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: A visual tilt indicator for an implement, particularly but not exclusively for indicating the tilt angle of a dozer blade on a tractive vehicle, wherein the implement is pivotally supported on the vehicle by an implement universal joint and the support includes hydraulic cylinders operably interconnected between the vehicle and the implement to angle and tilt the implement. The visual tilt indicator of this invention includes an indicator shaft which is operably connected to the vehicle by a universal joint in the vertical axis of the implement support universal joint and the shaft extends horizontally adjacent the implement to indicate the tilt angle of the implement relative to the vehicle. The implement preferably includes a plurality of shaft support indicator means, such as brackets, which receive and slidably support the indicator shaft on the implement to indicate the relative movement of the shaft and the implement.

Abstract: This invention provides a double adjustable weeding disk support device in order to make rapid and positive adjustments of the depth and cut of the weeding disks. This invention is characterized by a shaft having conventional weeding disks rotatably mounted on the lower end and a series of openings near the other end. The shaft projects upward through openings in the frame crossbar of a conventional cultivator, through an opening in a plate mounted in rigid relationship with the frame crossbar and through the collar mounted on an adjustment arm with the shaft being fixed by means of bolt through opposite openings in the collar and through an opening in the shaft. The adjustable arm can be held in fixed relationship with the fixed plate by inserting a bolt through mating openings in the adjustment arm and in the plate.

Abstract: A snow-sweeping roller for replaceable attachment to a utility road vehicle (1) having brush-equipped roller (4) rotatably affixed at the underside of the vehicle. To achieve low-wear operation of the sweeper roller (4) and simultaneously low energy consumption, a control device is provided for adjusting and changing roller rpm in accordance with the following factors:(a) The circumferential speed (w) of the roller changes in proportion to vehicle speed (f);(b) The circumferential speed (w) of the roller has a ratio to the vehicle speed (f) that ranges from unity to two; and(c) A minimum value of the circumferential speed (w-min) of the roller is established for when the vehicle is moving slowly or is stationary.

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: An adjusting device permitting the operator of a planter to easily and accurately adjust the depth of planting by vertically adjusting the height of the planter frame through use of an adjustable spacer device in the support for the gauge wheels. The adjustable spacer has two main parts, one of which has a multiple series of axially spaced steps affording selective adjustment of the planter frame relative to the ground.

Abstract: A row crop cultivator for use in farming which includes a pair of weeding disks associated with each cultivator unit of which a plurality is ganged together in series. Each weeding disk is bearingly supported by a vertical shaft which is received by a cross bar in a manner which permits the shaft associated with the weeding disk to be adjusted as to depth and angular orientation. Such changes in the vertical shaft for the weeding disks are directly transferred to the weeding disk itself. Disposed adjacent the uppermost point of the shaft is a degree gauge plate and adjacent thereto is a depth gauge structured out of angle iron. As the farmer makes adjustments as to angular orientation and depth of one weeding disk, he need not be concerned with the specific values until the optimum depth and angular orientation have been found for the particular field being cultivated.

Abstract: A draft force sensor includes a bracket fixed to a tractor frame part. The bracket includes a pair of laterally-spaced legs which support a shaft to which is coupled the fore-end of a draft link. An end of the shaft is coupled to one end of a load strap. The other end of the load strap is pinned at the bracket to allow fore-and-aft loading of the strap from the shaft. A strain sensor is received in an aperture in a central portion of the load strap.

Abstract: A row crop cultivator for use in farming which includes a pair of weeding disks associated with each cultivator unit of which a plurality is ganged together in series. Each weeding disk is bearingly supported by a vertical shaft which is received by a cross bar in a manner which permits the shaft associated with the weeding disk to be adjusted as to depth and angular orientation. Such changes in the vertical shaft for the weeding disks are directly transferred to the weeding disk itself. Disposed adjacent the uppermost point of the shaft is a degree gauge plate and adjacent thereto is a depth gauge structured out of angle iron. The vertex edge of the depth gauge serves as a pointer for the graduations on the degree gauge plate, while the top surface of the degree guage plate serves as a pointer or alignment marker for the graduations on the depth gauge.

