Abstract: A rotary turf mower (32) suitable for mowing irregular turf areas including a cutting system (60) which includes a plurality of cutting units (102) which are movable over the ground and each carrying at least one cutting blade (114), and a coupler (140) including a span member (144) and a pair of hinges means (150) for interconnecting adjacent cutting units (102), wherein each hinges (150) permits relative pivotal movement about a hinge axis (160), and wherein the hinge axes (160) associated with adjacent cutting units (102) are non-parallel, whereby each cutting unit may display a range of independent motion relative to an adjacent cutting unit. One embodiment of the present invention provides that the hinge axes associated with each span member are substantially directed to a virtual pivot point (184), whereby the motion of adjacent cutting units (102) relative to the virtual pivot point (184) is generally rotational.

Abstract: A crop harvester header or platform includes a rotary cutterbar for cutting and directing crop to a crop conditioner having a length shorter than that of the cutterbar and being disposed centrally behind the cutterbar. The header is equipped with a crop converging structure including right- and left-hand drums or cages respectively mounted to the tops of right- and left-hand cutter discs respectively at opposite ends of the cutterbar, and further including right- and left-hand crop guiding or directing structures respectively disposed for guiding crop from forward locations of the drums or cages over the cutter discs respectively adjacent the end cutter discs and toward the crop conditioner.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a cutting unit having two rotors coupled together within a single casing which rotate in opposite directions. The rotors carry at least two aligned blades. The distance between the axes of the rotors is such that the areas covered by the blades when rotating are partially superposed in correspondence with an axis of symmetry of the pair of rotors which coincides with the mower axis. The direction of rotation of the two rotors is such that the direction of movement of the blades when in proximity to said axis of symmetry is the same as the forward travel direction of the mower.

Abstract: A disc mower incorporates a modular disc cutterbar. The drive mechanism for the mower utilizes a V-belt drive apparatus that requires proper tensioning which is accomplished through a spring tensioning mechanism that includes an indicator to visually determine when the proper tension has been applied. A split guard is mounted to the distal end of the mower canopy to keep objects away from the end of the disc cutterbar. The guard presents a smooth contiguous surface to prevent debris and crop material from catching the guard. The flotation mechanism supporting the cutterbar from the mower frame must be disconnected before the mower is dismounted from the tractor three-point hitch. The support jack is tethered to the mower frame from the pin engaging the flotation mechanism, requiring the pin to be removed to install the support jack.

Abstract: The mowing implement of a mowing apparatus, rotating about a vertical axis, is driven over a transmission comprising a freewheel mechanism and driving pins. A drive shaft is connected with the freewheel mechanism so that there cannot be any mutual rotation therebetween. In a basic orientation parallel to the axis of rotation of the mowing implement, these driving pins produce a driving connection between the freewheel mechanism and the mowing implement for driving the latter. In the event of a stoppage of the drive shaft, the driving pins, together with the freewheel mechanism, carry out a lifting motion, which interrupts the driving connection between the mowing implement and the freewheel mechanism. During their lifting motion, the driving pins activate a braking device in the region of the interior of the transmission housing above the freewheel mechanism. This braking device rapidly brings the mowing implement, which continues to run, to a stop.

Abstract: The invention includes a stop (33) which prevents movement of the part (23) of the protection device (18) into the non-operating position when the cutting mechanism (2) is located in the work position (A), and which allows movement when the cutting mechanism (2) is located in a different position (B), the activation of the stop (33) being accomplished automatically by means of an activation element (35) when the cutting mechanism (2) is brought from the other position (B) into the work position (A). The invention also includes a limiting element (52) for limiting the amount of pivoting between a support arm (5) and the cutting mechanism (2) in work position (A) and preventing pivoting when the cutting mechanism (2) is in the other position (B).

