Abstract: Graders and methods of operation thereof. A grader includes a chassis, a saddle linkage, and a motion measurement system. The saddle linkage is supported for movement relative to the chassis and includes a mount movably coupled to the chassis, first and second arms each movably coupled to the mount, and a crossbar movably coupled to each of the first and second arms. The mount has a lock pin aperture, each of the first and second arms has a locking hole, and the crossbar has a plurality of locking holes. The lock pin aperture may be aligned with one locking hole of the first arm, the second arm, or the crossbar to position the saddle linkage in use of the grader. The motion measurement system is coupled to the saddle linkage and configured to measure movement or position of one or more components of the grader in use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is a hydraulic excavation and delivery device capable of hydraulically removing soil overburden from a buried structure, like a pipeline, and delivering an article, such as an electro-mechanical connector for attachment to the buried structure. Hydraulic excavation is achieved by directing a stream of fluid at soil adjacent to and inside an open bottom region of the device to simultaneously dislodge adjacent soil, suspend dislodged soil in the accumulating fluid and form a pit that the device may fit within. Delivery of article is achieved by: (1) loading an article into the tool; (2) advancing the device toward the buried structure by deepening the pit without significant failure (slumping or sagging) of the pit walls until a portion of the buried structure is exposed and within the device; (3) landing the device on the exposed portion of the structure; (4) fixing the article to the exposed portion of the structure; and (5) releasing the article from the device.

Abstract: Wear members for wear assemblies include a lock configured to secure the wear member to a base, where the lock has two engagement positions, namely: (a) a first position that secures the lock to the wear member, and (b) a second position that secures the wear member to the base. The locks are further configured to be unlatched and removed from the wear member in two phases, a first retraction of the latching mechanism, followed by a rotation of the lock itself with removal from the wear member.

Abstract: A system for use in securing bits against rotation in a motor grader may include a bit, with the bit having a shank. The shank may include a locking portion. The system may include an adapter board including a hole configured to receive the shank of the bit. The system may also include an anti-rotation plate configured to engage the locking portion of the shank of the bit such that the anti-rotation plate constrains the bit against rotation with respect to the adapter board.

Abstract: A method for making a prefabricated, prestressed module includes arranging one or more steel beams atop a supporting formwork element in a direction transverse to the supporting formwork element and arranging one or more precast deck elements across the one or more steel beams to create a substantially continuous surface. The one or more precast deck elements have pockets for receiving connectors that protrude from the one or more steel beams. The method also includes arranging the supporting formwork element to allow the one or more steel beams to bend into a cambered shape to impart compressive stresses to a bottom flange of the one or more steel beams and tension stresses to a top flange of the one or more steel beams and inserting grout into the pockets to hold the cambered shape and to bond the one or more precast deck elements to the connectors and the top flange.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for monitoring the frame levelness of an agricultural implement may include an implement frame and first and second seedbed detection assemblies coupled to the implement frame. Each of the seedbed detection assemblies may include a seedbed tool configured to ride along a seedbed floor as the implement frame is moved across a field in a forward travel direction. Each of the seedbed detection assemblies may also include a seedbed floor sensor configured to capture data indicative of a position of the corresponding seedbed tool relative to the implement frame. Furthermore, the system may include a controller configured to monitor positions of the seedbed detection assemblies relative to the implement frame based on data received from the seedbed floor sensors of the first and second seedbed detection assemblies, respectively.

Abstract: A tip and adapter assembly includes a spring loaded retainer that includes a lug receiving portion defining a first maximum outside dimension, the lug receiving portion also defining a lug receiving slot that extends partially through the lug receiving portion, forming a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a catch surface connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall. A drive portion defines a second maximum outside dimension, and a first flat is disposed on the outside of the lug receiving portion proximate to the first sidewall or the second sidewall.

Abstract: A customizable tile system includes a tile disposed atop a surface; a forced fluid system comprising a pipe disposed below the tile and operatively coupled to a pump; a bladder operatively connected to the pipe, wherein the bladder is selectively inflatable; a sensor operatively coupled to the bladder; and a control system operable to control the pump. The control system includes a processor in data communication with the sensor, and computer memory, the computer memory comprising a program having machine readable instructions that, when effected by the processor, predicts a location of an impact upon the tile and selectively forces fluid through the pipe to inflate the bladder prior to the impact upon the tile.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the speed of an agricultural implement may include a work vehicle including a vehicle-based controller, with the vehicle-based controller being configured to adjust a drive parameter of the work vehicle. The system may also include an agricultural implement configured to be towed by the work vehicle. The implement may include a sensor configured to detect an operational parameter indicative of an orientation of the implement relative to the work vehicle. The implement may further include an implement-based controller supported on the implement and being communicatively coupled to the sensor. The implement-based controller may be configured to initiate control of the drive parameter of the work vehicle based on sensor data received from the sensor in a manner that adjusts the speed of the implement.

Abstract: A bollard system having a main post; a post collar; a base plate; and an energy-absorbing element. The base plate has an arcuate outer wall and inwardly projecting mounting fastener notches around the bottom of the base plate. The post, the post collar and the base plate are shaped such that when the post is loaded above the base plate, an obliquely, downwardly directed sliding movement of the post and post collar relative to the base plate is obtained and is damped by the energy-absorbing element.

