Abstract: A cab structure for a working vehicle comprising a driver's seat, and a steering wheel attached to a free end of a curved steering column. The steering column extends forwardly from a front fender located laterally of the driver's seat and then inwardly toward longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body. The steering wheel is pivotable, for positional adjustment, about an axis of the inwardly extending portion of the steering column. The steering column further carries a steering valve at the free end thereof, which is connected to a steering cylinder and a hydraulic pump through hydraulic rubber pipes extending through the steering column.

Abstract: A grass and brush mowing attachment for a fork lift or other front loading machine which is operated hydraulically and which includes forwardly projecting tines. The mowing attachment has a deck with side skirts having runners on their lower edges. Sleeves on the deck receive the tines of the fork lift, and chains are also connected between the deck and the machine. The mowing deck has a blade which is driven by a reversible hydraulic motor that has detachable hose connections with the hydraulic pump on the fork lift. The blade is sharp on both edges and is equipped with pivotal kick back blades on its opposite ends.

Abstract: A highly mobile brush cutting vehicle is adapted to mount a rotary steel disk-type cutter head on the end of an elongated boom assembly. The vehicle is preferably rubber-tired, with individual wheels mounted on articulating legs. The wheel legs are preferably mounted to the vehicle undercarriage for independent articulation up and down. The preferred brush cutter includes a boom assembly provided with a telescoping extension to which the cutter assembly is mounted. The brush cutter assembly itself is preferably provided as integral part of an excavator bucket that includes a jaw or clamp arm.

Abstract: A four wheel steering tractor comprising a grass cutting system vertically movably mounted in a lower space of the tractor between front and rear wheels. The grass cutting system carries gauge wheels disposed at opposite lateral sides in rear regions thereof. An interlocking structure between a steering wheel and the front and rear wheels includes a front drag link extending from a pitman arm toward the left (or right) front wheel, and a rear drag link extending from the pitman arm toward the right (or left) rear wheel. This interlocking structure places the center of tractor turning approximately on a straight line extending through the gauge wheels and adjacent one of the gauge wheels.

Abstract: A powereed riding tractor lawn mower suited to uneven terrain has four fluid motor powered driven wheels and includes a frame comprising front and rear frame sections connected for pivoting about a first axis between the sections and normal to the ground plane. The rear frame section is in turn made up of forward and rearward portions, the rearward portion of which pivots about a second axis which intersects and is perpendicular to the first axis enabling the rear wheels to pivot about both axis. Sterring is accomplished by a steering mechanism which changes the angular relation of the frame sections.

Abstract: A unitized engine transaxle combination preferably having a variable speed transmission such as a hydrostatic or continuous variable transmission for utilization in a work vehicle, the combination including a specific arrangement of components parts inside the transaxle housing and the connection of the engine thereto to provide the engine transaxle combination unit. In the preferred embodiment, a hydrostatic pump is connected to the engine and the hydrostatic motor is positioned inside the transaxle housing on the same side thereof in relation to the left or right side of the combination. In close proximity to the hydrostatic motor, a speed reduction unit is also housed inside the transaxle housing. The other end of the transaxle housing houses a differential unit. The hydrostatic pump is driven by a cam gear mechanism which is contained within the engine housing and interconnects with the engine crankshaft and the hydrostatic pump input shaft so that the hydrostatic pump is driven thereby.

Abstract: A wholestalk sugar cane loader apparatus for picking up and accumulating windrowed cane wholestalks from a cane field ground surface having heap rows and furrows includes a wheeled movable carriage adapted to travel along a path defined by the carriage longitudinal center axis, generally parallel to the longitudinally extending elongated heap rows. The carriage has wheels tracking in parallel furrows and an elevated platform surface positioned adjacent the carriage for movement therewith during gathering of windrowed wholestalk cane, for accumulating wholestalk cut cane from a resting position on the cane field ground surface into a heap. An elongated boom pivotally mounted at a rotary connection to the carriage extends away from the rotary connection along a radial line defining a boom longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The mowing machine, of the seated operator type, comprises a supporting frame which supports, at its central portion, a casing including a grass cutting assembly, and a seat for the operator.The main feature of the machine is that it further comprises, associated with the supporting frame, a front steering column supporting a driven front roller for displacing the machine, there being moreover provided a rear bearing roller and two further rear rollers to allow for the cutting assembly to track the unevenness of the ground, the two further rear rollers being suitable to stabilize the machine and improve its performance on not perfectly flat soils.

Abstract: A self-propelling field chopping machine comprises a chassis, a front cutting mechanism, a transporting channel provided with a throwing out pipe having a downstream end, a rotatable conveyor arranged upstream of the transporting channel and formed as a rotatable conveyor drum provided with paddels, a threshing device arranged between the cutting mechanism and the rotatable conveyor drum and operating in accordance with an axial flow system, a wind sieve device located at the end of the throwing pipe so that a grain-chaff mixture without straw is supplied to the wind sieve device, and a grain tank located under the wind sieve device.

