GB1599603A

GB1599603A - Agricultural implements

Info

Publication number: GB1599603A
Application number: GB9464/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: C Van der Lely NV
Current assignee: C Van der Lely NV
Priority date: 1977-03-11
Filing date: 1978-03-09
Publication date: 1981-10-07
Also published as: NL7702640A; DE2809673A1; GB1599604A; FR2398446A1; FR2398446B1

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS (71) We, C. VAN DER LELY N.V., of 10, Weverskade, Maasland, The Netherlands, a Dutch Limited Liability Company, 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 The invention relates to agricultural implements and is particularly concerned with hay-making machines.

According to the present invention there is provided a hay-making machine comprising at least one body adapted to rotate about an upwardly extending axis and provided with controllable crop displacing members and scraping members along which the displacying members can disengage crop.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a first form of hay-making machine, Figure 2 is a side view of the machine shown in Figure 1 taken in the direction of arrow II in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line Ill-Ill of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a plan view, taken in the direction of arrow IV in Figure 2 but on an enlarged scale, of part of the circumference of a rake member of the machine, Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line VV in Figure 4, Figure 6- is a sectional view taken on line VIVI in Figure 4, Figure 7 is a sectional view in the same direction as Figure 5 but showing an alternative form of part of the construction of Figure 5, Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line VIII--VITI in Figure 7, Figure 9 is a plan view of a second form of hay-making machine, Figure 10 is a side view of the machine of Figure 9 taken in the direction of arrow X in Figure 9, Figure 11 is a plan view on a larger scale of part of the circumference of one of two rake members of the machine of Figure 9, taken in the direction of arrow XI in Figure 10, Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on line XII-XII in Figure 11, Figure 13 is a sectional view taken on line XIII-XIII in Figure 12, Figure 14 is a view in the same direction as Figure 12, partly broken away and in section, showing an alternative form of part of the construction shown in Figure 12, Figure 15 is a plan view of an alternative form of the machine shown in Figure 9, Figure 16 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of part of the circumference of one of the two rake members of the machine of Figure 15, Figure 17 is a plan view similar to Figure 16 but of a different form of the machine, Figure 18 is a sectional view taken on the line XVIII-XVIII of Figure 17, Figure 19 is a plan view of a third form of hay-making machine, Figure 20 is a side view of the machine of Figure 19 taken in the direction of arrow XX in Figure 19, Figure 21 is a plan view of part of the circumference of one of two rake members of the machine, of Figures 19 and 20, taken in the direction of arrow XXI in Figure 20, Figure 22 is a side view partly in section taken on line XXII-XXII in Figure 21, and Figure 23 is a sectional view taken in line XXIII-XXIII in Figure 21.

The hay making machine shown in Figures 1 to 6 can be attached to the three-point lifting device of a tractor for drawing the machine in the direction A. For this purpose the machine is provided with a frame 1, the front of which is formed by a trestle 2 having the shape of an inverted U. The top of the trestle 2 is provided with a fastening member 3 for connecting the machine with the top arms of the three-point lifting device of the tractor. Near the lower ends of the trestle 2 fastening members 4 are provided for coupling the machine with the lower lifting arms of the tractor lifting device.

The trestle 2 has rigidly secured to it three tubular carriers converging away from the trestle 2 in the direction rearwards with respect to the operative travelling direction A, and fastened at their rear ends to a gear box 6. Two of these carriers 5,5 are arranged symmetrically to a vertical plane of symmetry of the machine extending in the direction A, and have a common horizontal plane during operation of the machine, these two carriers being secured to the trestle 2 near the fastening members 4. A third carrier 7 of the three, the centre line of which is located in the plane of symmetry just mentioned, is secured to the trestle 2 near the fastening member 3 and is inclined rearwardly and downwardly with respect to the direction A, towards the gear box 6.

The gear box 6 (Figure 3) has an input shaft 8 extending in the direction A and carrying a bevel pinion 9 within the gear box 6. The pinion 9 is in mesh with a bevel pinion 10 which is rotatable on a bearing 11 supported by a shaft 12 rigidly secured with respect to the gear box 6 so as to be stationary during operation. A bushing 13, rigidly bolted to the pinion 10 coaxial with the shaft 12, extends downwardly and carries at its lower end a flange 14 holding bolts that rigidly secure a ring or star-shaped plate 15 to the bushing 13. Spaced beneath the plate 15 is a plate 16, the shape and disposition of which relative to the shaft 12 are the same as the plate 15. Between the plates 15 and 16 there is a spacer sleeve 17, the inner face of which is in engagement with a bearing 18 supported on the shaft 12. Between the bearings 11 and 18 the shaft 12 is surrounded, with a small tolerance, by a spacer sleeve 19, the outer diameter of which is such that the inner surface of the bushing 13 surrounds the outer surface of the spacer sleeve 19 with a clearance therebetween (Figure 3).

Between the plates 15 and 16 is clamped a plurality of spokes 20--in the machine illustrated eight spokesach having a tubular shape and a diameter which corresponds to the axial length of the spacer sleeve 17. The inner ends of the spokes 20 abut the outer surface of the sleeve 17. The spokes 20 are directed radially of the shaft 12 and are disposed evenly around the shaft 12. The spokes 20 are clamped between the plates 15 and 16 by means of bolts 21 passing through the spokes.

The centre line 22 of the shaft 12 is inclined upwardly and forwardly during operation, preferably at an angle of about 5 to 20 to the vertical.

The bottom of the gear box 6 has rigidly bolted to it a circular disc 23. A circular opening in the disc 23 receives, with clearance, the bushing 13. The disc 23 is in a plane that the centre line 22 is perpendicular to.

The centre lines of the tubular spokes 20, which are below the disc 23, are parallel to this plane. The circumference of the circular disc 23 is eccentric to the centre line 22 so that (Figure 1) the point of the outer circumference of the disc 23 at the greatest distance from the centre line 22 is located in a plane normal to the vertical plane of symmetry of the machine mentioned above and passing through the centre line 22. As shown in the plan view of Figure 1 the point at the greatest distance from the centre line 22 is located on the right-hand side of the centre line 22 with respect to the direction A. The point of the outer circumference of the disc 23 at the least distance from the centre line 22 is, therefore, located on the left-hand side of the centre line 22 and is also in the plane just mentioned that passes through the centre line 22 and is at right angles to the plane of symmetry.