Abstract: A fertilizer knife adapted to be attached to a planter. A housing is adjustably attached to the fertilizer knife and an adjustable mechanism is provided for permitting the knife to be adjusted vertically with respect to the housing, thereby adjusting the effective depth that the fertilizer, in a liquid form, will be released. The fertilizer knife is attached to the housing whereby the fertilizer knife will accurately track in front of the line into which the seeds are being planted, and this pivoting feature will also permit fertilizer knife to be deflected to one side or the other temporarily when rocks or other potentially damaging obstructions are encountered. The fertilizer knife has a leading edge extending from a point in close proximity to a vertical pivotal axis, and tapers downwardly and rearwardly therefrom.

Abstract: An attachment for a minimum tillage planter which is mounted forwardly of the planting shoe for removing residue from in front of such planting apparatus for the purpose of allowing consistency in the making of a trench and for the depositing of seeds therein in a consistent manner. The attachment generally includes a first center flat disc having a circular structure attached thereto for controlling the depth at which the planter rides above the ground. A pair of additional discs are mounted on each side of the depth control structure and on each side of the center flat disc. These additional discs are convex on the side adjacent to the first disc and concave on the other side thereof. The position of the additional discs are such that they do not extend into the ground as far as the first disc whereby the first disc will hold residue, such as a corn stalk, while the other discs which are higher will cut the residue off and then throw it to one side or the other.

Abstract: A blade cross slope sensor includes a first T-member having a stem mounted on the drawbar of a road grader for rotation about a first axis parallel to the axis about which the blade rotates and being coupled to the blade for rotation through the same angle. A yoke is pivotal on the arms of the T-member and a second T-member is pivotal on the yoke about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A scissors assembly has a first portion mounted on the grader main frame for pivotal movement about a third axis parallel to the direction that the grader travels and a second portion coupled to the first portion for pivotal movement about a fourth axis parallel to the third axis. The second scissors portion is also pivotally connected to the arms of the second T-member which defines the true cross slope of the blade.

Abstract: A tractor guidance apparatus includes a laterally adjustable sight equipped with a reverse pendulum whereby an upright pivotal sight needle is moved in the same transverse direction as the depending pendulum in response to pivotal movement of the pendulum.

Abstract: A tractor draft sensing apparatus in which a shaft (14) is supported at laterally spaced locations (15) on a tractor and carries at locations (22) outboard of the shaft supports a pair of lower draft links (10) so that the imposition of a draft link (10) to monitor the deflection of the shaft (14) (or an extension (28) thereof) to provide a signal indicative of the draft force being imposed on each draft link. In a form of the sensing system for use on a tractor in which the draft links are raised by external piston and cylinder assemblies whose lower ends are secured to the tractor at locations outboard of the draft links and in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the lower ends (36) of the cylinders (32) are connected with the tractor by hollow pins (33) through which the shaft (14) (or an extension (28) thereof) extends.

Abstract: To prevent a tractor pulling a plow (P) from digging itself in, if the plow position, with respect to soil or tractor level, is controlled by an automatic control system which causes the plow to be lowered if the pulling force of the tractor decreases, slip of the drive wheels of the tractor is sensed and an overriding command signal given to the plow positioning system (S) tending to raise the plow, or, alternatively, a visual indication is given to the operator that the plough should be raised manually; the slip condition is sensed by differentiating a signal representative of plow position, with respect to time, and comparing the so differentiated plow positioning signal (or, in other words, plow dropping speed signal) with a reference which, preferably, includes such factors as tractor engine speed, tractor and/or implement weight, ground wheel adhesion, tractor gearing, and the like.

Abstract: A manually manipulable tool movable along a linear index to create a trench for planting seeds at a spaced distance from the index. The depth of the trench and its spacing from an index are adjustably variable. The device may be indexed from either side and may create an additional indexing indicia at a spaced distance from the seed trench created.

