Abstract: A rotary conveyor comprises a rotatable drum-shaped shell, an eccentric axle located in the drum-shaped shell, finger supports mounted to the eccentric axle, and a plurality of fingers mounted to the finger supports that extend outwardly through openings in the drum-shaped shell. The finger supports are rotatively mounted to and spaced radially outward from the eccentric axle by annular bearings. The finger supports are parallel to the eccentric axle and are provided with a plurality of fingers, such that several fingers arranged next to one another in the axial direction are attached to finger supports. The finger supports are distributed around the circumference of the eccentric axle.

Abstract: A baler pick-up includes a pair of support wheels, each of which is connected to the pick-up by a mounting arrangement permitting the wheel to be selectively moved from a working position outboard of the pick-up to an inboard, elevated transport or non-working position. Each mounting arrangement comprises a holder fixed to the pick-up and including a transverse pipe and a projection formed from a plate and spaced outwardly from and end of the pipe. The arrangement further comprises a wheel mounting bracket including a cylindrical tube pivotally and slidably received in the pipe and in a hole provided in the projection, the tube carrying a ring captured between the end of the pipe and the projection and containing a throughbore aligned with one of a pair of crossbores provided in the tube and receiving a linchpin bolt for retaining the wheel mounting bracket so as to dispose the wheel in a selected one of its positions.

Abstract: A large round baler includes a pick-up which delivers crop to a transport assembly including a guide wall and tined rotor, together with a rotor stripper, which cooperate to move harvest material from the pick-up to the inlet of a baling chamber. Various embodiments are disclosed for moving one or more of the guide wall, rotor or stripper for effecting adjustments narrowing or expanding the cross section of a guide channel for the harvest material defined in part by the guide wall, rotor and stripper. These adjustments can be done manually or with power and can be made in response to computer generated information or command signals resulting from collected and/or stored data indicating various conditions of the harvested material.

Abstract: An improved windrow pickup attachment for a forage harvester having crop processing apparatus including an input opening for receiving crop material. The attachment includes a main frame positioned on the front of the forage harvester adjacent the input opening. A transverse reel assembly and an auger conveyor are mounted on the main frame for picking up crop material from the ground, consolidating it and conveying it to the forage harvester base unit via the input opening.

Abstract: A stripper for lifting crop off flat rigid tines of a rotary conveyor is molded of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. The stripper is oval-shaped in side view and is constructed of identical halves which each include a pair of spaced apart, parallel side walls that have marginal portions defined by rims which have a thickness greater than that of the side walls. An intermediate, concave wall extends between and is joined to the bases of the rims, which have a height measured from the respective base that is approximately twice the thickness of the associated side walls.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine, such as a baler, is provided with a pick-up assembly and a feeder mechanism for picking up crop material from a field and feeding it to the inlet of a baling chamber. A crop retainer mechanism, such as a windguard, are mounted above the feeder mechanism for engaging the upper portion of said crop material whilst it is being fed to said inlet. The retainer mechanism is movable between a lower position assumed when no crop material is present on said crop intake apparatus and an upper position when a considerable amount of crop material is present on said crop intake apparatus. The harvesting machine is also provided with a dampening mechanism for damping the motion of said crop retainer mechanism. Advantageously, the motion is damped by a pair of gas springs mounted to the transverse rod of the windguard. This arrangement precludes sudden movements of the windguard and ensures a regular flow of the picked up material to the baling chamber.

Abstract: The invention describes a hydraulic reel drive wherein the reel motor is driven by a hydraulic pump, which is adjustable in a continuous manner and operates therewith in a closed oil circulating system. The advantage of this arrangement is that the reel always rotates uniformly independently of the instantaneous load thereon. Another advantage thereof is that by using a hydraulic pump, which is adjustable in a continuous manner, only that amount of oil is ever circulated as is required to drive the reel at a predetermined rotational speed.

Abstract: A preformed frame for a harvesting machine header having a main beam that is constructed of a single piece tube extending from end to end of the header. The single piece tube is preformed by vertically cutting the tube at a location intermediate the two ends and bending the tube to raise the ends upward and forward. A cap covers the top, front and rear walls of the beam and a gusset plate is placed on the bottom of the single piece tube at the location of the cut. The gusset plate, cap and single piece tube are welded together to hold the preformed shaped of the tube. When the header is supported above ground, the deflection brings the cutterbar, not the main beam, to a substantially straight and horizontal position.

