Abstract: The invention relates to a soil-working device having an overload protection means, in the case of which overload protection means rebound energy is reduced after the soil-working device returns from an overload position to the working position.

Abstract: A device for folding the working tool of an agricultural machine, specifically a device for folding the working tool (1) of an agricultural machine and protecting the working tool from over-strain. The device is mounted on a frame (7) of the agricultural machine. The working tool (1) is swivel-mounted with its back against an overloading force, which creates at least one swivel mounted protection from an over-strain protection device (2). On the working tool (1) the upper pivoting part (5) and the lower pivoting part (6) are mounted. On the frame (7) are mounted the upper pivoting part (8) and the lower pivoting part (9). The upper pivoting part (5) of the working tool (1) is connected to the lower pivoting part (9) of the frame (7) by a drawbar (3). The lower pivoting part (6) of the working tool (1) is connected to the upper pivoting part (8) of the frame (7) by a second drawbar (4).

Abstract: A planting row unit is attachable to a towing frame and is movable in a forward direction on a field having soil of varying hardness conditions. The planting row unit includes an opener device forward of the towing frame for preparing the soil for receiving at least one of the fertilizer and the seeds. The opener device includes a soil-hardness sensor for detecting changes in soil-hardness conditions and an opener blade for maintaining, in response to the changes, a constant soil-penetration depth Z in the soil independent of the varying hardness conditions. A modular actuator is mounted to the opener device for applying pressure to the opener blade, the modular actuator being mountable to at least one other component of the planting row unit for applying pressure.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes at least one row unit having a plurality of support members, each of which is pivotably coupled to an attachment frame or another of the support members to permit vertical pivoting vertical movement of the support members, and a plurality of soil-engaging tools, each of which is coupled to at least one of the support members. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders are coupled to the support members for urging the support members downwardly toward the soil. A plurality of controllable pressure control valves are coupled to the hydraulic cylinders for controlling the pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied to the cylinders. A plurality of sensors produce electrical signals corresponding to predetermined conditions, and a controller is coupled to the sensor and the controllable pressure control valves. The controller receives the electrical signals from the sensors and produces control signals for controlling the pressure control valves.

Abstract: A tillage apparatus includes a trip linkage selectively configured as a spring biased trip linkage, a spring toggle trip linkage, or a shear bolt trip linkage and mounted between a toolbar bracket and a shank member wherein the trip linkage is selected to allow shaft member to pivot upwardly responsive to variable excessive draft force.

Abstract: A ground working apparatus has a plow assembly including a frame formed with an attached runner and a plow tool. A linkage assembly couples the frame to a bridle assembly for movement of the plow assembly between raised and lowered positions relative to the bridle assembly. The runner and the plow tool depend downwardly from the frame to concurrently run over and plow, respectively, ground to be plowed along a plowing path ahead of the bridle assembly and the plow assembly, wherein the runner sets the frame of the plow assembly at a fixed elevated position with respect to the ground to be plow.

Abstract: A mounting device for a tillage assembly that comprises a resilient element and a horizontal pivot axis, which allows upward and rearward deflection of a tillage blade in response to impact with obstacles. the assembly advantageously allows lateral deflection of at least a support arm of the assembly in response to impact with obstacles, which may be enhanced by providing the assembly with a pivot means having a resilient bushing. The resilient element and/or the resilient bushing may comprise elastomeric materials.

Abstract: A wing extension for a plow blade is disclosed which comprises an extension plow blade having a plow surface for plowing a desired material; and mounting means for pivotally mounting the extension plow blade to an existing plow blade. The extension plow blade is pivotable from a first use position in alignment with the existing plow blade to a second rearwardly deflected position on contact with an immovable object. A biasing member, such as a torsion spring, is provided for biasing the extension plow blade in the first use position.

Abstract: Disclosed are mounting means for agricultural tools, for example tillage assemblies, that comprise a resilient element and a horizontal pivot axis. This allows upward and rearward deflection of a tillage blade of the assembly in response to impact with obstacles. Tillage implements comprising the foregoing assemblies are also disclosed. In certain embodiments, the assemblies advantageously allow lateral deflection of at least a support arm of the assembly in response to impact with obstacles, which may be enhanced by providing a pivot means of the assembly with a resilient bushing. The resilient element and/or the resilient bushing may comprise elastomeric materials.

