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: 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: The present invention relates to a cutting machine comprising a frame which can be hitched to a tractor and carries a cutting mechanism comprising a large cross section rotor equipped with knives which are mounted on axes arranged in pockets provided in said rotor. Each knife is mounted on an individual axis located in a pocket set back toward the inside with respect to 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.

Abstract: A machine attachment of the type having a plurality of swinging blades and a rotor that rotates about a horizontal axis has a cylindrical tubular rotor with stub shafts and bearings at each end for rotation about the horizontal axis, so that the body of the rotor is a single piece, large diameter tubular section having improved structural stiffness and improved flywheel effect. The blade pivot shaft attachments are mounted directly on the external surface of the tubular rotor and inset mounting pockets allow the blades to swing through the rotor interior.

Abstract: A foliage mowing apparatus and mowing reel assemblies include a plurality of helically shaped blades which are mounted circumferentially with respect to each other. Each blade has a chevron-type junction or apex lying within a radially extending plain which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the reel. Apexes of adjacent blades do not lie along the same radial plane. Instead, each apex is axially spaced from each of its adjacent apexes. With this structure, if a piece or blade of grass passes uncut through an apex area, a straight blade section follows immediately in order to cut or trim this piece or blade of grass.

Abstract: An apparatus for mowing and rolling grass comprising a lower mowing-rolling unit, a handle coupled to the mowing rolling unit and securable in two or more positions, a first of said two or more positions for performing grass mowing operations, a second of said two or more positions for performing grass rolling operations, said lower unit comprising a rear driving assembly, a front roller assembly, a grass-cutting assembly interposed between the front roller assembly and the rear driving assembly, and a drive-train gear assembly coupling the rear driving assembly to the grass-cutting assembly for rotatingly driving said grass-cutting assembly during forward movement of the apparatus, said drive-train gear assembly comprising a first drive gear, a second transducer gear, a drive shaft and a third gear secured to said first drive shaft, whereupon forward movement of the apparatus drives said first drive gear which in turn drives said second gear, said second gear in turn driving said third gear and said first dr

Abstract: 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: Implements for attaching to a hand-held, powered “Weed-Eater” type device to perform various work or chores (filament cutting, blade cutting, brushing, blowing, mixing, etc.). After disconnecting the device's original implement typically a spool of filament (6) with a bumper feed (7), an initial, cultivator/cutter implement (10), cylindrical in shape with a substantially solid, circular top (12) and a relatively thin, continuous wall of constant thickness, is attached by an appropriate threaded member (e.g. a nut or bolt, usually with one or more washers) to the bottom end of the powered device (FIGS. 1A-D) through a central opening (13). The cultivator's top includes a series of circumferentially spaced, “snap-in” openings (14; e.g. two or more) through and into which other implements (e.g. those of FIGS. 3-20) can be attached (FIGS.

Abstract: A reel-type lawn mower and tractor assembly which includes a pivotally-mounted lift arm on the tractor. A lawn mower is pivotally attached to the laterally extending end of the lift arm and is caster-connected relative to the lift arm by a device of an intervening link which is angulated to be at one elevation at the top of the mower and at a lower elevation to the rear of the mower where the connection is made with the tractor lift arm.

Abstract: A deep groove ground-contacting roller for a reel type mower assembly having a plurality of interfitting intermediate roller segments and matching end segments mounted on a transverse bearing mounted axle rod in tight abutment. Stop rings engage the end segments and the axle rod to fix the roller segments on the rod to form a roller body. Each roller segment includes a cylindrical hub and a disc element extending radially therefrom with converging planar annular side surfaces intersecting to form a rounded ground-contacting ridge. The disc elements and the hub sections combine to form a deep groove with angled side surfaces and a right circular cylindrical bottom.

Abstract: A coupling system for a lawn maintenance machine having at least one cutting unit comprises a pivoting device for pivoting the cutting unit around a pivot axis parallel to a traveling direction and substantially coincidental with a point of contact between the cutting unit and a surface upon which the cutting unit is supported; and, a yoke attached to the pivoting device, the yoke configured for attachment to a motive unit.

