Abstract: An implement for preparing a field includes a ground engaging device that allows the implement to be pushed or pulled on the field. The ground engaging device includes a reversible roller with projections joined to an outer surface thereof to engage the ground. The projections do not extend along the complete length of the roller but rather a portion thereof thereby reducing the power necessary to rotate the roller. The implement includes reversible guards for keeping the disturbed ground in front of the roller.

Abstract: Capactor teeth are normally utilized to provide crushing and/or grinding and compaction of refuse material and to compact soil on top of the refuse material. It is advantageous to provide a tooth that provides good traction of a capactor wheel and both good demolition and penetration of the material being crushed. In the subject arrangement, a tooth has an outer surface which has at least six edges with a plurality of side surfaces extending therefrom and angled with respect thereto at an obtuse angle. The tooth has a generally rectangular base with a longitudinal plane defined therein parallel to the length of the generally rectangular base. Apexes defined by the side surfaces are parallel with the longitudinal plane and angled with respect to the outer surface within the range of 115.degree.-135.degree..

Abstract: Teeth for compactors are normally utilized to crush and/or grind refuse material and/or soil being worked and to effectively compact the refuse material and/or soil being worked. It is also advantageous to insure that the teeth being used provide traction of the compactor wheel on the materials being worked while not allowing the refuse material and/or soil to collect between the teeth of the compactor wheel. In the subject arrangement, the tooth provides a tip portion having an outer surface with at least six edges and a plurality of corresponding side surfaces extending therefrom at an obtuse angle with respect to the outer surface. The tooth defines a longitudinal plane therethrough that is parallel to the length of the tooth and perpendicular to the outer surface. Two of the side surfaces lie perpendicular to the longitudinal plane and form obtuse angles with the outer surface in the range of 115 degrees to 135 degrees.

Abstract: A layer of material such as pavement or sheet ice coating the surface of a roadway is efficiently removed using apparatus that includes a longitudinal tube in a breaker assembly which is rotatably carried by a control frame beam that depends from an articulate hydraulic lift and tilt mechanism of a road grader. Coaxially attached to the tube and uniformly distributed along its length, a number of retainer rings each carry several radially extended teeth that function to fragment the layer. Each tooth includes a tip portion with a free end that penetrates and punctures the layer and a trailing divergent portion which enters the puncture and translates a linear force applied thereto into a radial outward force that fractures and fragments the side walls of each puncture when the breaker assembly is lowered onto the layer and a downward force is applied to each tooth as the breaker assembly rolls over the layer surface.

Abstract: An aerator device for attachment to the front end of a power riding lawn mower has two features which enable a spiked roller assembly to guide itself smoothly through a desired path and to make turns without excessive digging in of the spikes. The roller assembly includes a plurality, and preferably three, of rollers disposed coaxially on a shaft with each roller being rotatable independently of the others, facilitating turning. Self-tracking of the rollers on a desired path is provided by vertical mounting of a pivot pin connected to the roller assembly in a journal supported by a frame forward of the roller axis. The roller assembly pivots to follow the frame journal without operator intervention when propelled forward.

Abstract: A cultivating tool for a soil cultivating machine includes a holder adapted to be mounted on a rotatable shaft and having a generally U-shaped channel receiving a working implement. A pin is disposed in the channel, and the implement has a hook which receives the pin. Cooperable retainers in the channel and on the implement are cooperable for retaining the implement in the channel, the implement being mountable on the holder by hooking the hook on the pin and effecting engagement between the retainers, the implement being demountable from the holder by disengaging the retainers from the implement and unhooking the hook from the pin.

Abstract: An active harrow comprises a rotatable cylindrical body on the outer surface of which is mounted a plurality of tines which project outwardly for engaging the ground. The rotatable body is carried in a yoke and supported from a tool bar in a manner which allows the axis of the rotatable body to be adjusted relative to the tool bar. The tines are inclined so that they lie in axial planes but inclined relative to the radial plane of an angle in order of 20.degree. to 30.degree.. Each tine includes a main body portion and an end portion which is cranked. This orientation of the tines provides an effective harrowing action but prevents accumulation of trash.

