Abstract: A reciprocating mower unit (14) comprises a reduction gear (54) and a crank mechanism (56) arranged within a housing (24). The reduction gear (54) receives input rotary motion from a transmission shaft at a first, relatively higher, rotation speed, and deliver an output rotary motion to a gear output shaft (58) at a second, relatively lower, rotation speed, whereas the crank mechanism (56) converts the output rotary motion of the gear output shaft (58) to an oscillating, anti-phase motion of a pair of mowing blades (32a, 32b) about a common oscillation axis (A1). The reciprocating mower unit (14) comprises an input shaft (48) provided with a coupling interface (49) for releasably coupling the input shaft (48) to the transmission shaft.

Abstract: Bridge systems and methods for constructing bridges having overhang surfaces employing generally rectangular, precast, prestressed concrete panels. One method includes delivering a plurality of generally rectangular, precast, prestressed concrete panels to an installation site, and delivering one or more support beams to the installation site, each support beam having a support and a base. The concrete panels are positioned on the supports of the one or more support beams with an overhang panel section and a traffic panel section. The concrete panels are then connected to the support beams by positioning steel reinforcement in block outs or voids, pouring unsolidified concrete into the voids, and curing the unsolidified concrete to form an overhang traffic surface. Bridges constructed employing the precast, prestressed concrete panels and methods. Other bridge systems employ prestressed concrete L-walls and double-T members, where weight-bearing L-walls have pockets for webs of the double-T members.

Abstract: A height of cut adjustment system for a rough, trim and surround mower deck includes a first height of cut linkage on a left side of the mower deck and a second height of cut linkage on a right side of the mower deck. A connecting rod extends transversely across a top of each mower deck to connect the pair of height of cut linkages together. A height of cut adjustment lever may be secured to the connecting rod. The height of cut adjustment lever may have teeth that engage notches in a pivot plate at each selected height of cut.

Abstract: A device for inserting dowel bars, the device having at least one floor plate, and the at least one floor plate defines a slot. One or more bar holders are provided, and the one or more bar holders are positioned above the slot defined within the at least one floor plate. The one or more bar holders are capable of holding a dowel bar, but the one or more bar holders are capable of allowing the dowel bar to move through the slot defined within the at least one floor plate when the dowel bar is pushed. The device has at least one fork movable longitudinally with respect to the at least one floor plate. Additionally, the device moves in a forward direction over a newly formed concrete slab, and the fork is capable of being lowered to push a dowel bar downward into the newly formed concrete slab.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for detecting crop levels within an agricultural harvester may include an elevator extending between a proximal end and a distal end, with the elevator being configured to carry harvested crops between the proximal end of the elevator and the distal end of the elevator. The system may also include a crop level sensor provided in operative association with the elevator. The crop level sensor may include a sensor body and a paddle pivotably coupled to the sensor body such that the paddle is configured to pivot relative to the sensor body when a crop level of the harvested crops conveyed by the elevator exceeds a threshold crop.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a configuration of a bale chute of a baler and, particularly, a square baler are disclosed. In some implementations, methods include determining a condition of a baler to determine whether a bale chute of the baler is to be extended or retracted.

Abstract: A mower including a handle assembly and a grip coupled to the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a cross member. The grip is moveable longitudinally relative to the cross member. The mower also includes a sensor operable to generate an output signal based on a position of the grip relative to the cross member, and a drive assembly configured to operate based on the output signal.

Abstract: A subsurface warming system for an athletic field supplies positive pressurization to a particulate subsurface via a piping network with pipes that have openings. The system enables control of the temperature of the supplied air by varying the flow resistance at an output end of a constant air supply source, such as a positive displacement blower. By increasing the flow resistance at the output end of the blower, with a variably controllable valve equipped with a modulating actuator, the operating temperature of the blower increases and thereby causes a corresponding increase in the temperature of the air supplied therefrom. By varying the flow resistance, as needed, a user can vary the temperature of the air supplied to the piping network and eventually to the subsurface, to allow the problem associated with freezing of the subsurface during the winter season, for an athletic field that may be an artificial turf.

Abstract: A walk power mower has a deck with an upwardly and rearwardly extending handle behind which a user walks when operating the mower. The mower is self-propelled by a variable speed traction drive. The handle includes a slidable handle grip for engaging and selecting a speed of the traction drive to control the ground speed of the mower. Forward ground speed is set by pushing the handle grip forwardly on the handle from a neutral position. Reverse ground speed if available is by pulling the handle grip rearwardly from its neutral position. The handle grip follows a curved path as it moves forwardly or rearwardly to flatten the path of travel of the handle grip from the travel that would have occurred absent the curved path.

Abstract: A technique for protecting joints in pavement structures includes applying a hardener/densifier to one or more surfaces that define a joint in a pavement structure and, optionally, to portions of one or more surfaces that are located adjacent to the joint. One or more other compounds, such as hydrophobic materials, water-resistant materials, anti-scaling compounds, anti-wear compounds, multi-functional blended compositions and the like, may also be applied to the surfaces that define a joint and/or to portions of one or more surfaces that are adjacent to the joint. A seal may also be formed in a joint in a pavement structure. Joints that have been protected in accordance with teachings of this disclosure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlling a reel of a combine harvester, wherein, the system comprises a satellite positioning receiver, a driving device, a controller and a rotating speed sensor; the rotating speed sensor collects and transmits an actual rotating speed of the reel to the controller, and the controller provides the driving device with a speed regulation signal according to the actual rotating speed and the operation running speed. The rotating speed of the reel can be automatically, accurately and quickly adjusted according to the operation running speed of the combine harvester during the operation of the combine harvester, and improve the operation efficiency and quality while ensuring the crop feed quantity.

