Abstract: A soil tilling device that is pulled by a tractor vehicle comprises at least one tool holder that is supported at a supporting element and is rotatably drivable. At least two circular disk-shaped soil tilling tools are connected to a respective one of the tool holders and are distributed over a circumference of the tool holder at a uniform distance from one another. Each one of the soil tilling tools is connected to a shaft whereby the shaft is supported at a support that is connected to the tool holder. The soil tilling tools are rotatable about an axis of rotation thereof corresponding to the shaft. This shaft is slanted relative to an axis of rotation of the tool holder such that the soil tilling tools have an angle of 20.degree. to 40.degree. to a surface of soil to be tilled whereby circumferential sections of the soil tilling tools form tilling surfaces. With this embodiment it is possible to achieve a clean soil tilling without soil parts or rocks being pulled from the soil and thrown into the air.

Abstract: There is disclosed a plow constructed for displacement, by a traction vehicle, a predetermined direction. It comprises a cultivator having a generally U-shaped frame with a pair of lateral arms parallel to the above direction and interconnected by a bight. The cultivator further has a soil-chiselling assembly mounted on and transversely between the arms, this assembly including a horizontal rotary shaft provided with longitudinally spaced sets of coplanar flat radial shares. The cultivator is mounted on retractable wheels movable between the first position, wherein the wheels engage the soil for displacement of said cultivator with the soil-chiselling assembly stands inoperative above the soil, and a second position, wherein the wheels are retracted and stand above the soil and the soil-chiselling assembly operatively engages the soil.

Abstract: A stalk, root, and agricultural debris embedding or burying device particularly suited for row crops such as cotton. The apparatus is pulled behind a tractor in close proximity to the row crops. A furrowing tool creates a temporary furrow in a lee, and before gravity can pull dirt back into the furrow, an embedding tool pushes the stalk and root into the furrow, thereby embedding the debris with the collapsing soil after the furrowing tool. An optional ripping tool is used ahead of, or in conjunction with, the furrowing tool to facilitate penetration of the furrowing tool.

Abstract: A seed drill for planting seed in untilled ground. The drill is pulled by a prime mover and includes an array of double disk furrow opening assemblies in conjunction with a seed dispensing mechanism. The seed drill is equipped with an array of forwardly located trash disks in order to clear trash in the immediate vicinity ahead of each double disk furrow opening assembly. The trash disks clear the ground to facilitate the work of the furrow opening disks. Each trash disk assembly includes a circular trash disk rotatably mounted on a torque arm that is resiliently movable with respect to the frame of the machine. Each trash disk is mounted at an angle canted downward and forward between 15 and 25 degrees. The trash disk has a concave dish shape with a scalloped outer peripheral edge.

Abstract: A chain is connected at its distal end to the pin at the rod end of a cylinder on an implement lift and depth control assembly. An intermediate portion of the chain is trained around a gear which rotates about the axis of the pin connecting the base end of the cylinder to the implement frame. An adjustable length, spring-biased rod is connected to the proximal end of the chain to maintain tension in the chain and operate a single point depth control valve to establish a highly accurate and repeatable depth setting which is dependent directly on cylinder rod extension and therefore less susceptible to looseness in the implement lift system.

Abstract: A single lever blade control apparatus for bulldozers that is capable of operating in three mutually perpendicular planes to activate three independent hydraulic valves controlling a bulldozer blade: up/down, tilt and angle. Movement of the bulldozer blade in an up/down motion is accomplished by the operator by pushing the single lever apparatus in the X direction, the X direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the bulldozer. Movement of the bulldozer blade in the tilt direction is accomplished by the operator pushing the single lever apparatus in the Y direction. Angling the bulldozer blade is accomplished by the operator rotating the handle of the single lever apparatus about the Z axis. The invention works with all variations of hydraulic valve placement.

