Abstract: A crop harvesting header has a cutter bar with a plurality of generally horizontal flail disks mounted thereon for driven rotation about generally upright axes spaced along the cutter bar. At least one of the disks is mounted outwardly of the discharge opening and carries an “hour glass” shape impeller to carry the crop inwardly. A pair of conditioner rolls is mounted in the discharge opening and a transfer roller is mounted behind the disks and in front of the nip for transferring the crop upwardly and rearwardly from the disks to the nip. The transfer roller is of the same diameter as the bottom roll and carries high ribs preferably forwardly inclined for an aggressive action on the crop. The roller is mounted with its axis above the cutting plane and its uppermost edge of the ribs at or above the axis of the bottom roll.

Abstract: A conveying means adapted to provide a link between a harvester and a processing apparatus which is towed from the harvester, said conveying means being supported between the harvester and processing apparatus, said conveying means having an inlet positioned to receive trash flowing from the trash outlet of the harvester and an outlet positioned to deliver trash to the processing apparatus, the conveying means including a conveyor extending between the inlet and outlet to convey the trash from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a feeder roller used in agricultural machinery which facilitates the feeding of an object or item from a first location to a second location. The feeder roller is rotatable about an axis of rotation, and has an outer surface which includes at least one projection which extends a predetermined distance from the outer surface in an outwardly direction away from the axis of rotation. The projections of the feeder roller add motion to any item the projections contact when the feeder roller is rotating about the axis of rotation. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the feeder roller is used in an elevator of a combine harvester, resulting in improved feeding characteristics.

Abstract: A flow of crops, which contains useful material and waste material, is separated in a crop machine into a useful material flow and a waste material flow, in which, respectively, the useful material or the waste material is concentrated. A first step separates the flow of crops with a first selectivity into a pre-cleaned flow, which contains a substantial portion of the useful material and a remaining portion of the waste material, and a first waste material flow, which contains a substantial portion of the waste material and a remaining portion of the useful material. A second step separates the pre-cleaned flow with a selectivity dependent on its flow rate into the useful material flow and a second waste material flow, which contains a substantial portion of waste material and a remaining portion of the useful material.

Abstract: A self-propelled forage harvester having a feed shaft through which the chopped material is delivered to a pair of conditioning rollers is disclosed. The width of the feed shaft converges on the way from the bladed drum to the pair of conditioning rollers. To direct the material out of the side regions towards the center evenly over the remaining width, there are provided drive-energy-free crop guide elements and are either in the form of plowshare-like guide elements or a contoured bottom. The chopped material mat in a crop discharge region is consistently thick.

Abstract: A silage cutting implement for mounting to a mobile working vehicle has lower and upper parts interconnected by a horizontal pivot axis with a lower part having a loading plane connected by an angled section to a rear frame structure and an upper part having a separation plane connected to a rear frame by an angled section. Hydraulic cylinders are mounted between the upper and lower parts at the side of the pivot axis facing to the loading plane and the separation plane with the linkage points for the hydraulic cylinders provided in the angled sections. A sensing device is provided which senses a difference between the extended lengths of the cylinders.

Abstract: Disclosed is a discharge spout arrangement of an agricultural harvesting machine through which harvested crop processed by the harvesting machine can be transported to a transport vehicle. The discharge spout arrangement includes a first spout element connected with the harvesting machine. A second spout element is mounted to and defines an extension the first spout element. The second spout element is slidably movable between fully retracted and extended positions respectively wherein a discharge end of the second spout element is spaced a minimum and a maximum distance from a discharge end of said first spout element.

Abstract: A mower-conditioner is provided with a crop deflector mounted at the end of an outlet guide element through the medium of a pair of slots provided in each of the opposite sides of the guide element and overlapping slots provided in slot-carriers in the form of flanges provided at opposite sides of a planar section of the deflector, with releasable fasteners securing the deflector in a desired one of an infinite number of possible positions permitted by the slot and fastener arrangement.

Abstract: A self-propelled forage harvester having a feed shaft through which the chopped material is delivered to a pair of conditioning rollers is disclosed. The width of the feed shaft converges on the way from the bladed drum to the pair of conditioning rollers. To direct the material out of the side regions towards the center evenly over the remaining width, there are provided drive-energy-free crop guide elements and are either in the form of plowshare-like guide elements or a contoured bottom. The chopped material mat in a crop discharge region is consistently thick.

