Abstract: The invention concerns a levelling device (10) for an impact roller of the type having at least one out-of-round compactor mass which, when caused to traverse a soil surface, applies periodic compacting blows to that surface. The levelling device of the invention is coupled to the impact roller so as to trail behind the impact roller. It includes a support frame (36) and, for each compactor mass of the impact roller, a ground-engaging levelling blade (52) fast with the support frame. The levelling blade is arranged to cut soil which has been traversed by the compactor mass and thereby to perform a soil levelling action. A ground-engaging shoe (58), one for each levelling blade, is connected to the support frame for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the direction of movement of the impact roller The shoe serves to control the depth of cut achieved by the levelling blade.

Abstract: A conservation tillage tool, including a main frame and a rear frame pivotally mounted on the main frame disposed to support a number of soil working implements in sequence. The main frame is supported by ground wheels attached to the rear section of the main frame. The wheels are movable with respect to the main frame to move the latter between a raised transport position and a number of lowered working positions. A tongue and hitch unit connect the main frame to a prime mover, and a leveling mechanism operably interconnects the main frame, ground wheels and tongue for maintaining the main frame level at any of its positions. A spring-cushioned linkage operably interconnects one of the implements at the front of the main frame with one of the implements mounted on the rear frame for simultaneously raising and lowering those two implements between transport and working positions.

Abstract: A method of continuously applying an additive to soil with a soil treating apparatus as the soil treating apparatus is advanced in a travel direction along a planting path on soil being treated. The method includes the steps of resituating residue in the planting path in a lateral direction transverse to the travel direction away from the planting path, applying an additive to the soil, and moving soil laterally inwardly over the planting path after the additive is applied to the soil. An apparatus is provided for practicing the method.

Abstract: A conservation tillage tool including a frame disposed to support a number of soil working implements in sequence. The frame is supported by ground wheels attached to the rear section of the frame. The wheels are movable with respect to the rear section of the frame to move the frame between a raised transport position and a number of lowered working positions. A hitch attached to a tractor supports the front section of the frame, and a pivotally attached tongue interconnects the front section and the hitch. A leveling mechanism interconnects the rear section, the front section and the pivotally attached tongue. The leveling mechanism is a four-bar linkage that applies a force at the pivotal connection of the tongue to the front section as the wheels move to raise or lower the rear section thereby maintaining the frame substantially level with respect to the ground.

Abstract: An earth clod pulverizing and earth smoothing implement (10) has rows of heavy, cast-iron, pointed teeth (14a-v) which are wedge-shaped in cross section with the cutting edges (42) of the wedges defining substantially vertical lines facing the forwardly direction. The implement further includes downwardly directed channel irons (16a-d) after each row of teeth, with each successive channel iron being mounted slightly lower than the one in front of it. The front leg (54) of each channel iron is shorter than the back leg (56). The implement (10) also includes downwardly directed side walls (18a and b), an upwardly flared front member (20) and a downwardly flared rear, smoothing, member (22). A channel iron (16e) having equal sides is mounted on the downwardly flared smoothing member (22). The teeth are spaced two feet apart in the rows, and the rows of teeth are spaced 14 inches apart.

Abstract: A conditioning apparatus is provided for working of an upper surface layer of a dirt race track to form a cushion of loosened and uncompacted earth particles. The apparatus includes a rigid structural frame mounted on a single elongated supporting roller extending substantially the entire width of the apparatus. A plurality of transversely extending beams are fixedly secured to the frame and each carries a plurality of vertically extending earth working tines. The frame is vertically adjustable on the roller to a selected elevation and a leveling mechanism is interconnected between the frame and a towing bar to enable pivoting of the frame about the single roller to a horizontal plane when the towing bar is connected to a towing vehicle.

Abstract: A soil cultivating machine has a pair of frame units inclined rearwardly divergently to each other, each frame unit having a respective tool-holding shaft. Each shaft is associated with two tool-holding bars, one in front of the shaft and one behind it. The bars carry deep-tilling implements, while the shafts carry disc-like tools. There is a prescribed numerical relationship between the depth of tilling by these implements and the distance, measured in a direction parallel with the direction of advance of the machine, between a given implement and the associated disc-like tool. There is a further prescribed numeral relationship between this distance and the velocity of advance of the machine.