Abstract: A cutting device includes a cutting mechanism, a hitching structure designed to be connected to a motor vehicle, a support beam joined to the hitching structure and to the cutting mechanism and a traction device. The traction device is comprised of at least one draw-spring designed to lighten the cutting mechanism during operation and a control device designed to void the action of the at least one draw-spring when the cutting device is placed. The control device has, among other things, a rod at one of the ends to which the at least one draw-spring is attached. The control device is comprised of a cylinder which has the rod, a body, a piston which separates the body into first and second chambers, and a fluid circuit which has a device which allows the fluid to enter the first chamber located on the side of the at least one draw-spring when the latter must be tightened, and allows the fluid to leave the first chamber when the at least one draw-spring must be relaxed.

Abstract: A drive for a center-pivot mower-conditioner includes a power shaft supported within the center-pivot tongue and ending in an equal-angle drive section which intersects the vertical axis of the connection of the tongue with the center of a transverse beam forming part of a main frame of the mower-conditioner when the tongue is in a straight ahead position. A multiple v-belt drive transfers rotation of the tongue-carried drive-line to a substantially horizontal, fore-and-aft extending main header drive shaft located just leftwardly of the transverse beam of the main frame. The main header drive shaft is coupled to a first header drive box containing right-angle gearing for directing power to a downwardly extending through shaft extending through a second header gear box to a left-most cutting unit of a rotary cutterbar extending transversely across a header suspended for floating over undulating terrain during cutting operation.

Abstract: A modular disc cutterbar utilizes self-contained cutter modules clamped between alternating spacer modules by fasteners engaged with the spacer modules. Each cutter module has detachably mounted thereon a disc member carrying a pair of opposingly mounted cutting knives pivotally supported on a pivot member to sever standing crop material by impact action upon rotation of the disc member. The disc member also carries on each pivot member above the corresponding cutting knife, but independently movable, a crop mover operable to move the severed crop material away from the corresponding cutting knife. The crop mover has a tapered leading edge that terminates in an outer tip that is narrower than the outer tip of the corresponding cutting knife so as to not interfere with the cutting action of the knife. The crop mover also includes a vertical portion for aggressively moving the severed crop material.

Abstract: Each knife-carrying disk of a rotary cutterbar has a hub connected to a drive shaft through means of a shear device. In a first embodiment of the invention, the shear device is in the form of either a collar or a clamping member having internal splines received on a splined upper end of the drive shaft and having shearable cylindrical drive lugs engaged with complementary shaped openings provided in an upper surface of the disk hub. In another embodiment of the invention, the shear device is in the form of a ring-like shear insert having shearable inner splines received on the splined upper end of the drive shaft and having outer splines engaged with a splined mounting hole of the disk hub.

Abstract: A mechanism for mounting a mower deck to a vehicle, the mechanism including a first member which pivots about a first pivot mechanism as the mower pivots to ride over ground undulations. When raised by the operator, the deck will pivot about the first pivot mechanism until the first member abuts a second member supported by a second pivot mechanism. As the deck continues to be raised it will pivot about the second pivot mechanism. A link coupled between the vehicle frame and the second member causes the second member to also pivot about a third pivot mechanism which swings the deck rearwardly as it is raised.

Abstract: An implement carrier for mounting implements such as mower blades, spreader blades, tiller blades or nozzles. The implement carrier includes a deck pivotal about a pivot axis that is generally perpendicular to the deck. The deck defines a slot having an open end and a closed end. The closed end of the slot preferably circumscribes the pivot axis of the deck and the open end of the slot preferably is located at the outer perimeter of the deck. The implement carrier is operable for receiving an obstacle in the slot and pivoting about the obstacle such that the deck can by-pass the obstacle.

Abstract: An agricultural machine has a fixed structure, a retractable assembly connected to the fixed structure by at least one joint such that said retractable assembly can move to at least one locking position, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes (i) at least one stop element mounted for movement with one of the fixed structure and retractable assembly and cooperable with the other of the fixed structure and the retractable assembly to lock the retractable assembly in one locking position; (ii) at least one elastic element cooperating with the at least one stop element to bias the at least one stop element into a stop element lock position in cooperation with the other of the fixed structure and the retractable assembly so as to lock the retractable assembly in the locking position. The stop element is enclosed in the stop lock position such that the stop element can be moved from the said stop lock position only by a special tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device which is to be combined with a bar with disks, that include a plurality of cutting elements with each one turning about its respective axis. The axes of the cutting elements are directed upward during work and are arranged alongside each other along a transversal line with respect to a forward direction of the device during work. Each cutting element is made of a cutting disk including cutting blades connected to the cutting disks and a support which is also provided with blades. Each support is connected to the corresponding cutting disks. The cutting bard and disk of the present invention permit the cutting and chopping and/or crushing of plants or vegetables.

