Abstract: A machine designed to automatically and economically remove spaced earthen plugs, fracture the soil around holes formed by the plug removal, fill the holes with earthen material and tamp and crimp the grass to provide a revitalized golf green that rapidly returns to a playable surface.

Abstract: An adjustable row following guidance device for a tractor drawn row crop implement, includes a main support member disposed substantially transverse to the direction of travel of the implement as pulled by the tractor and having a first side and a second side, a first crank arm-assembly being releasably attachable to either of the first side and the second side, a second crank arm assembly being releasably attachable to either of the second side and the first side, the attachment of the crank arm assemblies to the main support member forming a generally inverted U-shape, each crank arm assembly including a laterally offset configuration, so that when the first crank arm assembly is attached to the first end, and the second crank arm assembly is attached to the second end, the device has a first implement width, and when the first and second crank arm assemblies are reversed on the main support member, the device has a second implement width, each crank arm assembly further including a forward portion with a t

Abstract: A pulsed injection system for injecting a stream of high pressure liquid into the ground is used for distributing liquid in a turf root zone. Each nozzle of the apparatus includes one or more nozzle openings which are arranged at an angle to the vertical so that the stream generated is not vertical but instead projects outwardly from the nozzle with a partly horizontal component of direction. This direction maximizes the distance traveled through the root zone of the turf to kill maximum numbers of parasites and also, particularly when the number of openings per nozzle is increased to four provides a maximum blanket of the injected liquid in an expansion zone of each jet with minimum spaces between the expansion zone and maximum coverage. This blanket is used particularly with herbicide injection to prevent weeds growing through the herbicide into the turf.

Abstract: A turf aeration device is provided, comprising a wheeled frame having a journalled drive shaft, wherein the frame is attachable to a pulling vehicle having a power take-off capability. Balanced chain and sprocket assemblies are used to transfer power from the power take-off to the drive shaft, and a plurality of aerator mechanisms are attached to the drive shaft and the frame. Each aerator mechanism comprises a link member which supports a pivotable tine holder having at least one tine, a stop member attached to the link member for contacting the tine holder and maintaining a minimum predetermined angle between the tine holder and the link member; a means for adjusting the predetermined angle between the tine holder and the link member; an elastomeric band pivotally connected between the frame and the tine holder for urging the tine holder against the stop member; a drive link attached to the drive shaft; and a connecting rod pivotally attached between the drive link and the link member.

Abstract: A sod harvesting apparatus (10) is disclosed including a cut-off device (14), a cutting unit (16) and a roll-up and core carrying device (18) mounted to a tractor (12). The cut-off device (14) includes an H-shaped slide (20) including a blade (26) pivotably attached thereto, slideably movable in tubes (30) from a cutting position to a raised position against the bias of springs (32) in the tubes (30) by a hydraulic cylinder (36), and latched in the raised position by a mechanism (38). The cutting unit (16) includes a blade assembly (66) pivotably mounted to a frame (52) and vibrated at a high frequency and low amplitude by vibrating devices (84) mounted on the frame (70) of the blade assembly (66). A roller drum (90) extends between first and second lever arms (92) pivotably mounted to the frame (52) and pivoted by electric actuators (96). The roll-up device (18) includes first and second arms (110,112) carrying cone-shaped spindles (120) pivotably mounted to the opposite ends of a bar (114).

Abstract: A hydraulic downpressure system for use on no-tillage seeders allows for a constant downward force to be applied on seeding tools operating in highly variable soil surface conditions in order to keep a uniform seeding or planting depth. Raising and lowering of the seeding units can also be achieved with this hydraulic system. A double acting hydraulic cylinder is principally used having its rod end connected to one or two seeding units. A hydraulically operated two-way mode selection valve provides system shifting between both modes involved. The first mode is used when transporting the seeder on roads and to operate the seeding tools in the field. Control is then provided by a three-way directional valve mounted to an external hydraulic power supply, such as an agricultural tractor. Raising and lowering of the seeding tools can be achieved when operating in this mode. A second mode is involved when the seeding tools are working into the ground to sow seeds.

