Патент USA US2513705

July 4, 1950
c. MANNIS
2,513,703
MOWING MACHINE
Filed Feb. 25, 1946
k/
4 Shee'ts-Sheet l
'
Inventor
CLYDE M. ANNIS
A’r’rorneys
July 4, 1950
c. MQANNIS
2,513,703
MOWING MACHINE
Filed Feb. 25, 1946
4 Sheets—$heet 2
2.FIG.
‘
Inventor
CLYDE M. ANNIS
'
Attorneys
Jul)’ 4, 1950
c. M. ANNIS
2,513,703
uowmc momma
Filed Feb. 25, 1946
4 Sheets-Sheet s
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Inven’ror
‘CLYDE M. ANNIS
July 4, 1950
c. M. ANNIS
2,513,703
mowmc; momma:
Filed Feb. 25, 1946
4 ‘Sheets-Sheet 4
532?]l.
Inventor
CLYDE M. ANNIS
Attorneys
2,513,703
Patented July 4, 1950
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE
‘
2,513,703
MOWING MACHINE 1
Clyde M. Annis, Twin Falls, Idaho
Application February 25, 1946, Serial No. 649,803
4 Claims.
(Cl. 56-25)
1
2
The present invention relates to mowing ma
chines comprising a power-driven vehicle such as
a- tractor of standard or well-known design, with
associated equipment which is constructed and ar
Figure 5 is a detailed view of a part of the equip
ment employed to raise the mowing assembly
ranged for convenient assembly on the tractor,
and is operated to perform mowing of various
crops. The assembly is conveniently removable
from the tractor whenthe latter is to be used for
used to support the mowing assembly.
from operative to inoperative position.
Figure 6 is a view of a castor and its mounting,
Figures 7, 3 and 9 are views of the manner in
which the side arms of the mowing assembly are
supported on and below the rear axle housing of
the vehicle.
Figure 10 is a detailed view showing the pulley
A principal object of the invention is to provide 10
supporting bracket which forms a part of the sup
such an arrangement of parts for attachment to
port for the forward ends of the side arms of the
a vehicle, characterized by simplicity and. by the
other purposes.
ease with which it may be assembled and con
equipment.
nected. Another object of the invention is to pro
vide such apparatus which accommodates itself
during operation to the rough terrain of the ?elds.
A further object of the invention is to provide
extensible shaft connection for supplying power
to drive the reciprocating cutting bar of the mow
such apparatus capable of vbeing adjusted into in
operative position when it is desired to drive the
Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the vehicle or
tractor T has the usual body or frame supported
vehicle through’ the ?eld prior to, during, or after '
on wheels, as shown. ' The equipment of the pres
mowing operations.
Another object of the invention is to provide
such an apparatus which will not be damaged by
encountering heavy objects in the ?eld, provision
sembly generally designated by the letter M which
is positioned across the front of the tractor, and
Figure 11 is a detailed view of the ?exible and
ing assembly.
ent invention includes a cutting or mowing as—
spaced forwardly thereof, as best illustrated in
being made to disconnect the power of the vehicle 25 Figure 1. It will be evident that the mowing as
sembly is unobstructed by any'other part of the
when such objects are encountered by the cutting
mechanism employed, so that all types of crops,
mechanism.
both heavy and light, may be handled. The
Another object of the invention is to provide a
mowing assembly M is supported by a pair of side
mowing machine driven in such a manner that the
cut crops are not likely to interfere with driving ; arms A and B, which are an important part of
this invention and are adapted to be removably
connections between the source of power and the
attached to the vehicle or tractor. Arms A and
cutting mechanisms.
B comprise straight portions It and I2 respec
Another object of the invention is to provide an
tively, which are positioned on opposite sides of
arrangement for driving the cutting arm of the
the tractor body and extend generally parallel to
mowing assembly from a power shaft of the ve- .
the length thereof. The rearward ends of the
hicle or tractor, the mounting of the cutting
arms 10 and [2 are yieldingly and pivotally con
mechanisms and the power connections being so
nected below the rear axle housing C of the trac
arranged as to reduce vibration and wear of the
tor, in a manner hereinafter described.
parts to a minimum.
