Abstract: A soil probe assembly includes a frame member and a wheel rotatably coupled to the frame member. The wheel includes one or more soil probes that, as the wheel rotates against the earth, the weight of the soil probe assembly drives the soil probes into the earth. The wheel is configured to have at least two planar edges such that, as the wheel rolls onto one of the at least two planar edges, a slamming effect occurs due to the planar edge impacting against the ground, thus causing a soil sample to eject from a soil probe located across the wheel from the ground. The ejected soil sample is collected by a collection hamper. The assembly includes a funnel and a carousel such that the funnel is configured to receive and direct the ejected soil sample to the collection hamper, wherein the collection hamper is coupled to the carousel.

Abstract: A horizontally foldable toolbar includes opposite wings having flex joints which can be selectively locked to prevent flexing of the joints when the wings are in a transport position and unlocked to permit flexing of the joints when the wings are in a field position. The lock assembly includes a hydraulic cylinder with an extendable and retractable arm. Operation of the hydraulic cylinder can be controlled by an operator remotely, such as from a tractor cab. The stroke of the hydraulic cylinder can be adjusted to accommodate wear on the wing components.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes two side units and a chassis that extends in a longitudinal direction and is equipped with two wheels, each side unit being fitted to pivot in relation to the chassis around a folding axis parallel to a median plane of the chassis. Each side unit includes a tool unit connected to the chassis by an arm and being able to occupy a work position in which the length of the tool unit extends transversely to the longitudinal direction. Each side unit is also able to occupy a transport position in which the length and width of the tool unit are parallel to the median plane. The machine includes a tilter articulated with the chassis around one tilting axis oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction, and in the transport position of the side units, each tool unit is closer to the median plane than the respective arm.

Abstract: A sand bunker rake/infield groomer vehicle having a frame; a plurality of wheels to traverse a driven surface, wherein the wheels are rotatably mounted to the frame; a power source mounted to the frame; and a rear attachment structure attached to the frame, wherein the rear attachment structure provides a joint enabling rotation; a bracket including a shaft wherein the bracket is configured to cooperate with an associated rake/grooming attachment; and a pivoting bracket mounted to the frame.

Abstract: A telescoping adjustable length trailer hitch with an hydraulic actuator for adjusting the length of the trailer hitch. The hitch being adjustable to provide for a longer hitch for road travel and for a shorter hitch for use in farm fields what used with a chemical applicator. The adjustable length hitch having an outside roller on the top of the tube which telescopes into the main tube and a roller on the bottom of the outside roller for rolling on the inside of the main tube to prevent binding as one tube moves inside the other. The telescoping tubes having a hinged safety link connecting the telescoping tubes so that they will not separate. The distal end of the trailer hitch having a bracket for adjusting the height of the trailer hitch relative the towing vehicle and a safety chain for ensuring trailer and towing vehicle will not become separated.

Abstract: An improved rotary soil probe is provided with a frame pivotally mounted on the rear of a truck or vehicle for movement about a horizontal axis between raised and lowered positions. A rotatable wheel is pivotally mounted to the frame for movement about an upwardly angled axis between an extended use position and a folded transport position. The wheel includes probes extending radially outwardly from the perimeter of the wheel. The probes are adapted to receive soil samples as the wheel is rolled along the ground. Plunger assemblies automatically discharge the soil samples on each rotation of the wheel so that the samples can be continuously collected, without the need to stop to clean out the soil samples.

Abstract: A seeding machine comprises a main frame segment and two wing frame segments. The wing frame segments are provided with a rear rank of planting units that are mounted to the wing frame segments by pivot arms that extend downwardly and rearwardly from the wing frame segments. The pivot arms are pivotally mounted to the wing frame segments by a rock shaft having an actuator bell crank. The bell crank is coupled to a linear actuator for rotating the rock shaft relative to the wing frame segments. The pivot arms have a working position, wherein the planting units are in contact with the ground, an intermediate holding position, wherein the planting units are raised out of the ground, and a transport position, wherein the planting units have been pivoted on their noses into their substantially vertical transport position. To maintain the rear rank of planting units in the intermediate holding position, a U-shaped stop is placed over the linear actuator so that the linear actuator cannot retract.

Abstract: An agricultural planter is provided with forwardly folding wing members that allow conversion of the planter from a laterally extending operating position to a compact transport position. To increase stability for the planter, the draw bar telescopes as the wing members are folded forwardly into the transport position. Brace members interconnect a forward portion of the draw bar and the wing members. As the wing members fold forwardly, the brace members are arranged to cause a rearward portion of the draw bar to extend rearwardly from the forward portion and effect the telescopic action in the draw bar. A draw bar hitch lock linkage is provided to keep the draw bar compacted when the wing members are in the operating position. A hitch lock actuator is tied into the hydraulic system for the movement of the wing members into the transport position to permit the telescopic action of the draw bar in concert with the forward folding of the wing members.

