Abstract: A flail-type vegetation cutter having a drum and members attached and extending longitudinally of the drum. Rods extend along the members which have openings, and shackles are pivotally mounted on the rods and extend through the openings and are confined in the openings. Flail blades are pivotally connected to the shackles and are spaced along and around the circumference of the drum.

Abstract: A lawn thatcher assembly including a shaft and a plurality of blades and spacers extending therealong. The shaft has a helical surface thereon, and the blades have a matching helical opening, all of which permits the blades to be slid onto the shaft and present a final helical pattern of blade tips along the length of the shaft. The method of making the assembly is also achieved in this invention.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which provides automatic height control for the header of a multi-row crop harvester. The crop processing header has a series of row dividers hinge mounted along its front edge. Under at least two of the row dividers is a ground engaging wheel which causes the leading edge of each to float up and down as the terrain changes. Servo actuating sensors mounted between the divider and the header respond to changes in the angle of attack therebetween. The servo system actuates hydraulic valves allowing oil pressure to automatically raise and lower the header. This means of height control maintains the cutter bar or ear stripper plates a predetermined distance above ground regardless of changes in terrain.

Abstract: A forage harvester and attachment therefor are provided wherein such attachment serves the multiple purposes of cutting, conditioning, and selectively moving a crop in two basic directions from a crop transfer zone within the attachment, one of the directions being toward the ground and the other being away from the ground. The attachment comprises a flail device of predetermined width for cutting and conditioning a standing crop in one mode of operation and for picking up a pre-cut ground swath of a crop in another mode and moving that swath to the transfer zone. The attachment has an auger for gathering a crop into the transfer zone immediately after cutting to define a dense swath thereof which has a width less than that of the flail device and approximately equal to the width of the ground swath. The attachment has an additional auger and a door for selectively moving crop from the transfer zone in the above-mentioned two basic directions.