Abstract: A soil cultivating machine comprises two transverse rows of fixed tines and three transversely extending rollers. The front roller has discs which cut parallel slits in the soil. The two following rollers have transversely extending releasable blades mounted on angle-irons which form shallow V's pointed in the direction of the rollers' rotation and which are twisted about 90.degree. from their outboard ends to their centers. The rollers are drivingly interconnected by a chain transmission so that the middle roller rotates slower than the other two and the rear roller rotates faster than it would if freely rotating on the ground. The tines are in rows between the rollers and their depth of soil penetration relative to the underlying soil is adjustable. The rollers are mounted on a generally horizontal framework which is adjustable, however, so it can be inclined slightly either forward or aft to increase or decrease the penetration of the front roller's discs.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor comprises lifting devices to which are hitched rotary supports in the form of rollers. The lifting devices push the rollers downwardly relatively to the rest of the tractor. This transfers some or all of the weight of the tractor to the rollers which reduces or eliminates pressure on the underlying surface, and consequent soil compaction, applied by wheels of the tractor. The rotary supports may be drivable and improve traction. If all of the weight of the tractor is placed on the rotary supports, the wheels are raised from the ground.A system is also described for automatically detecting and eliminating or correcting for skidding of the wheels of the tractor.

Abstract: A packer roller for a soil cultivating implement constructed to perform a soil cultivating operation in addition to that performed by any other soil cultivating members of the implement, the roller comprising a plurality of groups or crowns of six tine-like or tooth-like projections spaced apart from one another at regular intervals along the roller's axis of rotation which are connected to a central tubular support of that roller. Each projection has a relatively sharp rear edge with respect to the roller's usual direction of rotation and, inward from the sharp edge, a relatively blunt leading edge relative to such direction so that it first penetrates into the soil relatively easily and then resists forward progress through the soil thus tending in a positive sense to produce rotation around the roller's axis of rotation. The projections are formed from pairs of shaped plates and each plate includes a sleeve surrounding the central tubular carrier of the roller.

Abstract: A tractor for agricultural purposes, particularly for seedbed preparation, which comprises an engine of thirty or more kilowatts' power, a frame having two frame parts which are movable relative to each other about the frame's longitudinal axis, an axle extending from each side of each frame part which mounts on common wheel supports two tandem wheels having pneumatic tires mounted thereon. Each wheel is driven directly by its own hydraulic motor which is energized by a common hydraulic pump which, in turn, is driven by a diesel motor. The latter also drives via a gear box PTOs extending outwardly between wheels fore and aft and is the power source for two lifting devices, also extending outwardly between wheels fore and aft. The weight of the tractor is about forty kilograms per kilowatt engine power. Each lifting device has at its coupling points, a lifting capacity of at least one thousand kilograms.

Abstract: A soil cultivating implement which comprises a row of power-driven rotary soil working members is provided, behind said soil working members with respect to the intended direction of operative travel of the implement, with a freely rotatable roller (10) having a cylindrical carrier (11) and a plurality of projections (12) formed in integral pairs and arranged in groups or crowns at regularly spaced apart intervals along the intended axis of rotation (a) of the roller (10). In order substantially to prevent clods of earth, old roots and the like from becoming jammed between the groups or crowns of projections (12), the relatively facing sides of the groups or crowns skeletally define radially outwardly divergent surfaces (B) and a pointed scraper (17) bears against the carrier (11) between each group or crown of projections (12).

Abstract: An agricultural tractor having two longitudinally aligned back wheels on each side receiving an endless track of the "caterpillar" type and steerable front wheels which are controlled automatically by a predetermined line of travel whereby the tractor is maintained within margins equidistant from the line of travel defining a path which it is desired the tractor follow to perform agricultural operations such as plowing. The tractors's actual track is monitored and compared with the desired line of travel by programmed steering operating to correct deviations. A single gyroscope which has its axis of rotation parallel to the earth's axis of rotation stabilizes a platform, keeping it perfectly horizontal for two accelerometers, one aligned with the tractor's longitudinal center line and the other at right angles thereto. The accelerometers monitor accelerations by the tractor to establish its position relative to its starting point and to its deviations from the line of travel.