The disc 23 is surrounded by a ring 24 which is freely rotatable by means of a bearing 25 about the disc 23. The outer circumference of the ring 24 is provided with four V-shaped control rods 26 that are parallel to the plane of the disc 23. Together with the disc and the ring 24 these control rods 26 constitute a control member for crop displacing members described below. At the curved junction between the two legs of each rod 26 the rod 26 is welded to the outer periphery of the ring 24. The rods 26 are disposed and proportioned so that each of the two ends of each control rod 26 that are remote from the ring 24 is connected with one of the ends of an adjacent control rod 26 via a connecting member described below.

The distance between each of these ends and the centre of the ring 24 is approximately equal to the length of each of the spokes 20.

The four control rods 26 constitute together a star-shaped body best seen in Figure 1.

The shaft 12 extends below the plate 16 and near its lower end is surrounded by a sleeve 27 having a forwardly protruding lug 28 and a downwardly extending lug 29. The lug 28 holds a pivot shaft 30 located in front of the shaft 12 and extending horizontally and transversely of the direction A. About the pivot shaft 30 is pivotable an assembly of two forwardly diverging wheel carriers 31, the front ends of which carry a tube 32 to the ends of which are rotatably secured two ground wheels 33. The ground wheels 33 are located beneath the foremost part of the rake member to be described more fully hereinafter and their axles are rigidly disposed with respect to the machine frame. Near the pivot shaft 30 the wheel carrier 31 has a downwardly protruding ug 34 to which is secured a block 35 which is freely pivotable with respect to the lug 34 about a pivot shaft 36 extending parallel to the pivot shaft 30 (Figure 3). The block 35 has a tapped hole receiving a screw spindle 37 which is also passed through a bore in a block 38 which is freely pivotable about a pivot shaft 39 parallel to the pivot shafts 30 and 36. The pivot shaft 39 is journalled in the lug 29. The screw spindle 37 is held in the block 38 so as to be free for rotation but locked against translation relative to the block. Thus when the spindle 37 is rotated relative displacement of the spindle 37 and the block 38 does not occur and therefore during such rotation the block 35 is moved towards or away from the block 38 and the pair of ground wheels 33 are displaced in a direction of height with respect to the remainder of the machine.

The ends of the spokes 20 remote from the shaft 12 carry a felly 40 which is circular and parallel to the plane of the disc 23. Like the spokes 20, the plane of the felly 40 is located beneath the disc 23 and ring 24, and beneath the control rods 26. At the joints between the spokes 20 and the felly 40 supports 41 (Figure 3) are provided on the felly that extend downwardly parallel to the centre line 22. The lower ends of the supports of a plurality of pairs of adjacent supports 41 are each interconnected by a flat strip 42, the direction of thickness of which is parallel to the centre line 22. The strips 42 are alternately arranged so that the lower ends of the supports 41 are alternately connected and not connected by strips 42. The supports 41 not interconnected by strips 42 are, however, interconnected by tubular members 40A (Figure 2), the strips 42 and tubular members 40A together constituting a further felly.

The felly 40, the supports 41, the strips 42 and the tubular members 40A, as well as the crop displacing members to be described hereinafter and which are fastened to the parts 40, 40A, 41 and 42, constitute together a rake member 43. The felly 40, the supports 41, the strips 42 and the members 40A constitute a rotatable, rigid body carrying the crop displacing members. The lower face of this body (the strips 42 and the tubular members 40A) is located at a short distance above' the ground surface and can touch the ground in the region of the foremost part of the rake member 43 with respect to the direction A, thus providing a satisfactory matching of the ground surface.

Near the joints between the spokes 20 and the felly 40, beneath which the strips 42 are provided, the felly 40 carries holders 44 in which bearings 45 are fastened (Figure 5).

The holders 44 and the associated bearings 45 receive control shafts 46, the centre lines of which are parallel to the centre line 22.

The control shafts 46 project a small distance above the felly 40 and terminate at their lower ends just above the level of the strips 42. At their lower ends the control shafts 46 are held in thrust bearings 47 located in holders 48 secured to the supporting strips 42. To the top ends of the control shafts 46 are rigidly secured levers 49 which are disposed parallel to the plane of the disc 23.

At the end remote from the control shaft 46 each lever 49 is rigidly secured to a short pivotal shaft 50 whose end projecting above the lever 49 is surrounded by a bearing 51 arranged in a holder 52 to which the ends of two neighbouring control rods 26 are rigidly secured, this holder 52 constituting the connecting member for the rods 26 mentioned above. In a direction parallel to the pivot shaft 12 the lever 49 is located with a small amount of clearance above the top of the felly 40, and the control rods 26 are located with a small amount of clearance above the tops of the levers 49 (Figure 6).

Each control shaft 46 is intimately surrounded by a sleeve 52A (Figure 5) between the felly 40 and the associated holder 48, this sleeve being rigidly secured to the control shaft 46. Each sleeve 52A is provided with two relatively parallel lugs 53 and 54 located at a short distance from one another (Figure 4 and 5) and holding two pivot shafts 55 and 56 in relatively overlying positions. These pivot shafts are parallel to one another and extensions of their axes, in one operative position, cross the centre line 22 at right angles. Each of the pivot shafts 55 and 56 holds a pair of arms 57 and 58 respectively located outside the lugs 53 and 54. The ends of the pairs of arms 57 and 58 remote from the pivot shafts 55 and 56 hold pivot shafts 59 and 60 respectively, both being parallel to the pivot shafts 55 and 56. Viewed in a direction at right angles to the plane of the lugs 53 and 54 the pairs of pivot shafts 55, 56 and 59, 60 respectively are located on either side of the associated control shaft 46.

The pivot shafts 59 and 60 are interconnected by right-angled triangular carriers 61 and 62 (Figure 4 and 5) which are parallel to one another and disposed on the inner sides of the arms 57 and 58 spaced from one another at a distance equal to the distance between the lugs 53 and 54. The carriers 61 and 62 are fastened to the pivot shafts 59 and 60 so that the apex of the right angle of each carrier 61 and 62 is located in the region of the topmost pivot shaft 59, whereas the hypotenuse of the triangle is inclined upwardly from the region of the lower pivot shaft 60 and away from the control shaft 46.

This hypotenuse is at an angle of about 45" to the centre line of the associated control shaft 46.

