Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing a mobile irrigation tower of a pivot irrigation system includes a pair of outrigger arms which extend from opposite sides of the irrigation tower. The outrigger arms are able to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The distal ends of the out rigger arms present ground engaging elements adapted for low friction passage across a farm ground surface. When the outrigger arms are in the extended position, the ground engaging element of each arm is in contact with or at least in close proximity to the farm ground surface at a location which is spaced transversely away from the irrigation tower. If the outrigger arms are in the extended position and if the irrigation system is subjected to a high velocity wind, the ground engaging elements will engage the farm ground surface and resist overturning movement of the irrigation tower.

Abstract: A road drag implement includes a frame, a hitch assembly, rear wheels and a two grading blades. The frame is supported by the rear wheels and the hitch assembly. The rear wheels and the hitch assembly have articulating support structures that are able to be controllably positioned between a raised transport positions and lowered working positions. A first blade assembly and a second blade assembly are pivotably mounted to the frame. The first blade assembly is in a forward position on the right side of the frame and the second blade assembly is behind the first blade assembly on the left side of the frame. Actuators connect between the frame and each respective blade assembly which are able rotate the blade assemblies between a first retracted position for transport and a second extended position for road work.

Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing a mobile irrigation tower of a pivot irrigation system includes a pair of outrigger arms which extend from opposite sides of the irrigation tower. The outrigger arms are able to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The distal ends of the out rigger arms present ground engaging elements adapted for low friction passage across a farm ground surface. When the outrigger arms are in the extended position, the ground engaging element of each arm is in contact with or at least in close proximity to the farm ground surface at a location which is spaced transversely away from the irrigation tower. If the outrigger arms are in the extended position and if the irrigation system is subjected to a high velocity wind, the ground engaging elements will engage the farm ground surface and resist overturning movement of the irrigation tower.

Abstract: A jack for lifting segments of a structure includes a pair of masts, a mast base, a mast cap, a hydraulic ram, a bottom bracket and a shuttle. The masts are identical and upright with a plurality of evenly spaced holes. The mast base supports the mast and the mast cap receives the upper ends of the masts and maintains the masts in a parallel, relationship. The hydraulic ram moves between a retracted position and an extended position with a stroke distance which is significantly less than the mast height. The bottom bracket is removably pinned to the masts and receives and supports the lower end of the hydraulic ram. The shuttle receives the upper end of the hydraulic ram. The bottom bracket and shuttle, when not pinned to the masts, can slide vertically up the masts. The shuttle includes features for connecting to a segment of a structure.

Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing a mobile irrigation tower of a pivot irrigation system includes a pair of outrigger arms which extend from opposite sides of the irrigation tower. The outrigger arms are able to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The distal ends of the out rigger arms present ground engaging elements adapted for low friction passage across a farm ground surface. When the outrigger arms are in the extended position, the ground engaging element of each arm is in contact with or at least in close proximity to the farm ground surface at a location which is spaced transversely away from the irrigation tower. If the outrigger arms are in the extended position and if the irrigation system is subjected to a high velocity wind, the ground engaging elements will engage the farm ground surface and resist overturning movement of the irrigation tower.

Abstract: A jack for lifting segments of a structure includes a pair of masts, a mast base, a mast cap, a hydraulic ram, a bottom bracket and a shuttle. The masts are identical and upright with a plurality of evenly spaced holes. The mast base supports the mast and the mast cap receives the upper ends of the masts and maintains the masts in a parallel, relationship. The hydraulic ram moves between a retracted position and an extended position with a stroke distance which is significantly less than the mast height. The bottom bracket is removably pinned to the masts and receives and supports the lower end of the hydraulic ram. The shuttle receives the upper end of the hydraulic ram. The bottom bracket and shuttle, when not pinned to the masts, can slide vertically up the masts. The shuttle includes features for connecting to a segment of a structure.

Abstract: A jack for lifting segments of a structure includes a pair of masts, a mast base, a mast cap, a hydraulic ram, a bottom bracket and a shuttle. The masts are identical and upright with a plurality of evenly spaced holes. The mast base supports the mast and the mast cap receives the upper ends of the masts and maintains the masts in a parallel, relationship. The hydraulic ram moves between a retracted position and an extended position with a stroke distance which is significantly less than the mast height. The bottom bracket is removably pinned to the masts and receives and supports the lower end of the hydraulic ram. The shuttle receives the upper end of the hydraulic ram. The bottom bracket and shuttle, when not pinned to the masts, can slide vertically up the masts. The shuttle includes features for connecting to a segment of a structure.

Abstract: A remotely operable anchoring system for a mobile irrigation apparatus includes anchoring units mounted to irrigation towers. The anchoring units are remotely operable through a control module and have anchor members which, upon command, can be moved by the anchoring units from a retracted position to an extended position in which each anchor member penetrates and anchors itself into the soil beneath the irrigation tower. Upon command, after the danger of high wind has passed, each anchor member may be retracted from the extended position to the retracted position in preparation for future use.

Abstract: A jack for lifting segments of a structure includes a pair of masts, a mast base, a mast cap, a hydraulic ram, a bottom bracket and a shuttle. The masts are identical and upright with a plurality of evenly spaced holes. The mast base supports the mast and the mast cap receives the upper ends of the masts and maintains the masts in a parallel, relationship. The hydraulic ram moves between a retracted position and an extended position with a stroke distance which is significantly less than the mast height. The bottom bracket is removably pinned to the masts and receives and supports the lower end of the hydraulic ram. The shuttle receives the upper end of the hydraulic ram. The bottom bracket and shuttle, when not pinned to the masts, can slide vertically up the masts. The shuttle includes features for connecting to a segment of a structure.