Abstract: An articulated agricultural tractor of 100 horsepower or more having front and rear portions connected by an articulation joint, there being only one axle in each portion. The articulation joint is located just inside a vertical plane tangent to the rear treads of the front wheels mounted on the front axle. The engine and its casing are mounted completely forward of the front axle. Each axle carries four wheels with pneumatic tires mounted thereon, all wheels being of the same diameter. The tractor's body is relatively narrow. The operator's cab is located directly over the rear axle and is sufficiently wide that the operator can see rows just inside all of the front wheels. A three-point lifting device and towing bar extend rearwardly from the rear portion with the lifting device's lower links or those of the bar part extending normally outwardly relative to the tractor's body in the vicinity of adjacent central tires. The distance between the front and rear tires is about one-half the diameter of each tire.

Abstract: In a soil cultivating implement of the kind which comprises a row of rotary power-driven soil working members which extend substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the implement's intended direction of operative travel, the cost of making and assembling the implement is reduced by providing a drive transmission to the soil working members which includes an upright shaft fixed in a sleeve of an open-bottomed gearbox. A bevel pinion is rotatable around the lower end of such fixed shaft and is fastened by adhesively secured pins to the top of one of the spur pinions, each of which is welded to the upper end of a rotary shaft carrying the corresponding soil working member. Blades are provided adjacent the bevel pinion and nearby spur pinions to distribute lubricant to such pinions. One lifts lubricant to the intermeshing spur pinions and another blade further guides same to the bevel pinion.

Abstract: Two tractor units, each having a single axle with a plurality of wheels on the axle, are connected in tandem whereby they are pivotable relative to each other about a horizontal axis extending in the direction of normal travel of the tractor and a vertical axis, each unit including an engine which extends in front of its axle and is drivingly connected to its respective axle, the two engines being aligned. A cabin and controls for an operator are disposed in the rear unit and a coupling member for receiving agricultural implements extends to the rear of the rear unit. The forward unit has large heavy fuel tanks extending across its width which, even when empty, cause the center of gravity of the forward unit to be to the rear of the axle of the forward unit. The widths and lengths of the two units and the distance between the axles of the two units are all dimensionally about the same.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor having at least four side-by-side pneumatic rear tires which provide a relatively narrow path of travel, there being a narrow rear portion of the tractor's body having about the same width or less as seen in plan as each of the tires and which is centrally disposed between the tires. A three-point lifting device extends rearwardly from the rear body portion. A front body portion carries an engine and the two body portions are pivotable relative to one another about a substantially vertical axis. An operator's seat and operating controls in a console are located within a cabin mounted above the rear wheels, the console being turnable through substantially 180.degree. about a substantially vertical axis so that the operator occupies a turnable seat which faces either generally forward or generally to the rear whereby the operator has a direct view of an implement attached to the lifting device.

Abstract: An overload coupling includes at least one latch plunger housed in a holder or in a coupling member, fits in a recess of a second member to establish connection. The plunger has or is part of a hydraulic system and can be forced out of the recess upon overload against the hydraulic pressure in the system and, in some instances, with the aid of centrifugal forces. The plunger and holder can be part of a unit that is releasably fastened in the coupling member and set to trip upon torque exceeding a predetermined level on the coupling member. Also, the plunger can have internal ducts or external conduits that include a pressure relief valve, as well as a spring return, which can effect connection upon reduced speed when centrifugal force factors are reduced. The pressure in the system can be set remotely with a piston that is spring loaded. In one variation, the coupling can be within a planetary gear system that establishes driving connection from an input to an output via planetary and sun gears.

Abstract: A rotary harrow has an elongated hollow frame portion that extends transverse to the direction of travel. The frame portion comprises three spaced apart sheet walls that define an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Driving means, including meshed pinion gears in the upper chamber and bearing housings in the lower chamber, receive and support upwardly extending shafts of soil working members. The soil working members have downwardly extending tools that are rotated by the pinions and their shafts are journalled in bearings held between the upper and lower walls of the lower chamber. The upper wall of the lower chamber forms the lower wall of the upper chamber. All three walls are bent at their front and rear sides to provide portions with rims that are joined to one another by bolt fastenings.

Abstract: A standard model truck or trailer, having a rear load bearing axle with dual pneumatic tires mounted on wheels at both ends of the axle, is provided a further set of like rear wheels with dual pneumatic tires which are connected to the vehicle's main frame by depending carriers pivoted thereto. These rear wheels are rearwardly biased by a compression spring and may be selectively moved forwardly or rearwardly in an arc about their pivotable connection by a hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement. An endless tread-type track is adapted to be mounted around the succeeding pairs of dual tires on either side. Each track has two or more parts dovetailed together at the ends, held by a spring steel rod inserted in openings therethrough, each opening being defined by a polygonal tube which receives the rod so it cannot rotate. The rod is held in the tube by a detent member.