The two carriers 61 and 62 are connected near the inclined edge of the carrier 61 and along the inclined edge of the carrier 62 by a flat strip 63, a small portion of the carrier 61 projecting beyond this strip 63 to form a fastening place for tine groups 64 and 65.

Each of these tine groups 64 and 65 is made from a single piece of material and includes two rake tines. Each tine of the group is connected through coils 66 with a central portion 67 which serves for securing the tine group to the plate 61 (by bolts 68). The outwardly extending tine-defining portion of each tine group extending from the associated coils 66, which form each a tine carrier, is first inclined downwardly from the coils 66 at an angle of about 45 to the centre line of the associated control shaft 46 and is, therefore, approximately at right angles to the associated strip 63. Each of these tinedefining portions is bent back at its outer end' through an angle of about 45" so that the end portion of the tine is approximately parallel to the control shaft 46, but as shown in Figure 5 it may be at an acute angle to the ground surface. The parts of the tines extending from the coils 66 are located in a common plane passing through one of the pairs of arms 57 and 58. The end portions of the tines are bent out of this common plane as is shown in Figure 4.

Each strip 42 forms a support for a plurality of scraping members 69 to 72 (Figure 3) secured to the strip. The shape and disposition of these members is such that above the strips 42 they cover a substantial area of the surfaces of the tine groups 64, 65 located between the two tines of each group 64, 65; the surfaces between the tine groups 64 and 65; and, moreover, the surfaces between the tine group 64 and the associated sleeve 52. The adjacent support 41, which an end portion of the tine group 65 moves past with a clearance, may also serve as a scraping member, as does each support strip 42. As viewed from the side, Figure 3, the scraping members 69 to 72 are arranged symmetrically to the sleeve 52, since, as will be seen hereinafter, the associated tine groups 64 and 65 rotate about the centre line of the sleeve 52. On each side of the sleeve, between the sleeve 52 and the adjacent tine of the group 64 (in the position shown in Figure 3) is disposed one or other of the scraping members 69 which are of substantially triangular form and are fastened to the top of the supporting strip 42 and, moreover, to the outside of the associated holder 48. The top of the supporting strip 42 also has fastened to it the topping members 70 located, on each side OtW sleeve 52, between the tines of the group 64 in the position of the tine groups shown in Figure 3, these members each having, as shown in Figure 3 a shape matching the tines of the group. The scraping members 71 are disposed, one on each side of the sleeve 52, between the proximal tines of the groups 64 and 65 and also match the shape of the tines, extending from the strip 42 to a height exceeding that of the members 70.

The top ends of the members 71 are located at the level of the coils 66 of the tine groups when the groups brush past the scraping members. The scraping members 72 are disposed between the tines of the group 65, one on each side of the sleeve 52, and are also longer than the member 70, since the tines of the group 65 are longer than those of the group 64. The plan view of Figure 4 shows how the scraping members 70 to 72 consist of curved sheet portions each forming part of a body of revolution about the centre line of the sleeve 52; and how these members extend past the inner edge of their supporting strips 42. The members 69 are flat sheet strips at right angles to their supporting strips 42.

Each set of eight scraping members shown in Figure 3 is arranged near one or other of the four control shafts 46 evenly distributed along the circumference of the felly 40.

The spaces between each two neighbouring supports 41 wherein operative members are arranged and each of which is bounded on top by the felly 40 and at the bottom by one of the tubular members 40A (Figure 2), are each closed by an upright curved sheet 74 carrying a plurality of catches in the form of upright outwardly-directed strips 73 (Figure 2 and 4) that are substantially parallel to the centre line 22. On each sheet 74 there are about seven strips 73.

Referring to Figure 5 it should be noted that the centre lines of the pivot shafts 55, 56, 59, 60 may be located at the corners of a parallelogram, but the disposition is preferably such that these centre lines are located at the corners of a trapesium or other four-sided figure other than a parallelogram so that the lines of connection between the centre lines 55 snd 59 and 56, 60 respectively intersect at a point located at a distance from the associated control shaft 46 substantially equal to the diameter of the rake member 43.

This point of intersection is located on that side of the four pivot shafts where also the tine groups 64 and 65 are located.

Each control shaft 46 has a bore that receives a stop pin 75 which projects from both sides of the sleeve 52. This pin 75 constitutes a stop limiting downward movement of the pair of arms 58 (Figure 3) and hence also of the crop displacing member constituted by the tine group 64, 65. These members 64/65 are freely pivotable from this stop pin in upward direction. The tips of the tines of the groups 64 and 65 are located, when the arms 58 are bearing on the pins 75, just above the top surfaces of the strips 42 which may thus act as scraping members.

In operation the input shaft 8 is driven by an auxiliary shaft from the power take-off shaft of a tractor propelling the machine.

Through the pinions 9 and 10, the bushing 13 and the plates 15 and 16 the rotary movement of the shaft- 8 is transferred into rotation of the rake member 43 about the upwardly inclined shaft 12 in the direction of the arrow B. Owing to the rotation of the felly 40 and of the control shafts 46 fastened thereto and also rotating in the direction B, a force directed in the sense of rotation is exerted on the ends of the levers 49 fastened to the control shafts 46 with respect to the other ends of the levers 49 so that the ends of the control rods 26 fastened to the holders 52A mounted on the shafts 50 lag with respect to the lever ends fastened to the control shafts 46. Since the four control rods 26 are freely rotatable about the disc 23 and form an eccentric with respect to the remainder of the rake member 43, the levers 49 rotate continuously in the direction C (Figure 1). The distance between the centre lines of the shafts 46 and 50 of each lever 49 is equal to the eccentricity of the disc 23 with respect to the centre line 22. Each one of the four crop displacing members 64/65 performs a complete revolution about the centre line of the associated control shaft 46 during one complete revolution of the felly 40.