Abstract: An apparatus to be towed that includes a frame supported, rotatably mounted, pair of furrow forming disks that are arranged to substantially contact each other at the approximate point of entry into the soil and diverge apart rearwardly and upwardly, a pair of rotatable gauge wheels having supports that individually and pivotally connect the wheels to the frame with each wheel being located generally adjacent an outer surface of a disk, a gauge wheel adjustment assembly slidably mounted in said frame and having an equalizer assembly connecting the supports whereby movement of a support and thus wheel in one direction produces the same movement of the other support and wheel in a contrary direction and including an indicator, furrow depth indicating structure having a zero position and spaced indicia for indicating furrow depth and adjustment structure for movably mounting the indicating structure on the frame, and structure for selectively immobilizing the equalizer assembly in a neutral position whereby with

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for remote selective operator adjustment and display of the position of adjustment of a plurality of ground-supported planting units of a planter. The apparatus includes a planter gauge wheel on each unit adjustably mounted thereto and supporting each unit over the ground. A position sensor on each unit conveys gauge wheel adjustment information for numerical display on a central control box mounted adjacent to the planter operator's position. A hydraulic or electric cylinder mounted on each unit selectively effects positional adjustment of the respective gauge wheel according to operator control signals. The units are controlled in one embodiment via individual planter unit switches or a single planter adjustment switch manipulated by the operator. In other embodiments the units are controlled via microprocessor control systems wherein operator commands are entered via a keyboard or a rotary switch.

Abstract: A grade control alignment device and method used in combination with a machine having an automatic grade control system to control the grade or elevation of a working implement. The alignment device is mounted on the machine and a sighting reference is visually aligned with a grade reference line which is set at a predetermined desired elevation. By periodically viewing the alignment device the operator determines if the automatic control is maintaining the working implement at the proper grade. If the proper grade is not being maintained, the operator overrides the automatic control to adjust the grade of the working implement.

Abstract: A vision correction device for enabling a tractor to be maintained in centered relation over a guide furrow or the like includes a sighting device and a mounting strip for supporting the sighting device on a tractor forwardly of the operator seat and with freedom of transverse movement relative to the longitudinal center line of the tractor. A lock mechanism is provided for securing the sighting device in a selected transverse position whereby upon adjusting the sighting device to intersect a line of sight from the dominant eye of an operator on the operator seat to a ground furrow situated forwardly and centrally of the tractor, the tractor may be maintained in centered relation over the ground furrow by steering the tractor to maintain the sighting device in alignment with the ground furrow.

Abstract: A hitch system includes a yoke pivotally supported by the ends of a rockshaft extending from the sides of the tractor housing. The yoke includes left and right side panels and a two-piece bottom. A drawbar is pivotally coupled to the yoke between the two bottom pieces. Left and right draft links have fore ends pivotally coupled to the yoke and are sway limited in the down position by sway links connecting each draft link with an inboard portion of the yoke. The draft links are sway limited in the raised position by sway surfaces on the sides of the yoke. Lift arms are splined to the rockshaft ends and are pivoted by a pair of lift cylinders coupled between the lift arms and the housing. A pair of lift links connect the lift arms to the draft links. A yoke positioning and draft sensing link includes a fore end connected to a bottom side of the housing and an aft end connected to the yoke.

Abstract: A trench hoe-type excavator carries a digging bucket at the end of a digging device. The bucket and digging device are capable of being driven so as to maintain a set cutting angle. An indicating apparatus arranged in the field of view of the excavator operator allows the operator to check the position of the digging device to determine the direction in which the bucket must be guided in order to obtain the desired inclination and direction of the ditch floor. The indicator apparatus includes a laser transmitter and a transparent target. The transparent target is carried by the digging device and has a first surface facing the bucket operator and a second surface which is arranged to receive the laser beam from the laser transmitter. The laser transmitter is arranged on the opposite side of the target from the excavator operator, so that the position of the end point of the laser beam on the target can be observed, parallax-free, by the excavator operator during the entire digging operation.

