Abstract: A multiple blade brush-cutting mower apparatus is provided for cutting vegetation and brush, and for applying treatment liquids directly from the cutting blades onto the cut ends of vegetation at the moment of cutting. The mower is attachable to either the front or rear end of a standard tractor. The mower provides multiple pairs of blades staggered across the width of the mower, providing consistent blade edge exposure to cut vegetation over areas as wide as the width of the tractor. The mower incorporates a completely closed treatment fluid application system that directly applies treatment fluids (herbicides, fertilizers, sterilizing agents, and growth regulators) onto the lower surface of the cutting blades, for simultaneous application of treatment fluids to cut vegetation stems at the time of initial cutting.

Abstract: A grass catcher for attachment to a power mower. In certain embodiments, the grass catcher is mounted to a self-propelled power mower so that the catcher is pivotable about two substantially perpendicular axes simultaneously.

Abstract: A device for applying fluids such as fertilizers or insecticides or weed killers to vegetation clippings as the vegetation is being mulched by a lawn mulching mower. The treating fluid is applied to the vegetation clippings while they are being mulched, forming a protective fluid treated mulch blanket which can be directly distributed to the intended areas.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cutting vegetation and simultaneously treating the remaining stems of the cut vegetation with a treatment fluid. The apparatus includes a mower, a cutting blade drive rotatably mounted on the mower, a blade carrier secured to the rotatable drive, and at least one cutting blade assembly rotatably mounted on the blade carrier. The apparatus further includes a fluid container for containing the treatment fluid in a plurality of interconnected, stackable and removable fluid container cells, a pumping device for pumping the treatment fluid to the at least one cutting blade assembly, a flow control device for metering the amount of treatment fluid that is pumped to the at least one cutting blade assembly, and a fluid conduit device for delivering the treatment fluid from the fluid container to the cutting and treating device.

Abstract: A method and device for harvesting hay are disclosed. The method includes positioning steam injectors into a windrow of hay and injecting steam into the windrow so as to permeate the windrow with steam and increase the moisture content of the hay. Preferably, the method also includes providing a plurality of injectors and moving the injectors up and down as they passed through the hay so as to evenly distribute steam throughout the windrow. The device includes a dew simulator having a water supply tank and a steam generation mechanism which is connected to a plurality of steam injection spikes. As the dew simulator moves along a windrow, the injector spikes emit steam throughout the windrow so as to achieve a consistent, desired moisture content in the hay.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting vegetation and applying chemicals to the cut vegetation. The invention comprises a housing having a cutting blade rotatably mounted within the housing for cutting vegetation to a predetermined height above the ground. A member is mounted in the housing and disposed rearwardly of the cutting blade relative to the operational direction of travel of the apparatus such that when the apparatus is disposed on the ground in an operative condition, the member extends below the level of the cutting blade for forcing downwardly stubble remaining following the cutting operation. A sprayer is disposed in the housing rearwardly of the cutting blade relative to the operational direction of travel of the apparatus and oriented to spray chemicals onto the stubble after the stubble has passed behind the cutting blade.

Abstract: A grass catcher for attachment to a power mower. In certain embodiments, the grass catcher is mounted to a self-propelled power mower so that the catcher is pivotable about two substantially perpendicular axes simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention is a walk behind segmented interchangeable lawn mower with spreader device having a main housing with rear wheels, a handle and a motor and having interchangeable second and third housings for attaching a spreader attachment, wherein the spreader attachment is capable of spreading material over an area, and attaching a mower cutting blade attachment. In one embodiment the present invention includes a second housing having a rotatable cutting blade for cutting grass and the like. In another embodiment, the present invention includes a third housing which preferably includes a hopper which extends upwardly from the housing. The hopper includes an open top and an open bottom, sidewalls and, preferably, an indented area which includes a plurality of apertures for permitting the flow of material therethrough. A flow rate adjusting handle member is also included. The hopper also includes a vertically disposed rod member having a vertical rotation axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously topping and precisely applying sucker control chemicals to tobacco plants and for related uses wherein the apparatus comprises a housing wherein the front and bottom of the housing are open. A blower is positioned in the top of the apparatus for creating a downwardly directed air stream to facilitate decapitating the tobacco plants by a mechanical cutter positioned in the bottom of the apparatus as the tobacco plants pass therebeneath. A pair of spaced-apart rotating belts are located beneath the mechanical cutter and define a pathway from the front to the back of the housing and act to gather tobacco plants at the front and guide the tobacco plants through the housing. A spray manifold is provided for applying sucker control chemicals downwardly in a confined pattern onto decapitated tobacco plants as they pass from the mechanical cutter and beneath the spray manifold.

