Oscillating Cutter Patents (Class 56/155)
  • Patent number: 6138445
    Abstract: A mower with a hitch system allows large lateral offsets in both directions of the mower relative to a towing vehicle. The mower hitch system includes first and second swing arms spaced apart across the mower. First and second pivot shafts mount the respective first and second swing arms on the mower for pivotal movement of the arms about respective upright axes spaced apart across the mower. The swing arms extend towards a front end of the mower for connecting to lift arms of a three point hitch on the towing vehicle. A lug extends from the first pivot shaft such that the first swing arm and the lug form a bell crank. A hydraulic cylinder mounted on the front end of the mower connects to the lug such that extension and contraction of the cylinder pivots the first swing arm laterally over the cylinder and across the mower. The towing vehicle also includes a power take off for connecting to a telescoping drive shaft assembly with universal joints on the mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Schulte Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Delmar Toth
  • Patent number: 6122902
    Abstract: A pull-type harvesting machine is adapted for laterally offset attachment to a tractor. The machine has a frame and a harvesting head supported by the frame including a cutting apparatus for cutting crops as the machine is towed across a field, and a gear box operably connected with the cutting apparatus. A pull tongue is pivotally coupled to the frame about a first vertical axis for varying the position of the machine relative to the tractor. A mechanical drive line extends along and is rotatably supported by the pull tongue for supplying driving power to the cutting apparatus through the gear box. The gear box is pivotally mounted on the header about a second vertical axis spaced from the first vertical axis. The drive line includes a fixed position portion and a telescoping portion supported at fore and aft ends by the tongue and the gear box, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Gehl Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Loehr
  • Patent number: 6085508
    Abstract: A mower including a mower deck having a cutting chamber therein; and a rotatable cutter head disposed within the cutting chamber for cutting in a sweep or cutting plane wherein the sweep or cutting plane of the cutter head is movable relative to the grass surface being cut so that it can adopt a number of operating positions. The cutting chamber has an inner wall which includes a first wall section adjacent the cutter head in the region of the cutting or sweep plane and a recess in an upper section of the inner wall above the cutting or sweep plane, there being a step between the first wall section and upper wall section of the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Rovers Mowers Limited
    Inventors: Steven Richard Miatt, Stephen Leonard Jackson, Gaven Ray Dall'osto
  • Patent number: 6079192
    Abstract: A row alignment system includes a plurality of row units mounted on the lift frame at the front of a harvester. One or more of the row units are transversely adjustable on the frame for alignment with the guess rows. One of the adjustable row units includes a mechanical feeler which moves in response to changes in alignment between the plant passage on the row unit and the row of crop being harvested by that row unit. A linkage connects the feeler directly to the spool of a three-position, four-way valve supported on the row unit closely adjacent the feeler. Movement of the feeler in response to row misalignment operates the valve to selectively extend or retract a cylinder to move the units to maintain the desired crop row/plant passage alignment. A manually operated valve assembly facilitates easy manual operation of the row units and permits the row units to be locked in a preselected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: James Joseph Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 6076341
    Abstract: A ground-engaging shoe assembly is provided for a power mower in which a mower blade is rotated in an upright shaft. The ground-engaging shoe includes a hub support assembly which is secured to the mower housing of the power mower. A ground-engaging shoe assembly is secured to a bearing housing which is located at the lower end of a hollow rotatable shaft, the ground-engaging shoe assembly including a bearing within which the hollow shaft rotates, whereby the ground-engaging shoe assembly is stationary. The bearing housing is adapted selectively to accept different ground-engaging shoes. An adjusting bolt extends through the hollow shaft and is secured at its lower end to the bearing housing An upper tower housing is adapted to transfer loading weight through the adjusting bolt to the bearings. The adjusting bolt is vertically-adjustably-secured at its upper end with respect to the upper tower housing by means of a locking-type nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: Elwyn Gummerson
  • Patent number: 6044633
    Abstract: A crop harvester having a wheeled frame with a tongue pivotally connected to the frame in the vicinity of a longitudinal centerline. The tongue, rotatable about a first generally vertical pivot axis, is swingable between extreme left and right positions on opposing sides of the longitudinal centerline with its distal end adapted for connection to a prime mover. A drive line transmits rotational power from the prime mover. A crop harvesting header, suspended from the frame in a forward disposition, includes operable components for engaging and processing crop material as the harvester is pulled over a field of standing crop. A gearbox receives rotational power from the drive line and transmits it to the operable components. The gearbox, mounted on the crop harvesting header in the vicinity of the longitudinal centerline forwardly of the first generally vertical pivot axis, is journaled for rotation about a second generally vertical pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Stiefvater, James T. Clevenger, Jr., Larry W. Miller, Charles H. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6032441
