Abstract: A method and apparatus for automating some of the tasks that heretofore required operator action at headland turns or similar events are provided. The present invention automates operation of lift assist wheels and/or gull wings, such as those found on a stack-fold implement, based on the position of the tractor hitch to which the implement is coupled. An operator may control the position of the implement, such as at a headland turn, by raising and lowering the tractor hitch using a remote control. The invention enables the planter to compare the tractor hitch position relative to an implement position and control operation of the implement accordingly without additional user inputs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automating some of the tasks that heretofore required operator action at headland turns or similar events are provided. The present invention automates operation of lift assist wheels and/or gull wings, such as those found on a stack-fold implement, based on the position of the tractor hitch to which the implement is coupled. An operator may control the position of the implement, such as at a headland turn, by raising and lowering the tractor hitch using a remote control. The invention enables the planter to compare the tractor hitch position relative to an implement position and control operation of the implement accordingly without additional user inputs.

Abstract: A furrow opener apparatus attachable to an implement has a trailing arm with a packer wheel at the rear end, and a furrow opener attached forward of the packer wheel. An actuator moves the trailing arm between a lowered operating position and a raised transport position. A latch mechanism engages the implement frame and the trailing arm when the actuator is operated to move the trailing arm to the transport position, preventing the trailing arm from moving downward. A release mechanism moves the latch mechanism to an unlatched position when the actuator is operated to move the trailing arm from the raised transport position to the lowered operating position, allowing the trailing arm to move down from the transport position.

Abstract: The present invention includes an angle blade assembly with a blade assembly pivotally connected to a subframe. In certain operating conditions, such as pushing material along the ground, a spring trip mechanism, including a plurality of springs, is connected between the blade assembly and the subframe. The springs are preset at a desired tension therebetween to control the pivotal movement of the blade assembly relative to the subframe when the blade assembly encounters variances in the ground elevation. When the angle blade assembly is used for a different operating function that does not require the spring trip mechanism, a locking device is connected between the blade assembly and the subframe. The locking device restricts the pivotal movement of the blade assembly relative to the subframe and, thereby, disables the control action of the springs. The disablement of the control action of the springs is accomplished without removal of the springs, saving the time and energy of an operator.

Abstract: A stroke limiting structure for use with a lift control system on an implement includes a reciprocating link operably connected to a hydraulic cylinder and to a lift wheel assembly on an implement frame section. The link is connected by a lost motion connection to depth gauging structure including gauge plates pivotally supported on a carrier. The plates are rotatable between disengaged and engaging positions without need for tools and are maintained together on the carrier to eliminate loose parts that could be misplaced or lost. The plates in the engaging position determine the lowermost position of the implement and provide a positive mechanical stop for the implement to eliminate depth control problems caused by cylinder leakage or the like. The lost motion connection eliminates unwanted movement of the plate carrier and facilitates gauge plate pivoting for depth adjustments.

Abstract: An opener for use in varying ground conditions, ranging from no-till to conventional full tillage conditions, includes an adjustable down pressure control and a down pressure spring and tension link assembly which selectively provide a limited free float opener condition or a conventional down pressure spring controlled bias condition. A sleeve slidably received by the opener arm and mounted over the lower portion of the tension link assembly allows the opener to free float in loose soil conditions so that only the weight of the opener provides downward bias when the down pressure control is adjusted to a minimum condition. The opener is free to ride up and down to follow irregularities in the ground surface.

