Abstract:
A mowing arrangement includes a main, mobile frame to which a base or first carrier part or frame is mounted for being pivoted vertically by a remotely operable hydraulic motor. Mounted to the base carrier frame is a second carrier part to which arms supporting opposite side and front mowing units are attached. The front-mounted mowing unit is mounted to the second carrier part through the agency of a fourth carrier part, in the form of a parallelogram linkage that includes the support arm for the front-mounted mowing unit. The second carrier part is mounted for pivoting about a transverse, horizontal axis so that the cutting angles of each of the mowing heads can be remotely adjusted by pivoting the second carrier part. A third carrier part is fixed for movement with the second carrier part and supports a drive transmission having output shafts respectively coupled for supplying power to the three mowing heads.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention concerns a mowing arrangement with a carrier that can be moved in the upward direction with at least one carrier part for the support of one or more mowing units. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mowing arrangements, in particular for grass, are provided with a mowing head whose inclination to the ground can be adjusted, in order to avoid the entry of stones or other foreign objects, in order to attain a particular height of the stubble and in order to create an equalization when the wheels of the carrier vehicle sink into the ground. 
     The adjustment of this so-called cutting angle is performed by a change in the length of the upper suspension arm in mowing arrangements that are connected to a front or rear three-point implement hitch. In towed mowing arrangements, for example, according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,625, a mowing head engages lower suspension arms so as to pivot vertically from a frame. Between the upper side of the mowing head and the frame, an upper suspension arm extends that can be varied in length in order to adjust the cutting angle of the mowing head relative to the ground. 
     The problem underlying the invention is seen in the fact that adjustment of the cutting angle is awkward and hence is performed only in special circumstances. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, there is provided an improved arrangement for adjusting the cutting angle of mowing heads. 
     An object of the invention is to provide a mower unit suspension that allows the cutting angle to be easily adjusted from an operator&#39;s platform, so that this is utilized optimally and the correct cutting angle is selected each time. For example, at the edge of a field a flat cutting angle of 0 degrees can be selected so that no stones or the like are picked up which could damage the mowing head or heads or contaminate the forage, while after the first pass of the mower the cutting angle is repositioned to approximately 4 to 6 degrees, so that the remaining stubble is not too high. Such a repositioning arrangement that can be controlled remotely may be a mechanical linkage as well as a push-pull cable control, a hydraulic motor or an electric motor which, in particular, can be controlled electrically. 
     A more specific object of the invention is to provide a mower unit mounting including a first or base carrier part attached to the carrier vehicle so as to pivot vertically and so as to be loaded by a lifting arrangement, the lifting range being increased beyond the adjustment range of the cutting angle by a simple pivoting movement. In the case where the carrier vehicle is designed as that of a self-propelled forage harvester, the bearings of, for example, a chopper drum attached to the carrier vehicle, can be used simultaneously as bearings for the first carrier part. 
     Yet a more specific object is to provide a second carrier part pivotally mounted to the base carrier part for vertical pivoting movement about a horizontal transverse pivot bearing axis arranged above a remotely operable adjusting device such that a repositioning is also possible in cases in which the mowing arrangements, for example, with self-propelled mowing vehicles is modified, and is either not retained by an upper steering arm or no space is available above for an adjusting arrangement. 
     Still, another object of the invention is to provide an adjusting arrangement for achieving a uniform repositioning of the cutting angle of several mowing units, this being possible if several mowing units are attached to the second carrier part, for example, two mowing units in a mirror-image arrangement. This characteristic reduces the manufacturing cost and the operator effort. The mirror-image arrangement and thereby the arrangement at an equal spacing from the carrier vehicle has the effect that a repositioning of the second carrier part leads to the same changes in the cutting angle. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a mowing arrangement for high performance in a self-propelled configuration equipped with several mowing units that are arranged offset to each other in the direction of mowing, and including a cutting angle adjusting or positioning arrangement designed to avoid developing differing cutting angles due to lever arms of differing lengths by making provision for a further mowing unit attached, in particular by an arm so as to pivot vertically on the second carrier part or a fourth carrier part connected to it, and that a positioning arrangement is located between the first carrier part and the front-mounted mowing unit, so that a form of parallelogram linkage results which guarantees a parallel guidance and thereby to equal cutting angles on all mowing units. In its simplest form the adjusting or positioning arrangement may be of invariable length, for example, a chain, a rope, a strut or the like. The fourth carrier part, that is connected with the second carrier part carrying the side mowing units, makes it possible to apply a standard mowing unit or a mowing unit as is otherwise applied in the mowing arrangement, and to attach it offset to the remaining mowing units. The uniform movement relative to the ground is assured by the rigid connection with the second, movable carrier part. 
