Abstract: There is provided soil loosening and furrower assemblies and a bed renovator therefor. The soil loosening assembly comprises a blade assembly and wherein the blade assembly is horizontally pitched such that, when drawn beneath a soil surface at a fixed depth, the horizontally pitched blade assembly severs rootstock at the level of the blade assembly while retaining the rootstock substantially in place and loosens soil above the level of the blade assembly without substantial soil inversion. The furrower assembly comprises side plates extending rearwardly from a forward prow edge, wherein the side plates are approximately 25-45° with respect to the horizontal axis; and bottom edges of the side plates are approximately 20-40° with respect to a direction-of-travel axis.

Abstract: A bulldozer includes a vehicle frame, a bulldozer blade, an engine, an engine cover and an operator cab. The vehicle frame has a front end and a rear end. The bulldozer blade is disposed in front of the front end of the vehicle frame. The engine is disposed at a front portion of the frame. The engine cover covers the engine. The operator cab is secured to the frame behind the engine. The operator cab includes a front window disposed on a front face of the operator cab. When the bulldozer blade is placed on the ground, a top surface of the engine cover is disposed below a line extending between an upper edge of the bulldozer blade and a lower edge of the front window as viewed from a side of the bulldozer.

Abstract: A support apparatus for securing a wing plow relative to a vehicle having a front and a rear includes a mounting member rigidly secured with respect to the vehicle. A first trailing link is pivotally secured to the mounting member. A second trailing link pivotally is secured to the mounting member. A support arm for supporting the wing plow is pivotally secured to at least one of the first trailing link and the second trailing link. During operation of the wing plow, the first and second trailing links trail away from the mounting member in a direction substantially parallel to a forward direction of vehicle travel.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester rear axle arrangement for an agricultural harvester (10) having a body (12), the arrangement comprising left and right rear wheels (18, 20); means for supporting the wheels for rotation about a generally vertical steering axis (38, 40, 78, 94) and for supporting the wheels for extension and retraction from the body of the combine (26, 28, 30, 90); actuator means for steering the wheels (38, 40, 70, 72, 94) and for extending and retracting the wheels (34, 36, 70, 72); an electronic controller (50) coupled to the actuator means to steer, extend and retract the wheels.

Abstract: A knife opener includes a pair of flared blades designed to cut spaced, but paired furrows. The knife opener is particularly well-suited for use in no-till or minimum-till agricultural operations primarily in conjunction with seed and/or fertilizer placement adjacent a soil cut-line generally in the direction of travel. In addition to being angled away from the main body of the knife, one of the blades is angled forward and the other blade is angled rearward. Seed and/or fertilizer dispensing receivers may be associated with each of the blades.

Abstract: Methods and devices for guiding harvest residue at the time of harvest to prepare crops for strip-tilling operations. Embodiments of the invention include an attachment for a harvesting machine, and a method of harvesting a row crop in a way that directs harvest residue into relatively narrow strips, leaving strips of soil between the strips of harvest residue in better condition for strip-tilling. The management and placement of harvest residue during harvesting operations according to embodiments of the invention may improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of strip-tilling operations.

Abstract: Non-highway vehicle plowing systems are described. The plowing system includes a mount assembly having a lower mount bracket, a plow mount bracket, an upper mount bracket, and an actuator bracket. The lower mount bracket is attached to the non-highway vehicle and the plow mount bracket is pivotably connected to the lower mounting bracket. The upper mount bracket is also secured to the non-highway vehicle and is constructed to engage the actuator bracket at a plurality of positions thereby allowing the plow mount assembly to be operable with a plurality of non-highway vehicles. The systems provide advantages in that the systems are not vehicle specific and are adaptable to different vehicle structures.

Abstract: A circle structure of a motor grader excellent in durability at low maintenance cost. For this purpose, the circle structure includes a drawbar (105), at least one guide shoe (213) attached to the drawbar, an integrated ring-shaped circle gear (211) rotatably supported by the guide shoe, a plurality of circle gear mounting bolts (215) placed at equal pitches on a mounting pitch circle of the circle gear, and a circle (104) which is mounted to the circle gear by the circle gear mounting bolts and rotatable with respect to the drawbar.

