Abstract: A suspension rail type greenhouse comprehensive information automatic cruise monitoring device, includes a sliding rail a sliding platform, and a lifting and lowering mechanism suspended on a greenhouse truss; a multi-sensor system which includes a binocular vision multifunctional camera, a laser ranging sensor, an infrared temperature measuring sensor, an illumination intensity sensor, and a temperature and humidity sensor, and an electronically controlled rotary pan-tilt mounted below the lifting and lowering mechanism of the sliding platform; a detection azimuth overlooks plant canopies; and a multi-sensor system configured to perform stationary point detection on the plant canopies one by one along planting lines of plants under the driving of the sliding platform.

Abstract: A system for preventing material accumulation relative to an agricultural implement may include a ground engaging tool supported on an agricultural implement and a controller configured to determine a presence of excessive residue across a forward portion of the field forward of the ground engaging tool based at least in part residue data associated with an amount of residue across a forward portion of the field. The controller may initiate a control action associated with adjusting an operating parameter of the ground engaging tool such that the amount of residue incorporated into the field by the ground engaging tool is reduced across a section of the field having excessive residue to reduce a likelihood of material accumulation relative to the ground engaging tool as it passes across the section of the field.

Abstract: A parallel travel work system for an autonomous travel work vehicle, an accompanying travel work vehicle accompanying the autonomous travel work vehicle, and a remote controller for communicating with the autonomous travel work vehicle. The remote controller creates a first preset travel path for the autonomous travel work vehicle and a second preset travel path for the accompanying travel work vehicle travels. The autonomous travel work vehicle is equipped with: a position calculator for calculating a position of the autonomous travel work vehicle using a satellite positioning system, a steering actuator for operating a steering device of the autonomous travel work vehicle, a transceiver for communicating with the remote controller, and a control device for controlling the position calculator, the steering actuator and the transceiver. With the control device, the autonomous travelling of the autonomous travel work vehicle is carried out along the first preset travel path.

Abstract: A greenhouse information automatic monitoring method, adopting a multi-sensor system, using binocular vision multi-function cameras combining with a laser ranging sensor and an infrared temperature measuring sensor, realizing online patrol monitoring of greenhouse crop comprehensive information of image and infrared temperature characteristics of plant nutrition, water, pest and disease damage as well as plant crown width, plant height, fruit and growth characteristics. The multi-sensor system is mounted on a suspension slide platform and combines with a lifting mechanism and an electric control rotation pan-tilt, such that not only accurate positioning and stationary point detection in the detection travelling direction can be realized, but also multi-sensor information patrol detection at different detection distances, different top view fields and different detection angles is realized.

Abstract: An implement operating apparatus has a U-shaped drive frame supported on drive wheels, each pivotally mounted about a vertical wheel pivot axis. A steering control selectively pivots each drive wheel. A power source is connected through a drive control to rotate the drive wheels in either direction. First and second implements are configured to perform implement operations and to rest on the ground and when the drive frame is maneuvered to an implement loading position with respect to each implement, the implement is connectable to the drive frame and movable to an operating position supported by the drive frame. When the implement is in the operating position, the steering and drive controls are operative to move and steer the drive frame and implement along a first travel path or a second travel path oriented generally perpendicular to the first travel path.

Abstract: A row frame is coupled to the rear member. A first opener is configured to open the soil; the first opener is supported by or from a first support extending downward from the frame member. A first outlet is configured to dispense or apply a nutrient strip. A laterally movable carrier is associated with the row frame. The carrier supports the first opener and the first outlet. A second outlet can dispense or plant seed, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet have a lateral separation that is dynamically adjustable during the simultaneous application of seed and the nutrient strip.

