Abstract: A harvester for processing forage including a cutter, a conveyor and a preparation apparatus for forming a mat of forage, the mat exiting at the discharge end of the preparation apparatus. A separation roller is positioned at the discharge end of the preparation apparatus to separate the mat from the preparation apparatus.

Abstract: A mower attachment for selectable side delivery of cut forage crops using a conveyor belt system incorporated in the attachment that is mounted behind the mower in a straddle fashion with at least one shock absorber interconnecting the attachment with the mower to limit vertical separation when traveling over rough ground. The attachment also including a hinged baffle to direct cuttings to the conveyor belt. With the baffle in an open position a portion of the cuttings fall on the conveyor belt and the remainder fall on the ground. Closing the baffle against the conveyor belt causes all cuttings to fall on the baffle.

Abstract: An improved two-row, four-wheel cane harvester includes first and second front carrier assemblies for carrying cut cane rearward in first and second passageways each passing between the pair of front wheels and then outwardly between the respective front and rear wheels. First and second rear piler assemblies are provided for receiving cane from the respective first and second carrier assemblies and moving the cane transversely before releasing the cut cane across a cut cane row spaced between the first and second rows.

Abstract: An outlet chute (10) for a blower device to guide the expulsion of leaves, grass or other debris, having an inlet portion (26) and a bifurcated outlet portion (28) including a first outlet duct (30) and a second outlet duct (32) which direct debris in opposing lateral directions. A deflector vane (34) is disposed within bifurcated outlet portion (28) to deflect expelled debris to one of the first outlet duct and second outlet duct. The first outlet duct (30) allows for the expulsion of debris in substantially the same direction in which it leaves the blower housing and is configured to expel the debris closer to the ground than second outlet duct (32), which expels debris with less thrust and at higher elevation. A method of using a blower device equipped with the chute includes making a series of parallel passes with each pass in a direction opposite to that of its adjacent passes.

Abstract: A three-point hitch furrow sweep and trash shredder are positioned with the furrow sweep being centered over the furrows for moving stalks onto the ridges where they are acted upon by the shredders. The shredders include a rotor in a housing having a plurality of pivotal hammers which work upon the trash and drive the trash through a perforated screen which reduces the size of the trash particles and returns it to the ground. The furrow sweeps include a pair of coulters in back to back oppositely facing relationship centered over the center line of the furrows or a single coulter for each furrow. The counters may be staggered or positioned in back to back relationship and may be flat or concave in shape.

Abstract: A mower-conditioner has a double windrow attachment, in the form of a belt conveyor, mounted to the rear end thereof, the attachment being swingable vertically about a horizontal transverse pivot axis between a lowered working position, wherein it is disposed for intercepting crop, discharged by the conditioning means and guided by a windrow-forming hood, and conveying the crop to one side of the machine, and a raised inoperative position wherein the conveyor is disposed such that it does not extend either the length or width of the machine by any appreciable amount.

Abstract: An auger cutter, windrower and conditioner for standing crops such as hay, a cutter and a feed mechanism for feeding forage harvesters crops such as corn and sorghum, including a cutter auger with cutting teeth attached to the auger flight and a conveyor auger to move the cut crop to a central area to be discharged as a window or as a mass of material to be fed to a second crop processing device such as a forage harvester.

Abstract: An agricultural machine for harvesting crop includes a frame provided with a tongue and carrying wheels. The frame carries a cutting device, a conditioning and/or throwing device and adjustable deflectors. The cutting device and the conditioning and/or throwing device can be transposed into a second work position in which they form an acute first angle with a straight line perpendicular to direction of advance and acute second angles with axes of carrying wheels. The second angles have approximately the same value as the first angle.