Abstract: An attachment is disclosed for mounting to the front end of a road construction vehicle having a four bar linkage and an hydraulic actuator. A scarifier attachment includes first and second moldboards arranged in a chevron shape, when viewed from above, with the bottom of the V being in the center and forward most position so that the moldboards are inclined outwardly and rearwardly relative to the centerline of the vehicle. At the bottom of each of the moldboards is a scarifier plate which is removably mounted to its associated moldboard. Reinforcing structure is added to the moldboards for strength. In one embodiment, the reinforcing structure forms a receptacle for receiving a conventional scarifier mount, and in a second embodiment, the attachment is mounted to upper and lower horizontal bars forming an integral part of the hydraulically-actuated linkage.

Abstract: An aerator device for attachment to the front end of a power riding lawn mower has two features which enable a spiked roller assembly to guide itself smoothly through a desired path and to make turns without excessive digging in of the spikes. The roller assembly includes a plurality, and preferably three, of rollers disposed coaxially on a shaft with each roller being rotatable independently of the others, facilitating turning. Self-tracking of the rollers on a desired path is provided by vertical mounting of a pivot pin connected to the roller assembly in a journal supported by a frame forward of the roller axis. The roller assembly pivots to follow the frame journal without operator intervention when propelled forward.

Abstract: A hitching apparatus is mounted on the forward end of a prime mover to permit the interchangeable connection of various implements. A pair of support members extend from the forward end of the tractor to support a rotatable cross member therebetween. A pair of slotted brackets are operably mounted on the ends of the cross member and connected to the support members via a pair of operable cylinders. Pins through the cross member correspond with the slots in the brackets to permit the cross member to rotate a predetermined amount with respect to the brackets. A shaft extending from the cross member is connected to an implement to raise and lower the implement upon rotation of the cross member.

Abstract: A method of guiding farm equipment is provided. The method includes the steps of attaching a trench forming device to a tractor in front of the rear wheels of the tractor, traversing ground with the tractor equipped with the trench forming device set to a desired depth, forming a trench for guiding farm equipment in front of the rear wheels of the tractor as the tractor traverses the ground, engaging guide wheels attached to the farm equipment in the trench, and guiding the farm equipment by tracking a path provided by the trench. A trench forming device is also provided. The trench forming device includes a trench forming mechanism for forming a trench in ground traversed by a tractor equipped with the trench forming device.

Abstract: A pair of mount members extending longitudinally of the body of a tractor are fixedly provided at opposite sides of the tractor body. A pair of projecting brackets positioned toward the front from the steps of the tractor extend laterally outward from front portions of the pair of mount members and are provided with a pair of opposite mount portions for a front loader and with a pair of opposite front mount portions for a working implement of the mid-mount type. A pair of opposite rear mount portions for the implement are provided at opposite sides of longitudinally intermediate portions of the mount members or of a longitudinally intermediate portion of the tractor body.

Abstract: An elongated boom is pivotally mounted to the forward portion of a tractor and includes a pair of drive/steering wheels mounted to the forward end portion thereof. An electrically actuated, hydraulic control system provides for direction control and rotation of the drive/steering wheels as well as for pivoting displacement of the boom. The drive/steering wheels are mounted to the boom by means of a front axle bolster and pivot assembly, the mounting point of which to the boom may be fixed as desired to permit the effective length of the boom to be varied. Also mounted to a forward portion of the boom by means of the front axle bolster and pivot assembly is a three-point hitch with tilting mast to which a toolbar having a plurality of row units mounted thereto is attached. A hydraulic top link cylinder coupled between the front axle bolster and pivot assembly and the three point hitch allows the toolbar to be rotated about its longitudinal axis and thus affords on-the-go row unit depth control.