Abstract: Harvesting machine for picking up and chopping corn, wilted grass, green feed and similar harvested material including a feeding device, a chopping device arranged after the feeding device and a conditioning device for conditioning the harvested material arranged after the chopping device. The conditioning device optionally engages a conveying duct. Mounting and dismantling of the conditioning device is simplified because it is connected on one side to a duct pivotable about an essentially horizontal swiveling axis and on the other side rigidly but detachably to a rigid duct. Preferably, the swiveling axis is situated below the pivotable duct such that the swiveling motion of the pivotable duct is directed downward against the traveling direction of the harvesting machine to thereby enable removal of the conditioning device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a harvesting machine 1, to especially a self-propelled pick-up chopper for picking up and chopping corn, wilted grass, green feed and similar harvested produce, with an ejection elbow 6, which is disposed downstream from pulling in and chopping devices for transferring harvested produce to the loading space of an accompanying vehicle. In particular, in order to free to the operator of the harvesting machine from the burden of the cumbersome positioning work after each change in the direction of travel, provisions are made that the ejection elbow 6 can be swiveled by means of a motor, controlled by a control device, from a first operating position into a second operating position, which corresponds to the first operating position of the ejection elbow, mirrored in the vertical median plane (FIG. 3).

Abstract: A mowing arrangement includes a tractor carrying a front-mounted mower unit and towing a mobile carrier frame having left and right mower units mounted to opposite sides of the carrier frame. In a first embodiment, the carrier frame is box-shaped in plan view. A pair of mower unit support arms are respectively mounted to forward outer locations of the carrier frame for pivoting vertically between horizontal first positions, wherein they dispose the mower units in respective operating positions, and vertical second positions, wherein they dispose the mower units in raised transport positions.

Abstract: A pull-type harvester includes a cutterhead assembly and a conveying assembly, such as an auger, which conveys cut crop material to a discharge blower. These components define a flow path for cut crop material through the harvester, and a crop processing mill is removably positionable within the flow path for processing the cut crop material in certain conditions for enhancing digestibility of the crop material. The auger assembly is pivotably mounted to the harvester, and is movable so as to accommodate placement of the crop processing mill in the flow path or removal of the crop processing mill therefrom. Filler members are provided for enclosing spaces formed in the crop material flow path resulting from pivoting movement of the auger assembly. The crop processing mill can be selectively installed between the cutterhead and the auger for selectively providing crop processing capability when desired, and the crop processing mill can be removed if conditions do not require crop processing capabilities.

Abstract: A conveying device for stem-bearing crops which is provided with two rotatable circular blades and two rotatable housings above for receiving tines, is to be designed in such a way that the tines are fixed to the rotatable housing in such a way that the risk of breaking is substantially reduced, so that the service life of the tines is substantially increased. The tines are permanently inserted in bearing plates. Each bearing plate is mounted freely rotatably on a fixed bearing pin, the longitudinal center axis of the bearing pin being parallel to and spaced apart from the axis of rotation of the cylindrical housing. On the bearing plate on the outside on two bolts are mounted roller bearings which roll over the control face of a control cam which is also mounted on the bearing pin. The control cam is not rotatable relative to the bearing pin, but slidable in the axial direction, and is pressed by a plate spring assembly toward the roller bearings.

Abstract: An attachment for an auger of a harvesting machine reduces or essentially eliminates residue build-up on the auger of the harvesting machine. The attachment includes a paddle, which is adapted to be secured to the auger between the flighting of the auger, and at least one projecting member which extends from the paddle and projects above the flighting of the auger for breaking up crop residue which tends to build up above the auger. The projecting member is secured to the paddle by at least one fastener, for example a bolt, a screw, or a rivet. Preferably, the projecting member comprises metal, plastic, or polymeric material, such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene or a high density polyethylene. In one form, the paddle and the projecting member are integrally formed to provide a unitary construction.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester has a header connected to a conveying unit for pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis to adjust for changes in ground contour. An endless conveyor is supported in the conveying duct of the conveying unit in a manner permitting its forward end to move vertically and a mechanism is provided to prevent contact between the conveying chains of the endless conveyor and the discharge doorway of the header unit when a predetermined pivotal movement of the header unit occurs.