Abstract: A steel-concrete composite bridge deck slab using inverted U-shaped shear connectors and a method for constructing the same. The steel-concrete composite bridge deck slab includes a bottom steel plate and a bridge deck concrete layer, wherein inverted U-shaped perforated steel plate units are arranged on an upper surface of the bottom steel plate, and bar-mat reinforcements are arranged at upper ends of the inverted U-shaped perforated steel plate units.

Abstract: A steel-concrete composite bridge deck slab with steel tube-perfobond rib shear connectors and a method for constructing the same. The steel-concrete composite bridge deck slab structurally includes a steel bottom plate, a concrete layer, transverse perforated steel plate units provided on the steel bottom plate, steel grids arranged on upper surfaces of the transverse perforated steel plate units and longitudinal steel tubes arranged in an inserted manner on the transverse perforated steel plate units.

Abstract: The rake comprises a rake head, a handle, and a mini rake attachment. A pair of wheels may be adapted to support the weight of the rake head and to establish a travel height for the rake head. The handle may detachably couple to the rake head and may be adapted to be held by a user such that the user may push or pull the rake head over leaves. A plurality of tines located on the underside of the rake head may force the leaves to move along with the rake head. A handle length and an incidence angle of the handle may be adjustable. The mini rake attachment may couple to the handle in place of the rake head. The mini rake attachment may be operable to move the leaves away from an obstruction where the rake head does not fit.

Abstract: A paving machine can include a frame; a screed coupled to the frame; a plurality of sensors to scan a surface of an asphalt mat behind the screed; and a controller coupled to the plurality of sensors, the controller configured to determine a smoothness of the asphalt mat and to make changes to one or more paving characteristics of the paving machine to improve the smoothness of the asphalt mat.

Abstract: A walk behind lawn mower including a frame including a handle, an engine mounted to the frame, a transmission coupling the engine to a plurality of wheels, and a user interface coupled to the transmission and including a static link rigidly coupled to the handle, a forward link coupled to a forward lever and to the static link, a reverse link coupled to a reverse lever and to the static link, and a joining link coupled between the forward link and the reverse link. The user interface is actuatable between a forward configuration and a reverse configuration using a single hand.

Abstract: When spreading aggregate material onto a layer of bitumen/wet bitumen, when forming a road surface, the aggregate is commonly spread from a truck in reverse, potentially causing accidents and injuries. Safety is improved by providing a spreading vehicle that can be driven in the direction in which it is spreading the aggregate material. This is achieved by providing a second driving cab and driver controls at a location that would normally be considered the rearward end of the vehicle. The second driver cab is above a conveyor system conveying aggregate material from a hopper of the vehicle to a spreader box. The second driver cab allows the vehicle to be driven in the direction it is spreading material, by a driver who is facing the direction of travel, and who can see if the vehicle is about to hit anything or run into a worker in the surrounding area.

Abstract: A combination of a marsh buggy is coupled with a modified skid steer. The skid steer has a frame, and hydraulic lines for attaching to hydraulic driven motors for driving a track or wheeled drive system. The skid steer further having an engine and a hydraulic system, including a pump and hydraulic tank, and valves; an operator's cab positioned on the frame, said operator's cab further comprising a set of hydraulic controls connectable to the hydraulic system for controlling the drive system and a hydraulically driven lift system, including two booms, each boom comprising a first arm and a second arm, the first arm being pivotably mounted to the frame, the second arm being telescopically coupled to the first arm by a hydraulic cylinder controllable from the operator's cab. The marsh buggy includes a first and a second floatable pontoons, the two pontoons coupled together in a parallel but offset relationship.

Abstract: Structural cells and matrices using the structural cells for positioning below a hardscape that define a void space therein, the structural cells, matrices using the cells and methods of assembly allowing in one embodiment the introduction of a structural fluid such as concrete to provide an alternative structural cell and matrix product. In one embodiment a structural cell assembly is described comprising a structural cell with a plurality of legs integrally linked to a frame at a first frame end, the frame linking the legs together and the frame defining a generally flat plane with the legs extending substantially orthogonally away from the first frame end about the frame flat plane to a leg terminal end; and a separate plate engaging the legs, the separate plate comprising linked sockets, each socket engaging the leg terminal end; and/or linked sockets, each socket engaging the leg frame ends or a part thereof.

Abstract: An automatic and intelligent spraying device for traffic marking intelligent. The spraying device for traffic marking includes a fixed bottom plate, a coating storage tank, a control box provided with a controller, an armrest, a row of nozzles, a speed sensor, and a driving motor. The coating storage tank is connected with coating pipes equipped with an electromagnetic valve. The fixed bottom plate is provided with a driving motor and rotating wheels. The driving motor drives the rotating wheels to move. The speed sensor is electrically connected with the controller and the driving motor. The controller controls a speed of the driving motor according to speed information detected by the speed sensor. The controller controls the driving motor, and controls the row of nozzles to spray according to a preset spray marking and spray pattern through the electromagnetic valve.