Abstract: A bedknife adjustment device includes a double legged bracket which supports a threaded rod, and a compression spring abuts one leg of the bracket for removing play from the linkage at both ends of the threaded rod. A nut positioned between the legs of the bracket can be tightened on the threaded rod for further compressing the compression spring to thereby remove the force of the spring from the linkage to allow the linkage to be easily swung out to a service position.

Abstract: A lawn mower roller brush mounting and drive for a reel type lawn mower. The brush extends along the length of the roller and is rotatable and in contact with the roller for removing grass and like debris from the roller. A belt drive of automatic adjustment arrangement extends between the reel and the brush for rotating the brush. A cover completely encloses the pulleys and belt.

Abstract: A flail-type vegetation cutter having a drum and members attached and extending longitudinally of the drum. Rods extend along the members which have openings, and shackles are pivotally mounted on the rods and extend through the openings and are confined in the openings. Flail blades are pivotally connected to the shackles and are spaced along and around the circumference of the drum.

Abstract: A free-swinging cutter for use on a machine adapted to cut and clear brush and trees, including a generally stirrup-shaped member having two opposing sidewalls, a leading face with a cutting edge for cutting, and a rearward face opposite the leading face. The cutter is adapted to be swingably mounted at a point offset from its center of mass so that the cutting edge is disposed below the rearward face to form a relief heel. The invention also includes a method of creating a relief area on a cutter swingably mounted on the rotating drum to improve chip flow, which includes the steps of providing a cutter as described above and swingably mounting the cutter to a drum about an axis offset from the cutter's center of mass so that the cutting edge is disposed below the rearward face when the cutter extends radially from the drum following the rotation of the drum.

Abstract: A cutting head for a string trimmer is provided which accommodates any string gauge thickness and may be easily and quickly re-threaded upon failure of a string previously disposed therein. Clamping members are provided to clamp the strings within the cutter head, with the clamping force being provided by springs and centrifugally generated moments. The clamping members are capable of generating two degrees of clamping force. The lesser degree of clamping force can be overcome by a string forcibly inserted into the cutting head.

Abstract: A cutting head for a string trimmer is provided which accommodates any string gauge thickness and may be easily and quickly re-threaded upon failure of a string previously disposed therein. Clamping members are provided to clamp the strings within the cutter head, with the clamping force being provided by springs and centrifugally generated moments. The clamping members are capable of generating two degrees of clamping force. The lesser degree of clamping force can be overcome by a string forcibly inserted into the cutting head. Alternatively, the clamping members can be formed to pinch the string, with a constant degree of pinching force being applied to the string.

Abstract: A rator for a land clearing device or forestry shredder which comprises a plurality of anchors spaced apart, offset, and arranged on a horizontal cylinder. Cutting elements are mounted between adjacent anchors, the anchors arranged such that there are no gaps between the effective areas of the cutting elements as the rotator spins. The anchors can also be arranged so that at least one cutting element is located at or near the cutting element area at all times.

Abstract: A deep groove ground-contacting roller for a reel type mower assembly having a plurality of interfitting intermediate roller segments and matching end segments mounted on a transverse bearing mounted axle rod in tight abutment. Stop rings engage the end segments and the axle rod to fix the roller segments on the rod to form a roller body. Each roller segment includes a cylindrical hub and a disc element extending radially therefrom with converging planar annular side surfaces intersecting to form a rounded ground-contacting ridge. The disc elements and the hub sections combine to form a deep groove with angled side surfaces and a right circular cylindrical bottom.

