Abstract: Among other things, a rowing technology includes a first rowing machine having an electromagnetic brake providing a resistance to a rower of the machine in each rowing stroke of a series of rowing strokes of the rower An electronic controller causes the resistance of the electromagnetic brake to vary over each rowing stroke in a profile that emulates resistance to which another rower in a shell on water or on a second rowing machine is subjected in each rowing stroke of a corresponding series of rowing strokes.

Abstract: Among other things, a rowing technology includes a first rowing machine having an electromagnetic brake providing a resistance to a rower of the machine in each rowing stroke of a series of rowing strokes of the rower An electronic controller causes the resistance of the electromagnetic brake to vary over each rowing stroke in a profile that emulates resistance to which another rower in a shell on water or on a second rowing machine is subjected in each rowing stroke of a corresponding series of rowing strokes.

Abstract: A multiple use toolbar attachment for an agricultural implement to tiller to enhance seed planting and row making. The toolbar converts the agricultural implement between a tilling implement and a planting implement in “one-step” by rotation of the toolbar about a longitudinal axis. A plurality of implement mounting brackets are disposed in a spaced apart relation along the longitudinal length of the tool bar. A forward mounting bracket is adapted to receive a first implement and an aft mounting bracket is adapted to receive a second implement. Rotation of the toolbar selectively positions one of the first implement or the second implement to treat the ground surface. The multiple use toolbar may be coupled to another implement, such as a tiller, for tandem operation with the another implement.

Abstract: One or more words at a specified location in an electronic document can be identified. The identified one or more words can be analyzed to determine one or more semantic meanings associated with the words. An audio clip (i.e., audio file, audio element) associated with or corresponding to (the semantic meaning(s) of) the one or more words can be searched for in an audio database. The search for the audio clip associated with the one or more words can utilize an index that specifies the associations between words and audio clips. In some embodiments, the audio clip can be played when an estimated location of where the user is reading is at or near the specified location of the one or more words. In some embodiments, the audio clip can be played when it is calculated that the user is reading the one or more words at the specified location.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a top surface mover generally comprises a vertical portion engaged with a horizontal portion and an engagement pad. The horizontal portion may include a mounting member to engage the top surface mover with a prime mover. The vertical portion and horizontal portion may be of variable length so that the position of the engagement pad with respect to the prime mover may be variable in at least two dimensions. The illustrative embodiment of a top surface mover is complimentary to an illustrative embodiment of a method of use wherein the top surface mover is configured to position top surface pieces accurately.

Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.

Abstract: An agricultural machine apt for crop interseeding, of the type that is self-propelled, comprising a unit with a drawing drive unit and a draw unit, both operatively linked to each other. The drawing drive unit comprises a land vehicle including an elevated chassis disposed at a substantial height for passing over tall mature crops such as corn, wheat, sunflowers and other similar crops, without causing any damage. The drawn unit comprises a structure mounted on a metal frame of a single hopper housing seeds and/or fertilizers with its corresponding dosage dispensers and mechanically actuated drop chutes.

Abstract: A disc opener for no till or minimum till seeding and/or fertilizing operations, the opener having a frame adapted to move in a forward direction of travel, an opening disc for forming a furrow in soil when moved in the forward direction, the disc being rotatably mounted to the frame and inclined in the direction of travel to provide a leading and a trailing surface, means for dispensing seed and/or fertilizer into the furrow, a soil retaining wheel mounted to the frame and set to run along an undisturbed soil surface behind the trailing edge of the leading surface of the opening disc in substantially the same direction as the direction of travel, such that in use the soil retaining wheel replaces soil from the furrow formed by the opening disc and also controls the depth of the furrow.

Abstract: In seeding apparatus a plurality of discs for cutting slits in the ground are carried by arm assemblies which are spaced transversely across the apparatus. The arm assemblies are rigidly connected together in pairs to form separate units, and each arm assembly comprises an arm which is cranked at an intermediate point in its length with each arm carrying a pair of discs which are staggered longitudinally and transversely, being journalled for rotation on inner and outer arm portions on opposite sides of the crank. A pair of ground compacting rollers carried by the unit and journalled for rotation about axles normal to the longitudinal axis of the unit are each adapted to close slits cut in the ground by the two discs carried by each respective arm.

Abstract: An agricultural planter for metering seeds for row crops includes a main frame in the form of a sled with transport wheels which can be selectively raised and lowered for transporting the planter and a tool bar for mounting a plurality of implements. A planter unit for the planter machine includes a main frame having a pair of vertically extending shanks for connecting to the tool bar, a mounting bracket for a seed shoe, and a bracket for a press wheel, a vacuum operated seed dispensing device with the vacuum provided by a vacuum fan mounted on the sled and powered by hydraulic motor with fluid from the main hydraulic system of the tractor. A jack shaft mounted transverse to the sled for powering the implements is driven by a ground wheel including a frame having a pair of reversible tool bar shanks and a drive transmission including a countershaft providing the pivotal support for the frame of the ground wheel.

Abstract: An undercutter seed planter in the form of an elongated tubular seed delivery member adapted to be pulled beneath the soil behind the blade of an undercutter plow. An air metering system supplies seeds to the seed delivery member and such seeds are released at preselected intervals beneath the soil surface from a discharge opening at the member's trailing end. The trailing end portion of the member is formed to create a V-shaped channel to receive the discharged seeds, and a gage wheel assembly connected to the member's trailing end rides upon the surface of the soil and maintains the seed discharge opening at a predetermined distance beneath that surface. A two-way hinge connects the leading end of the seed delivery member to the undercutter plow to permit vertical and horizontal movement of the member's trailing end with respect to the plow.

