Abstract: A tractor with two engines arranged in tandem, each carried by a frame portion pivotable relative to the other about a vertical axis under the rear engine. The body of the tractor is narrow forward and to the rear wherein axles for front and rear sets of ground engaging wheels extend laterally and mount six wheels each. The front engine and rear engine extend forward of the respective front and rear sets of ground wheels. The front frame portion is turnable axially relative to the rear frame portion and steering is accomplished by the relative pivoting of the portions about the aforesaid vertical axis. A fuel tank forms a guard over the rear set of wheels and includes a depression for an operator's seat. The fuel tank has a central partition and is optionally hinged in its outer portions whereby the width of the tractor is reduced by removing the outer wheels and pivoting the outer portions of the fuel tank to the rear. A lifting device extends aft between the central rear wheels.

Abstract: A soil cultivating implement has an elongated hollow frame portion that houses an eccentric drive transmission to a row of soil working members mounted on respective upwardly extending shafts journalled on the frame portion. The eccentric drive includes two eccentric discs that are mounted out-of-phase on an upwardly extending driving shaft. The eccentrics are pivoted to radial arms on the member shafts of different alternate soil working members by connecting rods so that adjacent members are oscillated in relatively opposite directions. The shafts are located in a plane that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal center line of the frame portion and to the rear of that line and the rods. Each member has three radial arm supports with respective tines, two of the arms being shorter than a third. It is preferred that the longer arm support of alternate members extend rearwardly in the center of its oscillating path and opposite to the direction of the arm supports of adjacent members.

Abstract: An implement has two elongated tined carriers that extend transverse to the direction of travel. The carriers are moved through circular orbits around spaced apart driving shafts that extend upwardly. An eccentric for each carrier is journalled to each shaft and includes a disc with encircling ring having support plates that are bolted to the respective carrier. The upper eccentrics extend forwardly from a drive shaft, located between the carriers, to the forward carrier and the lower eccentrics extend rearwardly to the trailing carrier. The carriers are off set relative to one another as well as out-of-phase. An elongated levelling beam is adjustably connected to the forward carrier and a supporting roller is connected to the frame at the rear of the trailing carrier.

Abstract: A harrow has an elongated frame beam supporting a row of rotatable soil-working members mounted side-by-side on upwardly extending shafts. The frame beam and row of soil-working members extend transverse to the direction of travel of the harrow. At each lateral end of the row, a screening plate is positioned and pivoted to the frame beam. Each screening plate extends in a substantially vertical plane in the general direction of travel. Also, each plate has a lower support portion that rides over the ground and side edges that are inclined upwardly. The screening plates are supported on arms that can be pivoted to relocate the plates 180 degrees so they can rest in inverted positions on top of the frame beam during transport.

Abstract: A tractor having two power units supported on respective frame portions which are pivotably connected in tandem, each power unit operatively connected to its respective fore or after axle which respectively mounts four or six wheels. The frame portions supporting the power units are joined between the fore and aft axles by vertical and horizontal solid steel pivotable shafts so as to be pivotable within limits about both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tractor. Hydraulic piston and cylinder units extending from one power unit to the other on either side of the vertical pivotable shaft provide steering from controls located in a cabin suspended by an inverted "U" structure included in the frame of the after power unit. Both power units are provided with large capacity fuel tanks which extend transversely above each set of wheels and have a configuration whereby they function as fenders or mudguards.

Abstract: A rotary harrow has a row of soil working members that are rotatable about upwardly extending axes defined by shafts journalled in an elongated, hollow frame portion. The frame portion is formed by opposing U-shaped upper and lower portions that have abutting rims clamped together by releasable fastening means. Driving gears are housed, together with lubricant, within the frame portion. The lateral sides of the frame portion are closed by vertical sector plates which are attached to the lower frame portion. Inwardly projecting ribs on the plates coextend with the inner surfaces of the upper frame portion and a gasket is sandwiched between those surfaces and the ribs. A supporting roller is located to the rear of the soil working members and arms pivotably interconnect the roller to the sector plates so that adjustment can be made to regulate the working depths of the working members.

Abstract: A spreader for granular or powdery material such as fertilizer having three conveyors extending transversally from each side of a hopper for the material, the hopper having two funnels and two discharge ports, one for each funnel, each discharge port being disposed above the inboard ends of a corresponding group of conveyors with each conveyor in each group having different lengths and terminating outboard in a rotary disc spreading member, such spreading members being spaced apart about 2 meters in the two groups of conveyors which are aligned. The conveyors each comprise an endless belt which, through further belts, rotate the spreader members about vertical axes. Disposed between each spreader and the end of the corresponding conveyor is a guide hood which guides the flow of material to the rotary disc behind its flat ejector blades which are biased 60.degree. from a radial line intercepting the inward edge of the blade, so that at design speed the material is ejected through an arc of about 180.degree..