     Yet another specific object of the invention is to provide an adjusting or positioning arrangement as set forth in one or more of the previous objects and to further provide an arrangement of the transmission to the side of the adjusting or positioning arrangement which prevents it from touching or even damaging the third or the first carrier during a vertical movement of the fourth carrier part. Furthermore an unimpeded routing of drive shafts or the like is possible. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a mowing arrangement as defined in any of the previous objects wherein the use of a positioning arrangement between the second and the fourth carrier parts makes it possible to raise and remove the mowing unit attached to the fourth carrier part independent of one or more other mowing units and thereby to bring it into a non-operating position, or to overrun an obstacle without any other trouble. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a mowing arrangement having, in addition to a cutting angle adjusting arrangement, as defined in one or more of the foregoing objects, a mowing unit mounted to a horizontally pivoted arm for making it possible, on the one hand, to increase the mowing width and, on the other hand, to reduce the width of the mowing arrangement for transport operation. 
     Although it would fundamentally be possible to reposition the carrier and with it all participating mowing units in the height by means of a parallelogram or the like then the repositioning in height resulting from a pivoting process does offer advantages due to the simple movements and parts in the manufacture and reliability. In view of the fact that the first carrier part is in contact with the lifting arrangement only in one direction, but is free in the other direction, unnecessary loading of the lifting arrangement is avoided, when the carrier vehicle operates through a depression and the carrier with the mowing units cannot follow the lifting arrangement that is moving downward by reason of the inertia. 
     The use of a connecting console, that is, an adapter, a coupling or the like for the connection of the mowing unit with the particular arm, has the advantage that mowing units are easily dismounted and mounted and thereby can be replaced. The connection in joints makes it possible that the mowing unit can conform to irregularities in the ground. 
     Rapid interchangeability of individual mowing heads for maintenance purposes can be easily accomplished if the take-ups on all mowing heads are provided with interchangeable connecting flanges and a pivot bearing with a horizontal pivot axis extending in the direction of mowing. In this way either identical flanges or hole patterns or flanges with hole patterns can be applied, that fit each mowing head. Couplings with pins, hook couplings and the like are conceivable for the connection. 
     The drawing shows an embodiment of the invention that shall be described in greater detail in the following. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a mowing arrangement mounted to a front end of a traction unit. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective, left front view of a part of the framework for supporting the mowing units. 
     FIG. 3 a left side view of a part of the framework for supporting the mowing units. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a mowing arrangement  10  constructed according to the invention and including a carrier vehicle or traction unit  12  having a main frame  76  to the front end of which several mowing units  14  are mounted through the agency of a common carrier frame  16 . 
     The mowing arrangement  10  is used for the mowing of grass or other crops and having a width of cut during operation of, for example, 9 meters, which lies considerably above the width allowed for the transport on public roads. For transport on public roads the mowing arrangement  10  is brought to a width of 3 meters maximum, as is described below. 
     The carrier vehicle  12  can be configured as an agricultural tractor with a front power lift or with a transmission and seat designed for reverse operating arrangement. But, the carrier vehicle  12  can also be a forage harvester, a combine or a self-propelled vehicle configured especially for mowing or others. In the embodiment illustrated, the carrier vehicle  12  is a self-propelled forage harvester with a front lifting arrangement  18  (FIGS. 2 and 3) and a configuration that is known from forage harvesters of the John Deere Company. 
     The mowing units  14  are configured nearly identically and kept in the form of a known front mowing head. In a manner not shown each mowing unit is equipped with a mowing head that may be configured, for example, as a disk mowing head, drum mowing head or as a cutter bar. If desired, the mowing head can be followed downstream by a processing arrangement, for example, a stalk crimping or conditioning arrangement or the like. In any case, each mowing unit  14  includes a housing  20 , a rear swath-forming arrangement  22 , a flange region  24  and a power-distributing transmission or gearbox  26 . 
