Abstract: A raking machine has at least one circular tined rake member that is rotatable about an upwardly and forwardly inclined axis of rotation. The tines are pivotably mounted on the outer perimeter of the rake member to turn about horizontal pivot axes. Preferably, the diameter of the rake member is defined by the path described by the tips of the tines in operation and is 2 to 3.3 meters. During operation, the tines, viewed in plan are directed outwardly from the perimeter and rearwardly with respect to the direction of rotation so that with travelling speeds over the ground between 6 and 12 kms/hour and when the member is driven at a speed of rotation of 80 rev/min., the tine at the front of the rake member at any moment extends at an angle of about 45.degree. to 90.degree.

Abstract: A device for displacing crop lying on the ground such as a side-delivery rake or tedder, has a frame supporting a row of ground-driven rake wheels each of which is movable up and down with respect to the frame. The device can be coupled to a tractor by a fastening structure that includes a frame portion passed through a central hole in one rake wheel. The frame portion connects the beam carrying the rake wheels, to a drawbar of the frame portion. By passing the frame portion through the rake wheel, the fastening structure can be of minimal dimensions reducing the damaging effect of forces applied to the fastening structure during use of the device. The rake wheels are similar to one another except the wheel with a central hole. The hole is surrounded by a circular hub rotatably mounted on fixed rollers on a structure connected to the frame.

Abstract: An agricultural machine has at least one movable tool, such as a cultivating rotor, mower or raking member, spreader disc, or other driven member such as a tractor wheel or freely rotatable roller, which parts are interrupted in movement by a protective mechanism. The mechanism can be a pawl device associated with an overload coupling in the drive train that is actuated by a mechanical or electrical monitor to overload the device. The monitor can be a pivoted cover that partly overlies a rear roller or space adjacent same with projections that intercept the roller or a trip bar with contacts that opens or closes a circuit in a system that interrupts the drive to the moving parts responsive to contact with an external object. In another variation, the circuit can have sensors such as infrared or photoelectric cells to detect the presence or lack of presence of a human operator and these sensors can be placed in a tractor cab.

Abstract: An overload coupling includes two portions that are relatively rotatable about a common axis upon overload. During operation, the driving portion turns the driven portion through one or more shear pins that are closely fitted in the same or a respective cutting element. In one version, the two portions have aligned sleeves that hold a common shear pin. The sleeves and pins can be readily exchanged for those able to transmit greater or lesser torque. Also, there can be two or more pins held in the aligned sleeves and offset from the sleeves' center line for adjustment. In another version, one portion can mount groups of pins, one of which fits into a recess between two cylindrical cutting elements. The elements have different sized cavities to closely bear on one pin until shear. After shear, the driving portion r.p.m. is reduced or stopped until another pin or portion is urged into the recess. Different sized pins can be used and each element rotated to expose the correct cavity.

Abstract: A spreader suitable for spreading granular and/or powdery materials, such as seeds or fertilizer, comprises a distributor which has an upturned rim. The distributor can be driven in rotation or reciprocated about an axis which is inclined rearwardly from top to bottom at different speeds by means of a change-speed means. Frame members are orientated to prevent the least obstruction to material ejected past them by the distributor. A downwardly inclined deflector prevents material from impinging against a vehicle to which the spreader is hitched. The constructional features of the spreader contribute to an even distribution of material about the axis, regardless of the type of material being spread.

Abstract: A holder for frangible pins can be connected to a surface of an overload coupling so that at least one of the pins effects the connection between a driving member and a driven member that rotate about a common axis. Preferably, the holder is arcuate in configuration and attaches to one of the members near the outer periphery thereof with a quick-release connection. The pins are slideably urged by springs in a direction toward matching holes in the coupling members. The holder can have guide sleeves and/or grooves that correspond to the shape of the pins to ensure proper interfit. Also, the spring can bear on one end of each pin or a slideable plunger that contacts that end and a draw pin fitted through the holder to secure the pins in spring loaded positions.

Abstract: A cultivating machine has soil working members journalled in a hollow frame portion. Each member includes a harrow with supports and downwardly extending strips attached to the supports. The lower strip ends each mount a curved blade that is pointed in the direction of member rotation. Drive to the members is a power take off via a speed reduction gear assembly in a box supported on the frame portion. The assembly can include different sized pinions or a sun-planet gear arrangement. Each member has a respective pinion that is housed in the frame portion and in one arrangement, the gear and shaft of each member are journalled with a bearing housing which are bolted as a unit for easy and fast replacement. Neighboring member pinions have intermediate pinions interposed and journalled within the frame portion. The frame is supported on ground wheels at the sides and in front of the frame portion.

