Abstract: Aerating apparatus is provided and includes a chassis having a handle, a rotor having aerating tines rotatably mounted on the chassis, drive means for rotating the rotor, a support member rotatably mounted on the chassis for movement between a down location at which the aerating tines are out of contact with the ground and an up location at which the aerating tines are in contact with the ground, a pair of wheels mounted on the support member, first and second linkage apparatuses pivotally mounted on the chassis and moving apparatus mounted on the handle for moving the first and second linkage apparatuses to move the support member to the down or up location, adjusting apparatus for adjusting the position of the pair of wheels when the support member is at the up location and a connecting rod connecting the first and second linkage apparatuses for assuring simultaneous movement thereof.

Abstract: A conventional rotating flexible line-type vegetation trimmer having a shield covering from above a length of line whipping from one end in a generally horizontal plane about a generally vertical axis, is provided with a swivelable ground-engaging wheel, supported out-of-the-way-of the rotating line, by adjustable swivel brackets respectively mounted by a clip and a clamp to a down-turned flange on the shield and an intermediate location on the handle shaft of the trimmer, and to a shaft on the lower end of which the wheel is swivelably mounted.

Abstract: A powered vegetation cutting deck adapted to be pulled by a tow vehicle which has a cylindrical deck housing with a solid top supported at its rear by a wheeled carriage. The deck has a skirt that completely surrounds flattened cutting blades under the deck so that the discharge of cut vegetation is vertical and downward with even distribution so that there are no wind rows produced. An internal combustion engine is mounted on the deck to power the cutting blades. Power is transmitted to the blades through a special pulley and a "v" belt system that features a clutch construction that allows the disconnection of the power path by a special idler and lever system. In the event of wheel or carriage damage, rear ground contact runners or skids secured to the deck enable the mower to be readily towed to a service area with the rear carriage moved to a stowed position. The skids also establish a minimum cutting height.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming weeds and grass employs a prime mover to power a rotating cutting head. Three wheels are used to support the weight of the trimmer, and the prime mover is uniquely mounted to the trimmer such that lowering the cutting head is easily accomplished by tipping the trimmer. Cutting height is adjusted by way of an adjustable height arm, and a secondary handle is provided to receive and translate an upward urging force into a tipping motion. The cutting head can be easily removed and a brush, snow blade or blower can be installed thereto for accommodating a plurality of lawn care tasks.

Abstract: A lawn mower comprising a vehicle body including a first connecting frame in a forward portion thereof, and a vertically adjustable grass cutting unit including a second connecting frame for pin connection to the first connecting frame. The first connecting frame defines two pin-receiving bores arranged horizontally, one of which is a circular fitting bore and the other a slot providing play. The second connecting frame defines three pairs of pin-receiving bores, the respective pairs being disposed at different heights from the ground. The slot in the first connecting frame has a sufficient length to be connected to one of the top or bottom bores of the second frame while the circular bore is connected to the diagonally opposite bore of the second frame.

Abstract: This invention relates to a heavy duty commercial lawn edger apparatus utilized to achieve a new and novel contoured edge cut between adjacent portions of a grass area and a concrete or curb area. The lawn edger apparatus includes a main support base assembly directed by a main handle and control assembly and having a main power assembly mounted thereon. The main power assembly is connectable through a belt and pulley drive assembly to selectively drive a main edging and cleaner assembly. The main edging and cleaner assembly includes a heavy duty blade assembly; a main brush assembly mounted adjacent the main blade assembly for surface cleansing purposes; and an adaptor cutter assembly releasably connected to the main blade assembly to achieve unique shapes in the contoured edge cut. The main blade assembly includes a thick main blade member having spaced cut out sections to achieve a novel cutting feature of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides an edger wherein a cutter device is arranged on one side of an edger frame, the position of a front wheel is adjustable, the position of one of the rear wheels situated on the other side of the edger frame is also adjustable, and a mechanism for changing the position of the front wheel as well as changing the position of the rear wheel is performed by a single control lever at the operator's station. With this arrangement, the adjustment of the depth of the cutter and the adjustment for maintaining the edger in a horizontal condition when the edger is driven on a curbstone can be easily effected by the operator.

Abstract: A grass cutter carriage is set forth wherein a conventional lawn mower is securable within an adjustable rectangular framework. A pair of laterally positioned wheels to said framework are pivotally mounted wherein the noted wheel height locations can be readily changed through the use of a unique hinged support. The intent of this improved design carriage is to extend the use of existing commercially available rotary grass mowers to enable their use to cut tall grass, weeds and other vegetation in open rock strewn field with terrain not compatible to existing rotary grass lawn mowers.In addition, the carriage is configured to accommodate a wide range of mower and mower wheel sizes without demanding modification of the existing mowers.