Abstract: A reel bat assembly has a plurality of reel bat tubes formed into sections so that the assembly of reel bat tubes can be disassembled for shipping and can be reassembled to provide for a long reel bat needed for modern harvesters. The reel bat assembly includes molded tines that have saddle-like hubs which attach to the reel bat tubes using a single screw that extends through the reel bat tubes and threads into a receptacle formed in a post of those tines. The post protrudes into the interior of the reel bat tube and expands as the screw is tightened to provide a secure, stable tine that is held securely with two parts, the tine and the screw.

Abstract: A reel for harvesters of the type including a leading platform with crop cutters and cut-plant collectors and conveyors, the reel comprising a plurality of parallel cross bars rotating around a driving shaft, the bars being driven by end transmission bands at respective ends of the reel, the bands running over wheels arranged in a desired manner to define a desired close path.

Abstract: An improved windrow pickup attachment for a forage harvester having a mechanism for processing crop materials including an input opening for receiving crop material. The attachment includes a main frame positioned on the front of the forage harvester adjacent the input opening. A transverse reel assembly and an auger conveyor are mounted on the main frame for picking up crop material from the ground, consolidating it and conveying it to the forage harvester base unit via the input opening. A ground gauging roller assembly supports the attachment to protect the reel during operation over uneven terrain. The assembly is adjustably mounted relative to the main frame.

Abstract: The invention comprises a mobile dethatching or ground cutting apparatus having a frame with front and rear wheels and a towing arm mounted to the frame for towing behind a tractor. A rotary drum is rotatably mounted to the frame and a hydraulic motor is mounted to the frame for powering the rotation of the drum. The front wheels are adjustable in height for adjusting the weight of the drum relative to the ground. The drum has a plurality of slots and peripheral rods are mounted about the circumference of the drum with the drum having plurality of slots at intervals about its circumference rod receiving.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header includes a reel mounted on a pair of forwardly extending arms carried on a header frame above a table and cutting knife. The reel is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and includes bats with fingers which pivot each about a respective bat axis so the angle of the fingers varies as the reel rotates. The angle of the fingers can be varied to increase and decrease the angle at the knife. The arms include a forward portion which is arranged at an angle to a main portion so as to be inclined downwardly and forwardly therefrom. As the reel supports on the arms is moved forwardly along the arms and engages onto the forward portion, the reel is moved downwardly and forwardly which simultaneously changes the angle to provide a more aggressive action as the reel is moved forwardly of the knife.

Abstract: A bearing and finger assembly for journaling on a crank shaft. The assembly includes two bearing halves, each having a bearing portion with a semi-cylindrical bearing surface such that the bearing halves may be mated to define a cylindrical bore for journaling on the crank shaft. The bearing halves are pivotally joined together to wrap around the crank shaft. Each bearing half includes a finger retaining portion extending radially from the bearing portion. The finger retaining portions define a socket for receiving the an end portion of the finger so that the finger extends generally radially with respect to the crank shaft. A sleeve surrounds the finger retaining portions to hold the bearing halves together about the crank shaft. The sleeve, the finger, and the finger retaining portions have transverse bores aligned with one another and receive a retaining pin that holds the sleeve on the bearing halves and the finger in the socket.

Abstract: A windrow pickup attachment for a forage harvester having an input opening for receiving crop material. The attachment includes a main frame positioned on the front of the forage harvester adjacent the input opening with a transverse reel assembly and an auger conveyor mounted on the main frame for picking up crop material from the ground, consolidating it and conveying it to the forage harvester base unit via the input opening. A drive shaft for the reel assembly includes a pair of outwardly disposed rigid elements affixed to an intermediate rigid element. Opposing bearing assemblies support the drive shaft on the main frame in the vicinity of the outer ends of the outwardly disposed rigid elements. The shaft is also supported by an intermediate support bracket that extends from the main frame between the elements of the reel.