Abstract: A locking pin assembly for securing a ground engaging element to a support structure may include a body portion and may include a shaft portion disposed within the body portion and rotatable between a first position that mechanically inhibits removal of a ground engaging element from a support structure and a second position that permits removal of the ground engaging element from the support structure. A camshaft may be rotatably disposed within the shaft portion and may be arranged to cooperate with the shaft portion to rotate through a first range of motion and to apply a rotational force on the shaft portion through a second range of motion. A radially extending locking element may be configured to selectively mechanically interfere with one of the shaft portion and the body portion to selectively prevent rotation of the shaft portion relative to the body portion.

Abstract: Graders and methods of operation thereof. A grader includes a chassis, a saddle linkage, and a motion measurement system. The saddle linkage is supported for movement relative to the chassis and includes a mount movably coupled to the chassis, first and second arms each movably coupled to the mount, and a crossbar movably coupled to each of the first and second arms. The mount has a lock pin aperture, each of the first and second arms has a locking hole, and the crossbar has a plurality of locking holes. The lock pin aperture may be aligned with one locking hole of the first arm, the second arm, or the crossbar to position the saddle linkage in use of the grader. The motion measurement system is coupled to the saddle linkage and configured to measure movement or position of one or more components of the grader in use thereof.

Abstract: A handheld gardening tool includes a power source, a spike projection device adapted to roughen soil for the application of grass seeds or to ease pulling weeds, and a support arm connecting the power source to the spike projection device. The spike projection device comprises a housing supporting a plurality of spikes mounted within the housing for controlled extension from and retraction within the housing for engagement with soil.

Abstract: A retainer sleeve for use with a lock in a ground engaging tool. The retainer sleeve may include an outer skirt extending around a retainer axis, where the outer skirt may include an outer surface formed to mate with a lock cavity of the ground engaging tool. The retainer sleeve can further include an inner sleeve flexibly connected to the outer skirt via a lower bend. The inner skirt may be formed to rotatably receive an outer surface of the lock. The retainer sleeve may also include a detent projection extending radially inward from the inner skirt with respect to the retainer axis and formed to engage a detent recess of the lock to releasably hold the lock.

Abstract: A bi-directional snow blower includes a frame coupled to a suspension mechanism of a motorized vehicle. A scraper blade may be rigidly and non-pivotally coupled to the frame, to move the scraper blade together with the frame and orient the scraper blade into a range of positions, including a raised position, a first lowered position and a second lowered position. The bi-directional snow blower may remove particulate from the floor surface when the vehicle is traveling in a forward direction and in a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction.

Abstract: A hitch assembly having a carrier for attachment to a working vehicle. A pair of lift arms, link member and actuator are pivotally interconnected such that the hitch assembly is lockable in working and folded configurations. In the working configuration, the lift arms are secured to the carrier and the actuator is operable to raise and lower the lift arms. In the folded configuration, the lift arms are pivotable relative to the carrier. Extension of the actuator folds the lift arms relative to the carrier to move the hitch assembly between the working and folded configuration.

Abstract: An agricultural product burying unit for an agricultural machine, configured so as to be mounted in a fixed manner relative to the agricultural machine, includes: a reference device, and a burying device. The reference device is configured to rest on the ground in the work configuration and form a depth positioning reference for the burying device. The burying device is configured to bury an agricultural product in the work configuration. The reference device is configured to be mounted in an articulated manner directly on a reference which is fixed relative to the agricultural machine. The reference device is configured to weigh on the burying device in the work configuration, thereby forming a first device of applying a bearing force on the burying device.

Abstract: A power locking device has a body including a blind bore with an electroactive polymer disposed in the blind bore, and a sliding lock member that is disposed in the blind bore and that contacts the electroactive polymer. A current source is in electrical communication with the electroactive polymer.

Abstract: A lifting aid system for a long-handled implement may include a lifting aid. The lifting aid includes a mounting assembly configured to be attached to an elongated portion of a long-handled implement. The lifting aid further includes a fulcrum assembly including a fulcrum bar pivotally attached to the mounting assembly and at least one skid shield operably coupled to the fulcrum bar. The lifting aid system may further include a handle having at least one portion capable of being grasped by a user. The lifting aid system may further include a handle mounting assembly. The handle mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket having a first engagement portion configured to engage and be removably attached to the elongated portion of the long-handled implement and a second engagement portion configured to engage and be removably attached to the handle of the lifting aid system.

Abstract: A bollard assembly includes a post including at least one locking flange or pin and a cooperating base defining a post receiver. The base includes at least one interior wall including at least one cooperating locking groove dimensioned and configured to receive an end of the at least one locking flange or pin. The at least one cooperating locking groove includes at least one portion defining a substantially vertical pathway and at least one intersecting portion defining a substantially horizontal pathway. The at least one cooperating locking groove may defined by a top portion and a bottom portion each defining a substantially vertical pathway, and an intersecting intermediate portion defining a plane oriented substantially perpendicularly to the top portion and the bottom portion.