Abstract: A vacuum trailer for picking up litter in cut and uncut grass areas having a frame towable behind a tractor. The trailer has a fan to generate a suction force which is powered by the power take-off shaft of the tractor. A closed container receives the litter and the litter is volumetrically compressed inside the container and then discharged from the container. A pivoting intake and exhaust deck is provided to maintain a constant distance from the ground during operation and to allow for fast transporting of the trailer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically compressing and packaging loose fiber material. The fibrous material compressed in the bale tube to form a bale while a tube of bale overwrap material is being formed. The doors to the base overwrap material is being formed. The doors to the base tube open to allow the compressed material to be pushed out of the bale tube by the piston. The base overwrap material is then cut, sealed at the ends of the bale, and cooled at desired locations.

Abstract: A device is provided for releasing cans clinging to an outer wall surface of a crushing roller and/or an inner wall surface of a tubular drum in a can crushing apparatus. To remove cans adhered to the roller, a scraping mechanism is adjustably mounted on a support arm of the can crushing apparatus. To remove cans from the inner wall surface of the tubular drum, a second scraping mechanism is adjustably mounted on a support of the can crushing apparatus.

Abstract: A bale shredder is provided with a loading fork along a side of the shredder that will lift a first bale from the ground and move it into the shredder. The loading fork includes a support platform portion that is used for lifting and supporting a second bale with a first bale remaining in the bale shredding chamber, so that both bales can be transported to a location for shredding. The fork is operated by a single hydraulic cylinder that will tilt the bale into a position on a main support platform, and which has a slide plate that moves the bale closer to the chamber when the fork is tilted upwardly a sufficient amount. Further upward tilting causes the bale to tumble into the bale chamber for shredding.

Abstract: A fiberization apparatus for treating cellulose, and particularly paper flakes that have been formed from waste paper that has been ground to a certain particle size, by passing the flakes between the sides of a rotating central disc and a pair of stationary discs on opposite sides of the central disc. The rotating disc and the stationary discs have radially extending teeth that taper in depth from a minimum close to the axis of the discs to a maximum near the outer periphery. The facing edges of the teeth on the rotation and stationary discs closely spaced so that as the paper flakes are forced across the teeth, the flakes are disintegrated into loose fibers and the density of the cellulose material is reduced substantially so that it can be used efficiently for insulation purposes.

Abstract: A blower centered on the axis of a combine immediately to the rear of the seive that carries the majority of the chaff for discharge onto the ground has a bilateral air nozzle that directs high velocity air perpendicular to the axis of the combine to cause the chaff to be spread across a substantial width distance at the rear of the combine. The spreading reduces concentration of such chaff in a narrow path and spreads it fairly evenly on the ground. The spreading reduces or eliminates problems encountered in minimal till or no-till planting that can be caused by having a deep layer of chaff that is toxic to successive crops that are planted without tillage. Any volunteer plants emerging from a chaff row cause competition for the planted crop and reduces yields.

Abstract: A furrow opener shank for use with seeders has seed outlets and fertilizer outlets at the lower end thereof, and includes a sealer plate which will permit the depositing of anhydrous ammonia or liquid fertilizer in a deep furrow and which positively seals the furrow prior to depositing the seeds in the furrow. The sealer plate has wedges that form a pair of grooves or small furrows spaced laterally of the center line of the furrow to provide pockets for the seeds being deposited. The shank has dual outlets for seed at the lower end so that seed is deposited in each of the furrows that are being formed by the sealer plate to keep the seed separated from the fertilizer to insure good germination and rapid growth as well as insuring placement of the seed in regions that are most likely to have moist soil.

Abstract: A shank for use in a hoe-type drill designed primarily for minimum till or no-till farm operations has a sealing arrangement for permitting the application of anhydrous gas or other gaseous fertilizers in a deep application, and, at the same time, seeding and applying longer lasting fertilizer, such as granular or liquid fertilizers at different depths. The problems with applying gaseous type fertilizers at the same time other operations are occurring have been substantial because of unwanted escape of the gas prior to the closing of the furrow in a multiple operation; freezing up of the seed and granular fertilizer outlets as the gas evaporates; as well as permitting dry top soil to fall into the furrow to result in a dry seed bed, particularly in semi-arid farming regions where no-till farming is carried out.

Abstract: A furrow opener shank for use with seeders has seed outlets and fertilizer outlets at the lower end thereof, and includes a sealer plate which will permit the depositing of anhydrous ammonia or liquid fertilizer in a deep furrow and which positively seals the furrow prior to depositing the seeds in the furrow. The sealer plate has wedges that form a pair of grooves or small furrows spaced laterally of the center line of the furrow to provide pockets for the seeds being deposited. The shank has dual outlets for seed at the lower end so that seed is deposited in each of the furrows that are being formed by the sealer plate to keep the seed separated from the fertilizer to insure good germination and rapid growth as well as insuring placement of the seed in regions that are most likely to have moist soil.