Abstract: .A mechanism and a method for converting a fixed wheeled walk-behind mower into a caster wheel walk-behind mower and vice versa comprising two caster wheel assemblies having wheels mounted in brackets journalled for rotation in frames. Each frame has means for attaching the mechanism to the front wheel axle. Each caster wheel assembly comprises an elongated member connected to each frame and extending the length of the mower on e.ach side between the frame and the respective rear wheel axle or mower housing. At the end of the elongated member most remote from its connection to each of the frames, a U-shaped notch is formed therein for connection with the housing. A tie rod is provided for interconnecting the two frames, for adding rigidity to the assembly and for maintaining the correct, constant distance between the frames.

Abstract: This invention relates to a riding mower comprising a chassis supporting a driving unit intended to propel the wheels of the mower as well as a cutting attachment, the cutting attachment being movably fastened to the chassis and by means of an operating device can be brought from a lower cutting position to an upper non-cutting position. The cutting attachment has an upper and a lower displacement area, the engagement and disengagement of the cutting attachment being effected in the upper area, whereas the cutting attachment in the lower area can be moved upwards or downwards with its parallelism with the ground preserved and can be locked against downwards movement for different cutting heights. The mower is driven while the cutting attachment is in the lower displacement area.

Abstract: A lightweight, 2-wheeled support for a line trimmer that allows the trimmer to be used as a wheeled lawnmower and a wheeled edger and that is adjustable for use with substantially all line trimmers.

Abstract: A power operated hand guided device is designed to scarify, edge, and aerate lawns and grass. It comprises tools in the form of blades (26) which rotate in a vertical plane about the common axis of a pair of tool-holder shafts. Each tool holder shaft (21) is rotatably connected to a bearing (12) supported on a vertically adjustable beam (23) having wheels (24 and 25) or rollers at each end. A brake (37) which retards the forward movement by friction with the ground is connected to the motor assembly by a rod (38).

Abstract: In a lawnmower including a housing and wheels for supporting the housing from a ground surface, a wheel height adjusting mechanism including a crank arm associated with each wheel, the crank arms being coupled together for the conjoint movement thereof, the coupling including a shaft mounted from the housing for rotation about its axis, the improvement comprising a gear secured to the shaft for rotation therewith, a plunger supported from the housing so as to be movable between a first position interfering with the gear means and a second non-interfering position, and a spring biasing the plunger to the first position. The plunger may be trigger operated, and the trigger associated with a deck mounted handle. A safety flap may be mounted from the shaft to maintain a relatively constant height from the ground as the wheel height is adjusted.

Abstract: A lawnmower has a series of openings in the housing into which wheel axles may be selectively engaged to adjust the cutting height. The axle ends are grooved, and the housing provided with a slot into which a clip is insertible to coact with the groove and retain the axle in position.

Abstract: A wheel kit to be attached to a weed cutting device to be bolted to the tube directly behind the motor to support the weight of the cutting device while cutting or trimming grass or weeds.

Abstract: A circular edging disk is mounted on the axle assembly of a lawn mower for adjustment between a raised, stowed position and a deployed turf edging position. Adjustment of the mower with respect to the mower wheels does not affect the disposition of the edging disk relative to the turf.

Abstract: There is disclosed a rotary mower which is comprised of a top deck and sidewalls, a connecting structure for supporting the front of the mower on a tracking three-point hitch, a drive shaft connectable to a tractor power take-off, a gearbox and rotor to drive the mower blade and a tail wheel for varying blade cutting height adjustably supported by a support tube pivotally carried by the mower deck. The tail wheel adjustment structure is carried between the mower deck and wheel support tube to reduce stresses and resulting deformation on the deck and sidewalls and is compactly designed to minimize projection of parts above the tail wheel support tube both during operation and shipment.

Abstract: A lawn mower height adjustment linkage which is actuated by the rotation of a hand crank mounted on the mower's handle. The linkage raises or lowers the lawn mower deck relative to the ground by moving all four wheels of the mower simultaneously. The hand crank is threaded so that the mower height can be set at an infinite variety of positions. The location of the hand crank on the handle allows safe operation of the height adjustment linkage even when the mower is running. The wheels of the mower are mounted on bell cranks which are pivotably pinned to the mower so that rotation of the bell cranks will raise or lower the wheels relative to the mower. The bell crank corresponding to the left front wheel is linked to the hand crank through a connecting rod and a rotatable pivot arm, the pivot arm being mounted on the lawn mower handle.

