Abstract: A hand-lever device for a trimmer has a rotatably-operated main lever for operating a cable which is coupled to a driven member. A pulling stroke amplifying mechanism for amplifying the stroke of the cable pulled by the main lever is provided between the main lever and the cable. The pulling stroke amplifying mechanism is provided with a wire attaching portion to which a wire for pulling and releasing a cutter braking device is attached.

Abstract: A clearing apparatus which includes a clearing device for use in clearing operations, and a carriage for supporting a clearing device during use. The clearing device is a clearing device of any conventional type and includes an elongated support member, a power unit at one end of the support member and a clearing head at the other end of the support member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting head, more particularly for a lawnmower with a rechargeable battery, comprising an electric motor (1) with a driving shaft (3) connected to a cutting disk (4) perpendicular to said shaft (3). The cutting disk (4) is provided with at least one blade (5) at its periphery. There is also provided a lower plate (7) parallel to and located under said cutting disk (4). The lower plate (7) is free wheeling around the axis though the use of a roller bearing (8). In the case of friction or jamming due to debris, the lower plate (7) starts to rotate to expel the debris by centrifugal effect.

Abstract: A wheeled support for controlled movement of lawn maintenance equipment. The wheeled support has a fixed upper support member and a telescoping lower support member each of which are attached to a main support so that the wheeled support is adaptable for supporting different types lawn maintenance equipment. A clamping device attached to the distal end of the telescoping lower support member and a strap-like member attached to the upper support member secure the piece of lawn maintenance equipment to the wheeled support during use. The wheeled support may have a remote throttle control, and may also have a muffler guard and an exhaust deflector. The wheeled support may be used with any electrical or gasoline-powered piece of equipment which is attached to a straight or bent shaft. Applications may include, but are not limited to, use with line trimmers, cultivators, brush cutters, edgers, blowers, and vacuums.

Abstract: An adjustable mowing and trimming apparatus is presented which employs a unique wheel adjust mechanism and trimming assembly. The apparatus includes a frame to which at least two wheels are rotatably mounted at opposite sides of an adjustable linkage which is loosely coupled to the frame through a moveable pivot assembly. A mechanism is provided for manually adjusting the moveable pivot assembly to actuate the adjustable linkage and thereby reorient the wheels on either side of the frame. The trimming assembly is mounted at a front portion of the frame and includes a spindle head fixedly mounted to a spindle depending from the frame so as to rotate with the spindle. The spindle head substantially covers the spindle and is sized such that a distal end thereof rests proximate to ground when the trimming apparatus is operational. A trimmer head is adjustably clamped about the spindle head so as to rotate therewith.

Abstract: A multiple frame wheel attachment connectable to a handheld device, such as a gasoline powered weed trimmer. The wheel attachment has a pair of wheels attached to the ends of an axle and a pair of frame assemblies connecting the axle and wheels to the lawn trimmer. Both of the frame assemblies are mounted to the axle and to the shaft of the device. One of the frame assemblies is attached to the shaft near the operating unit of the device and the other frame assembly is attached to the shaft above the point where the first frame assembly is attached. The first and second frame assemblies support the shaft at two locations. The wheel attachment not only provides support during operation of the handheld device, but also functions as a stand so that when the device is not in use, it will remain in an upright position for storage, refueling service, and maintenance. The wheel attachment allows easy mobility of the operating unit over the work area.

Abstract: A two-wheeled lawn trimmer, controlled with a handle attached to a frame which receives a conventional gasoline or electric powered rotary lawn trimmer, and provides balanced maneuverability with low operator forces while providing complete trimming access and cutting height control. Additionally the trimmer provides the operator access to vary the rotary cutting head speed as well as the ability to stop the motor device with controls mounted on the handle grip assembly.

Abstract: A rotary blade including a disc and a ring secured to the disc, wherein the ring has cutting filaments that extend radially outward past the outer edge of the disc. As the disc is rotated the filaments are adapted for cutting grass and the like. Projections extending from the disc create an air turbulence that both lifts the vegetation to be cut and swirls the clippings to further mulch the clippings.

