For "floating" Harvester Patents (Class 56/15.8)
-
Patent number: 8109069Abstract: A proportional counterbalance system comprises an electronic controller operatively connected to a proportional hydraulic control valve to substantially continuously and infinitely adjust the backpressure in a fluid return circuit from the lift and lower cylinders of a plurality of cutting units on a mower. The backpressure is infinitely adjusted within a band between a minimum and a maximum backpressure in concert with a varying input parameter to the controller to transfer desired amounts of weight of the cutting units from the ground to the traction vehicle of the mower to enhance traction as needed. A wide variety of input parameters can be used, including a selected operating condition of the mower, a selected environmental condition of the turf surface being mowed, the actual, real time location of the mower on the turf surface, altitude above sea level, and manual input from the operator.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Chad L. Moe, Jeffrey T. Drake
-
Patent number: 8079204Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a feeder house drivably coupled to a power source. The feeder house has a housing frame. A faceplate is pivotally coupled to the housing frame to facilitate a pivoting of the faceplate relative to the housing frame. A hydraulic cylinder has a first end connected to the housing frame and a second end coupled to the faceplate to facilitate movement of the faceplate relative to the housing frame. The hydraulic cylinder has a plurality of hydraulic ports for facilitating movement of the operating piston of the hydraulic cylinder, with at least a first hydraulic port of the plurality of hydraulic ports being connected in fluid communication with a hydraulic power system. A first accumulator containing a compressible gas charge is connected in fluid communication with the first hydraulic port of the hydraulic cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Bruce A. Coers, Paul D. Marvin, John A. Schraeder
-
Patent number: 8065864Abstract: In some embodiments, a mower can be adapted to traverse a terrain. The mower can include a frame, which can include a front and at least one front beam located at the front of the frame, and first and second front wheels. In some embodiments, each of the first and second wheels can be coupled to the at least one front beam and at least one biasing member can be associated with each of the first and second front wheels. In some embodiments, the at least one biasing member can be positioned to bias the wheels in a downward direction and can include being constructed a of a non-metal material. In some embodiments, the wheels can independently move with respect to one another in response to changing elevation of the terrain. The mower also can include a cutter deck and at least one cutter.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Briggs & Stratton CorporationInventors: Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Robert S. Lauren
-
Patent number: 8037666Abstract: A mower comprising a chassis carrying at least one harvesting mechanism and a lightening device of the at least one harvesting mechanism. The lightening device includes at least one torsion bar which is connected to a transverse beam of the chassis and which carries a lever on one of the ends of which a rod is articulated which is directed towards the harvesting mechanism and which is itself articulated on the harvesting mechanism or its suspension device.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2009Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Kuhn S.A.Inventors: Martin Walch, Bernard Wattron
-
Publication number: 20110219739Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventors: Kent L. Thompson, Shane A. Bollinger, Rustin V. Bentzinger
-
Patent number: 7997053Abstract: An assembly of a traction vehicle and a soil treatment machine, such as a scrub clearing-plant shredding machine, includes a connecting mechanism including at least one articulated connecting rod of the same length as two other connecting rods forming a deformable parallelogram that maintains a parallelogram configuration, on either side of a closing plane, during vertical upward and downward movements of the soil treatment machine relative to a support arm.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: SAS DaironInventors: Michel Maurice Dairon, José Alain Loyer
-
Patent number: 7975460Abstract: A stabilization system used with a crop harvesting header includes a frame carrying a belt to deliver a crop to the header. The frame is independently movable between a first angle between the frame and the header and a second angle between the frame and the header. A member has an inside surface connectable in substantially non-rotational contact to a first structure of one of the frame or the header, and an outside surface connectable in substantially non-rotational contact to a second structure of the other of the frame or the header. In response to rotational movement of the first structure in substantially non-rotational contact with the inside surface, rotational movement of the first structure occurring with respect to the second structure in substantially non-rotational contact with the outside surface, the member provides a stabilizing torsional force between the frame and the header between the first and second angles.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2010Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: CNH America LLCInventor: Irwin D. McIlwain