Abstract: A cultivating system including a tractor, a cultivating machine for performing a cultivating work in combination with the tractor, and a link mechanism for linking the tractor and the cultivating machine, includes a free-motion mechanism provided to at least one of the tractor, the cultivating machine and the link mechanism, and having a free motion permissible zone in which at least one of the tractor, the cultivating machine and the link mechanism is freely movable relatively to the others in accordance with variation of a cultivation attitude of the cultivating machine due to variation of a cultivation environment, a cultivation-condition control mechanism for detecting the free motion of at least one of the tractor, the cultivating machine and the link mechanism within the free motion permissible zone in accordance with the variation of the cultivation environment, and moving the cultivating machine in accordance with the free motion permissible zone so as to offset the variation of the attitude of said c

Abstract: A chain is connected at its distal end to the pin at the rod end of a cylinder on an implement lift and depth control assembly. An intermediate portion of the chain is trained around a gear which rotates about the axis of the pin connecting the base end of the cylinder to the implement frame. An adjustable length, spring-biased rod is connected to the proximal end of the chain to maintain tension in the chain and operate a single point depth control valve to establish a highly accurate and repeatable depth setting which is dependent directly on cylinder rod extension and therefore less susceptible to looseness in the implement lift system.

Abstract: A disc harrow implement having a wheel supported frame to carry the gang discs for transport over-the-road operating mechanism in the frame to selectively extend the wheels and to retract the wheels during ground discing, a shiftable bar to support a fluid pressure motor connected to the wheels, and a transport link that cooperates with the shiftable bar and the wheel supports to allow the implement to be converted between transport configuration and ground discing configuration.

Abstract: A compaction and support apparatus for packing the ground immediately after tillage includes a frame and a wheel support gang movably mounted adjacent a rearward end of the frame. A plurality of tillers are supported in spaced relation from the frame, and a plurality of compaction and support wheels are rotatably mounted on the wheel support gang. Adjacent wheels are staggered longitudinally to track spaced apart substantially parallel paths on the ground. The path of each wheel is aligned behind one of the tillers mounted on the frame and the wheel is mounted on the wheel support gang so that the wheel substantially follows the contour of the ground while supporting the frame for transport and operation. The frame height is adjustable relative to the wheel support gang for controlling the extent of tiller penetration into the ground.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the depth of operation of a ground working tool on an agricultural apparatus comprises a strap which extends across a plurality of separate frame sections of the apparatus and incorporates a chain coupling which passes around a pulley wheel having an axis of rotation which is horizontal and transverse to the movement of the strap to communicate horizontal movement of the strap to vertical movement of a thrust bar. The thrust bar acts upon the axle of ground wheels so as to adjust the position of the ground wheels relative to the frame section. The ground working tool supported by the frame section is therefore adjusted relative to the ground to increase or decrease the depth of operation on the ground. The ground working tool can comprise an air seed boot and the frame of the apparatus can comprise a plurality of separate sections pivotally connected together to accommodate variations in the terrain.

Abstract: A twin row seedling planter is provided with a new mechanical system for ejecting seedlings into a cut in the ground made by a dibble after the dibble has cut to a selected depth. The planter also features an improved modular lay-out of planting beams, packing beams and wheel support beams. The operators' station is located for ease of access to the planting dibbles. A simple and efficient system is used to raise and lower the packing beams and the planter frame in sequence.

Abstract: A tractor-drawn plow is carried at its left front end on a tractor via vertically shiftable hitch means and at its right front end on a furrow wheel linkage means providing for raising and lowering of the frame among transport, open-up plowing and normal plowing positions. The hitch means and furrow wheel linkage include separate hydraulic motors of the two-way type, and these are connected hydraulically in series, with provision for re-phasing, to insure substantial leveling of the frame during raising and lowering movement of the frame. Provision is made in the connection of the hitch motor to the hitch means for enabling limited retrograde movement of the hitch motor piston to a position covering the re-phase port after the hitch motor has extended to fully raise the frame. Further provision is made in the furrow wheel linkage enabling lowering of the frame to either open-up plowing position or normal plowing position by retraction strokes of the same length of the furrow wheel motor.

Abstract: A surface grading device adapted to be towed over a surface to be graded, capable of self adjustment in accordance with a pre-established signal such as a laser beam, capable of grading cross sloping surfaces, capable of minimizing blade deflection caused by carrier wheels hitting a flaw in grade, and adaptable for highway towing along a single lane of a highway.