Abstract: A harvester having hydraulically shiftable draper sections for left, right or center crop discharge has a pair of movement limiting tangs which are carried by the draper sections at either of one of two selected locations in order to enable the lateral dimension or width of the discharge opening to be varied in accordance with crop conditions. When the standing crop is relatively dense, the tangs are positioned in an inboard location on the draper carriages so that the width of the discharge opening is maximized. Alternately, the tangs can be positioned in outward locations on the carriages for limiting lateral movement of the latter and reducing the width of the discharge opening so that the crop materials under relatively light crop conditions are formed into a dense, interlaced windrow having a central snow and ice shedding ridge.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for turning, mixing and aerating windrows of compost to convert the waste material comprising the compost into a useable material, such as soil amendment. The apparatus includes multiple elevating conveyors that first elevate that material to mix and aerate it and then deposit the material onto secondary conveyors that move the material transversely to the windrow before it is re-deposited. In a preferred version, there are three elevating conveyors, two outside and one center conveyor with the outside conveyors depositing the material onto transverse conveyors that move the material inwardly where it is re-deposited on the ground while the center elevating conveyor deposits the material picked up from the center of the windrow on top of the material picked up by the elevating conveyors on the sides. In this manner, the material is not only mixed and aerated but completely inverted.

Abstract: A mower including a cutting device connected in an articulated manner to a frame, the cutting device including two groups of mowing elements and each one of the two groups of mowing elements including drive elements. A transmission means transmits movement from a driving source to the drive elements of each one of the two groups of mowing elements. The transmission means includes an input means located at least approximately in the middle of the frame seen crosswise to the direction of work and movement distribution means for distributing the movement of the input means to the drive elements. The two groups of mowing elements are connected rigidly to one another, and the cutting device is connected to the frame by a deformable quadrilateral device. The drive elements of each one of the two groups of mowing elements include a transmission that extends over the one of the mowing elements located on the outside end of the corresponding group of mowing elements.

Abstract: A separating device for reapers with cutter plates driven to rotate about vertical axes having a fender which is inclined downward to divert reaping material. The fender is arranged to be fastened to the reaper at a point below the cuting plane of the cutter and rearwardly of the vertical plane defined by the axes of the cutter plates, and inside of the cutting track defined by the outermost cutting plate. The fender is inclined upwardly from the fastening point and passes through the cutting plane of the cutter plates behind the vertical plane of the cutter axes, and within the cutting track defined by the outermost cutter plate.

Abstract: An attachment for a swather comprises a panel which is hinged at a front edge on the swather so as to hang downwardly and rearwardly therefrom so that rear edge engages and compresses the swath as it emerges from the swather. The panel is spring biased downwardly to compress the swath into the stubble to reduce the danger of wind damage in fluffy crops such as flax. Side edges of the panel include spring tines extending outwardly from the rear edge so as to compress the swath particularly at side edges of the swath with a center section of the panel bowed upwardly to reduce the compression action in that area.

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 is 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.

Abstract: A mower including a frame supporting, by means of connecting members, one or more rotary cutting elements equipped with cutting tools and surmounted by a rotary drum which is equipped with a casing. At least a part of the connecting members penetrate into the rotary drum. A device for drive the cutting element and the rotary drum includes a shaft and a hub connected in rotation to the shaft. The cutting element and the rotary drum are fastened to the hub, and the shaft and the hub extend partly at least into the rotary drum. The part of the connecting members penetrating into the rotary drum is connected to the shaft of the cutting element. The casing of the the rotary drum is formed by standards separated from one another by spaces and connected together at their lower part by a lower connecting element and at their upper part by an upper connecting element.

Abstract: The method of the invention mounts a mechanical fluffing or tedding device that is approximately the width of a tractor tire directly in line and behind the left hand wheels of a tractor pulling a hay mowing implement so that the area of previously cut hay that has been compacted by the wheels of the tractor is immediately tedded or fluffed and the area of non-compacted hay is not tedded or fluffed. The drying time of the hay is therefore reduced, due to the elimination of the compacted area that normally dries slower than the hay that is not compacted.

