Abstract: A mower includes a frame, a blade assembly, and a reel. The blade assembly is supported by the frame for rotation about a first axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The reel is supported by the frame for rotation about a second axis. The reel defines an outer diameter relative to the second axis and engages the blade assembly at a contact location in the engaged position. The outer diameter defines a tangent at the contact location. A force in a direction substantially parallel to the tangent is operable to produce a first torque in a first direction about the first axis when the blade assembly is in the engaged position. The weight of the blade assembly is operable to produce a second torque in a second direction about the first axis when the blade assembly is in the engaged position.

Abstract: An extractor for a sugarcane harvester that chops stalks of sugarcane into billets. The extractor comprises a fan, a leaf shredder, and a hub. The fan comprises fan blades to induce a flow of air to separate leaves from billets. The leaf shredder comprises shredding blades to cut leaves prior to their ejection from the extractor. The hub is rotatably driven about an axis of rotation. The fan blades and the cutting blades are coupled to the hub for rotation together with the hub about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A radio-controlled mower has a frame, an engine unit, rolling bodies configured to move the frame over an area of ground, a central cutting unit, and side cutting units. The frame and the side cutting units are mutually movable.

Abstract: An impeller conditioner for an agricultural mowing machine includes a rotor, an attachment device located on the rotor, a tine device pivotally attached to the rotor between a first end and a second end of the tine device via the attachment device, and a positioning device located on one of the rotor and the attachment device. The positioning device include a tapered portion which restricts the tine device in a first position to have less lateral movement than the tine device in a second position. The first position can be an operational position and the second position can be a non-operational position.

Abstract: A crop gathering system for an agricultural harvester includes a tube having a tube wall. The tube wall defines an aperture extending through the tube wall. The crop gathering system also includes a rotary cam having an elongated shaft with a cam surface. The shaft extends inside the tube along an axis radially offset from the axis of the tube. The crop gathering system further includes a cam follower having a proximal end engaging the cam surface of the elongated shaft, and a distal end aligned with the aperture. The cam follower can be in the form of an auger finger that moves in and out of the tube wall as the tube is rotated to gather crop material and convey the crop material to a threshing system. A cam actuated finger assembly can be manufactured for installation in an auger of an agricultural harvester.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a seat, a front mounted cutting deck, and at least a first cutter bar enclosed in a first cutter housing rotatable about a first vertical axle and a second cutter bar enclosed in a second cutter housing rotatable about a second vertical axle. The lawn mower further includes a hinge mechanism for connecting footplates to the lawn mower, a pivot support arm for connecting a steering wheel to the lawn mower, a movable arm for lifting the lawn mower to an upright position, the first and second axles being spaced from each other by a transversal distance.

Abstract: A device for removing plants or portions of plants from the plant bed includes a frame having forward and rearward ends, and first and second containment coulters attached to the frame in side-by-side alignment. The first and second containment coulters define a space between them. A rotary cutter is rotatably attached to the frame rearward of the first and second containment coulters. A portion of the rotary cutter extends into the space between the first and second containment coulters. The rotary cutter includes a plurality of teeth along a peripheral edge thereof. A shroud is attached to the frame and extends over at least a portion of the containment coulter pair and the rotary cutter. The shroud includes side walls that extend downward from the top of the shroud along at least a portion of the height of the pair of containment coulters and the rotary cutter.

Abstract: A lawnmower uses thin, replaceable blades with a hardened cutting edge. Such blades are held by blade holding elements in a horizontally rotating blade assembly. The blade assembly is covered by a blade assembly guard that is only open underneath at a point where blades in the blade assembly would cut grass during normal operation. A blade assembly access panel in the upper portion of the blade assembly guard allows blades to be easily replaced.

Abstract: A cutting unit mounting device includes a ball through which a yoke extends laterally. The yoke is attached to the cutting unit, and the ball is pivotably mounted in a ball housing attached to a lift arm. A releasable lock pin engages and secures the ball within the ball housing in a mowing position or a service position. The ball housing has stops to limit the pivoting of the ball and yoke with respect to the ball housing. A releasable lock pin engages notches in the ball to engage and secure the ball in the mowing position or service position with respect to the ball housing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bedknife for a reel cutting unit comprises providing a base having a tool steel insert that forms a cutting edge of the bedknife. The base comprises a heat treatable steel. Both the base and the insert are heat treated prior to joining the insert to the base. The insert is then integrally joined to the base by brazing the two together using a silver based filler between the two.