During one revolution of the rake member the four crop displacing members 64/65 are located in order of succession inside and outside the circumference of the rigid body 40/41/42/40A. From Figure 1 it will be apparent that the position of the crop displacing members 64/65 with respect to the direction of movement A is invariably the same. From Figure 2 it will be appreciated that the members 64/65 rise and fall with respect to the ground as they rotate. In the plan view of Figure 1 the crop displacing member on the right-hand side of the rake member 43 is located outside the felly 40 and is inclined from the felly forwardly and outwardly at an angle of about 45" to the direction of movement A. At this stage, therefore, it is leading the felly 40. During further rotation of the rake member 43 from the illustrated position this crop displacing member moves rearwardly with respect to the rotational direction of the felly 40 by turning about its control shaft 46, initially outwardly into a position radial of the felly and then into a trailing disposition, moving towartls the felly 40. As can be seen by comparing Figures 1 and 2, at the lowermost point of its path with respect to the ground the member 64/65 extends to the rear with respect to the rotational direction of the felly 40 whilst maintaining its angle relative to the direction A of about 45 , and it is along this part of its travel that the member 64/65 picks up the crop lying on the ground and continues so to do until it has turned with respect to the felly 40 to an extent such that it has turned across the cylindrical outer surface defined by the body 40/41/42/ 40A. This position is attained at a point on the path of travel which is located, viewed in the direction of rotation B, after rotation through an angle of 45 from the lowermost point mentioned above. The groups of tines 64, 65 turn in between the scraping members 69, 70, 71, 72, 41, 42 which act to scrape off crop sticking to the tines (the scraping members forming slots through which the tines are retracted) so that the crop rolls onto the ground beyond the rigid body 40/41/42/40A. The strips 73 carry, as the case may be, the scraped-off crop further to a point located, viewed in the direction A, at the level of the centre line 22 on the left-hand side of the rake member 43 as viewed in Figure 1.

In the meantime the member 64/65, having uniformly turned further inside the perimeter of the body 40/41/42/40A, turns to emerge from this body at a point located about 45" after the member 64/65 has passed through its topmost point of its travel, the tines thus brushing past against a set of scraping members 69 to 72, that is to say, the set of scraping members located in front of the sleeve 52 with respect to the direction B.

In should be noted that the last-mentioned set of scraping members serves, whilst the crop is picked up by the crop displacing member, that is to say, along the front half of the path of travel of the crop displacing member, as a closing means for the opening then formed between the felly 40, the supporting strip 42, the supports 41 and the sleeve 52, since in this region the cropdisplacing member is located outside the rigid body 40/41/42/40A. These members 69 to 72 serving as closing means then join the adjacent closed wall 73/74 and convey the crop striking them owing to the advance of the machine outwardly towards the directly neighbouring crop displacing member so that this crop is collected at this place.

It should be noted that the constant angle of 45" between the direction of the crop displacing members and the direction of movement A may, if desired, have other values. An angle of about 0 to 15 or of 15 may certainly be useful.

It should be noted that with the structural design so far described the height of the members 64/65 is comparatively large and is about 70% of the height of the body of the rake member so that the machine is extremely suitable for picking up crop lying in thick layers on the field, for example, swaths already formed, which are tedded in this way. For picking up swaths already formed on the field the strips 73 serving as catches assist in the raking effect of the crop displacing members. When the tines have withdrawn into the fixed body of the rake member, this member rolls along the swath to be formed so that a uniform swath will be formed. Since the tines of the members 64/65 withdraw across the scraping members, the crop is uniformly scraped off in downward direction, whilst an unchecked outward movement is prevented. It is furthermore to be noted that the speed with which the crop displacing members come into contact with the crop is considerably lower than would be the case were these members fixedly secured with respect to the fixed body of the rake member. This is due to the relative rotational speed of the members in the direction C.

Thus damage of crop is avoided, whilst the travelling speed can be the same as if the crop displacing members were fixed.

The fixed body of the rake member need not necessarily include a felly, but a felly in the proximity of the ground has the advantage that it can follow unevennesses of the ground, whilst the lowermost flat parts 42 of the body that includes the felly 40 may, in addition, serve as scraping members for the tines.

When the tine groups have emerged from the fixed part of the rake member along the foremost part of their path, the tines thus moving across the top surface of the associated strip 42, these tines can eminently follow unevennesses of the ground since they are freely movable in upward direction and directly re-approach the lowermost position determined by the pin 75 owing to their own weight and the effect of centrifugal force.

Since the lines of connection between the pivot shafts 55 and 59 and 56, 60 respectively intersect in the forward direction, each tine group will slightly tilt forwardly during its upward movement so that the unevenness concerned is effectively matched.

On recapitulation it should be noted that the simple, non-driven eccentric mechanism 23/24/25/26 provides a comparatively cheap tine control, whilst the crop is delivered in a simple manner without damage in a sharply defined swath without the need for further expedients such as swath boards, and the like.

Figure 7 and 8 show an alternative form of the control shaft 46, the upper portion of which is constructed in the same manner as in Figure 5, but the lower portion 76 of which is at an angle of 5 to 20 to the upper portion which extends parallel to the centre line 22.

For this purpose the upper portion is provided directly beneath the felly 40 with a sleeve 77 having three downwardly directed lugs 78 which enter comparatively spacious recesses in the top of a sleeve 79 intimately surrounding the lower portion 76. Thus a universal joint is obtained between the upper and lower portions with the lower portion 76 inclined upwardly and forwardly with respect to the ground along that portion of the path where the tines come into contact with the ground and the eccentric drive can be maintained. This positioning of the shaft portion 76 permits the group of tinesspartic- ularly during withdrawal into the fixed body of the rake member, to assume a more favourable position for dise 82 and supporting the felly 93. The six crop displacing members are fastened at least partly at the centre of each of the sides of the felly 93.

As in the machine first described, each body 93/94 has arranged above it a plurality of control rods 95 extending, like the body 93/94, parallel to a plane to which the shaft 882 is at right angles. The control rods 95 are rigidly secured to a ring 24, which is freely rotatable about a disc 23 corresponding to the disc 23 already described and hence having its centre eccentric to the shaft 82. In this machine this centre is located in a plane passing through the axis of the shaft 82 in the direction of travel A. The control rods 95 constitute a star-shaped control member located symmetrically around the ring 24 and having six extensions formed by the control rods 95. The ring 24 is rigidly secured to the bottom of the gear box 83 in the manner already described with reference to Figure 3.

From Figure 10 it will be apparent that at a distance beneath the upper hexagonal felly 93 is a further hexagonal felly 96 surrounding the shaft 82. The lower hexagonal felly 96 is, however, angularly displaced with respect to the upper felly 93 as viewed in plan through an angle of 30 so that the corners of the felly 96, viewed in plan, are located outside the centres of the sides of the felly 93.

