Abstract: A mower deck is disclosed. The mower deck includes a housing having a top wall, at least one blade rotated downwardly of the top wall and about a vertical shaft, and a blade baffle unit extending downwards from the top wall in such a manner as to surround an outer circumferential area of a rotational path of the blade to create therein a mulching blade rotation space, the blade baffle unit having a front baffle located on an advancing side of the traveling vehicle and a rear baffle located on a reversing side of the traveling vehicle. The front baffle extends downwards from the top wall to exceed the rotational path so as to prevent discharge of cut grass pieces via a lower end of the front baffle. The rear baffle extends downwards from the top wall by such an extent to allow discharge of the cut grass pieces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing the tops of trees, the apparatus including a rotatable first boom configured for coupling to and extending vertically downward from an aircraft and a cutting assembly hingedly coupled to a bottom end portion of the first boom. The cutting assembly includes a housing containing a motor, the housing having an upper portion coupled to the bottom end portion of the first boom. A second boom extends from a lower portion of the housing and supports thereon a singular circular saw which is operatively coupled to the motor. The second boom is arranged at an angle of about 30° to about 55° relative to the first boom. This accomplished by including bend within the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing the tops of trees, the apparatus including a rotatable first boom configured for coupling to and extending vertically downward from an aircraft and a cutting assembly hingedly coupled to a bottom end portion of the first boom. The cutting assembly includes a housing containing a motor, the housing having an upper portion coupled to the bottom end portion of the first boom. A second boom extends from a lower portion of the housing and supports thereon a singular circular saw which is operatively coupled to the motor. The second boom is arranged at an angle of about 30° to about 55° relative to the first boom. This accomplished by including bend within the housing.

Abstract: A limb and branch trimming apparatus includes a frame having a support platform and an upstanding mast member; a cutting assembly having a plurality of cutting members, wherein the cutting members are rotatably connected at the mast member; and a power source for powering the cutting members independently from the vehicle's power source. The support platform of the limb and branch trimming apparatus is removably mountable to or near the top front portion of a vehicle. The apparatus is used for vertically cutting limbs, branches, and brush along a walkway, pathway, or trail where a tractor would typically be too large to navigate said pathway or trail.

Abstract: A machine for pulling out the cut-off vine branches (S) that are hanging on a tying wire (F), including a supporting frame (1), a gantry (2) comprising an arm set mounting so as to swivel and having an overhanging end, a gripping device (3) for the cut branches (S) including at least one gripping disk (23) connected to the overhanging end and showing notches (24) for gripping and dragging along the cut branches (S), a transfer device (4) comprising a transfer element (28) showing notches for gripping and dragging along the cut branches (S) gripped by gripping disk (23), and a detaching device (5) for the cut branches (S) arranged at the outlet of transfer device (4) and including a device for capturing the cut branches (S) and pulling them in the direction opposite to transfer device (4).

Abstract: A device for pruning plant material includes a frame, a vertical arm extending from the frame, and an angled pruning head extending from the vertical arm. The angled pruning head includes at least one cutting disk attached to a first shaft, and an anvil assembly having at least one anvil pair attached to a second shaft. The first and second shafts are substantially parallel to one another. The at least one cutting disk is aligned to be selectively positionable between the anvils of the at least one anvil pair.

Abstract: A commercial mechanical plant hedger is disclosed. This hedger is capable of trimming multiple cutting planes—top, left, and right simultaneously. Stated different three (3) sides of a row of a hedge can be trimmed at the same time. More specifically, the hedger can simultaneously cut the top of and both sides of the plant rows simultaneously. Hedging debris from the plant is also removed. The hedger is also capable of hedging multi rows from single drive middle up to 12 feet on centers. A small tractor with minimum horsepower is capable of running the hedger.