Abstract: A grass treatment unit with an adjustable hood for use with various grass treatment inserts of different diameter for verticutting, scarifying, etc. An open topped bearing socket is provided for mounting the grass treatment insert for rotation. A hood is mounted on a slide for spacing the hood in a selected position with respect to the grass treatment insert. The grass treatment insert has a shaft with ball bearings on opposite ends which are housed within a bearing housing. A handle is provided on the bearing housing for lifting the grass treatment insert.

Abstract: A rotor for a straw chopper includes a rotor body, a mount disposed on the rotor body, at least one copper blade suspended, detachably, in a swinging fashion on the mount with a fastening element, and a fan blade element detachably connected to the mount by way of the fastening element. The fan blade element is attached in a rigid manner to the rotor body.

Abstract: A reel gang mower has a row of front reel cutting units and a row of rear reel cutting units that cut an unbroken swath of grass in each pass. Each cutting unit is connected for propulsion to the mower frame by a four-bar linkage having front and rear pivot links that converge towards a focal point that establishes a virtual pull point through which propulsive force acts on the cutting unit. The rear pivot links can attach to the mower frame at a selected one of different attachment points to thereby longitudinally shift the pull point fore-and-aft relative to the center of gravity of the cutting unit, thus changing the fore-and-aft weight distribution. The rear cutting units in the gang can be configured to have a tail heavy weight distribution relative to the front cutting units to help eliminate marking in the overlap areas between the cutting units.

Abstract: A device for removing obstructions from a work site. The device is attachable to the front of a work machine. The device comprises a frame, a flange, a rotatable cutting member supported on the flange, and a motor that rotates the cutting member. The flange is non-rotatable, but is movable along at least one length relative to the frame. The motor may be supported on the flange. The device further comprises a plurality of removably attachable blocking members for decreasing the range of travel of debris generated during operation of the cutting member. The rotatable cutting member is movable about three axes relative to the flange such that changes in conditions or temperatures do not cause the cutting member to break.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bedknife for a reel cutting unit comprises providing a base having a tool steel insert that forms a cutting edge of the bedknife. The base comprises a heat treatable steel. Both the base and the insert are heat treated prior to joining the insert to the base. The insert is then integrally joined to the base by brazing the two together using a silver based filler between the two.

Abstract: A reel mower cutting unit having a cutting reel with a horizontal axis is supported by a front roller and a rear roller in a mowing position. A lift arm may raise and lower the cutting reel between a mowing position and a transport position. A pair of gauge wheels are mounted forwardly of the front roller at a front left corner and a right front corner of the unit. If the unit is lowered to a sloped surface, the gauge wheel contacts the surface and prevents the unit from marking or damaging the turf.

Abstract: A flail mower assembly includes a deck having a shaft rotatably connected to the deck. A flail drum is connected to the shaft and is co-rotatable with the shaft. A plurality of flail blade assemblies is independently rotatably connected to the flail drum to provide two degrees of freedom-of-rotation of each of the plurality of flail blade assemblies independent of a direction of drum rotation. First and/or second electric motors are connected to the deck and rotatably connected to the shaft. The shaft is rotated by an energized one of the first or second electric motors or both energized simultaneously. A load connected to the first and second electric motors when the first and second electric motors are de-energized reduces a rotational velocity of the flail drum.

Abstract: A tubular metal finger for a retracting finger auger assembly has a mounting portion adjacent the normally inner end of the finger, a working portion adjacent the opposite, normally outer end of the finger, and a weakened break-away portion between the mounting and working portions. Weakening of the sidewall of the tube in the break-away portion is accomplished through the provision of a pair of diametrically opposed, circular holes through the tube.

Abstract: A two piece peripheral mower blade is designed to cut and mulch grass at high volume. The blade is constructed of two pieces. The blades attach to a shaft via spaced apart hubs to which the pieces attach, and the two pieces of the blade interlock to provide a two piece peripheral mower blade.

