Abstract: A finger support (204) for a drum conveyor (112), the drum conveyor (112) comprising an elongate drum (122) that is hollow and a plurality of fingers (124), wherein the plurality of fingers (124) are supported at one end within the elongate drum (122) and extend outward through apertures in a wall of the elongate drum (122), the finger support (204), the finger support (204) comprising a base plate (300) configured to be mounted on a surface of the elongate drum (122); a cover plate (304) fixed to the base plate (300); and a swivel member (302) disposed between the base plate (300) and a cover plate (304); wherein the swivel member (302) is constrained by the base plate (300) and the cover plate (304) to rotate with respect to the base plate (300) and the cover plate (304) about an axis (318).

Abstract: The haymaking device has a frame having a main beam which extends in a longitudinal direction and defines a longitudinal centre line, and two side arms extending on both sides of the main beam, wherein the side arms each carry at least one crop processing tool and are at an inner end hingeably connected to a slide connection which is slidable there along the main beam, wherein the side arms are movable between a transport position, in which they substantially extend along the main beam, at a first angle to the main beam, and an operative position, in which the side arms extend at a second angle, larger than the first angle, from the main beam, wherein the side arms are movable between the transport position and the operative position by a sliding movement of the slide connection along the main beam.

Abstract: An adjustable and foldable V-shaped hay rake is an agricultural tool used for raking hay on fields, in which, for each arm of the hay rake, all the mechanisms for moving the arm are centered on a single adjustable master support plate.

Abstract: A folding tool bar apparatus for an implement such as a rake, the toolbar having a frame with ground engaging wheels. The folding tool bar apparatus is adapted to be operatively attached to a prime mover for towing from place to place. First and second tool bars are pivotally attached to linkage members. A tongue member that sides along its longitudinal axis with respect to the frame pulls front ends of the tool bars toward the tongue member during movement to the transport position thereof and away from the tongue member during movement towards the working position thereof. The rear end of the tongue member is behind the frame in the working position thereof, making the folding tool bar apparatus shorter than conventional folding tool bars in the working position thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an economical wheel rake having two arms that adjust from transport position to an operating position using a combination of an actuator and a dual axis articulating joint. The hay rake apparatus having a wheeled frame, a rake arm having a trailing end and a leading end, an intermediate arm having a first end connected to the frame and a second end which is fixed to the rake arm, a dual axis articulating joint connecting the frame to the intermediate arm, a telescoping actuator attached to the wheel frame using a first actuator joint and to the intermediate arm using a second actuator joint. The dual axis articulating joint is pivotable on a horizontal and a vertical axis when the telescoping actuator extends or retracts causing a longitudinal and a latitudinal angle between the intermediate arm and the frame to change. The rake arm and rake wheels are therefore moveable from an inoperable transport position to an operable position.

Abstract: A vertically folding rake assembly is configured for forming a windrow of cut agricultural crop material. The rake includes a trolley; a pair of rake arm suspension supports interconnected with the trolley and movable in a vertical plane between a raised position and a lowered position, and a vertically movable linkage arrangement configured for moving each of the rake arm suspension arrangements between the raised position and the lowered position. The rake further includes a rake arm suspended from each of the rake arm suspension supports. Each of the rake arm suspension supports includes a linkage pivotally connected to the trolley and a vertical support member that is pivotal about a vertical pivot axis and in support of the rake arm. The rake arm suspension arrangement further includes a pivot connection to provide pivoting movement of the rake arm about a horizontal axis, and a counterbalancing biasing arrangement to center each rake arm.

Abstract: A haymaking machine including a frame carrying at least one pair of rotors connected to carrying arms that may be moved from a working position, in which they are substantially horizontal, to a transport position, in which they are substantially vertical, and vice-versa. The carrying arms of at least one pair of rotors include a latching mechanism that connects them together and locks them with regard to one another in the transport position.

Abstract: An adjustable tracked side-delivery hay rake for use in agriculture for collecting the hay in tidy haycoks, is provided with adjustable wheels movable between a raised and narrow position, suitable for transport and based on the presence—on the arms supporting the wheels—of universal joints that allow movements in all directions.

