Abstract: A suspension system for agricultural implements having at least one floating head using a four-bar linkage and permitting the floating head to accommodate variations in ground surface elevation in a lateral or transverse direction. By permitting the floating head to float, a more consistent cutting height is realized when ground surface elevation varies in a transverse direction. A main frame is provided to which the ground engaging wheels are attached. A sub-frame is connected to the main frame via the four-bar linkage. The sub-frame is pivotally attached to the arms of the four-bar linkage by spherical bearings.

Abstract: A mowing device including a disc, the disc providing a mount for at least one knife, said knife being pivotably mounted to said disc by a pivot pin, said pivot pin defining a mounting axis, such that the knife can rotate about said pivot pin between a first extended position and any retracted position, said disc being constructed of a basic material thickness and comprising a mounting surface; said mowing device including a knife adapter comprising a cylindrical aperture and a projection; said pivot pin comprising a first cylindrical section of a first diameter to fit into said cylindrical aperture in said knife adapter, and a second cylindrical section, of a second diameter, with a groove defined by a groove width and a pin section thickness at the groove of a dimension less than said second diameter; said mowing device including a retainer constructed of a material thickness equal to or less than the width of said groove, with a key-hole shaped aperture defined by a first circular section with a first insid

Abstract: A suspension system for agricultural implements having at least one floating head using a four-bar linkage and permitting the floating head to accommodate variations in ground surface elevation in a lateral or transverse direction. By permitting the floating head to float, a more consistent cutting height is realized when ground surface elevation varies in a transverse direction. A main frame is provided to which the ground engaging wheels are attached. A sub-frame is connected to the main frame via the four-bar linkage. The sub-frame is pivotally attached to the arms of the four-bar linkage by spherical bearings.

Abstract: A drive system for agricultural implements having at least one floating head and a tongue that may be disposed at various angles relative to a longitudinal angle of the implement. Two swivel gearbox assemblies are used, each comprising a first 90° gearbox rigidly attached to the implement and a second 90° gearbox that is permitted to rotate about an axis passing through one of its shafts and one of the first 90° gearbox's shaft. Because the tongue angle is variable, the drive shafts for driving the implement must take on a plurality of angles. The swiveling gearbox assemblies allow variable angles at the tongue and at the header.

Abstract: A slide frame for a baler is provided for mounting one or more accessories such as a wind guard and/or a rotor, powered or non-powered, for assisting a pickup on a baler to pick up cut crops from the ground and deliver such crops to the inlet of a baling chamber. The slide frame is mounted in such a way as to automatically space each respective accessory a predetermined place with respect to the crop pickup device.

Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.

Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.

Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.

Abstract: In a chain excavator including an excavation chain with links routed around a drive sprocket and an end idler with a base plate mounted to a link for supporting excavation implements, a stabilizing element extends rearwardly from directly behind the excavation implement in order to contact and be supported by its trailing base plate.

Abstract: A brush chipper with feed rollers and a winch has an interlock control with feed roller disabled position and a feed roller enabled position, spring loaded to the feed roller disabled position to encourage or require the use of the winch line to move it into a feed roller enable position. A winch control is provided that selects between a winch freewheel condition and winch drive condition. A connection is provided between the interlock control and winch control such that the interlock control automatically moves to the feed roller disabled position whenever the winch control is moved to the freewheel position.

Abstract: An improved feed roller assembly wherein the feed roller provides a force perpendicular to the feed direction of the brush material. In a first embodiment, cleats that are not parallel to an axis of rotation of the feed roller are affixed to a periphery of the feed roller. When the feed roller is oriented with its axis of rotation in a substantially vertical position, each cleat is arranged with its upper end ahead of its lower end, in a direction of rotation. This configuration provides a downward force on the logs or brush being fed into the chipper, thereby reducing the occurrence of bucking. In an additional embodiment, the axes of rotation of the feed rollers lean toward the outfeed end of the brush chipper.

Abstract: A mechanical control mechanism for the feed of a brush chipper is disclosed. The feed control bar has four positions: (1) forward or feed, (2) neutral, (3) reverse, and (4) stop. The hydraulic control valve has the three usual positions: (1) forward or feed, (2) neutral, (3) reverse. A function of the feed control bar is to provide the three function of the hydraulic control valve, plus the fourth in a fashion amenable to emergency situations. To these ends, the control bar has an extreme rearward position wherein the feed mechanism is stopped. The only permissible change to the stopped condition of the feed mechanism is to reverse the feed. Until a reset lever is manipulated, the hydraulic control valve cannot be put into a forward feed position.

Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.

Abstract: A baler having an inlet area for receiving netwrap wherein it is a short distance between the drum roller and the closest belt roller. The netwrap guide at bottom of baler includes a feed pan having flexible net guides that are narrower than the bale forming belts. This netwrap guide has supporting cross members underneath it but there are no cross members in close vicinity to the lower belt roller to keep excess crop from accumulating there. There is also a netwrap guide at front of the baler for feeding netwrap material into contact with the periphery of a formed bale, including a guide positioned generally above the pickup for directing crop material previously inserted into the bale formation chamber and the netwrap material away from the pickup. The baler also has a novel netwrap feeding and cutting mechanism.

Abstract: A suspension system for a tractor-drawn mower used for crops for agricultural purposes is made up of parallel links, connected at a first end to a frame and to a mowing unit at a second end. A torsion spring assembly, similar to that used for torsion axles, is used to bear a portion of the weight of the mowing unit when the mowing unit is in a lower, mowing position. All torsional stress is removed from the torsion spring when the mowing unit is in a transport position. During mowing, the weight of the mowing unit is divided up between the torsion spring and the surface of the ground. The ratio of the weight supported by the ground to that supported by the torsion spring is adjustable by an operator.

Abstract: In a chain excavator including an excavation chain with links routed around a drive sprocket and an end idler with a base plate mounted to a link for supporting excavation implements, a stabilizing element extends rearwardly from directly behind the excavation implement in order to contact and be supported by its trailing base plate.

Abstract: An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled.

Abstract: An excavating apparatus having a prime mover with a longitudinal centerline and a main frame with an engine, a ground drive system and an excavation boom operatively attached thereto wherein the excavation boom has a first end and a second end. The first end of the boom is operatively pivotally attached to the main frame along a main frame pivot axis. The main frame pivot axis is transverse to the longitudinal centerline of the prime mover. A head shaft operatively rotatably attached to the second end of said boom and is operatively pivotally attached to the second end of said boom. Also, the excavation drum is mounted onto the head shaft in a manner that the excavation drum cooperates with the excavation chain and a fixed cutter pattern of the excavation chain to stay in consistent alignment with the fixed cutter pattern of the excavation drum.

Abstract: A tub grinder includes a tub mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. A grinding member is positioned within a floor of the tub grinder. A deflection plate partially covers the floor to define a narrow trajectory area for debris being ejected from the tub. A deflection cover is secured to the frame covering the tub opening only over the deflection area.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and wrapping round bales includes a baler, arm structure, a cradle, and moving structure. The baler is for taking in a crop material, forming the crop material into a bale, and ejecting the bale. The arm structure is connected to the baler. The cradle is pivotably supported by the arm structure and is for holding the ejected bale. The cradle includes rotating structure for rotating the bale about a central axis of the bale. Moving structure is for providing relative movement between the baler and the cradle. Wrapping structure is supported by the baler and is adapted for holding wrapping material. The wrapping structure is movable around the bale and cooperates with the rotating structure to be capable of wrapping the bale with the wrapping material.