Four Or More Patents (Class 172/146)
  • Patent number: 10681852
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement has a vertical tillage section and an aerating section behind the vertical tillage section, each extending substantially perpendicular to the pull direction of the implement. Individual vertical tillage elements, such as disc blades, can be indexed with individual rotary tine assemblies of the aerator section so that discrete holes formed by the aerator section are positioned between substantially continuous slits formed by the vertical tillage section. Rolling baskets can be provided behind the aerator section for further soil conditioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin J. Roberge, Kevin N. Hall
  • Patent number: 10609852
    Abstract: An implement for preparing a seed bed has a front row of vertical discs, followed by three rows of shanks, followed by harrows and then rolling baskets. A hydraulic cylinder is mounted between each shank and the implement frame and exerts a constant selected trip bias force on the shanks that is adjustable up to 1300 pounds. The implement frame is configured such that a total weight on the wheels when the ground engaging tools are in the raised transport position is greater than about 850 pounds per foot of width of the implement frame. The implement is towed at speeds of at least seven miles per hour with the shanks penetrating the soil to a depth of three inches or more. Residue is cut and buried and the field surface left firm and smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Bourgault Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Cresswell, Devin Lung, Kyle Bayne, Trevor Kondratowicz
  • Patent number: 10045475
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: David L. Steinlage, Jerry R. Merkle, Bryan D. Blauwet, Luc Janelle, Jeremy Nefzger, Shawn J. Becker, Humberto Moreno
  • Patent number: 9775278
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement including a frame section having a pull hitch extending in a travel direction, at least one secondary frame coupled with the frame, a plurality of rolling basket assemblies, a geographical position determining device, and a pressure control system. The secondary frame is coupled to the frame. The plurality of rolling basket assemblies are coupled to the secondary frame. The geographical position determining device generates a geo-position signal. The pressure control system is coupled to the plurality of rolling basket assemblies. The pressure control system is configured to supply a selected pressure to each of the plurality of rolling basket assemblies dependent upon the geo-position signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Zemenchik, Dean A. Knobloch
  • Patent number: 9521798
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a main frame including a hitch extending in a travel direction, at least one secondary frame, a plurality of rolling basket assemblies and a pressure control system. The secondary frame is coupled with the frame. The plurality of rolling basket assemblies include first and second rolling basket assemblies. Both first and second rolling basket assemblies are coupled to the at least one secondary frame. The first rolling basket assembly has an effective length, and the second rolling basket assembly has a different effective length. The pressure control system is configured to supply different selected pressures to the first and second rolling basket assembly to substantially equalize a down pressure per unit of effective length of the rolling basket assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Sven N. Setterdahl, Dean A. Knobloch, Timothy R. Blunier
  • Publication number: 20150101834
    Abstract: An apparatus for soil preparation where residual crop matter is present in the field comprising a machine having a set of discs followed by a plurality of harrow modules, the harrow module utilizing a plurality of groups of tines arranged on a longitudinal axis for rotation around the center of a shaft designed for ground working and a spring in the center of the longitudinal shaft is designed to keep constant tension on the tines for minimal wear while biased toward the soil by a pivot mechanism is designed to reduce bounce.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Raymond Way
  • Patent number: 8887824
    Abstract: A tilling cultivator and associated method is disclosed for strip tilling cover crop in preparation for primary crop planting. The tiller includes a pressing drum having a band coulter for cutting surface and subsurface cover crop residue roots and compressing the cover crop into the soil. A trailing shank just behind and aligned with the coulter clears debris from the planting furrow, and a pair of staggered wavy coulters behind the shank closes any shank voids. A rolling basket or other optional soil conditioners trail behind the planting furrow to create a suitable seedbed for primary crop planting. The apparatus and an associated method of use aids in cover crop decomposition and pre-plant field preparation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Myron Quinton Johnson
  • Patent number: 8813662
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a vertical floating row cleaner may include a mounting bracket configured to engage a row unit frame, which mounting bracket may have a receiver engaged therewith. An extension member may have first and second ends, with one end configured as an adjustor interface and the opposite end configured to pivotally engage at least one row cleaner wheel. An adjustor may engage the extension member at the adjustor interface such that the adjustor prevents the extension member from moving with respect to the receiver past a certain point in at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: Howard D. Martin
  • Patent number: 8627898
