Abstract: A method and apparatus in which a disk-type ditcher adaptable to being drawn by a tractor can dig ditches under control of a laser system by which a desired ditch grade can be selected. The ditcher incorporates a disk rotatable in a generally vertical plane transverse to the line of travel of the ditcher, the disk having circumferentially spaced scoops which during rotation function in cooperation with a bottom-cutting blade and soil plowing section to lift the cut soil for discharge from an angularly oriented overlying chute for directing soil particles a pre-selected lateral distance from the line of travel of the tractor. A pair of forwardly and oppositely positioned angularly adjustable side cutting or scraping blades can be provided in spaced relation on opposite sides of the center line of travel to impart steeper side walls to the ditch than would otherwise be formed with the circular disk alone.

Abstract: An eccentric cam locking assembly includes an elongated locking bar having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion, a first fastening arrangement defined on the first end portion of the bar for mounting the bar on a stationary member of a seed planting implement and a second fastening arrangement defined on the opposite second end portion of the bar for clamping the bar on an eccentric cam that is mounted to the implement so as to rotate relative thereto to align the position of furrow closing wheels mounted on a swing arm extending from the rear of the seed planting implement. When installed, the locking assembly inhibits misalignment of the furrow closing wheels by providing additional resistance against unintended rotation of the eccentric cam. The second fastening arrangement is releasable so that the eccentric cam may be turned when the furrow closing wheels need to be aligned.

Abstract: A bucket for power shovels is disclosed having a first bucket half and a second bucket half. Each bucket half includes a pair of spaced sidewalls and an endwall extending between the sidewalls which forms a scoop. The bucket halves are pivotly secured together so that the scoops face each other and are movable between an open position, in which the scoops face downwardly, and a closed position in which the scoops face each other and form a load carrying chamber. A swiper plate is attached to one sidewall on each side of the bucket. This swiper plate overlaps a portion of the other sidewall on its associated side of the bucket as the bucket halves pivot between a partially closed and a fully closed position.

Abstract: A garden seeder having a seed hopper atop an elongated barrel, a seed dispenser for dispensing a metered volume of seeds from the hopper into the barrel, a resting plate secured transversely to the bottom of the barrel for resting placement upon the ground, and a seed dispensing foot below the resting plate. The resting plate includes a hoe blade portion extending outwardly from the barrel. Seeds pass down the barrel from the seed dispenser, out the dispensing foot, and into the ground. A measurement arm may extend outwardly from the lower end of the barrel to space newly-planted seeds from previously-planted hills. The seed dispenser includes a sliding plate having interchangeable metering insert plugs that are removably inserted into a seed metering hole in the sliding plate, so as to define a selectable metered volume of seeds to be dispensed with each operation of the seed dispenser.

Abstract: A tool for digging a planting hole for planting a rooted plant in a garden or landscape area. The tool includes cutting edges that may be pressed into the planting area by a user standing in an upright position. The cutting edges are attached to handles that are movable to move the cutting edges together to grasp the material to be removed from the hole to create the planting hole.

Abstract: A planter for seeds and bulbs includes a tube assembly receiving a plunger which is reciprocable between retracted and extended positions. With the plunger in its extended position, a lower end thereof extends downwardly from the tube assembly for embedding a seed in the ground. A handle is mounted on an upper end of the plunger for operating the planter. A feed assembly includes a seed hopper mounted on an upper end of a conduit, the lower end of which is connected to a lower end of the tube for passing seeds thereinto. A spacing rod is provided for gauging the spacing between plantings.

Abstract: A bucket equipped with a mixing device for use in work for improving the soil of grounds such as road grounds, an excavation machine having such a bucket, and a soil improvement method using such an excavation machine. The bucket is equipped with a mixing device disposed therein, which device can be rotated by a motor whose number of revolutions per unit time is adjustable, and has an opening formed through the bottom surface thereof. Further, the bucket includes an injection device connected to an external, solidifying agent supply source.

