Abstract: A rotary mower having a central section and extension wings or end sections relatively pivotably movable upwardly and downwardly with respect to the central section. Each of the sections includes a plurality of cutting units mounted for rotation about vertical axis to provide a horizontal cutting plane across the width of the mower when the extension wings are in a lower or mowing position. Each cutting unit is carried on a horizontally disposed pneumatic tire wheel. An external drive rotates one of the tire wheels. The other tire wheels are mounted in frictional circumferential engagement with each other and the driven tire wheel so that all wheels are driven in the mowing position. When either of the extension wings is pivotally raised to a position greater than approximately 30.degree. relative to the center section, its tire wheels are moved out of frictional engagement with the tire wheels of the center section so that its cutting units are rendered inoperable.

Abstract: The chain gate has a pair of reversely inclined end posts which extend upwardly in a diverging relation and movably support the ends of a plurality of chain members extended therebetween. When the chain gate is in a gateway closing position the chain members are in a vertically spaced relation and in a gateway opening position the chain members form a mass on the ground surface between the end posts. The adjacent ends of the chain members are interconnected by a flexible actuating member so that on closing upward movement of the chain members from lowered ground positions the opposite ends of each chain member are concurrently moved upwardly so as to sequentially move the chain members to their horizontally extended vertically spaced relation defining the gate closing position. The chain members vary in length relative to the reversed inclination of the end posts so as to be drawn taut between the end posts in the gate closing position. The chain gate may be opened or closed either mechanically or manually.

Abstract: An animal holding gate operable either manually to hold an animal or automatically by contact with the gate of the animal to be held. The gate has a pair of upright animal engaging members supported on a main frame for movement toward and away from each other into or out of an engaging position within the traverse confines of the main frame. Movement of the animal engaging members is controlled by a pair of levers linked to a rotatable rock shaft that serves as one side of a guideway for the upper portions of the engaging members. A spring assembly is actuable to bias the rock shaft in a direction to move the engaging members, into an animal engaging position. A trigger assembly has a catch member on the rock shaft and a latch member on the main frame which are engageable to hold the rock shaft, against the force of the spring assembly, in a rotated position in which the animal engaging members are out of an animal engaging position.

Abstract: The loading apparatus of this invention is capable of handling heavy loads such as large round bales of hay weighing fifteen hundred pounds or more without requiring the use of hydraulic, electrical or any other auxiliary power source. The apparatus includes a ground wheel supported portable frame having a tongue structure connectible to a tractor and with the portable frame by a lost motion means. A load carrying frame is movably supported on the portable frame for movement between a lowered bale loading position and an elevated bale transport position in response to the lost motion of the tongue structure relative to the portable frame. With the load carrying frame in its loading position and the tractor advanced, a pair of lift members on the load carrying frame are moved into engagement with the ground wheels for movement forwardly and upwardly thereon to lift the load carrying frame to its transport position.

Abstract: The trailer apparatus is adapted for loading and transporting a farm unit, such as a cattle squeeze chute, that has a rectangular shaped main frame. The trailer includes a U-shape frame with ground wheels outwardly mounted adjacent the rear or free ends of the leg sections. With the leg sections at opposite sides of the chute main frame the trailer is manually backed up and tilted upwardly and rearwardly about the wheel axes thereof to releasably engage the rear ends of the leg sections with corresponding laterally extended support members on the main frame of the farm unit. On then tilting the trailer downwardly and forwardly the main frame of the squeeze chute is releasably connected to forward portions of the leg sections after which the trailer is moved to a substantially horizontal position for connection of its front end with a towing vehicle.