Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement including a main section having a hitch extending in a travel direction, a plurality of foldable wing sections coupled with the main section, and a plurality of ground engaging tilling elements. The tilling elements are coupled to the main section and wing sections. At least one of the sections have a gauge wheel system. The gauge wheel system includes an untilled wheel assembly, a tilled wheel assembly, and an adjustment device. The adjustment device is configured to adjust the untilled wheel assembly relative to the tilled wheel assembly thereby compensating for a characteristic difference between tilled and untilled soil.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a main section including a hitch extending in a travel direction, a plurality of foldable wing sections coupled with the main section, a plurality of ground engaging tilling elements, a plurality of wheel assemblies and a control system. The tilling elements are coupled to the main section and wing sections. Each of the wheel assemblies include an actuator. The wheel assemblies include a first plurality of wheel assemblies associated with the main section and a second plurality of wheel assemblies associated with the plurality of wing sections. The actuators of the first plurality of wheel assemblies being independent of the actuators of the second plurality of wheel assemblies. The control system is configured to actuate the actuators to effect a profile minimizing operation of the foldable wing sections when the implement is being transitioned into a transport mode.

Abstract: A tillage implement has a main frame provided with power-actuated lift wheels at the rear of the frame and a pair of gauge wheels at the front of the frame. A linkage system connecting the rear wheels with the front wheels transmits the raising and lowering motion of the rear wheels to the front wheels so that the main frame remains level as it is raised and lowered by all of the wheels in unison. However, a coupling that uses an equalizing rocker bar between front and rear linkages of the linkage system permits either of the front wheels to be raised or lowered in a non-corresponding manner relative to the other front wheel as differences in terrain contour are experienced between the two front wheels. During such non-corresponding shifting of the front wheels relative to one another, movement of the two front wheels is in equal amounts but opposite directions to maintain both front wheels engaging the ground at all times and equally sharing the load.

Abstract: A planter row unit has a pair of ground-engaging gauge wheels located in close proximity to opposite sides of a furrow opener of the unit. The depth of penetration of the furrow opener depends upon the vertical position of the gauge wheels relative to the furrow opener. Wheel arms that connect the gauge wheels to the frame of the row unit are operably coupled with a depth adjustment lever through a rigid link that transmits adjusting movement of the depth adjustment lever to the gauge wheels to raise or lower the same. The link is made adjustable in length to provide fine depth adjustment of the unit for calibration purposes or otherwise.

Abstract: For multi-row planting a seed planter having furrow-opening discs and associated gauge wheels the independent support arms of which are operatively interconnected by an equalizer arm whereby the combined load carried by the gauge wheels is distributed substantially equally therebetween so as to compensate for ground surface irregularities encountered by the gauge wheels. The distance a planter rises when a gauge wheel rolls over a stone is cut in half thereby reducing shock and minimizing interference with seed metering and dispensing. The equalizer arm may be mounted on adjustable support linkage whereby the gauge wheels may be positioned at different heights for different depth furrows.

Abstract: An auxiliary support for permitting longitudinal travel of transversely elongated agricultural implements comprises a pivoted lifting frame adapted to extend outwardly and downwardly to elevationally raise the implement framework at one side. The outer end of the lifting frame is provided with a wheel aligned in the desired longitudinal direction of travel. An adjustable and removable saddle has an extension that overlies the implement frame to permit interposition of a conventional jack to raise and lower the implement framework as required. The elevated implement framework is held in a travel position by chains extending between the outer end of the lifting frame and brackets attached to the implement framework. A foldable hitch frame can be provided at one side of the implement framework to facilitate towing of the implement in a direction perpendicular to its normal direction of field movement.

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: The device is mounted on a seeder provided with a hopper, with a seed distributor and with a plowshare or work disk. It comprises two lateral gauge wheels mounted on two bearings borne by two arms pivotably articulated around an axis on the chassis of the seeder. A class 1 lever formed from a rod is extended by two sliding sleeves articulated respectively at its middle around a ball-joint adjustable in position with respect to the chassis and at its two ends around the two other ball-joints fastened to the oscillating support arms. The device is useful in agricultural machines having a plowshare or work disk.