Abstract: The vegetation control material applicator comprises a toroidal reservoir for containing a nominal amount of vegetation control material in fluid form and a circular valve assembly mounted between the reservoir and the circular saw blade of a brush saw. The reservoir and the valve assembly are mountable on the arbour of the brush saw with the valve assembly being in contact with the underside surface of the saw blade. The reservoir and valve assembly each have a diameter which is substantially less than the diameter of the saw blade. The reservoir has an opened side which is in communication with the valve assembly. The valve assembly comprises a valve disc and a valve seat. The valve disc is made of a material having the ability to resonate and to sustain a vibration therein. The valve seat is made of a material having vibration dampening properties.

Abstract: A device for and method of injecting a bale of ruminant material with a fluid is taught. The device includes a plurality of injection spikes for insertion into the bale. The spikes are attached to a support for supporting the spikes while they are inserted into the bale. The spikes are attached to the support by a resilient member. The device prevents the deformation of the spikes and thereby increases the useable life of the device over devices in which the spikes are rigidly mounted on a driving structure. The device further has injection drive which allows precise control over the amount of fluid being injected into the bale.

Abstract: A method and device for harvesting hay are disclosed. The method includes injecting steam into hay as it is being processed by a baler. Typically, the hay will be subjected to steam as it is lifted into the baler, and then subjected to steam as it passes through a feed chamber of the baler. Preferentially, the hay will be saturated with steam less than two seconds before it is formed into a bale of hay. The device includes a conventional baler having one or more steam manifolds disposed so as to emit steam into the hay between the point it is picked up by a pick-up mechanism, and the point at which it is ultimately formed into a bale of hay. By saturating the hay with steam, dew moisturization is simulated and less loss occurs. However, the moisture content reading in the resulting bale of hay decreases much more rapidly than dew moistened hay, thus decreasing spoilage and increasing the amount which may be sold to the most lucrative markets.

Abstract: A weeder and mulcher apparatus including an engine that has a fuel tank and is capable of generating electrical energy. Included is a trailer that has a front end with a trailer hitch and a trailer body supported above the ground. Also, included is a tank that has a tank top, a pair of fluid lines and an amount of fluid therein. The tank is mounted on a top surface of the trailer. Additionally, an air compressor that has a housing unit and a pair of lines is included. The compressor has a pair of legs that support the compressor on the top surface of the trailer. The compressor is powered by the energy produced by the engine. Lastly, a pair of pumps are included. Each pump has a top end for receiving one of the pair of air lines of the compressor. Each pump has a bottom end for receiving one of the pair of fluid lines of the tank. Each pump pressurizes the fluid of the tank and transports the pressurized fluid through a plurality of fluid jets.

Abstract: A lawn care machine including an engine powered mower unit having a front deck element which overlies a blade cutting element and which mounts a liquid storage container for a liquid material spraying unit and a particulate container for a granular spreading unit. The deck being pivotally mounted to the tractor. An operator-seat positioned on the front of the tractor to overlook the front deck.

