Abstract: A tool assembly for an agricultural implement includes a ground-engaging tool mounted to the implement support frame by an assembly of a support post, a mounting bracket and a frame mount. At least one of the support post and the mounting bracket includes a substantially cylindrical rod and a collar having an axial opening configured to receive the rod. An interface arrangement may provide multiple contact areas between the support post and the collar. A recessed pocket may retain a nut that threads onto set screw used to engage the rod, such as at a detent recess, and fix the position of the support post with respect to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket may provide for alternate fore-aft and lateral mounting orientations.

Abstract: An automated farming system includes a frame. The frame includes a fixed base, a beam, and a support. A farming implement support extends from the beam and moves up and down in relation to the beam. The farming implement support moves along a length of the beam. The movable support includes a propulsion system and is configured to rotate around the fixed base. Movement of the farming implement support and the movable support allows for high density planting of crops in hexagonal patterns and/or a continuous spiral pattern.

Abstract: An automated farming system includes a frame. The frame includes a fixed base, a beam, and a support. A farming implement support extends from the beam and moves up and down in relation to the beam. The farming implement support moves along a length of the beam. The movable support includes a propulsion system and is configured to rotate around the fixed base. Movement of the farming implement support and the movable support allows for high density planting of crops in hexagonal patterns and/or a continuous spiral pattern.

Abstract: A C-spring contains an inner spring that is spaced apart from the outer primary spring. In one example usage, the upper and lower legs of the C-spring have rear regions respectively configured for being mounted to a tubular frame tool frame member of a ground working implement, such as a disk, and to a bearing housing.

Abstract: A drawbar apparatus is provided for coupling an earth-working tool to a frame of an agricultural implement. The drawbar apparatus comprises a drawbar. The drawbar comprises a first portion coupled to the frame and a second portion. A joint comprises a first bracket comprising a protrusion. The protrusion defines a first aperture. The first bracket is coupled to one of the second portion of the drawbar and the earth-working tool. A second bracket defines a channel configured to receive the protrusion. The channel defines a second aperture on a first side of the channel and a third aperture on a second side of the channel. The second bracket is coupled to the other of the second portion of the drawbar and the earth-working tool. A fastener is positioned through the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture. The protrusion is configured to move laterally in the channel.

Abstract: A tool assembly for an agricultural implement includes a ground-engaging tool mounted to the implement support frame by an assembly of a support post, a mounting bracket and a frame mount. At least one of the support post and the mounting bracket includes a substantially cylindrical rod and a collar having an axial opening configured to receive the rod. An interface arrangement may provide multiple contact areas between the support post and the collar. A recessed pocket may retain a nut that threads onto set screw used to engage the rod, such as at a detent recess, and fix the position of the support post with respect to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket may provide for alternate fore-aft and lateral mounting orientations.

Abstract: A seal assembly is disclosed for a bearing having first ring with a first inner surface, a second ring with a second inner surface, and at least one bearing member disposed between the first and second inner surfaces. An exterior seal with a first plurality of lips is attached to an exterior backing, the exterior backing engaging the first ring of the bearing to hold the first plurality of lips against the second inner surface of the second ring. An interior seal with a second plurality of lips is attached to an interior backing, the interior backing engaging the second ring of the bearing to hold the second plurality of lips against the first inner surface of the first ring. The second plurality of lips may be configure differently than the first plurality of seal lips. The interior backing may be oriented between the exterior seal and the interior seal.

Abstract: A C-spring contains an inner spring that is spaced apart from the outer primary spring. In one example usage, the upper and lower legs of the C-spring have rear regions respectively configured for being mounted to a tubular frame tool frame member of a ground working implement, such as a disk, and to a bearing housing.

Abstract: A seal assembly is disclosed for a bearing having first ring with a first inner surface, a second ring with a second inner surface, and at least one bearing member disposed between the first and second inner surfaces. An exterior seal with a first plurality of lips is attached to an exterior backing, the exterior backing engaging the first ring of the bearing to hold the first plurality of lips against the second inner surface of the second ring. An interior seal with a second plurality of lips is attached to an interior backing, the interior backing engaging the second ring of the bearing to hold the second plurality of lips against the first inner surface of the first ring. The second plurality of lips may be configure differently than the first plurality of seal lips. The interior backing may be oriented between the exterior seal and the interior seal.

Abstract: A drawbar apparatus for coupling an earth-working tool to a frame of an agricultural implement. The drawbar apparatus comprises a drawbar. The drawbar comprises a first portion coupled to the frame and a second portion. A joint comprises a first bracket comprising a protrusion. The protrusion defines a first aperture. The first bracket is coupled to one of the second portion of the drawbar and the earth-working tool. A second bracket defines a channel configured to receive the protrusion. The channel defines a second aperture on a first side of the channel and a third aperture on a second side of the channel. The second bracket is coupled to the other of the second portion of the drawbar and the earth-working tool. A fastener is positioned through the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture. The protrusion is configured to move laterally in the channel.

Abstract: An agricultural disk gang includes an elongated disk gang bolt having a threaded end with an externally threaded surface. A plurality of cultivating disks are supported on the disk gang bolt. A nut is threadably engaged with the externally threaded surface. The nut has a first side facing the disks and a second side facing away from the disks. The nut is disposed to axially compress the disks together on the disk gang bolt when tightened. A tensioning structure is mounted on the disk gang bolt outside of the nut. The tensioning structure has a plurality of threaded through holes. A plurality of threaded fasteners are threadably engaged with the threaded through holes and are disposed to axially compress the disks when the plurality of threaded fasteners are tightened, thereby permitting the nut to be further tightened.

