Abstract: A load transmitting connector 13 for composite tube 11 and a method of attachment of said connector 13 to the tube 11, the connector 13 comprising a screw threaded nut 14 having an outer surface 18 shaped to receive the composite, an annular collar 15, a screw threaded end fitting 16 for engaging the screw thread within the nut 14, and a load means 17, wherein the nut 14 is incorporated within said one end of the tube during tube manufacture, the tube 11 being cured with the nut 14 in situ, the annular collar 15 is placed over said one end of the tube, the end fitting 16 is screwed into the nut, and the load means 17 in use axially moving the end-fitting 16 relative to the collar 15 to exert a clamping load on the composite tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel configuration for agricultural row units that feature soil finishing assemblies. This configuration of the finishing assembly provides a simple adjustment of the height of the finishing assembly to enhance usability and flexibility of the row unit. The improved adjustment mechanism enhances user control over the vertical distance between the finishing wheels/discs and the ground opening assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, soil finishing assembly is pivotally coupled to the row unit frame via a height adjustment assembly. The height adjustment assembly may feature a biasing member and other components to allow adjustment of one end of the pivotal coupling of the adjustment assembly within the row unit assembly.

Abstract: A furrow closer apparatus for attachment to a shank of a ground working implement, the shank extending rearward and downward from an implement frame member, comprises a bracket adapted for attachment to the shank. The bracket extends down from an upper forward portion of the shank. Spring arms extend from the bracket rearward and downward on each side of and below the shank, and are biased to a neutral position. Soil moving elements are attached to the spring arms near the lower end of the shank. Leading faces of the soil moving elements are oriented at opposed angles to the travel direction such that forward portions thereof are farther apart than rearward portions and such that soil contacted by each face is moved toward the shank rearward of the shank. Rotatable discs with a twine cutter can provide the soil moving elements.

Abstract: A disc harrow composed of one or more disc gangs has a subframe coupled to the disc gangs to move the disc gangs in response to variations in farmland terrain to limit the impact of ground variation when encountered during the harrowing process. When the obstruction is cleared, the subframe automatically returns the disc gangs to their pre-obstruction position. In addition to reducing the potentially-damaging impact of obstructions, the subframe also maintains a more consistent reel depth during undulations or changes in the farmland terrain, such as during harrowing of slopes or unleveled fields such as valleys, near waterways, and along fence rows.

Abstract: A tillage tool includes a relatively narrow shank that slices through the soil while a ripper point at its lower end fractures and lifts the subsoil. Minimum surface disturbance adjacent the opposite sides of the shank is assured through the provision of a pair of independently mounted down-pressure wheels on opposite sides of the shank that engage and apply constant downward pressure against soil tending to erupt at the top surface. Each down pressure wheel is mounted to the shank assembly by its own leaf spring so that the two wheels react to ground changes independently of one another and without adversely affecting each other. A guide plate associated with each leaf spring prevents twisting of the spring as it flexes and provides stops for limiting the opposite extremes of up and down flexing of the spring.

Abstract: A ground leveler attachment for a ground working device comprises a bracket fastened to a shank supporting a ground breaking tool, a carrier arm connected to the bracket, a pair of leg supports in pivotal contact with the carrier arm, a pair of springs biasing the legs supports into pivotal contact with the carrier arm, a pair of leg members extending from the leg supports, and a pair of levelers rotatably mounted upon the leg members and biased into a ground engagement position by the springs. The levelers independently and resiliently retract upon contact with a relatively immoveable object or objects to avoid being broken off from the leg members or severely damaged beyond usefulness.

Abstract: In a disc harrow implement, each of a plurality of disc blades is provided with a conical hub having a center aperture through which an arbor bolt is inserted along the length of the implement. First and second sections of a spool, or hub, positioned on the arbor bolt include respective facing, complementary, conical end portions positioned immediately adjacent opposite faces of the conical hub of the disc. The end portion of the first spool section is provided with a plurality of spool spacer pins around the periphery thereof. Similarly, the hub portion of the disc is provided with a plurality of peripheral apertures around the center aperture through which the spacer pins are inserted so as to abut the end portion of the second spool section when the disc is positioned between the respective spool sections. First and second resilient spacer members are respectively positioned between the respective conical portions of the disc and the first and second spool sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seed planter having furrow forming means in association with a pair of furrow closing wheels each of which is independently mounted relative to the suspension of the other so that each spring biased suspension arm is pivotable to enable each closing wheel to be raised, or lowered, independently of the other wheel in response to ground conditions encountered in the operation of the planter. The closing wheel mounting also includes means for adjustment of each wheel whereby the angle of attack of each wheel may be varied and importantly enable adjustment of the wheel spacing so that the distance between the wheels can be adjusted and enabling the wheels to be set to run straight with the direction of travel of the planter and at any desired seed planting depth.

Abstract: A subsoil implement is disclosed that utilizes a horizontally rotatable disc that is moved beneath the surface of the ground for the purpose of cultivating or for producing a sub-surface bed for placing flowable material such as seed or soil treating gas along the prepared bed. A hollow delivery tube or rigid shaft leads to the disc and rotates about an axis defined by a bearing directly adjacent the disc. Seed or chemicals may be directed through the hollow tube form to the ground surface below the cultivator disc. Therefore, cultivating, planting or soil treatment can be accomplished with minimal effort. Trash clearing elements are provided on the rotating tube or shaft to eliminate trash build-up and minimize disruption of the soil surface.

Abstract: A yieldable disc blade assembly for individual disc blades which prevents structural damage of the disc blades when such blades contact a rock or other obstruction in the field. Once the disc blade is tripped by the force of the blade encountering an obstruction, the assembly requires a decreased force to move the disc blade from the normal working position to the yielding position away from the obstruction.

Abstract: A moldboard plow bottom unit having a frame mount on a beam. A standard attached to a moldboard plow bottom is pivotally connected to the frame to provide movement of the moldboard plow bottom from a normal earthworking position to an elevated trip position. A trip and reset mechanism having a toggle link assembly connected to the standard operates to allow the standard and plow bottom to move up to a trip position and to bias the standard and plow bottom to the earthworking position. The trip and reset mechanism includes a control member pivotally mounted on the frame and connected to the toggle link assembly. The control member has first and second members which selectively engage opposite sides of one link of the toggle link assembly to control the movement of the toggle link assembly between its extended over-center position to its folded position.

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.

Abstract: A lawn edger attachment for moving vehicles consisting of a rolling coulter blade carried for rotation on a horizontal axis at the rearward end of a trailing arm pivoted at its forward end to the vehicle on a generally vertical axis. Mechanism is provided for pivoting the arm vertically to raise or lower the blade, and also to cause the arm to trail normally at different lateral spacings from the vehicle, although said arm may also be pivoted laterally by manual force. A broom or scraper is also provided, in trailing relation to the blade, for sweeping the cuttings of the blade either to the pavement, or to the grass, adjacent the juncture line between the pavement and the grass.