Various other objects and advantages of the in
vention will be apparent as the description pro
gresses. In the drawings, which are illustrative
of one arrangement of the equipment which may
The for
4,0 ward ends of the arms A and 13 comprise out
wardly and downwardly extending. portions [4
and [6 which may be integral with the portions
l0 and 12 or may be detachably but rigidly se
cured thereto. The arms A and B are supported
are not intended to restrict the invention to any 45 for vertical movement or adjustment on the trac
tor frame as hereinafter described, and when po
precise form:
sitioned in their lower or operative position, as in
Figure 1 is a top plan view showing the ar
be employed to practice the invention, and which
Figure 2, they are supported bycastor'w-heels is
rangementof the equipment on a standard type
which are carried by curved upwardly extending
tractor.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the tractor 50 shafts l9 adjustably carried in brackets 20 on the
lower ends-of the arm'portions M and It as illus
trated in Figure 6. It will be understood that the
castor wheels l8 are of the type which are freely
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, butshow
pivoted on their vertical axis, and they may be
ing the mowing mechanism elevated for travel by
the tractor prior to, between and after mowing :vor Di yieldingly mounted on the arms 14 and [6- by
and attached equipment, showing the cutting
mechanism in operative or mowing position.
operations.
,
1
means of spring 2! to ease the transit of the mow
the driving connections of the tractor when a
ing assembly over uneven ground. rlfhe vertical
shafts on which the castor wheels 18 are carried
may be adjusted by the nut 22 or in any conven
heavy object is encountered.
tional'manner in the brackets 25 in order to set
Figure 4 is a detailed view of a part of the
mechanism which accomplishes disengagement of
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2,513,703
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or adjust the desired length of the crop to be cut,
2 and 3 that the pitman is of great length, extend
the cutting mechanism being thus adjustably
ing from a point just forward of the rear axle
spaced from the ground.
The cutting mechanism comprises the usual
shoe 23v having rearwardly extending end sec
tions 24 and 25 on Opposite sides of the machine,
housing 0 of the tractor to the mowing assembly
which is located some distance in advance of the
forward end of the tractor. The relatively long
these end portions being attached to and sup- .
eration of the cutter bar, and undesirable vibra
tions are eliminated which contributes materially
pitman rod causes a very even reciprocating op
ported by the ‘lower ends of the portions M and
I 6 of the side arms. The shoe includes the usual _
board extending across the machine between?the
arms 25 and 24, having split ?ngers '28 on its
front edge. Arranged for reciprocating move
to reducing the wear on the cutting and wearing
parts of the mower assembly.
As best shown in Figure 1, the mowing assem
bly is provided with the conventional grass board
13, grass stick ‘M and divide 15, attached to the
shoe structure by suitable brackets. The divide
ing machine cutting mechanisms is the cutter bar
39, same being equipped with suitable cutting 15 separates the cut from“ the uncut crop, while the
board and stick lay the crop over into the center
I teeth as is well known in the art.
ment in the shoe as it is conventional in mow
of the path of the tractor.
' ' ‘On one side of the mechanism, preferably the
-
_
- -As stated before, the arms A and B which sup
right side, mechanism is provided to reciprocate
port the mowing assembly at their forward ends,
.the cutter bar 30 during the mowing operation,
this being accomplished by suitable connections 20 are pivotally mounted beneath a rear axle hous
ing C and the details of this mounting will be
from a power shaft 'of the tractor, as now de
hereinafter described. The purpose of this piv
scribed. Referring to Figure 1, a flexible and ex
otal mounting is to permit the mowing assembly
tensible shaft vIll) is shown connected ‘with and
to be elevated from the operating position shown
leading from a suitable power shaft of the tractor,
"such as the belt pulley shaft thereof. As shown 25 in Figure 2 to the housing position of Figure 3 and
this movement is accomplished by means now to
in Figure 11, this shaft has a known type of double
be described. On each side of the tractor, there
:pivoted or universal inner coupling as at 42 and
is a vertical plate or post ‘[6 against which the
a similar outer coupling as at 44, the shaft portion
inner faces of the arms A-and B are adapted to
.48 intermediate these ‘couplings comprising two
' telescoping parts slidable with respect to one an
30 bear, said plate 16 constituting guides to brace
the arms A and B against side swinging during
operation of the machine or during adjustment
of the arms. The guide plates ‘I6 are carried on
' use of such a shaft, the vertical and horizontal
suitable extensions 18 which in turn are remov
;movements which the arm A is capable of may
> take place without breaking the connection from 35 ably but rigidly secured at their inner ends to
the cultivator bracket 19 of the tractor, as shown
the source ‘of power to the cutting arm of the
in detail in Figure 10. At the upper ends of the
mowing assembly at any time.
