Abstract: The present invention relates to a knife for and a method of zero till or minimum till seeding and fertilizing. The knife is particularly adapted for dry land conditions producing minimum solid disturbance and very shallow operation. The knife has a high penetration angle preferably of 45 degrees which permits the blade to enter high trash surface cover with little tendency to plug due to trash accumulation. The blade has a forward angle of attack, the lower cutting edge advancing before the upper cutting edge, serving to make a clean cut in the soil surface without accumulating trash. Seed and/or fertilizer conduits are attached to or incorporated in the trailing face of the blade in which the outlets may be spaced for controlled placement of the materials. By the method a furrow is cut having a substantial transverse component in an operation with a substantial forward component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a knife for and a method of zero till or minimum till seeding and fertilizing. The knife is particularly adapted for dry land conditions producing minimum solid disturbance and very shallow operation. The knife has a high penetration angle preferably of 45 degrees which permits the blade to enter high trash surface cover with little tendency to plug due to trash accumulation. The blade has a forward angle of attack, the lower cutting edge advancing before the upper cutting edge, serving to make a clean cut in the soil surface without accumulating trash. Seed and/or fertilizer conduits are attached to or incorporated in the trailing face of the blade in which the outlets may be spaced for controlled placement of the materials. By the method a furrow is cut having a substantial transverse component in an operation with a substantial forward component.

Abstract: A planting tool for depositing seed and/or fertilizer within a furrow including a soil opener and a seed boot attached to the soil opener. The seed boot includes a synclinal shape housing and at least one furrow forming wing that protrudes below the body of the seed boot. Each wing of the seed boot has at least one wear resistant leading insert positioned in front of and in juxtaposition to at least one wear resistant trailing insert that are each secured to at least a portion of the lower forward surface of the wing and that are each in juxtaposition to a portion of a furrow forming edge of the wing. The wear resistant leading insert and the wear resistant trailing insert have cobalt concentrations of from about 15 to 22 weight percent, and from about 8 to 14 weight percent, respectively.

Abstract: A method of identifying pixels of a given color in a field of YUV video manipulates color difference signals (R-Y, B-Y) corresponding to defining axes (U,V) of a color space to maximize the video signal in a region of interest of the space, and minimize the signal in all other regions. Additionally, the color difference signal corresponding to one axis may be rotated toward the other axis, or the entire color space may be rotated to bring the region of interest onto or near one of the axes. The signal gains and rotations may be carried out in the signal processing circuits (52) of a conventional color camera (50) so that only one comparator (90) is needed to detect the target color. After rotation and application of gain, the color difference signal defining the region of interest is compared with a threshold value to determine if a pixel is of the target color.

Abstract: An implement is provided that includes a frame, a ground engaging roller mounted to the frame, and a suspension system that includes a spring for biasing the roller toward the ground, and a frame support member fixed to the frame above the roller. The frame support member prevents the implement from experiencing high forces when moved into the transport position or when a strong downpressure is exerted on the frame by transferring the forces through the ground working tools to the ground. The frame support member can be a rigid protrusion, a flat plate, or a rolling element. In preferred embodiments, the implement is an agricultural packer and frame support members are positioned above each roller.

Abstract: A forwardly folding tillage implement carries a number of ground engaging tools on a tool gang frame disposed to the rear of a carrier frame. A rockshaft is disposed between the carrier frame and the tool gang frame and is movable between four rotated positions about two axes of rotation. A control mechanism controls the relative angular position of the rockshaft. A support mechanism is disposed rearwardly of the axes of rotation to support the rear of the tool gang frame above the ground in the field working position. An abutment member restrains the relative rotation between the rockshaft and the tool gang frame to fully support the tool gang frame on the rockshaft upon rotation of the rockshaft.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for an agricultural implement, such as an agricultural sprayer, used to dispense a product to the ground wherein the dispensing units for the product are provided with control valves that can reduce the flow rate of product through selected dispensing units to zero. By controlling the rate of flow through the dispensing units, overlap of the application of the product to the ground can be substantially eliminated. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the control mechanism can receive data from a remote source, such as a central controller or another implement operating in the field, to define where the product needs to be applied to the ground. The application of the product can also be controlled through or in conjunction with a prescription map.