Abstract: There is disclosed a manually powered aeration device having a frame and a removable weight tank which is positioned such that the center of gravity of the weight tank and the aerator cylidner are in substantially vertical alignment.

Abstract: A compaction roller includes improved cleat assemblies which employ readily removable wear caps. One style of cleat assembly employs means inhibiting twisting of the cap unit about vertical and horizontal axes relative to a support base.

Abstract: A narrow self-propelled trench soil compactor has a vibratory frame assembly connected in a towing relation to a mobile frame having steerable front wheels. The vibratory frame assembly is pivotally connected to the mobile frame for vibratory up and down movement independently of the mobile frame. A soil compaction wheel is rotatably supported at the free end of the frame assembly for movement to a lowered operating position and is power driven to function as the propulsion means for the machine. When the compaction wheel is in an elevated or non-operating position, the machine is attachable to a towing tractor for transportation purposes.

Abstract: An attachment for a lawn roller which includes an elongated sheet of flexible material for covering the outer cylindrical surface of the lawn roller that the ends of the sheet abut. The ends of the sheet are provided with complementary connectors to enable the sheet to be removably attached to the roller. The sheet is provided with a plurality of rigid pins which project from the outer face of the sheet when it is applied to the roller or penetrating the top soil of a lawn or garden as the roller is rolled along the surface of the soil.

Abstract: An apparatus for loosening a crust formed in the soil over planted seeds. A drum having a plurality of fingers rotatably disposed around an outer cylindrical surface thereof is biased toward the ground by spring rods which are adjustably attached to a frame. The frame is typically mounted to a prime mover such as a tractor or to a cultivator or the like attached to an agricultural tractor.

Abstract: A turf or soil aerating apparatus includes in one embodiment a carrier drum having a plurality of turf aerating tines pivotally supported thereon such that movement of the drum along a turf surface establishes a pattern of aerification holes in the turf. In one embodiment, a tubular coring tine is provided having a generally cylindrical elongated shank portion, a sharpened penetrating end and a bulb portion proximate the penetrating end, the bulb portion having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the shank portion so as to substantially eliminate friction drag on the shank portion during turf penetration. The inner surface of the shank is sized to facilitate easy passage of turf plugs through the tine.

Abstract: An off-the-road landfill compactor has large wheels with two piece cutting cleats the inner portion of which are attached to the outer surface of the wheels. The outer, replaceable portion of the cleat is secured to the inner portion by bolts which are directed toward each other but at an incline toward the center of the wheel so that tightening the bolts wedges the outer cleat portion into tighter contact with the inner portion. The bolts engage fastening means retained in recesses provided in the inner portion of the cleat.

Abstract: A soil aerator is shown which includes a frame and a rotatable drum mounted on the frame. The drum has an outer cylindrical surface. The opposing ends of the drum are enclosed and carry axles which are mounted within the frame whereby the drum is rotatable with respect to the frame about the longitudinal axis of the drum. A plurality of triangular-shaped teeth are arranged in rows on the outer cylindrical surface of the drum. Each of the rows of teeth forms a chevron-shaped pattern with respect to the next succeeding row of teeth.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting litter from roadways and grounds includes a ground engageable rotating drum with easily removable and replaceable fingers which slip in and out of channels mounted on the drum. A spring finger assembly rotates against the drum to aid in litter pickup and to strip material from the drum and deposit same on a conveyor. The conveyor directs the litter into a hopper, which, when full, is lifted by an arrangement of pivots and linkage arms to raise upwardly, then swing rearwardly and tip to dump the litter into a suitable receptacle.