Abstract: A folding frame assembly is provided for supporting soil-cultivating equipment. The folding frame supports the soil-cultivators in a working position in which each cultivator is in contact with the field surface and a transport position in which each cultivator is not touching the field surface and the main wheels support most of the weight of the folding frame. The main wheels are retractable and can be moved from the transport position to an intermediate position for working the field surface. The folding frame assembly includes a support frame, a main frame, and two wing frames. The wing frames are pivotally connected to the main frame and the main frame is pivotally connected to the support frame. Hydraulic cylinders can be used to fold the wing frames and the main frames to their respective positions to that the folding frame assembly is in the transport position or unfold the main and wing frames so that the folding frame assembly is in the working position.

Abstract: A lifting rod for the lower steering arm of a tractor, at the ends of the lifting rod, has connecting elements in the form of a connecting yoke 6 and a ball joint 7. The connecting yoke 6, via a threaded rod 9, is threaded into a threaded bore 10 of a tubular rod element 11. The rod element 11 is received in the housing bore 21 of the housing 8 and is movable along the longitudinal axis 17. The rod element 11 and the housing 8 are able to assume two different positions relative to one another, with the lifting rod length being fixed in one of the two positions. In the other position, both may assume a floating relationship relative to one another.

Abstract: An improved frame for a drawn agricultural implement, such as a planter, includes a telescoping main frame. The main wheel set is mounted to a sliding carriage to support the central main frame, and may be moved between a forward and a rear position. As the main frame extends, the wing sections fold forwardly. When the wing sections in the illustrated embodiment are completely folded, hydraulic cylinders slide the main wheel set forwardly so that the down load on the hitch is reduced for road transport. Conversely, during the unfold cycle, the hydraulic cylinders return the wheel set to the rear position, and the wings are then extended (i.e., unfolded) for field use.

Abstract: A floating wing apparatus for toolbars which allows each wing to ride smoothly over terraced or rolling terrain, thereby providing a continuous, even contact between the implements carried thereon and the ground. Upper and lower pivot arms extend from the central section of the toolbar to the inner end of each wing section to form a parallelogram linkage which maintains the wing sections in a substantially horizontal orientation at all times, whether in the raised or lowered position. The upper pivot arm is pivotally connected to a pivot post, which is in turn pivotally connected to the central section. When working the land, this pivot post allows the wing sections and their attached implements to float or ride over uneven, rolling terrain. When the implements must be raised above the ground as during turning at the end of a field or when the wings are raised to the retracted position, the pivot posts are locked to a vertical position by means of hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: An agricultural implement, such as a row crop planter, has a main carrier frame drawn by a tractor and including support wheels. Individual row units are mounted on a lift frame. The carrier frame includes a cornered lift post which is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. A cornered sleeve or collar in the form of a tube is mounted to the lift frame for vertical sliding motion on the lift post. A lift hydraulic cylinder couples the lift frame to the carrier frame for setting the lift frame in (i) a use position wherein the row units are lowered to engage the soil; (ii) an intermediate, raised position wherein the row units are disengaged, for negotiating end turns; or (iii) a fully raised position wherein the lift frame and row units may be rotated from a transverse position to a longitudinal position, to narrow the implement for road travel.

Abstract: An apparatus for aerating turf including a mounting frame (11) for mounting the apparatus to the hydraulic lift system (12) of a utility tractor. A trailer support frame (13) is pivotably mounted to the mounting frame (11) so as to enable the trailer support frame (13) to tilt toward and away from engagement with the turf. A plurality of rotary hoes (39) are supported within the trailer support frame (13) along a drive shaft (41). Each rotary hoe (39) has a double row tapered roller bearing assembly (53) mounted on the drive shaft (41) at an angle tilted from the longitudinal axis (70) of the drive shaft, causing the rotary hoe to wobble from side-to-side (B, B') in response to the rotation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A cart or "caddy" is provided for operation and transport of one or more chain harrows, the cart consisting of a frame running on a pair of road wheels. Different harrow mountings can be mounted on the frame, all of which include a draw bar to which the harrow is attached for operation. All of the mountings enable the draw bar to be lifted from the ground and then the body of the harrow to be engaged by one or more spaced cross bars parallel to the draw bar and over which the harrow is draped to store it and permit it to be transported on the cart out of contact with the ground. Some of the mountings are pivoted to the cart frame about an axis that in the stored position is vertical, so that the mounting and harrow can be turned longitudinally to reduce the effective width and permit the use of harrows that would otherwise be too wide to be moved over public roads.

Abstract: An apparatus for aerating turf including a mounting frame (11) for mounting the apparatus to the hydraulic lift system (12) of a utility tractor. A trailer support frame (13) is pivotably mounted to the mounting frame (11) so as to enable the trailer support frame (13) to tilt toward and away from engagement with the turf. A plurality of rotary hoes (39) are supported within the trailer support frame (13) along a drive shaft (41). The drive shaft (41) is rotated by the power take-off (44) of the tractor, and causes the rotary hoes (39) to vibrate as the tines (58) of the rotary hoes (39) penetrate the soil so as to aerate the turf without causing compaction of the soil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simplified tractor hitch structure for use with implements and an improved plow attachment for use in developing firelines in forest soil. The hitch allows implements to be moved between a raised transport position and a lowered working position. In the former, however, a simplified approach is employed to provide locking and unlocking functions controlled by the tractor operator while seated in the tractor and to positively prohibit horizontal swaying of the hitch and thus the implement.

