Abstract: The slope angle of a blade on an earthmoving machine is automatically controlled based on measurements from a three-axis gyroscope, a blade slope angle tilt sensor, and a blade tip angle tilt sensor mounted on the blade. A three-axis gyroscope has high dynamic response and high resistance to mechanical disturbances but is subject to potentially unbounded errors. A tilt sensor has bounded errors but has a slow dynamic response and a high sensitivity to mechanical disturbances. The combination of a three-axis gyroscope and two tilt sensors provides an advantageous measurement system. Algorithms for performing proper fusion of the measurements account for the lack of synchronization between the three-axis gyroscope and the tilt sensors and also screen out invalid measurements from the tilt sensors. The blade slope angle is controlled based on a reference blade slope angle and an estimate of the blade slope angle computed from properly fused measurements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to implement flotation and suspension systems typically utilized with agricultural equipment wherein an “implement” can be a brush, rake, broom, or any tool utilized to contact the ground surface; “flotation” refers to the ability of the systems to maintain a substantially consistent force applied by the implement on the ground surface it contacts and thus maintain a substantially consistent spacing between the ground surface being traversed (regardless of the regularity of the surface) and the implement section not in contact with the ground surface; and “suspension” refers to the suspension of some or all of the weight of the implement in relation to the surface being traversed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a soil treating device comprising at least one working element rotatably driven by a rotation shaft and a frame accommodating the working element and displaceable practically parallel to the ground, characterized in that the rotatable working element consists of a plurality of contact elements intended for ground working and fixed in a holder, wherein at least a part of the contact elements lies at different distances from the rotation shaft.

Abstract: A cultivator which may be attached to a tractor or similar vehicle for use in cultivating rows of plants, includes a rotary tine assembly having a plurality of vertically-oriented, rotary tines for cultivating soil on each side of a row of plants; shields associated with each row of plants for limiting throwing of soil by the rotary tines; a drive motor for moving the rotary tines to cultivate the soil; and a support structure for securing the rotary tines, the shields, and the drive motor thereto and which is adapted for connection to the tractor or similar vehicle, wherein dimensions of and relative adjustments of the tines and the shields are chosen so that a predetermined amount of soil passes between selected shields, whereby weeds between adjacent rows of plants may be uprooted and/or destroyed and soil may be ridged and heaped around the plants and in the rows.

Abstract: A machine for levelling a surface has ground engaging levelling members pivotally mounted on a main frame for back and forth vibratory or oscillatory motion relative to the main frame in a normal direction of travel of the machine. Each levelling member has a longitudinal axis which extends laterally with respect to the normal direction of travel of the machine and there is an eccentric drive for providing the back and forth motion which may be connected to a power takeoff shaft of a tractor.

Abstract: A helical coil assembly, consisting of spaced coil turns mounted on a shaft at right angles to the coil, is rotated by any suitable power source. Any plant growth stalks in the path of this rotating coil enter and are caught in the channel between the spaced coil turns, spun centripetally, clumped together, grasped and pulled by the coil so that the plant growth, whether crops or undesirable weeds, undergrowth, etc. is removed by its roots. The helical coil assembly may also include a cutting blade rotating parallelly and adjacent to the helical coil, for severing the clumped plant stalks held under tension by the coil, thus moving or trimming the plant growth. Multiple coil assemblies, arranged in various groupings, are combined for a wide range of mowing, trimming, harvesting or removing purposes.

Abstract: A cultivator for such crops as beets, maize, potatoes, etc., planted in rows. A machine frame can be mounted on the three-point hitch of a tractor. Several chopping tools mounted on it, can be detached from tool holders, and are rotated on vertical shafts. Force from a common drive mechanism is distributed to the shafts through a transmission. Each tool is rotated by one shaft and is mounted on a parallelogram. Each chopping tool (20) has one or more brushes that can be secured to the tool holder (18) and that have bristles of a flexible and resilient material and is shaped like an inverted flower pot. A stop (22) that rests against the ground at a level that can be adjusted in relation to the tool is accommodated in the inside (21) of the tool and can be detached from its center.

Abstract: A fulcrum assembly for a tiller of the type having auger shafts usable in a horizontal or vertical disposition provides a fulcrum point between the handle bars and the auger shafts, so that during operation by moving the tiller handle down an operator can change the downward motion of the auger shafts to an upward motion, thereby enabling the retrieval of the auger shafts from the soil after vertical augering.