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 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 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 working machine has spaced apart groups of soil working tines mounted along the length of an elongated carrier that is driven to rotate through the soil in the normal direction of travel and about a horizontal transverse axis. A hood partially surrounds the groups and is positioned adjacent the front segment of the paths of the tines as they move worked soil upwardly. Portions of the hood, preferably adjacent the groups, are flexible i.e. canvas, rubber or resilient steel strips, and vibrate to shed worked soil. Intervening hood portions are rigid. Side plates adjoin the side edges of the hood and the plates can have apertures covered by flexible portions located at those areas exposed to sticky soil and these flexible portions can be arcuate in configuration.

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. A roller is pivoted to the frame and positioned to the rear of the soil working members and the screening plates are located between the roller and the members, when seen from the side.

Abstract: A mowing machine has an elongated beam that supports side-by-side rotors with pivoted cutters positioned to cut overlapping paths in front of the beam. The rotor units include an upper rotatably hub with pivoted blades and lower bodies which house corresponding driving shafts. The units are releaseably fastened to the beam and in one embodiment, spaced apart supporting elements are fastened to the front side of the beam and a unit is fitted and bolted between elements. In another embodiment, the body of each unit is hollow so that the beam can be passed through units and the latter abutted to one another and secured in place with a single bolt. The driving shaft of each unit is interconnected to adjacent driving shafts by sleeve connectors that form an elongated drive shaft that is parallel and in front of the beam.

Abstract: An implement has a hollow frame portion and tool means on shafts journalled for rotation on the frame portion. The upper ends of the shafts are held in bearings in housings located in the top wall of the frame portion and pinion gears are housed within the frame portion below the housings. The bearing housings are each formed by two separable portions that hold a bearing between them. The upper housing portion has a deformable relatively thin cover that visibly deforms if the bearing breaks and the separable portions contain any broken parts. A further, lower bearing can be held by the bottom wall of the frame portion. Fastening means such as bolts on a surrounding ring secure the housings in place.

Abstract: A soil working member is journalled in the bottom of an elongated implement frame portion and driven to rotate about an upwardly extending axis. The member includes a horizontal support, that normally is rotated adjacent the frame portion bottom, and tines depend from the support. Each tine extends through the support to a fastening, such as a nut, adjacent an upwardly extending screen. The space between the screen and the fastening is occupied by a protective element, such as a cap or a rib, that prevents stones or other hard debris, from lodging in the space and damaging the bottom of the frame portion and/or support. Cooperating strips can be secured to the frame portion bottom to cooperate with the elements.

Abstract: An overload coupling has two relatively rotatable parts that are joined for corotation about a common axis by at least one frangible pin. The parts have recesses with cutting edges that sever the pins and springs that urge alternative pins on remainders of the severed pins through the recesses to automatically re-establish frangible connection. An assembly of pins can be spring loaded with the aid of a draw pin that releases the pins when in place and mounted on the coupling.

Abstract: A cultivating implement has a row of rotors that are driven to rotate about upwardly extending axes and an elongated roller with pins that project obliquely rearwardly, considering the normal direction of rotation of the roller. The roller is mounted on arms that are pivoted to the frame on pivots. On the rear ends of the arms, a carrier is pivoted and elongated scraper elements are mounted along the length of the carrier. The elements can be mounted in groups or single and extend forwardly and downwardly so that their forward end parts bear on the roller's surface between the pins. Gaps in the elements or between same allow the pins to pass during rotation of the roller. The carrier is interconnected with the arms by springs that bias the end parts into contact with the roller's surface.

Abstract: A cultivating machine has a row of soil working members rotatable about upwardly extending axes and each member includes a carrier from which tools detachably depend. The lower tool ends have blades that are adjustable and detachable from the remainder of the tools. The blades are normally faced in the direction of rotation of the respective soil working member. The widest portions of the tools are substantially tangential to an imaginary circle centered on their axis of rotation.

Abstract: An overload coupling for two members, one rotating the other about a common axis, includes one or more frangible pin-like elements. Upon overload, the pin fractures and relative rotation between the members takes place. A spring or springs automatically urges one of the elements, mounted on one of the members, into engagement with an abutment on the other member to re-establish a rigid connection. The pin or pins can be in holders that extend radially or parallel to the common axis and each pin can be weakened in several areas and re-used. Also, a number of pins can be housed in a cassette that is connected to one coupling member by a release connection. Upon overload, in one embodiment, the spring or springs are mounted to urge the pin or pins only upon a reduction in the rotational speed of the coupling, when centrifugal force is overcome.

Abstract: A spreader for broadcasting fertilizer, seed or the like which is mounted on the rear of a tractor and has a hydraulic control for covering and uncovering a plurality of ports by closure members for feeding material from a hopper which includes such ports to an underlying rotatable spreading member. The actuating mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder and plunger and a parallel tension spring whereby the cylinder, when supplied with hydraulic fluid under pressure, causes the plunger to extend outwardly to close the ports in a lower portion of the hopper which is cylindrical through a mechanical linkage coupling therewith. The spring tends to force the closure members to open the ports. The linkage coupling to the closure members includes a coupling arm which also functions to indicate relative to an arcuate leg of a supporting member with numbers thereon the amount that the ports are opened by the closure members.