Abstract: A mower comprising an edge guide located adjacent an outer surface of a side wall and at least partially surrounding an opening. The edge guide comprises an inlet and is arranged to guide vegetation towards the opening. The edge guide defines a channel having at least one direction change between the inlet and the opening such that there is no line of sight between the inlet and the cutter element. By providing an edge guide having a convoluted path or channel, an opening in the side wall of the cutter housing can extend vertically up to the plane of the cutter element while still providing a radially-enclosed cutter element as required by safety regulations. Therefore, edge-located vegetation can be fed to the cutter in a more upright configuration for improved cutting.

Abstract: An engine mounting system for power equipment includes a tubular frame, an internal combustion engine, and one or more supports for mounting the engine to the tubular frame. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block and a crankcase cover attached to the engine block. The one or more supports are integrally cast with and extend away from at least one of the engine block and the crankcase cover. Additionally, the one or more supports are designed to be mounted to the frame and are contoured to match a portion of a profile of the frame.

Abstract: A crop header has generally horizontal flail disks mounted for driven rotation about generally upright axes. A pair of conditioner rolls is mounted in a discharge opening. A crop converging system includes two over-shot auger elements defined by a common auger shaft with an auger flight carried thereon arranged generally longitudinal of the cutter bar so as to carry the cut crop longitudinally of the cutter bar to the entrance opening. Each auger element is arranged with a forwardmost tangent to the auger flight located behind the axes of the rotary disks and with an outer end thereof spaced outwardly of the respective end of the entrance mouth. The common auger shaft is driven by a common rotary drive with the bottom roll of the conditioner rolls. The augers terminate inwardly of the outer end of the cutter bar to locate the drive inboard of the end plates.

Abstract: In an example embodiment a header includes a rotatable lean bar that is the forwardmost element. In an example embodiment, the lean bar may be freely rotatable and include elements to assist in rotation upon engagement with crop material and elements to urge the crop material in a desired direction.

Abstract: In an example embodiment a header includes a lean bar having a position that is adjustable. A controller may be configured to change position of the lean bar. The lean bar position may be manipulated in response to a characteristic of crop material to be processed. In one example embodiment a control panel is provided in a cab of a vehicle to allow an operator to remotely manipulate the position of the lean bar. A control panel may be provided to allow an operator to manipulate the lean bar.

Abstract: In an example embodiment a header includes a rotatable lean bar. A controller may be provided to manipulate the rotation of the lean bar. In an example embodiment, rotation of the lean bar may be manipulated in response to a characteristic of a vehicle, such as vehicle speed. In one example embodiment a control panel is provided in a cab of a vehicle to allow an operator to manipulate rotation of the lean bar. A sensor may be provided to detect characteristics of the rotation and a display provided to indicate rotational characteristics of the lean bar.

Abstract: A curtain for directing severed crop movement in a cutting header in an agricultural harvester. The curtain optimizes crop movement between a cutterbar to a crop conveying auger for lateral movement of the crop material from outboard ends of the cutting header toward an interior discharge zone for formation of a windrow. The curtain also reduces the tendency for clogging that occurs when crop approaches conveying augers on both sides of an axial centerline by directing all crop material toward the trailing side of the rotating auger and by preventing airflow generated by the auger from disrupting crop approaching the auger. Crop smoothing by the curtain also reduces disturbances to the crop material during movement within the header which reduces seed loss in seed-bearing specialty crops.

Abstract: A flexible tall crop knockdown barrier for use with rotary cutting headers in harvesting specialty crops such as grass seed. The knockdown barrier comprises a support frame mounted to the front of the header that extends forwardly and upwardly ahead of the header. A flexible barrier supported by the frame extends downwardly during idle conditions and downwardly and rearwardly as the header is propelled through the crop. The flexible curtain may be rolled around a lower spool and stowed on the support frame when not in use to improve visibility. The knockdown barrier serves to gently lean the crop forward before cutting so as to minimize seed shatter due whipping of the seed head.

Abstract: A material-guiding device in a mower-conditioner surrounds an upper front region of a crop processing rotor and is composed of an upstream-situated portion and a downstream-situated portion. The downstream-situated portion is adjustable relative to the upstream situated portion and is connected thereto such that the adjustment of the upstream-situated portion simultaneously leads to an adjustment of the downstream-situated portion, such that an adjustable angle ? present between the two portions is maintained and thus a uniform material flow is enabled.

Abstract: A lawnmower consisting essentially of a rotary cutting apparatus comprising a plurality of small blades and a grass guide for bending and constraining the grass for ease of cutting. The grass guide is mounted substantially parallel to the drive shafts which extend beyond the rear-most end of the grass guide and to which cutting blades are affixed. As the mower is propelled forward, the grass guide bends the grass forward and constrains movement of the grass such that only a section of the outer radii of the blades contact the grass, optimizing cutting efficiency. The blades may be individually driven by one or more small electric motors powered by a rechargeable battery or batteries or other sources. The grass guide is situated at an angle adjustably tilted between 1 and 90 degrees in the longitudinal direction from vertical in order to limit the cutting area of the blades and power requirements.

Abstract: An angled extension is added to a lawnmower which diverts the grass besides the walls and other objects under the housing and into the cutting area. This improves the cutting area of the mower and potentially eliminates a secondary trimming operation.

Abstract: A lawn mower assembly having a leaf blowing blade includes a blade assembly for converting a lawnmower into a leaf blower. The blade assembly includes a substantially planar disc member that includes an outer perimeter edge. A connection portion extends outwardly from the disc member. The connection portion is designed for coupling to a blade attachment portion of the lawnmower such that the disc member is rotatable by the lawnmower. A plurality of spaced elongated blades extends downwardly from a lower surface of the disc member. The disc member is coupled to the lawnmower with the blades extending radially outward from the connection portion.

Abstract: A lawn mower system is disclosed. The system includes a deck having a side wall with a vertical axis and a top wall coupled to the upper edges of the side wall and with an opened bottom. Two pair of wheels are provided including a set of front wheels generally centrally located on opposite sides of the side wall and extending outwardly therefrom and a pair of rear wheels extending outwardly from adjacent to the rear edge of the side wall. Also provided is a handle having a pivotable lower end coupled with respect to the housing adjacent to the rear edge and having an upper handle area for use by the user. A motor is mounted in a central region of the deck with a rotatable drive shaft extending downwardly therefrom. A rotatable blade is mounted to the lower end of the drive shaft. Finally, a supplemental cutter wheel in a circular configuration is located between the upper surface of the deck and the lower end of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A chain or belt tensioner is provided in a header for a harvester having a pair of rollers, each supported on separate pivot arms and engagable with the slack and taut strands of the chain or belt. The pivot arms are mounted about a common pivot and are spring biased into engagement with the chain or belt by a common spring. When the drive direction is reversed, the normally slack side of the chain becomes taut and assumes a straight-line position between the sprockets or sheaves. The pivot arms will rotate about the pivot and the pivot arm on the strand that has now become slack will rotate to tension the slack strand. The biasing spring coupled to the two pivot arms biases the rollers against the two strands of the chain and provides a fixed tensioning force on the chain that does not require adjustment.