Abstract: A tree trimming cluster of circular saws form part of an assembly on the hydraulic arm of a tractor and the assembly is adjustable hydraulically to allow the assembly to sweep from side to side, to incline in relation to the ground and to rotate with a wrist like action. In addition the whole assembly can rotate about a horizontal axis on the hydraulic arm giving an extra degree of adjustment. The hydraulic arm extends from a jib located behind the tractor driver and is capable of slewing. A variety of 4 m cuts are available which is useful for firebreak creation and powerline protection.

Abstract: A device for pruning plant material includes a frame, a vertical arm extending from the frame, and an angled pruning head extending from the vertical arm. The angled pruning head includes at least one cutting disk attached to a first shaft, and an anvil assembly having at least one anvil pair attached to a second shaft. The first and second shafts are substantially parallel to one another. The at least one cutting disk is aligned to be selectively positionable between the anvils of the at least one anvil pair.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically bypassing tying posts in fruit-bearing hedges has a working head with a pair of vertical drive shafts, each having stacks of toothed cutting disks mounted thereon. Each of the vertical drive shafts having a an opening wheel thereof. The stacks are movable between a position in which the cutting disks mesh with each other and a position in which the stacks of the cutting disks are spaced away from each other. The opening wheels are connected by speed reducers to the shaft such that the open wheels rotate at a speed less than the cutting disks.

Abstract: Device for the automatic bypassing of tying posts or stakes in fruit-bearing hedges, in particular for trimming machines featuring a working head having two vertical rotating drive shafts on which are mounted two stacks of toothed cutting disks and an opening wheel. The stacks being able to assume a position where they come closer to each other and then intersect, or a position where they get further apart where the cutting disks of each stack find themselves distanced from the cutting disks of the other stack. Each opening wheel is mounted on its drive shaft through the intermediary of the speed reducer coupled to said shaft. The invention also concerns agricultural machines equipped with such a device.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a hand-guided working machine for agriculture, forestry and horticulture applications. The drive arrangement comprises an electric motor, a DC power source for electrical energy, and a control apparatus for the electric motor which is fed from the DC power source. The electric motor has a specific, in particular linear, characteristic curve between the electric current which is consumed by the electric motor and the rotational speed of an output shaft of the electric motor. The control apparatus has current-limiter which limits the current which flows through the electric motor to a maximum value in order to protect the electric motor against overloading. The control apparatus limits the current consumption of the electric motor in a range of low rotational speeds to values which are considerably smaller than the characteristic curve values which are given for these rotational speeds by the characteristic curve of the electric motor, as a function of the rotational speed.

Abstract: A saw attachment for pruning trees, shrubs and undergrowth that can be used on a hydraulic vehicle, having auxiliary line connections for accepting attachments. The attachment has cutting blades located at the ends of a swing arm, which is mounted on a plate capable of holding a single, fixed angle of orientation from 0° to 90° with respect to the imaginary plane of the direction of travel of the vehicle. Depending on the type of host vehicle on which the attachment is used, the attachment can be mounted using either a connector plate or an articulated extension arm.

Abstract: An agricultural machine fitted with a chopping device. The chopping device includes a guard, at least three chopping members disposed above the guard and that are linked thereto to pivot around a shaft directed upwards, and transmission elements that rotate the chopping members around the respective shafts. Among the chopping members at least two adjacent chopping members rotate in opposite directions converging towards the front. The distance separating the rotary shafts of two adjacent chopping members rotating in opposite directions converging towards the front is greater than at least a distance separating the rotary shafts of two adjacent chopping members having directions of rotation that do not converge towards the front. The arrangement of the chopping members in this manner can be used advantageously to improve the removal of the chopped product towards the rear of the chopping device.

Abstract: A deleafer apparatus including a drum assembly partially enclosed by a shroud. A rotating blade assembly is located within an interior volume of the drum assembly. An air circulation device, located beneath the drum assembly, draws air through an opening defined by the shroud and into the interior volume of the drum assembly. In use, the deleafer apparatus is carried by a transport in a direction of travel along a row of plants or vines. The rotating blade assembly strips leaves that extend into the interior volume of the drum assembly from the plants or vines. The deleafer apparatus also includes a break-away mechanism that permits a portion of the deleafer apparatus to rotate outward relative to a transport mounting to accommodate obstacles that may reside in the pathway of the plants or vines.

