With Hitch Permitting Movement Of Harvester Relative To Vehicle Patents (Class 56/14.9)
  • Patent number: 12207593
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester including a header assembly, includes: a multicoupler storage assembly including: a multicoupler assembly including a plurality of at least one of hydraulic connectors and electrical connectors; and a cradle mechanism configured for storing the multicoupler assembly and for selectively pivoting between a receiving position associated with the cradle mechanism receiving the multicoupler assembly and a storage position associated with the cradle mechanism storing the multicoupler assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Oberlander, Joel T. Cook, Nathaniel Smith
  • Patent number: 12123702
    Abstract: Disclosed are solutions for proactively sensing the condition of the ground in the path of the autonomous vehicle in order to mitigate the risks of an autonomous vehicle encountering troublesome terrain, navigation obstacles, and other potential risks to the continued uninterrupted operation of said autonomous vehicle. Accordingly, various implementations disclosed herein are directed to the use of ground analysis sensors to assist in the detection of navigationally difficult terrain including, for example, the use of cantilevered sensors operating well in front of the autonomous vehicle's front wheels (drive wheels or otherwise).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: RENU ROBOTICS CORP.
    Inventors: Tim Alan Matus, Michael Odell Blanton, Jr., Kristopher Charles Kozak, Marc Christopher Alban
  • Patent number: 12048259
    Abstract: An articulating tongue arrangement includes a vehicle attachment section enabling attachment of the articulating tongue arrangement to a tow vehicle, an implement attachment section enabling attachment of the articulating tongue arrangement to an agricultural implement, and an articulating beam assembly located between the vehicle attachment section and the implement attachment section. The articulating beam assembly includes, in turn, a leading end portion movably coupled to the vehicle attachment section at a leading pivoting joint, a trailing end portion movably coupled to the implement attachment section at a trailing pivoting joint, and a beam assembly actuator coupled between the leading end portion and the trailing end portion of the articulating beam assembly. The beam assembly actuator is controllable to adjust an effective tow length of the articulating beam assembly, as measured along a straight line extending from the leading pivoting joint to the trailing pivoting joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Austin J. Jones
  • Patent number: 11564352
    Abstract: A conditioner unit (6) for conditioning crop material comprises a rotor (17) having a shaft (18) that carries a plurality of conditioning elements, a drive mechanism for driving rotation of the rotor (17) about an axis, and a deflector element having a working surface (26) that surrounds at least part of the circumference of the rotor (17) to define a conditioning passage through which crop material is transported by rotation of the rotor (17). An adjusting mechanism (30) is provided for adjusting the position of the deflector element relative to the rotor (17), the adjusting mechanism (30) including an actuator (50), a sensor for sensing an operational condition of the conditioning unit (6) and a control system (56) that receives a sensor signal from the sensor and controls actuation of the actuator (50) in response to said sensor signal to provide a desired level of conditioning during operation of the conditioner unit (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Kverneland Group Kerteminde AS
    Inventor: Rasmus Elmelund Nielsen
  • Patent number: 10959373
    Abstract: An outdoor power equipment unit includes a front wheel independent suspension system. The front wheel independent suspension system includes a frame, a first front wheel assembly, a second front wheel assembly, a first laterally-extending suspension arm pair, and a second laterally-extending suspension arm pair. The first laterally-extending suspension arm pair includes a first suspension arm and a second suspension arm, both coupled to the frame and the first front wheel assembly. The second laterally-extending suspension arm pair includes a third suspension arm and a fourth suspension arm, both coupled to the frame and the second front wheel assembly. Both the first suspension arm pair and the second suspension arm pair are configured to independently pivot about the frame such that each of the first front wheel assembly and the second front wheel assembly are vertically displaceable relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Krajewski, Robert S. Laurin, E. Mark Lynch
  • Patent number: 10834872
    Abstract: An unloading conveyor arrangement for an agricultural machine includes a conveyor having a discharge end, and a spout arrangement at the discharge end of the conveyor. A range for the position of the spout is determined from one or more factors such as topography and the physical characteristics of the material being handled through the conveyor. The actual position of the spout is ascertained and a warning or an adjustment is made if the actual position is not within the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIALL AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Herbert M. Farley, Reuben J. Dise, Cale N. Boriack, Denver R. Yoder
