Patent ID: 8863488

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 pickup head configured to pick up and transfer material to an associated 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 pickup head configured to pick up and transfer material to an associated 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 pickup head configured to pick up and transfer material to an associated 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 a laterally aligned unobstructed continuous line of material pickup able to provide transport of all material transferred to the conveyors to either end of the aligned conveyors; and wherein the first pickup assembly and the third pickup assembly are raised in the retracted position.