'
guide plate 16, and. on the inner faces thereof,
The connecting shaft 40 drives a short shaft
there are a pair of pulleys '80 and 82. The outer
50 carried in a housing or bearing sleeve 52 ex
tending outwardly from the rear portion 1 0 of the 40 pulley is adapted to receive a ?exible rope or wire
84 which is connected at its forward end to a
:arm A, this drive being through suitable reduc
bracket 86 extending inwardly from the forward
tion gearing in the gear box 54 also carried by the
_ position [4 of the arm A. The rear end of the
arm A. The outer end of the shaft 50 is secured
rope or wire 84 connects with a lever -88 (Figure
: to and rotates a disk 58. A relatively long pit
4) which is integral with a shaft 98 carried by
' man 1B0 is eccentrically connected at its rearward
45 brackets extending upwardly from the rear por
end to the disk 58. At its forward end, the pit
tion ll! of the arm A. A fixed toothed sector plate
" man is pivoted to one arm 62 of a bell-crank
92 is also attached to the arm A. The sector
lever ‘which in turn is pivoted on an upwardly ex
other but adapted to impart rotation from one
to the other, as is well known in the art. By the
plate has peripheral ratchet teeth therein, which
are adapted to engage a conventional retractable
Wardly extending portion 22 of the shoe. This
pivot is preferably of the well-known ball and 50 , pawl carried on a hand lift lever 94 which is also
vconnected for movement with the rock shaft 90.
socket type to permit various movements of the
‘It will be understood that the hand lift mecha
parts at the pivot point. The other arm 66 of
nisms just described, including the connections
the bell-crank lever is pivoted by link 12 to a post
from the hand lift lever to the forward end M
4 'H) ‘which is integral with and extends upwardly
from the cutter bar 30, and this pivoted connec 55 of the arm A may be‘ duplicated on the opposite
‘ tending post 64 which is integral with the rear
side of the machine for the arm B as shown in
Figure 1. In order to manually elevate the mow
tion may be through a short link 12 (Fig. 1) in
order to translate the circular movement of the
' forward end of the arm 66 of the bell-crank lever
- to reciprocating movement by the cutter arm 30.
Any of the above pivots in addition to that at the
forward end of the pitman, may be of the ball and
socket type, as necessary.
ing mechanism to the position of Figure 3, the
operator grasps one or both of the hand levers
60 94, releases the pawl from engagement :with the
teeth of the sector 92 in a manner well known in
'
' the art, such as by pressing a button on the end
of the levers, and then moves the levers rear
It will be apparent from Figure 1 that the drive
for the cutter arm is so disposed with relation 65 wardly. This rearward movement turns the‘shaft
Q90 in a counterclockwise direction likewise rock
to the cutting portions of the mowing assembly,
ing the lever ‘88 in that direction and the rope or
that there is little likelihood of fouling the driv
wire '84'is pulled taut over the pulley 80 on the
ing mechanism by ‘the cut crop. That is, the
‘guide plate 16 thus exerting an elevating force
cutting mechanisms are positioned to extend en
on forward sections I4 and IS on the arms A and
tirely across the front of the vehicle, being sup 70 B to elevate them to the position shown in Figure
ported at widely spaced points, and by reason of
3_. It will be understood that the ratchet mechathe length of the portion 50 of the drive shaft, and
;nism on the lever 94 will retail the mechanism
the supporting journal v52, the pitman '60 is posi
tioned where it will be free from interference from
ithe cut material. It will also be noted in Figures 75
in its inoperative position as long as desiredjre
lease of the ratchet permitting the apparatus to
lower itself by gravity.»
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sci-arcs
g
.
