Abstract: The invention comprises a bridge frame for a transfer press. In one aspect of the invention, a bridge frame includes a first plurality of horizontal beams operable to receive a press bed, a second plurality of horizontal beams disposed outwardly from the press bed and operable to receive a crown capable of moving a slide vertically relative to the press bed and the crown, and a plurality of vertical support structures disposed between the first and second plurality of horizontal beams and supporting the second plurality of horizontal beams.

Abstract: A reorientation station has front and rear vertical drives that are spaced apart from each other along a flow axis of the orientation station that coincides with the flow axis of the machine. A pivot carriage support bar is coupled at its front end to the front vertical drive and at its rear end to the rear vertical drive. The vertical drives are operable to move the pivot carriage support bar to predetermined heights and to orient the pivot carriage support bar at predetermined tilt angles. A pivot carriage is mounted on the pivot carriage support bar for rotation about a roll-axis defined by the pivot carriage support bar. A roll drive coupled between the pivot carriage support bar and the pivot carriage rotates the pivot carriage about the roll axis to a selected roll angle.

Abstract: A mulching mower is provided for mowing and mulching turf vegetation in order to reduce the size of the cut vegetation and more evenly distribute the vegetation once thus cut. Counterrotating, coaxial mowing blade and mulching tool assemblies are provided. The mowing blade assembly is driven by a central shaft rotatably mounted through a drive barrel which drives the mulching tool. The mulching tool assembly includes a plurality of blades, typically pivotally mounted, at least one of the mulching blades being in a lower mulching plane, and at least one other of the mulching blades being in an upper mulching plane.

Abstract: A multistation transfer press (10) is provided. Cross bar assemblies (28) transfer work pieces (12) between adjacent press stations (14) in transfer press ten (10). Each cross bar assembly (28) moves work pieces (12) between adjacent press stations (14). Motions of cross bar assemblies (28) is provided by raising and lowering transfer rails (22) and (24) along with reciprocating cross bar assemblies (28) along transfer rails (22) and (24). Cross bar assemblies (28) are operable to dynamically orient work pieces (12) during transfer between adjacent press stations (14). Additionally, a portion of the motion of cross bar assemblies (28) occurs while upper dies (20) and lower dies (18) are separated by less than a maximum distance.

Abstract: A multiple station transfer press (20) is provided. The cross bar assemblies (42) transfer work pieces (22) between adjacent press stations (24) in transfer press (10). Movement of the cross bar assemblies (42) is provided by raising and lowering transfer rails (38) and (40) along with reciprocating cross bar assemblies (42) along transfer rails (38) and (40). Each cross bar assembly (42) can also be tilted and/or tipped relative to the transfer rails (38 and 40). Cross bar assemblies (42) are used to dynamically orient work pieces (22) during transfer between adjacent press stations (24). A portion of the motion of each cross bar assembly (42) occurs while upper dies (36) and lower dies (34) are separated by less than a maximum distance. The cross bar assemblies (42) preferably include at least two cross bars (130, 132) which may be rotated one hundred and eighty degrees to accommodate changing holding devices such as suction cups (268, 270) while changing dies (36, 34).

Abstract: A mulching mower is provided for mowing and mulching turf vegetation in order to reduce the size of the cut vegetation and more evenly distribute the vegetation once thus cut. Counterrotating, coaxial blade and mulching tool assemblies are provided. Each blade assembly is driven by a central shaft rotatably mounted through a drive barrel which drives the mulching tool. A belt drive assembly translates rotation at a driving sheave into rotation in two different directions at spindles positioned along the mower, each spindle including a blade and a mulching tool.

Abstract: A multistation transfer press (10) is provided. Cross bar assemblies (28) transfer work pieces (12) between adjacent press stations (14) in transfer press ten (10). Each cross bar assembly (28) moves work pieces (12) between adjacent press stations (14). Motions of cross bar assemblies (28) is provided by raising and lowering transfer rails (22) and (24) along with reciprocating cross bar assemblies (28) along transfer rails (22) and (24). Cross bar assemblies (28) are operable to dynamically orient work pieces (12) during transfer between adjacent press stations (14). Additionally, a portion of the motion of cross bar assemblies (28) occurs while upper dies (20) and lower dies (18) are separated by less than a maximum distance.

Abstract: A rotary cutter apparatus is provided for shredding vegetation in order to generally reduce the size of cut vegetation and more evenly distribute the vegetation once thus cut. Counterrotating, coaxial blade assemblies are provided. A multiple gear drive shaft has one drive gear for engaging and driving one blade assembly and another drive gear for engaging and driving the other blade assembly. The multiple gear drive shaft also has an interchangeability characteristic which determines the respective rotational directions of the counterrotating blade assemblies. Enhanced gear and bearing lubrication is also achieved.

Abstract: A tow-behind implement and a hitch therefor are provided. The hitch is for securing the implement to a pulling vehicle such as a tractor. The hitch attaches a farm or industrial implement to the drawbar of a pulling vehicle. The hitch mechanism includes a clevis swingingly and rotatably mounted to an offset hitch component which is secured to the tongue or the like of the pull-behind implement. This swinging attachment is at a location forward of the hitch pin. The clevis remains parallel to the drawbar regardless of the attitude of the implement in order to increase contact surface area. In addition, the weight of the implement is ahead of the hitch pin in order to reduce stress on the drawbar. Angular movement which is provided by the hitch is greater than that provided by standard implement hitch devices.

