Abstract: A swivel connection for quick attachment bracket equipped excavator booms. The swivel connection has a frame that mounts onto a quick attachment bracket on an excavator or backhoe boom, and the frame pivotally mounts a second attachment bracket about a swivel axis. The second attachment bracket is adapted to fit into a frame on an implement that also is connectable to the bracket on the boom. An implement attached to the second bracket this can be pivoted relative to the frame of the swivel connection. A linear hydraulic actuator is used for controlling the pivoting movement of the second bracket relative to the frame.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus including a magazine for holding a plurality of pipes, and a drive head is disclosed herein. The drive head includes a drive member adapted to be coupled to a pipe. The drive member is aligned along a drive axis. The drilling apparatus includes a first drive mechanism for rotating the drive member about the drive axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the drive member axially along the drive axis. The drilling apparatus also includes a pipe transfer member for transferring pipes between the magazine and the drive head. The pipe transfer member defines a pipe receiving region for receiving a pipe. The pipe transfer member is movable between a first orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located under the magazine, and a second orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located adjacent to the drive axis of the drive head.

Abstract: A zero turning radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero radius turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned near this turning point or axis so that the standing occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero radius turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds. The low center of gravity created by the position of the riding platform for the standing operator also results in the mower having improved traction and being less likely to pop “wheelies” upon acceleration.

Abstract: A seed metering system includes a first metering member having a first bearing surface and a second metering member having a plurality of seed engaging surfaces adapted to engage seeds and a second bearing surface positioned against the first bearing surface. The second metering member moves relative to the first metering member. At least one depression extends into the second bearing surface opposite the first bearing surface.

Abstract: A gang mower and tractor assembly includes a tractor with a forward section attached to a rear section by a pivot. A frame is attached to the forward section. A plurality of reel type mowers are attached to the frame.

Abstract: A snowplow attachment for mounting to the front end of a vehicle that includes both a push blade operable during forward movement of vehicle and a pull blade operable during reverse movement of the vehicle. The pull blade drops down in front of the push blade such that pushed snow can then be pulled back. The snowplow can get up close to permanent structures such as buildings and remove snow therefrom. During the push mode, the pull blade is raised to avoid interference with pushed snow. The snowplow can include side plates located on the ends of the blades for containing the snow and prevent snow from escaping out the sides, thereby increasing the volume of snow moved by the plow during one sweep. According to one embodiment, the snowplow includes a push blade assembly that is adapted to mount directly on the vehicle and a movable pull blade carried by the push blade assembly.

Abstract: A rotary combine in which the cleaning system is located directly under the threshing and separating sections of the rotary threshing and separating assembly. The rotary threshing and separating assembly is separated from the cleaning system by a longitudinally extending, unobstructed air passage that extends from the front to the rear of the combine. Grain and material other than grain (MOG) are discharged from the threshing concave and separating grate portions of the rotor assembly at a relatively high velocity. The cleaning system includes a fan which produces a high velocity stream of air that flows upwardly through the shoe sieve and chaffer sieve and then along the unobstructed passage. Grain falls through the air stream to the chaffer sieve. The MOG, on the other hand, has a lower weight density, and is less aerodynamic than the grain so it is picked up by and carried along with the air stream. The MOG is discharged to the field out the rear of the rotary combine.

Abstract: A trim assembly for riding lawnmower for trimming areas adjacent to lawnmower. The trim assembly for riding lawnmower includes a mounting attached to a perimeter wall of a blade shield mounted to a lawnmower. The device is positioned away from a body of the lawnmower. A cylinder is rotatably coupled to the mounting and orientated in a generally vertical orientation. A second pulley is mounted on an upper end of the cylinder. A disc is attached to a lower end of the cylinder. A belt extends around and frictionally engages a first pulley, mechanically coupled to a motor on the lawnmower, and the second pulley for rotating the second pulley and the cylinder attached thereto.

Abstract: An MWD method and apparatus for determining parameters of interest in a formation has a sensor assembly mounted on a slidable sleeve slidably coupled to a longitudinal member, such as a section of drill pipe. When the sensor assembly is held in a non-rotating position, for instance for obtaining the measurements, the longitudinal member is free to rotate and continue drilling the borehole, wherein downhole measurements can be obtained with substantially no sensor movement or vibration. This is particularly useful in making NMR measurements due to their susceptibility to errors due caused by tool vibration. In addition, the substantially non-rotating arrangement of sensors makes it possible to efficiently carry out VSPs, reverse VSPs and looking ahead of the drill bit. A clamping device is used, for instance, to hold the sensor assembly is held in the non-rotating position.

Abstract: A method of raking with a tractor having a rear horizontally elongated hydraulic blade. After attachment the rake can be can be lifted, lowered, and pressed down into the soil or gravel etc. being raked with hydraulic power. The method comprises the following steps: providing a horizontally elongate member adapted to be carried adjacent, parallel to, and beneath the bottom portion of the blade, said member having teeth spaced along and extending downwardly therefrom; providing blade attachment devices affixed along the elongate member for releasably attaching the member beneath the bottom portion of the blade; and, releasably attaching the elongate member to the blade on the tractor. In a preferred embodiment of this invention the elongated member comprises a channel, the blade attachment devices comprise arms which extend from opposite side portions of the channel and surround the blade, and the teeth comprise hardened replaceable bolts.