Abstract: A cutting cylinder unit and cutting divice for shaping a plant, such as a boxwood bush. The cutting device comprises at least one cutting cylinder unit. The cutting cylinder unit comprises a cutting cylinder with a surface of revolution which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to a cylinder center axis and with cutting members provided along the suface of revolution; a cylinder drive for driving the cutting cylinder in rotation about the cylinder center axis; and a cutting edge which is provided along the outside of the surface of revolution for interacting in a cutting manner with the cutting member. The surface of revolution and the cutting edge, as seen in the direction of the cylinder center axis, have corresponding curvatures. This curvature is substantially matched to a predetermined desired shape of the plant.

Abstract: An inexpensive and readily available pruning blade for pruning crop growth, such as grape vines following harvest, has a disc-like base plate. The base plate has ordinary small diameter radial Skil-saw blades mounted around the periphery. The saw blades are fixed rotationally on the base plate by a clamp and have a portion of the saw teeth extending beyond the base plate periphery so that rotation of the base plate induces cutting action by the saw teeth at the periphery of the base plate. When the extending saw teeth become dull, the clamp is loosened, the saw blade is rotated through an arc sufficient to expose sharp teeth at the base plate periphery, and the clamp is tightened.

Abstract: An inexpensive and readily available pruning blade for pruning crop growth, such as grape vines following harvest, has a disc-like base plate. The base plate has ordinary small diameter radial Skil-saw blades mounted around the periphery. The saw blades are fixed rotationally on the base plate by a clamp and have a portion of the saw teeth extending beyond the base plate periphery so that rotation of the base plate induces cutting action by the saw teeth at the periphery of the base plate. When the extending saw teeth become dull, the clamp is loosened, the saw blade is rotated through an arc sufficient to expose sharp teeth at the base plate periphery, and the clamp is tightened.

Abstract: A method for cutting trees (18) in the vicinity of a power line (10) using a topping saw (17) suspended from a helicopter (15) in such a way that the helicopter is flown in the direction of the power line (10) so close to the electricity wires (12) that the topping saw suspended from the helicopter cuts the desired tops of the trees. The cutting line (14) of the topping saw (17) is determined in such a way that the helicopter is flown with the help of a video camera (21) attached to the suspension bar (16) for the topping saw at an angle of 45° and a monitor (22) placed in connection with the helicopter's cockpit so that the video camera is kept directed towards the electricity wire (12) of the power line (10). The distance (a, b) of the point where trees are to be cut from the electricity wire (12) is determined by adjusting the distance (h) of the video camera from the cutting blade (20) of the topping saw (17).

Abstract: A circular saw head for use as a boom mounted head attachment is disclosed for agricultural trimming. The blades can cut as much as four inches of material. An adjustable head piece is provided that is also reversible allowing for exposure of more or less of the blades. Safety aprons are provided to deflect cut material away from the operator.

Abstract: A pruning machine, for pruning or trimming a row of vines or other plants, includes first and second sets of pruning apparatus. The first set includes a first mounting plate having a central axis and an outer edge, a first set of blades mounted on the first mounting plate and protruding outwardly from the outer edge, a second mounting plate having a central axis and an outer edge located close to the first mounting plate so that the respective central axes and outer edges substantially coincide, and a second set of blades mounted on the second mounting plate and protruding outwardly from the second mounting plate outer edge. In operation, the first set of blades rotates relative to the second set of blades so that scissor like cutting actions are formed between them. The blades on the first mounting plate and/or the blades on the second mounting plate taper from a broader width at the outer edge of the respective mounting plate to a narrower width at the point furthest from the central axis.

