Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a forward-mounted implement that may allow pivotal movement of the implement around a longitudinal axis to better maintain proper operational height when operating on uneven or sloped terrain. Further provided, the attachment mechanism of the present disclosure may allow for a secure and safe attachment to an associated tractor or other similar vehicle while simultaneously providing for a reduced production cost and less maintenance requirements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a forward-mounted implement that may allow pivotal movement of the implement around a longitudinal axis to better maintain proper operational height when operating on uneven or sloped terrain. Further provided, the attachment mechanism of the present disclosure may allow for a secure and safe attachment to an associated tractor or other similar vehicle while simultaneously providing for a reduced production cost and less maintenance requirements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a forward-mounted implement that may allow pivotal movement of the implement around a longitudinal axis to better maintain proper operational height when operating on uneven or sloped terrain. Further provided, the attachment mechanism of the present disclosure may allow for a secure and safe attachment to an associated tractor or other similar vehicle while simultaneously providing for a reduced production cost and less maintenance requirements.

Abstract: A header of a harvester includes a cutter bar assembly, a side deck, and an airbag. The side deck includes a conveyor and an arm assembly. The cutter bar assembly is configured to cut crops, and the conveyor is configured to transport the crops cut by the cutter bar assembly toward a center of the header. The arm assembly is coupled to the cutter bar assembly and to the at least one airbag. The arm assembly is configured to pivot to enable the cutter bar assembly to flex along a lateral axis of the header. The airbag is configured to apply a substantially constant force to the at least one arm assembly.

Abstract: A header of a harvester includes a first header segment comprising a cutter bar configured to cut crops, and a first portion of a conveyor assembly. The header additionally includes a center section including a second portion of the conveyor assembly. The center section is configured to receive cut crops from the first header segment via the first portion of the conveyor assembly. The header also includes a first ground engaging element configured to at least partially support a weight of the header, and a first sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a distance to ground. The header further includes a first actuator; and a control system comprising a processor configured to receive a sensor signal from the first sensor and to control the first actuator to adjust the first ground engaging element based on the sensor signal.

Abstract: A suspension mechanism has a tube member that is movably attached to an attachment shaft, a first attachment shaft retaining member provided on the chassis to swingably retain the attachment shaft with an outer peripheral surface of the tube member abutted on its inside surface, a shaft lower end portion of slip surface shape provided at lowermost part of the attachment shaft, a second attachment shaft retaining member provided on the chassis below the first attachment shaft retaining member and having a vertex equivalent section and a curve equivalent section to retain the attachment shaft with the slip surface shape shaft lower end portion abutted onto the vertex or curve equivalent section. The curve equivalent section is defined as a portion of a vertical cross section that passes through the vertex equivalent section is formed in an arc shape.

Abstract: Harvesting apparatus, with a supporting frame (12) having a longitudinal member and crossmembers, pickup members (20) and transverse conveyor devices (21), wherein a respective pickup member and transverse conveyor device are arranged on a first and second side of the longitudinal member (13), wherein a first shiftable crossmember (14) is shiftable about an axis (24) and is furthermore shiftable via the second crossmember about an axis (25) extending in the longitudinal direction relative to a fixed crossmember (16), and wherein a first overload protection device (26) is positioned between the first and second shiftable crossmembers (14, 15), said overload protection device triggering when a force on the respective pickup member (20) and/or the respective transverse conveyor device (21) and/or the respective first crossmember (14) exceeds a limit value and permitting shifting of the respective pickup member (20) and of the respective transverse conveyor device (21) rearwards about the axis (24).

