Hydraulic system for an agricultural mower

A method of operating a hydraulic system, comprising the steps of:

• providing a first hydraulic cylinder including a cylinder housing, a ram with a head reciprocally disposed within said housing, a first chamber on a side of said head opposite said ram, a second chamber on a side of said head adjacent said ram, a first end associated with said cylinder housing, and a second end associated with said ram;
• providing a second hydraulic cylinder including a cylinder housing, a ram with a head reciprocally disposed within said housing, a first chamber on a side of said head opposite said ram, and a second chamber on a side of said head adjacent said ram;
• interconnecting a first fluid line between said first chamber of said first hydraulic cylinder and said first chamber of said second hydraulic cylinder;
• interconnecting a second fluid line between said second chamber of said first hydraulic cylinder and said second chamber of said second hydraulic cylinder;
• attaching a preload spring to said second end of said first hydraulic cylinder;
• adjusting a preload on said second end of said first hydraulic cylinder using said preload spring;
• and
• positioning a valve in one of said first fluid line and said second fluid line.

An agricultural mower, comprising:

• a frame member having an end;
• a cutter head pivotally coupled with said frame member end;
• a first hydraulic cylinder including a cylinder housing, a ram with a head reciprocally disposed within said housing, a first chamber on one side of said head, a second chamber on an other side of said head, a first end associated with one of said cylinder housing and said ram, a second end associated with an other of said cylinder housing and said ram, said first end of said first hydraulic cylinder being attached to said frame member;
• a preload spring having a first end and a second end, said spring first end being attached to said frame member, said spring second end being attached to one of said structural member and said second end of said first hydraulic cylinder;
• a second hydraulic cylinder coupled between said frame member and said cutter head, said second hydraulic cylinder including a cylinder housing, a ram with a head reciprocally disposed within said housing, a first chamber on one side of said head, and a second chamber on an other side of said head;
• a first fluid line interconnecting said first chamber of said first hydraulic cylinder and said first chamber of said second hydraulic cylinder;
• a second fluid line interconnecting said second chamber of said first hydraulic cylinder and said second chamber of said second hydraulic cylinder;
• and
• a valve interposed in one of said first fluid line and said second fluid line.

An agricultural mower, comprising:

• a frame member having an end, said frame member including spaced apart flanges extending outwardly therefrom;
• a cutter head pivotally coupled with said frame member end;
• a first hydraulic cylinder including a cylinder housing, a ram with a head reciprocally disposed within said housing, a first chamber on one side of said head, a second chamber on an other side of said head, a first end associated with one of said cylinder housing and said ram, a second end associated with an other of said cylinder housing and said ram, said first end of said first hydraulic cylinder being attached to said frame member;
• a preload spring having a first end and a second end, said spring first end being attached to said frame member, said spring second end being attached to one of said structural member and said second end of said first hydraulic cylinder, said first end of said first hydraulic cylinder being attached to one of said flanges and said spring first end being attached to an other of said flanges;
• a second hydraulic cylinder coupled between said frame member and said cutter head, said second hydraulic cylinder including a cylinder housing, a ram with a head reciprocally disposed within said housing, a first chamber on one side of said head, and a second chamber on an other side of said head;
• a first fluid line interconnecting said first chamber of said first hydraulic cylinder and said first chamber of said second hydraulic cylinder;
• and
• a second fluid line interconnecting said second chamber of said first hydraulic cylinder and said second chamber of said second hydraulic cylinder.