Abstract: The machine includes a frame adapted to move along spaced ridges planted with crop plants, frame support runners engaging the furrows between the ridges, a pair of transverse rows of weeding implements carried by the frame for movement along the ridges and furrows, the implements of one row disposed on one side of the plants and the implements of the other row disposed on the other side of the plants. Each row is transversely displaceable by a double acting hydraulic ram relative to the frame. The rams are controlled by an operator supported by the frame in a position to have a direct view of the weeding implements. Each implement is free to move up and down independently of the remaining implements in order to follow the ground contour. The implements of any one row can be raised together out of working position. These weeding implements can be earth working discs and/or thermal weeders.

Abstract: An installation for the continuous rehabilitation of a ballast bed comprises an elongated machine frame supported on the track by undercarriages for movement in an operating direction, and mounted on the machine frame are a vertically adjustable ballast excavating device for excavating dirty ballast, a screening device for cleaning the excavated dirty ballast, a storage bin for holding bulk material and arranged rearwardly of the screening device in the operating direction and close to the rear end of the machine frame means, a conveyor device for conveying ballast to the storage bin, the storage bin comprising an input opening for delivering bulk material to the bin independently of the conveyor device, and a discharge device arranged to receive the bulk material from the storage bin and to discharge the received bulk material to the subgrade.

Abstract: A trenching bridge mounting interface for a trenching machine that is adjustable to alter the effective length of a fixed length bridge so as to accommodate trenching bars of different lengths. The interface includes a prime mover mounting structure that is releasably secured to the prime mover of the trenching machine and a bridge mounting structure attached to the fixed length bridge. The effective length of the bridge is adjusted between a short length and a long length by reversing of the prime mover mounting structure.

Abstract: A guidance system for an implement drawn by a tractor with the implement being interconnected to the tractor by a guidance hitch which moves the implement laterally with respect to the tractor to maintain the implement in proper alignment with the rows of the field. An elongated arm is pivotally secured, about a vertical axis, to the implement adjacent one end thereof and extends forwardly therefrom. A pair of gauge wheels are rotatably mounted on the forward end of the arm and are adapted to follow along the opposite sides of a ridge of the row. The pivotal connection between the arm and the tool bar is effected by an angle sensing shaft extending from a guidance sensor.

Abstract: Blade assemblies for use with compacting vehicles are normally designed to push the material in front of the blade and to control the height of the material passing thereunder for compaction by the compacting vehicle. With the blade raised to allow trash and/or soil to pass thereunder, the trash and/or soil passing thereunder may cause detrimental wear to the components under the compacting vehicle between the compacting mechanisms. In the subject arrangement, a blade assembly is provided and includes a blade pivotally connected to a frame. The blade has a working edge that permits, during use, level spreading of trash and/or soil when the blade is in a first operative position. When the blade assembly is raised and the blade is pivoted forwardly with respect to the frame, a first portion of the working edge controls the volume of trash and/or soil allowed to pass under the working edge between respective compacting mechanisms of a compacting vehicle.

Abstract: A 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 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 cultivator. The sweep assembly includes wings which extend outwardly of a centerline extending in the direction of operation of the cultivator in a plane substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the chisel member. A sifting assembly is coupled to the sweep assembly.

Abstract: Tooth assemblies having a tip with ears extending rearwardly therefrom to mate with corresponding slots in an adapter are normally utilized in order to aid in the transfer of forces from the tip to the adapter. Since the forces being directed to the tip are normally applied in various directions and of varying magnitudes, the ears extending from the tip may be subjected to forces attempting to pry them outwardly, thus, subjecting them to the possibility of breakage. In the subject arrangement, a tip includes a pair of opposed ears each having a pair of opposed edge surfaces that are angled one relative to the other. The pair of opposed ears of the tip mates with a pair of corresponding opposed slots defined in an adapter. The pair of opposed slots in the adapter likewise has a pair of opposed edge surfaces angled with respect to one another and are in confronting mating relationship with the pair of opposed edge surfaces of the pair of opposed ears.

Abstract: A weed killing system utilizes hot water or steam, alone, or in combination with an herbicide to kill weeds. Cart, backpack, and vehicle mounted versions are disclosed in propane and electrically powered embodiments. A cart mounted version includes a detachable wheel assembly to allow selective conversion into a manually manipulable wand, and may be provided with an angularly adjustable bifurcated distribution nozzle. In electrically heated embodiments, Salt may be added to the heated water in order to increase the boiling point to enable higher effective application temperatures. A gas powered version includes a microprocessor control system for regulating water level in a tank portion of a heater, gas supply to a burner assembly, electric spark ignition of the burner assembly, and hot water or steam outlet dependent upon temperature and pressure levels in the tank portion.

Abstract: A rotary rockwheel assembly (1) is provided for cutting a narrow trench in the ground when driven along the ground by a vehicle. The assembly (1) comprising a support frame (14), ground-engaging skids (17) on the support frame (14) permitting the support frame to be moved in the direction in which the trench is to be cut, and a rotary cutting wheel (2) carried by the support frame (14). A hydraulic drive motor (8) rotates the cutting wheel (2) about a substantially horizontal axis, and pivot rams (18) serve to lower the cutting wheel (2) relative to the support frame (14) from a raised position in which substantially the whole of the cutting wheel (2) is above the surface (5) of the ground to a lowered position in which a substantial part of the cutting wheel (2) is sunk into the ground in a trench (33) cut by the cutting wheel (2). Such an assembly is capable of cutting a trench in a particularly efficient manner.

