Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for articulating float arms of a harvester header between a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration are disclosed. The systems and apparatuses include a locking tube that experiences no torque or approximately no torque when the float arms are in the rigid configuration. Further, the systems and apparatuses also avoid adjustments to ensure that float arms are fully retracted, such as into abutting contact with another portion of a header.

Abstract: A harvesting attachment for a harvester comprising a frame that has a rear wall and a bottom wall. To improve a harvesting attachment of this type, the rear wall comprises a central portion and two outer portions. The central portion of the rear wall is made of a high-tensile material.

Abstract: A mower is suspended from a frame and includes a header with a cutter. A tongue is pivotally connected to the mower frame and is moveable with respect to the frame by a hydraulic cylinder. At the front of the tongue is a front gearbox rigidly attached to the tongue. The front gearbox transmits rotary power from the power take off of the tractor to a rear gearbox pivotally attached the header and from the rear gearbox rotary power is passed on ultimately to the rotary cutting units. Pivoting of the rear gearbox is controlled by a steering connection operatively attached between the front and rear gearboxes.

Abstract: A mechanism for offsetting cutting units for a grass mowing machine includes lift arms that pivot between a first lowered position in which the cutting units are offset to the left of the traction vehicle, a second lowered position in which the cutting units are offset to the right of the traction vehicle, and a raised position intermediate the first and second lowered positions. Each lift arm has a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis.

Abstract: A drive train for a header of a harvesting machine comprising a variable length drive shaft. The variable length drive shaft has a first end having a first hinged connection which is connected via a drive element with a first shaft. The variable length drive shaft has a second end having a second hinged connection that is operatively coupled to a driven element in driving connection with a drive shaft of the header. The drive shaft drives harvesting elements of the header. A connection element is arranged to align the drive element and the driven element at least approximately parallel to each other.

Abstract: An agricultural machine comprises a body and a drawbar, which drawbar is connected to the body using a first articulation with a substantially vertical axis and allows the agricultural machine to be moved along during work and during transport, the body resting on the ground during work using wheels which are each connected to the body via at least one connecting element, the body comprising a central unit and a working unit, which working unit is arranged transversely to the direction of forward travel during work and is arranged substantially parallel to the direction of forward travel during transport.

Abstract: A vehicle for the harvesting of plants bearing fruit or vegetables and particularly strawberries is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a conveyor belt system which is a pair of conveyors each comprising a belt assembly and an elongated trough positioned in a fixed relation above the belt assembly. Each conveyor is configured so that it can span many rows of fruit. Workers stand behind a conveyor and follow the vehicle picking strawberries. When the vehicle reaches the end of a row, the conveyor belt system is arc displaced over the vehicle to the opposite side using hydraulic power or some other appropriate means for displacement. The vehicle wheels are orientated for travel along the access road along the end of a field, for example, 90 degrees when the road is perpendicular to the rows of fruit. The vehicle then travels along the end of the field until it is again aligned with rows of fruit to be picked. The wheels are then orientated back for travel across the field.

Abstract: A pruning apparatus, particularly for pruning low bushes on the ground, such as blueberry bushes, includes a wheeled main frame to be towed behind a tractor, and a plurality of ground work units pivotally connected to the main frame. The units are positioned in front and rear rows and each is selectively positioned in a transverse position. Thus a pruning area effected by one of the unit overlaps an adjacent pruning area of another unit. The connection between each unit and the main frame permits the unit not only to pivot about a vertical axis, but also to pivot slightly about a horizontal axis in a forward direction so that the apparatus is adapted to conform to a contour of uneven portions of a ground surface. Each ground work unit has a drive shaft attached with a plurality of tool member assemblies. The tool member assemblies are so designed as to effect a cutting and flailing action on the blueberry bushes, thereby cutting and slashing the blueberry bushes.

Abstract: A pruning apparatus, particularly for pruning low bushes on the ground, such as Blueberry bushes, includes a wheeled main frame to be towed behind a tractor, and a plurality of ground work units pivotally connected to the main frame. The units are positioned in front and rear rows and each is selectively positioned in a transverse position. Thus a pruning area effected by one of the unit overlaps an adjacent pruning area of another unit. The connection between each unit and the main frame permits the unit not only to pivot about a vertical axis, but also to pivot slightly about a horizontal axis in a forward direction so that the apparatus is adapted to conform to a contour of uneven portions of a ground surface. Each ground work unit has a drive shaft attached with a plurality of tool member assemblies. The tool member assemblies are so designed as to effect a cutting and flailing action on the Blueberry bushes, thereby cutting and slashing the Blueberry bushes to encourage regrowth and improve fruit output.

Abstract: In an agricultural machine having a machine housing, a main drive axle with pivotal drive wheels, and a feed rake, an apparatus for allowing pivotal adjustment of a frontal attachment relative to the feed rake includes at least one pivot element or frame pivotally connected between the feed rake and the frontal attachment, thereby creating at least two separate pivot planes between the frontal attachment and feed rake. The pivot element pivots about a pivot axis that is generally coaxial with a crop path through the feed rake.

Abstract: A power drive riding type lawn mower having a manual and automatic lateral/angular movement of the mower deck to provide an object tracing capability. The tracer mower deck arrangement enables moving the deck horizontally and laterally in a direction perpendicular to the frame of the mower and at an angle with respect to the mower frame. A manual lever moves the mower deck transversely and laterally with respect to the mower frame, while an automatic deck positioning lever has numerous transverse positions and once set in a position, the mower deck can be moved laterally and angularly automatically by contact with an object and then returned to that set position. Also, a deck movement override mechanism provides an added safety feature which enables the mower deck to be secured and the automatic trace feature disabled.

Abstract: A mowing apparatus with multiple articulating cutting decks includes a support for the cutting blades which is attached at a first side to the mower to pivot about a horizontal axis, and is carried by a rocker arm at an opposing second side. The rocker arm has ground support wheels at its opposing ends and is coupled to the second side of the support by linkage that is adjustable to vary the position of the support member relative to the rocker arm and to vary the height of the cutting blade from ground.

Abstract: A crop harvester having a wheeled frame with a tongue pivotally connected to the frame in the vicinity of a longitudinal centerline. The tongue, rotatable about a first generally vertical pivot axis, is swingable between extreme left and right positions on opposing sides of the longitudinal centerline with its distal end adapted for connection to a prime mover. A drive line transmits rotational power from the prime mover. A crop harvesting header, suspended from the frame in a forward disposition, includes operable components for engaging and processing crop material as the harvester is pulled over a field of standing crop. A gearbox receives rotational power from the drive line and transmits it to the operable components. The gearbox, mounted on the crop harvesting header in the vicinity of said longitudinal centerline forwardly of the first generally vertical pivot axis, is journaled for rotation about a second generally vertical pivot axis.

Abstract: Agricultural harvester comprising a chassis; a drawbar connected to the chassis at a first articulation of geometric axis; transmission members comprising a first set comprising at least a first drive shaft, a second set comprising at least one input shaft of rotation axis, a coupling. The axis of rotation of the input shaft is offset with respect to the geometric axis of the first articulation; the first drive shaft or the coupling are guided in rotation in a carrier member connected to the chassis at another articulation, the geometric axis of which is at least roughly vertical and at least roughly intersects the axis of rotation of the input shaft; and an orientation member is connected between the carrier member and the drawbar.