Abstract: A mechanism for removing dirt and debris from the interior of a divider member mounted on the end disc of a disc cutterbar used in a disc mower-conditioner is disclosed wherein the dividers are provided with air inlet openings to permit the introduction of air into the interior chamber of the hat-shaped divider members. Each divider member is provided with a plurality of fan blades mounted to the top plate thereof to exhaust air from within the interior chamber and create a flow of air from the air inlet openings through the interior chamber and exciting a discharge opening formed between the divider top plate and a stationary cover mounted thereabove. This flow of air cleans the interior chamber of dirt and debris. An optional filter can be utilized to reduce the amount of dirt and debris permitted to enter the interior chamber through the air inlet openings.

Abstract: This invention relates to a farm machine having a device (2) for picking up hay on the ground and a device (3) for moving the hay laterally and turning it over. The device (3) for moving and turning over the hay includes a flexible belt (21) equipped with drivers (22) and oriented crosswise to the flow of the hay. An at least approximately flat guide plate (23) extends from the pickup device (2) to the drivers (22). The machine according to the invention makes it possible to move and turn over windrows of hay or other plants that are on the ground.

Abstract: To form a double windrow of a grass crop after it has been cut, a windrow grouper is mounted behind a mower conditioner unit. The windrow grouper has an upright rotating drum which is provided with crop-engaging tines, and is positioned to deflect the cut crop into the double windrow when the crop is still in flight from the mower conditioner unit and before it has any substantial contact with the ground. The windrow grouper is swung clear of the crop delivered by the mower conditioner unit to enable an initial windrow to be laid, and then is swung back into the flight path of the crop to form the double windrow.

Abstract: An agricultural tool assembly includes a rotary disk mounted on a lower end of a rotary spindle. A mount for the spindle includes a shank adapted to be received in the vertical slot of a clamp and a sleeve for rotatably supporting the spindle. The sleeve is connected to the shank by spaced side plates connected to the sleeve with a lower pivot member and an upper fastener extending through arcuate slots in the spaced plates. A cultivator implement has front and rear disk gangs and a rear centered tool assembly. An onion undercutting implement has a front tool bar with front tool assemblies clamped thereto and a rear tool bar with rear tool assemblies clamped thereto.A tool assembly for material distribution has a spindle with a through hole, a swivel fitting at the inlet and a flared section at the outlet. Crop cutting and windrowing apparatus has pairs of tool assemblies tilted in and down toward the crop row and forwardly and down.

Abstract: An improved device is disclosed for piling stalk material after it is gathered for harvesting. Stalk material is frictionally engaged and conveyed from a cutting assembly to a discharge assembly. A pressure bar urges a portion of the stalk material against sticker chain. A discharge assembly is attached to the end of the piler arm assembly and may be moved to various positions. In at least one position, the fall of stalk material is directed.

Abstract: An adjustable mechanism for picking up, lifting, and laterally displacing a windrow in a field by the use of a toothed conveyor platform traveling at a canted angle with respect to the center line of the windrow being displayed for drying purposes.

Abstract: The device for mowing and conditioning crops including a plurality of juxtaposed mowing rotors and a conditioner rotatably arranged around a horizontal axis immediately behind and extending substantially across the width of the mowing rotors. The conditioner includes a shaft with left and right pitched auger flights which join at approximately the longitudinal center of the shaft so that the cut hay is directed into a single narrow swath in the center behind the conditioner. Conditioning tools are secured along the outer edge of the auger flights and the conditioner is rotated in a direction causing an overshot movement of the hay from the mowing rotors.

Abstract: Mowing device provided with a frame supported by ground wheels which can be coupled to a vehicle by means of a drawbar, and with a number of cutting means arranged side by side when seen in the intended direction of movement of the mowing device during operation, said cutting means being rotatable about upwardly extending axes of rotation and being provided with knives, said cutting means being supported during operation by at least two skids arranged near the outermost cutting means and being in contact with the ground behind the foremost points of the paths described by the knives of the cutting means, while the frame part supporting the cutting means can move resiliently relative to the ground wheels, whereby the drawbar is adjustable relative to the frame about a pivot axes extending transverse to the intended direction of movement during operation.