Abstract: A tractor driven stump grinder for a wheeled tractor frame having a drive motor operating the wheels to move the tractor forwardly and rearwardly, the tractor having a support member movable vertically on the tractor frame and rotatably carrying a generally vertically disposed broadsidely oriented grinder disc. A series of circumferentially spaced generally radial stump grinding tools project peripherally from each vertical face of the grinder disc, and a drive mechanism is provided for rotating the grinder disc in a plane transverse to the longitudinal tractor frame as it cuts a horizontal swath and then a subjacent swath in a pass across the upper end of a stump in both forward and rearward directions of movement of the tractor.

Abstract: A mower includes a linking structure designed to link the mower to a motor vehicle; a cutting mechanism with driven cutting elements that include cutting tools; and a windrowing device designed to move laterally, toward a median plane of the cutting mechanism, the product that has been cut by the cutting elements before it is dropped to the ground. The windrowing device has at least one guiding element for the cut product, located in the vicinity of one of the lateral ends of the cutting mechanism, and considering the direction of work, behind the front of the cut of the cutting mechanism. The guiding element has at least two rotors arranged crosswise to the direction of work and to the rotation axis directed upward during work. The rotors are hung to a carrying structure linked to the cutting mechanism and/or to the linking structure, and the rotors are driven in rotation by way of a driving mechanism.

Abstract: A rake compactor and helical paddle wheel system for an aquatic harvester, the rake compactor of which includes a carriage or trolley movably and horizontally mounted by means of rollers on rails above the deck of the aquatic harvester and characterized by a dual endless chain drive system for selectively moving the trolley forwardly and rearwardly above the deck and a rake pivoted to the trolley for engaging, loading, compacting and unloading aquatic growth harvested by the aquatic harvester and deposited on the harvester deck. Dual, independently driven, helical paddle wheels serve to drive and maneuver the aquatic harvester.

Abstract: A header is mounted on a separate tractor and takes drive from a PTO shaft of the tractor and communicates the drive to a main drive shaft of the header longitudinal of the main beam of the header. The angle drive necessary to communicate this power is formed by three CV joints. A first CV joint is connected to the PTO shaft and a third CV joint is connected to the main drive shaft of the header. Between the first and third CV joints is provided a first shaft extending to the second CV joint and a second shaft from the second CV joint to the third CV joint. The first shaft is carried on a hanger bearing which can pivot about a horizontal axis with the first shaft mounted in a spherical bearing on the hanger bearing plate. The second shaft is telescopic. The three CV joints pivot to divide the total angle approximately equally so that each can run within a reasonable angle. The pivoting hanger bearing and the telescopic shaft accommodate relative movement between the tractor and the header.

Abstract: This invention provides an indicator means for a grass mower to detect blockages of a duct used to transport clippings from a mower head to a storage container. The indicator is mounted on the duct and is responsive to air flow rate in the duct thereby indicating any reduction of air flow rate from a predetermined normal flow rate and therefore when a blockage is occurring so that the operator can take actions to prevent it.

Abstract: A draft tongue for a powered implement is designed for optionally including a first or a second coupling structure adapted for connection to draft links off a towing vehicle. The first coupling structure includes a gear transmission having an input shaft for connection, by means of an articulated power shaft, to the power take-off of the towing vehicle, and being mounted for swivelling, relative to an output shaft, about a vertical axis. The second coupling structure simply includes a support for a pin that is universally connected to an elongate member having opposite ends adapted for being coupled to the draft links of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A harvester apparatus having adjust suppression system provided for suppressing grain dust during crop harvesting operations wherein the harvester apparatus has a vehicle body with a harvesting mechanism for harvesting the crops and supplying the crops to an accumulator bin on the vehicle body. A discharge apparatus is provided to empty the accumulator bin and includes an elongated housing extending from the accumulator bin and terminating in a discharge opening. An elongated auger is rotatably mounted to the vehicle body about a longitudinal axis in an interior of the tubular housing. The auger transports the crops from the accumulator bin to the discharge opening during rotation. A nozzle mounted to the elongated housing has a spray opening located in the tubular passageway. Structure is provided for supplying a dust suppressing fluid to the spray opening of the nozzle for application to the crops being transported through the elongated housing by the auger.