At these places are disposed the fastening structures for the crop displacing members.

For this purpose the centres of the sides of the felly 93 are provided with bearings 97 (Figure 11 and 12) each including a ball bearing 99 in a holder 98 through which a control shaft 100 is passed which is parallel to the shaft 82. The bearings 99 are closed on the top and bottom by conical screening caps 101 which protect the bearings 99 against the penetration of dirt and are secured to sleeves 102 and 103 surrounding the control shaft 100. The sleeve 102 is located between the ball bearing 99 and a lever 104 which is rigidly secured to the associated control shaft 100. The sleeve 103, also rigidly secured to the shaft 100, extends between the ball bearing 99 and a lower bearing 105 (Figures 12 and 13), the bearing 105 being directly supported by the lower fally 96.

Each of the bearings 105 includes a ball or thrust bearing 106 in a holder 107 which is secured at the outer circumference to an apex of the felly 96. The ball or thrust bearing 106 is protected by screening caps 108 provided on the sleeve 103 and on a sleeve 109 rigidly secured to the shaft 100 and located between the bearing 106 and the circumference of a sleeve 110 welded to the sleeve 109.

The centre line of the sleeve 110 is at right angles to the centre line of the associated control shaft 100 and at right angles to the direction of the associated lever 104. The sleeve 110 holds a shaft 111, which is freely pivotable to a limited extent in the sleeve 110. For this purpose the sleeve 110 has a recess 112 (Figures 12 and 13) near one end of the sleeve 110. The shaft 111 has a pin 113 passed through the shaft 111 and projecting on one side out of this shaft. This pin 113 is located in the recess 112 which covers 180 so that the shaft 111 can turn in the sleeve 110 through an angle of about 180 .

The shaft 111 has secured to it a tine holder 114 carrying a single tine 115. The tine 115 has an operative portion 116 uniformly curved throughout its length viewed in plan (Figure 11) so that with respect to the direction of rotation the end of the tine projects slightly forwardly with respect to a tangential plane to the centre line of the control shaft 100 at the operative end of the tine. The operative end 116 of the tine joins three coils 117 located outside the control shaft 100 and terminating in a portion 118 by means of which the tine 115 is secured to the tine holder 114 and hence to the freely pivotable shaft 111.

In the side view of Figure 12 the centre of gravity of the whole tine 115 and of the tine holder 114 in the operational position is located in or slightly above a plane passing through the centre line of the shaft 111 and at right angles to the centre line of the control shafts 100 so that in operation the tine 115 tends to occupy the position shown in Figure 12 as a result of centrifugal force. In this position the stop pin 113 bears on a boundary of the recess 112.

Between the bearings 97 and 105 there is a group of tines 119 consisting of two tines 120 and 121 which overlie one another and also overlie the tine 115. The shape of each of the tines 120 and 121 is identical to that of the tine 115 and the tines 120, 121 and 115 are located perpendicularly one above the other.

The tine group 119 is fastened by means of a central portion 118 between the tines 120, 121 to the sleeve 103 and hence to the control shaft 100. The relative dispositions of the tines 115, 120 and 121 are such that the distances between the tips of the tines are substantially equal to one another.

The fellies 93 and 96 are interconnected, apart from by the control shafts 100 and the associated sleeves -103, by supports 122 extending parallel to the shaft 82 and connected with the felly 93 at the corners thereof. The lower ends of the supports 122 are connected through connecting plates with the centres of the sides of the felly 96.

Midway along the length of each of the supports 122 scraping members 123 (Figures 10 and 11) formed from flat material are arranged on the outside of these supports, these members having, as shown in the side view of Figure 10, an elongate rhombic shape with truncated corners. The larger dimensions of the scraping members 123 extend towards the circumference of the rigid body of the rake member formed by the fellies 93 and 96 and parts fast with these fellies. The shape and the disposition of the scraping members 123 are such that the tines 120 and 121 arranged on either side of each of the scraping members 123 (which tines slightly diverge in outward direction) surround part of the member 123 when they are turning along this member. Viewed in plan, the members 123 have the shape shown in Figure 11. Near the associated support 122 they have a slight bend so that their shape matches the circumference of the rigid rotatable body of the rake member, whilst at their outer ends they have a bent-over rim 124 which is bent over inwardly.

The star points formed by the control rods 95 are fastened each to a holder 125 (Figures 11 and 12) in which a bearing 126 is disposed. This bearing 126 holds a shaft 127 which extends, like the associated control shaft 100, parallel to the axis of the shaft 82.

One end of the shaft 127 located beneath the holder 125 is located in the end of the lever 104 remote from the control shaft 100 so that the shaft 127 constitutes a pivot shaft between the control member 95 and the lever 104 rigidly secured to the control shaft 100.

The distance between the axes of the control shaft 100 and the shaft 127 is again equal to the eccentricity of the disc 23.

Figure 14 shows are alternative construction as compared with Figure 12, in which the tine 115 is rigidly secured to the sleeve 109 and hence also to the control shaft 100.

In this case the lower end of the control shaft 100 is provided with a disc-like supporting member 128, which has the shape of a dish and which is freely rotatable by means of a bearing 129 about the control shaft 100. The relative arrangement is such that when the supporting member 128 is bearing on the ground the tip of the tine 115 is located just on or slightly above the ground surface. The diameter of the supporting member 128 is substantially equal to the length of the freely protruding portion 116 of the tine 115. The supporting member 128 may, if desired, also be used in the construction shown in Figure 5 or in the construction of the freely movable tine 115 of Figures 12 and 13.

During operation the rake members 80 and 81 are rotatably driven in the directions D and E by the input shaft 92. The rigid body of each of the rake members, mainly formed by the fellies 93 and 96 interconnected by the supports 122, is driven by means of the pinion corresponding with the pinion 10 already described in the same manner as in the machine of Figure 3. Owing to the disposition of the eccentric disc 23 the levers 104 are turned with respect to the felly 93 in the direction of the arrow C in Figure 9 because the control member 95 lags with respect to the driven fellies 93 and 96. As in the machine first described the dispositions of the tines 115, 119 with respect to the direction of travel A remain constant during each revolution. This disposition is such that the groups of tines extend substantially along a radial line inclined forwardly and outwardly at an angle of 45 to the direction of travel A, but a different constant direction is also possible if desired to suit operational conditions. It is conceivable to set the tines 115 and 119 in different positions relative to the sleeves 103 and 109.

