Abstract: A mulching rotary lawn mower that cuts and returns grass clippings to a lawn wherein the proportion of grass clippings that are finely cut by the rotating cutter blade can be selectively increased or decreased by provision of a collection chamber at the rear of the housing containing the rotating cutter blade, the collection chamber having a mulcher plate with a plurality of openings which can be pivoted from a substantially vertical position wherein the plate is tangential to the circle described by the cutting tips of the blade or moved rearwardly about a 45.degree. angle, thus effectively enlarging the collection chamber while closing the openings therein, so that a greater proportion of the grass clippings cut by the blade are received in the collection chamber, but which clippings, on the average, have been cut a lesser number of times and therefore are coarser than when the plate is in the vertical position. The position of the mulching plate is controlled by a handle readily available to the operator.

Abstract: A pulverizing machine with a cutter assembly adapted to be towed when the machine is moving either forward or in reverse. The machine includes a frame, a plurality of wheels supporting the frame, a cutter assembly carried by the frame and a pair of elevation cylinders for raising and lowering the cutter assembly. The cutter assembly has a cutter housing and a cutter drum rotatably mounted within the cutter housing. The cutter housing is pivotally suspended from the frame by a pair of chain cases, one on each side. Each chain case contains a chain drive assembly connected to the cutter drum to drive the rotation of the cutter drum. Cutter teeth extend from the cutter drum to pulverize material as the cutter drum is lowered and rotated into the material. A pair of rear cylinders are mounted between the rear of the cutter housing and the frame. When the machine is operated in the forward direction, the chain cases tow the cutter assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable manhole cover support frame that includes a base unit, a top support unit telescopically arranged on the base unit and screw jacks interconnecting the two units permitting selectively adjusting the relative telescopic position of the top unit on the base unit. The base unit has an open ended sleeve projecting upwardly from a flange utilized to secure the base unit to the top end of a manhole vertical conduit. The top support unit has a top annular plate from which depends three cylindrical walls defining a first outer cavity telescopically receiving the sleeve of the base unit and inwardly therefrom a second cavity with holes in the bottom to receive the upper ends of threaded bolts that provide the screw jacks for adjustment.

Abstract: The leading profile of a winged rotary cutter includes diverging leading profile sections, beginning with outer profile sections of a center housing section extending to opposite sides of the center housing section and continuing with inner profile sections respectively of right and left wing housing sections hinged to opposite sides of the center housing section. The right and left wing housing sections further include outer leading profile sections joined to respective rear ends of the inner leading profile sections and extending at a right angle to the direction of travel so as not to deflect plant stems outwardly of the width of cut of the cutter.

Abstract: A mower shield is provided for rear engine driven riding lawn mowers which shield includes a top panel having a rear portion, a central portion, and a front portion, and is positionable to overhang the leading edge of the deck by connection to at least one supporting element. More specifically, the supporting element suspends a section of the top panel over the deck such that its rear portion generally extends across the deck substantially in contact therewith, while a section of the top panel and the front portion are suspended beyond the leading edge of the deck. The air currents established by this mower shield cause such grass clippings as are expelled forwardly from beneath the deck to enter the chamber defined by the mower shield and be redirected downwardly, away from the operator. Flexible rear and front portions of the top panel permit clearing of debris, while transparent central and front portions of the top panel permit inspection and increase visibility of the cutting path.