Abstract: A mowing machine for cutting plants with radially protruding blades of upper and lower blade disks which are coaxially disposed and rotated under the hood that is disposed at the end of a handle. The upper blade disk has a ring gear, the lower blade disk has a sun gear, and a transmission gear is provided between the ring gear and the sun gear and meshes these gears so as to rotate the ring and sun gears in the opposite directions, thus rotating the upper and lower blade disks in the opposite directions for producing a shearing force that cuts the plants.

Abstract: An industrial vehicle includes a frame, a motive device mounted on the frame, a platform mounted on the frame adjacent to the motive device, a main boom member associated with an industrial implement, the main boom member being coupled to the platform, and at least one secondary boom member attached to the main boom member. The industrial vehicle may comprise in one embodiment tilting structure that tilts the platform about an axis substantially perpendicular to a driving direction of the vehicle, or at least one pivot defining at least one axis about which the main boom member and/or the secondary boom member pivot, the at least one axis being substantially perpendicular to a driving direction of the vehicle. A linkage may be provided that pivots at least one of the main boom member and the at least one secondary boom member about an axis substantially perpendicular to a driving direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vine cutter for cutting entangled vines of potato plants in front of a potato harvester so that the vines do not become entangled and accumulated upon a front portion of the potato harvester. The inventive device includes a frame having a pair of upper members and a pair of opposing lower members, a first disc journaled to the frame, a second disc journaled to the frame below the first disc and having a ground engaging rim attached coaxially, and a motor mechanically connected to the first and second discs. The first disc and the second disc are vertically orientated, and a portion of the discs overlap and are juxtaposed to one another. The pair of discs preferably include a plurality of notches projecting into their respective outer perimeters. The discs rotate at a differential to one another from 1.2 to 2.5 depending upon the type of vines being cut. The ground engaging ring attached to the second disc determines the depth of penetration by the second disc into the ground.

Abstract: A pre-pruning machine for trellised vines comprises a cutting module featuring superimposed tools each consisting of a cage and a cutting organ, and a feeding module consisting of superimposed feeding discs, it being possible to swivel the supports holding these modules by the action of a jack so that the said modules may interpenetrate each other in working phase. According to the invention, at least the motor of the cages is submitted to a slide drive limiting the torque, which is adjustable by the action of a pressure limiter (131; 133) within a calibrated range and selected by the operator in function of the working conditions (pruning type, advancing speed, etc.). Preferably, the motors of the cutting organs, feeders and cages are connected in series, the opening/closing device by means of the jack is connected in branch-off upstream of the feeder motor, and the feeder motor is also connected to a pressure limiter (131).

Abstract: A tree trimming machine capable of moving between rows of grove trees to remove interior growth from the trees while leaving a canopy of tree boughs over the trimmed area includes a wheeled platform supporting right and left saw units positioned at the front, each having upper and lower circular saw blades rotatably carried by bearing members so the planes of all saw blades are parallel and held laterally beyond the sides of the platform. Slideways are fixed on both right and left sides of the platform, at an angle relative its mounting surface, along which the saw blade bearing members move between upper and lower limits to simultaneously raise and lower the saw blades that are hydraulically driven by a pump powered by an internal combustion motor mounted at the rear, which also drives the vehicle wheels.

Abstract: The present invention is an automated pruning apparatus that requires little or no follow-up hand pruning and requires no sensors to avoid supportive trunks or posts. The present invention uses at least one pair of flat, close angled toothed, counter rotating blades. Woody branches are directed to the counter rotating blades first with a lifting arm and secondly by a quilled drum.

