Towed Scraper With Ground Support Wheels Patents (Class 172/799.5)
  • Patent number: 11917932
    Abstract: A soil conditioner spreader and an operation method thereof are provided. The soil conditioner spreader includes a spreader body, a ridger, a solid tank, two spiral drills, a rotary tillage wheel and a mulching device, where the spreader body is provided with a hopper in a front part. The hopper stores a conditioner. The solid tank is arranged above the spiral drills. The spreader body is connected to the solid tank through a feeding track. The ridger, the spiral rills, the rotary tillage wheel and the mulching device are successively arranged at the bottom of the spreader body from the rear to the front. The ridger ridges first, and then the spiral drills perform deep plowing, rotary tillage and scarification and apply the conditioner to a ridge. The rotary tillage wheel performs rotary tillage, and a nozzle sprays a nutrient solution or an herbicide/insecticide. Finally, the mulching device mulches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
    Inventors: Jing Wang, Huancheng Pang, Yuyi Li, Li Zhang, Ping Cong, Na Liu, Hongyuan Zhang, Xiaoli Zhang
  • Patent number: 11898321
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a height of an implement mounted on a body of a vehicle as the vehicle travels over a terrain are provided. Sensor data is received from a set of sensors disposed on the vehicle. A trajectory associated with the vehicle is determined based on the received sensor data. A profile of the terrain is estimated based on the determined trajectory associated with the vehicle. A ditch is detected in the terrain and compensation values for adjusting the height of the implement are determined based on the estimated profile of the terrain to compensate for the detected ditch. One or more control signals are transmitted to one or more actuators for adjusting the height of the implement based on the determined compensation values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Shahab Kalantar, Dmytro Poplavskiy
  • Patent number: 11466425
    Abstract: A land plane that may be moved over an agricultural field to smooth any irregularities in the surface of the field is pulled by a tow vehicle and has a blade assembly in a general diamond shape. The general diamond shape may be between 30 and 35 feet wide and 35 and 40 feet long. Thus, the land plane may have a sufficient length for drag and earth moving capability to economically and properly level a field, and a sufficient width to cover a substantially large area in single pass over the field. Further, the land plane may have foldable wing sections that enable the land plane to be transported over a typical state or county road or highway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventor: Brian Alumbaugh
  • Patent number: 11155980
    Abstract: A chisel arrangement is arranged to be connected to a pivotal tool mount on a work machine. A pivot axis of the tool mount forms an operative pivot axis of the chisel arrangement. The chisel arrangement includes a housing provided with a coupling portion which is arranged to be attachable to the tool mount. A reciprocatable chisel projects from an end portion of the housing. A clearing blade is rigidly attached to the housing remotely from the end portion and projects from the periphery of the housing and is provided with a forward edge which is substantially parallel to the operative pivot axis of the chisel arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventor: Per Jørgen Myhre
  • Patent number: 10968606
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for estimating yaw of an implement relative to a machine. The yaw is estimated using gyro signals. The gyro signals may be provided by gyro sensors such as IMUs that are coupled to the implement and machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Francisco R. Green
  • Patent number: 10039225
    Abstract: A land roller implement includes a wheel aligned with the respective gap between the inner roller and the outer roller of each wing in which the wheel is pivotal between a packing position in the working position of the rollers and a transport position supporting the rollers in the transport position of the implement. The wings can also include a drive motor associated with each transport wheel to drive forward rotation of the wheel for displacing the wings from the transport position to the working position without displacing the implement in a rearward direction. A levelling beam attachment and a seeding attachment can also optionally be used on the land roller implement. Optional latchable brace members pivotally supported on the wings may provide additional support to the wings when using the levelling beam attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: AG Shield Ltd.