Abstract: A mowing vehicle provided with a traveling machine and a mowing device includes a first image-capturing device and a controlling unit configured to control the traveling machine to travel autonomously along a boundary line of grass before and after mowing formed by the mowing device. The controlling unit includes a boundary-detecting unit configured to detect the boundary line and a traveling-controlling unit configured to control traveling directions of the traveling machine. The boundary-detecting unit is configured to generate intensity distribution information regarding texture information in a predetermined direction by filtering with a Gabor filter on a captured image. The boundary-detecting unit is configured to carry out statistical processing on the intensity distribution information per inspection area divided in plural in a vertical direction so as to detect boundary points and to detect the boundary line from the boundary points per the inspection area.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a truck-mounted concrete pump comprising a concrete-distributing boom which is constituted by a plurality of folding boom arms and rotationally mounted on a slewing gear on a chassis, and a tilt sensor for detecting a tilt of the truck-mounted concrete pump. According to this disclosure, the truck-mounted concrete pump is provided with a safety device which restricts the operating range of the concrete-distributing boom subject to a tilt of the pump, said safety device being coupled to the tilt sensor. The safety device is designed to limit the slewing motion on the slewing gear and/or the swiveling motion of at least one boom arm.

Abstract: An implement for cultivating a field is connected to a self-propelled vehicle that is steered automatically along a first reference path by a steering control unit. The implement is guided in a lateral direction with respect to the vehicle along a second reference path by an implement position control unit by means of an actuator. The steering control unit steam the vehicle in dependence on the position of the actuator at the time.

Abstract: An agricultural access system is described. The system may utilize a plurality of supports, including posts, cables, beams, and so forth to displace an access component. Control systems, sensors, delivery mechanisms, and other functions may be integrated with the system or access components. Some embodiments may include multiple cells with access components configured to interact with adjacent access components. Methods of accessing an agricultural area are also disclosed.

Abstract: An agricultural access system is described. The system may utilize a plurality of supports, including posts, cables, beams, and so forth to displace an access component. Control systems, sensors, delivery mechanisms, and other functions may be integrated with the system or access components. Some embodiments may include multiple cells with access components configured to interact with adjacent access components. Methods of accessing an agricultural area are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a guidance system for guiding a towed agricultural implement such as seeders, planters, sprayers and the like, along a preferred path between rows of growing crop or standing stubble by sensing the rows of growing crop or standing stubble with a uniquely designed paddle-like sensor means which does not engage the ground.

Abstract: A curb shoe assembly for street grading and curb formation is provided. The curb shoe assembly includes a channel member having a front side, a back side, a bottom side and a central trough sized for receiving the bottom edge of a construction vehicle mow blade. The curb shoe further includes a grading blade which extends downward from the bottom side of the channel member. The grading blade includes a laterally extending portion and an angled portion. The angled portion includes a vertically extending edge for confronting a curb shoulder. Preferably, the angled portion is removable for replacement due to damage. The curb shoe includes a pair of straps for affixing the curb shoe's channel member to a mow blade. In addition, the curb shoe assembly includes a shoe having a horizontally extending plate. The horizontally extending plate is positioned adjacent to the grading blade so as to rest upon a street curb during operation.

Abstract: A rubber tired railway plow (100) has a plow unit (102) mounted to a plate (111) which extends across the forward end of the rubber tired vehicle (100). The plow unit (102) is attached so as to be movable on the plate (111). Wedges (122, 123) are used to maintain the plow unit (102) in position on the plate (111). When the wedges (122, 123) are removed, the plow unit (102) is movable on the plate (111) from one side of the vehicle (100) to the opposite side thereby to be able to plow on either side of the rails (141).

Abstract: A device for guiding farm equipment is disclosed. This device includes two trench forming chisel type devices attached to the planter or the initial implement used to set up the rows in a row type crop. These trenches are formed generally spaced to match the front wheels of the tractor on its next trip down the field. The tractor is subsequently supplied with a front mounted framework fastened to the front axle of the tractor. This framework supports two trench following lenticular discs capable of supporting a substantial amount of the tractors front weight. These discs may further be formed with a central rib. These trenches may be used in subsequent operations with implements of a smaller size by making the framework adjustable so as to allow the trench following discs to be placed at different widths as well as supplying structure for raising and lowering each guide independently.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reconditioning the ground area of an arena in a riding hall or in an open riding course, which the device comprises a chassis which spans the breath of the ground area and can be moved lengthwise backwards and forwards. The chassis comprises vertically adjustable tools for preparing and leveling the ground area while the chassis is moving, with a device for dampening the ground area from a low level.