  • Patent number: 10729057
    Abstract: An integrated transport system for an agricultural harvesting header that pivotable rotates the agricultural harvesting header from a working position to a transport position allowing the agricultural harvesting header to be transported in a substantially vertical position. The agricultural harvesting header includes at least one actuator to pivotable move the agricultural harvesting header from the working position to the transport position and at least one transport wheel. The agricultural harvesting header may be further provided with gauge wheels being repositionable for use as a the at least one transport wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Luke Morrie
  • Patent number: 10701863
    Abstract: A controller on a harvester vehicle is arranged to automatically identify a header in electrical communication with the vehicle upon key activation of the harvester vehicle. Programming instructions on the controller can generate notifications to the user based upon a state of activation of the float mechanism and the state of header identity detection. The controller also prompts the user to confirm the identity of the header if the detected identity of the header has changed. The controller also uses header identity to log usage hours of the header on the computer controller in association with the identity of the header such that maintenance schedules for a plurality of different headers interchangeably used on a common harvester vehicle can be tracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: MacDon Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Benjamin Foster, Michael Flintoft, Sivian Loevsky, John Baldwin, Leonard Bergman
  • Patent number: 10645873
    Abstract: A grass mower includes a cutting height adjustment mechanism for adjusting a cutting height of a mower unit via a lift link mechanism. The cutting height adjustment mechanism has a cutting height control grip disposed upwardly of the fender unit and on one outer side of the driver's seat in the vehicle body transverse direction, a cam body disposed downwardly of the fender unit and closer to a center of the vehicle body in the vehicle body transverse direction than the cutting height control grip, a rotational rod extending obliquely through the fender unit and connecting the cutting height control grip with the cam body, and a stopper body for selectively determining a cutting height of the mower unit in association as it comes into contact with one of a plurality of contact faces formed in the cam body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Maxwell Reichard
  • Patent number: 9357700
    Abstract: A riding lawn care vehicle (10) may include a frame, a steering assembly (30), a cutting deck (50) and a lifting assembly. Wheels (32,34) of the riding lawn care vehicle may be attachable to the frame. The steering assembly may be operably coupled to wheels of the riding lawn care vehicle to provide steering inputs to the wheels. The cutting deck may house at least one cutting blade and may be attachable to the frame. The cutting deck may include at least two cutting deck wheels (52) to facilitate level cutting responsive to operation of the at least one cutting blade when the cutting deck is in a cutting position in which the at least two cutting deck wheels contact the ground. The cutting deck may be liftable to an elevated position in which the at least two cutting deck wheels are not in contact with the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventor: Martin Jonsson
  • Patent number: 9173346
    Abstract: The present invention provides a riding work vehicle that includes a vehicle body having a driver seat; a driving wheel unit supporting the vehicle body; a working electric motor that drives a work unit having a work device; an electric motor controller controlling an operation of the working electric motor in a steady mode or a power saving mode in which consumed power is smaller than the steady mode; and a work load evaluator that evaluates load of the working electric motor. In the riding work vehicle, the electric motor controller operates the working electric motor in the power saving mode in a case where the load of the working electric motor evaluated by the work load evaluator is low load lower than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuo Koike, Hirokazu Ito
  • Publication number: 20150107211
    Abstract: A coupling device for an agricultural machine including a support for hitching to a tractor and at least one arm articulated to the support and protruding from the support in a direction parallel to a direction of advance of the tractor, the arm carrying, in an articulated manner, a chassis carrying a work element having a cutting angle relative to the ground to allow fine control of the cutting angle during movements of the work element. The coupling device further includes an upper connecting-rod, a lower connecting-rod, and a central connecting-rod, each of the upper and lower connecting-rods is articulated to the support and the central connecting-rod to form, projected in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of advance, a deformable quadrilateral, and the central connecting-rod is articulated to the chassis. An agricultural machine can include the coupling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: KUHN S.A.