Abstract: A tube alignment spacer bracket for mounting on a tube alignment bracket which is, in turn, mounted on or shaped integrally with the seed distribution tube of a seed planter, to align the planter insecticide tube or tubes in close proximity to, and in a vertical plane with, the discharge opening of the seed distribution tube and insure that liquid insecticide or fungicide dispensed through the insecticide tube or tubes is deposited in a furrow in close proximity to seeds expelled from the seed distribution tube. In a preferred embodiment the tube alignment spacer bracket is characterized by a Z-shaped bracket having a pair of slots, one of which receives one end of a tube alignment bracket fitted with a tube mount and the opposite slot of which receives one or more tube fittings, to which are attached one or more insecticide tubes.

Abstract: An excavation head, mounted on one end of a telescoping hollow boom, has nozzles for directing jets of high speed air at an excavation face to loosen soil. A vacuum transport pipe extends from the excavation head through the hollow of the boom to a spherical joint. The spherical joint movably joins the other end of the boom to a primary separator. The primary separator is a chamber for disentraining loosened soil from air flowing through the primary separator. A primary air lock is fixed to the lower portion of the primary separator for expelling soil from the primary separator. A secondary separator is joined to the primary separator by way of a separator connector pipe. A secondary air lock is fixed to the lower portion of the secondary separator for expelling soil from the secondary separator. A positive displacement vacuum pump has its vacuum side pneumatically connected to the secondary separator.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of an adjustable pitch garden hoe tool head (16) as an article of manufacture wherein the pitch of the garden hoe tool head (16) head assembly can be adjusted to control the dig or "bite" into the soil and comprises ferrule legs (11, 11') mounted on an extended handle (1) and adjustable pitch garden hoe tool head (16) mounted on the ferrule legs (11, 11') and a modified compression V spring (10) having a three sided trapezoidal shape with an apex segment of modified compression V spring (23) which is a straight segment at the apex mounted within the ferrule legs (11, 11') and arms (9, 9') of the modified compression V spring (10) extending into pitch set slots (4, 4') and pitch set stops (3, 3') in vertical sides (5, 5') of base blade (6) of the garden hoe tool head (16).

Abstract: A tillage implement for preparing seed beds for planting seeds for row crops. The implement includes deep tillage units for loosening soil behind the wheels of a tractor, additional deep tillage units for loosening soil in the areas where seed beds are located, seed bed shaping units, and ribbed wheels for providing guide tracks in the soil for use in aligning a planter with the seed beds.

Abstract: A ground working implement includes a tool bar and a tool element which can be pulled across the ground by its attachment to the tool bar by a bracket and link system. The link comprises a U-shaped arm with a transverse portion parallel to an axis of rotation of the tool. The transverse portion is carried in a bracket depending from an underside of the tool bar. The transverse portion is formed of a tubular member which has a projecting portion extending radially from the axis of the tubular portion. The projecting portion has two side plates which rub against side plates of the channel to prevent side to side movement of the tool. The tool can raise or lower by rotation of the transverse portion of the channel or by lifting of the transverse portion in the channel within the limits defined by a base plate of the channel or a transverse restraining pin. The tool is latched in a raised position by a latch plate attached to the projecting portion which wedges underneath the base plate of the channel.

Abstract: An articulated tractor has left and right laterally spaced apart, fore-and-aft extending side frame members which are rigidly attached between front and rear drawbar supports. The tractor also includes left and right draft links, each draft link having a front end coupled to a corresponding one of the side frame members and a rear end for coupling to an implement. A draft force sensing mechanism includes a displacement transducer mounted on one of the side frame members. A lever is pivotally mounted near the transducer and carries a plunger or shaft which operatively engages the transducer. A rod has a first end fixed to the other side frame member and a second end coupled to the lever so that changes in draft force cause deflection of the side frame members and movement of the lever relative to the transducer. The transducer responds by generating a signal representing the draft force. Movement of the rod is amplified by the lever.