Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive technology present novel methods of controlling the movement, in several degrees of freedom, of an implement mounted to and supported by a motor vehicle (e.g., a tractor). Particular embodiments may focus on the use of actuators attached (at an end) to a movable frame (which may have a shaft running at least partially therethrough) to control the motion of an implement assembly. A related novel method of operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application discloses an improvement to hydraulically operated wing lift wheels used in tillage equipment. According to embodiments of the present invention, a hydraulic lockout mechanism is provided that uses gravity to rotate a weighted latch into a position that prevents full retraction of a hydraulic cylinder when in a certain orientation. When in other orientations, the weighted latch is in a position that allows the hydraulic cylinder to fully retract.

Abstract: A ground opener that is allowed to caster in one direction is associated with a pair of arms connected by a pivot connection that allows one arm to move relative to the other arm. The movable arm is forced against the stationary arm when the ground opener impacts the soil as the ground opener is pulled along a relatively straight travel path. When the ground opener is turned radially from the straight travel path, the movable arm may cast away from the stationary arm. The disc opener is coupled to the movable arm through a central hub and, as such, the trailing edge of the disc opener will move away from the stationary arm as the disc opener is turned. When the disc opener has completed the turn, the torque on the disc opener will lessen thereby allowing the movable arm to move back toward the stationary arm.

Abstract: A ground scraper designed to be pulled by a tractor or the like includes a pair of parallel frame rails with a scraper blade between them and perpendicular to them. The scraper blade can lowered to a preferred depth of scraping and can be raised above the bottom of the frame for towing. Dual-wheeled trucks on the rear of the frame can be raised off the ground to allow the frame to contact the ground for scraping and can be lowered into contact with the ground, also raising the frame off the ground, for towing on roads or the like. The rear of a tongue can be raised relative to the front of the tongue to pick up the front of the ground scraper frame for transporting the ground scraper and then the rear of the tongue can be lowered relative to the front of the tongue, allowing the frame to contact the ground. The exact angle of the tongue can float up and down in order to allow towing on uneven terrain.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for use with farm implements or other equipment utilizes a series of alternating teeth and notches arranged in an arcuate pattern about an axis of adjusting movement on a movable member and a pair of arcuately spaced latching bars on a stationary member of the mechanism. The bars are individually shiftable into and out of engagement with the teeth and notches and are spaced apart such a distance that when either of the bars is in registration with a notch, the other bar is in registration with a tooth. Springs yieldably bias the bars toward the teeth and notches so that the bar aligned with a notch will snap down into the notch while the other bar resides in a standby position abutting the outer end of its tooth.

Abstract: A seed drill particularly adapted for contouring uneven ground and accommodating rocks, especially where depth of furrow and placement of seed against wet soil is critical, as in dry land farming. Each drill in a set of drills is a separate unit which is mounted on a vehicle. Each unit includes a split press wheel with an opener mounted within the wheel. The units can easily be individually mounted or adjusted on the vehicle for spacing and height. The opener has an articulating adjusting arm which allows easy adjustment to all preferred positions.

Abstract: An improved grader circle for reinforcing the outer surface of a circle. The improved grader circle assembly of the present invention includes a circle defining an outer surface from which two vertical beams extend in an opposing manner. A front reinforcement plate is welded to the outer surface of the circle at a front portion thereof and the front reinforcement plate extends between the first ends of each of the vertical beams. Two rear reinforcement plates are welded to the outer surface of the circle at a rear thereof, one each between the second ends of the vertical beams and the tip cylinder bracket.

Abstract: A row cultivator (10) includes a row following system (12) coupled to a toolbar (13) employing frame members (17) and (18) constrained to remain parallel by a cross member (21). Coulter wheels (30) and (31) secured to the frame members (17) and (18) are non-steerable and tool bar drift may be corrected. A tool (40) employs a leading blade (44) and a pair of diverging cutting blades (47) and (48) trailing behind the leading blade (44). A sheer release assembly employs a longitudinally extending bolt (70) centrally disposed and holding a shank (61) to a tool bar (65) so that when a tool on the shank (61) strikes an underground obstacle the bolt (70) is sheared longitudinally.