Abstract: A mobile machine for uprooting vegetation from the ground and for separating soil attached to the uprooted vegetation is disclosed. The machine includes a frame and an uprooting mechanism for uprooting and removing vegetation from the ground, the uprooting mechanism being rotatably supported by the frame and driven by a source of power. A soil separating mechanism is driven by the source of power for separating the soil from the uprooted vegetation and for conveying the uprooted vegetation away from the ground at an acute angle relative the ground, the soil separating mechanism being rotatably supported by the frame. The soil separating mechanism includes a first and a second end, the first end being disposed adjacent the uprooting mechanism, the first end receiving thereon the uprooted vegetation and attached soil removed from the ground by the uprooting mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting an earth working implement, most specifically, a roller-chopper unit for use in forestry, wherein a transporting wheel assembly is disposed upon the earth working implement or its frame thereby providing transportation for the earth working implement from job site to job site. The wheel assembly has a stored position in which the wheels are maintained while the earth implement is performing its task at a specific job site and the transporting wheel assembly further being movable between a working position in which the wheels are maintained against the ground and support the earth working implement during transportation between job sites.

Abstract: A pair of knuckles each including a base element and a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending lugs on the base element. The lugs on each knuckle are pivoted in a pair of lugs secured to the frame of one of the leading and trailing equipment units, the two knuckles being positioned on relatively transversely positioned axes. The knuckles are interconnected by a longitudinal pin extending through the base elements, the longitudinal pin being dimensioned to enable longitudinal play between the knuckles, and relative angular movement therebetween.

Abstract: A vibratory roller is journalled from a frame portion of a vehicle of the compaction-type and the roller includes a generally cylindrical outer face. A plurality of circumferentially extending lug bands are carried by the roller outer surface and are disposed in laterally spaced zones of the outer face spaced longitudinally of the roller and in which diametric planes of the roller lie. The lug bands are comprised of lugs including outer surfaces disposed at least substantially normal to intersecting radii of the roller and generated about the axis of rotation of the roller. The outer surfaces are at least substantially circumferentially continuous about the roller and extend in zig zag paths contained in the aforementioned zones.

Abstract: A soil cultivating implement which comprises a row of power-driven rotary soil working members is provided, behind said soil working members with respect to the intended direction of operative travel of the implement, with a freely rotatable roller (10) having a cylindrical carrier (11) and a plurality of projections (12) formed in integral pairs and arranged in groups or crowns at regularly spaced apart intervals along the intended axis of rotation (a) of the roller (10). In order substantially to prevent clods of earth, old roots and the like from becoming jammed between the groups or crowns of projections (12), the relatively facing sides of the groups or crowns skeletally define radially outwardly divergent surfaces (B) and a pointed scraper (17) bears against the carrier (11) between each group or crown of projections (12).

Abstract: A soil cultivating implement comprising soil working members having tines, the members being arranged in a row that extends transverse to the direction of travel. A ground roller is freely rotatable and positioned to the rear of the row of soil working members. In order for the roller to support the implement on the ground and regulate the maximum depth of penetration of the soil working members into the ground, the roller has crowns or assemblies of projections which comprise substantially radial portions and outer end portions which are bent over laterally in opposite directions by significant angles and also rearwardly with respect to the direction of normal roller rotation. In addition, they are widened towards the end in the direction of their rotational movement. Scraping members are positioned between the successive assemblies or crowns of projections and the roller may have a central tubular shaft or carrier of a different diameter.

Abstract: A rotor and cultivating tools are provided for a rotary cultivating machine. The rotor is of the kind having a plurality of outwardly directed cultivating tools, in the form of rods.To fix the tools to the rotor shaft the shaft has secured to it one or more helical bars extending around the shaft from one end to the other. Holes are formed in the bars and in the shaft to receive the cultivating tools.The tools have a working portion at one end and a shank at the other end. The shank extends through the bar and the shaft and is secured by a nut at the end opposite the working portion. The working portion is flattened at its outer end to present a narrower dimension to the ground being worked.The arrangement provides a shaft and tools which are cheaper to make and replace.

Abstract: An agricultural implement particularly suitable for aerating soils and pastures comprises a frame attachable to the three-point linkage of a tractor, a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted on the frame and a plurality of cutting blades projecting from each of the rollers. The blades are formed from plate material and are preferably formed to a point. Various edges are preferably bevelled to assist the implement in cutting the soil without undue lifting or tearing of the soil surface.