Abstract: A self-cleaning mounting system for a ground roller assembly to be used on a mower such as a flail mower including a stationary sleeve bearing positioned on mounting shafts extending from either end of the ground roller. The stationary sleeve bearing is positioned in a housing which is vertically positionably with respect to the mower housing. The housing includes a stationary helical flight and a seal guard which fits within the ground roller. The stationary sleeve bearing is protected on either end from dirt and debris getting between the inside surface of the stationary sleeve bearing and the outside surface of the mounting shafts on either end of the ground roller.

Abstract: The tool is made up of two rotors (1, 2), each one of them formed by a rotary axis of rotation (4, 4?) and at least one helix-shaped blade (5, 6), the axes of rotation (4, 4?) parallel to each other and parallel to the ground or lawn and separated by a distance less than the sum of the radii of the helices of each one of the rotors (1, 2). The blade(s) (5, 6) of one of the rotors (1, 2) has/have the shape of a right handed helix and the blade(s) (6, 5) corresponding to the other rotor (2, 1) show(s) the shape of a left handed helix, and one of the rotors (1, 2) consists of a driving rotor (1) and the other consists of a driven rotor (2). The machine derived incorporates at lest one double-helicoidal tool connected to at least one of the machine's wheels (14).

Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a height-of-cut adjusting system and a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The reel mower cutting unit may be manual or self-adjusting. In the manual mode, adjustments can be made by engaging and turning an adjustment actuator on the side of the cutting reel with a hand tool such as a socket wrench. In the self-adjustment mode, adjustments can be made by engaging and turning adjustment actuators with an output shaft of an electric motor. The same adjustment actuators are used in both adjustment modes, and the reel cutting unit may be converted between modes by fastening or unfastening electric motor assembly from the unit.

Abstract: An non-contact type reel mower includes a reel having a high rotational inertia, and a cutting gap adjustment system. The reel includes an axle, a plurality of blades helically disposed about the axis at a radial distance from the axis, and a blade support member coupling the blades to the axle, in a manner that locates a majority of the mass of the reel at a location as far from the axle as possible, while still fitting within the size constraints of a standard size mower package. The cutting gap adjustment system includes carrier plates having a forward end pivotally coupled at a forward end of the mower, and a mid portion that supports or carries the reel and a rearward end that is coupled to the mower chassis by an adjustment device. The plates operate as levers pivoting about the pivot points to raise and lower the reel relative to a fixed bedknife to adjust the cutting gap when the adjustment device is actuated at the rearward end of the plates.

Abstract: A rotor tine construction for a rotary element of a crop residue treatment system for effecting improved transport of crop residue along a material flow path and, if a counter knife assembly is spaced from the rotary element across the material flow path, for also effecting improved shear cutting of such crop residue by the knife elements of the counter knife assembly and more efficient operation of the crop residue treatment system, which rotor tine construction includes a base portion generally mountable to the rotary member of the rotary element, at least one rotor tine extending outwardly from such base portion and including three distinct blade edges, one of which forms a trailing edge and the other two of which are upper and lower edge portions forming a leading edge, with the lower and upper edge portions configured and intersecting with one another to form a notch-like indentation along the leading edge at an intersection point P defined to be the point of cut contact position, such that, as the rotar

Abstract: A height adjuster for a grass grooming reel used on a mower includes a rod secured to the bellcrank support(s) which carry the grooming reel. A driver used for a fine adjustment has a screw thread connection to the top of the rod. The driver sits atop a rotary knob having a cam connection to the frame of the mower. The knob effects a quick up/quick down adjustment of the grooming reel between a raised transport position and a lowered grooming position. The knob includes a pointer or finger that points upwardly away from the ground when the grooming reel is in its raised transport position and points downwardly towards the ground when the grooming reel is in its lowered grooming position.

Abstract: A reel mower assembly having a frame and a reel rotatably mounted to the frame. The reel is a casting having spatially separated end members and a plurality of cross members homogenously connected to the end members. One or more support rings can also be positioned between the end members and homogenously connected to the cross members. A drive is operable to rotate the reel about a reel axis.