Abstract: A plow debris deflector for attachment to plows is disclosed. The plow debris deflector improves trash flow, buries stalks, stems, leaves and other debris without discing and requires low maintenance while providing excellent soil rotation and burying cover crops, trash, litter and other debris eight to ten inches beneath the surface of the soil. The plow debris deflector may include a first vertical portion having a mounting mechanism for mounting the plow debris deflector to a moldboard plow. The mounting mechanism may include a plow connecting slot so the debris deflector may be interchangeably mounted to a variety of plows. A lower portion of the plow debris deflector may be custom designed to complement the shape of the plow to which it is attached. The plow debris deflector includes a second horizontal portion, which may include a curved and twisted plate member for deflecting stalks and stems of various heights.

Abstract: An improved digging point assembly comprises a holder, a blade member and a digging tip member connected in series. The blade member is constructed such that, when partially worn, it can be used as a tip member on a fresh blade member. The tip can be allowed to wera out completely and the blade can also be allowed to wear until damage to the holder is imminent. The worn blade member is then used as a tip on a fresh blade member, and the cycle repeated.

Abstract: An elongated boom is pivotally mounted to the forward portion of a tractor and includes a pair of drive/steering wheels mounted to the forward end portion thereof. An electrically actuated, hydraulic control system provides for direction control and rotation of the drive/steering wheels as well as for pivoting displacement of the boom. The drive/steering wheels are mounted to the boom by means of a front axle bolster and pivot assembly, the mounting point of which to the boom may be fixed as desired to permit the effective length of the boom to be varied. Also mounted to a forward portion of the boom by means of the front axle bolster and pivot assembly is a three-point hitch with tilting mast to which a toolbar having a plurality of row units mounted thereto is attached. A hydraulic top link cylinder coupled between the front axle bolster and pivot assembly and the three point hitch allows the toolbar to be rotated about its longitudinal axis and thus affords on-the-go row unit depth control.

Abstract: A cultivating machine has soil working members journalled in a hollow frame portion. Each member includes a harrow with supports and downwardly extending strips attached to the supports. The lower strip ends each mount a curved blade that is pointed in the direction of member rotation. Drive to the members is a power take off via a speed reduction gear assembly in a box supported on the frame portion. The assembly can include different sized pinions or a sun-planet gear arrangement. Each member has a respective pinion that is housed in the frame portion and in one arrangement, the gear and shaft of each member are journalled with a bearing housing which are bolted as a unit for easy and fast replacement. Neighboring member pinions have intermediate pinions interposed and journalled within the frame portion. The frame is supported on ground wheels at the sides and in front of the frame portion.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting for a subterranean tool such as one for penetrating the ground and for laying cable or the like. The tool is mounted on a tractor which moves over the ground and forms a cut in the ground, and mounting members support the tool from the tractor in various angled positions depending upon the desired angle for presenting the tool cutting edge in the ground. Mounting members between the tractor and the tool are adjustable for adjusting the ground cutting angle.

Abstract: A cultivating machine has one or more working members that are driven to rotate about upwardly extending axes. Each working member is connected to a drive transmission to turn and, spaced apart soil working members mounted for free rotation about respective axes, are moved through the soil. At least two of the soil working members are different from one another and capable of workingthe soil in different ways. One member can be a group of tines that are freely rotatable about an upwardly extending axis and an adjacent member can be a disc that rotates about a horizontal axis. Each member includes a stub shaft that is journalled in a universal mount so that the members can be released and exchanged to meet varying soil conditions. The mount has a pivot connection and a setting device to retain the soil working member at various working angles. Also, the stud shaft is adjustable within a sleeve of the mount.