Abstract: Self-propelled sod harvesting apparatus for cutting sod from a field into strips and stacking the sod on pallets. The apparatus includes a magazine storage area for pallets, a pallet loading area, and mechanism for transferring a pallet from the storage area to the loading area. A conveyor carries each cut sod strip to a platform and causes the sod to be rolled, and a stacking mechanism is used to collect rolls from the platform and stack them on the pallet. When the pallet is loaded it is discharged onto the ground and a fresh pallet is transferred from the storage area to the loading area. Only one person is required to operate the apparatus.

Abstract: An undercutting knife for a sod cutting machine consisting of a blade and a blade holder of essentially equal length. The blade is enclosed by the holder except for the projecting forward edge. The blade is light in weight, may have two cutting edges, and is intended to be discarded after use rather than sharpened. The blade maybe frictionally retained within the holder.

Abstract: Auger conveyor apparatus is described which is adapted to convey bulk material. The conveyor includes a plurality of axially aligned and connected segments which are coupled in such a manner that one segment drives an adjacent segment after limited rotation relative to the adjacent segment. The connected segments are self-supporting, and incoming bulk material has access to the apparatus essentially along its full length. The apparatus may be used in a variety of applications including, among others, bottom unloading devices for storage structures.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for bottom unloading of storage structures (e.g., farm silos and the like). The apparatus includes a pivotable sweep arm which may include either a rotatable auger or an endless chain. Unique ratchet advancement mechanism at the inner end of the sweep arm pivots the sweep arm. A planetary gear mechanism is adapted to transmit rotational energy provided by the power source to the sweep arm. An improved tooth is described for penetrating and dislodging bulk material in a storage structure.

Abstract: A rotary mower has an engine supported by an engine platform secured to a frame having wheels and a handle, the engine has an output drive shaft which has a cutting blade rigidly secured at its end, a counter-rotating housing overlies the blade and is rotated in a direction opposite to the blade by a transmission means, the transmission means has a drive pulley rigidly secured to the output drive shaft, a pair of idler pulleys rotationally supported by the engine platform, a driven pulley rotationally supported by the drive shaft, and an endless belt trained from the drive pulley through the idler pulleys to the driven pulley, the counter-rotating housing is rigidly affixed to the driven pulley.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism for a lawn mower which automatically prevents transmission of the rotary force of the drive shaft of a lawn mower when a lawn mower operator is not holding on to a control structure and which invention further includes the provision of a braking mechanism which stops rotation of a lawn mower blade when such control structure is not being held and when the clutch is disengaged.