Abstract: A head for string trimmer machines uses fixed length segments of line including at least two line segments. The head includes a generally cylindrically shaped main housing member with at least two sets of first and second line entry holes on the housing member intermediate the first and second ends. At least two sets of first and second line exit openings also are found on the main housing member intermediate the first and second ends and spaced apart a greater distance than the distance between the first and second line entry holes. Arcuate guide channels are located between the respective entry holes and exit openings where the corresponding entry openings and exit openings of corresponding sets are located at different distances measured axially on the main housing member from the first end thereof.

Abstract: A cutting unit for a mower is supported for rolling over the ground by at least one ground engaging roller. The roller may be grooved over its length to comprise a Wiehle roller. The roller is formed by an ultra high molecular weight plastic roller body that is integrally molded over and around a hollow aluminum tube. The aluminum tube has enlarged diameter knurled ends to help hold the roller body on the tube.

Abstract: A mowing apparatus includes a reel mechanism and a cutting mechanism. The reel mechanism rotates about a first central axis in a first direction. The cutting mechanism rotates about a second central axis in a second direction opposite of the rotation of the first direction. The cutting mechanism is positioned eccentric to the reel mechanism wherein the first central axis is offset from the second central axis by a distance less than 10% of the diameter of a reel diameter. The reel mechanism and the cutting mechanism are configured to have at least one cutting blade contact at least one reel bar during the rotation of the cutting mechanism about the second central axis such that vegetation is cut at a section of a rotary path of the reel mechanism that is greater than 10% of a circumference of the rotary path.

Abstract: A mower includes a mower base unit and a cutting reel assembly having a plurality of cutting blades rotatable about an axis extending substantially parallel to the ground. The mower also includes at least one leading link pivotally interconnecting the cutting reel assembly and the mower base unit such that the cutting reel moves independently relative to the mower base unit as the cutting reel assembly traverses undulating terrain. Furthermore, the mower includes at least one tracking rod interconnecting the mower base unit and the cutting reel assembly. The tracking rod is configured to cause the cutting reel assembly to track in a substantially straight line along a mowing direction while reducing lateral movement of the cutting reel assembly relative to the mower base unit.

Abstract: A rotary cutter for a mower for mowing grass and the like with a cord of a desired length extending in a radial direction of a cutting head from the cutting head driven for rotation through a drive shaft is described. The rotary cutter includes at least one fastening element for fixing one end of the cord to a cutting head main body. An inner end portion of the cord inserted from a sidewall of the head main body is fastened by the fastening element. The cord is removed and replaced with a new cord when the cord is worn out. The cord fastening element is disposed near a drive shaft coupling shaft tube portion in the cutting head main body. A cord outlet for removing the cord is provided to the drive shaft coupling shaft tube portion side. The inner end portion of the cord extends outside from the cord outlet and along a sidewall of the drive shaft coupling shaft tube portion of the cutting head main body.

Abstract: A finger for a crop gathering auger of a grain header for an agricultural combine, including a tether which spans a failure region of the finger and will retain a free end of the finger in connection with a mounting end thereof when the failure region is broken, and which is preferably additionally operable for automatically retracting the broken off free end into an auger drum and retaining it therein during subsequent rotation of the drum for limiting potential damage from the broken end and preventing entry of the broken end into crop handling equipment of the combine.

Abstract: A walk reel mower includes a pair of inclined rigid links for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for rolling about a longitudinal axis, and a pair of vertical support arms for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for pitching about a transverse axis. An integrated gearbox houses both the traction and reel drives, including the differential that is part of the traction drive, as well as a parking brake. A flexible drive shaft powers the cutting reel from the gearbox and is made from materials that do not require petroleum based lubricants to avoid the possibility of damage to the turf or grass. A single control handle located on the handle of the mower actuates both the reel and traction drives. The reel cutting unit includes a back plate which has a portion formed as a hollow beam for strength.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for mowing vegetation is disclosed herein. The apparatus (20) generally includes a reel mechanism (21) and a cutting mechanism (22). The reel mechanism (21) preferably includes a plurality of reel bars (30) that rotate in a first direction. The cutting mechanism (22) preferably includes a plurality of cutting blades (40) that rotate in a second direction opposite of the first direction. Each of the plurality of cutting blades (40) is preferably disposed concentrically within the plurality of reel bars (30).

