Cutter Assemblage Re-positioned Patents (Class 56/15.2)
  • Patent number: 11575810
    Abstract: A drawn agricultural implement includes a main frame and a plurality of ground engaging units supporting the main frame from a ground surface. A working unit is supported from the main frame and configured to engage crops as the implement moves in a forward direction across the ground surface. A draft tongue extends from the main frame for attachment to a tractor. A camera having a field of view is mounted on at least one of the draft tongue, the main frame and the working unit. The camera is movable relative to the at least one of the draft tongue, the main frame and the working unit to reposition the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Darin L. Roth, Joshua D. Graeve, Cole L. Murray
  • Patent number: 11357168
    Abstract: A towed agricultural implement including a first headstock element for connection to a towing vehicle, a second headstock element supporting a chassis member provided with a plurality of working implements, a pivot pin for connecting the first headstock member and the second headstock member and defining a horizontal axis of rotation between the first headstock member and the second headstock member, in which the second headstock member has a lateral centre of gravity offset from the axis of rotation. A compensating structure is provided between the first headstock member and the second headstock member to offset the unbalanced loads caused by the lateral centre of gravity being offset from the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: AGCO Feucht GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Fillep
  • Patent number: 11277967
    Abstract: A harvesting platform is connected to a combine for movement with the combine over the ground surface. The harvesting platform includes a cutter bar that cuts a crop being harvested, and a reel that presses the crop against the cutter bar during harvesting. The cutter bar moves between a cutter bar harvesting position and a cutter bar transport position, and the reel moves between a reel harvesting position and a reel transport position. A controller receives a first signal from a user via a user interface, sends a second signal to the cutter bar to move the cutter bar between the cutter bar harvesting position and the cutter bar transport position in response to the first signal, and send a third signal to the reel to move the reel between the reel harvesting position and the reel transport position in response to the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Hodson, Alex Brimeyer, Yuriy Vladimirovic Gorodnikov
  • Patent number: 11267443
    Abstract: A machine includes a prime mover having a power take-off, a chassis configured to support at least an operator and the prime mover, a subframe pivotally coupled to the chassis about a pivot axis at a first location, at least one drive device configured to drive wheels of the machine, a drive belt and pulley arrangement. The subframe is further coupled to the chassis via at least one suspension device at a second location. The at least one drive device is driven by the prime mover and is coupled to the subframe. The pulley arrangement is configured to direct the drive belt from the power take-off of the prime mover to at least one drive pulley on the at least one drive device. The pulley arrangement comprises an idler pulley having a diameter and a rotational axis. The idler pulley is coupled to the chassis such that the rotational axis is spaced from the pivot axis by no greater than 1.5 times the diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Erik R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch
  • Patent number: 11019766
    Abstract: A low profile vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes front and rear modules joined to one another by a central truss. The vehicle further includes an operator seat with a bottom cushion having a support surface that is below an axle line of a wheel connected to the front module. The vehicle can include a mower assembly that is carried by the rear module. A steering linkage can be included to change an angle of the front module relative to the central truss and the rear module in a horizontal plane, allowing the vehicle to be steered. A ram acting on a rear pivot assembly can be included to change an angle of the rear module relative to the central truss and the front module in a vertical plane, allowing a height of the mower assembly to be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Worldwind Services, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Miller, Brad Rolin
  • Patent number: 10999970
    Abstract: A front PTO implement auto connect system includes a frame having a drive over surface and a pair of rear attachment members automatically and releasably engageable by a tractor rear draft linkage. The system includes a PTO coupling member mounted on the frame, and a front PTO shaft extending forwardly from the frame to a front PTO housing. A front attachment member on the front PTO housing is automatically and releasably engageable by a tractor front hanger. The front PTO implement auto connect system may be picked up with the same or similar linkages used to pick up a mid-mounted implement such as a mower deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Spencer H. Morris, Santosh Khadasare, Sean T. Miller
  • Patent number: 10980172
    Abstract: A zero-turn style lawnmower includes a frame, a foot platform on the frame and a deck positioned below the foot platform. A foot bar spans above the foot platform. The foot bar is attached at one end to a right pedal arm on the right side of the frame and at the opposite end to a left pedal arm on the left side of the frame. The right pedal arm extends upwardly from a right front lift bracket pivotally attached to the right side of the frame, and the left pedal arm extends upwardly from a left front lift bracket pivotally attached to the left side of the frame. A user may press a right foot, left foot or both feet simultaneously on the foot bar to raise or lower the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: Phillip Mark Moss
