Abstract: An improved cutting blade structure and method of use is disclosed, characterized by use of a flexible, planar member formed of a plurality of interconnected elongate tubular segments which when rotated, contacts and effectively cuts vegetation. Due to its planar tubular segment construction, the cutting blade constantly exposes a multiplicity of new cutting edge surfaces during use and possesses an extremely low mass which reduces the possibility of personal injury to a user or property damage to structures located in the vicinity of use.

Abstract: The mowing and chopping machine comprises at least two rotors, which are rotatable about vertical axes, which are spaced apart transversely to the direction of travel of the machine. Each rotor comprises a tooth-carrying disc and a plurality of cutting rotor teeth, which are angularly spaced apart and pivoted to said disc by means of vertical pins and protrude from the periphery of said disc. The rotor teeth are either curved upwardly and downwardly out of the plane of the disc or are composed of a plurality of superimposed cutter blades. A fixed backing cutter is provided in the generally triangular space defined by the flight paths described by the rotor teeth.

Abstract: A lawn mower having a housing and a cutter unit positioned below the housing. The cutter unit comprises an upper rotating cutting unit and a lower stationary cutting unit that is concentric with the upper cutting unit and which have a plurality of upper and lower blades at their borders. Each blade has a cutting surface with a near end close to the border, and a far end away from the border. The blades of the upper cutting unit extend in front of a line passing through the concentric axis and the near end, in the direction of rotation of the upper cutting unit.The upper blades rotate and slide over stationary lower blades, thereby cutting the lawn in a manner similar to a pair of scissors. The angle between the upper and lower blades is preferably 16-20 degrees.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower characterized by an elongated framework presenting a rear power portion and rotor-cutter blade assemblies rotatable around wheel supported shafts connecting to said framework at the front thereof and featuring a cutter blade vertical adjustment operable in unison by a chain-sprocket arrangement for achieving uniform cutting. Vertical displacement of the rotor-cutter blade assemblies is accomplished by rotation of threaded members secured to decking overlying the rotor-cutter blade assemblies and vertically movable therewith. A power source serves to drive the wheels for the power portion of the mower and, as well, the front cutter portion, i.e. the rotor-cutter blade assemblies.

Abstract: A fail-safe system for a power-driven rotary lawn mower having a conventional, propeller-like blade utilizes a bearing assembly mounted upon the drive shaft and connected to the blade by cables. Upon accidental disconnection of the blade from the shaft during operation of the machine, the cables will catch the blade and prevent its ejection, and will thrust the bearing assembly against a retaining collar rigidly mounted upon the shaft outwardly thereof. The bearing will permit free-wheeling action of the blade while retarding rotation relative to the shaft, thereby safely retaining it until the operator has an opportunity to stop the machine.

Abstract: A rotary lawnmower has a motor, a drive shaft extending from the motor, a cutting blade with cutting edges and trailing edges being attached to the drive shaft to rotate with the shaft to cut grass. A housing surrounds the blade. There is a mulcher attachment fastened to the blade and shaped to provide deflectors to be spaced from the cutting portion of the blade. The deflectors comprising downwardly directed portions formed on the mulcher attachment adjacent the blade trailing edges. Cut grass from the blade is directed against the deflector portion and downwardly back in the grass as a mulch.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a two-stroke cycle vertical crankshaft internal combustion engine on a rotary mower deck to accept a four-stroke cycle vertical crankshaft internal combustion engine whereby either type engine may be adapted to the same mower deck is disclosed including a feature for minimizing the risk of crankshaft or crankcase damage in the event of impact of the rotating mower blade with a relatively immovable object. By employing the adapted which allows mounting of the two-stroke cycle engine on the mower deck to also reinforce the lower region of the engine crankcase where the crankshaft extends from the crankcase a lighter weight, cheaper construction of the two-stroke cycle engine is possible.

