Abstract: An agricultural implement frame having at least one beam welded to additional components is formed by cutting the beam into a first tube member and a second tube member having an overlaying portion formed by overlaying ends of the first and second tube members. Each overlaying end has an overlaying wall and a base wall connected by opposing interface side walls. The laser cut forms interface surfaces in the interface side walls. The cut forms a plurality of interlocking load transfer teeth in the interface surfaces. Micro tabs are left uncut in the interface side walls to keep the first and second tube members aligned. The beam is then welded to other components of the implement frame. The micro tabs are broken to separate the first and second tube members so the frame may be folded. When joined, the interface surfaces contact and the interlocking load transfer teeth mesh.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tilling a field that includes a frame, a ground engaging tool attached to the frame wherein the ground engaging tool creates an initial residue flow pattern and a spike tooth linked to the fame and positioned approximately inline with the initial residue flow pattern, wherein the tooth alters the flow pattern of the residue.

Abstract: A folding agricultural implement is disclosed having a frame including an inner section, a pair of intermediate sections, and a pair of end sections. The inner section and the end sections of the frame are equipped with lift wheel assemblies including a ground engaging wheel and a wheel cylinder connected to the ground engaging wheel for selectively raising and lowering the frame relative to the ground. The intermediate sections have no lift wheel assemblies. The joints between the end sections and the intermediate sections are held rigid when the implement is in the working position, but can be folded to move the implement into the transport position. When the implement is folded, the intermediate sections and end sections are first raised together relative to the inner section. After the intermediate sections and end sections reach a generally vertical position, the end sections are then folded downwardly over the inner section.

Abstract: Improved bearing assemblies for agricultural implements and in particular flexible frame towed agricultural implements such as plows and the like are disclosed. The bearing assemblies preferably include a bearing formed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. The improved bearing assembly includes a flanged cylindrical bearing sleeve adapted for use with a hinge connecting adjacent frame sections of a flexible frame towed agricultural implement. The flanged cylindrical bearing sleeve is positioned within an outer cylindrical metal bearing sleeve which is mounted in the end of a male hinge member in alignment with a pivot pin receiving bore extending therethrough. A pivot pin extending through the flanged cylindrical bearing sleeve connects a hinge clevis on a female hinge member to the male hinge member. A flange on the flanged cylindrical bearing sleeve extends between thrust bearing surfaces on the male hinge member and the female hinge member.

Abstract: A field cultivator frame has a number of generally horizontal implement frame sections, each frame section having ground engaging wheels for movable support over the ground. First and second center frame sections are pivotally connected to a prime mover by a hinged draw bar assembly. Front ends of the center frame sections are pivotally connected by a flex link assembly including a connecting bar with ball joint connections at either end. The flex link assembly allows vertical movement of the center frame sections relative to one another, which movement is limited by a plate assembly attached to one of the center frame sections. A swivel joint assembly connects rear parts of the first and second center frame sections for allowing hinged movement of the frame sections relative to one another. A spring-loaded limit assembly connects the first and second center frame sections and includes compression springs for resilient limiting of relative movement of the center frame sections.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved scraper assembly for the discs of ground tillage implements which is characterized by a mounting bracket fastenable onto the implement frame, an inverted generally L-shaped hanger subassembly carried by the mounting bracket for pendulous pivotal movement about an axis defined by the horizontally-disposed leg of said subassembly, a blade-carrying shaft mounted for rotational movement in the downwardly-opening vertically-disposed leg of the L-shaped subassembly, the latter element defining a self-cleaning housing therefor, biasing means connected between the bracket and hanger subassembly normally biasing the scraper blade housed therein against the concave face of the adjacent disc, an oversize annular groove in the shaft to which the blade is attached located inside the housing defined by the downwardly-opening tubular element of the hanger subassembly, a pin carried by said tubular element in tangential relation to the bottom of the annular groove within the shaft, and a