    Inventors: Cedric Halter, Joel Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 8756904
    Abstract: A harvesting attachment for a harvesting machine includes a frame, and the frame includes an outer wall which defines a cavity in which at least one strut is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignees: CNH Industrial Belgium nv, Biso Schrattenecker GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Schrattenecker
  • Patent number: 8631634
    Abstract: Automatic coupling of a header to a feeder in an agricultural machine. The agricultural machine comprises a feeder (1) and a detachable header (2), the feeder comprising at least one or more rotatable cams (15) and hooks (16), rotatable around a common axis (14), the cams being arranged to gradually lower the distance between the feeder and the header, by rotating the cams (15) away from the header, the hooks being arranged to grip a bar or pin (18) located on the header as the cams are being rotated away from the header, thereby securing the header to the feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Gilian Vereecke, Jonas Van Den Broucke, Didier O. M. Verhaeghe
  • Publication number: 20130341124
    Abstract: A vehicle-attached lifting device and tool support is provided. The device comprises a dual-rail frame supported in an upright configuration by the vehicle tow hitch, wherein an internal subassembly support frame is positioned between the rails for the purposes of supporting different lifting and tool support subassemblies. Along the sides of the upright frame is a pair of ground support members that extend downward towards the ground to support the frame during operation, preventing the load from compressing the vehicle suspension or damaging the same. A winch controls the vertical positioning of the support frame within the dual-rail frame, which controls the position of a lifting or tool support subassembly. Many subassemblies are contemplated for use with the present invention for the purposes of assisting a user without requiring manual input therefrom. The device can also adjust with relation to the vehicle using different trailer hitch attachments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: James Allen Robinson, Jeremy James Robinson
  • Publication number: 20130047569
    Abstract: A lifting device lifts and lowers the working unit with respect to an axis of wheels as a center and can move the wheels of the working unit aloft. The lifting device applies to a lawn mowing vehicle comprising a lawn mowing unit and a main body. The lawn mowing unit includes drum wheels that are rotatable about an axis Ax1 extending in a vehicle width direction. The main body is connected to the lawn mowing unit so as to be rotatable about the axis Ax1 and immovable in the axis Ax direction, and can travel with the lawn mowing unit. The lifting device includes a first support member at the lawn mowing unit, a second support member at the main body, and a linear actuator that includes a retractable rod having a front end portion and a main body part having a rear end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: MAMIYA-OP Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Takahashi, Tomoji Utsugi, Yasumasa Fujita
  • Publication number: 20120317951
    Abstract: The present invention is related an agricultural machine of the combine harvester type. The machine comprises a feeder (1) and a detachable header (2), the feeder comprising at least one or more rotatable cams (15) and hooks (16), rotatable around a common axis (14), the cams being arranged to gradually lower the distance between the feeder and the header, by rotating the cams (15) away from the header, the hooks being arranged to grip a bar or pin (18) located on the header as the cams are being rotated away from the header, thereby securing the header to the feeder. According to the preferred embodiment, a combine harvester according to the invention is further equipped with an automatic coupling mechanism (6) for coupling the feeder drive shaft to the header drive shaft, the coupling mechanism involving axial coupling claws (30,31) which interlock as a consequence of the reducing of the distance between the header and the feeder, through the rotation of the cams (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Gilian Vereecke, Jonas Van Den Broucke, Didier O.M. Verhaeghe
  • Patent number: 8286984
    Abstract: An articulated harvester is composed of a forward bogey having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, but being devoid of an on-board grain bin. A rearward bogey is attached by a joint to the forward bogey and has a powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward bogey grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The improvement includes the rearward bogey having a powered wheel assembly of a powered stiff axle wheel assembly pivotable for steering the articulated harvester when the joint has articulated by a defined number of degrees. The joint may be connected to the rearward bogey powered stiff axle wheel assembly by a beam that has a second joint disposed ahead of the stiff axle and actuatable to crab the articulated harvester for grain unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Ben N. Dillon