Abstract: A lawn working implement having rigid teeth which is towed behind a small tractor or other such apparatus to thatch, sow or work a lawn. The implement is compact and highly maneuverable, yet applies pressure to its rigid tines to work the lawn effectively and efficiently. Swivel mounted wheels allow the implement to follow the tractor directly in its path so that confined areas of yards may be reached. The height of the tines above ground may be adjusted by varying the setting at which the wheels are attached to the frame, and their pressure against the ground may be adjusted by adding bricks, cement or other heavy material to a cavity in the implement. The implement has a hitch for attaching a sweeper or lawn vacuum to be towed behind it.

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: A cultivator designed to dig up weeds from between rows of crop. The structure of the cultivator is unified with a laterally extended front bar that carries digging tines that dig up weeds along each side of the row of crop of a number of rows at one time. A rear bar is spaced from and in parallel relationship with the front bar and carries digging tines that dig up weeds down the center of the rows. The structure is mounted to a tractor, and depth controlling wheels, supported on the ground during operation, determine in part the depth of penetration of the tines into the ground.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly for stabilizing a vehicle supported on at least three pairs of wheels or tracks, wherein various pairs of wheels are selectively connected to one another in bogie style so as to reduce tipping movement of the vehicle chassis as the wheels travel over uneven terrain. A second embodiment of the invention discloses means to control the bogies with respect to their direction of rotative movement. Fluid damping means are provided for some or all of the wheels. These damping means are interconnected with longitudinal and diagonal conduits, with pumps and valves placed to control the movement of the fluid medium between the respective damping means.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for remote selective operator adjustment and display of the position of adjustment of a plurality of ground-supported planting units of a planter. The apparatus includes a planter gauge wheel on each unit adjustably mounted thereto and supporting each unit over the ground. A position sensor on each unit conveys gauge wheel adjustment information for numerical display on a central control box mounted adjacent to the planter operator's position. A hydraulic or electric cylinder mounted on each unit selectively effects positional adjustment of the respective gauge wheel according to operator control signals. The units are controlled in one embodiment via individual planter unit switches or a single planter adjustment switch manipulated by the operator. In other embodiments the units are controlled via microprocessor control systems wherein operator commands are entered via a keyboard or a rotary switch.

Abstract: An apparatus to be towed that includes a frame supported, rotatably mounted, pair of furrow forming disks that are arranged to substantially contact each other at the approximate point of entry into the soil and diverge apart rearwardly and upwardly, a pair of rotatable gauge wheels having supports that individually and pivotally connect the wheels to the frame to regulate furrow depth, with each wheel being located generally adjacent an outer surface of a disk, and an equalizer assembly connecting the supports so that movement of a gauge wheel by an obstacle upward produces an equal movement of the other gauge wheel downward to produce a frame height and hence related furrow depth that is the average between the gauge wheel elevations.

Abstract: A drawn moldboard plow includes a lift linkage for the rear furrow and ground wheels which improves ground penetration by causing the plow frame to roll as it is lowered so the share points contact the soil first. A hydraulic cylinder contained within a part of the frame operates both the furrow and the ground wheels through a linkage which, during retraction, raises the ground wheel at a faster rate than the rear furrow wheel so the plow frame rolls in the direction of the ground wheel. If the ground wheel reaches its plowing position determined by an adjustable stop before the furrow wheel, a lost motion connection allows continued retraction of the cylinder to further raise the furrow wheel to its plowing position.

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: An implement that includes a central subframe, a center frame, a pair of wing frames pivotally connected to the ends of the center frame for movement between a transversely aligned operating position and a rearwardly folded transport position, and a set of extendable transport wheels mounted on the rear end of the subframe generally adjacent the wing transport wheels, wherein the noted transport wheels provide the sole ground contact of the implement during transport for desirable handling characteristics.

Abstract: A soil cultivating machine has a row of cultivating members journalled in an elongated frame portion. The rear of the machine is supported by elongated rollers positioned side-by-side and pivotable arms interconnect the lateral roller ends to rear plates on the frame portion. The arms and working level of the rollers are settable and beam supports extend from the plates upwardly and forwardly to an apex connection to a trestle top. The trestle is a coupling with points connectable to the three point lift of a tractor.