  • Patent number: 10743468
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method of securing attachments to a utility vehicle, particularly to a stand-on, zero-turn mower. The disclosure further relates to a method and apparatus for raising and lowering a mower deck on the mower. A mounting apparatus is provided to selectively engage landscaping attachments to the mower. A deck hanging assembly secures the mower deck to the mower frame. The same connectors secure a part of the deck hanging assembly and a part of the mounting apparatus to the mower frame. An adjustment assembly is operable to move the deck hanging assembly and thereby to raise or lower the mower deck. A hydraulic cylinder is actuated to pivot the mounting apparatus in order to raise or lower the landscaping attachment. The mounting apparatus pivots relative to the mower frame about the same connectors that secure the deck hanging assembly to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Steffon L. Hoppel
  • Patent number: 10045485
    Abstract: A riding lawn care vehicle (10) may include a frame (60), a steering assembly (30), a brake assembly (110), and a mechanical brake linkage assembly (120). At least a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel (32) of the riding lawn care vehicle may be attachable to the frame. The steering assembly may include a first steering lever and a second steering lever (34), where the first and second steering levers are operably coupled to the first and second drive wheels respectively to facilitate turning of the riding lawn care vehicle based on drive speed control of the first and second drive wheels responsive to positioning of the first and second steering levers. The brake assembly may be operably coupled to the first and second drive wheels to enable brakes to be selectively applied to the first and second drive wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Duncan Burns, Sean Dwyer
  • Patent number: 9901032
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a harvesting header; a harvesting header carrier; at least one retractor and at least one tension link coupled to the at least one retractor, said at least one retractor and said at least one tension link connected to the harvesting header and the harvesting header carrier; wherein the at least one retractor is operable to retract the at least one tension link to shorten the at least one tension link and cause the harvesting header carrier to be lifted towards and engage with the harvesting header. Further apparatuses, systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: HONEY BEE MANUFACTURING LTD.
    Inventor: Glenn Honey
  • Patent number: 9485913
    Abstract: A mowing implement includes an improved crop and forage material converging arrangement for a wide mowing implement equipped with a rotary cutter bar and powered converging drums. One or more stripper elements are mounted for rotation with one or more converging drums so as to limit the tendency for cut material to wrap around the converging drums, and to more consistently transfer the cut material to the material discharge zone. Each stripper element can be located and dimensioned to sweep a path a near an adjacent converging drum and pass in close proximity to an auger of the mowing implement to effectively guide and converge material. Each stripper elements can be an oblong plate configured and arranged to strip cut material from an adjacent converging drum and deflect the stripped material towards a material discharge zone of the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Allan W. Rosenbalm, Roger D. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 9357698
    Abstract: A cutting machine with a chassis including a frame and a coupling support configured to be mounted on a three-point hitch of a tractor, and with an arm connected directly to the frame by a first articulation and extending, at least during work, laterally relative to the frame, the arm carrying a work element and configured, by a displacement device, to be pivoted relative to the frame between a work position, a maneuver position, and a transport position. The displacement device includes a connecting-rod and at least a first jack articulated between the frame and the connecting-rod and a second jack articulated to the arm and connected to the connecting-rod by a pin. The connecting-rod is directly connected to the arm by a second articulation, and the second articulation is separate from the first articulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: KUHN S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Wolff, Michael Schwer
  • Patent number: 9210840
    Abstract: A boom deck and removable side deck mowing tractor device facilitates efficient conversion between use of the boom deck and the side deck. The device includes a boom arm coupled to and extendable from a tractor. A boom deck is coupled to the boom arm and a first mowing blade is coupled to the boom deck wherein the boom arm, the boom deck, and the first mowing blade define a boom mower. A side deck is removably coupled to a lateral side of the tractor. A second mowing blade is coupled to the side deck wherein the side deck and the second mowing blade define a side mower. A control mechanism is coupled to the tractor and selectively couplable to each of the boom mower and the side mower wherein the control mechanism controls a selectable one of the side mower and the boom mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: Matt Nelson
  • Patent number: 9125341