Abstract: A grass groomer for a reel cutting unit of a mower comprises a grooming reel that rotates about a substantially horizontal axis. The grooming reel has a plurality of helical blade tip flights with the blade tips in each flight acting sufficiently against the turf to cut horizontal grass runners and to dethatch the turf. The helical blade tip flights are spaced from one another around a circumference of the grooming reel. The grooming reel also carries a plurality of helical brushes that are also spaced from one another around the circumference of the grooming reel, the helical brushes being disposed between the helical blade tip flights. The helical brushes are disposed to rotate with the grooming grass and to ruffle and wipe the grass in the turf simultaneously with the rotation of the grooming reel.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism for a reel-type mower cutting unit holds the cutting unit in a mowing position, a partially raised service position, or a fully raised transport position. The coupling mechanism is positioned to avoid blocking the discharge of grass into a grass catcher mounted directly in front of the cutting unit. Each reel-type cutting unit is positioned so that the reel axis is a maximum of 28 inches from the front wheel axis of the mowing machine when the cutting unit is in the mowing position.

Abstract: A cylinder unit for a cylinder lawn mower has a cylinder rotatable about a longitudinal axis and provided with at least one knife, and an insertion device for engaging and inserting grass into a fixed abutment. Each knife by rotation of the cylinder is movable to a cutting position, in which the knife cooperates with the abutment to allow grass cutting. The insertion device has a plurality of pins with a radially outer end. Each pin is movably arranged between a first position wherein the pin extends beyond the periphery of the cylinder so that the outer end of the pin is located radially outwardly of each knife and a second position wherein the pin is located inwardly of the periphery of the cylinder so that the outer end of the pin is located radially inwardly of or radially on a level with each knife.

Abstract: A head for a line trimming apparatus includes a body member and a detachable cover that may include a replaceable insert for connecting the head to a drive shaft of a line trimming apparatus. The body member includes opposed openings and a filament-receiving channel for inserting an elongated flexible cutting filament into the head for retention thereon. A spring-biased clamp is supported on the body member and is engageable with the filament portion residing in the channel to releasably retain the filament connected to the head. An actuator button projects through an opening in the body member and is operable to be pressed to cause the clamp to release forcible engagement with a filament so that the filament may be removed and replaced. In one embodiment the clamp and actuator are an integrally formed part and the filament projects through openings formed in spaced apart arms of the clamp member.

Abstract: A novel soil conditioning rotary reel comprised of a rotary reel having a plurality of flat bars attached to support plates in a symmetrical helix arrangement is disclosed. The number of bars and the diameter of the reel are determined by the limitation that the straight-line distance between two adjacent bars be less than six inches.

Abstract: A trimmer comprises a cutting head (1) housing a cutter (5), and a shaft (2) for supporting the cutting head. A large diameter wheel (8) is rotatably mounted with respect to the cutting head (1), and a motor is provided for driving the cutter (5) via an output shaft (7). The cutting head (1) is connected to the shaft (2) by a joint (3) permitting the cutting head (1) to be positioned with its cutter (5) either substantially horizontal or substantially vertical. The wheel (8) is sized to contact the ground when the cutter (5) is substantially vertical and to circumscribed the axis of the output shaft (7). The arrangement is such that the cutter (5) extends beyond the circumference of the wheel (8).

Abstract: A chopping blade includes a mounting portion defining a mounting plane, and a working portion connected to the mounting portion. The working portion includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a body extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The body includes a first surface adjacent the leading edge and at least partially oriented at a first angle relative to the mounting plane, a second surface adjacent the trailing edge and at least partially oriented at a second angle relative to the mounting plane, and an intermediate surface extending between the first and second surfaces. The intermediate surface has a first portion extending from the first surface at an angle relative to the mounting plane that is steeper than the first angle, and a second portion extending from the second surface and joining with the first portion to form a peak.

