Abstract: A mounting/positioning apparatus for attaching an agricultural implement such as a reel unit or a rotary packer assembly to the frame of a tillage machine is disclosed. The apparatus includes two opposing end portions rigidly coupled together by means of a cross member with the agricultural implement rotationally mounted between the two opposing end portions. The two end portions are pivotally coupled to a first frame cross member to which is rigidly coupled one end of a second frame member extending rearwardly therefrom. The other end of the second frame member is flexibly coupled to the cross member by means of a longitudinally compressible spring providing for the vertical displacement of the rotating implement upon impact with an obstruction. Spring tension is adjustable for varying the downward force applied to the working implement with the second frame member incorporating shear pin protection for the implement against high impact forces applied thereto from contact with rocks and other obstructions.

Abstract: The system includes a pull-type frame with a forward line of disc blades widely spaced to part the trash, mix it with soil and displace most of the mixture laterally on top of previously undisturbed soil, thereby creating strips of ground which are alternately cleared and windrowed. At least a second line of disc blades, also widely spaced, is placed to the rear of the first line; and these blades are offset laterally from, and located in the windrows formed by, the discs of the first row, to part and return at least some of the previously cleared trash and previously undisturbed soil back onto the cleared strips while still leaving strips of undisturbed soil with an accumulation of cleared trash on top. Cooperating with the discs are novel plow points located in the undisturbed strips having accumulated layers of cleared trash.

Abstract: A trailer hitch apparatus adapted to mount to the frame of a vehicle for towing a trailer includes a hitch frame having at least one forwardly extending member. A rear mounting bracket mountable to the hitch frame at a varying predetermined vertical position secures the hitch frame to the vehicle frame. A tow bar is affixed to the hitch frame for receiving a trailer. A forward brace, including an upward projecting portion and a laterally extending portion having an extendable abutment surface, is mountable at differing predetermined vertical and horizontal positions along the forward extending member. The laterally extending portion of the forward brace is mountable projecting inward or outward for positioning beneath vehicle frames of different widths. The extendable abutment surface is extendable to abut with the vehicle frame to spread towing loads over a greater portion of the vehicle frame and allowing compensation for wear.

Abstract: Apparatus for combining light tillage and application of liquid fertilizer in a single implement includes a frame having at least a forward and a rear mounting bar. A plurality of sweep assemblies are mounted to the forward mounting bar. Anhydrous fertilizer applicator knives are mounted to the rear bar and located in strips left untilled by the sweeps. A finishing harrow is also mounted to the rear bar behind the knives to level the soil. Each sweep assembly includes a forward bar or frame element to which a plurality of laterally spaced sweeps are mounted in staggered relation. Mounting members having vertically elongated slots mount the sweep assemblies to the forward bar of the frame while permitting them to be adjusted vertically and independent of the depth of the applicator knives.

Abstract: An adjustable width plow having at least three aligned sections with adjacent ends of the sections joined for relative motion about horizontal axes includes a forward furrow wheel mounted to the forward end of the front plow section for caster movement, a rear furrow wheel mounted to the rear end of the rear plow section for caster movement, a first or forward pair of land wheels supporting the plow adjacent the rear end of the forward section, and a second or rear pair of land wheels supporting the plow adjacent the rear end of the intermediate plow section. A steering mechanism controls the forward land wheels in turns in response to the turning of the tractor pulling the plow, and this steering mechanism also adjusts the forward land wheels for proper steering and toeing as the width of the furrow cut by the plows is adjusted. The rear land wheels are not steered in response to the turning of the tractor, but they are adjusted for proper steering and toeing when the plow units are adjusted.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a pull-type frame carried by support wheels. The frame is vertically adjustable relative to the support wheels. A first gang of discs is mounted in a forward position on the frame. The discs are widely spaced relative to each other to leave alternate strips of tilled and untilled soil. The strips of untilled soil are of substantial width, approximately equal to the width of the tilled strips. The support wheels are preferably located behind the first gang of discs in the strips of untilled soil. A second gang of discs is mounted on the frame behind the first gang. Disc blades on the second gang are located to work in the untilled strips left by the first gang; and these discs are oriented to displace soil in a lateral direction opposite to that in which the first gang displaces soil. Under high speed operation, the soil dug by each disc is thrown over the adjacent strip to fill the row formed by the adjacent disc in the forward direction.

Abstract: A spring assembly is carried by a mounting casting. The mounting casting includes a receptacle which is adapted to mount to a horizontal frame member by means of a vertical bolt which, when tightened, adjusts the elevation of the spring assembly by rotating the mounting casting about the frame member due to a shim effect achieved by the slight off-parallel alignment of the receptacle and the axes of the springs. This raises the spring assembly to take its weight off the draw bar and makes it easier to telescope the draw bar. A spring casting includes upper dogs for mounting an actuating lever which is rotatable between a latching and an unlatched position by vertical motion. A latch member on the draw bar is locked between the spring casting and the lever, but is released when the lever is lowered to permit the draw bar to be extended to the rear for alignment with a trailer hitch. Other improvements permit the use of coil springs without grinding the ends flat.