    Abstract: A riding mower including two mower blades that rotate to mow grass and generate air flows, the two mower blades including a left mower blade and a right mower blade, a mower deck, two motors that rotate the respective mower blades and a controller is provided. The left and right mower blades being provided adjacent to each other and one of the left and right mower blades being disposed obliquely in front of the other mower blade. The riding mower generates a combined air flow and discharges mowed grass to the outside of the mower deck together with the combined air flow. The controller controls such that a difference between the rotational speeds of the left and right mower blades is changed at a predetermined period and the mowed grass is discharged to the rear of the mower deck uniformly in a lateral direction of the mower deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ebihara, Masafumi Yasaka
  • Patent number: 9084392
    Abstract: A mower cuts vegetation and brush growing around and near obstacles. A supporting member pivotally connects to a supporting vehicle. The supporting member includes a pivotal connect that connects to a mower arm. The mower arm provides a pivotal connect at one end for a pivotal arm to connect thereto. The pivotal arm pivoting about an axis of rotation defined by the pivotal connect. Two rotary cutters connect to both ends of the pivotal arm and rotate about an axis of rotation defined by their respective pivotal connects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Inventor: Harlan Clifford Goudy
  • Publication number: 20150113933
    Abstract: A row crop header for a harvester having a subframe removably coupleable to a feeder housing of the harvester. A pivot assembly is supported by the subframe permitting first and second header sections to pivotably move between raised and lowered positions together or independently of the other. A cross-auger center suspension assembly rotateably supports one end of the first cross-auger section and one end of the second cross-auger section as the first and second header sections pivotally move between the raised and lowered positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Kevin Markt
  • Patent number: 8887840
    Abstract: A lawnmower includes a chassis; a seat supported on the chassis for permitting an operator to sit or stand on the chassis; a pair of drive wheels for supporting the chassis above a ground surface; an engine and a pair of transmissions for driving the drive wheels; and a pair of manually-moveable handle assemblies for controlling the transmissions. Each handle assembly includes a substantially vertically-extending control handle, wherein the control handles are mounted outboard of opposite sides of the seat so as not to block the operator's ingress or egress from the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Swisher Acquisition, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Samuel Poe
  • Publication number: 20140137529
    Abstract: A row crop header for a harvester having a subframe removably coupleable to a feeder housing of the harvester. A pivot assembly is supported by the subframe permitting first and second header sections to pivotably move between raised and lowered positions together or independently of the other. A cross-auger center suspension assembly rotateably supports one end of the first cross-auger section and one end of the second cross-auger section as the first and second header sections pivotally move between the raised and lowered positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Kevin Markt
  • Patent number: 8635842
    Abstract: A row crop header for a harvester having a subframe removably coupleable to a feeder housing of the harvester. A pivot assembly is supported by the subframe permitting first and second header sections to pivotably move between raised and lowered positions together or independently of the other. A cross-auger center suspension assembly rotatably supports one end of the first cross-auger section and one end of the second cross-auger section as the first and second header sections pivotally move between the raised and lowered positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventor: Kevin Markt
  • Patent number: 8522901
    Abstract: A dual steering system for zero turning radius lawn mowers is provided which enables those without effective use of their arms to drive and steer such lawn mowers. The system hereof may include respective left and right control pedals which are shiftably mounted to respective pedal supports coupled to the mower for use by the operator's legs, and respective linkages which operatively connect the pedals to left and right control levers operatively connected to the mower's drive wheels for causing the drive wheels to move in forward or rearward drive directions. By operating the control pedals alone or in combination with the control levers, the operator may move the zero turning radius mower forward, rearward, or steer it in a desired manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Timothy A. VanLue
  • Patent number: 8209946
    Abstract: A rotary mower has a center deck and wing decks extend laterally outward from the center deck and are oriented horizontally when in the field position. An actuator moves each wing deck from the field position to the raised transport position where the wing decks extend upward. A transport wheel and a field wheel are mounted on each side so that in the field position, the transport wheel is above the ground and the field wheel is supports the wing deck and in the raised transport position the field wheel is above the ground and the transport wheel supports the wing deck. A wing wheel supports each wing deck when in the field position. As the center deck is towed forward in the raised transport position, the wing decks pivot rearward with respect to the center deck from the raised transport position to the trailing transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Highline Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: Blake Neudorf, Cam Wilson, Monty Summach
