Abstract: Described herein are implements, systems, and methods for applying stress to agricultural plants of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, an agricultural implement comprises a frame transverse to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement and a stress mechanism disposed on the frame in operation such that the stress mechanism applies a force to the row of plants as the agricultural implement moves through the field.

Abstract: A roller driven by an engine through a reversible gearbox that is engaged via a belt or chain by a clutch that engages and disengages the belt base on changes in the engine RPM.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for towing over fields, for incorporating crop residues into soil, possessing a pair of juxtaposed, substantially parallel, spaced-apart, rotatable shafts, comprising a first forwardly-mounted shaft and a second rearwardly-mounted shaft, each mounted on a frame transversely to a direction of travel of said implement. A plurality of protruding tine members, extending substantially radially outwardly from each of said pair of shafts and longitudinally spaced along each of said pair of shafts, each tine member adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis of a respective shaft, a tip of each of said tine members when rotating about said respective shaft creating a circular arc, are further provided. The circular arcs of the tine members on one of said pair of shafts interdigitate with a corresponding plurality of circular arcs of said tine members on said other of said pair of shafts.

Abstract: A soil spreading scraper device comprises a cutting blade for cutting a top layer of soil from the ground, a kicker for throwing the cut soil rearward from the cutting blade, and an impeller member rotatable within a plane of rotation extending upward and rearward from the cutting blade for capturing the soil thrown by the kicker and spreading the cut soil generally radially outward relative to an axis of rotation of the impeller. A gearbox which receives power from a power takeoff of a towing vehicle directly drives the rotation of the impeller member in the preferred embodiment. The blades of the impeller members may include recessed portions adjacent the impeller axis in some embodiments to encourage soil being received in the impeller member even at higher rates of rotation, for example in the range of 250 to 320 RPM.

Abstract: A fertilizer applying apparatus for agricultural row crops applies fertilizer at a predetermined depth and lateral distance relative to a row line. A castering pair of disks are sized and oriented to part the soil adjacent the row line in a manner which minimizes soil fracturing which distorts the seed bed.

Abstract: A method of continuously applying an additive to soil with a soil treating apparatus as the soil treating apparatus is advanced in a travel direction along a planting path on soil being treated. The method includes the steps of resituating residue in the planting path in a lateral direction transverse to the travel direction away from the planting path, applying an additive to the soil, and moving soil laterally inwardly over the planting path after the additive is applied to the soil. An apparatus is provided for practicing the method.

Abstract: A no-till rotary hoe includes trash cutters for cutting field trash carried by the earthworking implements. The rotary hoe also has a walking beam mounted on a support arm with rotary hoe wheels mounted on forward and rear ends of the walking beam. The walking beam is connected to the arm about a pivot positioned to reduce the tendency of the walking beam to pivot excessively in use. A spring is used to aid in maintaining the walking beam properly oriented.

Abstract: A planter includes a pair of toothed wheels which sweep mulch away from the path followed by furrow opening discs. The sweeper wheels are carried on the trailing end of a parallel bar linkage attached to a tool bar by which the planter is pulled. As a result of the parallel bar linkage, the sweeper wheels may float upwardly and downwardly independently of the planter frame in order to conform to uneven ground and achieve more effective removal of the mulch without significantly disturbing the soil. The forward location of the sweeper wheels enables a coulter to be mounted on the planter frame and slice vertically into the ground ahead of the furrow opening discs.

Abstract: A machine for ironing golf greens employs two large-diameter rollers on opposite sides. Both rollers are hydrostatically driven, and they pivot in opposite directions for steering of the machine; one of them also oscillates.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for treating soil by breaking up soil clods and compacted earth. The apparatus includes a carrier frame angularly maneuverable in relation to the longitudinal or forward direction of movement of the apparatus, and in which are mounted at least two rotating parallel helical blade elements, of which at least one rolls on the ground. Each of the helical elements, whether of the same or different diameters, has a pitch and a diameter such that, when in joint rotation, the spires of one of the blade elements remains in close contact with the spires of the other blade element or elements. Each of the helical blade elements is operatively connected mechanically for simultaneous rotation with the other blade element or elements. The operative connection between the blade the blade elements is, for example, achieved by endless chains trained about pinion fixed on respective ends of rotating shafts to which the helical elements are fixed.

Abstract: A crumbler roller device 10 comprises two co-axial soil-engaging rotors 12, 13 mounted one within the other and drive means operative to drive the inner rotor 12 at a different rotational speed to the outer rotor 13.