Abstract: A propelling drive transmission structure for a walking operator type lawn mower having vertically adjustable front and rear wheels and a main frame supporting a cutting blade housing between the front and rear wheels. The transmission structure comprises a change speed device disposed above a rear axle for changing speed of engine drive for transmission to the rear axle. The change speed device includes an output shaft operatively connected to the rear axle through a rotary shaft and bevel gears. The rotary shaft is slidable relative to the output shaft to vary spacing between the output shaft and the rear axle.

Abstract: A rotary mower with at least one rotary cutter unit rotated on a vertical axis by means of a drive shaft which has a first bearing hub secured to its lower end. A cutter disc is secured to the first bearing hub and a second bearing hub is coaxially and rotatably mounted on the first bearing hub. A rigid intermediate disc is secured to the second bearing hub so as to be disposed beneath the cutter disc. A skid disc on a third bearing hub is disposed coaxially beneath the intermediate disc in such a way that its central portion can be axially adjusted by means of an adjustment device to change the height of cut. The skid disc is elastically flexible with its outer rim engaging the outer rim of the intermediate disc in all positions of height adjustment.

Abstract: Self-propelled walk-behind lawn mower having a rear discharge chute. The rear wheels of the lawn mower are driven by the engine through an axle which is fixed relative to the outer housing and which extends below the discharge chute so as to not interfere with the flow of grass clippings from the discharge chute. A transmission is provided for driving the rear wheels and is offset to one side of the discharge chute so as to be clear of the path of discharged grass. All four wheels of the mower are simultaneously adjustable and the driven rear wheels are adjustably by pivotal movement of a driving transmission that interconnects the wheels with the driven axle. In addition, a combing arrangement is provided on the outer housing for combing grass upwardly before it reaches the cutting blade.

Abstract: An improved snowthrower (2) includes a housing (4) having a pair of traction wheels (20) carried thereon. Pivot arms (24) pivotably journal traction wheels (20) to the housing (4) for movement between a first position approximately beneath the center of gravity of the snowthrower to a rearward position. A control system (60) selectively swings the wheels between these two positions to obtain more downward force on the front of the snowthrower housing when hard packed or deep snow is encountered. The control system (60) includes a single control handle (62) for both manipulating the traction wheels (20) and for operating the transmission (46).

Abstract: A flexible nonmetallic line trimmer for cutting vegetation has a wheel support for edging operations. The trimmer has a safety guard that extends around the rearward portion of a motor housing. A sliding bracket is mounted to the safety guard. A wheel is mounted on the forward end of the sliding bracket. The bracket will slide between a retracted position with the wheel to one side of the housing to an extended position with the wheel in front of the housing to support the cutter.

Abstract: A height adjustment device for a front mount mower including a support frame pivotally attached to the mower deck at the point where the rear of the mower deck is supported by push arms extending forward from the drive vehicle. The forward portion of the support frame carries a pair of ground engaging wheels and the forward end of the mower deck is disposed to be attached to and supported by the support frame at one of a number of vertically spaced positions. A cable connection between the push arms and the support frame automatically levels the rear of the mower deck with the adjusted level of the front of the mower deck.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower characterized by an elongated framework presenting a rear power portion and rotor-cutter blade assemblies rotatable around wheel supported shafts connecting to said framework at the front thereof and featuring a cutter blade vertical adjustment operable in unison by a chain-sprocket arrangement for achieving uniform cutting. Vertical displacement of the rotor-cutter blade assemblies is accomplished by rotation of threaded members secured to decking overlying the rotor-cutter blade assemblies and vertically movable therewith. A power source serves to drive the wheels for the power portion of the mower and, as well, the front cutter portion, i.e. the rotor-cutter blade assemblies.

Abstract: An improved stump grinding apparatus wherein the design and location of the components encourage the operator to stay at the handles which are located away from the cutting wheel while it is rotating. The cutting wheel rotates whenever the engine is running, and, because the apparatus is supported by a pair of tires and its weight is balanced slightly forward of the tires (the end with the cutting wheel), the rotating cutting wheel will fall to the ground whenever the operator lets go of the handles. Further, because the underside of the cutting wheel is exposed at all times, if the operator releases the handles without first stopping the engine, the cutting wheel will dig into the ground. The apparatus also has an angular side chute aft of the cutting wheel which deflects wood chips from the stump being ground to the side of the apparatus.