    Inventors: David Gary McCrea, Thomas Edward McCrea
  • Patent number: 8944178
    Abstract: A tongue pulled spreader and grader system having a pair of spaced apart sidewalls and cross beams to define a frame portion, a plurality of moveable or fixed blades extending between the sidewalls, each blade positionable along the length of each sidewall and fixed in position at a predetermined angle; a tongue for mounting the frame to the rear of a vehicle; a pair of wheels positioned on an axle on either side of the sidewalls; means for manually or hydraulically extending the wheels to a down position to make contact with a surface in order to transport the spreader and grader and for retracting the wheels to an up position so that the spreader and grader can undertake the grading process. The spreader and grader can attach to and be operated by ATVs, SUVs, light trucks, lawn tractors, sub compact tractors, side by side ATVs and fork trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Domor Equipment, LLC
    Inventor: Richard A. Seal
  • Patent number: 8944177
    Abstract: A scraper that has a frame that supports wheels. The scraper includes a blade and a blade height and tilt assembly that are connected to the frame in order to both adjust the height of the blade and the angle at which the blade cuts soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Louis E. Guynn
  • Publication number: 20140331527
    Abstract: A ditching apparatus features front blade sections fixed to the frame in a V-configuration, and a pull tongue extending over the blade apex to a pivotal connection near a rear of the frame. An actuation mechanism effects relative pivoting between the frame and the pull tongue to adjust an angle between the front blade and the trailer tongue to control a ground-penetration depth of the blade apex. Two rear blade sections on opposing sides of the frame are movable between deployed positions extending rearwardly and laterally outward from the front blade sections, and stowed positions elevated out of the deployed positions. The blade angle and width are thus controllable to achieve a desired depth and width of ditch. A nose cap at the blade apex provides an improved ground breaking action, while internally braced blade structures will roll formed skins provide durability and smooth rolling action of displaced earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ryan Penner
  • Publication number: 20140124226
    Abstract: To provide a scraper and a process for removal of soil or similar materials of a land usually irregular. The scrapers of the state of the art include some problems, such as change of scraper when the land includes several types of material to be removed, for example, dry soils combined with muddy ones, to facilitate the thrust of the scraper to release from stuck the machine and provide a scraper with a construction that allows movements of land in a more controlled due to that the cutting blade does not vary its angle of attack when you move the tilting box. The scraper of the present invention comprises both an unloading system by a tilting box as an unloading system through an ejector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventor: Jose Leoncio Valdez Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20130284466
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a grading and/or scarifier apparatus configured to be coupled to a motor vehicle, such as a tractor. The apparatus may include a rear mounted frame supporting a blade assembly and/or a scarifier. The scarifier may include a first frame, a second frame slideably disposed through the first frame, and scarifier shanks retained by the second frame. The blade assembly may be pivotable around a substantially vertical axis extending from the blade assembly and/or around a substantially horizontal axis extending through the center of the motor vehicle. The blade assembly may include adjustable end plates at each end, which are maintained at a constant angle to the horizontal axis as the blade is pivoted around the vertical axis. The apparatus may further include trailing wheels that are pivotally attached to the frame and selectively laterally displaceable with respect to the horizontal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Jack D. LAYTON
  • Patent number: 8544558
    Abstract: A tongue pulled spreader and grader system having a pair of spaced apart sidewalls and cross beams to define a frame portion, a plurality of moveable or fixed blades extending between the sidewalls, each blade positionable along the length of each sidewall and fixed in position at a predetermined angle; a tongue for mounting the frame to the rear of a vehicle; a pair of wheels positioned on an axle on either side of the sidewalls; means for manually or hydraulically extending the wheels to a down position to make contact with a surface in order to transport the spreader and grader and for retracting the wheels to an up position so that the spreader and grader can undertake the grading process. The spreader and grader can attach to and be operated by ATVs, SUVs, light trucks, lawn tractors, sub compact tractors, side by side ATVs and fork trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Domor Equipment, LLC
    Inventor: Richard A. Seal
  • Patent number: 8418777