Abstract: A remotely operable anchoring system for a mobile irrigation apparatus includes anchoring units mounted to irrigation towers. The anchoring units are remotely operable through a control module and have anchor members which, upon command, can be moved by the anchoring units from a retracted position to an extended position in which each anchor member penetrates and anchors itself into the soil beneath the irrigation tower. Upon command, after the danger of high wind has passed, each anchor member may be retracted from the extended position to the retracted position in preparation for future use.

Abstract: The trencher unit of the present invention mounts to a standard loader attachment fitting and relies on the auxiliary hydraulic power of a loader. A powered chain drive sprocket is mounted near the upper end of the trencher unit. An idler wheel is mounted at the bottom end of the trencher unit. The chain drive sprocket and the idler wheel carry an endless digging chain which presents a series of digging teeth. The trencher unit includes a vertically adjustable auger assembly having forward and rear augers that push excavated soil away from an excavated trench. A loader operator controlling the position of the trencher unit can lower the digging chain of the trencher unit into a work surface to dig a trench. The trencher unit is typically operating in an upright position so that the loader may be guided along a curved path to dig a curved section of trench.

Abstract: The invention metal working machine includes a stationary frame and a moving frame. Both the stationary frame and the moving frame carry opposite corresponding tool dies that perform metal working operations when the moving frame translates relative to the stationary frame. The moving frame is arranged so that one end can move while the other end remains stationary. Hydraulic cylinders on each end of the metal working machine are connected by pivot joints between the stationary frame and moving frame. When both of the hydraulic cylinders are activated in the same direction, the entire moving frame moves up or down relative to the stationary frame. If only one of the hydraulic cylinders is activated, only one side of the moving frame translates while the other side of the moving frame moves only slightly.

Abstract: The trencher unit of the present invention mounts to a standard loader attachment fitting and relies on the auxiliary hydraulic power of a loader. A powered chain drive sprocket is mounted near the upper end of the trencher unit. An idler wheel is mounted at the bottom end of the trencher unit. The chain drive sprocket and the idler wheel carry an endless digging chain which presents a series of digging teeth. The trencher unit includes a vertically adjustable auger assembly having forward and rear augers that push excavated soil away from an excavated trench. A loader operator controlling the position of the trencher unit can lower the digging chain of the trencher unit into a work surface to dig a trench. The trencher unit is typically operating in an upright position so that the loader may be guided along a curved path to dig a curved section of trench.

Abstract: The trencher of the present invention includes a wheeled carriage which has a steering mechanism and a digging chain which operates along an upright path. The trencher includes an upright boom structure that is mounted to the carriage and a digging chain support frame that can be raised and lowered relative to the trencher carriage along an upright path. The digging chain is mounted to the digging chain support frame by a powered sprocket wheel and a freely turning pulley wheel. The sprocket wheel the pulley wheel are positioned so that the digging chain describes an upright path. The path described by the digging chain is sufficiently upright so that the trencher can excavate a curved trench without the digging chain interfering with the walls of the trench to a degree that is sufficient to impede the operation of the trencher.

Abstract: The trencher includes a wheeled carriage which has a steering mechanism and a digging which operates along an upright path. The trencher includes an upright boom structure that is mounted to the carrage and a digging chain support frame that can be raised and lowered relative to the trencher carriage along an upright path. The digging chain is mounted to the digging chain support frame by a powered sprocket wheel and a freely turning pulley wheel. The sprocket wheel the pulley wheel are positioned so that the digging chain describes an upright path. The path described by the digging chain is sufficiently upright so that the trencher can excavate a curved trench without the digging chain interfering with the walls of the trench to a degree that is sufficient to impede the operation of the trencher.

Abstract: The present invention is a lifting system that can be used to construct cylindrical grain bins. It includes sets of identical, telescoping jacks actuated by hydraulic cylinders and an hydraulic system having separate hydraulic circuits that serve each set of jacks. The separate hydraulic circuits include identical pumps and control valves. The pumps and the control valves can be operated in unison to supply equal amounts of hydraulic fluid to the sets of jacks so that all of the jacks may be raised or lowered in unison. The lifting system can be used to uniformly lift successive rings of a grain bin structure made up of connected panels. After a first ring is lifted, a second ring can be attached to the lower edge of the first ring. The second ring is then lifted and the process is repeated until the grain bin is completed.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for constructing cylindrical grain bins. The method employs a sets of identical, telescoping jacks actuated by hydraulic cylinders and an hydraulic system having separate hydraulic circuits that serve each set of jacks. Using the set of identical, hydraulic, telescoping jacks, successive rings of a grain bin structure made up of connected panels are lifted. After a first ring is lifted, a second ring can be attached to the lower edge of the first ring. The second ring is then lifted and the process is repeated until the grain bin is completed.

Abstract: The present invention is a lifting system that can be used to construct cylindrical grain bins. It includes sets of identical, telescoping jacks actuated by hydraulic cylinders and an hydraulic system having separate hydraulic circuits that serve each set of jacks. The separate hydraulic circuits include identical pumps and control valves. The pumps and the control valves can be operated in unison to supply equal amounts of hydraulic fluid to the sets of jacks so that all of the jacks may be raised or lowered in unison. The lifting system can be used to uniformly lift successive rings of a grain bin structure made up of connected panels. After a first ring is lifted, a second ring can be attached to the lower edge of the first ring. The second ring is then lifted and the process is repeated until the grain bin is completed.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for constructing cylindrical grain bins. The method employs a sets of identical, telescoping jacks actuated by hydraulic cylinders and an hydraulic system having separate hydraulic circuits that serve each set of jacks. Using the set of identical, hydraulic, telescoping jacks, successive rings of a grain bin structure made up of connected panels are lifted. After a first ring is lifted, a second ring can be attached to the lower edge of the first ring. The second ring is then lifted and the process is repeated until the grain bin is completed.