Abstract: A light weight portable hand-held apparatus for cutting and trimming vegetation, hedges, trees and the like and is provided with a rotatable blade housing have a plurality of cutting blades, said blades being square-shaped or U-shaped in configuration. A shroud designed for efficient transfer of cuttings and for providing protection from flying debris which may result by the cutting action of the blades. The cutting apparatus is provided with a receptacle for collecting the vegetation and branches after being cut and trimmed, said receptacle being designed for easy removal and for easy emptying. The blades used herein result in the cuttings being cut to a fine residue which increases the collecting capacity of the collection receptacle.

Abstract: In a cutting head for an electric-motor-driven filament-type cutter the automatic adjustment of the length of the filament is effected in that intermittently a rotational movement occurs between a filament spool (36) and a sleeve (24) mounting said spool for axial displacement. The sleeve (24) is provided on the outside with locking cams and the filament spool on the inside with cams cooperating therewith. The sleeve (24) can be pushed in by hand against spring pressure to cancel the intermittent locking. For automatic filament adjustment a centrifugal adjustment is provided. For this purpose at least two radial ball slots (40) are provided between the housing portion (14) and a radial extension (48) of the sleeve (24) and in the ball slots balls (44) are guided which are adapted to be urged outwardly by centrifugal force.

Abstract: A rotary lawnmower blade that includes cutting edges on removable cartridges which can be replaced without the use of tools. The blade is hollow in design with air inlets that pick up high volumes of air as the blade rotates, compress the air and discharge it at an increased velocity to aid in discharging the grass clippings and other debris. The blade also is designed to increase the suction action of the blade as it rotates in order to make the grass more erect and also pick up the grass clippings more effectively. Also included in the design is an unique method of attaching the blade to the engine drive shaft so as to minimize damage if the blade strikes a solid object.

Abstract: In a disk mower which normally has a forward direction of movement and includes a housing, at least two disks rotatably mounted in the housing and operable thereabove, and wherein each disk includes at least one cutter, an entrainment device for the disks supported by the housing and adapted to be driven by a power source external to the housing, and a soil removal device located in a front portion of the housing as defined by the forward direction for reducing any accumulation of soil on the housing, the improvement includes a suspension device for suspending the soil removal device from the housing so as to allow the soil removal device to extend, at the front portion of said housing and as seen from above, completely within the area delimited by the trajectory of said cutters during rotation, and to have at least one degree of freedom of movement with respect to the housing to move along a substantially vertical direction and in an upwardly sense, thereby normally resulting in displacements and/or vibratio

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved cutter that finds principal utility in, but is not limited to, lawn mowers of the type in which a cutter blade is rotated about an upright axis by a power source such as an electric motor, internal-combustion engine, etc. The disclosed improvement involves a blade that produces a slicing rather than a shearing action, accomplished by a blade design having diametrically opposed end portions, each sharpened to provide a slicing edge that is directed from a leading edge portion to a trailing edge portion, thus providing a blade of increased efficiency and requiring lower consumption of horsepower. The slicing edges may also be combined with conventional impact cutting edges.

Abstract: A cutting assembly including a plurality of blade elements concurrently rotated throughout a circular cutting path about a substantially centrally disposed drive shaft and independently about a central, transverse axis of rotation of each of the plurality of cutting blades and including a planetary gear assembly serving to interconnect the plurality of cutting blades to a drive shaft and a secured driven drive arm for at least partially supporting and positioning the plurality of cutting blades.

Abstract: A lawn mower blade having superior leaf mulching qualities is provided by placing V-shaped notches in each cutting edge of a conventional rotary lawn mower blade. The notches are positioned one-half (1/2) inch from the blade tip and have sides which measure three-sixteenths (3/16) of an inch in length. The notches are positioned with the axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade.

Abstract: A support blade with a replaceable cutter for rotary lawn mowers. The support blade has a recess at a top portion adjacent each end which receives a replaceable cutter element. The cutter has a body portion which fits snugly in the recess and a laterally extending cutter element which has a front knife edge for cutting and a rear portion which abutts against the blade support in such a fashion that thrust of the cutter is distributed against the blade support and the back of the recess. Protection against damage by foreign objects is provided by connecting the cutter to the top of the blade support by Allen screws fitting into tapped holes in the blade support.

