Uneven Terrain Compensation Patents (Class 56/DIG10)
  • Patent number: 4977732
    Abstract: A powereed riding tractor lawn mower suited to uneven terrain has four fluid motor powered driven wheels and includes a frame comprising front and rear frame sections connected for pivoting about a first axis between the sections and normal to the ground plane. The rear frame section is in turn made up of forward and rearward portions, the rearward portion of which pivots about a second axis which intersects and is perpendicular to the first axis enabling the rear wheels to pivot about both axis. Sterring is accomplished by a steering mechanism which changes the angular relation of the frame sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Inventor: William D. Minter
  • Patent number: 4970850
    Abstract: This blueberry harvesting machine is a side-by-side attachment to the standard farm tractor, secured to the tractor by the usual 3-point hitch. An outer wheel on the attachment supports much of the weight of the machine. A simplified beating mechanism knocks the berries loose from the bushes to fall on a collection system that extends ahead of the beaters and the frontal portion of the machine to receive berries knocked loose by the approach of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. DeVries
  • Patent number: 4968284
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having a feeder assembly, a conveyor arrangement and an output unit. In a combine, the feeder arrangement comprises a threshing cylinder and concave that direct threshed crop material to the conveyor arrangement. The conveyor arrangement directs crop material to the output unit which comprises a cleaning shoe. The conveyor arrangement comprises a conveyor chute having fixed converging guide vanes. The conveyor chute can be rotated about a bearing for directing crop material to the uphill side of the combine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Josef W. Klimmer, Paul Hagerer
  • Patent number: 4958482
    Abstract: The mowing machine, of the seated operator type, comprises a supporting frame which supports, at its central portion, a casing including a grass cutting assembly, and a seat for the operator.The main feature of the machine is that it further comprises, associated with the supporting frame, a front steering column supporting a driven front roller for displacing the machine, there being moreover provided a rear bearing roller and two further rear rollers to allow for the cutting assembly to track the unevenness of the ground, the two further rear rollers being suitable to stabilize the machine and improve its performance on not perfectly flat soils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: Teodoro Soldavini
  • Patent number: 4948162
    Abstract: A mechanism for connecting a trailing wheel to an implement, incorporates a spring arm which will absorb shock. The tension on the spring is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: M & W Gear Company
    Inventor: James E. McCanse
  • Patent number: 4944141
    Abstract: A height control system is disclosed for use on a harvester and includes at least one lightweight wheel which rides over the crop being harvested at a location forwardly of the vehicle in an undisturbed area of the crop without damaging the crop. The wheel detects upward or downward inclined portions of the ground and controls power means which raises or lowers at least one plant handling component of the harvester for maintaining the component at the desired elevation relative to the ground. The system also includes control means which sense varying ground speed and prevents undesirable jerky raising and lowering of the conveying components in response to the wheel riding over small articles such as rocks at different speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Franklin P. Orlando, Lee D. Butler, Donald A. Luttrell, Joseph S. Goulart
  • Patent number: 4930801
    Abstract: An implement adapted for connection to a vehicle three point hitch on the front of a pushing vehicle wherein the implement is provided with at least one forward ground contacting rolling support means mounted to a forward portion of the implement frame, at least one rear ground contacting rolling support means mounted to a rear portion of the implement frame, and a rear upper implement hitch connection which provides a vertically pivotal and longitudinally floating link means. The implement and hitch connection of this invention provides an implement capable of being pushed by a vehicle over uneven terrain while providing implement treatment at a predetermined even distance above the uneven terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Mathews Company
    Inventor: Ronald D. Gillund
  • Patent number: 4920732
    Abstract: Lift structure particularly useful with front mounted implements for providing both lift and weight transfer functions from a single valve. The valve acts as an adjustable bleeder for the lift cylinder and includes a control knob which is movable both axially and rotationally to respectively provide lift and adjustable flotation. The valve is normally biased to an adjustable orifice position for operating the implement in a lowered, flotation position. To momentarily lift the implement, the operator moves the control knob against the bias to direct flow to the lift cylinder thereby raising the implement off the ground. When the operator releases the valve, it automatically returns to the preset orifice position to provide the desired flotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Lee, Robert N. Behrens, Dale R. Dobberpuhl, Lloyd A. Wykhuis, Dix S. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 4907400
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an agricultural mower having a cutter mechanism for cutting the crop and a reel for guiding the crop into the cutter bar and lifting the crop after it is cut. The machine includes a pair of parallel swing arms on each side of the cutter bar for permitting the cutter mechanism when it strikes an obstacle to swing primarily rearwardly initially and then upwardly to a clearing height as the arms swing pendulum-like. The side support arms for the reel are connected to the cutter bar assembly by lift links constructed and arranged to raise the reel upon initial rearward movement of the cutter mechanism so that the real assembly will also clear the obstruction without damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Inventor: Thomas V. Roden