Abstract: An agricultural header includes a frame and a mount having a mount opening. The agricultural header also includes an arm configured to rotate about a pivot axis relative to the frame and to support a cutter bar assembly of the agricultural header. In addition, the agricultural header includes a pin coupled to a first element and extending through the mount opening. The first element includes one of the arm and the frame. The agricultural header also includes a fastener configured to non-movably couple the mount to a second element while the fastener is in a locked state and to enable the mount to move relative to the second element while the fastener is in an unlocked state. The second element includes the other of the arm and the frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a ratooning rice harvesting header and a harvester including the same. The ratooning rice harvesting header includes a multi-layer adjustable disc cutter, a header, and an ear cutter. The multi-layer adjustable disc cutter is mounted below the header and located below a rear portion of the ear cutter. The ear cutter is mounted at a front end of the header. The multi-layer adjustable disc cutter includes at least one group of multi-layer disc cutting assemblies. Each group of multi-layer disc cutting assemblies includes two multi-layer disc cutting assemblies. Each of the multi-layer disc cutting assemblies includes three layers of vertically arranged blades. The use of the multi-layer adjustable disc cutter in cooperation with the ear cutter can reduce the straw-grain ratio of the part cut from the crops to reduce the power consumption of the harvester.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting device, which includes a lifting device for adjusting a position of an attachment in use and a locking mechanism. The lifting device is switched between a locking position and a free position under a locking action of the locking mechanism, the lifting device drives the attachment to move to a first position when the lifting device is in the locking position; and the lifting device drives the attachment to move to a second position so as to work when the lifting device is in the free position. The adjusting device of the present invention has a simple structure, a low production cost, an easy maintenance, and a garden tool using the adjusting device can conveniently and quickly adjust the position of the attachment connected to the garden tool.

Abstract: A brush cutter may include a back plate and a spindle arrangement with the spindle arrangement abutting the back plate. The brush cutter may also include an angular arm mechanically formed integrally with or mechanically connected to the spindle arrangement where the angular arm is at angle ? relative to the back plate. Angle ? is an acute angle. The brush cutter may also include a mower deck, where the mower deck is mechanically connected to the angular arm and a blade, the blade mechanically connected to the mower deck.

Abstract: A walk-behind lawnmower and accompanying method of use allows for height adjustment of the cutting deck relative to all four wheels simultaneously. This is achieved using a linkage that runs along the cutting deck and that connects the front and rear wheel assemblies. Movement of the entire mechanism is achieved using a lever operatively connected to the linkage. The linkage is retained in place through the use of a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a locking pin, a pin engagement mechanism, such as a lug, provided on the linkage, and an array of pin receptacles spaced longitudinally along the cutting deck. The pin engagement mechanism selectively engages the pin when the pin engages a designated pin receptacle on the cutting deck, retaining the cutting deck at a height determined by the prevailing location of the pin which, in turn, is determined by the selected pin receptacle.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a running vehicle body, a floor forming a bottom portion of an operation part of the running vehicle body, a fuel tank arranged below the floor, a lawn mower suspended from a lower part of the running vehicle body, a front suspension arm for suspending a front portion of the lawn mower, and a rear suspension arm for suspending a rear portion of the lawn mower. The rear suspension arm is arranged to avoid the fuel tank.

Abstract: A riding lawn mower includes a chassis having longitudinal support beam, a drive wheel, an electric motor coupled to the drive wheel, a suspended subframe having a longitudinal subframe beam pivotally coupled to the longitudinal support beam about a pivot axis, and a suspension device coupled between the longitudinal subframe beam and the longitudinal support beam. The longitudinal subframe beam at least partially supports the electric motor. The drive wheel and the electric motor are configured to translate relative to the chassis via the pivotal coupling between the longitudinal support beam and the longitudinal subframe beam.

Abstract: A cutting deck lifting device for adjusting the height of the cutting deck of a mower includes a cutting deck having at least one cutting blade mounted thereto, a pedal assembly including a pedal switched between locking and unlocking states for adjusting the height of the cutting deck, a connecting assembly connecting the pedal assembly to the cutting deck and an adjusting assembly connected to the pedal assembly for positioning the cutting deck to a position with a desired height when the pedal is switched between locking and unlocking states. The cutting deck lifting device can conveniently and quickly adjust the cutting deck between the first position and the second position. Simultaneously, the cutting deck lifting device has a simple structure, a low manufacturing cost, and easy installation, and can be applied to a variety of garden tools.

