Abstract: A soil cultivating machine has a beamed frame, and working members arranged in pairs. Two working members are mounted one behind the other, preferably on a common carrier beam which is releasably secured to transverse beams of the frame. Thus the two working members and the carrier beam constitute a working unit which is readily releasable from the frame. The two working members of the pair are interlinked by a connecting rod to ensure a uniform operating depth over irregular ground and the members can be located on opposite sides of the carrier beam as viewed in plan. In one embodiment, the working members are mounted on pivot pins journalled to different frame beams and the members are arranged in rows that are inclined to the direction of travel. The beams with working members can be arranged in groups that are hinged to one another for elevation to a reduced transport position.

Abstract: A soil working machine comprises two interconnected soil working members. Each working member comprises a support that is preferably resilient and a lower working element. Deflection of one working member results in an opposite deflection of the other, but the orientation of the working elements is preferably maintained by a control arm. Levers pivoted to the frame and associated with the supports are interconnected by a rigid coupling. Alternatively, the supports can be attached to brackets which are pivoted to the frame and levers or parallelogram linkages interconnected to the brackets are connected by a rigid coupling.

Abstract: An overload coupling includes two members that are interconnected by at least one shear pin for rotation about a common axis. The pin is normally urged in a direction parallel to the axis through an aperture of the second member into an opening of the first member, the interface between the two members forming a cutting structure. Upon being fractured, the severed portion drops out of the opening and a spring mechanism that bears on the remainder of the pin, urges same into the opening to re-establish interconnection between the two members. The size of the opening and/or pressure of the spring are preferably selected to allow reconnect only when the relative rotation between the two members drops so that reconnect while automatic, is deliberate. The spring can be part of an assembly that is configured to exert the desired pressure on the pin to ensure such reconnect. A plurality of pins can be mounted in one or more holders releasably attached to the coupling.

Abstract: A soil cultivating implement has a frame portion of inverted channel-shaped cross-section with downwardly directed limbs each of which has an inwardly bent-over lip at its lower free end. A row of contra-rotating soil working members are carried by corresponding substantially vertical shafts. A power-operated drive transmission to the soil working members comprises the aforesaid vertical shafts, axially aligned, substantially horizontal shafts and intermeshing bevel pinions. In order to facilitate assembly as well as quick and simple replacement of any soil working member and/or transmission part that may become seriously worn, broken or damaged during operation, the transmission is made up of a plurality of successively neighboring gear casings any one of which can be individually removed, together with the corresponding soil working member and replaced by a similar unit.

Abstract: A shear pin coupling comprises two coupling parts which are normally interconnected by a shear pin. Upon overload, the shear pin fractures and the parts can rotated relative to one another. After fracture, the shear pin is advanced to re-interconnect the coupling parts by a spring-loaded plunger. The shear pin and the plunger are shaped to prevent displacement of the shear pin in a direction other than its lengthwise direction. The end of the pin may, for example, be conical for this purpose.

Abstract: A soil cultivating machine includes a frame and a plurality of cultivating members in one or more groups journalled to said frame. Each group is driven to rotate about a horizontal shaft extending substantially transverse to the direction of machine travel. The groups of cultivating members are preferably arranged in at least two groups located side-by-side and pivotable about transverse pivots to move vertically against spring opposition to avoid obstacles. Each cultivating member is made of semicircular plates fastened to rings on the horizontal shaft and the plates can have cuts that divide them into segment parts. The outer working portions of the plates can be offset so that neighboring members work paths that overlap or are closely adjacent one another. Each group has respective side plates and a hood supported by the plates and the hood is interconnected to the frame with a spring-loaded rod.

Abstract: A cultivating machine includes a forward row of subsoil tools and a pair of elongated cultivating rollers having support plates to which soil penetrating T-section bars or knife edged bars are attached. To the rear of the cultivating rollers, a trailing supporting roller is journalled on the frame and adjusting arms to the roller can be interconnected with the frame to raise or lower same and thereby set the soil working levels of the subsoil. Each cultivating roller can have its soil penetrating depth controlled through pivot arm connections that move the roller through an arc centered on the pivot axes which extend transverse to the direction of machine travel. The cultivating rollers can be moved towards or away from one another. The machine frame has a coupling that is connectable to the lifting hitch of a tractor and tanks of liquid soil treating material are at least partly supported by frame connections to the tractor, adjacent the coupling.