Abstract: The planter includes a number of forward tillage units each followed by an aligned planting unit. Both units are independently mounted by four-bar linkages to the planter frame. Each tillage unit includes a leading banded coulter followed by a pair of rolling row cleaning discs which are, in turn, followed by a fluted coulter. The system may be used in any of the following planting modes: (1) no-till planting, in which the fluted coulter only is used to prepare a narrow band of soil for planting with no trash removal; (2) ridge planting or till-planting, in which the row cleaning discs clear a deeper wide band before the fluted coulter while leaving bands between the row crops untilled; (3) minimum tillage planting, in which the row cleaning discs may be used to clear a shallow band of surface trash before the fluted coulter; and (4) conventional planting, in which the tillage units are raised and not used.

Abstract: A planter to be towed that includes a frame supported, rotatably mounted furrow forming disks that are arranged to substantially contact each other at the approximate point of entry into the soil and diverge apart rearwardly and upwardly, a seed tube for depositing seed into the furrow, a pair of rotatable gauge wheels having supports that individually and pivotally connect the wheels to the frame with each wheel being located generally adjacent an outer surface of a disk, furrow closing structure mounted rearwardly of the disks and gauge wheels, gauge wheel adjustment structure including a lever pivotally mounted on said frame and having one end adapted to engage and move the wheel supports, a slide for moving the other end of the lever, a plate having a plurality of equally spaced holes, a handle resiliently mounted on the slide and having structure to engage the holes to set and maintain furrow depth and adjustment structure for movably mounting the plate on the frame wherein when the disks and wheels cont

Abstract: An apparatus to be towed that includes frame supported, rotatably mounted furrow forming disks that are arranged to substantially contact each other at the approximate point of entry into the soil and diverge apart rearwardly and upwardly, a pair of rotatable gauge wheels having supports that individually and pivotally connect the wheels to the frame with each wheel being located generally adjacent an outer surface of a disk, a gauge wheel adjustment assembly, including an indicator, movably mounted in the frame for contact with the supports to achieve desired furrow depth, furrow depth indicating means having a zero indicating position and spaced indicia located adjacent the indicator and including adjustment structure to locate and fix the zero position opposite the indicator when the wheels and disks contact a level surface for accurate furrow depth control.

Abstract: A tractor-planter guidance aid system including a TV camera mounted on a servo motor at an end of the planter to view a mark in the terrain created by a marker mounted on the other end of the planter. Angle sensors send signals to a control circuit, these signals representing the angle between the tractor and the planter and between the camera and the planter. The control circuit cooperates with the servo motor to maintain the camera in parallel alignment with the tractor. A TV monitor displays the image detected by the camera to the operator of the tractor.

Abstract: A gravity-actuated guide for row crops which mounts on a tractor front axle to enable the operator to compensate for changes in transverse slope by steering the tractor and thereby correctly position cultivating equipment behind the tractor in relation to the rows.

Abstract: A ground leveling and tillage implement for attachment to the front of a tractor includes an elongated frame element disposed transversely in front of the front wheels of the tractor and generally parallel with the ground. A generally rectangular tine-supporting frame is provided having spaced opposite sides and ends, and having a plurality of ground-working tines mounted thereon and depending therefrom. The supporting frame is mounted intermediate its ends on the frame element for pivotal movement about an axis parallel with its sides and with the frame element between an operative position extending forwardly of the frame element and generally parallel with the ground and with the tines in engagement therewith, and a generally upright transport position.

Abstract: Apparatus (19) for sensing forces (29) such as in a power transmission apparatus (10) and magnifying the sensed forces suitably to provide an output (28) such as for use in controlling associated equipment (12, 18) to limit the forces. The sensing apparatus (19) includes a flexible beam (30) having a first portion (34) which is fixedly retained as to a fixed portion (23, 24) of the wall member defining the deflectible portion (22). Beam (30) further includes a second portion (33) which is connected to a deflectible wall portion (22) of the wall member (21) which is deflected as a function of force transmission through the apparatus. The flexible beam (30) is provided with a distal arm (31) which is swung by the deflection of the beam to provide an output signal (28) at the distal end (32) of the arm so as to provide a preselected magnification of the deflection of the deflectible wall portion (22). A stabilizer (57 ) is provided for stabilizing movement of the arm (31) by the deflectible beam (30).