  • Patent number: 8141331
    Abstract: A divider support apparatus with integral adjustable torsional preload mechanism for connecting a divider to a header frame. The mechanism includes a first element for carrying the divider and a second element configured for connection to the frame, and at least one resilient biasing element disposed between the first element and the second element and biasable by generation of a torsional loading condition between the first and second elements for applying a preload force therebetween. A preload adjusting mechanism in connection with at least one of the first element and the second element is operable for selectably adjusting the biasing of the at least one resilient biasing element in a manner for adjusting the preload force. The preload mechanism is also operable for damping vibrations emanating from the divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Bich, Brian P. Crow
  • Publication number: 20110252761
    Abstract: A divider support apparatus with integral adjustable torsional preload mechanism for connecting a divider to a header frame. The mechanism includes a first element for carrying the divider and a second element configured for connection to the frame, and at least one resilient biasing element disposed between the first element and the second element and biasable by generation of a torsional loading condition between the first and second elements for applying a preload force therebetween. A preload adjusting mechanism in connection with at least one of the first element and the second element is operable for selectably adjusting the biasing of the at least one resilient biasing element in a manner for adjusting the preload force. The preload mechanism is also operable for damping vibrations emanating from the divider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Gary L. Bich, Brian P. Crow
  • Publication number: 20110209453
    Abstract: A rotary mower has a center deck and wing decks extend laterally outward from the center deck and are oriented horizontally when in the field position. An actuator moves each wing deck from the field position to the raised transport position where the wing decks extend upward. A transport wheel and a field wheel are mounted on each side so that in the field position, the transport wheel is above the ground and the field wheel is supports the wing deck and in the raised transport position the field wheel is above the ground and the transport wheel supports the wing deck. A wing wheel supports each wing deck when in the field position. As the center deck is towed forward in the raised transport position, the wing decks pivot rearward with respect to the center deck from the raised transport position to the trailing transport position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: HIGHLINE MANUFACTURING INC.
    Inventors: Blake Neudorf, Cam Wilson, Monty Summach
  • Patent number: 8001754
    Abstract: A height adjuster mechanism for mounting on a frame of a grass and/or ground treatment machine to vary the height of the frame relative to a ground-engaging roller assembly and thereby adjust the height setting of a grass and/or ground treatment module mounted on the frame. The mechanism includes an open-topped housing provided on a rotary adjuster and having an upper surface which defines a height adjustment reference datum level. An insert is movable up and down within the open-topped housing in which the upper surface of the insert can be adjusted to be substantially flush or coplanar with the upper surface of the open-topped housing so as to set a datum level of the treatment module. Means are provided for determining the extent of angular adjustment of the rotary adjuster so as to set any required height adjustment of the treatment module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: David Michel
  • Publication number: 20110047948
    Abstract: A suspension system for agricultural implements having at least one floating head using a four-bar linkage, and permitting the floating head to accommodate variations in ground surface elevation in a lateral or transverse direction. By permitting the floating head to float, a more consistent cutting height is realized when ground surface elevation varies in a transverse direction. A main frame is provided to which the ground engaging wheels are attached. A sub-frame is connected to the main frame via the four-bar linkage. The sub-frame is pivotally attached to the arms of the four-bar linkage by spherical and cylindrical bearings. The lower linkage arms of the four-bar linkage are maintained in compression while the upper linkage arms are maintained in tension. Due to the compression and tension in the linkage arms, the floating head will self-level in the transverse direction when raised, yet allow the header to float during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Kent L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7775024
    Abstract: A rotary mower apparatus comprising a mower deck and two wings, with a plurality of rear wheels mounted behind the mower decks and at least two front wheels mounted ahead of the mower decks such that the mower decks ride along the ground; a floating hitch member is pivotally attached about a vertical and horizontal hitch axes to the front end of the central mower deck and pivotally attached at an opposite end to a tractor allowing the mower decks to float independently. The hitch member contains a mower angle control comprising a bell crank and a hydraulic actuator fixedly attached to a vertical shaft; and a driveline comprising gearboxes, drive shafts, universal joints, and double universal joints arranged such that the mower angle control can pivot the hitch about the vertical hitch axis moving the mower from a minimum offset position to the maximum offset position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Batoche Ag-Design