Abstract: Disclosed is a subsoil rotary cultivator. The cultivator can advantageously include a tool bar which is mounted to the tractor in the usual fashion. Group frames are advantageously mounted upon the tool bar and have spring-loaded pivoting arms upon which are mounted main tubular members. The main tubular members support a disc assembly using bearings which are positioned within the main tubular member, preferably at the extreme ends thereof. A central shaft extends through the bearings and main tubular member and has a disc attached transversely at the lower end. A shield tube is attached to the rotating disc assembly and extends upwardly from near the disc thereby providing an exterior surface which rotates with the disc in order to deflect weeds, straw, viney plants, and other debris, thereby preventing the cultivator from becoming plugged when it is drawn through a field.

Abstract: An earth tilling machine is provided having a structural frame on which a plurality of earth working units are mounted and operable to cultivate or till the soil. Each earth working unit includes an earth working head having a plurality of earth working rotors each mounted for revolution about a respective vertical axis with the axes of all rotors of a particular head disposed in a common vertical plane. The rotors of each head are mounted for revolution about a single vertical axis which is coaxial with the axis of revolution of one of the rotors of each particular head whereby the effective working width of the head can be varied from a minimum of the effective working diameter of a single rotor to a maximum of the cumulative effective working length of all rotors carried by that head.

Abstract: A rotary weeding machine for the culture of plants in rows is disclosed. The machine comprises a transverse tool bar adapted to be attached to the regular three-point hitch of a tractor, two wheels mounted one at each end of the tool bar for supporting the bar above the ground, a plurality of vertical shafts mounted for rotation on the tool bar and each supporting a soil-working device adapted to cut the weeds between the rows of plants, a plurality of vertical plates mounted on the tool bar, one on each side of the soil-working devices for preventing earth and weeds displaced by the soil-working devices from being thrown against the plants, and means for coupling the shafts of the soil-working devices to the regular power take-off of the tractor.

Abstract: An agricultural machine has at least one movable tool, such as a cultivating rotor, mower or raking member, spreader disc, or other driven member such as a tractor wheel or freely rotatable roller, which parts are interrupted in movement by a protective mechanism. The mechanism can be a pawl device associated with an overload coupling in the drive train that is actuated by a mechanical or electrical monitor to overload the device. The monitor can be a pivoted cover that partly overlies a rear roller or space adjacent same with projections that intercept the roller or a trip bar with contacts that opens or closes a circuit in a system that interrupts the drive to the moving parts responsive to contact with an external object. In another variation, the circuit can have sensors such as infrared or photoelectric cells to detect the presence or lack of presence of a human operator and these sensors can be placed in a tractor cab.

Abstract: A soil cultivating implement has a frame portion of inverted channel-shaped cross-section with downwardly directed limbs each of which has an inwardly bent-over lip at its lower free end. A row of contra-rotating soil working members are carried by corresponding substantially vertical shafts. A power-operated drive transmission to the soil working members comprises the aforesaid vertical shafts, axially aligned, substantially horizontal shafts and intermeshing bevel pinions. In order to facilitate assembly as well as quick and simple replacement of any soil working member and/or transmission part that may become seriously worn, broken or damaged during operation, the transmission is made up of a plurality of successively neighboring gear casings any one of which can be individually removed, together with the corresponding soil working member and replaced by a similar unit.

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 rotary harrow has a plurality of soil working members mounted in a row and each of the members is rotatably mounted on an upwardly extending shaft. Each soil working member includes a downwardly extending support on the lower end of a corresponding shaft and a soil working tool is mounted on the support. Each tool includes at least one pair of tines having respective coils that encircle the support and the entire tool can be made from a single length of spring steel rod. A transverse bolt with clamps couples the support with a connecting portion of the tool between the coils.

Abstract: A cultivating implement has rotatable soil working members that are driven about upwardly extending axes to work overlapping paths of soil. The cultivating members have downwardly extending tines. Neighboring members cooperate and are driven to turn in relative opposite directions. At the rear of the cultivating members, a beam with soil distributing members is positioned near the ground level to receive soil from cooperating members and distribute same laterally. The beam and distributing members can pivot against spring opposition to deflect rearward and avoid an obstacle.

Abstract: An implement has rotatable cultivating members that are driven to rotate about upwardly extending axes. Each member includes a horizontal support arm and downwardly extending tools journalled at each end of the arm for free rotation. Along the length of each tool, are radial, superposed soil-working elements that are flat; the lowermost element can have cutting edges. The elements are separated from one another by spacer sleeves and are angularly offset relative to one another. Also, the elements can be different in configuration from one another and in one version, the tools are rotatable about axes that converge towards the axis of rotation of the corresponding member. When rotated and moved through the soil, the elements work ground at different levels to intermix the soil.

