Windrow merging machine and method of merging windrows

摘要

A windrow gathering machine including a main frame, first and second combined pickup and conveyor units pivotally mounted on skewed axes on opposite sides of the main frame, for movement between substantially horizontal operating positions and inclined vertical stowed positions, first motors for driving the conveyors in the same and opposite directions, second motors for moving the combined pickup and conveyor units between the operating and stowed positions, third motors for moving the combined pickup and conveyor units transversely of the main frame, and mountings for moving only the conveyors relative to each other and relative to the pickups of the combined pickup and conveyor units. A method of merging windrows including the steps of lifting first and second adjacent windrows and conveying them in opposite directions and depositing them proximate to third and fourth windrows to create two double windrows, or alternatively, lifting spaced windrows and conveying them in the same direction and depositing them relative to a third windrow to create a triple windrow.