Abstract: A hydromechanical variable speed transmission (1) including outer and inner differential gear trains each having a carrier carrying planet pinions meshing with two coaxial side gears, the side gears of the outer differential gear train being ring gears one of which is an input ring gear (11) and the other (52) of which rotatably drives the planet pinion carrier of the inner differential gear train, the side gears of the inner differential gear train respectively rotatably driving two coaxial output shafts which extend axially outwards through the ring gears (11, 52) of the outer differential gear train, the planet pinion carrier (14) of the outer differential gear train rotatably driving a hydraulic motor (2) which is fluidly coupled by a hydraulic circuit to rotatably drive a hydraulic pump (3) having a pump control for changing the displacement of the hydraulic pump (3) in response to rotation thereof, wherein the pump control is fixed from rotation to thereby isolate the input ring gear (11) from torque re

Abstract: An apparatus for use in transplanting seedlings between propagation containers. More particularly the apparatus of this invention is intended to enable the transfer of seedlings from a chain of connected cells in which the seedlings have been grown for a period of time to a larger cell chain or other container. The apparatus includes a means to move said cells along a first and second predetermined path, and a first and second plant delivery path extending transversely to said first and second predetermined path. The apparatus includes a means lift seedlings from cells on said first path and to deliver them to cells moving along said second path into a prepared planting position.

Abstract: An endless belt construction comprising a single endless belt composed of synthetic resin material molded integrally with a reinforcing member in a single length passed through the resin material in a plurality of adjacent loops, such loops being spaced from one another.

Abstract: A mobile seedling transplanting machine adapted to transfer growing seedlings from propagating containers to a field in proper position for further growth. The machine includes indexing apparatus for indexing the seedling propagating cells in sequence past a transfer mechanism which ejects the seedlings and transfers them to a handling device having two pairs of rotatable discs, the first pair of which grips each seedling by its root end and moves it part way toward the ground and the second pair of which subsequently receives each seedling from the first pair, grips it by its foliage end, and moves it closer to the ground. The second pair of discs releases each seedling in succession to a prepared planting ground formed by a plough shoe or the like.

Abstract: Apparatus for propagation of plant seedlings including a cell chain comprising a series of cells rigidly connected to form a group of aligned cells each group being pivotal relative to its adjacent group by a link cell to form a continuous chain of cells able to be mechanically handled by transport devices or concertined into a solid block of cells having little or no wastage of space.

Abstract: A mobile machine for harvesting growing flowers comprises a shroud at the forward end of the machine in which is mounted a substantially horizontally disposed, cylindrical, fluted picking rotor operable to engage the stems of plants and sweep their flower heads rearwardly into the shroud in response to movement of the machine through a field of such flowers. A rotary drum interacts with the fluted rotor to effect separation of a flower head from its stem. The drum is driven in the same direction as the picking rotor and has a peripheral speed greater than the ground speed of the machine to induce tension in the stem of an engaged plant near the flower head and relieve tension in the stem near its roots.

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting mature pyrethrum flowers comprises a mobile chassis movable through a field of growing flowers and having a pair of drums rotatable in opposite directions about vertically spaced axes. Each of the drums has a plurality of longitudinally extending, radially projecting, circumferentially spaced flutes which confront one another momentarily during rotation of the drums. The vertical spacing between the axes of the drum is such that there exists a space between confronting flutes that is too great to sever an immature flower from its stem, but is sufficiently small to sever a mature flower from its stem. An air duct communicating with a fan receives severed flowers and conducts them to a storage bin.

Abstract: A vacuum type seeding machine including a rotatably mounted cylindrical seeding drum, a vacuum manifold member and a supporting member for the cylindrical seeding drum rotatable relative to the manifold member for applying vacuum to the cylindrial seeding drum. The cylindrical drum includes ducts extending therealong from an end face communicating with said vacuum manifold member, the ducts communicating with a series of ports on the surface of the cylindrical seeding member to hold seeds thereagainst in a predetermined seeding pattern when vacuum is applied to the ducts.

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting pyrethrum flowers comprises a rotary picking head within which are mounted picking fingers reciprocable between retracted and projected positions. The fingers are spaced apart a distance to enable mature blooms to be severed from their stems. The picking head is partially enclosed by a shroud that communicates via ducting with a bin. An air stream is created within the shroud and ducting to cause picked blooms to be conveyed from the picking head to the bin.

Abstract: A container assembly including a plurality of cell like compartments pivotally joined together to form a chain, the compartments including spacer members extending on opposite sides of each compartment, said spacer members including joining members adapted to pivotally interconnect in a complementary way to join said compartments, said spacer members forming a gap between the cmpartments adapted to receive a tooth of the driving means for moving the container assembly from one point to another.