Abstract: A headlands control system for a winged agricultural implement includes a headlands actuator operatively connected between implement wing actuators for establishing operation in either of two modes. In the first mode, when the headland actuator is in a first position (e.g. extended), the wing actuators are provided extra downward range to pivot and bias the wing sections downward below horizontal as may occur during operation over uneven ground. In the second mode, when the headland actuator is in a second position (e.g. retracted) and the implement is raised (e.g. at the headlands), the downward range of the implement wings is more limited (as compared with the first mode) at the point where the wing actuators are fully extended. This system thus provides an apparatus for preventing implement wings from drooping in the headland position so the operator is not required to reset the wing control from float mode, or from down pressure mode, depending on what is equipped.

Abstract: A field marker for mounting on an agricultural implement includes an elongated arm adapted to project outwardly laterally of the implement when in its operating position and is adapted to carry a field marking device at its outer distal end for making a score mark on the ground. A mount for the arm at an inner proximal end thereof allows pivoting of the arm about first and second transverse axes whereby to allow the arm to swing upwardly and downwardly about the first one of the axes when operating on uneven ground while also allowing the arm to swing around the second of the axes from its outwardly projecting operating position into another position. The arm includes inner and outer arm sections secured together by a folding joint to permit the inner and outer arm sections to be folded into juxtaposition with one another and brought into the transport position.

Abstract: The invention discloses a differential connecting rod and draft cable for an agricultural tillage device. The invention consists of a differential connecting rod which is positioned parallel to the center frame. The center frame is connected to the inner wing frame by a universal joint. The universal joint has a spherical bearing and a pivot. The pivot is positioned in a slot. The differential control rod positions the pivot in the slot. An ‘L’-shaped linkage and a spring assembly pivotally support the rod. The draft cable is attached to the center frame hitch and outer wing. It is supported in the center by a folding support arm. This allows the wire to be moved when the cultivator is being transported. The draft cable transfers the draft force exerted on the outer wing to the center frame hitch.

Abstract: A nurse adapter mechanism for an agricultural seeding implement converts an air seeder meter box into a nurse inductor box to convey seed particles to the singulator of a planting mechanism. The nurse adapter mechanism is detachably mounted on the meter box of the air seeder to receive a supply of seed particles therefrom and utilizes the normal air flow for the metering mechanism to effect a nursing of seed particles to a planting mechanism. The nurse adapter mechanism diverts the stream of air into engagement with a pile of seed particles and induce the entrainment of the seed particles for conveyance thereof to the remote planting mechanism. A partition wall divides the nurse induction mechanism into a seed side and an air side. The seed side receives the supply of seed particles from the hopper and allows the seed to pass through a passageway into the air side for engagement by the stream of air.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flow control system for sprayer nozzles. The control system includes a solenoid coil and a solenoid plunger. The solenoid plunger can slide into an adapter body, substantially perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow. In reducing the fluid flow through the nozzle, the plunger is moved to block an orifice in the path of the fluid flow, within the adapter. The plunger movement is achieved through the energization of the solenoid coil, with signals sent by a controller. The orifice in the adapter is manufactured to a specific size that allows reduced power consumption to shut off or reduce flow through the nozzle. Also, the orifice is sized to provide unrestricted flow when fully open. By means of the controller, control can be provided individually to each nozzle from a plurality of nozzles on a spraying bar.

Abstract: A metering system for an air cart is provided in which a portion, preferably one-half, of a meter roller can be selectively disengaged from a common drive input. The metering system typically comprises two roller halves located in a common housing. The driven half of the meter roller is directly rotated by the rotation of the drive input. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the controlled half of the meter roller is engaged or disengaged from rotation by a wrap spring clutch. The drive input does not engage the controlled meter roller half directly. Instead, the drive input extends within a hollow shaft which extends through the controlled half of the meter roller with the drive input lying concentrically within it. When only half the meter roller is required, the operator can disengage the clutch and stop rotation of the controlled half of the meter roller without stopping the operation of the air cart.