Abstract: A sweeping machine for mounting to a blower is adapted for sweeping debris, e.g., snow, from an area around an obstacle, e.g., fire hydrant. The sweeping machine comprises a rotating brush having an axis of rotation which is horizontal, a frame for the rotating brush, an arm extending from a proximal end to a distal end to which the frame is secured, a blower, and a pivoting mechanism secured to the blower. The pivoting mechanism is adapted to swivel the arm upwardly to lift the rotating brush and to swivel the arm within a horizontal plane to move the rotating brush horizontally relative to the blower. Thereby, the sweeping machine is adapted to sweep debris from the area around the obstacle by the rotating brush toward the blower which is itself adapted to blow the debris away from the obstacle.

Abstract: A stabilizer wheel arrangement is actively damped when remotely positioning a stabilizer wheel of a towable agricultural implement by detecting an onset of ground-induced vibration and automatically introducing a phase-shifted vibration-countering or cancelling/damping modulation pattern into a signal that simultaneously and cooperatively controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from both the rod and base ends of the bore of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder, to hold the piston of the hydraulic cylinder at a target position determined from a desired position input signal corresponding to a desired position of the stabilizer wheel with respect to a frame of the agricultural implement.

Abstract: A control system for a harvester that harvests crop stalks each having a bottom portion and a top portion. The harvester includes a topper that cuts the stalks between the top and bottom portions and a base cutter that cuts the stalks near a ground surface. The control system includes a sensor that senses a first height between the top of the bottom portion and the ground surface, and senses a second height between the bottom of the bottom portion and the ground surface. The controller receives signals representing the sensed first and second heights from the sensor, determines average first and second heights for the stalks over a set time, sends a first signal to the topper to cause movement of the topper to the average first height, and sends a second signal to the base cutter to cause movement of the base cutter to the average second height.

Abstract: A grass mowing machine includes a vehicle body frame, a mower deck incorporating a rotary cutter blade, a coupling mechanism for coupling the mower deck to the vehicle body frame with allowing a lateral displacement of the mower deck in a vehicle body transverse direction, a mower electric motor attached to the mower deck and configured to feed rotary power to the rotary cutter blade and a displacement operation mechanism MV for laterally displacing the mower deck in the vehicle body transverse direction in operative association with the coupling mechanism.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for an agricultural header includes a rod configured to extend laterally along the agricultural header and a cam coupled to the rod and configured to engage a respective arm of the agricultural header. The arm is configured to support a cutter bar assembly of the agricultural header, and the arm is configured to rotate relative to a frame of the agricultural header. The rod is configured to rotate in a first direction to a first orientation to engage the cam with the arm to block rotation of the arm relative to the frame, and the rod is configured to rotate in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to a second orientation to disengage the cam from the arm to enable rotation of the arm relative to the frame.

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 grounds maintenance vehicle having a vehicle frame is disclosed. An implement is coupled to the vehicle frame and has a first implement end and a second implement end. A height selection tool is configured to select one vertical position of a plurality of selectable vertical positions, where each vertical position limits a distance between the implement and the vehicle frame. An implement angle selection tool is configured to change the elevation of the first implement end relative to the second implement end and fix the elevation of the first implement end relative the second implement end. The implement angle selection tool has a manually engageable mechanism configured to change the elevation of the first implement end relative to the second implement end when the implement angle selection tool is disengaged.

Abstract: Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.

Abstract: An agricultural header including a belt that wraps around rollers. A cutter bar assembly that cuts a crop and delivers the crop to the belt. The cutter bar assembly includes a cutter bar, a stationary blade assembly that couples to the cutter bar, a moving blade assembly that couples to the cutter bar. The moving blade assembly moves relative to the stationary blade assembly to cut the crop. A skid couples to the cutter bar and maintains a distance between the ground and the stationary blade assembly and the moving blade assembly. The cutter bar defines a recess that receives debris from the belt and directs the debris to the skid.