Abstract: A sieve lining for a concave in a threshing mechanism of a harvesting machine accommodates larger threshing cylinders while still allowing the sieve lining segments to be removed through an inspection opening in a threshing mechanism housing and includes an extension formed by either a single piece or segments; a plurality of sieve lining segments; and an articulated connection between the extension and the sieve lining segments.

Abstract: The apparatus, system and method is capable of providing power from a directional or vertical drilling apparatus at an origin above the ground to an electronic device located in a drill head of the directional or vertical drilling apparatus located below the ground. The apparatus, system and method is also capable of providing an electrical signal from below ground back to the origin, above ground, from the electronic device. Accordingly, the mechanism for feeding electrical power down a hole to the electronic device located in the drill head and transmitting a signal back to the origin, greatly enhances the drilling process making it faster, more reliable and more efficient.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header includes a reel mounted on a pair of forwardly extending arms carried on a header frame above a table and cutting knife. The reel is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and includes bats with fingers which pivot each about a respective bat axis so the angle of the fingers varies as the reel rotates. The bat includes a longitudinal tube which supports the fingers at spaced positions along its length. At each finger location the tube is punched to define two diametrically opposed indentations each forming a hole through the tube wall. Each finger has a finger portion of I shape in cross-section and a mounting collar. The collar only partly surrounds the tube so as to have a portion which can flex open to allow the collar to be wrapped around the tube. Two projections are provided on the inside surface of the collar to project into a respective one of the indentations.

Abstract: A harvesting machine having a rotary crop processing unit supported between a pair of spaced side sheets with openings for access to the crop processing unit and a cleaning system therebelow. Molded plastic cover panels extend from the lower edge of the access openings on the side sheet to the crop processing unit to close the access openings. Multiple cover panels are used in each opening to minimize the size of each cover panel for ease in handling and the cover panels are retained by hand manipulated pins or fasteners to remove and install the panels without the use of tools.

Abstract: An apparatus for disposing of snow that is deposited on a surface. The apparatus includes a removal mechanism that removes the snow from the surface and guides the snow into the apparatus. A first chamber is connected to the removal mechanism. The first chamber has a first aperture that permits fluid to be injected into the snow to aid in melting the snow. A second chamber is connected to the first chamber. The second chamber has an agitating device that moves the snow and separates the snow into a slurry to further melt the snow. A third chamber is connected to the second chamber and is configured to store the melted snow. A disposal mechanism is provided that removes the excess snow from the third chamber. Snow is removed from the surface by the removal mechanism and is melted as it moves through the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber.

Abstract: A bed knife blade assembly for a reel-type lawn mower having a frame rotatably supporting a cutting reel. The bed knife blade assembly comprises a clamp plate having a flange with a locking surface, and a blade insert having a tab cooperating with the locking surface to restrict movement of the blade insert relative to the clamp plate. The clamp plate is adapted to be coupled to the frame such that the flange biasedly engages the tab to further restrict movement of the blade insert relative to the clamp plate.

Abstract: A height sensing shoe assembly for an implement such as a cotton harvester includes an arm pivotally connected at an upper end to the lower portion of a harvester row unit for rocking about an arm axis transverse to the forward direction. A shoe or ski elongated in the fore-and-aft direction is pivotally connected at a central location to the lower end of the arm for rocking about an axis parallel to the arm axis. The elongated pivoting shoe tends to bridge peaks and valleys in the soil surface irregularities proving a mechanical averaging effect to reduce the range of pivoting of the arm as the unit passes the irregularities. An actuator connected to the arm and responsive to arm pivoting controls the lift system to maintain the height of the unit above the ground within a preselected range.

Abstract: A fill indicator for a clippings collection container of a mower having a lever pivotable in response to grass clippings piling up on top of the lever. The lever and the electrical switch that the lever engages are pivotable about an axis as a unit to adjust the sensitivity of the fill indicator.

Abstract: A yield monitor system for determining quantity of harvested sugar cane on a sugar cane harvesting vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle has a harvesting mechanism including a base cutter assembly for severing sugar cane from a field, a chopper assembly for chopping the severed sugar cane into billets, and an elevating assembly for elevating the billets during transport to a storage device, the elevating assembly having an elevator motor coupled to a pressurized hydraulic fluid source. The yield monitor system includes a sensing assembly and a control monitor. The sensing assembly generates a sensed signal representative of a quantity of harvested sugar cane being transported to the storage device. The control monitor receives the sensed signal and determines the quantity of harvested sugar cane therefrom.

Abstract: A tool or sub for use in a well bore is adapted to manipulate the circulation path of fluid through a drill string or work string in which the tool is connected. The apparatus has a body member defining an axial flow path with one or more radial outlets that may be opened or closed by respective valve members in use.