Abstract: A gang mower comprises a number of individual reel mowers ganged together, each reel being driven by an electric motor from an electric power source, such as an alternator, associated with the mower. The alternator is typically driven by the same motor that propels the gang mower along.

Abstract: A gang mower assembly for the pulling of push-type reel mowers includes a leading mower mount connectable to a pulling vehicle for movement both laterally and perpendicularly with respect to the pulling direction and two trailing mower mounts each connectable to the leading mower mount for both lateral and perpendicular movement with respect to the pulling direction. Each mower mount is connectable to a push-type reel mower between the reel axis and the ground roller axis and below the wheel axis thereof for exerting a downwardly slanted force in the pulling direction in response to the application of the pulling force.

Abstract: An improved riding mower is described of the type having propulsion means, a seat for the operator, and at least one cutting head which is hydraulically driven. The cutting head is controllable between an operating norm and a non-operating norm by means of a hydraulic valve having two moveable spools, and the cutting head is moveable between a cutting position and a transport position by means of a hydraulic cylinder. A solenoid is employed to control one of the moveable spools. A first electrical switch actuated by pressure in the seat, a second electrical switch actuated by the hydraulic cylinder, and a third electrical switch actuated by the second of said spools independently actuate the solenoid in order to stop operation of the cutting head when the operator is out of the seat, when the cutting head is not in cutting position, and when the operator does not desire cutting action.

Abstract: An improved wheel support apparatus for a mowing machine of the type having a body movably supported by three drive wheels, one of which is a steerable drive wheel. The wheel support apparatus includes a sleeve fixed to the body and a bracket member carried on the steerable drive wheel. The bracket member carries an upwardly extending spindle which is rotatably received inside the sleeve. The spindle and the sleeve are angularly oriented relative to a vertical axis through the drive wheel such that rotation of the drive wheel from its straight ahead position raises the body of the mowing machine upwardly a small distance. When the turn is completed, the weight of the body bears down on the wheel support apparatus to self-correct the wheel to its normal straight ahead position regardless of the direction in which the mowing machine is moving.

Abstract: A gang mower having a main frame and a number of individual mower units connected to the main frame. Each mower unit has a pulley driven by a drive belt which extends to a pulley on the main frame, to drive the mower unit reel. A telescopic arm is rigidly connected to the mower unit, extends between the flights of the belts, and is pivotally connected to the main frame between the pulleys. A support strut extends from the telescopic arm to the outer end of the mower unit frame to help align the mower unit. A rear support arm extends laterally from the rear of the mower unit to the main frame to guide the rear end of the mower unit while allowing it to rise and fall. A bias spring exerts downward pressure on the rear support arm to counteract the lifting torque of the drive belt, thereby ensuring that the mower unit will cut at the same height at each of its sides.

Abstract: A flail type shredder for farm crops employing an elongated frame which is adapted to be mounted at the front end thereof on the three point hitch of a conventional farm tractor and which travels along the terrain supported by a pair of wheels mounted at the rear end of the frame which are adjustable with respect to the terrain to adjust the distance between the terrain and the frame. The chopper has a central elongated flail type crop severing unit mounted on and below the frame at the rear thereof and two elongated wing flail type crop severing units extending outwardly from opposite sides of the frame. The two wing units have housings open at the bottom and provided with a top, and each of these units is mounted on one of the side rails of the frame by a hinge located at the top of the unit, and each of the wing units is provided with a rotatable wheel adjustably mounted at the rear thereof to determine the distance between the terrain and each of the wing units separately.

Abstract: A multiple implement folding hitch designed to permit a plurality of implements to be pulled in a side-by-side relationship during field operations and adapted to permit the effective width of the implements to be reduced for transport purposes. The hitch comprises a transversely extending frame comprising a plurality of frame members pivotally secured together in an end-to-end relationship. First and second spaced apart trailing implements are operatively secured to opposite ends of the frame. A first tubular member extends forwardly from the transversely extending frame and has its forward end adapted to be connected to the prime mover. A second tubular member is telescopically received by the rearward end of the first tubular member and has a third trailing implement connected thereto which is positioned between the first and second implements. First and second elongated members are pivotally connected at their forward ends to the first tubular member and extend rearwardly and outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: In a mowing machine of the kind comprising a frame adapted to be mounted on a tractor three-point linkage, and a plurality of cutting units connected to the frame, including at least two laterally spaced side cutting units and a center cutting unit positioned so as, in use, to cut the swath between the two swaths cut by the side cutting units, the side cutting units are mounted directly on the frame, so that in use part of the weight of the frame is supported by the side cutting units, and the center cutting unit is mounted at the rear end of a mounting arm connected to the frame by a universal joint, biasing springs being connected between the frame and the mounting arm to increase the pressure exerted on the ground by the center cutting unit so that it takes some of the weight of the frame from the side units and ensures uniformity of cut. The universal joint between mounting arm and frame also allows the center unit to take the optimum line when the machine follows a curved path.

Abstract: A precision grass mower of the triplex reel type operating from a common tractor-type power source, each mower unit having an adjustable ground engaging roller for cutting golf greens at a precisely predetermined height. Each of the reels of the mower is provided with manually actuated, automatically operated shifting means for moving the height adjusting roller to either of two positions for cutting the grass of the green and of the collar surrounding the green at different but precisely determined heights. The shifting means of all of the mower reels are instantly and simultaneously actuated and operated by fluid pressure.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for controlling a gang of lawn mowers including a hydraulic pump and a multi-section valve and hydraulic motors driving the mowers. Hydraulic cylinders are also included in the system, for raising and lowering the mowers, and a check valve is connected with the cylinders for controlling the lowering of the mowers. The main valve is arranged with a plurality of spools which control the aforementioned functions and with the spools being set by means of a single handle so that the operator can perform the aforementioned functions through maneuvering the single handle for each set of hydraulic motors and cylinders. A hydraulic flow restrictor is included in the system for reversing the motors at a speed slower than the forward motor speed, for a slower reverse rotation of the mowers, such as for back-lapping of the mowers.

Abstract: A height-of-cut adjustment mechanism for use with a lawn mowing machine in which the cutting mechanism is supported by a pair of ground engaging rollers. The mechanism provides rapid and repeatable two position adjustment by means of a spring biased trigger mechanism controlling the position of pivot arms connected to one of the ground engaging rollers.

Abstract: A powered lawn mower hydraulic system for use with a reel type of mower. The system includes a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic valve, all interconnected with hydraulic hoses or lines. The valve permits reversing of the direction of rotation of the motor which is driving the mower reel, and there is a hydraulic flow restrictor in the reversing line for limiting the speed of the motor, and thus the mower, in the reversing direction. Also, there is shown a relief valve for limiting the hydraulic pressure in the reversing mode, and there is also shown a relief valve for limiting the hydraulic pressure in the forward mode.

Abstract: A self-propelled grass mower machine has a laterally projecting helically bladed cutter, a driving motor for effecting propulsion of the machine and driving of the cutter reel and transmission means for driving the cutter reel from the motor, the transmission means including a driven member, a transversely disposed driven shaft and universal couplings connecting respective opposite ends of the driven shaft to the reel and, adjacent the side of the machine remote from the reel to said driven member of the transmission means, the axes of the shaft and the reel being mutually inclined at a large obtuse angle.

Abstract: A ground working implement control system having a stationary operating station and a moving ground working station is described having a control clutch arrangement operable at the stationary operating station, for controlling through connection cables the directional movement of the ground working station.