Abstract: An apparatus includes a roller assembly including a roller frame and ground-contacting roller rotatably coupled with the roller frame. A suspension assembly includes a compressible suspension member operatively coupled with the roller assembly. A flexible rigging assembly includes an upper flexible rigging member and a lower flexible rigging member operatively coupled with the suspension assembly. The flexible rigging assembly is adjustable between a first state in which the upper flexible rigging member is taut and the lower flexible rigging member has a non-zero amount of upper flexible rigging member slack and a second state in which the lower flexible rigging member is taut and the upper flexible rigging member has a non-zero amount of lower flexible rigging member slack.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems providing enhanced feed rate control of tubing and conduit feeds by a powered feeder to an in-ground placement device moved across the ground by a steerable vehicle. In one aspect, ground speed of the vehicle is sensed. Feed motor speed is correlated to length of tubing or conduit estimated to be fed per feed wheel revolution by the feed motor. A controller adjusts feed motor speed to match ground speed to feed rate. In another aspect, instead of estimating feed rate by feed wheel rotation, actual speed of movement of the tubing or conduit is sensed. Feed motor speed is automatically and dynamically adjusted to match ground speed to tubing or conduit speed. In either embodiment, sensing of ground speed can be used to sense starting and stopping of the vehicle. This can be used to turn the feed motor on or off. In either embodiment, integration with a precision agriculture intelligent controller can allow operator control right from the precision ag display.

Abstract: A semi-mounted monowheel plough includes a hitching device intended to be connected to a tractor, a single-piece frame equipped with plough bodies, a wheel and a beam guiding the wheel, the frame having a recess at the level of the wheel. Each plough body is connected to the frame by a first respective articulation, the plough bodies are connected with each other via a control mechanism integrated in the frame, each plough body is connected to the control mechanism by a second respective articulation and the control mechanism includes at least one straight bar and a curved bar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semi-mounted monowheel plough comprising a hitching device intended to be connected to a tractor, a single-piece frame equipped with plough bodies, a wheel and a beam guiding the wheel, the frame having a recess at the level of the wheel. Each plough body is connected to the frame by a first respective articulation, the plough bodies are connected with each other via a control mechanism integrated in the frame, each plough body is connected to the control mechanism by a second respective articulation and the control mechanism comprises at least one straight bar and a curved bar.

Abstract: A ground engaging agricultural toolbar for accommodating uneven terrain. The toolbar is provided with a plurality of long arms with multiple articulations, actuated and controlled by hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic cylinders may be actuated to fold the toolbar for transport and to prevent the toolbar from becoming damaged as it moves across uneven terrain. The toolbar may also be actuated to anticipated variations in the terrain, to further prevent potential damage to the machine.

Abstract: An agricultural implement, such as a row crop planter, has a main carrier frame drawn by a tractor and including support wheels. Individual row units are mounted on a lift frame. The carrier frame includes a cornered lift post which is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. A cornered sleeve or collar in the form of a tube is mounted to the lift frame for vertical sliding motion on the lift post. A lift hydraulic cylinder couples the lift frame to the carrier frame for setting the lift frame in (i) a use position wherein the row units are lowered to engage the soil; (ii) an intermediate, raised position wherein the row units are disengaged, for negotiating end turns; or (iii) a fully raised position wherein the lift frame and row units may be rotated from a transverse position to a longitudinal position, to narrow the implement for road travel.

Abstract: An earth scraper attachment adapted to be drawn by a farm tractor or other vehicle having a vertically adjustable three point hitch has an elongated frame with a front tongue portion connectable to the hitch with a specially designed hitch connection member. A rear end portion of the frame is supported on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the frame by a pair of wheels whose heights relative to the frame may be selectively and independently adjusted. Depending from a longitudinally central portion of the frame is an earth scraping blade which is supported on the frame for pivotal motion about a generally vertically extending axis, and may be locked in a selected pivotally adjusted position. A laterally spaced series of downwardly extending earth ripping teeth are supported beneath the frame forwardly of the scraping blade and are used to rip and loosen the earth prior to operation thereon by the scraping blade.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simplified tractor hitch structure for use with implements and an improved plow attachment for use in developing firelines in forest soil. The hitch allows implements to be moved between a raised transport position and a lowered working position. In the former, however, a simplified approach is employed to provide locking and unlocking functions controlled by the tractor operator while seated in the tractor and to positively prohibit horizontal swaying of the hitch and thus the implement.

