Horizontally rotating blade-type conditioning device for swathers

Abstract

A frame assembly mounted in the windrow discharge area on a swather or windrower on which a plurality of horizontal assemblies, are mounted thereto. On these assemblies are mounted fraying and cutting blades. These blades are operated at a required speed to fray and distort the tips of the stubble and/or cut and reduce the length of the straw of the standing stubble so as to ensure that the supportive strength of the straw is not exceeded by the weight of the swath or windrow placed upon it. This will eliminate any distortion or buckling of the remaining conditioned standing stubble straws. A windrow delivery plate is mounted on the swather frame assembly within the windrow discharge area. This plate assures delivery of the windrowed material onto the swath support fingers which effects a gradual release of the windrowed material onto the remaining standing frayed and conditioned stubble directly behind the frayer conditioners track of travel in the field. The conditioned stubble height is controlled by an axle type gauge wheel assembly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.