Abstract: A mowing apparatus includes a tractor with a mowing unit attached to the tractor in varying operable positions with respect to the tractor. The mowing unit includes a pair of reversible blades which are rotated in a designated fashion about a pair of perpendicular first and second axes. Each blade has distinct cutting surfaces so that successive rotation of the blades presents a new cutting surface for continued operation and longer blade life. A stop mechanism is designed to prevent excessive rotation of the blades with respect to a mounting hub upon encountering a predetermined force.

Abstract: A combination lawn mower cutting blade and removable thatching devices with he thatching devices being selectively adjustable to vary the depth of thatching relative to the depth of cut of the blade.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lawn mower knife assembly including a rigid bar, plate or disc attached to a motor-driven generally vertical shaft and provided, at a distance from the shaft attachment, with at least two attachment points for knife means, and at least two knife means, each including a blade section provided with a cutting edge and a shank section adapted for the fixation of the knife means to the bar, plate or sheet.

Abstract: A device adapted to temporarily replace the standard cutting blade of a rotary power mower enables the thus modified power mower to function in a manner to rake debris from a lawn. The raking effect can be achieved at low rotational speed of the mower. The device is comprised of an elongated support plate which mounts upon the lower extremity of the mower's vertically disposed drive shaft, and two rake arms adjustably attachable to the extremities of the support plate to provide an overall length of the device equal to the cutting blade it replaces. The rake arms are provided with a series of resilient fingers angled away from the support plate and terminating in a line diagonal to the center longitudinal axis of said support plate.

Abstract: A disc mower-conditioner having a disc cutterbar with transversely spaced rotatable disc cutters to sever standing crop material by an impact action and a rotatable conditioning mechanism mounted rearwardly of the cutterbar to receive and condition severed crop material is disclosed wherein each disc cutter is provided with a crop lifter affixed to the peripheral portion of the disc cutter adjacent each knife in leading relationship thereto. The crop lifter has an inclined ramp extending substantially a full guadrant of the disc cutter and being operable to lift previously severed crop material away from the corresponding knife before the knife severs standing crop material and to feed the severed crop material into the conditioning mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cutter blade for a rotary lawn mower, which cutter blade is generally of elongated rectangular outline and includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a longitudinal axis extending lengthwise between the leading and trailing edges, a generally planar outer end portion including a cutting edge forming a part of the leading edge and an outer tip, and a sail portion extending from outer end portion along a form line extending between the outer tip and the trailing edge at a form angle within the range of 25 degrees to 35 degrees to the longitudinal axis. The sail portion also has an upper edge which is spaced above a horizontal plane containing the cutting edge at a height of between 0.65 inches and 0.75 inches and which extends continuously concavely arcuately outwardly and upwardly from the form line at a uniform radius between 1.00 inches and 1.40 inches measured in a plane perpendicular to the form line.

Abstract: A disc mower-conditioner having a disc cutterbar with transversely spaced rotatable disc cutters to sever standing crop material by an impact action and a rotatable conditioning mechanism mounted rearwardly of the cutterbar to receive and condition severed crop material is disclosed wherein each disc cutter is provided with a crop lifter affixed to the peripheral portion of the disc cutter adjacent each knife in leading relationship thereto. The crop lifter has an inclined ramp operable to lift previously severed crop material away from the corresponding knife before the knife operatively severs the standing crop material to facilitate a feeding of the severed crop material into the conditioning mechanism. The top of the crop lifter is being positioned in substantially the same plane as the raised central portion of the disc cutter for properly lifting the severed crop material toward the conditioning mechanism and for protecting the hardware detachably fastening the corresponding knife to the disc cutter.

Abstract: An attachment for a field chopping machine has a cutting device arranged in a picking region of a working unit and having two cutting disks which rotate in opposite directions and arranged so that at least one of the cutting disks is turnable about an further axle which lies in a working direction of the machine normal to its pivot axle and is held in frictional engagement with the other cutting disk under the action of the spring acting on the further axle.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower blade made of a plurality of relatively small cutter segments of greater hardness arranged in series end to end along the leading edges of both ends of an elongated metal cutter bar of lesser hardness. The cutter segments are fusibly bonded to the cutter bar and the adjoining ends of the cutter segments of each series are bonded together.