Abstract: A two-piece washer that can be inserted in a fully or partially assembled shaft structure without the necessity of removing component parts is disclosed. The two identical substantially inflexible pieces each have, on the circumferential ends thereof, a tab and recess that interlock with the corresponding tab and recess on the respective ends of the mating piece. To insert the washer, the mating surfaces of the component parts at the insertion location on the shaft must be separated a distance at least twice the thickness of the washer so that the two pieces of the washer can be placed around the shaft and moved axially along the shaft and relative to each other into the interlocking position.

Abstract: A furrowing tool for an agricultural planter is formed in a modular configuration to provide for paired row seeding operation. The furrowing tool includes a seedbed furrowing member having an edge lying in a flat cutting plane to form a substantially flat seedbed as the furrowing tool is drawn through ground and a fertilizer furrowing member extending below the cutting plane to form an indentation in the seedbed. The seedbed furrowing member is formed with an upper surface extending rearwardly from the edge and with a void between the upper surface and the cutting plane. The furrowing tool further includes a forwardly and downwardly directed fertilizer dispensing passage to direct a stream of fertilizer at a forward direction into the indentation formed in the seed bed. The stream of seeds is also directed forwardly onto the seedbed through the void formed between the upper surface and the cutting plane.

Abstract: A field marker for mounting on an agricultural implement includes an elongated arm adapted to project outwardly laterally of the implement when in its operating position and is adapted to carry a field marking device at its outer distal end for making a score mark on the ground. A mount for the arm at an inner proximal end thereof allows pivoting of the arm abut first and second transverse axes whereby to allow the arm to swing upwardly and downwardly about the first one of the axes when operating on uneven ground while also allowing the arm to swing around the second of the axes from its outwardly projecting operating position into another position. The arm includes inner and outer arm sections secured together by a folding joint to permit the inner and outer arm sections to be folded into juxtaposition with one another and brought into the transport position.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a frame having a pair of tool-carrying wings pivotally mounted thereon for pivotal movement between raised transport positions and lowered ground-working positions. Each wing has a hydraulic wing actuator connected thereto which is extendable and retractible for effecting the pivotal motion. A hydraulic wing actuator circuit is connected to each of the wing actuators, which circuit, when connected to a tractor hydraulic system, enables the wing actuators to apply down pressure to said wings when the wings are in the lowered working positions. A hydraulic pressure control valve system controls the down pressure exerted by the wing actuators.

Abstract: A frame for a tillage implement includes a pair of opposing frame sections pivotally connected to a central kingpost for a folding movement between a transversely extending working position and a longitudinally extending transport position. The frame sections have mounted thereto a number of tool sub-frames carrying ground engaging working tools. The tool sub-frames are pivotally movable relative to a rockshaft carried by the frame sections so as to be rotatable between a lowered operative position and a generally vertical raised non-working position. Depth control for the ground engaging tools is accomplished through the rotation of the rockshaft about its pivot lug. The frame sections are connected at the inner end to the kingpost so that the main frame members abut when placed in the working position. Each frame member is supported by a pair of wheel assemblies at the inner and distal ends respectively.

Abstract: A folding frame farm implement comprising: a) a cart (21), b) a multi-section rockshaft frame (20) mounted on said cart and oriented generally transversely in the working position, c) said rockshaft frame (20) having a central section (20c) and laterally disposed wing sections (20a, 20e), d) wheel means (2,3) supporting said rockshaft frame sections, e) said rockshaft frame sections being rotatable about a generally transverse axis between a 1st position and a 2nd position, f) a plurality of individual tool frame sections (27, 28) rotatably mounted to corresponding ones of said rockshaft frame sections about a generally transverse axis, g) individual wheel support means (29, 31) for each tool frame section, h) wherein said tool frame sections (27, 28) are supported at working positions at a variable height above the ground determined by the relative rotational position of the rockshaft frame (20) between said 1st position and said 2nd position and by the said wheel support means (29, 31), i) central tool fram

Abstract: A folding tool bar implement converts from a transversely extending operating configuration to a longitudinally extending transport configuration. The implement includes a rotating rockshaft supported by a wheel assembly at each opposing end thereof. The wheel assembly is formed as a walking beam assembly having an L-shaped member defining perpendicular axes of movement for the wheel assembly. A castering axis is oriented vertically to permit a castering action of the wheel assembly when the rockshaft is rotated into a working configuration. The rotation of the rockshaft re-positions the castering axis to a horizontal orientation when rotated into a transport configuration. A caster lock moves by gravity to lock the wheel assembly from moving about the castering axis when the rockshaft is in the transport configuration. The caster lock includes a latch mounted to the wheel assembly and a pivoted latch tongue mounted on the L-shaped member.

