Abstract: A grading machine includes a machine body, a grading blade, a drawbar connecting the grading blade to the machine body, a blade sideshift cylinder and a blade sideshift cylinder rod, a user interface, and a control system. The control system may be configured to receive an input from the user interface and extend or retract the blade sideshift cylinder to adjust a sideshift of the grading blade to one of a plurality of predetermined sideshift positions based on the input.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a multi-row planter comprises a wheel, a connection assembly, and a piston assembly. The connection assembly has a mounting surface adapted to engage a mounting bracket for mounting to a planter bar. The a piston assembly is adapted to permit movement of the wheel assembly between a first folded position and a second extended position. The wheel assembly is slidably coupled to the planter bar such that it may be slidably positioned at any point along the full lateral length of the planter bar.

Abstract: Disclosed is a guidance system that helps an earthmoving machine operator to control exactly to what elevation to dig. The system includes an electronic sensing device and a display monitor. In one embodiment, the electronic sensing device includes a distance measuring sensor (LDM), an elevation detecting sensor, an orientation sensor, and a steering mechanism for the LDM. The sensing device is mounted to an earthmoving machine, and sends signals to the display showing the machine operator where to move the digging tool for digging to the desired elevation. The various sensors in the sensing device are calibrated at the factory, so the sensing device can be mounted to an earthmoving machine and then be immediately used by that machine without needing any calibration that involves the machine itself, which is a huge advantage for the equipment operator. The measurements are made via non-contact sensors, thereby preserving the jobsite surface.

Abstract: A blade control system is configured to control the spatial orientation of an earthmoving blade mounted on a frame of an earthmoving machine for working a surface of earth to a desired shape. The blade slope angle required to maintain a selected cross-slope angle is calculated and the blade slope is then controlled so that the sensed blade slope angle is substantially equal to the calculated blade slope angle. The method and apparatus of the present invention is capable of maintaining the desired cross-slope even when the motorgrader is steered through a turn. The control system includes an input circuit, a sensor system and a processor. The input circuit is arranged to generate an output signal representative of the desired shape of the surface of earth to be worked. The sensor system includes a first sensor coupled to the frame of the earthmoving machine to generate a first signal indicative of a longitudinal slope angle of the frame with respect to horizontal.

Abstract: A row following drawn implement includes a transversely extended implement frame and an elongated hitch arm having a forward end adapted for connection to a towing vehicle and a rearward end connected to the frame for pivotal movement about an upright pivotal axis adjacent the rearward end of the hitch arm. A power source interconnects the frame and hitch arm for pivoting the hitch arm about its pivot axis. The power source is housed substantially within the confines of the frame to avoid interference with the mounting of tools and other equipment on the frame. A row follower senses transverse movement of the implement relative to a ground row being followed and is operatively associated with the power source to cause corrective steering movement of the implement frame relative to the hitch arm.

Abstract: The farm machine includes a frame 9, a hitching structure 4, a rotor 16 supported by the frame 9, and spades 21 mounted on the rotor 16. The active parts of the spades 21 are curved. The curvature of all of the spades 21 is directed in the same direction and toward the forward end of the rotor 16, considering the work direction 3.

Abstract: A stabilizing disc for farm equipment used in muddy fields or loose soil which has a circular plate-like body with a centering ring of one diameter fastened to, and extending away from, one side of the disc and a second centering ring of different diameter secured to, and extending away from, the other face of the disc. Both centered rings are concentric with the outer edge of the disc, and a plurality of fastening members are arranged within the centering rings for securing the disc to the wheels of crop-harvesting equipment.

Abstract: A minimum tillage planting apparatus includes a soil conditioning device comprising a coulter for cutting through surface residue and slicing into the soil, a plow element behind and in alignment with the coulter for penetrating and lifting the soil, and a pair of spaced-apart pressure wheels located above the point of the plow element for exerting a downward pressure on the soil and, in cooperation with the plow element, creating a crushing, shearing action on the soil. A pair of filler wheels are provided rearwardly of the plow element to fill the furrow formed by the plow element and to level the row zone for a furrow opening means, seed depositing means for depositing seeds in the opened furrow and seed covering and soil firming or compacting means, all of which follow the pair of filler wheels.

Abstract: A plough for working between rows in a plantation comprises a chassis with pivotally-mounted, laterally-movable members having arms to carry earth-working tools. Movably connected to the chassis are curved sensors to contact the plants in two rows between which the plough is operating. There is a guide device for automatically centering the plough between the two rows, and there is a control including double-acting hydraulic rams for shifting the laterally-movable members to suit the width between the rows.

Abstract: Closely spaced cultivating tools are mounted along a tool bar and each tool may be locked in a raised position relative to the ground or may be lowered into floating engagement with the ground during use of the implement. A small tool bar is mounted parallel to a larger tool bar and the cultivating tools are slidably clamped on the small tool bar. Improved mounting structure allows each cultivating tool to be mounted on the small tool bar without having to slide each cultivating tool onto or off of the tool bar from the ends of the tool bar and without having to disassemble the mounting structure. The tool bar assembly includes row indicia for indicating where the tools are to be located along the tool bar and which tools should engage the ground and which tools should be raised away from the ground for various cultivating operations on row crops. A tool angling mechanism allows selective adjustment of the angle to the line of draft of each tool without the use of wrenches or other hand tools.

Abstract: In a row crop implement having an elongated tool bar, a steerable coulter disc, a row follower mechanism connected to the tool bar, and a device for steering the coulter disc in response to movement of the row follower mechanism, an apparatus for synchronizing the steering disc and row follower mechanism. A first mechanism is provided for moving the row follower mechanism to a neutral position corresponding to a transversely aligned position for the tool bar relative to the crop rows. A second mechanism is provided for disabling and enabling the steering device and a third mechanism is provided for steering the disc, while the steering device is disabled, to a position for straight ahead movement of the implement whereby upon enablement of the steering device, the row follower mechanism and coulter disc are disposed in synchronized relation.

Abstract: A cultivating implement such as a discer is provided with a coulter disc engageable with the ground and secured to the tail beam with the depth being preset by the hydraulic setting of the main disc gang. A fluid operator is included at a preset pressure and normally is fully extended until an obstruction is reached at which time the preset pressure is exceeded and the fluid operator or ram unloads and allows the coulter to raise up and clear the obstruction. Once cleared, the pressure in the ram returns the coulter to the preset depth. This coulter assists in maintaining the angle of travel of the discer, particularly on side hills, together with the pivoted rudder wheel assembly. In this invention the rudder wheel assembly is normally held against a stop at the desired angle, by a further ram or fluid operator instead of a spring and which only unloads during turning to allow rudder wheel assembly to break away.

Abstract: A precision steering apparatus, affixed to the tool bar of a row crop cultivator, includes a pair of transversely spaced and pivotally mounted coulter discs and a steering mechanism for pivotally moving the coulter discs in unison. A furrow follower mechanism detects lateral drifting of the cultivator implement relative to a guide furrow formed in the ground parallel to the rows of crops. The furrow follower mechanism is operatively connected to a power assist apparatus actuatable to pivot the guide coulters and thereby steer the implement back to its correct transverse position relative to the guide furrow.

Abstract: Plowshares and double moldboards which form listers are attached to shanks connected to a toolbar or frame drafted behind a towing vehicle. Rotatable stabilizing discs, or colters, are rigidly affixed to the shanks behind the moldboards and plowshares. The discs engage solid soil behind the moldboards, thereby impeding lateral movements of the plowshares and moldboards and stabilizing the listers.