     The housing  20  is generally configured in known manner and consists of a bolted or welded assembly of sheet metal plates and tubes, that is surrounded at its sides by plastic skirts and forms a rigid top cover. 
     The swath-forming arrangement  22  delivers the mowed and, if necessary, processed crop on the ground at the rear of the mowing unit  14 , and consists in the simplest case of converging swath boards oriented vertically. In an embodiment, not shown, in place of the swath boards, a transport belt, a transport screw conveyor or the like is provided, that deposit the crop in a swath or windrow on the ground centrally or offset to the side of the mowing unit  14 . 
     The flange region  24  is located as close as possible to the center of gravity of the mowing unit  14  and can be provided with threaded bores, snap closures, hook closures or the like. In the embodiment shown the flange region  24  is formed by two equally large, transversely spaced, flange surfaces  25 . Each flange  25  has the same hole pattern of eight threaded holes. 
     In the present embodiment the transmission  26  is located, in each case, on the left side of the mowing unit  14  as seen in the direction of operation, and is used to drive the mowing head and any processing arrangement that may be present. For this purpose, the transmission  26  is provided with an input shaft  28  of a power transfer arrangement including pulleys or sprockets connected by tensioned flexible drive elements, not shown, for example, a belt or a chain. A recess  30  is provided ahead of the input shaft  28  for an articulated shaft  32 , where the recess  30  need not be mandatory. 
     Spaced toward the opposite side of the housing  20  from the transmission  26  is a further or power-receiving transmission  34  (side mowing units  14 ) or  34 ′ (central front mowing unit  14 ) that includes an output shaft  36  (side mowing units  14 ) or  36 ′ (central front mowing unit  14 ) and an input shaft  38  (side mowing units  14 ) or  38 ′ (central front mowing unit  14 ). This further transmission  34  or  34 ′ is located off center with respect to the direction of operation of the mowing unit  14  and, in this embodiment, is also fastened, so as to be removable, to the right-hand flange  25  of flange region  24 , which, however, is not mandatory. The further transmission  34 ′ that is mounted on the central front mowing unit  14  is configured as an angle drive transmission, and the further transmission  34  on the side or wing mowing units  14  is a spur gear drive or a belt drive transmission. 
     The input shaft  38  of the further transmission  34 , of each of the side or wing mowing units  14 , extends through a transmission housing  40  and provides on both sides a stub shaft that engages an articulated shaft  32 . In lieu of the power-receiving or further transmission  34 , it may, from a purely technical standpoint, be possible instead to use two angle gearboxes connected to each other so as to pivot relative to each other about an upright axis, in which the input and the output shaft  38  and  36  can assume any desired position relative to each other. In any case, the output shaft  36  is connected, although it may be disconnected, over the articulated shaft  32  with the input shaft  28  of the transmission  26 . In this embodiment the output shaft  36  is located in the same plane on each mowing unit as the input shaft  28  of the transmission  26 , as seen transverse to the direction of mowing. Although their vertical alignment is desired, the present embodiment nevertheless provides a small vertical offset, where the inclination of the articulated shaft  28  is made possible since it enters the recess  30 . In the further transmission  34 ′ of the central or front mowing unit  14 , the input shaft  38 ′ extends perpendicular to the output shaft  36 ′. 
     In, on or at the carrier frame  16 , there is a main drive transmission  42  which is arranged as an angle drive transmission in T-configuration. The main drive transmission  42  is penetrated by a shaft  44 , that operates as an input as well as an output shaft. A drive pulley  46  of a belt drive transmission  48 , leading to a power source of the carrier vehicle  12 , is fixedly mounted on the shaft  44  for rotation with it. A gear  52 , configured as a bevel gear, is mounted, fixed against rotation, on the shaft  44  in a gearbox housing  50 , which meshes with a gear  54  also configured as a bevel gear arranged at a right angle to it. The gear  54  is mounted on an output shaft  56 , which extends at right angles to the shaft  44  and to output shaft  36 ′ of the further transmission  34 ′ on the forward mowing unit  14 . The two angle drive transmissions  34 ′ and  42  may be configured equally so that the input shaft  38 ′ of the transmission  34 ′ would become the input shaft and the output shaft  56  of the transmission  42  would become the input shaft if the transmissions  34 ′ and  42  were exchanged. 
