Abstract: A tractor for moving within a borehole comprises an elongated tractor body and two propulsion assemblies that are longitudinally movably engaged with the body. The tractor body has annular pistons configured to receive hydraulic thrust to propel the body longitudinally. Each propulsion assembly includes a gripper and one or more propulsion cylinders. The gripper has an actuated position in which the gripper limits relative movement between the gripper and the inner surface of the borehole, and a retracted position in which the gripper permits substantially free relative movement between the gripper and the inner surface of the borehole. Each propulsion cylinder contains one of the pistons. The tractor includes a control assembly having a plurality of valves and hydraulic circuitry which control the sequencing of fluid distribution to the propulsion cylinders, and of the actuation and retraction of the grippers. A throttle valve controls the fluid flowrate to the pistons.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having a threshing and separating mechanism for threshing and separating crop material; and cleaning mechanisms for cleaning the threshed and separated crop material. The cleaning mechanism comprising: a grain pan for receiving threshed and separated crop material and transporting the latter rearwardly; and an upper and lower sieves installed behind the grain pan and operable to receive the material from the grain pan and move it through and along. At least one portion of the grain pan is inclined in a sideways direction for sideways movement of the threshed and separated crop material while it is being transported rearwardly towards the sieve. This inclination spreads out the surplus of crop material supplied to one longitudinal section of the grain pan and delivers it in an even pattern to the front section of the upper sieve.

Abstract: A downhole hydraulic motor consisting of an outer rim having six or eight lobes on the toothed inner surface, a rotor having four or six lobes respectively on the toothed outer surface as well as a number of planetary gears being constantly engaged with both the outer rim and the rotor and dividing the space between the rim and the rotor into a number of working chambers changing their volume with the rotation of the motor. The working fluid is supplied to the working chambers through channels both in the rotor and the side covers, one of which can slide inside the outer rim to allow adjustment of the gap between the ends of the planetary gears and the side covers.

Abstract: A system for controlling the weight on a rotary drill bit includes an hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly. Pressurized hydraulic fluid acting on the bottom of the piston provides an upward force on the drill string which is connected to the rotary drill bit. A profiled central drive shaft running through the piston conveys the rotary motion from a power swivel to a piston rod attached to the bottom of the piston which in turn is connected to the drill string.

Abstract: A self-propelled combine harvester has an axial-flow separating device including a chopping device with supporting rings which carry impact teeth. The main body of each separating rotor is equipped with several positioning profiles, which are rigidly connected to the main body and extend spirally around it. The supporting rings are provided with corresponding grooves. As a result, a form-locking connection is made between the supporting rings and the main body. The positioning profiles are toothed at the longitudinal edge leading in the direction of rotation of the separating rotor, so that the regions of the supporting rings adjoining the recesses engage in the tooth gaps are prevented from sliding axially. A locking ring is releasably mounted on the rear end of the main body. The number of parts is minimized and the construction of the supporting rings carrying the impact teeth and the main body of the separating rotor minimize the assembly time.

Abstract: A lifting force is applied to a wheel rake arm through a spring assembly wherein a coil spring is placed in compression rather than tension. In the preferred embodiment a rod is connected at one end to a rake wheel arm and the free end of the rod extends through a sleeve and then a coil spring which engages a stop at the opposite end of the rod. The sleeve is connected by linkages to an actuating rod.

Abstract: A harvesting platform having a frame and a cutterbar supported by the frame, a reciprocal knife that moves relative to the cutterbar, a drive motor having a rotary input and a linearly reciprocating output shaft. The output shaft is coupled to the knife for reciprocating the knife and a one piece mounting bracket is coupled to the cutterbar and the drive motor to establish the position of the drive motor relative to the cutterbar. The bracket has machined surfaces engaging the drive motor and the cutterbar to establish the relative positions of the drive motor and the cutterbar within the machining tolerances. This provides proper alignment of the drive motor output with the cutterbar that is necessary for an in-line drive motor.

