Abstract: A loader for a work vehicle comprises a lift arm, a bucket, a bucket linkage, and a hydraulic bucket cylinder. The bucket and the linkage are pivotally attached to the lift arm. The linkage comprises a first link and a second link, which are pivotally attached to the bucket. The bucket cylinder is pivotally attached to the first and second links and the bucket and operable to pivot the bucket relative to the lift arm. The linkage comprises a debris guard substantially obstructing a space defined between the first and second links and between the bucket cylinder and the bucket.

Abstract: An axle guard assembly of a machine protects against intrusion of wire wrap into a central cavity of a ground engaging device. The guard, which is mounted to the axle, includes a wall disposed within the cavity of the ground engaging device. A cover can be provided which includes a flange circumscribing a central portion. The central portion is disposed axially inwardly of an inboard opening to the cavity. The flange can extend radially outwardly from the central portion and axially outwardly toward the wall. The periphery of the cover can be configured such that it is larger than the opening to the cavity. In another aspect, a support vane can be provided which extends along a longitudinal axis between a first wall and a second wall and includes a planar vane surface extending substantially radially to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Ground preparation appliance having a driven working shaft arrangement. Working shaft arrangement. A ground preparation appliance having a driven working shaft arrangement, which is rotatably mounted in a preparation housing that is open towards the ground, is known. According to the invention, the preparation housing has at least two housing envelope portions, which are mounted so as to be displaceable relative to one another in the circumferential direction. Application for rear tillers on trail caterpillars for the purpose of snow surface preparation.

Abstract: A mud flap is provided with an integrally molded upstanding tab which captures a free edge of a wheel liner or similar wheel well-forming vehicle body element. The upstanding tab may be combined with OEM screw holes or clamping members to affix the mud flap to the vehicle wheel well.

Abstract: A furrow opener comprises an opener body including a shank mount arranged to support the opener body on an agricultural implement shank for movement in a forward working direction and a tip body readily separable from the opener body and arranged for forming a furrow in the ground in the working direction. The tip body includes a furrowing portion extending downwardly and forwardly beyond the opener body so as to be arranged to form the furrow in the ground. A retainer member is supported on the opener body to retain a portion of the tip body adjacent the top end thereof on the opener body to provide support to the tip body against a moment acting on the tip body from the rearward force on the furrowing portion during furrow formation.

Abstract: A guard for the axle seal of a wheeled tractor being an annular steel structure that bridges the plane of the seal between a spindle and final drive including a pair of axially spaced flanges having circular outer peripheries, at least one of the outer peripheries of the flanges being sized to produce a narrow gap seal with a circular interior surface of a wheel rim, a hub extending axially between the flanges and spaced radially inward of said flange outer peripheries, the flanges, hub and interior wheel surface defining an annular space adapted to trap debris.

Abstract: A bearing shield and disk scraper system to remove and deflect dirt, debris, and soil from a bearing assembly, rigid bearing hanger or standard, and/or disk blade, is provided; the system also provides a protective barrier structure for the bearing assembly. The bearing shield and disk scraper system includes a shield member and a scraper blade connected thereto. The bearing shield at least partially encases and protects a bearing assembly that rotatably supports a common axle which carries multiple disk blades of the disk gang. The scraper blade is attached to the shield member by way of a mounting flange that extends therefrom. An edge of the scraper blade is positioned in close proximity to a concave surface of an adjacent disk blade, whereby the entire assemblage of bearing shield and disk scraper system protects the bearing assembly and prevents non-desired accumulation of dirt and debris on the disk blade.

Abstract: A bearing shield and disk scraper system to remove and deflect dirt, debris, and soil from a bearing assembly, rigid bearing hanger or standard, and/or disk blade, is provided; the system also provides a protective barrier structure for the bearing assembly. The bearing shield and disk scraper system includes a shield member and a scraper blade connected thereto. The bearing shield at least partially encases and protects a bearing assembly that rotatably supports a common axle which carries multiple disk blades of the disk gang. The scraper blade is attached to the shield member by way of a mounting flange that extends therefrom. An edge of the scraper blade is positioned in close proximity to a concave surface of an adjacent disk blade, whereby the entire assemblage of bearing shield and disk scraper system protects the bearing assembly and prevents non-desired accumulation of dirt and debris on the disk blade.