     All input shafts  38  or  38 ′, output shafts  36 ,  36 ′ or  56 , and shafts  44  are provided with a splined profile, that is not shown but is standard, on which a commercially available articulated shaft  32  can be mounted. In the embodiment shown, in the operating position of the mowing unit  14 , the shaft  44  that extends transverse to the direction of mowing and the input shafts  38  as well as the output shafts  36  and the input shafts  26  extend in one alignment. On the other hand, the output shaft  56  of the main drive gearbox  42  is offset to the side of the input shaft  38  of the further gearbox  34  that is configured as an angle drive transmission. In general, an offset of the connecting points is possible within the limits existing for each of the articulated shafts  32  used. If necessary, wide angle joints or several articulated shafts can be used that extend at an angle to each other and that are arranged one behind the other, that are connected to each other, fixed against rotation, over a bearing, not shown, in the flange regions. 
     Deviating from the above description, the drive of each of the mowing units  14  could also be performed over one or more hydraulic or electric motors whereby individual transmissions or all transmissions  26 ,  34 ,  34 ′, or  42  could be omitted. 
     On the basis of the above description, the result is the following drive concept, where the assumption is that three mowing units  14  are used. 
     The drive is transmitted from the carrier vehicle  12  over the belt drive transmission  48  to the drive gear  46 , which brings the shaft  44  into rotation. The shaft  44  is connected on both sides of the transmission housing  50 , fixed against rotation, over one articulated shaft  32  each with the input shaft  38  of the further transmission  34 , where, with the left mowing unit  14 , an exposed end section of the input shaft  38  projecting from the right side of the transmission housing  40  is connected to the associated shaft  32 , and, where, with the right mowing unit  14 , an exposed end section of the input shaft  38  projecting from the left side of the gearbox housing  40  is connected to the associated shaft  32 . Within the further transmission  34  configured as a spur gear or belt drive transmission, the drive is transmitted further to each of the output shafts  36 , if necessary with a step up or reduction in speed, which in turn is connected, fixed against rotation, over an associated articulated shaft  32  with the input shaft  28  of the transmission  26 . The transmission  26  finally transmits the drive to the particular mowing head and, if available, processing arrangement. Accordingly, the drive of the mowing units  14  at the sides is performed, or its drive, in case only one mowing unit  14  at the side is used, without the main drive transmission  42  becoming loaded since the shaft  44  extends completely through the transmission housing  50 , which serves in the nature of a bearing support for the shaft  44 . The drive of the central and the forward mowing unit  14  originates from the shaft  44  or the gear  52  fastened to it, which drives the output shaft  56  through the positive locking connection with the gear  54 . The output shaft  56  is connected, fixed against rotation, over a further articulated shaft  32  with the input shaft  38 ′ of the further transmission  34 ′ on the forward mowing unit  14 . A further articulated shaft  32  connects the output shaft  36 ′ of the further transmission  34 ′ with the input shaft  28  of the transmission  26 , so that thereby the drive of the mowing head and, if available, of the processing arrangement is guaranteed. 
     The layout of the gearbox  26  as a belt drive gearbox with belts permits, on the one hand, a guarantee of the drive train against overloads and, on the other hand, makes it possible to interrupt the drive of every mowing unit  14  independently of any other mowing unit  14 . 
     Beyond that, the arrangement and configuration of the further transmissions  34  makes it possible to replace a damaged mowing unit  14  by another, for example, of the existing combination. An exchange of the mowing units  14  at the sides is possible without any change. An exchange of the forward mowing unit  14  for one on the side is possible, provided the further transmission  34 ′ configured as an angle drive transmission is exchanged for a further gearbox  34  configured as a spur gear drive or belt drive gearbox or vise versa, which is possible without any problem due to the method of arrangement and fastening. This ability to exchange without any problem makes it possible to react rapidly to any damage to a mowing unit  14 , so that a mowing unit  14  ready to be applied is always available, and is located ahead of the carrier vehicle  12 . The separation of the mowing unit  14  from the carrier  16  is performed in the flange region  24  by means of bolts, screws, hooks or the like, not shown. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that the carrier  16  is composed of several components, in particular, a first or base carrier part  58 , a second carrier part  60 , a third carrier part  62  and a fourth carrier part  64 , which are carried by the carrier vehicle  12  and can be repositioned in height relative to the ground by its lifting arrangement  18 . The carrier  16  forms a unit with the mowing units  14 , that can be deposited on the ground or can be transported by the carrier vehicle  12 . 