Abstract: A vibrator roller frame for supporting a vibrator roller on a horizontal axis of rotation and for transferring static and dynamic forces, comprises, a closed annular one-piece frame member, preferably made of cast steel, having side, end and corner parts, connected to the vibrator roller and annularly surrounding it. The side, end and corner parts are shaped in accordance with the static or dynamic forces they will receive. The corner parts have inside and outside relatively large radii of curvature and connect the side and end parts. The side and end parts have increasing width from a median axis toward the corner portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to vegetation clearing devices and more particularly to a gravity roller means for use in vegetation clearing. The invention provides a vehicle for use in vegetation clearing which comprises a winch arrangement mounted on the vehicle and connected with, so as to drive, two independently controllable winch drums. Control lines are mounted around the winch drums and are connected by way of a fair lead arrangement to a roller. Roller mounting means are provided at the front of the vehicle, so that with the vehicle situated in position at the top of a slope or hill, the roller is allowed to roll down the slope clearing vegetation in its path.

Abstract: A combined scarifier and branch slashing and crushing implement is disclosed. The implement comprises a rectangular frame, a cylindrical roller rotatably mounted in the frame and extending longitudinally of the frame, plural rows of longitudinally spaced scarifier teeth projecting from the roller for working the soil, and stationary teeth mounted on both the front and back longitudinal portions of the frame and projecting between the scarifier teeth. Each scarifier tooth has a hook member projecting laterally from the tooth in the direction of movement of the implement to engage branches, roots and other plant growths for slashing, crushing and cutting them against the stationary teeth which have cutting edges facing the hook members so as to provide a pulverized mixture which is thereafter mixed with the soil.

Abstract: A rotating row marker equipped with both transverse and longitudinal imprinting projections impresses a grid-type pattern into the soil for precise placement of seeds or seedlings in a subsequent planting operation. One of the transverse projections houses an eccentric weight for gravitationally returning the row marker to a predetermined position when the row marker is raised above the earth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of land surfaces is disclosed. The land surface is imprinted by means of imprint capsules of alternating geometries--one being a water-runoff-directing geometry; the other, a water-infiltration-enhancing geometry. The method prevents water runoff and enhances water infiltration into the soil in areas where high moisture levels would be desirable, such as in seed beds and at the base of growing plants.

Abstract: A drum attachment for conventional tillers that expands the possible uses for such tillers. A pair of drums may be detachably mounted to a tiller shaft in place of conventional tiller blades, each drum being attached to the shaft by one or more pins held by spring keeper keys passing through an interior sleeve of the drum and the shaft. Spider assemblies space the exterior surface of the drum from the sleeve while still allowing access to the pins from the exterior of the drum. On the surface of the drum a number of radially outwardly extending teeth are provided, the teeth being arranged in spiral courses and in circumferential rows. The teeth preferably are cylinders about one and one-half inch long and half-inch in diameter. The invention is useful for tilling, cultipacking, dethatching, seedbed preparation, and aeration.

Abstract: A method for planting seeds in a pattern comprising longitudinal and transverse rows of seed planting sites, in which the transverse rows cross the longitudinal rows, the improvement comprising: planting the seeds with a seed-to-seed spacing of 1 to 31/2 inches along both the longitudinal and transverse rows, preferably in an approximately square, equidistant pattern. The equidistant spacing, in contrast with row-type spacing where plants are spaced relatively far apart in one direction and close together in the other direction, provides a significant improvement in the growth of the plants, and particularly encourages "stooling" or multiple sprouting of cereal grains and grasses.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a soil aerating device which is adapted for connection to a powered vehicle, which includes a first frame rotatably supporting a drum carrying a plurality of core-forming tines adapted to penetrate the ground or turf to be aerated and remove a plug of soil and/or grass as the drum is rolled over the surface of the ground or turf, and which further includes a second frame having forward and rear portions. The first frame is pivotally connected to the rear portion of the second frame for limited relative pivotal movement between the two frames and the forward portion of the second frame is pivotally connected to the vehicle for pivotal movement of the two frames relative to the vehicle between a raised position wherein the drum and tines are disengaged from the ground or turf and a lowered position wherein the drum is in engagement with the ground or turf.

