Abstract: A single disc sealer for closing the groove formed by a fertilizer knife is mounted behind the applicator with its cutting edge working immediately adjacent the groove. The work surface has formed in it a raised annular deflection surface spaced inwardly of the periphery of the disc a distance approximately equal to the working depth of the disc. The edge of the disc cuts a ribbon of soil adjacent the furrow, the periphery working surface of the disc displaces the soil laterally toward the groove to close it, and the deflection surface directs the soil down into the furrow rather than lifting the soil as in the case of conventional disc covers, while slightly compacting the soil.

Abstract: A single disc sealer for closing the groove formed by a fertilizer knife is mounted behind the applicator with its cutting edge working immediately adjacent the groove. The work surface has formed in it a raised annular deflection surface spaced inwardly of the periphery of the disc a distance approximately equal to the working depth of the disc. The edge of the disc cuts a ribbon of soil adjacent the furrow, the periphery working surface of the disc displaces the soil laterally toward the groove to close it, and the deflection surface directs the soil down into the furrow rather than lifting the soil as in the case of conventional disc covers, while slightly compacting the soil. The disc mount includes a spring for cushioning the disc and slotted brackets for adjusting the working angle of the disc and its spacing from the fertilizer furrow.

Abstract: An applicator for dry and liquid fertilizer includes a knife for forming a slot in the soil, a dry fertilizer-conduit mounted behind the knife and formed into a U-shaped channel with an elongated, upright slot at the rear, and a flexible hose for liquid fertilizer removably wedged in the slot and forming the rear wall of the channel. If the dry fertilizer conduit becomes plugged or restricted, the liquid fertilizer hose is removed, and a tool may be used to clear the conduit.

Abstract: A livestock self-feeder includes a main feed storage hopper supplying feed to a retaining area in which the height of feed is constant and independent of the amount of feed in the main hopper. The feed is then dispensed from the retaining hopper through an adjustable feed gate.

Abstract: An improved fertilizer applicator includes a rolling coulter and a knife both mounted to a single tool bar mount but with separate spring cushions for independent clearing action and designed for improved clearance suitable for use in heavy residue.

Abstract: A spring reset mechanism for a ground engaging tool includes a four-bar linkage mounting for the tool. A fixed cam surface is mounted to one of the links and a roller cam carried by a guide link is spring-biased against the cam surface to urge the tool into its working position. As the tool nears the limit of its raised position, a recess in the cam surface receives the roller to reduce the rate of spring compression and enable the tool to clear an obstruction without substantially increasing the resistance force. Further, as the tool raises, the resistance moment arm decreases which further facilitates clearing a large obstruction. The reset force characteristics may be changed by simple and economical design changes.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a main pull-type frame carrying a first set of ground-engaging tillage tools and a subframe carrying a second set of tillage tools. A lift mechanism including an hydraulic cylinder operated from the operator's position on the tractor pulling the implement adjusts the height of the subframe relative to the main frame to set the working depth of the tools on the subframe. A preload spring cushion mechanism is interposed between the main frame and the hydraulic cylinder to permit the subframe to lift for smaller obstacles and be reset by the spring without actuating the pressure relief valve. The force of the spring assists in resetting the subframe to its desired working depth after the obstacle is passed. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring cushion mechanism has an increasing moment arm as the spring compresses thereby to equalize the resetting force applied to the lift mechanism; and it is preloaded so that the operator can adjust the operating depth of the subframe.

Abstract: A mounting/positioning apparatus for attaching an agricultural implement such as a reel unit or a rotary packer assembly to the frame of a tillage machine is disclosed. The apparatus includes two opposing end portions rigidly coupled together by means of a cross member with the agricultural implement rotationally mounted between the two opposing end portions. The two end portions are pivotally coupled to a first frame cross member to which is rigidly coupled one end of a second frame member extending rearwardly therefrom. The other end of the second frame member is flexibly coupled to the cross member by means of a longitudinally compressible spring providing for the vertical displacement of the rotating implement upon impact with an obstruction. Spring tension is adjustable for varying the downward force applied to the working implement with the second frame member incorporating shear pin protection for the implement against high impact forces applied thereto from contact with rocks and other obstructions.

Abstract: A silo unloader is of the type having a tripod with inwardly and upwardly inclined legs, including a main leg and lateral legs, surmounting the wall of a cylindrical silo, and a silo unloader mechanism has three generally radially extending horizontal support arms to each of which is secured a suspension cable trained over a sheave at the upper end of one of the tripod legs to suspend the mechanism in the silo. Each of the sheaves is journalled in a yoke which is freely suspended at the upper end of a tripod leg, and because of the way the suspension cables must run from the winch to the sheaves, the yokes are displaced from a vertical suspension by the load on the cables. The structure of the support arms permits securement thereto of the three suspension cables at points which compensate for the displacement of the sheave yokes, so as to cause each cable to hang effectively vertically from the sheave over which it is trained.

Abstract: A top silo unloader is of the type which has a cutter-conveyor pickup arm, an impeller, a drive ring above the cutter-conveyor pickup arm, and support arms in a horizontal plane above the drive ring to which suspension cables are connected for moving the unloader vertically in the silo. Improved support arms have downwardly and outwardly extending offset portions outside the drive ring which have their free ends in a plane above the bottom of the cutter-conveyor pickup arm, and means on the free ends of the offset portions to receive the suspension cables.