Abstract: A torque converter comprises an input member and an output member that are interconnected by a planetary gear arrangement. A planet carrier of the planetary gear arrangement is driven by the input member and a sun wheel of the planetary gear arrangement is also driven by the input member, but through an infinitely variable change-speed mechanism which includes an adjustable pulley chain-drive mechanism using a chain. A preferred construction for the chain includes links pivoted to one another by members that bear on one another with convex surfaces. The torque converter can be used singularly or two torque converters can be employed, independently to drive the rear wheels of a tractor and to assist steering of the tractor.

Abstract: A cultivating machine has one or more trailing rollers that support the cultivating members at the desired height. Each roller has ends that are journalled via bearings to adjustable arms and the bearings are protected by profiled hoods having rims joined to scraping elements which fit within dished screens on the roller ends. The elements remain stationary while the screens rotate and the former conduct soil away from the bearings during operation. Each roller has support plates with circumferential recesses that receive elongated peripheral elements. The arms extend upwardly to the rear and their forward ends are pivoted to a frame portion. A forward coupling trestle has rear supports interconnected to the arms.

Abstract: An implement has a row of plough bodies mounted to rotate about upwardly extending axes defined by shafts that are inclined in the normal direction of travel. The plough bodies are flat support members with side edges that taper downwardly. The side edges are bent over parts that releasably mount straight blades and the upper ends of the supports have fastening plate portions bolted to their shafts. A circular protective screen and circular plate interfit at the junction of the shaft and fastening portion of each plough body. The shafts have intermeshed pinions with a central one of the shafts extending into a lower gear box that houses exchangeable pinions. The central shaft mounts one of the pinions that engages a second pinion having a respective shaft that extends through a cover into a second gear box and a gear wheel housed therein. The gear wheel engages a further gear wheel on an input shaft that is connectable to the p.t.o. of a tractor.

Abstract: A cultivating machine has groups of soil working tines that are mounted on an elongated support that is driven to rotate about a horizontal axis. The tines are mounted in spaced apart groups and guide members converge at the rear of the groups to form ridges of worked soil. Each group includes tine units that are formed by opposing bracket portions clamped to the support. Strikers can be mounted on the support between groups of tines and the strikers are pivotable about respective horizontal axes spaced from the support's axis of rotation. The strikers are positioned to excise crop leaves or emerged growth on the ridges. Hoods and a grating ensure that the top layer of worked soil is free of debris. Screening plates having obliquely upwardly and inwardly inclined inner edges are located at the lower, front, outer corners of the hood to prevent the rearwardly adjacent time groups from displacing soil too far laterally.

Abstract: A soil cultivating machine has a row of cultivating members journalled in an elongated frame portion. The rear of the machine is supported by elongated rollers positioned side-by-side and pivotable arms interconnect the lateral roller ends to rear plates on the frame portion. The arms and working level of the rollers are settable and beam supports extend from the plates upwardly and forwardly to an apex connection to a trestle top. The trestle is a coupling with points connectable to the three point lift of a tractor.

Abstract: A torque converter has a driving shaft that frictionally drives an in-line driven shaft via rollers having transmission gears. The rollers are tapered and mounted on arms linked to a carrier that is splined to the driving shaft. The rollers are freely rotatable about axes inclined to the shafts and pivotable about respective pivotal shafts to engage a surrounding contact surface responsive to centrifugal forces. The contact surface is part of a control ring on a holder that is journalled to the driving shaft and the ring is connected to the converter housing to prevent turning. The contact surface, pivotal shaft axes and roller axes are all inclined to the center line of the driving shaft and if prolonged, intersect that line. The holder and ring can be axially displaced along the driving shaft to change the torque; the smaller diameters of the rollers turn the driven shaft slower.

