Abstract: A pipeline is assembled traversing steep terrain by digging a trench down an incline, assembling pipe joints together in proximity to the incline, and then using equipment to push and/or pull the assembled pipe joints down the incline and through the trench while the pipeline is suspended above the bottom of the trench. A series of connected sleds are used to partially carry the load of the assembled pipeline, keep it off the bottom of the trench until it is in place, and permit the installation of supports under it prior to backfilling.

Abstract: A system for fumigating soil includes applying a fumigant film component and an underlying drip tape element to the soil to be treated. A non-tarp method can also be used through permanently buried drip tape (SDI) that is at least 8 inches deep and utilizes the soil above as the barrier to prevent the fumigant from escaping. The drip tape element is communicably connected through a throttle valve to a pressurized liquid supply of fumigant having a low boiling point and a high vapor pressure. The valve is opened to dispense vaporized fumigant into the soil and dissipation of the fumigant is controlled so that more effective soil fumigation is achieved.

Abstract: There is provided soil loosening and furrower assemblies and a bed renovator therefor. The soil loosening assembly comprises a blade assembly and wherein the blade assembly is horizontally pitched such that, when drawn beneath a soil surface at a fixed depth, the horizontally pitched blade assembly severs rootstock at the level of the blade assembly while retaining the rootstock substantially in place and loosens soil above the level of the blade assembly without substantial soil inversion. The furrower assembly comprises side plates extending rearwardly from a forward prow edge, wherein the side plates are approximately 25-45° with respect to the horizontal axis; and bottom edges of the side plates are approximately 20-40° with respect to a direction-of-travel axis.

Abstract: This patent pertains to secondary containment systems. One implementation includes a support assembly that includes an elongate post member and a stabilization plate. In one instance, a stabilization plate is mounted on the elongate post member to reduce movement of the elongate post member when the stabilization plate is embedded in the ground. Another implementation includes a panel splice assembly including reinforcing members that secure overlapping, corrugated panels.

Abstract: A rapid-deployment system for containing oil spills and similar water contaminations comprises a pre-manufactured sleeve having air-inflatable or gas-inflatable compartments and water inflatable compartments. In some embodiments uninflated sleeve is stored as a reel of sleeve material, and the deployment system, optionally mounted in a small boat, comprises a machine for inflating the air and water compartments at the site of a spill. In some embodiments, air and/or water compartments may be self-inflating.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deployment of ocean bottom seismic receivers into a body of water having a surface and a seabed. The system can include a remote operated vehicle (ROV) comprising a first wireless communication device. The system can include a seismic data receiver deployed on the seabed comprising a second wireless communication device. The first wireless communication device can be configured to communicate with the second wireless communication device. The ROV can move to a position adjacent to the seismic data receiver. The ROV can establish a wireless link with the seismic data receiver via the first communication device and second wireless communication device.

Abstract: A friction rock bolt assembly is arranged to frictionally engage an internal surface of the bore formed in rock strata. The rock bolt includes a loading mechanism provided at a rearward end of the rock bolt having a load absorber to absorb an initial predetermined loading force followed by transfer of the force to a main load element.

Abstract: The scraper blade device is provided for cleaning a roadway surface. The scraper blade device includes an upper blade portion and a bottom blade portion. The bottom blade portion has a plurality of widthwise-disposed and juxtaposed blade segments. The blade segments are provided in one or more blade segment sets where the blade segments within a same set are attached using a swivel interconnection. This scraper blade device has an improved cleaning efficiency over existing designs, thereby reducing the amounts of de-icing chemicals and increasing road safety when used for removing ice and snow from the roadway surface.

Abstract: A cutting edge system for a snowplow is described. The system includes a backing plate coupled to a moldboard of the snowplow and cutting edge segments mounted to a front of the backing plate. Each cutting edge segment includes a blade segment slidably mounted to the backing plate. Each blade segment has a lower portion, an upper portion having an uppermost edge, and two upwardly extending lobes that define an intermediate portion therebetween. The two lobes each have a slot having a central slot region to receive a fastener and an upper slot region extending between the central slot region and an opening in an upper edge of the lobe. Each cutting edge segment also includes a compression member retained between the uppermost edge of the intermediate portion and an engaging surface of the backing plate to absorb upward movement of the blade segment when the cutting edge engages the ground.

Abstract: A working vehicle includes a traveling body supported by a traveling apparatus, a steering portion that steers the traveling body, a lifting/lowering apparatus that lifts and lowers a working machine, and a controller configured to execute a turning control including setting a working machine descent start line, calculating coordinates of the traveling body based on a steering operation and a traveling distance of the traveling apparatus, and in a case where the traveling body has reached the working machine descent start line in a state in which the traveling body has completed the turning, starting lowering the working machine by the lifting/lowering apparatus.

Abstract: Pipe splitting apparatuses and systems including a replaceable blade, and methods therefor, are provided. In various examples, a cable retention and release mechanism is configured to releasably engage a cable and includes one or more segments of a pipe splitting apparatus including a cable passage. A segmented collet includes tapered segments and is disposed within a tapered portion of a cable passage of the one or more segments. Channel surfaces of the tapered segments together form a cable channel through the segmented collet. The cable channel is configured to widen in a disengaged position of the segmented collet and narrow in an engaged position of the segmented collet. A spring is disposed within the spring pocket of the one or more segments to bias the segmented collet distally in the engaged position.