Abstract: A guidance system for an implement drawn by a tractor with the implement being interconnected to the tractor by a conventional hitch. An elongated arm or support is pivotally secured, about a vertical axis, to the implement adjacent one end thereof and extends forwardly therefrom. A pair of gauge wheels are rotatably mounted on the forward end of the arm and are adapted to follow along the opposite sides of a ridge of the row. A ground engaging coulter is supported on the elongated arm and as the elongated arm pivots with respect to the implement, as the implement moves out of proper alignment with the rows, the coulter tends to steer the implement back into proper alignment with the rows and provides further resistance to the lateral movement of the gauge wheels with respect to the ridge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a quick hitch guidance system which allows an operator to maintain proper alignment with a farm implement while towing it behind a tractor. The device includes an exterior inverted U-shaped frame with an external quick hitch coupling element. Within the frame there is attached a double rod hydraulic cylinder which operatively moves internal linkage within the frame so that the distance between the device and the tractor is increased on one side and decreased on the other thereby steering the implement into proper alignment. The implement moves independent of the tractor so that as the tractor deviates laterally from alignment with the crop rows, the position of the implement is corrected and aligned with the rows to prevent crop damage.

Abstract: A row cultivator (10) includes a row following system (12) coupled to a toolbar (13) employing frame members (17) and (18) constrained to remain parallel by a cross member (21). Coulter wheels (30) and (31) secured to the frame members (17) and (18) are non-steerable and tool bar drift may be corrected. A tool (40) employs a leading blade (44) and a pair of diverging cutting blades (47) and (48) trailing behind the leading blade (44). A sheer release assembly employs a longitudinally extending bolt (70) centrally disposed and holding a shank (61) to a tool bar (65) so that when a tool on the shank (61) strikes an underground obstacle the bolt (70) is sheared longitudinally.

Abstract: An adjustable row following guidance device for a tractor drawn row crop implement, includes a main support member disposed substantially transverse to the direction of travel of the implement as pulled by the tractor and having a first side and a second side, a first crank arm-assembly being releasably attachable to either of the first side and the second side, a second crank arm assembly being releasably attachable to either of the second side and the first side, the attachment of the crank arm assemblies to the main support member forming a generally inverted U-shape, each crank arm assembly including a laterally offset configuration, so that when the first crank arm assembly is attached to the first end, and the second crank arm assembly is attached to the second end, the device has a first implement width, and when the first and second crank arm assemblies are reversed on the main support member, the device has a second implement width, each crank arm assembly further including a forward portion with a t

Abstract: A turn mechanism for a front end rotable tined garden tiller with the capability of tilling closely to plants with minimal effort. It is comprised of a sturdy main frame, a depth regulator, two connectors with bolt holes in them which is used to connect the mechanism to the tiller, two wheel frames with a tongue on them, a tye bar for connecting the wheel frames together, and a shoulder bolt. When the shoulder bolt is down it locks the wheels in a horizontal line with the tiller and makes them stationary. When the bolt is raised up and a sleeve is pushed under the shoulder of the pin, it unlocks the wheels and by moving the handles to the right or left, the rotable tines can be turned as close to or as far away from the plants being tilled as desired. By moving the handles to the left or right the tiller will turn in a complete circle, making for a smaller turning area.

Abstract: A guidance system for an implement drawn by a tractor with the implement being interconnected to the tractor by a guidance hitch which moves the implement laterally with respect to the tractor to maintain the implement in proper alignment with the rows of the field. An elongated arm is pivotally secured, about a vertical axis, to the implement adjacent one end thereof and extends forwardly therefrom. A pair of gauge wheels are rotatably mounted on the forward end of the arm and are adapted to follow along the opposite sides of a ridge of the row. The pivotal connection between the arm and the tool bar is effected by an angle sensing shaft extending from a guidance sensor.

