Abstract: An improved disc cutter rotor assembly for use in a disc cutterbar of the type utilizing a plurality of intermeshed gears to transfer rotational power is disclosed wherein the rotor assembly provides a low profile to facilitate the flow of crop material over the cutterbar, yet permits the individual components of the rotor assembly to be serviced and/or replaced. The hub and shaft are of welded construction and are rotatably mounted within a bearing housing affixed to the transmission casing for mounting a removable bearing assembly. The drive gear for the rotor assembly is splined onto the shaft and retained in place by a fastener and washer assembly to permit the drive gear to be removed from the shaft. A sealed hole in the bottom of the transmission casing permits access to the fastener and washer assembly to permit the drive gear to be removed from the shaft before removing the rotor assembly from the transmission casing.

Abstract: An improved disc cutterbar construction is disclosed wherein the cutterbar casing is provided with a rearwardly extending flange and a plurality of forwardly projecting mounting tabs. A wear plate is connected underneath the casing by fasteners extending through the flange and other fasteners interconnecting brackets on the wear plate and mounting tabs on the casing. Semi-circular guards are detachably connected by fasteners engaged with mounting arms forwardly extending from the wear plate. Skid shoes are provided with a hook portion that engages into a slotted opening in the guard members and are fastened to the casing flange by the fasteners connecting the wear plate to the casing.

Abstract: A mechanism for removing dirt and debris from the interior of a divider member mounted on the end disc of a disc cutterbar used in a disc mower-conditioner is disclosed wherein the dividers are provided with air inlet openings to permit the introduction of air into the interior chamber of the hat-shaped divider members. Each divider member is provided with a plurality of fan blades mounted to the top plate thereof to exhaust air from within the interior chamber and create a flow of air from the air inlet openings through the interior chamber and exciting a discharge opening formed between the divider top plate and a stationary cover mounted thereabove. This flow of air cleans the interior chamber of dirt and debris. An optional filter can be utilized to reduce the amount of dirt and debris permitted to enter the interior chamber through the air inlet openings.

Abstract: An improved idler gear mounting apparatus for use in a disc cutterbar to rotatably mount the idler gear transferring rotational power between drive gears operatively associated with disc cutter assemblies disclosed wherein a spacer member engages both the upper surface and the lower surface of the transmission casing to provide radial support thereof and also engages the inner race of a bearing assembly rotatably mounting the idler gear. A bolt having a head portion received within a recessed portion of the spacer member extends through the spacer member and is threadably engaged with a securing member which in turn engages the lower surface member of the transmission casing. A lip portion of the spacer member engaged with the upper surface of the transmission casing permits the mounting apparatus to be secured between the upper and lower surfaces of the transmission casing and rotatably mount the idler gear.

Abstract: A mechanism for removing dirt and debris from the interior of a divider member mounted on the end disc of a disc cutterbar used in a disc mower-conditioner is disclosed wherein the dividers are provided with air inlet openings to permit the introduction of air into the interior chamber of the hat-shaped divider members. Each divider member is provided with a plurality of fan blades mounted to the top plate thereof to exhaust air from within the interior chamber and create a flow of air from the air inlet openings through the interior chamber and exiting a discharge opening formed between the divider top plate and a stationary cover mounted thereabove. This flow of air cleans the interior chamber of dirt and debris. An optional filter can be utilized to reduce the amount of dirt and debris permitted to enter the interior chamber through the air inlet openings.

Abstract: A trailer for use in transporting a harvesting machine having a laterally shiftable tongue is disclosed wherein the trailer has transversely extending loading ramps pivotally connected to the load platform of the trailer to permit the harvester to be elevated from the ground level onto the load platform. An elevating linkage interconnecting the load platform and the pivotably ramps is engageable with the harvester wheels to affect a raising of the load ramps when the harvester has been properly positioned on the trailer platform. The load ramps are articulated to compact the transport position of the load ramps, thereby minimizing the transport width of the loaded trailer. The draft connection between the loaded trailer and its prime mover is the laterally shiftable tongue of the harvester positioned on the trailer platform.

Abstract: A crop harvesting machine having a pivoted drawbar forwardly extending harvesting apparatus is disclosed wherein the drawbar can be positioned in a transversely extending direction to permit a transportation of the harvester in a transverse direction when mounted on a mobile carrier. A support plate on which stops are provided to limit the operative range of pivotal movement of the drawbar is selectively movable to change the position of the stops relative to the frame of the harvester and permit the drawbar to be pivoted to a transversely extending position. By positioning the harvester upon a mobile carrier the harvester can be transported in a transverse direction without disconnecting the drawbar from the prime mover.

Abstract: A mechanism for spring loading a transport lock on a crop harvesting machine having a pivotally movable tongue mounted to the frame of the harvesting machine, commonly referred to as a pivot-tongue windrower, is disclosed wherein first and second springs are compressible to exert a biasing force on a locking pin to urge the pin through suitable aligned apertures in the base of the tongue and in the frame of the machine to automatically extend the locking pin through the apertures when they become aligned due to manipulation of the pivotal movement of the tongue by the operator at a location remote from the locking pin. An actuating lever includes a camming surface that is selectively cooperable with either the bight portion of the housing or the base plate on the tongue to effect a compression of the first and second springs, respectively, to bias the locking pin toward either a locked or unlocked position.

Abstract: An infinite adjustment mechanism for a harvesting machine on which a hydraulic cylinder is utilized to raise and lower the reel relative to the ground is disclosed wherein the hydraulic cylinder is connected to a link pivotally mounted on the frame of the crop harvesting header and is adjustably positionable by a draw bolt. This hydraulic cylinder mounting linkage allows the minimum reel height, relative to the cutterbar, to be easily adjusted with simple, ordinary tools in an infinite number of positions within the limits imposed by the lengths of the draw bolt and the pivoting link.

Abstract: An infinite adjustment mechanism for a harvesting machine on which a hydraulic cylinder is utilized to raise and lower the reel relative to the ground is disclosed wherein the hydraulic cylinder is connected to a link pivotally mounted on the frame of the crop harvesting header and is adjustably positionable by a draw bolt. This hydraulic cylinder mounting linkage allows the minimum reel height, relative to the cutterbar, to be easily adjusted with simple, ordinary tools in an infinite number of positions within the limits imposed by the lengths of the draw bolt and the pivoting link. A clamping mechanism is provided to lock the pivoted link into a preselected position relative to the frame of the crop harvesting header.

Abstract: A twin sickle drive system for a crop harvesting machine is disclosed wherein universal rotary input shafts are connected to each end of the upper conditioning roll to transfer rotational forces therefrom to individual wobble drive units situated along the outside of the machine to either side of the crop conditioning unit. Each wobble drive unit is connected to a drive shaft which transmits reciprocating motion to the sickle bar located adjacent that respective side of the machine.