Abstract: An improved material movement system for use in a body of water for moving bottom materials. The system includes a vessel from which at least one propulsion unit is suspended and which has the ability to provide flow therefrom directed at a preselected angle toward the bottom. Deflector means are used with the propulsion units to control the direction of flow from the propulsion unit and to create pressure fluctuations in the flow from the propulsion which fluctuations are both low frequency and higher frequency. The pressure fluctuations, the deflection of the propulsion flow and other features are controlled by a central controlling computer. It is preferred that the high frequency fluctuations in the propulsion flow be controlled so that the frequency is adjusted to cause a maximum of excitation or movement of the bottom materials. This is done by propeller selection, speed of rotation and other factors under the control of the operator.

Abstract: A planting implement is disclosed which is operable for performing both row crop and drill planting operations. The implement includes a front planting structure which is detachably coupled to a rear planting structure. The front planting structure includes a front gang of planter units and the rear planting structure includes first and second gangs of planting units wherein the planting units of each gang include a furrow opener and a seed metering unit. The planter units provide accurate seed depth control as well as singulation and precise positioning of seeds along each row. In addition, the planting implement is formed as a compact structure in a longitudinal direction to ensure that a consistent spacing between planted rows of seeds is provided during use of the implement.

Abstract: A scarifier/grader apparatus comprises, in combination, a tractor connected through a 3-point hitch to a scarifier/grader attachment wherein:the tractor is adapted to be operably connected through a three point hitch to a scarifier/grader attachment comprising a scarifier including hydraulics for raising and lowering a plurality of scarifying teeth borne thereon;a grading blade having a mold board and a cutting edge;a second frame interconnecting the scarifier frame and the blade in mutually spaced apart relation with the scarifier in operably leading relation and the blade in operably trailing relation,wherein the scarifier includes height-adjusting hydraulics for selectively raising and lowering the plurality of scarifying teeth borne thereon relative to the cutting edge.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor includes an axle body and a vehicle substructure. A generally vertical lifting structure is rigidly attached to the vehicle substructure and engages a lifting frame which is adjustable in height. The lifting frame carries coupling and/or drive arrangements for implements. A hydraulic cylinder is arranged between the lifting frame and the axle body. The cylinder is connected to a hydro-pneumatic pressure reservoir and functions as an elastic spring support. A lock can be engaged to fix the lifting structure rigidly to the axle body. A transport lock can be selectively engaged to rigidly connect the lifting structure to the lifting frame. A selector valve selective connects the pressure chamber of the hydraulic cylinder with either a hydro-pneumatic pressure reservoir or with a lifting control arrangement. Preferably the lifting structure is designed as a rollover structure.

Abstract: A vehicular machine available for transplanting vegetal seedlings onto seedbed lines comprising; a planting unit which is furnished with a plurality of vegetal seedling mounting tables and planting levers for transplanting vegetal seedlings onto seedbed lines supplied from these mounting tables disposed on the back side of a working truck hauled by a tractive vehicle; and a working step which facilitates an operator to mount himself on the working truck in order to replenish vegetal seedlings to respective mounting tables of the planting unit. The working truck itself is held by a plurality of supporting wheels which are respectively aligned with the level line identical to that of those wheels of the tractive vehicle.

Abstract: A seed planter for planting of large or irregular seeds. A housing is mounted on a frame. The frame carries ground working equipment for opening, planting and closing a seed slot. The housing includes interior walls and partitions that divide it into a seed box and a collector. The collector leads to a seed drop opening to deliver seeds for planting in the open seed slot. The seed box has a single seed bin or can be divided into multiple seed bins. A gathering chain is associated with each seed bin. Each gathering chain has one or more seed cups. The gathering chain is positioned to move the seed cups through an inlet opening in each seed bin, up through the seed bin where the seed cup can pick a seed, and out of the seed bin to drop the seed into the collector. The seed cups can be relatively spaced on the gathering chain, and with respect to cup on the other gathering chains, to regulate the spacing between seeds being deposited. Seeds of different species can be located in the various seed bins.