However, I prefer to elevate the ‘mowing
mechanism on the al'ifis‘A and aiitbt?dtiéhllir
from ‘a Suitable power shaft of the tractor, and
for this reason I have provided s’di‘tablél?bi’ihec
6
mowing assembly is‘ raised or lowered by ‘the
mechanisms previously described. Second, the
arms A and B are capable ‘of longitudinal trans
lation when the mowing assembly Strikes an ob
struction, same ‘being permitted by‘vthe slots I24
tions between a power lift shaft 100 or the trac 5
in the ends of arms which permit them to move
tor and the ‘arms A and B. These connections
include a second wire line dr- rope I02 connected
with the bracket '86. on the iorwaravseotions ‘(if the
arms A ‘aindlB; which line passes over the‘ ihl’ié'r
pulley 82 On the guide plate I6 and‘ terminates
with respect ‘to the ?xed pin I 22.
The above described movement of the arms A
and B is utilized to disengage the power shaft
for driving the tractor over the ground, when a
at its rearward end in a yielding connection with
heavy object is encountered, in order to avoid in
jury to the mowing mechanism, or other harmful
a rocking arm I04 mounted for movement with
results. Referring to Figure 4, the clutch control
the power lift shaft ‘I00 or ‘the tractor. As shown
is illustrated as being accomplished by the turn
in detail in Figure 5, the rearward end ‘of the line
I02 is attached to an eye I06 at the forward end 15 ing'of the shaft I40, operatively connected to‘ the
'of a bolt I08, the bolt passing through an open
shaft
clutch I40
or the
is operated
tractor to
bydisengage
a link I“ the
secured
same.to the
ing in a bracket ‘I I0 hired on the arm I04‘ and
shaft and in‘ turn pivoted to a longer link 142
terminating in a ?xed head M2 on its rearward
which pivoted to» the lower end or an operating
end. A spring H6 is positioned on the bolt I08
lever I44 pivoted at I46 adjacent to the operating
and is compressed between the fixed head H2
and the bracket ‘I I0 as the bolt moves ‘toward the
‘station of the tractor. In order to actuate the
opening in said bracket.
I
clutch ‘control lever MI by rearward movement
With this arrangement, the mowing assembly
of the arms A and B when an obstruction is en
may be automatically raised to an imperative
countered, a long connecting link I50 is provided,
position, and lowered to operative positionfrom 25 same being pivoted at I52 to the link I42 and at
I 54 to suitable brackets mounted on the upper
a power lift ‘shaft of the tractor, and movements
of the arms and mowing assembly will be cush
surface of the arm A. With this construction,
and when a heavy object which would damage
ioned by the yielding connection shown in Fig
ure 5. Also, when the tractor is moving over un
the mowing mechanism is encountered, the arms
even ground with the mowing mechanism sup 30 A and B are permitted to move rearwardly, and
ported in its upper position, up and down move
their rearward movement causes link I50 to rock
ment of the arm due to uneven ground vwill be
the clutch control lever I 4| and disengage the
driving power of the tractor.
cushioned. It will beunderstood that suitable
means are provided in the tractor mechanisms
In order to prevent the clutch from imme
for retaining the shaft I00 in various positions,
diately becoming reengaged and before the open
so that it may be rocked to elevate. the mowing
ator shifts gear into neutral, means are provided
mechanism and locked to retain same in ‘the posi
to lock the arms A and B in their rearward-posi
tion of elevation desired.
tion until suitably released by the operator. Re“
The yielding mounting of the rearward‘portions
of the arms A and B are best illustrated in Fig‘
ures 7 through 9 where the mounting for the right
hand arm A is shown. In Figure 9, a bracket I20
having spaced plates I2] is shown attached and
depending from the axle housing C. The depend
ing plates have aligned apertures therein in
which is secured a ?xed pin I22.
illustrated,
the rearward end I0 of the arm A is" tubular in
form and there are alignedsl-ots I24 in opposite
sides of the tube, the pin I22 extending through
these slots. With this arrangement, a limited »
forward and backward movement 0'!‘ the arm A
is permitted, as when the mowing ‘assembly vM
strikes any obstruction during the mowing op
eration. Within the hollow portion of the-rear
ward end of the arm A there
a sliding dis-k I26 ‘
fe'r'r‘ijn'g again to Figures 7 and 8, thearmA is
provided with vertically aligned openings I60 and.