Abstract: A method for moving a shearbar (102) towards a fixed stop (109), wherein the method comprises the steps of; energizing a bidirectional motor (110/112) for driving a guide screw (106/108) to move the shearbar towards the fixed stop (109), monitoring a variable indicative of the torque or force output of the motor (110/112), limiting the torque or force output to a first maximum value, moving the shearbar (102) against the fixed stop (109) and stalling the motor (110/112) thereby, deenergizing the motor (110/112), when the resulting torque or force output reaches or exceeds the first maximum value; and energizing the motor (110/112) for moving the shearbar (102) in the opposite direction, away from the stop (109), while not limiting the torque or force output or while limiting the same to a second maximum value, which is substantially larger than the first maximum value.

Abstract: A grooved roller scraper having a rod mounted to the reel mower cutting unit frame, and an elongate plate member coupled with the rod member. A plurality of scraper sections having slotted openings are bolted to the elongate plate member for allowing the scraper sections to be adjusted laterally. The scraper sections include protruding portions which extend into the spaces defined between adjacent washers for clearing debris from the grooved roller.

Abstract: A rotor for a land clearing device or forestry shredder which comprises a plurality of anchors spaced apart, offset, and arranged on a horizontal cylinder. Cutting elements are mounted between adjacent anchors, the anchors arranged such that there are no gaps between the effective areas of the cutting elements as the rotator spins. The anchors can also be arranged so that at least one cutting element is located at or near the cutting element area at all times.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a cutting unit joint (22) which can be located between a lift arm (18) and a cutting unit (20). Cutting unit joint (22) includes a four-bar linkage preferably including pairs of pivoting links (46 and 48) which create a "virtual pull point" at any desired location. With regard to one embodiment, a cutting unit (20), the virtual pull point is even located below ground, when the cutting unit (20) is generally level. This configuration reduces or eliminates cutting unit "bobbing." In another embodiment, in connection with a cutting unit (20'), the virtual pull point is located roughly at the centerline of the reel, to maintain a good "seal" between the cutting unit (20') and a lift arm supported grass basket (52'). Another aspect of the present invention relates to a self-contained damper (76) connected to lift arm (18), the damper (76) resisting upward movement at a velocity or frequency consistent with cutting unit "bobbing.

Abstract: A steering operating unit joint (22) for connecting an operating unit (20) to a lift arm (18) of a turf maintenance machine (10). Operating unit (20) can be a reel-type turf cutting unit. Cutting unit joint (22) preferably includes a pivot knuckle (50) having a snout (66), suitably secured to the free end of lift arm (18); and a snout receiver (94) suitably secured to cutting unit (20). A pair of resilient elements (100) is interposed between snout (66) and snout receiver (94). Elements (100) act between snout (66) and snout receiver (94) to resist "yawing" of cutting unit (20), whereby cutting unit (20) can be automatically straightened once it is raised to its transport position. During transport, cutting unit (20) is maintained in a straight and level orientation so that the turf is not gouged when the cutting unit (20) is lowered to its operating position "on the fly.

Abstract: A free-swinging cutter element for a timber thinning machine includes a generally stirrup-shaped member having an outer wall and integral side walls. Each half of the member is formed as the frustrum of a triangle so that bevels on the upper and lower surfaces form sharp cutting edges that incline to respective upper and lower points in the center of the outer wall. This construction moves the center of mass further outward toward the outer wall to increase chipping and cutting efficiency, which is further increased by the form of the cutting edges. A single edged cutter having similar overall shape also is provided.

Abstract: A gang mower for garden tractors includes a frame, a hitch and either three, five or seven reel-type mower units attached to the frame. The frame is attached to each of the mower units higher than the rear roller axis of the mower unit, lower than the forward wheel axis of the mower unit and a sufficient distance away from the forward axis that a majority of the frame's weight is supported by the rollers rather than the forward wheels of the reel-type mowers. In action, the frame pushes the reel-type mowers forward when the frame is pulled forward by a garden tractor. The attachment and distribution of weight assures that the rear rollers of each of the individual mower units is always in contact with the ground. At the same time, the forward drive wheels are leveraged downward in order to insure sufficient friction to turn the mower blades without the inclusion of unnecessary and undesirable weight.