Abstract: A tractor has a traction load sensing device needed for effecting regulation of the soil-engaging implement load. Sensor body of the traction load sensing device is accommodated in a casing establishing complete sealing or approximately establishing such state, and the casing is accommodated in and releasably secured to a transmission case of the tractor in an oil-tight manner.

Abstract: A material handling element or bucket is formed from two sidewalls and a backwall. The backwall has one or more apertures postioned in such a manner that the operator manipulating the bucket can see a portion of the leading edge of the bucket. In one embodiment, the apertures are positioned in such a manner that the leading edge can be viewed directly or in combination with one or more mirrors. In another embodiment, the apertures are positioned in such a manner so that the operator can sight one or more of the sidewalls of the bucket using those sidewalls as a guide for positioning the leading edge of the bucket.

Abstract: A guidance system for a farming vehicle includes an electronic video camera attached to the underside of the farming vehicle and a video monitor electrically coupled to the camera for assisting an operator in steering the farming vehicle. The camera is mounted behind a front guide wheel of the farming vehicle for viewing the path traversed by the front guide wheel. The video monitor is mounted near the steering wheel by which the operator controls the front guide wheel in order to steer the farming vehicle. A safety guard/light housing is provided which prevents the camera from impacting the ground or obstructions which lie in the path of the front guide wheel. Lighting devices are incorporated within the safety guard/light housing for illuminating the area viewed by the camera. Side shields are also provided to form a viewing tunnel defining the area viewed by the camera.

Abstract: A displacement measuring device is disclosed that is particularly useful for measuring and remotely indicating the displacement of a piston rod relative to the cylinder of a power actuator of an earth working implement. The device includes a variable resistor controlled by a gearless actuator connected with the piston rod so that the effective resistance of the resistor is varied depending upon the axial displacement of the piston rod relative to the cylinder. An indicator is connected by electrical circuitry with the variable resistor to display the amount of piston rod displacement relative to the cylinder. A plurality of embodiments of the device are disclosed with one disclosed embodiment including a cable wound about a pulley mounted on the rotatable control shaft of the variable resistor with the cable having one end fastened to the piston rod and a retraction spring to maintain the cable taut regardless of piston displacement in either axial direction.

Abstract: An improved draft sensing device for a tractor draft control system, the draft sensing device including a tapered load pin having its large end rigidly attached to the tractor and its free end pivotally carrying the tractor draft link through a load arm which imposes a torsional load on the load pin in proportion to the draft load. A bracket secured to the load arm amplifies and measures the load pin motion.

Abstract: Closely spaced cultivating tools are mounted along a tool bar and each tool may be locked in a raised position relative to the ground or may be lowered into floating engagement with the ground during use of the implement. A small tool bar is mounted parallel to a larger tool bar and the cultivating tools are slidably clamped on the small tool bar. Improved mounting structure allows each cultivating tool to be mounted on the small tool bar without having to slide each cultivating tool onto or off of the tool bar from the ends of the tool bar and without having to disassemble the mounting structure. The tool bar assembly includes row indicia for indicating where the tools are to be located along the tool bar and which tools should engage the ground and which tools should be raised away from the ground for various cultivating operations on row crops. A tool angling mechanism allows selective adjustment of the angle to the line of draft of each tool without the use of wrenches or other hand tools.

Abstract: A draft power sensor is shown which is capable of determining the amount of power being applied to the soil in earthmoving equipment. The effective draft force and the true ground speed of the earthmoving equipment are measured. This information is processed electronically to provide the product of the two values, which is the draft power. Production from earthmoving equipment can be maximized if the highest value of the draft power is maintained.