In the machine as illustrated, and considering the plan view of Figure 9 and viewed in the direction of travel A, the crop displacing members formed by the tines 115, 119 pick up the crop when they are disposed on the outer sides of the rake members. At the end of their operative travel the groups of tines are directed substantially tangentially to the rigid body of the rake member concerned, trailing with respect to this rigid body. This disposition is reached, for each rake member, at the place determined by a plane passing through the axis of the relevant shaft 82 that is at an angle of about 45 to the direction of travel A and that extends forwardly, inwardly of the machine. The levers 104 extend all from the control shafts 100 parallel to the direction of travel A to the rear.

From the point just discussed where the tines are tangential to the circumference of this rigid body of their rake member and are trailing with respect to the body, each group of tines turns further relative to the body in the direction of the arrow C towards the inner side of the rigid body of the rake member, whilst the crop is removed by the scraping members 123 from the tines 120 and 121, and the felly 96 operates as a scraper for the tine 115. The felly 96 also serves as a scraper for the tine 121 and the felly 93 as a scraper for the tine 120. Upon further rotation of the rigid body of the rake member the group of tines turns on in the direction C inside the rigid body of the rake member and finally extends tangentially to the circumference of the rigid body of the rake member, leading the rigid body with respect to the direction of rotation of the body. This disposition is reached at a point located in a plane passing through the rotary axis defined by the shaft 82 and disposed at an angle of 45 to the direction of travel, this plane extending rearwardly and outwardly of the machine. Subsequently the tines 115, 119 turn out of the rigid body of the rake member into a position in which they pick up crop.

The rearmost portion of each scraping member 123 with respect to the direction of rotation D and E serves, in addition, for closing the drum-shaped outer surface of the rigid body of the rake member in order to prevent crop from penetrating in an unwanted manner into the region where the tines pick up crop. The foremost part of each scraping member 123 has in the first place a scraping function.

The lower tine 115 (Figure 12) of each crop displacing member can excellently match unevenenesses of the ground because this tine is freely pivotable about the shaft 111 and returns, subsequent to any deflection, immediately into its initial position owing to centrifugal force, this position being determined by the pin 113 coming into contact with the boundary of the associated recess 112.

In the form shown in Figure 14 satisfactory matching of the ground by the tines 115 is obtained because each of these tines is supported by the corresponding supporting member 128, which is located very close to the tine end which touches the ground on the outer side of the associated control shaft 100 and thus constantly rotates about the control shaft during operation so that this supporting member encounters little resistance.

As described above, each ground wheel 33 arranged beneath the foremost part of each rake member 80, 81 is adjustable in a direction of height with respect to the frame beam 84 so that the lower tines 115 can be accurately adjusted with respect to the ground.

It should be noted that the tines 115, 119 are in trailing positions, in the last portion of the region in which they pick up the crop, with respect to a radial line to their control shaft 100, viewed with respect to their direction of movement relative to their rake member. In the first part of their path, where they pick up crop, the tines are in leading positions and loss of the crop due to abrupt acceleration in this region is thereby avoided.

The rigid bodies of the rake members 80, 81 are relatively disposed so that the tangential circles along the outer sides of the ends of the tines 115, 119 approximately touch one another in the plane of symmetry of the machine. Since the groups of tines are located inside the rigid bodies of the rake members in the region between the two rake members, and since the crop is flattened near the plane going through the axes of the two shafts 82 by the scraping members, the crop emanating from the two rake members in this region on either side of the plane of symmetry of the machine will roll with a comparatively low speed component towards this plane of symmetry so that a swath is formed, the outer side of which is flattened by the rigid bodies of the rake members. The supply of crop from both sides towards the plane of symmetry of the machine ensures the formation of a uniform swath, which is composed near or slightly in front of the plane passing through the axes of the shafts 82.

Owing to the satisfactory matching of the ground it is not absolutely necessary to use resilient tines so that the cost of the machine can be minimised. Since the operative members rotate in a fixed position- with respect to the surrounding parts a uniform advancing movement with very slight acceleration of the crop is ensured.

The machine shown in Figures 15 to 18 is of essentially the same structure as that shown in Figures 9 to 13 with the exception of the feature illustrated in Figures 16 to 18 which serves to render the machine of Figure 9 to 13 operating as a swath former suitable for use as a tedder. From Figure 18 it will be apparent that each shaft 127 forming the pivotal joints of Figure 12 between the control rods 95 and the levers 94 is replaced by a pin 130 having a handle. For this purpose each pair of control rods 95 is provided with a fork piece 131 gripping, at the top and bottom, around the end of the associated lever 104 remote from the control shaft 100 and provided with holes for receiving the pin 130, which is furthermore held in a bearing fastened to the end concerned of the lever 104. At the centres of the sides of the felly 93 lugs 133 are welded to the inner side of the felly. Holes 134 in these lugs are positioned so that in a particular position of the control rods 95 relative to the felly 93 the pins 130 extending across the levers 104 can be passed through the holes 134. This provides two potential settings of the machine.

The first possible setting illustrated in Figure 18 and in the plan view of Figure 17 includes pivotal joints between the control 95 and the levers 104, the setting obtained being identical to that illustrated in Figures 9 to 14 and essentially corresponding to the machine first described. The machine of Figure 15 in this setting forms a swath between the rake members 80 and 81 (cf. Figure 9).

The second possible setting consists in that all the control rods 95 are detached from the levers 104 so that all the control rods 95 are freely rotatable about the disc 23. In this case the pins 130 are solely passed through the bearings 132 of the levers 104 and through the holes 134 of the lugs 133 (Figure 16) so that the associated control shafts 100 are fixed with respect to the rigid body 93, 96 of the rake member concerned. With this adjustment the direction of the tines 115, 119 is such that the ends of the tines are substantially radial or slightly pointing forwards with respect to the planes passing through the axis of the shafts 82 and through the tips of the tines. In this setting, the circular paths described by the tips of the tines of the members 80 and 81 do not overlap, but it is also possible to choose such a disposition of the rake members 80, 81 and such dimensions of the tines that these paths will, indeed, overlap. In this setting the machine operates as a tedder.

The machine of Figures 19 to 23 has a mode of operation which entirely corresponds with that of Figures 9 to 18. Parts corresponding with those just described are designated by the same reference numerals.

