Abstract: The applicator embodiments for applying liquid livestock waste in the form of a slurry beneath the soil surface. Some embodiments include a leading swivel-mounted, spring-cushioned, conical-shaped wavy coulter blade angularly offset from the direction of travel which displaces the soil laterally in forming a furrow adapted to receive slurry. The coulter may be trailed by a single or a pair of optionally spring-cushioned rotary closing blade(s) that are to close the furrow containing the deposited liquid. One or more rotary closing blade(s) is optionally spring loaded to follow the soil contour. Some alternative embodiments utilize a rotary covering blade pivot assembly that is positioned lower and more forward, a larger spring for more blade depth, and/or a single or a pair of rotary covering blades for a scooping movement of the soil and results in more soil to cover the deposited liquid.

Abstract: A standard fertilizer applicator with coulters and shank assemblies with knives for placement of fertilizer below the soil surface is equipped with cultivator shank assemblies for tillage between the fertilizer shanks. Each cultivator shank is mounted by a plate having notches therein for adjusting the vertical height of the assembly. The plate is attached to a support bracket placed around a square beam or tool bar. When used for spring application, leveling of uneven soil is accomplished and weeds are eliminated with the same pass made to apply the fertilizer.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a chassis; a hitch connected to the chassis and defining a longitudinal axis; and a tine harrow carried by the chassis and including a plurality of tines. At least one of the tines includes a vertically extending main body; a first tooth connected to the main body and extending laterally in a first lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis; and a second tooth connected to the main body and extending laterally in a second lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis which is opposite to the first lateral direction.

Abstract: A standard fertilizer applicator with coulters and shank assemblies with knives for placement of fertilizer below the soil surface is equipped with cultivator shank assemblies to provide complete tillage between the fertilizer shanks. Each cultivator shank is mounted by a plate having notches therein for adjusting the vertical height of the assembly. The plate is attached to a support bracket placed around a square beam or tool bar. When used for spring application, leveling of uneven soil is accomplished and weeds are eliminated with the same pass made to apply the fertilizer.

Abstract: Applicator embodiments are provided for applying liquid livestock waste in the form of a slurry beneath the soil surface. Some embodiments include a leading swivel-mounted, spring-cushioned, conical-shaped wavy coulter blade angularly offset from the direction of travel which displaces the soil laterally in forming a furrow adapted to receive slurry. The coulter may be trailed by a single or a pair of optionally spring-cushioned rotary closing blade(s) that are to close the furrow containing the deposited liquid. One or more rotary closing blade(s) is optionally spring loaded to follow the soil contour. Some alternative embodiments utilize a rotary covering blade pivot assembly that is positioned lower and more forward, a larger spring for more blade depth, and/or a single or a pair of rotary covering blades for a scooping movement of the soil and results in more soil to cover the deposited liquid.

Abstract: An applicator for applying dry fertilizer or livestock waste in the form of a slurry beneath the soil surface with minimum soil displacement includes a leading spring-cushioned, conical-shaped, wavy coulter angularly offset from the direction of travel which displaces soil laterally in forming a furrow adapted to receive fertilizer. The coulter is trailed by a single, or a pair of, rotary blade(s) which fill the furrow created by the conical-shaped, wavy coulter, covering the deposited fertilizer. A second embodiment includes a second wavy coulter disposed between the leading coulter and the trailing rotary blades for directing soil in a laterally opposed direction from the soil displaced by the leading coulter in forming a wider furrow. The single conical coulter and dual conical coulter embodiments are interchangeable in the applicator, and can be removed and replaced with a curved shank and sweep assembly to convert to sweep fertilizer application.

Abstract: An applicator for applying dry fertilizer or livestock waste in the form of a slurry beneath the soil surface with minimum soil displacement includes a leading spring-cushioned, conical-shaped, wavy coulter angularly offset from the direction of travel which displaces soil laterally in forming a furrow adapted to receive fertilizer. The coulter is trailed by a single, or a pair of, rotary blade(s) which fill the furrow, covering the deposited fertilizer. A second embodiment includes a second wavy coulter disposed between the leading coulter and the trailing rotary blades for directing soil in a laterally opposed direction from the soil displaced by the leading coulter in forming a wider furrow. The single conical coulter and dual conical coulter embodiments are easily interchangeable in the applicator, and are easily removed and replaced with a curved shank and sweep assembly to convert to sweep fertilizer application.

Abstract: An applicator for applying dry fertilizer or livestock waste in the form of a slurry beneath the soil surface with minimum soil displacement includes a leading spring-cushioned, conical-shaped, wavy coulter angularly offset from the direction of travel which displaces soil laterally in forming a furrow adapted to receive fertilizer. The coulter is trailed by a single, or a pair of, rotary blade(s) which fill the furrow, covering the deposited fertilizer. A second embodiment includes a second wavy coulter disposed between the leading coulter and the trailing rotary blades for directing soil in a laterally opposed direction from the soil displaced by the leading coulter in forming a wider furrow. The single conical coulter and dual conical coulter embodiments are easily interchangeable in the applicator, and are easily removed and replaced with a curved shank and sweep assembly to convert to sweep fertilizer application.

Abstract: An applicator unit for applying slurry fertilizer beneath the soil with reduced soil displacement includes a spring-cushioned main mounting shank and a forward spring-biased coulter. A narrow applicator shank, mounted to the main mounting shank just above the surface of the soil, is oriented generally upright and includes a leading nose portion having a small low angle forward protruding tip and a tapered leading edge for forming a furrow without tilling the soil. The furrow is formed in four stages: by the small low angle forward protruding tip, the upright tapered leading edge of the sweep shank, by a bulge on each side of the casting near the soil surface, a slurry tube widens the slot further, facilitating the delivery of the slurry in the vertical slot. Swept back wings gently lift the soil to allow horizontal distribution of the slurry.