162 conveniently located forwardly of the abut~
inent' I28, and a bracket I64 is hinged at I65 to
the top‘ of the bracket I20 which in turn is se=
‘cured to the lower part of the axle housing C.
The bracket- I64 has a sleeve I66 at its forward
end, and "a lock pin I68 normally rests in this
‘sleeve with, its lower-end supported by the top
surface of the arm A, at a point spaced rear
wardi'y of the‘ opening I60 when the arm A is in
its normally‘ operating position. When an ob
struction is encountered and the arm A is forced
rearwardly as previously described, the lock pin
I68 drops down through the openings I60 and
I62 and thus locks the arm A against return
movement, With this arrangement, it will be
vhaving a semi-circular lateral, groove in its rear
necessary for the ‘operator of the tractor to
ward face which engages the pin I2 2, and between
reach down and remove the pin I60 from the
this disk and a ?xed abutment I28 within the tube
openings I60 and I62 before the arm A is per
A is a compression spring I30. When the "mow
ing assembly s'tri-ke's an obstruction, the tube A ill) mitted'to resume its forward or normal position,
and 'Vth'usthe clutch’ of the tractor is maintained
will be moved rearwardly, but the ?xed pin I22
in disengaged position until it is desired to re"
will bear against the disk I26 and compress the
.engage the same.
'
.
spring I30, the extent of rearward movement
_v A suitable chain may be provided, as shown,
being illustrated by a comparison of Figure 7 with
to secure the pin I68 to the sleeve I66. The plate
Figure 8. There is also a ?xed disk I32 secured
I64 which carries the sleeve I66 is pivoted at
near the rear end of the‘ tube A and it likewise
I65 inorder to accommodate movements of the
has a semi-circular groove extending across ‘its
arm Aaroun'd the. pivot .pin I22.
‘
forward face to v?t around the fixed pir‘i' I322 in
Throughout the descriptiomit will be under:
the normal position of the arm -A as illustrated in
70 stood that the mechanism on onl'y’one side of
the machine isdescribed, it being understood that
From the above description, ‘it will be appar
duplicate parts are provided on the opposite side
ent that two types of movement of the arm A are
of the machine where necessary and particularly
accommodated by the manner of its connection
where indicated in Figure 1. In the drawings,
at its rearward end to the axle housing C. First,
the arm A can pivot around the pin I22 when the 75 corresponding parts have generally been identi-.
Figure'iT.
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3&5 145317193
7
machine.-
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nally;of;,the,tractor on each side thereof, each
of, said arms having a substantially horizontal
_
It will be evident that I have provided a mow
rearward-,portionrand a ‘downwardly inclined
forward, PQrtiOn terminating forwardly of the
tractor, said rear axle housing having spaced de
pending brackets, transverse pins ?xed to said
ing mechanism assembly. which may be rapidly
and conveniently assembled onto the body of a
conventional tractor, and one which may be
easily removed when no longer required. ,7
I
8
includingarms positionedlto extend longitudi
cally numbered on the opposite sides of the
1 ,
' brackets, the rear ends of said arms being tubu
It will also be obvious that‘a mowing machine
lar and provided, with ‘elongated slots, transverse
of this invention-is ‘capable of e?icient and safe
operation, and will not become damaged or dis -10 pins-?xed tosaid brackets,v the rear ends of said
arranged even during heavy use.
arms-being tubular and provided with elongated
slots, said pins extending transversely through
1,. In combination with a tractor having a rear
axle housing and a driving shaft, a mower frame
said slots so as to slidably connect the arms to
the tractorand provide ?xed pivots about which
including arms; positioned to extend longitudi~ 15 the arms may swing relative to the tractor, said
tubular ends having abutments therein spaced
nally of the tractor on eachside thereof, each
forwardly of the pins, ,yieldable means in said
of said arms having a substantially horizontal
rearward portion and a downwardly inclined'for
tubular ends and con?ned between said abut
ments and said pins for normally urging the arms
ward portion terminating forwardly of the trac
forwardly and for opposing rearward movement
tor, said rear axle housing having spaced de
of said arms, a cutting assembly mounted across
pending brackets, transverse-pins ?xed to said
brackets, the rear ends of said arms being tubu
the front of the tractor and connected to the '
lar and provided with elongated slots, transverse
forward ends of said arms, manually operable
means connected to the ‘forward ends of said
arms for raising and lowering the same about
their. pivots, and means operatively connected
to the driving shaft and to the forward ends of
said arms for raising and lowering the cutting
pins ?xed to said brackets, the rear ends of ‘said
arms being tubular and'provided with elongated
slots, said pins extendingftransversely through
said slots so as to slidably connect the arms to
the tractor and provide ?xed pivots about which
the arms may swing relative to the tractor, said
assembly.