Abstract: A rake includes a draw bar, anchored at the back to a cross bar ending with hinges having a rotation axis that is parallel to the draw bar. The cross bar is connected through the hinges with two arms, each one appropriate for sustaining the supporting elements of a group of ray rakes. The rake also includes supporting and regulating members for raising the cross bar from the ground and therefore the group of ray rakes, and actuator elements, independent from each other, through which the operator guides the movements of the supporting elements and those of the supporting and regulating members for raising the cross bar from the ground.

Abstract: A hay spreading apparatus is particularly adaptable for spreading round bales of hay and includes a freely-rotating roller drum mounted on a fixed or adjustable boom connected to the front or rear end of a tractor, to facilitate pushing a bale of hay and spreading the hay over a selected area of ground. In a first preferred embodiment a fixed boom includes a fixed boom frame rotatably mounting a drum spindle extending through the center of a roller drum. The fixed boom also typically includes a pair of fixed boom connectors extending from the fixed boom frame to the tractor frame to suspend the roller drum above the ground. In another preferred embodiment of the invention an adjustable boom typically includes a pair of parallel boom connectors pivotally attached to the tractor frame and to an adjustable boom frame rotatably carrying a roller drum by means of a drum spindle.

Abstract: A windrow merger machine, having a pickup conveyor system, which elevates a windrow of crop material from ground level to a transverse conveyor assembly which displaces the windrow of crop material laterally to a discharge end includes a non-adjustable inverter shield system, attachable to the discharge end of the transverse conveyor assembly, the inverter shield system directing the crop material in a forward direction and causing the discharged crop material to invert prior to striking the ground, the inverter shield system having a frame fixedly attachable to the merger machine, a shield removably coupled to the frame, and a single point attachment being attachable to the window merger. A method of inverting crop material and an inverter shield system are further included.

Abstract: A tine element which is installed on a rake wheel of an agricultural implement which displaces harvested products such as hay and cut grass, the tine element comprising a first and second tine with the outboard end of each tine being disposed so that it points normal to the direction of travel of the tine element around the axis of the rake wheel. Each of the tines has on its inboard end a coiled part and such coiled parts are joined by a common central part. In operation, one of the tines is disposed above the other tine with the lower tine being longer than the upper tine. The coiled parts comprise coil torsion springs and each part has different elasticity characteristics so that the resilient deflection of the lower tine is greater than the relative deflection of the upper tine and the flexibility of the each tine is optimized to obtain better adaptation to the ground and to provide a longer life span for the tine element.

Abstract: A hay harvesting machine including a frame with several windrowing rotors, the frame including a draft beam and a connecting beam which is articulated with respect to the draft beam, at least the rotor of the connecting beam located farthest back being equipped with a windrowing deflector. The machine includes a retractable stop for the movement of the connecting beam about its axis of articulation, and a device for shifting the deflector notably with respect to the corresponding rotor. A device controls the stop, which device is actuated by the shifting device. The stop prevents the connecting beam and the corresponding rotor from moving from a first work position into a second work position as long as the deflector can collide with the rotor which precedes it. When the deflector is shifted into a position where the risk of collision is eliminated, the stop is retracted and the change in position is possible.

Abstract: An implement for displacing crop lying on the ground comprising a rake having two rotatable motor-driven side-by-side rake wheels which form crop lying on the ground into a swath which is formed between them. Immediately behind the rake is a motor-drivable tedder comprising two rotatable tedder members which immediately spread the crop which was just formed into a swath over the ground. The raking members and the tedder members are supported on a frame which includes mechanisms to raise the raking members and the tedder members from a working position to a transport position and vice versa. The frame is supported by a pair of ground engaging wheels which are disposed between the rake and the tedder members on opposite sides of the just formed swath. The tedder members are equipped with hook-shaped tines and are provided with an rpm-variator to govern the rpm of the tedder members. The working width of the rake is in a range of about three to four times wider than the working width of the tedder.

Abstract: A windrow turner is described in which a wheeled frame is provided including a forward and a rearward end. A windrow pick-up on the frame adjacent the forward end, and a substantially upright helical auger flight is situated rearwardly adjacent the windrow pick-up. A drive is connected to the auger flight and is selectively operable to rotate the auger flight about an auger axis in a lifting mode such that material engaging the rotating auger flight is lifted upwardly by the auger flight. A guide between the windrow pick-up and auger leads angularly from the windrow pick-up to the auger flight. The auger flight rotates about the auger axis to engage the windrow lifted by the windrow pick-up and progressively inverts the windrow by turning the windrow laterally where a discharge chute on the frame receives and guides the inverted windrow back to the ground surface.