Abstract: A furrow opener device includes a disc arranged to open a primary furrow in the ground. A scraper body has a leading scraper edge supported alongside the disc to scrape the disc. A wing member is supported on a bottom portion of the scraper body in proximity to a bottom end of the disc and extends laterally outwardly away from the disc so as to be arranged to open a groove in the primary furrow projecting laterally to one side of the primary furrow, and a tube extends generally downward to an output opening located adjacent the wing member and is arranged for depositing product into the groove. A packer wheel is arranged in a first configuration where depth of disc penetration is gauged by a gauge wheel adjacent to the furrow opener and in a second configuration in which depth is gauged by the packer wheel.

Abstract: A ground engaging apparatus (10) has a support plate (50) pivotally attached to a frame (100); a pair of arms (30, 40) interconnecting the support plate (50) and a shank support (60), which supports a shank (70) and ground follower (90) and first and second biasing rams or springs (200, 300), to maintain the ground follower (90); against the ground (91) but allow controlled break out of a ground opening, or tillage, tool (81) if an obstruction is engaged.

Abstract: In certain embodiments a soil aerator may include a hinged frame assembly that cooperates with one or more weight transferring systems adapted to permit an aeration subassembly to lift off the ground when an aeration tine impacts a hard obstacle such as a rock in the soil. The weight transferring systems may in the preferred embodiments be calibrated so that only minimal upward force, such as that caused by impact of an aeration tine with a rock, may cause the aeration subassembly to lift thereby significantly reducing or preventing damage to the aeration tines and drive assemblies and substantially prolonging the life of the aerator.

Abstract: In certain embodiments a soil aerator may include a hinged frame assembly that cooperates with one or more weight transferring systems adapted to permit an aeration subassembly to lift off the ground when an aeration tine impacts a hard obstacle such as a rock in the soil. The weight transferring systems may in the preferred embodiments be calibrated so that only minimal upward force, such as that caused by impact of an aeration tine with a rock, may cause the aeration subassembly to lift thereby significantly reducing or preventing damage to the aeration tines and drive assemblies and substantially prolonging the life of the aerator.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for forming a furrow in a soil, is described and which includes a rotatable shank; a resilient, movement limiting member disposed in force transmitting relation relative to the rotatable shank; and a pair of wheels mounted for earth engaging movement, and respectively positioned on the opposite sides of the rotatable shank, and wherein the pair of wheels are positioned substantially laterally outwardly and rearwardly of an intended direction of movement of the shank.

Abstract: A compression system for a dual material delivery assembly for mounting on a frame alongside a plurality of similar assemblies is described. The assembly includes a furrowing knife for producing a furrow in the ground as it is towed across the ground. A fertilizer tube is mounted behind the furrowing knife. A seed dispensing tube provided is for depositing seed in the furrow behind the fertilizer knife offset to one side and above the fertilizer. A packer wheel is attached to the seed tube assembly. The fertilizer knife and the seed tube assembly are separately mounted on a bracket attached to the implement frame for pivotal movement about a common pivot Two separate cylinders are provided to apply a separate force on the furrowing element and the packer wheel. The cylinders of each of the assemblies are commonly connected for common adjustment on the frame or on the go on a tractor towing the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for removing snow from a travel surface, including a wear member movably connected to a main blade or wing blade. In some embodiments, a fastener connected to the wear member extends through an aperture in the blade and is biased in a downward direction by a biasing mechanism connected to the blade. The biasing mechanism can include a spring, brackets retaining the spring in position with respect to the blade, and a shaft connected to the fastener and to the spring to exert a biasing force (e.g., a downward force) upon the fastener and therefore upon the wear member. The wear member can pivot about a pivot point while the biasing member biases the wear member against the travel surface.

Abstract: A spring trip shank assembly with a fixed downstop includes a pivot area with an eccentric mechanism for varying the location of the shank pivot relative to the downstop so that shank position and tool pitch can be adjusted without need to change downstop location. A bushing with an eccentric bore and a keyway receives a threaded bolt with a mating key. A captive nut fastens the assembly in position for the desired shank pitch. Marks located on the mounting bracket and on the bolt head provide an easily readable indication of the selected pivot location so a plurality of the assemblies can be adjusted to the same pitch quickly and easily.

Abstract: An automatic spring-reset shank for agricultural use has a high retaining force and an improved trip clearance. The field use position of the shank is defined by a saddle in the mount weldment. The raised position of the shank is defined by the upper edge of a slot in a vertical guide plate for the shank assembly, located in the mounting weldment. The shank assembly pivots about a location which is below and forward of the transverse frame member or toolbar to which it is mounted. The action line of the spring is located at an angle of approximately 65° above the horizontal, and it is inclined rearwardly and upwardly, never crossing the horizontal axis (i.e., center) of the main pivot.