  • Publication number: 20120186214
    Abstract: A turf treatment trailer attachable to a ride-on lawnmower. The turf treatment trailer comprises a drawbar which is detachably attachable to the ride-on lawnmower, a frame connected to the drawbar, a first ground-bearing trailer wheel rotatably mounted on the frame, a second ground-bearing trailer wheel rotatably mounted on the frame and at least one turf treatment unit detachably attached to the frame. The turf treatment unit is positioned on the frame to trail the first ground-bearing trailer wheel so that in use when the turf treatment trailer is attached to the ride-on lawnmower which is moving forward over the ground, a substantially common area of the turf on the ground is sequentially traversed by the first ground-bearing trailer wheel and treated by the turf treatment unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: David Michel
  • Patent number: 8091329
    Abstract: An underbelly mower has a cutting deck suspended beneath a frame by a height adjustment mechanism. The deck is adjusted between different cutting heights by extendable mechanical advantage device such as an electric screw and hydraulic ram operating in cooperation with the height adjustment mechanism. The mechanical advantage device also operably moves the deck between a cutting configuration and a maintenance configuration. A deck quick release and attachment mechanism, including hook members, operably allows a user to quickly and easily disconnect and reconnect a rear of deck to the frame when moving between cutting and maintenance configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Shivvers Group, Incorporated
    Inventor: Scott A. Schick
  • Patent number: 8087225
    Abstract: An agricultural windrower includes a traction unit having a frame. A cutting platform has a longitudinal extension, a feeder opening associated with a first mounting location, and a first hitch at an end of the cutting platform associated with a second mounting location. A lift assembly carried by the traction unit frame is configured to mount with the cutting platform at the first mounting location. An articulated transport arrangement is mounted to the traction unit frame. The articulated transport arrangement includes a second hitch configured for mating with the first hitch, and at least one actuator for coupling between and adjusting a relative angular orientation between the frame and the cutting platform when the first hitch and the second hitch are mated together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Gordon Lee Salley, Thomas Daryl Bebernes
  • Publication number: 20110283673
    Abstract: An agricultural working machine has a vehicle, a front attachment guided such that it is swivelable about an axis in a direction of travel during a harvesting operation, a frame on which working tools are mounted, and an element provided on a chassis of the vehicle and/or the front attachment for applying a force that counteracts a swivel motion of the vehicle or the front attachment induced by a parameter selected from the group consisting of driving speeds, uneven terrain and both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Claus Moersch, Mcihael Baranski, Michael Kuehn
  • Patent number: 7866133
    Abstract: The vertically swingable header of a farm machine utilizes a flotation mechanism having a torsion bar as the source of lifting force. The torsion bar is mounted on the header rather than the base machine and is operably coupled with the base machine through loading apparatus that includes a cam and cam follower system. An alternative embodiment utilizes a cam track fixedly mounted on the base machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Funk, Michael J. Dresher, Edward W. Esau, Thomas G. Schrag
  • Publication number: 20100313537
    Abstract: A dethatcher is provided that includes a base, a plurality of tines and a foot manipulator assembly. The plurality of tines extends from the base and is configured to engage a ground surface. The foot manipulator assembly is coupled and arranged to move the base up and down based on pressure provide by at least one foot of an operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: William R. Lundberg
  • Patent number: 7716906
    Abstract: A single lever mower deck height-of-cut control provides a hand control connected to a depth stop cam that is movable to a plurality of cutting height positions. A push button switch on the hand control may be actuated to extend a hydraulic lift mechanism against a lift arm to raise the mower deck. The mower deck descends while the push button switch is not actuated until the lift arm engages the depth stop cam at a specified cutting height position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Benjamin Jerry Swart
  • Patent number: 7712293
