Abstract: An improved double disk scraper assembly having a pivot post projecting rearwardly from the principal vertical support, a first scraper with a first pivot end on the post and a second scraper with a second pivot end on the first pivot end. The first and second pivot ends are preferably sleeved members. The scrapers are each engaged with a disk under the direct force of a biasing means, preferably a coil spring, between them. The pivot independently within a limited range which serves to keep the biasing means in place. A seed tube passes vertically between the scrapers for seed deposition at a forward position.

Abstract: A process for increasing surface hardness of a heat-hardenable steel disk, along an annular band intermediate the disk central and edge portions, is disclosed. The process contemplates selecting a first position on the surface of the intermediate annular band. The process contemplates next rapidly heating at the first position a minor portion of the disk surface in relation to the remainder of the disk so as to cause the minor portion to increase in temperature to an elevated temperature ranging from 1400 to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit in a time period of 0.3 to 0.7 seconds. The disk is heated in a manner such that substantially no heat diffuses from the thus-heated portion of the disk to the remainder thereof. The process next contemplates rapidly terminating the heating step to allow the remainder of the steel disk to serve as a heat sink to rapidly cool the thus-heated portion from the elevated temperature to less than 1000 degrees Fahrenheit in 0.

Abstract: A two-speed power-take-off drive for a tractor is disclosed which includes an assembly for sensing and indicating the PTO shaft speed to an operator in the tractor cab. The speed of the PTO shaft is a function of which end thereof is inserted into the drive sleeve, which determines the extent of its penetration into the drive sleeve. A speed indicator arrangement is provided which includes a sensing rod whose movement is controlled by the extent of penetration of the PTO shaft into the drive sleeve. The sensing rod is operative to activate or inactivate an electrical switch. The electrical input condition of the switch serves as an input to the tractor instrument cluster in the tractor cab to indicate the selected PTO shaft speed.

Abstract: The present invention is for a mounting system for supporting harvesting units from the frame of a cotton harvester. The present invention allows greater access to the rear of the harvesting unit while also allowing independent mounting of each harvesting unit.

Abstract: An improved mechanism is provided for controlling the relative pivoting movement of two members about a main pivot axis as effected by two hydraulic motors. Each hydraulic motor is a double-acting piston-cylinder type that is fully extended when its respective line of action intersects the main pivot axis. Each hydraulic motor has an end port at each end. Two spaced-apart intermediate ports are provided within the piston stroke length of each motor. Pilot-actuated top dead center-selector valves are provided for reversing the flow to one of the hydraulic motors in response to a pressure differential between an end port and an intermediate port of the other of the hydraulic motors. Decelerator selector valves are provided to normally direct the return flow from the hydraulic motors so as to bypass a hydraulic cushioning circuit.

Abstract: A valve unit for use in a load sensing system having a fluid operated cylinder. The valve unit permits positioning of an implement between the raise, lower, neutral and float positions and also provides for throttling of fluid flow to the cylinders as well as priority flow to the system. Float is obtained through a lock check valve which includes a main poppet maintained in a seated position by a spring biased pilot poppet. A pilot piston is positioned coaxially opposite the main poppet and is responsive to fluid pressure in the valve to act upon the pilot poppet and unseat the main poppet. In the float position, the fluid pressure within the valve may be stand-by pressure which acts upon the pilot piston to allow it gradual decent of the implement. The pilot pressure is communicated to the pilot piston through a centrally located passage. The location of the passage permits additional lock check valves to be easily added as needed.

Abstract: A foldable trencher boom assembly including a first boom portion pivotally connected to a second boom portion by a hinge. One leg of the hinge is connected to the first boom portion while the other leg of the hinge is connected to the second boom portion. When the boom portions are aligned, fasteners secure the hinge to maintain the colinear relationship between the boom portions. In the initial phase of folding, the fasteners are removed thereby permitting the boom portions to pivot relative to each other. The digging boom is conveniently folded by securing the digging chain to one of the foldable boom portions and employing the trencher drive motor as an actuator to achieve the folding action. With the foldable trenching boom of the present invention, an overall decrease in the machine length is attained for transport and maneuverability. Further, when the folded trencher boom is in its transport position, the machine height is decreased and a better distribution of weight is achieved.

