Abstract: A cap bracket and spacer for connecting a ground engaging tool to a mounting bar of a cultivator is provided. The cap bracket can include a first member having a first side and a second side, and a second member having a first side and a second side. The second member can be joined at the second side to the second side of the first member with a peak formed where the second side of the first member is joined at the second side of the second member and a first extended portion can be provided on a first end of the cap bracket at the peak. The spacer can include a first connection flange, a second connection flange, and a spacer member extending upwards from the first connection flange and the second connection flange to define a contact surface.

Abstract: A cultivator is provided having a tool frame, a mounting bar provided below the tool frame, and a plurality of ground engaging tools connected to and extending below the mounting bar. The mounting bar can be connected to the tool frame by a plurality of mounting brackets and at least one adjustment mounting bracket. The mounting brackets allowing the mounting bar to be moved laterally relative to the tool frame and the at least one adjustment mounting bar allowing for the lateral adjustment of the mounting bar and ground engaging tools relative to the tool frame.

Abstract: A cultivator is provided. The cultivator can have a main frame having a front end and a back end, a hitch assembly connected to the front end of the main frame, a tilling section attached to the back end of the main frame, a pair of main ground wheels, a first wing ground wheel and a second wing ground wheel, a plurality of ground engaging tools connected to and extending below the tilling section.

Abstract: A bale processor has a towed body that includes one or two hay bale shredders in the form of a flail drum. The bale processor is self-loading such that bales may be loaded in the processing tubs by a set of rear mounted arms and various conveyor chains. The processor also includes a grain tank, a grain metering system, and a grain cracker, all mounted in series. The grain cracker may have a choice of outputs, including back to the grain tank. The cracked grain is fed into the tub to be mixed with other feed materials, such as shredded straw, and is then discharged to the opposite side of the unit. There may be a feed chopper mounted downstream of the tub, such that the feed chopper receives both the grain material and the shredded hay feed. The feed chopper and the grain cracker operate independently, and may have different setting of size, speed, and weight or volume per minute or per unit of distance travelled. The output may have a curtain assembly to facilitate deposit in windrows.

Abstract: A bale processor has a towed body that includes one or two hay bale shredders in the form of a flail drum. The bale processor is self-loading such that bales may be loaded in the processing tubs by a set of rear mounted arms and various conveyor chains. The processor also includes a grain tank, a grain metering system, and a grain cracker, all mounted in series. The grain cracker may have a choice of outputs, including back to the grain tank. The cracked grain is fed into the tub to be mixed with other feed materials, such as shredded straw, and is then discharged to the opposite side of the unit. There may be a feed chopper mounted downstream of the tub, such that the feed chopper receives both the grain material and the shredded hay feed. The feed chopper and the grain cracker operate independently, and may have different setting of size, speed, and weight or volume per minute or per unit of distance travelled. The output may have a curtain assembly to facilitate deposit in windrows.

Abstract: A method of loading bales into a bale processing chamber of a bale processor. The bale processing chamber is mounted on a chamber frame mounted on wheels for travel on a ground surface in a forward operating travel direction. A bale fork is pivotally mounted on the chamber frame such that in a lowered position the bale fork is oriented substantially horizontally and rests on the ground surface. The chamber frame is moved rearward such that the bale fork slides under a bale resting on the ground surface with a bale axis oriented substantially horizontally in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the operating travel direction. The bale fork and the bale supported thereon are raised above the ground surface. The bale fork is turned such that the bale axis turns to a second direction substantially parallel to the operating travel direction while maintaining the bale rearward of the bale processing chamber.

Abstract: A bale loading trailer has a bale supporting frame mounted on wheels. A fork assembly is pivotally mounted beside a front end of the frame configured to engage a bale when in a lowered position, and to disengage the bale when in a raised position such that the bale moves onto the front end of the bale supporting frame. A hydraulic cylinder moves the fork assembly between positions. A hydraulic motor driven conveyor chain assembly extends along the bale supporting frame, and loaded bales rest on, and move along the frame in concert with, the conveyor chain. A valve circuit connects the hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic motor drive such that as the fork assembly moves from the raised position to the lowered position, hydraulic fluid flows from the hydraulic cylinder through the hydraulic motor drive and causes the conveyor chain assembly to move a bale length rearward.