Abstract: Mowing device provided with a frame (1) and at least two cuttig elements (2-5) comprising collars (7) supporting cutters and rotatable about upwardly extending axes of rotation, which cutting elements (2-5) can be rotated in opposite directions such that during operation the facing sides of the cutting elements move in a direction opposite to the intended direction of displacement (A) of the mowing device, whilst near the rearmost part of an outermost cutting element, (2,5) there has been provided a freely rotatable swath wheel (13) for guiding the cut crop onto a window, said swath wheel (13) being arranged so that seen from above said swath wheel (13, 15) overlap at least partly said collar, whereby near the rearmost side of said outermost cutting element (2, 5) there have been provided two swath wheels (13, 15) overlapping each other when seen in the intended direction of movement of the device whereby the arrangement is so that axis of rotation (14) of the foremost swath wheel (13) includes a smaller angl

Abstract: A two-row sugar cane harvester utilizing a single crossing arm for conveying two rows of cane rearwardly, merging the two rows of cane and discharging the two rows of cane at laterally adjusted positions in relation to the path of travel of the harvester with the crossing arm including a laterally adjustable discharge mechanism enabling six-row heaps of sugar cane to be formed without rolling over the initial row. The crossing arm includes a unique powered sticker chain arrangement oriented in opposed relation to a non-powered roller chain for gripping and conveying the sugar cane stalks in relation to the harvester. The forward end of the harvester includes a novel arrangement of lower and upper pairs of scroll-type gathering and lifting devices and a novel cutting and shredding assembly for cutting and chopping the immature upper end portions of the sugar cane stalks.

Abstract: A mechanism for lifting the reel on a mower-conditioner relative to the cutterbar when the header is raised to an upward position is disclosed wherein a link is selectively connectable between the reel arms and the mower-conditioner frame to effect a pivotal movement of the reel arms on the header when the header is raised relative to the mower-conditioner frame by the header lift mechanism. The link can be in the form of a flexible chain operatively engaged with a take-up mechanism to permit storage of the chain when placed in an inoperative position or in the form of a rigid link selectively pivotally connectable to both the frame and the reel arms when movement of the reel relative to the cutterbar is desired.

Abstract: Windrow shaping apparatus which is attachable to an existing rake for shaping forage windrows. The apparatus includes an attachment member for affixing the apparatus to a rake; a yoke pivotally engaging the attachment member; and a drum for engaging the forage in the windrow. The yoke and drum are supported at a desired height above ground level and at an inward angle so that the drum engages the top and side portions of the windrow to force the forage down and toward the center of the windrow. The drum includes a plurality of parallel spaced rods about the periphery of the drum to prevent excessive compacting and to prevent adherence of the forage to the drum. A second embodiment of the invention includes two drums carried by separate yokes, the drums both being inwardly inclined toward one another and obliquely placed, one in front of the other so as to overlap for simultaneous shaping of the forage on each side of the windrow without compaction between drums.

Abstract: A windrower has a transverse support positioned at an angle to the travel direction of the apparatus and attached by a towing bar to a tractor and the like. The transverse support is provided with a plurality of crop-transfer drums, which are attached rotatably under the transverse support parallel to each other, and displaced from each other. At least one crop-transfer drum is swingable about its adjacent crop-transfer drum 180.degree. with respect to the axis of the adjacent crop-transfer drum in such a way that its axis retains its angle to the ground. Thus the crop-transfer drums have at least two configurations, in one of which all the crop-transfer drums are side-by-side with an equal spacing between adjacent drums of a width which is much smaller than the width of a crop-transfer drum, and in another in which there is at least one comparatively large gap between two adjacent crop-transfer drums substantially equal in width to the diameter of the crop-transfer drum.