Abstract: A windrow pickup attachment for a forage harvester having a crop processing device including an input opening for receiving crop material. The attachment includes a main frame positioned on the front of the forage harvester adjacent the input opening with a transverse reel and an auger conveyor mounted on the main frame for picking up crop material from the ground, consolidating it and conveying it to the forage harvester base unit via the input opening. An intermediate frame assembly is mounted on the forage harvester. The main frame of the attachment is pivotally mounted on the intermediate frame for rotation of the reel and conveyor about an axis extending in a generally for and aft direction to permit the position of the reel assembly to change from a home position under conditions where the ground is substantially level to left or right tilt positions in response to the contour of the ground.

Abstract: A farm implement for harvesting corn (sometimes called maize). The harvester is usable with a farm type combine and is particularly designed to be used in fields that have been planted either by a broadcast method at ground level or from the air, or in clearly spaced rows at spacings which might vary from the usual. The harvester is distinguished by the ear-stripping fingers on a reel at the front of the carrying combine. The fingers strip the ears from the corn stalks in front of the carrying combine and carry them to a delivery auger, which is a standard part of the combine, to be delivered to husking rolls in the combine for husking.

Abstract: A header includes a substantially rigid header frame having a main longitudinal rear tube and a plurality of beams extending downwardly and forwardly from the main tube to a cutter bar which is maintained substantially straight and parallel to the main tube. Adjustment of the longitudinal shape of the cutter bar is effected after the header is assembled by operating screwjacks on two inner beams which cause plastic bending of the beams to raise or lower a center portion of the cutter bar so that when assembled the cutter bar is longitudinally straight or slightly upwardly concave. This adjustment after the assembly is complete allows the cutter bar to be adjusted to the required longitudinal shape for optimum cooperation with the reel.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to reduce crop wastage and to simplify the design of the combing unit. The essence of the invention lies in the fact that in the combing unit, the teeth of the working combing element are arranged in rows in the direction of travel, and the upper rim of the front wall of the receiving chamber takes the form of resilient teeth whose ends are located between the lateral edges of the teeth of the working combing element; the angle of inclination of the front wall of the receiving chamber to the horizontal plane is greater than the natural slope angle of a heap of cereal, leguminous crops and grass seeds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cylindrical rake for use in a raking apparatus wherein the cylindrical rake comprises first and second end members spaced apart from one another along the axis of the cylindrical rake, a plurality of circumferentially spaced elongated tine carrying members which extend between and are carried by first and second end members mounting devices for mounting the rake on a suitable carriage thereof, and a driven device adapted to be driven for rotating the rake about its axis in use.

Abstract: A refuse collection device (1) including a collector roller (11) and an inclined conveyor (27) which deposits collected debris into a hopper (127) along arcuate paths (128, 129), thereby filling the hopper (127) initially in the region adjacent to its rear wall (130). Mounted on the collector roller (11) is a plurality of rubber fingers (13, 14, 15, 16) arranged in rows (17, 18, 19) which are laterally offset from substantially identical rubber fingers (39, 40, 41), also arranged in rows (32, 33, 34) so as to occasionally form a substantially continuous, upwardly moving entrainment platform (150) and to also occasionally form an arrangement of spaced apart fingers which each transport debris onto the conveyor (27). The collector roller (11) is attached to a hydraulic ram (118) so as to permit the collector roller (11) to travel over excessively large debris without interference.

Abstract: A header attachment for mounting on the straight cut header of a combine includes a guide plate which engages over the knife of the straight cut header with arms extend underneath the header so as to hold the header attachment in fixed position on the header frame. At the front of the guide plate is mounted a pair of pick-ups which are inclined slightly rearwardly and outwardly and each is independently pivotal on the guide plate so that each end of each pick-up can be raised and lowered to follow ground contour. A coulter is mounted in front of each end of each pick-up so as to be responsive to ground level while cutting the lying crop. Each pick-up includes a series of belts arranged edge to edge and held in abutting position by ribs on the inside surface of the belts which cooperate with the corresponding grooves in the outside surface of the guide rollers. The header is used to convert a straight cut header for harvesting lying crops such as peas.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a guide assembly for disappearing fingers that is bolted to the auger tube by mounting bolts. The guide assembly is provided with an inwardly projecting sleeve that is provided with two swivel assemblies, one on either side of the sleeve. The sleeve permits the disappearing finger to be retracted into the auger tube below the interior surface of the tube. In the preferred embodiment the swivel assemblies of the sleeve are sandwiched between a first plastic member and a metal second member. This embodiment is bolted to the exterior surface of the auger tube. In an alternate embodiment, the swivel assemblies of the sleeve are engaged by a clamping bracket that is bolted to the interior surface of the auger tube.

