Abstract: An implement has a tongue used to tow the implement that can be raised or lowered with respect to the rest of the implement. The tongue is raised or lowered by a hydraulic cylinder. The raising and lowering ports of the cylinder are connected to two hydraulic accumulators to permit the tongue to flex up or down while the implement is towed through the field. These accumulators are disconnected from the cylinder when the wings of the implement are lifted and the implement is towed over the road to prevent the implement from oscillating backwards and forward about an axis defined by its wheels.

Abstract: A mass damper is carried on the frame of an reel mower by a pair of elastomeric couplers, one at each end of the mass damper. Each coupler is threadedly secured to one end of the mass damper with the coupler received in a cavity at that end of the mass damper. Each coupler is also clamped to a bracket on the frame of the reel mower. The mass damper can move relative to the frame of the reel mower by shearing the elastomeric material forming the couplers. The weight of the mass damper and the stiffness of the couplers is chosen to damp or lessen the vibration induced in the frame of the reel mower by an internal combustion engine carried on the frame of the reel mower.

Abstract: A harvesting assembly includes a platform reel. The reel includes bat tubes extending longitudinally across the length of the reel. The bat tubes are mounted at their outer ends to opposed spider support elements each having a center rotatable hub. The bat tubes carry tines for feeding harvested crop to the harvesting platform. The interior of the reel is free of supporting elements such as a center tube extending across the length of the reel. Perimeter struts connect adjacent bat tubes and provide a supporting framework together with the bat tubes for the reel.

Abstract: A system (10) for providing guided buying decision support within an electronic marketplace environment includes a server (42) that interacts with buyers (12) to receive procurement parameters for items. An option generator (50) receives procurement parameters for a particular item needed by a particular buyer (12), determines one or more acceptable item-supplier combinations consistent with the procurement parameters for the item, and generates one or more recommended options for communication to the buyer (12), each recommended option specifying a service through which it is possible to procure the item consistent with the procurement parameters. The server (42) further interacts with the buyer (12) to receive a selection of a particular recommended option. A manager application (46) automatically initiates the service specified in the selected recommended option in an attempt to procure the item consistent with the procurement parameters.

Abstract: A rake wheel includes a hub and a plurality of tines connected to the hub and extending outwardly therefrom to an annular rim concentric with the hub. Each tine is journaled through a first plurality of apertures formed in the rim and projects outwardly from the rim. A second plurality of apertures is formed in the rim, having a size and shape substantially the same as the first plurality of apertures, and will receive the tines when the first set of apertures becomes worn or otherwise ineffective.

Abstract: A mobile treatment system for subterraneously aerating and stimulating root zones with a probe. Suitable controls enable the operator to mix liquid root stimulator solution within a storage tank, and then pump it into the ground through the probe. A motor-driven air compressor controls a pneumatic holding tank to store pressurized air. The multi-segmented probe has a rigid, upper segment that receives liquid through a check valve, an intermediate segment receiving high pressure air, and a lowermost section extending downwardly from a foot plate and terminating in a hardened point. Output orifices defined in the tip deliver air or solution subterraneously. A controller circuit times an injection cycle upon actuation of a probe-mounted switch by actuating a solenoid valve for metered fluid injection. When the injection cycle completes, a manual valve on the probe can be opened for aeration.

Abstract: A control system controls a three point implement hitch assembly of a tractor. The three point implement hitch assembly includes an upper link and two lower links. The upper link includes an adjustable length double acting hydraulic unit. The position of each lower link is controlled by an adjustable length double acting hydraulic unit. A hydraulic circuit controls communication between the hydraulic units, a hydraulic supply and a hydraulic tank. The circuit permits each hydraulic unit to be controlled independently of one another.

Abstract: A device for controlling the position of a mountable implement relative to an implement carrier vehicle has a mountable implement (2, 3, 4) which can be moved at a predetermined height by the implement carrier 1 following the ground. A support element (11, 19, 20), is coupled to the mountable implement (2, 3, 4) and can be attached to the implement carrier vehicle (1). A coupling device (15, 17, 18), is connected to the mountable implement (2, 3, 4) and to the support element (11, 19, 20). The mountable implement (2, 3, 4) is freely adjusted to a lifting position corresponding to the height path relative to the support element (11, 19, 20). An attachment device (6, 7, 8) attaches the support element (11, 19, 20) to the implement carrier vehicle 1 having a lifting device. A sensor determines the actual lifting position of the mountable implement (2, 3, 4) relative to the support element (11, 19, 20). A control device determines the deviation of the actual lifting position from a desired lifting position.

Abstract: An improved mounting arrangement for a knife to a disc for use on a rotary disc cutter that eliminates the need for a threaded connector and the associated nut is disclosed. It also provides a positive retention method on the top side of the disc. In addition, it provides a method of removing the knife from the disc without the use of wrenches, simply requiring a tool for prying, such as a screw driver. A further feature is a low profile retainer that does not need to be protected by a wear protector.

Abstract: The apparatus is a crop conditioner frame in which both conditioning rollers and the torsion bar assembly forcing them together are interchangeable with other such parts of different designs. The interchangeability of the rollers is accomplished by simultaneously changing the bearings for the rollers and the mounting fixtures holding the bearings, but constructing all the mounting fixtures at any location to be attachable by the same fasteners.

Abstract: A sickle bar hold-down formed with a protruding ridge across the lower rear end is disclosed. The hold-down is generally an elongate member having a finger-like front portion and an opposing rectangular rear portion with means for affixing the member to a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a raised rectangular step above which the rear portion of the hold-down is positioned, with the protruding ridge adapted to fit over the step such that the protruding ridge overhangs the step and properly aligns the finger-like front portion of the hold-down with the knife sections of the sickle bar.