-
Patent number: 7971417Abstract: An elective down pressure system for cutting units of a grass mowing machine with lift and lower mechanisms connected to the lift arms with lost motion couplings that may be set to either a downforce position in which the lift and lower mechanisms urge the lift arms to apply downforce to the cutting units while they are on the ground surface, or a no downforce position in which the lift and lower mechanisms discontinue urging the lift arms to apply downforce once the cutting units are on the ground surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2006Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Todd Allen Link
-
Patent number: 7966794Abstract: A drive system for agricultural implements having at least one floating head and a tongue that may be disposed at various angles relative to a longitudinal angle of the implement. Two swivel gearbox assemblies are used, each comprising a first 90° gearbox rigidly attached to the implement and a second 90° gearbox that is permitted to rotate about an axis passing through one of its shafts and one of the first 90° gearbox's shaft. Because the tongue angle is variable, the drive shafts for driving the implement must take on a plurality of angles. The swiveling gearbox assemblies allow variable angles at the tongue and at the header.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2010Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kent L. Thompson, Shane A. Bollinger, Stuart Gene Van Donselaar
-
Patent number: 7958707Abstract: 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 and the linkage arms of the four-bar linkage are not parallel to one another as viewed from above. The linkage arms of the four-bar linkage are pivotally attached to the main frame and sub-frame by spherical bearings.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2010Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kent L. Thompson, Shane A. Bollinger, Rustin V. Bentzinger
-
Publication number: 20110113741Abstract: A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine includes at least one platform section having a frame, a plurality of float arms movably coupled with the frame, an endless belt carried by the plurality of float arms, a cutterbar assembly carried by the plurality of float arms, and a plurality of crop ramps extending from the cutterbar assembly. The plurality of crop ramps are movable relative to each other and overly a leading edge of the endless belt. The endless belt and the cutterbar assembly are movable in a localized manner across the cutting platform in upwards and downwards directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2011Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventors: Bruce Alan Coers, Roderick James Jensen, Mark Michael Chaney, Bradley James Watts
-
Patent number: 7937919Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes a feeder housing and a cutting platform attached to the feeder housing. The cutting platform includes at least one platform section, each of which includes a frame, a plurality of float arms pivotally coupled with the frame, an endless belt carried by the plurality of float arms, and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders. Each hydraulic cylinder is associated with a respective float arm and includes a rod, a piston and a fluid chamber on a side of the piston providing a passive stop.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2006Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Bruce Alan Coers, Paul David Marvin
-
Publication number: 20110094200Abstract: A windrow merger including three pickup and transfer units, a folding system, and a plurality of float mechanisms. The folding system employs simultaneous rearward, outward, and upward folding motion so as to ensure none of the units interfere with the other units while folding, and likewise while unfolding. The folding system can further fold and unfold each of the three pickup and transfer units at the same time. During merging operations, the plurality of float mechanisms of the windrow merger limits the range of motion of each pickup and transfer unit. The float mechanisms further transfer a portion of the weight of each pickup and transfer unit from the ground to the frame of the merger. The units of the windrow merger can also include a rub rail having a surface that reduces swirling or clumping of material as the material is conveyed toward an end of the windrow merger.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: Oxbo International CorporationInventors: Steven S. Dow, Paul W. Dow
-
Publication number: 20110067373Abstract: A suspension system is provided for use with a crop harvesting header including a frame carrying a structure movable about an endless path to deliver a crop to the header. The frame has opposed ends and is pivotably connected to the header, each end of the frame being independently movable between a first angle between the frame and the header and a second angle between the frame and the header. A first suspension member and a second suspension member are each connected between the frame and the header to provide a substantially constant force to the frame between the first and second angles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventors: Gary BICH, Derek S. Rude, Robert Cropper, Leslie G. Hill
