Abstract: An exemplary form of mobile agricultural equipment generally includes a main frame, a wing frame, and a hinge mechanism. The main frame defines a track, and the wing frame has a roller rotatably mounted thereon. The hinge mechanism movably couples the main frame with the wing frame such that the wing frame is movable relative to the main frame between a first orientation and a second orientation. The hinge mechanism generally includes a sub-hinge plate pivotably coupled with the main frame, a first link pivotably coupled to each of the wing frame and the sub-hinge plate, and a second link pivotably coupled to each of the wing frame and the sub-hinge plate.

Abstract: A hinge for an agricultural machine having a center section having a first aperture, a wheel supporting the center section, a wing section connected to the center section and having a second aperture, and a hinge positioned between the center section and the wing section to permit the wing section to pivot about the center section. The hinge includes a pin which extends through the first and second apertures to connect the wing section to the center section. A first fastener engages the center section or the wing section and is adjacent to the first end of the pin to thereby retain the pin in the first and second apertures. A second fastener engages the center section or the wing section and is adjacent to the second end of the pin to thereby retain the pin in the first and second apertures.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a frame, a wheel supporting the frame, and a rockshaft coupled to the frame and operable to pivot with respect to the frame. The rockshaft has an outer surface, an inner surface and an open end. An internal end cap is positioned on the open end of the rockshaft. The internal end cap has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the internal end cap contacts the outer surface of the rockshaft. An external end cap is positioned on the open end of the rockshaft and contacts the outer surface of the internal end cap. A fastener connects the external end cap to the frame to retain the external end cap on the rockshaft.

Abstract: A harrow attachment for a tillage implement includes a harrow drawbar mounting at least one rank of harrowing tools. A pivot link pivotally couples the harrow rank to the drawbar so it can trip by pivoting upward toward the drawbar from a home position in which the harrow rank is farthest away from the drawbar. A downforce spring is coupled to the drawbar and in a variable length state when the harrow rank is tripped to apply a return biasing force to the harrow rank. An adjustment mechanism couples the spring to the harrow rank and/or the pivot link in one of a plurality of adjustment locations in each of which the harrow rank is in the home position and the spring is in a fixed length state in which the biasing force is removed.

Abstract: A harrow attachment for a tillage implement has a harrow drawbar, configured to mount to a frame member of the tillage implement, and at least one harrow rank having a rank bar supporting a plurality of harrowing tools oriented to extend away from the rank bar. An anti-tangle bracket assembly has a first pivot link coupled to the harrow drawbar and a second pivot link pivotally coupled to the at least one harrow rank. The first and second pivot links pivot about pivot axes with respect to one another within a pivotal range of movement of the at least one harrow rank from a first, extended position to a second, tripped position.

Abstract: A drawbar for finishing attachments is arranged to attach to a fore-aft frame member of a tillage implement. The drawbar has a saddle with spaced apart side walls defining a channel configured to receive the frame member. When the frame member is received in the channel, the side walls of the saddle overlap side walls of the frame member and extend in the fore-aft direction rearward of an end of the frame member. The side walls of the saddle and the frame member have mounting openings that align along a lateral direction transverse to the fore-aft direction.

Abstract: A hinge for an agricultural machine having a center section having a first aperture, a wheel supporting the center section, a wing section connected to the center section and having a second aperture, and a hinge positioned between the center section and the wing section to permit the wing section to pivot about the center section. The hinge includes a pin which extends through the first and second apertures to connect the wing section to the center section. A first fastener engages the center section or the wing section and is adjacent to the first end of the pin to thereby retain the pin in the first and second apertures. A second fastener engages the center section or the wing section and is adjacent to the second end of the pin to thereby retain the pin in the first and second apertures.

Abstract: A finishing attachment for a tillage implement has a support arm configured to mount to the frame so that a long dimension of the support arm extends in a fore-aft direction of the implement. A cross-bar having a long dimension extending transverse to the fore-aft direction is coupled to a free end of the support arm. A roller basket is mounted to the cross-bar for rotation with respect to the cross-bar. A pivot bracket couples the free end of the support arm to the cross-bar. The pivot bracket forms a pivot axis extending substantially in the fore-aft direction of travel about which the roller basket pivots.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a center section having a first aperture, a wheel supporting the center section, a wing section connected to the center section and having a second aperture, and a hinge positioned between the center section and the wing section to permit the wing section to pivot about the center section. The hinge includes a pin having a first end and a second end. The pin extends through the first and second apertures to connect the wing section to the center section. A first fastener engages the center section or the wing section and is adjacent to the first end of the pin to thereby retain the pin in the first and second apertures. A second fastener engages the center section or the wing section and is adjacent to the second end of the pin to thereby retain the pin in the first and second apertures.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a closing disk assembly for closing furrows along a section of ground. The closing disk assembly has a pair of closing disks attached to opposite sides and opposite ends of a walking beam. The closing disks are offset from a reference plane of the closing disk assembly. The walking beam is rotatably coupled to the closing disk assembly through a rocker assembly, a support arm, and a mounting assembly. The walking beam may rotate relative to the rocker assembly to account for variations in the angle of the ground relative to the disks.

