Abstract: A tillage implement has gang assemblies of rotatable tillage tools that can be angle-adjusted from the seat of the towing tractor using hydraulic actuators. The tillage tools may comprise generally flat, wavy coulter blades or the like so that the machine may be set up for vertical tillage with the coulters aligned at a zero degree angle with the path of travel of the implement or for residue management operations with the coulters maintained at an oblique angle of up to ten degrees relative to the path of travel. A six degree angle is preferred for the residue management position. A master-slave hydraulic flow arrangement for the actuators assures simultaneous actuation, while mechanical synchronizing apparatus between the two front gang assemblies on the center frame section of the machine assures synchronized movement of those assemblies. Mechanical motion-transmitting mechanism transmits the hydraulically powered adjusting movement of the front gang assemblies to the rear gang assemblies.

Abstract: A tillage implement has gang assemblies of rotatable tillage tools that can be angle-adjusted from the seat of the towing tractor using hydraulic actuators. The tillage tools may comprise generally flat, wavy coulter blades or the like so that the machine may be set up for vertical tillage with the coulters aligned at a zero degree angle with the path of travel of the implement or for residue management operations with the coulters maintained at an oblique angle of up to ten degrees relative to the path of travel. A six degree angle is preferred for the residue management position. A master-slave hydraulic flow arrangement for the actuators assures simultaneous actuation, while mechanical synchronizing apparatus between the two front gang assemblies on the center frame section of the machine assures synchronized movement of those assemblies. Mechanical motion-transmitting mechanism transmits the hydraulically powered adjusting movement of the front gang assemblies to the rear gang assemblies.

Abstract: A tilling implement has a front row of concave disc blades having a front right portion and a front left portion symmetrically disposed about a centerline of the implement. A rear row of concave disc blades has a rear right portion and a rear left portion symmetrically disposed about the centerline of the implement. The rear right portion follows behind the front right portion in a right path and the rear left portion follows the front left portion in a left path when the implement is displaced through a field. The implement includes no ground engaging tool in the right path between the front right portion and the rear right portion, and no ground engaging tool in the left path between the front left portion and the rear left portion. A ground engaging tool is disposed generally along the centerline of the implement between the right and left paths.

Abstract: A tilling implement has a front row of shallow concave disc blades having a front right portion and a front left portion symmetrically disposed about a centerline of the implement. A rear row of shallow concave disc blades has a rear right portion and a rear left portion symmetrically disposed about the centerline of the implement. The rear right portion following behind the front right portion in a right path and the rear left portion following the front left portion in a left path when the implement is displaced through a field. The implement includes no ground engaging tool in the right path between the front right portion and the rear right portion, and no ground engaging tool in the left path between the front left portion and the rear left portion. The shallow concave disc blades have a concavity of between approximately 1.25 and 1.69 inches over an outer diameter of approximately 20 inches.

Abstract: A disc gang is provided that is suitable for use as part of a multifunctional seedbed preparation implement or in a standalone disc harrow. The disc gang is configured to permit a gang angle of the disc gang to be adjusted to accommodate differing soil conditions and/or to obtain different tillage characteristics. The disc gang may include a frame mounted on a mainframe of a primary tillage implement such as a cultivator. The frame includes a main beam mounted on the implement's mainframe and a disc support beam connected to the main beam and supporting a plurality of rotating discs. The gang angle can be infinitely adjusted through a designated range by pivoting one end of the disc gang about a vertical pivot axis while permitting another end portion of the disc gang to slide along a support surface for that end.

Abstract: Two gang disc harrow units are pivotally joined near corresponding ends by a vertical axis hinge coupling. Near their opposite corresponding ends, the harrow units are connected by a collapsible toggle linkage which operates in a horizontal plane under influence of a power cylinder, whereby the harrow units can be positioned at a prescribed angle for working the soil and in parallel relationship for transport. Two transport wheels are pivotally attached to the rear harrow unit on transverse pivot axes which are parallel to the rear unit. Power cylinders interconnecting these wheels with the rear harrow unit are operable to lower and raise the wheels for lifting and lowering the rear unit. The front harrow unit has a pivotal connection with a drawbar which in turn is coupled through a draft tongue with the hitch of a towing or transport vehicle. Another power cylinder connected between the pivoted drawbar and front harrow unit is operable to lift and lower the front unit.

Abstract: A device to provide for easy handling of dual tandem discs and similar farm implements. The device is a framework foldable on a hinge line and having wheels for transportation. The hinge line is longitudinal and provides that when collapsed, the two tandem discs are carried in line with a minimal width and when open allows the discs to be pulled in a side by side conformation to cover two parallel paths.

Abstract: A forwardly foldable agricultural planter includes a hitch shiftable as wing sectons are moved between transport and operational configurations. Rigid link tow bars pivot about centrally positioned pivots permitting the hitch to be horizontally shifted between transport and operational positions to thereby realize positive drawn implement control in both configurations. A telescoping drawbar provides further implement support and control and either manual or automatic latching mechanisms can be provided to secure the folded wing sections in position.

Abstract: Tandemly disposed tool beams project laterally outwardly from opposite sides of the central tongue of the implement and may be swung horizontally between laterally widespread, working positions and folded back, compacted, transport positions. Collapsing linkages between the tongue and the front beams control swinging of the latter, while stiff links between the front and rear beams serve to maintain a selected angular relationship between the front and rear beams in the working and transport positions. Outer sections of the front linkages are extensible for adjusting the draft angle of the front beams, while the stiff links are likewise extensible for adjustment of the angle between the front and rear beams.

Abstract: An earth working apparatus in the form of a dual frame offset disc implement includes first and second tongue members and a tow bar arranged for movement of first and second mobile frames between a side-by-side earth working position and a trailing relation while maintaining hydraulic communication between a hydraulic pressure system of a prime mover and each of a first pair of extensible members each connected to a respective one of the tongue members and to a respective one of the dual frames and to each of a second pair of extensible members each connected to a respective one of the dual frames and to wheel supporting axles for turning same to selectively raise and lower the respective dual frames thereby moving earth working members thereon out of and into earth working position.

Abstract: Two gang disc harrow units are pivotally joined near corresponding ends by a vertical axis hinge coupling. Near their opposite corresponding ends, the harrow units are connected by a collapsible toggle linkage which operates in a horizontal plane under influence of a power cylinder, whereby the harrow units can be positioned at a prescribed angle for working the soil and in parallel relationship for transport. Two transport wheels are pivotally attached to the rear harrow unit on transverse pivot axes which are parallel to the rear unit. Power cylinders interconnecting these wheels with the rear harrow unit are operable to lower and raise the wheels for lifting and lowering the rear unit. The front harrow unit has a pivotal connection with a drawbar which in turn is coupled through a draft tongue with the hitch of a towing or transport vehicle. Another power cylinder connected between the pivoted drawbar and front harrow unit is operable to lift and lower the front unit.