Abstract: An earth-working apparatus (1) having a drive (1?, 1?) located above the ground is described. The earth-working apparatus has at least two earth-working devices (300, 400), a first earth-working device (300) including a rotating cutter and agitator device (30) that penetrates into the ground to be worked, having first tools and a second earth-working device (400) including a comminuting device (40) having second tools. Each earth-working device (300, 400) is individually mountable on the drive. The earth-working devices (300, 400) may be individually mountable on the drive. It is also possible to combine two or more earth-working devices and to mount them together on the drive. A method for working particularly encrusted ground surfaces is also described.

Abstract: An earth-working apparatus (1) having a drive (1?, 1?) located above the ground is described. The earth-working apparatus has at least two earth-working devices (300, 400), a first earth-working device (300) including a rotating cutter and agitator device (30) that penetrates into the ground to be worked, having first tools and a second earth-working device (400) including a comminuting device (40) having second tools. Each earth-working device (300, 400) is individually mountable on the drive. The earth-working devices (300, 400) may be individually mountable on the drive. It is also possible to combine two or more earth-working devices and to mount them together on the drive. A method for working particularly encrusted ground surfaces is also described.

Abstract: A zinc surface on a metal artifact may be colorized and rendered corrosion resistant by applying to the surface a solution of a trivalent chromium compound, plus at least one added metal salt selected from the group consisting of ferrous salts, nickel salts and cobalt salts capable of coloring the surface, along with the chromium compound in the presence of a phosphate at a pH of about 0.5 to 5, to provide a colored surface. Then, a top coat is provided to the colored surface, to achieve high corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A zinc or zinc/alloy surface of a metal artifact is protected by passivating or activating the surface with a solution comprising an oxidizing acid or activating acid; applying to the surface an aqueous priming solution of an alkali metal permanganate in the presence of halogen ions, with the solution having a pH of about 1 to 8; and then further applying to the surface an aqueous sealing solution such as a lithium silicate and a sodium or potassium silicate solution. Strong corrosion protection can be achieved. Improvements may also be obtained with the addition of a rare earth salt to the priming solution.

Abstract: A zinc or zinc/alloy surface of a metal artifact is protected by passivating or activating the surface with a solution comprising an oxidizing acid or activating acid; applying to the surface an aqueous priming solution of an alkali metal permanganate in the presence of halogen ions, with the solution having a pH of about 1 to 8; and then further applying to the surface an aqueous sealing solution such as a lithium silicate and a sodium or potassium silicate solution. Strong corrosion protection can be achieved. Improvements may also be obtained with the addition of a rare earth salt to the priming solution.

Abstract: A method for the direct metallization of non-conductors and printed circuit boards is disclosed wherein the non-conductive substrate or printed circuit board is treated with an aqueous cleaner/conditioner composition comprising a cationic surfactant, said surfactant is a quaternary ammonium ion having a molecular weight of below 1,000, thereby rendering the substrate of a printed circuit board receptive to the uniform adherence and adsorption of the noble metal catalyst deposited thereafter, which catalysts are used, directly or indirectly, as the sites of direct electroplating without the need of using electroless plating. The cleaner/conditioner is particularly useful because it does not require the use of chelating agent(s) which are commonly used in the art and thereby eliminates waste treatment problems prevalent in the industry.