Abstract: A pulled dethatching unit includes a frame having a tow bar extending forwardly for attachment to a draw bar of a pulling vehicle. The rear end of the frame has an arm pivotally attached to each side with each arm having a wheel rotatably mounted thereon. The two wheels and the tow bar cooperate so that tines, which are mounted in two rows on the frame for independent movement, do not carry any of the weight of the unit so that the bottom tip of each of the tines is slightly spaced from the ground in its rest position. Each of the tines in each of the rows is offset from each of the tines in the other row. Forward motion of the dethatching unit causes the bottom tip of each of the tines to deflect rearwardly and downwardly as it comes in contact with grass. In their deflected positions, the bottom tips of the tines contact the thatched layer to tear it loose from the soil and alternately flip the thatched layer to fall on the ground.

Abstract: A plural-castor-mounted lightweight tubular frame has a central resilient housing-clamping mechanism adapted for holding a string trimmer having a tapered or other conventional-shape housing at a desired level for trimming weeds or grass. Mechanical advantage and threaded adjustment are provided by the clamping mechanism. The handle of the string trimmer is employed as the handle by which the castor mounted frame and the trimmer held in it are directed. Quick detach/quick attach features enable the string trimmer to be used conveniently by itself when desired. Two height-adjustment provisions can be used, a coarse adjustment of clamping-height, and a fine adjustment of threaded connection between threaded shanks of the castor and clamping nuts at the frame that also provides convenient tilt-adjustment of the string trimmer relative to the ground.

Abstract: A lawn edger having a motor (14) arranged with a vertical axis of rotation, a fan and cutter assembly (15) within a hollow frame (11), cutting blades (17) being below the fan blades (16) and extending not only radially outwardly from the axis of rotation but also axially downwardly so that they slope towards the cutting edges, and cutting is affected over a small segment of the periphery of the cutting blades, for example, by tilting the lawn edger to one side.

Abstract: A lawn mower formed by fitting an attachment to a conventional portable weeder. The attachment is fitted to the bearing part of the rotary shaft of the mowing blade of the portable weeder, covers the upper part of the mowing blade and is provided with vertically movable wheels on both sides of the tip part and with a discharging port in a proper position.

Abstract: A lawnmower comprising a mower deck carried by four wheels positioned in laterally opposed pairs, with the forward wheels being adjustable for selecting mowing height. A pair of longitudinal blades are carried at the forward edge of the deck and have respective arrays of blade teeth projecting forwardly of the deck. The lower blade is affixed to the deck and the upper blade is coupled by a bell crank and a pitman drive to the output shaft of an engine for reciprocating the upper blade over the lower blade and thereby scissoring the respective blade teeth arrays. A guard shell is carried by the mower deck enclosing the mower blades and has vertical slots in the forward shell wall for receiving and combing grass to positions among the mower blade teeth. A blower is coupled to the shell for assisting such combing action and for removing clippings from the shell enclosure. The shell slots are dimensioned to prevent entry of rocks, tree trunks and human limbs.

Abstract: A trimming and edging device for grass, weeds and the like having a motor within a housing (12) supported by a support member (22) in a first position in which a cutting element (14) sweeps in a substantially horizontal plane and in a second position in which the cutting element sweeps in a substantially vertical plane to the side of a carriage (16) for the device is disclosed. In one arrangement, the support member rotates in a horizontal plane about a bolt and wing nut (20), and the motor housing rotates in a substantially vertical plane about a bolt and wing nuts (24).

Abstract: A power driven lawnmower of the walk-behind type has its ground support wheels all disposed behind the blade travel path and to the side walls of the lawnmower which straddle the blade, to enable the blade to be maneuvered closer to upstanding objects such as walls. The lawnmower has a gasoline powered engine and an electric generator which is driven by the engine. The generator includes an electrical outlet socket capable of receiving a multi-pronged plug of an external electrically driven implement. Vertical height adjustment of the blade is achieved by an extension of the blade shaft which extends upwardly through a sleeve. Holes in the sleeve and shaft extension are suitably aligned and affixed to provide for the height adjustment. During such adjustment, the lawnmower may be positioned atop a platform which carries a slot for receiving the blade to prevent rotation of the blade as the shaft nut is unscrewed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power transmission apparatus for a power driven lawn mower. The lawn mower has a housing, an engine mounted on the housing, a moving blade coupled to the engine and wheels which are swingably mounted on the housing. The swinging of the wheels moves the housing towards and way from the ground in order to raise and lower the housing to thereby raise and lower the lawn mower blade. The power transmission apparatus comprises a transmission mechanism and a transmission chamber for housing the transmission mchanism, the chamber including a guide structure. The transmission mechanism includes a drive shaft coupled to the engine and a single reduction gear mechanism coupled to the drive shaft and the wheels for transmitting the rotation of the drive shaft to the wheels.