Abstract: An agricultural system includes an arm that supports a cutter bar assembly and is coupled to a fluid-filled biasing member such that the fluid-filled biasing member imparts a torque onto the arm. The agricultural system further includes an actuator and a controller. The actuator is coupled to the fluid-filled biasing member and is configured to move the fluid-filled biasing member relative to the actuator to change the torque imparted by the fluid-filled biasing member onto the arm. The controller is configured to determine a target position of the arm associated with a leveled configuration of the cutter bar assembly, receive an input to set the cutter bar assembly in the leveled configuration, and output a signal to instruct the actuator to set the fluid-filled biasing member relative to the actuator based on the target position upon receiving the input to set the cutter bar assembly in the leveled configuration.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle header having: a frame, a support arm having a proximal end rotatably mounted by a support arm pivot to the frame and a distal end spaced from the proximal end, a torque transfer anchor rigidly attached to the frame, a support torque rod having a distal end rotationally fixed to the support arm, and a proximal end rotatably mounted to the torque transfer anchor to rotate about a first axis, a frame torque rod having a proximal end rotatably mounted to the torque transfer anchor to rotate about a second axis and a distal end rotationally fixed to the frame, and a drive linkage connecting the support torque rod to the frame torque rod at the torque transfer anchor, to transfer a rotational motion of the support torque rod about the first axis into an opposite rotational motion of the frame torque rod about the second axis.

Abstract: Walk-behind power equipment includes: a main body including front and rear wheels; a work unit provided on the main body; a work motor that drives the work unit; a travel motor that rotates the rear wheel; a handle extending from the main body rearward and upward; a posture detector that detects a rearward tilted state of the main body in which the rear wheel is in contact with a ground and the front wheel is not; and a control unit that drive-controls the work motor and travel motor, wherein when the main body is in the rearward tilted state, the control unit causes a rotational speed of the travel motor to be reduced compared to when the front wheel is in contact with the ground, or causes a rotational speed of the work motor to be reduced compared to when the front wheel is in contact with the ground.

Abstract: An agricultural system includes an arm of a header. The arm is configured to rotate about a pivot joint. The agricultural system also includes a fluid-filled biasing member, an actuator, and a controller. The fluid-filled biasing member is configured to couple to the arm and to impart a torque onto the arm. The actuator is coupled to the fluid-filled biasing member and is configured to move the fluid-filled biasing member relative to the actuator to change the torque imparted by the fluid-filled biasing member onto the arm. The controller configured to receive an input indicative of a target flotation pressure of the arm output a signal to instruct the actuator to set a position of the fluid-filled biasing member relative to the actuator based at least in part on the target flotation pressure of the arm.

Abstract: A harvesting platform includes a first section and extends along a first section plane that is substantially parallel to a ground surface along which the harvesting platform moves with a combine. A second section is connected to the first side of the first section, and rotates with respect to the first section within a range of angular positions. A locking mechanism retains the second section in a position with respect to the first section while activated, and permits movement of the second section with respect to the first section while deactivated. A controller receives a first signal indicative of the position, and sends a second signal to deactivate the locking mechanism in response to the position being at a positive non-parallel angle with respect to the first section plane. The second section moves toward the first section plane in response to gravity while the locking mechanism is deactivated.

Abstract: A carrier assembly for an operating unit of an agricultural machine includes a carrier arm, a suspension system for suspending an operating unit from the carrier arm and a mounting structure for mounting the carrier arm on a carrier vehicle. A pivot mechanism enables pivoting movement of the carrier arm relative to the mounting structure, and a first actuator drives pivoting movement of the carrier arm between a working position and a transport position. The carrier assembly includes a releasable locking mechanism for locking the carrier arm in the transport position. The locking mechanism includes a first locking element carried by the mounting structure and a second locking element carried by the carrier arm, which is engageable with the first locking element when the carrier arm is in the transport position.

Abstract: A carrier arm assembly for an operating unit of an agricultural machine includes a carrier arm having a base part and an extending part that is telescopically adjustable relative to the base part to adjust the length of the carrier arm between an unextended configuration and an extended configuration. The base part and the extending part both include a set of bearing surfaces that are configured to enable sliding movement of the extending part relative to the base part. The bearing surfaces of the base part include upper inclined bearing surfaces and lower inclined bearing surfaces, and the bearing surfaces of the extending part include upper inclined bearing surfaces and lower inclined bearing surfaces, which are configured to engage respectively the upper inclined bearing surfaces and the lower inclined bearing surfaces of the base part.