    Abstract: A triplex trim mower (100) including a vehicle (102) having two front drive wheels (104) and one rear steerable wheel (106). Mounted generally forward of the front wheels (104) are two reel-type cutting units (108a) laterally offset about the longitudinal axis (110) of the vehicle (102). Mounted between the front and rear wheels and substantially centered between the forward cutting units (108a) is a rear reel-type cutting unit (108b). A lateral support frame (137) is incorporated into the main frame of traction vehicle (102). The cutting units (108) are supported by a lateral carrier frame (144) which is slidably engaged to lateral support frame (137) such that carrier frame (144) can move laterally relative to support frame (137). A hydraulic cylinder (158) permits carrier frame (144) to be laterally displaced under operator command. Second and third hydraulic cylinders (131) permit cutting units (108) to be moved between a transport position and an operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Jack R. Gust, Walter J. Petersen, Gordon R. Schmidt, Donald T. Lackner
  • Patent number: 5964078
    Abstract: A tow bar assembly for a tractor which enables up to three implements to be simultaneously pulled through a field utilizing a conventional hitch of the tractor. The tow bar assembly includes hitch dollies which are pivotally mounted so as to be moveable about both horizontal and vertical axes to a primary support beam and a pair of outrigger beams which are pivotally connected at opposite ends of the primary support beam in such a manner that the dollies are permitted to follow the natural terrain when the tow bar assembly is in use. Implements, such as hay balers, may be selectively hitched to the dollies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: Larry P. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5839261
    Abstract: A mower including a cutting mechanism, a hitch structure, a carrying beam, and an operating device. The operating device makes it possible to bring the cutting mechanism at least into the work position and into the windrowing position. This operating device includes an operating member connected, among other things, to the cutting mechanism which includes a first lever, a second lever connected to the carrying beam and to said first lever, and a latch intended to stop the upward pivoting of the cutting mechanism when bringing into the windrowing position, and an operating element connected to said operating member and to the hitch structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Kuhn S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Haberkorn, Jean-Pierre Fritsch
  • Patent number: 5771672
    Abstract: A transversely-mounted grass cutter mower combination with a vehicle is provided which is adapted to be activated to move laterally to the right or to the left with respect to its mounting to the vehicle and/or to move vertically up or down with respect to its mounting the vehicle. The vehicle is a motor-driven vehicle having front wheels and rear wheels and a longitudinally-extending frame bed therebetween. A transversely-mounted powered grass-cutting mower, having a mower housing and powered grass cutting blades which is mounted to the frame bed by means of a suspended mounting system. The suspended mounting system includes a cooperative linkage which is secured between the longitudinally-extending frame bed of the motor-driven vehicle and the mower housing. A first powered operator is provided for moving the mower housing, in cooperation with the constraints provided by the cooperative linkage, through an infinite number of vertical locations between an upper limit and a lower limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventor: Elwyn Gummerson
  • Patent number: 5765347
    Abstract: A zero-turning-radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing-occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing-occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero-radius-turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned at this turning point so that the standing-occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero-radius-turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Wright, James D. Velke
  • Patent number: 5713192
    Abstract: A tow bar implement for a tractor wherein two or three balers may be simultaneously pulled through a field utilizing a conventional hitch of a tractor. The implement includes a pair of outrigger beams which are pivotally connected at opposite ends of a primary support beam and which support motors for driving the input drive shafts of a pair of outer balers. A third baler may be hitched directly to the primary beam intermediate the outer balers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventor: Larry P. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5600944
    Abstract: A zero-turning-radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing-occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing-occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero-radius-turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned at this turning point so that the standing-occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero-radius-turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Wright, James D. Velke
  • Patent number: 5544475
    Abstract: This invention provides a dual hitch whereby two rakes, tedders or other trail implements can be operated at one time behind a tractor. The dual hitch is designed so that the implements towed by the tractor may be hitched and operated without alteration to the implements themselves. The dual hitch provides the needed operative components. The forward part of the dual hitch mounts on the three-point-hitch of the tractor. A pivot is provided in the dual hitch to allow the rearward implement to operate selectively on a swath to either side of the tractor and the forward implement. In an embodiment of this invention, a hydraulic system is part of the dual hitch to provide adequate power to the rearward implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Pequea Machine, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Skibo