Abstract: A mower suitable for cutting high grass, brush, and like growth. The mower has a plurality primary cutting elements disposed ahead of a secondary cutting element. The primary cutting elements is that which first contacts growth, cutting this growth to a predetermined height. The secondary cutting element follows the primary cutting element, contacting the cut growth and cutting the same to a final, predetermined height less than that obtained by the first cut. The primary cutting elements are preferably unencumbered by a hood or guard, but preferably are partially encircled or surrounded at the front and sides by a bumper. The bumper prevents the mower from attempting to run over or cut rigid, immovable objects, such as trees, curbs, large stones, and the like. The primary and secondary cutting elements may be a singular element or plural elements arranged abreast of one another. The cutting elements may be rigid blades or flexible members, such as stranded metal, synthetic resin cords, or chains.

Abstract: A mower includes a cutting mechanism, an attachment structure, a carrying beam connected to the cutting mechanism by way of a first articulation and to the attachment structure by way of a second articulation and a third articulation, and a safety device including an energy accumulator. The safety device includes a pivoting member connected to the attachment structure by way of a fourth articulation and a connecting rod installed between the pivoting member and the cutting mechanism or the carrying beam. The energy accumulator is connected to the pivoting member by way of a connection which is capable, from a certain angle of pivoting of the cutting mechanism toward the rear, about the axis of the third articulation, of reducing the lever arm with which the energy accumulator acts on the pivoting member.

Abstract: A mower including at least one mowing group provided with a cutting device on an upper side of which are arranged cutting elements which rotate about upwardly directed axes by means of shafts which are rotatably guided in a housing of the cutting device. A supporting structure is arranged a distance above the cutting device and is connected to the cutting device, the supporting structure including a beam which extends transversely to a direction of travel of the mower. The mower also includes a strut, and a coupling device which connects the strut to the beam, the strut extending downward in the direction of one of the cutting elements, a bearing connecting the strut to the shaft of one of the cutting elements, the bearing having a pivot type guide, and the guide having an axis which merges with the axis of the shaft of said one of the cutting elements.

Abstract: A harvester which uses a rotary style cutter bed has a series of rotary cutters extending across the path of travel of the machine and rotatable about individual upright axes. Part of the cutter bed is a flat gear case containing a train of intermeshed spur gears that serve to distribute power between the cutters above the gear train. Each end of the gear case has a hollow, gearless extension welded thereto which supports at least one additional outboard cutter that receives its driving power exteriorally of the gear case. One embodiment uses a mechanical drive to bring power to the upright shaft of the cutter having the first spur gear so that the cutters with gears receive all their power from the driven cutter.

Abstract: An improved industrial lawn mower is provided, which consists of a frame having a main cutting unit with large wheels connected to the frame and small wheels connected to the main cutting unit. A pair of auxiliary cutting units are provided, with each having small wheels and extending from an opposite side of the main cutting unit in the frame, to increase the cutting area. A seat assembly having a small wheel extends from the rear of the frame. An engine is in the frame, to supply motive power to the large wheels, the main cutting unit in the frame and the auxiliary cutting units.

Abstract: A double knife stubble cutting machine is provided for cutting stubble after a harvesting action into three separate pieces including a standing stubble piece and two cut pieces. The device comprises a frame having a center section and a pair of wing sections with the wing sections being pivotal about a horizontal axis upwardly to a transport position. The frame defines a tool bar across the full width of the frame which carries a pair of sickle knife support bars downwardly of the tool bar and arranged so that one sickle knife is forwardly of and upwardly of the second sickle knife. Both knives are open and free from support elements between the knives so that the cut material can be discarded back to the ground after cutting without any transverse movement or blockage. The harvesting action therefore allows the minimum amount of straw to be taken by the combine harvester so that the standing stubble element is cut into three pieces of equal length.