Abstract: A cultivating implement has a row of tined members that have resilient arms and a resilient tines with coil supports that can deflect to mitigate stone damage. The members are mounted on a frame portion that is turntable about an axis extending transverse to the direction of travel, against resilient opposition. Each member includes a hub with bearings protected by an opposing flange and plate structure. Drive to the members is transmitted by shafts housed in the hollow frame portion and the shafts are supported in bearings connected to support members connected to the walls of the frame portion.

Abstract: A soil cultivating implement has an elongated frame portion and a plurality of rotatable members mounted at the lower ends of respective elongated shafts. Each member includes a carrier and tools on radial arms are connected to the carrier. The carrier is fastened to a nonrotatable tube through a hood and flange arrangement that prevents stalks and the like from fouling the shaft housed within the tube. The tools can be rigid tines or resilient strip-like blades which are angled downwardly in the direction of rotation. Guides in the form of rods can be mounted to coextend with the tools, upwardly to the rear so that soil loosened by the tools is displaced upwardly by forces that crumble the displaced soil before the latter falls rearwardly. Drive to shafts is effected through a gear box on the frame portion and further shafts that have pinions in mesh with those on the soil working member shafts. A further implement can be linked to the frame portion and driven via a rear shaft of the gear box.

Abstract: An implement has a hollow frame portion and tool means on shafts journalled for rotation on the frame portion. The upper ends of the shafts are held in bearings in housings located in the top wall of the frame portion and pinion gears are housed within the frame portion below the housings. The bearing housings are each formed by two separable portions that hold a bearing between them. The upper housing portion has a deformable relatively thin cover that visibly deforms if the bearing breaks and the separable portions contain any broken parts. A further, lower bearing can be held by the bottom wall of the frame portion. Fastening means such as bolts on a surrounding ring secure the housings in place.

Abstract: An implement has rotatable soil working members that are driven to rotate about upwardly extending axes. The members each have a downwardly extending carrier that is releaseably connected to a driven shaft, and spaced apart soil working elements mounted along the length of the carrier. The elements are spaced apart by spacing pieces and the lower elements are fastened to their respective carriers by one or more bolts that pass through the lower pieces. At least one element, preferably the lowermost element, has obliquely extending portions that exert upward pressure on the soil being worked at different levels.

Abstract: A soil working member is journalled in the bottom of an elongated implement frame portion and driven to rotate about an upwardly extending axis. The member includes a horizontal support, that normally is rotated adjacent the frame portion bottom, and tines depend from the support. Each tine extends through the support to a fastening, such as a nut, adjacent an upwardly extending screen. The space between the screen and the fastening is occupied by a protective element, such as a cap or a rib, that prevents stones or other hard debris, from lodging in the space and damaging the bottom of the frame portion and/or support. Cooperating strips can be secured to the frame portion bottom to cooperate with the elements.

Abstract: An implement is connectable to the lifting hitch of a tractor and at least one rotary tool is driven to rotate about an upwardly extending axis. The tool or a trestle frame has an overload connection that allows the tool or frame to pivot to an inoperative position upon overload. The tool can be a blade on a carrier part that is pivoted to a support part on a spoke and a shear pin interconnected to prevent such pivoting unless tripped by overload. The parts can have a discharge arrangement that ejects the sheared pin portion from a recess in one part. Upon adjustment of the tool, the pin remainder can effect reconnection. In another embodiment, the trestle frame is coupled to a three point hitch and the implement can be tripped through a pivot connection, including a strut made up of two shaft parts, one of which holds a shear pin and the other receives a pin portion near the junction of the parts. The pin element normally prevents relative pivoting of the implement relative to the tractor connection.

Abstract: A soil cultivating implement has a row of soil working members that are driven to rotate about upwardly extending axes. Each member includes a tine carrier and tines either in pairs or singly, are journalled for free rotation about further upwardly extending axes. The tines are positioned to the rears of their respective further axes of rotation and can perform rapid turning movements when the soil working members are rotated about the first axis of rotation. The tines can be strips that are angled to trail and deflect, depending on the condition of the ground being worked.