Abstract: An applicator unit for applying slurry fertilizer beneath the soil with reduced soil displacement includes a spring-cushioned main mounting shank and a forward spring-biased coulter. A narrow applicator shank, mounted to the main mounting shank just above the surface of the soil, is oriented generally upright and includes a leading nose portion having a small low angle forward protruding tip and a tapered leading edge for forming a furrow without tilling the soil. The furrow is formed in four stages: by the small low angle forward protruding tip, the upright tapered leading edge of the sweep shank, by a bulge on each side of the casting near the soil surface, a slurry tube widens the slot further, facilitating the delivery of the slurry in the vertical slot. Swept back wings gently lift the soil to allow horizontal distribution of the slurry.

Abstract: A soil conditioning rotary reel for secondary agricultural tillage implements is disclosed. The reel incorporates formed bars slightly spiraled along the length thereof that increase the overall strength of the reel and, because of the shape of the formed bars, support plates and end plates, efficiently break up clods while avoiding plugging of the reel, even in moist conditions.

Abstract: A soil conditioning rotary reel for primary agricultural tillage implements is disclosed. The reel incorporates formed bars slightly spiraled along the length thereof that increase the overall strength of the reel and, because of the shape of the formed bars, support plates and end plates, efficiently break up clods while avoiding plugging of the reel, even in moist conditions.

Abstract: An applicator unit for applying slurry fertilizer beneath the soil with reduced soil displacement includes a spring-cushioned main mounting shank and a forward spring-biased colter. A narrow applicator shank is mounted to the main mounting shank by a pair of vertically spaced bolts, including a lower shear bolt, at a location just above the surface of the soil. The sweep shank is generally upright and includes a nose portion at a lower leading edge which includes a generally blunt lower portion and a tapered leading edge for forming a furrow without tilling the soil. The furrow is formed in three stages by the blunt nose pad, the upright tapered leading edge of the sweep shank, and by a pair of mounting plates carrying the slurry tube and widening the top of the furrow.

Abstract: A tillage implement includes a hitch adapted for connection to a prime mover. A cultivator section is attached to the hitch. The cultivator section includes a plurality of transversely spaced cultivator members. A tine harrow assembly is connected to the cultivator section in a trailing relationship thereto. The tine harrow assembly includes at least two transversely oriented rows of transversely spaced tines. A first row of tines are adjacent to the cultivator section having the tines arranged such that one of the tines is positioned along a line of travel offset laterally from a line of travel of each the cultivator members to engage soil positioned in a mound to opposing sides of the cultivator members.

Abstract: A tine harrow assembly includes a frame member; a plurality of tines pivotally connected to the frame member to permit a rake angle adjustment of the tines. The tines are arranged in a plurality of transversely extending rows and an adjustment mechanism operably connects to the tines for effecting a change in the rake angle, where the adjustment mechanism includes a tine slide having a stop formed therein corresponding to each the transverse row of tines. The tine slide being movable relative to the frame to position the stops at one of multiple selected positions, the transverse rows of tines are pivotable against the corresponding stops to define a selected rake angle.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a frame, a grow medium manipulation surface configured to manipulate and move a growing medium and at least one elastomeric torsion element coupled to the surface. The growing medium manipulation surface moves between a first growing medium engagement position in which the surface manipulates and moves the growing medium and a second growing medium non-engagement position. The elastomeric torsion element resiliently biases the surface towards the first growing medium engagement position. In one exemplary embodiment, the growing medium engagement surface comprises the surface of a furrow opening device on an agricultural implement. In one exemplary embodiment, the implement additionally includes an adjustment mechanism coupled to the elastomeric torsion element.

Abstract: A tillage tooth for use in an implement which performs shallow tillage with tillage discs followed by chisel plows with winged points performing primary tillage in strips of untilled soil left by the forward discs. The points include wings mounted to either side of a central tooth. The wings are constructed and arranged to provide a greater rise to lift soil adjacent their inner edges than is provided by the outer edges of the wings. This imparts a lifting and lateral rolling motion to tilled soil and enhances a smooth finish.

Abstract: A knife applicator is provided for a tillage implement to apply liquid fertilizer into the ground. The knife applicator is formed as a base member with a point member welded to the forward edge thereof to create a furrow when moved through the ground. A fertilizer tube is positioned rearwardly of the base member to deliver liquid fertilizer into the opened furrow. The point member is formed in a rounded tip that presents a smooth rounded surface that fractures and lifts the soil effectively to create the opened furrow. A raised member on the point member assists in the lifting of soil from the furrow being opened while creating only a minimal disturbance to the surface of the ground. A wedge member having a lowered operative edge seals the opened furrow to prevent the liquid fertilizer from escaping into the air.

Abstract: A tillage apparatus performs shallow tillage with leading tillage discs followed by chisel plows with winged points performing primary tillage in strips of untilled soil left by the forward discs. The points lift the soil and roll it laterally. Levelers follow the plows to leave a smooth surface and reduce the soil preparation needed for planting the following season.

Abstract: A fertilizer applicator assembly for use with a chisel plow includes a diverter shoe located in the root zone of the crop, above the tillage point of the plow. The diverter shoe closes the furrow formed by the plow shank and forms a lateral pocket in the soil for distributing a band of particulate fertilizer behind and to the side of the shank.