A forage harvester including a chopping drum having a plurality of knife blades, a knife sharpening apparatus, a discharge spout, image capture apparatus for generating a series of captured images of processed crop in the discharge spout, an electronic control unit, and a memory. The electronic control unit determines data relating to aspects of crop flow from a first image or a first set of images in a series of captured images. The memory stores this data as control data. The electronic control unit then compares data relating to aspects of crop flow determined from subsequent captured images, with the control data. In the event of a predetermined deviation of the data relating to the aspects of crop flow, from the control data, the control unit generates a signal indicating that sharpening the knife blades is required.

A blade cartridge for a horizontal rotary mower includes airfoil blades and diverter blades that alter airflow within the blade cartridge and prevent grass clippings from accumulating. The horizontal rotary lawnmower may be adapted to engage a cleaning station with brushes or cleaning pads to remove grass clippings while the horizontal rotary lawnmower blade assembly is operated in reverse. The cleaning station may automatically engage a reverse operation. The cleaning station may also hone the blades of the blade assembly while operating in reverse.

A wide area mower with an open-box structure mower deck. The deck has a width from the left to right side of about 72 to 120 inches. The deck's length is about 24 to 70 inches. A left and right front wheel are positioned in front of the deck. The wide mower deck will flex, twist, or bend when one of the left or right wheels travels over uneven terrain while the rest of the mower travels over substantially level terrain. A cutting height adjustment mechanism is provided on the mower that allows an operator to raise or lower an entire left side or an entire right side of the mower deck to a selected cutting height. This is done simply by disengaging a locking mechanism and manipulating a lever on a four-bar linkage attached to each side of the deck and then re-engaging the locking mechanism.

A wide area mower with an open-box structure mower deck. The deck has a width from the left to right side of about 72 to 120 inches. The deck's length is about 24 to 70 inches. A left and right front wheel are positioned in front of the deck. The wide mower deck will flex, twist, or bend when one of the left or right wheels travels over uneven terrain while the rest of the mower travels over substantially level terrain. A cutting height adjustment mechanism is provided on the mower that allows an operator to raise or lower an entire left side or an entire right side of the mower deck to a selected cutting height. This is done simply by disengaging a locking mechanism and manipulating a lever on a four-bar linkage attached to each side of the deck and then re-engaging the locking mechanism.

A mower assembly for cutting and mulching material. The mower assembly comprises a mower housing, a first disc cutter, a second disc cutter and an anvil. The first and second disc cutters are orientated such that their outer edges are spaced apart so that counter-rotation of the discs urges material to move between the discs from an inlet area toward an outlet area. Material travelling from the inlet area to the outlet area is subject to cutting and shredding by cutting teeth on the disc cutters. Material moving into the outlet area is subjected to further cutting and shredding through contact with the anvil.

A turfplaner is described comprising a rotational elongated cutter capable of independently altering a cut height of the rotational cutter based on a deviation between cut height and a desired cut profile. A hierarchical controller is in functional communication with the lift mechanism and a laser or GPS guidance system. The laser or GPS receiver is capable of receiving the planer laser beam or GPS signal and the hierarchical controller is capable of determining and minimizing a deviation between the cut height and the desired cut profile based on the laser or GPS receiver location relative to the planer laser beam or GPS signal. At least one autograde device and an autodepth device are in functional communication with the hierarchical controller to activate either on grade, below grade, or above grade control mode.

A tooth for use on a rotating element has a base attached to the rotating element and a cutter assembly removably attached to the base. The cutter assembly has an upper ramp surface and a blade. In another aspect, the tooth has a base attached to the rotating element and the base includes one or more base tab and slot elements. The tooth also includes a cutter assembly that has one or more cutter assembly tab and slot elements. Each of the one or more cutter assembly tab and slot elements is configured for a mating engagement with a corresponding one of the one or more base tab and slot elements. In another aspect, a rotary drum for use on a vegetation cutting machine includes a plurality of teeth that each have a base attached to the rotary drum and a cutter assembly removably attached to the base.

A tooth for use on a rotating element has a base attached to the rotating element and a cutter assembly removably attached to the base. The cutter assembly has an upper ramp surface and a blade. In another aspect, the tooth has a base attached to the rotating element and the base includes one or more base tab and slot elements. The tooth also includes a cutter assembly that has one or more cutter assembly tab and slot elements. Each of the one or more cutter assembly tab and slot elements is configured for a mating engagement with a corresponding one of the one or more base tab and slot elements. In another aspect, a rotary drum for use on a vegetation cutting machine includes a plurality of teeth that each have a base attached to the rotary drum and a cutter assembly removably attached to the base.

A lawn mower includes a housing with a baffle that defines an air path to produce a cross-flow. The baffle includes a vent to manipulate air pressures within the housing and facilitate movement of plant clippings. A hand-held device for trimming with a rotary blade assembly may also include a housing that defines an air path to produce a cross-flow. The hand-held trimming device may also a baffle with a vent to facilitate movement of plant clippings.

A lawn mower includes a housing with a baffle that defines an air path to produce a cross-flow. The baffle includes a vent to manipulate air pressures within the housing and facilitate movement of plant clippings. A hand-held device for trimming with a rotary blade assembly may also include a housing that defines an air path to produce a cross-flow. The hand-held trimming device may also a baffle with a vent to facilitate movement of plant clippings.