Abstract: A header for a combine harvester includes a center section having a first draper belt configured to move crop material in a first direction. The header also includes a wing pivotably coupled to the center section about a pivot axis and extending laterally away from the center section. The header also includes a second draper belt coupled to the wing and configured to move crop material in a second direction different than the first direction. The wing and the second draper belt are in a fixed positional relationship with each other, such that the wing is configured to remain at a constant distance from the second draper belt at all points along the wing during pivoting movement of the wing.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting head for an agricultural harvester has a constant force assembly that changes the mechanical advantage of a spring applied to the mainframe of the agricultural harvesting head. As the mainframe of the agricultural harvesting head moves up and down on the front of the combine feederhouse, compressing and decompressing the spring, the constant force assembly changes the mechanical advantage of the spring such that the spring provides a relatively constant lifting force to the mainframe of the harvesting head as the mainframe moves up and down.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a harvester body, a header which is adapted for harvesting a crop, a feeder house which is adapted to receive said harvested crop from the header, a header adapter which is arranged between the header and the feeder house, which header adapter is adapted to allow the header to pivot relative to the feeder house about a horizontal pivot axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the header. A first actuator has a first end that is pivotably connected to the feeder house and a second end that is pivotably connected to the header adapter. A second actuator has a first end and a second end, which first end is pivotably connected to the harvester body. A coupling device is pivotably connected to the second end of the second actuator, the feeder house and the header adapter.

Abstract: A pivotably adjustable attachment apparatus for an agricultural vehicle includes an attachment connected to a mounting structure. The mounting structure is operatively connected to an adapter assembly in communication with a feed device for moving a crop from the attachment to a feed device for further processing of the crop. A frame supports the feed device over an uneven surface. An apparatus is positioned between the mounting structure and the adapter assembly. The apparatus provides a substantially non-sliding contact between the mounting structure and the adapter assembly in response to the mounting structure being directed to a pivotable movement with respect to the mounting structure, thereby providing a pivotable movement of the attachment in response to encountering the uneven surface.

Abstract: Several systems that create a floating cutting deck for a riding lawn mower are described. The first system is a bar assembly, with a moveable stop, that attaches to and covers the teeth of a lift handle assembly of a conventional riding lawn mower. The second system is a new design for a riding lawn mower that uses a moveable stop (instead of a plurality of teeth) in the lift handle assembly. In both systems, the lift handle is able to move away from the stop (and thereby allow the cutting deck to rise relative to the main frame) when the terrain under the cutting deck is higher than the terrain under the lawn mower's main wheels.

Abstract: A deck lift system is adapted to permit at least the cutter deck to be raised and lowered relative to the ground so as to selectively adjust the mower's height of cut. The mower includes a deck lift system for raising and lowering the cutter deck assembly, an engine deck and the engine together as a unit. The deck lift system including at least a deck lift lever for selective operation by an operator of the mower and first and second biasing springs for at least helping raise the cutter deck assembly, engine deck, and engine. Biasing springs collectively provide sufficient biasing force so that operator of the mower has to physically push down on the deck lift lever in order to lower the cutter deck.

Abstract: A riding mower is provided with a mower assembly supported on a vehicle body frame between front wheels and rear wheels. A steering assembly is configured to be operated by a driver. A driver seat is supported on the vehicle body frame. A floor panel extends from an area including the driver seat toward the front. The floor panel is provided with a main panel located in front of the driver seat, as well as left and right footrests extending further forward from the main panel. A recessed portion is formed on at least one side edge of the floor panel and includes a side edge dropoff point.

Abstract: A vehicle and a method of controlling a dynamometer mode operation of a vehicle that includes requesting the dynamometer mode; monitoring for at least one non-dynamometer vehicle operating condition; if at least one of the non-dynamometer vehicle operating conditions is detected, prohibiting dynamometer mode; and if none of the non-dynamometer vehicle operating conditions is detected, operating the vehicle in dynamometer mode.

Abstract: A mower carrying a rotary cutting deck has a height of cut system for adjusting the vertical position of the deck relative to the mower frame for changing or adjusting the height of cut. The height of cut system comprises a pair of parallel cross shafts that carry a plurality of pivotal suspension linkages that connect to the deck, the cross shafts and linkages pivoting jointly with one another and with a pivotal control lever. One of the cross shafts carries a torsion spring to counterbalance the weight of the deck. The control lever is maintained in a plurality of adjusted pivotal positions by a height selection bracket fixed to the frame with the height selection bracket being capable of having its position changed or adjusted relative to the frame by a single adjustment bolt. Each suspension linkage has its effective length adjusted by turning a threaded adjuster carried at the upper end of a connecting rod that is part of each linkage to allow the deck to be leveled relative to a reference plane.