Abstract: A crop harvester of the rotary cutter bed type has a series of rotary cutters extending across the path of travel of the machine and rotatable about individual upright axes. The cutter bed extends in opposite directions beyond the ends of a central discharge opening to the conditioner rolls. Cutters located outboard of the opening direct cut crop materials along the front of the cutter bed until the opposite extremities of the discharge openings are reached, whereupon pairs of cooperating, oppositely rotating cutters in front of the opening function to propel the crop material rearwardly with the main flow of cut materials. Alternative forms of conveying means are provided in association with the outboard cutters for moving the cut crop centrally without the use of augers or other additional gathering mechanism behind the row of cutters.

Abstract: A tree-trimming and phoning machine has a cutter bar (2) with a plurality of in-line-staggered rotary cutter blades (1) that are rotated by a separate hydraulic motor (12) for each one of the plurality of the rotary cutter blades. A resulting plurality of blade-turning hydraulic motors (12) are connected in series to a hydraulic-motor line 15. Hydraulic relief lines (23) are in pressure-spike-relief communication between hydraulic-motor lines (1 5) intermediate the hydraulic motors (12) and a hydraulic manifold or header (24). The cutter bar is attachable to a single side or to both sides of a hydraulic lifting means (5) such as employed for standard front-end loaders, fork lifts and other lifting means that are attachable to a vehicle (6) such as a tractor. The hydraulic lifting means is maneuverable university to select positions of trimming, pruning and cutting-load dumping.

Abstract: A crop harvester is provided with a rotary type cutter bed in which a series of rotary cutters extend across the path of travel of the machine for rotation about individual upright axes. A hydraulic drive for the cutter bed includes a variable volume pump driven by the output shaft of an engine associated with the harvester. The operating circuit of the hydraulic drive pumps oil through the circuit at a certain rate of flow, depending upon the engine speed and the position of a swash plate within the pump. A control circuit communicating with the operating circuit is capable of sensing load in the operating circuit tending to lug down and reduce the speed of the engine, which would normally reduce the flow rate and hence the cutter speed. However, in response to detecting such increased load, the control circuit compensates by adjusting the position of the swash plate so as to correspondingly pump more oil at the lower engine speed, thus maintaining the cutter speed essentially constant.

Abstract: A hitch attaches to a lawn tractor and draws two lawn mowers therebehind. The hitch includes a draw bar solidly mounted to the tractor, and a link for each towed mower, which mowers each include a bracket to the deck thereof. The links include plumbing tees perpendicularly arranged, so that universal joints are formed between the draw bar and the mowers. A third tee is provided at each bracket so that each mower may be individually tilted, as for enabling access to the underside while still ganged to the hitch. The draw bar, links, and third tee are made from readily available plumbing components. The resultant hitch is thus fabricated from readily available components, is durable, uncomplicated, and has wide flexibility in allowing for various attitudes of the mowers. This enables individual mowers to follow the contour of uneven terrain, turn in tight quarters while being towed, and to be temporarily tilted for access to the cutting blade and oil drain cock without requiring disassembly from the hitch.

Abstract: A cutting machine or harvesting machine which is intended to be connected to the hitch of a power-driven vehicle. According to the invention, during work, a connection device of the cutting machine connects the cutting mechanism to the hitching structure, and allows a displacement in the height of the cutting mechanism in relation to the hitching structure with the wheel able to pivot around an upwardly directed geometric axis.

Abstract: The elongated cutter bed extending across the front of the harvester has a series of rotary cutting units which rotate about respective upright axes. Upright impeller cages associated with those cutter units located outside of the rear discharge opening of the header help gather cut crop toward the center of the machine for subsequent rearward delivery.

