Patent ID: 8166739

Claim:
A windrow merger apparatus configured for travel in a first direction, comprising: a frame; a first pickup assembly supported by the frame, the first pickup assembly including a first belt conveyor arranged to convey material in a direction transverse to the first direction of travel and driven by a first motor; a second pickup assembly supported by the frame, the second pickup assembly including a second belt conveyor arranged to convey material in a direction transverse to the first direction of travel and driven by a second motor; and a third pickup assembly supported by the frame, the third pickup assembly including a third belt conveyor arranged to convey material in a direction transverse to the first direction of travel and driven by a third motor; wherein at least two of the pickup assemblies are foldable between an extended position and a retracted position, each of the first, second, and third pickup assemblies being aligned side by side when each of the pickup assemblies is positioned in the extended position such that the first, second, and third pickup assemblies provide an unobstructed continuous line of material pickup; each of the first, second and third belt conveyors being operable in either direction independently of the other belt conveyors.