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a traction structure and a tool beam rearward of the traction structure. First and second wheeled support structures support the tool beam at opposite respective ends of the tool beam. First and second linkages each have a forward portion connected to the traction structure and rearward portions connected to the first and second support structures respectively. An actuator is effective between the traction structure and the first linkage for selectively adjusting an angular position of the first linkage relative to the longitudinal axis of the traction structure. The tool beam provides a force transmitting connection between the rearward portions of the first and second linkages whereby angular movement of the first linkage relative to the traction structure is accompanied by angular movement of the second linkage relative to the traction structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: GK Machine, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Grossen
  • Patent number: 8079425
    Abstract: A towable farm and garden implement trailer which has a modular receiver. The modular receiver is operatively configured to receive implements above or below the frame of the trailer. Implements which may be removably coupled to the underside of the trailer include such implements as a lawn de-thatcher, transport box, box blade, drag harrow, slurry blade, etc. Examples of implements which could be carried and removably coupled to the top side of the trailer frame include such implements as a spreader, tank, carrying platform and other similar implements. In one form, the implement trailer comprises an actuator positioned between the frame and the wheels to allow the wheels to be raised and lowered with respect to the trailer frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventors: Craig Van Kooten, Brian Johnston
  • Publication number: 20110265699
    Abstract: A land roller implement includes a wheel aligned with the respective gap between the inner roller and the outer roller of each wing in which the wheel is pivotal between a packing position in the working position of the rollers and a transport position supporting the rollers in the transport position of the implement. The wings can also include a drive motor associated with each transport wheel to drive forward rotation of the wheel for displacing the wings from the transport position to the working position without displacing the implement in a rearward direction. A levelling beam attachment and a seeding attachment can also optionally be used on the land roller implement. Optional latchable brace members pivotally supported on the wings may provide additional support to the wings when using the levelling beam attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: David Gary McCrea, Thomas Edward McCrea
  • Patent number: 7673700
    Abstract: An earthmoving scraping device including a bowl-shaped frame having a front end, a back end, and opposing first and second side walls extending upwardly from a floor. The first side wall, the second side wall, and the floor define an interior of the frame for transporting material over a surface. A mechanism is configured for adjusting the frame to change the height of the frame relative to the surface. A push block is mounted adjacent the back end of the frame and includes a bumper. A linkage system pivotally connects the push block to the back end of the frame and is configured to maintain a consistent height of the push block from the surface when the mechanism adjusts the frame to change the height of the frame relative to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Moyna
  • Patent number: 7647984
    Abstract: A push block, a scraping device and a method for collecting a material are provided. The scraping device has a frame, a blade attached to the bottom of the frame, a tongue attached to a front end of the frame and a beam attached to a back end of the frame. Tires are connected to the beam. The scraping device has a front lift mechanism at the front end of the frame and/or a rear lift mechanism at the back end of the frame. The front lift mechanism has a front cylinder connected to the tongue and the front end of the frame. The rear lift mechanism has a rear cylinder attached to the back end of the frame. Movement of the front cylinder and the rear cylinder results in raising and/or lowering of the corresponding ends of the frame of the scraping device. The push block is pivotally connected to an arm and pivotally connected to a tire beam. The arm and the tire beam are pivotally connected to the back end of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Moyna
  • Patent number: 7640996
    Abstract: An earthmoving scraping device has a bowl-shaped frame with walls and a frame floor that define an interior for transporting material and a walking beam system for the rear wheels thereof that includes a suspension arm pivotally connected between the back end of the frame and a beam, the beam having first and second axles on separate sides of the beam. Connected to the axles is a tire system that includes a cylindrical metal rim with an outer surface and a plurality of solid tire segments, each of the tire segments having at least one track that is connected to a mounting plate, the mounting plates being circumferentially positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Moyna
  • Patent number: 7600576