Abstract: A mower includes a frame having a connecting mechanism for connecting the frame to a motor vehicle. The mower also includes at least one harvesting mechanism which comprises cutting elements and is connected to the frame through a suspension device. The suspension device permits the displacement in height of the harvesting mechanism relative to the frame. The mower further includes a lightening device operatively connected to the harvesting mechanism and comprising at least one spring connected directly to the harvesting mechanism. The lightening device makes it possible to reduce the pressure with which the harvesting mechanism rests on the ground by transferring a part of the weight of the harvesting mechanism to the frame.

Abstract: A mower includes a first chassis attachable to a tractor for movement in a work direction, a second chassis having first and second structures connected at a joint extending perpendicular to the work direction, and connecting rods, each having respective ends pivotally connected to the first chassis and to the second structure of the second chassis so as to form with the first and second chassis an upwardly deformable quadrilateral deformable such that the work elements may move to adapt to ground contours. A release safety device normally prevents pivoting of the first structure about the joint but permits pivoting of the first structure about the joint axis when the first structure or the working elements hooks an obstacle during movement of the mower in the work direction. This limits forces applied to the mower.

Abstract: A mower has a system of levers carrying the cutting head to project it laterally of the tractor on which it is mounted, the actual mounting for the levers being adjustable along the length of a beam extending across the tractor while the tractor is in motion, by means of a motor driving a rack and pinion on the mounting and beam respectively.

Abstract: A mower has a mower support mount beam with at least one rotating mowing device as well as a flexible coupling to a carrying mount beam and a hitching mount. The carrying mount, when the machine is moving forward is in front of the mower support mount and above it. A latching mechanism is supplied for the carrying mount beam which includes a biased spring member and a movable intermediate member which projects into a clasping pocket of the carrying mount beam so that a swinging locking clasp which has a pull cord thereon can grip it.

Abstract: A grass and ditch mower is provided having a novel floating cutting deck mounted to a novel extension arm assembly.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header, attachable to a combine to sever standing crop and intiate the crop harvesting process, is disclosed wherein both the cutterbar and the floor of the header are somewhat flexibly constructed to follow the contour of the ground and harvest low growing crops. A counterbalancing force for the cutterbar is provided by leaf spring members spaced along the width of the header. These leaf spring members are connected to a lower portion of the header in such a manner as to enable the amount of countebalancing force supplied to the cutterbar to be variable by changing the number of leaf spring members exerting a counterbalancing force, either by increasing the number of locations that the leaf spring members are connected to the header frame or by increasing the number of leaf spring members at each location.

Abstract: A basic frame for a crop harvesting header which is attachable to a combine to sever standing crop and initiate the crop harvesting process is disclosed wherein the same frame can be utilized in the construction of both rigid and flexible headers. A connection member is provided for each attachment rib interconnecting the frame and the cutterbar, such that the attachment rib can be either pivotally connected to the frame to provide a flexible header or rigidly attached to the frame to provide a rigid header. Each connection member permits a rigidly attached rib to be vertically positionally adjusted to provide proper alignment of the cutterbar across the entire width of the header. The header frame includes a hat-shaped member corresponding to each of the connection members within which the attachment ribs can be nested.

Abstract: A self-propelled harvesting combine having a crop treatment means and a crop gathering means. The crop treatment means supported on a first wheeled chassis, which supports a power source for propulsion of the combine, operation of the crop separating and operation of the crop gathering means. The crop gathering means is supported on a second wheeled chassis which is pivotally mounted to the first wheeled chassis to be movable between a first position lying beside the first wheeled chassis and a second position trailing behind the first wheeled chassis.

Abstract: A parallel linkage suspension for a tractor mounted lawn mower which maintains blade level and drive belt tension at all operating positions of the mower, including an upper mower transport position. The parallel tow bar linkage includes a pair of spaced parallel lower links pivotally connected at opposed ends to the mower assembly and the tractor adjacent the forward end of the tractor and a pair of parallel spaced upper links pivotally connected at opposed ends to the midportion of the mower and the tractor on pivots spaced above and rearwardly of the pivotal connections of the lower links. An idler sheave assembly is pivotally supported on a U-shaped bracket on the upper links, spaced rearwardly of the pivotal connection of the upper links to the tractor, such that the idler sheave assembly moves vertically with the mower on a smaller arc to maintain tension in the belt.