Abstract: A rotary cutter apparatus is provided for shredding coarse vegetation in order to generally reduce the size of cut vegetation and more evenly distribute the vegetation once thus cut. Counterrotating, coaxial blade assemblies are provided. One blade assembly is driven by a central shaft rotatably mounted through a drive barrel, which drives the other blade assembly. The central shaft can be mounted by only two bearing assemblies. Easy assembly and disassembly arrangements are also provided. The rotary cutter apparatus is characterized by simplified and cost-reduced manufacturing and by enhanced serviceability.

Abstract: For multi-row planting a seed planter having furrow-opening discs and associated gauge wheels the independent support arms of which are operatively interconnected by an equalizer arm whereby the combined load carried by the gauge wheels is distributed substantially equally therebetween so as to compensate for ground surface irregularities encountered by the gauge wheels. The distance a planter rises when a gauge wheel rolls over a stone is cut in half thereby reducing shock and minimizing interference with seed metering and dispensing. The equalizer arm may be mounted on adjustable support linkage whereby the gauge wheels may be positioned at different heights for different depth furrows.

Abstract: A manure spreader device and method of distributing any of a variety of manure materials having varying consistencies are provided. The device and method embody a concept in which a plurality of elongated augers that are longitudinally positioned within a translatable bin deliver manure material to an outfeed location for translation of the manure material to a beater assembly which distributes the manure material onto a field or the like. A slippage characteristic is exhibited at the outfeed location whereby, when manure material within the outfeed location exceeds the expelling rate capacity of the beater assembly, slippage occurs between the manure material and rotating blades at the outfeed location so as to avoid overloading of the beater assembly by the particular manure material being spread.

Abstract: Shifting apparatus for use in a transfer press having moving die bolsters. The shifting apparatus includes transfer rail sets that are located on the bolster and on the fixed bed that are interconnected during the normal transfer of the work pieces between dies. Transfer fingers are carried by both transfer rail sets that serve to engage the work pieces and move the work pieces through the positions of the transfer press. The transfer finger shift apparatus extends between the two rail sets and includes a shaft carrying a shift base member which has transfer fingers connected thereto. An elevating device is provided on the fixed bed to raise the transfer fingers sufficiently to pass over the top of the transfer fingers located on the bolster. When it is desired to move the transfer fingers from the fixed bed to the bolster, the transfer rails are moved in the direction of the bolster moving the transfer fingers along the shaft and onto the bolster.

Abstract: Shifting apparatus for use in a transfer press having moving die bolsters. The shifting apparatus includes transfer rail sets that are located on the bolster and on the fixed bed that are interconnected during the normal transfer of the work pieces between dies. Transfer fingers are carried by both transfer rail sets that serve to engage the work pieces and move the work pieces through the positions of the transfer press. Transfer finger shift apparatus extends between the two rail sets and includes a shaft carrying a shift base member which has transfer fingers connected thereto. An elevating device is provided on the fixed bed to raise the transfer fingers sufficiently to pass over the top of the transfer fingers located on the bolster. A piston rod, which is secured to the transfer fingers, is retracted into an air cylinder which is attached to the transfer rail set of the bolster, causing the transfer fingers to move from the fixed bed to the bolster.

Abstract: A multi-row seed planter has a seed hopper for each row and may also have a herbicide and/or insecticide hopper for each row. The hoppers have generally rectangular top openings the rims of which are tubular in cross-section and referred to as "perimeter tubes". The closure lids for the hoppers slide on and off from the hopper openings. When each lid reaches its fully closed position it snaps into place and cooperating formations on the lid and perimeter tube retain it in its fully closed position against agitation and vibration during planter travel.

Abstract: Shifting apparatus for use in a transfer press having moving die bolsters. The shifting apparatus includes transfer rail sets that are located on the bolster and on the fixed bed that are interconnected during the normal transfer of the work pieces between dies. Transfer fingers are carried by both transfer rail sets that serve to engage the work pieces and move the work pieces through the positions of the transfer press. The transfer finger shift apparatus extends between the two rail sets and includes a shaft carrying a shift base member which has transfer fingers connected thereto. An elevating device is provided on the fixed bed to raise the transfer fingers sufficiently to pass over the top of the transfer fingers located on the bolster. When it is desired to move the transfer fingers from the fixed bed to the bolster, the transfer rails are moved in the direction of the bolster moving the transfer fingers along the shaft and onto the bolster.

Abstract: A draw/emboss work station (600) of the invention includes emboss punch (594) moveable by a hydraulic system under control of a press slide (34). An emboss punch head (632) is moved downwardly into a cup-shaped article (626) to bring the article into a draw/emboss die (604). The emboss punch head (632) does not rotate while the draw die (604) does. The draw die (604) is allowed to rotate by thrust bearings (610 and 612). As the emboss punch head (632) pushes into the cup-shaped article (626) the downward rotational force is taken by the thrust bearing (612). As the emboss punch head (632) is withdrawn from the cup-shaped article (626) the upward rotational force is taken by the thrust bearing (610).

Abstract: A tillage implement is provided which is of the type that has a plurality of working components that perform a multiple number of different soil treatment operations during a single trip across an agricultural field. One of these working components is a deep tillage component having a high draft requirement. The depth of operation of this deep tillage component is controlled independently of the depth of the other working components which are not significantly disrupted when the depth of operation of the deep tillage component is modified, which modification can be easily and quickly made.

Abstract: An angle drive assembly for rotary cutters embodies a basic housing having an output shaft mounted for rotation therein. A cap housing is rotatably coupled in sealed relationship with the basic housing by the cooperation of a peripheral annular member at one end of the basic housing with an annular seat member carried by the adjacent end of the cap housing with there being a seal interposed between the basic housing and the cap housing at the area of coupling. An input shaft is mounted for rotation in the cap housing and is operatively connected to the output shaft.