In this case the U-profiled supports 122 interconnecting the fellies 93 and 96 are prolonged by means of supporting parts 137 (Figure 23) in line with the supports 122. At the bottom the supporting parts 137 have releasably fastened to them by means of bolts 139 a third felly 138. The supporting parts 137 are also releasably fastened by means of bolts 140 to the supports 122. The felly 138 may have, viewed in plan, the same shape as the felry 93, so that it is also hexagonal, but it may alternatively be circular. Since the felly 138 is solely fastened to the supporting parts 137 it is fairly slack. It is spaced beneath the lower ends of the control shafts 100 (Figure 22).

In this machine a different kind of scraping and closing member 141 is disposed between the felly portions 93 and 96. Viewed in plan, this member is also hexagonal and its ouer boundary approximately corresponds with that of the felly 96. The scraping member 141 is flat and extends substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft 82 over a height approximately equal to half the distance between the fellies 93 and 96. The boundaries of the scraping member 141 are substantially equally spaced from the fellies 93 and 96 and on the top and bottom flangeshaped reinforcements 142 and 143 are provided, which extend outwardly. In the circumferential direction the scraping and closing member 141 provides an uninterrupted closure of part of the outer circumference of the rigid body of the associated rake member.

Each sleeve 103 is provided between the felly 93 and the flange 142 with a crop displacing member 144. Between the lower flange 143 and the felly 96 a crop displacing member 145 is fastened to the sleeve 103.

Viewed in plan (Figure 21), the members 144 and 145 are sickle-shaped with their outer ends, as compared with their parts facing the sleeve 103, bent over forwardly with respect to the directions of rotation D and E. Viewed in plan, the boundary lines of the members 144 and 145 cover one another completely.

Viewed in a direction at right angles to the centre line of the sleeve 103 of the control shaft 100 (Figure 22), the members 144 and 145 are completely flat. Further details of the shape of the members 144 and 145 are illustrated in Figures 21 and 22.

Between the fellies 96 and 138 an additional member 146 is provided, which is, like the members 144 and 145, substantially normal to the centre line of the control shaft 100. Viewed in the direction of height a flat base 147 of the member 146 is located midway between the fellies 96 and 138. This base 147 is at right angles to the centre line of the control shaft 100 and has, viewed in plan, a shape as shown in Figure 21. The base 147 changes via a folding line 148 into an operational portion 149, which is inclined downwardly and forwardly with respect to the direction of rotation D or E. The operational portion 149 is provided at the front with teeth 150 located directly above the ground surface and extending substantially parallel to the front boundaries of the members 144 and 145. Viewed in the direction C the teeth 150 are off-set relatively to the fronts of the members 144 and 145 so that the teeth lag by a predetermined angle.

When the members 144 to 146 turn, near the inner sides of the rake members 135, 136 from a tangential position to the space inside the rigid body of the rake member, the crop carried by the members 144 and 145 is scraped off these members by the felly 93, the scraping member 141 and the felly 96, and subsequently the crop sticking to the member 146 is scraped off by the felly 96 and the felly 138. These crop displacing members are particularly suitable for picking up thick layers of crop and for working swaths lying on the field. The crop displacing members 144 to 146, therefore, permit effective picking up of long stalk crop into a space bounded by the front sides of these three members, the crop displaced upwardly by the member 146 being captured by the member 144 and 145.

The teeth 150 are capable of raking up stalks lying between the stubble. The members 144 or 146 may be replaced by tines which are positioned with respect to the directions of rotation D or E in the same manner (Figure 21) as the foremost boundaries of the members 144 to 146.

To all crop displacing members of the machines described above applies that they ensure a very smooth grip on the crop so that damage of the crop, for example, loss of leaves, can be avoided. This gentle treatment of the crop is nevertheless obtained with a comparatively high speed of rotation of the rake members and with a fairly high speed of travel. This is ensured because the crop displacing members of the rake members move to the rear relatively to the associated rigid bodies of the rake members (arrow C).

In these machines the distance between the free ends of the crop displacing members and the associated control shafts is about 30geo of the radius of the rigid body of each rake member so that, since the angular speeds are the same, near the ends of the crop displacing members and near the sides of the rake members moving in the direction of movement A and opposite the same respectively an absolute speed reduction with respect to the ground occurs. With different lengths of the crop displacing members with respect to the radius of the crop rake members higher speed reductions can be obtained. This means that on both sides of the swath formers in these machines the speeds of the free ends of the crop displacing members relative to the ground decrease to a value which is considerably lower than the ground speed of the rigid body of the rake member located on the side concerned. In this way the crop is very effectively engaged so that damage of the crop such as loss of leaves can be avoided. On the other side of the rake member, where the crop has to be deposited in a swath, a deceleration relative to the ground occurs osing to this rotation of the crop displacing members with respect to the rigid body of the rake member as compared with crop displacing members rigidly secured to the rake member. The crop can thus be quietly deposited in the form of a swath without unchecked movements of the crop.

The felly 138 provides a satisfactory matching of the ground by the members 146, since at this place the felly is, so to say, resilient with respect to the crop displacing member and can, therefore, match the ground surface. By loosening the bolts 140 the lower felly 138 can be completely removed so that the rake member may also be used without the felly 138, according to conditions. The rotary axis defined by the shaft 82 may be adjusted at an acute angle of the ground surface with the aid of the ground wheel 33 adjustable in a direction of height, for example, for tedding the crop. The last described machine may to this end be provided with the mechanism described with reference to Figures 16 to 18 and including the pins 130 and the lugs 133.

The machines herein described are also described and claimed in our co-pending application No. 9461/78 (Serial No.

1 599602), and also in application no.

8027747 (Serial No. 1 599 604) divided out of this present application, to each of which reference is accordingly divided.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A hay-making machine comprising at least one body adapted to rotate about an upwardly extending axis and provided with controllable crop displacing members and scraping members along which the displacing members can disengage crop.

2. A hay-making machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crop displacing members are rotatably arranged on the rotatable body.

3. A hay-making machine as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein the circumference of said body is provided with carriers of the crop displacing members, these carriers being rotatable about axes defined by upwardly extending shafts.

4. A hay-making machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein during one revolution of said body the crop displacing members also perform one revolution about the axes defined by their associated shafts with respect to the body.

