Abstract: An agricultural plow implement includes a number of upright supports, with each support supporting a shallow tillage V-shaped sweep blade. A mounting plate is attached to the rear of each upright support and a specially adapted ripper shank, with an attached deep penetrating ripper blade, is attachable to each plate via a pair of bolts which extend through respective mounting bores in the plate. One of the bolts in each pair is a pivot bolt which provides a pivot point about which the ripper shank can swing. The other bolt is a shear pin which is designed to shear off should the ripper blade encounter an obstruction which might otherwise bend or break the ripper blade and/or the ripper shank. The ripper shank is adjustable vertically relative to the sweep blade and the ripper shank can also be pivoted 180 degrees between operative and non-operative positions when it is desired to do a sweep operation without soil ripping.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a center frame portion connected to one or more hinged wing frame portions. Both the center portion and the wing portions include separate hydraulically actuated lifting and self-leveling mechanisms. In each wing portion, one or more rear support wheels are pivotally connected to the implement frame via a rear torque tube which is also connected to the hydraulic lift such that the rear wheel is selectively pivotable relative to the frame to thereby raise and lower the frame with respect to ground level. A front gauge wheel is also pivotally connected to the frame via a front torque tube which is connected to the rear torque tube via a linkage arm and a pair of rocker arms such that the gauge wheel is pivoted in synchronism with the rear wheel to level the wing portion as it is raised and lowered.

Abstract: A shank assembly for mounting on a tool bar of a farm implement includes an upper shank section having a lower portion with a generally transverse slot near a distal end thereof and a lower section having an upper portion. The lower portion of the upper section includes a slot adapted to receive the upper portion of the lower section. A ground working tool is fixedly attached to a lower extremity of the lower section. The slot has end walls formed into at least one cam surface which urges the ground working tool into simultaneous contact with both endwalls of the slot thereby locking the lower portion and the upper portion together against lateral motion in the slot.

Abstract: A mower apparatus includes multiple mowing sections each having a separate mower and each being interconnected with adjacent sections by hinge mechanisms. The mower sections are driven by a motor through a single endless belt reeved to be driven by the motor and to drive each of the mowers of the sections. The belt is configured in a unique manner such that as the belt crosses between adjacent hinged sections, the belt is run substantially parallel and in close proximity to the pivot axes of the hinge such that when the sections are pivoted relative to one another the belt does not substantially slacken or tighten.

Abstract: A shank assembly for mounting on a tool bar of a farm implement includes a first upper mount section firmly clamped to a tool bar at one end thereof and fixedly attached to a second lower section at the other end thereof. A ground working tool is fixedly attached to the lower section. The first section is wider than the second section providing strength to the assembly and lessening the likelihood of damage to the first section. The first section includes a generally transverse slot through which the second section extends. A nut and bolt arrangement fixedly attaches the first and second sections at a location near and generally above the slot.

Abstract: A shank attachment device for holding either a deep-tilling ripper shank or a leveling finishing tool includes two vertical plates fixedly attached to a tool bar and adapted to sandwich a ground-working tool therebetween. A ripper shank holding assembly includes a first transverse bar fixedly attached to each of the plates, a detachable taper pin and detachable shear bolt.A ripper shank has a notch adapted to receive the transverse bar and the taper pin and shear bolt abut a rear surface of the ripper shank when the ripper shank is mounted between the two vertical plates. A finishing tool holding assembly includes a second transverse bar fixedly attached to each of the plates and a second detachable shear bolt. A finishing tool has a notch adapted to receive the second transverse bar with the second shear bolt extending through an aperture in the finishing tool when the finishing tool is mounted between the two vertical plates.

Abstract: An agricultural implement frame supported on rockshaft mounted tires and having a rigidly mounted tongue employs a hydraulic leveler arrangement to maintain the level or pitch of the frame in the raised transport position and the lowered ground working position of the frame. The leveler arrangement includes a hitch bell crank pivotally connected to the frame lift mechanism. A hitch member is pivotally connected to the hitch bell crank. The bell crank is in the form of an adjustable truss and includes a pair of lift arms and a pair of triangular hitch arms the ends of which are connected by a turnbuckle. By adjusting the length of the turnbuckle, the pitch of the frame is made adjustable. The force of the lift cylinder to lift the frame is transferred about the hitch member to the front end of the frame to lift same as the rest of the frame is lifted. The arrangement operates in the reverse direction as the frame is lowered.

Abstract: A cultivating tool assembly for attachment to the tool bar of a cultivator frame utilizes an upright bracket for connection to the tool bar and an arm member pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and extending substantially horizontally therebehind. A coil spring biasing arrangement is also pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and extends in parallel relation to the arm member, connecting to a cradle forming a leverage arm extending upwardly from an outer end of the arm member. A tool shank having an elongate, generally horizontally extending upper end is affixed to the arm member and curves outwardly and downwardly in a semi-circular arrangement, culminating at a tool tip. The biasing arrangement is adjustable to vary the amount of force applied by the coil spring between the mounting bracket and cradle to control the running depth of the tool and to set the trip pressure.

