Abstract: A power-assisted shovel truck is provided including a swiveling truck and a rotary bucket attached to the truck by a movable arm. A water feed pump and a water feed tank are provided on the truck for pumping water towards the rotary bucket. A conduit communicates with the water feed pump and runs along the arm to the bucket to feed a stream of water to the rotary bucket.

Abstract: A tilt rate compensating implement system and method utilizes first hand second sensors for sensing the position of the rod end portion of first and second implement lift jacks. A controller calculates a tilt angle of the implement based on a difference in the amount of extension of the lift jacks. An inclinometer senses an angle of the frame relative to a predetermined plane and a tilt rate sensor senses the rate of change of the frame angle relative to said plane. A corrected frame angle based on signals from the inclinometer and tilt rate sensors is combined with the implement tilt angle to provide a corrected implement tilt angle. A display device displays the corrected implement tilt angle. The controller compares the corrected implement tilt angle to the desired implement tilt angle and actuates a fluid operated system to move a tilt jack in response to a difference between the desired and corrected implement tilt angles. The tilt angle control system is particularly suited for use on a bulldozer.

Abstract: A method of growing tissue culture callus on a nutrient substrate comprises the steps of preparing a semi-solid slab of the nutrient substrate and placing it on top of a honeycomb-like forming plate, which defines a plurality of hollow passages surrounded by thin walls. A series of the callus is deployed on the slab, so that each callus is located in alignment with one of the passages. The callus are allowed to grow to a desired extent under conventional conditions. A pneumatic pressure is then applied to the slab so that it becomes pushed through and sliced by the walls of the forming plate into a respective number of blocks, each carrying a single plant, and ejected out of the bottom side of the forming plate for further plantation thereof.

Abstract: A system for the storage and dispensing of liquid product from an underground installation comprises a storage tank which bears on its top a containment chamber enclosing all fittings for apparatus which gasoline or other stored product will pass through under pressure. Attached to at least one fitting each are a fill arrangement for introducing liquid to the storage tank, and a pump for pumping fluid therefrom, both of which are entirely enclosed in secondary containment, the storage tank itself and piping also being enclosed in secondary containment, such that the system is pressure tight, and recovers all leaked fluid in a state in which the fluid can be reused.

Abstract: A coupling (10) for connecting hoses or other conduits carrying refrigerant material in an automobile air conditioning system has a male end (12) and a female end (14). The male end has an extending portion (26) which is accepted into an aperture (50) in the female end when the coupling ends are connected. A pair of o-aring seals (34), seal the ends in fluid tight engagement when they are connected. Finger portions (24) on legs (22) of a leaf spring (20) mounted on the male end, engage steps (68) on the female end to hold the coupling ends together when engaged. The legs nest in slots (64) to prevent relative rotation of the coupling ends. Tapered portions (66) of the slots provide for ease of engagement of the coupling ends. The legs of the leaf spring are biased apart as the coupling ends are pushed together until the finger portions engage the steps. Disengagement is achieved by spreading the legs of the leaf spring with a special tool (72) and separating the coupling end.

Abstract: An infeed conveyor feeds seed cotton modules successively to a feeder head having disperser drums which reduce the modules to clumps of cotton. Incorporated into the conveyor are fluted rollers and beater rollers which cooperate to agitate the bottom portion of the modules and work the fibers on the bottom of each module so as to stretch and relax these fibers, thereby causing the sand, dirt, mud, trash and other debris accumulated along the bottom of the modules to be released. A conveyor feeds this debris to a hopper.

Abstract: A projectile launcher includes a launcher body having a nonrotatable projectile magazine thereon, a piston and cylinder assembly in the launcher body, and a lever operated actuating mechanism on the launcher body. The actuating mechanism is operative for loading and releasing the piston in the cylinder for producing individual blasts of compressed air and also for rotating the cylinder so that sequential blasts of compressed air are delivered to sequential launching chambers on the magazine in order to launch sequential projectiles therefrom.

Abstract: A reduced resistance bead seal is integrally formed on a mounting surface of one of two matingly engageable members to form a leak-free seal between the two members despite any eccentricity or angular variances between the two members. In one embodiment, the reduced resistance bead is formed on an inner conical flange of an inverted flared end of a hollow fluid conduit. The bead may also be formed on the outer end flange of an ISO end flare. The bead presents a deformable surface as a fitting urges the flared end of the conduit into engagement with a conical seat in a receiver where eccentricity or angular variances exist between the flared end of the conduit and the conical seat. A unique method and a unique forming tool are used to form the reduced resistance bead in the flared end of the conduit simultaneously with the flaring of the end of the conduit.

Abstract: A grading attachment for loader type utility vehicles is provided. The attachment secures to the front of the loader and has an overarching beam which ends in a set of ground engaging wheels. A drawbar is secured to the front of the beam at a ball and socket joint and movably retained at the back of the beam by a vertical channel so that the drawbar can be readily exchanged for another similar drawbar. The drawbar has a sleeve into which a mounting pin may be secured so as to permit the attaching and detaching of a grading implement.