Abstract: A soil cultivating implement has a row of working rotors which are supported by a plurality of elongate, resilient rod-like elements that are arranged to afford a grating immediately to the rear of the rotors. The elments are C-shaped with their convex sides extending in the direction of travel, horizontal lower portions that ride on the ground and upper fastening portions, including coils, that are secured to a beam support. The support, together with elements, are interconnected to the frame via pivoted arms that can be vertically adjusted to change the working depths of the rotors. The elements are positioned at varying distances behind the rotors so that their foremost parts define an imaginary sinusoidal line, when viewed in plan.

Abstract: A system for the effective utilization of low-grade heat sources such as solar energy, with a system including a molecular sieve material such as zeolite and a gaseous fluid adapted to be absorbed by the material which is in a closed container and circuit which includes a condenser and a gas expansion cooler member. When the container is heated, a gas is given off from the molecular sieve material, cooled in a condenser, and thereafter expanded for cooling purposes. In one embodiment, the cooled gas is received in a further container having absorbent material and subsequently, upon cooling of the first container, the gaseous fluid may be returned thereto via again a condenser and gas expansion cooler member to provide further cooling. In another embodiment, the molecular sieve material is formed by sintering same to form a pressure resistanr divider across the container.

Abstract: A cultivating implement has an elongated frame portion with a front three point coupling that connects to the three point lift of a conventional tractor. A rear supporting structure for a further implement has spaced apart beams that extend forward to pivots near the lower two points of the front coupling. The structure has interconnected frame beams that are supported on ground wheels and the rear ends of the forwardly extending beams are fixed to vertical frame beams. Rearwardly extending arms are pivoted to the interconnected frame beams and these arms together with coupling plates on an upper tie beam, form a rear three point coupling. The arms are interconnected to the remainder of the structure by adjustable carrier arms. Ground wheels support the structure and a further implement that is connected to the rear coupling.

Abstract: A cylindrical tank supported on the frame of a vehicle for transporting a mixture of manure and a further liquid, usually water. To prevent the agglomeration of solid and semi-solid materials within the tank, guide members are provided to produce recirculating and swirling motions of the mixture within the tank as the result of normal movements of the vehicle while carrying the tank during travel, such motions being produced primarily by deceleration of the vehicle. The main guide member is supported in the tank so as to be inclined downwardly to the rear whereby when the vehicle stops, the liquid mixture tends to surge forward up the inclined guide member. A second guide member extending from the top of the tank downwardly at an inclination opposite to that of the first guide member and above same tends to prevent liquid mixture which has surged into the forward portion of the tank from sloshing to the rear in the upper part of the tank.

Abstract: A rotary cultivator has a row of soil working members mounted on upwardly extending shafts that are geared to a driving shaft extending transverse to the direction of travel. The shafts have soil working tools at their lower ends and transmission gears at their upper ends. Intermediate their ends, the shafts are surrounded by bearings in respective housings. The housings can be disconnected from their supports and the shaft, bearings and housing corresponding to each member can be removed or replaced as a unit. Upon removal, transmission gears are disengaged. The supports for the housings can be bars connected to spaced apart beams of the frame to which gear box - bearing housings are fastened by bolts. Alternatively, an enclosed casing can be formed by an assembly of three spaced apart plates that form an upper gear chamber and a lower trough within which the housings are secured. The rims of the plates can be clamped by bolts and the bearing housings bolted to the lower two plates.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the detection of electronegative chemical species in gas flows, such as exist from gas chromatographs, by sampling the detector volume via an aperture connecting to a lower pressure region containing apparatus to collect and measure the negative ion current. Because of the free diffusion of electrons in the region of the aperture, as opposed to ambipolar diffusion in a conventional electron capture detector volume, the electrons are largely removed from the negatively charged components in the gas stream there. Similarly, positive ion current may be measured, thus extending the analytical capability of the invention to classes of chemical species normally not yielding a response in electron capture detectors.