Abstract: A control device in a mower in which an engine output is transmitted to a cutter blade through a coupling of a clutch for performing mowing. A blade engagement switch is provided for sending a drive signal for engaging the cutter blade. A first control device receives the signal and electrically increases a degree of opening of a throttle valve of the engine. A second control device is provided for electrially performing coupling and decoupling of the clutch. A first timer circuit actuates the first control device a predetermined period upon closure of the blade engagement switch. A second timer circuit actuates the second control device to provide coupling of the clutch at a predetermined timing within the predetermined period after closure of the blade engagement switch.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a substance, in solid or liquid form, onto a crop material being baled, the substance being dispensed onto the crop material before it is baled at a rate which is dependent on the moisture content of the crop material and the bulk rate of flow of crop material through the baler. The method is applicable to round balers or square balers.

Abstract: A "short turn" powered vehicle having a transverse structural mower housing or implement that is used to also vertically stablize the unit. One embodiment uses a self powered mower housing with lateral support wheels which also give lateral support, as do the choice of implements, by means of a vertically restricting hinge in relation to a powered drive wheel; thus the drive wheel is in a floating mode as it gives thurst to the housing or implement, so as to always have traction on uneven ground.On each of the embodiments steering is done by, either a generally centrally located steered front support wheel steered from a rearward operator's seat on the vehicle, or steering being from an operator's seat rearward on the vehicle, by breaking of either of the housing's or implement's lateral support wheels and there being at least one castor type front support wheel or lateral front support wheels located close to the rear support wheels.

Abstract: A mobile hop picking machine is provided with independently elevatable wheels. The picker straddles a trellis to position opposing picking cats on either side of the vines. Front and rear banks of picking hooks move upwardly to pick the hops. A bank of resilient raking tines comb the vines upwardly between the picking banks. The picking cats are pivoted about their front edges and are supported for transverse movement on their rear edges. Cylinders urge the rear of the cats toward the vines. A contact member connected to the cat moves the cat transversely, to avoid cat contact with poles, against a biased mounting provided for the hydraulic cylinder. Longitudinal conveyors transport the hops rearwardly and upwardly. A squeeze conveyor floats on a top support over the elevating end of the longitudinal conveyors. An alternate arrangement intersperses the raking tines and picking hooks.

Abstract: A cutting arrangement for grass is releaseably mountable or attachable to a vehicle. For cutting the grass, a rotatable wheel is used. The wheel extends outwardly from one side of the housing and has a cutting disc. The position of the wheel is adjustable.

Abstract: An improved work vehicle is disclosed in which a vertical shaft V-type engine having vertically supported crankshaft with the pair of right and left cylinders being arranged in V-shape is housed inside the front bonnet that is forwardly downwardly inclined at the top. The work vehicle, while having no less excellent performance in terms of power output, noise, and vibration, provides more increased operability and a wider range of forward visibility than conventional horizontal opposed type engine vehicles.

Abstract: A motor-powered lawn mower is described which includes provisions for converting same from a walk-behind mower to a stand-up riding mower. A driven shaft associated with the rear wheels is journaled for rotation at the lower ends of a pair of pivot arms which are hinged to opposed sides of the mower's frame. Also coupled to the pivot arms is a riding platform. When the rear wheel assembly is swung forward relative to the frame, the riding platform is tucked beneath the frame so as not to obstruct the feet of the operator walking behind the mower and guiding its path of travel. By swinging the rear wheel assembly to extend rearward of the frame, the riding platform becomes deployed in a horizontal position so that the operator may stand upon it as he manipulates the controls to steer the vehicle.

Abstract: A self-propelled implement carrier is provided with a main frame defining a longitudinal axis. A power plant is mounted on the main frame at one side of the longitudinal axis, thereby leaving a space for carrying an implement at a location which is coincident with the longitudinal axis. Spaced driven wheels are journalled on a drive axle projecting from the power plant across the longitudinal axis. Spaced steering wheels are journalled on a steering axle longitudinally spaced from the drive axle and projecting from the drive means across the longitudinal axis. An operator's cab is supported on the main frame generally on the longitudinal axis, laterally offset from the power plant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mower comprising a chassis which is provided with an engine. The chassis consists of a front and a rear section each section being provided with a pair of wheels and the front section supports a cutting attachment. The front and at least a part of the rear section are pivotally connected to each other so that they can be turned mainly about a vertical steering axis and about a mainly horizontal swinging axis. The steering axis (29) and the swinging axix (42) is placed considerably closer to the wheel axis of the rear section (13) than the wheel axis of the front section (12) preferably so that the distance (a) between the steering axis (29) and the wheel axis of the rear section (13) is less than 1/3 of the distance (b) between the two wheel axis.