Abstract: A disc mower-conditioner having a disc cutterbar with transversely spaced rotatable disc cutters to sever standing crop material by an impact action and a rotatable conditioning mechanism mounted rearwardly of the cutterbar to receive and condition severed crop material is disclosed wherein each disc cutter member is provided with a crop lifting ramp portion adjacent the peripheral edge of the disc cutter adjacent each knife in both leading and trailing relationships thereto. The inclined ramp portions are operable to lift previously severed crop material away from the corresponding knife before the knife severs standing crop material and to feed the severed crop material into the conditioning mechanism. The inclined ramp portions are provided on both sides of the knives to permit the disc cutter member to be rotatable in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions and still provide a leading crop lifting action.

Abstract: A mowing rotary sawtoothed cutter adapted to be attached to a mower for mowing or cutting grass, shrubs or trees, which comprises a thin disk having a central hole, and a suitable number of triangular small cutting blades disposed around the outer periphery of the disk and having cutting edges extending from the apex of the triangle along the both lateral edges thereof, half of the small cutting blades facing in one direction and the residual half of the small cutting blades facing in the other direction. In a preferred embodiment, the cutter includes a plurality of large cutting blades in the form of a rectangle or the like having cutting edges on the opposite lateral edges thereof, and a series of the small cutting blades facing one direction and a series of the small cutting blades facing the other direction are disposed in opposed relation to each other between the large cutting blades.

Abstract: A device for mowing crop comprising a cutting member to be rotated about an upwardly extending rotary axis and supporting at least one upwardly extending pin located near the outer circumference of the cutting member, said pin being guarded in the cutting member with the aid of a pin-engaging end of a spring, while a cutting knife is freely rotatable about said pin whereby the end of the spring engaging the pin is slidably arranged in a recess in the pin, whereas the end of the spring remote from the pin is guarded against shifting transversely of the longititudinal axis of the pin with the aid of parts of the cutting member at least partly surrounding the end concerned and being loosely in engagement with the spring.

Abstract: A lawn mower rotor assembly comprising a rotor body, filament cutting members, and a shear pin coupler, the rotor body being a flat star-shaped disk having five equally spaced arms projecting outwardly from the center of the rotor, each of the arms including near its outer periphery a lug for gripping one end of a short length of filament, the coupler being a disk fitting into a central counterbore in the rotary body having two cylindrical members projecting upwardly from the upper surface of the disk symmetrically positioned diametrically opposite from each other and mating with two recesses in the counterbore.

Abstract: Drum mowers having flat L-shaped blades in which the vertical portions are spring mounted relative to the rotating drums of drum mowers are disclosed having a spring mounting providing yielding of the horizontal portion of the blade in both a vertical and horizontal direction when it strikes an obstruction and automatic return of the blade to its mowing position. The flat blades provide greater strength and less vertical obstruction than prior blades. In a preferred embodiment, the end cutting portions of the blades attached to adjacent drums of multiple drum mowers do not overlap adjacent discs and are twisted with respect to the flat horizontal portion so the sharpened leading edge is downward.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting upstanding agricultural crops includes a plurality of adjacent dynamically balanced rotary cutter assemblies each having diametrically opposed blades the outer tips of which are at unequal distances from the rotary axis, corresponding blades on adjacent rotary assemblies being substantially 180.degree. out of phase.

Abstract: The invention consists of a tank of compressed air which is controllably allowed to escape through two nozzle cones mounted on the tips of a rotary power mower blade. What is new is an air driven power lawn mower.

Abstract: A mower blade spindle assembly includes a drive shaft having a hub received on threaded end of the shaft. The shaft is tapered from the root diameter of the last thread and the hub is correspondingly tapered so as to provide a thread relief. The end of the shaft on which the hub is received has a threaded bore extending axially therein for receiving a blade mounting bolt. The bore is counterbored to a depth corresponding to the length of the threaded portion receiving the hub.