Abstract: A guidance system for an implement drawn by a tractor with the implement being interconnected to the tractor by a guidance hitch which moves the implement laterally with respect to the tractor to maintain the implement in proper alignment with the rows of the field. An elongated arm is pivotally secured, about a vertical axis, to the implement adjacent one end thereof and extends forwardly therefrom. A pair of gauge wheels are rotatably mounted on the forward end of the arm and are adapted to follow along the opposite sides of a ridge of the row. The pivotal connection between the arm and the tool bar is effected by an angle sensing shaft extending from a guidance sensor.

Abstract: A guide rod assembly is mounted on the front end of a tractor with the guide rods closely adjacent the front wheels and the crop rows to transmit steering signals to a steering guidance system. The pair of guide rods pivot from a downwardly extending parallel position upwardly toward a raised closed collapsed transport position. When the guide rods reach a horizontal position, continued upward movement by the lift arms cause the guide rods to pivot inwardly toward each other to a collapsed transport position eliminating interference with the steerable tractor front wheels.

Abstract: A sensor used to sense a path in a cultivated field is attached to a tractor. The sensor is stabilized to prevent the sensor from bouncing. The stabilizer may take the form of a coulter. In other cases the sensor and the stabilizer may be combined in the form of a heavy, massive sensor. The preferred form of the stabilizer is a flexible drag strip behind the sensor. A roller chain forms a suitable drag strip.

Abstract: A guidance system for an agricultural tractor includes a furrow feeler which depends from a horizontal shaft so that the shaft rotates about a horizontal axis aligned with the direction of draft. Misalignment causes rotation of the horizontal shaft, which through arms and switches causes an electric motor to turn in a first or second direction as is appropriate to cause the tractor to follow the furrow. The motor is connected by suitable transmission to a yieldable tire which engages the steering wheel of the tractor so that rotation of the tire from the motor will cause the tractor to be steered from the steering wheel. A gauge wheel forms a track furrow so that in future operations, the tractor follows the precise path as before.

Abstract: An attachment accessory for an angularly adjustable agricultural implement guidance system that allows guidance of a pull-type implement thereby. A plurality of rotatable coulters which engage the ground are attached to a rigid frame which is connected to the guidance mechanism and tows a pull-type implement.

Abstract: An agricultural implement guidance system having a sensing apparatus and sensing apparatus brackets. The sensing apparatus brackets have an offset configuration so that the brackets form a V-shape when the brackets are attached to the support rod. The sensing apparatus is attached to the lower portion of the brackets and is a flexible material which will follow the valley between the ridges or a furrow created by a row marker on a planter.

Abstract: A guide and control device for an agricultural machine subjected in operation to a high lateral thrust in relation to its direction of traction, such as a disk-type stubble-plough includes a guide and control system having at the front, a set of freely oscillating twin wheels the orientation of which for a change from a road-travel position to a soil-working position is controlled from a bar for coupling to a tractor. A carrying wheel is arranged in a central part of the frame, and at the rear thereof are arranged freely oscillating twin carrying wheels and furrow wheels controllable simultaneously from their road-travel position to their working position, and vice versa. The multiplicity of carrying wheels guarantees that sufficient grip with the soil is maintained permanently, thus preventing any lateral slip of the machine during passage over a movable obstacle, this also being assisted by the automatic orientation of the twin wheels by means of their freely oscillating mounting.

Abstract: An agricultural implement guidance control system has a counterbalanced sensing wand assembly. The wand position sensing assembly is designed to compensate for the adverse effects of operations on a field which has a side slope, i.e., slopes to the left or right of the implement as it travels in the field. Without the counterbalanced wand position sensing assembly, the wands would pivot toward the downhill side of the implement as a result of gravity acting upon the wands. Specifically, the wand position sensing assembly is designed so that the weight of the wand bracket assembly counterbalances the weight of the wands on the pivot point which is established by the rotating shaft. The wand position sensing assembly can also include a variable compensation assembly which permits the operator to adjust the counterbalance effect. The variable compensation assembly includes a shaft, a counterweight and a retention unit. The shaft is attached to the center of the U-shaped rod support.