-
Patent number: 7866133Abstract: The vertically swingable header of a farm machine utilizes a flotation mechanism having a torsion bar as the source of lifting force. The torsion bar is mounted on the header rather than the base machine and is operably coupled with the base machine through loading apparatus that includes a cam and cam follower system. An alternative embodiment utilizes a cam track fixedly mounted on the base machine.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2009Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: AGCO CorporationInventors: Jeffrey S. Funk, Michael J. Dresher, Edward W. Esau, Thomas G. Schrag
-
Publication number: 20100269472Abstract: A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine includes at least one platform section having a frame, a plurality of float arms movably coupled with the frame, an endless belt carried by the plurality of float arms, a cutterbar assembly carried by the plurality of float arms, and a plurality of crop ramps extending from the cutterbar assembly. The plurality of crop ramps are movable relative to each other and overly a leading edge of the endless belt. The endless belt and the cutterbar assembly are movable in a localized manner across the cutting platform in upwards and downwards directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventors: Bruce Alan Coers, Roderick James Jensen, Mark Michael Chaney, Bradley James Watts
-
Publication number: 20100192534Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: Kent L. Thompson, Shane A. Bollinger, Rustin V. Bentzinger
-
Publication number: 20100192533Abstract: A turf treatment apparatus with a floating head for use on a grass treatment device having a frame, the turf treatment apparatus having a floating head comprising at least one elongate grass treatment element, and a mounting configured to effect a floating action with respect to the frame wherein the mounting comprises at least one resilient spring element that is configured to spread the weight of the grass treatment element by virtue of the resilience of the at least one spring element acting to counter the force of gravity arising during use of the floating head on non horizontal terrain.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2009Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: John Coleman, John Henry Turner
-
Patent number: 7730705Abstract: A mower deck lift mechanism for a lawn mower includes a mower deck, a linkage mechanism for movably mounting the mower deck to the frame for raising and lowering movement relative to the frame, and an electro-hydraulic actuator assembly connected to the linkage mechanism for raising and lowering the mower deck relative to the frame. The actuator assembly is an integrated unit including a hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly connected to the linkage mechanism, a pump for supplying pressurized fluid to the piston-cylinder assembly, and an electric motor for driving the pump.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Parker-Hannifin CorporationInventor: Paul Thomas Kubinski
-
Patent number: 7726109Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Kent L. Thompson, Shane A. Bollinger, Rustin V. Bentzinger
-
Publication number: 20100122875Abstract: A ride-on, self-propelled vehicle having front caster wheels, such as a zero-turn mower, includes a front brake system. The actuating power for the front brake pass through a spindle supporting the front caster wheel. In a preferred embodiment, a center shaft of each spindle or a concentric outer ring of a sleeve of each spindle passes a force from a brake actuator to a brake for the respective caster wheel. Actuation of the brake actuator moves a member into frictional contact with a portion of the front wheel or an object attached to the front wheel to applying a braking force.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2009Publication date: May 20, 2010Inventor: Ted H. CORRIHER
-
Patent number: 7707812Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a compact lawn mower that includes at least a shroud positioned a fixed distance from a lawn, by a common rear axle extended between and supported by a pair of rear wheels, is provided. The exemplary embodiment further includes a motor adjustment member confined within and supported by the shroud. The motor adjustment member interacts with a motor, which includes a cutting member attached to a motor shaft of the motor. In the exemplary embodiment, by manipulating the motor adjustment member, the height of the cutting member relative to the surface is set. That is, the motor adjustment member is rotated in a first direction to move the motor closer to the lawn, and in the opposite direction to move the motor further from the lawn, allowing the grass to be cut to a desired length, while the shroud remains a fixed distance from the lawn.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2008Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Inventor: Edward Kwok-Yen Cheung
-