Abstract: When breaking up lumps of stone from a subaqueous stony ground, the lumps are loosened by means of at least one chisel inserted into the ground and being moved along the ground surface. In order to break up lumps of stone by low power and to main a predetermined size of the loosened lumps of stone suitable for being lifted by a suction dredger system, the structure of the top layer of the stony ground is disturbed by inserting displacers from above into the ground at places distributed over the ground surface.

Abstract: A bladed wheel tractor having wheels with angularly disposed blades. Each wheel has a web, radial to the periphery of which is mounted a plurality of flat plates joined to form a tubular member or rim. Each plate has a diagonally mounted blade element, the blades of the front wheels being skewed inwardly and the blades of the rear wheels being skewed outwardly.

Abstract: A replacement cap for use on the tip of a compaction wheel foot. The cap includes a pair of half-caps weldable together on the end of the tip. The half-caps are generally rectangular and are formed with inner end portions having facets which abut to form V-shaped weld pockets. The half-caps are shaped so as to snugly fit on tips having varied wear patterns. Replacement time, weld material and replacement costs are thereby reduced.

Abstract: A device for stamping soil into groups of growth pots positioned in abutting relationship on a table or the like, which device comprises a roller means provided with longitudinally and circumferentially evenly spaced stamping pegs, the spacing between each peg exactly corresponding to the spacing between the pots on the table, said roller means rotatably supported in a holder and said holder provided with a rodlike handle means.

Abstract: A rotary soil conditioner in the form of a cylinder fitted with pointed projecting curved tines. The tines each project to a distance from the cylinder surface that is approximately one-half the cylinder radius and are each curved in the direction of rotation of the cylinder with a radius of curvature of one-third the cylinder diameter, and with the center of the arc of each tine being on the surface of the cylinder. Each tine is preferably formed with an oval cross-section that narrows from the tine root to the tine tip, with the long axis of the oval cross-section oriented in the direction of rotation of the cylinder.

Abstract: A rotary tool for marking a straight or curved groove in a garden in which seeds are to be laid. The tool includes an enclosed drum, which may be filled with water, with the drum rotatably mounted to a yoke fixed to a handle. A rim centrally fitted with an external V-shaped projecting flange is detachably fastened to the cylindrical drum wall. Alternate detachable rims are provided with each rim fitted with a flange of a different size so as to each form a groove of a different depth when rolled across a garden seed bed.

Abstract: A rotary plough has one or more rotors rotatably mounted to be driven via a power take off about a horizontal axis that extends transverse to the direction of travel. Each rotor has a central support and axis of rotation and two spaced apart and oppositely positioned rotatable soil working members, each of which has a soil working support with two rows of tines. A driving connection is established between a P. T. O. and a shaft within the central support which turns each soil working member through a control mechanism. The control mechanism can be a pinion gear arrangement or a chain and sproket combination that turns the tine supports of the soil working members so that a transmission ratio is established to cause the tines to rotate more or less about their supports while also turning about the central support. Earth lumps are cut and lifted by the tines and then moved to an inverted position back to the dug out cavity.

Abstract: A vibratory roller is journalled from a frame portion of a vehicle of the compaction-type an the roller includes a generally cylindrical outer face. A plurality of circumferentially extending lug bands are carried by the roller outer surface and are disposed in laterally spaced zones of the outer face spaced longitudinally of the roller and in which diametric planes of the roller lie. The lug bands are comprised of lugs including outer surfaces disposed at least substantially normal to intersecting radii of the roller and generated about the axis of rotation of the roller. The outer surfaces are at least substantially circumferentially continuous about the roller and extend in zig zag paths contained in the aforementioned zones.

Abstract: Tip and adaptor assemblies are normally utilized to provide an arrangement in which the tip can be readily removed from the adaptor. It is advantageous to have a simple construction while still maintaining both good traction of the compactor wheel and good demolition of the material being crushed. In the subject arrangement, the tip and adaptor assembly is simple in construction and the tip, when worn, is readily removable from the adaptor. Furthermore, the tip includes both a demolition cleat and a transversely oriented traction cleat. All of the downward forces from the compactor wheel is transferred from a outer load transferring surface of the adaptor to a load transferring surface of the tip.