Abstract: A spreading device is disclosed which is particularly suitable for use with drum mowers. The spreading device includes a crop divider of a unique shape and configuration which extends in front of the forward mowing direction of the mower and which is positioned between the two mower drums, or between each pair of mower drums in a large scale mower. The crop divider includes two fins extending in an angled relationship with respect to a main body portion thereof forming a Y-shaped configuration when viewed from the top. A pair of feeder chains is connected to each of the drum mowers in the pair for moving the cut crop through the mower and adjacent to the crop divider fins.

Abstract: A plurality of fluffer shields mounted in generally end-to-end relationship on the frame of a crop harvester and conditioner. Each fluffer shield is pivotally adjustable independently of the other shields to control the rearward movement of portions of the cut crop delivered rearwardly of the harvesting machine by the crop conditioner rolls of the machine, so as to control the cross-sectional shape and density of a windrow produced by the machine.

Abstract: This invention relates to mower conditioners of the type having at least two rotatable cutter units mounted side-by-side and each supporting at least one cutter blade to cut the standing crop by impact, as opposed to shearing. The mower-conditioner comprises a rotary crop conditioning and spreading apparatus extending rearwardly of the mower and having a pair of rotary units disposed rearwardly of each pair of cutter units, with each rotary unit being rotatable about a generally upright axis. One rotary unit of each pair of rotary units is located closer to the mower than the other rotary unit of the pair.

Abstract: The combination of a tractor, a swather of the type including a center rear discharge towed behind the tractor and a side delivery rake towed behind the swather. First towing structure is utilized to couple the side delivery rake to the swather for towing therebehind and second towing structure is utilized to towingly couple the swather behind the tractor. The first and second towing structures are operative to inversely laterally shift the side delivery rake relative to the swather and the swather relative to the prime mover. In this manner, movement of the combination along parallel side-by-side paths, while moving in opposite directions, may result in windrowing of the cuttings made by the swather in a single windrow and it is therefore possible for a baler or other pick-up device to pick up the cuttings of the swather as a result of the pick-up or baling structure making only one-half the number of passes made by the swather and the baler is capable of forming tighter and heavier bales.

Abstract: In a mowing implement, wherein mowing members are rotatably journalled above a housing accommodating a driving gear, stones may be jammed between the mowing members and the housing.Damage of the mowing implement through stones is avoided in that each mowing member mainly comprises two cutter supports adapted to turn upwardly with respect to the driving member each about a horizontal axis, which is located near the upright rotary axis of the associated driving member.

Abstract: An agricultural implement having a transversely extending horizontal frame beam which is composed of pivoted sections. The pivots are located at a substantial spacing under the frame beam sections and connected to the frame beam sections by arms which extend obliquely downwards from the ends of the frame beam sections. The sections may be lifted by hydraulic rams. If the implement is mounted at the front of a tractor via a three point linkage, the lower links of said linkage are slidingly extensible.

Abstract: A mowing device comprising a housing extending transversely of the direction of movement of said device, a plurality of freely cutting cutting members rotatably journalled on said housing and a driving gear arranged in said housing and formed by a series of gears for driving the cutting members, has the problem that through deformation of the cover of the housing to which the gears are journalled, the relative position of the cutting members and the accurate relative position of the gears may be disturbed.In order to avoid this problem, the cutting members are rotatably journalled with the aid of lower rolling bearing means with respect to the bottom and with the aid of upper rolling bearing means with respect to the cover of the housing.

Abstract: A non-soil penetrating sugar cane harvesting blade assembly adapted to be connected to a tractor tool bar and consisting of top and bottom circular housing members with a rigidly-connected central shaft on which is journalled a disc member extending beyond the rim portion of the housing members and having cutting blades secured to its periphery. A ground-engaging skid is secured to the bottom housing member and maintains the cutting blades at a constant cutting height. A hydraulic motor is mounted on the top housing member and is drivingly connected to the disc member. The disc and housing members are linearly guided for upward and downward movement relative to the tool bar, and are biased downwardly by a spring acting between the top housing member and the tool bar and supported on an upstanding post member secured on the top housing member. One or more shock absorbers cushion relative movement of the cutter housing assembly with respect to the tool bar.

Abstract: A device for side delivery of crop, grass or grain by means of one or more transverse conveyor belts arranged behind the implement across the full width thereof in a roughly vertical plane enabling lateral delivering material, such as crop, to windrows or swaths on the ground where it can be slightly gathered.

Abstract: A rotary mower has a cylindrical drum rotatable about its upright vertical axis and provided at its lower end with a downwardly and outwardly flared skirt provided on its lower side with radially projecting crop-cutting blades and on its upper side with crop-displacing ridges. A windrow-forming deflecting plate is fixed on the support of the mower adjacent the drum and has a lower edge parallel to the upper surface of the skirt and forming on juxtaposition of this lower edge with the leading edge of each of the crop-displacing ridges an outwardly open acute angle. The ridge may be pressed into the skirt or constituted as a bar secured to the top thereof and has a circularly arcuate leading edge that passes under the straight lower edge of the deflecting plate.

Abstract: A carrier adapted for rotation about an axis so as to define a circular path at the outermost extension of the carrier. Anchoring means positioned on the carrier at spaced locations along said circular path. A flexible elongate member extending between and fastened to said anchoring means. At least one cutter mounted to the elongate member between a pair of the anchoring means. Said cutters extending outwardly of the circular path and maintained in said extended positions for impact cutting at least partially by the centrifugal force produced by rotation of the carrier. Said flexible member permitting rearward or inward flexing to withdraw the cutter behind the path defined by the carrier upon striking a solid object, e.g. a rock.

Abstract: A rotary mower comprising at least one rotary cutter unit mounted on a framework, the framework having at least one forwardly extending lower support for rotatably supporting the cutter unit at its lower end, and a freely rotatable shield disposed proximate to the foremost edge of the or each support and underneath the or each cutter unit for shielding said foremost edge.

Abstract: A mowing implement comprises a housing extending transversely of the direction of travel of the implement, said housing being connected via a foot which is directed rearwardly from the housing with suspension means for fastening the housing to a vehicle. As a result the mowing implement may be fastened firmly to the vehicle.

Abstract: A mowing machine has a frame, including a coupling frame and a laterally extending support beam on which a rockable beam with mowing members are rotatably mounted. A further beam and a boom interconnect the support beam in operative position. By repositioning the further beam and pivoting the support beam to the rear, the machine can be placed in a transport position. Each mowing member is turnable about an upwardly extending axis and has an upper sheath or cover and a bottom to which dish support members are rotatably supported on holders that are spaced from the member's axis of rotation. The cover is formed of conical surfaces which have air holes and lower openings through which air passes during rotation. Cutting elements are pivoted at the outer circumference of the cover on a felly with radial spokes which are journalled on the mowing member's axis of rotation.