Abstract: Disclosed is a process employed for loosening agriculturally used soil, particularly for the in-depth loosening of compacted soil by injecting air into the soil. To do so, a probe is pulled through the soil continuously in direction substantially parallel to its surface. While the probe is being conveyed through the soil by way of a tractor, for example, compressed air is abruptly released at intervals in eruptive bursts so that soil loosening is achieved in a continuous operational flow.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for breaking up soil and introducing a substrate into the broken up soil. The substrate is contained in a reservoir. A series of pneumatic cylinders acting in timed sequence function to first open a rapid-closing valve for introducing a blast of compressed air for forcing a probe into the ground for breaking up the soil. The rapid-closing valve is then closed, a pressure drop sensed, and an injection valve opened to pressurize the reservoir to inject substrate into the fissures formed during the break up of the soil. The substrate may comprise fertilizers, curing substances or filling materials which, together with the compressed air with which they are injected, serve to better condition the soil for cultivation. If desired, additional compressed air lines may communicate with the interior of the reservoir for ensuring a positive pressure in the reservoir to carry out substrate injection.

Abstract: The apparatus is intended for the breaking of ground used for the cultivation of plants with a probe, whereby by means of a rapid closing valve compressed air and by means of an injector valve a substance may be introduced into the soil in an impact like manner. The rapid closing valve is arranged in the upper area and the injector valve in the lower area of an intermediate reservoir for the substance. The rapid closing valve is followed by an injector tube with a compressed air outlet. The injector tube may be raised in case of an open rapid closing valve with a delay in time from an injector valve seat of the intermediate reservoir to release the injector valve.

Abstract: A compressed-air pile-driver, especially for axially insertable tools, including a ram arranged in a housing. The interior of the housing is divided by the ram respectively into an upper compression or expansion chamber and a lower compression or expansion chamber, which can each be alternately connected to a compressed-air source via air connection pipes and a control valve, with each having an air-outlet orifice opened alternately by the ram. In the upper expansion chamber, a pressure chamber, into which the upper air connection pipe of the upper expansion chamber opens, is divided off by an intermediate plate which is approximately parallel to the end face of the ram. Located in the intermediate plate is at least one orifice which connects the pressure chamber to the upper expansion chamber, and which is closed in a leak-proof manner by the ram in its upper dead-center position, the ram additionally being retained firmly in its upper dead-center position by a retaining device.

Abstract: A method of and device for loosening agriculturally used soil, especially for loosening in depth compacted agriculturally used soil, according to which a current of compressed air is introduced into the soil to be loosened and is released in or below a minimum depth of loosening thereby breaking-up the soil by the freed and following compressed air. The device for practicing the above outlined method includes primarily a probe adapted into the soil to be loosened. This probe has associated therewith a compressed air conveying conduit. The probe is within the region of its end provided with at least one air outlet.