Abstract: A main frame is secured to a tractor for towing wherein the main frame is tilted as the tractor tilts to one side or the other of the path of travel. A ball and socket joint suspends the tool bar by its central portion from the main frame so that the tool bar can swing from a position angling forwardly and to one side to a second position angling forwardly and to the other side. The moldboards being fixed to an suspended below the tool bar cause the tool bar to rotate about its longitudinal axis automatically swing by gravity to upright positions for plowing, regardless of the tilt of the main frame. A latch plate latches the tool bar in its rotated position on the frame. The tool moldboards have clamps which are adjustable along the length of the tool bar for adapting the plow to wide wheel or narrow wheel base tractors.

Abstract: An excavator or earth-working device comprising a forked dipper arm, a linkage and an earth-working implement pivotally connected to the forked dipper arm and linkage and articulatable about the free end of the dipper arm. The implement is attached to the dipper arm and linkage of the earth-working device by a so-called "quick-hitch" connection to allow interchange between various earth-working implements. A safety device may also be provided on the "quick-hitch" connection to prevent accidental detachment of the implement from the dipper arm and linkage.

Abstract: A dragline excavating bucket is constructed to be supported through a minimum number of support chains and control cables, and made to provide for rapid digging and distribution of overburden removed by dumping the bucket rearwardly over a rear wall of the bucket. The bucket is supported on hoist chains that are located forwardly of the center of gravity so the bucket tends to tip rearwardly. The tilted portion of the bucket is controlled through a pair of drag chains that not only provide the pull force for loading the bucket, but also control the dumping of material from the bucket over the rear wall. Sliding trunnions are used on the bucket pivots to enhance dumping operation.

Abstract: A snowthrower (20) including an improved impeller (50) which has an "open center" configuration and which is substantially made from a single piece of plastic. Impeller (50) includes a pair of curved blades (60) which are supported, braced and stiffened by a plurality of "spiders" (62, 64, 66, 68, 72, 74, 76 and 78) which form recesses for receiving a shaft (42) which spans between the side walls (36) of the snowthrower housing (22). Curved blades (60) of impeller (50) extend transversely between a pair of somewhat circular plates (52, 54). Plates (52, 54) preferably include teeth (54b, 54c, 52b, 52c) which help to break up snow and ice and assist in propelling snowthrower (20).

Abstract: A seed firming wheel assembly is supported in close-coupled relationship with the rear portion of the paired discs of an opener to gently press deposited seeds down into the bottom of a V-shaped trench formed by the discs. The mounting arm of the assembly is configured in a manner to minimize the accumulation of mud and trash residue, while the wheel itself may take the form of a solid, circular block of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene with slick sides to reduce soil adherence or a spoked, molded plastic wheel having open spaces between the spokes to permit soil pass-through.

Abstract: A transplanting tool for the manual extraction and planting of seedlings. The transplanting tool comprises, a digging tube, a hollow plunger slidably contained within said digging tube, a stem and a transverse piece forming a handle, and a pair of foot bars extending from the outside surface of said digging tube, at substantially opposite direction from one another. The arrangement of the components therefrom, offers a clear line of sight at the center of the hollow plunger for placing the digging tube over a seedling without damaging the plant's foliage. The angle of the foot bars is adapted to prevent strain on the user's leg, thereby facilitating altering between digging and walking motion. The transplanting tool is therefore especially suitable for extracting seedlings from rough terrains.

Abstract: An aerator includes a frame supported on a pair of forward wheels and a pair of rearward wheels. An aerator head is mounted on a pivot frame on the forward end of the aerator frame, the pivot frame mounted to move the aerator head from a disengaged position above the ground, downwardly to an engaged position wherein tines on the aerator head work the soil. The pivot frame includes a forwardly projecting arm upon which the aerator head is mounted, and a rearwardly projecting arm upon which the forward wheels of the frame are mounted, such that movement of the pivot frame will engage either the forward wheels of the frame or the aerator head. An hydraulic cylinder is mounted between the frame and the pivot frame to selectively move the pivot frame to engage the aerator head or the forward wheels with the ground.