    Abstract: A road drag for medium and heavy grading projects is provided. The road drag includes a pair of side members and front, center and rear transverse bars that define a rectangular shaped platform. A V-member is disposed adjacent each corner of the platform and steel blades are attached to a first arm of each of the V-members in a downward direction. A center V-member is further attached to the center bar. Steel blades are further attached to ends of the center V-member in a downward direction. A tail board is secured to a pair of extensions that extend from the rear bar of the platform that defines a rear section. The rear section includes means to prevent the tail board from bouncing or hopping during application in order to better distribute material during use. The road drag further includes an axle and preferably dual wheels near or adjacent the tail board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Inventor: Daryl Gayer
  • Publication number: 20090194303
    Abstract: A height and gradient adjustment system is disclosed for raising, lowering, leveling, and changing a gradient, especially the gradient of implements. The height and gradient adjustment system enables independent height adjustment of each side, right or left, of the implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Ralph P. Moe
  • Publication number: 20090188685
    Abstract: A soil spreading scraper device comprises a cutting blade for cutting a top layer of soil from the ground, a kicker for throwing the cut soil rearward from the cutting blade, and an impeller member rotatable within a plane of rotation extending upward and rearward from the cutting blade for capturing the soil thrown by the kicker and spreading the cut soil generally radially outward relative to an axis of rotation of the impeller. A gearbox which receives power from a power takeoff of a towing vehicle directly drives the rotation of the impeller member in the preferred embodiment. The blades of the impeller members may include recessed portions adjacent the impeller axis in some embodiments to encourage soil being received in the impeller member even at higher rates of rotation, for example in the range of 250 to 320 RPM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Adolf Vaags, Jeffrey David Schott, John Wiebe
  • Publication number: 20090107014
    Abstract: An earthmoving scraping device is disclosed. The scraping device includes a bowl-shaped frame having a front end, a back end, and opposing first and second side walls extending upwardly from a floor. The first side wall, the second side wall, and the floor define an interior of the frame for transporting material over a surface. A mechanism is configured for adjusting the frame to change the height of the frame relative to the surface. A push block is mounted adjacent the back end of the frame and includes a bumper. A linkage system pivotally connects the push block to the back end of the frame and is configured to maintain a consistent height of the push block from the surface when the mechanism adjusts the frame to change the height of the frame relative to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: John P. Moyna
  • Publication number: 20090095496
    Abstract: An earthmoving scraping device has a bowl-shaped frame with walls and a frame floor that define an interior for transporting material and a walking beam system for the rear wheels thereof that includes a suspension arm pivotally connected between the back end of the frame and a beam, the beam having first and second axles on separate sides of the beam. Connected to the axles is a tire system that includes a cylindrical metal rim with an outer surface and a plurality of solid tire segments, each of the tire segments having at least one track that is connected to a mounting plate, the mounting plates being circumferentially positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: John P. Moyna
  • Publication number: 20080296033
    Abstract: A road drag for medium and heavy grading projects is provided. The road drag includes a pair of side members and front, center and rear transverse bars that define a rectangular shaped platform. A V-member is disposed adjacent each corner of the platform and steel blades are attached to a first arm of each of the V-members in a downward direction. A center V-member is further attached to the center bar. Steel blades are further attached to ends of the center V-member in a downward direction. A tail board is secured to a pair of extensions that extend from the rear bar of the platform that defines a rear section. The rear section includes means to prevent the tail board from bouncing or hopping during application in order to better distribute material during use. The road drag further includes an axle and preferably dual wheels near or adjacent the tail board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Daryl Gayer
  • Publication number: 20080230244
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for moving a scraping device are provided. The scraping device has a frame, a blade attached to the bottom of the frame, a tongue attached to a front end of the frame and a beam attached to a back end of the frame. Tires are connected to the beam. The scraping device has a front lift mechanism at the front end of the frame and/or a rear lift mechanism at the back end of the frame. The front lift mechanism has a front cylinder connected to the tongue and the front end of the frame. The rear lift mechanism has a rear cylinder attached to the back end of the frame. Movement of the front cylinder and the rear cylinder results in raising and/or lowering of the corresponding ends of the frame of the scraping device. Raising and/or lowering of the front end and/or the back end of the frame adjusts the angle of the frame relative to the ground, adjusts the angle of the blade relative to the ground and/or adjusts the ground clearance of the scraping device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: John P. Moyna