Abstract: In the first preferred embodiment a flail cutter for a brush cutting machine comprises generally a shaft having a plurality of holes therethrough and a locking sheath also with a plurality of holes therethrough. The holes in the shaft and the holes in the locking sheath each receive a hanger, each hanger in turn holding a ring. Each ring holds a pair of flail blades. All blades are thus quickly attached to or removed from the shaft. After all blades have been attached to the shaft, the locking sheath is slid in one horizontal direction over the shaft to thereby lock the blades in attached engagement to the shaft. To remove all the blades, the locking sheath is slid in the opposite horizontal direction to release the blades from the shaft. In the second preferred embodiment, the hangers are attached directly to the shaft and the locking sheath is eliminated. Each hanger still holds the ring and the ring holds a pair of flail blades. The flail cutter is powered by a chain drive system.

Abstract: A mechanism for use in a reel type lawn mower for maintaining a controlled constant uniform pressure between V-shaped reel blades and a bedknife. The blades are arranged to maintain continuous contact with the bedknife on both sides of the center of the reel. A biasing unit acts between the reel unit and the bedknife unit to apply a regulated pressure on both sides of the reel center in response to a feedback signal such as a temperature signal at the reel/bedknife interface.

Abstract: A mowing machine having a plurality of recessed-blades-carrying mowing plates (2), each having a plurality of projections (3) each provided with a front cutting edge (4) formed at the front end and also having sharp recessed blades (5) provided in fixed positions slightly receding from the front end and between said projections. The blades are fixed to the outer periphery of a rotary weeding body (10) in such positions recessed blades (5) of one plate deviate from those of the others in rotational phase so that recessed blade all together sweep the whole periphery of said rotary weeding body (10) which is provided on the vehicle body rotatably in the forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: A mulching device for a reel-type mowing machine, especially power-driven machines, wherein the mulching device is mounted to the front of a reel-type lawn mower such that the device is in substantially closely spaced relationship to the rotating reel assembly, and above a portion of the reel assembly so as to direct a significant portion of the particles generated by the cutting action of the reel in front of the reel assembly for more complete comminution and eventual deposition upon the turf surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an automated clip control device for maintaining a predetermined clip at varying ground speeds, heights of cut, and other changed conditions. The reel speed of the mower 10 is controlled based upon a feed-back control loop, using as input the ground speed of the mower 10, the actual speed of the reel 48, 50, and 52, the number of blades on the reel, and height of cut, among other factors. A microprocessor 102 uses control process equations to determine the duration of an output pulse width modulated signal which is provided to a valve 702, 706 controlling hydraulic fluid flow to the reel motor 71-75. The target value of the reel speed is determined by reading the desired height of cut value and the number of blades per reel, and then going to a look-up table which contains optimized "linear distance traveled per time grass is cut" values.

Abstract: A mechanism for shifting reel mower cutting units to a position whereat the undersides of the cutting units are exposed for service. A knuckle joint is provided for pivoting the cutting units as the lift arms are raised to thereby shift the cutting units to service positions. A connection point is provided between a yoke and the cutting unit which is located at the upper rear quadrant of the cutting unit's side frame for generally balancing the force distributed to the ground through the front and rear rollers during forward mowing operations.

Abstract: A bottom blade for a grass cutting unit is formed by bending a low carbon steel mounting plate to form a lip; welding to the lip a thin wear strip of high carbon steel and further bending the mounting plate to produce the required lip height.

Abstract: A mechanism for use in a reel type lawn mower for maintaining a constant uniform pressure between V-shaped reel blades and a bedknife. The blades are arranged to maintain continuous contact with the bedknife on both sides of the center of the reel. A biasing unit acts between the reel unit and the bedknife unit to apply a regulated pressure on both sides of the reel center.

Abstract: A rotary agricultural tool which may be incorporated in a number of different types of agricultural equipment, such as in a device for chopping up bulk material is disclosed. The rotary tool has an elongate cutter body mounted in a frame for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and carrying on its outer periphery pivotally mounted cutter blades, a housing extending partly around the cutter body, and feed rollers for feeding the bulk material to the cutter body. The blades are arranged in pairs of blades.