Abstract: A mowing machine has a cutter bar which is a plurality of drive housings and intermediate members between the drive housing held firmly together in compressing by a tie rod in tension. Each drive housing has a cutting unit which includes a rotatable disc and blades. At least some discs (for example the outermost two) have on their upper sides engaging members for engaging cut crop to convey the crop to the rear. The engaging members of outermost cutting unit are provided on a body which extends upwardly to where it is spaced above the cutting unit while the adjacent cutting unit has its engaging members closer to the disc. The machine is constructed so that it can be folded and partially dismantled for packing in a container of limited dimensions without it being unduly difficult to assemble for the purpose of providing an operable machine.

Abstract: The rotary mowing attachment for a tractor or the like comprises a mowing drum mounting member, preferably a mounting bar, laterally mountable on a tractor or the like, four mowing drums attached to the underside of the mowing drum mounting member, and at least one cutting tool attached to each mowing drum, wherein the cutting diameters of the cutting tools on at least two mowing drums are different, the cutting diameters of all adjacent mowing drums overlap, and at least one of the mowing drums rotates in a direction of rotation opposite to that of the remaining mowing drums.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mowing machine comprising a frame and at least four cutting members rotatable about upwardly extending rotary axes and being each provided with cutters and drums located above said cutters, the cutting members being driven so that during operation neighboring drums rotate in opposite senses, whereby the diameters of the circles described by the ends of the cutters of the outermost cutting members during operation are larger than those of the intermediate cutting members.

Abstract: A pull type swather is provided with an adjustable hitch assembly for converting the swather as between a field position in which it is pulled widthwise by a tractor and a transport position in which it is pulled substantially lengthwise. The hitch assembly comprises a hitch pole pivotally connected to the swather frame, a telescopic assembly pivotally connected between the swather frame and the hitch pole and a hydraulic cylinder for extending and retracting the telescopic assembly so as to change the angle of the hitch pole as between the field and transport positions. The swather also includes pivotal wheel assemblies movable by separate hydraulic cylinders as between field and transport wheel positions. The respective hydraulic cylinders are connected in series in a hydraulic circuit for least-resistance sequence operation when converting the apparatus as between the field and transport configurations. The apparatus allows for effortless conversion as between the field and transport configurations.

Abstract: A mowing machine comprises cutting members which are rotatable about upwardly extending axes and drivable via a change-speed mechanism which enables their speed of rotation to be adjusted, for example to suit the characteristics of the crop being mown. The machine also has crushing member driven via a mechanism having replaceable gears for adjusting speed, said crushing member mounted behind the cutting members to rotate about a horizontal axis and having an adjustable head.

Abstract: A crop engaging device for conveying and/or treating crop comprises a support and a plurality of crop engaging elements extending outwardly from the base. The device may be a stationary array of elements protruding into a crop flow, or a rotor which may be driven to convey or retard crop, or may be freely rotating. The crop engaging elements may be outwardly extending fins, or transversely extending ribs, or discs perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The crop engaging elements may have specified yielding characteristics, being yieldable in a preferred direction and being yieldable predominantly at a region spaced from the outer tip. Each fin may be inclined relative to the direction of crop flow to impart lateral movement to the crop. Two cooperating rotors may have crop engaging elements which intermesh so that ribs or discs on one rotor press crop onto sharp tips of brushes or fins on the other rotor to condition the crop. Transverse ribs may be radially sprung to avoid damage.

Abstract: A mechanism for removing dirt and debris from the interior of a divider member mounted on the end disc of a disc cutterbar used in a disc mower-conditioner is disclosed wherein the dividers are provided with air inlet openings to permit the introduction of air into the interior chamber of the hat-shaped divider members. Each divider member is provided with a plurality of fan blades mounted to the top plate thereof to exhaust air from within the interior chamber and create a flow of air from the air inlet openings through the interior chamber and exiting a discharge opening formed between the divider top plate and a stationary cover mounted thereabove. This flow of air cleans the interior chamber of dirt and debris. An optional filter can be utilized to reduce the amount of dirt and debris permitted to enter the interior chamber through the air inlet openings.

