Abstract: Various embodiments of a grounds maintenance vehicle are described herein. The vehicle includes a frame and an implement connected to the frame. The implement includes a housing, a first spindle pulley, and a second spindle pulley. The vehicle further includes a power system having a prime mover and an implement drive system. The implement drive system includes a drive pulley connected to the prime mover, an idler pulley, and an endless belt engaging the drive pulley, the idler pulley, the first spindle pulley, and the second spindle pulley. A first longitudinal distance between an idler pulley axis and a drive pulley axis is greater than a second longitudinal distance between a first spindle pulley axis and the drive pulley axis and a third longitudinal distance between a second spindle pulley axis and the drive pulley axis.

Abstract: A system for sensing harvested crop levels within a crop tank of an agricultural harvester includes a tank cover section movable between an open position and a covered position relative to an opening of the crop tank. The system includes a sensor array including crop level sensors configured to capture data indicative of a crop level of harvested crop. The sensor array is supported, at least in part, relative to the crop tank such that the sensor array is configured to have a first orientation when the tank cover section is in the covered position and a second orientation when the tank cover section is in the open position. The sensor array defines a first vertical dimension when the sensor array is disposed in the first orientation that is less than a second vertical dimension defined by the sensor array when the sensor array is disposed in the second orientation.

Abstract: An attachment system for attaching a crop saving accessory to a cutting header where the cutting header comprises a knife mounted along a lower front edge thereof and a discharge opening in a middle rear portion thereof. The header cuts plants and moves the plants laterally to the discharge opening where the plants move rearward through the discharge opening. The system comprises an accessory engagement mechanism on a rear portion of the crop saving accessory configured to engage a header engagement mechanism mounted on the cutting header. A first end of a tether is attached to the crop saving accessory and a second end of the tether is adapted for attachment to a tether location on the cutting header. The tether is configured such that when the accessory engagement mechanism is disengaged from the header engagement mechanism, the tether prevents the crop saving accessory from moving through the discharge opening.

Abstract: A louver position sensing system for a sieve and chaffer of a combine harvester. One system provides that at least one sensor is in actual, physical contact with one or more louvers of the sieve and chaffer. Another system provides that a one or more magnet holders are mounted on louvers and, spaced away, sensors sense magnets in the magnet holders to determine the rotational position of the louvers. Either system allows for accurate, on-the-fly adjustment of the louvers in order to maximize the efficiency of operation of the sieve and chaffer. Preferably, the sensing systems are configured such that sensed position of the louvers is broadcast on the CAN bus of the combine harvester. As a result, the position information can be used to dynamically adjust the openings between the louvers of the sieve and chaffer to achieve more efficient grain cleaning as the machine and field variables change.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header includes a reel for controlling movement of the crop in the area over the cutter bar to the transport draper carried on two reel mounting arms for upward and downward movement and for moving the reel forwardly and rearwardly along the respective reel mounting arm. The reel has a plurality of reel bats with reel fingers projecting generally radially outwardly from the reel axis where the reel bats are pivotal to vary the angle of the finger driven by a cam track member. An adjustment component defined by a follower in a guide track along one of the arms is responsive to movement of the reel along the arm which causes the cam track member to be angularly advanced and retarded about the reel axis to different adjustment angles in dependence upon the position of the reel along the mounting arms.

Abstract: A feederhouse assembly for an agricultural harvester includes a frame, a header lock pin, a biasing member coupled to the frame and the header lock pin, and a latch coupled to the frame and the header lock pin. The biasing member is configured to urge the header lock pin outward to lock a harvesting header to the frame. A rotatable latch in a first positron protrudes from the frame and retains the header lock pin in an inward positron. The latch in a second position permits the header lock pin to travel outward. A method includes applying a force from a harvesting header on a latch protruding from a frame of a feederhouse, pushing the latch to release a header lock pin from an inward position, and urging the header lock pin outward to lock the harvesting header to the frame.

Abstract: A small push-type lawn mower that can be converted into a stand-on riding mower. The mower includes a platform at the rear of the mower deck, and a handle assembly that can be pivoted forwardly making room for a user to step onto the platform. The handle assembly includes controls that drive electric motors that power the rear wheels allowing the user to ride the mower. The handle assembly can be pivoted rearwardly so that the user can access and grab the handle assembly and push the mower while walking behind.

Abstract: A sorghum cutting header and a sorghum harvester with large feed volume and multiple reeling pans includes a reeling header, a rod crushing device, and a reciprocating cutter device. The rod crushing device is located under the reeling header. The reeling header includes reeling pans, frame rods, bearing seats, reeling pan shafts, tandem shafts, and tandem shaft bearing seats. The reeling pan shafts are installed in parallel on the frame rod through bearing seats. The adjacent reeling pan shafts are in transmission connection, and at least one reeling pan shaft is in transmission connection with the power device. An inner part of any reeling pan shaft penetrates the tandem shafts. Both ends of the tandem shafts are supported on the frame rods, and one end of the tandem shafts is fixed on the tandem shaft bearing seats. The reeling pans are mounted on any reeling pan shaft.

Abstract: Garden tools are provided to enable easier gardening with increased gardening and landscaping functionality. The garden tools allow the passing of material through the tool to enable improved landscaping. Certain garden tools include gratings to sift material. Certain garden tools allow material to pass through to allow easier performance of the desired gardening or landscaping function.