Abstract: A forage harvester is provided with a rotatable cutterhead (9), a solid cylindrical grinding stone (15), a motor (33) for moving the stone (15) along a path adjacent the cutterhead (9) and an adjustment mechanism for moving the stone (15) towards the cutterhead (9). During the final stage of the sharpening cycle the stone (15) is automatically moved along the path at a substantially lower speed in order to improve the finishing of the cutterhead (9), such that the shearbar (11) can be adjusted closer to the rotating cutterhead (9).

Abstract: A fluid distributor system for the moistener column of a cotton harvester includes a distributor connected to the top of the column and having a generally cone-shaped surface with a solid apex area and with distributor outlets uniformly spaced around the base area of the cone. A removable clear plastic cover snap-fits on the distributor and has an apex area with an easily detachable bayonet mounting for a spray nozzle that directs spindle cleaning fluid to the cone-shaped surface. A flush line inlet is located in the cover above the apex area and directs fluid around the nozzle and downwardly towards the distributor outlets in a uniform pattern for good flushing of all the lines connected to the outlets. O-rings between the cover and the distributor, and between the spray nozzle mounting and the cover, seal the unit against dirt and debris and facilitate snap fit assembly of the components.

Abstract: A replacement cutting head for a bump head cutter of a string trimmer which replacement head can also be utilized as a blade assembly replacement for a power lawn mower. The cutting head is conventionally attached to the drive shaft of the tool, and it features a whirling disk having a plurality of heavy gauge flexible members attached thereto. These members extend outwardly due to centrifugal force upon actuation of the tool and which due to the high rotational speed of the cutting head, cut through plants of all kinds.

Abstract: A utility expansion system (100) to be retrofitted onto a ground vehicle (10) is provided. The utility expansion system (100) expands the range of ground working functions that may be performed with the aid of the given ground vehicle (10) by enabling various ground working equipment (20) to be operably coupled to the ground vehicle (10) for concurrent operation therewith.

Abstract: A handle assembly, especially useful on power line trimmers, includes a fore arm rest or fore arm "contacting element" which retains the user's arm, a first handle positioned directly in line with a trough in said fore arm rest, and a second handle positioned to a side of the fore arm rest and first handle. In operation, the user's first hand and fore arm act in concert to direct the power tool, while the user's second hand acts to sweep the power tool from side to side, whereby the user's fore arm acts as a fulcrum at the fore arm rest of the handle assembly. By providing three points of contact with the user, the handle assembly allows the user to engage in a sweeping motion that is less strenuous and more easily controlled. In addition, the handle assembly provides better balancing of the power tool, and assists in maneuvering the power tool.

Abstract: The lawn mower cleaning device includes a base portion having a front portion, a rear portion, and two opposing side portions extending between the front and rear portions. A spraying member extends between the front and rear portions. The spraying member has a plurality of spaced orifices arranged in three rows facing outward from the member. A hose coupler is in fluid connection to the front portion of the device so that fluid can flow from the front portion, through the side portions and rear portion, through the spraying member, and then out through the orifices. A handle is further provided within the front portion for easy handling of the device. The device is manufactured by laminating two sheets of plastic together, such that when coupled together, the sheets form a passageway therein whereby fluid can flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides an arcuate ring guard for a conventional lawn trimmer having a string-type cutting blade, which rotates in a planar cutting circle, and an arcuate housing covering the rearward region of the cutting circle but having an open front potion. The ring guard is fastened at each end to opposite sides of the trimmer housing, forwardly of and outside the periphery of the blade's cutting circle, so that the trimmer housing and the ring guard together extend 360 degrees around the periphery of the cutting circle. In the preferred embodiment, the ring guard occupies a uniform arc about the cutting blade's axis of rotation, coplanar with the blade's cutting circle.

Abstract: A wheel-mounted rotary string trimmer includes an engine mounted on a frame supported by individually adjustable wheels. A handle extending rearwardly from the frame at an adjustable angle provides handle height adjustment. The cutter head angle is adjustable, and the cutter head is offset to one side of the frame and extends forward from the frame.

