Abstract: A trailer has a frame having frame-members configured to support a container, at least a pair of traction devices rotatably mounted on the frame, and a tongue configured to be mounted on a transportation device or an implement being towed by a transportation device. The frame-members may have a three-point mount configured to support a container. The container may be configured to be interchangeable with another container. The container may be an element of a seeding apparatus, the seeding apparatus mountable on the frame-members of the frame. The trailer may have a steering mechanism for the traction devices, and may be convertible between steerable and non-steerable modes. The steering mechanism may be guidance controlled. A transverse distance between the traction devices may be adjustable and/or height of the frame in relation to the ground may be adjustable. The trailer provides greater flexibility of operation under a greater variety of conditions.

Abstract: A tillage apparatus for selective primary tillage and seed bed preparation makes use of a selectively moveable primary tillage shank to provide seasonal, in-field and/or on-the-fly flexibility of tillage operation. The tillage apparatus has a cultivator frame, at least one secondary tillage tool mounted on the frame and a primary tillage shank mounted on the frame, the primary tillage shank selectively moveable between a lowered soil engaging position and a raised disengaged position. In a method of tilling or preparing a seed bed, the tillage apparatus is dragged around a field with the at least one secondary tillage tool engaged with the field when secondary tillage of the field is desired, and the selectively moveable primary tillage shank lowered to be engaged with the field when the field is in need of primary tillage or raised to be disengaged from the field when primary tillage is not desired.

Abstract: A trailer has a frame having frame-members configured to support a container, at least a pair of traction devices rotatably mounted on the frame, and a tongue configured to be mounted on a transportation device or an implement being towed by a transportation device. The frame-members may have a three-point mount configured to support a container. The container may be configured to be interchangeable with another container. The container may be an element of a seeding apparatus, the seeding apparatus mountable on the frame-members of the frame. The trailer may have a steering mechanism for the traction devices, and may be convertible between steerable and non-steerable modes. The steering mechanism may be guidance controlled. A transverse distance between the traction devices may be adjustable and/or height of the frame in relation to the ground may be adjustable. The trailer provides greater flexibility of operation under a greater variety of conditions.

Abstract: A tillage apparatus for selective primary tillage and seed bed preparation makes use of a selectively moveable primary tillage shank to provide seasonal, in-field and/or on-the-fly flexibility of tillage operation. The tillage apparatus has a cultivator frame, at least one secondary tillage tool mounted on the frame and a primary tillage shank mounted on the frame, the primary tillage shank selectively moveable between a lowered soil engaging position and a raised disengaged position. In a method of tilling or preparing a seed bed, the tillage apparatus is dragged around a field with the at least one secondary tillage tool engaged with the field when secondary tillage of the field is desired, and the selectively moveable primary tillage shank lowered to be engaged with the field when the field is in need of primary tillage or raised to be disengaged from the field when primary tillage is not desired.

Abstract: A metering apparatus for distributing an agricultural product in a field has a meterbox configured for association with a hopper for receiving agricultural product from the hopper. A rotatable metering element is disposed within a chamber in the meterbox, and the rotating metering element is configured to deliver the agricultural product at a regulated rate from the hopper through the chamber to a product distribution line. Delivery of the agricultural product to the product distribution line may be selectively stopped by a disengagement structure for disengaging the agricultural product from the meter roller while the meter roller continues to rotate. The disengagement structure may comprise the meter roller moveable between a lowered product engaging position and a raised product disengaging position.

Abstract: A metering apparatus for distributing an agricultural product in a field has a meterbox configured for association with a hopper for receiving agricultural product from the hopper. A rotatable metering element is disposed within a chamber in the meterbox, and the rotating metering element is configured to deliver the agricultural product at a regulated rate from the hopper through the chamber to a product distribution line. Delivery of the agricultural product to the product distribution line may be selectively stopped by a reversibly inflatable seal between the metering element and an outlet to the distribution line, a reversible seal formed by contact between the metering element and an inlet from the hopper to the chamber, or a disengagement structure for disengaging the agricultural product from the metering element while the metering element continues to rotate.