Abstract: The specification discloses an improved row cleaning apparatus to selectively clean away mulch from conservation tilled fields without cultivation of the soil. When mounted on a tractor-drawn planter unit, the cleaning action of the present invention improves depth control and planting speed of the planter unit and facilitates seed germination while retaining the mulch between crop rows for erosion control and yield enhancement. In its planter embodiment, the row cleaner disclosed herein comprises a pair of pointedly toothed wheels journaled for rotation about intersecting axes mounted on the planter unit ahead of the furrow opener. The toothed wheels are mounted with their teeth intermeshed above the soil surface and rotate in planes symmetrically inclined downwardly, outwardly, and forwardly of the direction of travel of the planter unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for soil working, consisting of a frame (1) drawn over the ground by a vehicle, a first roller (7) mounted rotatably in the frame (1), extending transversely to the travelling direction, a second rotatably supported roller (19) arranged parallel to and behind the first roller (7) and driven thereby through a transmission (17), and two or more rows of soil working members (6) fixed to the frame, wherein the first roller (7) extends between two rows of soil working members (6), and is mounted adjustably in height an securably with respect to the frame (1), the second roller (19) being coupled either to the frame (1) or to the first roller (7) by two or more vertically moveable swing arms (20), so effectuating a precise pressure on the ground of the first (1) or alternatively the second roller (19) independently of one another, and also by maintaining an exact setting of the soil working members (6) at a specific level.

Abstract: A soil cultivating machine comprises two transverse rows of fixed tines and three transversely extending rollers. The front roller has discs which cut parallel slits in the soil. The two following rollers have transversely extending releasable blades mounted on angle-irons which form shallow V's pointed in the direction of the rollers' rotation and which are twisted about 90.degree. from their outboard ends to their centers. The rollers are drivingly interconnected by a chain transmission so that the middle roller rotates slower than the other two and the rear roller rotates faster than it would if freely rotating on the ground. The tines are in rows between the rollers and their depth of soil penetration relative to the underlying soil is adjustable. The rollers are mounted on a generally horizontal framework which is adjustable, however, so it can be inclined slightly either forward or aft to increase or decrease the penetration of the front roller's discs.

Abstract: A soil cultivating implement or machine has a tined rotor mounted on a frame for rotation about an axis transverse to the intended direction of movement of the implement, and with the tines penetrating the ground in use. The tines are arranged to enter the ground in the same sense as the forward movement of a vehicle driving the implement. The rotor is connected to a second tined rotor which rotates faster than the first rotor which rotates in the same direction as the wheels of the vehicle but at a lower peripheral speed than the speed of movement of the implement over to the ground. The ratio of the rotational speeds of the two rotors is between 2:1 and 4:1. Each rotor has a rotor shaft with a plurality of axially spaced mounting flanges, the tines being bolted to the flanges and extending generally tangentially of the rotor shaft.

Abstract: An attachment for agricultural machines includes a frame having a leading and trailing portion, a first soil-treating unit located at the leading portion of the frame and a second soil-treating unit located at the trailing portion of the frame. Between the first unit and the second unit there is located on the frame wheels for supporting the frame when an agricultural machine provided with the attachment moves along a road. The wheels are displaceable relative to the frame between a first position in which the wheels engage the ground and a second position in which the wheels do not engage the ground. The frame is so coupled to a lifting device of the agricultural machine that, when the wheels are in the second position, the trailing portion of the frame is supported on the ground by the second soil-treating unit.

Abstract: The apparatuses comprise a horizontally extending rigid frame and a plurality of reel and shaft assemblies, those reel and shaft assemblies each comprising a pair of parallel axle shafts and a set of reels rotatably supported on each of said shafts; the peripheral edges of ground engaging blades on a first set of rotatable reels meet the ground in the treated path at a first angle to or parallel to the central longitudinal axis of a first shaft on the frame and the peripheral edges of the ground engaging blades on a second set of rotatable reels meet the ground to form cuts therein at an angle to the line of the edge of the blades of the first set of reels.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for pulverizing the top layer of the soil. It comprises a positively coupled pair of rollers rolling over the ground at unequal surface speeds so that at least one of the rollers is constantly slipping. A harrow is mounted in front of each roller. The assembly of rollers and harrows is pressed onto the ground by a rod comprising a built-in compression spring, which may be adjustable. Each roller is composed of a set of longitudinal strips mounted on an axle.

Abstract: An elongated downwardly opening housing is provided for lengthwise advancement over the ground and includes mounting structure for dependingly supporting the housing from a farm implement tool bar. The housing includes front and rear transverse journaled horizontal shafts each having a pair of axially spaced circumferentially spiked wheels mounted thereon for rotation therewith. Corresponding ends of the shafts project outwardly through opposite sides of the housing and have aligned sprocket wheels mounted thereon. The sprocket wheel carried by the forward shaft is at least slightly greater in diameter than the sprocket wheel carried by the rear shaft and an endless chain is trained over the sprocket wheels drivingly connecting the forward shaft or front shaft to the rear shaft.