Abstract: A convertible grass cutting and snow blowing machine which is supported on wheels and displaced on a surface where grass is to be cut or snow removed by a user controlling the machine from a handlebar. An engine is connected to the rotor housing which serves as a chassis, and has a drive shaft which is coupled to a rotor to impart axial rotation to the rotor. The rotor is supported between opposed side walls of a rotor housing, and is provided with at least two cutting blades secured longitudinally and spaced apart. The blades extend at a uniform height from the central axis of the rotor. Each of the blades defines a bow-shaped curve to direct grass cuttings or snow toward a mid-length region of the rotor when the rotor is rotatably driven and further, in combination with the rotor, impart a centrifugal force to direct the grass cuttings rearward toward an exit chute or snow upward toward a snow chute.

Abstract: A straw cutter for a combine has a rotatable rotor (11), counterknives (13) and knife arms (12) which pass between the counterknives. To increase the blowr action of the rotor and to thereby improve the distribution of disintegrated straw, the knife arms have a V- or arch-shaped cross section.

Abstract: A roller-type mower with a rotatable drum or roller is provided with cutting members on its surface which rotate at a speed required for free cutting. The mower is distinguished by the fact that a plurality of separate cutting members are provided on its surface. Each is obliquely pitched relative to the axis of rotation, or is helically designed, and the mutually spaced cutting members overlap each other in the direction of travel.

Abstract: Leaves and other debris arranged in piles along a roadway are lifted by a flail-type rotary cutting device towed centrally behind a tractor. The device includes a containment hood having a forwardly opening throat which is adjustable to conform generally to the size of the piles for receiving the piles and restricting the material from being thrown forwardly from under the hood particularly at the end of a pile. The lifted material is delivered into a receptacle towed behind the cutting device. The rotary cutting device can handle leaves and other debris in states ranging from dry and fluffy to frozen and snow-covered. The tractor and/or additional brushes may be used for preliminary piles sizing and positioning. Brushes may also be added to the machine for additional cleaning action and to help part wide piles.

Abstract: The blade is made of flat stock, is elongated with a series of the teeth formed along one elongated arcuate edge, the tips of the cutting teeth being disposed along a circular arc. The blade is adapted to be inserted within an elongated slit made in the cylindrical wall of the mower rotor with the teeth protruding from the rotor. The leading end of each blade is provided with an inwardly facing step adapted to rest on the cylindrical wall at the corresponding end of the slit. The trailing end of the blade has a notch to receive the rotor wall at the other end of the slit. The blade has a hole to receive a rod, extending within the rotor and carried by the latter to maintain the blade in position. Each blade has a boss protruding from a main face to prevent the blade from slipping within the rotor. The slit faces are inclined with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor, so as to maintain the blade in an inclined position, to more fully expose the successive teeth for better cutting efficiency.

Abstract: A worm mower for cutting stalk material of any kind is provided, which has a mowing worm, which turns at a high circumferential velocity, and angle of inclination smaller than the angle of friction (glide angle) of the material to be cut, and wherein the circumference of the worm is provided in the axial direction with a continuous cutting surface, which runs parallel to or inclined toward the worm axis, or is stepped with respect thereto.

Abstract: A power-driven rotor is mounted on a support and its cylindrical wall is provided with helically-arranged, elongated slits in which blades or rasps are removably inserted, the rasps having a series of teeth disposed along portions of helices co-axial with the rotor and protruding from the cylindrical wall. The apparatus is more particularly used as a grass and bush mower, and in a modified embodiment also as an ice- and snow-blower.

Abstract: A rotary tilling device has a cutting device having a plurality of cutters each of which is rotatably mounted by a bolt on a supporting member at a base end thereof. The cutter has a vertical portion and a lateral portion at an end of the vertical portion and has edges on both sides of the vertical and lateral portions. A stopper for receiving the cutter in a tilling position and a spring plate for resiliently holding the cutter in the tilling position are provided on the supporting member.

