Abstract: A harrow apparatus comprising an implement frame and a harrow section attached to a mounting assembly extending rearward from the implement frame such that the harrow section engages the ground surface. The mounting assembly is movable upward and downward to move the harrow section down and up. The mounting assembly comprises a beam extending rearward above the harrow frame, and front and rear arms pivotally attached at upper ends thereof to corresponding front and rear beam pivot axes located on the beam. The front arm slopes downward and rearward to a lower end thereof that is pivotally attached to the harrow frame at a front frame pivot axis, and the rear arm slopes downward and forward to a lower end thereof that is pivotally attached to the harrow frame at a rear frame pivot axis located rearward of the front frame pivot axis.

Abstract: A harrow apparatus is provided. The harrow apparatus can have a main frame mounted on ground wheels for travel along a ground surface in a travel direction, a hitch assembly attached to a front end of the main frame and operative to connect to a tow vehicle, and a harrow section connected rearwardly of the main frame, the harrow section having a plurality of tines extending downwards to engage with the ground surface. The plurality of tines can include a first set of tines having a first diameter, and a second set of tines having a second diameter. The first diameter of the first set of tines is larger than the second diameter of the second set of tines.

Abstract: An offset towing apparatus for an implement supported by rear wheels rotating about an axis perpendicular to the operating travel direction. A tow arm connects between a vertical towing pivot axis at the towing vehicle and a vertical implement pivot axis at the implement hitch. A middle portion of the tow arm is pivotally attached about a vertical beam pivot to a beam on castor wheels. A strut attached to the implement pivot axis extends laterally and a bar is attached to the strut about a strut pivot axis and extends forward parallel to the tow arm to a front end attached to the beam about a bar pivot axis. The tow arm, the beam, the strut, and the bar form a parallel linkage between the beam pivot axis, the implement pivot axis, the strut pivot axis and the bar pivot axis allowing the implement to pivot to either side.

Abstract: A rotary cutter is provided that has a center section and at least one wing section pivotally connected to the center section. The rotary mower is transformable between a transport position, with the wing section pivoted upwards, and an operating position, with the wing section pivoted downwards. A lifting assembly is provided between the center section and the at least one wing section to pivot the wing section. The lifting assembly can have a lifting actuator, a lug provided on the lifting actuator, a pivot member, and a pivotal connection between the lifting actuator and the pivot member. A guide member can run adjacent to the lifting actuator and have a guide channel for receiving the lug when the wing section is pivoted upwards into the transport position.

Abstract: A harrow apparatus comprising an implement frame and a harrow section attached to a mounting assembly extending rearward from the implement frame such that the harrow section engages the ground surface. The mounting assembly is movable upward and downward to move the harrow section down and up. The mounting assembly comprises a beam extending rearward above the harrow frame, and front and rear arms pivotally attached at upper ends thereof to corresponding front and rear beam pivot axes located on the beam. The front arm slopes downward and rearward to a lower end thereof that is pivotally attached to the harrow frame at a front frame pivot axis, and the rear arm slopes downward and forward to a lower end thereof that is pivotally attached to the harrow frame at a rear frame pivot axis located rearward of the front frame pivot axis.

Abstract: An offset towing apparatus for an implement supported by rear wheels rotating about an axis perpendicular to the operating travel direction. A tow arm connects between a vertical towing pivot axis at the towing vehicle and a vertical implement pivot axis at the implement hitch. A middle portion of the tow arm is pivotally attached about a vertical beam pivot to a beam on castor wheels. A strut attached to the implement pivot axis extends laterally and a bar is attached to the strut about a strut pivot axis and extends forward parallel to the tow arm to a front end attached to the beam about a bar pivot axis. The tow arm, the beam, the strut, and the bar form a parallel linkage between the beam pivot axis, the implement pivot axis, the strut pivot axis and the bar pivot axis allowing the implement to pivot to either side.