Abstract: A pulsating cleaning attachment is added to an existing rotary lawn mower, and is adapted to receive a hose for cleaning the mower blade and underside surface of the lawn mower carriage. An attachment body member of the attachment includes a first upward-directed water passage selected at an angle of about thirty degrees, which passage terminates in an elliptically-shaped opening on the inner surface of said body member. This passage both forms and directs a jet stream of water exiting therefrom into and from beneath a rotating blade tip of the mower, whereby the rotating blade cuts the jet stream and creates a pulsating cleaning action for the undercarriage, blade and skirt of the mower.

Abstract: The present invention describes an air-floated wheeled apparatus with plurality of wheels having a deck housing, an outer house shroud for vacuum and pressure device, to define a mulch system having pressure and vacuum chambers in the main deck housing as well as a pressure chamber in the outer shrouds, and a vacuum chamber in the aft portion of the outer shroud or vacuum device that provides an aft clean up of mode area beyond the width of blade. A drive mechanism includes a motor having a rotatable shaft with at least 1 impeller is supported in the pressure chamber and rotates on a shaft for exhausting air from the vacuum chamber to erect grass underlying an opening while simultaneously pressurizing air in the pressure chamber to float the apparatus in combination with wheels that supports maximum weight of apparatus as well as a frontal wheel support or ball lake wheel support for directional support and maneuverability thereto.

Abstract: An assembly for permanent mounting to the deck of a power mower, enabling temporary attachment of a garden hose, for the purpose of washing the mower blade and the underside of the deck. The assembly includes a double female threaded fitting, a pipe nipple threaded to the double threaded fitting and passing through the mower deck, and a tee fitting threaded to the pipe nipple. Lock washers secure the nipple in place to the mower deck. The tee fitting has horizontal members disposed below the deck and above the mower blade. The horizontal members are flattened in profile, to conserve space, and serve as nozzles discharging water onto the rotating blade when cleaning. A hole formed in the tee fitting allows escaping water to dislodge grass clippings from the novel assembly. The cross sectional area of the nozzles is at least equal to the cross sectional area of the other water conducting members, so that heavy, concentrated jets of water strike the rotating blade.

Abstract: A device that prevents wrapping of long strands of fibrous material around an exposed rotating shaft has a stationary flange fixed to the chassis or bearing housing for the shaft and a rotating flange fixed to the shaft. The flanges are positioned to pass one another during each revolution of the shaft. When the flanges are nearest to one another, a loop of vegetation forms tightly around the flanges. Continued rotation of the shaft then stretches and tears the loop apart. This loop forming and tearing is repeated for each revolution of the shaft to effectively prevent fibrous material from wrapping around the shaft.

Abstract: A cotton harvester row unit with an upright moistener column located at low acceleration point in the spindle path near the side of the harvesting drum diametrically opposite the row receiving area, rather than near the forward extremity of the drum, to decrease row unit length, increase spindle time in the column and better align moistener pad fins with the grooves between the barbs on the spindles. The moistener column pivots outwardly and can be accessed away from the row unit housing for servicing the moistener pads and fluid distribution system. The distributor and nozzle are supported outside the housing in both the operating and the access positions.

Abstract: Secondary cutting blades are mounted on a line trimmer between the hub carrying the cutting line and the shield. The cutting blades extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the hub carrying the cutting line. The blades have one end adjacent to the periphery of the hub, and the other end supported at or above the shield. Tall grass or other long stalks will therefore be cut by the blades and unable to wrap around the trimmer.

Abstract: An attachment for a line trimmer comprises a wheel in the form of a drum having an axis of rotation and a peripheral flange between its ends, the flange extending outward from the drum in a plane perpendicular to said axis, means for supporting the drum from the shaft of the line trimmer, and a clamp, attachable to the trimmer, for securing the supporting means.

Abstract: A lawn edger is arranged for mounting a lawn edging tool thereon, wherein the apparatus includes a support plate movably mounted by underlying aligned wheel members. A clamp mounted to a top surface of the support plate is positioned rearwardly of a medial forward edge of the support plate, with the medial forward edge having a downwardly projecting abutment guide plate mounted orthogonally and downwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A one piece, durable, maintenance free, filament trimmer cutting head which is easily adaptable to virtually any power weedeater. The cylindrical design ensures ease of manufacture and results in a well balanced cutting head. The design further provides for ease of filament replacement and allows the usage of standard filament from bulk spools.