Abstract: An element for a bend restrictor including a first part and a second part which together provide a cavity for receipt of a flexible pipe, in use, the two parts are pivotably connected together at a first portion thereof and are releasably coupled or couplable together at a second portion thereof. Successive elements may be secured together to form a bend restrictor.

Abstract: An offset arm for a tractor is provided. The offset arm includes a front hitch, a rear hitch, and a rigid connecting structure coupling the front hitch to the rear hitch. The offset arm also includes a front pivot point pivotally connecting the connecting structure to the front hitch about a vertical pivot axis and a rear pivot point pivotally connecting the connecting structure to the rear hitch about a vertical pivot axis. The offset arm also includes a rear pivot lock that selectively locks the rear pivot point to lock the orientation of the rear hitch relative to the connecting structure. The rear pivot lock can selectively lock the rear hitch in any of multiple orientations.

Abstract: A splitter system and methods are shown. In various examples, a splitter body has a plurality of blades attached at different angular locations around a perimeter of the splitter body, and the plurality of blades includes a primary blade having a primary cutting depth that is deeper than the rest of the plurality of blades. The plurality of blades splits pipe into multiple sections to relax shape memory of split pipe. In some examples, an expander is coupled behind the splitter body. The expander may include at least one opening to expel a fluid for lubrication when the splitter system is configured to introduce a fluid to the expander through a new pipe that is pulled behind the expander. Other configurations are further shown that provide lubrication to splitting operations in multiple locations along a splitter system, additional methods of lubrication, and electrical isolation of cutting blades.

Abstract: A pressing-pulling device includes: a pressing-pulling bracket, wherein slotting oil cylinders are symmetrically and vertically mounted on the pressing-pulling bracket, and a piston rod of each of the slotting oil cylinders faces downwardly; a bottom end of the piston rod is connected to a connecting plate, and a through-hole is provided in a middle of the connecting plate; a continuous lifting mechanism is installed in a middle of the pressing-pulling bracket, and a slotting rod is vertically inserted into the continuous lifting mechanism; a lifting ring is installed at a top end of the slotting rod; a bottom end of the slotting rod extends downwardly through the through-hole to connect to a slotting cutter; a locking device is fixed on the connecting plate near the through-hole for fixing the slotting rod.

Abstract: A scraper blade for a row unit of a planter. The scraper blade has a connecting portion that connects to the pivot hub of a depth-gauge assembly. The connecting portion connects to a blade portion. The blade portion is positioned in a gap formed between the pivot hub and the contact surface of the depth-gauge wheel. The scraper blade is connected to the depth-gauge assembly in a static and stationary position at a pivot point. As a pivot arm and the depth-gauge wheel move about in relation to the pivot point, the scraper blade maintains a fixed position at close tolerances with the depth-gauge wheel to remove soil and debris from the depth-gauge wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foliage-processing device which can be moved across agricultural land in a direction of travel for foliage of tuberous plants growing in rows on agricultural land, wherein the foliage-processing device is provided with: a foliage puller which is provided with at least two mutually oppositely rotating rollers between which foliage can be clamped and pulled off; a foliage-processing mechanism by means of which the foliage pulled off by means of the foliage puller can be removed next to a row or between the rows of tuberous plants growing on the agricultural land.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for sensing soil characteristics of an agricultural field, including soil variability and/or clod stability, in real time to allow rapid adjustment of an implement while traversing the field. The implement could be a planter, a fertilizer applicator or a tillage implement treating the field with ground engaging tools. The system can sense the soil characteristics, for example, by continuously transmitting acoustic energy to the field and sensing sound energy scattered back. This, in turn, can allow a continuously updated estimation of the field, such as in terms of clod size. Adjustment of the implement can include changing its speed and/or application of a seedbed attachment, such as changing a depth of the ground engaging tool.

Abstract: A snow thrower is disclosed including a rotor assembly having a first auger, a second auger, and a paddle disposed between the first and second augers The snow thrower also includes an intake housing having a first interior surface adjacent to the first auger and a second interior surface adjacent to the second auger, where an outer edge of the first auger has a clearance of less than 1 centimeter from the first interior surface across a sweep of at least 120 degrees, and an outer edge of the second auger has a clearance of less than 1 centimeter from the second interior surface across a sweep of at least 120 degrees.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for detecting accumulations of field materials between ground engaging components of an agricultural implement may include first and second ground engaging components configured to rotate relative to soil within a field as the implement is moved across the field. The first and second ground engaging components may be spaced apart from each other along an axial direction of the shaft. The system may also include a sensor configured to detect field materials within a detection zone defined directly between the first and second ground engaging components and above the axis of rotation in a vertical direction of the agricultural implement. Furthermore, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, with the controller configured to determine a parameter associated with an accumulation of the field materials between the first and second ground engaging components based on data received from the sensor.