Abstract: A skid is provided for supporting a drawn implement, such as a mower. The skid includes a convex ground-engaging disc mounted to a support for rotation about a first axis. The support is adapted to be attached to the implement for rotation about a second axis. The first and second axes are co-planar and form an acute angle.

Abstract: An agricultural-machine intake has a frame adapted to travel along the ground in a travel direction, a transverse feeder fixed extending horizontally and transversely to the direction on the frame, a pair of end mounts on the frame and a center mount transversely flanked thereby, supports carrying the mounts on the frame for up and down movement generally tangential of the transverse feeder, and a jointed reel centered on and rotatable about at least one horizontal reel axis extending transverse to the direction through the mounts. The reel has outer ends journaled in the end mounts, a jointed center journaled in the center mount and axially subdividing the reel into two halves, and radially extending tines. Respective ground-engaging end and center skids are vertically displaceable on the frame. Respective end and center links connect the end and center skids to the respective mounts for synchronous vertical movement of the skids with the respective mounts.

Abstract: An edger is provided with a rotatable cutting blade for trimming grass, weeds, and the like, wherein the angular orientation of the cutting blade is quickly and easily adjusted to a selected one of several cutting positions. The cutting blade is driven by a motor mounted within a motor housing which is in turn supported for rotation about a longitudinal axis between a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly. A locking mechanism carried by the motor housing has a pair of spring-biased lugs normally received into locking recesses in the front and rear wheel assemblies to lock the motor housing at a selected rotational position and thereby lock the cutting blade at a selected angular orientation. The locking mechanism is manually retractable to withdraw the lugs simultaneously from their respective locking recesses to permit rotation of the motor housing simultaneously with respect to the front and rear wheel assemblies to alter the angular orientation of the cutting blade.

Abstract: Carriage for grass trimming device of the type having a rotating cutting element in the form of a length of cord comprises a platform and mounting wheels for moving platform over ground, front wheels being telescopically mounted for extension in a longitudinal and transverse direction, front and rear wheels having eccentric axles so that the carriage height above the ground can be varied, and a clamping structure including a retaining arm having engageable ends for engaging with pivotable clamps for securely and releasably holding the trimming device on the carriage.

Abstract: A rotary lawnmower of the type having an inverted pan-shaped housing generally surrounding a horizontal rotary blade affixed to a vertical shaft extending downwardly from a rotary power source mounted on the top of the housing. A pair of tubular longitudinal frame members extend bridgingly in horizontal position over and secured to the housing on opposite sides of the rotary power source with downward extensions secured to front and rear wheels. The downward extensions are also affixed to front and rear aprons extending horizontally from the lower edge of the side wall of the housing to provide mutual bracing. The lawnmower has a handle that is attached to the rear downward extensions of the longitudinal frame members so that forces developed in the handle incident to guiding the mower are transferred directly to the frame members and then directly to the wheels so that the housing is not stressed upon manipulation of the handle.

Abstract: A wheeled carriage frame has a platform provided with an aperture for receiving and supporting the lower portion of a housing for a grass trimming device so that the cutting element of the device will extend beneath the platform and the motor housing will extend above the platform; the platform has a releasable clamping arm for holding the motor housing in position on the platform; the platform is slidably mounted on the wheeled frame between the front and rear of the frame and gripping devices are provided for holding the platform in a desired position on the frame; the lateral width of the front and rear wheels of the frame are adjustable, as well as the height of the frame, relative to the ground by adjustable axles.

Abstract: A power operated lawn edger includes a power unit comprising an internal combustion engine having a handle portion and being connected to one end of an elongated support boom. A cutter head including a vertically disposed rotating cutter blade is mounted at the other end of the support and comprises a right angle gear drive unit which is driven by the power unit through an elongated drive shaft mounted within the support. The cutter head includes a single adjustable gauge wheel for varying the depth of cut in normal operation of the edger. The gauge wheel is mounted on a support bracket which is pivotally connected to the cutter head. The gauge wheel support bracket is releasably retained in a selected position by a manually adjustable retaining member. A laterally projecting tubular support handle is mounted on the support by a bracket member which provides for moving the handle between a folded position alongside the power unit and a working position.

