Abstract: A tillage implement has a frame connectable to a towing vehicle and at least two transverse rows of secondary tillage tools mounted on the frame, the at least two transverse rows comprising a row of main rollers mounted on the frame rearward of all other rows of the at least two transverse rows. The implement also has a transverse row of auxiliary rollers mounted rearward of the row of main rollers, the transverse row of auxiliary rollers independently pivotable vertically about a transverse pivot axis. The implement has at least one ground-engaging wheel. Independent pivoting of the row of auxiliary rollers allows an operator to increase tillage/field finish on the go or as needed.

Abstract: A method of controlling spread pattern of a particulate material broadcasted by a spinner spreader involves permitting particulate material to flow through a plurality of sluices situated in a particulate material path between a bin and a rotatable disc of a spinner spreader. Each sluice receives a portion of the particulate material and delivers the portion of particulate material to a radial and/or angular position on the rotatable disc. The radial and/or angular position on the rotatable disc to which the portion of particulate material from at least one of sluices is delivered is adjusted by longitudinally translating the at least one independently moveable sluice independent of all other sluices of the plurality of sluices to change position of the at least one independently moveable sluice relative to the rotating disc thereby changing the spread pattern of the particulate material broadcasted by the rotatable disc.

Abstract: An air-boom spreader has a hopper for containing particulate material, a metering device having a plurality of sluices, a plurality of outlets transversely spaced-apart on a boom in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the spreader, and a plurality of air lines connecting the plurality of sluices to the plurality of outlets for conveying the particulate material in an air stream from the plurality of sluices to the plurality of outlets. The spreader has more than twice as many outlets as sluices, and the plurality of outlets has an innermost outlet, an outermost outlet and at least three other outlets between the innermost outlet and the outermost outlet whereby each of the innermost outlet and the outermost outlet are supplied with half as much of the particulate material as each of the at least three other outlets.

Abstract: A tillage implement for variable tillage has a linkage mechanism disposed longitudinally between two gangs of annular harrow tools, the gangs each having a toolbar that is rotationally mounted on a frame of the implement. The linkage mechanism has a plurality of pivotally connected linkage arms, the toolbars each pivotally connected to at least one of the linkage arms. Operation of the linkage mechanism simultaneously rotates one toolbar about a first vertical rotation axis and the other toolbar about a second vertical rotation axis in an opposite rotational direction as the first toolbar. The implement has at least one wheel mounted on the frame longitudinally forward of both of the gangs or longitudinally rearward of both of the gangs. The tillage implement provides variable tillage while having a shorter frame to facilitate folding wing sections of the frame in a more compact manner for transportation while remaining assembled.

Abstract: An air-boom spreader has a hopper for containing particulate material, a metering device having a plurality of sluices, a plurality of outlets transversely spaced-apart on a boom in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the spreader, and a plurality of air lines connecting the plurality of sluices to the plurality of outlets for conveying the particulate material in an air stream from the plurality of sluices to the plurality of outlets. The spreader has more than twice as many outlets as sluices, and the plurality of outlets has an innermost outlet, an outermost outlet and at least three other outlets between the innermost outlet and the outermost outlet whereby each of the innermost outlet and the outermost outlet are supplied with half as much of the particulate material as each of the at least three other outlets.

Abstract: An air-boom spreader has a hopper for containing particulate material, a metering device having a plurality of sluices, a plurality of outlets transversely spaced-apart on a boom in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the spreader, and a plurality of air lines connecting the plurality of sluices to the plurality of outlets for conveying the particulate material in an air stream from the plurality of sluices to the plurality of outlets. The spreader has more than twice as many outlets as sluices, and the plurality of outlets has an innermost outlet, an outermost outlet and at least three other outlets between the innermost outlet and the outermost outlet whereby each of the innermost outlet and the outermost outlet are supplied with half as much of the particulate material as each of the at least three other outlets.

Abstract: A tillage implement has a frame connectable to a towing vehicle and at least two transverse rows of secondary tillage tools mounted on the frame, the at least two transverse rows comprising a row of main rollers mounted on the frame rearward of all other rows of the at least two transverse rows. The implement also has a transverse row of auxiliary rollers mounted rearward of the row of main rollers, the transverse row of auxiliary rollers independently pivotable vertically about a transverse pivot axis. The implement has at least one ground-engaging wheel. Independent pivoting of the row of auxiliary rollers allows an operator to increase tillage/field finish on the go or as needed.

Abstract: A method of controlling spread pattern of a particulate material broadcasted by a spinner spreader involves permitting particulate material to flow through a plurality of sluices situated in a particulate material path between a bin and a rotatable disc of a spinner spreader. Each sluice receives a portion of the particulate material and delivers the portion of particulate material to a radial and/or angular position on the rotatable disc. The radial and/or angular position on the rotatable disc to which the portion of particulate material from at least one of sluices is delivered is adjusted by longitudinally translating the at least one independently moveable sluice independent of all other sluices of the plurality of sluices to change position of the at least one independently moveable sluice relative to the rotating disc thereby changing the spread pattern of the particulate material broadcasted by the rotatable disc.