Abstract: A shank is used for seeding apparatus and has two passageways for permitting metered seed, and metered fertilizer to be placed into the ground from the same shank. A covering sealer shoe or plate for covering the fertilizer prior to the time that seed is deposited is provided to insure that the seed will be separated from the fertilizer by soil. The shank further includes a kit of attachments to permit easily changing the type of fertilizer applied from liquid to granular fertilizer, and also for changing the location of the depositing of the fertilizer. A further conversion includes the ability to deposit seed and granular fertilizer in one path or furrow, and apply a deep band of liquid fertilizer at the same time below the seed and granular fertilizer.

Abstract: A modular drill frame construction which can assume configurations for standard seeding-drive fertilizer application, and with a modular section added, used for side banding of fertilizer, that is, depositing fertilizer between the normal rows of seed, and by merely changing a tool bar become a row crop planting with side banding option. The modular frame constructions are easily inserted, and the various components are easily removed and replaced for the particular configuration that the farmer wishes to use.

Abstract: A machine for grinding large bales of forage material is provided with a cradle pivotably mounted on a frame. The cradle is movable to a lowered position in which lifting members can engage a bale of crop material lying on the ground. The cradle can be pivoted to a working position in which gravity directs the bale against a grinder. The discharge of the comminuted forage material from the grinder is controlled by an adjustable deflector. A conveyor urges the bale toward the grinder, and tends to rotate the bale to evenly grind or chop away the outer periphery of the bale.

Abstract: A device for planting seed and applying fertilizer including a frame adapted to be moved over the ground and a furrow opener shank carried on the frame. A first delivery tube is provided in the shank for fertilizer and has a lower end disposed to a first predetermined level below the ground. A second delivery tube for seed is also provided and has a lower end disposed at a second predetermined shallower level. The second tube is positioned behind the first tube with respect to the direction of travel. Earth tends to fill in around the fertilizer as the shank moves along. This provides an earth seed bed which separates the seed from the fertilizer. A packer wheel is attached to the frame and trails the second tube of each shank. The packer wheel compacts the ground after delivery of the material to the ground and also regulates the depth of the shank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shank assembly for a soil undercutter, which is similar to an extremely wide cultivator shovel which travels underneath the ground and cuts the roots from weeds and plants without substantially disturbing the surface of the ground. The shank assembly position can be adjusted by changing the length of a link which holds the shank assembly in position. As shown the link includes a spring trip with a near center type toggle trip release that prevents "floating" and will hold the blade in position until an obstacle is encountered. The shank and spring mounting rod are pivotally mounted with respect to a common pivot, and when the blade encounters an obstruction the toggle linkage releases permitting the shank to pivot rearwardly and upwardly, while the toggle linkage compresses the spring. The trip will automatically reset after the blade clears the obstruction.

Abstract: A self feeding bunk or barrier used for permitting cattle to eat directly from stacks of forage such as hay, and which comprises a modular member having an upright, slat barrier through which the animals can feed from a forage stack that the sections surround. The barrier modules include a horizontal support deck attached to the upright barrier and held by end frames. The horizontal floor or deck is of sufficient lateral width (outwardly from the stack) so that the animal which is feeding cannot reach through the upright barrier for eating unless it is standing on the deck. The barrier module is securely held by the animal itself as it eats so that the barrier cannot be dislodged.

Abstract: A feed control grate to control the engagement of waste paper with a grinding cylinder in a tub type waste paper grinder, which can be raised to lift the paper away from the cylinder during start up or when excessive loads are encountered.

Abstract: A drive roller for driving feeding and metering mechanisms for seed and fertilizer of a grain drill which utilizes a drive roller riding against a pair of castering frame support wheels that are independent of the press wheel assemblies for the grain drill. The roller provides satisfactory drive where individual depth control of each of the furrow openers is utilized. The drive is adapted for use on a wide variety of different drills.

Abstract: A depth control for grain drills, planters or the like utilizing a press wheel which can be adjusted to control the depth of each individual furrow opener to insure uniform depth of planting across the width of wide machines presently in use.

Abstract: A down pressure control for use with furrow openers in grain drills which provides a spring load for maintaining down pressure on the furrow opener during normal operating conditions and which can be at relatively high rate to permit minimum tillage, or work in hard ground, but yet will release upon excessive movement of the furrow opener to prevent overstressing the hold down springs. The down pressure control is used in combination with an individual depth control for each of the furrow openers to insure that each furrow opener is individually controlled as to down pressure and depth.

Abstract: The present device comprises a bag filling apparatus which will clamp and hold a bag onto an output spout which forces in material such as pulverized or loose fill cellulose fiber used in insulation, and provides means for holding the bag in place, and providing a compressive force against the material as it is placed into the bag so that the material is forced into the bag and has substantial density when the bag is filled. The device includes means for automatically releasing the bag holder when the bag is filled a preselected amount.