Abstract: A method of loading bales into a bale processing chamber of a bale processor. The bale processing chamber is mounted on a chamber frame mounted on wheels for travel on a ground surface in a forward operating travel direction. A bale fork is pivotally mounted on the chamber frame such that in a lowered position the bale fork is oriented substantially horizontally and rests on the ground surface. The chamber frame is moved rearward such that the bale fork slides under a bale resting on the ground surface with a bale axis oriented substantially horizontally in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the operating travel direction. The bale fork and the bale supported thereon are raised above the ground surface. The bale fork is turned such that the bale axis turns to a second direction substantially parallel to the operating travel direction while maintaining the bale rearward of the bale processing chamber.

Abstract: A bale processor apparatus has a bale processing chamber mounted on a chamber frame on wheels for travel in a travel direction. A lift arm frame is pivotally attached to a rear end of the chamber frame about a lift pivot axis, and a lift actuator pivots the lift arm frame from a lowered position to a raised position. A bale turning assembly is pivotally attached to the lift arm frame and bale fork tines are attached to the bale turning assembly. A turning actuator pivots the bale turning assembly from a standard position, where the bale fork tines extend rearward from bale processing chamber to a turned position, where the bale fork tines are rearward of the bale processing chamber and perpendicular to the travel direction. A shear bar cuts twine on rectangular bales as they fall into the chamber but does not affect cylindrical bales.

Abstract: A bale processor has a bale chamber mounted on a frame and a disintegrator shreds material from a bale and discharges shredded material laterally. A fan receives the shredded material through a fan inlet and blows the material out through a fan discharge. A conveyor receives the shredded material from the disintegrator along an inner side thereof. A side opening extends along an outer side of the conveyor and a side door is movable from a closed position, where the side opening is closed and the conveyor is enclosed and moves the shredded material along the conveyor and into the fan inlet, to an open position where the outer side of the conveyor is open and the conveyor moves the shredded material laterally out through the side opening. An auger conveyor mounted only on an end opposite the fan inlet leaves the fan inlet unobstructed, increasing capacity.

Abstract: A bale processor has a bale chamber mounted on a frame and a disintegrator shreds material from a bale and discharges shredded material laterally. A fan receives the shredded material through a fan inlet and blows the material out through a fan discharge. A conveyor receives the shredded material from the disintegrator along an inner side thereof. A side opening extends along an outer side of the conveyor and a side door is movable from a closed position, where the side opening is closed and the conveyor is enclosed and moves the shredded material along the conveyor and into the fan inlet, to an open position where the outer side of the conveyor is open and the conveyor moves the shredded material laterally out through the side opening. An auger conveyor mounted only on an end opposite the fan inlet leaves the fan inlet unobstructed, increasing capacity.

Abstract: A bale processor apparatus has a bale processing chamber mounted on a chamber frame on wheels for travel in a travel direction. A lift arm frame is pivotally attached to a rear end of the chamber frame about a lift pivot axis, and a lift actuator pivots the lift arm frame from a lowered position to a raised position. A bale turning assembly is pivotally attached to the lift arm frame and bale fork tines are attached to the bale turning assembly. A turning actuator pivots the bale turning assembly from a standard position, where the bale fork tines extend rearward from bale processing chamber to a turned position, where the bale fork tines are rearward of the bale processing chamber and perpendicular to the travel direction. A shear bar cuts twine on rectangular bales as they fall into the chamber but does not affect cylindrical bales.

Abstract: A bale loading trailer has a bale supporting frame mounted on wheels. A fork assembly is pivotally mounted beside a front end of the frame configured to engage a bale when in a lowered position, and to disengage the bale when in a raised position such that the bale moves onto the front end of the bale supporting frame. A hydraulic cylinder moves the fork assembly between positions. A hydraulic motor driven conveyor chain assembly extends along the bale supporting frame, and loaded bales rest on, and move along the frame in concert with, the conveyor chain. A valve circuit connects the hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic motor drive such that as the fork assembly moves from the raised position to the lowered position, hydraulic fluid flows from the hydraulic cylinder through the hydraulic motor drive and causes the conveyor chain assembly to move a bale length rearward.