Abstract: A towable hay rake is capable of being completely disassembled into parts having relatively homogenous dimensions, thus allowing the hay rake to be easily stored and shipped. In particular the hay rake of the present invention has the advantage that the entire rake can be packed into one rectangular crate of minimum encumbrance. This allows maximum possible practicality and efficiency in shipping and storage of the rake.

Abstract: A device is provided for raking and tedding a crop, such as hay. The device includes a frame with a main conveyor rotatably mounted on the frame. The main conveyor has an input end and a discharge end. A pick-up roller is located adjacent the input end of the main conveyor. A rear conveyor assembly is located adjacent the discharge end of the main conveyor. The rear conveyor assembly includes at least one auxiliary conveyor having a first end and a second end, with the second end of the at least one auxiliary conveyor pivotally mounted on the frame. Also, a raking and tedding device is provided in which the rear conveyor assembly includes a lateral conveyor hingedly mounted on the frame and configured to move from a first, operative position under the discharge end of the main conveyor to a second, inoperative position.

Abstract: A haymaking machine having a chassis which is composed of a central section and several lateral sections which are articulated together and carry rotors. On each side of the central section four lateral sections are provided which are articulated together by axes extending in the direction of travel, the length of each first lateral section being at least equal to the distance between the support spindles of two adjacent rotors, the length of each second lateral section being substantially longer than the distance between the support spindles of the two adjacent rotors, the length of each third lateral section being substantially shorter than the distance between the support spindles of the first adjacent rotors, and the length of each fourth lateral section being at most equal to the distance between the support spindles of the two adjacent rotors.

Abstract: A hay raking machine of the present invention for attachment to a tractor with a single point hitch has a lifting mechanism for lifting the hay raking machine above cut hay laying on the ground while keeping the rake arms substantially level to the ground. The lifting mechanism employs two hydraulic cylinders working in tandem, with one cylinder located at the rear of the machine below the cam assembly for the rake arms, and the other cylinder located at the front of the machine which attaches to the single point hitch. The front cylinder cooperates with an assembly of four hitch arms in a parallelogram configuration for raising and lowering the front of the machine in unison with the rear of the machine. A farmer therefore has control over the height of the hay raking machine and its raking arms both during raking operations and during transport over roads or other potentially damaging surfaces.

Abstract: A hay inverter is provided including a wheeled frame connected to a tractor and a drive assembly. Also included is a pick up unit for picking up hay from a windrow. An auxiliary frame is pivotally coupled to a side edge of the wheeled frame. Next provided is a swing arm conveyor mounted on the auxiliary frame for dispensing hay received from the pick up unit.

Abstract: A pull-type bifold hay rake includes a draw bar assembly connected to a tow vehicle, a support linkage mounted to the draw bar assembly, a trolley assembly having a cross-member assembly, and a pair of articulated rake arm assemblies, each being pivotably connected to an end of the cross-member assembly. Each of the rake arm assemblies are also connected to the support linkage at a point spaced from the pivotable mounting of each rake arm assembly to the cross-member assembly. A series of rotatable rake wheels are mounted to each rake arm assembly as well as the trolley assembly for movement between a raised and a lowered position. The rake arm assemblies are movable between an operative, open position and an inoperative, closed position. A hydraulic cylinder mounted on the trolley assembly moves the rake arm assemblies between their open and closed positions.

Abstract: A V-shaped pull type rake composed of a wheeled transversal element having a tow member extending longitudinally therefrom and a pair of rake arms attached at substantially each end of the cross member. The rake arms are moveable between an open position and a closed position. Each rake arm is provided with a double-acting hydraulic cylinder which is attached at one end to the tow member and at the other end to the rake arm and serves to move the rake arm to which it is attached to a position between (and including) the open and closed positions and all incremental positions therebetween.