    Abstract: The present invention is related to lawn maintenance and describes a system for mounting an accessory, such as a grass trimmer, to a lawn tractor or lawn mower. The mounting system provides a lawn tractor operator the ability to operate an accessory while seated in the lawn tractor. The mounting system is also advantageous in that the operator need not specifically align the tractor with any objects that present an obstacle for mowing, but may instead move the accessory to the object. The accessory mounting system includes a linkage arrangement that allows the accessory to be moved from side-to-side of the lawn tractor. The linkage arrangement includes a centered orientated vertical pivot member interconnected with a link member, which is defined by a pair of curvilinear members, that allows the link member to rotate to reposition the accessory. The linkage arrangement also allows limited vertical displacement of the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Scott J. Recker
  • Patent number: 7690177
    Abstract: A string trimmer mechanism intended for mounting on the front end of a mowing tractor. The mechanism includes a mounting bracket for attachment to the front end of the tractor; an extension power cylinder pivotally mounted on the bracket and extending laterally of the tractor; a string trimmer carried on the free end of the power cylinder and including a hydraulic motor driving a trimmer dish; and a lift power cylinder pivotally mounted on the bracket and driving a lever pivotally mounted on the bracket and carrying a roller positioned under the extension power cylinder. The string trimmer is moved selectively laterally inwardly and outwardly utilizing the extension power cylinder and is moved selectively upwardly and downwardly utilizing the lift power cylinder. The extension power cylinder, lift power cylinder, and hydraulic trimmer motor are selectively supplied with pressurized hydraulic fluid from a pressurized hydraulic fluid source onboard the tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Larry W. Spitzley
  • Patent number: 7669394
    Abstract: A mower has a frame that supports a rotary cutting deck. A height of cut system is provided for adjusting the height of cut of the deck. In addition, two longitudinal struts and a lateral strut connect between the frame and the rear of the deck. The longitudinal struts propel the deck in forward and reverse directions while the lateral strut provides lateral stabilization to the deck to prevent excessive side-to-side motion of the deck. Each of the struts is a simple elongated rod or bar having a hub at either end that contains a rubber bushing allowing three-axis motion. Each strut is pivotally connected at each hub to corresponding portions of the frame or the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Exmark Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Finkner, Kermit A. Wolff
  • Patent number: 7669395
    Abstract: An automated system for selecting the cutting height and orientation of a mower deck attached to a power vehicle. An actuator and a system of links and slotted members are configured to operatively couple to a mower deck carriage and a front portion of the mower deck. Operation of the actuator by extending or retracting an actuator length, working in concert with the system of links and members, causes the mower deck to lower or raise in relation to a surface underlying the mower deck. Operation of the actuator further permits the mower deck to be rotated about an axis to and from an operation orientation and a service and or storage orientation. The actuator maintains the position of the mower deck without assistance of additional locking mechanisms or load bearing members. The system is controllable through a single interface convenient to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Woods Equipment Company
    Inventors: Todd Wehler, Wayne Shaw
  • Publication number: 20100037578
    Abstract: A height of cut adjustment mechanism is provided for a rotary cutting deck mounted on a lift arm extending from a traction vehicle. The mechanism includes a front axle and a rear axle, at least one roller mounted on each axle, and a pair of height of cut arms extending from each axle to a pivot axis on the rotary cutting deck. A notch lock on each height of cut arm may be moved between a locked position in which the notch lock engages a notch plate at a desired cutting height, and an unlocked position in which the notch lock disengages the notch plate so that the height of cut arm can pivot with respect to the rotary cutting deck. A lever attached to each notch lock can be operated to move the notch lock between the locked and the unlocked positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Brian M. Jolliff, David L. Phillips, Jennifer L. Jaramillo, Ronald L. Reichen, Todd A. Link, Scott A. Jarman
  • Patent number: 7658569