Abstract: An earth working implement including a frame having at least one earth working tool mounted thereon. A spring biased linkage assembly connects the tool to the frame to allow for vertical "floating" and "tripping" movements of the tool. The linkage assembly includes upper and lower generally parallel links which are pivotally connected to the frame and to a generally vertical standard having the tool connected to the lower end thereof. The upper link is formed from a pair of toggle elements defining a pivotal connection between opposite ends thereof. A spring assembly normally maintains the toggle elements in non-collapsible relation relative to each other and inhibits floating movements of the tool as it is drawn through the soil. The spring mechanism furthermore allows the toggle elements to move to a collapsed position relative to each other thereby allowing the tool to move to a tripped position.

Abstract: A bucket for power shovels is disclosed having a first bucket half and a second bucket half. Each bucket half includes a pair of spaced side walls and an end wall extending between the side walls which together forms a scoop for each bucket half. The bucket halves are pivotally secured together so that the scoops face each other and are movable between an open position in which the scoops are spaced apart from each other and a closed position in which the scoops space each other and form a load carrying chamber. The side walls of the bucket half overlap each other upon closure to minimize the spillage of the load out through the sides of the bucket during a scooping operation. Furthermore, a flap valve is mounted to an upper side of at least one of the bucket halves to allow water and air to freely escape from the interior chamber of the bucket as the bucket is lowered. This valve, however, prevents spillage of the load from the interior of the bucket.

Abstract: An agricultural seeding machine is provided with a steel seed tube for directing seed downwardly into a planting furrow and a plastic seed supply tube for directing metered seed into the seed tube. The seed tube has a normal portion for directing seed into the planting furrow and an enlarged portion for receiving the seed supply tube. The enlarged portion is provided with inwardly projecting tangs for gripping and trapping the seed supply tube in the enlarged portion of the seed tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for drilling an maintaining holes in golf courses. It is built onto a mini-tractor with the drilling unit itself suspended in a hydraulic hoist for moving up and down between a raised and a lowered position. The drilling unit is equipped with a downward directed hollow auger which is operated by the tractor. The apparatus is characteristic in that the vertical drill spindle of the drilling unit is designed as a hollow shaft in which the tubular hollow auger is inserted. The hollow auger is inserted from the top and is provided with an upward facing handle which has a transverse grip at the top. Between the hollow auger and the driven hollow shaft-drill spindle there is an anti-turn locking device, for example of the bayonet type. The quick and convenient way of removing the auger from the apparatus for manual transfer of the cut-out turf core form the hollow auger into the previous (old) hole.

Abstract: A ground working device for powered hand-held rotary devices includes four resilient ground working members mounted upon and extending downwardly from a mount and includes a weighted hub which along with the mount is detachably attached to the bottom of a rotatable shaft of a rotary device for rotation therewith and includes a flexible shroud fastenable to a housing of the rotatable shaft and shrouding the ground working members to prevent debris from being sent airborne and possibly injuring the user or others nearby. The ground working device conveniently and easily tills, weeds, and cultivates the ground especially lawns and gardens.

Abstract: The toolbar (10) includes a center section (12), a first wing (14) and a second wing (16). The first wing (14) is pivotally attached to the center section (12) by a first wing pivot pin (132). A double acting hydraulic cylinder (154) for pivoting the first wing (14) relative to the center section (12) is pivotally attached to the center section and to a lift link (146) which is also attached to the first wing by a pin (148). The lift link (146) increases the range of movement of the first wing (14) relative to first wing pivot axis (138). A lift link lock latch bar (198) is pivoted about the axis of pendulum shaft (188) by a pendulum weight (194) and moved into a position in which movement of the lift link (146) relative to the first wing 14 is blocked. Retraction of the cylinder 154 moves the first wing (14) toward a transport position and the pendulum weight 194 pivots the lift link lock latch bar (198) away from the lift link (146) thereby freeing the first wing (14) to pivot to its transport position.