Abstract: An implement has one or more rows of tines fixed to frame beams and the lateral sides of the frame have adjustable ground wheels to control the working depths of the tines. A further soil working member is connected at the rear of the frame by parallelogram linkages and a driven eccentric on the further member imparts up and down vibratory movements to that member. Each linkage includes a bracket, the lower front portion of which is pivoted to a rear frame beam and rearwardly extending arms that are pivoted to vertical support arms that carry and move the further member. Above the pivot connection to the frame, the bracket has connection points for a tie arm that extends forward to a leading frame beam. A fixing mechanism interconnects the upper linkage arm with the front of the bracket at two spaced apart locations and springs in the mechanism bias the arm and further member to an equilibrium position.

Abstract: A cultivating implement has a main frame comprised of beams that support an elongated central frame portion that has rotatable soil working members mounted in a transverse row. At each lateral side of the central portion, an outer elongated frame portion, with a corresponding group of further soil working members, is pivoted. In working position, the outer portions comprise extensions of the central portion so that a broad strip of ground is worked. For transport, the outer portions can be pivoted upwardly by hydraulic assemblies about pivots that interconnect same to the central portion, and the central portion can be raised out of ground contact by further hydraulic assemblies that move rear ground wheels into supporting position. Each of the hydraulic assemblies has a latch that cooperates with a pin to retain the outer portions and ground wheels in transport position. A cable or rope to the operator can pivot and release the latch so that a working position can be assumed.

Abstract: A framework in a counterweight assembly for carrying weight which counterbalances the weight of stage curtains and the like, the framework having upper and lower identical extruded bars, each including a cylindrical portion on one longitudinal edge and a bifurcated portion on the opposite longitudinal edge provided with outwardly extending flanges, the bifurcated portion defining a continuous groove. The groove faces inwardly and the cylindrical portion faces outwardly with the upper and lower bars being connected by a pair of side rods, also extruded aluminum, each side rod including a tongue along a longitudinal edge adapted to be received by the aforesaid groove and a guide being provided on the opposite longitudinal edge, such guide being received in a vertical guide beam for guiding the framework in its vertical movement.

Abstract: A curtain rod assembly manufactured primarily from extruded aluminum components, the curtain rod defining an elongated cruciform groove in its upper portion to receive therein a like shaped support part, a horizontal flange being provided at the rod's lower portion to receive wheeled curtain carriers, the rod being symmetrical about a vertical plane. In a modification of the rod, instead of a vertically elongated cruciform groove, a vertical plate-like portion is provided wherein such upper vertical portion is fastened through horizontal bolts to an overhead support, a flange on the lower aspect with a horizontal cross piece defining tracks for the wheeled curtain carriers as in the first modification, this second modification also being symmetrical about a vertical plane.

Abstract: A rotary harrow has a plurality of soil-working members rotatably mounted on upwardly extending shafts and the shafts are journalled in an elongated frame portion that extends transverse to the direction of travel. A protective and supporting member of elongated configuration is secured to the frame portion. The protective member can be nonrotatable but is angularly displaceable about a horizontal axis that extends generally parallel to the frame portion. The protective member has an inclined surface that can be curved or substantially flat and the outer surface faces the soil working members and is positioned relative to those members to direct debris downwardly to the ground. Stops on the frame portion and protective member limit the latter's movement relative to the remainder of the harrow.

Abstract: An implement has rotary soil-working cultivating members with tines that are arranged to work a broad path of soil. The cultivating members are rotated about upwardly extending axes by a drive from a p.t.o. and are positioned adjacent one another. A beamed support at the front of the implement frame has soil arresting elements fastened to the support and the elements can be tines, strips or the like that extend horizontally above the tines and below the main frame portion to free ends. The elements are positioned to arrest the lateral and/or forward displacement of soil thrown by the cultivating members. Soil crumbling members can also be attached to the frame portion in front of and between neighboring cultivating members. A supporting roller having a periphery formed by elongated rods is positioned to the rear of the cultivating members.

Abstract: A spreading implement has laterally extending conveyors of different lengths that form a boom to each side of a hopper. At the outer ends of the conveyors, rotatable spreading discs are mounted spaced apart from one another and each conveyor is an endless belt in a channel shaped guide. A slideable flow control is positioned beneath a port in the bottom at each side of the hopper to regulate the amount of material fed to the conveyors. Driving means, including a power take-off connection and a belt and pulley transmission move the conveyors and rotate the discs. At the end of each conveyor, a downwardly extending guide allows material to flow to a lower disc. Each boom is pivoted to the implement frame with a latch and pivot connection to be displaceable about a vertical axis to a rearwardly extending transport position. Also, each boom is comprised of spaced apart beams that are comprised by two portions that are interconnected with a further pivot and a latch connection.