Abstract: A "V" rake is provided that comprises:a first rigid support frame;a second articulated frame sliding on the first frame, made up of a plurality of mobile arms hinged to each other and to the first frame;at least one joint to slide the second frame on the first frame for opening and closing of said arms;a plurality of fingered wheels arranged on the plurality of mobile arms; anda plurality of bearing wheels for transport of the rake; in which said joint comprises:support elements for sliding of the second frame on the first frame, constituted of:anti-friction support plates made of a material with a low friction coefficient; andbolts and relative spacer sleeves to position and contain the anti-friction support plates on said support elements.

Abstract: A swath turner for inverting a swath or windrow of cut crop has a pickup followed by a moldboard. The moldboard extends rearwardly from one side of the pickup and across the direction of travel. It engages one side of the swath or windrow as it leaves the pickup discharge and inverts the swath or windrow before it falls on the ground. As the inverted swath or windrow is deposited onto the ground, the tail end of the moldboard forces it down on the ground. A swath setter may follow the inverter to set the swath firmly to avoid subsequent wind losses.

Abstract: This invention provides a dual hitch whereby two rakes, tedders or other trail implements can be operated at one time behind a tractor. The dual hitch is designed so that the implements towed by the tractor may be hitched and operated without alteration to the implements themselves. The dual hitch provides the needed operative components. The forward part of the dual hitch mounts on the three-point-hitch of the tractor. A pivot is provided in the dual hitch to allow the rearward implement to operate selectively on a swath to either side of the tractor and the forward implement. In an embodiment of this invention, a hydraulic system is part of the dual hitch to provide adequate power to the rearward implement.

Abstract: A turf care implement includes a frame mounted on a pair of opposed wheels. The frame supports a pair of lift arms which are mounted at an angle to the direction of travel of the implement. The lift arms support a plurality of rakes on mounting arms. The radial-type wheel rakes which have tines extending radially outward from a central hub. A series of cables and pulleys connects from the lift arms to a lift handle by a forward portion of the frame for raising and lowering the arms and positioning the arms at various heights.

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: The blades on the drum in composting apparatus are arranged obliquely relative to the direction of the helical spiral and also obliquely to the axis of the drum and to the direction of travel of the chassis of the vehicle for moving material toward the center of the drum. Blades adjacent the center of the drum attack the face of a pile of compost material first and create a void, which is then filled by material moved by the following blade, while it is creating another void to be filled by material moved by the next blade and so on to the end of the spiral and the outer ends of the drum.

Abstract: A self-propelled compost windrow turning and aerating machine includes a longitudinally extending vehicle main frame supported on a pair of front wheels and a rear castered wheel. An upper longitudinally extending subframe is swingably supported from the rear end of the main frame to raise and lower the front end of the subframe relative to the main frame. A blower housing mounted on the subframe has a material admitting opening leading to a rotary fan provided in the housing, the blower housing having a discharge opening with a spout for directing material blown out of the housing. Material debridging and feeding mechanism supported on the subframe in advance of the blower housing removes material from a compost windrow and delivers it to the material admitting opening, and an engine drive system powers the front wheels, the fan, and the material debridging and feeding mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention regards a rake head able to support a right hand and left hand finger wheel hay rake. The structure has been designed to be versatile and there apply many different models of rake frames: the simple type which is a single reduced frame supported by the tractor three point hitch; the double V type placed onto a fixed or bolted frame on the right side or left side; the more complex type on a frame which has been assembled onto a trolley with oleodynamic control.

Abstract: A crop harvesting machine comprises a main frame attached to a hitch of the type which pivots about a centre point of the main frame. On the main frame is attached a draper frame which pivots relative to the main frame and includes arms extending downwardly and forwardly from the main frame for supporting a draper section which comprises a single draper extending across the full width of the machine with rollers at the ends of the draper positioned directly at the ends of the machine. In front of the single draper is positioned a pickup section pivotally mounted relative to the draper frame and controlled in height by guage wheels. The width of the machine is sufficient to pickup two windrows simultaneously at fourteen foot spacings, to deposit the crop from the windrows simultaneously onto the draper and to move the crop to one end of the draper for deposit onto the ground.