    Abstract: A tillage system has a first set of deep tilling tines and a second set of shallow tilling coulter tines present in a number more than twice that of the deep tilling tines. The deep tilling tines till the field to a depth of about 5 to 12 inches at row planting locations, loosening the soil for easy plant growth. This deep grooving action builds mounds of soil at both sides of the deep groove which are cleared by a second set of shallow tilling curved coulter tines followed by a third set of plurality of rows of shallow tilling toothed coulters that till the space between grooves to a depth of about 1 to 4 inches, providing a water reservoir space and clearing plant debris. A last row of shallow tilling ruffled coulters are provided to mix and incorporate into soil plant debris and plant stocks, anchoring tilled soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventor: John D. Nance
  • Publication number: 20130192855
    Abstract: A strip tillage implement for movement over a crop berm has a frame configured to carry a coulter, a row cleaner, a shank and closing discs. The implement includes a basket assembly located behind the closing discs having a downwardly and rearwardly directed basket drawbar that forks into left and right support arms. The basket assembly includes a left basket half section rotatably attached to the left support arm and a right basket half section rotatably attached to the right support arm of the basket drawbar in cantilever fashion. Each of the basket half sections includes a support plate and a plurality of clod-breaking tines spaced about the periphery of the plate. Each plate is substantially perpendicular to the axis of its respective support arms such that the two plates form an upwardly diverging angle with the drawbar acting between the basket half sections to clean residue collected between the half sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: AGCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: AGCO Corporation
  • Patent number: 8327947
    Abstract: A tillage machine includes a plurality of front tines and a plurality of rear tines rotatably secured to a frame which is pulled by a tractor in a direction of travel. The front tines are aligned with the rear tines along the direction of travel whereby the front tines penetrate the soil and create tine soil penetrations, and the rear tines enter the soil in the penetrations created by the front tines. Preferably, the front tines are also rotatably secured to the frame in a clockwise or counter-clockwise angle about a front pivot point. The rear tines are rotatably secured to the frame in a clockwise of counter-clockwise angle about a rear pivot point opposite the front tines angle. The front tines penetrate and fracture the soil in one direction and the rear tines enter the soil penetrations created by the front tines and fracture the soil in another direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventors: James R. Martindale, Daniel R. Martindale
  • Patent number: 8307909
    Abstract: A conservation tillage implement having three or more rows of individual coulter wheel assemblies laterally spaced apart and removably mounted on a cultivator frame, a coulter wheel assembly in a given row being staggered with respect to the coulter wheel assemblies in a longitudinally adjacent row. The coulter wheel assemblies may be laterally adjustable and may be mounted to the cultivator frame using a mounting means that permits rotation about a vertical axis. The coulter wheel assemblies may have a coil spring with a horizontal spring axis to permit upward deflection in response to impact with an obstacle. Leveling attachments may optionally be mounted to the cultivator frame, along with additional field working tools. The implement is used in the management of crop residue as part of a minimum tillage strategy, is particularly resistant to plugging, and can be operated at high speeds and/or in standing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Salford Farm Machinery Ltd.
    Inventors: Jacobus A. Rozendaal, Philip M. O'Grady, James F. Boak, John M. Averink, Geof J. Gray
  • Patent number: 8220559
    Abstract: A plough assembly (10) to be fixed to a plough frame including a transverse beam (11). The assembly (10) includes a plough shank (13) with a leading surface (14) that is generally upwardly oriented. The lower end of the shank (13) is provided with a digging adapter (24) to which there is attached a digging blade (28). Located behind the adapter (24) is a fertilizer delivery tube (33), while behind the tube (33) is a seed delivery tube (42). A seed bed is formed by a tool (43) that is in front of the tube (42), while behind the tube (42) is a press wheel (39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ausplow Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: John William Ryan
  • Patent number: 8196672
    Abstract: A conservation tillage implement having three or more rows of individual coulter wheel assemblies laterally spaced apart and removably mounted on a cultivator frame, a coulter wheel assembly in a given row being staggered with respect to the coulter wheel assemblies in a longitudinally adjacent row. The coulter wheel assemblies may be laterally adjustable and may be mounted to the cultivator frame using a mounting means that permits rotation about a vertical axis. The coulter wheel assemblies may have a coil spring with a horizontal spring axis to permit upward deflection in response to impact with an obstacle. Leveling attachments may optionally be mounted to the cultivator frame, along with additional field working tools. The implement is used in the management of crop residue as part of a minimum tillage strategy. The implement is particularly resistant to plugging and can be operated at high speeds without undue damage upon impact with obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Salford Farm Machinery Ltd.