Abstract: A product distribution system for sectional control in an air boom spreader has a solid product metering assembly having: a first endless conveyor and a second endless conveyor for conveying the product from the container to the air system, the first and second endless conveyors substantially parallel to each other, the first conveyor driven independently of the second conveyor; and, a first shaft, a second shaft and a third shaft, the first shaft parallel to, separated from and driven independently of the second shaft, the second shaft parallel to and separated from the third shaft, the first shaft driving the first conveyor, the second shaft driving the third shaft to drive the second conveyor.

Abstract: A product distribution system for sectional control in an air boom spreader has a solid product metering assembly having: a first endless conveyor and a second endless conveyor for conveying the product from the container to the air system, the first and second endless conveyors substantially parallel to each other, the first conveyor driven independently of the second conveyor; and, a first shaft, a second shaft and a third shaft, the first shaft parallel to, separated from and driven independently of the second shaft, the second shaft parallel to and separated from the third shaft, the first shaft driving the first conveyor, the second shaft driving the third shaft to drive the second conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for spreading particulate material has a bin for holding particulate material, a rotatable disc for broadcasting the particulate material to a ground surface, a conveyor for conveying the particulate material in a particulate material path from the hopper to the rotatable disc, and a plurality of sluices situated in the particulate material path between the bin and the rotatable disc. Each sluice receives a portion of the particulate material and delivers the portion of particulate material to a radial and/or angular position on the rotatable disc. At least one of the sluices is independently moveable to adjust the radial and/or angular position on the rotatable disc to which the portion of particulate material from the at least one independently moveable sluice is delivered.

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 self-propelled air boom spreader has a container mounted on a frame, the container having a product hopper and a noise-reducing fan assembly compartment therein with a fan assembly including at least a fan and a motor for operating the fan mounted in the noise-reducing fan assembly compartment within the container. The spreader has a product distribution system for receiving product from the hopper and an air system, including the fan assembly, for receiving product from the distribution system and distributing the product to the environment. Situating the fan assembly in the container provides a quieter operating spreader and distributes the center of gravity of the spreader forward to reduce overloading of the rear axle, to avoid overbalancing the spreader at the rear axle and to reduce undesirable torque of the frame at the rear.

Abstract: A self-propelled air boom spreader has a container mounted on a frame, the container having a product hopper and a noise-reducing fan assembly compartment therein with a fan assembly including at least a fan and a motor for operating the fan mounted in the noise-reducing fan assembly compartment within the container. The spreader has a product distribution system for receiving product from the hopper and an air system, including the fan assembly, for receiving product from the distribution system and distributing the product to the environment. Situating the fan assembly in the container provides a quieter operating spreader and distributes the center of gravity of the spreader forward to reduce overloading of the rear axle, to avoid overbalancing the spreader at the rear axle and to reduce undesirable torque of the frame at the rear.

Abstract: An apparatus for spreading particulate material has a bin for holding particulate material, a rotatable disc for broadcasting the particulate material to a ground surface, a conveyor for conveying the particulate material in a particulate material path from the hopper to the rotatable disc, and a plurality of sluices situated in the particulate material path between the bin and the rotatable disc. Each sluice receives a portion of the particulate material and delivers the portion of particulate material to a radial and/or angular position on the rotatable disc. At least one of the sluices is independently moveable to adjust the radial and/or angular position on the rotatable disc to which the portion of particulate material from the at least one independently moveable sluice is delivered.

Abstract: A spreader for spreading particulate material has a plurality of outlets transversely spaced-apart in a direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of the spreader. The outlets are configured to receive the material from a metering device and to dispense an amount of the material to mid-rows between crop rows on a field such that the plurality of outlets dispenses half the amount of material to an outermost mid-row compared to the amount of material dispensed to the other mid-rows. Also, the metering device may have two metering elements, which may be controlled to meter the material to only one side of the spreader. A centrally located outlet situated on a driving line of the spreader may receive material from both metering elements so that the centrally located nozzle can dispense the material whenever one or the other side of the spreader is not dispensing material.

Abstract: A spreader for spreading particulate material has a plurality of outlets transversely spaced-apart in a direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of the spreader. The outlets are configured to receive the material from a metering device and to dispense an amount of the material to mid-rows between crop rows on a field such that the plurality of outlets dispenses half the amount of material to an outermost mid-row compared to the amount of material dispensed to the other mid-rows. Also, the metering device may have two metering elements, which may be controlled to meter the material to only one side of the spreader. A centrally located outlet situated on a driving line of the spreader may receive material from both metering elements so that the centrally located nozzle can dispense the material whenever one or the other side of the spreader is not dispensing material.

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: 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: An apparatus for distributing particulate material has a plurality of independently weighed hoppers from which particulate materials are metered into a common collector and distributed to the environment with a common venture air system. Metering devices associated with at least two of the hoppers may be oriented in a face-to-face configuration.