Abstract: A high-load slip system allows better transmission of loads from the slips to the body. The cone comprises longitudinal slots and the body comprises tabs which are disposed in those slots. The load is transferred from the slips to the cone and into the tabs which reside in the slots. The arrangement can be configured to share the load between the tabs extending from the body and the actual body itself after a small amount of collapse on the cone, leaving the body to support the cone, both through the tabs and on the outside diameter.

Abstract: A rotating concave grain threshing system has a rotor positioned within a concave. The rotor and concave are each rotatable in different preselected speeds and directions through respective transmissions connected to a power source. Measurements are taken corresponding to a physical property of the crop being harvested and the torque induced on the concave. A signal is generated and is responsive to changes in the measurements and delivered to a controller. The controller will then create a controlling signal corresponding to a difference between the desired physical property and the measured physical property and/or the desired torque and the measured torque being greater than a preselected amount. An actuator receives the controlling signal and changes the speed of the concave in response to the magnitude of the received controlling signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for trenchless, underground emplacement of man-sized product pipe between first and second shaft locations is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pilot tube assembly having a pilot tube segment and a steering head mounted to the pilot tube segment. The steering head is configured to operatively guide the pilot tube assembly from the first shaft location to the second shaft location. The apparatus further comprises an intermediate sleeve assembly having an intermediate sleeve segment and an intermediate cutting head mountable to the pilot tube assembly and to the sleeve segment. The intermediate cutting head has a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the pilot tube assembly and is configured to be operably guided by the pilot tube assembly. An enlarging assembly of the apparatus comprises a drive sleeve segment and an enlarging cutting head mounted to the intermediate sleeve assembly and to the drive sleeve segment.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted ice-scraping mechanism includes a tool carrier mounted on the vehicle, and a plurality of non-rotatable ice-scraping tools mounted on the tool carrier and depending downwardly therefrom. Each tool includes a shank mounted to the tool carrier, and a cutting head depending downwardly from the shank. The cutting head is formed of a steel main body, and a carbide insert is mounted in the steel body at a location spaced from a front end of the steel body. During a wear-in period, front and bottom surfaces of the steel body define a rake face and a clearance face, respectively, of the tool. After the wear-in period, front and bottom surfaces of the insert define the rake face and clearance face, respectively. The tool is oriented such that the shank and the rake face extend upwardly and forwardly to define a positive rake angle. The tool shanks are cylindrical and are mounted in cylindrical bores in the tool carrier.

Abstract: A lawnmower raking attachment comprising a plurality of flexible tines anchored to a tine head held rotatable and lockable between the side arms of a U-shaped frame near the close end. Each tine extending downwardly, having the free end bent forwardly to engage the thatch during the forward travel, having each at least one slidable and rotatable bead. A first and second frame supports with vertical slots having the upper end open to accept pivotally a shaft connecting the open end of the U-shaped frame. Latch arms are disposed pivotally on the frame supports to prevent the shaft to escape from the support slots but allowing to rotate to adopt stable operational or resting positions. Stoppers affixed to the frame supports limit the rotational travel of the U-shaped frame. A finger arm pivoted on one frame side near the shaft engages one stopper and prevents the rake frame from going to the resting position unless is manually disengaged.

Abstract: A locator device (50) that is selectively lockable within a nipple profile (40) disposed within a wellbore (32). The locator device (50) comprises a locator key (106) disposed between a housing (104) and a mandrel (102) that is radially extendable through a window (108) of the housing (104). The locator key (106) has an engageable position and a retracted position with respect to nipple profile (40). A support ring (110) is disposed between the housing (104) and the mandrel (102) that maintains the locator key (106) in the engageable position until the support ring (110) is axially displaced relative to the mandrel (102).

Abstract: An open type cage, having exterior threads and three equally spaced slots, which locates and contains the stationary or standing ball and seat check valve, and connects to standardized, stationary barrel, top or bottom anchored, rod insert pumps that are commonly used for crude oil production. This cage allows for the placement of a standard sized, flat type, ball and seat at the very end of the pump barrel or extension coupling, or up inside of the same. This positioning allows the upper travelling valve to sweep as close as possible to the lower standing valve when the plunger is at the bottom of its stroke. This reduces the unswept volume and increases the pumps compression ratio. This cage has two slightly different configurations that is determined by the bore size of the pump for which it is designed, but both variations use standard valve sizes and threaded connections.

