Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a frame member and at least one double rolling basket assembly coupled to the frame member. The double rolling basket assembly has a forward basket and a rearward basket behind the forward basket. A horizontal beam is rotatably connected at the opposite ends thereof to the forward basket and the rearward basket. The horizontal beam has a pivotal connection to the frame member.

Abstract: An agricultural implement including a frame configured to be towed behind a vehicle and a plurality of shank assemblies connected to the frame and configured for engaging a soil. Each shank assembly includes a shank mount configured to mount to the frame, a coupling arm pivotally connected to the shank mount and extending rearwardly therefrom, and a shank connected to the coupling arm at an end and extending downwardly therefrom to a tool-supporting end. Each shank assembly also includes a ground-engaging tool connected to the tool-supporting end of the shank and a variable rate spring positioned in between the shank mount and the coupling arm and configured for providing a variable ground-engaging tool load.

Abstract: By providing a hydraulic system for configuring an angle of rotation for smoothing tools of a harrow that is predetermined for a tilling session, hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic system may be maintained (and not adjusted) to allow the hydraulic system to actuate during the tilling session by tilling forces encountered by the smoothing tools. As a result, the angle of the smoothing took may change during the tilling session, thereby allowing excessive plant residue encountered by the smoothing tools to be passed over to minimize plugging or bunching.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement with a hydraulic system having a left wing hydraulic subsystem with an outer left wing hydraulic circuit supplying hydraulic pressure and flow to an actuator for actuating an actuator of an outer left wing folding implement section, and a right wing hydraulic subsystem having an outer right wing hydraulic circuit for actuating the actuator of an outer right wing implement section; the hydraulic system additionally having a hydraulic flow divider dividing hydraulic flow and pressure between the outer left wing hydraulic circuit and the outer right wing hydraulic circuit, the hydraulic flow divider being configured to coordinate the motion of the outer left wing section and the outer right wing section.

Abstract: An agricultural implement having ground engaging components and inboard and outboard frame members are safely unfolded by using a radar or laser sensor to detect the presence of an obstacle in the unfolded position. A warning signal or disabling the unfolding process occurs when an obstacle is detected.

Abstract: By providing a linear actuator in communication with a slide bar disposed in a channel, and by configuring multiple bars of a harrow to achieve an angle of rotation defined by the slide bar, the angle of rotation for smoothing tools of the harrow may be precisely controlled by the linear actuator. As a result, an infinite range of downward angles may be available for the smoothing tools for achieving various effects with the soil.

Abstract: An agricultural machine or implement has a main frame section and at least one wing section, each having lift cylinders. A main shank frame may be pivotally attached to the main frame section and may have hydraulically adjustable gauge wheels. Wing shank frames may be pivotally attached to the wing sections and may also have hydraulically adjustable gauge wheels. Bypass circuits may be used to individually adjust the lift cylinders and gauge wheel cylinders. A controller or controllers is used to purge air from the lift cylinders, gauge wheel cylinders, cylinders used to raise the shank frames for transport, and from the bypass circuits. The purge routine may be selectable as individual steps, hydraulic subsystem purges, or as one automatic purge routine.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement with a hydraulic system having a left wing hydraulic subsystem with an outer left wing hydraulic circuit supplying hydraulic pressure and flow to an actuator for actuating an actuator of an outer left wing folding implement section, and a right wing hydraulic subsystem having an outer right wing hydraulic circuit for actuating the actuator of an outer right wing implement section; the hydraulic system additionally having a hydraulic flow divider dividing hydraulic flow and pressure between the outer left wing hydraulic circuit and the outer right wing hydraulic circuit, the hydraulic flow divider being configured to coordinate the motion of the outer left wing section and the outer right wing section.