Abstract: A ridge tillage attachment includes springs associated with a linkage which guides a tool and wheel support beam for vertical movement, the springs being mounted within the linkage envelop to provide a compact arrangement and being operative to apply required forces to to a tool and wheels carried by the beam, while facilitating disassembly of the attachment when desired. The attachment also includes a structure which securely connects wheel axles to the support beam with a clamping action while being adjustable to provide a large range of relative positional values.

Abstract: A field planting system for use in conjunction with large span and wheel tower irrigation apparatus to place seed in a field across a number of rows simultaneously. Seed is suspended uniformly in a gel solution and injected into a stream of carrier water. The seeds, suspended in water, travel in piping separate from irrigation piping to a manifold suspended from the overhead span section. Each manifold distributes seed and carrier water to a plurality of drop tubes. A tube valve locate in each drop tube is closed to permit the manifold to be charged with seeds and water under pressure. Once the manifold is charged, the tube valves open simultaneously and the water and seed discharges from the manifold through drop tubes to a planting shoe. The planting shoe includes a forward nozzle to emit a high pressure stream of water to excavate a small trench or furrow into which the seed is dispensed.

Abstract: Self-propelled sod harvesting apparatus for cutting sod from a field into strips and stacking the sod on pallets. The apparatus includes a magazine storage area for pallets, a pallet loading area, and mechanism for transferring a pallet from the storage area to the loading area. A conveyor carries each cut sod strip to a platform and causes the sod to be rolled, and a stacking mechanism is used to collect rolls from the platform and stack them on the pallet. When the pallet is loaded it is discharged onto the ground and a fresh pallet is transferred from the storage area to the loading area. Only one person is required to operate the apparatus.

Abstract: An agricultural machine for smoothing ruts, such as are produced in a field by center pivot sprinkler irrigation systems, comprises a pair of rotary tillers arranged in a unique frame for traveling over and along respectively opposite sides of the rut as such tillers are rotated toward each other to break up clods of soil ridged above the rut at opposite sides thereof and to largely fill and smooth the rut. A guide shoe carried by the frame midway between the rotary tillers is preferably provided to travel along the rut and maintain the rotary tillers at proper working positions, and a hood with outriggered side walls hinged thereto for outward swinging movement preferably covers the rotary tillers.

Abstract: A guidance system for a tractor drawn farm implement for providing an indication to the operator of the tractor as to variance of the implement from a desired course includes a pair of horizontally extending feeler rods supported by a shaft and having free ends extending in a parallel spaced relation to sense the crop and rotate the shaft if the implement veers off course. A light sensitive photopotentiometer coupled to the shaft has its output voltage varied as a function of the angular position of the shaft. A signal processing circuit responds to variation in the voltage of the light sensitive photopotentiometer to drive the needle of an analog meter to indicate the direction and amount of deviation of the implement from the desired course, the meter being mounted on the tractor and within the line of sight of the operator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a planter guide attachment designed to hold and align conventional corn, soybean planters, or other units on the upper area of a ridge of soil formed by previous cultivation-ridging processes as known in Ridge-Till farming. The unit provides a mounting shaft having a pair of coned blades mounted thereon to allow the tapered faces of the disc blades to hug the sides of the ridges for proper planter alignment. The shaft blade construction is hingedly attached to a mounting bar which is vertically adjustably attached to a tool bar extending transversely of the rear of a towing vehicle for mounting a plurality of guide units thereon. A knee spring-action mechanism is provided to load the shaft, disc structure to maintain the same in ground contacting position, and allow the same to override obstacles that may be in the ridge, and thereafter return the same into ground-contacting position along the sides of the ridge.

Abstract: A method of guiding farm equipment is provided. The method includes the steps of attaching a trench forming device to a tractor in front of the rear wheels of the tractor, traversing ground with the tractor equipped with the trench forming device set to a desired depth, forming a trench for guiding farm equipment in front of the rear wheels of the tractor as the tractor traverses the ground, engaging guide wheels attached to the farm equipment in the trench, and guiding the farm equipment by tracking a path provided by the trench. A trench forming device is also provided. The trench forming device includes a trench forming mechanism for forming a trench in ground traversed by a tractor equipped with the trench forming device.