Abstract: A crop harvester has bristle guards (39) mounted on the cutter bar (14) as crop lifters and to capture fruit lost by dehiscence during cutting. Each bristle guard is a set of laterally oriented bristles (44). Dehisced fruit is swept into the header by a pickup reel (16) having bristle bats (74). The bristles (76) are supported on the leading side by a strip (78) of flexible belting. The belting protects the bristle against being cut by the cutter bar. The crops are supported against being pushed forward by the bristle bats (74) of the reel. The diameter is reduced to about one-half normal and the reel index in increased to provide an aggressive reel operation, ensuring that plants are properly engaged in the bristle guards for cutting.

Abstract: A trash pick-up and collection apparatus includes a rotary drum assembly with a plurality of spikes to impale and pick-up the trash along a path to be cleared. A continuous chain mechanism wrapped around the drum assembly lifts, strips and carries the trash to a collection bin. The drum assembly includes a plurality of sections in the direction of the longitudinal axis to allow ease of movement in a turn. The drum is formed of elongated plates extending in the longitudinal direction and each mounts a series of spikes. The chain mechanism preferably includes a plurality of flattened chains that lift the trash from underneath and carry it to the collection bin. An idler roller positioned adjacent the collection bin forms the delivery and return run of the chains. The entire apparatus may be lifted over obstacles and moved along paved roads by wheels that are hydraulically moved to and from an operative position.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header includes a reel mounted on a pair of forwardly extending arms carried on a header frame above a table and cutting knife. The reel is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and includes bats with fingers which pivot each about a respective bat axis so the angle of the fingers varies as the reel rotates. The angle of the fingers can be varied to increase and decrease the angle at the knife. The arms include a forward portion which is arranged at an angle to a main portion so as to be inclined downwardly and forwardly therefrom. As the reel supports on the arms is moved forwardly along the arms and engages onto the forward portion, the reel is moved downwardly and forwardly which simultaneously changes the angle to provide a more aggressive action as the reel is moved forwardly of the knife.

Abstract: An attachment for a grain harvester is formed as a cutting mechanism in which a hollow shaft is mounted at an end wall of a drawing-in screw located opposite to a drawing-in screw drive, and a free end of the hollow shaft carries an intermediate drive gear which is connected through a chain with an intermediate drive gear for a reel. Thereby a double drive train can be eliminated. The attachment is especially suitable for harvester threshers.

Abstract: In a self-propelling agricultural machine with a two-part cutting mechanism trough, the position of a cutter bar relative to a stationary part of the cutting mechanism trough is continuously determined, and a predetermined position of the reel is associated with each position of the cutter bar to prevent collision between the cutter bar and the reel.

Abstract: A reel of a header comprises a tube which is mounted on arms at ends of the tube for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the tube. At axially spaced positions along the length of the tube is provided a plurality of support members each lying in a radial plane of the tube and forming a disc surrounding the tube. The disc carries a plurality of brackets extending radially outwardly from the edge of the disc and each bracket carries a respective one of a plurality of bats extending longitudinally of the tube and at angularly spaced positions around the tube. As the tube rotates the bats pass over a sickle knife of the header and sweep the crop onto a table of the header. The brackets are adjustable radially relative to the discs so that the brackets at the center of the tube are moved radially inwardly and the brackets at the ends of the tube are moved radially outwardly.

