Abstract: An improved hydraulic fracturing method for fracturing an unconsolidated zone in a subterranean formation by fracturing a nearby consolidated zone to form a fracture which extends into the unconsolidated zone. This invention further relates to a method for producing fluids from an unconsolidated subterranean zone via a fracture extending from the unconsolidated zone through a consolidated zone to a wellbore.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic fracturing method for fracturing an unconsolidated zone in a subterranean formation by fracturing a nearby consolidated zone to form a fracture which extends into the unconsolidated zone. This invention further relates to a method for producing fluids from an unconsolidated subterranean zone via a fracture extending from the unconsolidated zone through a consolidated zone to a wellbore.

Abstract: A bed tent (10) with a support portion (16, 18, 30) is erected over a bed and a canopy portion (12) draped over the support portion (16, 18, 30). The canopy portion (12) may be connected to portion (12) provides an enclosure having an open bottom surface area and an opening (26) for entering and exiting the enclosure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum refuse collector comprising: a body; a refuse container mounted on the body having a refuse chamber; a filter in the refuse chamber of the refuse container dividing the refuse chamber into a refuse side and a non-refuse side; a flexible refuse tube communicating with the refuse chamber on the refuse side of the filter; an atmosphere port; an air velocity increasing means; duct means forming a first air path from the non-refuse side of the refuse chamber to the inlet of the air velocity increasing means, through the air velocity increasing means and then to atmosphere and a second air path from the atmosphere port to the inlet of the air velocity increasing means through the air velocity increasing means and to the non-refuse side of the refuse chamber; and control means for controlling the differential of air velocity in the first path and the second path to control the air velocity in the pick up tube.

Abstract: A grass collection system for a reel mower in which an auger extends across each reel. The part of the auger not facing the reel is enclosed by a shield, so the auger conveys cut grass laterally to one end of the mower, from which end the cut grass is conveyed through an air duct and impeller to a hopper. Where the duct connects to the auger shield, an extra opening is provided to entrain outside air, to maintain the flow of air past the auger shield outlet and thus reduce the likelihood of clogging.

Abstract: A mower having a frame consisting of a top plate and downwardly extending side plates. Reel adjustment members are pivotably connected to the side plates and carry the ends of the reel shaft to adjust the reel position. A bed knife behind the reel is carried by two side arms which extend upwardly and forwardly to the front and top of the mower. The side arms are pivoted at their rear to the frame side plates and are joined at their tops by a transverse bar. The transverse bar is adjustably connected to the frame top plate by an adjustment device to adjust the bed knife position. The rear roller is carried by further side arms also pivoted to the frame side plates and connected at their tops by a second transverse bar which is connected by an adjustment device to the frame top plate. The mower is suspended at its center and drive is applied through a shaft extending over the mower generally parallel to the reel axis, to prevent torque changes from varying the height of an end of the mower.

Abstract: A mower having a frame consisting of a top plate and downwardly extending side plates. Reel adjustment members are pivotably connected to the side plates and carry the ends of the reel shaft to adjust the reel position. A bed knife behind the reel is carried by two side arms which extend upwardly and forwardly to the front and top of the mower. The side arms are pivoted at their rear to the frame side plates and are joined at their tops by a transverse bar. The transverse bar is adjustably connected to the frame top plate by an adjustment device to adjust the bed knife position. The rear roller is carried by further side arms also pivoted to the frame side plates and connected at their tops by a second transverse bar which is connected by an adjustment device to the frame top plate. The mower is suspended at its center and drive is applied through a shaft extending over the mower generally parallel to the reel axis, to prevent torque changes from varying the height of an end of the mower.

Abstract: A portable sod cutting machine having a light weight tubular frame and a split cutting knife to reduce vibration. The split cutting knife includes two horizontal undercutting blades facing each other and substantially touching each other, and two side cutting blades one extending upwardly from each side of each undercutting blade. The undercutting knives are reciprocated oppositely by a common drive shaft having eccentric stub shafts connected to crank arms which are connected to the cutting knives. Swinging handles are hingedly connected to the rear of the machine and swing between a normal rearwardly extending operating position and a storage position in which the handles project forwardly one on each side of the frame.

Abstract: A forklift vehicle has hooks mounted on the forks for preventing removal of a loaded pallet from the forks and a gate for ejecting the contents of the pallet as the forks are withdrawn. The hooks are normally biased out of engagement with the pallet but a cam mechanism moves the hooks into pallet engaging position when the forks are moved to a selected unloading height. The gate is mounted on the rear of the forks and is biased there by two pairs of extensible links. During unloading the forks are moved forwardly and downwardly to bring the gate in front of a pair of stops. The forks are then moved rearwardly, withdrawing the pallet while the gate ejects the pallet contents. The forks are then raised above the stops, allowing the biased links to return the gate to its rear position.

Abstract: A forklift vehicle is mounted on the rear of a carrier vehicle with the front pneumatic tires of the forklift vehicle received in wheel pockets on the carrier vehicle, and with telescopic links suspending the rear of the forklift vehicle from the rear of the carrier vehicle. The pneumatic tires of the forklift vehicle act as a prime shock absorbing device, absorbing much of the vibration during road travel, thus reducing damage to the forklift vehicle.

Abstract: A gang mower typically having five or seven gangs which are raised and lowered by a single piston and cylinder. Lifting arms are fixed to an actuating shaft at each side of the machine and the piston and cylinder are connected between opposed lifting arms to rotate them in opposite directions. An equalizer link connected by cranks to the actuating shafts ensures that the shafts always rotate to equal extents in opposite directions. Chains are connected from the lifting arms to the mowers, the chains and lifting arms being dimensioned so that lifting occurs sequentially, with some of the mowers being lifted before others. The sequential lifting spreads the load more evenly throughout the lifting sequence, thereby permitting a single piston and cylinder to lift all of the mowers.

Abstract: An automatic steering mechanism for a sod harvester, in which a shoe follows the cut edge of a strip of sod. The show has a working edge which slides along the cut sod edge and penetrates slightly into it, to resist the tendency of the shoe to ride up over the cut edge. A ramp on the front of the shoe is also spaced away from the working edge for the same reason. The shoe is mounted on an arm which in one embodiment actuates a pair of automobile points which transmit steering signals to a solenoid hydraulic steering valve. A mechanical connection between the steered wheels and the arm provides feedback. In another embodiment the arm on which the shoe is mounted is mechanically connected to and moves a valve shuttle bracket which operates the hydraulic steering valve. Feedback is provided by a mechanical connection from the steering wheels to a mounting block on which the steering valve is mounted, to move the steering valve bodily in a direction which counteracts the movement of the shuttle.