Abstract: A depth indicator is associated with a tractor. The depth indicator includes an above depth indicating circuit, an at depth indicating circuit and a below depth indicating circuit, with each circuit including visual indicators which are associated with each other so that once energized, a visual indicator will remain energized until another visual indicator is energized.A tractor mounted ripper tool employs a programmable control device to change the angular attitude of the ripper blade at a preselected depth.The control device positions a diverter valve to alternately apply fluid power between a depth positioning power cylinder and a pitch positioning power cylinder such that the attitude of the ripper blade will automatically be changed between a penetrating mode and a ripping mode at a preselected depth. A depth control circuit having a depth sensor switch and a depth selector switch detects the vertical displacement of the ripper tool and provides a command at a preselected depth.

Abstract: A control system and method for loading an engine driven apparatus such as an engine driven tractor having a plough the depth of which can be regulated by a suitable control system. The engine has a fuel injection pump which includes a maximum fuel feed limiting structure, a stop, and a structure for urging the maximum fuel feed limiting structure against the stop when an overload is imposed on the engine. Under the latter overload conditions the force with which the maximum fuel feed limiting structure is urged against the stop is detected by way of a force transducer such as a strain gauge or hydraulic pressure transducer, so that a signal indicative of the overload is produced and can be utilized for reducing the load on the engine. Thus, in the case of an engine-driven tractor which operates a plough, the latter signal can be utilized to raise the plough so as to reduce the load on the engine.

Abstract: A hand garden tool generally in the form of a rake wherein all tines are individually vertically-adjustable upon the crossbar, some to different depths depending from the crossbar and alternate tines can be elevated or raised to allow the depending tines to astraddle vegetable plant or flower rows so the cultivating action is had by a single raking action or pass of the converted rake cultivating tool along the vegetable rows and so that the rows are cultivated on opposite sides at the same time. The vegetable or flower rows in the garden which are to be cultivated by the use of this tool can be spaced closer together and conserve upon ground space and the work required for the cultivator to keep a garden thereby greatly reduced. The tool can be inverted and worked from one side or the other with the alternate raised tines by less rows at a time and at times the pulling is being made in more tough ground.

Abstract: Cross slope sensing apparatus for directly and accurately measuring the cross slope of a surface finishing machine cutting blade regardless of the depth or angle of the cut, or the looseness of the attachment of the blade to the machine. The apparatus includes a sensor support table that rests on the upper edge of the cutting blade and linkage for maintaining the longitudinal axis of the table parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine during selective positioning of the cutting blade. Since the table rides on the upper edge of the cutting blade while remaining forwardly oriented, the inclination of the table reflects the true cross slope of the blade and is directly measured and controlled by a sensor positioned on the table.

Abstract: Measurement devices are provided on the boom and stick of an excavator and are diposed to measure, by means of the gravitational force, the angle of the boom and the stick, respectively, relative to the horizontal plane. These measurement values are applied to an evaluation instrument which indicates the excavation depth on the basis of the length of the boom and the stick and with the help of the received values. Furthermore, means may be provided to measure the lifting force exercised by the boom ram, this measurement being also applied to the evaluation instrument whereby it can, by means of the first-mentioned measurement values, also indicate the turning moment exercised on the boom and the stick.

Abstract: An automatic control system for a ripper used on a construction equipment in which a load detector is provided on the ripper for detecting load acting on the ripper shank and lift cylinders are actuated to automatically raise the shank when overload is applied to the shank during ripping operation. The ripper is also provided with a depth detector for detecting upper and lower limit positions of the shank and the vertical movement of the shank can be limited between the upper and lower limits. When no overload is applied, the shank is maintained at the lower limit position to rip the ground at a predetermined penetration depth.

Abstract: A laminated structure includes a wafer member with a membrane attached thereto, the membrane being formed of substantially hydrogen-free boron nitride having a nominal composition B.sub.3 N. The structure may be a component in a mechanical device for effecting a mechanical function, or the membrane may form a masking layer on the wafer. The structure includes a body formed of at least two wafer members laminated together with a cavity formed therebetween, with the boron nitride membrane extending into the cavity so as to provide the structural component such as a support for a heating element or a membrane in a gas valve. In another aspect borom is selectively diffused from the boron nitride into a <100> surface of a silicon wafer. The surface is then exposed to EDP etchant to which the diffusion layer is resistant, thereby forming a channel the wafer member with smooth walls for fluid flow.