Abstract: A rotary conveyor includes a cylindrical housing forming part of a centering auger having opposite ends respectively mounted for in a pair of supports for rotation about a horizontal axis. A finger assembly is mounted in a central portion of the housing between auger flighting secured to opposite end portions of the housing. The finger assembly includes a crankshaft having a cranked central portion that is eccentric to and located in the central portion of the housing. Fingers are mounted for pivoting about the cranked central portion of the crankshaft and are slidably received in openings provided in the housing. Opposite ends of the crankshaft are supported in the pair of supports for rotating about said horizontal axis. One end portion of the crankshaft extends through one of the supports and has a retainer fixed thereto.

Abstract: A pickup reel is provided with an anti-wrap extension that can be easily mounted to one of the elongated tubes. The anti-wrap extension increases the size of the bat to prevent wrapping. The tine is provided with an upstanding projection having a mounting screw for securing the anti-wrap extension to the tine. In addition, the extension is provided with a downwardly projecting flange having mounting apertures into which the tines are inserted.

Abstract: A reel for a harvesting machine includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending support arms, a plurality of axially extending bat tubes rotatably supported on the outer end portions of the support arms, a plurality of axially spaced tines, preferably made from a synthetic thermoplastic or thermosetting material, mounted on each bat tube and a spring having one end connected to each bat tube and a support carried by the reel. The spring holds the bat tube in an operating position where the tines are at a predetermined angular orientation relative to the rotational axis of the reel during normal operation. If one or more tines on one bat tube engages a plug of wet hay or other obstruction, the spring permits the bat tube to rotate in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the reel to a deflected position where the tine(s) can ride over the obstruction.

Abstract: A refuse collection device (1) including a collector roller (11) and an inclined conveyor (27) which deposits collected debris into a hopper (127) along arcuate paths (128, 129), thereby filling the hopper (127) initially in the region adjacent to its rear wall (130). Mounted on the collector roller (11) is a plurality of rubber fingers (13, 14, 15, 16) arranged in rows (17, 18, 19) which are laterally offset from substantially identical rubber fingers (39, 40, 41), also arranged in rows (32, 33, 34) so as to occasionally form a substantially continuous, upwardly moving entrainment platform (150) and to also occasionally form an arrangement of spaced apart fingers which each transport debris onto the conveyor (27). The collector roller (11) is attached to a biasing means (118) so as to permit the collector roller (11) to travel over excessively large debris without interference.

Abstract: The stripper header attachment (10) has a stripping rotor (64) and an auger (116). A formed cut-off feed plate (82) feeds heads, grain and other plant residue stripped from stalks to the auger (116). To improve feeding, a smooth roller (102) extends up through a slot (100) in the feed plate (82). A front seal (104) and a rear seal (106) prevent grain loss between the smooth roller and the sides of the slot (104). A three speed gear box (170) drives the stripping rotor (64) and smooth roller (102). A front hood (144) is pivoted about the axis of the stripping rotor by the hood adjustment cylinder (150) to adjust the height of the nose portion (146). Auger housing covers (162) with screens (168) are pivotally attached to the rear hood (158) and enclose the auger housing.

Abstract: A replaceable pick-up tooth assembly for a crop pick-up comprises a plurality of pick-up teeth integrally molded to and with a substantially C-shaped flexible mounting unit. The pick-up teeth have a greater height dimension in the direction of rotation of the raking pick-up, and taper in height dimension from a base end at the mounting unit and a tip opposite the base end. The thickness of the teeth in the lateral direction perpendicular to the direction of rotation is much smaller than the height dimension at the base end. This provides added strength in the direction of rotation yet permits flexibility in the lateral direction along the axis of rotation. The pick-up teeth rotate in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation and parallel to the direction of rotation, and are concave in the direction of rotation with a large radius of curvature to provide added efficiency and accuracy in pushing up crops. The C-shaped mounting unit snaps onto a mounting bar of a crop pick-up.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dethatching machine having an improved rotating shaft mechanism. The shaft mechanism is provided with a plurality if engaging tines to engage and remove unwanted thatch. The shaft is also provided with added weight located at the periphery of the shaft mechanism so as to provide improved kinematic condition for the shaft.

Abstract: A harvesting machine particularly useful in harvesting pyrethrum flowers has picking fingers resiliently mounted on a rotatable drum so as to capable of flexions in response to contact with plants during harvesting. The spacing between fingers in one array mounted on the drum is preferably different than the spacing in another array, with the more widely spaced array of fingers serving to comb through a plant canopy while the more closely spaced together array of fingers causes flower picking off the stem. The harvesting machine provides good efficiency picking of flower heads without a large amount of undesired plant material.