  • Patent number: 4876845
    Abstract: A self-propelled powered mower (11) and a towed trailing mower (12) are connected together by an adjustable height connector assembly (13). When the powered mower begins to move through a turn, the alignment detector cylinder (60) is required to retract due to the pivoting of the draw bar (21) and its angled support arm about the vertical pivot pin (50) of the connector assembly (13) (FIG. 3). The fluid displaced from alignment detector cylinder (60) causes the rod (56) to extend from height adjustment cylinder (55), thereby raising the forward portion of the towed mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Robert M. Torras
    Inventor: James D. Sturgill
  • Patent number: 4876844
    Abstract: A field crop harvesting, carton packaging and packed carton handling machine, which includes transport means having a front section, central section and a trailing section; the front and trailing sections include ground engaging means and each include a platform mounted on the ground engaging means; the front platform also includes area means for stacking and supplying non-erected cartons and for erecting the non-erected cartons; the central section includes conveyor support means including a central conveyor means and a left and right conveyor means; the left and right conveyor means each include erected carton receiving and supplying means; the left and right conveyor means also include a series of carton packing stations as well as a conveyor for moving the packed cartons to the central conveyor; the central conveyor includes a rearwardly moving conveyor for transporting the packed cartons rearwardly to the trailing platform; and the trailing platform includes area means for receiving, handling and sealing
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Grey Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald M. Grey
  • Patent number: 4862683
    Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting berries on low plants incorporating means enabling the machine to accommodate the rugged terrain often encountered during use. The apparatus efficiently picks low bush berries such as blueberries, with a minimum of damage both to the plants and the berries. The apparatus can be connected to and powered from a wide range of conventional farm tractors. The harvester is rugged and durable and reasonable in cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Doug Bragg Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventors: R. Douglas Bragg, H. Loyd Weatherbee
  • Patent number: 4747255
    Abstract: An agricultural mower including a parallel linkage suspension mechanism for the cutter assembly, the suspension mechanism including swing arms which in the use position are substantially vertically oriented, enabling the cutter assembly, upon striking an object, to respond by moving quickly rearwardly relative to the forwardly traveling main frame, and then, as the pendulum action continues, to elevate the cutter assembly above the obstruction to a clearing height. In the use position, the cutter bar and guards are directed down and forward defining the lowest and leading part of the cutter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Inventor: Thomas V. Roden
  • Patent number: 4426829
    Abstract: A grass and ditch mower is provided having a novel floating cutting deck mounted to a novel extension arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Inventor: Richard W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4343138
    Abstract: A supporting structure for an agricultural machine which may be connected to a movable vehicle includes a first frame adapted to be connected to the vehicle, a second frame adapted to be connected to the agricultural machine, an articulation device including a pivotable parallelogram mechanism connected to the frames, and permitting movement therebetween, and restraining devices limiting the movement between the frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: Kuhn S.A.
    Inventor: Horst Neuerburg
  • Patent number: 4313294
    Abstract: Most presently known crop harvesting attachment flotation apparatus use a spring to preload the attachment into a floating mode. A problem with this is that, as the attachment is either forced upwardly or intentionally raised, the effectiveness of the spring decreases. This is avoided by a combination of a spring and a fluid operated cylinder acting through pivotal linkage relationships for retaining the attachment in a substantially constant flotation mode during lifting operations and during flotation operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: Sperry Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne B. Martenas
  • Patent number: 4162606
    Abstract: A mower for cutting grass, brush and the like includes a substantially U-shaped frame which is to be pivotally connected to the front end of a vehicle. The frame has a pair of arms with free ends extending in the direction of travel when the mower is in a cutting position. The frame is movable between the cutting position and a non-operating position during which the vehicle may be driven over roads without removing the mower. A rocker arm is pivotally connected to the free end of each of the arms of the U-shaped frame, and a cutter assembly, including cutter blades, is suspended from the U-shaped frame being pivotally connected between the rocker arms. The cutter assembly has a support shoe at each end to which the rocker arms are pivotally connected. The points of pivotal connection of each of the rocker arms to the free ends of the U-shaped frame are located in front (with respect to the directon of travel of the mower) of the connection of the rocker arms to the support shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1979
    Inventor: Ernst Weichel
  • Patent number: 4161858
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1979
    Assignee: Brouwer Turf Equipment Limited
    Inventor: Theodorus P. H. Gerrits
  • Patent number: D262289
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1981
    Inventor: George A. Wegele