Abstract: A cultivating implement has a row of rotors that are driven to rotate about upwardly extending axes and an elongated roller with pins that project obliquely rearwardly, considering the normal direction of rotation of the roller. The roller is mounted on arms that are pivoted to the frame on pivots. On the rear ends of the arms, a carrier is pivoted and elongated scraper elements are mounted along the length of the carrier. The elements can be mounted in groups or single and extend forwardly and downwardly so that their forward end parts bear on the roller's surface between the pins. Gaps in the elements or between same allow the pins to pass during rotation of the roller. The carrier is interconnected with the arms by springs that bias the end parts into contact with the roller's surface.

Abstract: A cultivating machine has a row of soil working members rotatable about upwardly extending axes and each member includes a carrier from which tools detachably depend. The lower tool ends have blades that are adjustable and detachable from the remainder of the tools. The blades are normally faced in the direction of rotation of the respective soil working member. The widest portions of the tools are substantially tangential to an imaginary circle centered on their axis of rotation.

Abstract: An implement mounts a row of rotatable members, having resilient tines, that are rotatable about upwardly extending shafts. The members are driven to rotate intermittently by eccentric mechanisms that reciprocate connectors back and forth, the connectors being coupled to pawls that engage ratchet wheels on the shafts. Non-return pawls prevent the shafts from turning in reverse direction. Preferably, there are at least four tined members mounted in a row on an elongated hollow frame portion and the input shaft mounts two eccentric mechanisms that are located centrally of the frame portion, each mechanism being connected to operate two of the tined members, out-of-phase, so that neighboring members are turned periodically in relative opposite directions. The frame portion is pivoted to a forward coupling member at several points, one of which is a shear pin that allows the frame portion to tilt upon overload of a tined member.

Abstract: A rotary harrow has soil working members that are driven to rotate on upwardly extending shafts. Each member has a horizontal central support, and an arm pivoted at each opposite end of the central support. A tine is fastened to the outer end of each arm and a soil working portion thereof extends down to work the soil upon rotation of the soil working members. A helical spring on each pivot extends to stops on the central support and the corresponding arm to bias that arm with tine to a forward operative position. Upon striking an obstacle, the tine and arm can pivot rearwardly and the spring urges same back to operative position when the obstacle is passed.

Abstract: A safety coupling between a driving coupling and a driven coupling has a shear pin operative connection that shears upon overload, allowing relative movement between the two couplings. The shear pin is urged to establish a second operative connection after limited relative movement between the couplings. In each operative connection, respective stops retain the pin against further displacement. In one application, soil working rotors are rotated by shafts coupled to tool supports. One or more of the driving shafts can be connected to its driven support through a shear pin. A flange on the shaft has an opening that houses the lower part of the pin and the tool support has a bore that houses an upper pin part. Upon shear, the flange turns and a spring urges the remainder of the upper pin part downwardly, whereupon a recess in the flange engages that part and a second operative connection is established.

Abstract: A soil cultivating machine has a front row of subsoil penetrating tools and a second soil working member or row of members that work the top soil. The tools can be strip-shaped tines, at least some of which have plate-shaped elements pivoted to their lower ends. The elements or tines are connected to an eccentric mechanism that periodically raises and lowers the elements as the machine is operated. The second soil working member can be a row of tined rotors or an elongated further working member that extends transverse to the direction of travel and works the top soil from a direction that is different from the direction of movement of the strip-shaped tines. Intermixing the worked top soil and the subsoil is prevented.

Abstract: A soil cultivating implement has an elongated hollow frame portion that houses an eccentric drive transmission to a row of soil working members mounted on respective upwardly extending shafts journalled on the frame portion. The eccentric drive includes two eccentric discs that are mounted out-of-phase on an upwardly extending driving shaft. The eccentrics are pivoted to radial arms on the member shafts of different alternate soil working members by connecting rods so that adjacent members are oscillated in relatively opposite directions. The shafts are located in a plane that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal center line of the frame portion and to the rear of that line and the rods. Each member has three radial arm supports with respective tines, two of the arms being shorter than a third. It is preferred that the longer arm support of alternate members extend rearwardly in the center of its oscillating path and opposite to the direction of the arm supports of adjacent members.

Abstract: An implement has two elongated tined carriers that extend transverse to the direction of travel. The carriers are moved through circular orbits around spaced apart driving shafts that extend upwardly. An eccentric for each carrier is journalled to each shaft and includes a disc with encircling ring having support plates that are bolted to the respective carrier. The upper eccentrics extend forwardly from a drive shaft, located between the carriers, to the forward carrier and the lower eccentrics extend rearwardly to the trailing carrier. The carriers are off set relative to one another as well as out-of-phase. An elongated levelling beam is adjustably connected to the forward carrier and a supporting roller is connected to the frame at the rear of the trailing carrier.