    Inventors: Jacobus A. Rozendaal, Philip M. O'Grady, James F. Boak, John M. Averink, Geof J. Gray
  • Patent number: 8047299
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement constructed to condition crop residue and cultivate the conditioned crop residue. The tillage implement includes a first residue conditioner and a second residue conditioner pivotably attached to a frame of the tillage implement. The first and second conditioners are movable independent of each other and of the frame such that an operator may raise and lower the first and second conditioners relative to the frame to change the depths of the conditioners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Hurtis, Joseph M. Keeler, Tim Blunier
  • Patent number: 8006775
    Abstract: A strip tillage implement includes a plurality of forward disk gang members for sizing plant residue. An upright tool support bracket extends rearwardly from the rear frame member and defines a downwardly opening accommodation space at a top portion of the bracket for a closing disk assembly rockshaft or support. The bracket includes a lower end supporting a parallel linkage that carries a clearing tool assembly in a generally constant horizontal attitude as the linkage pivots with movement of the clearing disks over obstacles. A tool support arm is pivotally connected to the bracket adjacent the parallel linkage and below the rear frame member. A closing disk arm supported from the rockshaft can be rotated to adjust down pressure or to lift the closing disk is completely out of ground contact. Closing disk spacing and disk angle are adjustable to provide the desired berm shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David L. Steinlage, Jarrod Ray Ruckle
  • Patent number: 7802383
    Abstract: A hitched grooming device having a tapered frame. a pivot allows for device to create a trail that is kept horizontal no matter the inclination of the terrain. Another pivot allows a compactor to rotate so that it can keep the trail as uniform as possible by keeping the compactor horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventors: Luc Dufort, Pascal Martin
  • Patent number: 7017675
    Abstract: A one-pass primary tillage machine provides a combination of shallow and deep tillage, residue cutting and mixing, and clod size reduction and leveling of the field to prepare the field for the next planting season. A front group of flat coulters slice through the residue to reduce its size, followed by deep shanks that improve the tilth of the soil to a point below the intended planting depth. Following the shanks, a group of concavo-convex conditioning discs mix the residue with the soil, reduce clod size, and level the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Krause Plow Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Ankenman, John T. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 6761120
    Abstract: An agricultural primary tillage implement is disclosed with a row cleaner assembly attached in front of the shank. That row cleaner is adjustable fore-and-aft for optimum clearance between the shank and a leading soil preparation apparatus to maximize clearance for residue movement. The row cleaner is also adjustable for depth. The row cleaner assembly reduces the amount of residue in line with the shank path (row) and creates smaller clod sizes of soil in line with the shank swath, resulting in a better seedbed and faster warm up in the spring, enabling the planter to run in cleaner soil, preventing planter plugging and uneven seed planting depth as well as resulting in better seed-to soil-contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Rickey L. Gerber
  • Publication number: 20040016554
    Abstract: The farm implement of this invention is movable across ground along a direction of travel for tillage. The farm implement includes at least a frame and a multi-disc unit. The multi-disc unit includes pluralities of first and second discs, each having a ground-engaging outer periphery defining a plane angled acutely relative to the direction of travel. The first discs are angled to an opposite side of the direction of travel than the second discs. Positioned between the plurality of first discs and the plurality of second discs is a first flow controller assembly, preferably a coulter assembly. Positioned behind the plurality of second discs is a second flow controller assembly, preferably a coulter assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Kevin G. McDonald
  • Patent number: 6681868
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement is disclosed employing a series of apparatus to perform one-pass primary tillage. A coulter is the first apparatus that works the field. These coulters cut, size and part the residue without mixing it into the seedbed. Next, a tillage shank runs a point through the compaction layer to fracture and loosen the soil, providing proper soil aggregate size and air pore space relationship throughout the shank tillage profile. Next is a pair of soil-gathering blades that capture and gather the loose soil and residue together and to create a berm of a mixture of soil and residue. The last apparatus to work the field is a rotary reel that conditions the strip of soil to give ideal seed-to-soil contact and uniform berm size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Case, LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Rickey L. Gerber
  • Publication number: 20030196823