Abstract: A variable geometry mounting arrangement for the boom assembly of a backhoe is disclosed which permits relatively great working depths without increasing the overall height of the backhoe assembly in its raised, transport position. The arrangement includes a bellcrank coupler assembly operatively interposed between a swing tower and boom assembly of a backhoe, with a gearing arrangement provided operatively connecting the boom and the swing tower. By this construction, the vertical disposition of the horizontal pivot axis of the boom is altered as the boom is pivoted. The bellcrank coupler asembly provides a central anchor for the hydraulic fluid boom actuator of the backhoe, and permits the actuator to work through a relatively large moment arm for enhanced performance, and further permits use of a relatively simpified box-section boom construction.

Abstract: An improved tractor axle oscillation limiter of the type projecting upwardly on the axle structure to engage a fixed bolster on the tractor. The device includes a base having a first top abutment surface, and a mounted member securable to the base in working position with a second top abutment surface positioned above the first. The mounted member is preferably also securable to the base in a storage position.

Abstract: A self-leveling agricultural implement is disclosed which has been particularly configured for maintaining the frame of the implement in a level disposition as it is raised and lowered by relative movement of its hydraulically-operated supporting wheels. The construction includes a pivotal draft hitch at a forward end of the implement frame, and a leveling linkage which operatively connects the draft hitch with a rockshaft of the implement which is operatively connected with its hydraulic actuators. Thus, as the actuators operate to relatively raise and lower the implement wheels, attendant rotation of the rockshaft acts to pivot the draft hitch relative to the frame, whereby the level disposition of the frame is maintained. The construction desirably includes an adjustable link which operatively connects the pivotal draft hitch with the leveling linkage, whereby the implement is readily adjustable for use with different tractors having differing drawbar heights.

Abstract: A device for grade leveling having a lower member with a flat bottom surface terminating in an upwardly-beveled leading edge, upright members secured above the lower member, and first and second pivot-mounts on the uprights. One of said first and second pivot-mounts defines a fixed pivot axis on the uprights and the other defines a pivot location which is variable along an arc centered around said fixed pivot axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ready replacement of a noncreeper subassembly in a tractor transmission with a creeper subassembly. The method includes subassembly removal and replacement through a window. Removal is by opening the window, reaching in to move, along a subassembly main shaft, a collar which joins the main shaft to a shuttle shaft and in so doing opening a void between the shafts, and then using the void to advantage to manipulate the subassembly out the window. Replacement reverses the same steps. The collar on the creeper subassembly has means for seating a bearing.

Abstract: An easily removable tubular shield assembly for shielding a drive shaft extending to the front wheels of a work vehicle, such as a tractor. The shield assembly has a plurality of telescoping tubular members forming a continuous tube, and one or more removable devices to lock the tubular members into fixed relative axial positions. The tubular shield can be shortened to expose the ends of the drive shaft and facilitate complete or partial removal of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A combined depth-control and wing-lift hydraulic circuit is disclosed. The circuit is preferably used in combination with a farm implement having a tool bar. The tool bar is horizontally disposed relative to the ground, and is carried by the implement. The hydraulic circuit comprises means to raise and lower the tool bar relative to the ground, thereby to effect depth control. The tool bar includes pivotally connected wings. Each wing carries an associated wing wheel. The hydraulic circuit includes means for causing rotative movement of each wing about its associated tool bar pivot between a substantially horizontally-disposed position and a substantially vertically-disposed position, relative to the ground, and for further causing each wing to be selectively disposed at one of these positions, thereby to effect wing lift. Each wing wheel is coupled to, and is distally spaced from and located beneath, its associated wing structure when such wing is in the substantially horizontally-disposed position.

