening 207 in the mower body, and through which the turbo fan sucks air from the cutting region through the grass box.The air from the turbo fan is discharged within a skirt on the underside of the mower body to assist in supporting the mower above the ground. This skirt, and the land wheels and rear roller, lie behind the cutters, so as to avoid flattening the grass before it reaches the cutters. The land wheels are preferably inset, so that they run only on cut grass.

Abstract: A cotton harvester includes air diverting structure for selectively directing air from the air duct structure over the top of the cotton harvester basket to blow away accumulated trash. The upper portion of the air duct is moveable from a normal operating position wherein cotton is directed into the basket, to a cleaning position wherein high velocity air from the duct is directed over the surface of the basket by an air deflector located at the upper forward end of the basket. When no cotton is being picked, such as during turns at the end of the field, the duct is moved from the operating position to the cleaning position to clear the trash from the basket surfaces. In another embodiment of the invention, a barrier in the form of either a brush or a pivoting element located on the dump side of the basket catches debris that would otherwise fall into the cotton receiving receptacle.

Abstract: A cotton conveying structure for a laterally movable cotton harvesting unit of a cotton harvester. The cotton conveying structure comprises a cotton receiving assembly and a duct structure. The cotton receiving assembly vertically moves with and is inhibited against lateral movement to a tool bar assembly on which the harvesting unit is supported for lateral movement. The cotton receiving assembly includes first and second conveying sections which remain integrally connected to each other while allowing relative lateral movement of the harvesting unit from a harvesting position to permit servicing thereof. By inhibiting its lateral movement, the cotton receiving assembly is aligned in a cotton conveying relationship with and when the harvesting unit is returned to its harvesting position.

Abstract: A shredder attachment for use with lawn machines having vacuum or fan movement of shreddable material. The attachment comprises a frame suitably sized and shaped to be substantially mounted inside a conduit of a lawn machine. The attachment further comprises a cutter for cutting material passing through the conduit and a motor for driving the cutter. The attachment can be used in such lawn machines as a discharge conduit for a riding mower bagging system, an auxiliary cutter for a walk behind mower or a hand-held leaf vacuum.

Abstract: A lawn mower comprising a blade housing supported above the ground by wheels, and a blower case removably connected to one lateral side of the blade housing for blowing grass clippings toward a grass catcher disposed rearwardly of a vehicle body. The blade housing carries wheel support frames secured thereto and extending in a fore and aft direction of the vehicle body. A forward coupling and a rear coupling are secured to one of the wheel support frames for connecting the blower case to the blade housing.

Abstract: A riding lawn mower comprises a frame supported by wheels, a mower housing carried at the underside of the frame, a plurality of cutter blades located within the mower housing to cut grass, a collection bag mounted on the rear of the frame, a discharge chute extending between the mower housing and the collection bag and defining a clipping path from the cutter blades into the collection bag, a blower including an impeller housing attached to the mower housing and an impeller located within the impeller housing and cooperating with the butter blades to convey the grass clippings into the collection bag through the discharge chute. A short conduit connects the impeller housing to the upstream end of the discharge chute to conduct an air generated by the impeller into the discharge chute. A central axis of the conduit is offset downwardly from a central axis of the discharge chute.

Abstract: A lawn mower comprising a mower unit including a mower housing defining a grass clipping side discharge opening, and a blower connected to the mower housing for communication with the discharge opening. The mower housing contains rotary cutting blades driven by a vertical drive shaft. The blower includes a blower case, a blower shaft extending substantially horizontally through the blower case toward the mower housing, and a blower fan mounted on the blower shaft inside the blower case. The blower shaft is operative connected through a shaft transmission device provided on the mower housing to a PTO shaft which receives power from the drive shaft through a bevel gear pair.

Abstract: A power vehicle is equipped with a mower which has cutters, a clipping passage for transporting grass clippings therethrough to one side of the mower, and an impeller accommodated in a housing and mounted on a lateral shaft. The housing has an outer side plate supporting the shaft and positioned closer to the center of the vehicle at its rear end than at its front end and is thereby diminished in the amount of projection. The impeller is driven by a shaft transmission coupled to a belt transmission for driving the cutters and by a belting transmission. The belting transmission includes a pulley coupled to the shaft transmission, a pulley attached to the outer end of the lateral shaft, and a belt reeved around the pulleys and drivingly movable in parallel to the outer side plate of the housing outside thereof.