    Abstract: The farm implement of this invention is movable across ground along a direction of travel for tillage. The farm implement includes at least a frame and a multi-disc unit. The multi-disc unit includes pluralities of first and second discs, each having a ground-engaging outer periphery defining a plane angled acutely relative to the direction of travel. The first discs are angled to an opposite side of the direction of travel than the second discs. Positioned between the plurality of first discs and the plurality of second discs is a flow controller assembly, preferably a coulter assembly, which is rotatable in a forward direction for directing the tilled ground between the first and second discs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Kevin G. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20030085044
    Abstract: A low till agricultural implement has a frame with a hitch for attachment to a tractor. A straight coulter composed of an array of parallel circular blades is mounted to the front of the frame, and is followed by a spiral reel assembly and a spike tooth harrow assembly. The circular blades are mounted perpendicular to rotating shafts, and slice through field residue and soil with minimal side movement of material. The blades of the following reel then make cuts nearly perpendicular to those made by the circular blades. A trailing level bar follows the spiral reel. The implement aids in drying the soil surface layer, and, by cutting up residue and even spreading, the implement helps to warm up the soil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Stanley McFarlane
  • Patent number: 6554078
    Abstract: The farm implement of this invention is movable across ground along a direction of travel for tillage. The farm implement includes at least a frame and a disc/drive unit. The disc/drive unit includes first and second pluralities of discs, each having a ground-engaging outer periphery defining a plane angled acutely relative to the direction of travel. The first discs are angled to an opposite side of the direction of travel than the second discs. Positioned in front of the first discs is a ground-engaging driver rotatably coupled to the frame for rotating as the driver engages and is moved across the ground along the direction of travel. A driven flow controller is rotatably coupled and situated between the plurality of first discs and the plurality of second discs. The ground-engaging driver is operatively controlling and preferably accelerating the rotational speed of the driven flow controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Kevin G. McDonald
  • Patent number: 6497534
    Abstract: The method of treating hydrocarbon contamination, in soil, that includes providing and operating a rotary tiller having tilling elements that rotate into and out of the soil to till and loosen the soil, and to elevate soil upwardly so that loosened elevated soil then drops downwardly, and is aerated, and dispersing into the soil aqueous streams that contain microbes or chemicals characterized as reacting with hydrocarbon in the loosened soil to produce CO2 and water, thereby to decontaminate the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventor: Charles McCoy
  • Patent number: 5632343
    Abstract: A soil deflecting and leveling reel is formed by end plates having a plurality of blades extending helically therebetween. Intermediate plates are positioned in spaced relation to the end plates and reinforce the reel blades. The reel is rotatably mounted on a reel support frame which is pivotally connected to a tillage tool frame in close proximity behind a disc gang. The reel support frame is resiliently urged to engage the reel with the ground whereby ground contact rotates the reel as the tool frame is drawn across a field. The blades of the rotating reel engage soil ejected upwardly by the discs and deflect the soil back to the ground to minimize lateral shifting of the soil and consequent formation of ridges and furrows by the discs. Additionally, the blades of the rotating reel break up clods of the soil and churn the soil to improve mixing and incorporation of chemicals applied to the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Sunflower Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Allan S. Gengler
  • Patent number: 5622227
    Abstract: A farm implement has a rigid frame from which is supported a mechanism for breaking and loosening compacted soil. A first plurality of S-tines are supported by the frame and disposed behind the breaking and loosening mechanism. Each S-tine has a sweep disposed on a lower end thereof. A reel is supported by the frame and disposed behind the first plurality of S-tines. The reel has a plurality of blades for chopping debris and breaking soil clods. A second plurality of S-tines are supported by the frame and disposed in offset rows behind the reel. Each S-tine has a sweep disposed on a lower end thereof. A roller mechanism is rotatably supported by the frame and disposed behind the second plurality of S-tines. The roller mechanism mixes and blends the soil with a rolling action. A finished roller breaks down remaining dirt clods and seals moisture in the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventor: Kevin G. McDonald
  • Patent number: 5524711
    Abstract: The present invention entails an agricultural implement for forming planting rows with a minimum of tillage. The implement of the present invention is designed to form a multiplicity of rows and accordingly includes a series of side-by-side row units. Each row unit includes a front colter, a ripper which follows the colter, a rotor tiller assembly disposed behind the ripper, a pair of laterally spaced soil confining panels extending between the ripper and the rotor tiller assembly, and a final following soil packer. Once the agricultural implement has traversed a certain area of the land, there is formed a multiplicity of planting rows with the area between the formed planting rows being untilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Tom J. Harris