Abstract: A combination mower/trimmer apparatus comprises a mower with a body, a driven horizontally oriented blade member, and a trimmer assembly. The trimmer assembly includes a pair of spools for dispensing flexible trimming lines, guides for directing the lines along the blade member, an activating assembly for extending and retracting the trimming lines, and a line for feeding assembly to supply additional line during use. The apparatus includes a pair of pivotally mounted guards which normally seek an elevated position but which assume a lowered position when the respective guard is urged against an obstacle whereby a generally horizontal elongate slot in that guard aligns with a similar slot in the mower body such that extended trimming lines simultaneously trim vegetation along the obstacle as the blade member mows the vegetation adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A mower with a power-transmission mechanism made up with an outer ring gear and an annular gear set inside the outer ring gear with the outer teeth meshed with inner teeth of the outer ring gear. Inner teeth of the annular gear are meshed with the teeth of a central gear installed inside the annular gear. The number of teeth of the three gears are slightly different, and the gears are arranged so that the outer ring gear and the central gear are on a same center axis with the annular gear off the center axis. By driving the annular gear, the outer ring gear and the central gear are rotated in the opposite direction. Accordingly, blade wheels mounted on these two gears are turned in the opposite direction, thus cutting the grass efficiently.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining the cylindrical profile of forage harvester cutterheads involves moving a grinding stone back and forth along a predetermined path between positions which are adjacent opposite ends of a cutterhead. Initially, the grinding stone is moved gradually toward the cutterhead along a first slope until it is fully engaged with the cutting edges of the cutterhead knives. Next, the grinding stone is moved generally lengthwise of the cutterhead along a line substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cutterhead while it is kept fully engaged with the cutting edges of the cutterhead knives. Finally, the grinding stone is moved gradually away from the cutterhead along a second slope until it is fully disengaged from the cutting edges of the cutterhead knives.

Abstract: In order to obtain a lengthening maneuver of the active ends emerging from the rotating housing (1, 5, 3) containing the bobbin or bobbins (16) of the cords (F) during the rotation of said housing, the bobbin (16) has in the wall (18) of the internal hole two series of mutually staggered teeth (20, 22; 120, 122), some (20; 120) of which are developed along one axial section and the others (22; 122) along the remaining axial section; an element (34, 30), which is capable of axial sliding movements, has a disk (30) which projects elastically below the housing (1, 5, 3) and is capable of being made to reenter by means of pressure on the ground, as well as entrainment teeth (36) which are axially slidable, rotationally engaged on said housing and capable of engaging alternately the teeth of the two series (20, 22; 120, 122) upon each axial stroke and thus of permitting each time a unitary angular advance in two stages.

Abstract: A convertible mulching mower (10) including a housing (12) and chute (30). Chute (30) can be selectively blocked with a chute plug (32) to selectively put mower (10) in a mulching mode. Mounted beneath housing (12) is a plurality of kickers (72) which serve to deflect the grass clippings generally downwardly and inwardly to cause them to penetrate the standing grass blades in the cutting path, when the mower (10) is in its mulching mode (when chute plug (32) is blocking discharge chute (30)). When chute plug (32) is removed, it can be replaced by various grass handling means, including a grass bag (36) or a side discharge chute extension (140). A wash-out system (129) can be included in plug (32) to allow the underside of housing (12) to be sprayed with water to remove accumulated grass clippings. Wash-out system (129) can be used for mulching or non-mulching mowers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutterhead for vegetation cutter apparatus and has as its object to configure the cutterhead so that the cutterhead as a unit can be built so as to be overall constructively small and reduce wear. The cutterhead controls the spool having the filament with the aid of a latching lever. To achieve an overall construction which is small and subjected to less wear, the invention provides at least one pivot lug fixedly mounted on the housing having its latching lever arranged in an annular space lying concentric to the rotational axis between the hub of the cutterhead and the switching cams corresponding to the filament spool. These switching cams lie in the outer radial region of the spool.

Abstract: A lawn trimming tool (10) has an elongate support column or member (12) with a cutter head (16) mounted for rotation at a lower end thereof and a flexible line or string (20) extending from the cutter head (16) for cutting in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. An edging attachment (28) is removably mounted by a bolt (50) to a support assembly (32) mounted on the support column (12). Front and rear rollers (58A, 58B, 58C, 58D) are mounted for rolling contact along a curb, driveway, or sidewalk (D) and an edging guide (60) secured to roller 58D rides alongside the driveway (D) for guiding the trimming tool (10).