Abstract: A rotary cutter head for use with a rotating filament trimmer in which a reel for winding cords or filaments is held between a housing covering a lower portion thereof and a retainer or hub fixed on the driven rotating shaft of the trimmer unit and is rotatably disposed within the housing. Within the bore of the reel, an axially movable slider is normally biased toward the retainer by the elastic force of a spring so that meshing engagement occurs between a peripheral array of axially projecting tongues formed on one end of the slider and a plurality of radial teeth-like ribs formed on the inner side of the retainer and establishes a driving connection to rotate the reels.

Abstract: A lawn mower having a transverse cutting bar and a rotary cutter assembly fitted with a plurality of curved cutting edges that maintain substantially constant contact with the transverse cutting bar and reciprocate along the cutting bar to provide a shearing action for lawn mowing purposes. In the presently preferred embodiment of the lawn mower, the cutting edges are the edges of a plurality of generally elliptical blades mounted on a central shaft, the blades each having a longitudinal midsecton disposed at an angle of about 30.degree. with the axis of the shaft so as to wobble along the transverse cutting bar as the cutter assembly rotates. The blades reciprocate along a portion of the length of the transverse cutting bar with their ranges of reciprocation overlapping to result in a smooth cutting swath. Each of the blades has cutting edges of generally S-shaped side profile, and is formed with symmetrical outturned flanges on each longitudinal half of such character as to insure substantially 90.degree.

Abstract: Cultivating tines, each having opposite cutting edge portions, are pivotably supported by mount brackets on a tine shaft reversibly rotatable about a horizontal lateral axis. One of the edge portions of each tine is positionable in a position rearward with respect to the direction of forward rotation, while the other edge portion is positionable in a position rearward with respect to the direction of reverse rotation. The edge portions differ in upstanding posture when positioned for rotation in the intended direction. The curved edge line of the reverse-rotation edge portion is more upstanding than that of the forward-rotation edge portion when coming into contact with the ground.

Abstract: A flail device for use in conjunction with debarking or delimbing apparatus is disclosed. The device comprises a rotatable drum having a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart rows of longitudinally spaced-apart openings, a plurality of rods extending longitudinally within the drum, each of the rods positioned radially inward of the openings, and a plurality of guide plates rigidly attached to the drum for rotation therewith. The guide plates have slots sized to removably receive and support the rods. A plurality of chain flails are attached to each of the rods, attachment being by extension of the rod through an interior aperture of an attaching link of the flail. The rods have a size in the radial direction to substantially fill the aperture of the attaching link to minimize the radial movement of the attaching link relative to the rod during usage.

Abstract: A lawn mower has a transverse cutting bar, but instead of a reel-type cutter to cooperate therewith, a rotary cutter is employed that has a plurality of curved cutting edges that maintain constant contact with the transverse cutting bar and repeatedly traverse the cutting bar with the cutting bar positioned more or less tangentially of the curved cutting edges. In all embodiments of the invention, the cutting edges are substantially circular and concentric as viewed along the axis of the rotary cutter, and in at least most embodiments the rotating cutting edges eliminate hazard to the operator by pushing away out of harm any part of the operator's body that may inadvertently intrude into the zone of the cutting operation. In the presently preferred embodiment, the cutting edges are the peripheral edges of a plurality of spaced discs that are inclined to wobble along the transverse cutting bar.

Abstract: An auger cutter, windrower, and conditioner for standing crops such as hay, including a cutting auger with cutting teeth on the peripheral edge of the auger flight and a conveyor auger to move cut crop to a central area to be discharged as a double windrow.

Abstract: An improved feed chopping knife for mounting on a rotating feed chopping cutter head and engaging a cutter bar. The knife having a groove cut therein and along the length of the front of the knife thereby reducing the surface area of a beveled cutting edge and causing less drag when the knife engages the cutting bar. Also, the knife provides the feature of discharging the cut feed away from the cutter head thereby eliminating feed clogging the interior of the cutter head.