Abstract: An agricultural implement having ground engaging components and inboard and outboard frame members are safely unfolded by using a radar or laser sensor to detect the presence of an obstacle in the unfolded position. A warning signal or disabling the unfolding process occurs when an obstacle is detected.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement for use in a field. The agricultural tillage implement including a frame section and a plurality of wing sections. The frame section has a pull hitch extending in a travel direction. Each of the plurality of wing sections are coupled to the frame section and/or a wing section. The wing sections each have an articulated portion pivotal about an axis substantially perpendicular to the travel direction.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement is provided which includes an electronic sensor assembly supported by a harrow frame and in communication with a hydraulic system. The electronic sensor assembly includes a pivoting arm movable in conjunction with the movement of a first set of smoothing tools and is configured to generate an electrical signal corresponding to the angle of the first set of smoothing tools. The electrical signal is transmitted to a controller and/or an operator in the tractor cab for continuously monitoring the angle of the smoothing tools. The electrical signal is used to allow for the continuous adjustment of the smoothing tools during a tilling session.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement is provided with a soil finishing system that includes a multi-bar harrow and a down pressure-controlled finishing tool that are arranged with respect to each other to enhance soil tilth and leveling, including reducing residual shank grooves in tilled soil, to improve seed bed preparation.

Abstract: An agricultural implement including a frame configured to be towed behind a vehicle and a plurality of shank assemblies connected to the frame and configured for engaging a soil. Each shank assembly includes a shank mount configured to mount to the frame, a coupling arm pivotally connected to the shank mount and extending rearwardly therefrom, and a shank connected to the coupling arm at an end and extending downwardly therefrom to a tool-supporting end. Each shank assembly also includes a ground-engaging tool connected to the tool-supporting end of the shank and a variable rate spring positioned in between the shank mount and the coupling arm and configured for providing a variable ground-engaging tool load.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement, comprising at least one section including a plurality of attachment bars; and a plurality of indexed seedbed tillage arrangements distributed on the at least one section, each indexed seedbed tillage arrangement including a first horizontal tillage apparatus coupled to a first attachment bar; a second horizontal tillage apparatus coupled to a second attachment bar and offset in the travel direction from the first horizontal tillage apparatus; and a vertical tillage apparatus coupled to a third bar of the plurality of bars and offset in the travel direction from the first and second horizontal tillage apparatuses, positioned such that it processes soil not disturbed by the first and second horizontal tillage apparatuses.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement and method for adjusting the angle of smoothing tools of a harrow according to a present geographic location are disclosed. The agricultural tillage implement includes a main implement frame and a soil finish system having the harrow support in a trailing position with respect to the main implement frame for smoothing the soil tilled by ground-engaging tillage tools. A control system is configured to actuate a hydraulic system to define the angle of a first set of ground-engaging tillage tools in response to the percentage of plant residue at the present geographic location according to a stored electronic map.

Abstract: A castor wheel support for a towed agricultural implement having a frame positioned parallel to the soil over which the implement is towed. Parallel links interconnect the castor support with the frame. The castor support has a spindle with a longitudinal axis A for supporting a castor mounting structure for pivoting movement. The castor mounting structure supports an axle hub assembly and a wheel. The axis A of the spindle is angled forward 3 degrees to minimize wobbling.

Abstract: A pull hitch assembly for an agricultural implement having a tool bar coupled with and extending transverse to the pull hitch assembly. The pull hitch assembly includes first and second tube members, a hose carrier track and a tunnel. The second tube member is partially slidingly disposed within the first tube member. The hose carrier track is operatively coupled to both the first tube member and the tube second member. The tunnel is coupled to the first tube member. At least part of the hose carrier track is movable within the tunnel as the first tube member and the second tube member are moved relative to each other.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement has a steerable rear axle which facilitates the implement more faithfully following a towing unit. The implement has a solid axle mounted to the main pull frame that allows for vertical movement of the implement to switch between field operation and a transport configuration. Attached to the solid axle are two steering knuckles that are tied together by an adjustable tie rod and two hydraulic steering cylinders. On each knuckle is a set of walking tandems to which the tires are mounted. The two cylinders are connected to an auxiliary port in a towing traction unit to enable the steering function without having to turn the unit steering wheel. The arrangement allows the steering knuckles to turn up to 25 degrees in either direction.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a chassis; a frame carried by the chassis; and a shank pivotably mounted to the frame which is pivotable about a pivot axis to switch between an operating position and a folding position, the shank pivoting at least 70° about the pivot axis to switch between the operating position and the folding position.