Abstract: The invention discloses a differential connecting rod and draft cable for an agricultural tillage device. The invention consists of a differential connecting rod which is positioned parallel to the center frame. The center frame is connected to the inner wing frame by a universal joint. The universal joint has a spherical bearing and a pivot. The pivot is positioned in a slot. The differential control rod positions the pivot in the slot. An ‘L’-shaped linkage and a spring assembly pivotally support the rod.

Abstract: A ground opener unit for a seeding or planting unit includes an arm attachable to an implement frame and a disc rotatably mounted to the arm for forming a furrow in the ground. A scraper assembly includes a scraper plate defining a scraper edge for contacting and scraping a surface of the disc. The scraper plate defines a mounting region remote from the edge. A scraper plate mount secures the scraper plate adjacent the disc and a resilient pad of material is interposed between the plate mounting region and the scraper plate mount. A spaced pair of fasteners extend through the mounting region to secure the scraper plate and resilient pad to the scraper plate mount. The fasteners are located in selected positions in the mounting region relative to the resilient pad such that the scraper plate is capable of being tilted or rocked when said scraper edge encounters irregularities thus assisting the scraper edge to follow the disc surface during use.

Abstract: The invention discloses a differential connecting rod and draft cable for an agricultural tillage device. The invention consists of a differential connecting rod which is positioned parallel to the center frame. The center frame is connected to the inner wing frame by a universal joint. The universal joint has a spherical bearing and a pivot. The pivot is positioned in a slot. The differential control rod positions the pivot in the slot. An ‘L’-shaped linkage and a spring assembly pivotally support the rod.

Abstract: The invention discloses a differential connecting rod and draft cable for an agricultural tillage device. The invention consists of a differential connecting rod which is positioned parallel to the center frame. The center frame is connected to the inner wing frame by a universal joint. The universal joint has a spherical bearing and a pivot. The pivot is positioned in a slot. The differential control rod positions the pivot in the slot. An ‘L’-shaped linkage and a spring assembly pivotally support the rod.

Abstract: An improved conveyor tube and distribution header for air conveyors such as air seeders serves to distribute seed and/or fertilizer products from the aircart to individual delivery tools via pneumatic conveyor tubes. The apparatus is adapted to achieve substantially even distribution of the materials being conveyed to each of the delivery tools. The apparatus includes a conveyor tube for conveying air-entrained material from a first location to a distribution head, which conveyor tube has an interior surface with a plurality of inwardly directed spaced apart projections which are disposed in spaced annular rows extending around the lengthwise axis of the tube for creating controlled turbulence in the flow of material. These projections are arranged in a particular manner to achieve the desired degree of turbulence.

Abstract: The invention discloses a differential connecting rod and draft cable for an agricultural tillage device. The invention consists of a differential connecting rod which is positioned parallel to the center frame. The center frame is connected to the inner wing frame by a universal joint. The universal joint has a spherical bearing and a pivot. The pivot is positioned in a slot. The differential control rod positions the pivot in the slot. An ‘L’-shaped linkage and a spring assembly pivotally support the rod. The draft cable is attached to the center frame hitch and outer wing. It is supported in the center by a folding support arm. This allows the wire to be moved when the cultivator is being transported. The draft cable transfers the draft force exerted on the outer wing to the center frame hitch.

Abstract: A forwardly folding tillage implement carries a number of ground engaging tools on a tool gang frame disposed to the rear of a carrier frame. A rockshaft is disposed between the carrier frame and the tool gang frame and is movable between four rotated positions about two axes of rotation. A control mechanism controls the relative angular position of the rockshaft. A support mechanism is disposed rearwardly of the axes of rotation to support the rear of the tool gang frame above the ground in the field working position. An abutment member restrains the relative rotation between the rockshaft and the tool gang frame to fully support the tool gang frame on the rockshaft upon rotation of the rockshaft.