Abstract: A bedding plow suited for forestry planting operations includes a plow frame that is attached to a tractor or other tow vehicle. The frame holds a pair of trailing disk assemblies that are arranged along opposite longitudinal sides of the bed being plowed. A center-cut disk assembly is mounted pivotably to the frame between and forwardly of the trailing disk assemblies. A resilient biasing assembly such as a hydraulic or pneumatic relief mechanism interconnects an arm of the center-cut disk assembly and the frame. The resilient biasing device urges the center-cut disk assembly to engage the ground under normal circumstances and permits the disk assembly to retract upwardly and ride over obstructions that are encountered while the plow cultivates the bed.

Abstract: A spring trip standard for a tillage implement includes a coil spring freely compressed between an upper spring-abutting surface on the mounting bracket and a lower spring-abutting surface on a casting which is connected by a transverse pivot to the mounting bracket. A tool supporting shank is bolted to the casting and biased downwardly into a ground working position by the spring. The casting includes an integral downstop extending forwardly from the pivot. The downstop contacts the bottom of the bracket when the shank is in the ground working position so that a tension link between the bracket and casting is eliminated. A positive upstop limits upward pivoting of the casting to prevent spring breakage or permanent deformation of the spring. Shoulder areas on the casting contact rear edges of the mounting bracket to limit upward pivoting.

Abstract: A spring trip standard for a tillage implement includes a coil spring freely and solely compressed between an upper spring-abutting surface on the mounting bracket and a lower spring-abutting surface on a casting which is connected by a transverse pivot to the mounting bracket. A tool supporting shank is bolted to the casting and biased downwardly into a ground working position by the spring. The casting includes an integral stop extending forwardly from the pivot. The stop contacts the bottom of the bracket when the shank is in the ground working position so that a tension link between the bracket and casting is eliminated. A spring guide through the coils is also obviated. A relatively high initial trip force prevents unwanted tripping of the shank and prevents looseness in the shank pivot so the lateral position of the tool is maintained. The spring-abutting surface on the casting includes a spring receiving projection to help maintain the spring position relative to the shank.

Abstract: A spring trip standard for a tillage implement includes a coil spring compressed between an upper spring-abutting surface on the mounting bracket and a lower spring abutment surface on a casting which is connected by a transverse pivot to the mounting bracket. The casting includes an integral stop extending forwardly from the pivot and contacting the bottom of the bracket when the shank is in the ground working position so that a tension link between the bracket and casting is eliminated. The casting includes a spring abutment surface having a first portion which extends generally perpendicular to the spring axis to support the lowermost end of the spring when the shank is stopped in the normal working position. The opposite side of the spring abutment surface is angled relative to the first portion, and the lowermost coil of the compressed spring, when the standard is in the tripped position, abuts the opposite side to maintain the spring in a non-buckling state.

Abstract: A dredge having substantially a box-like shape, with an open front face and an open rear face, the rear face having a door hinged thereto and a lock member to hold the door in a locked position. An A-shaped frame member is pivotally secured to the front end of the dredge. Pivotable motion of the A-frame raises the front edge of the dredge over an obstruction. A pulley assembly is secured to the rear top end of the dredge, and a cable from the A-frame is placed over the pulley when the A-frame is to be pivoted to raise the dredge. A door is hinged to the rear side of the dredge. A locking hinge is secured to the rear of the dredge to lock the door in a closed position. The locking hinge includes a pivoting edge, which engages the top edge of the door, and a rectangular bar secured under the locking hinge. The rectangular bar has a width greater than the height so that rotation of the bar produces a pivoting motion of the locking hinge to unlock the door.

Abstract: A breakaway system which is easily reset by a user and does not utilize shear pins or spring loaded tension devices. The inventive device includes a support member having a U-shaped cross-sectional area, an inner member attached to the support member, an outer member pivotally attached to the support member opposite of the inner member, a lip portion attached to the outer member which projects through an opening with the support member, and a spring leveraged arm pivotally attached to the inner member containing a roller opposite thereof which engages a swaged face of the lip portion. The lip portion preferably has a ramped face opposite of the swaged face which allows the lip portion to be reset behind the roller of the arm without requiring the replacement of any components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shankless strip tillage tool for no-till preparation of surface soil for the planting of seeds. The strip tillage apparatus has a frame for mounting the apparatus to a tool bar mounted on a draft vehicle. The frame has a pivotally mounted tandem walking beam with a pair of angled coulters rotably mounted on the walking beam for displacing soil. The angled coulters displace soil as they are pulled through the soil by the draft vehicle and urges the soil toward the center of the strip to accomplish the no-till preparation.