Abstract: A pivot limiting device for an agricultural implement is disclosed. The agricultural implement includes a first frame section pivotally coupled to second frame section at a pivot location. The device includes a compression structure having a spring compressed to a preset load. The compression structure is coupled to the first frame section. A plunger includes a first portion positioned adjacent the second frame section and a second portion positioned adjacent the compression structure to move relative thereto between a first position placing no additional compression on the spring when the second frame section pivots in a first direction and contacts the plunger with a first force less than or equal to the preset load, and a second position further compressing the spring when the second frame section pivots in the first direction and contacts the plunger with a second force greater than the preset load.

Abstract: A pivot limiting device for an agricultural implement is disclosed. The agricultural implement includes a first frame section pivotally coupled to second frame section at a pivot location. The device includes a compression structure having a spring compressed to a preset load. The compression structure is coupled to the first frame section. A plunger includes a first portion positioned adjacent the second frame section and a second portion positioned adjacent the compression structure to move relative thereto between a first position placing no additional compression on the spring when the second frame section pivots in a first direction and contacts the plunger with a first force less than or equal to the preset load, and a second position further compressing the spring when the second frame section pivots in the first direction and contacts the plunger with a second force greater than the preset load.

Abstract: An agricultural implement including a coupling mechanism for coupling to a vehicle and a frame having a tool tube with a top, which is coupled to the coupling mechanism. The frame is adapted to be pulled by the vehicle. The agricultural implement includes a plurality of wheel assemblies coupled to the frame, which support the frame above a surface. The agricultural implement includes a tool tube bracket coupled to the tool tube. The agricultural implement includes a standard having a mounting portion and a tool-receiving portion. The mounting portion is coupled to the tool tube bracket for translational adjustment of a position of the standard relative to the tool tube. The agricultural implement includes a tool coupled to the tool-receiving portion of the standard.

Abstract: A rolling basket support for coupling a rolling basket to an agricultural implement is disclosed. The rolling basket support includes a center portion having a bearing mount. A periphery extends radially around the bearing mount. The periphery has a radially inner notch for coupling to ground-engaging bars of a first cross-section and a radially outer notch for coupling to ground-engaging bars of a second cross-section.

Abstract: An agricultural disk gang includes an elongated disk gang bolt having a threaded end with an externally threaded surface. A plurality of cultivating disks are supported on the disk gang bolt. A nut is threadably engaged with the externally threaded surface. The nut has a first side facing the disks and a second side facing away from the disks. The nut is disposed to axially compress the disks together on the disk gang bolt when tightened. A tensioning structure is mounted on the disk gang bolt outside of the nut. The tensioning structure has a plurality of threaded through holes. A plurality of threaded fasteners are threadably engaged with the threaded through holes and are disposed to axially compress the disks when the plurality of threaded fasteners are tightened, thereby permitting the nut to be further tightened.

Abstract: An agricultural implement including a coupling mechanism for coupling to a vehicle and a frame having a tool tube with a top, which is coupled to the coupling mechanism. The frame is adapted to be pulled by the vehicle. The agricultural implement includes a plurality of wheel assemblies coupled to the frame, which support the frame above a surface. The agricultural implement includes a tool tube bracket coupled to the tool tube. The agricultural implement includes a standard having a mounting portion and a tool-receiving portion. The mounting portion is coupled to the tool tube bracket for translational adjustment of a position of the standard relative to the tool tube. The agricultural implement includes a tool coupled to the tool-receiving portion of the standard.

Abstract: Gang tube rail structure is attached to the lower front and rear corners of the implement gang tube to provide a lower clamp support. Two pivoting clamp jaws are attached to the clamp support and secured against the support by tightening a single clamp bolt extending between the lowermost portions of the jaws. A locator shoe is secured between the tube and the c-spring and includes a protrusion that projects into a hole in the c-spring. The ends of the locator shoe include short legs that wrap around the gang tube rail. The single clamp bolt provides a vertical clamp force that is approximately twice the tension generated in the bolt when the nut is tightened.

Abstract: Gang tube rail structure is attached to the lower front and rear corners of the implement gang tube to provide a lower clamp support. Two pivoting clamp jaws are attached to the clamp support and secured against the support by tightening a single clamp bolt extending between the lowermost portions of the jaws. A locator shoe is secured between the tube and the c-spring and includes a protrusion that projects into a hole in the c-spring. The ends of the locator shoe include short legs that wrap around the gang tube rail. The single clamp bolt provides a vertical clamp force that is approximately twice the tension generated in the bolt when the nut is tightened.

Abstract: A bearing assembly (20) with a self-lubricated liner interface (70) supported between a spherical outside surface (72) of a sealed agricultural bearing (20b) and a steel containment housing (60,62). The interface (70) includes a lubrication-impregnated plastic interposed between the housing (60,62) and the spherical surface (72) to relieve the bearing from the high forces of shaft misalignment. The plastic liner includes a compressible portion such as radially projecting protrusions (82), O-rings (82a) or other resilient band, or compressible molded plastic (H2) to accommodate varying tolerances between the outside spherical surface (72) and housing cavity surfaces (68) and liner (70) and to bias the liner (70) against the spherical surface (72) to prevent bearing rotation. The plastic liner halves (70a,70b) fit firmly over the outside bearing surface to reduce entry of dirt and contaminants into the housing and onto the spherical bearing surface (74).