  • Patent number: 5507138
    Abstract: A zero-turning-radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing-occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing-occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero-radius-turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned at this turning point so that the standing-occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero-radius-turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Wright, James D. Velke
  • Patent number: 5483789
    Abstract: A transversely-mounted grass cutter mower combination with a vehicle is provided which is adapted to be activated to move laterally to the right or to the left with respect to its mounting to the vehicle and/or to move vertically up or down with respect to its mounting to the vehicle. The mounting is a suspending mounting system including transversely-mounted tracks which are pivotally-secured by a parallelogram linkage to the longitudinal chassis of the vehicle. The tracks include a first powered operator for moving the transversely-mounted tracks through an infinite number of vertical locations between an upper limit and a lower limit. Rollers are provided on the suspended mounting system which are rollingly operatively associated with the transversely-mounted track which is mounted on the mower housing. A second powered operator is provided for moving the mower housing an infinite number of lateral locations between a left lateral limit and a right lateral limit, by means of appropriate linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Inventor: Elwyn W. Gummerson
  • Patent number: 5423165
    Abstract: A cutting machine or harvesting machine which is intended to be connected to the hitch of a power-driven vehicle. According to the invention, during work, a connection device of the cutting machine connects the cutting mechanism to the hitching structure, and allows a displacement in the height of the cutting mechanism in relation to the hitching structure with the wheel able to pivot around an upwardly directed geometric axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Kuhn, S.A.
    Inventors: Martin Walch, Bernard Wattron
  • Patent number: 5417042
    Abstract: A farm machine and particularly a mower or harvester, which includes a load-lightening and lifting device having an elastically deformable element mounted parallel with a jack or lift cylinder. According to the invention, the farm machine includes a piston which is separated from a rod of the jack and the rod includes a stop against which the piston is intended to come to rest, such that in a first mode of operation (during work), the rod can slide in the cylinder without a stop of the rod touching the piston, which allows a normal operation of an elastically deformable element. In addition, in a second mode of operation (during transport), the piston is brought into contact with the stop of the rod under the action of the fluid of a feed source, to displace the rod in relation to the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Kuhn, S.A.
    Inventors: Martin Walch, Bernard Wattron
  • Patent number: 5412929
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a novel steering apparatus which functions in conjunction with the tandem rake offset mechanism. The rear rake may be offset either left or right, thus permitting single or double windrowing, and also transmits steering commands to the rear rake unit such that it follows the tractor more precisely around the field and more effectively windrows the hay. A unique linkage assembly provides for both offset commands and steering commands to be passed to the rear rake unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Inventors: Clete Urbain, Gene Prier
  • Patent number: 5396754
    Abstract: An articulated arm and cutter attachment for mounting on a tractor has a pair of elongated vertical booms pivotally connected to one another at their top ends. The lower end of one of the booms is pivotally connected to a beam extending laterally from underneath the tractor chassis. The other boom has a telescoping lower end on which is mounted a foot which supports a rotary cutter. An upper portion of the beam connected to the tractor is inclined outwardly, and an upper portion of the other beam is inclined inwardly to allow the arm to reach out a substantial distance and extend over obstacles such as fences. Pivoting mechanisms in the foot allow tilting of the supported cutter over a wide range of angular positions. Hydraulic cylinders are provided for carrying out movement of the arm, along with hydraulic fluid lines and controls. Yieldable mounting of the foot provides for breaking away of the cutter upon striking an obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: King Kutter, Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Fraley
  • Patent number: 5375398
    Abstract: A vegetation cutting head is mounted on a tractor by an articulated boom. A hydraulic cylinder attached to the boom rotates the cutting head about an axis transverse to the distal end of the boom. A second hydraulic cylinder rotates the cutting head about an axis parallel to the plane of operation of the cutting head. A third hydraulic cylinder rotates the cutting head about an axis orthogonal to both of the first two axes. The cutting head can be operated while the boom is at any horizontal angle from 0.degree. to 90.degree. of the direction of travel of the tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Dean L. McClymonds
  • Patent number: 5265403
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Roger Franet, Paul Belat
  • Patent number: 5210997
