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: A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly includes a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a lost motion linkage, a hoe opener, and a packer wheel. The design provides improved seeding accuracy, by adjusting assembly components to and compensating for changes in terrain elevation.

Abstract: A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly includes a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a lost motion linkage, a hoe opener, and a packer wheel. The design provides improved seeding accuracy, by adjusting assembly components to and compensating for changes in terrain elevation.

Abstract: A walk-behind working machine has a machine body and a wheel mounted on the machine body for undergoing rotation to move the walk-behind working machine along a ground surface. A cultivator device is mounted on the machine body for cultivating the ground. A working device attachment is removably connected to the machine body for working the ground. A connection mechanism removably connects the working device attachment to the machine body. The connection mechanism has a pair of link members each pivotally connected at a first end portion thereof to the working device attachment and a control unit for controlling a position of the working device attachment with respect to the ground surface so that when the working operation, the first end portions of the link members are disposed closer to the ground surface than the second end portions of the link members.

Abstract: A rockshaft is mounted over the front rank of the implement frame and is operated by cylinders located at opposite ends of the rockshaft connected to lift arms extending radially adjacent bearing mounts. Fore-and-aft extending links aligned with the lift arms and mounts operate lift wheel assemblies. A hitch arm connected near the center of the rockshaft is directly connected to a hitch turnbuckle for level lift operation. An aligned arrangement of cylinders, cylinder brackets, links and arms provides minimal torsional loading, particularly when the rockshaft is rotated to fully raise the implement frame for transport and is in the most susceptible shock loading condition. Moment arms are controlled to minimize rockshaft torsional loading during highest stress conditions. The front-mounted rockshaft provides simplicity and advantageous weight distribution.

Abstract: Lift wheel structure for an implement includes four bar linkage having a curved lower link connected to the frame closely adjacent a first tool-carrying rank. A caster wheel is supported at the forward end of the linkage for castering in an accommodation area defined by the curved lower link. Plates are bolted to the sides of the lower link and extend along sides of an upper link to a connection with a lift cylinder directly above the upper link. The link and the cylinder closely overlie the frame to limit interference with other components mounted above the frame and to facilitate compact folding of implement sections. Loads, including cylinder lift loads, are transmitted primarily through the lower link. A protected transducer assembly is connected between the lower link and the frame to maximize and linearize transducer response in the depth control range.

Abstract: An attachment device for attaching an implement to an attachment plate for a vehicle. The attachment device includes at least two sets of two or more arms, each arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of each arm being operably coupled to the implement and the second end of each arm being operably coupled to the attachment plate, wherein the two sets of two or more arms allow the implement to be tilted such that a first end of the implement may be raised to a higher vertical position than a second end of the implement.

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: The invention relates to an implement for treating soil and, in particular, to an implement used to improve the hygroscopic properties of the soil by making holes in it using one or more tools mounted on an irregular, variable, quadrilateral jointed structure pivoted to a frame and actuated by a linkage system which can modify its configuration in such a way as to drive the tool into the soil and then angle it gradually so as to widen the bottom of the hole.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the height of a frame of an agricultural implement relative to a groundsurface is described. A parallelogram frame is provided which includes a frame mounted member and a wheel mounting member parallel to the frame mounted member. The frame mounted member is secured in substantially vertical orientation to an end of a transverse support member of the frame of the agricultural implement. A stub axle is secured substantially perpendicularly to a face of the wheel mounting member remote from the transverse support member with a ground engaging wheel rotatably mounted on the stub axle. An expandable jack is mounted to the top of the transverse support member. Upon expansion of the jack a force is exerted upon an upper connecting member causing the parallelogram frame to pivot until a first end of the upper connecting member to which the end of the transverse support member is attached is raised relative to a second end of upper connecting member.

Abstract: A agricultural implement incorporates a frame which is adapted to engage a three point hitch of a tractor. The frame employs a longitudinally extending member which is pivotally connected to a link member. A resilient yielding assembly is disposed between the longitudinally extending member and the link member to absorb forces exerted from the link member onto the longitudinally extended member. Accordingly, when the link is acted upon by forces which cause the link to exert a stress on the three point hitch of a tractor, the resilient yielding assembly allows the first link to pivot about the longitudinal member thereby reducing compressive loads exerted on the upper link of the tractor's three point hitch.

