Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for independent adjustment of the gauge wheel, disc hillers, stabilizer disc and, if desired, the rear, central sweep for an agricultural cultivator unit. The adjusting mechanism includes a screw jack which is easily accessible from the top of the cultivator for setting the adjustment of vertically telescoping inner and outer tubular sections, and a clamp for maintaining the setting once the adjustment is made. Improvements in the disc hiller structure itself include an indicator plate located at the top of the shank on which the disc is mounted for indicating the angular adjustment of the working angle of the disc, and a forged shank having a circular cross-section at the top, and a flattened portion at the bottom to provide strength but flexibility.

Abstract: A guidance system for an agricultural implement pulled by a tractor is disclosed. The implement, such as a cultivator or planter, has ground-engaging discs mounted to a frame or toolbar and includes a control hitch mounted to the conventional three-point tractor hitch. The toolbar of the implement is mounted to the control hitch for rotation about a vertical axis. A first sensing device senses the position of the implement relative to a desired lateral position, such as the distance from a crop row, and generates a signal representative of the displacement of the implement from that desired lateral position. The sensing device actuates a hydraulic circuit to turn the implement toolbar toward the desired position; and the discs steer the implement toward the desired lateral position. A second sensing device senses the angular position of the implement relative to the control hitch.

Abstract: A guidance system for an agricultural implement pulled by a tractor is disclosed. The implement, such as a cultivator or planter, has ground-engaging discs mounted to a frame or toolbar and includes a control hitch mounted to the conventional three-point tractor hitch. The toolbar of the implement is mounted to the control hitch for rotation about a vertical axis. A first sensing device senses the position of the implement relative to a desired lateral position, such as the distance from a crop row, and generates a signal representative of the displacement of the implement from that desired lateral position. The sensing device actuates a hydraulic circuit to turn the implement toolbar toward the desired position; and the discs steer the implement toward the desired lateral position. A second sensing device senses the angular position of the implement relative to the control hitch.

Abstract: A ridge forming attachment for cultivators of a type having a plurality of earth working blades thereon for eliminating weeds between rows of crops growing in the field. The ridge forming attachment includes a bracket adapted to be attached to such cultivator rearwardly of one of the earth working blades thereon. A ridge forming wing structure is provided for moving the soil loosened by the earth working blades which it follows between the rows of crops and pushing such loose dirt to each side to form ridges along the rows of growing crops. The ridge forming structure is narrower at the front thereof and progressively tapers outwardly towards the rear of the space between rows for pushing the soil from such space between the rows outwardly towards the rows of growing crops.

Abstract: A fertilizer knife adapted to be attached to a planter. A housing is adjustably attached to the fertilizer knife and an adjustable mechanism is provided for permitting the knife to be adjusted vertically with respect to the housing, thereby adjusting the effective depth that the fertilizer, in a liquid form, will be released. The fertilizer knife is attached to the housing whereby the fertilizer knife will accurately track in front of the line into which the seeds are being planted, and this pivoting feature will also permit fertilizer knife to be deflected to one side or the other temporarily when rocks or other potentially damaging obstructions are encountered. The fertilizer knife has a leading edge extending from a point in close proximity to a vertical pivotal axis, and tapers downwardly and rearwardly therefrom.

Abstract: An attachment for a minimum tillage planter which is mounted forwardly of the planting shoe for removing residue from in front of such planting apparatus for the purpose of allowing consistency in the making of a trench and for the depositing of seeds therein in a consistent manner. The attachment generally includes a first center flat disc having a circular structure attached thereto for controlling the depth at which the planter rides above the ground. A pair of additional discs are mounted on each side of the depth control structure and on each side of the center flat disc. These additional discs are convex on the side adjacent to the first disc and concave on the other side thereof. The position of the additional discs are such that they do not extend into the ground as far as the first disc whereby the first disc will hold residue, such as a corn stalk, while the other discs which are higher will cut the residue off and then throw it to one side or the other.