Abstract: A land wheel assembly including dual wheels pivotally mounted on a vertically positionable arm of an implement such as a plow. When the arm is lowered and the plow is in the transport position the wheels can rock in a castering fashion about a pivotal axis having a substantial vertical component so that as the implement is turned around a corner, the wheels caster to reduce tire scuffing and stresses in the assembly. When the arm is raised to lower the implement to the ground-working position, the pivotal axis shifts, approaching a generally horizontal attitude and allowing the wheels to pivot up and down with respect to each other about the axis to provide an even plowing depth and reduce stresses throughout the assembly on uneven ground.

Abstract: A soil ripping tooth assembly is pivotally mounted for vertical movement within a horizontally disposed downwardly and forwardly open box frame having a drawbar and drawn by a prime mover having a hydraulic fluid supply system. A scraping blade is connected in depending relation with the rearward wall of the box frame for collecting soil within the confines of the box frame. A pair of wheels, journalled by stub axles, connected with a weight support frame in turn pivotally connected to the rearward side of the box frame, supports the box frame and ripper tooth assembly in combination with the drawbar. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders, mounted on the box frame and respectively connected with the drawbar, ripper tooth assembly and weight supporting frame, selectively tilt the ripper tooth assembly and respective sides and ends of the box frame toward and away from the surface of the earth in a soil collecting and distributing action.

Abstract: An agricultural implement such as a disc or treader is provided with a counterpoise connection between the frame of the implement and the tongue for holding the tongue in a normal operative position. The counterpoise employs a spring-loaded compensator link of normally fixed length which prevents relative movement of the tongue and frame under the reaction forces against the tillage tools produced by the resistance of the soil, but the springs permit the length of the link to change to allow the tongue to self-adjust in response to the higher forces against the tongue encountered when uneven terrain is traversed. The design provides for the use of a selected number of springs in a symmetrical cluster with each spring being employed in both the extension and shortening of the link. The illustrated embodiment is a double offset disc wherein the front gangs of discs cut a furrow in the soil in which the center transport wheels of the implement are forced to run.

Abstract: This invention relates to a transport wheel assembly for a tillage type agricultural implement having at least two pairs of ground support wheels mounted on the frame section of the implement. Each wheel of the pair is journaled in a separate axle mounted on the end of a pivot arm with the pivot arms being mounted in spaced shafts journaled on the implement frame. The shafts are separated longitudinally of the implement frame or across the width of the same to space the wheels longitudinally apart, and they are also separated in a fore and aft direction of the implement frame. The shafts of each pair are tied together through a hydraulic actuator which acts as a linkage to transmit motion from one wheel to the other when the implement traverses uneven terrain. The actuator in one position pivots the wheels in close proximity in the fore and aft direction for stability in turns and raising the implement and hence the ground working tools above ground level for transport.

Abstract: An earth working apparatus comprising a main frame having a hitch for detachably connecting the apparatus to a prime mover, a first ground working implement mounted on the main frame, a pair of support arms operatively connected at forwardly disposed ends thereof to the main frame for pivotal movement about a first transverse axis, ground engaging wheels mounted on the support arm, a lift arm operatively connected to each of the support arms for pivotal movement about a second transverse axis, a second earthworking implement mounted on the lift arms, chains interconnecting each of the lift arms and the main frame, a ground engaging wheel mounted on one of the frames and hydraulic cylinders operatively interconnecting each of the support arms and the main frame for angularly displacing the support arms relative to the main frame whereby upon actuation of the hydraulic cylinders when the ground engaging wheel is not in engagement with the ground, the working implements will be caused to move into and out of eng

Abstract: An agricultural tool bar includes a main frame adapted to be drawn by a traction vehicle. First and second tool support beams are pivotally mounted to the main frame. The tool support beams are adapted for movement between a use position and a road travel position. In the use position, the axes of the tool support beams are collinear and extend transverse of the direction of travel of the vehicle, and in the travel position, they are folded rearwardly. An articulated link is provided for each tool support bar, selectively holding it either in the use position or the folded position. The main frame and tool support beams may be raised relative to the ground so that the tool support bars do not have to be rotated about horizontal axes prior to folding.