Abstract: The plow apparatus has plow blades to break up the soil in the plowed field. The broken up soil is scooped up with scooper blades by the forward motion of the plow apparatus and then conveyed to rotating tillers. The tillers break up the soil into smaller clumps. The tilled soil is then exposed to acoustical energy provided by acoustical transducers. The acoustical energy is of a sufficiently high intensity so as to kill or destroy weed seeds and insect larvae in the soil. The soil is then returned to the ground.

Abstract: A tube alignment bracket for mounting on or shaped integrally with the seed distribution tube of a seed planter to align the planter insecticide tube in close proximity to, and in a vertical plane with, the discharge opening of the seed distribution tube and insure that insecticide or fungicide dispensed through the insecticide tube is deposited in a furrow in close proximity to seeds expelled from the seed distribution tube. In a preferred embodiment the tube alignment bracket is characterized by a shaped plastic bracket plate having one end fitted with a tube mount and strengthened by a T-brace, the opposite end of which bracket plate is strapped to or formed integrally with the seed distribution tube. The tube mount is oriented to receive and position the insecticide tube in close, fixed proximity with respect to the discharge opening of the seed distribution tube.

Abstract: A sod harvesting apparatus is provided a means for locomotion, a means for cutting sod into strips and curling it into rolls, and means for stacking the sod rolls onto an awaiting pallet. The apparatus includes a frame which supports orthogonal axes. A conveyor assembly is mounted on the x-axis, and transports sod rolls placed thereon to a mechanical hand unit. The x-axis provides the conveyor assembly with one-dimensional translation with respect to the frame. The mechanical hand unit, which is attached to the conveyor assembly, is capable of one-dimensional translation along the x-axis with respect to the conveyor assembly. The mechanical hand unit is rotatably mounted onto the x-axis so that it can place a sod roll in any desired orientation onto the pallet. The mechanical hand unit lifts the sod roll off the conveyor assembly and transports the roll to an awaiting pallet. The pallet is supported by a z-axis assembly, which is comprised of a plurality of forks and a lift mechanism.

Abstract: A mud scraper assembly includes a scraper blade mounted on the lower end of a scraper arm which in turn has a clamp at its upper end mounted on the sleeve of a depth gauge wheel support arm. No alteration of existing planter structure is required for adapting the mud scraper assembly to a Deere Max-Emerge planter and planters having generally the same structure. An adjustment screw is provided on the clamp for engaging the wheel support arm at a point remote to the shaft axis on which it is mounted to pivot the scraper arm into close proximity with the depth gauge wheels as needed.

Abstract: Apparatus for laying seeds includes a towable frame from which one or more blades are supported for cutting a slot in the ground surface below, a seed and fertiliser chute feeds seed into the cut ground surface via a channel formed between the frame and blade(s) and tines which make a horizontal branch cut from the slot. A scraper device continually cleans the blade(s).

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: A planting, and agri-chemical applicating farming implement for multiple tilling functions. The implement can be deployed in multiple gang configurations. Each gang comprises a frame for coupling the implement to a tow vehicle, a blade depending downwardly from the front of the frame for initially contacting, shaping, and leveling a raised row or bed, means for applying agri-chemicals and seed to soil behind the blade, and multiple spider gangs for vigorously mixing and incorporating agri-chemical, seed, and soil. The spider gangs comprise a first gang of rotatable spiders disposed in a row beneath said frame and journaled for rotation about a first adjustable common axis of rotation, and a second gang of rotatable spiders disposed in a row beneath said frame means and journaled for rotation about a second adjustable common axis of rotation. The first and second axes of rotation preferably form equal and opposite acute angles with respect to the implement's longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A disk harrow assembly comprising a frame with an elongated beam and having an elongated shaft arranged generally parallel to and below the beam with a plurality of laterally spaced disks mounted on the shaft of rotation therewith. At least two laterally spaced bearing standards resiliently connecting the shaft to the beam. Each bearing standard includes a spring whose first extremity is secured to the beam, a curved central portion for positioning a free ended second extremity of the spring in spaced relation beneath the first extremity and a bearing assembly carried toward the free ended extremity of the spring for rotatably supporting the shaft. The bearing assembly is mounted toward the second end of the spring for rocking movement about an axis disposed in an acute angle relative to the horizontal direction of movement of the harrow assembly.

