Abstract: A boom and linkage mechanism for a skid-steer loader includes a frame and a right and a left loader arms. An implement may be vertically pivotally mounted to the forward ends of the loader arms, and a pair of tilt actuators may be respectively connected between the forward ends and the implement. Right and left forward guide links are connected between the frame and the loader arms. Right and left rearward guide links are connected substantially proximate to a rear of the frame and the loader arms. The lower ends of the rear guide links may be substantially lower than the lower ends of the forward guide links. Right and left lift actuators may be connected between the frame and the loader arms. The right and left lift actuators may extend and retract to raise the right and left loader arms such that the implement moves between a fully lowered position and a fully raised position, and wherein the fully raised position is located substantially vertically above the fully lowered position.

Abstract: A self-unloading cart has a hopper with a sump and several inclined floor portions arranged substantially symmetrically about a longitudinal plane through the sump and extending generally outward and upward from the sump. An inclined floor auger having a inlet underneath the sump and an outlet at a predetermined height above the inlet is disposed beneath a forward one of inclined floor portions and extends to a front of the cart. The inclined floor auger has a first helical blade disposed rotatably about an axial centerline of the inclined floor auger within a hollow, partially enclosed first cylinder. A vertical folding auger with an entrance end connectably disposed to the outlet for receiving material transported by the inclined floor auger and a discharge end is disposed proximate to the front of the cart. The vertical folding auger has a second helical blade disposed rotatably within a hollow, enclosed second cylinder.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, a utility vehicle (such as, e.g., a skid steer vehicle) having a raised and lowered utility boom includes: a vehicle body; an engine supported within the vehicle body; a boom supported over the body; a utility mechanism supported on the boom; an operator cab supported on the vehicle body; and a forward tilt mechanism about which the cab tilts forward for maintenance or service; and a boom linkage moveable between a retracted position and an extended position; wherein, in the extended position the boom linkage provides a substantially unobstructed access to the vehicle body from left and right sides of the vehicle. The vehicle can also include a removable cover that enables access to the vehicle body behind the cab and/or a rear-end door that enables access from a rear end of the vehicle for maintenance or service.

Abstract: A header transport lower rest bracket assembly for a header transport carriage having a frame, including a bottom bracket member capable of being movably clamped to the frame, the bottom bracket member having a pair of side plates having a correspondingly aligned working position hole located in a central region and a correspondingly aligned storage position hole located in an end region, a riser pad having an upper support surface and a riser backstop projecting from the upper support surface at an angle from vertical, and a pair of leg plates extending downwardly from the upper support surface, each of the leg plates having a correspondingly aligned substantially centrally located mounting hole and a lobe extending past the upper support surface adjacent the riser backstop, and a pin for retaining the riser pad in either a working position or a storage position, wherein the riser pad in a working position sets on the top support surface of the bottom bracket member and is held in place by the pin extending

Abstract: A folding row marker assembly for use with an agricultural implement has an inner link assembly that includes both a mounting that attaches to the agricultural implement and one or more inner link members. The row marker further includes first arm members that hingedly connect to both the first link assembly and an outer link assembly. In one embodiment, the folding row marker assembly has two sections, including an outer arm member that hingedly connects to the outer link assembly and connects to a marker. In an alternative three-section embodiment, the outer link assembly includes a middle section having a middle link assembly that connects to the inner arm members, an outboard link assembly that connects to the outer arm member, and middle arm members that connect the middle link assembly to the outboard link assembly.

Abstract: An auger hopper seal for a pivotable auger is provided according to the invention.

Abstract: A short steer wagon having an improved turning capability, including a pair of wheels at each of opposed ends, a tongue having a rear portion connected to a frame of the wagon and having a front portion adapted for connection to a vehicle, at least one of the pair of wheels being steerable to right and left sides and connected to a rear portion of a corresponding tongue for steering, with a wheel having a leading edge facing toward an end of the wagon and a trailing edge facing toward a central portion of the wagon, the wagon having a longitudinal frame member on each side, each longitudinal frame member having an outer edge portion on an intermediate portion of the longitudinal member, the steerable wheels being completely outside the longitudinal frame members when the steerable wheels are oriented in a straight running direction, and each longitudinal frame member including an inwardly oriented indentation adjacent the trailing edge of each corresponding steerable wheel, each of the indentations allowing t

Abstract: An implement wing weight transfer apparatus is provided according to the invention for an implement having a first panel hinged to a second panel, with the first panel capable of folding with respect to the second panel.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for manipulating and clearing crop residue or other debris from a zone of soil before tilling the zone of soil to form a seedbed. The apparatus may be attached to the tool bar of a farm implement and includes a pair of fingered wheels which are rotated by the ground and manipulate the crop residue as the apparatus moves along the ground. A rotating coulter blade is disposed behind and between the wheels, and the wheels pull the residue rearward and press it against the soil surface where it is cut by the rotating coulter blade. The coulter blade cuts the residue into several portions at least some of which are thrown outward away from the zone of soil to be tilled. A zone tillage apparatus then tills, mixes, aerates and fertilizes the soil in the zone to form a fertilized seedbed, and a planter places seed in the seedbed, all of these procedures being carried out in one pass along the soil.