Publication number: 20100077713Abstract: A riding mower comprises a raising and lowering mechanism (30, 33, 100), the raising and lowering control lever (27), and a PTO mechanism (17a, 17b) operated by a clutch lever (29). When the raising and lowering mechanism (30, 33, 100) reaches a predetermined height, a operatively connecting mechanism (5) transmits, to the raising and lowering control lever (27), a return-to-neutral displacement for returning the raising and lowering control lever (27) to the neutral position, and transmits, to the clutch lever (29), a disengaging displacement for returning the clutch lever (29) to the disengage position. A first adjusting operation member (55a) adjusts a triggering displacement at which the raising and lowering displacement is transmitted to the raising and lowering control lever (27) as the return-to-neutral displacement.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Kazuo Sameshima, Hironori Tsuchihashi, Kazuhiro Ochi, Masaji Kure
-
Patent number: 7658056Abstract: A drive system for agricultural implements having at least one floating head and a tongue that may be disposed at various angles relative to a longitudinal angle of the implement. Two swivel gearbox assemblies are used, each comprising a first 90° gearbox rigidly attached to the implement and a second 90° gearbox that is permitted to rotate about an axis passing through one of its shafts and one of the first 90° gearbox's shaft. Because the tongue angle is variable, the drive shafts for driving the implement must take on a plurality of angles. The swiveling gearbox assemblies allow variable angles at the tongue and at the header.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Kent L. Thompson, Shane A. Bollinger, Stuart Gene Van Donselaar
-
Publication number: 20100011732Abstract: The mower front independent suspension assembly in some embodiments of the present invention includes a first suspension arm connected to the front of the lawn mower frame and a second suspension arm connected to the side of the lawn mower frame. In some embodiments, the first suspension arm is connected to the front of the frame at or near the longitudinal center of the frame, while the second suspension arm is connected to the side of the frame a distance from the front of the frame. Also, in some embodiments the cutter deck of the lawn mower is connected to the front independent suspension assemblies for movement therewith.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2009Publication date: January 21, 2010Inventors: Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Robert S. Lauren
-
Patent number: 7614206Abstract: A header for a combine or a harvester comprising a center portion of said header having a feeder house position disposed to direct cut crop from the center portion to a feeder house when the header is mounted on the feeder house. At least one lateral portion of the header is attached to the center portion by a frame hinge. A draper comprised of a frame and a belt disposed to rotate over the frame extends from the lateral portion to the center portion having a draper hinge. A cutter having a curving portion is disposed at a leading aspect of the header to cut crop. The frame hinge, draper hinge and curving portion along the same axis are parallel to a direction of travel of the combine or harvester. The lateral portion can raise and lower relative to the center portion by rotation around the axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2007Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventors: Steve Tippery, Maurice Salz, Craig Kaster, Jens Petersen
-
Patent number: 7596935Abstract: A suspension system for fixed-frame, towed agricultural implements having at least one floating head. A hydraulic cylinder is used for both lift and suspension of the floating head. A hydraulic accumulator provides expansion room for hydraulic fluid to move in and out of the hydraulic cylinder during suspension.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Shane A. Bollinger, Kent L. Thompson, Rustin V. Bentzinger
-
Publication number: 20090241501Abstract: A mower unit includes a housing, a pair of cutting blades arranged inside the housing, each of the cutting blades being rotatable about a respective vertical axis supported by the housing, the cutting blades being driven to be rotated in opposite directions, and a baffle arranged generally between rotation regions of the cutting blades to guide air flows generated by the cutting blades. The baffle defines an upper baffle portion located adjacent an upper region of the housing, a lower baffle portion located adjacent a lower region of the housing, and an air passage formed for allowing the air flows to flow between the upper baffle portion and lower baffle portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2009Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Ryouzou Imanishi, Tomoyuki Morikawa, Katsuhiko Uemura, Nobuyuki Yamashita, Kazuaki Kurohara, Hiroshi Oshima
-
Patent number: 7555885Abstract: The vertically swingable header of a farm machine utilizes a flotation mechanism having a torsion bar as the source of lifting force. The torsion bar is mounted on the header rather than the base machine and is operably coupled with the base machine through loading apparatus that includes a cam and cam follower system. An alternative embodiment utilizes a cam track fixedly mounted on the base machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2007Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: AGCO CorporationInventors: Jeffrey S. Funk, Michael J. Dresher, Edward W. Esau, Thomas G. Schrag