Abstract: A lawn edger utilizes an engine with a vertical drive shaft. The edger includes a frame mounted on wheels. A handle extends upward from the frame for pushing the frame on the wheels. The engine mounts to the frame with its drive shaft extending vertically downward. A drive pulley mounts to the output shaft. The blade carrier locates at the forward end of the edger and carries a blade on a blade axle. The driven pulley mounts to the blade axle. A drive belt extends between the drive pulley and the driven pulley, twisting as it extends around the pulleys.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously seeding and fertilizing agricultural crops is described which includes a seeding blade having opposed sides, a knife-like leading edge, a trailing edge and a bottom edge. A seed conduit is disposed along the trailing edge of the seeding blade and has an outlet adjacent the bottom edge. A fertilizer blade depends from one of the opposed sides of the seeding blade adjacent the bottom edge. The fertilizer blade is angled downwardly and outwardly from the seeding blade at an angle of between 10 and 40 degrees. The fertilizer blade has a knife-like leading edge, a trailing edge and a bottom edge. The trailing edge of the fertilizer blade is disposed beside and behind the trailing edge of the seeding blade. A fertilizer conduit is disposed along the trailing edge of the fertilizer blade and has an outlet adjacent the bottom edge.

Abstract: The lift arms and linkage arrangement for the bucket of a loading machine includes first and second spaced apart lift arm assemblies and first and second spaced apart linkage assemblies associated with respective lift arm assemblies. The first and second lift arm assemblies diverge with respect to the centerline of the machine while the first and second linkage assemblies are parallel to the centerline of the machine. The first and second lift arm assemblies are closer to each other at the machine end than at the bucket end. This provides greater visibility of the corners of the bucket for the machine operator and more precise positioning of the bucket by the operator.

Abstract: A sand distributor and spreader for filling sand into aerated holes in golf greens wherein a frame has slidably mounted thereon a plurality of brushes. A gear box, or other source of mechanical energy, is interconnected to the frame such that an output of the gear box selectively reciprocates the brushes between a first position and a second position. Furthermore, a plurality of wheels are rotatably mounted to the frame in such a manner that the frame can be moved, while the gear box output simultaneously reciprocates the brushes. Additionally, a mechanism is included so that the brushes may be lifted from the surface to be brushed so that the spreader may be easily moved. In an additional embodiment, an engine simultaneously reciprocates the brushes and rotates the wheels.

Abstract: Hand weeding tools have attempted to remove unwanted weeds from lawns and gardens by extracting as much of the root structure as possible. Usually, the extracted weed must be picked up after extraction. The disclosed device includes a curving cylindrical blade on one end of an elongated rod and a handle on the other. A lever on the handle operates a weed engaging jaw that grips the extracted weed against the concave surface of the curved blade. The jaw is pivotally hinged to the blade so that the jaw can be closed into the blade thus preventing unintended penetration of the blade into the soil, as when the tool is used as a cane to aid in walking or standing.

Abstract: A plurality of digging devices are mounted side by side on the same beam which is coupled to a clamping system of a vehicle or of a tank containing the liquid to be buried. Each device comprises, mounted on the same chassis, at least a disk for forming and opening a furrow on the ground surface. The liquid to be buried is injected into the opened furrow and then it is covered after the injection. The disk (15) has at least one convex face. The disk (15) is mounted to stand almost vertical with its axis of rotation, in an almost horizontal location which is perpendicular to the forward moving direction of the device. The clamping system is designed to exert a vertical downward force on the disk (15).

Abstract: A simple, light-weight C-shank standard is mounted on a bracket which is corner clamped to a rig cross tube on a row crop cultivator. A pin inserted through apertures in the bracket maintains the shank in a preselected field-working attitude. The pin can be removed to allow the shank to be pivoted upwardly for maintenance, sweep removal, or residue removal. The shank can be supported in the raised position by the pin when the cultivator configuration is changed for cultivation in lay-by conditions, or for operation in skip row or other special crop configurations. In one embodiment of the invention, the shank is edgebent and selective placement of the pin through one of a plurality of sets of mating holes in the bracket and the upper portion of the shank permits adjustment of the working position of the shank. A mounting slot at the lower end of the one embodiment of the shank provides pitch adjustment for the earthworking tool.

Abstract: A cultivator sweep includes a body with a forward point and wings diverging outwardly in the rearward direction. In one embodiment, a row side sweep includes a row side wing angled upwardly from the horizontal at an angle of approximately 27 degrees, and the opposite wing is angled downwardly, to closely match the profile of the ground from the row bed to the row middle. In another embodiment of the invention, a wide sweep extends between the beds of adjacent rows and includes wings with outermost portions bent upwardly at an angle with respect to the horizontal to provide a sweep profile which closely approximates the ground profile between the rows for more uniform depth of penetration, less soil throw and crop root damage, and reduced draft.