Abstract: A compact nut harvesting apparatus for collecting and separating out pecan nuts from the debris from the surface of the ground. The nuts are separated from the debris using two converging non-parallel air streams. The nuts are gleaned from the ground by a series of rotating fingers that throw the nuts and accompanying debris into a trough containing a rotating screw-shaped auger. The auger carries the nuts and debris along the trough to a side exit area. A fan blows a stream of air along the trough to help carry away some of the debris as the nuts are carried towards the exit. At the exit area, another stream of air moving upwardly from a second fan meets the debris. The debris is forced out through a chimney with a lateral air port, and the heavier nuts fall onto a conveyer located below the exit area. A series of spaced apart and slanting bars are located at the lower end of the chimney and conveyer to direct the fallen nuts towards the conveyer belt.

Abstract: A crop stripper has at least one drum (6a, 6b) with several axially extending series of stripping teeth (8). The drum is rotatably in end supports. The tooth roots (26) at the ends of the drum have an edge profile inclined radially away from the adjacent supports to deflect plant stems which contact these profiles during the operation of the stripper away from the supports, so reducing the tendency for the stems to become trapped between rotor and support. A capping (32) on the support overlaps the adjacent tooth roots to assist this effect. A pair of drums can be arranged end to end with an intermediate support (14) between them and be similarly arranged to deflect plant stems away from the intermediate support. This allows increase of the operating width of the crop stripper while minimizing the risk of blockage from stems trapped between the intermediate support and the drums.

Abstract: A large round baler is equipped with a pickup having a reel provided with fixed tooth bars to which are mounted a plurality of teeth having tines projecting approximately radially outwardly from the axis of rotation of the reel. The fixed tines cooperate with the upper surface of a stripper assembly to convey crop directly into the inlet of a baling chamber and against an upwardly moving surface of a run of belts defining a rear wall of the chamber.

Abstract: A wide windrow raking apparatus which may be retroactively fitted to a hay baler as an after market product or which may be fitted to a hay baler by the manufacturer is disclosed. The apparatus employs an extension frame between the hay baler and its towing tractor to which commercially available wide windrow power rakes may be attached. The apparatus includes activation and control assemblies, powered by the tractor, required to operate and store the attached power rakes. The apparatus allows the user to rake and bale hay in a one pass operation. The apparatus further provides a mechanical "power take off" extension shaft between the hay baler and its tractor. The apparatus allows the power rakes to be independent of the tractor which means that the tractor may be used for other tasks immediately after disconnecting from the baler/extension frame.

Abstract: A large round baler has a pickup including a tined reel mounted beneath an inlet at the bottom of an expansible baling chamber for picking up windrowed crop and delivering it into the inlet. The teeth of the tined reel are constructed so as to be in the neighborhood of at least two times stiffer than conventional teeth for the purpose of enhancing bale starting and diminishing plugging by effecting a constant smooth delivery of crop to the baling chamber. An embodiment is disclosed wherein ultra-stiff teeth, teeth which are so stiff as to be virtually inflexible, are used at selected areas across the width of the reel together with the stiff teeth.

Abstract: Improved machines and devices for thatching lawns (thatch meaning grass blades, leaf fragments and particles, weed fragments and particles and the like that collect around and at the bases of blades of grass and the other plants that make up a lawn); a new leaf and thatch raking device employing novel principles of operation and apparatus and structural features whereby to carry out the leaf and thatch raking task most efficiently; devices which (1) not only "reverse rake" a lawn, thereby to effectively pick up thatch, debris, leaf fragments and leaves, while (2) still further taking or forcing the said raked up material into and through a pulverizing or mulching zone and (3) then passing the processed lawn debris material from said zone into a storage container; an integrated leaf raking and thatching system involving highly efficient raking, highly efficient transport of raked materials from the raking zone, direct passage of the said raked material into a comminuting zone of great effectiveness and efficie

