Abstract: A mowing machine comprises a mowing unit and a crushing unit, both suspended in a first frame, the first frame together with the mowing unit (8) and the crushing unit also being suspendedeither to the leading end of a second frame which is provided with ground engaging wheels and a drawbar for connection behind a tractor,or to the lifting hitch at the front side of the tractor. The same type mowing machine is also operable at the forward end of the tractor as well as to the tractor's rear at the left or right side.

Abstract: A section mill for cutting through well casing, the mill including multiple sets of cutting blades which are selectively engaged to continue cutting operations as blades dull. The cutting blade sets are selectively indexable such that as a first set dulls or fails a succeeding set can be utilized following retraction of the first set. The section mill includes a central mandrel having offset cammed surfaces which engage the cutting blades and cause them to expand outwardly. The mandrel is axially displaceably by a piston affected by hydraulic pressure. As the mandrel is axially displaced the indexed cutting blades are expanded by the cammed surface. Indexing is accomplished by a cam drum which allows the mandrel to be rotated relative to the cutting blades in order to align the next cammed surfaces with their respective cutting blades.

Abstract: A grass catcher is provided for mounting to a lawn mower. The grass catcher includes a generally frustum shaped side wall and opposed front and rear walls. An angularly inclined entrance chute is provided adjacent the front wall. The front wall includes an inclined portion which is angled relative to the axis of the grass catcher. The side wall is provided with a plurality of elongated slots extending circumferentially around the grass catcher. The rear wall of the grass catcher is hingedly attached to the side wall to facilitate emptying of the grass clippings therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for simultaneously drilling and casing a wellbore. More specifically, the apparatus comprises and outer conduit string containing an inner drill string carrying a bit capable of drilling a wellbore of greater diameter than the outer string. The drill string may be adapted to drill a nonlinear wellbore by offsetting the drill bit from the longitudinal axis of the outer string, and the drill bit is preferably retractable to permit withdrawal of the drill string after the wellbore is completed, leaving the outer string of casing or liner in place. The wellbore is drilled by rotating the drill bit and advancing the drill string by pushing from the surface, and the outer string is advanced by being pulled along by the drill string.

Abstract: A wheeled carriage for supporting a portable hedge trimmer for use as a ground foliage mower. The carriage includes a frame for supporting the hedge trimmer motor chassis and a bar extending laterally of the frame for releasably securing the hedge trimmer cutting blade in a generally horizontal orientation close to the ground surface.

Abstract: The grass collector venting cover assembly of the present invention includes a cover constructed of both porous and non-porous sections. The top of the venting cover assembly consists of two layers; the lower one being porous and the upper one being non-porous. The two layers are connected to allow the cover to vent dirt and debris from the grass chute away from the tractor operator. The cover support frame work supports the cover and allows emptying of the cart without interference from the cover. The grass collector/bagger of the present invention includes a collector support frame work with a rigid hitch for attachment to a tractor; two removable bins each containing two or more reusable, flexible insert containers; and a cover support assembly for supporting a cover above the rigid bins. The cover of the grass collector/bagger can also be of the venting type described above.

Abstract: In a forage harvester having an acoustic detector for sensing air-borne sounds produced by the impact of hard foreign objects on the crop feed mechanism of the harvester, a start-up control is provided for inhibiting the detector output during the intervals when the crop feed mechanism is stopped or being brought up to running speed. In forage harvesters having metal detectors for sensing the presence of metal in the crop material, the electromagnetic sensor in the metal detector inherently produces a noise output signal which is dependent on the speed of the crop feed mechanism, and this signal is used to control the inhibiting of the acoustic detector output.

Abstract: A well tool assembly for running a casing hanger and a packoff into a wellhead housing during a single trip into the well, comprising a tubular inner mandrel, a locking mandrel, an outer annular body surrounding and rotatably connected to the inner mandrel, an outer sleeve surrounding the outer body, and means to prevent relative rotation between the outer body and the locking mandrel.

Abstract: A well perforating gun provides a full bore passage for fluids and tools through the discharged gun without increasing the normal exterior diameter of the gun. The full bore passage is disposed eccentrically within a tubular housing and the perforating guns are mounted in a longitudinally spaced array on one or more elongated strips disposed adjacent elongated slots in the wall of the housing opposite the eccentric portion of the full bore fluid passage.

Abstract: This invention relates to the improvement of a new hay rake system that utilizes two separate wheel-type rakes which are substantially merged into one by mounting them to fold in for traveling and fold out for the raking position.

Abstract: A mower deck height adjustment mechanism having a frame coupled to a rear base unit having driven wheels. Ground engaging wheels support the frame, and a deck is coupled to the frame. A crank handle is coupled to a transverse bar that is fixed to a lower parallel member. The operator turns the crank handle to pivot the bar and lower parallel member to thereby raise and lower the front of the deck. A bell crank couples the rear of the deck to the crank handle. The bell crank is carried by and shifts vertically with a connecting member supported by the front of the deck. As the front of the deck shifts vertically, the connecting member, bell crank, and rear portion of the deck also shift vertically. The bell crank is also operatively coupled with the bar for pivoting therewith, which also causes the rear portion of the deck to shift vertically.

Abstract: A method of and a device for remotely-controlling at least one piece of drill string equipment from an instruction issued from the surface. The method includes issuing from the surface a first information sequence to cause a first predetermined action according to a predetermined sequence, detection of a condition indicative of a second sequence resulting from the first sequence, comparison of this second sequence with another predetermined sequence, and operating the equipment only if there is similarity between the latter two sequences. The method can be applied to actuation of a variable-angle bent element.