Abstract: A pair of pincer-type cutting blades are pivotally supported from a frame to be mounted from a front loader and fluid cylinders having base ends pivotally supported from the frame outwardly of the remote sides of the cutting blades include outer ends universally coupled to the front ends of the cutting blades, the pivot axes of the cutting blades and the base ends of the cylinders being substantially parallel and the cylinders being downwardly and outwardly inclined toward the free ends thereof relative to a plane normal to the aforementioned axes, whereby the cutting blades, during movement toward their closed positions, are slightly downwardly and laterally displaced at their forward ends. A front loader including forwardly projecting lift arms is provided from which the aforementioned frame is supported and the front loader includes a forwardly spaced and downwardly directed spray head intermediate the lift arms thereof for downwardly directing a spray of vegetation killer upon a cut tree stump.

Abstract: A universal spreader attachment consisting of an inverted triangular hopper hung from the cross-brace support of the handlebars of a lawnmower, with holes drilled in the bottom of the hopper to allow the substance being spread to disperse onto the lawn. The holes are opened and closed by moving a sliding member, which has corresponding holes drilled into it.

Abstract: A granular fertilizer spreader which may be attached to a lawn mower (1). The spreader includes a hopper (44) which is secured to the mower handle (3), the spreader including drive wheels (9,10) which frictionally engage the rear mower wheels (7,8). An impeller (99) is rotated by the drive wheels (9,10), thereby urging fertilizer or other granular material contained within hopper (44) to exit through a series of orifices (73-84) located along the bottom surface (54) of the hopper (44). A discharge chute (134) entrains the fertilizer as it exits the orifices (73-84) and guides the fertilizer along a series of open channels (138-149), each channel terminating with an outlet orifice (152-163 ) through which the fertilizer is ultimately deposited upon the ground behind the mower deck (2). The drive wheels (9,10) are urged into positive frictional contact with the mower wheels (7,8) by a spring (187) that is secured to the mower handle (3) at a user selected point by a clamp (196).

Abstract: A spreader is attachable to a conventional lawn mower to spread granular material over the area cut by the mower. The spreader has a hopper, at least one adjustable orifice at the bottom of the hopper, and a rotating regulator for dispensing granular material behind the lawn mower. In one embodiment, a first sprocket attached to the wheel of the lawn mower, and a second sprocket attached to the spreader receive a chain for driving the rotating regulator of the spreader. In a second embodiment, the spreader is driven by a pair of bevel gears, one of which is mounted on the rear axle of the mower. A novel drive does not convey rotational movement to the impeller of the spreader when the mower is moved a short distance backwards. Also, the lever operating the clutch to engage power to the Pear wheels simultaneously operates a stop to block the flow of particulate matter out of the hopper of the fertilizer spreader.

Abstract: A brush cutter work head (20) has a protective shroud (36) with a vertical side opening (40) to expose a portion of a circular cutting blade (42) to enable the blade (42) to cut brush. A spray nozzle (82) is mounted on a sliding member (74) that slides within a tubular housing (58) incorporated into the work head housing (28). The sliding member (74) has a retracted position in which the nozzle (82) is positioned above a portion of the housing (28), and a projecting use position in which the nozzle (82) is aligned with the opening (40) above and outward of the blade (42). A gripping thumb (44) is pivotally mounted on the work head housing (28) and is operated by an actuator (52) within the housing (28) to pivot between a flush nonuse position and a gripping position in which it opposes a jaw (38) formed by a lower portion of the shroud (36).

Abstract: An apparatus or system for delivering a pesticide spray to a predetermined area, which includes a container for the pesticide to be delivered; a spraying portion, further including a substantially circular rotating member positioned on a central rotating axis; an upper circular shield positioned above and extending beyond the outer perimeter edge of the rotating member; a nozzle for injecting a quantity of pesticide onto the rotating member; a splash guard on the circular shield for directing the spray from the edge of the rotating member to the area of weeds below the shield covering the rotating member; and a powered device for moving the spraying member along the weeds to be sprayed, and for delivering the quantity of pesticide to the weeds. The apparatus may further include a rotating blade for cutting the weeds as the spray of pesticide is delivered beneath the circular shield.