5. A hay-making machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein during operation the displacing members occupy a constant angular disposition with respect to the direction of operative travel of the machine.

6. A hay-making machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein, as viewed in plan, the displacing members are at an angle of about 45" to the direction of operative travel.

7. A hay-making machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein two rotatable bodies are provided and the displacing members of each of these bodies are relatively parallel and move in relatively opposite senses.

8. A hay-making machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the crop displacing members of the or each body are coupled with a control member which is freely rotatable about a geometrical axis located eccentrically of the axis of rotation of the body.

9. A hay-making machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sense of rotation of the crop displacing members with respect to the body that carries them is opposite that of the body with respect to the structure of the machine that is fixed relative to the body.

10. A hay-making machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the crop displacing members are outside the circumference of the body that carries them when in the foremost region of this body with respect to the direction of operative travel of the machine.

11. A hay-making machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the crop displacing members located outside the circumference of the body are directed outwardly.

12. A hay-making machine as claimed in claim 8 or any one of claims 9 to 11 as appendant directly or indirectly to claim 8, wherein the crop displacing members are fastened to control shafts to which levers are rigidly secured, which levers are rotatably coupled with the control member.

13. A hay-making machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each body comprises at least one circumferential member such as a felly which serves as a scraping member for the crop displacing members.

14. A hay-making machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the or each body comprises at least two fellies in overlying position and

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. the ground occurs. With different lengths of the crop displacing members with respect to the radius of the crop rake members higher speed reductions can be obtained. This means that on both sides of the swath formers in these machines the speeds of the free ends of the crop displacing members relative to the ground decrease to a value which is considerably lower than the ground speed of the rigid body of the rake member located on the side concerned. In this way the crop is very effectively engaged so that damage of the crop such as loss of leaves can be avoided. On the other side of the rake member, where the crop has to be deposited in a swath, a deceleration relative to the ground occurs osing to this rotation of the crop displacing members with respect to the rigid body of the rake member as compared with crop displacing members rigidly secured to the rake member. The crop can thus be quietly deposited in the form of a swath without unchecked movements of the crop. The felly 138 provides a satisfactory matching of the ground by the members 146, since at this place the felly is, so to say, resilient with respect to the crop displacing member and can, therefore, match the ground surface. By loosening the bolts 140 the lower felly 138 can be completely removed so that the rake member may also be used without the felly 138, according to conditions. The rotary axis defined by the shaft 82 may be adjusted at an acute angle of the ground surface with the aid of the ground wheel 33 adjustable in a direction of height, for example, for tedding the crop. The last described machine may to this end be provided with the mechanism described with reference to Figures 16 to 18 and including the pins 130 and the lugs 133. The machines herein described are also described and claimed in our co-pending application No. 9461/78 (Serial No.

1 599602), and also in application no.

the crop displacing members are adapted to rotate past and between these fellies.

15. A hay-making machine as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the or each body comprises three fellies in overlying position and the crop displacing members are adapted to rotate past and between each two adjacent fellies.

16. A hay-making machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said crop displacing members are arranged to perform complete revolutions with respect to said body during operation, these revolutions being controlled such that each crop engaging member extends alternatively inside and outside the circumference of said body during rotation of said body.

17. A hay-making machine as claimed in claim 3 or any one of claims 4 to 16 as appendant directly or indirectly to claim 3, wherein scraping members for the crop displacing members are arranged symmetrically to the shafts associated with the carriers atthe circumference of the body.

18. A hay-making machine as claimed in claim 17, wherein the scraping members comprise scraping members formed by curved strips.

19. A hay-making machine as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the scraping members comprise scraping members formed by flat sheets.

20. A hay-making machine as claimed in claim 17, 18 or 19, wherein the rotatable crop displacing members comprise tines adapted to move along either side of a said scraping member.

21. A hay-making machine as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the scraping members comprise scraping members that are arranged outside and near the outer boundary of the crop displacing members.

22. A hay-making machine as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the scraping members comprise scraping members that form slots through which the displacing members can be retracted.

23. A hay-making machine as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the scraping members comprise scraping members shaped in the form of parts of bodies of revolution.

24. A hay-making machine as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein the scraping members comprise scraping members, that extend along the outer circumference of the rotatable body.

25. A hay-making machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein the scraping members comprise at least one scraping member that is formed by an uninterrupted strip at right angles to said axis.

26. A hay-making machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein the scraping members comprise at least one scraping member that extends between two crop displacing members along the circumference of the or each body.

27. A hay-making machine as claimed in claim 26, wherein the scraping member(s) that extend(s) between two crop displacing members along the circumference of the or each body has/have a rhombic shape.

28. A hay-making machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the crop displacing members can be relectively fixed in place with respect to the rotatable body in order to set the machine in a swathforming or in a tedding position.

29. A hay making machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crop displacing members comprise at least one that is made at least partly of sheet material.

30. A hay making machine as claimedmin claim 1 or 29, wherein a separate supporting member is provided near the bottom of each crop displacing member.

31. A hay making machine as claimed in claim 30, wherein the separate supporting members comprise at least one having the shape of a disc.

32. A hay making machine as claimed in claim 30 or 31, wherein the or each supporting member has the shape of a convex dish.

33. A hay making machine as claimed in claim 30, 31 or 32, wherein the or each supporting member is freely rotatable in one or more bearings at the lower end of a shaft defining the axis about which the corresponding crop displacing member rotates.

34. A hay making machine as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 33, wherein the crop displacing members comprise at least one having an end having an operative end portion for displacing the crop and projecting beyond the corresponding supporting member in a direction parallel to the axis about which the crop displacing member rotates.

35. A hay making machine as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 34, wherein the crop displacing members comprise at least one that describes a circular path during operation.

36. A hay making machine as claimed in claim 35, wherein the last mentioned at least one crop displacing member with an associated shaft defining its rotary axis describes a circle having its centre location on the axis about which said body rotates.

37. A hay making machine as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 36, wherein six shafts defining six crop displacing member rotary axes are arranged on said body.

38. A hay making machine as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 37, wherein the machine comprises two bodies driven in opposite senses.

39. A hay making machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 or Figures 7 and 8, or Figures 9 to 13, or Figure 14, or Figures 15 and 16, or Figures 17 and 18 or Figures 19 to 23, of the accompanying drawings.