Abstract: A leveling apparatus for a reel type cutting head for use on a gang mower. The leveling apparatus includes a linkage which attaches at an inboard end to the frame of the mower and at an outboard end of a control arm. The control arm in turn attaches to the cutting head to pivot the cutting head about a horizontal axis. As the mower is lowered to engage the ground, the linkage pivots the cutting head to maintain the cutting head level as the cutting head is lowered to engage the ground. In a particular embodiment, the linkage comprises a parallel linkage having an upper and a lower link and inboard and outboard control arms which are arranged to form a parallelogram whose shape changes as the mower is raised and lowered. The parallel linkage connects to the cutting head to pivot the cutting head about a horizontal axis and maintains the cutting head substantially level as the cutting head is raised and lowered.

Abstract: A latch mechanism which facilities installation and removal of a reel space type cutting head of a gang mower. The latch mechanism includes horizontal slots formed in the vertical plates of a pull frame. The horizontal slots receive bushings attached to the cutting head assembly. When the bushings engage the horizontal slots, locking plates are rotated to engage a horizontal crossrod and fixed in place so that the cutting head is locked in position to the pull frame. The cutting head can similarly be removed from the pull frame by moving the locking plates from a locked to an unlocked position, thereby opening the horizontal slots so that the bushings of the cutting head can be removed.

Abstract: A mulching bar for a turf maintenance machine having a rotating flail reel includes an elongate body substantially triangular in cross section including a base, an upright portion and an inclined portion having lower and upper edge margins, the lower edge margin forming a blade edge with the base, the upper edge margin having a lip projecting beyond the upright portion, the mulching bar adapted to intercept cut or processed particles generated or collected by the rotating reel of the machine and to direct those particles into the reel for more complete comminution and eventual deposition upon the turf.