Abstract: A plow for chiselling the earth at substantial depths, including a framework having a plurality of arcuate chisel blades mounted thereon. A towing tongue is pivotally connected to the forward side of the framework, and a hydraulic piston and cylinder system is connected between the towing tongue and the framework for pivoting the framework between a position of coplanar alignment with the towing tongue, and positions in which the framework is angulated with respect to the plane of the towing tongue. Gauge wheels are pivotally mounted on the framework for selective elevation in relation to the blades, and a hydraulic system is provided for selectively elevating and lowering the gauge wheels by pivotation on the framework. The hydraudlic system for the gauge wheels includes a transversely extending tubular control member mounted on the framework for the plow forwardly of the gauge wheels. Each gauge wheel is connected with the control member by a turnbuckle subassembly.

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: An implement has a frame including beams assembled end to end in the shape of a W with deep tillage members depending from each beam. A towing hitch is connected to the middle of the assembly so that during operation, the beams are inclined with respect to the towing direction and the tillage members can plow deep. An elongated crumbler roller supports the rear of the frame and front ground wheels adjacent the frame sides support the front of the implement.

Abstract: A cultivator or rotary harrow has soil working members rotatable about upwardly extending shafts journalled in a frame portion that extends transverse to the direction of travel. The front of the frame is supported by a coupling attached to a prime mover and the rear of the implement is supported by two ground wheels. One wheel is located at each lateral side of the frame portion at the rear thereof and a bracket is pivoted to the frame with rearwardly extending arms connected to the wheel axle mountings. An extensible connecting member interconnects the axle mountings to the frame above the bracket so that the wheels can be vertically displaced by shortening or lengthening the connecting members. A sowing mechanism, including a feed box, is mounted to the rear of the soil working members with delivery tubes leading to shoes. A flow control mechanism is driven by a transmission from the wheel mountings and the shoes can be raised or lowered by a linkage and control lever.

Abstract: A soil cultivating machine has a row of driven rotatable soil working members and a tool bar at the rear thereof to which tools, such as seed drills can be attached. The machine is connectable to a tractor lift and the members are driven via a p.t.o. At least one supporting member is detachably connected to the machine frame and the tool bar for operational support and transport purposes. The supporting member is elongated and extends rearwardly from the frame above the tool bar and to a rear support wheel. The supporting member includes a forward support that is pivoted to a rear arm and a hydraulic assembly bridges the pivot connection. Actuation of the assembly lifts the machine, including any tools on the tool bar so that the entire machine with attachments are supported solely by the tractor lift and the rear wheel or wheels.

Abstract: A combination implement has a leading cultivator with fixed tines and a rear rotary harrow with driven soil working tined members. The cultivator has side ground wheels with vertical adjusting means that controls the working depths of the fixed tines. The harrow has a trailing roller that is interconnected to the harrow frame with arms that also have an adjustment feature so that the working depths of the harrow's tined members can be regulated. The cultivator and harrow are linked to one another by a parallelogram linkage so that they can be disconnected from one another and individually connected to the three point lift of a prime mover. When the combination is assembled, a suspended drive shaft of the harrow's driving system is passed through the cultivator and connected to the p.t.o. of the prime mover.

Abstract: A large moldboard plow utilizing a multi-piece backbone or main frame connected by a hinge or hinges and a floatation land wheel or wheels. The hinge or hinges being arranged such that a uniform interval is maintained between the last plow bottom on the front section and the first plow bottom on the rear section. The floatation wheel follows the contour of the land which causes flexing of the backbone at the hinge resulting in uniform depth of all bottoms. The hinge or hinges are located to provide a practical line of draft for the rear section thus maintaining balance of the entire unit.

Abstract: A harrow has side-by-side rotary soil working members mounted on upright shafts which are journalled in a frame portion that extends transverse to the direction of travel. Supporting members are pivoted to the harrow's frame in front of the soil working members and at each end of the frame portion. The supporting members have a wide ground engaging surface that is at least equal in width to the distance between adjacent shafts for the soil working members. The supporting members may be in the form a wheel with a low pressure tire, a wheel with a cage-like construction and longitudinal bars, or a skid with a ground-engaging surface of convex configureation.