Abstract: A trailer has a frame having frame-members configured to support a container, at least a pair of traction devices rotatably mounted on the frame, and a tongue configured to be mounted on a transportation device or an implement being towed by a transportation device. The frame-members may have a three-point mount configured to support a container. The container may be configured to be interchangeable with another container. The container may be an element of a seeding apparatus, the seeding apparatus mountable on the frame-members of the frame. The trailer may have a steering mechanism for the traction devices, and may be convertible between steerable and non-steerable modes. The steering mechanism may be guidance controlled. A transverse distance between the traction devices may be adjustable and/or height of the frame in relation to the ground may be adjustable. The trailer provides greater flexibility of operation under a greater variety of conditions.

Abstract: An angle adjustable coulter wheel assembly includes a rotatable shank having a longitudinal axis defined by an upper portion of the shank. The longitudinal axis is oriented neither vertically or horizontally with respect to the ground when the assembly is mounted on a tillage apparatus. A coulter wheel rotatably mounted on the shank proximate a lower portion of the shank. An actuator rotates the upper portion of the shank about the longitudinal axis to cause the face of the coulter wheel to rotate about three orthogonal axes thereby changing orientation of the face of the coulter wheel with respect to the ground when the assembly is on the tillage apparatus. The coulter wheel assembly permits adjusting the angle of the coulter wheel in at least two planes permitting greater control over how much soil the coulter wheel disturbs during tilling.

Abstract: A tine harrow has a plurality of harrow tines mounted on and downwardly depending from a harrow frame. The tines are configured to be moveable between a lowered position and a raised position, and at least one tine lowerable or raiseable to a different relative position in relation to a surface of a field than others of the tines. The ability to lower and raise individual tines or rows of tines to different positions in relation to a surface of a field provides more effective response of the tine harrow to changing land conditions. The positions to which individual tines or rows of tines are lowered or raised may be selectively set to further enhance effectiveness of the response of the tine harrow to changing land conditions.

Abstract: A tillage apparatus includes a wheeled frame configured with a plurality of concave blades arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending columns and transversely extending rows. The rows are longitudinally spaced apart by a progressively increasing distance. The blades of each column are transversely tilted alternately to the left and right. The blades of each column are transversely offset from one another to create a swath of tilled ground along the width of the column. In operation, soil is thrown left and right between successive blades of a column to till the soil across the width of the column and leave a substantially level soil surface.

Abstract: A tillage apparatus includes a wheeled frame configured with a plurality of concave blades arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending columns and transversely extending rows. The rows are longitudinally spaced apart by a progressively increasing distance. The blades of each column are transversely tilted alternately to the left and right. The blades of each column are transversely offset from one another to create a swath of tilled ground along the width of the column. In operation, soil is thrown left and right between successive blades of a column to till the soil across the width of the column and leave a substantially level soil surface.

Abstract: A tillage apparatus includes a wheeled frame configured with a plurality of concave blades arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending columns and transversely extending rows. The rows are longitudinally spaced apart by a progressively increasing distance. The blades of each column are transversely tilted alternately to the left and right. The blades of each column are transversely offset from one another to create a swath of tilled ground along the width of the column. In operation, soil is thrown left and right between successive blades of a column to till the soil across the width of the column and leave a substantially level soil surface.

Abstract: A metering apparatus for distributing an agricultural product in a field has a meterbox configured for association with a hopper for receiving agricultural product from the hopper. A rotatable metering element is disposed within a chamber in the meterbox, and the rotating metering element is configured to deliver the agricultural product at a regulated rate from the hopper through the chamber to a product distribution line. Delivery of the agricultural product to the product distribution line may be selectively stopped by a reversibly inflatable seal between the metering element and an outlet to the distribution line, a reversible seal formed by contact between the metering element and an inlet from the hopper to the chamber, or a disengagement structure for disengaging the agricultural product from the metering element while the metering element continues to rotate.

