ES362767A1 - Improvements in mowing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

A mowing machine comprises at least one cylindrical reel 18, having a plurality of blades 28, rotated in the direction of arrow 32 with the leading edges 28' of the blades sharpened to form cutting edges and a blower conduit, formed by the members 23, 25 and the sides of the mower, which co-operates with the reel to form a cross flow blower with air moving through the reel in the direction of arrows 33. Blades of various shapes are described, Figs. 7a-d and 17a-d (not shown) all being designed to form vortices 34, 35 in the air flow to assist blade cleaning and the transport of mowed material through the mower to the disposal conduit 21. In one embodiment helically curved blades are used which impart a lateral velocity component to the air flow which in co-operation with the fixed vanes 107 assists in transporting the mowed material to the disposal chute 108, which may be open or closed at the bottom, where it may be collected or deposited on the ground. The vanes 107 are positioned such that they are perpendicular to the tangent 111 to the blades drawn at the point of intersection of blade and vane. In another embodiment, Figs. 14 and 18 (not shown), the axis of rotation of the wheels of the mower is placed on a vertical line through the axis of rotation of the reel, the position of the wheels being adjustable along a substantially vertical line to facilitate adjustment of the mowing height. The reel may be provided with a guard 23', preferably perforated for the passage of air, to prevent stones being thrown forward. The reel may also have a stiffening member 27 Fig. 4 (not shown) and Fig. 16 (not shown) in the form of a disc with cut out portions and in the case of a mower having a plurality of reels a substantially vertical forward facing element 128 Fig. 22 (not shown) is provided to ensure that no grass escapes mowing by passing between the reels. A hinged rear guard 103 Fig. 18 (not shown) is also provided to prevent ingress of the operators foot.