Abstract: A rotary mowing attachment has a transverse support positioned at an angle to the travel direction of the apparatus and attached by a towing bar to a tractor and the like. The transverse support is provided with a plurality of mowing drums, which are attached rotatably under the transverse support parallel to each other, and displaced from each other. At least one mowing drum is swingable about its adjacent mowing drum 180.degree. with respect to the axis of the adjacent mowing drum in such a way that its axis retains its angle to the ground. Thus the mowing drums have at least two configurations, in one of which all the mowing drums are side-by-side with an equal spacing between adjacent drums of a width which is much smaller than the width of a mowing drum, and in another in which there is at least one comparatively large gap between two adjacent mowing drums substantially equal in width to the diameter of a mowing drum.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for agricultural stalk-shaped products, and wherein the products are adapted to be formed into a stream of products following cutting thereof from the ground, includes a rotatably driven conveyor element with a plurality of approximately radially outwardly extending conveyor tools separated from one another by gaps, and operatively defining a trajectory, a guidance element defining a plurality of openings, cooperating with the conveyor element for guiding the products, and forming with the conveyor element a guidance channel extending transversely to the stream of products, and wherein the guidance element intersects the trajectory near the front end and near the rear end of the guidance channel, so that the conveyor tools project at least partially outwardly through corresponding openings in the guidance element.

Abstract: A double windrowing attachment for a harvester comprises a reversibly driveable conveyor shiftable between a first crop discharge position for forming a windrow inboard of one side of the harvester and a second crop discharge position for forming a second windrow along the opposite side of the harvester. The conveyor is supported on the attachment frame at only three points. One side of the conveyor is supported on a pair of feet movably supported on an elongated guide. The opposite side of the conveyor is supported by a shift arm which is used to shift the conveyor. The shift arm is pivotally mounted at one end to the attachment frame and movably mounted at the other end in a track fixed to the conveyor. The crop discharge positions are adjustable and permit a double windrow to be formed either in a side-by-side or in a stacked disposition.

Abstract: A pull-type swather or windrower which can be used either singly or in a duplex or tandem arrangement can be adjusted from a working position to a transport position by pivoting the hitch through 90.degree. and by unlocking the wheels so they turn through 90.degree. to move the swather at right angles to its working direction. The swather is mounted on two wheels inwardly of the ends of the swather and rearwardly of the drapers with the wheel remote from the hitch movable to a position forwardly of its working position so as to lie under the drapers and to balance the center of gravity so that the swather can be supported solely by the two wheels in the transport position. A rear or duplex swather can be attached to the front swather by a duplex hitch which provides steering movements of the rear swather in a direction opposite to the steering movements of the front swather so that the former properly tracks the latter in echelon relationship.

Abstract: A crop harvesting machine having a pivoted drawbar forwardly extending harvesting apparatus is disclosed wherein the drawbar can be positioned in a transversely extending direction to permit a transportation of the harvester in a transverse direction when mounted on a mobile carrier. A support plate on which stops are provided to limit the operative range of pivotal movement of the drawbar is selectively movable to change the position of the stops relative to the frame of the harvester and permit the drawbar to be pivoted to a transversely extending position. By positioning the harvester upon a mobile carrier the harvester can be transported in a transverse direction without disconnecting the drawbar from the prime mover.

Abstract: An attachment for a combine comprising a base plate and two side plates together with mounting brackets whereby the assembly can be attached to the straw chopper and discharge of a combine with the plate inclined to the ground so that straw from the chopping cylinder engages the under surface of the plate and is directed downwardly and inwardly by the side plates to form a dense firmly packed swath.