    Abstract: An extensible bar comprises a bar and a sleeve that slide over each other and are kept together by a pin. The extensible bar includes a locking system made up of a latch connected by a wire spring to the sleeve, the latch preventing sliding movement between the sleeve and the bar when the latch is positioned within respective recesses formed in the bar and in the sleeve when the recesses are aligned. The wire spring urges the latch into the recesses. Unlocking of the assembly entails pulling the latch out of the recesses by grasping and pulling a handle attached to the latch. The locking system can be blocked by turning the latch about the wire spring into an orientation that prevents the latch from entering the recesses. The locking, unlocking, and blocking functions are performed by an assembly of only three parts; the latch, the wire spring, and the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Maxiforja S/A Forjaria E Metalurgia
    Inventor: Diego Müller de Oliveira
  • Patent number: 7647755
    Abstract: A pull-type crop harvesting machine has a header carried on a frame mounted on ground wheels with a hitch arm extending from the frame over the header to a hitch coupling of a tractor. The hitch arm is mounted for pivotal movement about a generally upright axis such that in a first position the tractor tows the frame in echelon to one side and in a second position the tractor tows the frame in echelon. The movement is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder and stopped at one end of the movement by the piston with a rod coupling being adjustably mounted on the rod to adjust the end position. At the other end of the movement, the position is defined by a stop member mounted on the piston rod and adjustable relative thereto. Each end of the cylinder includes a cushion effect by using separate orifices for the fluid ports which slow fluid flow as the piston approaches the ends of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: MacDon Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Neil Gordon Barnett, Geoffrey U. Snider
  • Patent number: 7596935
    Abstract: A suspension system for fixed-frame, towed agricultural implements having at least one floating head. A hydraulic cylinder is used for both lift and suspension of the floating head. A hydraulic accumulator provides expansion room for hydraulic fluid to move in and out of the hydraulic cylinder during suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Shane A. Bollinger, Kent L. Thompson, Rustin V. Bentzinger
  • Patent number: 7587886
    Abstract: A lawnmower cutter deck is fitted with a side-to-side deck locator comprises first and second laterally spaced bearings that are disposed longitudinally between the cutter deck and the lawnmower frame. Each of the bearings is laterally spaced from a corresponding stop when the deck is centered relative to a longitudinal centerline the frame and permits limited lateral movement of the cutter deck relative to the frame through a stroke corresponding to the width of the space. Each of the bearings is movable vertically along the corresponding stop so as to permit uninhibited vertical movement of the cutter deck relative to the frame and pivoting of the cutter deck about longitudinal and lateral axes. A fore and aft locator may also be provided and be connected to the cutter deck and to the frame to at least substantially prevent fore and aft movement of the cutter deck relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Scag Power Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Sugden
  • Publication number: 20090205306
    Abstract: A mower deck for a rotary vegetation cutting mower device pulled by a motor vehicle includes a housing defining a main portion disposed generally horizontally when the mower deck is in a position for cutting the vegetation and a pair of side walls extending downwardly from the main portion generally perpendicular thereto and forming in combination with the main portion a compartment of the housing wherein the blade rotates. At least one of at least one reinforcing rib and raised portion is disposed on the top surface of the main portion. A plate is releaseably secured to the top surface of the housing and carries a gearbox thereon. The housing and the plate are manufactured from a polypropylene material having a thickness of about one inch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: WEAVER F. FOSTER, III
  • Publication number: 20090199530
    Abstract: An agricultural windrower includes a traction unit having a frame. A cutting platform has a longitudinal extension, a feeder opening associated with a first mounting location, and a first hitch at an end of the cutting platform associated with a second mounting location. A lift assembly carried by the traction unit frame is configured to mount with the cutting platform at the first mounting location. An articulated transport arrangement is mounted to the traction unit frame. The articulated transport arrangement includes a second hitch configured for mating with the first hitch, and at least one actuator for coupling between and adjusting a relative angular orientation between the frame and the cutting platform when the first hitch and the second hitch are mated together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Gordon Lee Salley, Thomas Daryl Bebernes
  • Patent number: 7568331
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Ronald Lee Reichen, Brian Keith Pearman, Todd Allen Link