Abstract: A farm machine and particularly a mower or harvester, which includes a load-lightening and lifting device having an elastically deformable element mounted parallel with a jack or lift cylinder. According to the invention, the farm machine includes a piston which is separated from a rod of the jack and the rod includes a stop against which the piston is intended to come to rest, such that in a first mode of operation (during work), the rod can slide in the cylinder without a stop of the rod touching the piston, which allows a normal operation of an elastically deformable element. In addition, in a second mode of operation (during transport), the piston is brought into contact with the stop of the rod under the action of the fluid of a feed source, to displace the rod in relation to the cylinder.

Abstract: Forage mower, including at least one module which is connected to a supporting unit provided with a feeding motion by means of a pair of motorized rockers and including a main frame which is pivoted to the rockers and to which two end subframes of a chain of three mutually pivoted subframes are pivoted; each subframe supports a disk that has mowing blades and is rotated by a hydraulic motor supported by the subframe. The main frame is pivoted to the rockers about an axis perpendicular to the direction of feeding motion, while the end subframes are pivoted to the main frame about axes parallel to the direction of feeding motion and the end subframes are also pivoted to the intermediate subframe about axes parallel to the direction of feeding motion.

Abstract: A mower having a cutting mechanism which during work extends crosswise to the direction of work includes a retaining element. The retaining element prevents a pivoting of a support beam and the cutting mechanism around an axis directed upward and is installed so that during work, it has sharp inclination upward and forward.

Abstract: A mower in which during work a limiting device is connected to a hitching structure by a hinge having a geometric axis that is at least approximately parallel to a geometric axis of a first hinge. The limiting device is connected so as to slide in relation to a support beam, and for transport, the sliding connection of the limiting device can be blocked in relation to the support beam by a locking device that is used to lock a cutting mechanism in its raised position for transport.

Abstract: The harvester has a transverse cutter bed provided with a series of rotary cutting units that rotate about individual upright axes. Those cutting units located outboard of the discharge opening behind the cutting bed are provided with specially configured impeller plates that assist in the proper delivery of cut materials into the opening.

Abstract: The leading profile of a winged rotary cutter includes diverging leading profile sections, beginning with outer profile sections of a center housing section extending to opposite sides of the center housing section and continuing with inner profile sections respectively of right and left wing housing sections hinged to opposite sides of the center housing section. The right and left wing housing sections further include outer leading profile sections joined to respective rear ends of the inner leading profile sections and extending at a right angle to the direction of travel so as not to deflect plant stems outwardly of the width of cut of the cutter.

Abstract: A mowing machine has a frame with driving wheels, which are adjustable in height, and a yoke carrying a cutter beam. The yoke is suspended from the frame such that it can move up and down with respect to the frame, and the cutter beam is swingably journalled on the yoke. The yoke and the beam are balanced by an upwardly directed spring force. Minor elevations on the ground make the cutter beam swing upwardly so that it is just the weight of the cutter beam itself which is accelerated.

Abstract: A mowing machine with a self propelled carriage for riding with steering front and powered rear wheels with a mowing cutter structure with three mower decks transversely distributed and suspended from the carriage between front and rear wheels, each deck with a vertical spindle carrying a cutter blade. The center deck is suspended from the carriage for vertical lift and adjustment with an outboard deck supported by hinges on each of its sides for up and down pivoting to follow ground contour, for individual power tilting for brush trimming, clearing of obstacles, and to narrow the plan form for transport. A transverse rear axle has a differential with a forwardly extending housing carrying, in series, a carriage drive speed change transmission, a carriage drive clutch, an input drive gear driven from an overhead engine, a mower control clutch, and a triple power head with three gear connected projecting power take-off shafts.

Abstract: The invention provides a tractor-drawn mower for use in harvesting a crop. The mower comprises a frame and at least two rotatable cutting elements for cutting the crop mounted rotatably on the frame. The cutting elements have non-overlapping loci of cutting movement and are arranged on the mower to cut in use overlapping swathes of crop material. Preferably, the cutting elements are provided at or towards the periphery of a plurality of cutting discs which are spaced along a substantially common axis on the mower frame.