Abstract: A tree trimming apparatus connectable to an operating arm generally including a first housing connectable to the operating arm, a first shaft journaled in the first housing and rotatable about a first axis, means mounted on the first housing and operatively connected to the first shaft for rotating the first shaft about the first axis, a second housing mounted on the first shaft, a second shaft journaled in the second housing and rotatable about a second axis disposed at an angle relative to the first axis, means mounted on the second housing and operatively connected to the second shaft for rotating the second shaft about the second axis, a third housing mounted on the second shaft, at least a third shaft journaled in the third housing and rotatable about a third axis disposed parallel to the second axis, the third shaft having severing means disposed thereon and rotatable therewith and means mounted on the third housing and operatively connected to the third shaft for rotating the third shaft about the thir

Abstract: A tree-trimming and phoning machine has a cutter bar (2) with a plurality of in-line-staggered rotary cutter blades (1) that are rotated by a separate hydraulic motor (12) for each one of the plurality of the rotary cutter blades. A resulting plurality of blade-turning hydraulic motors (12) are connected in series to a hydraulic-motor line 15. Hydraulic relief lines (23) are in pressure-spike-relief communication between hydraulic-motor lines (1 5) intermediate the hydraulic motors (12) and a hydraulic manifold or header (24). The cutter bar is attachable to a single side or to both sides of a hydraulic lifting means (5) such as employed for standard front-end loaders, fork lifts and other lifting means that are attachable to a vehicle (6) such as a tractor. The hydraulic lifting means is maneuverable university to select positions of trimming, pruning and cutting-load dumping.

Abstract: A mowing machine with a self propelled carriage for riding with steering front and powered rear wheels with a mowing cutter structure with three mower decks transversely distributed and suspended from the carriage between front and rear wheels, each deck with a vertical spindle carrying a cutter blade. The center deck is suspended from the carriage for vertical lift and adjustment with an outboard deck supported by hinges on each of its sides for up and down pivoting to follow ground contour, for individual power tilting for brush trimming, clearing of obstacles, and to narrow the plan form for transport. A transverse rear axle has a differential with a forwardly extending housing carrying, in series, a carriage drive speed change transmission, a carriage drive clutch, an input drive gear driven from an overhead engine, a mower control clutch, and a triple power head with three gear connected projecting power take-off shafts.

Abstract: Methods for trimming trees with a machine that includes an elongated boom pivotally connected to the upper portion of a mast for elevational movement with the mast, an inboard rotor and an outboard rotor both rotatably mounted on the boom and a plurality of saws rotatably carried on each of the inboard and outboard rotors for rotation in a generally parallel plane are improved to prevent cuttings from accumulating in the tops of trimmed trees by rotating the inboard rotor and the saws carried thereby counterclockwise and rotating the outboard rotor and the saws carried thereby clockwise. Machines for carrying out the improved methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A vegetation cutter is mounted on the end of an articulated boom supported for horizontal and vertical movement on a relatively small tractor by removable frame means. The frame means includes front to rear extending left and right longitudinal side frames which are connected by a U-shaped frame extending over the motor housing of the tractor and connected at its lower end portions to the side of the frame members. A rotary vegetation cutting housing is pivotally attached to the outer end of the articulated boom by a unique linkage means permitting the housing to be pivoted about a horizontal pivot through an arc in excess of 180.degree.. A hydraulic motor on the cutter housing drives a cutter blade through a unique non-tapered cutter shaft which is held in the housing in the event of bearing seizure by unique drive means which precludes the rotating blade from dropping from the housing to create an accident hazard.

Abstract: A trapeze mount for mounting an airborne tree trimming apparatus on a helicopter or the like and operating the airborne tree trimming apparatus independently of the helicopter. The trapeze mount is designed to suspend a boom from the helicopter by means of a boom mount bar, which boom supports a plurality of circular saw blades arranged in tandem, coplanar relationship. The trapeze mount includes a pair of downwardly-extending pivot bars, the upper ends of which are pivotally attached to the helicopter fuselage and the opposite, lower ends connected by a cross-bar. A sliding collar is pivotally mounted on the cross-bar by means of a trapeze pivot joint and the sliding collar slidably engages the boom mount bar, which is pivotally attached at one end to a conventional quick-release hook mounted on the fuselage of the helicopter between the pivot bars.