Abstract: Hydraulic mechanism for varying the angular relationship between a pair of adjacent end-connected disc harrow gangs which uses the same power source that ordinarily is employed for raising and lowering the harrow frame structure as a power source to actuate the gang angling mechanism. A bell crank lever mechanism embodying a pivot shaft, trailing wheel axle arms, and a crank arm, has the latter arm connected to the power source so that when the crank arm is swung in opposite fore and aft directions, the frame structure is raised or lowered.

Abstract: A disc harrow having a pair of spaced support wheels each having its own operating mechanism including a hydraulic actuator for raising and lowering the respective wheel, but wherein the mechanisms are mechanically linked together to ensure substantially simultaneous raising and lowering of the wheels. The interconnecting link includes a spring biased lost motion device whereby one of the hydraulic actuators can be adjusted to permit the wheels to assume different positions of elevation, while, nonetheless, preserving the substantially simultaneous operation feature.

Abstract: A down pressure control for use with furrow openers in grain drills which provides a spring load for maintaining down pressure on the furrow opener during normal operating conditions and which can be at relatively high rate to permit minimum tillage, or work in hard ground, but yet will release upon excessive movement of the furrow opener to prevent overstressing the hold down springs. The down pressure control is used in combination with an individual depth control for each of the furrow openers to insure that each furrow opener is individually controlled as to down pressure and depth.

Abstract: A farm implement tool bar includes a main frame section having a wing section pivotally connected thereto and operated by a hydraulic cylinder located in a passageway in the main frame. The pivotal connection between the hydraulic cylinder and the wing section includes a lost motion connection to allow the wing section to float above and below the horizontal when the wing section is in its extended position. Cooperating lock members on the cylinder and wing section engage when the wing section is pivoted from the extended position to an angular position to limit pivotal movement of the wing section independently of the cylinder.

Abstract: Power operated mechanisms are provided to operate a foldup implement which includes a double-acting hydraulic jack interconnected between a foldup wing section and a main section. The jack has a lost motion connection with the main section permitting the wing section to float up and down about its longitudinal pivot connection to the main section during field operations. An elongated slot of the lost motion connection is so disposed as to minimize any tendency for the end of the jack associated with the slot to move from its position at the laterally outer end of the slot as the wing section is raised to its transport position. To further insure that the end of the jack will not shift from its position at the laterally outer end of the slot as the wing section is raised to a transport position, an abutment member is disposed above a part of the slot so as to abut the end of the jack in the slot should the latter tend to shift laterally inwardly while the wing section is in its raised transport position.

Abstract: A cultivator has a beamed frame with a coupling member that can be attached to the lower points of a lift device on a tractor. The cultivator has an assembly of blades mounted on a horizontal shaft which is driven via a forward transmission connected to the p.t.o. of the tractor. A power driven roller is turned by a rear transmission that is interconnected to the forward transmission by a telescopic shaft. The roller is mounted on a supporting structure including overhead beams that extend forwardly to a pivot connection on top of the coupling member. The roller is vertically displaceable and mounted on pivoted arms of the structure. Hydraulic assemblies can raise and/or lower the roller relative to ground wheels on the structure, for transport. A delivery mechanism including a hopper with a connectable feeder drive is supported on the structure in front of the roller. The roller can be driven to aid the forward travel of the implement.

Abstract: A wing folding or lift kit adapted to be easily installed on the central frame members of foldable, multi-sectioned earthworking implements to selectively move pivotally mounted side sections or wings. A centrally mounted floating hydraulic cylinder has linkage arms hinged on the ends thereof, with the outer ends of said arms attached, by lost-motion links, to cross members of the wings. In cylinder-extended position, the wings are free to follow ground contour without "working" the cylinder. Upon contraction of the cylinder, the wings are rotated or folded.