-
Patent number: 7546723Abstract: The mower front independent suspension assembly in some embodiments of the present invention includes a first suspension arm connected to the front of the lawn mower frame and a second suspension arm connected to the side of the lawn mower frame. In some embodiments, the first suspension arm is connected to the front of the frame at or near the longitudinal center of the frame, while the second suspension arm is connected to the side of the frame a distance from the front of the frame. Also, in some embodiments the cutter deck of the lawn mower is connected to the front independent suspension assemblies for movement therewith.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2006Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Briggs and Stratton CorporationInventors: Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Robert S. Lauren
-
Publication number: 20090107097Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: Kent L. Thompson, Shane A. Bollinger, Rustin V. Bentzinger
-
Patent number: 7520115Abstract: A float arm load compensation system for a header of an agricultural harvester includes a header frame; a plurality of header float arms pivotally coupled to the header frame; a cutter bar fixed to forward ends of the plurality of header float arms; at least one conveyor belt supported on the plurality of header float arms and configured to traverse the header perpendicular to the direction of travel of the header, wherein the conveyor belt is further configured to receive crop material cut by the cutter bar; and a plurality of springs, wherein each spring is coupled to an associated header float arm of the plurality of header float arms to exert a force on the associated header float arm compensating for the weight of cut crop material supported by the associated header float arm.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Bruce Alan Coers, Corwin Marcus Puryk, Benjamin Max Lovett, Gerald Eric Rains, Sheldon Joseph Grywacheski, Mark Alan Melton
-
Publication number: 20090084080Abstract: A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine includes at least one platform section having a frame, a plurality of float arms movably coupled with the frame, an endless belt carried by the plurality of float arms, a cutterbar assembly carried by the plurality of float arms, and a plurality of crop ramps extending from the cutterbar assembly. The plurality of crop ramps are movable relative to each other and overly a leading edge of the endless belt. The endless belt and the cutterbar assembly are movable in a localized manner across the cutting platform in upwards and downwards directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2008Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventors: Bruce Alan Coers, Roderick James Jensen, Mark Michael Chaney, Bradley James Watts
-
Patent number: 7467506Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes a feeder housing and a cutting platform attached to the feeder housing. The cutting platform includes a frame, an accumulator carried by the frame, a plurality of float arms movably coupled with the frame, and a plurality of float cylinders. Each float cylinder is coupled between the frame and a respective float arm. A shut-off valve is fluidly connected between the accumulator and at least one float cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2006Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Benjamin Max Lovett, Bruce Alan Coers
-
Publication number: 20080295475Abstract: A castering wheel assembly comprising of a vertical shaft for caster, a horizontal wheel-mount standard, an axle pivotally attached to the standard, two wheels; with one wheel at each end of the axle arranged such that when the wheel assembly is attached to a rotary mower apparatus, the apparatus will follow straight on a side slope. Two embodiments of a mower apparatus comprising a mower deck and two wings, with a plurality of rear wheels mounted behind the mower deck(s) and two castering wheel assemblies mounted ahead of the mower deck such that the mower deck(s) ride along the ground. A trailing or offset floating hitch member is pivotally attached at one end to the front wheel assembly of the center mower deck and pivotally attached at an opposite end to a tractor allowing the mower deck(s) to float with respect to the tractor to follow contours on the ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2007Publication date: December 4, 2008Applicant: BATOCHE AG-DESIGNInventor: Stanley Joseph Boyko
-
Publication number: 20080078155Abstract: A float arm load compensation system for a header of an agricultural harvester includes a header frame; a plurality of header float arms pivotally coupled to the header frame; a cutter bar fixed to forward ends of the plurality of header float arms; at least one conveyor belt supported on the plurality of header float arms and configured to traverse the header perpendicular to the direction of travel of the header, wherein the conveyor belt is further configured to receive crop material cut by the cutter bar; and a plurality of springs, wherein each spring is coupled to an associated header float arm of the plurality of header float arms to exert a force on the associated header float arm compensating for the weight of cut crop material supported by the associated header float arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Bruce Alan Coers, Corwin Marcus Puryk, Benjamin Max Lovett, Gerald Eric Rains, Sheldon Joseph Grywacheski, Mark Alan Melton