Abstract: A rotary mower has a center mower deck and a hitch arm assembly adapted at a front end for connection to a tractor drawbar. A hydraulic pump is mounted on the hitch arm assembly and connected to a hydraulic motor mounted on the center mower. An upward arm section of the hitch arm assembly extends upward from a front portion of the hitch arm assembly to provide a desired clearance distance between a middle arm section of the hitch arm assembly and the ground, and a downward arm section of the hitch arm assembly extends downward from the middle arm section to a rear end of the hitch arm assembly which is pivotally connected to the mower deck about a hitch pivot axis oriented horizontally and perpendicular to the operating travel direction. The hitch pivot axis is located at a vertical position below top edges of the front wheels.

Abstract: A rotary mower has a center mower deck and a hitch arm assembly adapted at a front end for connection to a tractor drawbar. A hydraulic pump is mounted on the hitch arm assembly and connected to a hydraulic motor mounted on the center mower. An upward arm section of the hitch arm assembly extends upward from a front portion of the hitch arm assembly to provide a desired clearance distance between a middle arm section of the hitch arm assembly and the ground, and a downward arm section of the hitch arm assembly extends downward from the middle arm section to a rear end of the hitch arm assembly which is pivotally connected to the mower deck about a hitch pivot axis oriented horizontally and perpendicular to the operating travel direction. The hitch pivot axis is located at a vertical position below top edges of the front wheels.

Abstract: A bale processor has a bale chamber mounted on a frame and a disintegrator shreds material from a bale and discharges shredded material laterally. A fan receives the shredded material through a fan inlet and blows the material out through a fan discharge. A conveyor receives the shredded material from the disintegrator along an inner side thereof. A side opening extends along an outer side of the conveyor and a side door is movable from a closed position, where the side opening is closed and the conveyor is enclosed and moves the shredded material along the conveyor and into the fan inlet, to an open position where the outer side of the conveyor is open and the conveyor moves the shredded material laterally out through the side opening. An auger conveyor mounted only on an end opposite the fan inlet leaves the fan inlet unobstructed, increasing capacity.

Abstract: A twine cutting apparatus for a bale processor has a guide extending along a length of a floor of the bale chamber, and a knife engaged in the guide and configured such that the knife can slide along the length of the drum and such that a cutting edge of the knife contacts twine wrapped around an outer surface of the drum. A rigid handle is attached at a knife end thereof to the knife and is configured to be gripped by an operator at a grip end thereof outside the bale chamber. A twine access area can be provided on the drum surface to facilitate cutting twine, and the apparatus can be stored inside the bale chamber during operation of the bale processor.

Abstract: Wrapping of twine on a chain and slat conveyor in a bale processor is reduced. The bale processor has a bale chamber, a chain bed forming a bottom of the bale chamber and a disintegrator roller mounted along one side. Driven and idler shafts extend adjacent to opposite first and second sides of the chain bed. Front, middle, and rear sprockets are mounted to front, middle, and rear portions of the shafts, and corresponding front, middle, and rear conveyor chains engage corresponding sprockets. Conveyor slats are attached to the chains. Wrapping of twine is reduced by supporting the shafts only at front and rear ends thereof such that the sprockets and shafts rotate unsupported between front and rear bearings on walls of the bale chamber. Scraper devices can be mounted adjacent to front and rear sprockets to prevent the build-up of twine on the shafts.

Abstract: A universal sweep plow configured to mate securely and be attached to a seed boot. The universal sweep plow includes sweep plow attachment formed from a single unit of metal and an anchor. The attachment includes a central portion configured to mate with a seed boot and right and left central portion openings configured to align with an anchor hole in the seed boot. The right and left wing portions extend outward and rearward from the central portion. The anchor is configured to attach the sweep plow to the seed boot by passing through the right and left central portion openings and the anchor hole in the seed boot.

Abstract: A rotary mower apparatus includes a mower deck with a frame, an upper skin attached to the frame, and a lower skin removably attached to the frame below the upper skin such that a separation distance is provided between the upper and lower skins. A blade assembly is removably mounted to the deck below the lower skin and a drive is mounted to the deck and is operative to rotate the blade assembly. The lower skin can also be provided with retarding members on the underside thereof to retard the flow of cut vegetation, and to thereby cut the vegetation into smaller pieces.