Abstract: Wide area mower which can be attached to and detached from a tractor in a relatively short time. In one disclosed embodiment, the mower has a main frame which is detachably connected to the rear mount of a tractor, swing frames pivotally connected to the main frame for movement into and out of engagement with the side mounts of the tractor, means detachably locking the swing frames in engagement with the side mounts, and mowing heads mounted on the frames to the sides and rear of the tractor. In another disclosed embodiment, the mower includes a frame adapted for connection to a towing vehicle, a pair of side decks positioned on opposite sides of the frame, a center deck positioned between the side decks, a pair of rear decks positioned to the rear of and between the side decks and the center deck.

Abstract: A rotary mower of the type used for mowing shallow angle furrows has a wing lift mechanism that will lift both wings simultaneously to a common height but permits both wings to follow the contours of the ground when the ground angle exceeds the preset angle of the mower.

Abstract: An attachment apparatus for a cutter head is provided which includes a pair of brackets located on the cutter head having holes located therein. A pair of pins are located at one side of a pair of cutter annexes which enable the annexes to be fitted onto the cutter head. The annexes each include a frame with a pair of wheels. The annexes are able to pivot about the axis of the pins.

Abstract: A first lawn mowing vehicle formed of self-propelled configuration mounts a second lawn mowing vehicle utilizing a frame assembly. The frame assembly is pivotally mounted to the first lawn mowing vehicle and to the second lawn mowing vehicle, with the second lawn mowing vehicle projecting through a housing receiving opening in the frame assembly, with the frame assembly rear distal end pivotally mounted to a first vehicle frame plate fixedly mounted to the first vehicle between forward and rear wheels of the first vehicle. A throttle cable is directed from the second vehicle to the first vehicle and mounted to a pivot handle secured to a support post adjacent the first vehicle frame plate.

Abstract: A disc cutter bar including an upper part and a lower part which are welded together along an edge to form a housing for a row of gear wheels through which cutter discs are driven. The bar is provided with an elongation extending rearwardly in cross-section from the gear wheel row, which partly results in an increase of the stiffness and strength of the bar with a simultaneous low constructional height and partly makes it possible to increase the oil amount in the housing.

Abstract: A multi-bladed mulching mower is convertible between a mulching mode in which the grass clippings are deposited as mulch or a discharge/collection mode in which the grass clippings are discharged from the housing or are bagged. The mower includes two separate cutting chambers which are staggered forwardly relative to one another but otherwise are arranged side-by-side next to one another. The peripheral wall of the forward cutting chamber has a selectively openable gate which is closed in the mulching mode but is opened in the discharge/collection mode. The rearward cutting chamber is provided with a discharge outlet which can be selectively opened in the discharge/collection mode but is otherwise closed.

Abstract: A multiple implement frame includes front and rear implement mounting bars which maintain a parallel relationship at all times. The rear mounting bar may be displaced either to the left or right through operation of a power cylinder extending between the front mounting bar and an elongated frame member extending to the rear mounting bar. Single or double elongated frame members may be utilized. A single power cylinder is required with the double frame member unit and a pair of power cylinders are used for the single elongated frame unit. A double frame unit forms a parallelogram.

Abstract: A lawn mower having a driver's section and a grass cutting unit forwardly of a vehicle body; an engine mounted between front and rear wheels; and a pair of main frames extending longitudinally of the vehicle body, each of the main frames including a front frame member, and a rear frame member connected to the front frame member and disposed at a lower level than the front frame member. The engine is mounted below the main frames between the front and rear wheels, and has a radiator disposed rearwardly of the engine and having an upper portion projecting upwardly of the rear frame members. The engine is surrounded by a first cover assembly including side covers depending respectively from the main frames, lower covers connecting the respective side covers to lower positions of the engine, and a front cover for closing an area forwardly of the engine. The first cover assembly defines first ambient air intake openings.