Abstract: An implement includes a hydraulic control to move rear wheels upward and downward. A hitch frame has a rear end pivotally connected to a front of the implement's frame about an upper hitch pivot axis and a front end connectable to a tractor drawbar. A tension link has a rear end pivotally connected to the front end of the implement about a lower hitch pivot axis located below and parallel to the upper hitch pivot, and a front end movably mounted to a front of the hitch frame. A front hydraulic cylinder moves the front end of the tension link forward and rearward. The hydraulic control activates the front hydraulic cylinder to move the tension link rearward as the rear hydraulic cylinder moves the rear wheels upward with respect to the implement frame, and to move the front end of the tension link forward as the rear wheels move downward.

Abstract: An implement includes a hydraulic control to move rear wheels upward and downward. A hitch frame has a rear end pivotally connected to a front of the implement's frame about an upper hitch pivot axis and a front end connectable to a tractor drawbar. A tension link has a rear end pivotally connected to the front end of the implement about a lower hitch pivot axis located below and parallel to the upper hitch pivot, and a front end movably mounted to a front of the hitch frame. A front hydraulic cylinder moves the front end of the tension link forward and rearward. The hydraulic control activates the front hydraulic cylinder to move the tension link rearward as the rear hydraulic cylinder moves the rear wheels upward with respect to the implement frame, and to move the front end of the tension link forward as the rear wheels move downward.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a hitch frame, a center frame pivotally attached rearward of the hitch frame about a hitch pivot axis. Wing frames are pivotally attached to ends of the center frame and a center actuator is pivots the center and wing frames from a rearward extending operating position to an upward extending transport position. Caster wheels are pivotally mounted on front sides of the wing frames about caster and transport axes. In the operating position, the caster axes are oriented vertically and the transport axes are oriented horizontally, and in the initial transport position, the caster axes are oriented horizontally, perpendicular to the hitch pivot, the transport axes are oriented vertically, and caster wheel actuators pivot the caster wheels 90 degrees about the transport axes to align the caster axes with the hitch pivot axis. The caster wheels support the wing frames in both operating and transport positions.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a center frame supported on center wheels and right and left interframes are pivotally attached to corresponding ends of the center frame about wing pivot axes. Right and left wing frames are pivotally attached at front inner ends thereof to front ends of corresponding interframes about front interframe pivot axes. Rear inner portions of the wing frames are movably attached to corresponding interframes. Latch mechanisms selectively lock the rear inner portions each wing frame to rear portions of the corresponding interframes. A center actuator pivots the center frame such that the frames move from an operating position extending rearward to an initial transport position extending upward where the interframes and wing frames can pivot rearward about the upright wing pivot axes. The front interframe pivot axes are oriented perpendicular to the wing pivot axes.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a hitch frame, a center frame pivotally attached rearward of the hitch frame about a hitch pivot axis. Wing frames are pivotally attached to ends of the center frame and a center actuator is pivots the center and wing frames from a rearward extending operating position to an upward extending transport position. Caster wheels are pivotally mounted on front sides of the wing frames about caster and transport axes. In the operating position, the caster axes are oriented vertically and the transport axes are oriented horizontally, and in the initial transport position, the caster axes are oriented horizontally, perpendicular to the hitch pivot, the transport axes are oriented vertically, and caster wheel actuators pivot the caster wheels 90 degrees about the transport axes to align the caster axes with the hitch pivot axis. The caster wheels support the wing frames in both operating and transport positions.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a center frame supported on center wheels and right and left interframes are pivotally attached to corresponding ends of the center frame about wing pivot axes. Right and left wing frames are pivotally attached at front inner ends thereof to front ends of corresponding interframes about front interframe pivot axes. Rear inner portions of the wing frames are movably attached to corresponding interframes. Latch mechanisms selectively lock the rear inner portions each wing frame to rear portions of the corresponding interframes. A center actuator pivots the center frame such that the frames move from an operating position extending rearward to an initial transport position extending upward where the interframes and wing frames can pivot rearward about the upright wing pivot axes. The front interframe pivot axes are oriented perpendicular to the wing pivot axes.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a hitch frame, a center frame pivotally attached rearward of the hitch frame about a hitch pivot axis. Wing frames are pivotally attached to ends of the center frame and a center actuator is pivots the center and wing frames from a rearward extending operating position to an upward extending transport position. Caster wheels are pivotally mounted on front sides of the wing frames about caster and transport axes. In the operating position, the caster axes are oriented vertically and the transport axes are oriented horizontally, and in the initial transport position, the caster axes are oriented horizontally, perpendicular to the hitch pivot, the transport axes are oriented vertically, and caster wheel actuators pivot the caster wheels 90 degrees about the transport axes to align the caster axes with the hitch pivot axis. The caster wheels support the wing frames in both operating and transport positions.

