Abstract: A user interface and control system for adjusting the reel of a cutting reel unit includes a frame supported by at least one support element that is supported on, and is movable along, the ground. The system also includes a cutting reel, a bedknife, first and second actuators, a controller, and an operator input station, all carried on the frame. The reel and bedknife define a cutting line therebetween. The first actuator is adjustable to set a clearance between the reel and the bedknife. The second actuator is operatively connected between the frame and the bedknife to adjust the elevation of the cutting line to set a height-of-cut of the cutting reel. The controller is signal-connected to the first and second actuators, to adjust the actuators.

Abstract: A shift mechanism for trim mower cutting units includes a pair of slidable carriers. Each slidable carrier can slide along a pair of guide rods mounted to a mower frame. A hydraulic extension cylinder is connected to each slidable carrier and independently extends to move the slidable carrier laterally outward from the mower frame or retracts to move the slidable carrier laterally inward in relation to the mower frame. A hydraulic shifting cylinder is mounted between the two extension cylinders and extends to shift both slidable carriers laterally inward toward a center position, and retracts to move both slidable carriers laterally outward toward an extended position.

Abstract: A trim mower includes a frame supported by a plurality of wheels to travel over a ground surface, at least two front reel-type cutting units and at least one rear reel-type cutting unit. A separate lift arm is attached between the frame and each reel-type cutting unit. Each lift arm can pivot to move a reel-type cutting unit between a mowing position on a ground surface and a transport position raised above the ground surface. The lift arm for at least two of the cutting units, and preferably at least one front cutting unit and one rear cutting unit, can extend to selectively move the cutting units attached thereto laterally while the cutting units are in the mowing position. The lateral movement of a front cutting unit may be proportionately further than the lateral movement of a rear cutting unit.

Abstract: A shift mechanism for trim mower cutting units includes a pair of slidable carriers. Each slidable carrier can slide along a pair of guide rods mounted to a mower frame. A hydraulic extension cylinder is connected to each slidable carrier and independently extends to move the slidable carrier laterally outward from the mower frame or retracts to move the slidable carrier laterally inward in relation to the mower frame. A hydraulic shifting cylinder is mounted between the two extension cylinders and extends to shift both slidable carriers laterally inward toward a center position, and retracts to move both slidable carriers laterally outward toward an extended position.

Abstract: A shift mechanism for trim mower cutting units includes a pair of slidable carriers. Each slidable carrier can slide along a pair of guide rods mounted to a mower frame. A hydraulic extension cylinder is connected to each slidable carrier and independently extends to move the slidable carrier laterally outward from the mower frame or retracts to move the slidable carrier laterally inward in relation to the mower frame. A hydraulic shifting cylinder is mounted between the two extension cylinders and extends to shift both slidable carriers laterally inward toward a center position, and retracts to move both slidable carriers laterally outward toward an extended position.

Abstract: A height of cut adjustment system for a reel type grass cutting unit includes adjustment screw mechanisms mounted at each corner of the cutting unit. Linkages between the adjustment screw mechanisms permit driving all of the adjustment screw mechanisms synchronously from a single adjustment point to change the cutting height. The linkages may be worm gear drives or other mechanical linkages.

Abstract: A shift mechanism for trim mower cutting units includes a pair of slidable carriers. Each slidable carrier can slide along a pair of guide rods mounted to a mower frame. A hydraulic extension cylinder is connected to each slidable carrier and independently extends to move the slidable carrier laterally outward from the mower frame or retracts to move the slidable carrier laterally inward in relation to the mower frame. A hydraulic shifting cylinder is mounted between the two extension cylinders and extends to shift both slidable carriers laterally inward toward a center position, and retracts to move both slidable carriers laterally outward toward an extended position.

Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a height-of-cut adjusting system and a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The height-of-cut adjusting system includes a first frame; a second frame; a cutting reel supported by the second frame; a bedknife arranged adjacent to the cutting reel and supported by the second frame; at least one support element arranged to translate along the ground and arranged to support the first frame; and at least one first actuator connected between the first frame and the second frame and arranged to adjust the relative elevation of the second frame with respect to the first frame. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one second actuator operatively connected between the reel and the second frame and a sound detector.

Abstract: A height of cut adjustment system for a reel type grass cutting unit includes adjustment screw mechanisms mounted at each corner of the cutting unit. Linkages between the adjustment screw mechanisms permit driving all of the adjustment screw mechanisms synchronously from a single adjustment point to change the cutting height. The linkages may be worm gear drives or other mechanical linkages.

Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a height-of-cut adjusting system and a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The height-of-cut adjusting system includes a first frame; a second frame; a cutting reel supported by the second frame; a bedknife arranged adjacent to the cutting reel and supported by the second frame; at least one support element arranged to translate along the ground and arranged to support the first frame; and at least one first actuator connected between the first frame and the second frame and arranged to adjust the relative elevation of the second frame with respect to the first frame. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one second actuator operatively connected between the reel and the second frame and a sound detector.