     The first carrier part  58  contains two plates  66  that are spaced at a distance from each other that are connected to each other by a tube  68  so as to be connected rigidly. The tube  68  extends to the side beyond the plates  66  and is provided with a connection  70 . The connection  70  is configured as in the form of a fork and is provided with an opening, not described in any further detail, that accepts a pin. Each plate  66  is provided in its upper end region with a bearing bore  72  and on its rear side in its lower half with a bearing  74  that engages the frame  76  of the carrier vehicle  12  in bearing shells  78  that can be separated so as to pivot vertically. If the bearing shells  78  are separated, the entire carrier  16  can be released from the carrier vehicle  12  and replaced, for example, by a chopper assembly. The bearing  74  is used simultaneously as bearing support for a shaft of the belt drive transmission  48  that is parallel to the shaft  44  on the carrier vehicle  12 . 
     The second carrier part  60 , as viewed from the left side, has the shape of the upper part of a question mark. The second carrier part  60  also includes two plates  80  that are transversely spaced from each other and joined together in their lower end regions by a tube  82 , of square or rectangular cross section, that projects beyond these to the side and is provided at its ends with a connection  84 . The connection  84  is configured as a fork and includes a bore at its upper end for receiving a pin. Each plate  80  is provided in its upper end region with a four-sided opening, in particular a square opening  86 . Located in the upper end region of each plate  80  at a location behind the square opening  86  is an upper bearing bore  88 , and located in its lower end region beside the connection  84  is a lower bearing bore  90 . 
     In the assembled condition, the first and the second carrier parts  58  and  60 , respectively, assume positions in which the plates  80  of the second carrier part  60  are located outside the plates  66  of the first carrier part  58 , but are spaced from this by the smallest possible distance. The bearing bores  72  and  88  are used to engage a bearing pin  94 , so that the first and the second carrier parts  58  and  60  are connected with each other in a joint, and open and close like a pair of scissors. 
     Beyond that, as can best be seen in FIG. 2, the second carrier part  60  contains a transverse beam  96  that extends through the openings  86  in, and is connected rigidly, as by welding, with, the plates  80 . 
     The transverse beam  96  is configured as a steel tube with a square cross section that extends close to the side edges of the carrier vehicle frame  76 . In each of the outer regions of the beam  96 , a bearing eye  98  is provided that defines an at least generally vertical pivot axis. In the center of the transverse beam  96 , and on its upper side, a fork  100  is located that contains bores  103 . On the rear side of the transverse beam  96 , two ribs  102  are attached that are oriented vertically, that extend parallel to the plates  80  and maintain a spacing to these, so that they take up the plates  66  of the first carrier part  58  in the intervening free space and aid in carrying the bearing pin  94 . By reason of the connection of the transverse beam  96  with the plates  80 , the transverse beam  96  follows every pivoting movement of the second carrier part  60 . 
     The third carrier part  62  has approximately the shape of a box with pairs of left plates  104 , right plates  106  and central plates  108  all of which extend parallel to each other and are rigidly connected, in particular welded, to each other by means of a forward lower tube or bar  110  and a rear upper tube or bar  111  (FIG.  3 ). Each of the inner plates of the left and the right plates  104  and  106  are bolted to the inner side of the plates  80  of the second carrier part  60 . Each of the outer plates of the left and the right plates  104  and  106  are located opposite the outer side of the plates  80  and are provided with a bearing  112  that engages the shaft  44 . A plate  114  extending horizontally is welded to the inner side of the inner one of the right plates  106  and to the bar  110 , that is primarily used for releasable take-up of the main drive transmission  42 . The central plates  108  are configured generally as a ring that leaves an interior space through which the shaft  44  can extend, but this is not mandatory as these plates  108  could also be configured as full surface plates and be equipped with a bearing for the shaft  44 . The central plates  108  are spaced at a distance to each other and are provided with bores  116  in a forward upper corner region. By reason of the connection of the third carrier part  62  with the second carrier part  60 , the third carrier part  62  follows the pivoting movement of the second carrier part  60 . 