Abstract: A disc tillage implement has an implement frame mounted on wheels for movement along the ground. A plurality of disc assemblies is substantially equally spaced along a lateral frame member, each disc assembly comprising a pivot bracket pivotally attached to the lateral frame member about a substantially vertical bracket pivot axis, and a disc arm attached to a lower portion of the pivot bracket, with a disc rotatably attached to a bottom end of the disc arm. A control mechanism pivots the pivot brackets of each disc assembly about the corresponding bracket pivot axis of each disc assembly to a selected operating position.

Abstract: A rotary mower apparatus for applying liquid chemical to vegetation has a rotating drive shaft extending downward through the deck, and a plurality of blades extending horizontally from the drive shaft. A blade ring extends downward from a bottom surface of the mower deck and is configured such that a bottom edge of the blade ring is located above a path of a middle portion of the blades, and a plurality of sprayer nozzles extend downward from the bottom surface of the mower deck inside the blade ring. A chemical source is operative to deliver pressurized liquid chemical through the chemical conduits to each sprayer nozzle.

Abstract: A bolt for attaching a blade to a rotating blade carrier has a conical shoulder section with a conical wall tapering inward from bottom to top and a shoulder top edge above the conical shoulder section. A shank extends upward from the top shoulder edge, and is configured to extend through a shank hole in the carrier, and the shoulder top edge extends laterally outward from part of the shank. A threaded portion extends upward from the shank. A blade defines a vertical mounting hole with a conical portion with a slope corresponding to the conical portion off the bolt.

Abstract: mower deck apparatus comprising a mower deck adapted for mounting thereto of a blade assembly such that blades of the blade assembly can rotate under the mower deck about a substantially vertical blade axis and move along a blade path. A base deck ring extends downward from a lower surface of the mower deck at a location above the blade path of a mounted blade assembly, and a deck ring extension is removably attachable to the base deck ring such a lower edge of the deck ring extension is located below a lower edge of the base deck ring.

Abstract: A rotary mower apparatus includes a mower deck, and a mower blade rotatably mounted under the mower deck about a substantially vertical axis of rotation. The mower blade follows a circular path having a radius equal to a cutting radius, and a baffle plate extends downward from the mower deck adjacent to and outside the circular path. A vertical position of a bottom edge of the baffle plate can be adjusted from a lowered position to a raised position. A deflector plate can be attached such that a front edge thereof is pivotally mounted to the mower deck rearward of the mower blade such that the deflector plate extends downward and rearward from the front edge thereof, and such that the deflector plate can pivot a lowered to a raised position and be supported at a selected location in the pivot range.

Abstract: A rotary mower apparatus includes a mower deck, and a mower blade rotatably mounted under the mower deck about a substantially vertical axis of rotation. The mower blade follows a circular path having a radius equal to a cutting radius, and a baffle plate extends downward from the mower deck adjacent to and outside the circular path. A vertical position of a bottom edge of the baffle plate can be adjusted from a lowered position to a raised position. A deflector plate can be attached such that a front edge thereof is pivotally mounted to the mower deck rearward of the mower blade such that the deflector plate extends downward and rearward from the front edge thereof, and such that the deflector plate can pivot a lowered to a raised position and be supported at a selected location in the pivot range.

Abstract: A rotary mower apparatus includes a center section with a center blade, inner wings with inner and middle blades, and outer wings with outer blades. Rear wheels support rear ends of the decks, and gauge wheels support front portions of the outer wings. A transport mechanism folds the outer wings upward to a transport position over the inner wings, and then folds the inner wings to a transport position upright from outer edges of the center section. A drive is operative to rotate each blade. Beneficially axes of the blades are oriented alternately forward and rearward across a width of the apparatus. A disclosed drive has a main gear box adapted at an input thereof for attachment to a rotating power source, and slip clutch protected power shafts are connected to outputs of the main gear box to drive the blades.