Abstract: A cotton path blockage detector has an acoustic output directed toward the discharge door floor on the cotton picking unit directly behind and to one side of the stream of cotton coming off a doffer. When the unit is operating properly, the floor area is generally clear of cotton and a first distance signal is provided. When a blockage occurs, the area begins to fill with cotton and debris, causing a decrease in the monitored distance. A threshold distance signal which is less than the distance signal to the floor causes an alarm to be activated to warn the operator of a plug. To prevent false alarms where the blockage may only be temporary, a slew rate limitation is built into the processing circuit.In another aspect of the invention, the signal radiated into the cotton conveying path is reflected by cotton, and a doppler circuit detects the presence of a doppler shift in frequency indicating moving cotton in the path.

Abstract: A device is provided for installing multiple piezometers in a borehole at predetermined elevations. An inner support pipe which may be interconnected with a string of grouting pipe is utilized. A continuous fluid passageway for introduction of grout to the bottom of the borehole results by inclusion of the support pipe as an integral part of the string. A tray member is provided which carries a piezometer embedded in a layer of permeable material. The latter makes a hydraulic connection with the borehole wall. A spring assembly is adapted to move the tray outwardly and radially so as to bring the layer into contact with the borehole wall. A wire restrains the tray against the support pipe so as to permit the device to be inserted into the borehole. A messenger is inserted into the fluid passageway to sever the wires whereupon the spring expands, bringing the layer of permeable material into hydraulic connection with the borehole wall.

Abstract: A grass mowing or cutting machine suitable for towing by general application vehicles is disclosed. The machine is operated by its advance and comprises a wheeled frame having a horizontal cutting disc which rotates about a vertical axis. A drive mechanism connects the cutting disc to the wheel(s) of the wheeled frame so that when the mowing apparatus is pulled or pushed, the cutting disc will be rotated by the rotation of the wheel(s). A gearing mechanism is typically provided between the cutting disc and the wheel(s). The cutting disc is preferably of web-like construction and includes aerodynamics portions to exert a downward force on the disc as it rotates through the air. The moving apparatus is designed for relatively high speed towing.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the stalk-receiving gaps between stripper plates in a produce harvester. The mechanism is adapted for use in harvester where a number of pairs of stripper plates are utilized, and where a space is formed between adjacent pairs of stripper plates, and a stalk-receiving gap is formed between the stripper plates within each pair. The mechanism permits all stalk-receiving gaps in the harvester to be adjusted simultaneously and to the same degree. These gaps are adjusted from both sides allowing for optimum centering of the gap to engage the stalks. The mechanism comprises a reciprocating shaft disposed so as to move substantially perpendicular to the movement of the harvester. A number of rotating shafts are connected to the reciprocating shaft and these are disposed within the spaces between adjacent pairs of stripper plates. The rotating shafts are disposed substantially at right angles to the movement of the harvester.

Abstract: A transportable farm machine for windrowing products includes a frame which can be connected to a tractor, a rotor mounted to the frame for rotation about a vertical axis, and a plurality of toolholder arms mounted to the rotor such that the tools mounted on the toolholder arms may form the product into windrows during rotation of the rotor. Each of the toolholder arms includes an inside part mounted to the rotor and an outside part to which the tools are mounted and which is conencted to the inside part by a joint about which the outside part can be displaced between a work position and a transport position. The joint includes a first pivot for pivoting the outside part around the longitudinal axis of the inside part, a second pivot for pivoting the outside part about an axis forming a positive angle relative to the axis of the first pivot and a locking device for locking the outside part in the work position.

Abstract: A pick-up head is hingedly attached to the rear side of a lawn rake making lawn work easier and more convenient. The arm attached to the pick-up head is pushed into a clamp on the rear side of the rake handle. This clamp holds the pick-up head assembly secure in an upright, storage position while allowing normal raking. When pick-up is desired, the arm is pulled forward releasing it from the clamp and manually pushes the pick-up head into position adjacent the main rake head thus compressing debris between the two heads. The debris may be released by returning the assembly back into the original upright position.

Abstract: An elastic rebound pump comprises a flexible inner tube having a substantial elastic rebound surrounded by a pump housing. The inner tube defines an inner chamber and the pump housing forms an outer chamber for confining a pump fluid. The pump allows pressurized gas or hydraulic fluid into the outer chamber to collapse the inner tube thereby discharging liquid from the inner chamber through an outlet opening. The pump alternatively releases the pressurized fluid from the outer chamber thereby allowing the inner tube to rebound to a full configuration and draw liquid into the inner chamber through the inlet opening. By repeatedly allowing pump fluid into the outer chamber and sequentially releasing the pump fluid from the outer chamber, the pump produces a substantially steady flow of liquid. An extraction pump system includes the elastic rebound pump for removing liquid hydrocarbons from ground water collected in a well.

Abstract: A system and method for controlled directional drilling utilizes a system approach to design the hardware for drilling according to the well plan. The bend angle of a bent housing, connected between the bit and downhole motor, the diameter of a plurality of stabilizers and placement of the stabilizers with respect to the drill bit are selected and predetermined on the basis of the desired well plan. With the use of an MWD, the direction of the progressing borehole is tracked from the surface. Direction changes as required are controlled from the surface simply by controlling rotation of the drillstring. For curved path drilling, only the downhole motor is rotated, causing the borehole to travel along the curve determined by the bend angle in the bent housing and the diameter and location of the concentric stabilizers. When straight hole drilling is required, both the downhole motor and the entire drill string are rotated, effectively nullifying the effect of the bend angle in the bent housing.