Abstract: A tillage apparatus for selective primary tillage and seed bed preparation makes use of a selectively moveable primary tillage shank to provide seasonal, in-field and/or on-the-fly flexibility of tillage operation. The tillage apparatus has a cultivator frame, at least one secondary tillage tool mounted on the frame and a primary tillage shank mounted on the frame, the primary tillage shank selectively moveable between a lowered soil engaging position and a raised disengaged position. In a method of tilling or preparing a seed bed, the tillage apparatus is dragged around a field with the at least one secondary tillage tool engaged with the field when secondary tillage of the field is desired, and the selectively moveable primary tillage shank lowered to be engaged with the field when the field is in need of primary tillage or raised to be disengaged from the field when primary tillage is not desired.

Abstract: A tillage apparatus includes a wheeled frame configured with a plurality of concave blades arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending columns and transversely extending rows. The rows are longitudinally spaced apart by a progressively increasing distance. The blades of each column are transversely tilted alternately to the left and right. The blades of each column are transversely offset from one another to create a swath of tilled ground along the width of the column. In operation, soil is thrown left and right between successive blades of a column to till the soil across the width of the column and leave a substantially level soil surface.

Abstract: A metering apparatus for distributing an agricultural product in a field has a drive input and a plurality of rotating metering elements coupled to the drive input. Each of the metering elements rotates around an axis of rotation and at least two of the metering elements rotate around different axes of rotation, preferably on different shafts. Agricultural product is provided to the rotating metering elements, which meter the agricultural product to an agricultural product distribution system on a distribution implement. The axes of rotation of the metering elements are preferably oriented non-transversely, preferably longitudinally, on the metering apparatus in relation to the direction of forward motion of the implement. When the metering apparatus is used on an air cart, the axes of rotation of the metering elements are preferably oriented parallel to the air flow into which the product is being metered.

Abstract: Tillage blade assemblies comprising a coil spring with a horizontal spring axis to permit upward deflection of a concave tillage blade in response to impact with obstacles with a mounting assembly that provides for mounting the tillage blades in a particular orientation relative to the ground and the direction of travel of the implement. Forces acting on the tillage assembly due to movement of the blade through the soil are balanced such that there is little or no distortion of the coil spring relative to its spring axis. This prevents an off-axis load from acting on the spring when the assembly is in use and allows the blade to track through the soil at a desired angle. Impact with obstacles, such as rocks, is absorbed by deflection of the coil spring, thereby mitigating damage to the assembly. Tillage implements comprising the blade assemblies are able to operate at higher speeds than can usually be obtained for tillage implements, due to the absorption of impact energy by the spring.

Abstract: A mounting device for a tillage assembly that comprises a resilient element and a horizontal pivot axis, which allows upward and rearward deflection of a tillage blade in response to impact with obstacles. the assembly advantageously allows lateral deflection of at least a support arm of the assembly in response to impact with obstacles, which may be enhanced by providing the assembly with a pivot means having a resilient bushing. The resilient element and/or the resilient bushing may comprise elastomeric materials.

Abstract: A conservation tillage implement having three or more rows of individual coulter wheel assemblies laterally spaced apart and removably mounted on a cultivator frame, a coulter wheel assembly in a given row being staggered with respect to the coulter wheel assemblies in a longitudinally adjacent row. The coulter wheel assemblies may be laterally adjustable and may be mounted to the cultivator frame using a mounting means that permits rotation about a vertical axis. The coulter wheel assemblies may have a coil spring with a horizontal spring axis to permit upward deflection in response to impact with an obstacle. Leveling attachments may optionally be mounted to the cultivator frame, along with additional field working tools. The implement is used in the management of crop residue as part of a minimum tillage strategy, is particularly resistant to plugging, and can be operated at high speeds and/or in standing water.