Abstract: A soil tilling device, in particular a rotary tiller, a motor hoe or a motocultivator of the kind comprising one or more soil blades (2), assembled on a rotating driven shaft (1), apt to work the soil, avoiding the accumulation of either twigs, weeds, pruning remains or any kind of branches at the soil blades and at the shaft, since twigs and others undergo a reduction in size and length preventing the twining thereof due to one or more subsidiary blades (4, 9) placed at the sides of said soil blades (2), at said shaft (1).

Abstract: A saddle ride type all-terrain vehicle includes left and right front wheels supported independently of each other on a vehicle body such that driving power is transmitted to said front wheels by way of a pair of left and right drive shafts extending from a driving source side. The vehicle also includes universal couplings provided at opposite end portions of each of the drive shafts, covered by rubber boots. The vehicle further includes a protector for covering the rubber boots.

Abstract: A tiller includes an engine, a transmission mechanism, and a rotor shaft having tillage tines mounted thereon. The transmission mechanism transmits a motive power of the engine to the rotor shaft to thereby cause the tillage tines to perform a tilling operation. The tiller also includes a tranmission case having the transmission mechanism housed therein, and a fender disposed to cover the tillage tines. The fender is mounted to the tranmission case by bolts. Each bolt has a portion projecting downwardly from the fender. The tiller further includes a guard member extending downwardly from the transmission case to a level lower than the downwardly projecting portion of each bolt. The guard member guards the bolts against a foreign object thrown upwardly by the tillage tines during the tilling operation.

Abstract: A bearing wear guard includes a slotted body portion cast from a wear-resistant metal. The slots receive two bearing mounting bolts which secure the guard in a protecting position in the path of rocks and abrasive debris traveling towards the bearing and bearing support. An upper edge portion conforms generally to the shape of the lower portion of the bearing. The casting includes a grease zerk-protecting area extending upwardly and outwardly from the upper edge portion to protect the zerk from rocks and abrasive material. Leading and trailing trash shedding surfaces on the body portion prevent trash from catching and building up on the guard. The body portion has an L-shaped cross section also providing protection for the bearing mounting bracket.

Abstract: A novel cultivator comprising a scoop and chute blade to scoop up dirt between rows of plants and direct a portion of the dirt onto a hill about the base of the plants to cover weeds without disturbing produce plant roots. A leaf lifter bar is provided to lift produce leaves above the moving dirt.

Abstract: On a compactor wheel having outer and inner cylindrical drums, the inner drum being mounted on the vehicle axle, there is provided an axially extending shroud. The shroud is equipped with a cover plate which together serves to define a cavity enclosing the axle seals and bearings preventing trash from intruding into those components of the compactor vehicle.

Abstract: Row crop cultivator rolling shields mounted on an arm pivotally connected to a support extended rearwardly from a tool bar prevents soil moved by earth working tools from covering and damaging row crops. Each shield has a dish shaped body having a number of arcuate segments. Each segment has angularly disposed parts providing the body with a circumferential wave-like structure. A roller bearing secured to the central porion of the body mounts the shield on an axle mounted on the arm.

Abstract: A large diameter, short toothed rolling shield fabricated by vacuum forming talc filled polyethylene sheet having a smooth surface and sufficient flexibility to resist soil build-up in damp conditions. Preferably the diameter of the shield is substantially greater than twenty inches and on the order of twenty four inches and includes teeth uniformly spaced around the periphery, each tooth having a length less than approximately ten percent of the shield radius. A circular rib near the center of the shield and radial reinforcing ribs extending from the circular rib on the convex side of the shield to the base of alternating teeth provide stiffness and strength. The concave tool side of the shield is devoid of protrusions to reduce churning of thrown soil.

Abstract: A free-floating skirt assembly for attachment to the deck of a cultivator to protect adjacent vegetation from the blades of the cultivator includes a pair of elongate straps attached to the cultivator deck with shield supports projecting outwardly from the straps and slidingly receiving shield suspension rods to which are attached the shields so that the shields may float as they encounter terrain irregularities. The range of sliding movement of the suspension rods is adjusted and controlled by the provision of through bores in the rods and replaceable pins inserted into the bores above the shield supports which include short shafts extending outwardly from each strap and T-shaped connectors which receive the shafts and the suspension rods. Braces depend from the straps to engage the cultivator deck in instances where the deck has a downwardly tapering rear portion.