Abstract: A frame for a tillage implement includes a pair of opposing frame sections pivotally connected to a central kingpost for a folding movement between a transversely extending working position and a longitudinally extending transport position. The frame sections have mounted thereto a number of tool sub-frames carrying ground engaging working tools. The tool sub-frames are pivotally movable relative to a rockshaft carried by the frame sections so as to be rotatable between a lowered operative position and a generally vertical raised non-working position. Depth control for the ground engaging tools is accomplished through the rotation of the rockshaft about its pivot lug. The frame sections are connected at the inner end to the kingpost so that the main frame members abut when placed in the working position. Each frame member is supported by a pair of wheel assemblies at the inner and distal ends respectively.

Abstract: A forwardly folding tillage implement carries a number of ground engaging tools on a tool gang frame disposed to the rear of a carrier frame. A rockshaft is disposed between the carrier frame and the tool gang frame and is movable between four rotated positions about two axes of rotation. A control mechanism controls the relative angular position of the rockshaft. A support mechanism is disposed rearwardly of the axes of rotation to support the rear of the tool gang frame above the ground in the field working position. An abutment member restrains the relative rotation between the rockshaft and the tool gang frame to fully support the tool gang frame on the rockshaft upon rotation of the rockshaft. A spring mechanism is provided which interconnects the rockshaft and the first tool frame to exert a spring force on the tillage tools supported on the first tool frame to urge the tools into the ground. The spring mechanism is supported on a support arm extending rearwardly from the rockshaft.

Abstract: A ground-engaging paired row furrow forming tool includes a tool body having fore and aft ends with an outer edge defined on each of two opposing sides of the tool body. A furrowing wing is located adjacent each of the opposing sides and protrudes from bottom portions of the tool body. The tool body has lower surfaces including a central front surface portion which is angled upwards towards the fore end and a center passage is defined between the furrowing wings. This passageway is in part defined by a central rear surface portion which is adapted to be substantially aligned fore to aft in a direction of travel T during operation of the ground engaging tool. This paired row opener works well without compromise in a broad range of soil conditions without fouling and enables planting of seed rows spaced widely apart while minimizing soil surface disturbance.

Abstract: A suspension system supports an implement on a work vehicle and includes a linkage mechanism providing pivotal connection between the work vehicle and the implement and adapted to pivot in such manner as to permit relative upward and downward movement between the vehicle and the implement while maintaining a controlled or selected orientation between them. A hydraulic actuator capable of extending and retracting is operatively connected between the work vehicle and the implement so as to effect the pivotal motion of the linkage and relative motion between the vehicle and implement. A shock absorber is interposed between the hydraulic actuator and one of the work vehicle and the implement for absorbing shock loadings tending to pass between the vehicle and the implement via the hydraulic actuator when in use. The shock absorber includes an elongated link mounted for pivotal motion at a point between opposing ends thereof.

Abstract: A forwardly folding tillage implement carries a number of ground engaging tools on a tool gang frame disposed to the rear of a carrier frame. A rockshaft is disposed between the carrier frame and the tool gang frame and is movable between four rotated positions about two axes of rotation. A control mechanism controls the relative angular position of the rockshaft. A support mechanism is disposed rearwardly of the axes of rotation to support the rear of the tool gang frame above the ground in the field working position. An abutment member restrains the relative rotation between the rockshaft and the tool gang frame to fully support the tool gang frame on the rockshaft upon rotation of the rockshaft. An automatic locking mechanism is associated with a transport latching apparatus to effect a release of the latching mechanism in response to the actuation of the hydraulic cylinders for converting the wing members from the transport configuration to the field operating configuration.

Abstract: A field marker for mounting on an agricultural implement includes an elongated arm adapted to project outwardly laterally of the implement when in its operating position and is adapted to carry a field marking device at its outer distal end for making a score mark on the ground. A mount for the arm at an inner proximal end thereof allows pivoting of the arm abut first and second transverse axes whereby to allow the arm to swing upwardly and downwardly about the first one of the axes when operating on uneven ground while also allowing the arm to swing around the second of the axes from its outwardly projecting operating position into another position. The arm includes inner and outer arm sections secured together by a folding joint to permit the inner and outer arm sections to be folded into juxtaposition with one another and brought into the transport position.