AU2015261586B2

AU2015261586B2 - Wide area turf mower

Info

Publication number: AU2015261586B2
Application number: AU2015261586A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Daniel SAMMUT
Original assignee: Sammut Agricultural Machinery Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Sammut Agricultural Machinery Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2015-11-25
Filing date: 2015-11-25
Publication date: 2020-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-25
Also published as: AU2015261586A1

Abstract

A wide area tufmower(10) has a wheel supported main frame (12) and cutting units(22 24 26284 movAycnneed to the main frame( nd positioned inrows (36: 3840)iastagered order to formamowerutng configuratiofr uttinq a continuousswath oftu between anytwo uter nuttig units (26, 32ocated respectively on opposite sides ofemairframe (12) One row (38) of the cutting unitscomprisesafirstpair ofinteconnecte outer and inner ouing units26. 28) atafirstside 8ofthemainframe(12) and a secondpair ofnterconnected innerandoutercuttingunits(30,32)atthe secondsie (20) of the main frame12) Theinnercutngunits(2830)are pivotayconnected to themainframeandtheoutercuttingunits(26,32) are pivtanyvonneed to arespectiveinner cutting unit (28, 30) Hydraulic cynders(42. 44) causetheouter cutting uns(2 32)to fold in a direction towardsthe rear end ofthemain frame (12), Hydraul cylinders(052) cause the inner cutting units (28, 30) toift inanupwarddirectionAcontroler operates aofthe hydrauliccyinders I a MIN I I £ -- -- --- -- - .. .. .. ...v 6 61 ... ... .... A.... .. .......

Description

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AUSTRALIA Patents Act, 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

APPLICANT/S: Sammut Agricultural Machinery Pty Ltd (ACN 133 272 090)

INVENTOR: SAMMUT, Daniel

ADDRESS FOR SERVICE Peter Maxwell and Associates Level 6 60 Pitt Street SYDNEY NSW 2000

INVENTION TITLE: WIDE AREA TURF MOWER

DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED Nil APPLICATION NO:

The following statement is a full description of thisinvention including the best method of performing it known to us:

m:\docs\20151021\385300.doc

EHELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a turf mower of the gang-type that may be pulled by a tractor and, more particularly, to a wide area turf mower having

an articulated arrangement of cutting units positioned in rows behind the tractor in a staggered order to form amower cutting configuration for cutting a

continuous swath of turf between any two outermost cutting units, and in which each cutting unit can be raised from its cuing position to a position which

enables the mower to assume a width and height suitable for road use.

BACKGROUNDART Gang-type, wideareaturfmowers are known but their width is largely

limited by their ability, after use, to assume a width and height suitable for road

use, where the mowers are being driven on roads before or aftercutting turf.

To optimise width for cutting, but at the same timemaintain a staggered

configuration of cutting units to ensure that a continuous swath of turf is being cut, and to enable, after cutting, the necessary lifting and folding movements

required for road use, each of the cutting units of these prior art turf mowers is of a relatively large width. The greater the width of a cutting unit, the less likely

it is to follow closely the contour of the ground upon which grows the turf it is

cutting. SUMMARYOFTHE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a wide area

turf mower of the gang-type suitable for use with a tractor, and which has a plurality of cutting units, so arranged and interconnected around a main frame

that they can be lifted and folded to allow the mower to assume a width and

height suitable for road use, and so dimensioned that they will more closely follow the contour of the ground upon which grows the turf being cut than prior

art wide area turf mowers.

2411/15

According to the present invention there is provided a wide area turf

mower comprising;

(a) a wheel supported main frame having a front end, a rear end and opposite firstand second sides, (b) a plurality ofcutting units rnovably connected to the mainframe and positioned in rows in a staggered order to form a mower cutting

configuration for cutting a continuous swath of turf between any two outer cutting units located respectivelyon the opposite sides of the main

frame, (c) one row of the cutting units comprising a first pair of interconnected outer and inner cutting units at the first side of the main

frame and a second pair of interconnected inner and outer cutting units

at the second side of the main frame, each of the inner cutting units

being pivotally connected to the main frame, each of the outer cutting units being pivotally connected to a respective inner cutting unit,

(d) a first hydraulic means for rotating each of the outer cutting units relative to its respective inner cutting unit about a respective vertical

pivot axis, whereby each of the outer cutting units fold in a direction

towards the rear end of the main frame, (e) a second hydraulic means for rotating each of the inner cutting

units relative to the main frame about a respective horizontal pivot axis, whereby eachof the inner cutting units lift in an upward direction, and

(f) a control means for operating the first hydraulc means and the second hydraulic means. Preferably, the control rmeans operates the first hydraulic means before

operating the secondhydraulicmeans.