Abstract: A novel soil conditioning rotary reel comprised of a rotary reel having a plurality of flat bars attached to support plates in a symmetrical helix arrangement is disclosed. The number of bars and the diameter of the reel are determined by the limitation that the straight-line distance between two adjacent bars be less than six inches.

Abstract: A cutter head assembly comprising a first longitudinal member; a second hollow longitudinal member provided with at least one aperture, being coaxial with the first longitudinal member and radially spaced apart therefrom; cup-shaped elements fixedly mounted to a corresponding aperture and to the first longitudinal member; blade holders to removably secure a rotatable blade to the cutter head. These blade holders are designed so as to improve mulching action and resistance to impacts of the cutter head, for use in land clearing and in any operation involving mechanical vegetation cutting.

Abstract: A reel mower assembly comprises a mower reel rotatably mounted to a frame, and a drive operative to rotate the reel about a reel axis. A plurality of magnets are mounted on the frame and a bed knife is magnetically held against the magnets in an operating position such that the bed knife is oriented in cutting relationship with the reel. Engagement means are operative to prevent sliding movement of the bed knife with respect to the magnets while allowing the bed knife to move away from the magnets when a separating force is exerted on the bed knife in a direction away from the magnets that is greater than an attractive force exerted on the bed knife by the magnets when the bed knife is in the operating position.

Abstract: A mass damper is carried on the frame of an reel mower by a pair of elastomeric couplers, one at each end of the mass damper. Each coupler is threadedly secured to one end of the mass damper with the coupler received in a cavity at that end of the mass damper. Each coupler is also clamped to a bracket on the frame of the reel mower. The mass damper can move relative to the frame of the reel mower by shearing the elastomeric material forming the couplers. The weight of the mass damper and the stiffness of the couplers is chosen to damp or lessen the vibration induced in the frame of the reel mower by an internal combustion engine carried on the frame of the reel mower.

Abstract: A walk reel mower includes a pair of inclined rigid links for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for rolling about a longitudinal axis, and a pair of vertical support arms for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for pitching about a transverse axis. An integrated gearbox houses both the traction and reel drives, including the differential that is part of the traction drive, as well as a parking brake. A flexible drive shaft powers the cutting reel from the gearbox and is made from materials that do not require petroleum based lubricants. A single control handle located on the handle of the mower actuates both the reel and traction drives. The reel cutting unit includes a back plate which has a portion formed as a hollow beam for strength.

Abstract: A method of constructing a bed knife blade assembly for a reel-type lawn mower having a frame rotatably supporting a cutting reel. The bed knife blade assembly comprises a clamp plate having a flange with a locking surface, and a blade insert having a tab cooperating with the locking surface to restrict movement of the blade insert relative to the clamp plate. The clamp plate is adapted to be coupled to the frame such that the flange biasedly engages the tab to further restrict movement of the blade insert relative to the clamp plate.

Abstract: A cylinder cutting blade for a lawn mower that includes at least two modular cylinder cutting blade sections. Each modular cylinder cutting blade section effectively being a short cylinder cutting blade which are rotationally connected together in succession in such a manner that rotation of one modular cylinder cutting blade section results in rotation of the other modular cylinder cutting blade sections. Each modular cylinder cutting blade section includes a longitudinal axis, a plurality of cutting bars which spiral around the longitudinal axis, a frame to hold the cutting bars in their respective positions, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism of each modular cylinder cutting blade section interacts with the locking mechanism of adjacent modular cylinder cutting blade sections to rotatably lock the modular cylinder cutting blade section to the adjacent modular cylinder cutting blade sections.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a reel mower permitting the mower to roll over the ground in both a forward direction and a rear direction with the mower being drawn in the forward direction pivotable about a generally vertical caster axis forward relative the mower and with the mower being drawn in the rear direction rotatable about a generally vertical caster axis rearward relative the mower.

Abstract: A cutting machine including a frame which can be hitched to a tractor and carries a cutting mechanism including a large cross section rotor equipped with knives which are mounted on axes arranged in pockets provided in the rotor. Each knife is mounted on an individual axis located in a pocket so as to be situated inside the outer periphery of the rotor and wherein this rotor, on at least one side of each pocket, has a concave recess for fitting or removing the corresponding axis.