Abstract: A hay making machine including at least two working elements in the form of rotary rakes which are carried by intermediate frames. The intermediate frames are arranged on a support frame and supported on the ground by at least one land wheel. The intermediate frames are pivotally connected for following the contours of the ground as picked-up by the land wheels, and for pivoting about axes which extend in the direction of travel between a working position and a transportation position and vice versa. The intermediate frames also support the transmission members of the drive train, especially shafts and the power train, which are needed for conveying the drive energy to the rotary rakes rotating about vertical axes. Furthermore, the intermediate frames are connected together in the vicinity of the articulated connection between adjacent intermediate frames by coupling consisting of two coupling units that co-operate via meshing elements.

Abstract: A lawnmower includes a cutter assembly having a cutter deck and at least three cutter blades disposed respectively in first, second and third cutting zones within the cutter deck. The cutter blades are coupled to a power source by a power transmission assembly. A first opening is formed in one side of the cutter deck adjacent the second cutting zone and a closure member is removably mounted on the cutter deck for closing the first opening. A second opening is formed in the cutter deck adjacent the second cutting zone and a conduit is coupled at one end to the second opening and at its other end to a hopper for conducting grass clippings from the cutter assembly to the hopper. A plurality of baffles define portions of the first, second and third cutting zones and are configured to direct clippings from the first cutting zone to the third cutting zone and from the third cutting zone to the second cutting zone.

Abstract: A self-powered brush cutter provided with a carrier having motorized ground engaging elements mounted via tandem arms, an articulated boom and a cutter head attachment. The articulated boom includes an angular adjustment mechanism to adjust the angle of the cutter head attachment and to maintain this angle. The cutter head attachment includes a rotary blade and blade guards partially enclosing the plade and provided with apertures that are so configured as to allow the passage of a potentially damage blade.

Abstract: A fastening assembly is adapted for attaching a composite insert to a mower deck. The insert has an opening extending therethrough and a recessed portion adjacent the opening. The recessed portion has a shoulder and a first abutment surface. The assembly includes a spacer receivable in the recessed portion adjacent the shoulder. The spacer has a passage therethrough alignable with the opening in the insert, the passage having a second abutment surface. The spacer also has an outer periphery, a portion of which forms a third abutment surface alignable with the first abutment surface for non-rotatable engagement therewith. The assembly also includes a fastening member which has a head and a shank. The shank includes a threaded portion and a further portion adjacent to the head. The further portion has a fourth abutment surface engagable with the second abutment surface whereby the fastening member is non-rotatably receivable within the spacer passage and the insert opening.

Abstract: A rotor used for a combine-harvester includes a cylindrical member having a front end and rear end with a plurality of rub bar members spacedly disposed thereupon and extending outwardly therefrom and with a plurality of outwardly projecting spiral members which are disposed about the rear portion of the cylindrical member and which effectively shed the vines and stalks of the crop plants from about the rotor and with a plurality of short threshing members which are mounted to and project outwardly from the cylindrical member at the rear end thereof for removing any grain left on the vines and stalks before they are removed off the rear end of the rotor.

Abstract: A lawnmower blade assembly, including a replaceable cutting edge insert and method for its use. The cutting edge insert is disposed within a recess of a support member at each end of a centrally rotatable main blade. The recess has a blunted front edge, a back shoulder, an outside shoulder, and a passage for an insert release tab. Two threaded preset Allen bolts, protruding from the recess floor, are permanently locked into position. The bolts are not specifically designed to carry the load of the rotating lawnmower blade. The back and outside shoulders of the recess provide most of the force necessary to retain the insert against rotational and centrifugal forces. The cutting edge insert, having substantially the same profile as the recess, and having slotted holes for reception of the bolts, can be slid in and out of the recess. An interference-type friction fit exists between the preset bolt head and the floor of the recess.