Cutting reel grinder with automatic control

Abstract

A cutting reel grinder is disclosed which includes an automatic control for operating the grinding device as well as an indexing device that advances cutter reel knives for sharpening by the grinding device. The control includes a pair of electrical actuators: one actuator driving the indexing device; the other actuator driving the grinding device so as to translate it axially of the cutting reel. In addition, a plurality of cam-actuated switches are employed that are positioned with respect to the indexing device and the grinding device so as to shift the control circuit between an indexing cycle in which the cutter reel knives are repositioned with respect to the grinding device and a grinding cycle in which a properly indexed cutter knife is sharpened by the grinding device. A simple and efficient mechanical indexing device is driven by the one actuator and includes a geneva gear arrangement. A timing circuit provided in the control causes the indexing cycle and the grinding cycle to alternate repetitively for a predetermined period of time. In addition, the control provides a means whereby each knife of the cutting reel may be successively indexed without interruption by the grinding cycle.