Abstract: An agricultural planter is provided with hydraulically operated devices to effect the folding and unfolding of the planter support structure between operative and transport configurations. The planter includes a telescopic hitch apparatus that lengthens as the pivoted wing members are folded forwardly to position a transport lock mechanism for engagement with vertically oriented wing latch retainer bars mounted in a latch tower on the draw bar. A hitch latch mechanism is also provided to control the movement of the telescopic draw bar. A caster lock apparatus is also provided to control the castering action of a wheel device positioned near the ends of the wing members. In operation, the laterally extending tool bar is pivoted on a transverse axis to forwardly roll the tool bar toward an intermediate transport position.

Abstract: An agricultural implement, having a tool bar that is pivoted forwardly to initiate the conversion of the implement from a working position toward a transport position, including left and right wing members extending in opposing directions to respective distal ends, is provided with a lift assist mechanism to support the distal ends of the wing members as the tool bar is pivoted forwardly to an intermediate transport position. The lift assist mechanism includes a frame pivotally mounted to each respective wing member, a lift assist wheel providing ground-engaging support for the wing member, and a lift assist actuator that controls the pivoted movement of the lift assist mechanism to maintain the lift assist wheel in supporting contact with the ground until the tool bar has been rotated approximately 60 degrees from the lowered working position toward the raised intermediate transport position.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing particles includes a storage tank for containing particles to be dispensed a metering mechanism for transferring particles from the storage tank and an air distribution system for receiving particles from the metering mechanism. The air distribution system includes a bank of tubes for transporting particles in a flow of air having a flow rate, and a damper mechanism at the bank of tubes for selective control of the flow rate within the bank of tubes. The apparatus for dispensing particles also includes an air flow source for providing a flow of air to the bank of tubes, a sensor located at each tube for providing a sensor output signal indicative of a value of a flow characteristic, and a controller operably connected to the sensors and to the damper mechanism.

Abstract: A control system is provided for automatically deploying the field markers on an agricultural planter in an alternating manner without requiring operator input. The control system utilizes a proximity sensor to determine whether the tool bar is coming from the lowered working position to the raised headland position or vice versa. Solenoid valves in the hydraulic circuit to the field marker actuators are activated to retract both actuators to retract the deployed one of the field markers when the tool bar is moved into the headland position. When the tool bar is returned to the working position after making a turn at the field headlands, the control system remembers which field marker had just previously been deployed and then extends the other field marker to score the field. The control system permits the operator to remain attentive to the turning of the tractor and implement at the headlands and the setting of the planting implement into the ground at the proper location for planting the crop.

Abstract: The invention discloses an adjustable hitch for towing an air cart behind a cultivator or similar tillage device. The invention consists of a pivotable hitch which is connected to a pair of cultivator pivot arms pivotally mounted on the cultivator frame. The pivot arms are controlled by a pair of hydraulic cylinders. At the air cart end, the hitch has a pair of slides which are inserted into a pair of slots located on an offset air cart hitch. When the hydraulic cylinders move the cultivator pivot arms, the hitch pivots and allows the slides to move within the slots of the offset air cart hitch. The invention also has a pair of spring-biased, hydraulically actuated latches for securing the hitch in either the field or transport mode.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit having a boost pump in series with a primary (tractor) hydraulic source provides additional fluid power to operate an aircart fan in an air seeding system for which a tractor hydraulic system does not have enough fluid power capacity. The boost pump raises the pressure of the flow delivered to the fan motor up from that pressure delivered from the tractor to a higher pressure. Tractor pressure is supplied to the boost pump inlet, the boost pump is driven by ground engaging wheels of the aircart, and the resulting flow to the aircart fan motor is increased in pressure by the boost pump.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for an aircart having a fan cooperable with an air seeder system to distribute material to the ground utilizes two or more fluid power sources combined in parallel. Total fluid capacity is increased so that one source may have reserve capacity for serving other loads. Flow controls for the system are set so that one source maintains at least a minimum flow to a load when the flow provided by the other source diminishes. Specifically, an aircart fan is operated by fluid power combined from a tractor source and a ground driven pump source with controls being provided to control the fin speed and proportions of flow from each source. The ground driven source (boost pump) boosts available fluid power volume to meet demands of the aircart fan. The boost pump is located near the aircart fan and connected with short lines to minimize power loss in the lines.