Abstract: A boom attachment which carries a work unit pivotally at its outer end and which is pivotally connected at its inner end to an upstanding support carried by a base is attached to the rear end of a tractor by a three-point hitch and is operated from a power take-off on the rear of the tractor. The boom is adjustable in a transverse plane at the rear of the tractor so that the work unit can be disposed at either side of the tractor without removing or replacing parts in making this adjustment. This adjustment is accomplished with a cylinder and piston unit which is connect at the side of the boom by outwardly extending pivots.

Abstract: A lawnmower of a type utilized in conjunction with a self-propelled vehicle, such as tractor, includes a plurality of decks, each housing a plurality of rotating cutting blades wherein the plurality of decks are pivotally secured and adjustable relative to one another to accommodate various ground contours.

Abstract: A mower for mowing vegetation under a fence supported above the surface of the earth by a series of spaced posts comprising a horizontal boom connected at one end with a prime mover and supporting a mowing head at its other end. The mowing head is pivotal about a vertical and horizontal axes so that when contacting one of the fence posts the mowing head pivots around the position of the post while drawn by the prime mover in a forward direction. The mowing head is angularly tilted vertically for mowing a fence row or other surface on an incline with respect to the surface of the earth supporting the prime mover.

Abstract: A disc mower-conditioner having the disc cutterbar driven at each end thereof, the rotational power being delivered to the outboard end of the disc cutterbar by a power transfer mechanism rotated above the disc cutterbar, is disclosed wherein the drive mechanism includes a gearbox operable to receive rotational power from a power input shaft and transfer rotational power to three output shafts to operably power equally the opposing ends of the disc cutterbar and to power the rotation of the conditioning rolls positioned rearwardly thereof. The gearbox is provided with a removable lid rotatably supporting the output shaft operably associated with the power transfer mechanism to deliver rotational power to the outboard end of the disc cutterbar.

Abstract: A disc cutterbar for use on a harvesting implement such as a disc mower-conditioner is driven by an endless belt entrained around sheaves corresponding to each disc cutter within the transmission casing. To prevent interference between overlapping knives on adjacent disc cutters, alternating disc cutters are obliquely mounted on the transmission casing and positioned slightly forwardly of adjacent upright disc cutters so that the path of travel of the knife thereon is within a plane spaced vertically within the overlap area relative to the path of rotation of the knives of the adjacent upright disc cutters. The obliquely mounted disc cutters are positioned such that the forward periphery of the path of rotation of the knives thereof is in substantially the same plane as the path of rotation of the upright disc cutters so that the disc cutterbar will attain a substantially uniform level of cut.

Abstract: A boom attachment which carries a work unit pivotally at its outer end and which is pivotally connected at its inner end to an upstanding support carried by a base is attached to the rear end of a tractor by a three-point hitch and is operated from a power take-off on the rear of the tractor. The boom is adjustable in a transverse plane at the rear of the tractor so that the work unit can be disposed at either side of the tractor without removing or replacing parts in making this adjustment. This adjustment is accomplished with a cylinder and piston unit which is connected at the side of the boom by outwardly extending pivots.

Abstract: An airborne tree trimming apparatus for installation on a helicopter or the like, and operating independently of the helicopter, which apparatus includes a boom extension vertically suspended from the helicopter and a plurality of circular saw blades arranged in tandem, coplanar relationship on an operating boom which is attached to the boom extension by means of a boom pivot. The circular saw blades are designed to rotate about parallel, substantially horizontal axes which are oriented substantially at right angles to the normal direction of motion of the helicopter and are belt-driven by an internal combustion engine which is also mounted on the operating boom, above the circular saw blades. A pair of ground-located cradles not attached to the operating boom, permit the apparatus to be landed with the operating boom elevated from ground level, by maneuvering the helicopter to lay the operating boom and circular saw blades on the cradles in front of the helicopter.

Abstract: A tree shaping apparatus includes a mobile transport (10) with a cutter carriage (12) disposed in thereof. The transport (10) straddles the trees and the cutter carriage (12) has the height thereof adjusted to that of the tree. A cutter bar (90) is rotated about the tree with blades (92) providing the shaping therefor. The cutter bar (90) can be reciprocated laterally to provide an additional height adjustment.