Abstract: A seed distribution system is provided for planters and drills wherein the distribution system includes a central hopper for supplying a plurality of seed metering units. A plurality of seed distribution units are mounted on a lower portion of the central hopper and each seed distribution unit includes a central tubular member defining an air column for entraining seeds to be distributed from the central hopper. A plurality of discharge outlets open into the air column for receiving seeds therefrom and for conveying the seeds through distribution tubes to metering unit bins associated with each of the seed metering units. In addition, each of the seed metering unit bins is provided with apparatus for adjusting the level of seed accumulated within the bin.

Abstract: A bucket equipped with a mixing device for use in work for improving the soil of grounds such as road grounds, an excavation machine having such a bucket, and a soil improvement method using such an excavation machine. The bucket is equipped with a mixing device disposed therein, which device can be rotated by a motor whose number of revolutions per unit time is adjustable, and has an opening formed through the bottom surface thereof. Further, the bucket includes an injection device connected to an external, solidifying agent supply source.

Abstract: An assembly of an inner conical adapter nose and an outer tooth having a coaxial conical inner recess, the tooth having spaced helical ears which mesh with spaced helical grooves in the base of the adapter, and at least one key adapted to be inserted into a keyway passing through the adapter base and one tooth ear in a direction generally perpendicular to the coaxis and tangential to the recess. The recess is conical with a mating conical adapter head and the tooth ears are arranged in a square and mate with grooves on the adapter base arranged in a square, and the lands between the grooves of the base substantially fill the spaces between the tooth ears.

Abstract: An angled blade unit is attached to a loader bucket and, as the bucket is moved along a roadway, the blade unit plows excess roadstone away from a newly poured concrete gutter in order to prepare a roadbed for paving. A gage rides along the flag of the gutter and limits the depth to which the blade unit plows into the roadstone.

Abstract: A machine for slitting turf or soil and inserting particulate solids in the bottom of the cut slits. This machine consists of a propulsion unit, cutter blades, a material hopper, a material flow control valve, a set of rotary material supply vanes driven by a measurement wheel in contact with the ground, a set of insertion tubes mounted on a gimbal assembly which allows the insertion tubes to free float independent of machine tip and tilt motion. The insertion tubes therefore follow the bottom of the cut slits, dispensing the solid material therein. Also disclosed is a novel insertion tube.

Abstract: A side wing attachment assembly for moldboards includes hydraulically actuated, spaced wing plate members capable of being placed predetermined distances from one another, forming with the moldboard material moving surface a containment pocket for material to be moved or directed. The side wing assembly includes the ability to move the wing plate members away from the material moving surface of the moldboard, or repositioning the wing plates to accommodate reorientation of the moldboard material moving surface.

Abstract: A seed covering apparatus for covering seeds with soil after an agricultural seed planter places the seeds within an open seed trench and before the planter closes the seed trench. The apparatus includes a disk with a center guide hole and a sealed bearing attached within the guide hole. An adjustable mounting assembly fixes the sealed bearing to the planter so that the disk can rotate about the bearing along one side of the seed trench. The mounting assembly orients the disk at an acute angle to the seed trench so that rotation of the disk along the side of the trench transfers soil from the side into the bottom of the seed trench. The transferred soil completely covers the seeds within the trench prior to closure of the trench by the planter.

Abstract: An excavating tool tooth includes a mounting area (10) and a working area (11). The working area (11) includes longitudinal bars (14-18) made of a hard material. The bars are inserted in the steel and snugly contact the tooth's cutting face. The presence of the rods made of a hard material substantially increases the tooth's service life. The bars are produced by infiltration.

Abstract: A blade construction for a cultivator blade or a cultivator sweep, wherein the blade is adapted to sever plants from the ground by digging up the roots, to permit collection of the plants and subsequent separation of the fruit contained thereon. The blade includes first and second elongated body portions that have respective upper surfaces that are disposed relative to each other to define an obtuse included angle. The forward body portion includes a cutting edge that extends longitudinally of the blade, the cutting edge defined by the intersection of the upper planar surface of the first body portion with a longitudinally-extending grinding surface that is oriented at an acute angle relative to the forward upper planar surface. The obtuse included angle between the first and second body portions can range from about 150.degree. to about 170.degree., and the acute angle at the grinding surface can range from about 25.degree. to about 35.degree..

Abstract: A flexible flail trimmer for conventional trimming of grass, weeds and the like and for edging of sidewalks has a combined guide and guard rotatably mounted inboard of the trimmer cutting head. The guide and guard provides dynamic trimmer indexing on a sidewalk edge for guiding the trimmer vertically and horizontally to deliver a uniform, aesthetically pleasing turf edge. The combined guide and guard does not inhibit trimming of grass and weeds in the conventional trimming manner, and actually enhances the user's visualization and performance of such trimming.

Abstract: A sod cutting device having a pair of sod cutting blades offset such that their interior ends are aligned in the direction of cutting. Two strips of sod may thus be cut simultaneously with minimal waste. The two cutting blades are connected to individual cutter frames which are pivotably connected to respective lateral ends of a pivot frame. The pivot frame is in turn pivotably mounted at its center to a main frame of the device. This allows each cutter frame to follow the contours of the land and thus improves cutting depth consistency. The cut sod is conveyed up a first conveyor to a second conveyor which is mounted behind the first conveyor. A netting is introduced between the two conveyors under the sod such that the sod, together with the netting thereunder, travels up the second conveyor. The sod and netting are then rolled about a mandrel with the netting supporting the delicate sod. When a sod roll of sufficient size has been formed, the second conveyor is pivoted downwardly about its forward end.