Abstract: An apparatus, method and tangible medium using row sensing for calibrating geographical positions for guiding a farm implement and calibrated geographical positions for steering a vehicle along a row.

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 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 simple and inexpensive, mechanically coupled automatic guidance system for tractors comprising a ground line sensor which is directly coupled to a steering system comprising limited, partial, spatial disengagement or play about a narrow steering angle within which the automatic guidance system provides steering control, unencumbered by the forces of the primary steering system, especially the steering forces of a power-steered-tractor. The play in the steering system provides spatial relief of steering forces which could not otherwise be overridden by a purely mechanical system. The ground line sensor comprises three degrees of freedom permitting adjustable variation to the shape, breadth, and attitude of the sensor to conformably match a previously prepared ground line. At least two movement degrees of freedom allow the sensor to horizontally and vertically follow ground line and tractor path anomalies while providing feedback to the automatic guidance system.

Abstract: Automatic steering mechanism for use on apparatus for forming raised beds or ridges and furrows and lowered beds with uniform spacing with the apparatus being of a type comprising a self-propelled vehicle having a steering apparatus for steering the vehicle and a ground engaging implement carried by the vehicle for forming a guiding surface, such as provided by a ridge or furrow in the ground along the path of travel of the vehicle as the vehicle moves. The steering mechanism comprises a framework adapted to be secured to the vehicle. In one form, it also comprises a boom structure mounted on the framework for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle; and an arm, pivotally mounted on the outer extremity of the boom structure for pivotal movement. A follower carried by the arm follows the guide surface formed in the ground.

Abstract: An agricultural implement wherein a plurality of cultivators such as plowshares are attached to mounts (7) on a frame (1) which can be adjusted for different plow strip widths by a hydraulic cylinder (15) and a parallel strut (10), the frame (1) being pivotally attached (3) to a drag beam (4) that is adapted to be pivotally mounted (5) on a tractor hitch (6) for coupling to a tractor. A first link (12) is provided which is pivotally attached (13) to the tractor hitch (6) and to the frame (1), such that when the frame (1) is pivoted for changing the plow strip width, all of the plowshare mounts (7) will be displaced correctly in relation to each other while at the same time the first mount (7) is displaced correctly in relation to the tractor centerline.

Abstract: An assembly on an agricultural implement, especially a semi-plow, wherein the assembly comprises a plurality of pivotable and mutually interacting parallelograms and a plurality of partially interconnected link members (12, 26, 31, 34, 41) which regulate the implement's support wheel (22) and a turn limiter (44), whereby the turn limiter (44) is automatically regulated when the implement is being adjusted to adapt it to the tractor track as well as to the desired plow strip width so that the maximum angle of deflection, to the right or to the left, between the tractor and the turn limiter (44) is held constant no matter what the angle assumed by the implement in relation to the driving direction, said turn limiter thus preventing the tractor from abutting against the implement when the tractor turns sharply, while at the same time the wheel (22) is automatically correctly adjusted when the implement is being adjusted to adapt it to the tractor track and the desired plow strip width, whether the implement is d

Abstract: A plow system that includes a plurality of equally spaced plows, each of which is mounted on the inclined beam of the system by a mechanically adjustable mounting structure. The system also has a tail wheel that is associated with the last plow and steering linkage for the tail wheel. The mounting structure includes a generally vertical bore for rotational attachment to the beam and a laterally extending ear located adjacent the beam. A combination of a fastener and tapered shims between the ear and beam provide and maintain the desired furrow widths. The rotation of the plow system to correspond to the desired furrow width in conjunction with the steering linkage automatically positions the tail wheel for this furrow width.

Abstract: A variable width furrow-spacing plow system embodied in an implement having a laterally adjustable tractor hitch, an angularly adjustable plow-carrying main frame, and hydraulic means for correlating the lateral movement of the hitch and angular position of the frame, to the end that for any given furrow spacing the hitch point of the implement will fall closer to the line of pull than has heretofore been possible, and minimum pulling force will be required to motivate the implement. The system embodies a pull bar or frame which has its forward end pivoted to the adjustable tractor hitch and its rear end pivoted to a medial region of the plow-carrying frame. A hydraulic ram controls the lateral adjustment of the hitch, while a second ram controls the angularity between the pull frame and the main frame. The two rams are phased for operation in unison under the control of a valve in the cab of the tractor.

Abstract: A plow mounting bracket for variable width plows including a mounting post having a free end that extends upwardly from a hub portion and is pivotally received by the plow main frame. The plow bracket can be used for plows that are secured at selected widths or plows in which the width can be varied during the operation of the plow.

Abstract: A plow having a main frame beam disposed in a diagonal direction with respect to the direction of travel and having a plurality of plow bottoms equally spaced along the diagonal beam, each bottom being vertically pivotally supported on the beam. A furrow wheel frame is carried on the rear of the beam to swing about a vertical axis. The plow bottoms and wheel frame are connected together and are power operated so that the plows may have their effective plowing width adjusted while at the same time positioning the furrow wheel frame. A hitch connection is carried on the forward end of the plow and is composed of a first part which is adapted for connection to a tractor and a second part which is rearward of the first part and adapted to shift with the plow frame. The two parts are connected by a vertical pivot to permit relative lateral swinging between the parts.

Abstract: A tractor-trailed plow having a steerable rear wheel is provided with a hydraulically powered steering system including master and slave cylinders arranged to steer the rear wheel in response to changes in the angular position of the plow with respect to the tractor. A rephasing valve system is provided that is responsive to turning of the tractor for proper phasing of the master and slave cylinders.

Abstract: A plow system includes a number of individual plow units mounted on a beam which is inclined relative to the direction of travel of a traction vehicle. The units are mounted for continuous rotation about vertical axes so that they may be opened or closed to adjust the width of a cut between adjacent units over a continuous, wide range. The plow unit is supported by a forward furrow wheel located to ride in previously-plowed ground and a rear furrow wheel, and the main frame is pulled by a tongue or draft member connected between a tractor hitch and an intermediate location of the inclined beam. A hydraulic unit adjusts the individual plow units in unison, and at the same time, through a linkage, adjusts the tongue relative to the inclined beam to keep the forward furrow wheel at a constant distance from the rear tractor wheel for all width adjustments.

Abstract: A plurality of plow units are mounted to a main frame of a plow system for rotation about their vertical axes. The plow units are spaced at equal lateral increments and at uniformly increased distances from a pivot connection between the main frame and a traction vehicle. The plow units are ganged together by means of a guide beam; and a power actuator controls the motion of the guide beam in rotating the plow units so that their cut lines take a predetermined position relative to the main frame. As the plow system is then used to plow ground, the main frame swings about its pivot connection to the tractor until the plow units line up with the direction of travel of the tractor, thereby adjusting the spacing between plow units automatically. The rear plow unit is mounted to a tail section which is pivotally mounted to the main frame and includes a rear wheel for supporting the distal end of the main frame and for steering the system as the tractor turns.