Abstract: The selective creation of tramlines is disclosed where the metered seed normally delivered through the outlet hose (18b) of the row planter unit (20b) corresponding to the desired location of the tramline is diverted by a butterfly valve (26) to one or both of the row planter units (20a, 20c) located adjacent to and on opposite sides of the row planter unit (20b). The butterfly valve (26) includes an inlet conduit (28) which intersects with first and second outlet conduits (30, 32) and a butterfly element (34) which is pivoted by a solenoid actuator (40) against the bias of a spring (36) to selectively block one of the outlet conduits (30, 32).

Abstract: Apparatus for planting seedlings, especially tree seedlings is described. A plant (32) is held in space (26) between two plates (23) and (24) whose lower edges are in mutual contact and form a cutting edge (25) which on downward movement penetrates the ground and an opening of its lower edges forms an excavation in which the plant is supported by means (33) and (34) while the plates are upwardly retracted.

Abstract: A landscape leveling and raking apparatus has a frame, a handle protruding upwardly from the frame, a rake pivotally coupled to the frame to protrude downwardly and rearwardly therefrom, a screed fixed to the frame forwardly of the rake, a plurality of tiller blades rotatably mounted along a forward, open end of the frame, a motor which rotatably drives the tiller blades, and a mechanism for raising or lowering the tiler ,blades relative to the frame. As the blades rotate, they till the soil and propel the apparatus forward. The frame is open along its front edge. This allows soil to accumulate within the frame as the apparatus moves forward. The soil gradually escapes from the frame by passing beneath a screed fixed along the lower rear edge of the frame. The screed levels the soil before it is raked by the tines of the rake.

Abstract: Hitch structure for connecting first and second implements for operation side-by-side in the field, and one directly behind the other for transport. A freely rockable swing hitch has a forward end connected to one side of the first implement frame for pivoting less than 180.degree. about an upright axis located inwardly from the side. A latch on the swing hitch mates with a frame-mounted rear bracket to secure the hitch in the transport position. The same latch secures the swing hitch to a bracket on the forward towing hitch when the swing hitch and towing hitch are in the field-working position. A sliding tubular member and two-position latch selectively secure the towing hitch in either a central transport position or an offset field-working position. Both latches have release levers for changing from one position to the other, and the latches automatically lock in the new position when the desired position is attained.

Abstract: A control system for the co-ordination of the operation of first and second implements mounted at spaced locations relative to the intended direction of travel of a tractor vehicle. The system can be used to co-ordinate the operation of spaced parts of a larger common implement (e.g. spaced shares on a long plough) or completely separate implements (e.g. ploughs mounted one on the front and the other on the rear of the tractor vehicle). The control system includes actuators for controlling the operation of the first and second implements, a speed sensor for sensing the forward speed of the tractor/implement combination, sensors to indicate the operating condition of the implements and an implement spacing compensation means which allows adjustment of the co-ordination of the operation of the implements dependent on the spacing between the implements.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for rotary extraction of weeds and other vegetation by hand or by using a power driver. The apparatus includes a hollow guide tube (20) in which a shaft (16) is slidably disposed. A plurality of pointed rods (12) are coupled to shaft (16), and can be extended or retracted by movement of shaft (16) within the guide tube (20). The rods (12) are extended and inserted into the soil over the vegetation to be removed. Rotation of the apparatus winds the vegetation and its root around the rods (12) and removes it from the soil. The vegetation is then ejected from the apparatus by retracting the rods (12) and, if necessary, sliding the vegetation off of the tapered sleeve (30).