Abstract: A cost- and labor-effective, efficient, safe, and easy-to-use lawn care apparatus is provided. The apparatus can not only cut grass as known in the art but can also be used to dispense liquid either behind its cutting path or by a manually directed wand. A tank agitation feature period continuous intermixing of the tank.

Abstract: In a rotary brush cutter with a rotating shaft, a plurality of cutting blades extending substantially radially from the shaft and a drive for rotating the shaft, herbicide is fed adjacent a cutting portion of the blades while the blades are rotated whereby the herbicide is applied to brush being cut.

Abstract: A pump and sprayer attachment for lawn movers wherein a pump is connected to the uppermost end of the engine drive or crank shaft so as to be in direct drive relationship with respect thereto. A source of liquid supply may also be mounted to the lawn mover with suitable fluid conveying conduits communicating the liquid source through the pump to fluid sprayers which are suitably connected with the fluid conveying conduits.

Abstract: A substantial, stable, safe to use yard station is disclosed. The yard station provides for the cleaning of lawn mowers, both the underside and outer surface, and of other lawn implements. The construction is from a relatively heavy gauge base plate, which has provision for staking the apparatus down, and from water carrying pipe fittings, valves, a length of hose and a nozzle etc.

Abstract: A mobile spray applicator for treating forage with a liquid chemical spray after it first picks up the windrow, and separates and spreads out the windrow material across the width of a moving conveyor belt while holding a portion of the material spaced from the surface of the conveyor belt. The spread out material forms a plurality of openings and interstices therethrough so that as it exits from the end of the conveyor, the upper surface of the forage is flood or mist sprayed with the liquid chemical. The chemical enters the openings and interstices and coats the upper surfaces of the forage disposed therebelow. As the sprayed forage falls away from the conveyor exit, its undersurface is also flood or mist sprayed so that a substantial portion of the forage is coated or wetted with the chemical. Liquid chemical agents which can be so applied include drying agents, nutrients, feed supplements, feed flavorings and the like.

Abstract: A device for wrapping a bale of ruminant animal feedstuff and injecting it with a chemical treatment, comprising a frame carried by a tractor, and a turntable with spikes thereon on the frame for holding a bale off the ground and rotating it relative to the frame. The device is equipped for holding a supply of wrapping material and for rotating the turntable and a bale thereon with the wrapping material attached to the bale, whereby the wrapping material is wrapped around the bale as the bale rotates with the turntable. The device is also equipped for injecting chemical treatment from a source on the tractor into the bale.A method of injecting a chemical treatment into a bale is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hay pre-conditioner mounted on a hay-baler so as to be disposed in front thereof and raisable thereto, wherein the hay pre-conditioner is comprised of an elongated, box-like structure having a plurality of transversely mounted steam outlet nozzles for conditioning a windrow of hay in front of the baler.

Abstract: A planter attachment is installed on an agricultural combine between the throat portion and cutter head thereof. The planter attachment includes a transversely extended forward tool bar carried on a mounting frame adapted for connection to the cutter head attachment structure on a combine throat. An auxiliary cutter head attachment frame is also connected to the tool bar and positioned forwardly of the mounting frame for receiving and supporting a cutter head thereon. Individual planter units are mounted on at least one rearward tool bar which is supported relative to the forward tool bar by a parallelogram linkage to maintain the horizontal disposition of the planter units in response to pivotal movements of the combine throat. A pivotal robot structure on the mounting frame senses the ground position for adjusting the combine throat to maintain a uniform planting depth. The pivotal support for the auxiliary cutter head attachment frame enables independent adjustment of the cutting height.

