Abstract: A mowing machine adapted to be connected to a three-point lifting device of a tractor and powered by a power take-off therefrom, the mowing machine extending laterally to the side of the tractor and having two mowing assemblies, each of which includes a rotor which is powered by a gear chain and belts from the power take-off and is mounted by bearings to rotate about a substantially vertical axis which also contains a stationary shaft having the same longitudinal axis as the axis of rotation of the rotor. The vertical stationary shaft has a non-rotatable ring gear at its lower aspect which is surrounded by the rotor which, by a cover plate on its underside supports spur gears which mesh with the ring gear and also cutting elements, the arrangement being that the cutting elements rotate much faster than the rotor and are caused to rotate by the meshing of their individual spur gears with the ring gear.

Abstract: A cultivating implement has a row of rotors that are driven to rotate about upwardly extending axes and an elongated roller with pins that project obliquely rearwardly, considering the normal direction of rotation of the roller. The roller is mounted on arms that are pivoted to the frame on pivots. On the rear ends of the arms, a carrier is pivoted and elongated scraper elements are mounted along the length of the carrier. The elements can be mounted in groups or single and extend forwardly and downwardly so that their forward end parts bear on the roller's surface between the pins. Gaps in the elements or between same allow the pins to pass during rotation of the roller. The carrier is interconnected with the arms by springs that bias the end parts into contact with the roller's surface.

Abstract: An overload coupling has two relatively rotatable parts that are joined for corotation about a common axis by at least one frangible pin. The parts have recesses with cutting edges that sever the pins and springs that urge alternative pins on remainders of the severed pins through the recesses to automatically re-establish frangible connection. An assembly of pins can be spring loaded with the aid of a draw pin that releases the pins when in place and mounted on the coupling.

Abstract: A cultivating machine has a row of soil working members rotatable about upwardly extending axes and each member includes a carrier from which tools detachably depend. The lower tool ends have blades that are adjustable and detachable from the remainder of the tools. The blades are normally faced in the direction of rotation of the respective soil working member. The widest portions of the tools are substantially tangential to an imaginary circle centered on their axis of rotation.

Abstract: A low carbon glassing steel structure having a very fine grain structure used in glass coating applications without deterioration in strength and impact resistance after being subjected to multiple high temperature thermal cycles, the steel structure having a minimum Charpy V-Notch energy of 50 ft-lbs at -50.degree. F. in both the longitudinal and transverse directions and a minimum tensile strength of 60 KSI, an ASTM ferrite grain size of eight or finer, and the following composition:______________________________________ ELEMENT PERCENTAGE BY WEIGHT ______________________________________ Carbon up to 0.10 percent Manganese 0.45-1.25 percent Silicon 0.20-0.65 percent Niobium 0.02-0.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the cooling rate at the bottom of molds used in the electroslag remelting process as the ingots solidify therein to provide a slow cooling and eliminate butt cracking in the bottoms of such ingots.

Abstract: A water economizing system for new or existing buildings where the waste lines of lavatory sinks, showers and clothes washing machines are connected to a storage reservoir for accumulation of water therein. This accumulated water is filtered and treated and thereafter used for the operation of water closets of toilets, the storage reservoir providing for the removal of solids and foam by flushing action at the top and subsequently by the gravitational separation of solids which are periodically flushed from the bottom of the reservoir into the sewer. The pumping action which delivers the accumulated water to the water closets of toilets may optionally be hydraulically operated by a portion of the water drained to the storage reservoir.

Abstract: Removable lifting devices for tractors having horizontal front wheel axles which pivot relative to the contour of the ground, one device having tubes pivotably connected on each side of the tractor frame which rotatably and pivotably receive further tubes connected by a hinged structure to the tractor's forward axle and which extend forwardly thereof to be interconnected across the front of the tractor. The connecting hinged structure permits pivotable movement of the tube relative to the axle about substantially horizontal axes parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tractor. The front structure connecting the tube portions extending forwardly from the axle includes a hydraulically operated three-point lifting device wherein hydraulic cylinders are disposed within a quadrangular arrangement of pivotable arms including the lower of the three-point lifting device's links.