Abstract: A mowing machine has a main frame made up of driving units and intermediate pieces which are mounted alternately on a tie member. The tie member is normally under tension to compress the driving units and the intermediate pieces together to make the main frame substantially rigid. The tie member is positioned substantially centrally of the driving units and the intermediate pieces so as to provide even loading of their mating faces. The driving units preferably having cutting units with flexible hoods. The cutting units are driven by a common drive shaft through bevel gearing and the direction of rotation of each cutting unit can be changed by removing the gear and replacing it the other way round on the driving shaft.

Abstract: A novel blade and a rotary mower blade assembly involving use of the blade are described. The blade has (a) an extended inner end portion and (b) a bifurcated outer end portion comprising (i) a forward radially-extending outer segment carrying at least a portion of the cutting edge, and (ii) a rearward radially-extending outer segment spaced apart from said forward segment. The blade assembly involves a pair of spaced apart looped retaining bands affixed to a rotary blade support arm. One of these bands is secured to an intermediate portion of the blade support arm and the loop of this band is sized to slidably receive and securely encircle a rearward portion of the blade. The other band is secured to an outer portion of the blade support arm and the loop of this band is sized to receive and encircle the rearward bifurcated segment of the blade (i.e., the segment constituting the trailing edge of the blade).

Abstract: A rotary mower wherein tall vegetation is cut by selectively exposing a front opening in the housing of the mower, which in turn exposes a portion of a rotating cutting blade.

Abstract: A stalk shredder is mounted upon a cotton stripper, below and immediately behind the cotton stripper. Therefore, the shredder is raised and lowered with the stripper elements and also is in a compact position in relation to the total vehicle. A scythe-shape cutting blade is used.

Abstract: A substantially triangular-shaped multi-directional rotary saw blade suitable for arcuate and plunge cutting is disclosed.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism which has an elongated frame defining a cutting side, and which is adapted to be fitted to a mower or the like so that the cutting side faces in the direction of advancement of the mower, includes a plurality of disks rotatably mounted on the frame. Each disk includes at least one cutting blade, and at least one disk may operatively be driven from beneath. A disk protector for each disk is mounted on the frame near the cutting side. A disk drive which is mounted on the frame, is coupled to at least one disk, and is adapted to be driven by an external source for driving the disk. A lateral protection device is releasably mounted to the frame near at least one of its end portions and is operable to shield the disk disposed near said end portion against impact by a foreign object.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for felling a tree. A tree is cut through with a circular saw, and then substantially immediately after the cutting, the tree is clasped by a grapple means. The apparatus for cutting the tree may include an offset exposed arc of the circular saw, and by mounting the apparatus on a swingable boom, it is possible to cut the tree in a scything or scythe-swinging action.

Abstract: A disposable cutting edge to be installed upon a lawn mower rotor and an audible tone generator to warn the operator when the disposable cutting edge is not properly installed. A disposable cutting edge providing a quick and safe snap-on/snap-off installation/removal upon a specially constructed rotor containing an edge positioning sensor, and capable of generating an audible alarm.

Abstract: The novel lawn mower has a blade which comprises an elongated body, capable of rotating about a substantially perpendicular axis to the ground, provided, at the operative edges thereof, with cutting members for cutting grass and, at the opposite edges with respect to said cutting members, with unsharpened lugs capable of directing the cut grass into the collection container and chopping the cut grass, immediately after the grass has been cut.

Abstract: A mower is provided which has a plurality of cutter supports which are driven to be rotated. One or more of these supports is surmounted by a rotatable shaft; and such support comprises a hub that is rotatable with the shaft thereof, and a plurality of detachable segments, each of which is secured to the hub and defines a conveying surface for the cut produce.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower blade mounted on a blade carrier by diametrically spaced bolts is further retained against release from the drive shaft by a retainer fixed on the drive shaft and having a shank extending through a central opening in the blade and having an enlarged head to obstruct separation of the blade from the retainer. Preferably, the blade opening is larger than the shank and the retainer head is in the form of a transverse bar, narrower than such opening, so that the blade can be removed by manipulation in one direction to an eccentric position, then tilted to disengage it from one end of the bar, and then moved in the opposite direction to disengage it from the other end of the bar.

