Abstract: An agricultural implement with ground-engaging implements tracks in a direction down slope when pulled by a traction vehicle over uneven, or sloped, terrain. The implement's path from the track of the vehicle depends upon, among other things, the slope of the terrain. To compensate for this tendency to drift down slope away from the pulling vehicle's track, the implement frame is provide with controllable forward and aft pivoting wing sections to which the ground engaging implements are attached. Using a GPS receiver, precise positioning information is used to position the wing sections so that the ground engaging members are directed up slope to move the implement's track upwardly in correcting its track, with the wing sections then automatically re-positioned when the implements are on the proper track.

Abstract: A seed tank arrangement is provided with improved access to seed tanks of an agricultural planter and the contents thereof, while simplifying the manufacturing of such tanks. The seed tank has a fill opening formed in the upper surface of the tank for loading and accessing seeds in the interior of the tank. Features of the tank are mirror images about a diagonal plane of the tank, which enables the same tank to be used for both the left and right sides of the planter. This is achieved by rotating the left tank 90 degrees with respect to the right tank. The design provides improved access to the interior of the tanks for filling and servicing the seed.

Abstract: A disc system for an agricultural machine including a frame carrying a plurality of agricultural tools, the disc system comprising a leading disc mounting mechanism and a rear tools mounting mechanism, wherein the mechanisms are mounted in the frame in a manner that they move in upward and downward directions and when one of the mechanisms tends to move in one of the directions the other one of the mechanisms tends to move in the opposite direction to copy as close as possible the field profile.

Abstract: A seeding machine comprising a transversely extending main frame and left and right transversely extending wing frames. The main frame and the wing frames are provided with a plurality of planting units. Left and right main seed hoppers are mounted to the main frame. The left and right main seed hoppers are transversely separated from one another by a longitudinally extending gap located along the longitudinal centerline of the seeding machine. A pneumatic seed on demand delivery system automatically directs seed from the left and right main seed hoppers to the planting units. A walkway is positioned in the gap between the left and right main seed hoppers to facilitate operator access to the lids of the main seed hoppers.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the invention an extension section of a frame is held down in its locked position by the same mechanism that folds and unfolds the frame extension. When the frame extension is in its locked down position, it bears against a limit stop that precludes further movement in an unfolding direction. An operating link that is pushed and pulled by a hydraulic cylinder to manipulate the frame extension is controlled in such a way by a guide member that the line of action of the link is directed transversely toward a guide surface of the guide when the frame extension is in its unfolded position. Thus, only a small amount of force is required from the hydraulic cylinder at that time to maintain the link in its locked position, since most of the load from the link is born by the guide surface at this time. In a preferred embodiment, the line of action of the link is approximately perpendicular to the guide surface.

Abstract: A planter/fertilizer assembly that can be configured to facilitate either rapid seeding/fertilizing or transport and including an implement bar mounted on a wheel supported carrier frame for rotation between a transport position where the implement bar is parallel to a transport direction and an operating position where the implement bar is perpendicular to the transport direction, row units mounted to the implement bar on a side opposite the wheels and including central units adjacent the wheels and lateral units disposed laterally of the wheels, lateral coulter/fertilizer units mounted to the lateral row units, a coulter bar mounted to an underside of the carrier frame on a side opposite the support wheels and a separate coulter/fertilizer unit mounted to the coulter bar and aligned with each of the central row units.

Abstract: An agricultural planter having left and right hinged wing sections includes seed storage tanks carried by the planter frame and feeding individual row units, mounted fore and aft of the main toolbar, by flexible conduits. The tanks are mounted to permit the wings to flex independently to follow ground contour while extending the tanks from a wing section onto the center frame section.

Abstract: An agricultural planter having left and right hinged wing sections includes seed storage tanks carried by the planter frame and feeding individual row units, mounted fore and aft of the main toolbar, by means of flexible conduits. The tanks are mounted to permit the wings to flex independently to follow ground contour while extending the tanks from a wing section onto the center frame section.

Abstract: A winged implement includes an hydraulic control circuit having two operator-controlled valves, including a work valve and a transport valve. Using only these controls, and without leaving the tractor cab, the operator can (1) fold the implement for transport; (2) unfold the wings; (3) place the implement in the field use position with substantial constant down pressure on the wings; and (4) raise the wings and center section to an intermediate position with the wings inclined upwardly for end row turns.

Abstract: An agricultural planter is provided with forwardly folding wing members that allow conversion of the planter from a laterally extending operating position to a compact transport position. To increase stability for the planter, the draw bar telescopes as the wing members are folded forwardly into the transport position. Brace members interconnect a forward portion of the draw bar and the wing members. As the wing members fold forwardly, the brace members are arranged to cause a rearward portion of the draw bar to extend rearwardly from the forward portion and effect the telescopic action in the draw bar. A draw bar hitch lock linkage is provided to keep the draw bar compacted when the wing members are in the operating position. A hitch lock actuator is tied into the hydraulic system for the movement of the wing members into the transport position to permit the telescopic action of the draw bar in concert with the forward folding of the wing members.