  • Publication number: 20090183480
    Abstract: An underbelly mower has a cutting deck suspended beneath a frame by a height adjustment mechanism. The deck is adjusted between different cutting heights by extendable mechanical advantage device such as an electric screw and hydraulic ram operating in cooperation with the height adjustment mechanism. The mechanical advantage device also operably moves the deck between a cutting configuration and a maintenance configuration. A deck quick release and attachment mechanism, including hook members, operably allows a user to quickly and easily disconnect and reconnect a rear of deck to the frame when moving between cutting and maintenance configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Shivvers Group, Incorporated, an Iowa Corporation
    Inventor: Scott A. Schick
  • Patent number: 7562515
    Abstract: A riding type mower comprises: a plurality of wheels including at least one driven wheel; a vehicle body supported by the plurality of wheels; a driver's seat supported by the vehicle body; a mower unit located below the vehicle body; a suspension mechanism for vertically movably supporting the mower unit from the vehicle body, the suspension mechanism having a restraint member operatively connected to the suspension mechanism; an operation mechanism for operating the suspension mechanism; a stopper for setting a lower limit for a vertical position of the mower unit to define a cutting height by abutment against the restraint member, the stopper is adapted to be rotated to change the lower limit; a lower limit adjustment element located laterally of the driver's seat and rotatable to rotate the stopper; and a linking mechanism for operatively connecting the lower limit adjustment element with the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Komorida, Hideya Umemoto, Yoshiyuki Esaki
  • Patent number: 7555885
    Abstract: The vertically swingable header of a farm machine utilizes a flotation mechanism having a torsion bar as the source of lifting force. The torsion bar is mounted on the header rather than the base machine and is operably coupled with the base machine through loading apparatus that includes a cam and cam follower system. An alternative embodiment utilizes a cam track fixedly mounted on the base machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Funk, Michael J. Dresher, Edward W. Esau, Thomas G. Schrag
  • Patent number: 7555884
    Abstract: The invention concerns a self-propelled agricultural harvesting machine that can be propelled in a normal forward operating direction and is provided with a chassis that includes a pair of front devices in contact with the ground, a pair of rear devices in contact with the ground arranged behind the front pair of devices in contact with the ground relative to the normal forward operating direction and that can be steered by a steering actuator, and a harvested crop processing arrangement arranged within the chassis and an intake conveyor arranged on the front side of the chassis on whose front side a front harvesting attachment take-up arrangement is arranged to which a front harvesting attachment can be attached or is attached in order to take up harvested crop that can be conducted by the intake conveyor to the harvested crop processing arrangement during the harvesting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Thomas Janning
  • Patent number: 7552578
    Abstract: An automatic latch assembly for coupling a combine feeder and combine header, said latch comprising a slidable gearbox and a telescopic jack shaft assembly extending therefrom, a hydraulic activation assembly, and spring-loaded couplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: William C. Guske
  • Patent number: 7540134
    Abstract: A riding mower includes an apparatus for adjusting the height of a mowing deck. The mowing deck is supported relative to a frame of the riding mower by a deck lift system. The deck lift system is actuated by a foot activated lever, with an arm linking the lever to the deck lift system. A cam wheel having an outer radial edge of varying radius is rotationally mounted near an operator seating area of the mower. A shoulder is disposed on the arm to contact the outer radial edge of the cam wheel when the mowing deck is in a lowered position. The height of the mowing deck relative to a ground surface is a function of the outer radial edge oriented for contact with the shoulder of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Inventor: Pat Reich
  • Patent number: 7540133
    Abstract: An agricultural implement is provided that includes a wheeled frame and a draft tongue pivotally connected to and extending forwardly from the frame to connect with the tractor. A hydraulic cylinder controls the pivotal movement of the draft tongue relative to the frame. A hydraulic conduit system having at least one flexible hose provides a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure from the tractor to the hydraulic cylinders. A hydraulic hose support is mounted at the forward end of the draft tongue to support the flexible hoses. The hose support includes a vertical support, a base portion that defines a curved portion and that is affixed to the vertical support, and an elastomeric block having openings therein to receive and fix the flexible hoses to the hose support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darwin L. Zacharias, Henry Neufeld
