Abstract: An apparatus is provided to facilitate sod destruction and decomposition by cutting and crushing primarily horizontal roots and rhizomes while leaving vertical roots uncut. Multiple gangs of colters are attached to a frame, the colter gangs are arranged in staggered relation with respect to each other. The staggered relationship of the colter gangs allows the apparatus to cut relatively narrow strips of sod. A method of operating the apparatus is provided in which the apparatus is operated across a sod field in a first direction to cut the field into long, narrow strips of sod. The apparatus is then operated across the same field in a direction relatively perpendicular to the first direction, cutting the strips of sod into small pieces.

Abstract: A normally rigid planar framework for mounting a large number of ground working tools is made resilient to accommodate the torsional forces exerted on the rigid structural members of the framework as it passes over uneven ground and the tools are subjected to varying forces as they move through the ground. Resilience of the framework is achieved by having the structural members which are normally rigidly fastened together, fastened together instead by resilient fastening which permits torsional flexing between the rigid members so fastened. Additionally, rigid structural members of the framework which normally are pivotally connected to permit movement only around the pin axis of the pivotal connection, are resiliently pivotally connected so that slight rotation of the structural members can occur around the other two axes which intersect the pin axis of the respective pivotal connections at mutual right angles.

Abstract: Improvements in flexibility for wide swath agricultural implements having hinged wing frame sections to enable the implement to be folded compactly for transport and also to better follow ground contours are provided by dividing at least one of the sections into side-by-side subsections which are pivotally interconnected for relative movement about a transverse axis. Thus, relative flexing between adjacent frame portions can take place about hinge axes parallel to travel direction while relative flexing between adjacent wing sections of the frame can take place about transverse axes. Preferably the pivotal interconnections are located to divide the frame into portions of equal width and the pivotal interconnections are reinforced by link means which connect the adjacent portions to resist bending movements about a vertical axis at the interconnection while still permitting the hinged sections to be folded.

Abstract: An upstanding housing is provided and mounted in trailing relation to a depending tool shank by generally horizontal upper and lower pivot links having their forward ends pivotally supported from the tool shank and their rear ends pivotally supported from the housing. A driven power shaft is journaled in the upper portion of the housing and an output shaft is journaled in the lower portion of the housing. A chain is trained about sprocket wheels mounted on the shafts and has a spring biased idler sprocket wheel is engaged with one reach thereof for tensioning the chain. A rod weeder shaft has one end supported from the output shaft and additional laterally spaced depending tool shanks include trailing journal structures mounted for limited vertical shifting relative thereto and the rod weeder shaft has longitudinally spaced portions thereof journaled by the journal structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides in an agricultural ground treating device particularly but not exclusively a seed drill arranged to be towed over the ground and having a plurality of ground engaging implements, means for causing all of the implements to engage the ground with a substantially equal force.Preferably the means to equalizing the forces comprises a pivotal beam arrangement in which the implements are movably mounted on the chassis of the device and connected in pairs at each end of an associated balance beam, these balance beams are pivotally mounted at their mid points on respective ends of further balance beams which are mounted by their mid points at respective ends of yet further balance beams, and so on according to the number of implements on the device, the final balance beam or final pair of balance beams being connected to means on the chassis of the device for urging them, and the implements connected thereto towards the ground.

Abstract: A ground working implement is provided defining an intended forward path of movement and including first and second sections arranged in side-by-side relation relative to said path. The sections each include ground working elements and ground engaging support wheels. A first of the sections includes structure for attachment to a prime mover and structure is provided for coupling the first and second sections together for transferring forward thrust from the first section to the second section, limited angular displacement of the second section relative to the first section about a first horizontal axis generally normal to the path of intended movement and angular displacement of the second section at least 45.degree.

Abstract: A support is connectable with an agricultural machine, and a plurality of agricultural tools is provided which are mounted by mounting elements on the support so that they can be adjusted relative to the support. A single arresting element is provided which arrests all of the tools in their respective positions. The tools have mounting portions extending into a passage in the support and either the passage itself or an auxiliary element in the passage has a wedge face to engage the tool mounting portions.

Abstract: A rotary hoe implement, having hoe support arms independent of adjacent hoe support arms, and a selectively adjustable means for varying the downward pressure exerted by the leaf spring biasing means acting on each support arm.

Abstract: A multi-row vineyard cultivator for cultivating a plurality of generally parallel rows of grape vines simultaneously having a wheeled framework adapted to travel over the rows with first and second outriggers mounted on the framework extending from the framework in a direction generally perpendicular to the line of travel so that they overlie a row on each side of the framework. A downwardly depending post is provided on each of the outriggers. Cultivator assemblies are mounted on each of the posts which are adequate for one row. A hydraulic actuator is provided for moving the post and the cultivator assemblies carried thereby longitudinally along the outrigger associated therewith.