    Inventor: Stanley Joseph Boyko
  • Patent number: 7770370
    Abstract: A working vehicle includes a vehicle body supported by a plurality of wheels; an implement supported by the vehicle body via a link mechanism such that the implement can be raised and lowered, the implement being permitted to be lowered under its own weight; an abutting member that moves in tandem with the raising and lowering movement of the implement; a receiving piece for limiting the lowering of the implement under its own weight by receiving a first portion of the abutting member; and a manually operable first operating piece for changing the position of the receiving piece between a receiving position and a retracted position, wherein a lowering limiting position is set to a vertical position that is closer to the upper limit of a range of the raising or lowering movement of the implement than to the lower limit of that range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Komorida, Yoshiyuki Esaki, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Eiji Satou
  • Patent number: 7654065
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: David Lawrence Phillips
  • Patent number: 7640719
    Abstract: A wing-type rotary mower apparatus with a hydraulically powered over-center self-locking wing lift that extends between the central mower deck and the wing mower deck(s) to effect wing movement from a working position to a locked transport position. The lift mechanism comprises a double acting cylinder, a bell crank, and a pair of lift links that are pivotally connected. When the cylinder is retracted the bell crank rotates inward towards the center of the apparatus transferring the movement through the lift links to the mower wing(s). The rotational force on the bell crank about a fixed central pivot point on the central mower deck goes from an outward force reacted to by the cylinder to an inward force supported by the stop seat on the central mower deck; effectively locking the wing(s). The procedure is reversed when the cylinder is extended to return the wing(s) to the working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Batoche AG - Design
    Inventor: Stanley Joseph Boyko
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090178381
    Abstract: An apparatus for connecting an attachment to a vehicle includes first and second mounting pegs mounted to one of the attachment and vehicle, a mounting arm having first and second cut-outs sized and spaced to receive the respective first and second mounting pegs, and first and second latches that are pivotable to trap the mounting pegs in the cut-outs. The apparatus further includes a detent mechanism resiliently holding the first latch in each of the latched and unlatched positions with a detent force. An over-center biasing mechanism provides a biasing force along a line of force, and urges the second latch into the latched and unlatched positions in response to the line of force being on one side of the pivot axis or the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Jeremy Gilles
  • Publication number: 20090173052
    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: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Benjamin Jerry Swart
  • Patent number: 7441392
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lawn mower (1), comprising a front mounted mower deck (5) comprising at least one cutting knife, wherein the cutting knife is rotatably arranged in a substantially horizontal plane (10), a wheel suspension arrangement (19) connected to the mower deck (5) and comprising at least one wheel (17) to be in contact with the ground so as to support the mower deck (5) during mowing, wherein the wheel (17) is connected to the wheel suspension arrangement (19) by means of an axle (21) to be in perpendicular alignment with the ground during mowing, and a cutting height adjustment (27) device adapted to move the wheel suspension arrangement (19) with respect to the mower deck (5) for adjusting the mutual height relationship between the wheel (17) and the mower deck (5), so as to adjust the distance between the plane of the cutting knife and the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Husqvarna AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Lilliestielke, Peter MejegƄrd, Mats Axelsson
  • Publication number: 20080178569
    Abstract: The multifunction brush cutter head attachment is versatile and designed for forestry operations, ground preparation for tree plantation, side road maintenance and other areas where precise cleaning of brushes and small trees is required. The invention consists of rotary shafts cutters as a cutting means to chop the brushes and small trees into wood chips or log sections. The steel welded frame of the invention includes two large opening ports on each side to avoid machine jams. The invention can reach hidden parts behind objects using a rotational system mounted on the top of the frame. Lengthways knives are secured with wedge blocks on the rotary shafts cutters and are easily removable for sharpening or maintenance. As the rotary shafts cutters have a low moment of inertia, the invention requires little power and is particularly suitable for small size excavator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Donald Hamel, Daniel Rose
  • Publication number: 20080127622
    Abstract: A mower comprising a supporting structure (4) that can be coupled to a tractor and bears a support beam (5) to which there is articulated a cutter bar (2) that can be brought from a work configuration into at least one transport configuration and vice versa using an unfolding and folding device (3) which comprises: a tilting element (7) connected to the support beam (5) and to the supporting structure (4), a link rod (8) connected to the cutter bar (2), a double-acting jack (6) positioned between said tilting element (7) and said link rod (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: KUHN S.A.
