Offset arm for towing rotary mowers and the like

An offset rotary mower apparatus adapted at a front end thereof for attachment to a tractor for movement in an operating travel direction, the apparatus comprising:

• a rotary mower unit supported at a rear end thereof by at least one rear wheel having a rotational axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the operating travel direction;
• a tow arm extending laterally from a front end of the rotary mower unit such that an inner end of the tow arm is offset from the rotary mower unit, and such that the tow arm is maintained in a substantially fixed lateral position with respect to the rotary mower unit;
• a pivot arm extending forward from the inner end of the tow arm and having a rear end pivotally attached to the tow arm about a substantially vertical axis, and having a front end adapted for pivotal attachment to a tractor draw bar hitch such that the pivot arm can pivot about a substantially vertical axis;
• an actuator operative to selectively pivot the pivot arm with respect to the tow arm, and operative to maintain the pivot arm in a selected fixed position with respect to the tow arm;
• an outer castor wheel pivotally attached to the apparatus about a substantially vertical castor axis to support the outer end of the tow arm for movement along the ground;
• an inner castor wheel pivotally attached to the apparatus about a substantially vertical castor axis to support the inner end of the tow arm for movement along the ground;
• a driveline adapted at an inner front end thereof for operative connection to a power output shaft of a tractor and operatively connected at an outer rear end thereof to a power input shaft of the rotary mower unit.

An offset rotary mower apparatus adapted at a front end thereof for attachment to a tractor for movement in an operating travel direction, the apparatus comprising:

• a rotary mower unit supported at a rear end thereof by at least one rear wheel having a rotational axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the operating travel direction;
• a tow arm extending laterally from a front end of the rotary mower unit such that an inner end of the tow arm, adapted for attachment to a towing vehicle, is offset from the rotary mower unit;
• means to substantially prevent lateral movement of the tow arm with respect to the rotary mower unit;
• at least one castor wheel pivotally attached to the apparatus about a substantially vertical castor axis to support the tow arm for movement along the ground in any direction.