Abstract: A smokeless mobile agricultural field burner for burning agricultural waste products, mainly rice straw, in the field without releasing excessive air pollution into the environment. The burner consists of a main structure, either self-propelled or towed, that serves as a burn chamber. The sides, top and rear of the main structure are enclosed, while the front and bottom are open, allowing fire to come into contact with the ground to provide sterilization benefits to the soil thereby helping to control soil contamination. Destruction of the waste products is facilitated by a series of primary burners in the burn chamber. Smoke, debris and ash resulting from the primary burn are channeled through the interior of the burner into exhaust ducts by air currents generated by a blower mounted on the outside of the main structure. Once in the exhaust ducts the smoke and debris is destroyed by a set of afterburners, then allowed to escape to an exhaust chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a grain drill with grain includes a grain hopper and a manifold assembly. The hopper includes an open upper portion and a lower portion, and a conveying conduit communicates with an outlet in the lower portion of the hopper such that grain exits the outlet into the conduit. An air blower device is positioned at an end of the conveying conduit and forces pressurized air through the conduit and beneath the hopper outlet. The air in the conveying conduit entrains grain exiting the outlet and carries the grain along the conduit to the manifold assembly mounted on the planting apparatus. The grain and air pass into a manifold tube having a delivery slot and air exhaust apertures, with the grain passing through the slot into the grain drill and the air exiting through the exhaust apertures. The hopper, blower device and conduit may be formed as a stand alone unit which, during filling, is connected to the manifold assembly that is secured to the grain drill.

Abstract: A clearing assembly of a farm implement comprises a clearing wheel having peripheral teeth for clearing mulch and means for attaching the clearing assembly for centrally positioning the clearing wheel in front of a tool of a unit of the farm implement. The clearing assembly has a vertical standard and an arm attached radially to the lower end of the standard. The outer end of the arm is connected to the hub of the Wheel. The upper end of the standard is adjustable vertically and rotatively within the attaching means to position the clearing wheel vertically for minimum penetration of soil and transversely for clearing a path with a centerline directly in front of the tool of the unit.

Abstract: A coulter chisel tillage tool includes a mounting apparatus for attaching a disc gang to a rockshaft. A bracket extends radially from the rockshaft and is connected to one end of a spring having its other end positioned in a retainer cup. The retainer cup is attached to one end of a rod which extends longitudinally through the spring and through an aperture formed in the mounting bracket with the other end of the rod rotatably attached to a bracket assembly. The bracket assembly includes a pair of bearing caps which rotatably engage the rockshaft and are positioned between a pair of plates which are maintained together by bolts. One of the bolts also extends through a yoke of a disc gang for rotatably mounting the disc gang for rotation about a generally vertical axis. The spring and bracket assembly permits the disc gang to rotate about the rockshaft when an obstacle is struck during normal operation.

Abstract: A system for actuating a plurality of farm implements includes a frame adapted to be connected between a tractor and a first farm implement such as a drill. A tool frame, adapted to be connected to one or more additional farm implements, is pivotally suspended beneath the frame by front and rear support linkages. The rear support linkages are also connected with a linkage which raises and lowers the grain drills on the drill. An hydraulic actuator is connected to the front support linkage to move the tool frame and the drill between a transport position and a working position. Adjustment means are provided at the connection between the rear support linkage and the linkage to the drill for determining the transport height of the drill, the spring tension on the grain drills, and the height of the rear of the tool frame with respect to the front of the tool frame.

Abstract: A wheel mounting assembly for mounting an auxiliary wheel to a vehicle wheel includes an annular ring which is positioned in a stepped groove adjacent an edge of the rim of the auxiliary wheel and a lug member which is formed integrally with the ring and which overlies and contacts the rim of the auxiliary wheel. In one embodiment of the invention, a hooked member extends from the ring and hooks underneath the rim of the auxiliary wheel to counterbalance the forces exerted on the ring and rim when the connecting member which connects the auxiliary wheel with the vehicle mounted wheel is tensioned. In another embodiment of the invention, spokes extend between diametrically opposite lug members to counterbalance forces exerted upon the ring and rim when the connecting member is tensioned.