Abstract: An agricultural implement, such as a cultivator or harrow has fluid sprayers mounted on a boom extending across the implement's width. Adjacent each sprayer, a monitoring device is positioned to signal if the sprayers malfunction. The monitoring device includes a dielectric housing having an upper holder for a wire probe and a detachable lower cover that is hollow and has an open lower end. The cover has an inner chamber and an external skirt. The probe extends through the chamber and out of the lower end to a location near the outer edge of the spraying pattern. It is preferred that the lower portion of the probe be curved and extend in the direction of the fluid being sprayed. Each probe communicates to a respective light mounted on a control box located within the view or supervision of the implement operator so that any malfunction of a sprayer is immediately sensed.

Abstract: An implement attachable to the lifting links of a tractor has at least one, preferably two, rows of tines fixed to respective transverse frame beams. Between the rows of fixed tines, a supporting roller is pivoted to the frame. The roller can be adjusted relative to the frame to regulate the working depth of the first row of tines. An elongated soil working member is connected to the rear tined beam by a parallelogram linkage and a drive transmission, including at least one eccentric, is connected to upwardly extending support standards to reciprocate the working member in up and down directions so that lumps of soil are crumbled and levelled. The parallelogram linkage is resiliently connected or associated with the frame by opposing springs that permit reciprocal movements of the working member relative to the rear row of tines. The eccentric can be meshed pinions in a housing that are rotated by a drive shaft and each pinion weighted to be out of phase with the other by 180.degree..

Abstract: An implement has rows of tines on carrier supports that are elongated and extend transverse to the direction of travel. A transmission shaft with pairs of eccentrics is positioned between the supports and connected to move the tines of the supports to and fro in relatively opposite directions. The eccentrics are in pairs and interconnected to the frame by adjustable links that control the operative movements of the tines, those movements being in the direction of travel. A pulverizing member is pivoted to the rear carrier support to move with same and a front soil levelling member with strip-shaped members is positioned in front of the tines. Preferably, a supporting roller is connected to the frame at the rear of the pulverizing member.

Abstract: An implement mounts a row of rotatable members, having resilient tines, that are rotatable about upwardly extending shafts. The members are driven to rotate intermittently by eccentric mechanisms that reciprocate connectors back and forth, the connectors being coupled to pawls that engage ratchet wheels on the shafts. Non-return pawls prevent the shafts from turning in reverse direction. Preferably, there are at least four tined members mounted in a row on an elongated hollow frame portion and the input shaft mounts two eccentric mechanisms that are located centrally of the frame portion, each mechanism being connected to operate two of the tined members, out-of-phase, so that neighboring members are turned periodically in relative opposite directions. The frame portion is pivoted to a forward coupling member at several points, one of which is a shear pin that allows the frame portion to tilt upon overload of a tined member.

Abstract: An implement has a forward row of soil working members that have flat blades and the blades are periodically raised and lowered to initially coarsely break the soil with pivotal motions induced by respective eccentrics mounted on a horizontal shaft. The members have respective polygonal linkage connections to the frame. Further soil working members that include elongated bars with tines are moved to and fro to work the upper layer of coarsely broken soil. The bars are pivoted about upwardly extending pivots and an eccentric reciprocates the bars in relative opposite directions. A trailing roller is linked to the bars and to the frame supporting the bladed members. The bars and roller are interconnected to the frame sides by parallelogram linkages that can be fixed to regulate the working depths of the blades and the tines.

Abstract: A mowing machine has mowing units that are connected to a tractor's three point lifting device or devices at the front and/or rear side of the tractor. The units can be pivoted to an intermediate frame portion to extend laterally of that portion and hydraulic assemblies are connected to pivot each unit to a raised inoperative or transport position. The units each include a respective reciprocating cutter bar, and a crushing device with guides to move cut crop to the device. A drum mower can be positioned between the cutter bars. In another arrangement, a further unit can be attached at the front, with respect to the direction of machine travel. The frame portion includes beams that can form a sliding support for the frame portion and the units pivoted to that portion. Each unit can have vertical side walls and a driving transmission. Swath boards on the rear of each portion guide crop away from the tractor wheels.