Abstract: Improved bearing assemblies for agricultural implements and in particular flexible frame towed agricultural implements such as plows and the like are disclosed. The bearing assemblies preferably include a bearing formed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. The improved bearing assembly includes a flanged cylindrical bearing sleeve adapted for use with a hinge connecting adjacent frame sections of a flexible frame towed agricultural implement. The flanged cylindrical bearing sleeve is positioned within an outer cylindrical metal bearing sleeve which is mounted in the end of a male hinge member in alignment with a pivot pin receiving bore extending therethrough. A pivot pin extending through the flanged cylindrical bearing sleeve connects a hinge clevis on a female hinge member to the male hinge member. A flange on the flanged cylindrical bearing sleeve extends between thrust bearing surfaces on the male hinge member and the female hinge member.

Abstract: A forwardly folding tool bar including a center tool bar section having wing tool bar sections pivotally secured to the outer ends thereof. The wing tool bar sections are pivotally movable from a field position to a transport position. In the field position, the wing tool bar sections are parallel to and extend outwardly from the outer ends of the center tool bar section. When the wing tool bar sections are moved to their transport positions, the wing tool bar sections pivotally move approximately 180° with respect to the center tool bar section so that the wing tool bar sections are positioned in front of the outer ends of the center tool bar section. A telescoping tongue is also provided on the tool bar section which includes telescoping tongue sections which are automatically locked and unlocked.

Abstract: An agricultural device for transporting planting units which has a first stationary toolbar and a pair of toolbars spaced away and separate from the stationary toolbar and carrying a plurality of planting units thereon at fixed intervals. The pair of toolbars are moved between a first position where the fixed toolbar and the pair of toolbars are positioned with their longitudinal axes generally colinear and a second position where the pair of toolbars are spaced from the fixed toolbar and the longitudinal axes of the fixed toolbar and the pair of toolbars are parallel. The agricultural device is incapable of positioning the planting units carried thereby in at least two different spacings depending upon whether the pair of toolbars are in the first or the second positions thereof.

Abstract: A variable width field implement includes a central frame and wing assemblies which are pivotally attached to the central frame. Implement elements are pivotally attached to the wing assemblies. The field implement utilizes a collapsible parallelogram geometry and pivotal connections to allow the width between implement elements to be altered while at the same time the elements retain an orientation that is parallel to the direction of travel.

Abstract: A folding multi-row crop planter having coupled thereto individual planter row units. The planter having an assisted hinge that allows the planter wings to be moved from an open field position to a closed travel position. Further, the multi-row crop planter having a large central fluid storage tank for fertilizers/insecticides mounted forward of the foldable wings. The distribution of fluids occuring through a fluid network system along the planter wings.

Abstract: A support for a seed firming wheel of an agricultural planter. The support comprises a frame member, a link pivotally coupled to the frame member and a spring positioned between the link and frame member. The frame member is also provided with a pivot assembly to which the link is pivotally mounted. The seed firming wheel is rotatively mounted to the link. A lockup link is positioned between the frame member and the link for holding the seed firming wheel in a non-working position.

Abstract: A potato seed platner in which seeds are loaded into cups on an endless conveyor from a hopper of a seed receptacle. The conveyor is driven on upper and lower sprockets and arranged on the receptacle with the cups in two parallel rows in staggered constant relationship and moving upwardly through the hopper for seed loading. The cups pass around the upper sprocket, invert and enter a contoured tube thereat and descend in an attached dicharge tube to a furrow. The cup bottoms are inclined transversely and support the seeds in their descent against the wall of the discharge tube. At the bottom the seeds are discharged from the planter and guided by the transversely inclined cup bottoms are deposited one by one alternately from one row and then the other in the furrow with precision heretofore unachieved. The planter further comprises a wheeled frame and one or more, attached, laterally extending, flexible frames upon which the receptacle is supported.

Abstract: A plurality of grain drills are coupled together in end-to-end relation for towing behind a tractor for operation and alternately in an endwise direction for transport. Each drill is supported in field operation by a forward caster wheel and a plurality of side-by-side gangs of press wheels disposed along the rear of the drill. The drills are coupled to the tractor for operation by duplex (or triplex) hitch structure. For endwise transport an endmost drill is provided with a hitch swingable to a transport position for coupling to the tractor. A single transport wheel is mounted on the rear of this drill for movement to a position providing endwise transport. A press wheel gang lock mechanism is arranged for movement to a position locking the gangs against downward movement in response to swinging the endwise hitch to its transport position. This leading drill is thus supported in transport by the front caster wheel, the transport wheel, and the tractor through the endwise hitch.