     The fourth carrier part  64  takes the form of a gallows and is approximately triangular in shape as viewed in plan view. Thus, the fourth carrier part  64  includes two forwardly converging, equal legs  118  spaced at a large distance from each other at the rear end and joined by a transverse third leg, that adjoins the second carrier part  60 . A stem  119  is joined to the legs  118  in their converging forward end region, the stem  119  having a fork  120  defined at its free end. In side view, it can be seen that the stem  119  of the fourth carrier part  64  is angled such that it forms an included angle of approximately 150° with the legs  118 . A third leg  122  extends parallel to the bars  110  and  82  and connects the rear ends of the two legs  118  in the installed condition. In each of the end regions of the third leg  122 , an ear or bracket  124  is located that contains a bore, not described in any further detail. In the installed condition of the fourth carrier part  64 , the bore of the bracket  124  is axially aligned with the bore  90 , with a pin  126  being received in the aligned bores. Joined to, as by welding, and projecting downwardly from a central region of the third leg  122 , from inside locations along the lengths of the legs  118 , and from the bottom of the stem  119 , is a support angle  128  that is in the form of a weldment constructed of sheet metal components, not described any further. A bore  130  (FIG. 2) is provided in the corner region of the support angle  128 . The fork  120  is provided with a bearing eye or bore  132  that extends transverse to the length of the fourth carrier part  64 . During operation the fourth carrier part  64  is connected with the second carrier part  60 , in particular by means of the pins  126  which are inserted through the bore  90  and a first positioning arrangement  134 , that is configured as a threaded spindle or as a motor, in particular, a hydraulic motor. The positioning arrangement  134  is fastened at one end by means of a pin  135  in the fork  100  on the second carrier part  60  and at its other end by means of a pin  137  in the bores  130  on the fourth carrier part  64 . According to the above description, the result is a carrier  16  that is composed of the first through the fourth carrier parts  58 ,  60 ,  62  and  64 , respectively. 
     The adjustment or repositioning of the carrier  16  relative to the carrier vehicle  12  is performed by means of the lifting arrangement  18  which is provided with a second positioning arrangement  136 , preferably in the form of a hydraulic cylinder and a pivot arm  138 , that can pivot at one end about a horizontal axis extending in the transverse direction on the frame  76  and is loaded at its other end by the second positioning arrangement  136 , or is connected with it. The first carrier part  58  is not connected directly with the pivot arm  138  or the second positioning arrangement  136 , but is merely in contact with these. An extension of the second positioning arrangement  136  brings about a pivoting movement of the entire carrier  16  about the pivot axis of the bearing  74  in the clockwise direction as seen in FIG.  3 . An unloading of the second positioning arrangement  136  leads to an opposite pivoting movement of the carrier  16  on the basis of the force of gravity. 
     A third positioning arrangement  140 , also preferably configured as a single acting hydraulic motor, extends between the connection  70  on the first carrier part  58  and the connection  84  on the second carrier part  60  and is secured in each of these by means of pins, in its end regions. 
     Finally, a fourth positioning arrangement  142  (FIG. 3) is provided that can be secured at its rear end region by means of a pin  143  that penetrates the bores  116  (FIG. 2) of the central rib  108 . In its simplest form, the fourth positioning device  142  can be configured as a chain, a strut or some other component of invariable length. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the positioning device  142  is a variable length turnbuckle, but can also be configured as a hydraulic cylinder. 