Abstract: A torque converter comprises an input member and an output member that can be interconnected by a planetary gear arrangement. A planet carrier of the planetary gear arrangement can be driven by the input member and a sun wheel of the planetary gear arrangement can also be driven by the input member, but through an infinitely variable change-speed mechanism which includes an adjustable pulley chain-drive mechanism using a chain. A preferred construction for the chain includes links pivoted to one another by members that bear on one another with convex surfaces. The end faces of the link members are enlarged and substantially flat to engage the flanges of the adjustable pulley.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor comprises lifting devices to which are hitched rotary supports in the form of rollers. The lifting devices push the rollers downwardly relatively to the rest of the tractor. This transfers some or all of the weight of the tractor to the rollers which reduces or eliminates pressure on the underlying surface, and consequent soil compaction, applied by wheels of the tractor. The rotary supports may be drivable and improve traction. If all of the weight of the tractor is placed on the rotary supports, the wheels are raised from the ground.A system is also described for automatically detecting and eliminating or correcting for skidding of the wheels of the tractor.

Abstract: A soil cultivating implement having an elongated frame portion which extends substantially horizontally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the implement mounts a side plate at each lateral end. The frame portion carries a row of rotary tined soil working members and the side plates can move upwardly and downwardly to cooperate with the adjacent soil working members and a rear supporting roller. In order to prevent the formation of the stream of soil produced by this cooperation into a ridge, the side plate comprises a rim having a lower substantially horizontal ground-engaging portion and also comprises a rear surface that is bent over inwardly towards the center of the implement to deflect the stream of soil towards the neighboring end of the following ground roller when the implement is in operation.

Abstract: A tractor has three pairs of ground wheels: front and rear steerable pairs which cooperate to steer the tractor, and a central pair. The central pair of wheels each are connected to the frame through a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly which can be controlled to raise those wheels above the ground or to lower the wheels to engage the ground. The central wheels can be the same as the other wheels or traction caged wheels of hollow beams wherein a hub is connected to outer fellies with spokes. Supports interconnect the fellies at the inner or outer sides. All of the wheels can be driven independently by an engine and the central wheels are each detachable from a driven axle. The hub of the central wheels includes an outer cylindrical sleeve to which and end plate and the spokes are affixed. Each wheel is mounted on a hydraulic motor which is mounted on the tractor's frame, the forward and rear motors being turnable with the wheels mounted thereon.

Abstract: A tractor with two engines arranged in tandem, each carried by a frame portion pivotable relative to the other about a vertical axis in a first pivot member under the rear engine and a horizontal axis from second pivot member located in part between two of the tractor's front wheels. The tractor's body is narrow forward and to the rear wherein axles for front and rear sets of ground engaging wheels extend laterally and mount six wheels each. The front engine and rear engines extend completely forward of the respective supporting front and rear sets of ground wheels. Steering is accomplished by the relative pivoting of the front and rear frame portions about the aforesaid vertical axis. A fuel tank extends over all six of the rear set of wheels and includes a depression for an operator's seat. It is optionally hinged at its outer portions so the tractor's width is reduced by removing the outer wheels and pivoting the fuel tank's outer portions to the rear.

Abstract: A subsoil cultivating tool is sickel-shaped and planar with front and rear edges configured the same to facilitate manufacture. A plurality of such tools can be stamped or punched from a single sheet or plate and waste is minimized. The tool has an upper fastening portion that is mounted on an implement frame via an inclined support connected to a frame beam. The support is channeled and the fastening portion held between the two limbs to rest on the web. At the front of the limbs, a pivot connects the front of the fastening portion and at the rear, a shear bolt on support tags bears on the upper edge of the tool. A row of tools with respective supports can be mounted on the frame with a spraying device, a roller and seed drills trailing in that order.

Abstract: A machine has two relatively movable portions and relative movement between the portions is sensed by means generating an electric current. In the preferred embodiment this means comprises a permanent magnet on one portion and an induction coil and a soft-iron core on the other portion. The two portions are parts of an overload coupling interconnected with a shear pin. When the coupling is overloaded, a shear pin fractures and the two portions rotate relative to one another. This causes a current to be generated in the coil which actuates a signal element. The device provides a visual indication of the operative condition of the two portions.