Andrew:
Please  note that the shifter(?) lever has a cable that releases a 
pin in a cogged wheel when it is moved from one position to another. 
This is a locking mechanism to hold the working apparatus in place 
while it is being used. i.e. Raising/lowering the tangs on a windrow 
rake for hay bailers. It has been a long, long time since I used one 
of these as a boy on the farm. By the by the machine was horse drawn 
not pulled by a tractor.
DP


At 02:56 PM 10/18/2009, you wrote:
>Thank you all for the quick response.  I was partially thinking the parts
>were from farm equipment, but I was not sure.  I uploaded a few more photos
>of other parts we found.
>
>http://www.flickr.com/photos/39493264@N08/
>
>Thanks,
>
>Andrew