Abstract: A unit for raising and lowering an agricultural implement, which unit is connected to a tractor. The unit includes an attachment device (6) for attaching the implement to the tractor, a raising and lowering device (2, 5) for raising and lowering the implement, and a control and regulation device including a linkage and regulation device including a linkage system and an operating lever (27) disposed between the attachment device (6) and the raising and lowering device (2, 5). The unit further includes a flexure bar (7) and is controlled by two control levers (36 and 38) which act on the operating lever (27) to determine the furrow depth and maximum force acceptable by the bar (7).

Abstract: A soil-smoothing or leveling tool, such as a harrow or press wheel gang, is rockably connected to the rear of the main frame of a tillage or seeding implement. The tool frame width is substantial compared to the width of the implement, and the height of the tool frame relative to the main frame is sensed to provide an accurate indication of the average depth of penetration across the width of the implement. The angle-sensing device operably connected to the drawbar of the trailing tool senses the angle between the main frame and the drawbar, and a control valve assembly responsive to the sensed angle controls the main frame lift system to maintain a preselected relationship between the tool and the main frame and thereby accurately control tillage or planting depth.

Abstract: A forwardly folding agricultural machine, such as a row crop implement (e.g., planter), including three basic sections, one of which is a rear, central section and the other two of which are respectively right and left wing sections. In operating mode, the wing sections lie at opposite sides of a central hitch and are transversely alined on a line offset forwardly of the rear section. In transport mode, the wing sections fold forwardly, one at each side of the drawbar. The wheels for the sections are arranged so that they do not intervene among the tools, thus enabling easier lateral adjustment of the tools as to row spacing, especially when it is desired to obtain extra narrow spacing.

Abstract: A hinge-wing drawbar device is disclosed wherein an internal and an external wing drawbar are secured to one another such that vertical movement of the external drawbar is permitted with respect to the internal drawbar. A support wheel is positioned between the internal and external drawbars with the axis of the support wheel being aligned with the axis of the end support wheel of the external wing drawbar.

Abstract: A retractable tool apparatus is adapted to be mounted on a movable vehicle for working the area around and between objects in a row. The tool apparatus includes an extendable and retractable outrigger arm attachable on one of its ends to the vehicle. A work tool is mounted on the other end of the outrigger arm. An electro-hydraulic control system controls the retraction of the outrigger arm. This control system includes sensors in the form of a pair of wands mounted on the outrigger arm to sense objects in proximity to the work tool before the work tool contacts the objects. The first wand activates the control system upon contact with an object to retract the work tool. The second wand holds the control system in its retraction mode upon contact with the object even after the first wand has cleared the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting an earth working implement, most specifically, a roller-chopper unit for use in forestry, wherein a transporting wheel assembly is disposed upon the earth working implement or its frame thereby providing transportation for the earth working implement from job site to job site. The wheel assembly has a stored position in which the wheels are maintained while the earth implement is performing its task at a specific job site and the transporting wheel assembly further being movable between a working position in which the wheels are maintained against the ground and support the earth working implement during transportation between job sites.

Abstract: A motor vehicle, preferably with a fuel injection engine, has a coupling, such as a multi-point hitch, connectable to an attachment. One or more of the hitch's arms are pivotable about a connection to the vehicle, and when the attachment is pushed, pulled or raised, the force resulting therefrom causes a rod associated with a variable speed torque converter to be displaced. The converter is a hydraulic pump-motor combination with swash plates pivotable to change the motor's output responsive to the rod's movement. The arrangement automatically slows or increases drive from the converter to the driven wheels when the attachment load changes. The control includes a valve in a hydraulic circuit actuated by the rod or other component. A sun-planet gear system is driven via the hydraulic motor to change the output to the vehicle's wheels while maintaining a constant engine speed. A brake on an annular drive member is operated manually to vary the converter's effect.

Abstract: An implement for agricultural machines which is attachable to a tine of such a machine. The earth engaging portion includes steeply inclined side faces 11 and an inclined point 10 with a protrusion 14 which assists in directing work flow. The relatively flat portion 12 lies above the side faces 11 between them and the shaft portion 8 which is attachable to the tine. These implements are formed from conventional implement blanks and the height of the side faces is the same as that of conventional implements but the angle of inclination is greater.

Abstract: An air-gun in which the main cylinder and piston assembly providing the compression of the air for the projection of the shot is associated with another compensating assembly of cylinder and piston, this compensating assembly of piston and cylinder being located in the body of the main piston itself or in a chamber communicating with the main cylinder and comprising a piston free to move within the corresponding cylinder which latter is in communication at one end with the main cylinder and is closed at the other end.