Abstract: Improvements in flexibility for wide swath agricultural implements having hinged wing frame sections to enable the implement to be folded compactly for transport and also to better follow ground contours are provided by dividing at least one of the sections into side-by-side subsections which are pivotally interconnected for relative movement about a transverse axis. Thus, relative flexing between adjacent frame portions can take place about hinge axes parallel to travel direction while relative flexing between adjacent wing sections of the frame can take place about transverse axes. Preferably the pivotal interconnections are located to divide the frame into portions of equal width and the pivotal interconnections are reinforced by link means which connect the adjacent portions to resist bending movements about a vertical axis at the interconnection while still permitting the hinged sections to be folded.

Abstract: A forwardly foldable implement frame having a horizontal pivot or flex hinge to enable vertical flexing of the wing sections to follow the ground contour. The frame includes a pair of cam bumpers rigidly attached to the wing beam in near proximity to the flex hinge. Folding of the wing sections toward one another causes the cam bumpers to contact and automatically lock out the flex hinge.

Abstract: A delimber attachment for a tractor comprises an elongate drum mounted transversely and rotatably within a downwardly opening enlosure. The drum has a plurality of chains connected at one thereto. A frame extends forwardly from the enclosure. A hinge connector near a forward end of the frame hingedly connects the delimber to the tractor for upward and downward pivoting. A cable receiver is located near a top portion of the enclosure. A hydraulic damping cylinder is connected near a first end to the delimber and extends upwardly and forwardly therefrom. The cylinder has a clasp near a second end of the cylinder for connecting the cylinder to the tractor above the hinge connector.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for folding an articulated agricultural implement such as a multisection plow in order to facilitate movement of the implement from field to field along available roadways. Stability in the folded condition and minimization of the number of hydraulic cylinders required are achieved through the use of a gravity operated lock arrangement associated with adjacent sections of the foldable wing frame units of the implement. The number of locks and hydraulic cylinders depends upon the total number of hinged sections used to form the base and wing units of the frame assembly. The inboard hydraulic cylinders are pivotally connected to respective draft beams on the base unit and each acts directly between such beam and the associated wing unit.

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: A swivel hitch for chisel plows comprising a pair of vertically spaced flat plates secured at their rearward ends to the transversely extending frame member or tool bar of the chisel plow and having a flat bar pivotally received therebetween. The opposite ends of the flat bar are positioned outwardly of the flat plates and are adapted to be connected to the lower arms of the tractor three-point hitch. The upper arm of the tractor three-point hitch is secured to the existing clevis element secured to the plow frame member or tool bar. A pair of bolts may be extended through the flat plates and the bar for safety purposes during transport.

Abstract: A lawn edger attachment for moving vehicles consisting of a rolling coulter blade carried for rotation on a horizontal axis at the rearward end of a trailing arm pivoted at its forward end to the vehicle on a generally vertical axis. Mechanism is provided for pivoting the arm vertically to raise or lower the blade, and also to cause the arm to trail normally at different lateral spacings from the vehicle, although said arm may also be pivoted laterally by manual force. A broom or scraper is also provided, in trailing relation to the blade, for sweeping the cuttings of the blade either to the pavement, or to the grass, adjacent the juncture line between the pavement and the grass.

Abstract: A hitch structure for connecting in a swivelling mode implements, and particularly agricultural implements such as plows and the like, with pulling machines such as tractors. It comprises basically a guide attached to the pulling machine and, cooperating therewith, a supporting member for the end of the connecting arms of the implement. The supporting member is allowed to slide with respect to the guide in the pull force direction while concurrently rotating in a substantially horizontal plane. Locking means are provided which are effective to automatically prevent the supporting member from rotating when said implement is in its rest position.

Abstract: A four point mounting system for a header type implement mounted on a support vehicle or tractor in which the lower support or push arms are solid and of a greater length than of the upper arms which are telescopic and provided with knuckle joints or dual pivot couplings on either end of the telescopic parts connecting the tractor and the vehicle. This provides for a greater range of oscillation of the implement relative to the support vehicle for traversing uneven terrain.

Abstract: A foldable multiple sectioned farm implement having a center section, side sections that fold inwardly and upwardly so that the center of gravity of the folded sections is inboard of the respective folding pivotal axis, and biasing structure which acts to unfold the side sections by forcing the respective center of gravity of each folded section outwardly of its respective pivotal axis. The biasing structure is mounted on a brace member secured to the center section to engage the side sections when folded inwardly and upwardly. Included with the biasing structure are support mounts positioned on each end of the brace member, each of which slidably supports a spring biased rod. Each rod contacts a side section to bias it outwardly by the spring bias acting thereon.