Abstract: Stabilizng arms are applied to an agricultural tractor having a three point hitch with a quick hitch frame. Specifically, a belly plate is added to the frame beams about half way between the front axle and the rear axle. A horizontal frame draw bar extends from the belly plate to a pivot pin mounted by a clamp below the rear axle housing. The stabilizing arms extend from the pivot pin below the axle housing back to a quick hitch frame pin, which is an extension of the quick hitch pin and extends outboard of the quick hitch frame on each side thereof. A cross brace extends between the stabilizing arms to form a rigid stabilizing frame. Because the pivot pin below the axle is not coaxial with the pin by which the normal draft links are connected to the differential housing of the tractor, it is necessary that the stabilizing arms be pivoted so that the quick hitch frame can be mounted to have its normal motion to raise and lower the tillage implements connected to the quick hitch frame.

Abstract: An appaatus is provided for automatically longitudinally shifting a horizontal transverse tool bar and the tillage unit or units supported therefrom relative to the lift hitch of a tractor from which the tool bar is supported responsive to crop row sensing structure sensing misalignment of the tillage unit relative to an associated crop row whereby to reestablish proper alignment of the tillage unit relative to the crop row and the crop row position sensing structure is adjustable for crop row width, elevation of the sensing structure relative to the tillage unit and also in a manner to adapt the crop sensing unit for sensing the stems or stalks of a row crop or opposite sides of an earth ridge in which a row crop is growing or is to be planted.

Abstract: A vehicle guidance system which monitors the path of a towed farm implement with respect to a track provided by a previously cut furrow and provides visual cues to the towing tractor operator to maintain the path of the towed implement parallel to the track of the previously cut furrow at a constant, predetermined distance regardless of the path of the tractor towing the implement. The guidance system includes an elongated metal sled runner which is mounted on a doubly articulated carriage device. The sled runner rides in a previously cut furrow and closes an appropriate microswitch if the towed implement veers from the desired path.

Abstract: A ridge tillage attachment for conventional row-crop planters for use in minimum tillage planting on row ridges is disclosed. This ridge tillage attachment includes a tool portion and a linkage portion. The linkage portion has a parallelogram linkage support system and is attached to the planter. The tool portion is detachable from the linkage portion and is in the form of a tool support beam with guide wheels, cutting discs and sweep plates mounted thereto. The linkage portion of the unit is designed so that it can remain attached to the planter after the tool portion has been detached. An adjustable compression spring down-pressure system acts directly above the tillage implements to apply maximum down pressure. The guide wheels can be adjusted relative to the tool support beam by a height adjustment structure located directly above the wheels. The cutter discs are slightly offset to prevent plugging between them and to facilitate penetration of the soil.

Abstract: A mower for mowing under fences or guardrails and the like has trailer mounted multiple rotary mower units including a first multiple blade unit for rotating on a vertical axis around posts and for mowing under and behind the fence or guardrail and a single rotary mower unit for mowing under the fence or guardrail on the inside. Both units having vertical and horizontal movements to desired positions adjacent to and under the guardrail or fence. The trailer is steered automatically parallel to the fence or guardrail being mown by a spring-loaded steering axle and steering linkage including a pressure wheel running against the guardrail or fence. The inside and outside mowers can be rotated into travel positions so the entire unit can be towed by tractor, truck, or other vehicle upon highways.

Abstract: An improved pavement extractor is disclosed herein which comprises a completely self-contained unit for removal of pavement in a situation where a new pavement is to be created. The device includes a combination of rippers and a hold-down pressure plate which efficiently extracts the pavement from the sub-base, a control chamber where the extracted pavement is led from the rippers and the hold-down pressure plate, which control chamber has located therein a pair of opposed rollers which controllably hold the pavement while a beater mechanism beats off pieces of the pavement of predetermined adjustable size. From the beater mechanism, the extracted pavement is conveyed to an elevator mechanism included in the device which conveys the now beaten small size pieces of pavement up to a sufficiently high level so as to enable the loading thereof into a vehicle such as a dump truck.