  • Patent number: 5474135
    Abstract: A tillage implement for preparing seed beds for planting seeds for row crops. The implement includes deep tillage units for loosening soil behind the wheels of a tractor, additional deep tillage units for loosening soil in the areas where seed beds are located, seed bed shaping units, and ribbed wheels for providing guide tracks in the soil for use in aligning a planter with the seed beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Schlagel
  • Patent number: 5398770
    Abstract: A chisel cultivator for post-planting cultivation. The cultivator includes a main frame. A chisel member has one end portion coupled to the frame and a second end portion spaced from the first end portion along a longitudinal axis of the chisel member for cultivating sub-surface soil during operation of the cultivator. A heave limiter is coupled to the frame ahead of the chisel member relative to the direction of operation of the chisel cultivator. The chisel member is adjustable relative to the frame to adjust the distance of the second end portion of the chisel member from the frame. A sweep assembly is coupled to the frame behind the chisel member relative to the direction of operation of the chisel cultivator. The sweep assembly includes wings which extend outwardly of a centerline extending in the direction of operation of the chisel cultivator in a plane substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the chisel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Brown Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Jerrell W. Harden
  • Patent number: 5062488
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed to perform a method of tilling the soil on a crop field that: will hold rainwater where it falls, increase the percolation rate of this water into the soil, and provide storage room above and below ground level for this water. The tillage method depends on forming a series of small, flat topped terraces with interconnecting lateral dams. These small, flat topped terraces are sized, laterally spaced, and flat topped so that row crops can easily be planted on top of them. The small, flat topped terraces are generated during a deep soil tillage operation. An apparatus is provided to generate these uniformly spaced, flat topped terraces with lateral dams in a four-step process while traveling in either direction across a sloping crop field. Small supplemental tillage means may advantageously be provided for lateral dam generation under adverse soil conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Inventor: Alan W. Lochmiller
  • Patent number: 4836295
    Abstract: An apparatus for leveling and conditioning baseball infields and the like includes a scarifier, pulverizer, drag, and roller, all mounted on a common frame. The frame and at least some of the implements may be adjusted to adjust or disable the scarifier, pulverizer, and drag individually. The apparatus may be pulled by a small garden tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Inventor: Rodger E. Estes
  • Patent number: 4537262
    Abstract: A soil cultivating machine comprises two transverse rows of fixed tines and three transversely extending rollers. The front roller has discs which cut parallel slits in the soil. The two following rollers have transversely extending releasable blades mounted on angle-irons which form shallow V's pointed in the direction of the rollers' rotation and which are twisted about 90.degree. from their outboard ends to their centers. The rollers are drivingly interconnected by a chain transmission so that the middle roller rotates slower than the other two and the rear roller rotates faster than it would if freely rotating on the ground. The tines are in rows between the rollers and their depth of soil penetration relative to the underlying soil is adjustable. The rollers are mounted on a generally horizontal framework which is adjustable, however, so it can be inclined slightly either forward or aft to increase or decrease the penetration of the front roller's discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Inventor: Cornelis van der Lely
  • Patent number: 4364436
    Abstract: A plow is structured to wholly or partly invert a furrow slice during operation. The furrow slice is cut loose by a leading V-shaped blade and is both compressed, and deflected laterally towards a side wall of the frame by a plurality of rotary lateral displacing rollers arranged in a row inclined to the direction of travel. The rollers are preferably of progressively increasing size towards the rear and co-operate with a soil guide surface at the rear of the plow in turning the furrow slice about an axis which extends in the direction of travel to deposit the slice substantially completely back into the furrow from which it was originally cut. In one version, the row of displacing rollers leads to a power-driven rotary soil guide unit of annular formation, the inverted furrow slice being delivered back into the furrow from which it was cut through the interior of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Inventor: Cornelis van der Lely
  • Patent number: 4361191