-
Publication number: 20070283673Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes a feeder housing and a cutting platform attached to the feeder housing. The cutting platform includes at least one platform section, each of which includes a frame, a plurality of float arms pivotally coupled with the frame, an endless belt carried by the plurality of float arms, and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders. Each hydraulic cylinder is associated with a respective float arm and includes a rod, a piston and a fluid chamber on a side of the piston providing a passive stop.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2006Publication date: December 13, 2007Inventors: Bruce Alan Coers, Paul David Marvin
-
Patent number: 7249448Abstract: An agricultural apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is adapted to be mounted to an agricultural machine such as a tractor and is provided with a boom having two arms extending in a direction substantially transverse to the agricultural machine. The boom arm are provided with a plurality of heads, adapted for either cutting or spraying, and can be used to cut or spray discrete areas of vegetation over which the apparatus passes. The apparatus is adapted to maintain the arms in a direction substantially parallel to the vegetation over which it is passing irrespective of the terrain.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2002Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Inventors: Richard Murphy, David Murphy
-
Patent number: 7197863Abstract: A side-to-side leveler couples a chain of a suspended cutter deck assembly to the associated cutter deck or, alternatively, to the associated lawnmower frame, so that the height of one side of cutter deck can be adjusted relative the other side while all chains remain under tension. The leveler preferably comprises a bell crank mechanism including a crank that is pivotally attached to one of the cutter deck and the lawnmower frame and that receives an end of the chain. A threaded adjuster cooperates with the crank to drive the crank to pivot and alter the spacing between the side of the cutter deck and the lawnmower frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2005Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Scag Power Equipment, Inc.Inventor: David J. Sugden
-
Patent number: 7152389Abstract: A front independent suspension including a first suspension arm coupled to a front side of a frame and a second suspension arm coupled to a lateral side of the frame. The first suspension arm and the second suspension arm are movable relative to the frame in response to changes in elevation of the terrain. At least one of the first suspension arm and the second suspension arm is coupled to a cutter deck for movement of the cutter deck responsive to changes in elevation of the terrain.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Briggs and Stratton CorporationInventors: Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Robert S. Lauren
-
Patent number: 7146787Abstract: Disclosed is a self propelled walk behind mower comprised of a tractor unit and a mowing deck. The tractor unit is hydrostatically driven with a unique control system whereby the forward speed of the tractor is set by operating an electric rocker switch with an operator's thumb. Hand levers are used to turn the tractor to the left and the right. The tractor unit comprises two drive wheels and a third wheel that is pivotally attached, letting the tractor unit stand upright when no implements are attached. Implements attach to the front of the tractor through a movable attachment so that the tractor and implement can closely follow the contour of the ground while keeping the operator controls in a convenient position.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2003Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Walker Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Dean M. Walker
-
Patent number: 7107746Abstract: A mower including a frame having a front portion, a rear portion, and at least one central longitudinal beam. The at least one beam is parallel with a longitudinal axis passing from the front portion to the rear portion of the frame. First and second wheels are positioned on opposite sides of the front portion of the frame and are spaced to define a track width of the mower, with the track width being a distance between a center portion of each of the first and second wheels. The first and second wheels pivot about a first longitudinal pivot axis and a second longitudinal pivot axis, respectively. The first and second longitudinal pivot axes are laterally spaced from the longitudinal axis between about 0% and about 20% of the track width.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Ferris, a division of Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Mark J. Melone, William Decker, Brian Crossway, James Marshall, Frank Marshall
-