Abstract: In a particular species of the preferred embodiment, the invention contemplates a land traveller such as a farm tractor pulling a passive load such as a plough, disc or the like. A control device for directing or controlling the path of travel of the vehicle over a field, and also regulating or controlling the depth of penetration of the plough or disc into the surface of the ground according to a predetermined depth irrespective of the terrain profile. The path control system consists of locating in a predetermined way, a track whose position is sensed by an electromagnet, and the relative position of the magnet is sensed by appropriate devices such as resistence measuring devices (strain gauges or variable resistors or reostats), photoelectric devices whose values are decoded through a microprocessor whereby steering of the prime mover along the predetermined path is maintained.

Abstract: A large coulter is laterally rigidly connected to a tractor. The coulter prevents lateral shifts and jerks of the tractor, thereby eliminating the tractor as a source of lateral shifts of drafted earthworking equipment. When also laterally rigidly connected to the drafted implement, the coulter practically eliminates lateral shifts of the implement as well. On a first pass, such as when plowing furrows to form beds for row crops, the coulter cuts a slot in the ground. During subsequent passes, driving the tractor over the same pairs of furrows, the coulter tracks this slot, causing the drafted earthworking implement to follow a path matching that of the implements used on the first pass. A draft member and the coulter frame also connect the drafting force exerted by the implement at a point on the tractor forward of the tractor rear axles, thus enhancing draft capabilities and fuel efficiency of the tractor while retaining the conventional rear hitch, and stabilizing the tractor as described above.

Abstract: A row following guidance device connecting the right and left ends of the forward portion of a row crop implement to a tractor will adjust the length of each left and right connection as the tractor deviates laterally from alignment with the crop rows to correctively guide the implement in alignment with the crop rows. A row following wheel signals a steering valve upon any lateral deviation of the implement from crop row alignment, the steering valve correcting the deviation by lengthening one connection between the tractor and the implement and shortening the other. The row following wheel is mounted for movement independent of the implement so that the implement may be raised or lowered without affecting the operation of the wheel.

Abstract: An attachment associated with a tractor mounted implement to enable the implement to be accurately located with respect to the ridges in a ridge planting system or the growing crop plants to more accurately plant or cultivate the ridges in a ridge planting system and more accurately cultivate growing crop plants. The attachment or row finder of the present invention is adapted for use with a three point hitch mounted implement or a tool bar mounted implement and senses where the ridge or crop plants are and adjusts the planter, cultivator or other implement to automatically center on the ridge or row of crop plants within a predetermined tolerance. The row finder utilizes the tractor hydraulic system and electrical system for electrically sensing where the ridges or row crop plants are and to center the implement in relation thereto.

Abstract: A robotic tractor that travels on rails forming a grid over a crop field and automatically performs tasks in the field is described. The tractor is supported on extendable legs that carry dual tandem perpendicular wheel sets. A rotary implement bed supported by the tractor is adapted to carry implements.

Abstract: The apparatus is of the kind comprising detectors (21,23) of deviation of vehicle positional parameters from a path which is fixed in advance providing electrical data which actuates a control device (14) connected to a steering device (7) for steering the steered wheels (2) of the vehicle. The problem to be solved is to avoid the influence of shocks and vibrations and reduce the interventions of the driver. To this end, the detectors comprise a travelled distance detector (21) and a detector (23) of the steered angle of a steered wheel that provide data to a comparator (28) which is also connected to a memory (30) storing positional data relating to a path to be followed, including a manually set device (43) for introducing the desired spacing between parallel passes.The invention is especially applicable to agricultural machines.

Abstract: A row following guidance device connecting the right and left ends of the forward portion of a row crop implement to a tractor will adjust the length of each left and right connection as the tractor deviates laterally from alignment with the crop rows to correctively guide the implement in alignment with the crop rows. A row following wheel signals a steering valve upon any lateral deviation of the implement from crop row alignment, the steering valve correcting the deviation by lengthening one connection between the tractor and the implement and shortening the other. The row following wheel is mounted for movement independent of the implement so that the implement may be raised or lowered without affecting the operation of the wheel.