Abstract: A straw chopper and spreader assembly for receiving straw from a threshing machine, has a casing enclosing a pair of contra-rotatable flail assemblies. The flails are mounted in different horizontal planes and have blades which overlap so as to shear and chop the straw. At the rear of the casing is a rear outlet defined between a rear skirt and a bottom extension of the casing. The rear skirt is adjustable so as to enlarge or reduce the size of the rear outlet. In addition to discharge through the rear outlet, chopped straw is also discharged laterally through side chutes which have removable end portions so that discharge selectively may be outwardly and upwardly or outwardly and downwardly. Chaff spreading discs are mounted below the assembly and rotates horizontally.

Abstract: A laterally shiftable draper header for a windrower is disclosed wherein a pair of draper sections are laterally shiftable on the header subframe to vary the position of the crop discharge opening between left, right and central positions. When the discharge opening is positioned at a central location between separated draper sections, it is necessary that the draper conveyors rotate in opposing directions to deliver crop material to the discharge opening. However, when the draper sections are positioned adjacent one another and shifted to one side of the machine or the other it is necessary for the draper conveyors to rotate in the same direction to convey crop to the discharge opening.

Abstract: An inter-trolley latching mechanism for a draper header having a pair of shiftable draper sections is disclosed wherein the latching mechanism connects the second draper section to the first draper section for simultaneous movement therewith. A hydraulic cylinder is provided to power the shifting movement of the first draper section in a transverse path relative to the subframe of the header. The latching mechanism selectively connects the two draper sections to permit the hydraulic cylinder to operatively power the transverse movement of both draper sections. A spring loaded retaining mechanism is also provided to lock the second draper section relative to the header subframe when not connected to the first draper section for movement therewith.

Abstract: A draper header attachable to a base tractor unit to harvest standing crop material and create a windrow by using draper conveyors to consolidate the severed crop material is disclosed wherein the draper header includes three draper sections, two of which are transversely shiftable to vary the location of a crop discharge opening. The third draper section is fixed along the right side of the header and is rotatable to convey severed crop material inwardly away from the header sidesheet to displace the windrow away from any uncut crop material when the crop discharge opening is adjacent thereto. Although the shiftable draper sections are rotatably driven by hydraulic motors, the fixed draper section is mechanically driven from a transverse drive shaft forming a part of the drive mechanism to the reciprocating cutterbar having a pair of counter-reciprocating sickles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting a swath of a first crop and then forming a windrow of such first crop to one side of such swath, whereby the ground thereunder can be planted to a second crop while the first crop is curing in the windrow. A mower with a single reversible conveyor belt for windrowing a first crop is attached to a prime mover, and a minimum tillage-type planting apparatus is attached behind such prime mover.

Abstract: A crop cutting and conditioning apparatus has two vertical axis rotary drum cutters 13, each having an upper rotor with a crop conveying surface 19 and a lower rotor carrying knives 21. Gears drive the upper and lower rotors at different peripheral velocities. The lower rotor has an annular rim 18 having an upper surface shaped to continue the outline of the conveying surface 19. The knives 21 protrude outwardly from beneath the rim 18 and rotate with the rim. The upper rotor has conditioning elements comprising brushes 35 (or sheets of plastics material), for conveying crop and conditioning crop by relative movement between the brushes and the crop. The outer tips of the brushes 35 (or the edges of the sheet or rib-like elements) lie along one or more helical or part helical paths around the rotor axis. Preferably the lower end of each helix leads during the rotation so as to exert a lifting action on crop engaged by the rotors.

Abstract: A device for mowing agricultural crops, particularly grass, mainly comprising a continuous main beam (1) bearing a common main drive and a plurality of housings fastened to the front side of said beam (1), each accommodating an intermediate drive to an upstanding rotary shaft for a cutting member (3), wherein each housing is further provided with a freely rotatable member (52) bearing on the ground, and wherein the cutting members are connected through a safety clutch with the rotary shaft so that damage of the transmission gears in the drive due to jamming of the cutting member can be avoided, an undisturbed rearward transport of the crop is ensured and a free, overlapping moving region between two adjacent cutting members is obtained.