Abstract: A beater for an agricultural combine comprises an open rotor frame mounted on a drive shaft. The open frame defines a cylindrical periphery to which are mounted transversely extending mounting plates. Adjacent mounting plates define mounting channels. Replaceable crop-engaging blades are mounted in the mounting channels. The mounting plates are provided with a first upturned portion and a second upturned portion. Each replaceable blade is provided with a crop engaging portion and an integral mounting portion. The crop engaging portion of the replaceable blades is provided with first and second mounting lips. The first and second mounting lips respectively engage first and second edges on the first and second upturned portions to prevent rotation of the replaceable blade. The crop engaging portion of the replaceable blade extends outwardly from the mounting channel to engage the crop. Open gaps in the mounting channel are formed between adjacent replaceable blades.

Abstract: A pick-up rake has an elongate handle attached to a rake head. The rake head is pivotally attached to a grasping element through a connector element having first and second rake hinges. The connector element enables the grasping element to be pivoted from a stored positioned to a closed position, the connector element pivoting to enable the rake head to remain in contact with a ground surface while the grasping element moves from the stored to the closed positions, despite the pick-up rake being held at a natural 45 degree angle to the ground surface. A slider element and a slider rod cooperate to enable a user to clamp the grasping element against the rake head, thereby grasping debris therebetween and facilitating removal of the debris.

Abstract: A chaff distributor for a combine harvester or similar for the distribution of chaff, the chaff distributor (6) possesses a trough (8) with a conveyor screw (9) supported drivably therein.

Abstract: A rotary cutting deck for a mower includes a cutting deck supported by wheels at three of the four corners of the deck. The other corner of the cutting deck, namely a corner of the deck that is close to the mower, is supported by a corner suspension that lifts upwardly with a biasing force sufficient to elevate that corner of the deck above the ground. This corner suspension takes the place of the caster wheel that would normally support this corner of the deck, and thus permits the deck to be moved closer to the side of the mower, thus reducing overall mower width without decreasing the width of the cutting swath.

Abstract: A mower blade with a trailing sweeping edge that projects below the cutting edge serves to brush, cut particles deposited on the grass surface down between the grass blades and up into the air stream within the mower deck. As the cut particles are recirculated in the air stream, they are recut in a mulching action. The particles forced down between the grass blades reduce the amount of cut grass that has to be discharged. As a result, the amount of cut grass particles left on the lawn is reduced, thereby providing an improved appearance.

Abstract: A downhole drilling tractor for moving within a borehole comprises a tractor body, two packerfeet, two aft propulsion cylinders, and two forward propulsion cylinders. The body comprises aft and forward shafts and a central control assembly. The packerfeet and propulsion cylinders are slidably engaged with the tractor body. Drilling fluid can be delivered to the packerfeet to cause the packerfeet to grip onto the borehole wall. Drilling fluid can be delivered to the propulsion cylinders to selectively provide downhole or uphole hydraulic thrust to the tractor body. The tractor receives drilling fluid from a drill string extending to the surface. A system of spool valves in the control assembly controls the distribution of drilling fluid to the packerfeet and cylinders. The valve positions are controlled by motors. A programmable electronic logic component on the tractor receives control signals from the surface and feedback signals from various sensors on the tool.

Abstract: A method for connecting a fruit or nut tree to a mechanical shaker so that the shaking force is applied to the heartwood of the tree rather than to the bark and living cambium tissue of the tree, thus preventing or limiting injury to the tree.

Abstract: A shape for the central drive hole of a rotary mowing blade, such shape including two pairs of teeth extending off of a central hole substantially displaced 30° from the central axis of the mowing blade.

Abstract: A double knife section for a reciprocating sickle bar mower is provided with two knives. Each knife is provided with a base portion extending in the transverse direction and a knife portion extending in the longitudinal direction. The base portion is provided with at least two mounting holes. The knife portion is provided with two cutting edges. The knife is also provided with a series of breakage holes defining transverse breakage zones which allow a knife to break before damaging the knife guard holding the knife. The holes are sized to allow for breakage of the knife before breaking the guard.

Abstract: An end gate for a grader blade includes a first body attachable to a grader blade. A second body is provided which supports a barrier member. The second body is pivotally secured to the first body for movement between a lowered operative position and a raised transport position. Upon the barrier member sustaining an impact when in the lowered operative position, the second body pivots to the raised transport position thereby reducing damage to the barrier member resulting from the impact.

Abstract: An aquatic shredder includes a watercraft and a pair of large, high speed propellers mounted at both the bow and stern ends of the watercraft. The propellers are configured to not only propel the watercraft through the water but also to chop vegetation at or near the water surface. Moreover, the bow propellers are similar in construction to the stern propellers so that they similarly effect comminution of the vegetation and propulsion of the watercraft. In particular, each pair of propellers extends completely across the width of the watercraft and projects laterally outward beyond the port and starboard sides of the watercraft. Each pair of propellers is preferably supported by a swingable frame that permits the user to raise and lower the propellers as desired. To enhance the cutting action of the propellers, the blades of the propellers may be provided with fore and aft extending knives.