     While only the left end assembly is shown in FIG. 2, at each of the ends of the transverse beam  96 , a universal joint carrier or bracket  144  is provided that could be composed of two U-shaped components, where each of the U-shaped parts coincide in their bottom region and are indexed by 90 degrees to each other. An inner region facing the transverse beam  96  reaches over the end region of the transverse beam  96  with its U-shape, where the “U” is open in the horizontal direction. The legs are provided with a bearing  146  with a vertical bearing axis in the installed condition that coincides with the axis of the bearing eyes  98 , whereby a pin, not shown, can be installed that penetrates the bearing  146  and the bearing eyes  98 . The region facing away from the transverse beam  96  represents the second “U”, that is open in the vertical direction and is provided with legs  148 , that are provided with bores  150  aligned with each other, through which a horizontal axis extends. One end of a hydraulic, mowing unit lift cylinder (not shown) would be attached here while its other end would be attached to a pair of legs (visible only in FIG. 1) provided on a mower unit support arm  158 , described below. On the outside of the rear leg  148 , a fork  152  is located that is positioned at the same height as a fork  154  on the outside of the plates  80  of the second carrier part  60 . 
     A fifth positioning device  156  has its opposite ends respectively retained in one of the forks  152  and  154 , free to pivot, and is configured in particular as a double acting hydraulic motor. 
     One of the arms  158  is provided for supporting each side-mounted mowing unit  14  and is in the form of a tube or tube end in a weldment that is approximately half as long as the width of the associated mowing unit  14 . The arm  158  is provided at one end with an inner bearing eye  160  and at its other end with an outer bearing eye  162  whose pivot axes extend parallel to each other and that contain, for example, a welded tube as a bearing surface. 
     An arm  164  for the forward central mowing unit  14  is also configured as a tube or a weldment and is provided with an upper bearing eye  166 , and central and lower bearing eyes, respectively, (not shown) where the pivot axes extending through the upper bearing eye  166  and the central bearing eye are parallel to each other and, in the installed condition of the arms  164 , the central bearing eye is aligned with the bearing eye  132  of the fork  120 . The upper bearing eye  166  is located in the uppermost end region of the arm  164  and the central bearing eye is located near the lower end region of the arm  164 . The lower bearing eye  170  is located in the lower end region of the arm  164  and is provided with a pivot axis generally extending horizontally that is indexed through 90 degrees relative to the pivot axes of the upper and the central bearing eyes. If the arm  164  is seen from the front in the installed condition, then its upper end region is offset to the side from the rest by almost the width of the arm  164 . The upper bearing eye  166  is used for the connection with the fourth positioning arrangement  142 , and the central bearing eye is used for the connection to the fork  120  at its bearing eye  132 , in each case by means of corresponding pins. 
     Finally, connecting consoles  174  are provided for each mowing unit  14 , the consoles  174  each including a plate  176  and a bearing eye  178 . In the preferred embodiment, the connecting consoles  174  for all mowing units  14  are identical and are inserted between each of the arms  158  or  164  and each of the mowing units  14 . The plate  176  is rigidly connected with the bearing eye  178 , in particular welded and is provided with a hole pattern that conforms to a hole pattern in the flange region  24 . The bearing eye  178  is configured in such a way that it can be connected by means of corresponding pins with the bearing eye  162  of the side mowing unit support arms  158 , or the bearing eye  170  of the front mowing unit support arm  164 , where the pivot axes extend in the direction of mowing of the mowing arrangement  10 . 
     On the basis of the above description, the mowing arrangement  10  is assembled and attached to the carrier  16  in such a way that each mowing unit  14  with its flange region  24  is connected initially with the connecting console  174  this with the corresponding arms  158  and  164 . The arms  158  and  164  are, in turn, connected together with the fourth carrier part  64  or the transverse beam  96  of the second carrier part  60 , the second carrier part  60  with the first carrier part  58  and the first carrier part  58  with the frame  76 . 
     In order to reach each of the positions of the carrier parts  58  through  64  and the mowing units  14  fastened thereto, the positioning or adjusting devices  134 ,  136 ,  140 ,  142 ,  156  are assembled correspondingly and, as far as necessary, connected to a corresponding positioning system, for example, a hydraulic system, in particular, that of the carrier vehicle  12 . 
     Finally, the main drive transmission  42  is mounted on the third carrier part  62  and the drive connections according to the above description are established by means of the articulated shafts  32  and connected with a drive, not shown, on the carrier vehicle  12  that may be transmitted over a countershaft  180  (FIG. 1) to the belt drive transmission  48 . 
     Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.