Abstract: A dredge head assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes: a shroud having a generally open bottom end and a top end; a screen structure covering the generally open bottom end of the shroud; a suction pipe with a first end connected to the top end of the shroud and a second end configured to be operatively connected with a pump which induces suction; a handle connected to and extending from the shroud and having at least one grasping portion; and one or more vacuum relief valve assemblies, each comprising a valve, at least one opening configured to be in communication with water, and an actuation mechanism positioned to be accessible to a diver. Dredging systems and methods of dredging are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gardening tool, such as a mower, has a main body having an accessory, such as a mowing blade, and a motor for driving the accessory. A handle is rotatably connected to the main body. At least one operation assembly is associated with the handle for being operated by a user to control the motor when the handle is located in a predetermined position. A control system prevents the motor from being controlled by the operation assembly and halts the motor when the handle is located out of the predetermined position.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a mower frame with a first connection point and a second connection point spaced apart from the first connection point. The lawn mower also includes a prime mover supported by the mower frame forward of the first and second connection points, a mower deck mounted to the mower frame, a cutting blade mounted below the mower deck, and an accessory releasably coupled to the mower frame. The accessory includes a first linkage member that extends from the accessory toward the first connection point, and a second linkage member that extends from the accessory toward the second connection point. A hook is coupled to an end of the first linkage member and engages the first connection point. A latch is coupled to an end of the second linkage member and is operable to engage the second connection point to selectively secure the accessory to the mower frame.

Abstract: A grounds maintenance vehicle has a vehicle frame defining a column opening having a first end and a second end. An implement is coupled to the vehicle frame. A height adjustment column has a base and distal end, where the base is fixed to the implement. The distal end of the height adjustment column extends through the column opening from the first end beyond the second end. The height adjustment column defines a first locking structure and a plurality of height setting locations. A height selection tool is couplable to the height adjustment column and is translatable to each of the plurality of height setting locations. A second locking structure is coupled to the vehicle frame, where the second locking structure is configured to releasably engage the first locking structure such that the plurality of height setting locations are positioned beyond the second end of the column opening.

Abstract: A forage harvester includes a shear bar and a panel that directs the crop material downstream of the shear bar. A processing component is disposed downstream of the panel. An impact sensor is coupled to the shear bar and operable to detect data related to a magnitude of a force applied to the shear bar. The panel is moveable from a first position to a second position. The first position of the panel forms a channel for directing the crop material in the direction of crop processing along a first path toward the processing component. The second position of the panel alters the channel to direct the crop material along an alternative path not including the processing component. In response to a sufficiently high impact force applied to the shear bar by debris moving with the crop material, the panel is moved from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A cutting attachment includes a mounting bracket and a cutting deck. The mounting bracket is configured to couple to at least one hydraulic arm of a tractor or excavator. The cutting deck is coupled to the mounting bracket. The cutting deck includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a motor coupled to the inner surface, a blade carrier coupled to the outer surface and rotatable by the motor, and at least one blade coupled to the blade carrier.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a crop merger system for a harvester. The system includes a frame, first and second rollers mounted to the frame, and a belt disposed over the first and second rollers. The system includes a motor operably coupled to and configured to rotate the second roller. The system includes a controller configured to electronically receive as input a desired speed of the belt. The system includes a sensor configured to detect a measured characteristic associated with the crop merger system, and electronically transmit the measured characteristic to the controller. The controller is configured to determine a measured speed of the belt based on the measured characteristic, and if the desired speed and the measured speed are unequal, the controller is configured to regulate the motor to adjust a speed of the belt to be substantially equal to the desired speed.

Abstract: A mulching insert for use with a lawn mower having a frame and a cutting deck supported by the frame, includes a molded, single-piece body configured to be received in the cutting deck. The body includes an attachment portion that is configured to be engaged by a portion of the lawn mower to removably mount the body to the cutting deck. The body defines a mulching chamber within the cutting deck that provides clearance for a cutting blade of the lawn mower.

Abstract: A low-energy blade system having a quick-change attachment for a lawn maintenance tool is provided. The low-energy blade system requires a reduced amount of energy to rotate the blade system. The blade system includes a shell, a mounting plate attached to the shell, a plurality of quick-attach mechanisms, and a separate cutting blade attachable to each of the quick-attach mechanisms. Each quick-attach mechanism allows a cutting blade to be attached to the mounting plate without the need for external tools, such as screwdriver, wrench, ratchet, or the like.

Abstract: A header has a position controlled gauge wheel that is controlled using a position actuator. The position actuator is locked when the gauge wheel is in a selected position, relative to a mainframe of the header. An operator input, changing the position of the header, is detected and the position actuator is unlocked to accommodate movement of the header, based on the detected operator input signal.

Abstract: A sickle knife drive for an agricultural vehicle generally includes a first pump, a first motor, a second motor and a drive manifold having a plurality of connections used for connecting to other devices of the sickle knife drive and/or to devices outside of the sickle knife drive. Operation of the first pump in a forward direction causes the first motor to drive a sickle knife gearbox to cut a crop. During the forward direction, the second motor provides cooling to the fluid circuit. When the first pump direction is reversed, the agricultural vehicle supplements a fluid flow to the fluid circuit to clear any jammed crop from the sickle knives.