    Abstract: A vegetation cutter is mounted on the end of an articulated boom supported for horizontal and vertical movement on a relatively small tractor by removable frame means. The frame means includes front to rear extending left and right longitudinal side frames which are connected by a U-shaped frame extending over the motor housing of the tractor and connected at its lower end portions to the side of the frame members. A rotary vegetation cutting housing is pivotally attached to the outer end of the articulated boom by a unique linkage means permitting the housing to be pivoted about a horizontal pivot through an arc in excess of 180.degree.. A hydraulic motor on the cutter housing drives a cutter blade through a unique non-tapered cutter shaft which is held in the housing in the event of bearing seizure by unique drive means which precludes the rotating blade from dropping from the housing to create an accident hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventor: Deliston L. Mountcastle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5209049
    Abstract: A lawn mower deck assembly having a pair of similarly shaped decks. Each of the decks has rotary cutting blades for cutting grass therebeneath. Furthermore, a pivotal shaft is used to couple the decks together at their adjacent edges. The mower has wheels located adjacent to the first end of each deck and a mounting bracket located at the second end of each deck. Finally, H-links having upper and lower ends pivotally coupled to a mounting bracket and the deck allow the deck to raise and lower adjacent to the pivot axis for cutting grass on an uneven terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: Jimmy Heard
  • Patent number: 5201167
    Abstract: A multiple implement frame includes front and rear implement mounting bars which maintain a parallel relationship at all times. The rear mounting bar may be displaced either to the left or right through operation of a power cylinder extending between the front mounting bar and an elongated frame member extending to the rear mounting bar. Single or double elongated frame members may be utilized. A single power cylinder is required with the double frame member unit and a pair of power cylinders are used for the single elongated frame unit. A double frame unit forms a parallelogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Inventor: Dan D. Rowse
  • Patent number: 5199250
    Abstract: A harvesting machine comprises a body which rests on the ground both in a work position and in a transport position through at least one wheel connected directly or indirectly to the body. The harvesting machine includes an orientation element used to orient the wheel in a direction of transport. The orientation of the wheel for the purpose of transport is performed in a simple and quick manner, while allowing, during work, the pivoting of the wheel around its shaft connecting it to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Kuhn, S.A.
    Inventors: Rino Ermacora, Bernard Wattron
  • Patent number: 5199249
    Abstract: A farm machine having a first joint with an upwardly directed axis such that in the vicinity of the first joint, a body is connected to a connecting device with a second joint. The second joint having an axis at least approximately perpendicular to the axis of the first joint and to a longitudinal axis of the body. A universal joint telescopic shaft transmits the rotation movement of an output shaft of a second housing to an input shaft of an intake housing connected to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Kuhn, S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Wattron, Rino Ermacora
  • Patent number: 5163277
    Abstract: A machine for spreading, turning and raking together hay, straw and similar materials. The machine has rotors (65, 84) which are rotatable around substantially vertical axles and are provided with rake arms (67) which extend radially and substantially horizontally from the rotation axles (58) of the rotors (65, 84). A number of parallel rods (68) are connected to the outermost ends of the rake arms (67) which rods constitute a rake. The rotors (65, 84) have a guide device (79, 85) so the rake arms (67) may be turned a previously determined angle around their longitudinal axis so that the rods (68) may interact with or go free of straw crops laid out in a field area. The guide devices (79, 85) are adapted to be turned around the axles (58) of the rotors (65, 84), and the guide device of one rotor (84) may be turned into the opposite direction of work so that it is possible to guide the laying down of the material into single swathes (105 ), double swathes (102, 104) or into a middle tract (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Fransgaard Maskinfabrik A/S
    Inventor: Thorkild B. Fransgaard
  • Patent number: 5140804
    Abstract: A mower suitable for attachment to a vehicle having a raisable hitch. The mower includes a body adapted to carry a plurality of cutters. A draw bar attaches one end of the body to the hitch for being raised and lowered by the hitch. The body extends laterally outward of the vehicle when in the mowing position. One or more wheels are pivotally mounted to the body by one or more arms, said wheels being located on the body laterally of and remote from the vehicle when the mower is in use. A lever arm is mounted to move with the hitch. A connector connects the lever arm to a fixed point on the vehicle. A linkage transmits movement of the lever arm to the wheel mounting arms to raise or lower the body of the mower with respect to the wheels in response to the raising or lowering of the end of the body adjacent the draw bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Inventor: Alistair E. S. Gleeson
  • Patent number: 5136828
    Abstract: The invention relates to a farm machine. According to the present invention, the farm machine features a detection device which detects an intermediate position of a connecting device and cuts off the supply to a maneuvering element when the connecting device comes from an end work position into an intermediate position. The action of the detection device can be cancelled so that the maneuvering element can bring the connecting device beyond the intermediate position into the other end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Kuhn S.A.
