US 5,012,635 A · Modular cutterbar for rotary mower

Abstract

A cutterbar includes a plurality of modules connected in end-to-end relationship with each other, the modules respectively including identical cast gear housing sections which cooperate to form a gear housing in which is located a spur gear drive train. Each module includes a removably mounted cutting unit, with the cutting units having blade-carrying discs and being arranged such that the discs are indexed 90.degree. relative to each other and in counter rotating pairs, when an even number of units are used to form a cutterbar but being arranged such that the leftmost and adjacent blade-carrying discs rotate in the same direction when an odd number of modules are used. The construction of the leftmost module is such that the axis of rotation of the drive shaft of the cutting unit thereof is located rearwardly of a line of centers passing through drive shafts of the cutting units of the remaining modules whereby adequate clearance is provided between the paths of rotation of the cutting blades of the leftmost and adjacent cutting units. A unitary skid pan extends beneath and is connected to each of the modules and serves to both protect the housing sections from damage during operation and to support the modules during assembly and repair of the cutterbar.

Claims14

Dependent claims

In a cutterbar for a rotary mower including right end, left end and intermediate modules connected together in end-to-end relationship to each other with each module including a cutting unit comprising a drive shaft having a pinion gear fixed to the lower end thereof, the improvement comprising:

said modules respectively including identical gear housing sections;
each housing section having transversely spaced substantially planar, fore-and-aft extending vertical end faces, with the cutting unit being located substantially centrally therebetween and with adjacent housing sections being releasably secured together with adjacent ones of the end faces thereof being in engagement with each other;
the respective housing sections of each of the right and left modules having at least one spur-type idler gear mounted therein in mesh with the respective pinion gear thereof;
and the respective housing sections of the intermediate modules each having two idler gears mounted therein with at least one of the idler gears being meshed with the pinion gear thereof.

1 more element

In a cutterbar for a rotary mower including a gear housing having a plurality of cutting units spaced therealong, each cutting unit including a cutting disc carrying a pair of blades at diametrically opposite positions with each disc being rotatably secured to an upright drive shaft, and the housing containing a spur gear train including a plurality of idler gears arranged for driving a plurality of pinion gears respectively joined to lower ends of the drive shafts with the latter being located on respective vertical axes located along a first line of centers extending lengthwise of the cutterbar and parallel to a second line of centers along which the respective axes of rotation of the idler gears are located, the improvement comprising:

the gear housing being formed from a plurality of identical gear housing sections which each include vertical planar, fore-and-aft extending, right and left end surfaces, with the right end surface of a given gear housing section being connected in abutting relationship to the left end surface of an adjacent gear housing section;
and right and left end caps being respectively secured to the right end surface of a leftmost one of the gear housing sections and to the right end surface of a rightmost one of the gear housing sections.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Modular cutterbar for rotary mower

Life of this patent

Modular cutterbar for rotary mower

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14