    Abstract: Through adaptation of and improvement upon secondary, minimum tillage techniques, there is provided a single pass, seedbed method and agricultural machine, utilizing reduction, incorporation, aeration and other procedures, capable of effectively handling all types of adverse field conditions, ground compositions and soil makeup in such manner as to quickly, easily and inexpensively convert all materials and substances therein contained or to be added thereto from a state generally unsuited for seeding and satisfactory plant development to a finished condition wherein any desired seed type may be thereupon planted, sowed or set thereinto without difficulty and with an assurance of good germination and strong, healthy crop growth unimpaired by wind and soil erosion, ineffective moisture retention and other impediments which otherwise normally reduce or destroy profitable harvesting results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Assignee: Landoll Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Landoll, David J. Kongs
  • Patent number: 4315547
    Abstract: An attachment for agricultural machines includes a frame having a leading and trailing portion, a first soil-treating unit located at the leading portion of the frame and a second soil-treating unit located at the trailing portion of the frame. Between the first unit and the second unit there is located on the frame wheels for supporting the frame when an agricultural machine provided with the attachment moves along a road. The wheels are displaceable relative to the frame between a first position in which the wheels engage the ground and a second position in which the wheels do not engage the ground. The frame is so coupled to a lifting device of the agricultural machine that, when the wheels are in the second position, the trailing portion of the frame is supported on the ground by the second soil-treating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1982
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rau GmbH
    Inventors: Willy Rau, Christian Taus
  • Patent number: 4212254
    Abstract: A tractor-drawn machine adapted to perform tilling, seed bed preparation, and planting in a single operation, comprises a frame from which plow units, a reel unit, a seed bed finishing implement and seed planting units are mounted seriatim. The attitude of the frame may be adjusted during operation in that the operator of the tractor is able to independently adjust the elevation of both the front of the frame and the rear of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1980
    Inventor: Vincent J. Zumbahlen
  • Patent number: 4187916
    Abstract: Soil conditioning apparatus is disclosed which has a front coulter assembly, preferably with a fluted coulter, for preparing a narrow path wider than the following subsoiler shank by cutting trash and breaking and slitting the topsoil. Following the front coulter assembly is the subsoiler assembly for further breaking the surface soil and breaking and shattering the "hard pan" created by years of conventional tillage. Following the subsoiler assembly is the slot filler assembly for filling the slot or crevice left by the subsoiler as it moves through the ground, a sufficient amount to prevent cave-ins or settling which would carry seeds too deep to properly germinate. Behind the slot filler wheel assembly means is the seed bed implement assembly for preparing the seed bed by pulverizing the soil and by removing trash which may have remained in the seed bed region after the above mentioned prior operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1980
    Assignee: Brown Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Jerrell W. Harden, William P. Brown
  • Patent number: 4180005
    Abstract: A tractor-drawn machine adapted to perform tilling, seed bed preparation, and planting in a single operation, comprises a frame from which plow units, a soil leveling and pulverizing unit, a seed bed finishing implement and seed planting units are mounted seriatim. The attitude of the frame may be adjusted during operation in that the operator of the tractor is able to independently adjust the elevation of both the front of the frame and the rear of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Inventor: Vincent J. Zumbahlen
  • Patent number: 4103628
    Abstract: A conditioner drill is disclosed herein which comprises two rows of plow teeth mounted at the front of a rectangular frame. Mounted on the frame behind the plow teeth are a drag plate and a compressor roller. A seed drill is mounted upon the frame behind the compressor roller and in front of a plain roller which is located at the rear of the frame. The conditioner drill includes a pair of wheels connected to the frame which may be lowered for transporting the conditioner drill. The conditioner drill may also include a farm chemical distribution system, such as a tank mounted upon the frame and connected to a boom sprayer located at the rear of the conditioner drill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1978
    Inventor: Charles O. Gaston
  • Patent number: 4088083
    Abstract: A tillage machine includes a main frame that supports rotary soil working tined members and various additional tools that can be detachably fastened to the main frame in combination with the rotary tined members to landscape in one pass. For primary use, a ripper assembly is detachably fastened at the front of the frame in advance of the rotary soil working members. A pulverizer-support roller is detachably fastened to the frame in a trailing position and a leveler bar supported between the roller and the rotary members to prevent ridging. A seed box with delivery system can be mounted on the roller frame and driven by a transmission connected to the roller axle. A packer roller is detachably pivoted to the frame to leave the ground in a finished condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Assignee: C. van der Lely N.V.