Abstract: An aerator includes a frame supported on a pair of forward drive wheels and a pair of rearward caster wheels. An aerator head is mounted on a pivot frame on the forward end of the aerator frame, pivotable to move the aerator head from a disengaged position above the ground, downwardly to an engaged position wherein tines on the aerator head work the soil. The pivot frame includes a forwardly projecting arm upon which the aerator head is mounted, and a rearwardly projecting arm upon which the forward wheels of the frame are mounted, such that movement of the pivot frame will engage either the forward wheels of the frame or the aerator head with the ground. The aerator head is mounted forwardly of the forward end of the frame such that the tines on the aerator head form the forward most part of the aerator.

Abstract: A device for controlling the height of a blade of a tracked vehicle includes a blade height position detector, a blade height controller for raising and lowering the blade, and a device for setting an initial height of the blade. When the transmission of the vehicle is shifted from the reverse to the forward position, the height of the blade is lowered to the target value. A switch selects between the target value set by the initial height setting device and a manually selected height depending whether or not the switching device selects the automatic operation or manual operation of the blade height controller.

Abstract: A bucket dump block, used on dragline buckets, has side frames and a rotatable rope-guiding sheave. In the improvement, each side frame has a separate ring-like support section extending toward the other side frame and abutting the support section of such other side frame. The sheave is supported by and rotates about such support sections. The sheave rides on an annular anti-friction member retained on a sleeve into which the support sections are press-fitted. The dump block (which is devoid of provisions for lubrication) has a minimum number of parts and is easy to manufacture and repair.

Abstract: A chisel cultivator for post-planting cultivation. The cultivator includes a main frame. A chisel member has one end portion coupled to the frame and a second end portion spaced from the first end portion along a longitudinal axis of the chisel member for cultivating sub-surface soil during operation of the cultivator. A heave limiter is coupled to the frame ahead of the chisel member relative to the direction of operation of the chisel cultivator. The chisel member is adjustable relative to the frame to adjust the distance of the second end portion of the chisel member from the frame. A sweep assembly is coupled to the frame behind the chisel member relative to the direction of operation of the chisel cultivator. The sweep assembly includes wings which extend outwardly of a centerline extending in the direction of operation of the chisel cultivator in a plane substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the chisel member.

Abstract: A grain drill is disclosed having a folding frame for parallel operation and a parallel link system that controls the tension to earth openers in order to produce relatively constant downward pressure for the openers. The grain drill includes a rotating tool bar for facilitating the adjustment of downward pressure to the openers, controlling the ground cutting depth of the openers and raising the tools to obtain the ground clearance needed for road transport. The drill has disc openers with axially collocated discs having different outer diameters and a narrow angle between the opener discs producing a "V" shaped groove for seeding. The grain drill has a common horizontal center to support seed boxes, fixed dual wheels and a hitch for connection to a pulling vehicle.

Abstract: An earth moving and tamping apparatus rig is provided which can backfill a trench and compact the backfill materials up to 95% compaction. A bucket and a vibrator are attached to a backhoe. The bucket retrieves the filling material and either dumps the material into a trench or sifts it through adjustable screening blades that form the bottom of the bucket. The apparatus includes a means to swivel the bucket 360.degree. with respect to the boom. The end of the bucket then compacts the filling materials into the trench. Each moving rig apparatus may also be equipped with an alternative two-bucket system, where one bucket fits inside the other one or is along side thereof. For trenches as wide as two feet to increase the area of dirt tamped, the two-bucket may be secured in juxtaposition to each other. For more narrow trenches, the second bucket may be closed inside the first bucket and the area tamped will only be the width of a single bucket.

Abstract: Tool mounting is effected by engagement of profiled parts of the end piece of the machine jib between a face of the tool and corresponding profiled parts of the tool. The profiled parts have ramps that are maintained in engagement by a locking mechanism exerting a transverse pressure so that the play is automatically taken up. The mounting is compact and favorable from a mechanical point of view in that the ramps, not the locking mechanism, carry the working load.