Abstract: Liquid applying apparatus mountable on a lawnmower, the apparatus including a liquid storing portion, a liquid distributing portion and a mounting portion; the liquid storing portion including a substantially airtight chamber, an opening adjacent the bottom of the storing chamber, a conduit extending downwardly from the storing chamber opening to the liquid distributing portion, the liquid distributing portion including a substantially horizontal distribution chamber, the distribution chamber including an inlet opening adjacent the top thereof, the inlet opening being connectable with the conduit, a plurality of spaced outlet openings in the distribution chamber, the outlet openings being arranged along at least one substantially horizontal line disposed longitudinally of the distribution chamber and located intermediate the top and bottom of the chamber, the conduit extending through the inlet opening of the distribution chamber to a point adjacent the horizontal line of openings in the chamber, textile mate

Abstract: A universal spreader comprising a hopper; a cable by which the speading of fertilizer/chemical/seed/pesticide/etc., in the hopper may be inititated or terminated; a rotatable, driven agitator which distributes and controls the amount of the fertilizer; an adjustable width drive for the agitator; a series of moveable fertilizer delivery tubes or "fingers" for delivering the fertiziler from the hopper to the ground which allows spreader to be fit on lawnmowers of most sizes with handles of different and varied configurations; and a guide securing device which also assists in spreading the fertilizer from the "fingers" while also serving to provide a base for anchoring and adjusting the width of the "fingers" to coincide with the swath of the lawn cut by the blades of the mower.

Abstract: An edge trimmer mounted as auxiliary equipment on a rotary lawn mower. A flexible drive shaft has a first end connected to the top end of the lawn mower engine crankshaft. The opposite end of the flexible shaft is connected to a rotatable input driver of a trimmer. A rotatable cutting head on the trimmer is connectable to the flexible drive shaft by the rotatable input driver. The trimmer is mounted on the lawn mower and may be removed therefrom while connected to the engine crankshaft to facilitate trimming of grass at a location away from the lawn mower. A compressor and reservoir tank is mounted to the lawn mower and may be powered by the flexible drive shaft for spraying insecticide or other liquid.

Abstract: A mobile forage harvester for harvesting crop material, chopping the material and blowing the chopped material to a receptacle, the harvester having a water supply system for periodically injecting a controllable amount of water into the stream of crop material as it passes through said harvester to thereby minimize gumming up of said material in said harvester.

Abstract: An improved spraying apparatus for use in combination with a mowing apparatus is described which facilitates uniform application of a liquid spray to grassy surfaces while minimizing surface compaction, said apparatus being comprised of means for receiving liquid from a remote supply source and means for discharging a liquid spray onto the surface being treated, the spray pattern contacting said surface having a width substantially equal to the width of the swath cut by the mowing apparatus.

Abstract: A combination power driven lawn mower and lawn care chemical dispensing machine is disclosed in which a hopper for dry granular chemicals is affixed to the top of the lawn mower frame in such a manner that the chemical may be dispensed over an area defined by the swath of lawn cut by the blade. In one embodiment, a trough type of hopper is positioned between the rear axles of the mower and has a dispensing area whose width is the diameter of the blade arc. In an alternative embodiment, a special type of dispensing blade is employed which is connected to the hopper by means of a communicating trunk cut through the bedplate of the mower.

Abstract: A universal spreader comprising a hopper; a cable by which the speading of fertilizer/chemical/seed/pesticide/etc., in the hopper may be initiated or terminated; a rotatable, driven agitator which distributes and controls the amount of the fertilizer; an adjustable width drive for the agitator; a series of moveable fertilizer delivery tubes or "fingers" for delivering the fertilizer from the hopper to the ground which allows spreader to be fit on lawnmowers of most sizes with handles of different and varied configurations; and a guide securing device which also assists in spreading the fertilizer from the "fingers" while also serving to provide a base for anchoring and adjusting the width of the "fingers" to coincide with the swath of the lawn cut by the blades of the mower.