Abstract: A single V-belt power transmission is provided for a three-spindle rotary mower without the belt crossing over itself or being subject to severe twists. The three spindles of the mower are disposed on vertical axes to form a triangular pattern with the lead or apex angle being forwardly of the other two spindles which are spaced laterally of one another. A swingable clutch idler and a fixed axis idler engage the flat backside of the V-belt and are so positioned on the mower housing that the single V-belt has a large arc of contact with the pulley on the central lead spindle and with a drive pulley positioned forwardly of the lead spindle. The idler pulleys also serve to so position the belt that there will be no contact between runs of the belt. The invention is illustrated in an underslung mower attachment for a riding tractor and includes an automatic brake, a manually operated height adjusting mechanism and a manual control for raising the mower to a transport position.

Abstract: The mower attachment includes a drive subassembly which is adapted to be detachably connected to the front axle of the tractor. Specifically, the drive subassembly is adapted to be connected to downwardly opening channel members rigidly secured to transverse, oscillating front axle member. The mower attachment also includes a mower subassembly which is connected to the drive subassembly by a draft link structure. The drive subassembly includes a clutch pulley rotatably mounted on a clutch pulley support bracket which is in turn pivotally connected to a frame part of the drive subassembly so that it may swing between clutching and declutching positions. The clutch pulley support bracket is connected to a clutch control lever on the tractor by a disconnectable clutch control linkage. The drive subassembly also includes an idler pulley disposed on an oblique axis forwardly of the clutch pulley.

Abstract: An implement for a tractor is provided with a height adjusting mechanism, including a control lever swingable in a horizontal plane about a fixed vertical axis and operably coupled with an articulate linkage for translating the horizontal swinging of the lever to vertical movement of the implement without creating a force moment thereacross. The articulate linkage spans a pivotal coupling between the main frame of the implement and a mounting bracket secured to the tractor such that the linkage operates to swing the bracket and frame toward and away from one another causing the pivotal coupling to move up and down. A belt drive on the implement is maintained in constant, substantially uniform tension by a shiftable idler pulley operably coupled with the control lever for automatic belt-tension adjustment in response to raising and lowering of the implement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a crop harvesting machine for collecting stalk crops having seed pods near ground level. The harvester includes a horizontally disposed reel structure. As the reel rotates, bat-assemblies thereon successively urge the stalks of the crop against a cutter bar which severs them close to the ground. The cutter bar and its associated sickle drive assembly accommodate the irregular variations in ground contour, by reason of the interposition of leaf springs between the cutter bar assembly and the cutter carrying platform. When not required the flexible cutter bar feature can be disabled. Sensing fingers mounted on the underside of the machine relay information to an automatic elevational control unit assuring that the cutter carrying platform closely follows the contour of the ground.

Abstract: A working vehicle, for example, a lawn mower, floor brush, or snowblower, is disclosed wherein a steerable ground-engaging wheel is located within the sweep of a rotary mechanism. A spindle portion of the wheel is journaled in a sleeve portion of the rotating mechanism and the mechanism is operatively connected to a power source by a power transfer system. The wheel and the rotary mechanism are independently rotatable. Apparatus is provided in both the single cutter and multiple cutter embodiments to adjust the height of the rotary mechanism as a unit. An alternate drive mechanism is disclosed for use with such devices in which a ground-engaging wheel interior of the rotating mechanism is individually powered. In another embodiment, the wheel is castered. Each of the rotating mechanisms includes a rotatable member rotatably supported within a receiving portion of a body which includes a plurality of support wheels.

Abstract: A harvesting machine, such as a combine, may be adapted for the harvesting of row crops by attaching a series of laterally spaced-apart, individual row units across the header of the combine. Each unit attachment is of low-profile configuration having a pair of downwardly and forwardly extending, obstruction-free dividing members which become disposed on opposite sides of a crop row during operation, the drive for gathering mechanism on the members being disposed below and to one side of the crop delivery passage defined between each pair of dividing members whereby to render the passage wholly unobstructed from top-to-bottom and front-to-rear thereof to facilitate the orderly, clog-free movement of crops rearwardly through the passage and into the header for further processing.

Abstract: A process for the isomerization of maleic acid, its monoesters and monoamides in the presence of thiourea in anhydrous conditions at elevated temperature to the corresponding fumaryl forms yields intermediates which are useful in the synthetic pathways of aspartame and other useful polypeptides.