Abstract: An automatic ground softening apparatus for crushing underground earth layer into pieces by blowing out compressed air from tips of air nozzle pipes driven deep into the ground at several positions at a time, is mounted on the load-carrying platform of a truck. The automatic ground softening apparatus includes a plurality of piston-cylinder assemblies mounted on the truck's load-carrying platform at different positions thereof. The air nozzle pipes each depend from the lower end of the piston rod of each of the piston-cylinder assemblies. Some or all of the piston-cylinder assemblies are operable through centralized control by operating an operating panel provided aside a driver's seat in the truck. The depth of driving of each air nozzle pipe driven by each piston-cylinder assembly into the ground and the pressure of compressed air jet from the tip nozzle of the air nozzle pipe into the earth can be set to desired values by operating the operating panel.

Abstract: A tennis ball throwing machine pneumatically expels tennis balls through a barrel having on one side of its inner wall a Velcro strip for spinning the ball. The barrel is rotated about its lengthwise axis so that the sense of the spin, topspin, backspin, or right or left hand spin, varies in dependence upon the angular disposition of the Velcro strip as of the moment the ball passes it. The output end of the barrel is bent at an angle to its lengthwise axis resulting in an orbital motion.

Abstract: A walk-behind garden tiller having a pair of ground wheels and a row of soil penetrating and pulverizing tines both powered from a single engine through a power transmission. The transmission includes a tilling drive mode in which the tines and drive wheels are simultaneously driven, a non-tilling reverse ground wheel drive mode, a non-tilling machine transport drive mode, and a neutral drive mode, all controlled by a single, simple push-pull lever which is adapted to automatically disengage power transmission to the tines when the tiller is operated in either the reverse, transport, or neutral drive modes.

Abstract: An automotive aerator includes a tractor or the like and an aerator carried movable vertically by the tractor or the like. A landing sensor for the detection of the spike pipe of the aerator, a device for driving the spike pipe into soil, and a depth sensor for detecting that the spike pipe has been driven to a predetermined depth in soil are provided so that actuation of the spike pipe driving device is preferably started when the spike pipe engages the surface of the ground and is stopped when the spike pipe reaches the predetermined depth.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided with a magazine which holds several bolts. A plurality of open-sided channels defined by the magazine receive the bolts. The magazine is mounted on a stock of the crossbow for rotation to move successive bolts into a firing position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a folding tool bar assembly having a central tool bar structure and wing members hingedly mounted adjacent opposite ends thereof, with hinge mechanism pivotally connecting the respective wing members to the structure for movement between extended positions beyond the structure ends and folded positions overlying the central structure and including locking hooks to prevent relative movement of the central structure and wing members when in the operating position.

Abstract: Balls such as table tennis balls or tennis balls are continuously fed to two pairs of adjacent flanged rollers of a ball-throwing head by a blower and two transfer ducts. Balls hit by the player are collected by a net and a trough, then fed back to the head. The rollers have separately variable speeds of rotation, a gap being provided between each pair of rollers and adapted to the diameter of the balls. The balls are directed alternately into each transfer duct, the opening of which is located opposite to each gap.

Abstract: To prevent the development of clods on the soil surface when using a soil layer cultivator for the deep loosening of a field or the like, a pressure roller is provided to travel over the soil surface rearwardly of the elements effecting the deep loosening of the soil. The pressure roller is made up of several sections mounted on a common shaft with the individual roller sections located between support posts on a frame tube which posts support the loosening elements. The roller sections may be hinged individually or in groups to the frame tube. The rollers may roll freely over the soil surface or a forced drive for the roller sections can be provided.

Abstract: A machine for working soil, and arranged to have a predetermined direction of movement, includes a soil-working implement adapted to be driven over the soil, and to execute oscillations in a direction at an angle to the predetermined direction, and a soil-leveling tool connected to the soil-working implement.

Abstract: A lawn working implement having rigid teeth which is towed behind a small tractor or other such apparatus to thatch, sow or work a lawn. The implement is compact and highly maneuverable, yet applies pressure to its rigid tines to work the lawn effectively and efficiently. Swivel mounted wheels allow the implement to follow the tractor directly in its path so that confined areas of yards may be reached. The height of the tines above ground may be adjusted by varying the setting at which the wheels are attached to the frame, and their pressure against the ground may be adjusted by adding bricks, cement or other heavy material to a cavity in the implement. The implement has a hitch for attaching a sweeper or lawn vacuum to be towed behind it.

Abstract: An activity field is surfaced with a cushioned, resilient rubber mat over a hard undersurface. One area of the field is subject to participant impact potentially resulting in injury. That area is provided with a closed cell shock absorbing foam pad between the rubber mat and the hard undersurface to permit the mat to flex restrained by the foam pad to attenuate an impact. The rubber mat is bonded to the pad by a flexible adhesive and both the mat and the pad are bonded to said undersurface. The mat extends beyond the perimeter of the pad.