    Inventor: Michel Wolff
  • Patent number: 7380391
    Abstract: A mower including a hitching structure configured to be connected to a motor vehicle, a cutting mechanism, a maneuvering device configured to bring the cutting mechanism from a working position to a maneuvering position, and a lightening device configured to transfer a part of the weight of the cutting mechanism onto the hitching structure, the lightening device including a hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Kuhn S.A.
    Inventors: Fernand Kieffer, Horst Neuerburg
  • Patent number: 7207166
    Abstract: A rotary side-pull mower-conditioner includes a gearbox mounted to the header frame at a location spaced vertically above the leftmost cutting unit of the rotary cutterbar. A tongue support projects forwardly from a crossbeam of the mobile carrier frame of the mower-conditioner at a location spaced rightward of the gearbox. A tongue has a rear end coupled to a forward region of the tongue support, and is swingable about an upright axis between a leftmost operating position, wherein the tongue passes forward of the tongue support, and a rightmost transport position. The tongue has a rear section which is approximately at the same height as the gearbox when the header is in a raised transport position. Sufficient clearance exists between the tongue and header when the header is in its lowered working position so as to permit full vertical floating movement of the header without interfering with the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Roger Dale Stephenson
  • Patent number: 7162855
    Abstract: A harvesting header comprising a center frame section and two outer frame sections. The outer frame sections can pivot relative to the center frame section between an operating position and a transport position. The center frame section and the outer frame sections carry collection devices for gathering crops and there is a separating point that moves automatically between an operating position and a transport position in the pivot region between the center frame section and the outer frame sections. The separating points arranged in the pivot region between the center frame section and the outer frame sections move between the operating position and the transport position in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of travel and/or to pivot about the height axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Kemper GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Norbert Boeckmann, Dirk Bongert
  • Patent number: 7051501
    Abstract: A mower has a pair of cutter heads which are pivotally supported by respective cantilever beams. The cantilever beams are pivotally coupled with a hitch assembly, which in turn is coupled with a traction unit via two lower lift arms and a floatable top link. The floatable top link allows the hitch assembly to float relative to the traction unit during transport. A hydraulic cylinder interconnected between the cantilever beams pivots the beams between a transport position and a working position. Stops on the hitch assembly limit pivotal movement of the beams relative to the hitch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Walter Mark Schlesser, Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 7047714
    Abstract: A side-pull mower-conditioner includes a wheeled frame from which a crop harvesting header is suspended. A draft tongue carrier forms a forward projection of the frame and terminates at a forward end located above the header. A draft tongue includes a rear end pivotally coupled to the forward end of the draft tongue carrier by an upright pivot pin defining an upright pivot axis about which the tongue can be swung between a rightmost transport position and a leftmost working position. An extensible and retractable hydraulic actuator is located leftward of the upright pivot axis and is coupled between the draft tongue carrier and the draft tongue and is fully extended when the draft tongue is in the transport position, and is fully retracted when the tongue is in the leftmost working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Roger Dale Stephenson, Annette Rae Roe
  • Patent number: 6959528
    Abstract: A dual cutter head mower attachment particularly suited for mowing beneath guard rails, and fences which can be operated at either lateral side of a support vehicle. Support arms for the cutter heads are pivotally connected to the lower ends of upstanding legs of a U shaped support frame by releasable connections facilitating repositioning of the support arms when the mower attachment is to be operated at the opposite lateral side of the support vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventor: Frank P. Scordilis
  • Patent number: 6935093
    Abstract: A self-propelled power lawn mower deck lift system for raising and lowering the cutter deck assembly together with the engine deck and engine as a single unit in order to adjust the cutting height of the mower. Control arms may be of short enough length so that pivoting of the control arms an angle ? of fifteen degrees during raising or lowering of the cutter deck assembly causes the cutter deck assembly to move a vertical distance ā€œdā€ of no more than about 2.5 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Patent number: 6860093