Abstract: A reinforced grass catcher may be positioned adjacent a cutting unit of a grass mower, the reinforced grass catcher having a pair of sides, an upper panel and a lower panel, an opening between the upper panel and lower panel facing the cutting unit, and at least one retaining structure integrally formed with the lower panel adjacent the opening. The reinforcing member may be inserted through the retaining structure or structures. Each retaining structure may be a channel, passage, opening, cavity, groove, hollow, notch, slot, hole, indentation, tunnel, port, aperture or recess that is integral with the lower panel. The reinforcing member resists or limits warping or bending of the grass catcher at or near the opening. The reinforcing member prevents loss of grass clippings through a gap between the grass catcher and cutting unit.

Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one actuator operatively connected between the reel and the bedknife, and a sound detector. A controller is signal-connected to the actuator and the sound detector and coordinates the reel-to-bedknife clearance adjustment. During adjustment, reel-to-bedknife clearance is reduced by the actuator until a contact sound between the reel blades and the bedknife is detected and signaled to the controller, which then reverses the actuator and increases the clearance by a pre-selected precise amount.

Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a height-of-cut adjusting system and a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The height-of-cut adjusting system includes a first frame; a second frame; a cutting reel supported by the second frame; a bedknife arranged adjacent to the cutting reel and supported by the second frame; at least one support element arranged to translate along the ground and arranged to support the first frame; and at least one first actuator connected between the first frame and the second frame and arranged to adjust the relative elevation of the second frame with respect to the first frame. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one second actuator operatively connected between the reel and the second frame and a sound detector.

Abstract: A system adjusts the height-of-cut of a cutting reel unit. The system includes a cutting reel; a first frame supported on at least one support element that is supported on, and is movable along, the ground; and a second frame supporting the cutting reel. The system further includes an actuator that has a first portion connected to the first frame and a second portion connected to the second frame, wherein a distance between the first and second portions is adjustable. The actuator includes a motive mechanism that is activated to adjust the distance. The system can include at least one strut pivotally connected to the first frame and pivotally connected to the second frame on a second side of the second frame opposite to the first side. The strut extends between the first frame and the second frame. The strut defines the rotation of the second frame with respect to the first frame as the relative elevation of the second frame is adjusted with respect to the first frame.

Abstract: A reinforced grass catcher may be positioned adjacent a cutting unit of a grass mower, the reinforced grass catcher having a pair of sides, an upper panel and a lower panel, an opening between the upper panel and lower panel facing the cutting unit, and at least one retaining structure integrally formed with the lower panel adjacent the opening. The reinforcing member may be inserted through the retaining structure or structures. Each retaining structure may be a channel, passage, opening, cavity, groove, hollow, notch, slot, hole, indentation, tunnel, port, aperture or recess that is integral with the lower panel. The reinforcing member resists or limits warping or bending of the grass catcher at or near the opening. The reinforcing member prevents loss of grass clippings through a gap between the grass catcher and cutting unit.

Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a height-of-cut adjusting system and a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The height-of-cut adjusting system includes a first frame; a second frame; a cutting reel supported by the second frame; a bedknife arranged adjacent to the cutting reel and supported by the second frame; at least one support element arranged to translate along the ground and arranged to support the first frame; and at least one first actuator connected between the first frame and the second frame and arranged to adjust the relative elevation of the second frame with respect to the first frame. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one second actuator operatively connected between the reel and the second frame and a sound detector.

Abstract: A system adjusts the height-of-cut of a cutting reel unit. The system includes a cutting reel; a first frame supported on at least one support element that is supported on, and is movable along, the ground; and a second frame supporting the cutting reel. The system further includes an actuator that has a first portion connected to the first frame and a second portion connected to the second frame, wherein a distance between the first and second portions is adjustable. The actuator includes a motive mechanism that is activated to adjust the distance. The system can include at least one strut pivotally connected to the first frame and pivotally connected to the second frame on a second side of the second frame opposite to the first side. The strut extends between the first frame and the second frame. The strut defines the rotation of the second frame with respect to the first frame as the relative elevation of the second frame is adjusted with respect to the first frame.

Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one actuator operatively connected between the reel and the bedknife, and a sound detector. A controller is signal-connected to the actuator and the sound detector and coordinates the reel-to-bedknife clearance adjustment. During adjustment, reel-to-bedknife clearance is reduced by the actuator until a contact sound between the reel blades and the bedknife is detected and signaled to the controller, which then reverses the actuator and increases the clearance by a pre-selected precise amount.

Abstract: A bedknife adjustment device includes a double legged bracket which supports a threaded rod, and a compression spring abuts one leg of the bracket for removing play from the linkage at both ends of the threaded rod. A nut positioned between the legs of the bracket can be tightened on the threaded rod for further compressing the compression spring to thereby remove the force of the spring from the linkage to allow the linkage to be easily swung out to a service position.

Abstract: A mechanism for scraping debris from the roller of a reel mower cutting units, and including a rod member having end portions pivotally supported by brackets. A plate member is fixed with the rod member and includes a non-linear edge portion which generally mates with the surface of the roller. The weight of the rod and plate member urges the rod to pivot the plate member toward the roller for wiping debris from said roller. The rod members abut portions of the brackets for limiting pivoted motion of the rod and plate members away from the surface of the roller. The plate member can also be fixed to the rod member so that a straight edge portion of the plate member will wipe debris from a roller having a smooth surface.