Abstract: A hitch for connecting a first implement to a second implement pulled behind a tractor is disclosed which has a first parallel linkage assembly with two upright members with upper and lower portions, the upper portions of the upright members being connected by an upper follower arm and the lower portions of the upright members being pivotally connected by a lower follower arm. One upright member is adapted to rigidly connect to the second implement. A central horizontal member has two opposed ends and front and rear sides. An upright member of the first parallel linkage is rigidly connected to the front side of the horizontal member. Ground engaging caster wheels are pivotally mounted on each end of the horizontal member. A second parallel linkage has two upright members with upper and lower portions. The upper portions of the upright members are pivotally connected by an upper lifting arm and the lower portions of the upright members are pivotally connected by a lower lifting arm.

Abstract: The linkage mechanism between the front and the rear wheels of a farming implement includes a front and a rear arm the free ends of which suspend the respective wheels. Each arm has a transverse bracket near its other end. The bracket defines, at its free end, a pivot joint of a normally generally horizontal connecting rod whose other end is similarly connected to the bracket of the other arm. Each arm is mounted in a respective bearing for swinging about a point to raise or to lower the frame of the implement. The three pivot points associated with each arm define a respective linkage triangle. The geometry of the linkage triangles is developed from a reference triangle, divided by a median into two triangles of which one corresponds to one of the linkage triangles and the other corresponds to or is similar to the other one of said linkage triangles. The invention facilitates the designing of the linkage.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel zero-till seed drill which has a shortened wheel base and can thus closely follow the contours of a field which is being seeded, is capable of being raised and lowered at the beginning and end of each pass on the field, and has adjustable level and packer wheel weight capability. The invention is directed to a zero-till drill apparatus which is adapted for optionally carrying a Coulter disk, at least one seed drill, and a holder for carrying seeds, the apparatus being mounted on transport wheels. The apparatus includes means for raising at least one of the transport wheels off the ground while the Coulter disk and/or drill are on the ground in position for dispensing seeds into the ground, and lowering the transport wheel onto the ground when the Coulter disk and/or drill are raised off the ground.

Abstract: A farming implement is disclosed having a series of wheel subassemblies supporting a towed frame. Each subassembly has a front wheel, preferably a castor wheel, and a rear wheel arrangement. According to the invention, the rear wheel arrangement is secured to a trailing arm which is connected by a connecting rod with a front arm. The connecting rod, the pivot point of the rear and the front arms and the point at which the rear and the front wheels are secured to the respective arms form, in the preferred embodiment, identical right-angled triangles. The rear arm is operatively associated with a hydraulic cylinder for raising or lifting the trailing arm as the need arises. The movement of the trailing arm is transmitted through the linkage to the front wheel whereby the frame of the implement is maintained at a generally horizontal position at all times.

Abstract: A land leveling device having a frame supported on wheels for earth traversing movement forwardly thereof; a first pair of blades borne by the frame in rearwardly convergent oblique relation to each other; a second pair of blades borne by the frame rearwardly of the first pair in rearwardly divergent oblique relation to each other; and means for deploying the frame in a substantially horizontal attitude substantially continuously during said earth traversing movement.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for seed planting having a series of independent planter units at the rear of a frame with the planter units connected to the frame in such a manner that the press wheels of the planter units form the rear wheels of the implement, the frame having forward wheels, and the series of independent units are interconnected through common hydraulic means to allow accommodation of ground irregularities without materially changing the downward loading on each independent unit.

Abstract: A discing tool is provided which includes a plurality of disc gangs connected to a movable elongated frame. The frame is supported on a number of rotatable wheel assemblies so that the disc gangs can be moved in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame as well as in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame. A pair of outer disc gangs are pivotally connected at their first ends to the center portion of the frame. The second ends of the outer disc gangs extend in opposite directions and the outer disc gangs can be positioned at various predetermined angles relative to the frame. A center disc gang is connected to the center portion of the frame and is vertically pivotal. When the discing tool is used to work the soil, the center disc gang disc harrows the section of soil between the first ends of the outer disc gangs.

Abstract: A tandem offset disc implement comprising a frame on wheels, a tongue pivoted at the forward end of the frame for hitching the disc to a tractor, the frame being movable up and down, forward and rearward gangs of discs on opposite sides of the frame swingable between a field position extending out from the sides of the frame and a transport position extending rearward and also swingable up and down relative to the frame, swivel wheels for the gangs, and linkages between the tongue and the gangs for maintaining the gangs in field position for tilling.