Abstract: The invention relates to rotary mowers driven from below. According to the invention, shafts (18) and wheels (23) have at least their operational dimensions approximately identical, and alternate wheels (23) take two different positions in relation to the shafts (18). Moreover, when one of the disks (5, 6) is inclined in relation to an adjacent disk, the wheel (23) of the disk most inclined toward the front is farther from the disk (5, 6) than the wheel (23) is from the adjacent disk (5, 6). Moreover, the housing (4) comprises a sliding member (30) which at least partially closes the front part and/or the lower part of the housing (4).

Abstract: A cutting machine for use in agriculture, viticulture and arboriculture has at least one cutting assembly constituted by a plurality of superposed cutting tools, each cutting tool comprising a rotary circular cage provided with peripheral openings, and a member disposed in the cage and taking part in the cutting action, the improvement being that the cage and the member disposed therein are made in a complementary manner and are associated so as to constitute a system of blade and counter blade producing a cut by shearing action.

Abstract: A tree line trimmer which includes a boom assembly with a lower boom and upper boom pivotally connected for movement in a common plane. An elongated cutter head is mounted to the outer boom and includes a plurality of overlapping, rotatable saw blades.

Abstract: Tree trimming apparatus adapted to be manually controlled by an operator including a support frame with ground engaging wheel and manually engageable handle means for the operator to guide the apparatus while trimming trees, mast means mounted on the support frame and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom and mounting cutter means adapted to trim a tree as the operator guides the apparatus around a tree, and drive means for rotating the cutter means and propelling the apparatus. A riding attachment may be provided for the operator to ride.

Abstract: A powered trimmer is provided which cuts in the manner of a scissors rather than a saw. A plurality of cutting assemblies is arranged along the length of a generally horizontal support bar. Each cutting assembly includes a vertical shaft mounted with respect to the support bar and passing through the center of each of a pair of pulleys mounted for independent rotation about the shaft. A blade is affixed to each pulley. Drive means including an arrangement of endless belts and offset pulleys are provided to counter-rotate the upper and lower pulleys in each pair, and thus their corresponding blades, for the desired scissors-like cutting effect.

Abstract: There is disclosed tree trimmer apparatus for installation on a helicopter or the like including a boom hanging vertically downward from the helicopter carrying a plurality of circular saws arranged with their blades nearly adjacent over a length of at least twenty feet on the boom, which is attached to the helicopter in a manner to be constrained against rotation about a vertical axis and to have rotational movement about a horizontal axis at right angles to the normal direction of motion of said helicopter; the blades are preferably powered by a hydraulic motor with groups of five 24-inch blades being driven through belts by one hydraulic motor provided with hydraulic fluid under pressure from a pump in the helicopter. A foot at the bottom of the boom extends to the rear and permits the apparatus to be landed with the bottom of the boom on a landing surface by maneuvering the helicopter backward to lay the boom and saw blades on the ground in front of the helicopter.

Abstract: Cordon-trained grape vines are pruned by positioning circular saw blades to form a cutting path of predetermined size and shape above and on both sides of the horizontal trellis wire on which the cordons are trained and by translating the cutting path along the trellis wire while maintaining the size and shape of the cutting path substantially constant, while maintaining the sides of the cutting path centered on the cordons and maintaining the upper part of the cutting path at a desired height above the cordons.

Abstract: Tree trimming apparatus adapted to be manually controlled by an operator including a support frame with ground engaging wheel means and manually engageable handle means so that the operator can grasp the handle means to support the apparatus in combination with the wheel means and to guide the apparatus, mast means mounted on the support frame and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom and mounting cutter means adapted to trim a tree as the operator guides the apparatus around a tree.

Abstract: Apparatus for trimming Christmas trees or the like to a uniform configuration. The apparatus includes a self-leveling cutter support frame, and a number of knive-like cutting blades mounted on the frame for rotation at high speed. The cutting frame is selectably extendable to accommodate trees having a range of lengths.