  • Patent number: 7367408
    Abstract: A scraping device, a system and a method for collecting a material are provided. The scraping device may have a bowl having a first end and a second end. A lip may be positioned at the first end and may cover an opening at the first end. In an embodiment, direct mounted cylinders may be attached to the lip and may move the lip to completely cover or uncover the opening. The scraping device may have a tongue mounted to the bowl having a triangular-shaped plate mechanism that may be used to raise and to lower a cutting edge attached to the bowl. Cylinders connected to the mechanism may be retracted or extended to raise or to lower the scraping device. A load within the scraping device may be lifted by force exerted from a barrel end of a cylinder, thus utilizing a maximum potential of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Moyna
  • Publication number: 20080000660
    Abstract: An implement is disclosed having a unique blade assembly, a unique claw assembly, and a unique gradient system for raising, lowering, leveling, and changing the gradient of an implement. The blade angle and blade pitch can be independently adjusted on the blade assembly. The blade assembly and claw assembly use chains to provide force to the lower portions of the blade and prongs, respectively, to maintain the position of the lower portions of the blade and prongs, respectively, when there is forward motion of the implement. The gradient system enables independent height adjustment of each side, right and left, of the implement. When the gradient system is incorporated into the same implement as the blade assembly, the combination makes the gradient of the blade adjustable as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventor: Ralph Palmer Moe
  • Patent number: 7077216
    Abstract: An earth working scraper for use removing and transporting earth is disclosed. The scraper includes a scraper blade for scraping earth from a ground surface, a receiving area located near the blade for receiving earth scraped from the ground surface by the blade, a rotatable axle for providing transportation of the scraper connected with respect to the blade and receiving area, and a track apparatus connected with respect to the rotatable axle. The track apparatus may include a continuous flexible track having an upper length and a ground-engaging lower length and including an inner surface, an axle wheel mountable to the rotatable axle for rotational movement therewith, the axle wheel engaging the inner surface of the flexible track along the upper length to drive the flexible track in response to rotation of the axle, and a frame for mounting the axle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: ATI, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Juncker
  • Patent number: 6904979
    Abstract: A towable earth working apparatus for landscaping, leveling, grading, cutting and for spreading dirt, sand, gravel, is hitched by a trailer arm to a vehicle such as a small tractor or pickup truck. The apparatus has a grader secured to a trailer having a carriage frame with a wheel support assembly attached to a pivot attachment mechanism. The wheel support assembly supports laterally spaced wheels about a journal axis. A wheel support actuator is connected to the journal axis for transmitting actuator movement to the wheel support assembly, where the wheels pivot in both angular directions about the journal axis, to raise and lower the wheels relative to the grader, changing the grader's height. The angular inclination of the grader relative to a reference plane, and consequently the angular inclination of a cutting blade mounted on the grader, is still further adjusted by a pivot attachment actuator, such as a turnbuckle, of the pivot attachment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Sekely Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Confoey
  • Publication number: 20040188116
    Abstract: A road scraper includes a frame having forwardly positioned blades extending rearwardly and laterally for directing loose material against a rear blade extending angularly in the opposite direction between rearwardly extending side frame members thereby causing loose material on the road to be redistributed across the road under the rear blade on the back side of the frame. A rearwardly positioned dam blade cooperates with the rear angular blade to cause loose material to be accumulated and then discharged through a passageway between the rear end of the dam blade and the angular blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas E. Winger
  • Patent number: 6789629
