Mower cutting unit lift system with flexible link
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsChris M. Georgoulias, Brent G. Rinholm, Bryce A. Carnahan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mower cutting unit lift system includes a rotary motor connected to a power supply and turning an output shaft connected to a bell crank. A flexible link between the bell crank and a lift arm is used to lift a cutting unit to a transport position if the rotary motor turns the output shaft and the bell crank in a first direction, and lower the cutting unit to a mowing position if the rotary motor turns the output shaft and the bell crank in a second direction.
Claims23
A mower cutting unit lift system, comprising:
- a rotary motor connected to a power supply and turning an output shaft;
- and
- a flexible link between the rotary motor and a lift arm that lifts a cutting unit to a transport position if the rotary motor turns the output shaft in a first direction, and lowers the cutting unit to a mowing position if the rotary motor turns the output shaft in a second direction;
- wherein the flexible link bends as the cutting unit moves between the transport position and the mowing position;
- and
- wherein the cutting unit is pivotable between the transport position and the mowing position.
A mower cutting unit lift system, comprising:
- a flexible link connecting between an electric motor and a lift arm holding a cutting unit, wherein a first end of the flexible link is connected to a crank on a shaft that is turned by the electric motor;
- the electric motor retracting the flexible link to lift the cutting unit to a transport position, and extending the flexible link to lower the cutting unit to a mowing position;
- wherein the flexible link bends during extension and retraction thereof.
A mower cutting unit lift system, comprising:
- a plurality of rotary motors that are positioned remotely from a plurality of lift arms and a plurality of cutting units, the plurality of rotary motors rotating a plurality of shafts connected to cranks;
- and
- a plurality of flexible links connecting the plurality of rotary motors to the plurality of lift arms to lift and lower the plurality of cutting units when the plurality of rotary motors are activated;
- wherein the plurality of flexible links bend to lift and lower the plurality of cutting units.
A mower cutting unit lift system, comprising:
- a rotary motor connected to a power supply and turning an output shaft connected to a crank;
- a flexible link between the crank and a lift arm that lifts a cutting unit to a transport position if the rotary motor turns the output shaft and the crank in a first direction, and lowers the cutting unit to a mowing position if the rotary motor turns the output shaft and the crank in a second direction;
- and
- measuring the torque of the rotary motor and providing the torque to a controller.
A mower cutting unit lift system, comprising:
- a rotary motor connected to a power supply and turning an output shaft;
- and
- a flexible link between the rotary motor and a lift arm that lifts a cutting unit including a reel to a transport position if the rotary motor turns the output shaft in a first direction, and lowers the cutting unit to a mowing position if the rotary motor turns the output shaft in a second direction;
- wherein the flexible link bends as the cutting unit moves between the transport position and the mowing position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.