Abstract: An air system for a cotton harvester having a harvester mechanism including a doffer assembly which forcibly directs doffed cotton toward a discharge compartment arranged on the cotton harvester. The air system of the present invention provides an elongated member which directs a stream of air rearwardly from the doffer assembly in a manner inhibiting doffed cotton from repeating around the doffer assembly. The air system of the present invention further contemplates directing a column of air downwardly behind the doffer assembly to positively evacuate an upper end of the discharge compartment and inhibit rebounding cotton from repeating around the doffer assembly. The air system of the present invention is especially useful for handling of harvested cotton in damp or high yield cotton conditions.

Abstract: A cane harvester cleaning system for removing dirt and trash from cane billets, including a cleaning chamber. Cane billets mixed with trash are conveyed into an upper portion of the cleaning chamber. A fan and air duct are provided to blow air into the cleaning chamber and up through cane billets. A trash discharge is provided on the upper portion of the cleaning chamber to direct air from the fan and entrained trash out of the cleaning chamber. Cleaned cane billets pass out the lower portion of the cleaning chamber and into a discharge conveyor.

Abstract: A chaff spreader for attachment to a combine includes a pair of spaced circular mounting rings, each having a fan rotatably mounted therein. An elongated drive shaft extends between the fans and is connected to a belt and pulled drive system for rotating the fans. A semi-cylindrical shroud is secured between the mounting rings and partially surrounds the fans. An open side wall portion of the shroud is directed forwardly toward the sieve of the combine for inducting chaff through the fans and laterally outwardly from the combine. The belt and pulley drive system is connected to a pulley on a straw chopper section of the combine. In a second embodiment, a generator driven light is mounted on the combine, adjacent the fans to serve as a warning to indicate fan rotation. The shaft spreader collects chaff through a suction effect created by the fans and spreads chaff evenly across the width of the cut, eliminating the toxic effect to seedlings growing through a concentration of chaff residue.

Abstract: An ensilage harvester blower is provided with a deflector which directs crop material discharged from the blower along a path which intersects a curved, crop direction changing, discharge spout wall surface area at a shallow angle so as to minimize the normal forces exerted by the discharged material on the wall surface area.

Abstract: A power lawn mower has a cutter blade mounted on a vertical output shaft driven by an engine and extending substantially horizontally, and a housing covering the cutter blade. The power lawn mower has a throw-out plate for throwing out the grass cut by the cutter blade, the throw-out plate being mounted on the output shaft above the cutter blade within the housing and extending substantially horizontally. The throw-out plate is angularly spaced from the cutter blade and positioned therebehind in the direction of rotation of the throw-out plate. The throw-out plate is shorter than the cutter blade and substantially flat. The throw-out plate includes a throw-out arm having a leading edge in the direction of rotation thereof and curved progresively rearwardly in the same direction from a proximal end of the throw-out arm to a radially outward end thereof.

Abstract: An arrangement for preventing clogging of particulate material flowing through a curved section in a tubular duct or chute employs an air manifold operatively associated with the duct or chute and having an elongated discharge orifice positioned to discharge a wall of pressurized air along the internal concave duct surface so as to create positive laminar air flow along the curved surface and prevent stagnation and clogging of the particulate material. In a preferred embodiment, mutually cooperating auxiliary air discharge openings in the manifold and duct effect laminar air flow over other internal surface areas of the duct within the curved section. The anti-clogging arrangement finds particular application in grass mowers and the like wherein clippings tend to clog within curved sections of chutes through which the clippings pass to a receptacle.

Abstract: In a mower deck and auxiliary blower combination in which the mower deck has a side discharge and the blower has a housing with an inlet in communication with the discharge, an elongated horizontal socket is provided on the deck and a matching rod dimensioned closely to mate with the socket is fixed on the blower so that when the rod is inserted in the socket, the housing will be supported in cantilever fashion on the mower deck. Offset from the socket and matching rod joint is a shoulder on the mower deck that underlies a shoulder on the housing and a verticle pin extends through the portion of the housing and the portion of the deck at said shoulders and detachably connects the housing end to the deck. Removal of the pin makes removal of the entire blower a mere sliding action as the rod is moved outwardly from its socket.