    Inventor: Rino Ermacora
  • Patent number: 5105609
    Abstract: A system for mounting and supporting harvesting units on a forward end of a cotton harvester frame to allow them to be slidably moved relative to each other and laterally along an elongated tool bar structure. The tool bar structure is pivotally connected to the cotton harvester frame by a lift assembly. The harvesting units hang in a cantilevered fashion from and are independently connected at their rearward edges to the tool bar structure by a slide support structure which facilitates visibility of the harvesting units from a cab region of the harvester. The slide support structure maintains a non-rotatable and non-point contact relationship with laterally elongated generally flat support surfaces defined between opposite ends of the tool bar structure whereby substantial surface area contact is provided between each side support structure and the support surfaces on the tool bar structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: J.I. Case Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Jesse H. Orsborn, George M. Butkovich
  • Patent number: 5101618
    Abstract: A pivoting counterforce brush for use with an underslung grapevine comber for cleaning and positioning shoots of a grapevine overhanging the guide wires of a divided canopy is mounted on the frame of the comber in a position to provide a counterforce against a primary brush of the comber which grooms above the roof portion of the canopy as the comber moves along a path of travel parallel to the guide wires. A spindle is mounted on the comber frame at a level below the roof portion of the canopy. The axis of the spindle is substantially transverse to the path of travel of the comber. A bracket is journalled on the spindle. A rotating brush is mounted on the trailing side of the bracket with the axis about which the brush rotates extending rearwardly from the bracket. A brush driver is mounted on the leading side of the bracket and is coupled to the rotating brush to drive the brush about its axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Inventor: Tommy L. Oldridge
  • Patent number: 5092111
    Abstract: A mower suitable for attachment to a vehicle having a raisable hitch. The mower includes a body adapted to carry a plurality of cutters. A draw bar attaches one end of the body to the hitch for being raised and lowered by the hitch. The body extends laterally outward of the vehicle when in the mowing position. One or more wheels are pivotally mounted to the body by one or more arms, said wheels being located on the body laterally of and remote from the vehicle when the mower is in use. A lever arm is mounted to move with the hitch. A connector connects the lever arm to a fixed point on the vehicle. A linkage transmits movement of the lever arm to the wheel mounting arms to raise or lower the body of the mower with respect to the wheels in response to the raising or lowering of the end of the body adjacent the draw bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Inventor: Alistair E. S. Gleeson
  • Patent number: 5081828
    Abstract: A system for mounting and supporting harvesting units on a forward end of a cotton harvester frame to allow them to be slidably moved relative to each other and laterally along an elongated tool bar structure. The tool bar structure is pivotally connected to the cotton harvester frame by a lift assembly. The harvesting units are independently connected at their rearward edges to the tool bar structure by a slide support structure. The slide support structure maintains a non-rotatable and nonpoint contact relationship with laterally elongated generally flat support surfaces defined between opposite ends of the tool bar structure whereby subsantial surface area contact is provided between each side support structure and the support surfaces on the tool bar structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Jesse H. Orsborn
  • Patent number: 5079926
    Abstract: Apparatus for varying the height of a cutter head on a motor mower vehicle, whereby the cutter head has ground contact wheels and is attached to the motor mower vehicle. The apparatus includes a flexible linkage member which is also able to be extended, thereby enabling the cutter head to follow the contours of the ground being traversed. The cutter head is also able to be pivoted to the vertical position about a pivotal joint between the cutter head and the motor mower vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Inventor: Alexander N. Nicol
  • Patent number: 5076042
    Abstract: A mowing machine comprises a mowing unit and a crushing unit, both suspended in a first frame, the first frame together with the mowing unit (8) and the crushing unit also being suspendedeither to the leading end of a second frame which is provided with ground engaging wheels and a drawbar for connection behind a tractor,or to the lifting hitch at the front side of the tractor. The same type mowing machine is also operable at the forward end of the tractor as well as to the tractor's rear at the left or right side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: C. van der Lely N.V.