Abstract: An implement pitch-yaw system for effectively and efficiently controlling the pitch of an implement. The implement pitch-yaw system includes a first yaw actuator and a second yaw actuator attached between an implement structure pivotally attached to a support structure and a connecting member slidably attached to the support structure, and a pitch actuator attached between the connecting member and the support structure. The extension/retraction of the pitch actuator moves the yaw actuators accordingly thereby creating the desired pitch movement for the implement structure.

Abstract: A tiller assembly includes a tine assembly that is rotatably connected to a tiller body and the tine assembly includes at least one tine for use in tilling associated soil. A hydraulic system is operatively connected to the tine assembly and includes a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor for use in rotating the tine assembly in first and second directions, a control valve, and hydraulic hose for use in communicating hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic pump, the hydraulic motor, and the control valve. The control valve may be positioned on-the-go into a first position thereby causing the tine assembly to rotate in a first direction and into a second position thereby causing the tine assembly to rotate in a second direction. The tiller assembly may also include a roller assembly that has a roller frame pivotably connected to the tiller body. The roller assembly also includes a roller that is rotatably connected to the roller frame and a spring for use in maintaining the roller against the soil.

Abstract: A reverser which, in a preferred embodiment, has a hydraulic cylinder supported by a chopper baler frame. The opposite end of the hydraulic cylinder is attached to the reverser driver. When activated by hydraulics on a tractor, the hydraulics will extend the cylinder, causing the sprockets to be disengaged. Further extension of the cylinder will cause the reverser driver to engage the reverser sprocket and turn the rotor backwards slightly. After full extension, the cylinder will then be retracted. This process can be repeated a couple of times in order to remove the blockage. The reverser enables the operator to restore the baler to its working condition from the tractor seat. Being able to disengage the rotor from the rest of the machine enables the bale to be wrapped if a major blockage occurs. Also a controlled reversing motion is beneficial, so over-reversing does not occur.

Abstract: A double disk C-spring standard assembly utilizes bearings mounted to a simple carrier plate. The plate is connected to the lower end of a single C-spring oriented in the fore-and-aft direction. Bearing assembly mounting holes in the plate define the necessary gang angles. Compact disk blade hub assemblies facilitate side-by-side mounting of the center bearing assemblies.

Abstract: A powered, lightweight soil tillage device, including an elongated hollow support member having a motor and handle at the upper end thereof, and the tillage assembly mounted at the lower end thereof. The tillage assembly comprises a pair of beams which are mounted on opposite sides of a gearbox and driven thereby. The upper ends of the beams are attached to idler or rocker beams so that each of the beams is moved in a generally circular path. Hoe blades or the like are secured to the forward ends of the beams and extend inwardly therefrom so that the hoe blades are disposed one behind the other.

Abstract: A hard rock drill barrel has a barrel portion with a downhole hammer drill disposed therein at the barrel's periphery. A pilot portion, in substantial axial alignment with the barrel but having a smaller diameter, extends distally from the barrel for inserting into a pilot shaft of slightly larger diameter than the pilot portion. In operation, the hammer drill excavates a collar around the pilot shaft when the drill barrel is rotated and supplied with pressurized air, thereby excavating a relative large diameter shaft. The drill barrel is hollow and open at its proximal end to receive and collect cuttings flushed into the shaft above the drill barrel. The piloted drill barrel is adjustable to excavate variable diameter shaft portions, enabling the placement of casing within a larger diameter shaft portion. After adjustment of the drill barrel, smaller-diameter shaft excavation proceeds beyond the casing.

Abstract: A reel mower assembly comprises a mower reel rotatably mounted to a frame, and a drive operative to rotate the reel about a reel axis. A plurality of magnets are mounted on the frame and a bed knife is magnetically held against the magnets in an operating position such that the bed knife is oriented in cutting relationship with the reel. When the bed knife is in an operating position, sliding movement of the bed knife with respect to the magnets while allowing the bed knife to move away from the magnets may be prevented, when a separating force is exerted on the bed knife in a direction away from the magnets that is greater than an attractive force exerted on the bed knife by the magnets.

Abstract: A slat and a sieve assembly. The sieve assembly comprises a frame, a slat supported by the frame, and a rotational drive mechanism supported by the frame. In some constructions and in some aspects, the slat extends at least 180° about an axis and has a cross-section having a uniform radius in relation to the axis. The slat includes spaced finger-like indentations being defined on an edge of the slat. The slat is couplable to the rotational drive mechanism for rotation about the axis. In some constructions and in some aspects, the rotational drive mechanism includes a pinion connected to the end of the slat, and a drive shaft including a worm gear engaging the pinion and rotatably supported by the frame to rotate about a drive axis. In some constructions and in some aspects, the slat may include a cross-section having a first adjustment cavity and a second adjustment cavity.

Abstract: A hydraulic system has a frame member having an end. The structural member is pivotally coupled with the frame member end. A first hydraulic cylinder includes a cylinder housing, a ram with a head reciprocally disposed within the housing, a first chamber on one side of the head, and a second chamber on another side of the head. A first end of the first hydraulic cylinder is attached to the frame member. A preload spring has a first end which is attached to the frame member, and a second end which is attached to the second end of the first hydraulic cylinder. A second hydraulic cylinder is coupled between the frame member and the structural member. The second hydraulic cylinder includes a cylinder housing, a ram with a head reciprocally disposed within the housing, a first chamber on one side of the head and a second chamber on another side of the head. A first fluid line interconnects the first chamber of the first and second hydraulic cylinders.