Abstract: An implement has subsoil tines interconnected to a beam of the frame. At least one of the tines has an upper fastening portion pivoted to a beam of the frame. An overload device also interconnects the fastening portion to the beam so that upon overload on the tine, the device can trip and release the tine for pivotal movement, out of operative position to avoid damage. The device is a hydraulic circuit in which a piston in a cylinder holds the tine in place. A relief valve in the circuit allows escape of fluid from one side of the piston to a reservoir so that the piston and cylinder can move relative to each other upon overload. A spring, either within the cylinder or otherwise associated with the piston, biases the tine to return in operative position. A part of the circuit has a further valve that permits fluid return. The relief valve is held by a spring and screw knob to vary overload pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: An agricultural implement, such as a baler, has a fly-wheel connection that disconnects drive to the ram and other baler parts upon overload. The fly-wheel includes a first member on a driving shaft that is connected to a second member on a driven shaft through at least one shear pin. Preferably, there are a plurality of pins that can be advanced upon overload and reduction in driving speed, to automatically re-establish connection between the two members.

Abstract: A tractor driving system has an overload coupling in which a hydraulic system disconnects a driven output shaft upon overload. Also, the system includes a gauge which is visible to the driver station as well as adjusting features that enable the transmitted torque to be preselected and monitored. In one aspect, fluid in the ducts, chambers, etc., which normally form a constant volume space, holds a plunger in a recess between two coupling parts. Upon overload, the plunger end is forced out of the recess and hydraulic fluid is displaced through a relief valve until fluid returns the plunger, either by opening the circuit to a pump, or by spring biasing a piston in the system with a set screw. In the meanwhile, one part can rotate with respect to the other part. In another aspect, two sets of gears can be alternatively used to drive the output shaft at different speeds. The gear sets can be operated by a double acting plunger having two bevelled ends.

Abstract: An elongated coupling member is connectable to the upper link of a three point tractor lift and to an implement carried by the lift, such as a spreader. The member includes a piston slideably mounted in a cylinder and a hydraulic circuit between a space at each side of the piston. The piston can be adjusted to a set position in which the relative positions of the piston and cylinder are maintained by hydraulic fluid within the circuit and spaces. An overload device, such as a spring biased, one-way valve, is included in the circuit so that upon overload, the piston moves, usually to lengthen the coupling member and allow fluid to flow from one space to the other. In one version, an overflow space or reservoir is in the circuit to accomodate excess fluid when the piston is shifted and one space is larger than the other.

Abstract: A cultivating implement has rotatable soil working members that are driven about upwardly extending axes to work overlapping paths of soil. The cultivating members have downwardly extending tines. Neighboring members cooperate and are driven to turn in relative opposite directions. At the rear of the cultivating members, a beam with soil distributing members is positioned near the ground level to receive soil from cooperating members and distribute same laterally. The beam and distributing members can pivot against spring opposition to deflect rearward and avoid an obstacle.

Abstract: A cultivating machine includes a forward row of subsoil tools and a plurality of elongated cultivating rollers having support plates to which soil penetrating T-section bars or knife edged bars are attached. To the rear of the cultivating rollers, a trailing roller is mounted on the frame and adjusting arms to the roller can be interconnected with the frame to raise or lower same and thereby set the soil working levels of the subsoil. Each cultivating roller can have its soil penetrating depth controlled through pivot arm connections that move the roller through an arc centered on the pivot axes which extend transverse to the direction of machine travel. The machine frame has a coupling that is connectable to the lifting hitch of a tractor and tanks of liquid soil treating material are mounted on the tractor adjacent the coupling.

Abstract: An implement, preferrably a harrow having a row of soil working members mounted on upwardly extending shafts, has spraying nozzles for dispensing material on the ground adjacent the rear of the soil working members. The nozzles communicate with liquid material under pressure. The implement is coupled to a tractor and the operator of the tractor can monitor the material being sprayed by various devices in an electrical circuit that leads to the tractor. Wires are positioned to be bridged by the spray and indicator lights on the tractor dash board provide a visual signal when material is sprayed by each nozzle. Similarly, a micro switch or camera, or other actuation means can be located adjacent each nozzle to provide a signal for each nozzle spray. The nozzles communicate with an elongated pipe and the pipe is supported on the implement frame with adjusting means to change the direction of spray by the nozzles.