Abstract: A plow blade operating system having a plow or scraper is configured to quickly and retractably overcome obstacles that are encountered during plowing, scraping, and leveling activities without the need to recharge or reset the system pressure after the obstacles have been passed and which continually biases the plow or scraper downward against the road surface such that the plow or scraper will properly remove snow, sand, gravel, etc . . . from any dips or depressions in the road.

Abstract: A cable burying machine having three plow blades which are mounted on a rotating disk. The disk is restrained from movement in normal operation, but if the active plow blade encounters an obstacle which imposes more than a preset force on the blade, the disk will automatically rotate, preventing damage to the blade, and bringing the next blade into position. A remotely operable tripping mechanism can be used to reduce the amount of resistance to rotation which was preset, thereby allowing an operator on a surface vessel to command a plow rotation to remove debris from the active plow blade.

Abstract: A ground following opener is provided which includes a support frame, a parallelogram arrangement pivotably attached to the support frame, a tyne shank supported by the parallelogram arrangement and an opener supported at a free end of the tyne shank.

Abstract: A support for a seed firming wheel of an agricultural planter. The support comprises a forked frame, a C-shaped link pivotally coupled to the forked frame and a spring positioned between the link and forked frame. The forked frame has a seed tube guard portion, two rearwardly extending arms, and a cross member that form a seed tube opening for receiving a seed tube and maintaining it in the center of the seed planting furrow. The forked frame is also provided with a pivot assembly to which the C-shaped link is mounted. The seed firming wheel is rotatively mounted to the C-shaped link.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a mobile device that can be attached to the underside of existing mining machines thus eliminating the large number of ground levelling machines used in the mine, and increasing both air quality and worker productivity. This device, attached to the underside of a mining machine, making it possible to level areas that are inaccessible to conventional graders, and is specially designed for use in such places. Its low profile allows the invention to fit perfectly into the space available beneath such machines, in contrast to conventional equipment normally attached to graders, consisting of a vertical blade that is too large for the space between the front and rear wheels of a mining machine. Moreover, thanks to the positioning of its anchors, the invention adjusts automatically to ground conditions, in contrast to a vertical blade which must be adjusted regularly. Finally, the device requires no mechanical maintenance mad costs less than conventional graders.

Abstract: A ground leveler attachment for a ground working device comprises a bracket fastened to a shank supporting a ground breaking tool, a carrier arm connected to the bracket, a pair of leg supports in pivotal contact with the carrier arm, a pair of springs biasing the legs supports into pivotal contact with the carrier arm, a pair of leg members extending from the leg supports, and a pair of levelers rotatably mounted upon the leg members and biased into a ground engagement position by the springs. The levelers independently and resiliently retract upon contact with a relatively immoveable object or objects to avoid being broken off from the leg members or severely damaged beyond usefulness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grubber tine of a tubular cross-section which, as compared to known grubber tines, give reduced weight and larger flexure and vibrations when moved through the soil, which gives reduced tractive power. The grubber tine is adapted to escape obstacles within the soil in that the grubber tine is pivotally suspended on a shaft. Bosses are attached to the grubber tine through friction forces between the bosses and the grubber tine at a preferably conical contact face, achieved in that the bosses are pressed into holes in the wall of the grubber tine. In the working position, the grubber tine rests against a shaft and is kept in place by means of a safety bolt adapted to be stretched off upon the occurrence of overload. The safety bolt may be combined with a resilient member, such that the grubber tine to a certain degree may yield upon load and then return to working position.

Abstract: A plow blade assembly including a moldboard, displaceable trip cutting edge connected to the moldboard, a moldboard receiving surface attached to the backside of the moldboard, a trip cutting edge contact surface attached to the backside of the trip blade, and a spring for urging the trip blade into a forward position. The trip cutting edge mechanism, located at the bottom edge of the moldboard, holds the trip cutting edge rigid for plowing but will allow it to give way upon contact with any solid object. The braking mechanism provides a large surface area which protects the trip blade mechanism from damage when the trip blade "bottoms out.