Abstract: A tractor-drawn levee plow having a telescoping frame pivotally supporting a pair of harrow-gangs arranged to move soil laterally toward each other to a center-line to form the levee, the frame also pivotally supporting a pair of hydraulic cylinders powered by the tractor and connected in fluid-power series, one each of which is pivotally connected to the outer end portion of one of the gangs and each of which is utilized in practicing a new method involving forcibly holding the outer portion of its gang in elevated and/or depressed relation to its inner end portion while in ground-engaging position to thereby most effectively and efficiently construct a levee.

Abstract: An underground cable installing apparatus is disclosed herein along with its method of operation. The apparatus utilizes a power driven land vehicle and an elongated cable laying plow blade supported by and for movement with the vehicle in a way which places a lowermost end portion of the blade in the ground with its cutting edge disposed in the direction of vehicular movement. As the blade moves through the ground it lays cable in its path from a cooperating cable feeding mechanism. In accordance with one operational feature of the apparatus provided herein, its plow blade is supported for movement relative to its vehicle between a number of different operating positions including positions in front of and behind the vehicle as well as various positions on either side thereof. In accordance with another feature, the cable itself is fed from a supply wound about a drum or reel which is supported in an adjustable fashion on the vehicle.

Abstract: An implement side shift assembly is disclosed for laterally shifting an earth-working implement relative to a tractor or the like. The side shift assembly includes a frame assembly having laterally extending upper and lower slide rails. An implement support bracket mounts the implement to the slide rails for lateral movement. A slide plate is slidably mounted between the slide rails for lateral movement, and a piston-cylinder is connected between the frame assembly and slide plate to move the slide plate laterally. A latching mechanism mounted on the implement support bracket selectively connects the slide plate to the implement support bracket at one of a plurality of connecting points on the slide plate. One of the features of the invention resides in attaching lift cylinders to the side shift frame assembly at positions as far outboard as possible on the opposite ends of the frame assembly to reduce the bending and twisting moments on the frame induced by the implement.

Abstract: A control mechanism for adjusting the angle and lateral position of a plow blade, which is particularly useful for laying cable, pipe and the like underground. The disclosed control mechanism includes a fixed frame, which is supported on a suitable vehicle and a slide frame, which supports the plow blade. The slide frame is slideably supported on a horizontal rail of the fixed frame. A piston or other power means is connected to the fixed and slide frames to adjust the lateral position of the supported plow blade. The disclosed plow includes a support frame which is pivotally mounted on a vertical pivot on a slide frame and the control mechanism includes means to angularly adjust the blade on the pivot.

Abstract: A crawler tractor is connected to a cable, pipe and line laying machine with a hitch assembly. The hitch assembly has a transverse drawbar secured to forwardly directed side members. The side members being pivotally mounted to the side frames of the tractor are raised and lowered with a pair of double acting hydraulic cylinders. The machine has a frame attached to the drawbar. An annular resilient and flexible member pivotally mounts a body on the frame. An attitude control cylinder connected to the frame and body adjusts the angular position of the body and a plow standard connected to the body. Plow standard is connected to the body with link and connecting members. On forward movement of the tractor, the plow standard is moved through the soil to form a slit trench for the cable, pipe or line. The connecting members are mounted on a crank shaft rotated by a hydraulic motor to provide the standard with an orbital movement.

Abstract: A vibratory sheepsfoot is attached to a coupling assembly that is mounted on a hydraulically operated tool bar on the back of a tractor. The coupling assembly is designed to permit adjustability of the vibratory sheepsfoot in a vertical direction. The coupling assembly is mounted on the tool bar such that it can be moved along the length of the tool bar to a desired position. The apparatus is especially useful in compacting earth in a trench offset to the side of the tractor.