Abstract: A crop raking apparatus having a pair of arms pivotally attached along the vertical axis to a frame. A side delivery type rake having rotatable radially extending teeth is attached to each of the arms. A mechanism is provided for pivoting each one of the rakes about a substantially horizontal axis from a deployed raking position when the respective arm is out to an upper transport position when the respective radial arm is pivoted inwardly. The arms are connected together to the frame by link members which are powered by a hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: An agricultural implement is disclosed for raking and tedding a swath of hay into a tedded windrow with a single pass of the implement along the swath of hay. The implement includes a plurality of circular rake wheels and a rotatable tedder, both mounted on a common base frame. First and second height adjustment mechanisms are included for the selective, independent adjustment of the height of the tedder and the height of the rake wheels. A lateral adjustment mechanism is provided for selectively adjusting the lateral relationship of the implement with respect to a towing vehicle.

Abstract: In a haymaking machine, at least two drums; a flexible skirt on the lower part of each drum; spaced collectors on the periphery of each drum and means for raising cut hay or fodder plants into a zone located between the drums so as to bring the hay or plants in contact with the collectors.

Abstract: A device for picking up plant material lying on the ground having several driven cylindrical rotors that are provided on their bottom portions with a conical collar. Replaceable elements are fastened to the collar and serve to probe the ground, pick up plant material lying on the ground, and transport it to one side and in the direction of travel of the apparatus. Transporting ribs on the collar improve the operation. The elements subject to wear are replaceable after a certain period of operation.

Abstract: A hay harvesting machine containing a rake wheel whose housing is formed by an upper housing portion non-rotatably connected with a vertical upright shaft and a lower housing portion rotatably mounted upon such upright vertical shaft. The lower housing portion is revolvingly driven by means of a gear drive, such as bevel gearing. In the lower housing portion, there are mounted tine supports pivotable about their lengthwise axis. These tine supports extend in tangential direction and, viewed in the direction of revolving motion, extend rearwardly. Each tine support is provided with a control arm carrying a control head or follower guided in a downwardly open control track or cam, having an essentially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration. This control track is located in a plane extending essentially perpendicular to the upright or vertical shaft.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for carding, combing and/or teasing crop lying on the ground by receiving same from the ground by comb-like structures and then engaging and conveying the crop through the implement by a rotating drum with tines extending therefrom or rotating discs which have substantially vertical axes, the crop being restrained as it is engaged to impart somewhat of a combing action. In embodiments having a rotary drum with tines which rotates about a horizontal axis, further rotating tines in the path of the conveyed crop tend to comb and disentangle the crop further. The latter such tines may be close to or actually within the cylinder of rotation traced by tines extending from the drum although direct contact between the two sets of rotating tines is avoided.

Abstract: A brush windrower for accumulating brush and trimmings from under orchard trees, in which a main frame extends rearwardly from a tractor which is driven between the tree rows, and a rake bar extends outwardly from the main frame and passes underneath the overhanging branches to gather the brush. The rake bar is pivotally attached to the main frame and a hydraulic cylinder swings the rake bar around the pivot point to move the accumulated brush into the drive middles of the orchard. The rake bar is hinged to permit the rake teeth to tilt, thereby fully releasing the brush. Depth of extension of the rake bar is regulated hydraulically or by adding extensions to the rake bar. The rake bar also can be tilted to sweep evenly across sloping ground.

Abstract: A haying machine has a plurality of rotary rakes spaced apart transverse to its travel direction. Each rake has a plurality of tines extending through a housing rotatable about an upright axis and each having an inner end secured in a ball rotatable about an element nonrotatable in the housing but axially displaceable therein. The times each have an upper section about which they may be twisted by cam action, and a lower section that normally extends at a right angle to the ground. When the element in which the balls are carried is lifted all the way up control arms on the rake elements ride a cam to orient these elements with respect to the ground with the orbits of adjacent rakes spaced from each other, and when this bearing plate is lowered the control arms are moved out of contact with the cams in the housing and the rake elements are lifted so as to define an orbit of larger diameter that overlaps with the orbit of the neighboring rake.

Abstract: The disclosure is of an agricultural hay-making machine for both tedding and windrowing, comprising at least two rotors, means mounting said rotors on said machine for rotation, each rotor comprising tool-carrier arms articulatedly connected to cranks which cranks are articulatedly connected between an annular support and push-rods, the push-rods being articulatedly connected to a hub for transposition of the annular support and the tool-carrier arms between two positions of which one is a low swathing position and the other is a higher tedding position.