Patent ID: 6354429
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
Apparatus for inverting a windrow of crop material on the ground as said apparatus is moved along the windrow in a first direction, the windrow having a lower surface and a generally defined width, said apparatus comprising:lifting means for lifting the crop material of the windrow from the ground and moving the same in a second direction opposite the first direction, the lifting and moving being done substantially without destroying the integrity of the windrow; transporting means for receiving the crop material from said lifting means and for positively transporting the crop material along a generally semicircular horizontal path substantially without destroying the integrity of the windrow so that the crop material is positively transported to an exit location that is elevated a predetermined distance relative to the ground, the continued movement of the crop material by said transporting means resulting in the crop material passing the exit location where the crop material is dropped to the ground so that the lower surface is repositioned at the top of the windrow substantially without destroying the integrity of the windrow, said transporting means comprising an arcuate conveyor belt that substantially traverses said semicircular path for moving the crop material along said semicircular path, and said exit location is an end of said arcuate conveyor.