Abstract: A coulter arrangement and associated drill are provided that are useful in all types of soil, minimize dragging of vegetation into the seed slots, and insure sufficient covering of seed with soil. First and second dished discs are located on frame members, the second disc intercepting the soil displaced by the frist disc. A third dished disc having concave and convex faces and smaller in diameter than the first disc is mounted on another frame member. The third disc is mounted with respect to the first disc and a seed delivery tube so that the third disc removes trash and plant debris from the slot cut by the first disc, and guides seeds from the seed delivery tube directly into the slot.

Abstract: A depth control skid and seed boot assembly is disclosed that is particularly useful in a sod seeding implement for adjusting the maximum depth of cut of a cutting wheel and for adjusting the depth of the seed boot independently of each other. An arm rotatably mounting a pair of cutting wheels slidably receives the forward section of the skid. The rear of the skid is bolted to a bracket assembly vertically positionable with respect to the arm for adjusting the depth of cut. The bracket assembly pivotally carries the seed boot which is yieldingly and adjustably held in position with respect to the ground by a bolt and spring assembly. The seed boot can pivot upwardly against the bias of the spring out of the way of obstacles.

Abstract: An agricultural implement is disclosed which is adapted to perform soil ripping, mixing, and seed planting behind a single prime mover. Soil ripping is accomplished by a parabolic pointed shank attached to a frame by a pivot bolt and secured by a shear bolt to provide release in the event that an essentially immovable object is struck. Attached to the same framework behind the shank is a pair of mixer wheels for tilling the furrowed soil, and attached behind the mixer wheels is a press pan for smoothing the soil into a seed bed, followed by a seed planter of conventional construction connected to a rear planter bar supported by gauge wheels.

Abstract: Supporting the forward end of a mobile frame is a rotatable drum having a number of sawtooth-shaped or beveled ribs extending circumferentially around the drum. Owing to the sawtooth configuration of the circumferential ribs, each rib opens a furrow having a sloping side and a vertical side. A plant supply tape is employed, one for each furrow to be formed, which has a series of resilient blocks secured to a nonstretchable flexible belt, the root ends of the plants to be transplanted being releasably held in the slits between adjacent blocks. A roller mechanism changes the direction of tape travel directly over the sloping side of the furrow being supplied with plants from the tape so that each slit is opened to deposit a plant on the sloping side of the furrow. A scraper blade, one for each furrow, extends downwardly from the frame to backfill the furrow immediately after several plants have been dropped therein.

Abstract: A mobile spreader of the type drawn by a tractor includes a hopper mounted on a roller. The roller is provided with a jarring strip which imparts a jolt to the hopper on each revolution of the roller. This jolting action prevents bridging of the material in the hopper, knocking the hung-up material down into the lower portion of the hopper where an agitator and an impellor further stir up the material. The cooperative effect of the jarring strip, the agitator and the impellor is to provide a steady supply of material, even when moist material is being distributed. The rate of application of the material is controlled by a slidable apertured plate disposed across an opening in the bottom of the hopper. The spreader may be selectively provided with a rake, a floater plate, and a spiker. The spiker may be attached in front of the roller to open the turf to receive the material, or behind the roller to work the applied material into the turf. In addition, the spiker aerates the turf.

Abstract: An automatic seeder for planting tiny seeds at a consistent depth and at evenly spaced intervals, utilizing a vehicle carrying a novel seed dispersing means operationally disposed a short, preascertained distance above a seed bed. A ground sensing arrangement is utilized, which automatically brings about necessary adjustment of the support arrangement for the seed dispersing means on an as-needed basis, in order that the seed dispersing means will be maintained by servo means at a proper, preascertained distance above the ground. A preferred embodiment of this invention involves furrow-creating means located forward of, and aligned with, the seed dispersing means, which furrow-creating means is arranged to create furrows of a consistent, desired depth, into which the seeds from the seed dispersing means are inserted at precisely controlled intervals.

Abstract: A new apparatus for opening furrows in soil is disclosed. Specifically, this apparatus consists of an opening mechanism, a closing mechanism, an automatic seed planting mechanism, an automatic seedling planting mechanism, a driving means, a towing means, and the salient component parts necessary to make them function.

Abstract: A disc-like device, the peripheral edge of which is formed in a plurality of oppositely turned curved segments is attached to a no-till planter as used in planting seed crops in fields which have not been plowed. The disc-like device is arranged to follow the disc opener of the planter which in turn follows a wavey disc which prepares the soil for the disc opener. The configuration of the disc-like device with its outturned oppositely arranged curved segments forming its peripheral edge closes the shallow trench formed by the disc opener at the time the seeds are inserted therein.

Abstract: A self-propelled implement is specially constructed to plant seeds such as beans between rows of a tall growing crop such as wheat. The frame members of the implement are supported above the growing crop on top of selectively spaced front and rear wheel assemblies which are narrow enough to pass between the rows of the growing crop. Each wheel is entirely covered and is provided with a fender that tapers to an inclined forward edge to facilitate passage of the implement through the field. An engine which powers the implement also operates seeding mechanisms which are associated with the wheels.

Abstract: Machine for seeding designed to be pulled by a tractor and outfitted with seed drills for depositing of the seeds in the soil. A furrow opener is mounted forward of the seed drill, and a furrow closer is mounted aft of the seed drill. The furrow closer is mounted on the frame for pivoting in a vertically extending plane behind the seed drill, and comprises a support pivotally mounted on the frame and a hiller mounted on the support by a mounting device for projection of the hiller below the mounting device and into the soil for closing of the furrow. The mounting device is secured to the support by a releasable fastener so that length of the projection of the hiller below the mounting device can be adjusted.