Abstract: A liquid fertilizer injection system is provided that includes a single coulter blade mounted on a support arm extending from a bracket which is adapted to be pivotally coupled to an attachment apparatus which attaches the system to a propulsion means. A spray arm is adapted at one end is attached to the support arm and is adjustable in the up and down direction by means of a slot bracket. A second end of the spray arm is attached to a spray nozzle which is adapted to receive a flexible tube. The flexible tube transfers, to the nozzle, liquid fertilizer, under pressure, from a liquid reservoir via a pump. The system further includes a tension spring assembly which provides a down-force, determined by the user, to the coulter assembly, while isolating the system from the propulsion means, thereby preventing lifting of a planter or seeder to which the system is connected off of the ground.

Abstract: A skirt assembly (20) for a rotor tiller (10) includes a pair of shields (21,22) positioned substantially vertically at the outer extremities of the tines; and a framework (23). The framework (23) includes a pair of strap members (24,24) mounted to the deck (17) of the rotor tiller (10) on either side of the motor (14), a plurality of cross members (26,26) operatively engaging the pair of strap members (24,24) and extending beyond the sides of the tiller (10), a plurality of suspension members (28,28) connected to the pair of shields (21,22), and a T-shaped connector (27) to operatively connect each suspension member (28) to at least one of the cross members (26).

Abstract: A hood assembly includes a hood member and an adjustable length stabilizing link. The stabilizing link is movable between a first position at which the link maintains a bottom surface of the hood member in a substantially parallel relationship with a ground, or soil, surface and a second position at which the link tilts, or rotates, the hood member and thereby moves the bottom surface of the hood member to a nonparallel orientation with the ground surface. When in the tilted position, a portion of the bottom surface of the hood member is spaced from the ground surface at a distance sufficient to permit access for the repair or service of elements normally protectively enclosed by the hood member.

Abstract: A multi-row agricultural field cultivator for row crops having a row cultivator shovel sized and configured to penetrate soil adjacent a crop row to a depth of between one and three inches, a substantially flat soil deflector plate and a deflector plate attachment structure for attaching the deflector plate to the cultivator structure in a horizontal position above the local ground surface adjacent the cultivator shovel. The deflector plate downwardly deflects soil thrown up by the cultivator shovel during cultivating operations to achieve minimal crop damage at increase cultivator operating speeds.

Abstract: A hood support assembly (18) for controllably supporting a hood member (16) on an earth working machine (10) includes a support member (20) that is pivotally mounted, at each of two end portions (22,24) to the frame (12) of the machine. Arm members (26,28) and stop members (42,44) are attached to each of the end portions (22,24) of the support member (20). A pair of adjustable links (34,36) respectively pivotally connect the hood member (16) to each of the arm members (26,28). A pair of springs (52,54) attached to the frame (12) cooperate with the stop members (42,44) to maintain the lateral orientation of the hood member (16) with respect to the frame (12) and support a portion of the weight of the hood member during ground engaging operation of the machine (10).

Abstract: An edger having a main frame, at least one front wheel fastened in the front portion of the main frame, two rear wheels fastened in the rear portion of the main frame, a rotary blade disposed in the front portion of either side of the main frame and capable of conducting edging, an engine mounted on the main frame and a driving device for operating the rotary blade with the engine, the edger comprising: a resin cover fastened to a circular flange on the rotary-blade supporting shaft for covering a portion of the rotary blade. A structure for fitting the rotary blade cover includes a thin metal plate having an outer diameter larger than the flange, and fastening members for clamping the inner portion of the cover between the flange and the thin metal plate. Bolt assemblies are provided for fastening the thin metal plate and the cover together at a position outside the flange.

Abstract: A protective arrangement is described for a piston rod of an excavator hydraulic cylinder is arranged between a vehicle frame and a scraper blade to serve as a working cylinder for lifting and lowering. For protecting the exposed piston rod, a shell-type protective sleeve is supported by way of a stationary slide ring while resting on the latter, and encloses the piston rod from above in a protective manner during the working operation.

Abstract: A row crop cultivator having rolling shields adjacent each of the cultivator shovels to protect the crop from soil thrown by the shovels. The cultivator typically has three or more shovels per furrow, the shovels being spaced laterally and longitudinally from one another. Shields are provided on each side of the centrally located shovels, and, for each off-center shovel, a shield is provided between that shovel and the closest adjacent row of crop. Some of the shields, particularly for the centrally located shovels, may be located closer to the center of the furrow than adjacent shields, allowing close spacing of both shovels and shields to provide the required crop protection. The cultivator allows increased cultivating speed, even for narrow row precision cultivation and even in mellow soils, and also eliminates the clogging problem suffered by conventional tunnel shields in fields having significant trash or crop residue.