  • Patent number: 7540135
    Abstract: A riding mower with a height adjustable mowing deck includes an operator seating area and a cam wheel rotatably connected to a frame of the mower adjacent to the operator seating area. The mowing deck is supported below the frame of the mower by a deck lifting system comprising a plurality of cooperating bell cranks pivotally connected at various locations to the frame. One of the bell cranks is connected for common rotation to a secondary arm aligned in a common plane with the cam wheel. A rod pivotally connects at one end to the secondary arm. The opposite end of the arm contacts an edge portion of the cam wheel. A selector wheel associated with the cam wheel, for adjusting the cam wheel edge in contact with the rod, has a scalloped perimeter edge. A detent engages the scalloped edge to maintain a selected position of the cam wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Inventor: Claude Strope
  • Publication number: 20090100817
    Abstract: A mid-mount riding rotary mower is disclosed. The mower has a two-piece frame. The frame includes a front section that is pivotally connected to a rear section. The mower deck is carried beneath the mower between the front and rear wheels. The mower deck is attached to the front frame and follows the movement of the front wheels. The front frame includes swing arms that carry the front wheels from a first position in front of the mower to a side position for deck maintenance. In the maintenance position the deck can be removed from under the mower easily by rolling the deck forward. The deck can then be tilted up to a stable vertical orientation for maintenance of the blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventor: Vern Godfrey
  • Publication number: 20090078485
    Abstract: An electrically driven single-axle vehicle with a platform for a driver, driven about a common wheel axis to improve its handling and its range of uses. The vehicle includes at least one attachment, the attachment being connected to the single-axle vehicle pivotably about at least one first attachment axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: EVONIK DEGUSSA GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas GUTSCH, Michael Schulze, Holger Bramsiepe
  • Publication number: 20080289310
    Abstract: The lawn mower includes a vehicle body supporting front and rear wheels and a mower unit suspended from the vehicle body between the front and rear wheels by front and rear links. The links are movable to raise and lower the mower unit. A grass striping mechanism is associated with the vehicle body. The mechanism includes a stay arm connected to the mower unit and a roller support member movably connected to the stay arm so that the member is capable of movement in a vertical direction. A grass striping roller is rotationally supported by the roller support arm. A lift link is pivotally connected to the vehicle body and is associated with the roller support member. The lift link interfaces with the rear link such that upward movement of the rear link imparts movement to the lift link and roller support arm to lift the roller from the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyle Hagen, Shane Simon
  • Patent number: 7451587
    Abstract: A mower tractor (1) comprises: a mid-mount mower (5) under a middle bottom portion thereof between front wheels (2;2) and rear wheels (3;3); a body frame (8); a transmission casing (24) having an input shaft (58) disposed laterally eccentrically in the body frame (8); an engine (23) having an output shaft (55); a propeller shaft (14) and universal joints (27) interposed between the output shaft (55) of the engine (23) and the input shaft (58) of the transmission casing (24); and a device (60) for restricting height of the mower (5) disposed between the propeller shaft and the body frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshitaka Komiya, Toshihiko Ibe, Takatoshi Meno
  • Publication number: 20080245045
    Abstract: An underbelly mower has a cutting deck suspended beneath a frame by a height adjustment mechanism. The deck is adjusted between different cutting heights by extendable mechanical advantage device such as an electric screw and hydraulic ram operating in cooperation with the height adjustment mechanism. The mechanical advantage device also operably moves the deck between a cutting configuration and a maintenance configuration. A deck quick release and attachment mechanism, including hook members, operably allows a user to quickly and easily disconnect and reconnect a rear of deck to the frame when moving between cutting and maintenance configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Shivvers Group Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott A. Schick, Stephen C. Thatcher