Abstract: An overload coupling for two members, one rotating the other about a common axis, includes one or more frangible pin-like elements. Upon overload, the pin fractures and relative rotation between the members takes place. A spring or springs automatically urges one of the elements, mounted on one of the members, into engagement with an abutment on the other member to re-establish a rigid connection. The pin or pins can be in holders that extend radially or parallel to the common axis and each pin can be weakened in several areas and re-used. Also, a number of pins can be housed in a cassette that is connected to one coupling member by a release connection. Upon overload, in one embodiment, the spring or springs are mounted to urge the pin or pins only upon a reduction in the rotational speed of the coupling, when centrifugal force is overcome.

Abstract: A hydraulic driving mechanism for a vehicle wheel includes a housing and three piston-cylinder assemblies pivoted to side plates of the housing. Each assembly communicates with hydraulic fluid under pressure and a reciprocating piston rod of each assembly drives a pinion through a surrounding eccentric and driving ring when the assembly is rocked in an arc about its pivot connection. The assemblies and corresponding pinions are located around and in mesh with the outer periphery of a central pinion which is affixed to an output shaft to rotate the wheel. The rocking of each assembly causes a sliding valve within a control valve housing to open and close return and inlet fluid ducts. An anchorage links each sliding valve to the housing for the mechanism. The housing affords the connection between the wheel and the vehicle frame and includes two spaced-apart plates with strips between the plates that leave upper and lower blocks.

Abstract: A rotary harrow has soil working members that are driven to rotate on upwardly extending shafts. Each member has a horizontal central support, and an arm pivoted at each opposite end of the central support. A tine is fastened to the outer end of each arm and a soil working portion thereof extends down to work the soil upon rotation of the soil working members. A helical spring on each pivot extends to stops on the central support and the corresponding arm to bias that arm with tine to a forward operative position. Upon striking an obstacle, the tine and arm can pivot rearwardly and the spring urges same back to operative position when the obstacle is passed.

Abstract: A safety coupling between a driving coupling and a driven coupling has a shear pin operative connection that shears upon overload, allowing relative movement between the two couplings. The shear pin is urged to establish a second operative connection after limited relative movement between the couplings. In each operative connection, respective stops retain the pin against further displacement. In one application, soil working rotors are rotated by shafts coupled to tool supports. One or more of the driving shafts can be connected to its driven support through a shear pin. A flange on the shaft has an opening that houses the lower part of the pin and the tool support has a bore that houses an upper pin part. Upon shear, the flange turns and a spring urges the remainder of the upper pin part downwardly, whereupon a recess in the flange engages that part and a second operative connection is established.

Abstract: A raking device with a forward elongated rectangular or trapezoidal frame has coupling points that can be coupled to the three-point lift of a tractor. Two groups of rake wheels are pivoted to the frame and obliquely arranged in V formation, the point of the V being open and at the rear with respect to the direction of travel. The frame and beam members are normally positioned above the axles of rotation of the wheels so that windows will not be disturbed until engaged by the rake wheels and moved to the center of the device. Each group of rake wheels can be adjusted along the length of the elongated frame and a further rake wheel can be attached to the rear of either group of wheels. Each group of wheels preferably includes two pairs of rake wheels that are mounted on respective yokes journalled to a respective group beam that is pivoted to the frame and spring suspended. The device can be operated at high speeds and the rake wheels can match ground irregularities.

Abstract: A spreader for broadcasting fertilizer, seed or the like which is mounted on the rear of a tractor and has a hydraulic control for covering and uncovering a plurality of ports by closure members for feeding material from a hopper which includes such ports to an underlying rotatable spreading member. The actuating mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder and plunger and a parallel tension spring whereby the cylinder, when supplied with hydraulic fluid under pressure, causes the plunger to extend outwardly to close the ports in a lower portion of the hopper which is cylindrical through a mechanical linkage coupling therewith. The spring tends to force the closure members to open the ports. The linkage coupling to the closure members includes a coupling arm which also functions to indicate relative to an arcuate leg of a supporting member with numbers thereon the amount that the ports are opened by the closure members.