Abstract: A TLB includes a tractor body, a reinforcing frame disposed around the tractor body and supported by the tractor body, a pair of right and left side frames for pivotably supporting a pair of right and left booms having a loader bucket attached to distal ends thereof, and braces for connecting the side frames to the tractor body. The side frames are connected to the reinforcing frames by at least two connecting bosses attached to the side frames, at least two connecting bosses attached to the reinforcing frame, and pins inserted through bores of the connected bosses and bores of the connecting bosses. Rear positions of the reinforcing frame are attached to cylindrical portions of rear axle cases by holders rotatable about an axis of the cylindrical portions, and mounting members for connecting the holders to the reinforcing frame, respectively.

Abstract: A buoyant drill pipe for drilling subterranean wells includes a tubular element, such as a length of metal pipe or tubing, and a buoyant element, such as an inflatable element, or a buoyant collar, attached to an outside diameter of the tubular element. The tubular element provides a conduit for injecting a drilling fluid into a well bore. The buoyant element interacts with the lo drilling fluid in the well bore to provide buoyancy for the drill pipe. The buoyant drill pipe can be used to construct a drilling system, and to perform a drilling method for an extended reach well bore having a horizontal or inclined segment. During drilling, the buoyant element interacts with the drilling fluid in the horizontal or inclined segment, such that a weight of the drill pipe, a torque required to rotate the drill pipe, and torsional stresses on the drill pipe are reduced.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header includes a reel mounted on a pair of forwardly and downwardly extending arms carried on a header frame above a table and cutting knife. The reel is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and includes angularly bats. The arms can be raised and lowered by hydraulic cylinders to raise and lower the reel. A linkage including a cable and bell crank is provided which is responsive to the forward and downward sliding movement of the main elongate beam along the support arms for simultaneously and automatically causing a raising movement of the reel support arms. The cable is slack over a rearward part of the movement so that no lifting occurs. The linkage is arranged relative to a forward and downward slope of the arms such that, over the forward part of the movement, the beam moves substantially horizontally to cause the reel to move forwardly of the knife without moving downwardly into engagement with the ground, for operating with the knife at ground level.

Abstract: A front loader using smaller capacity engine, due to energy recuperation, while utilizing the same capacity and decreasing fuel consumption and toxic exhaust bulk. The front loader uses energy recuperation both when excavating material and upon movement with simultaneous lift of a loaded bucket. The front loader uses energy recuperation irrespective of the type of transmission to the loader wheels. The front loader uses a single crank control, without throttle control, hydraulic distributor of bucket turn, hydraulic distributor of boom lift, and displacement volume of variable pump-motor working equipment.

Abstract: A forage harvester includes a cutting drum equipped with a plurality of cutting knives. A grinding arrangement is provided for sharpening the knives. Different embodiments of a wear sensing device are provided which include sensing circuit elements that are either embedded in the sharpening stone or carried by the backing plate of the sharpening stone assembly. In either case, the sensing circuit elements are located so as to make or break a circuit when a predetermined amount of the sharpening stone has worn away.

Abstract: A pedal assembly has a mounting bracket for mounting the pedal assembly on a vehicle. A link is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket for movement about a first pivot axis. The link is operably connectable to a control system of the vehicle. A pivot connection mechanism pivotally connects an arm of the pedal to the link for movement about a second pivot axis which is spaced from the first pivot axis. The pivot connection mechanism has a drive operably connected to the arm for effecting articulating movement of the pedal relative to the mounting bracket about the second pivot axis. The pivot connection mechanism has a taumel gear connection between the arm and the link providing continuous engagement therebetween. The pivot connection mechanism is enclosed to protect against dirt and debris.

Abstract: A hydraulic reel drive wherein the reel motor is driven by a hydraulic pump, which is adjustable in a continuous manner and operates therewith in a closed oil circulating system. The advantage of this arrangement is that the reel always rotates uniformly independently of the instantaneous load thereon. Another advantage thereof is that by using a hydraulic pump, which is adjustable in a continuous manner, only that amount of oil is ever circulated as is required to drive the reel at a predetermined rotational speed.

Abstract: A cutting device for a cutting machine including a driver driven by a drive shaft, a support structure secured to the driver and at least one drive device intended to drive a cut product toward the rear of the cutting machine. The drive device includes at least two drive walls which extend approximately right around the support structure and which are fixed removably to the support structure by assembly elements.

Abstract: An oil drain valve and oil sight gauge assembly for an internal combustion engine of an implement such as a lawnmower. The oil drain valve includes a valve member disposed in a valve body attached to the engine housing and disposed above the mower deck. The valve member may be selectively moved to allow oil to drain from an oil sump in the engine crankcase through a drain opening disposed below the mower deck. The valve member is retained in the valve body when the oil drain valve is opened to prevent the valve member from being lost. The oil sight gauge is internally vented to the crankcase to provide an accurate indication of the oil level in the crankcase, and is visually associated with the oil drain valve to provide an operator with a visual confirmation that all of the oil has been drained from the crankcase.