Abstract: A mower conditioner header has a reel which includes a plurality of rotatably mounted toothbars each carrying teeth. The toothbars are controlled during rotation of the reel so that they rock to maintain the teeth at the desired attitude relative to the crop as it is swept across a cutterbar of the harvester to be cut and then on the nip of conditioner rolls. This control of the toothbars is done by toothbar guide arms fixed to an end of each toothbar, the arms each carrying a roller which is received in an upright D-shaped cam track carried by an adjacent one of opposite side structures of the frame of the header.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting litter from the ground includes a frame adapted for movement along the ground, a hopper mounted at one end of the frame; and a collector assembly supported on the frame. The collector assembly includes a pair of rollers having a plurality of flexible fingers disposed radially on the periphery thereof, the rollers being substantially parallel to each other and disposed in a plane that is substantially parallel to the ground. The rollers are arranged so that the fingers on one of the pair of rollers intermesh with the fingers of the other of the pair of rollers so as to be able to lift litter between them. The apparatus further includes a device for conveying litter lifted by the pair of rollers to the hopper.

Abstract: A crop hold down arrangement for a pick-up comprises a roll supported by means of pivot arms from the frame so as to enable the arms to pivot vertically and guide the roll in the direction of crop being fed by a tined pick-up drum to a conveyor in response to an increase in the height of a crop windrow being picked up. A chain is provided between the frame and roll-support arm to limit the downward travel of the arm so as to keep the roll from interfering with the tined pick-up drum. A spring assembly is provided for counterbalancing at least a portion of the weight of the arm and roll assembly so that the roll will easily rise over a relatively light and fluffy crop windrow.

Abstract: In apparatus comprising a rotor (30) and co-operating crop guide means (21), for selectively harvesting from uncut crops wanted plant parts by combing through the crop with resilient crop engaging elements (1) projecting outwardly from a rotor core structure (32), the inner and outer regions of elements (1) are particularly prone to wear, damage and distortion. By adapting mounting members (11) and/or clamping means (14), made of stiffer and/or more durable material than is provided in the intermediate yielding region of crop engaging elements (1), stronger and more convenient mounting of crop engaging elements may be provided and the shape of the important inner crop engaging profile protected. Alternatively or additionally protection of the susceptible regions, including the distal region of elements (1), may be provided by durable inserts embedded partly or wholly in the material from which resilient crop engaging elements are made.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting litter from the ground includes a frame adapted for movement along the ground, a hopper mounted at one end of the frame; and a collector assembly supported on the frame. The collector assembly includes a pair of rollers having a plurality of flexible fingers disposed radially on the periphery thereof, the rollers being substantially parallel to each other and disposed in a plane that is substantially parallel to the ground. The rollers are arranged so that the fingers on one of the pair of rollers intermesh with the fingers of the other of the pair of rollers so as to be able to lift litter between them. The apparatus further includes a device for conveying litter lifted by the pair of rollers to the hopper.

Abstract: The apparatus for harvesting crops, particularly seed crops, comprises a mobile support structure (20) and a crop stripping device in the form of a rotor (30), which may be attached to height adjustable arms and is driven by drive means (22). The rotor (30) carries transverse rows of wedge form crop stripping elements (10) which may be combined with transverse ribs. The crop stripping elements having prominent leading edges, for example each formed at the junction between two faces which are acutely inclined with respect to each other. They may be attached to removable, raised, hollow mounting bars. The drive to the rotor may be so arranged that during forward movement of the apparatus the crop engaging elements (32) are propelled progressively through the crop, moving upwards at a front region. Seeds and other plant parts detached by the action of the rotor are impelled into a crop flow passage (27) under a crop guide cover (21).

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting required crop parts from standing crop, leaving stripped stems in the field, comprises a crop stripping rotor under a hood. A plurality of outwardly projecting crop stripping elements are mounted on the rotor and move upwardly and rearwardly as the apparatus moves forwardly into the crop. The distal tips of the elements enter the crop and move upwardly through the crop, gathering one or more crop stems. Between adjacent crop stripping elements two succeeding relief regions are provided. Gathered crop enters the first relief region and required parts are stripped by edges of the relief region. Stripped stems pass to the second relief region for easy release and in order to avoid rejecting unstripped stems from the first relief region.