Patent number: 7013626Abstract: A deck height adjustment apparatus for a walk-behind mower includes a foot pedal actuated lever operably connected to a deck lift mechanism for raising and lowering a mowing deck. A cam wheel, having an outer edge of a varying radius relative to an axis of rotation, is mounted to a mower body proximate the lever. The deck height is a function of the radius of the outer edge of the cam wheel in contact with the lever. An adjustment mechanism for setting the deck height is conveniently located on a handle of the walk-behind mower.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Auburn Consolidated Industries, Inc.Inventor: Claude Strope
-
Patent number: 6959528Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 8, 2004Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Inventor: Frank P. Scordilis
-
Patent number: 6868658Abstract: A self-propelled power lawn mower is provided with a deck lifting system. The operator can lift the cutter deck (and optionally the engine deck as well) by pulling upward/backward on a deck-lifting lever. Moreover, a latch system is provided for permitting the deck to be lowered and/or adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
-
Patent number: 6857254Abstract: The mower front independent suspension assembly in some embodiments of the present invention includes a first suspension arm connected to the front of the lawn mower frame and a second suspension arm connected to the side of the lawn mower frame. In some embodiments, the first suspension arm is connected to the front of the frame at or near the longitudinal center of the frame, while the second suspension arm is connected to the side of the frame a distance from the front of the frame. Also, in some embodiments the cutter deck of the lawn mower is connected to the front independent suspension assemblies for movement therewith.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Ferris Industries, Inc.Inventors: Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Robert S. Lauren
-
Patent number: 6854250Abstract: A rotary mower apparatus comprises a mower deck with a plurality of rear wheels mounted behind the mower deck and at least one front wheel mounted ahead of the mower deck such that the mower deck rides along the ground on the wheels. A floating hitch member is pivotally attached at one end to a top portion of the mower deck so as to pivot about a substantially vertical mower axis, and is adapted for pivotal attachment at an opposite end to the tractor about a substantially vertical tow axis. The attachment further allows the mower deck to float with respect to the tractor to follow contours of the ground. A drive is operative to transfer power from the tractor to rotate the cutting blade, and a mower angle control is operative to selectively pivot the floating hitch member about the vertical mower axis with respect to the mower deck.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2002Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Inventor: Stanley Joseph Boyko
-
Publication number: 20040244348Abstract: An improved lawn mower includes a chassis assembly having one or more drive wheels, a ground-following cutter deck assembly attached to the chassis, and rolling means attached to the cutter deck, wherein the chassis and the cutter deck are arranged such that the rolling means and the drive wheels support the chassis for movement over a surface. The ground-following cutter deck thereby reacts to the ground contours independent of the reactions of the chassis, and the combined weight of the chassis and cutter deck keep the cutter deck from bouncing, thus, the ground-following cutter deck follows the ground contours evenly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventor: Joseph S. Ferris
-
Patent number: 6782680Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a wheel at each end of a transverse main frame with each wheel being carried by a vertically pivotal link to which an extensible and retractable actuating device is coupled for effecting vertical adjustment of the frame relative to the ground. The upper end of each actuating device is attached to a further link which is vertically pivotally mounted to the frame and has its upward movement resisted by a frame-mounted spring so as to dampen forces imposed on the wheel by the terrain. Each further link may be selectively locked to the frame so as to eliminate the function of the associated spring.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Jean Viaud, Lionel Guiet
-
Patent number: 6742954Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking system for a rotating joint. In the device, the locking system (L) comprises a rigid locking means (12) movable in the axial direction (X1), provided with a first cogging (13) which can be moved for locking with the locking means (12) in a contact with a second cogging (14), to transmit the rotational movement, wherein said coggings (13, 14) are, for releasing the cogging, designed in such a way that a force effect releasing the locking is formed between them, and a third cogging (16) which is, during the locking, in a contact with a fourth cogging, to transmit the rotational motion, as well as a sealing element (21) for forming at least one closed hydraulic space (24) with a varying volume between the locking means (12) and the sealing element (21), wherein the locking means (12) is arranged to be moved for the locking and to be kept in the locking by the effect of a pressurized medium.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Timberjack OyInventor: Hyytiäinen Jouko