Abstract: A lift system includes parallel connected cylinder circuits with cylinders mechanically tied together on a first lift wheel arm. The base end of a third cylinder connected to a second lift wheel arm is connected in parallel with the pair of cylinders. The rod end of the third cylinder is constrained for movement with the rod end of a fourth cylinder also connected to the second wheel arm. The rod end of one of the pair of cylinders is connected in series with the base end of the fourth cylinder to thereby constrain the third and fourth cylinders on the second lift wheel arm to move in unison with the pair of cylinders on the first lift wheel arm. Series cylinder circuits move the wing cylinders in unison with the main frame cylinders to keep the implement level. The hydraulic circuit is also plumbed to retract outer wing wheels during wing fold operations to eliminate outer wing wheel interference.

Abstract: A flexible insert for a cotton stripper finger assembly adapted for stripping cotton bolls from cotton plants planted in narrow row or broadcast configuration. The insert comprises a flexible plastic strip sandwiched between a conventional metal stripping finger and a metal hold-down member. The insert has edges extending outwardly from the metal stripping finger edges to reduce the effective width of the gap between fingers to more efficiently strip cotton bolls from cotton plants having relatively thin stalks. The portions of the insert which project beyond the metal stripping finger are sufficiently flexible to permit efficient stripping of cotton plants with thicker stalks. Since the effective gap width can change with changing plant conditions, the need to change gap-adjusting inserts is eliminated. The plastic material, which preferably is polyurethane having a durometer of approximately 93, resists sap build-up and improves cotton flow over the fingers.

Abstract: A floating row crop cultivator rig is supported behind a rigid guide tire. A guide wheel standard straddles a bracket which mounts the forward end of a rig parallel bar linkage to a toolbar. A tool support depends from the aft end of the parallel bar linkage and carries a ground engaging element directly rearwardly of the guide tire. Instead of a conventional rig tire to control rig depth, an adjustable length member with a lost motion connection controls the lowermost position of the linkage and thus of the tool support while permitting upward movement of the linkage when an obstacle is encountered. A rod threaded through a trunnion on the tool support has a forward end supported in a slotted bracket on the lower bar of the parallel linkage to adjustably limit the lowermost position of the linkage while permitting the linkage to pivot upwardly against the bias of rig weight and an adjustable down pressure spring arrangement to clear obstacles.