Deere & Company

John Michael Flenniken

William E Crookes

Ronald Lee Reichen

Richard David Thier

Mark Alvin Schmidt

Eric Alan Poulson

Donald Lewis Cripps

James E Hardzinski

Russell James Thacher

Stewart J Moorehead

Monte A Dickson

Mitchel R Torrie

Ezekiel A Susman

Radio frequency identification tags are spaced apart from one another in or around a work area for the vehicle. Each of the tags has a corresponding unique identifier. A path planning module establishes a path comprising a path segment between at least two of the radio frequency identification tags. The path segment comprises at least one of a distance between the tags, an angular heading between the tags, and unique identifiers corresponding to the tags. A data processor determines an estimated position of the vehicle based on at least one of odometer data and accelerometer data. A vehicle controller navigates between at least two of the radio frequency identification tags based on the estimated position, the distance and the angular heading. A reader reads the tag identifiers of each tag to track the progress of the vehicle to facilitate execution of or retrieval of any next path segment of the vehicle along the established path.

Method and system for determining a position of a vehicle

A user interface and control system for adjusting the reel of a cutting reel unit includes a frame supported by at least one support element that is supported on, and is movable along, the ground. The system also includes a cutting reel, a bedknife, first and second actuators, a controller, and an operator input station, all carried on the frame. The reel and bedknife define a cutting line therebetween. The first actuator is adjustable to set a clearance between the reel and the bedknife. The second actuator is operatively connected between the frame and the bedknife to adjust the elevation of the cutting line to set a height-of-cut of the cutting reel. The controller is signal-connected to the first and second actuators, to adjust the actuators. The operator input station is signal-connected to the controller, the operator input station including a keypad portion and a display portion, wherein the clearance and the height-of-cut are indicated on the display portion and the clearance and the height-of-cut can be selectively changed via the controller by operator input to the keypad portion.

User interface and control for cutting reel system

A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a height-of-cut adjusting system and a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The height-of-cut adjusting system includes a first frame; a second frame; a cutting reel supported by the second frame; a bedknife arranged adjacent to the cutting reel and supported by the second frame; at least one support element arranged to translate along the ground and arranged to support the first frame; and at least one first actuator connected between the first frame and the second frame and arranged to adjust the relative elevation of the second frame with respect to the first frame. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one second actuator operatively connected between the reel and the second frame and a sound detector.

Cutting reel adjusting system

A system adjusts the height-of-cut of a cutting reel unit. The system includes a cutting reel; a first frame supported on at least one support element that is supported on, and is movable along, the ground; and a second frame supporting the cutting reel. The system further includes an actuator that has a first portion connected to the first frame and a second portion connected to the second frame, wherein a distance between the first and second portions is adjustable. The actuator includes a motive mechanism that is activated to adjust the distance. The system can include at least one strut pivotally connected to the first frame and pivotally connected to the second frame on a second side of the second frame opposite to the first side. The strut extends between the first frame and the second frame. The strut defines the rotation of the second frame with respect to the first frame as the relative elevation of the second frame is adjusted with respect to the first frame.

Height-of-cut adjustment system for reel mower

Side panel

Rear deck panel

Control quadrant

Side quadrant

A bagger for a front mount mower including a bagger support attached to the drive vehicle at a point intermediate the operator's seat and the rear wheel. A pair of bag support rims are releasably attached to the bagger support and a pair of L-shaped bags are suspended on and depend from the respective rims. The L-shaped bags are supported over the mid-portion of the drive vehicle forward of the rear wheel. Each bag is contoured to provide a large capacity to receive clippings while being disposed in close proximity to the top and sides of the drive vehicle.

Bagger for a front mount mower

Growing community of inventors

Rock Hill, SC, United States of America

John Michael Flenniken