Abstract: A delivery system for a biocide or fertilizer comprises a body or carrier portion including a first water dispersible agriculturally inert and essentially nontoxic composition containing a predetermined amount of the biocide or fertilizer. The body or carrier portion has a predetermined size and shape. The delivery system also comprises a protective coating, about the body portion, of a second water dispersible agriculturally inert and essentially nontoxic composition. The amount of biocide used is that amount which terminates the functioning of a target agricultural pest upon application of the biocide to soil or water via the delivery system. The biocide can take the form of a biocide such as an insecticide, fungicide, nematocide or herbicide. Compositions according to the present invention including a water dispersible cellulose ether, cellulose fiber and an effective amount of a biocide or fertilizer are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conserving water and reducing labor in growing plants, particularly commercially grown tomatoes and cucumbers. The invention includes a reservoir container assembly and an arch support structure. The reservoir container assembly comprises a reservoir container capable of holding water as well as a bag container disposed on top of the reservoir container for holding a plant growing medium. Water in the reservoir container is connected via a hygroscopic medium to the growing medium inside the bag container. The top surface of the bag container is provided with at least two openings. A plant grows through one opening, and evaporation takes place through a second remote opening. In use, a plurality of such reservoir container assemblies may be disposed in a line in a field and a series of arch support structures disposed between them. The plants which grow out of the bag containers and over the arch support structure are thereby supported off the ground.

Abstract: The present invention entails an agricultural implement for forming planting rows with a minimum of tillage. The implement of the present invention is designed to form a multiplicity of rows and accordingly includes a series of side-by-side row units. Each row unit includes a front colter, a ripper which follows the colter, a rotor tiller assembly disposed behind the ripper, a pair of laterally spaced soil confining panels extending between the ripper and the rotor tiller assembly, and a final following soil packer. Once the agricultural implement has traversed a certain area of the land, there is formed a multiplicity of planting rows with the area between the formed planting rows being untilled.

Abstract: A process for forming agglomerates of metallurgical dust containing metal sulphates for recycling to extractive processes includes adding lime particles and a small amount of water, forming a mixture and extruding the damp mixture and allowing the extruded agglomerates to become hard and shape retentive. The material agglomerated may be water soluble metal sulphate containing particles or mixtures of such particles with other value metal bearing waste or by-products of metallurgical processes. Optionally additional binding agents comprising cement and hydrocarbonaceous substances such as wax may be added to the mixture.

Abstract: A rake attachment for use on a skid steer, which can be used for multiple lawn and grounds preparation activities, such as grading, filling, leveling and scarifying. The rake attachment of this invention combines several useful attachment functions into a single compact design. The rake attachment includes a support frame that has spaced side support members to define an opening through which a skid steer operator may view the soil being worked. Scarifying teeth extend from the support frame to penetrate the ground for scarifying. The support frame includes tines which work and level the soil as it is being scarified by the scarifying teeth.

Abstract: An excavating hoe or bucket includes a hoe or bucket body which is movable across an excavation area, and a structure for providing the hoe body or bucket body with a variable load capacity. The variable load capacity may be provided by a network of flexible line members such as chains, which may be disconnected from each other and reattached at different attachment or insertion locations, to increase or decrease the load capacity of the hoe or bucket.

Abstract: A row sensing wand triggers a power cylinder to move the upstanding vertical members of a U-shaped guidance frame left or right to move the lift arms of a three-point hitch on which a cultivator is mounted for maintaining it in alignment with the row crops being cultivated. The guidance frame is movably mounted on a guide tube connected to the tractor drawbar.

Abstract: A universal non-threaded pipe connector system for connecting multiple types of conduit, tubing, hose, and pipe comprising a first tubular member for a fluid, at least one raised surface on the tubular member substantially perpendicular to the axis of connection of the first tubular member; a second tubular member having an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the at least one raised surface on the first tubular member substantially perpendicular to the axis of connection for receiving the first tubular member and the at least one raised surface on the tubular member, at least one seal between the one raised surface on the first tubular member and the second tubular member forming a seal there between and a member for controlled compression of the seal between the second tubular member and the at least one raised surface on the first tubular member and for connecting the first and second tubular members.

Abstract: A planter or seeder is drawn rectilinearly over the field and has sowing blades like casters or tailwheels which are caused to swivel from side to side so that the rows defined by the sowing blades have an undulating or sinusoidal pattern.

Abstract: An improved soil leveling apparatus includes a hitch (202 or 302) for connecting the frame to the loader arms and tilt cylinder(s) of a skid steer loader. The hitch (302) includes a hitch plate (304) that can selectively be made rigid with the frame or can selectively be allowed to pivot fore-and-aft relative to the frame. This allows the operator to select the rigid orientation of the frame when it is desired to have the frame be rigid relative to the loader or to select the floating, pivotal orientation depending upon ground terrain and other factors.

Abstract: Connection of a shaft with an element, in particular the shaft of a rotary setting element with a seating wheel, said connection comprising a recess provided for setting said shaft in said element and an opening by which said recess is connected with the outer edge of the element and through which the connection can be effected by relative movement of the shaft and the element transversely to the axis of said shaft, characterized in that a second element is inserted into the opening in a direction transversely to the axis of the shaft and that interlocking means provided on the first element and the second element cooperate to fix the second element in the opening of the first element.