Abstract: A leveling arrangement for an agricultural implement frame having a draft tongue which is pivotally attached to a front end of the frame includes a rocker arm attached to the frame front end for pivoting about a transverse axis, a transfer link pivotally connected between a lower end of the rocker arm and a frame lift lever extending from the frame lifting rockshaft, and a leveling link pivotally connected between an upper end of the rocker arm and a front end of the tongue. Rotation of the rockshaft by the action of a hydraulic cylinder to lift or lower the frame is transferred through the leveling arrangement, by reaction against the pivoted hitch member, to the front end of the frame to respectively lift or lower the frame front end to thereby maintain a substantially constant pitch of the implement frame.

Abstract: A universal auxiliary implement mount for agricultural implements utilizes spaced, parallel, triangular plate members for attachment and selective positioning on respective tool bars of different main implements. A draw tongue is pivotally attached to one pair of a pair of mounting apertures extending through central portions of the triangular plate members. A biasing rod has one end which is pivotally attached to the draw tongue and extends in an upward angle with the other end thereof received in an apex portion of the triangular plate members. The biasing rod has a spring therewith which selectively exerts downward pressure on the draw tongue while allowing vertical movement over rough ground surfaces.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for pivotally connecting a soil working tool to an agricultural tool bar. The mounting apparatus comprises a support bracket fastened to the tool bar by a U-bolt, a tool holding member which wraps around the tool and is pivotally connected at a medial point therealong to a lower end of the support bracket, and a biasing means connected to an upper end of the support bracket and pivotally attached by a connector member to the tool holder member at a position spaced from the connection of the support bracket and tool holder member. The support bracket is a one-piece channel shaped structure and comprises a web, side flanges, an upper connector lug for fastening same to the biasing means, pivotal means for allowing the tool holder member to rotate relative thereto, and stop means for limiting maximum rotation of the tool holder member.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for pivotally attaching a cultivator tool to a frame member of mobile farm equipment comprising an upright support bracket, an extension spring, and a tool holder member which is pivoted with respect to the bracket. The tool holder member has a web portion and side flange portions. Near the shank receiving end of the tool holder member the flange portions are folded under the shank to form a shank receiving socket which snugly holds the shank and prevents transverse movement thereof relative to the holder member. The spring is also pivotally attached by a connector member to the holder member. The tool holder member includes a cutout portion in the web thereof such that a pair of rims are formed which extend inwardly from the flanges. The connector member includes a sleeve extending between the flanges and having a pair of external cylindrical surfaces near each end thereof which engage the rims of the tool holder member.

Abstract: In a farm harrow, a U-shaped clamp mounts channel-shaped bars to harrow tine supporting shafts. The shafts transversely extend through longitudinal channel-shaped carrier arms and are rotatably mounted therethrough. The bars are mounted within each respective carrier arm channel and introduce, in cooperation with the carrier arm, rotative limits to the respective shafts. The bars allow the rotative limits of the respective shafts to be adjusted accordingly so as to maintain a desired drag angle for the attached harrow teeth during forward harrow movement as well as allowing the harrow to back up without the attached harrow teeth digging in.

Abstract: For use with a farm implement frame, a drag harrow pressure adjustment device which includes bracket members designed to pivotally mount implement frame arms to an implement frame beam. The frame arms have mounted thereto harrow sections containing harrow teeth for ground working. A spring member, in cooperation with bracket members, introduces variable degrees of pressure to the frame arms resulting in the capability to regulate the ultimate downward pressure exerted by the harrow teeth on the underlying terrain. When desired, the frame arms are raised and maintained, through an over-center arrangement, at elevations disengaging the harrow teeth from terrain contact.

Abstract: A folding cultivator is disclosed wherein first and second sets of downwardly extending teeth are attached to the rearwardly folding wing of the cultivator at spaced intervals along its length. The teeth are arranged so that teeth of one set are located on each side of a tooth of the other set. In addition, the distal ends of the teeth of one set are located forwardly with respect to distal ends of the teeth of the other set. When the wing frame of the cultivator is folded and unfolded to achieve transporting and operating configurations, respectively, the teeth of a central wing section and those of outer wing sections intermesh without entangling and damaging each other.

Abstract: A clamp for mounting an agricultural spring tooth to a square cross section tool bar includes an L-shaped angle bracket, one leg having a transverse slot near a free end thereof, the other leg having a bolt receiving aperture near its end, and a partially channel shaped retaining clip having a transverse slot near one end and a bolt receiving aperture near the other end. The bracket is mounted on the tool bar in contact with two adjacent sides of the square bar, the mounting of the spring tooth shank being received in the bracket slot and contacting another side of the bar, and the clip being overlayed on the mounting shank with the end of the one leg received in the clip slot. A bolt is passed through the other leg, the clip, and the shank, clamping same together on the tool bar. Side flanges on the retaining clip rest adjacent side edges of the mounting shank whereby, in cooperation with the clip slot, lateral pivoting of the tooth is resisted.

Abstract: In an earth working implement having a wing frame which is rearwardly foldable, and with elongated, flexible cables which extend rearwardly and outwardly from a main frame of the implement to the outer ends of the wing frame, apparatus is provided for preventing slackening of the flexible cables when the wing frame is folded from an operating configuration to a transporting configuration, or vice versa. The flexible cables are thus kept from sagging to the ground and tangling during folding and unfolding of the implement. One end of each of the cables is attached to the outer end of an arm member, with the inner end of the arm members being pivotally attached to the main frame for back and forth pivoting of the arms. When the wing frame is in the operating configuration, the arm members are folded forwardly and inwardly and the outer ends thereof are latched by a yoke pivotally attached to the main frame.