Abstract: An engine interlock control system is disclosed which is particularly suited for use with a material handling implement comprising a combination loader backhoe. In the preferred form, the present control system includes an electrically-operated fuel solenoid for selectively controlling delivery of fuel to the internal combustion engine of the implement. This system further includes means for sensing operation of the engine, preferably comprising an oil pressure sensor, and means for sensing disposition of the implement's transmission in a neutral condition. The fuel solenoid, engine sensor, and transmission sensor are all operatively connected with a microprocessor control unit, whereby delivery of fuel to the engine is prevented in the event that the engine is not running, and the transmission is in a non-neutral condition.

Abstract: An implement-mounting linkage mechanism for pivotally connecting a frame to a wheeled implement is disclosed. The mechanism is preferably used for pivotally connecting a wheeled load-bearing frame to the backside of a wheeled farm implement. The frame includes wheels adjustable relative to the frame for raising and lowering the frame relative to the ground. The frame preferably includes a plurality of soil-engaging ground-tool implements mounted thereon. The mounting-linkage mechanism of the present invention incorporates a novel non-parallel four-point design which virtually eliminates negative hitch weight when the frame is raised above the ground, in the static case. On the other hand, the novel design results in a net downward force being imposed upon the ground-tool implements when the frame is lowered for soil engagement, in the dynamic case.

Abstract: A movable cab structure and operator's compartment for a front end loader which permits complete access to all parts of the front end loader for easy servicing, repair or replacement work. In one embodiment, each base frame side member of the front end loader includes an elongated rail, a stop, and a bracket having a roller mounted thereon. Each side wall of the operator's compartment also includes an elongated rail and a roller which is mounted to the side wall by a bracket. As the operator's compartment is moved forwardly, the rails on the compartment side walls engage the rollers on the base frame side members while the rollers on the compartment side walls engage the underside of the rails on the base frame side members. The operator's compartment may then be easily moved forwardly to an extreme position until the rollers on the compartment side walls engage stops on the base frame side members.

Abstract: A novel center pivot hitch assembly mechanism is disclosed. The mechanism of the present invention is preferably carried by a wheeled tool bar and a wheeled agricultural implement. The wheeled agricultural implement or cart is typically moved along a path by a tractor. The mechanism of the present invention pivotally connects the wheeled tool bar to the backside of the cart. The mechanism of the present invention comprises a center pivot hitch assembly and a stabilization assembly. The center pivot hitch assembly selectively allows the wheeled tool bar to pivot transversely and vertically in relation to the path along which the wheeled agricultural implement is being moved. The stabilization assembly includes hydraulic fluid actuator means for selectively maintaining tool bar disposition relative to the agricultural implement backside, when the wheeled tool bar is oriented substantially parallel to the backside of the wheeled agricultural implement.

Abstract: A floating marker arm mechanism is disclosed. The marker arm mechanism comprises a bifolded marker arm pivotably mounted on a wheeled farm implement. The marker arm comprises first and second elongated members, pivotally connected together. The marker arm folds and is generally vertically disposed when not in use. When in use, the marker arm is extended outwardly from the wheeled implement and downwardly toward the ground. The marker arm mechanism of the present invention further includes a pivotable bracket removably affixed to the wheeled implement. The marker arm is pivotally mounted on the bracket. The bracket permits the arm to "float" between upper and lower positions when extended outwardly toward the ground to permit a marker disc mounted on the free end of the arm to follow ground contours if any.

Abstract: A foldable and swivelable screw conveyor mounted on a transportable storage hopper is disclosed. The storage hopper typically contains particulate material such as grain, fertilizer and the like. The present invention is directed to a spatially-compact hopper-loading screw conveyor which can be folded onto a frame portion of the storage hopper, and which can be secured thereto. The conveyor is foldable along a hinge joint and swivelable along a swivel joint. The screw conveyor has an inlet chute which can be placed on the ground. The foldability and swivelability features allow the screw conveyor to be carried in a spatially-compact fashion on the storage-hopper frame when not in use and further allow the inlet chute to be placed on the ground and extended away from the storage hopper, to convey particulate material into the storage hopper, as desired.