Abstract: The stalk eliminator chops stalks, uproots stalks, and re-chops stalks. The apparatus includes a front stalk chopper on a rotating cylinder with angularly attached blades. A plow tool attaches to the apparatus and provides a subsoiler wing behind and under the front stalk chopper. A rear stalk chopper on a rotating cylinder with angularly attached blades follows the plow tool.

Abstract: A hop picking machine has a conveyor configured to receive hop vines, and a first cutting assembly including a plurality of blade assemblies spaced apart from one another across a width of the conveyor and extending upwardly relative to a plane of the conveyor. The blade assemblies include respective cutter bar members having blades mounted thereon such that the blades are oriented opposite to a direction of travel of the conveyor, and such that hop vines conveyed by the conveyor to the first cutting assembly can be cut by the blades. A second cutting assembly has a plurality of rotatable cutting members configured to receive hop vine segments from the first cutting assembly along the direction of travel of the conveyor.

Abstract: A device for removing plant material from a plant bed. In one embodiment, the device includes a frame with an oscillating cutter attached thereto. The oscillating cutter is disposed such that a cutting portion thereof is beneath the surface of a plant bed when the device is in use. A conveyor is also attached to the frame, the nose of the conveyor being disposed beneath the surface of the plant bed. As the device moves along a plant bed, the oscillating cutter cuts plant material, which is scooped up by the nose of the conveyor and transported to a desired location.

Abstract: In a module for detecting the docking of a vehicle, changes of vehicle engine torque and rotational wheel speed of the vehicle are determined as a function of time. It is checked whether the change of the engine torque is >>0 and the change of the rotational wheel speed is <<0. If both of these conditions are met, docking is detected and the vehicle can be braked. The module may be implemented in the form of software.

Abstract: A mower and/or aerating device (7) exhibits a mower drum and/or aerating drum (8) rotating around a horizontal axis running perpendicular to the mower and/or aerating device advance direction. The mower drum and/or aerating drum (8) feeds cut material and/or material removed from ground to a transverse transport worm (16) rotating around a rotation axis running parallel to the aerating drum (8). The transverse transport worm (16) is disposed in a transport trough (15). A longitudinal transport worm (17) adjoins in the middle region of the transverse transport worm (16) at an angle of 90.degree. relative to an axis of the transverse transport worm (16). A transfer element (21) is disposed at the transport trough (15), which transfer element (21) separates the mower drum and/or aerating drum (8) and the transverse transport worm (16). The transfer element (21) is disposed such that the material from the mower drum and/or aerating drum (8) is at least nearly completely thrown into the transport trough (15).

Abstract: A conservation tillage implement including a shredder with a transverse rotor hood structure having one-piece end panels which are welded to each side of the hood and project rearwardly of the hood to receive a toolbar which extends the width of the implement. The center of the toolbar is connected to a pair of parallel upright central panels which are connected to the central rear portion of the hood. A reinforcing member extends from the central rear portion between the central panels around the top of the hood adjacent the hitch structure which connects the implement to a tractor. The end and central panels and reinforced hood structure define a compact, unobtrusive frame which is sturdy enough to pull heavy drawbar loads and resist heavy torque loading. In one embodiment of the invention, the toolbar supports a plurality of transversely adjustable deep tillage tools such as rippers, and disk structure is connected by adjustable bracket structure to the toolbar behind the rippers.

Abstract: A lawn care apparatus combining mowing, de-thatching, and mulching action with improved grass clippings and thatch removal characteristics, designed for operation over various types of lawn or turf, where the cutting assembly consists of a shaft with a plurality of readily replaceable blades mounted radially about the shaft which itself is mounted on the apparatus housing and rotating about a horizontal axis transverse to the direction of travel of the apparatus. The rotation of the cutting assembly being in the opposite direction to the rotation of the wheels of the apparatus. The housing designed to curve conformably near the outside edge of the blades over the top portion of the cutting assembly providing for improved gathering action for the grass clippings and thatch into a container attached to and removable from the apparatus. The apparatus having a power means mounted thereon to provide for rotation of the cutting assembly and propulsion of the apparatus.

