Abstract: A retaining arrangement, including a support arm is proposed, by means of which an operating unit is connected with a vehicle. The retaining arrangement includes a safety device which operates such that, as long as a predetermined condition is not fulfilled, the connection of the operating unit with the vehicle is maintained. The operating unit is connected with the support arm in such a way that the operating unit can pivot with respect to the support arm about at least one axis provided with at least one vertical component that is arranged in a generally central region of the operating unit, when the safety device frees the connection.

Abstract: A soil penetrating tool assembly (10) having a tool shank (18) which is pivotally mounted so as to clear obstructions in the ground. Movement of the shank away from its normal attitude is opposed by a hydraulic ram (22). The force required to be exerted by the shank (18) against the opposing force of the ram (22) is initially high but is reduced upon a predetermined movement of the tool (18) and thus a predetermined retraction of the ram (22). This allows the tool (18) to more easily clear large obstructions without causing damage to the tool (18).

Abstract: A nursery cultivating assembly is carried on a modified zero turning radius tractor and includes a cultivating device, a spraying device, and a tank assembly operably interconnected thereon, while providing for trees to be planted closer together.

Abstract: A retractable tool apparatus is adapted to be mounted on a movable vehicle for working the area around and between objects in a row. The tool apparatus includes an extendable and retractable outrigger arm attachable on one of its ends to the vehicle. A work tool is mounted on the other end of the outrigger arm. An electro-hydraulic control system controls the retraction of the outrigger arm. This control system includes sensors in the form of a pair of wands mounted on the outrigger arm to sense objects in proximity to the work tool before the work tool contacts the objects. The first wand activates the control system upon contact with an object to retract the work tool. The second wand holds the control system in its retraction mode upon contact with the object even after the first wand has cleared the object.

Abstract: A tiller for installation at one side of a tractor, having a retractable tiller frame movable by a power mechanism which is normally actuated by a horizontal sensor arm through a linkage system. Here, there is manual override enabling the tractor driver to actuate the power mechanism regardless of the position of the sensor arm. There is also a manual disengagement member to place operation of the actuator entirely under manual control. Also, the tiller frame carries a rotary head having a series of depending tines, and a sharp cutting blade depends from the tiller frame closely adjacent to the head for cutting off weeds that tend to wind around the tines. The power mechanism preferably comprises hydraulic structure for holding the tines down in the soil at a predetermined vertical position, while a manually controlled valve when actuated, enables a predetermined obstacle force to push the head upwardly.

Abstract: The disclosure in this patent application includes a retractable in-row tiller device that has a parallelogram carriage structure for supporting the outrigger arm and tiller and for retracting and extending the outrigger arm and tiller in relation to the tractor on which it is mounted. It also includes an electro-hydraulic control system with a single wand plant feeler device that provides very accurate and responsive automatic control to guide the tiller around plants and which can be overridden and operated manually with ease and accurateness. It also includes an automatic positive depth control feature operated electro-hydraulically by a gauge wheel.

Abstract: An automatically retracting tiller for installation at one or both sides of a tractor. A stationary frame is adapted to be secured to a side frame attachment of the tractor. A gimbal frame is pivoted to the stationary frame by a stationary horizontal pivot rod and carries first and second vertical pivot rods. A double-acting vertical hydraulic apparatus has a cylinder secured to the stationary frame and a piston rod secured to the gimbal frame, for tilting the gimbal frame about the horizontal pivot rod. A tiller frame is pivoted to the first vertical pivot rod and carries the tilling apparatus. A double-acting horizontal hydraulic apparatus has a cylinder secured to the stationary frame and a piston rod secured to the tiller frame for swinging the tiller frame about the first vertical pivot bar. A control valve for the horizontal hydraulic apparatus is mounted on the tiller frame and has a control lever.

Abstract: This invention relates to an auger and to a plow including such auger. This specification discloses an auger which is suitable for use even in the difficult terrain encountered in typical reforestation operations. An auger in accordance with this disclosure has its axis extending in the direction of movement of the plow and is arranged to rotate in a direction opposing the forward movement of the plow. The auger has a plurality of generally helical turns. Sections of the ground engaging portions around the periphery of the turns have an angle of attack in a plane at a selected angle to the axis of the auger and other sections have angles of attack in planes at a different angle. These ground engaging sections of the periphery are preferably teeth which because of the difference in angles discussed above attack the ground at different cutting angles.

Abstract: A soil preparing device for preparing forest soil to a planting bed. The device comprises a frame intended to be mounted on a forest tractor, a support arm mounted on the frame pivotally around a horizontal link, and a preparing element supported by a slide mounted vertically movably on said support arm. The slide is fastened to a hydraulic cylinder supported by said support arm for continuously adjusting the vertical position of said slide and, accordingly, of the position of the preparing element with respect to the ground during the preparation. A deviation of the support arm upwardly or downwardly from a neutral position activates said hydraulic cylinder of the slide to displace the preparing element upward and downward, respectively, due to variations in the ground level and obstacles on the ground. The preparing element can therefore be displaced clear of any unevennesses in the ground without substantially deviating from its working angle in relation to the ground.

Abstract: Crop uprooting and cultivating apparatus which includes at least one bar having at least one angled edge thereon that extends from a support at least partially across a row to be cultivated or from which crops and/or foliage are to be uprooted. The bar is rotatably supported by a support structure in cantilever fashion, leaving an outer end of the bar free. The bar may extend across a crop row in a direction generally transverse to the direction of movement of the apparatus along the row, or may be angled rearwardly with respect thereto to provide a self-cleaning action. The bar rotates beneath the surface of the soil and uproots crops and foliage as it moves along, the direction of rotation being in a direction opposite the direction of travel of the apparatus. A pair of bars may be provided, one being located on each side of a row being cultivated or where crops are to be uprooted with at least one of the bars extending a distance of more than 50 percent of the width of the row.