Abstract: A marker assembly includes a first linkage section interconnected to a second linkage section by a pivoting joint. The pivoting joint also includes a spring linkage that limits momentum in the second linkage section before a marking disc carried by the second linkage section engages the ground. The spring linkage may be comprised of a spring that is retained by a pair of washers within a housing or canister. A linkage rod passes through the canister and has a set of nuts that are sized to catch the washers. Thus, if the spring linkage is compressed or extended, the catch nuts press up against the washers thereby compressing the spring. By compressing the spring, a force is applied in the opposite direction as the momentum in the marker assembly, which reduces the collective momentum in the marker assembly during deployment.

Abstract: In certain embodiments a soil aerator may include a hinged frame assembly that cooperates with one or more weight transferring systems adapted to permit an aeration subassembly to lift off the ground when an aeration tine impacts a hard obstacle such as a rock in the soil. The weight transferring systems may in the preferred embodiments be calibrated so that only minimal upward force, such as that caused by impact of an aeration tine with a rock, may cause the aeration subassembly to lift thereby significantly reducing or preventing damage to the aeration tines and drive assemblies and substantially prolonging the life of the aerator.

Abstract: In certain embodiments a soil aerator may include a hinged frame assembly that cooperates with one or more weight transferring systems adapted to permit an aeration subassembly to lift off the ground when an aeration tine impacts a hard obstacle such as a rock in the soil. The weight transferring systems may in the preferred embodiments be calibrated so that only minimal upward force, such as that caused by impact of an aeration tine with a rock, may cause the aeration subassembly to lift thereby significantly reducing or preventing damage to the aeration tines and drive assemblies and substantially prolonging the life of the aerator.

Abstract: An automatic spring-reset shank for agricultural use has a high retaining force and an improved trip clearance. The field use position of the shank is defined by a saddle in the mount weldment. The raised position of the shank is defined by the upper edge of a slot in a vertical guide plate for the shank assembly, located in the mounting weldment. The shank assembly pivots about a location which is below and forward of the transverse frame member or toolbar to which it is mounted. The action line of the spring is located at an angle of approximately 65° above the horizontal, and it is inclined rearwardly and upwardly, never crossing the horizontal axis (i.e., center) of the main pivot.

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 floating row crop cultivator rig is supported behind a rigid guide tire. A guide wheel standard straddles a bracket which mounts the forward end of a rig parallel bar linkage to a toolbar. A tool support depends from the aft end of the parallel bar linkage and carries a ground engaging element directly rearwardly of the guide tire. Instead of a conventional rig tire to control rig depth, an adjustable length member with a lost motion connection controls the lowermost position of the linkage and thus of the tool support while permitting upward movement of the linkage when an obstacle is encountered. A rod threaded through a trunnion on the tool support has a forward end supported in a slotted bracket on the lower bar of the parallel linkage to adjustably limit the lowermost position of the linkage while permitting the linkage to pivot upwardly against the bias of rig weight and an adjustable down pressure spring arrangement to clear obstacles.

Abstract: In a sprigger a tiller aligned with a plow and weighted to disks. The tiller breaks the ground forming narrow grooves into which fertilizer may be distributed and a plow following behind, preferably at a depth less than that of the tiller, forms a substantially flat bottomed furrow in the path of the groove. A plurality of chutes are aligned, one over each of the furrows, and a separator mounted above the chutes loosens the sprigs and distributes them through the chutes into the furrows. Weighted disks shift the ridges of loose soil over the sprigs and trailing tires on the sprigger transport carriage compact the earth over the sprigs. Each of the plows operates in a three-stage fashion, with V-shaped blades cutting the horizontal path through the earth, a lifting wedge raising the cut earth at a modest angle above the furrow and a pair of curling plates having convex surfaces curling the uplifted earth into ridges on either side of the plow to provide a clean, consistent furrow.

Abstract: A vibrating ripper having quadrilateral linkage. The linkage, equipped with a remote hydraulic control therefor for making running adjustments as afforded by a depth actuator cylinder during ripping and possibly, but not necessarily, as afforded by a pitch actuator cylinder which also can be provided, has a raised-carry position and a lowered-rip position in which it has a vibratory rocking action, and defines a pitch axis fixed in the linkage and shifting therewith during depth changes. Strategic upper level placement of an elastic strut connection which is provided, and diagonal placement of the lift or depth cylinder connection to the draft frame or to the ripper beam and shank assembly, locate the pitch axis at the node of the rocking assembly as it vibrates.

Abstract: In cultivating or rolling soil by rollers with several hinged interconnected frame sections, each having a set of rolls on a common shaft, rotatably journalled at the ends of downwardly dependent arms the rolls closest to a hinge will not roll the soil at all or too loosely in case of irregular or uneven ground.To avoid this inconvenience the arms are pivotably and preferably also resiliently mounted on the frame in addition to which the arms are slightly rotatable or twistable about its longitudinal axis to allow a deviation from horizontal of the shaft which thus may follow the irregularities of the ground so that the roller rolls the soil very efficiently.

Abstract: Seed drill has a row of coulters which are raised and lowered by a beam positioned above the coulters and connected to the coulters by spring assemblies. The beam is journalled for pivotal movement about its longitudinal axis and the spring assemblies are connected to the beam so that some exert reaction forces on the beam having clockwise moments about the beam's pivot axis, and others anticlockwise moments, whereby changes in loading of the coulters can be distributed between the coulters by angular movement of the beam about its pivot axis.