    Inventors: Maarten Koorn, Sape Sikkema
  • Patent number: 5069022
    Abstract: The apparatus includes wheeled mower units that are movable between terrain-engaging mowing positions, and upwardly extending travel positions. The mower units are movable longitudinally as a unit when in these mowing positions, but are capable of undergoing adjustive movements relative to each other in response to variations in the contour of the terrain over which they travel. Telescopically adjustable support members permit convenient lateral adjustment of mower units to which they are connected. Piston-and-cylinder assemblies move the mower units to their travel positions. Telescopic drive shafts transmit power to the units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Befco, Inc.
    Inventor: Keaton D. Vandermark
  • Patent number: 5060462
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Kuhn S.A.
    Inventors: Roland Helfer, Bernard Wattron
  • Patent number: 4996830
    Abstract: A highly mobile brush cutting vehicle is adapted to mount a rotary steel disk-type cutter head on the end of an elongated boom assembly. The vehicle is preferably rubber-tired, with individual wheels mounted on articulating legs. The wheel legs are preferably mounted to the vehicle undercarriage for independent articulation up and down. The preferred brush cutter includes a boom assembly provided with a telescoping extension to which the cutter assembly is mounted. The brush cutter assembly itself is preferably provided as integral part of an excavator bucket that includes a jaw or clamp arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Inventor: Timothy A. Davison
  • Patent number: 4979359
    Abstract: A dual implement hitch for pivotal connection to the drawbar of a towing vehicle whereby a pair of implements, such as rakes, tedders and the like may be selectively towed in different relative positions without disconnecting the implements from the hitch and reconnecting same in different positions. The hitch comprises an arched longitudinal frame having a clevis at its front end for connection to a towing vehicle and a transverse frame, supported by wheels at its opposite ends, pivoted to the rear end of the longitudinal frame to swing about a vertical axes. A power actuator is connected between the arched longitudinal frame and the transverse frame for changing the angular position of the transverse frame relative to the longitudinal frame. A first drawbar, fixed to the front end of the hitch, extends rearwardly for towing as implement under the longitudinal frame, and a second drawbar, fixed to the transverse frame, rearwardly thereof for towing an implement to the rear of the hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Inventor: William B. Inskeep
  • Patent number: 4974399
    Abstract: Hinged connection (16) forms a connection element (17) connected to hitching element (9) by a first joint (20) and to support beam (14) by a second joint (21). Connection element (15) and connection element (17) form with hitching element (9) and support beam (14) a deformable quadrilateral (22) making it possible, for transport, to move the mowing group (2) toward median vertical plane (62) of the tractor (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Kuhn S.A.
    Inventor: M. Jean-Paul Haberkorn
  • Patent number: 4970850
    Abstract: This blueberry harvesting machine is a side-by-side attachment to the standard farm tractor, secured to the tractor by the usual 3-point hitch. An outer wheel on the attachment supports much of the weight of the machine. A simplified beating mechanism knocks the berries loose from the bushes to fall on a collection system that extends ahead of the beaters and the frontal portion of the machine to receive berries knocked loose by the approach of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. DeVries
  • Patent number: 4956965
    Abstract: A boom attachment which carries a work unit pivotally at its outer end and which is pivotally connected at its inner end to an upstanding support carried by a base is attached to the rear end of a tractor by a three-point hitch and is operated from a power take-off on the rear of the tractor. The boom is adjustable in a transverse plane at the rear of the tractor so that the work unit can be disposed at either side of the tractor without removing or replacing parts in making this adjustment. This adjustment is accomplished with a cylinder and piston unit which is connect at the side of the boom by outwardly extending pivots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Inventor: Ralph L. Parsons, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4951450
    Abstract: A mowing machine comprising a cutter bar having rotary mowing members arranged thereabove. The cutter bar is connected for its support in two places to a carrier frame. One of these connections includes a flexible member, constituted by a resilient element, which permits relative limited movement between the carrier frame and the portion of the cutter bar that is contiguous to the connection. The resilient connection can be attached to a mowing member mounted on the cutter bar or outside the reach of the mowing members by means of an upwardly extending connection beam which is rigidly connected to the carrier frame at its upper end and is connected to the cutter bar at its lower end via a horizontal resilient element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: C. van der Lely N.V.