Abstract: An apparatus for extending the frame of a conventional tractor whereby an agricultural implement may be mounted between the front and rear wheels of the tractor. A tractor is converted to an extended frame tractor by dismounting the front wheels of the tractor, attaching the extension frame to the frame of the tractor and then mounting the front wheels on the front of the extension frame. Extension power lines for powering the steering mechanism and the hitch control mechanism are coupled between the tractor power lines and the remounted front wheel assembly. The extension frame is also articulated at its connection point to the frame of the tractor for improved control of the tractor assembly. A mechanism is provided for shifting the farm implement laterally with respect to the front wheels of the tractor for proper alignment of the implement with the crop rows. Spring shock absorbers are also provided for cushioning forces to the agricultural implement caused by uneven terrain.

Abstract: A grader attachment for tractors includes a support designed to be secured to the frame of the tractor intermediate the front and rear wheels and projecting laterally from the tractor. An arm is pivotally coupled intermediate its ends to the support for swinging through a vertical arc. A tiltable mounting head pivotally secures a grading blade to the outermost end of the arm and the components of the attachment are arranged so that the arm and components carried thereby can be swung to a near vertical position for clearing obstacles such as may be encountered in landscaping operations.

Abstract: An improved subsoil ripping device is disclosed in which ripper teeth are mounted on the sides of a tracked, crawler-type prime mover approximately opposite the center of mass. The frames carrying the ripper mechanisms are most conveniently mounted on the arms of a conventional bulldozer blade. In order to increase resistance to lateral forces acting on the ripper teeth, the frames may be bridged by a rigid arch. Alternatively, they may be braced by a strut acting between the ripper assembly and the tractor frame. If this latter arrangement is used, the ripper assemblies are preferably hinged to the blade arms to permit full normal blade movement. A ripper made according to the present teaching is especially useful when operating on uneven or debris covered ground. It does not tend to rake up debris, and thus does not require time and fuel for clearing the teeth. Because of the location of the teeth, the prime mover is easier to steer and a rip of more uniform depth can be maintained.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle for forming a substantially circular water ring in the soil for the planting of a young tree or the like includes a vehicle body having an operator position, a pair of wheels supporting the body and an engine for rotating the wheels to move the body across the soil in a direction of travel responsive to control by the operator. A disk plow blade, having a front face and a peripheral edge adapted to engage and turn up the soil is coupled to the vehicle by a boom supported by the vehicle body, the blades being spaced from, and aside, the operator position at a point generally normal from the operator position with respect to the direction of travel, thereby permitting the operator to view the blade during engagement with the soil such that a circular water ring may be formed in the soil by movement of the vehicle in a generally circular direction of travel causing the blade to push up the soil to form the water ring.

Abstract: An attachment for tractors including a pair of elongate support members attached at their forward ends to the tractor frame and at their rearward ends to the tractor's three point hitch arms. A blade assembly is carried by the elongate members and is adjusted vertically or inclined transversely to the tractor centerline by adjustment of three point hitch components. The blade of the assembly is also rotatable about a vertical pivot with a locking mechanism provided for the blade. A tractor mounted bracket removably mounts the forward ends of the elongate support members.

Abstract: A three-point mounting hitch for supporting an implement beneath a tractor and between the front and rear wheels thereof includes an upright rear frame member connectible with the tractor three-point hitch and a horizontal implement supporting frame member at the lower end of the rear frame member extended forwardly below the tractor. The implement is raised and lowered as a unit assembly with the three-point hitch into and out of an operating position. A belt drive mechanism on the hitch connects the tractor power take-off unit to the implement drive shaft.

Abstract: The tractor frame and chassis includes a recessed front portion which will accommodate an implement such as a mower attachment over which the tractor is driven for attachment and detachment of the implement. An implement frame on the front is raised and lowered by means of an electric motor and pivoted frame members. An internal combustion engine mounted on the rear of the tractor drives large rear wheels mounted on individual off-set axles extending from an individual axle housing which is driven from a center transmission. A power take-off from the engine drives a belt which extends forwardly around idler pulleys having tension adjustment thereon. The engine drives a hydraulic pump which operates a hydraulic motor and transmission arrangement mounted on the chassis frame generally beneath the seat of the tractor. This provides stability and permits the use of rear mounted implements such as plows as well as front mounted implements such as plows or mowers.