Abstract: A fertilizer applicator of increased operating width, e.g., sixty (60) or sixty-five (65) feet, has a carrier frame and a pair of wing sections pivotally mounted to opposite ends of the carrier frame. The wing sections include an inner wing member and an outer wing member. Each wing section includes an actuator for folding/unfolding a respective outer wing member relative to a respective inner wing member. The inner wing member includes a frame member defining an elongated cavity, and the actuator is positioned within the elongated cavity. This allows the actuator to effectively fold/unfold the outer wing member relative to the inner wing member without the physical structure of the actuator impeding movement of the outer wing member thereby allowing the outer wing member to pivot upland to a position against the inner wing member.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an agricultural implement includes a tool bar and a tool frame rotatably coupled to the tool bar. The agricultural implement also includes multiple row units coupled to the tool frame, and a frame actuator extending between the tool bar and the tool frame. The frame actuator is configured to rotate the tool frame between a lowered position that places each row unit in contact with soil and a transport position that raises each row unit above the soil. The frame actuator is also configured to transfer weight from the tool bar to the tool frame while the tool frame is in the lowered position. Each row unit includes a ground engaging tool configured to selectively engage and disengage the soil while the tool frame is in the lowered position.

Abstract: A hitch mechanism includes a coupler frame supporting a plurality of coupler devices for coupling with an implement. A fixed length link and three variable length links are attached to the coupler frame, has a first end pivotally coupled to the vehicle and a second end pivotally coupled to a central part of the coupler frame. Three variable length links, each variable length link having a first end pivotally coupled to the vehicle and a second end pivotally coupled to the coupler frame. The three variable length links preferably extend generally parallel to each other and are spaced apart in a triangular array, and the fixed length link is positioned near the center of the array. The three variable length links include an upper link and left and right lower links. The three variable length links are preferably hydraulic cylinders which can be extended and retracted.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a foldable agricultural implement frame having a first pair of controlling/controlled lifting hydraulic cylinders for lifting and lowering the right wing section and the center section together in a level condition, and a second pair of controlling/controlled lifting hydraulic cylinders for lifting and lowering the left wing section and the center section together in a level condition. In the first pair of controlling/controlled hydraulic cylinders one of the hydraulic cylinders lifts the right wing section and the other lifts the center section. In the second pair of controlling/controlled hydraulic cylinders one of the hydraulic cylinders lifts the left wing section and the other lifts the center section. A rephasing valve assembly is used to rephase the controlling/controlled hydraulic cylinder pairs when the implement frame is folded and only the center section needs to be lifted and lowered.

Abstract: An earth compacting apparatus for mounting at one end of an earth working vehicle comprises a plurality of separate compaction units and a pivotal linkage for pivotally mounting the compaction units side by side on a vehicle. An actuator assembly operates on the linkage for independently raising and lowering each compaction unit between a raised, inoperative position and a lowered position in contact with the ground. The actuator assembly also provides downward pressure on each compaction unit in the lowered position.

Abstract: A scarifier suspended beneath the body of an automotive vehicle such that it is vertically movable by means of cylinders. It comprises a suspending frame provided on a main frame vertically movable by means of the cylinders so that it may be freely slidable in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body, a plurality of supporting bars horizontally disposed within the suspending frame so that they may extend in the longitudinal direction of the suspending frame and so that any two adjacent bars may be connected in series to each other by means of a pin, said supporting bars being each connected to a cylinder vertically provided on the suspending frame so that each bar may be inclined in the longitudinal direction, and a multiplicity of claws provided, at prescribed intervals, on the supporting bars by way of pins in such a manner that they extend downwards from the pins and that they are swingable about the pins.