Abstract: An elongated blade (21) for a rotary mower is fabricated from a nonrectangular blank (9) so that the lift portions (33, 34) formed on the trailing parts of the blade have radially outer peripheries (41, 42) which lie substantially on a circle (d) generated by the radially outer tips (46, 47) of the leading cutting edges (28, 29). This produces a blade with improved grass bagging characteristics due to greatly improved discharge of air entrained clippings.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower blade mounted on a blade carrier by diametrically spaced bolts is further retained against release from the drive shaft by a retainer fixed on the drive shaft and having a cylindrical shank extending in bearing relation through a central opening in the blade having an enlarged head to obstruct separation of the blade from the retainer. The head includes at least one radial projection and the opening one radial extension, and the head and opening have one orientation in which the same are in registry to permit axial removal of the blade from the retainer. Preferably, the head is triangular with three truncated apexes, one of which is longer than the others and another of which may be wider than all others. The sides of the triangular blade opening lie tangent to the cylindrical retainer shank to hold the blade concentric with such shank.

Abstract: A thatching tool for a rotary lawn mower is provided. The tool includes a rotatable supporting bar to be rotated by a motor of the mower with the bar having thatching teeth mounted at both ends. Each of the thatching teeth includes a horizontal coil portion having an attaching portion at one end and a ground-engaging portion of tooth member at the other end. The tooth member extends at an angle of 130.degree.-160.degree., and preferably 140.degree.-150.degree., to the direction of rotation. The end of the tooth member is bent downwardly substantially perpendicular to the ground, with the length of the bent portion being from one-tenth to one-third, and preferably one-sixth to one-fourth, of the overall length of the tooth member, including the bent portion. This configuration provides greater resiliency for the tooth and prevents undue digging into the ground.

Abstract: A rotary-type lawnmower having unique non-metallic cutting elements carried on a rotating disc-like head with a smooth rim and lower exposed surface without significant projections or recesses capable of inflicting injury to human parts. The lawnmower produces a smooth and even cut equal to rotary metal-blade machines. The cutting elements are tapered pins extruded from flexible polymeric material such as Nylon.RTM. polymer. Each cutting pin has a first portion providing supporting surfaces and an enlargement for securing the pin into the head. The cutting pins extend from the head in a tapered free-traveling end portion to a cutting end located at a cutting plane adjacent the ground's surface. The cutting pins are slidably inserted and removed from the disc.

Abstract: A lawn mower having a plurality of rotors with whip rotary blades arranged under a housing around a shaft, each having a guard over it adapted to be pulled up so that the whip blade can trim edges around trees and next to buildings.

Abstract: A safety attachment is provided for use with a rotary lawn mower to prevent substantial injury to anyone whose extremity may accidentally strike the cutter. The attachment includes a relatively large annular disc mounted to the drive shaft of the motor for rotation about a vertical axis and at least one cutter bar mounted diametrically across the disc on the underside thereof. The disc diameter is substantially equal to the length of the cutter bar. In one embodiment slots are provided adjacent to the leading edges of the cutter bar and impellers are provided on the upper side of the disc adjacent the slot for discharging cut grass through the side of the machine. The combination of the disc and the cutter bar provides good grass cutting action and at the same time greatly reduces the risk of serious injury in the event that one's foot, for example, accidentally slips in under the mower.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cutter blade for a rotary lawn mower, which cutter blade is generally of elongated rectangular outline and includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a longitudinal axis extending lengthwise between the leading and trailing edges, a generally planar outer end portion including a cutting edge forming a part of the leading edge and an outer tip, and a sail portion extending from outer end portion along a form line extending between the outer tip and the trailing edge at a form angle within the range of 25 degrees to 35 degrees to the longitudinal axis. The sail portion also has an upper edge which is spaced above a horizontal plane containing the cutting edge at a height of between 0.65 inches and 0.75 inches and which extends continuously concavely arcuately outwardly and upwardly from the form line at a uniform radius between 1.00 inches and 1.40 inches measured in a plane perpendicular to the form line.