Abstract: An agricultural implement and attachment are described for soil conditioning. The implement may include an implement frame, with the attachment configured to be towed by the implement frame. A pressurized fluid circuit may be configured to control one or more actuators, in order to provide lifting or lowering force to the attachment. The attachment may include a leading frame and a trailing frame, each configured to support a set of agricultural tools. The trailing frame may be mounted to the implement frame via the leading frame.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a frame, a wheel supporting the frame, and a rockshaft coupled to the frame and operable to pivot with respect to the frame. The rockshaft has an outer surface, an inner surface and an open end. An internal end cap is positioned on the open end of the rockshaft. The internal end cap has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the internal end cap contacts the outer surface of the rockshaft. An external end cap is positioned on the open end of the rockshaft and contacts the outer surface of the internal end cap. A fastener connects the external end cap to the frame to retain the external end cap on the rockshaft.

Abstract: A harrow attachment for a tillage implement includes a harrow drawbar mounting at least one rank of harrowing tools. A pivot link pivotally couples the harrow rank to the drawbar so it can trip by pivoting upward toward the drawbar from a home position in which the harrow rank is farthest away from the drawbar. A downforce spring is coupled to the drawbar and in a variable length state when the harrow rank is tripped to apply a return biasing force to the harrow rank. An adjustment mechanism couples the spring to the harrow rank and/or the pivot link in one of a plurality of adjustment locations in each of which the harrow rank is in the home position and the spring is in a fixed length state in which the biasing force is removed.

Abstract: A finishing attachment for a tillage implement has a support arm configured to mount to the frame so that a long dimension of the support arm extends in a fore-aft direction of the implement. A cross-bar having a long dimension extending transverse to the fore-aft direction is coupled to a free end of the support arm. A roller basket is mounted to the cross-bar for rotation with respect to the cross-bar. A pivot bracket couples the free end of the support arm to the cross-bar. The pivot bracket forms a pivot axis extending substantially in the fore-aft direction of travel about which the roller basket pivots.

Abstract: A harrow attachment for a tillage implement has a harrow drawbar, configured to mount to a frame member of the tillage implement, and at least one harrow rank having a rank bar supporting a plurality of harrowing tools oriented to extend away from the rank bar. An anti-tangle bracket assembly has a first pivot link coupled to the harrow drawbar and a second pivot link pivotally coupled to the at least one harrow rank. The first and second pivot links pivot about pivot axes with respect to one another within a pivotal range of movement of the at least one harrow rank from a first, extended position to a second, tripped position.

Abstract: A drawbar for finishing attachments is arranged to attach to a fore-aft frame member of a tillage implement. The drawbar has a saddle with spaced apart side walls defining a channel configured to receive the frame member. When the frame member is received in the channel, the side walls of the saddle overlap side walls of the frame member and extend in the fore-aft direction rearward of an end of the frame member. The side walls of the saddle and the frame member have mounting openings that align along a lateral direction transverse to the fore-aft direction.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a center section having a first aperture, a wheel supporting the center section, a wing section connected to the center section and having a second aperture, and a hinge positioned between the center section and the wing section to permit the wing section to pivot about the center section. The hinge includes a pin having a first end and a second end. The pin extends through the first and second apertures to connect the wing section to the center section. A first fastener engages the center section or the wing section and is adjacent to the first end of the pin to thereby retain the pin in the first and second apertures. A second fastener engages the center section or the wing section and is adjacent to the second end of the pin to thereby retain the pin in the first and second apertures.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a closing disk assembly for closing furrows along a section of ground. The closing disk assembly has a pair of closing disks attached to opposite sides and opposite ends of a walking beam. The closing disks are offset from a reference plane of the closing disk assembly. The walking beam is rotatably coupled to the closing disk assembly through a rocker assembly, a support arm, and a mounting assembly. The walking beam may rotate relative to the rocker assembly to account for variations in the angle of the ground relative to the disks.

Abstract: An agricultural implement and attachment are described for soil conditioning. The implement may include an implement frame, with the attachment configured to be towed by the implement frame. A pressurized fluid circuit may be configured to control one or more actuators, in order to provide lifting or lowering force to the attachment. The attachment may include a leading frame and a trailing frame, each configured to support a set of agricultural tools. The trailing frame may be mounted to the implement frame via the leading frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring stalk strength and/or root strength of a plant is provided. In accordance with various embodiments, the apparatus includes a conveyer operably connected to a motor for circulatorily driving the conveyer around at least one guide device. At least one pulling finger is coupled to the conveyer. Each pulling finger is structured such that, when the apparatus is positioned adjacent the plant stalk and the conveyor is driven around the guide device, each pulling finger will contact and pull a plant stalk as each pulling finger travels around the guide device. The apparatus additionally includes a force sensor for measuring resistive force encountered by the motor as each pulling finger pulls the plant stalk.