Abstract: An automatic, hydraulically actuated, sequencing valve for use with a pair of hydraulic acutators (e.g. double acting hydraulic cylinders) includes a valve body having a cylindrical bore therein. Cam members at either end of the bore are engaged by pins on the ends of a cylindrical spool, thereby rotating the spool 30.degree. each time it engages one of the cam members. A third cam member incorporated into the spool alternately locks open one of a pair of check valves as said spool is pressure shifted between the two bore cam members. The third cam member operates a locking system which permits only one of the two hydraulic cylinders to operate at a time and in sequence.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for clearing a field of crop residue after harvest is attached to the linkage of a tractor and serves to cut and shred stalks of plants planted in two parallel rows. It comprises two sheave-shaped rollers on a common axle serving to crush the stalks and to flatten them onto the ground, and two flail-type fast-rotating shredders whose cutter bars cut and shred the stalks pressed on the ground by the rollers, while slightly penetrating in to the soil surface and cutting the upper root portions as well. Each shredder consists of a drum with pivotally attached cutter bars; both shredders are mounted on a horizontal shaft which is driven by the tractor power-take-off through a gear. A casing collects the shredded particles and spreads them on the ground behind the implement.

Abstract: A second crop is planted in a field by first cutting and removing the majority of a first crop from the field, seeding the field with the second crop, and then immediately applying the cut portion of the first crop over the seeded field as a mulch. A planter including a cutting assembly and a row planting assembly is provided to accomplish the above steps in a single pass over the field.

Abstract: An integrated shredder/plow combination for reducing trash to facilitate its being mixed with the soil by the action of the trailing plow portion of the combination is disclosed. The shredder portion includes a unique arched structure positioned above a housing enclosing the shredder's cutting blades which permits the plow's drag to be transmitted directly to the tractor hitch so as to bypass the shredder assembly. The shredder assembly is thus not subjected to the large longitudinal forces associated with plowing operations as well as the high side loading encountered during turns and as a result of ground countour. This prolongs shredder operating lifetime and increases its reliability. By positioning the plow assembly immediately aft of the shredder mechanism, the cut-up vegetation, or trash, is more effectively turned under as it is in an agitated, suspended condition when it encounters the burying action of the trailing plow assemblies.

Abstract: An agricultural implement is arranged to be connected to a tractor so that it can be pulled over a field covered with organic material, such as live or dead plants or harvesting residues. The implement includes a main support frame followed by an auxiliary support frame. A flail-blade cylinder is dependently supported from the main frame for comminuting the organic material. Arms are mounted on the main frame rearwardly of the cylinder for loosening the soil. On the auxiliary support frame, a device is mounted for breaking up clods of loosened soil. A hood is positioned over the cylinder with a selectively adjustable rear part for directing the flow of the comminuted organic material thrown rearwardly by the cylinder. Other material directing or conveying members can be used in combination with the hood for facilitating the movement of the comminuted material rearwardly from the cylinder.

Abstract: A cultivating machine has groups of soil working tines that are mounted on an elongated support that is driven to rotate about a horizontal axis. The tines are mounted in spaced apart groups and guide members converge at the rear of the groups to form ridges of worked soil. Each group includes tine units that are formed by opposing bracket portions clamped to the support. Strikers can be mounted on the support between groups of tines and the strikers are pivotable about respective horizontal axes spaced from the support's axis of rotation. The strikers are positioned to excise crop leaves or emerged growth on the ridges. Hoods and a grating ensure that the top layer of worked soil is free of debris. Screening plates having obliquely upwardly and inwardly inclined inner edges are located at the lower, front, outer corners of the hood to prevent the rearwardly adjacent time groups from displacing soil too far laterally.