24/11/15

Each inner cutting unit preferably comprisesan inner pivot frame and an inner mower deck connected to the underside of the inner pivot frame, an inner

end of the inner pivot frame being pivotally connected to the main frame and an

outer end of the inner pivot frame being pivotally connected to its respective

outer cutting unit. It is preferred that eachouter cufing unit comprises an outer pivot frame

member and an outer mower deck connected to the underside of the outer

pivotframe member, an inner end of theouter pivot frame member being pivotally connectedto the outer end of itsrespective inner pivot frame. Preferably, the inner pivot frame comprises pivotally interconnected first

and second pivot frame members, and the inner mower deck is connected to

the underside of the first pivot frame member, an inner end of the first pivot frame member being pivotally connected to a respective side of themain

frame. In a preferred form, the first hydraulic means has a first end pivotally

connected to the second pivot framemember and a secondend pivotally connected to theouter pivot frame member.

In another preferredform, the second hydraulic means hasa first end pivotally connected to the main frame and a second end pivotally connected to

the first pivot frame member. Preferably, the turf mowerfurther comprisesathirdhydraulcmeansfor

rotating each of the outer cutting units relative to its respective inner cutting unit about a respective horizontal pivot axis, whereby each of the outer cutting units

lift in an upward direction.

In another preferred form, the third hydraulic means has a first end pivotaly connected to the first pivot frame member and a secondend pivotally

connected to the second pivot frame member,

24/11/15

Preferably, the control means operates the first hydraulic means before

operating the third hydraulic means before operating the second hydraulic

means. The turf mower further comprises another row of the cutting units at the front end of the main frame, the another row comprising a front cutting unit at the first side of the main frame and a front cutting unit at the second side of the

main frame, each of the front cutting units being pivotally connected to the main

frame, and front hydraulic means for rotating each of the front cutting units

relative to the main frame about a respective front horizontal pivot axis, whereby each of the front cutting units lift in an upward direction, and wherein

the control means operates the front hydraulic meansafteroperatingthefirst hydraulic means.

Each front cutting unit preferably comprises a front pivot frame member and a front mower deck connected to the underside of the front pivot frame member, an inner end of the frontpivot frame member being pivotally

connected to a respective side of themain frame.

The turf mowerfurther comprises yet another row of the cutting units at

the rear end of themain frame,the yet another rowcomprising rearcutting unit pivotally connected to the main frame, and rear hydraulic means for rotating the rear cutting unit relative to the main frame about a rear horizontal

pivot axis, whereby the rear cutting unit lifts in an upward direction, and wherein the control means operates the rear hydraulic means after operating the first hydraulic means.

The rear cutting unit preferably comprisesarear pivot framemember

and a rear mower deck connected to the underside of the rear pivot frame member, an inner end of the rear pivotframe member being pivotally

connected to the rear end ofthe main frame.

24/11/15

The mower cutting configuration formed by the above described articulated arrangement of cutting units positioned in rows in a staggered order is a generally w-shaped configuration. In the most preferred form, the control means operatesthe first hydraulic means before operating the third hydraulic means before operating the rear hydraulic means before operating the front hydraulic means before operating the second hydraulic means. Preferably, the main frame comprises a main body, a forward tow sub chassis and a rearward wheel sub-chassis, the main body being pivotally connected at its front end to a rearward end of the forward tow sub-chassis, and being pivotally connected rearwardly of its front end to a forward end of the rearward wheel sub-chassis, The turf mower preferably further comprises forward hydraulic means for lifting the front end of the main body relative to a ground surface and rearward hydraulic means for lifting a rear end of the main body relative to the ground surface, and wherein the control means operatesthe forward andrearward hydraulic means simultaneously to raise the main frame verticaywhilst maintaining the main body generally parallel to the ground surface. In apreferred form, the forward hydraulic means has afirst and pivotally connected to the front end to the main body and a second end pivotally connected to the forward tow sub-chassis. In another preferred form, the rearward hydraulic means has a first end pivotally connected to the rearward wheel sub-chassis and a second end pivotally connectedto the rear end of the main body. It is preferred that each hydraulic means comprises a hydraulic cylinder. With the above described linkage arrangement of the main body, forward tow sub-chassis, rearward wheel sub-chassis, forward and rearward

24/11/15 hydraulicmeans, and control means, eachof the utting units positioned in rows in the staggered order which formthe mowercutting configurations described earlier can be lifted simultaneously from a cutting position to a transit position above the ground surface when the main frame is raised vertically. SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into

practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a top view of a wide area turf mower according to one

embodimentof the present invention. Fig. 2 is a front perspective view ofthe wide area turf mower of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is arearperspectiveview of a deconstructed form of thewide

area turfmower of Figs. and 2 in which, for ease of description of the folding and lifting operationoneach pair of the

interconnected inner and outer cutting units, the drawing does not show both of the frontcutting unitsdoes not show the rear cutting unit, and does not show thefirst pair of interconnected inner and

outer cutting units at the first side of the main frame, but does

show the second pair of interconnected inner and outer cuffing units at the second side ofthe main frame at acutting posion prior to the startof the folding and lifting operation thereon. Fig. 4 is a rear perspective view of thewideareaturf mower as shown in

Fig.3, but from a higher angle, and in which the outer cutting unit has been slightly lifted and then rotated relative to the inner

cutting unitabout a vertical pivot axis so that the outercutting unit is relocated towards the rear end of the main frame. Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of the wide area turf mower as shown in

Fig. 4 but in which the outer cutting unit has been rotated relative

24/11/15 to the inner cutting unit about a first horizontal pivot axis so that theoutercuttngunt is lifted in an upward direction. Fig. 6 is a rear perspective view of the wide area turf mower as shown in Fig. 5 but in which the inner cutting unit has been rotated relative to the main frame about a second horizontal pivot axis so that the inner cutting unit is lifted in an upward direction, and the second pair of interconnected inner and outer cutting units are at a road use position. Fig. 7 is a rear perspective view of another deconstructed form ofthe wide area turf mower of Figs. I and 2 in which, for ease of description of the lifting operation on each of the front cutting units, the drawing does not show the rear cutting unit, does not show the first and second pairs of interconnected inner and outer cutting units at respective first and second sides of the main frame, and does not show the front cutting unit at the first side of the main frame, but does show the front cutting unit at the second side of the main frame at acting position prior to the start of the lifting operation thereon. Fig. 8 is a rear perspective view of the wide area turf mower as shown in Fig.7 but in whichthe front cuingunit has beenrotatedrelative to the main frame about a front horizontal axis so that the front cutting unit islifted in an upward direction, and the front cutting unit is at a road useposition. Fig. 9 is a rear perspective view of another deconstructed form of the wide area turf mower of Figs. 1 and 2 in which, for ease of description of the lifting operation on the rear cutting unit, the drawing is enlarged to show only a rear portion of the turfmower,

24/11/15 and does not show both of the front cutting unitsand does not show the first and second pairs of interconnected inner and outer cutting units at respective first and second sides of the main frame, but does show the rear cutting unit at a cutting position prior to the start of the lifting operation thereon. Fig. 10 is a rearperspective view of the rear portion of the wide area turf mower as shown in Fig 9, but from a side angle, and inwhich the rear cuttingunit has been rotated relative to the main frame about a rearhorizontal axisso that the rear cutting unit is lifted in an upward direction, and the rearcutting unit is at a road use position. Fig, 11 is a top view of the wide area turf mower of Figs.1 and 2 showing the mowercutting configuration formed by the cutting units positioned in rows in staggered order prior to the start of the folding and lifting operation on all of the cutting units.

Fig. 12 is a top view of the wide area turf mower of Fig. 11 at a first

stage of the operation when each of the outer cutting units have

been slightly lifted and then rotated in a direction towards the rear end of the main frames also shown for one of the outercutting unitsin Fig. 4. Fig. 13 is a rear perspective view of the wide area turfmower of Fig. 12

at a second stage of the operation when each of the outer cutting units have been lifted in an upward direction, as also shown for

one of the outer cutting units in Fig. 5. Fig. 14 is a rear perspective view of the wide area turf mower of Fig. 13

at a third stage ofthe operation when the rear cutting unit has

24/11/15 been Mlted in an upward direction, as alsoshown for the rear cutting unit in Fig. 10.

Fig. 15 is a rear perspective view of the wide area turf mower of Fig. 14

at a fourth stage of the operation when each of the front cutting units have been lifted in an upward direction, as also shown for one of the front cutting unitsin Fig.8 Fig 16 is a rear perspective view of the wide area turf mower of Fig. 15

at a fifth stage of the operation when each oftheinner cutting

units have been lifted in an upward direction, as also shown for one of the inner cutting units in Fig. 6.

Fig. 17 is a side view of a deconstructed form of the wide area turf

mower of Figs. 1 and 2 in which, for ease of description of the raising operation on the main frame, the drawing does not fully

show both of the front cutting units, and does not fully show the first and second pairs of interconnected inner and outer cutting units at respective firsthand second sides of the main frame, but does show the rear cuttingunitatacuttng position. Fig, 18 is a side view of the wide area turfmower of Fig 17 but inwhich themainframehasbeen raised verticallyso that the rear cuffing

unit is at transit position above the ground surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONOF THE INVENTION The embodiment of the wide area turf mower 10 shownin Figures 1 to 18 has, in a broad form, a wheel supported main frame 12 with a front end 14

a rear end 16 and opposite first and second sides 18 20.

There is a plurality of cutting units 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 movably connected to the main frame 12 and positioned in rows 36, 38, 40 in a

staggered order to form a mower cutting configuration (see Figs. 1 and 2) for

24/11/15 cutting a continuous swath of turf between any two outer cutting units26, 32 located respectively on the opposite sides of the main frame 12.

One row 38 of the cutting units has a first pair of interconnected outer and inner cutting units 26, 28 at the first side 18 of the main frame 12 (see Fig,

3) and has a second pair of interconnected inner and outer cutting units 30, 32 at the second side 20 of the main frame 12. Each of the inner cutting units 28,

30 is pivotally connected to the main frame 12. Each of the outer cutting units

26, 32 is pivotally connected to a respective inner cutting unit 28, 30.

There is a first hydraulic means 42, 44 for rotating each of the outer cutting units 26, 32 relative to its respective inner cutting unit 28, 30 about a respective vertical pivot axis 46, 48. By this rotation, each of the outer cutting units 26, 32 fold in a direction towards therear nd 16 of the main frame 12

(see Fig. 4).

There is a second hydraulic means 50, 52 for rotating each of the inner cutting units 28, 30 relative to the main frame 12 about a respective horizontal pivot axis 54, 56. By this rotaon, each of the inner cutting units 28, 30 liftin an

upward direction (see Fig. 6).

The mower 10 also has means for controling the operation of the first hydraulic means42, 44and the second hydraulic means 50, 52. Such control

means may be a controller which is operably located on atractor which pulls the mower 10, and may be an electronic controller, and may be programnable.

In the above broad form of the embodiment, the control neans operates the first hydraulic means 42. 44 beforeoperating the second hydraulic means

50, 52. Each inner cutting unit 28, 30 has an inner pivot frame 60 and an inner mower deck 62 connected to the underside of the inner pivot frame 60. An inner end of the inner pivot frame 60 is pivotally connected to themain frame

24/11/15

12 through therespective pivot axis 54, 56, and an outer end of the inner pivot

frame 60 is pivotally connected to its respective outer cutting unit 26, 32

through the respective pivot axis 46, 48.

Each outer cutting unit 26,32 has an outer pivot frame member 64 and

an outer mower deck 66 connected to the underside of the outer pivot frame member 64. An inner end of the outer pivot framemember 64 is pivotally

connected to the outer end of its respective inner pivot frame 60 through the

respective pivot axis 46, 48.

In a narrower formr of the embodiment, each inner pivot frame 60 has pivotally interconnected first and second pivot frame members 68, 70. The inner mower deck 62 is connected to the underside of the first pivot frame

member 68 of the inner pivot frame 60, and an inner end of the first pivot frame member 68 is pivotally connected to a respective side of the main frame 12 through the respective pivot axis 54, 56.

The first hydraulic means 42, 44 is a pair of hydraulic cylinders, each of which has a cylinder barrel end 72 pivotally connected tothe second pivot frame member70 of theinner pivot frame 60, and a piston rod end 74 pivotally

connected to the outer pivot frame member 64.

The second hydraulic means 50, 52 is also a pair of hydraulic cylinders, each of which has a cylinder barrel end 76 pivotally connected to the main frame 12, and a piston rod end 78 pivotally connected to the first pivot frame

member 68.

Theturf mower 10 also has, inthis narrower form of the embodiment, a third hydraulic means 80, 82 for rotating each of the outer cutting units 26, 32 relative to its respective inner cutting unit 28, 30 about a respective horizontal pivot axis 84, 86. By this rotation, each of the outer cutting units 26, 32 lift in an upward direction (see Fig. 5),

24/11/15

The third hydraulic means 80, 82 is also a pair of dual piston hydraulic cylinders, each of which has a first piston rod end 88 pivotally connected to the

first pivot frame member 68 of the inner pivot frame 60. and a second piston

rod end 90 pivotally connectedto the second pivot frame member 70. In the above narrower form of the embodiment, the control means operates the first hydraulic means 42, 44 before operating the third hydraulic means 80, 82 before operating the second hydraulic means 50, 52.

In a still narrower form of the embodiment, the turf mower 10 also has

another row 36 of the cutting units at the front end 14 of the main frame 12. That row 36 has a front cutting unit 22 at the first side 18 of the main frame 12 (see Fig. 7), and has a front cutting unit 24 at the second side 20 of the main

frame 12. Each of the front cutting units 22, 24 is pivotally connected to the

main frame 12.

There is a front hydraulic means 92, 94 for rotating each of the front T5 cutting units 22, 24 relative to the main frame 12 about a respective front horizontal pivotaxis 96, 98. By this rotation, each of the front cutting units 22,

24l|ift in an upward direction (see Fig. 8

The front hydraulic means 92, 94 is a pair of hydraulic cylinders, each of which has a cylinder barrel end 100 pivotally connectedto the main frame 12

and a piston rod end 102 pivotally connected to therespectivefront cutting unit

22,24.

The control rneans operates the front hydraulic means 92, 94 after

operating the first hydraulic means 42, 44.

Each front cutting unit 22, 24 has a frontpivot framemember 104 and a front mower deck 106 connected to the underside of the front pivot frame member 104. An inner end of the front pivot framemember 104 is pivotally

24/11/15 connected to a respective side 18, 20 of the main frame12 through the respective pivot axis 96, 98

The turf mower 10 also has yet another row 40 of the cutting units at the reaend 16 of theainframe 12(see Fg. 9). That row 40 has only one rear

cutting unit 34 pivotallconnected to the main frame 12.

There is a rear hydraulic means 108 for rotating the rear cutting unit 34 relative to the main frame 12 about a rear horizontal pivot axis 110. By this rotation, the rear cutting unit 34 lifts in an upward direction (see Fig. 10).

The rear hydraulic neans 108 is a single hydraulic cylinder which has a cylinder barrel end 112 pivotally connected to the main frame 12, and a piston

rod end 114 pivotally connected to the rear cutting unit 34.

The control means operates the rear hydraulic means 108 after operating the first hydraulic means 42, 44.

The rear cutting unit 34 has a rear pivot frame member 116 and a rear

rnowerdeck118 connected to the underside of the rearpivot frame member 116. An inner end of the rear pivot frame member 116 is pivotally connected to

the rear end 16 of the main frame 12 through the pivot axis 110.

The mower cutting configuration(see Figs. 1 and 2) formed by the above described articulated arrangement of cutting units 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 positioned in rows in a staggered order is a generally w-shaped configuration. In the above still narrower form of the embodiment, the control means

operates the first hydraulic means 42, 44 before operating the third hydraulic means 80, 82 before operating the rear hydraulic means 108 before operating the front hydraulic means 92, 94 before operating the second hydraulic means 50,52.

This sequence of controlled operation is shown in its various stages from the start of the folding and lifting operation on all of the cutting unitswhen they

24/11/15 are in their cutting positions (as shown in Fig. 11), to a first stage of the operation when each of the outer cutting units 26, 32 have been slightly lifted and then rotated in a direction towards the rear end 16 of the rain frame 12(as shownin Fig. 12) to a second stage of the operation when each of the outer cuttingunits 26, 32 have been lifted in an upward direction (as shownin Fig.

13), to a third stage of the operation when the rear cutting unit 34has been lifted in an upward direction (asshown in Fig. 14), to a fourth stage of the

operation when each of the front cutting units 22, 24 have been lifted in an upward direction(as shown in Fig. 15), and finally to a fifth stage of the operation wheneach ofthe inner cuing units 28, 30 have been lifted in an

upward direction (as shown in Fig. 16) After the fifth stage, the mower 10 has assumed a width and height suitable for road use.

As shown inFigs. 17 and 18, the main frame 12 has a main body 120, a

forward towsub-chassis 122 and a rearward wheel sub-chassis 124. The main body 120 is pivotally connected ata first location at its front end 125 to a

rearward end of the forward tow sub-chassis 122 through a pivot axis 126, and

is pivotally connected at a second location rearwardly of its front end to a

forward end of the rearward wheel sub-chassis 124 through a pivot axis 128. The mower10 has forward hydraulic means 130 for lifting the front end

125 of the main body 120 relative to a ground surface and hasrearward hydraulicmeans 132for lifting a rear end 127 of the main body 120 relative to

the ground surface. The control means operates the forward and rearward hydraulic means 130 132 simultaneously to raise the main frame 12verticay

whilst maintaining the main body 120 generally parallel to the ground surface.

The forward hydraulic means 130 is a pair of hydraulic cylinders, each of which has a cylinder barrel end 134 pivotally connected to the front end 125 of

24/11/15 the main body 120, and a piston rod end 136 pivotally connected totheforward tow sub-chassis 122.

The rearward hydraulic means 132 is also a pair of hydraulic cylinders, each of which has a cylinder barrel end 138 pivotally connected to the rearward

wheel sub-chassis 124 and a piston rod end 140 pivotal connectedto the rear end 127 of the mainbody 120.

With the above describedlinkage arrangement of the main body 120, forward tow sub-chassis 122, rearward wheel sub-chassis 124, forward and

rearward hydraulic means 130, 132and control means, each of the cutting

units 22, 24, 26 28, 30, 32, 34 positioned in rows in the staggered orderwhich

form the mower cutting configurations described earlier can be lifted simultaneouslyfrom a cutting position to a transit position above the ground

surface when the main frame 12 is raised vertically (see Fig. 18).

It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art that various

modifications may be made in details of design and construction of the wide area turf mower described above without departingfro the scope and ambit of

thepresentinvention.

24/11/16

ClAIMS>

Awideareaturfmowercomprising; (a) awheelsupportedmainframehaingafront end, a rear end and opposite first and secondsides, (b) a purity of cutting units movably connecteto the main frame and positioned in rows inastageredordertoformamowercutt configuration for uttinacontinuousswathofturfbetweenanytwo outercuttingunitsoatedrespectively on theoppositesides ofthe main frame, (ci one roof the cuing units comprisingafistpairof interconnected outerand innercut rng uitsatthefistsideofthemi frainsand a second pair ofinteronnected innerand autercuttingjunis atthesecndideftemanfame, eachofthenectignt being pivotayconneted to the mainframeeach of theouter cutting units being pivotal connectedto a respective innercutting unit, (d) a first hydrauiPcyinderfor otaingeach of theouter cutting units relative to its respective inner cuttingunitaboutarespective vertical pivot axis; whereby each of the outer cutting units fold in adirection towards the rear end of themainrame (e) a second hydrauli cylindefo rotatingeachoftheinnercutting units reative to hemai ne about respecivehrizontalpvot axis wherebyeach ofthe inner utng units lift in anupwarddirection, and M a controlefor otating the first hydrauliccylindersand the second hydraukccynder

2 The wide area turf mower ofclaim Iwherein the controlleropratesthe fist hydraulic cylinders beforeoperating the secondhydrauliccylinders

251V15

Claims

3. The vide area murfhower of ciaim 2 whereineachnnercutmgunit comprisesaninrerpivotframeandoannnermower deck connected tothe undersideof the innerpivat framean inner end of the inner pivotfram being

pivotayconneedto the mainframeand anouterend oftheinnerivotframe

being pivotayonreed toitsrespectiveoutercutting unit

4. The wide area turf mower of cla3 wherein each outer cutting unit compnses anoutrpiotrmiemIember andanouemoedeckconce to the underside oftheouterivoframemember, an inner endoftheader pivotframememberbeing pivotaiy connected tothe outer endof itsrespective inner pivotframe,

5. The wideareaurfmower ofclaim4whereintheinnerpvtfome

comprisespivotalyinterconnectedfirst and secondpivot framemembers, and thinner mowerdeckisconnected to the underside of the firstpivotfme

member, an innerend of thefirstpivot framememberbeing pivotallyconnected to a respective side ofthe main frame.

6 The wideareatnfmower ofcaim herein the fist hydraulic cylinder has first endpivotanyconnededtothesecondpivotframemembrranda second end pivotay connected to the outer pivot framerember.

7. The widearea urf mower of claim 6 wherein the second hydraulic cylinder hasafirst and pivotal connected themainframe and asecondend pivotally connectedto the first pivot frame member

VA i9

8 The widearea turf mower ofaim7wherein the turfmowerfurther comprises a third hydraulic cylinderforrotating each of the outer cutting units relative to its respectiveinner cutting unit about respective ho-zonta pivot

axis, whereby each of the outer cutting unitsliftinanouwarddirection

9. The wide areaturf mower of claim Aherein thethirdkhydraulinder hasa first end ivotaconnected to the first pivot framememberandasecond

end pivotayconnectedto the secondpivotframember

10. Thewidearea turf mower of claim 9 wherein the controlleroperates the firsthydrauiccvlders before operating the thirdhydrauicylinders before

operating the second hydrauiccynders.

11, The wide area turf mower of claim I wherein the turf mower further

comprises another row of th cutting uns atthe front endofthe mranme theanotherrow comprisinafrontcuttingunit atthefirstsideofthemaiframe andafrontcuttnunit at the second sideof the mainframe eachof thefront cutting units beingpivotally connected tothe mainframe, and afronthydrauh

cyinderforrotatngeach of the front uttingnits relative to themainframe

about arespective front horizontal pivot axis,wherebyeachofthefrontcutting

units lift in an upwarddirectionand whereinthecontroleroperatesthefront

hydrauliccylinders after operating thefirsthydraulic ylinders,

12. The wide area turf mower of claim 11 whereineach front cutting unit comprises a frontpivot framemember anda front mower deck cnnecedto

theundersideofthe fontpivotframemember aninner end of the front pivot frame member being pivotally connected to a respective side of the main frame.

13. The wide area turf mower of claim 1 wherein the one row of cutting units is a first row of cutting units and the turf mower further comprises a second row of the cutting units at the rear end of the main frame, the second row comprising a rear cutting unit pivotally connected to the main frame, and a rear hydraulic cylinder for rotating the rear cutting unit relative to the main frame about a rear horizontal pivot axis, whereby the rear cutting unit lifts in an upward direction, and wherein the controller operates the rear hydraulic cylinder after operating the first hydraulic cylinders.

14. The wide area turf mower of claim 13 wherein the rear cutting unit comprises a rear pivot frame member and a rear mower deck connected to the underside of the rear pivot frame member, an inner end of the rear pivot frame member being pivotally connected to the rear end of the main frame.

15. The wide area turf mower of claim 1 wherein the mower cutting configuration is a generally w-shaped configuration.

16. The wide area turf mower of claim 8 wherein the controller operates the first hydraulic cylinders before operating the third hydraulic cylinders before operating the rear hydraulic cylinder before operating the front hydraulic cylinders before operating the second hydraulic cylinders.

17. The wide area turf mower of claim 1 wherein the main frame comprises a main body, a forward tow sub-chassis and a rearward wheel sub-chassis, the main body being pivotally connected at its front end to a rearward end of the forward tow sub-chassis, and being pivotally connected rearwardly of its front end to a forward end of the rearward wheel sub-chassis.

18. The wide area turf mower of claim 17 wherein the turf mower further comprises at least one forward hydraulic cylinder for lifting the front end of the main body relative to a ground surface and at least one rearward hydraulic cylinder for lifting a rear end of the main body relative to the ground surface, and wherein the controller operates the forward and rearward hydraulic cylinders simultaneously to raise the main frame vertically whilst maintaining the main body generally parallel to the ground surface, whereby each of the cutting units can be lifted simultaneously from a cutting position to a transit position above the ground surface when the main frame is raised vertically.

19. The wide area turf mower of claim 18 wherein each forward hydraulic cylinder has a first end pivotally connected to the front end of the main body and a second end pivotally connected to the forward tow sub-chassis.

20. The wide area turf mower of claim 19 wherein each rearward hydraulic cylinder has a first end pivotally connected to the rearward wheel sub-chassis and a second end pivotally connected to the rear end of the main body.

Dated this 7th October 2020

Sammut Agricultural Machinery Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant MAXWELLS PATENT &TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS PTY LTD

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