Abstract: An articulated plow is provided with a laterally swingable pull bar (31) and steerable intermediate support wheels (46, 47) which are controlled by a hydraulic system providing correlated movement through parallel connected hydraulic jacks (37, 66). A latch mechanism (86) for releasably securing the pull bar (31) in its plowing position of adjustment is operated by the pull bar control jack (37) through an operating lever (41) having a lost motion connection with a spring loaded latch pin (87). A locking plate (131) is provided to automatically lock the latch pin (87) in its retracted position when the pull bar (31) is moved to its transport position.

Abstract: A wheel mounting assembly for a towed implement which permits vertical movement of a casterwheel, adjustment of the level of the implement above the terrain and also serves to return the implement to the desired height after vertical displacement thereof. The assembly includes a casterwheel, pivotally mounted in a caster bracket, which bracket is pantographically linked to an anchor bracket mounted on the implement. The pantographic linkage includes a height adjusting arm, one end of which is pivotally mounted to the caster bracket and the other end of which is pivotally mounted to the anchor bracket. The pantographic linkage also includes a control arm disposed beneath the height adjusting arm which is likewise pivotally mounted to the caster bracket and also to the rear of the implement in parallel relation to the height adjusting arm so as to form a pantographic linkage between the implement and the caster bracket.

Abstract: A mechanism for sowing seeds having a seed supply device which is carried by a sower frame. Front and rear wheels for supporting the frame are carried by arms pivotally coupled to the frame, which arms include lever arm appendages which are coupled together by a coupling rod of variable length pivotally coupled at opposite ends thereof to the lever arm appendages so as to provide for correlated movements of the front and rear arms.

Abstract: A latch mechanism is provided for locking the front furrow wheel of a plow when the plow frame is in its lowered plowing position. The latch mechanism is inoperative when the plow frame is raised to its transport position, thus permitting the castered furrow wheel support to freely rotate about the vertical spindle pivot axis. A latch is pivoted to the upper end of the vertical spindle about a horizontal axis and has a downwardly extending finger adapted to drop into a recess in a flat ramp on the upper link of a parallel lift linkage for the castered furrow wheel.

Abstract: A cultivating implement has an elongated frame portion with soil working tines rotatably mounted along the length of the frame portion. The implement is supported, at least in part, by a leading member and a rear member each of which bear on the ground in advance and to the rear of the soil working tines. The supporting members can be wheels, rollers, a row of rods, levelling bars or combinations thereof which are interconnected by at least one linkage. Each supporting member has a respective carrier that is pivoted to a strip or pair of strips secured to the frame portion. The carriers include upwardly extending arms or plates with holes at different levels that receive pins and the pins interconnect the upper portions of the carriers to an adjustable connecting member. When one supporting member is displaced upwardly or downwardly, the other member is displaced in an opposite direction.

Abstract: An implement has at least one group of soil working members arranged in a row that extends transverse to the direction of travel. The group of members is carried on an elongated frame portion that is connected to an overlying supporting structure by parallelogram linkages. Fore and aft ground wheels on corresponding arms interconnect the wheels to beams of the structure and the arms for the front wheels form part of further parallelogram structures. A hydraulic piston assembly bridges each rear arm to an upper arm link of a further parallelogram linkage so that the arms can be pivoted and the supporting structure together with the frame portion with soil working members, are raised to a transport position. The wheels can each be adjusted about a vertical axis to support the implement, in part, during operation or entirely during transport. Respective coupling members are attached to the front and the side of the implement for towing same in either position.

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.

Abstract: An agricultural spraying machine comprising an assembly having at least two moving sections resting on wheels on the soil. This assembly supports at least two spray conduits having spraying nozzles and is attached to a tractor vehicle having a powder feed hopper. According to the inventive concept, the conduits are suspended in the moving section of the assembly and include means to adjust individually the lateral positions of the conduits perpendicular to the direction of movement of the tractor vehicle. Other means likewise provide for the adjustment in height and spacing of the spray nozzles of each conduit.

Abstract: A compaction assembly comprising a lobed roller and a draw frame; and the operation thereof. A pair of composite links interconnects the roller and frame, each being pivotally connected to the frame and comprising at least two constituent links pivotally interconnected, all of said pivotal connections having lateral axes. Bearing means on each composite link carries the roller which extends therebetween. The composite links act as guide means constraining and guiding rolling of the roller. The bearing means are mounted to be independently pivotable about two or more axes relative to the draw frame and so that the roller axis has vertical free movement subject to gravity. Bias means biasses constituent links of the composite links into positions inclined to each other and allows the roller axis resiliently damped free movement relative to the frame in opposite directions along the direction of rolling.