    Inventors: John P. Dail, Jr., Pieter VAN DEN Berg
  • Patent number: 4055126
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a trailer-like multi-sectioned frame is mounted on supporting spaced-apart wheels adjustable intermittently of the height of the frame and having mounted on the various sections of the frame, functional elements including a forward rotatable cutting blade for cutting upper earth soil, a following sub-soil cutting blade aligned to follow in the upper earth cut formed by the forward cutting blade and being formable of a sub-soil groove beneath the slot, a soil-fill-in tine rotatable wheel having laterally curved and directed tine ends extending a breadth wider than the slot such that are trailed along the slot the tine ends cave-in soil to fill the sub-soil groove, a seed-bed-preparing tine wheel mounted to trail in the slot behind the soil-fill-in tine rotatable wheel, and a seed planter of conventional nature mounted to trail the seed-bed-preparing tine wheel to plant within prepared soil along the slot, the tine elements of the seed-bed-preparing tine wheel being c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1977
    Inventors: Ronald P. Brown, Jerrell W. Harden
  • Patent number: 4053998
    Abstract: A ditching machine for digging a ditch for submarine cable comprising at least a plurality pairs of blades disposed along the longitudinal direction of the ditching machine. At least the blades in a forward position have a ditching portion which ditches soil and a soil-pushing portion which pushes away the soil thus ditched substantially horizontally in a direction lateral to the moving direction of the ditching machine. Said soil-pushing portion is at the top of said ditching portion and has a wider horizontal width as seen from front of the ditching machine than that of said ditching portion when the ditching machine is in a normal operating posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1977
    Assignee: Kokusai Cable Ship Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuji Ezoe
  • Patent number: 4026225
    Abstract: A horizontal frame coupled to a tractor is provided with a single disc mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis on the center line of the frame and driven by the power take off shaft of a tractor with the disc carrying a plurality of cutter teeth which are curved radially and whose outboard ends are bent alternately in the opposite axial direction for loosening the soil in front of a pair of discs mounted on either side of a coulter. A pair of soil guide plates are positioned on each side of the trench being dug and behind the coulter, converging plates mounted to the frame and extending vertically above the plane of the coulter and the soil guide plates and converging behind the guide plates, fill in the trench while rollers mounted for rotation about their axis on either side of the center line of the coulter and to the rear of the converging plates press the soil of the filled in trench in the direction of the trench center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Inventor: Theodoor Johannes Vink
  • Patent number: 4024921
    Abstract: A plow implement which completely plows and breaks the entire surface of a field being plowed in a single pass. This plow completely pulverizes the soil by means of upright cutting blades on double-opposing moldboard plows and single moldboard plows. Additional single sweeps and deep cutting sub-soiler devices may be provided with the over-all implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Inventor: Robert C. Tibbs, II
  • Patent number: 4015667
    Abstract: A root and stalk shredder having a frame, a pair of longitudinally extending, parallel, power driven lifting rollers rotatably mounted on the frame and extending longitudinally parallel to a path of travel of the shredder, guide means mounted on the frame forward of the rollers in the direction of movement of the shredder for guiding stalks between the rollers, a blade assembly mounted on the frame over the rollers and operatively associated with the rollers for cutting roots and stalks lifted by the rollers, and a plow assembly mounted on the frame and provided with a fin assembly for facilitating use of the shredder to re-shape a bed being cleared. A bed re-shaping assembly is mounted at the rear end of the shredder frame for covering over shredded crop residue deflected down into the bed by a deflector shield also arranged at the rear of the shredder frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1977
    Inventor: Aldo Ruozi