Abstract: A mower having a rectangular platform and downwardly extending skirts on the sides of the platform, spaced upwardly extending columns on the platform, an engine supported on the platform in columns. A belt tightener arm is pivoted around a fourth column and a third pulley is supported on the arm. A threaded bolt pulls the belt tightener toward the belt thereby tightening it. Two rear wheels are supported on two wheel support levers, each of the rear wheels being supported on the distal end of one of the wheel support levers which are pivoted to the skirt of the platform. The end of the wheel support lever remote from the wheel is adjustable up and down to raise or lower the wheel. The front wheels are mounted as casters attached to upwardly and forwardly extending arms that are attached to the platform, and a drilled cylinder extends downwardly from the distal end of the arm. A shaft of the caster extends up through the hollow cylinder and has an axially threaded member holding it in place.

Abstract: A wheel axle height adjusting mechanism for attachment to the housing of such as a lawnmower, the mechanism comprising a substantially flat fan plate pivotally attached to a substantially flat base plate. The fan plate has a fixed recessed portion embossed away from the base plate for maintaining therein a bore-containing element for receiving the wheel axle, and also has an arcuate end to which are adjacent a plurality of spaced-apart detents. The base plate has a second recessed portion embossed outwardly of the fan plate and is apertured to receive bolts for attaching the mechanism to the housing. A spring handle is attached to the base plate at one point and has thereon a finger selectively and releasably engageable with the detents. A fixed handle rigidly attached to the base plate cooperates with the spring handle to permit lateral, disengaging movement of the finger away from the detents. When the finger is disengaged from the detents, the fan plate is pivotable relative to the base plate.

Abstract: A lawn mower (2) is moveably supported by wheels (14) and (16). Wheels (14) and (16) are eccentrically mounted on front and rear link members (24) and (28) which are respectively joined together in pairs by through axles (30). Two flexible cables (32) and (34) transmit this rotation from one front link member (24) to one rear link member (28). One of the link members (24) and (28) is coupled by a flexible cable (80) to a selectively operable control (60) for effecting manual rotation of all of the link members (24) and (28). This effects a change in the height of the wheels (14) and (16) relative to housing (4) simultaneously.

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 rotary blade type cutting system for cutting grass or the like at a uniform height either on a flat surface, an inclined surface, or along the border adjacent a surface depression. The system is especially useful for cutting the bordering grass around golf course sand traps.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for operation over the ground beneath the low-hanging branches of trees in an orchard is equipped with shield means effective to prevent or minimize injury to the branches and fruit borne thereby. The inventive feature is the provision of a wheel support and ground-engaging wheel capable of adjustment relative to the main body of the implement, together with a fender carried by the wheel support independently of the main body and a shield member carried by the body and overlying the fender so as to cover the gap between the fender and body irrespective of adjustment of the wheel, wheel support and fender.

Abstract: A haymaking machine has two tined raking heads driven to rotate about upwardly extending axes from respective mountings. The mountings are connected to the rear of beams that converge forwardly to a right-angled junction in a common gear box. A coupling near the junction is connectable to a three-point lifting hitch and a pair of spaced apart plates from a pivot connected at one side of the plates adjacent the junction. A retaining element secures the beams in operative positions about the pivot. Each rake head has two freely rotatable tubular or cylinder supporting members positioned thereunder, each of which is pivotably connected to a lower portion of their corresponding rake head. A rear crop guide is pivoted to each rake head near its mounting by a quadrilateral linkage which can be secured in any one of a plurality of guide positions.

Abstract: A power operated lawn edger includes a power unit comprising an internal combustion engine having a handle portion and being connected to one end of an elongated support boom. A cutter head including a vertically disposed rotating cutter blade is mounted at the other end of the support and comprises a right angle gear drive unit which is driven by the power unit through an elongated drive shaft mounted within the support. The cutter head includes a single adjustable gauge wheel for varying the depth of cut in normal operation of the edger. The gauge wheel is mounted on a support bracket which is pivotally connected to the cutter head. The gauge wheel support bracket is releasably retained in a selected position by a manually adjustable retaining member. A laterally projecting tubular support handle is mounted on the support by a bracket member which provides for moving the handle between a folded position alongside the power unit and a working position.

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.