Abstract: A work vehicle including a control device for moving an implement through a mechanism including an adjustment mechanism for locking the work implement unit with a predetermined stroke position including a rod, a cam engaging unit mounted on the rod and a cam for producing rotation with the cam engaging unit. The cam retains the work implement in a retaining position through first operational movement of the control device for moving the work implement unit from a basic position to a far side position beyond the retaining position and then returning the work implement unit to the retaining position, and allows the work implement unit to return to the basic position through a second movement control device.

Abstract: A tractor has hydraulically driven wheels at a cab end and castor wheels at an engine end. It can be driven cab forward in a working mode with a header on the forward end. It is rotated to engine forward in the transport position for more stable higher speed travel. There is provided a float module with adjustable and calibrated springs on the header which allows the header to float relative to the lift system on the tractor. The float force is adjusted by raising and lowering the lift system in dependence on an angle measurement of the lift position. The lift system includes a lift cylinder and tilt cylinder controlled to change cutter angle while maintaining a sight line to the cutter bar for the operator.

Abstract: Front and rear independent suspension mechanisms accommodating an increased range of motion to better absorb shock originating at the wheels of a riding mower to insulate the operator and reduce stress on the mower chassis and other mechanical components. The front suspension can include a front axle with pivot pockets allowing 360 degree rotation of pivots engaged within the pockets, thereby providing a greater range of absorption of shock entering the front axle at varying angles. The rear suspension can include a vertically pivoting transmission platform, providing for controlled vertical motion in the transmission while the transmission is powered by an engine by way of a belt assembly.

Abstract: A movable frame for connection to a prime mover that supports multiple individual similar implements in a manner similar to the manner each would be singly connected in a trail-behind implement pulled by a prime mover, but maintains relative positioning between the implements sufficiently to enable the multiple implements to function as a single, larger implement. The frame allows individual implements to be positioned generally transversely in an operating position for travel in a first direction providing maximum operating width, and generally longitudinally in a transport position for travel in a direction opposite to the first direction in which the overall with of the implements on the frame is minimized to three meters or less.

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.

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 bearings.

Abstract: A crop merging machine includes a trailer frame, a drawbar assembly coupled to an axle, and a header assembly including a frame and a wheel. The merging machine further includes a pick-up assembly coupled to the header frame and a cross-conveyor assembly coupled to the header frame adjacent to the pick-up assembly. The pick-up and cross-conveyor assemblies are configured to cooperate to lift crop materials off the field surface and move the crop materials laterally to discharge onto the field surface to form a windrow. The merging machine includes a suspension assembly disposed between the trailer frame and header assembly, the suspension assembly being coupled to the header assembly and trailer frame and configured to allow the header assembly to pivot, relative to the trailer frame, about a first axis of rotation and to pivot about a second, distinct axis of rotation to follow a contour of the field surface.

Abstract: A cut sight gauge for corn field production equipment used for detasseling operations where the cut sight gauge allows the operator to visually monitor the height of cutters and tassel pullers on corn crop cutting machines. The cut sight gauge ensures a uniform operating height of cut consistent with the optimum growing demands of the plants. The added safety advantage to the operator and the area supervisors who manage field operations are also a benefit for the field-specific set up applications as described herein.

Abstract: A method of responding to obstacles encountered by a harvesting pickup apparatus that moves in the harvesting direction, the method including the steps of driving a pickup reel, pivoting at least one structural member, and positioning a path of continuous loop device. The driving of a pickup reel step includes driving the reel with a continuous loop device about a first axis. The pivoting step includes pivoting the at least one structural member about a second axis, the pickup reel being supported by the structural member. The positioning step includes positioning a path of the continuous loop device so that a tight side of the device is located in the harvesting direction from both the first axis and the second axis. This step also includes configuring the harvesting pickup apparatus so that the structural member is pivoted about the second axis in a generally upward direction when the harvesting pickup apparatus encounters an obstacle.

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 bearings.