Abstract: In a reaping machine (11) having one or more rotatably drivable mowing units (12) which are provided with working implements, the mowing units (12) being held on a support frame (13) held with the tractor, the mowing units (12) are pivotally supported on the support frame (13) for easy moving adaptation of the working implements to the surface of the ground in the immediate working region by means of one or more compensating means (A2). Furthermore, the pivot axes (M) of the compensating means (A2) are arranged extending in the travelling direction and/or transversely thereof and/or inclined substantially in the vertical plane or intersect each other or the compensating means consist of a ball joint. In addition, the compensating means (A2) is configured in such a manner that at least one pivot axis (M) extending transversely of the travelling direction lies in the vicinity of the surface of the ground (10).

Abstract: An agricultural machine such as a mower conditioner includes a cutterbar carried by a header that is suspended from a frame. The cutterbar has a plurality of individual cutting units with two end cutting units located adjacent opposed sides of the frame and intermediate cutting units disposed between the end cutting units. Each cutting unit consists of blades pivotally mounted on a rotor. A tongue adapted for connection to a tractor is pivotally connected to the frame intermediate the opposed sides thereof. Input drive shafts deliver power from a power-take-off shaft on the tractor to a pair of generally vertical output drive shafts via a bevel gearbox and a spur gearbox. The generally vertical output drive shafts are connected to two of the intermediate cutting units, and generally horizontal output drive shafts connect these two intermediate cutting units to the other intermediate cutting units and to the end cutting units.

Abstract: An agricultural machine such as a mower conditioner includes a cutterbar carried by a header that is suspended from a frame. The cutterbar has a plurality of individual cutting units with two end cutting units located adjacent opposed sides of the frame and intermediate cutting units disposed between the end cutting units. Each cutting unit consists of blades pivotally mounted on a rotor. A tongue adapted for connection to a tractor is pivotally connected to the frame intermediate the opposed sides thereof. Input drive shafts deliver power from a power-take-off shaft on the tractor to a generally vertical output drive shaft via a bevel gearbox. The generally vertical output dirve shaft is connected to one of the intermediate cutting units, and generally horizontal output drive shafts connect this one intermediate cutting unit to the other intermediate cutting units and to the end cutting units.

Abstract: A mower vehicle includes a vehicle frame and single front and rear driven wheels. First and second blade housings are pivotally connected to each other along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame and are attached to first and second side frames, respectively. Each side frame is pivotally attached to the vehicle frame near the rear thereof with a hydraulically retractable and extendable cylinder assembly urging each side frame downward or upward in response to changes automatically sensed in the slope of the terrain. Ground engaging outrigger wheels attached to each side frame contact the terrain and the vehicle frame is thus maintained in a generally upright position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mowing a wide swath which is preferably hydraulically powered to provide reliability, efficiency, and ease of operation. The apparatus includes a rear section, or chassis, to which side-by-side wings are mounted which are pivotable by hydraulic cylinders from a folded position for trailering from location to location to an open position for mowing operations, the extent of pivoting being used to vary the width of the swath to be mowed. The wings are each provided with a second hydraulic cylinder for controlling the amount of weight on the casters mounted in the individual mowers mounted to the wings and a pressure regulator which compensates for changes in the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder to support a selected portion of the weight of the wing as the portion of the weight supported by the casters changes as the casters follow the contour of the swath being mowed.

Abstract: A mower is propelled along the ground by a tractor and the mower includes three cutting units mounted on a frame. The three cutting units are transversely mounted on the frame to cut in overlapping parallel patterns with each cutting unit being free floating on the frame such that each unit cuts at an elevation controlled by the ground immediately under the cutting unit.

Abstract: In a mower having a frame and a plurality of rotatable disks supported by the frame, a driving device is operable to rotate each disk, and includes a driving wheel associated with each disk, and a shaft in driven connection with a corresponding driving wheel. A coupling in driven connection with a corresponding shaft for coupling a corresponding disk to the corresponding shaft is provided, and an antifriction bearing guides the corresponding shaft. Each driving wheel and its corresponding shaft, coupling and anti-friction bearing constitutes a separately replaceable subassembly in the mower.