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4. In combination with a tractor having a rear
tubular ends having abutments therein spaced V30
axle housing and a driving shaft, a mower frame
forwardly of the pins, yieldable ‘means .in said
including arms positioned to extend longitudi
tubular ends and con?ned between said abut
nally of the‘ tractor on each side thereof, each
ments and said pins for normally urging the arms
of said arms having a substantially horizontal
forwardly and for opposing rearward movement
of said arms,v a cutting assembly mounted ‘across 85 rearward portion and a downwardly inclined for
ward. portion terminating forwardly of the trac
the front of the tractor and connected to the
tor, ‘said rear axle housing having spaced de
forward ends of said arms, and means connected
pending brackets, transverse pins ?xed to said
to the forward ends of said arms and extending
brackets, the rear ends of said arms being tubu
rearwardly thereof for raising ‘and lowering said
40 lara-‘and provided with elongated slots, said pins
cutting assembly with respect to thejground.
extending transversely through said slots so as to
slidably connect the arms to the tractor and pro
vide ?xed-pivots about which the arms may
2. In combination with a tractorhaving a rear
axle housing and a driving shaft, a mower frame
including arms positioned to extend vlongitudi
swing relative tothe tractor, said tubular ends
nally of the tractor on each side thereof, each
of said arms having‘ a substantially horizontal
' having abutments therein {spaced forwardly of
the pins, 'yieldable means in said tubular ends
and con?ned between said abutments and said
pins for normally urging the arms forwardly
andv for opposing rearward'movement of said
depending brackets, transverse pins ?xed to said
brackets, the rear ends of said arms being tubu- ‘ arms,v av cutting assembly mounted across the
frontHof-the tractor and connected to the for
lar and provided with elongated slots, transverse
wardends of ,said arms, means operatively con
pins fixed to said ‘brackets, the rear ends'of said
nected to said arms‘ for raising and lowering the
arms being tubular and provided with elongated
cutting assembly, means upon 'rearward dis
slots, said pins extending transversely through
said slots so as to slidably connect 'thearms to 55 placement of said arms when the cutting as
.sembly encounters a heavyobject upon forward
the tractor and provide ?xed pivots about which
rearward, portion and a downwardly _ inclined
forward portion terminating ‘forwardly of the
tractor, said rear axle housing having spaced
movement of the tractor for retaining the arms
the arms may swing relative to, the tractor, said
tubular ends having abutm‘entstherein spaced
in their ' rearwardly
displaced
position,
and
means for relasing said retainingmeans.
forwardly of the pins, yieldable means. in said
tubular ends and con?ned between said abut- , ,
-
ments and said pins for normally urging the‘arms
forwardly and for opposing rearward movement
CLYDE M. ANNIS.
REFERENCES CITED
of said arms, a cutting assembly mounted-across
' The following references are of record in the
the front of the tractor and connected'to the
?le of thisipatentr
forward ends of said arms, and means operatively 65
UNITED STATES PATENTS
connected to the drive shaft of the'tractor and
the forward ends of said arms forraising the
Number
'_ ,Namex.
,
Date
latter around their pivots ‘.so asto elevate or
, 1,280,373
Beckner __________.__ Oct. 1, 1918
lower said cutting assembly.‘
‘
I
‘ 1,528,553
Y' ' '
3. In combination with a tractor-‘having a rear
axle housing and a driving shaft, a mower frame
,70
-' Kennedyet a1. ___'___ Mar. 3, 1925
2,065,901
Leavitt __________ __ Dec. 29, 1936
2,340,488
Paradise et al.1_ _____ __ Feb. 1, 1944: