GB1601565A - Crop working machine - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A CROP WORKING MACHINE (71) We, PATENT CONCERN N.V., of Willemstad, Curacao, The Netherlands Antilles, a Limited Liability Company organised under the laws of The Netherlands Antilles, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to a mowing machine.

According to the present invention there is provided a mowing machine comprising two mowing assemblies, each of which is mounted for rotation about an upwardly extending main axis and is provided with a mowing element mounted for rotation about an upwardly extending axis which is spaced from the main axis of the respective mowing assembly, the machine being provided with a swath forming arrangement, disposed behind the mowing assemblies, with respect to the intended direction of operative travel of the machine, the swath forming arrangement comprising a pair of swath forming walls between which cut crop from each mowing assembly is discharged in operation of the machine.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a mowing machine in accordance with the invention attached to a tractor Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of part of the mowing machine taken on the line 11-Il in Figure 1: Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the mowing machine taken on the line Ill-Ill in Figure l; Figure 4 is a sectional view and partly an elevational view taken on the line IV-IV in Figure 2; Figure 5 is an elevational view of part of a swath member of the mowing machine taken in the direction of the arrow V in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of part of the mowing machine; Figure 7 is an elevational view in the direction of the arrow VII in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a partly sectional elevational view showing a third embodiment of part of the mowing machine; Figure 9 is an elevational view in the direction of the arrow IX in Figure 8, and Figure 10 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of part of the mowing machine.

The mowing machine illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a main frame beam 1, which is attached by means of an intermediate frame 2 and a trestle 3 to the three-point lifting device 4 of a tractor 5. As viewed in the intended direction of operative travel of the machine, indicated by an arrow A, the trestle 3 has a substantially triangular shape and is provided near the lower side with a supporting part 6 also having a substantially triangular shape, as viewed on plan, whilst the intermediate frame 2 is supported by means of an upwardly extending pivotal shaft 7 so that in the working position the intermediate frame and the main frame beam 1 extend transversely of the direction A, whereas in a transport position, achieved by turning the intermediate frame 2 about the pivotal shaft 7, the intermediate frame 2 and the main frame beam 1 extend away from the intermediate part 6 in a direction opposite the arrow A. The supporting part 6 may be provided with a shear-pin device (not shown), which ensures that, if the mowing machine encounters excessive resistance during operation, the intermediate frame turns about the pivotal shaft 7. The intermediate frame 2 supports a driving shaft 8, which is coupled by means of a gear box 9 with the power take-off shaft 10 of the tractor 5. The intermediate frame 2 is pivotally connected with the main frame beam by means of a pivotal shaft 11, at the level of which the driving shaft 8 is provided with a universal joint 12. Figures 2 and 3 show that at the end of the main frame beam I facing the intermediate frame 2 a short shaft 13 is journalled in bearings 14 and 15, which are supported in an end cover 16 of the beam 1, whilst a stub 13A of the shaft 13 projects from the frame beam 1 and is surrounded by an arresting ring 17, which is connected by means of a cap 18 with the cover 16. The stub 13A has splines for receiving the part of the driving shaft 8 adjacent the universal joint 12. The driving shaft 13 has a portion 13B, also splined, for receiving a bevel pinion 19, which is journalled with the shaft 13 in the bearing 15. A supporting part 20 is bolted to the top side of the beam 1 and constitutes a rigid connection for a main shaft 21. The main shaft 21 extends from the supporting part 20 downwards and forms a carrier for a mowing assembly 22. A bevel pinion 23 is mounted coaxially on the main shaft 21 and meshes with the pinion 19, which is free of the main shaft 21. The bevel pinion 23 also meshes with a bevel pinion 24 on a splined end portion of a driving shaft 25 which extends parallel to the longitudinal centre line of the beam 1 and transfers the drive for a second mowing assembly 26 from the first mowing assembly 22. A bearing 27 in an intermediate partition 28 of the beam 1 journals the driving shaft 25 in the beam 1.

In a similar manner the other end portion of the shaft 25 is supported in a bearing 30 in a partition 29 and is provided with a bevel pinion 31. The bevel pinion 31, like the pinion 19, meshes with a pinion structure like that of the mowing assembly 22. The end portion of the main frame beam 1 is closed above the mowing assembly 26 by an end cover 32. Since the construction of the mowing assemblies 22 and 26, viewed from the main shaft 21 and the pinion 23 thereon, apart from the fact that they are driven in opposite directions, are identical, a detailed description of the mowing assembly 26 only will be given.

The pinion 23 is journalled in a bearing 33 which is arranged in a ring 34 and is locked in place on the beam 1 by a locking ring 35 including an oil arrester. To the lower side of the ring 34 is fastened a sealing cap 36, which co-operates with a ring 37 on the top of the mowing assembly. The ring 37 is fastened to a bearing housing 38, which is rigidly bolted to the pinion 23 and is supported on the main shaft 21 by means of a bearing 39. The bottom of the housing 38 is bolted to a casing 40, which lies in an imaginary conical surface, the vertex of which is located just above the top end of the main shaft 21, the cone angle being about 35". The casing 40 extends downwards from the housing 38 and is fastened by means of an outwardly directed rim 41 to a carrier 42, which provides an oil bath housing for the drive of a plurality of mowing elements 43 mounted on the mowing assembly 26. Near the circumference the carrier 42 is inclined downwards and lies in an imaginary conical surface having its vertex located on the shaft 21A just beneath the supporting part 20, the cone angle being about50". Figure 1 shows that each mowing assembly has three mowing elements, 43, each mounted on a shaft 44 which is journalled at the top in a bearing 45 in the carrier 42. The central portion of the carrier 42 is substantially perpendicular to the centreline 21A of the main shaft 21, which constitutes the main axis of the mowing assembly, and is connected near the centre with a bearing housing 46 accommodating a bearing 47.

The bearing 47 is fitted over a hub 48, which is rigidly secured to a splined end portion of the main shaft 21. Beneath the bearing 47 there is a main pinion 49 which is rigidly secured to the hub 48, which is provided directly beneath the pinion 49 with a widened portion. The hub 48 is locked axially on the main shaft 21 by a locking ring 50.

The pinion 49 has straight circumferential teeth and engages three comparatively small pinions 51 fitted to the respective shafts 44 of the mowing elements 43. Each pinion 51 is located just beneath the bearing 45. The shafts 44 are each supported by a locking member formed by a locking ring 52, whilst a bearing 53 in the - ring 52 supports the shaft 44 axially. To this end, the bearing 53 co-operates with a widened portion of the shaft 44 located above the bearing. The respective locking rings 52 on the mowing elements 43 are bolted from underneath the mowing assembly 26 to a bottom plate 54, which closes the housing provided by the carrier 42 on the bottom side and is bolted at the periphery of the moving assembly to the upper plate of the carrier 42. The arrangement of the respective shafts 44 and their bearings 45 and 53 allows each mowing element to be fitted and removed separately from one side, that is to say, from the bottom side.

The shafts 44 are parallel to the main shaft 21 and are arranged at equal distances from the main shaft. As viewed in a direction parallel to the main shaft 21, as shown in Figure 4, the carrier 42 has a polygonal shape, the corners being rounded off, and the shafts 44 are located on radial lines ~extending between the centreline 21A and the respective corners, the sides forming these corners being at an angle of about 95".

At equal intervals between each two corners is located one of a further three corners having angles of about 145". The line of connection between each of the latter corners and the centreline 21A intersects the centreline of one of a number of coils 55 and 56 of catch or crop displacing member 57 formed by two tines 58 and 59 located vertically one above the other, as viewed in a direction parallel to the centreline 21A. The tine 58 is inclined downwards by an angle of about 15 from a plane extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the coil 55, and the tine 59 is inclined downwards through an angle of preferably about 20 from this plane at a given distance from the coil 56. The free end of the tine 59, is located a small distance above cutting members 60, which are arranged on the tops of the mowing elements 43. The free end of the tine 59 is located about 2 cms inboard of the radially outermost position of the extremities of the cutting members 60. The coils 55 and 56 are connected together, by means of a part 61 and bolts 62, to two supporting parts 63 mounted on the wall of the casing 40. The tine 58 extends radially outwardly so that the free end of the tine 58 describes a circle during operation, which, as viewed on plan, passes through the corners of the carrier 42 located near the shafts 44.

The respective mowing elements 43 comprise, beneath the locking ring 52, two circular, mutually parallel plates 64 and 65, which are interconnected over part of their surfaces and are substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 44. Across these plates extend three shafts 66, which embody pivotal axes for the cutting members 60, which constitute freely pivotably knives having a thickness of about 2 mms. The knives 60 can turn through 3600 because the bottom plate 65 is located over part of its surface at a distance from the plate 64 for fastening the knife 60. The plate 64 is preferably made from spring steel. Beneath the bottom plate 65 is arranged a ring 67 which serves to protect from dirt and damage a lower bearing of the mowing element, in the form of two conical bearings 68 and 69 mounted on the shaft 44. The bearings 68 and 69 are arranged in a housing 70 serving as a carrier for a sealing cap 71 which co-operates with the ring 67. The cap 71 prevents crop from winding around the shaft 44. The housing 70 is connected with the shaft 44 by a locking member comprising a ring 70A located between the bearings 68 and 69. To the other side of the housing 70 is bolted a supporting member in the form of a supporting disc 72 which has a convex shape and extends beyond the pivotal shafts 66 and to near the main shaft 21. The diameter of each disc 72 is preferably about 31 cms, whereas the total diameter of the path described by the ends of the knives 60 is preferably about 82 cms.

The distance of the centreline of each shaft 44 from the centreline 21A is preferably about 22 cms.

Figures 1 and 2 show that to the bottom of the main frame beam 1 are fastened two substantially horizontal, tubular carriers 73 extending to the front and rear substantially in the direction A. They extend beyond the paths described by the knives, as viewed on plan. The ends of the carriers 73 remote from the beam 1 are connected with a framework 74, which substantially completely surrounds, as viewed on plan, the paths described by the knives 60. At the rear fastening points of the carriers 73 are provided two rearwardly and laterally inclined struts 75, and tie plates 76 are fastened in the obtuse angles enclosed by the struts 75 and the framework 74. To the lower sides of the plates 76 and 77 are fastened swath members 78 and 79 in the manner shown in Figures 1 and 5. In order to fasten the swath members, a fork 80 is arranged beneath each of the respective plates 76 and 77, this fork 80 having a shaft portion 81 which passes through the plate 77 and is adjustable to any one of at least three positions by means of a tag 82 on the shaft portion 81 which lies over the top of the plate 77. As shown in the elevational view of Figure 5, each swath member 78 and 79 comprises a tube having a downwardly inclined portion 83 with a fork 84 at the top, which is connected by a pivotal shaft 85 with the fork 80. The pivotal shaft 85 is substantially horizontal so that the swath members 78 and 79 are upwardly pivotable.

The tube is bent at a location near the ground and has a portion 86 which extends, as viewed on plan, towards the rear and also inwardly towards the tractor. In the relatively parallel positions of the swath members as shown in Figure 1, the portion 86 extends substantially parallel to the ground surface and functions as a sledge runner at an angle of about 45" to the direction A. By means of the tag 82 each swath member can be displaced through at least 90". To the rear of the tube portion 83 is welded a strip 87 to which are secured a plurality of spring steel tines 88 extending parallel to the supporting tube portion 86; preferably there are about eight tines. The tines 88 lie in a plane which is at an acute angle to the vertical, and the planes of the tines of the two swath members 78 and 79 converge downwardly.

The construction described above operates as follows.

During operation the mowing machine (which has a working width of about 1.60 ms) is attached laterally of the tractor 5 to the three-point lift 4. The mowing assemblies 22 and 26 are driven by the power take-off shaft 10 at a speed of about 500 rev/min. Owing to the arrangement of the intermediate frame 2 and the main frame beam 1, which are pivotable about the pivotal shaft 11, the mowing assemblies can follow unevennesses of the ground.

With the disposition described for the pinions in the main frame beam 1 the mowing assemblies, with the associated casings 40 and the crop displacing members 57 are rotated in opposite senses about the respective main shafts 21 as indicated by the arrows B and C in Figure 1.

When the small pinions or satellite wheels 51 (having, for example, 15 teeth) roll along the main pinion or sun wheel 49 (having, for example, 134 teeth), the three mowing elements 43 of each mowing assembly rotate about the associated shafts 44 at a rate of about 4500 rev/min in the directions of the arrows D and E respectively corresponding with the rotation of the associated mowing assembly. In this way the crop displacing member 57 rotates comparatively slowly and thus has a low circumferential speed, whereas owing to the mode of driving through the rotor formed by the carrier 42 the circumferential speed of the respective knives 60 is high. The disposition of the three mowing elements ensures satisfactory balancing of the mowing assembly. The peripheral speeds of the free ends of the crop displacing members 57 and of the knives 60 may have a preferred ratio of about 1:9. With the construction according to the invention long-stemmed crop cut in a horizontal plane by the high-speed knives -60 will at least substantially maintain its original position after being cut. Almost as it is cut, the crop is caught by the tines 58 and 59 moving slowly as compared with the speed of the knives and is conveyed in the directions of the arrows B and C. It is advantageous that the paths described by the ends of the tines extend at the front of the machine to the proximity of the paths described by the free ends of the knives. It is furthermore important that the paths described by the cutting members of each mowing element about the shaft 44 cross the tine paths, viewed on plan, whilst it is also important that the tines should be evenly distributed between the mowing elements so that the knives, preferably made from spring steel, can move unhindered slightly upwards and downwards. The mowing elements, and the tines, of the two mowing assemblies are relatively off-set (Figure 1), so that a satisfactory overlap is obtained. After the crop is conveyed by the tines to the rear, it is spread laterally and rearwardly in dependence upon the positions of the swath members 78 and 79 so that the crop can be deposited in fan-like fashion. As an alternative, a sharply defined swath may be formed by means of the swath members. By means of the discs 72 each mowing assembly 22 and 26 is effectively supported on the ground and owing to the freely rotatable connection of the disc with the shaft 44 a flexible run along the ground surface is obtained. It is important in this respect for the discs 72 to extend beyond the shafts 66 so that these shafts 66 are satisfactorily protected so that free pivotability of the knives 60 is maintained.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 of the mowing assemblies 22 and 26 parts corresponding to parts shown in Figures 1 to 5 are designated by the same reference numerals. Instead of spring steel tines 58 and 59 this embodiment comprises a crop-displacing member 89 of sheet material arranged on the casing 40. The crop displacing member 89 comprises a central portion 90 extending parallel to the outer surface of the casing 40 and being bolted to the casing. An upper tine 91 extends substantially radially from the central portion 90 and terminates in a pointed tip. The free end portion 92 of the tine is bent over downwards through an angle of about 400 from the rest of the tine.

Figure 7 shows that the free end of the end portion 92 lies generally above the path described by the periphery of the carrier 42.

The central portion 90 is also connected with a tine 93 located vertically beneath the tine 91 and extending substantially parallel thereto from the portion 90. Substantially midway along its length, the tine 93 is bent over downwards through an angle of about 400, and its free end, like the free end of the tine 57, is disposed a few centimetres above the path of the knives 60 but inside the path described by the free ends of the knives.

The tine 93 also has an end portion 94 terminating in a pointed tip. The main shaft 21 in this embodiment has a slightly reduced diameter portion 96 beneath a bottom plate 95 closing the bottom of the housing formed by the carrier 92, like the bottom plate 54 on the first embodiment. By means of two bearings 97 disposed one above the other, a supporting dish or disc 98 is journalled on said reduced diameter portion. The dish 98 is fastened to the bearings 97 by means of a cap 99. The dish 98 is substantially flat near the main shaft 21 and curved slightly upwardly near the periphery of the mowing assembly and, as shown in the sectional view of Figure 6, the free end of the tine 93 is located at about the same distance from the main shaft 21 as is the periphery of the dish 98. The dish preferably has a diameter of about 148 cms in this embodiment.

The operation of the construction illustrated in Figure 6 and 7 largely corresponds with that of the first embodiment. The tines 91 and 93 are again capable of displacing the cut crop substantially directly after cutting. In a preferred embodiment the tines are made from spring steel so that they are capable of deflecting slightly. The triangular shape of the tines minimizes or completely avoids sticking of crop, to the tines. The large dish 98 provides an effective support for the various mowing elements 43 while providing a satisfactory adjustment of the knives an of the associated crop displacing member 89 in a vertical direction.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9, the crop displacing member 57 of the first embodiment is replaced by a crop displacing member 101, which is pivotable about an upwardly extending shaft 100. The shaft 100 is preferably parallel to the centreline 21A of the main shaft 21 and is arranged in an extension arm 102. Figure 9 shows that the crop displacing member 101 can be set with respect to the extension arm 102 by means of a pin 103 in two positions.

The crop displacing member 101 preferably comprises tines 104 and 105 corresponding to the tines 58 and 59 of Figure 2. In a first position the tines extend substantially radially or even slightly forwardly, whereas in a second position the crop displacing member is shifted through about 20 and the tines extend rearwardly and outwardly from the extension arm 102 with respect to the directions of rotation B or C respectively. The main shaft 21 has a portion of reduced diameter 106 at its lower end, to which is rigidly secured by a support 107 a dish or disc 108 having a diameter slightly exceeding the distance between the two rotary axes 21A. The centre 109 of the dish 108 is designated in Figure 9 located at a small distance behind the centreline 21A of the main shaft 21, with respect to the direction A. At their adjacent siaes the two dishes 108 are welded to one another over a portion 100. In this way a rigid support is obtained on the bottom of the mowing machine. During operation the construction in this third embodiment allows the displacement of crop to be controlled.

Owing to the radial or slightly forwardly inclined position of the tines, crop is carried along over a comparatively long distance so that it is satisfactorily tedded. In the second position, in which the tine trails slightly from its fastening area with respect to the direction of rotation, the crop is conveyed over a smaller distance so that by the cooperation of the swath members 78 and 79 a swath is formed. The specific structure of the supporting disc or dish 108, the centre of which is located behind the centreline 21A, provides not only a very effective support but ensures in addition that the knife is retracted at the rear of the mowing machine within the periphery of the supporting dish so that any double cut is avoided. By the rigid interconnection of the dishes 108 the construction can be cheap and nevertheless effective.

The embodiment shown in Figure 10 is a construction in which an intermediate wheel 111 is arranged between the main or sun wheel 49 and the pinion 51 of the cutting member. Rotation of the mowing assembly in the direction of the arrow C causes the mowing element 43 to rotate in the opposite sense as indicated by the arrow F in Figure 10. Owing to the opposite direction of rotation of the cutting members 60 and the crop displacing members 57 the tines can work the crop quite intensively.

Moreover, the opposite movement of the knives 60 ensures a very satisfactory cutting effect.

It should be noted that the machine may, in addition, be employed for working of the crop other than cuttine, for examDle, the machine can be used or tedding because the knives 60 can be readily removed by means of the plates 64. If necessary, the machine can be inclined forwardly by adjusting the lifting device 4 so that the tines will be nearer the ground surface.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A mowing machine comprising two mowing assemblies, each of which is mounted for rotation about an upwardly extending main axis and is provided with a mowing element mounted for rotation about an upwardly extending axis which is spaced from the main axis of the respective mowing assembly, the machine being provided with a swath forming arrangement, disposed behind the mowing assemblies, with respect to the intended direction of operative travel of the machine, the swath forming arrangement comprising a pair of swath forming walls between which cut crop from each mowing assembly is discharged in operation of the machine.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, in which, in operation, each mowing element is driven in rotation about its axis by rotation of the respective mowing assembly about its main axis.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which each swath forming wall comprises a tubular carrier to which resilient tines are secured, the tubular carrier acting in operation as a sledge runner for supporting the swath forming wall on the ground.

4. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which each swath forming wall is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the rest of the machine about an upwardly extending

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (22)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. illustrated in Figure 6 and 7 largely corresponds with that of the first embodiment. The tines 91 and 93 are again capable of displacing the cut crop substantially directly after cutting. In a preferred embodiment the tines are made from spring steel so that they are capable of deflecting slightly. The triangular shape of the tines minimizes or completely avoids sticking of crop, to the tines. The large dish 98 provides an effective support for the various mowing elements 43 while providing a satisfactory adjustment of the knives an of the associated crop displacing member 89 in a vertical direction. In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9, the crop displacing member 57 of the first embodiment is replaced by a crop displacing member 101, which is pivotable about an upwardly extending shaft 100. The shaft 100 is preferably parallel to the centreline 21A of the main shaft 21 and is arranged in an extension arm 102. Figure 9 shows that the crop displacing member 101 can be set with respect to the extension arm 102 by means of a pin 103 in two positions. The crop displacing member 101 preferably comprises tines 104 and 105 corresponding to the tines 58 and 59 of Figure 2. In a first position the tines extend substantially radially or even slightly forwardly, whereas in a second position the crop displacing member is shifted through about 20 and the tines extend rearwardly and outwardly from the extension arm 102 with respect to the directions of rotation B or C respectively. The main shaft 21 has a portion of reduced diameter 106 at its lower end, to which is rigidly secured by a support 107 a dish or disc 108 having a diameter slightly exceeding the distance between the two rotary axes 21A. The centre 109 of the dish 108 is designated in Figure 9 located at a small distance behind the centreline 21A of the main shaft 21, with respect to the direction A. At their adjacent siaes the two dishes 108 are welded to one another over a portion 100. In this way a rigid support is obtained on the bottom of the mowing machine. During operation the construction in this third embodiment allows the displacement of crop to be controlled. Owing to the radial or slightly forwardly inclined position of the tines, crop is carried along over a comparatively long distance so that it is satisfactorily tedded. In the second position, in which the tine trails slightly from its fastening area with respect to the direction of rotation, the crop is conveyed over a smaller distance so that by the cooperation of the swath members 78 and 79 a swath is formed. The specific structure of the supporting disc or dish 108, the centre of which is located behind the centreline 21A, provides not only a very effective support but ensures in addition that the knife is retracted at the rear of the mowing machine within the periphery of the supporting dish so that any double cut is avoided. By the rigid interconnection of the dishes 108 the construction can be cheap and nevertheless effective. The embodiment shown in Figure 10 is a construction in which an intermediate wheel 111 is arranged between the main or sun wheel 49 and the pinion 51 of the cutting member. Rotation of the mowing assembly in the direction of the arrow C causes the mowing element 43 to rotate in the opposite sense as indicated by the arrow F in Figure 10. Owing to the opposite direction of rotation of the cutting members 60 and the crop displacing members 57 the tines can work the crop quite intensively. Moreover, the opposite movement of the knives 60 ensures a very satisfactory cutting effect. It should be noted that the machine may, in addition, be employed for working of the crop other than cuttine, for examDle, the machine can be used or tedding because the knives 60 can be readily removed by means of the plates 64. If necessary, the machine can be inclined forwardly by adjusting the lifting device 4 so that the tines will be nearer the ground surface. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A mowing machine comprising two mowing assemblies, each of which is mounted for rotation about an upwardly extending main axis and is provided with a mowing element mounted for rotation about an upwardly extending axis which is spaced from the main axis of the respective mowing assembly, the machine being provided with a swath forming arrangement, disposed behind the mowing assemblies, with respect to the intended direction of operative travel of the machine, the swath forming arrangement comprising a pair of swath forming walls between which cut crop from each mowing assembly is discharged in operation of the machine.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, in which, in operation, each mowing element is driven in rotation about its axis by rotation of the respective mowing assembly about its main axis.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which each swath forming wall comprises a tubular carrier to which resilient tines are secured, the tubular carrier acting in operation as a sledge runner for supporting the swath forming wall on the ground.

4. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which each swath forming wall is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the rest of the machine about an upwardly extending

pivotal axis and is adjustable about the upwardly extending pivotal axis into, and is fixable in, any one of two or more positions.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 4, in which the swath forming walls can be positioned substantially parallel to one another.

6. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the mowing assemblies are provided with crop displacing members, which comprise resilient tines.

7. A machine as claimed in claim 6, in which the drive of the machine is constructed so that, in operation, the tines have a lower peripheral speed than the mowing elements.

8. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which each mowing assembly is journalled both near the top and near the bottom on a respective main shaft embodying the main axis.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 8, in which the upper bearing is disposed just beneath a pinion driving the respective mowing assemblies.

10. A machine as claimed in claim 9, in which the upper bearing is located in a housing which establishes a connection between each mowing assembly and the corresponding pinion.

11. A machine as claimed in any one of claim 8 to 10, in which there is provided beneath the lower bearing a gear wheel housing with oil bath lubrication.

12. A machine as claimed in claim 11, in which the housing accommodates a planetary gear wheel system for driving the mowing element.

13. A machine as claimed in claim 12, in which the planetary system has a sun wheel which is rigidly secured against rotation about the main axis.

14. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each mowing element is mounted on a shaft which is journalled in two bearings in the respective mowing assembly.

15. A machine as claimed in claim 14, when appendant to claim 11, in which an upper bearing is arranged in the upper wall of the gear wheel housing.

16. A machine as claimed in claim 15, in which the lower bearing is separately fastened by screws to a wall of the housing.

17. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, in which the shaft of each mowing element and the respective bearings can be fitted and removed from one side of the machine.

18. A machine as claimed in claim 17, in which the shaft can be fitted and removed from the lower side of the machine.

19. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a shaft embodying the axis of each mowing element is provided near its lower end with a supporting dish.

20. A machine as claimed in claim 19, in which the supporting dish is freely rotatable about the shaft on two ball bearings.

21. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which, in operation, the speeds of the mowing assemblies and of the mowing elements have a ratio of about 1:9.

22. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which, in operation, the mowing assemblies are driven in opposite senses, the mowing element of each mowing assembly rotating in the same sense as its mowing assembly.