    Inventors: Maarten Koorn, Sape Sikkema
  • Patent number: 4949534
    Abstract: A lawn mowing apparatus is disclosed for use with a tractor or an auxiliary apparatus. The apparatus includes a trailer adapted to be connected to the hitch for the tractor, and a boom frame pivotally mounted on and above the trailer. One end of the boom frame supports an engine, while its other end supports a rotary cutting device operatively connected to the engine. A chain link drive element and sprockets engaged therewith effect pivoting movement of the boom frame relative to the trailer over about 280.degree. sweep. A hand operated crank, operable by the rider on the tractor, is operatively connected to selectively pivot the boom frame to a desired position relative to the trailer. This effects swiveling movement of the frame in either direction and, consequently, selective movement of the rotary cutter device during a cutting operation. A pivot pin rotatably supports the boom frame for vertical movement of its opposite ends about the pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: Billy Evans
  • Patent number: 4947628
    Abstract: A multiple row cotton harvester machine having a plurality of harvesting units and a system for individually mounting the harvesting units at a front end of the cotton harvester. The mounting system includes a lift arm assembly which is adapted for vertical movement with respect to the frame of a harvesting machine. The harvesting units are individually connected to the lift arm assembly in a manner allowing the harvesting units to be pivotally moved relative to each other between first and second positions about a substantially vertical axis and in a generally horizontal direction to provide access for servicing or to effect wider row cotton harvesting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventors: Jesse H. Orsborn, Michael J. Covington
  • Patent number: 4947631
    Abstract: This invention relates to the improvement of a new hay rake system that is comprised of two separate wheel-type rakes into one by mounting them on one frame in such a manner permitting them to fold in for traveling and fold out for the raking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Inventor: Melvin C. Kuehn
  • Patent number: 4934131
    Abstract: A pull type swather having double swath and enhanced operating to transport mode change capabilities. A subframe is mounted forwardly of a rear frame and the two are pivotally connected. The table of the swather includes a pair of draper decks operable to be independently moved relative to each other and to the table. A hitch is pivotally connected to the subframe and a hydraulic cylinder is operable to adjust the angle of the hitch relative to the table. The subframe is locked to the rear frame during operation and until the transport mode in desired wherein the subframe is unlocked and pivoted relative to the rear frame. Provision is made for automatically interchanging between the transport and operating modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Ford New Holland, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. A. Frisk, Irving B. Kardal
  • Patent number: 4916889
    Abstract: A towed mower having a rectangular frame and a pair of diagonally related blade spindles is described. The mower of the present invention includes both a wide side and a narrow side and an associated shroud assembly. A pair of blade spindles each carry a rotary mower blade covered by the shroud assembly. The mower may be used in either a wide mode or a narrow mode and the preferred embodiment provides an arrangement of parts for easy retorientation between the wide and narrow modes. Separate outlet doors are provided for both the wide side and the narrow side on the shroud assembly and hitch-engaging posts are disposed at each corner of the mower frame to engage a pair of wheel suspension arms and a pair of hitch-engaging brackets. The hitch-engaging brackets and the wheel suspension arms are secured to the posts in a manner which allows ready removal and/or pivoting of the suspension arm or the hitch-engaging bracket so that the mower may be re-oriented from the wide mode to the narrow mode and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: K-W Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Roger D. Molstad
  • Patent number: 4912916
    Abstract: A boom attachment which carries a work unit pivotally at its outer end and which is pivotally connected at its inner end to an upstanding support carried by a base is attached to the rear end of a tractor by a three-point hitch and is operated from a power take-off on the rear of the tractor. The boom is adjustable in a transverse plane at the rear of the tractor so that the work unit can be disposed at either side of the tractor without removing or replacing parts in making this adjustment. This adjustment is accomplished with a cylinder and piston unit which is connect at the side of the boom by outwardly extending pivots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Ralph L. Parsons, Jr.