Abstract: A double spring reset standard and spring bracket therefor particularly useful for intermediate tillage operations at depths of approximately 13 inches wherein high average draft loads are in the range of 2000 pounds. The moment arm that the springs must resist to keep the standard from tripping during normal operation is minimized by bringing the draft force line closer to the standard pivot. The spring bracket which must be able to resist extremely high torsional stresses is fabricated from 0.375 inch thick metal blanks in a single cold die operation and includes offsets and specially designed edge flanges to reduce edge stresses at the offset bends.

Abstract: A seed firming wheel assembly is supported in close-coupled relationship with the rear portion of the paired discs of an opener to gently press deposited seeds down into the bottom of a V-shaped trench formed by the discs. The mounting arm of the assembly is configured in a manner to minimize the accumulation of mud and trash residue, while the wheel itself may take the form of a solid, circular block of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene with slick sides to reduce soil adherence or a spoked, molded plastic wheel having open spaces between the spokes to permit soil pass-through.

Abstract: A reversible plow having a plurality of spring-biased trip assemblies for mounting moldboards to a tool bar, the trip assemblies having angled, elongate slots and a pivot pin extending therethrough and adapted to allow a tripped assembly to be reset without compressing a compression spring.

Abstract: An implement for agricultural field work is primarily useful for preparing a field for no-till planting and comprises a wheel carried frame for carrying a massive fertilizer hopper which has apertures in its bottom portion through which fertilizer flows at a metered rate into feed tubes which carry the fertilizer to furrows formed by double-disc ground openers mounted on the frame. The openers aerate the soil and chop crop residues remaining on the ground surface from the previous crop. Hoes attached to the openers draw a portion of the soil displaced from the furrows back into the furrows after the fertilizer is deposited therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for deep plowing highly compacted soil includes successively forming troughs of loosened soil immediately adjacent a previously formed trough. After each pass the plow leaves a trough of loosened soil having a transverse vertical profile (called a "fracture profile") in the general shape of a parallelogram with sides inclined upwardly and toward the unplowed ground. Each successive trough is formed by pulling a first set of point plows located on the unplowed side of said successive swath and at a depth of approximately one-half the desired depth to loosen soil in the upper portion of the fracture profile. A second point plow located to the rear of the first plows and at the desired depth is pulled approximately midway of the bottom of the fracture profile to loosen the remaining soil in the lower portion of the fracture profile.

Abstract: Normally, spring loaded trip mechanisms increase in resistance and pressure as they move rearwardly. This device includes a swing arm above the shank with a roller engaging the upper surface of the shank. The tension springs extend from the swing arm to the upper end of the shank arm near the pivot thereof to the frame and are adjustable so that the initial tripping pressure may be set. Once this pressure is reached, the shank and arm move rearwardly causing the roller and swing arm also to be forced rearwardly thereby extending the springs. The geometry of the swing arm and springs, together with the shank is such that once the tripping pressure is reached and the shank commences to move rearwardly, the resistance drops rapidly instead of increasing thus letting the arm clear the object without any increase of contact force. Once cleared, the springs return the shank to the working 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: This invention relates to an automatic release mechanism for a cultivator which provides good resistance to release of the shank holder and which upon release causes the shank holder to rise to a good height to clear obstacles encountered during operation of the cultivator. The shank holder is mounted so as to pivot about an axis and is retained in the working position by a pair of springs under tension, the forward end of the springs being mounted in front of and beneath the position of the pivot axis of the shank holder, and the moment arm of the springs is such that, as the shank holder pivots, the moment arm decreases resulting in the tangential force applied by the springs to the ground engaging tool about the pivot axis remaining substantially constant during pivoting of the shank holder to clear an obstacle.

Abstract: An agricultural implement such as a cultivator includes a support body and a ground treatment tool depending from the support body for pivotal movement forwardly to and rearwardly from a work position.Means is connected to the support body for biasing the tool to its work position. This biasing means and the ground treatment tool are pivotally coupled at spaced locations to a lever which slidably rests between such locations on a roller providing a fulcrum for the lever. As the tool retracts in response to a pre-determined resistance to its forward movement through or along the ground, it pulls the lever across and about the roller against the biasing means, resulting in relative movement of the fulcrum along the lever and consequent variation in the effective biasing force on the tool.

Abstract: A spring reset mechanism for a ground engaging tool includes a four-bar linkage mounting for the tool. A fixed cam surface is mounted to one of the links and a roller cam carried by a guide link is spring-biased against the cam surface to urge the tool into its working position. As the tool nears the limit of its raised position, a recess in the cam surface receives the roller to reduce the rate of spring compression and enable the tool to clear an obstruction without substantially increasing the resistance force. Further, as the tool raises, the resistance moment arm decreases which further facilitates clearing a large obstruction. The reset force characteristics may be changed by simple and economical design changes.