Abstract: A rotary tiller device for tilling around trees and other similar obstacles comprises a rotary tilling head with a plurality of tines extending slightly outwardly, downwardly and forwardly from a support which rotates around a vertical axis of the head. A central plate rests upon the ground and defines a tilling depth of the tines. A cover prevents the support from damaging the tree. A mounting system for mounting the unit on the belly of a yard tractor includes a pair of rails mounted in place of the removed belly mower and a hydraulic fluid reservoir tank which slides into position on the rails and defines a support for the tiller head. A linkage between the tank and the tiller head includes a six-bar lever system mounted upon a pivotal plate.

Abstract: A guidebar used on a walk-beside articulated machine having a first machine portion and a second machine portion which swivel about a pivot point. A first bar portion has a first end and a swivel end. The first end is fixably attached to the first machine portion. A swing arm has a first swing arm end and a second swing arm end. The first swing arm end is pivotally attached to the second machine portion. A second bar portion has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally attached to the second swing arm end and the second end is pivotally attached to the swivel end of the first bar portion.

Abstract: The problem of having dirt and debris stick to the shank of a subsoil plow is solved by providing a non-stick cover body that attaches to a lower portion of the shank and is sized and configured and of a material to which dirt and debris will not adhere. Fasteners in the form of staples insert into holes in laterally spaced tail edge portions is provided. The body is made of a sheet of ultra high molecular weight-polyethylene that is sized, and then bent around a mandril, heated, then cooled and machined as required to be generally complementary with the shape of the lower portion of the shank to which the body is fastened.

Abstract: An axle beam for the rear wheel suspension of a front-engine front-wheel drive vehicle is disclosed. An axle beam body extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle with both ends thereof attached to wheel hubs, and trailing arms and springs connect the axle beam body to the vehicle body in the vicinity of the wheel hubs. An axle body protecting member having an inclined outer peripheral surface which inclines below the front side wall and extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle is attached to the front side wall of the axle beam body. The protecting member may be attached to the axle beam body through spacers, an elastic member or a universal joint.

Abstract: Agricultural tilling implements are described. In some embodiments the implements are adapted for deep tilling of soil between growing row crops, in which embodiments a horizontal shield member is detachable secured to a depending shank. The front edge of the shield is sloped upwardly. The shield prevents soil from being thrown upwardly and onto the top of growing row crops during tilling between the rows. The shield also guides loosened soil around the base of growing crops in the rows. In one embodiment the implement includes downwardly depending plate members beneath the shield to urge soil outwardly from the shank to the row crops to form a hill in each row without covering the crops. In another embodiment a V-shaped ditcher is disposed beneath the shield for forming a trench or ditch between adjacent rows of crops. Both embodiments include adjustable wing members or deflectors at the trailing edge of each plate member to control the amount of loosened soil which is urged outwardly to the row crops.

Abstract: Agricultural tilling implements are described. In some embodiments the implements are adapted for deep tilling of soil between growing row crops, in which embodiments a horizontal shield member is detachably secured to a depending shank. The front edge of the shield is sloped upwardly. The shield prvents soil from being thrown upwardly and onto the top of growing row crops during tilling between the rows. The shield also guides loosened soil around the base of growing crops in the rows. In another embodiment the implement includes downwardly depending plate members beneath the shield to urge soil outwardly from the shank to the row crops to form a hill in each row without covering the crops. In another embodiment a V-shaped ditcher is disposed beneath the shield for forming a trench or ditch between adjacent rows of crops. In yet another embodiment a novel tilling sweep is described.

Abstract: A self-propelled refuse or trash compactor is provided at each cleated drum wheel with a fixed cylinder which extends around the axle housing of the compactor to the periphery of the drum wheel. A minimum operating clearance between the cylinder and the periphery of the drum wheel is allowed and is located such that there is no adjacent structure which may guide a discarded length of cable, for example, into said clearance. The fixed cylinder and drum wheel are also related so that the clearance is in the form of a labyrinth and the passage of the cable in any case and other debris in general through the clearance is prevented.

Abstract: A weeder for row crops has a main frame adapted to be mounted at the rear of a tractor. A pair of upright skid boards, spaced at the front and rearwardly divergent, are adjustably interconnected so that their spacing and angular relationship may be varied, and are mounted on the main frame for lateral movement relative to the main frame. When the weeder is advanced the skid boards travel to both sides of the plants and in the furrow in which they are planted, throwing to both sides the soil and uprooting weeds in the furrow, into which the loose soil falls as the implement passes.