Abstract: The system includes a pull-type frame with a forward line of disc blades widely spaced to part the trash, mix it with soil and displace most of the mixture laterally on top of previously undisturbed soil, thereby creating strips of ground which are alternately cleared and windrowed. At least a second line of disc blades, also widely spaced, is placed to the rear of the first line; and these blades are offset laterally from, and located in the windrows formed by, the discs of the first row, to part and return at least some of the previously cleared trash and previously undisturbed soil back onto the cleared strips while still leaving strips of undisturbed soil with an accumulation of cleared trash on top. Following the discs are novel plow tips located in the undisturbed strips having accumulated layers of cleared trash.

Abstract: A dual wheel attachment assembly for tractors has a number of brackets or lugs welded to the inner surface of the dual wheel. The primary tractor wheel is provided with eye-nuts for receiving bolt fasteners used to connect the brackets of the dual wheel. The spacing of brackets on the dual wheel rim is different than the spacing of attaching locations on the tractor wheel so that the bolt fasteners are angularly offset relative to a line parallel to the axis of the axle. Members are included to permit such angular offset of the bolt fasteners relative to the brackets by providing a first surface curved about a radial line passing through the axis of the drive shaft so that the bolt fastener may be angularly adjusted over a continuous range in aligning it between the bracket and the desired attaching location on the tractor wheel. A second curved surface permits each fastener to adjust in a radial direction to accommodate to wheels having eye-nuts placed at different spacings.

Abstract: A folding tool bar system for agricultural use includes a cross frame rigidly secured to a main frame at a position forward of the support wheels and rear-folding wings. Ground implements are mounted on the wings and cross frame at equal lateral spacing across the entire system when the wings are extended for use. The innermost sections of the wings are free of implements to facilitate folding the wings rearwardly for road travel without interference between the wheels and the center implements.

Abstract: A plow system includes a number of individual plow units mounted on a beam which is inclined relative to the direction of travel of a traction vehicle. The units are mounted for continuous rotation about vertical axes so that they may be opened or closed to adjust the width of a cut between adjacent units over a continuous, wide range. The plow unit is supported by a forward furrow wheel located to ride in previously-plowed ground and a rear furrow wheel, and the main frame is pulled by a tongue or draft member connected between a tractor hitch and an intermediate location of the inclined beam. A hydraulic unit adjusts the individual plow units in unison, and at the same time, through a linkage, adjusts the tongue relative to the inclined beam to keep the forward furrow wheel at a constant distance from the rear tractor wheel for all width adjustments.

Abstract: A linkage assembly supports a moldboard plow. A cam member having a seat engaging a roller is pivotally connected to the linkage assembly. A spring assembly is pivotally connected between the cam member and the linkage assembly to urge the plow in a normal plowing position. When the plow bottom encounters an object the cam seat disengages the roller and the plow rises quickly. After the obstruction is passed, the plow resets. During reset, the roller rides on a cam surface which controls the force of the spring urging the plow to reset. The locus of the plow tip when it initially strikes an object is more rearward than upward to give the unit better ability to respond at higher ground speeds. The tip of the plow is inclined downwardly during reset to facilitate rapid re-entry to proper plowing depth.

Abstract: The plow system may carry as many as 10 or 14 individual plow units. All of the units are connected together by a tie rod and may be pivoted in unison relative to a main frame. By pivoting the units, they may be opened or closed to adjust the width of cut between adjacent units over a continuous, wide range. The main articulated frame includes a forward frame section with a main beam inclined relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle, and the rear frame section with a main beam in axial alignment with the main beam of the forward frame section. The forward frame section and rear frame sections are pivotally connected together for rotation about a horizontal axis to permit the system to follow the contour of the ground extending in the direction of travel. The system includes a forward furrow wheel, a rear furrow wheel, and a steerable intermediate support wheel which rides on unplowed ground ahead of the system and is steered as a function of the adjusted position of the plow units.

Abstract: A plurality of plow units are mounted to a main frame of a plow system for rotation about their vertical axes. The plow units are spaced at equal lateral increments and at uniformly increased distances from a pivot connection between the main frame and a traction vehicle. The plow units are ganged together by means of a guide beam; and a power actuator controls the motion of the guide beam in rotating the plow units so that their cut lines take a predetermined position relative to the main frame. As the plow system is then used to plow ground, the main frame swings about its pivot connection to the tractor until the plow units line up with the direction of travel of the tractor, thereby adjusting the spacing between plow units automatically. The rear plow unit is mounted to a tail section which is pivotally mounted to the main frame and includes a rear wheel for supporting the distal end of the main frame and for steering the system as the tractor turns.