Abstract: A combination wheel shield and ladder for an agricultural vehicle such as a sprayer includes a deformable plastic body with a profile designed to control the path of deflection and to return the body to original shape after deflection. The shield is mounted on a steel framework also designed to help control deflection and assure return to the original shape. A bail limits maximum shield deflection and increases the strength of the framework. A ladder is incorporated into a plastic wheel shield extension A combination handle-step structure located above the wheel and special platform structure located on the drop axle provide convenient access to the operator's station for all adjusted positions of the drop axle.

Abstract: Locking structure for a harvester basket having an upper basket portion telescopingly received within a lower basket portion. Channel lock-ups are located at three of the four corners of the basket. Each lock-up includes two channels, one channel having a length equal to the extension length of the upper basket portion and the other half that length. The two channels are connected together by a pivot pin in the middle of the long channel. One end of the long channel is connected by a pivot pin to the basket and one end of the short channel is connected by a pivot pin to the top of the upper basket portion. As the upper basket portion is raised or lowered, the channels pivot about the middle of the long channel. Approaching the raised position, the upper portion of the long channel may be used as a lever to urge the upper basket to the final extended position.

Abstract: A depth sensing skid arrangement for an implement including a spring steel depth skid connected to a shank which in turn is pivotally connected to a shank support bracket including a spring trip arrangement which permits backing of the implement without damage to the skid or shank. The shank support bracket in turn is connected to a transverse beam operably connected to valve control structure for operating a hydraulic cylinder to maintain a preselected depth of penetration of earth-working tools mounted on the frame. To provide an averaging effect, two resilient depth skids are transversely spaced on the beam.

Abstract: To form a furrow for row guidance systems, a shank is mounted on a frame forwardly of a wheel which includes a V-shaped tire. The shank opens the ground and the tire crushes clods and packs the sides of the furrow. Depth bands on each side of the tire shape the edges of the furrow and prevent loose dirt from rolling back into the furrow. When utilized to reform a furrow, the frame is pivotally connected to the implement for rocking about an upright axis to allow the wheel to trail and average out guidance system corrections and driver steering corrections so that the reformed furrow will be more accurate for the next operation.