Abstract: An agricultural implement trailer for supporting one of a plurality of implements for field usage and transport. The trailer includes a trailer frame supported by transport wheels, and a turntable supporting a hitch member for attachment to a conventional three-point hitch connection on an implement. The hitch member is connected to a horizontally extending arm of the turntable through a linkage assembly including upper and lower link structures defining a parallelogram structure for moving the hitch member from a lowered field-use position to a raised transport position. In the raised transport position, the arm of the turntable supports an implement in cantilever relationship to a pivot member supporting the arm for pivotal movement.

Abstract: A planting implement is disclosed which is operable for performing both row crop and drill planting operations. The implement includes a front planting structure which is detachably coupled to a rear planting structure. The front planting structure includes a front gang of planter units and the rear planting structure includes first and second gangs of planting units wherein the planting units of each gang include a furrow opener and a seed metering unit. The planter units provide accurate seed depth control as well as singulation and precise positioning of seeds along each row. In addition, the planting implement is formed as a compact structure in a longitudinal direction to ensure that a consistent spacing between planted rows of seeds is provided during use of the implement.

Abstract: A multi-row seed planter has a seed hopper for each row and may also have a herbicide and/or insecticide hopper for each row. The hoppers have generally rectangular top openings the rims of which are tubular in cross-section and referred to as "perimeter tubes". The closure lids for the hoppers slide on and off from the hopper openings. When each lid reaches its fully closed position it snaps into place and cooperating formations on the lid and perimeter tube retain it in its fully closed position against agitation and vibration during planter travel.

Abstract: A rotary mowing device is provided, such being of the type including a plurality of rotary cutter units mounted in substantial in-line relationship with each other and in association with a frame assembly in order that the cutter bar assembly is disposed in a folage-cutting relationship with respect to the ground. Included is a cutter bar assembly having a plurality of rotary cutter units mounted in generally alternating manner with a plurality of spacer units. These alternating units are joined together at their respective leading edge portions and trailing edge portions in order to provide a cutter bar assembly that is easily assembled and disassembled for construction, repair and maintenance procedures.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated endgate is presented which places a panel directly in front of the beaters of a manure spreader. The endgate retains all of the manure within the spreader box until the spreading site is reached. The panel is hinged mounted along its top edge to a generally U-shaped structural member. The central portion of the U-shaped member spans the box just in front of the beater. The legs of the U-shaped member are of equal length and extend forward along the sides of the spreader. The very ends are pivotally attached to the box, one on the left, the other on the right. A hydraulic piston attached to an arm secured to one of the pivot points makes it possible to move the structural member upward through an arc of about 100 degrees, then back down to the rest position.

Abstract: A material unloader is presented having a cargo box structure with front and side walls. There is a beater mechanism rotatively mounted transversely at the rear of the cargo box and an endless apron conveyor disposed along the bottom for conveying material rearwardly to the beater. A main drive shaft powered from the PTO of the towing vehicle extends along one side of the cargo box where it interconnects with gear boxes for both the beater and the conveyor. The interconnection includes clutches and levers to actuate the clutches, together with drive coupling means. The positioning of the levers is simultaneously affected by a cam actuated control assembly mounted on the front wall of the cargo box. The control assembly comprises a rotatably mounted control shaft on which there is secured a multilobe cam plus a pawl and ratchet mechanism indexed by a pull rope for sequentially establishing a multiplicity of conveyor and beater unit drive conditions using a cam follower to relay commands via a control cable.

Abstract: The steerable wheels of a hydraulically driven vehicle are provided with fixed displacement type auxiliary motors which are connected in parallel both with each other and with the motor which powers the main drive wheels. A selector valve permits the motors for the steerable wheels to be optionally connected and disconnected from the reversible, variable displacement main pump. Flow dividers in the hydraulic lines limit the maximum flow of fluid to any one auxiliary drive motor. To prevent large power losses when the steerable wheel assist mode is not being utilized, the selector valves are placed in close proximity to each fixed displacement motor. This allows the motors to circulate large quantities of fluid around a closed loop at minimum pressure drop.