    Abstract: A mobile trailer having an easily raisable and lowerable ground engaging scraper/leveler planar type plate that a single user can raise and lower by a lever arm. Various spring type members allow for the plate to be easily moved upward and downward, and the plate can be locked in a raised position. The trailer can be easily towed behind small tractors and all terrain vehicles(ATVs). Another embodiment allows the plate to be easily raised and lowered by a single arm having one end pivotally attached t a support frame on the mobile trailer. The arm can be slid into side catches so that the plate is at selected heights as needed. Another embodiment allows for a barrel to be pivotally attached to the frame so that raising and lowering the arm allows for a filled barrel to be turned upside down discharging any contents in the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Leland W. Jones
  • Patent number: 6672401
    Abstract: A towable scraper system for contour surface grading. The system includes a rigid chassis member that has a coupler configured for attachment to a conventional three-point tractor hitch. A scraper blade is pivotally suspended from the rigid chassis member and is equipped with a blade motivator for causing an angular rotation of the blade around an axis aligned with a towing direction. A lift assembly raises and lowers the rigid chassis member to control a height of the scraper blade relative to a work surface to be graded. The towable scraper system is provided with a carriage assembly that offers rolling support for the rigid chassis as it moves over the work surface. The carriage assembly is pivotally coupled to the rigid chassis at a location opposed to the coupler and is configured for angular rotation around a second axis aligned with the towing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Southern Laser, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Crowley, II
  • Patent number: 6615929
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for high speed grading a road in a single pass. The grader including a frame supported above a surface. At least one blade is pivotally fixed to the frame, and is positionable to engage the surface. A first biasing mechanism biases the blade toward a forward position. At least one leveling board is pivotally fixed to the frame, and is positionable to engage the surface rearwardly of the blade. A second biasing mechanism biases the leveling board toward a forward position. A packing mechanism is fixed rearwardly of the leveling board, and is positionable to engage the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Savannah Smooth Roads, LLC
    Inventor: David W. Heckendorf
  • Publication number: 20030141086
    Abstract: An agricultural primary tillage implement is disclosed with a soil surface tillage point assembly attached in front of the shank. The tillage point is adjustable fore-and-aft for optimum clearance between the shank and a leading soil preparation apparatus to maximize clearance for residue movement. The tillage point in also adjustable for depth. The soil surface tillage point assembly reduces the amount of residue in line with the shank path (row) and creates smaller clod sizes of soil in line with the shank swath, resulting in a better seedbed and faster warm up in the spring, enabling the planter to run in cleaner soil, preventing planter plugging and uneven seed planting depth as well as resulting in better seed-to soil-contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Rickey L. Gerber
  • Publication number: 20030141088
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement is disclosed employing a series of apparatus to perform one-pass primary tillage. A coulter is the first apparatus that works the field. These coulters cut, size and part the residue without mixing it into the seedbed. Next, a tillage shank runs a point through the compaction layer to fracture and loosen the soil, providing proper soil aggregate size and air pore space relationship throughout the shank tillage profile. Next is a pair of soil-gathering blades that capture and gather the loose soil and residue together and to create a berm of a mixture of soil and residue. The last apparatus to work the field is a rotary reel that conditions the strip of soil to give ideal seed-to-soil contact and uniform berm size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Rickey L. Gerber
  • Publication number: 20030141087
    Abstract: An agricultural primary tillage implement is disclosed with a row cleaner assembly attached in front of the shank. That row cleaner is adjustable fore-and-aft for optimum clearance between the shank and a leading soil preparation apparatus to maximize clearance for residue movement. The row cleaner is also adjustable for depth. The row cleaner assembly reduces the amount of residue in line with the shank path (row) and creates smaller clod sizes of soil in line with the shank swath, resulting in a better seedbed and faster warm up in the spring, enabling the planter to run in cleaner soil, preventing planter plugging and uneven seed planting depth as well as resulting in better seed-to soil-contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Rickey L. Gerber
  • Patent number: 6453582
    Abstract: A snowplow apparatus as adapted to attach to a vehicle having a ball hitch assembly. The snowplow apparatus has a blade assembly connected to an elongated drawbar. A frictionally activated elevating mechanism is operatively connected to the drawbar and moves between a vertical and non-vertical orientation depending upon whether elevation of the blade or contact with the blade and the ground is desired, respectively. A further aspect relates to a lateral stabilization device associated with the opposite end of the drawbar, such stabilization device coming into contact with static members operatively associated with a hitch ball such that lateral movement of the drawbar is substantially precluded due to the contact between the stabilization members and the static elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventor: Richard E. Fulton, III