Abstract: A hay baler conversion unit includes internal combustion engine over steered drive wheels. The frame of a regular tractor drawn hay baler is attached to the frame of a conversion kit. An operator's station connected to the baler has controls for controlling the speed of the baler and also the speed the unit moves over the ground. The drive for the baler and for the drive wheel is a hydraulic pump and motor system. The operator's station is located behind the gatherer of the baler so that the operator has excellent view of the gatherer and is also adjacent to and laterally of the tying unit or knotter of the baler so that the operator is within view and reach of the knotter.

Abstract: A riding type mower includes steered front wheels and driven rear wheels arranged in the front and rear parts of a vehicle body, respectively, a mowing cutter mechanism disposed under the vehicle body, a driver's seat disposed on the vehicle body, and an engine for driving the rear wheel and the mowing cutter mechanism. The driver's seat is disposed substantially at the longitudinally central part of the vehicle body, the engine is disposed below the driver seat, a fuel supply system of the engine is disposed at one side of the engine, and an exhaust system of the engine is disposed at the other side of the engine. Power of the engine is transmitted through a pulley belt to an input shaft of a transmission gearing for the rear wheels, with the transmission gearing being disposed behind a rear axle, and concurrently from the input shaft through another pulley belt to the cutter mechanism which is level-adjustably disposed substantially in the longitudinal central part of the vehicle body.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in lawn and garden maintenance, in which a chassis having a pair of axially aligned and independently operable drive wheels carries a grass trimmer comprising an articulated arm pivotably mounted at one end on the chassis, a trimming device mounted on that end of the arm remote from the chassis, gripping means mounted on the arm for manual manipulation thereof, and means mounted on the chassis to actuate the trimming device, the arm comprising a first variable parallelogram unit pivotably mounted on the chassis in a vertical plane and a second variable parallelogram unit pivotably mounted on that end of the first parallelogram unit in said vertical plane remote from the chassis, the trimming device being pivotably mounted on that end of the second parallelogram unit remote from the first parallelogram unit, the parallelogram units being spring biased against free movement thereof.

Abstract: An articulated riding mower comprised of a sulky unit pivotally connected to a walk-behind mower. To attach the sulky to the walk-behind mower, the mower deck includes a bridge support overlying the mower deck between the rear corner positions thereof. The bridge support has depending extensions at the corner positions mounted on the axle of the rear wheels. The depending extensions of the bridge support are, in turn, rigidly fastened to the respective corners of the mower deck. A central portion of the bridge support carries a pivotal connection including a bearing for removably attaching the sulky to the walk-behind mower. In a preferred embodiment, the handle of the walk-behind mower is connected, at its lower end, directly to the bridge support.

Abstract: A lawn mower comprises a steering frame pivotally connected to an engine unit which is attached to a mower unit comprising a cutter deck and a cutter assembly. The center of gravity of the engine, transmission, battery and fuel tank is disposed to the rear of the drive wheel axis to counterbalance the weight of the mower unit. The steering frame is pivotally attached to the engine platform at a distance from the drive wheel axis which is a small fraction of the distance between this axis and the cutter deck front castor wheels. The engine and cutter units may be tilted about the drive wheel axis by a cable which extends from the steering frame at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to a radial line extending from the drive wheel axis.

Abstract: The body structure 12 of a rear engine riding mower 11 is resiliently mounted on a main frame structure 13 by four cushion mounts 14. The engine 48 and steering shaft are mounted on the main frame structure 13 and the operator's seat 53 is supported on the body structure 12. Each of the mounts 14 is provided with a restrainer in the form of an inverted cup 69 which serves to stiffen the mount when the body structure 12 shifts horizontally (see FIG. 6) relative to the main frame structure 13 and when unusual vertical loading (see FIG. 7) is imposed on the mount.

Abstract: A road grader of the type including a tiltable and vertically adjustable frame is utilized to dependingly support a heavy duty multibladed horizontal rotary cutter head. The frame supports a prime mover drivingly connected to the rotary cutter head and the latter includes a horizontal disc from which elongated blades are supported. The elongated blades include base and free ends and the base ends of the blades are pivotally attached to spaced peripheral portions of the disc for oscillation relative thereto about upstanding axes. The rotary cutter head is disposed between the front steerable and rear driving wheels of the road grader and the blade frame of the grader is provided with a rearwardly opening semi-truncated cone-shaped shield within whose lower periphery the forward outer marginal portion of the disc is received and beneath whose lower periphery the free ends of the blades carried by the forward half of the rotary disc project.

Abstract: An improved shield member for directing the grass clippings cut by a reel-type mower into a grass catcher. The shield member encompasses a portion of the circumference of the reel from the side of the reel opposite the grass catcher and has an inner surface spaced apart from the reel to define a cut clipping discharge passageway. A cut-off bar is mounted to the shield member and extends inwardly from its inner surface toward the reel and functions to direct grass clippings or mats of grass that tend to adhere to the inner surface of the shield member into the path of the cutting reel blades whereby the grass clippings or grass clumps are struck by the cutting blades and sufficient velocity is imparted to the grass to project the grass in a desired trajectory into the grass catcher position forwardly of the cutting reel.