Abstract: A land plane for leveling or grading the surface of a land area. The plane includes a frame defined by a center section and end sections pivotally connected to the center section, with each connection permitting relative physical movement about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the plane. A first hydraulic system is provided for pivoting the end sections about their transverse axes for raising and lowering the center section with respect to ground level, wherein the system includes a device for equalizing fluid between hydraulic cylinders carried by the end sections to permit adjustment of the grader assembly with respect to ground level under different operating conditions.

Abstract: A dragged suction dredger, comprising a suction pipe provided with a dragged suction head having a housing with a recessed suction nozzle and a cutting tool extending, in the cutting position, into the ground and being pivotally mounted on the housing and being held in the cutting position by holding mechanism which will deflect at the transgression of a predetermined load of the cutting tool, has the object to avoid loss of time during the dredging operations and inefficient dredging. For this purpose the holding mechanism comprise at least one fluid cylinder for pushing the cutting tool after a deflection back into the cutting position or into the holding position respectively, the fluid pressure of said fluid cylinder being subjected to the action of a gas cushion.

Abstract: A row crop planter supports at least two vertical guide making blocks to form superficial trenches about four or five inches deep precisely midway between adjacent rows as they are planted. Tires with trench-riding central ridges on front wheels of a tractor powering a subsequent row crop processing implement along these rows serve to guide the tractor down the rows. Vertical guide following blocks on such a subsequent processing implement such as a cultivator, for example, find and follow exactly the previously formed trenches and so serve to guide cultivator blades to follow every minor deviation of the rows, even on hillsides causing the implement to be tilted transversely of the direction of movement of the implement down the rows. The depth of the guide trenches and the depth of penetration of the guide following blocks is determined by implement support wheels near those blocks.

Abstract: An implement having an elongated tool extendable into the subsoil to break up the hardpan and open the subsoil for moisture and tap roots of plants. The tool has orbital motion generated with power driven eccentric structures coupled to the tool. Power is applied to the eccentric structure with a gear box driven with a hydraulic motor. Flywheels are connected to the eccentric structures and the gear box drive shafts. Links connected to the tool and a frame carry a rolling coulter disc operable to cut a slit in the soil ahead of the tool. A hinge assembly having elastic members mounts the frame on a carriage. In one form, the carriage is pivotally mounted on a draft beam of a moldboard plow and biased to an earthworking position by a hydraulic cylinder. In a second form, the carriage is a plate which forms a part of a hitch assembly for connecting the implement to a three-point hitch of a draft tractor.

Abstract: A plow/harrow combination comprising a harrow member extending sidewardly from a plow blade, the harrow teeth having an elongated cross section with the cross-sectional length axis inclined in relationship to the direction of travel, thus creating a compensating force on the plow blade, the combination also including a release and reset mechanism, which, when the harrow member is obstructed by an object creating a load exceeding a predetermined level, causes the release of the harrow member from the original position and a pivoting movement of same in a substantially horizontal plane, the harrow member being automatically returned to the original position as soon as the load on the harrow member no longer exceeds the predetermined load.

Abstract: A resilient push dozer arrangement includes a push dozer transversely disposed at one end of a vehicle and a push arm rigidly secured to and extended from the dozer in juxtaposition to a longitudinally extending mounting frame of the vehicle. The distal end of the push arm is attached to the mounting frame through a device which permits limited longitudinal movement of the dozer relative to the mounting frame. An apparatus for cushioning the longitudinal movement of the push dozer toward the vehicle is provided so that the shock loads applied to the dozer are cushioned thereby and transmitted to the mounting frame at a point widely spaced from the attachment device.

Abstract: An operating and shock cylinder assembly for vehicle mounted underbody scraper and grader blades, plows and the like. The assembly of cylinders operates with hydraulic fluid and air, both under pressure, to move the blade or plow between retracted and road engaging positions. It also permits the blade to trip or yield when it engages a fixed obstacle in the road after which the blade quickly returns to its road engaging position. The assembly includes a pair of coacting cylinders which are first charged with air under pressure after which one of the cylinders is charged with hydraulic fluid under pressure. The hydraulic charge forces all of the air into the other cylinder and further compresses it, and this air operates as a powerful spring force or load on a piston in the cylinder that is connected to the pivotally mounted blade. Under this condition, the blade is firmly but yieldably biased into road engaging position.