Abstract: An attachment for cleaning the underside of rotary lawn mowers which is a horizontal tubular device having a mower connecting member and quick connect receiver extension. The attachment is connected through the side casing of the mower and is releasably attachable to a quick disconnect fitting which can be connected to a conventional garden hose.

Abstract: An improved lubrication system for the spindle bar assembly of a cotton harvester apparatus is disclosed. The system comprises a hydraulic pump connected to the hydraulic system of a harvester which pumps lubricant from a disposable cube of lubricant located on board the harvester into a manifold system having conduits in fluid communication with the existing lubrication system of the harvester, and a fluid restriction device disposed in line with the conduits to control the flow of lubricant to each spindle bar so that equal amounts of lubricant are provided thereto, notwithstanding differences in the lengths of the conduits.

Abstract: Stroke adjustment method and apparatus for a tool such as a motor-driven wire brush utilized to remove "frost" from plated cotton picker spindles. The apparatus includes an arm pivotally connected at one end to a workstation and at the opposite end to a storke cylinder which moves the attached brush into contact with a workpiece. The stroke cylinder is attached to a sliding member which is indexed by a ratchet device in response to a signal indicative of current draw of the motor. As the average current draw drops below a preselected minimum level, the ratchet device is automatically indexed to advance the stroke cylinder and move the brush closer to the workpiece.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus with an overhead grass catcher includes a housing (10) for discharging grass clippings at a high pneumatically volumetric flow through a discharge duct (14). A conduit (22) diverts the flow of grass clippings at an angle of greater than 90.degree. with respect to the cutting surface of the mower. The grass clippings are discharged through a discharge port (24) into a grass catcher (30). The grass catcher (30) is disposed on a support (25) that is disposed over the central axis of the mower. The support (25) is anchored onto the handle (16) of the mower. An opening is disposed on a flange (38) with a flexible gasket (40) operable to fit over the discharge duct (24). The opposite end of the grass catcher (30) is securely fitted within an end cap (28), which end cap (28) is fixedly attached to the opposite end of the support (25) from the handle (16). The handle (16) can therefore be tilted up to disengage the opening in the grass catcher (30) from the discharge port (24).

Abstract: A corn harvesting apparatus is set forth wherein a shovel-like hopper includes a conveyor cylinder mounted rearwardly of the hopper for directing harvested corn to a combine storage. Rotatably mounted forwardly of the hopper is a harvesting cylinder formed with coaxially aligned rows of spikes about the periphery with a stacked series of barbed ends formed thereon. The corn ears are pierced and directed to the conveyor and are stripped from the spikes by a stripper plate formed with slots aligned circumferentially with the rows of spikes.

Abstract: A substantial, stable, safe to use yard station is disclosed. The yard station provides for the cleaning of lawn mowers, both the underside and outer surface, and of other lawn implements. The construction is from a relatively heavy gauge base plate, which has provision for staking the apparatus down, and from water carrying pipe fittings, valves, a length of hose and a nozzle etc.

Abstract: A drive apparatus is provided for driving the cutterhead of a forage harvester forward and in reverse. The drive apparatus comprises a hub mounted at one end of a transverse shaft that drives the cutterhead. The hub is connected to and movable along this transverse shaft between a driving position and a non-driving position with respect to another transverse shaft that is connected to a tractor PTO. The cutterhead may be driven forward when the hub is in the driving position and in reverse when the hub is in the non-driving position. A removable belt may be utilized to drive the cutterhead in reverse.

Abstract: An asparagus harvester capable of producing a harvested product with quality comparable to that which is manually picked so as to be readily acceptable to processors. The harvester employs a recirculatory flexible saw cutter with a powered blade cleaner at the downstream end of the cut-off pass of the cutter. It cuts the stalks for transfer to an elevator conveyor by a front blower, the elevated stalks being elevated and then dropped to hopper means past a controlled blower nozzle serving as a debris separator, the hopper means being periodically elevated and having a conveyorized bottom for power discharge of the harvested asparagus.