    Abstract: A dual cutter head, self contained mower (30, 200) is provided for cutting vegetation beneath and on opposite sides of guard rails or cable barriers, and on opposite sides of rows of small trees, hedges, walls or fences. The cutter heads (52, 53 and 252, 253) are staggered to cut overlapping swathes and are adjustably biased to permit the cutter heads to move laterally away from one another when an obstacle is encountered. The outer cutter head (53, 253) can be swung to an overhead position to avoid road signs, poles or the like. The mower can be front or rear mounted and can be reversed to cut at either side of the supporting vehicle. A spray system (323) applies herbicides or other liquids to the area being mowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Frank P. Scordilis
  • Patent number: 6758031
    Abstract: A mowing arrangement includes a main, mobile frame to which a base or first carrier part or frame is mounted for being pivoted vertically by a remotely operable hydraulic motor. Mounted to the base carrier frame is a second carrier part to which arms supporting opposite side and front mowing units are attached. The front-mounted mowing unit is mounted to the second carrier part through the agency of a fourth carrier part, in the form of a parallelogram linkage that includes the support arm for the front-mounted mowing unit. The second carrier part is mounted for pivoting about a transverse, horizontal axis so that the cutting angles of each of the mowing heads can be remotely adjusted by pivoting the second carrier part. A third carrier part is fixed for movement with the second carrier part and supports a drive transmission having output shafts respectively coupled for supplying power to the three mowing heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Roger Franet, Lionel Guiet, Hubert Defrancq, Daniel Kem
  • Patent number: 6658831
    Abstract: A self-propelled power lawn mower is provided with a deck lifting system. The operator can lift the cutter deck or the engine deck by pulling upward/backward on a deck-lifting lever. Moreover, a latch system for enabling the deck to be lowered and/or adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Patent number: 6647705
    Abstract: A rotary cutter has a deck assembly including a central unit to which a wing unit is attached for flexing vertically. A hydraulic cylinder is provided for lifting the wing unit 90° to a fully raised transport or shipping position. Located above, and extending generally parallel to, the hydraulic cylinder is a telescopic strut incorporating a spring which becomes compressed as the wing unit approaches its fully raised position, the compressed spring unloading to thrust the wing unit down upon pressure being released from the hydraulic cylinder, even if the weight of the wing unit is tending to keep it in its raised position. Wing unit may be locked in its raised position by inserting a pin through the telescoped members of the strut when the latter is in its fully collapsed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Terrance William Ewanochko, Radu Traian Guja
  • Patent number: 6640528
    Abstract: A tractor mounted boom structure is provided where the boom is adapted, in one mode, to connect a rotary cutter and in a second mode is adapted to connect to a bucket to form a backhoe. The system comprises a mainframe structure adapted to be mounted to a tractor such as by a three-point hitch associated with a tractor. Extending from the frame structure is a first or Primary boom. Connected to the end of the first boom is a second boom. An array of hydraulic cylinders is provided that enables the first boom to articulate with respect to the frame structure and permits the second boom to articulate with respect to the first boom. The second boom is provided with a connector assembly that enables the second boom to be connected to either a rotary cutter or to a bucket. When used to support a rotary cutter, the first boom is generally maintained in a locked position with respect to the mainframe structure of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Scott Rowland
  • Patent number: 6625968
    Abstract: An actuating cylinder assembly includes a cylinder adapted to contain a fluid, such as hydraulic fluid or air, a piston shaft movable with respect to the cylinder in response to the removal of fluid from the cylinder and the injection of fluid into the cylinder, and a cylinder stop including a handle portion and a clamping portion releasably engaging the piston shaft, the clamping portion resisting movement of the piston shaft with respect to the cylinder past a selected point. The actuating cylinder assembly used, for example, on a riding lawnmower to set a selected minimum cutting height. Once the cylinder stop is set on the piston shaft, the cutting deck may be raised to avoid obstacles and then quickly lowered to the selected cutting height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Ariens Company
    Inventors: Brian K. Gloudemans, George Leslie Cooke, IV
  • Patent number: 6598381
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for pivoting the dividers of an agricultural machine for the harvesting of row crops. A multiple-part attachment having feeder housings to receive the row crops is attached to the front of the agricultural machine. The multiple-part attachment has side frames that are pivotable from a working position to a non-working position. Outer row crop dividers are arranged on the side frames in such a way that when the side frames are pivoted, the outer row crop dividers move relative to the adjacent inner row crop dividers. The relative movement of the outer row crop dividers prevents them from colliding with each other when the side frames are in a non-working position and allows for maximum feeder housing width when the side frames are in a working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: CLAAS Saulgau GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Albinger, Manfred Klotz