  • Publication number: 20020056556
    Abstract: A towed, agricultural implement includes an undercarriage supported on ground wheels that are attached to the undercarriage by trailing support arms. An adjusting motor is coupled between the undercarriage and a transverse torsion rod having its opposite ends coupled to the wheel support arms by braces. The adjusting motor is selectively operable for raising and lowering the ground wheels relative to the undercarriage, with the torsion rod acting to absorb shocks between the undercarriage and the wheel support arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Applicant: Deere & Company, a Delaware corporation
    Inventor: Lionel Guiet
  • Patent number: 6360827
    Abstract: An apparatus and method transporting an attachment, such as a box blade assembly, which is secured to a land based vehicle has a box blade and a transporting mechanism. The box blade is made up of two opposing side walls, an open top and bottom, and front and rear sides. The walls are connected using frame members and a cutting surface extends between the side walls and below the bottom edge of the side walls. The transporting mechanism is comprised of a movable frame member rotatably secured to the rear of the box blade at one end and operatively secured to one or more wheels at the other end. A lifting member, which may be a hydraulic cylinder or hand crank, is operatively secured to the movable frame member and to the top of the box blade. Using a single point of attachment hitch, such as a ball type hitch, the box blade may still be lifted from the work surface for easy transport, and then easily lowered for use on a work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Clary Investment, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Clary
  • Patent number: 6336281
    Abstract: A snowplow apparatus as adapted to attach to a vehicle having a ball hitch assembly. The snowplow apparatus has a blade assembly connected to an elongated drawbar. A frictionally activated elevating mechanism is operatively connected to the drawbar and moves between a vertical and non-vertical orientation depending upon whether elevation of the blade or contact with the blade and the ground is desired, respectively. A further aspect relates to a lateral stabilization device associated with the opposite end of the drawbar, such stabilization device coming into contact with static members operatively associated with a hitch ball such that lateral movement of the drawbar is substantially precluded due to the contact between the stabilization members and the static elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Richard E. Fulton, III
  • Patent number: 6328115
    Abstract: A wheeled dirt scraper having a pair of stabilizer rails pivotally mounted onto each of the side wings of the box, the rails being provided with damping devices to reduce, absorb and eliminate shock effects. The rails have a relatively large surface contact area and extend substantially the length of the wings. The rails are mounted such that the lower surfaces can pivot below or even with the bottom edges of the wings, so that the rails can remain in contact with the ground even when the wings are suspended above the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Jimmy Carter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6286608
    Abstract: This invention relates to an invention of a novel detachable garden type chisel plow that is towed behind a small farm or garden tractor unit. This invention has an independent self raising gas pressurized lift jacks mechanism attached to one chisel point shank plow which can be easily lowered by the tractor operator using the plow engagement rope. The lifting device of this invention utilizes two gas pressurized lift jacks thereby avoiding the need for a hydraulic system or other power lift system. The novel apparatus of this invention also has the capability to receive and utilize additional optional attachments such as a tilling disk apparatus, drag chain attachment, and useful farming other like devices. The apparatus of this invention works with a small farm or garden tractor unit equipped with a plate or bar tow capability having only a small diameter hole in the tow plate or tow bar and does not require a three point hitch or type of lift mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: William A. Fowble, III
  • Patent number: 6206106
    Abstract: A grader to enable high speed grading for gravel or unmade roads having a plurality of grader blades the position of each blade being maintained in a forward most grading position by an hydraulic ram which is hydraulically connected a gas accumulator. The blades are collectively supported by a draft frame the height of which is changeable by a hydraulic ram also coupled to the gas accumulator. Each blade, when in its forward most position, is rearward of the axis of the pivot support for the leg supporting that blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Savannah Forestry Equipment, LLC
    Inventor: David W Heckendorf