Abstract: A rotary harrow has a row of soil working members that are driven to rotate about upwardly extending axes and work overlapping paths. Each member has spaced apart downwardly extending tines having lower soil working portions. A flat tool is fitted on each tine with a sleeve-like fastening portion that is releasably bolted to the soil working portion. The tools are planar and mounted to extend generally perpendicular to the member's axis of rotation to cut stubble and roots. Each tool has sides that surround the respective tool and the sides form cutting edges that meet at points, the rearmost point being located further from the tine than the foremost point. The tools of adjacent members are positioned at different levels to avoid fouling.

Abstract: A cultivator has driven soil working members mounted on corresponding upwardly extending shafts and each member includes a support with a hub secured near the lower end of a respective shaft. The support is formed from flat sheet material which define resilient arms that extend outwardly from the hub. Preferrably, the arms include two spaced apart parallel strips with a holder near the outer ends of the two strips. Fasteners, such as bolts, clamp the arms together and the strips of neighboring arms can be integral with one another. The arms and corresponding tines are thus deflectable in directions perpendicular to the planes of the strips.

Abstract: A cultivating machine has soil working members that are driven to rotate about corresponding upwardly extending shafts. Each member includes a generally horizontal support and a tine or tine-shaped portion at each outer end thereof. The lower straight part of each tine has a chisel that is detachably secured thereto so that a leading edge of the chisel, considering the direction of rotation of the soil working member, is positioned to cut the ground. The chisel can be in the form of a knife or blade or a polygonal member with more than one side being a cutting edge. Also, the chisel can be mounted to extend at an angle to enter the ground. A fastening portion of the chisel can be sleeve-shaped and fitted on the lower active tine part.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a main frame and laterally positioned carrier frames pivoted to the sides of the main frame. The main frame extends forward to a coupling point for connection to a prime mover. The rear of the main frame mounts a hydraulic piston assembly that is interconnected to each carrier frame to elevate same into an upward tilted transport position. Each frame and carrier frame supports a frame portion having a respective group of rotatable soil working members positioned in a row to work a broad path during working operation. Connecting members on the carrier frames are connected to the central frame portion to raise same when the carrier frames are in their tilted transport positions. Latches supported on the main frame secure beams of the carrier frames in their tilted positions until release.

Abstract: Improvements in rotary harrows whereby an odd number of soil-working members are rotatably journalled thereon, the members having an even number on each side of a gear box located over one of the members, the gear box being in driving engagement with mechanism for rotating all of the members. The soil-working members include downwardly extending soil engaging tines removably mounted on the harrow, some of the tines differing in length than other of the tines. Shaper plates may be provided before the conventional roller of the harrow and improved crowders may be provided between the tines and the shaper plates. Tunnels to protect plants may also be provided between the tines and the plates aligned with spacing therebetween. Side shields may also be provided on the harrow for containing soil or the like within the area being plowed by the harrow.

Abstract: An implement has rotatable soil working members that include tines mounted on supports. Each support is formed by resilient interengaging strips that are clamped between an upper hub flange and a lower locking plate, the latter being connected to an upwardly extending driven shaft. The strips are bent to form rectilinear bases and outwardly extending arms of inner and outer pairs of strips. The outer ends of the arms are secured by respective upper and lower clamping plates which, together with the strip ends, form holders for tine fastening portions. When the soil working member is rotated about an axis defined by the shaft, the tines can deflect in directions tangential to the shaft and mitigate damage if any obstacle is encountered.

Abstract: A soil cultivating implement has soil working members mounted for rotation about corresponding upwardly extending axes. A soil working tool, preferably one or more tines, is connected to a support of the soil working member by at least one quick release fastener. The tool or tine can be a torsioned spring steel strip or a rod that has a spring coil. Each tine can have one or more operative soil contacting ends that are spaced apart from one another. When the operative ends are located one above the other, the soil working member can work deep in the soil. The fastener can be a pin that extends horizontal and at right angles to the axis of rotation of the soil working member so that the operative ends can pivot to some extent about the fastener. The ends of each tool or tine can extend in different directions from one another and tines in pairs can be mounted on the same support. The support can include arms pivoted to the fastening portions of the tines by spaced apart pins.

Abstract: A cultivator or rotary harrow has tined soil working members that are driven about upwardly extending axes. At least one, but preferably substantially all, of the soil working members have an overload release between the driving system and the tines so that when an immovable object is encountered by a tine, the drive to the respective soil working member is temporarily disconnected. The release can be between two parts that are normally spring biased together to maintain the driving engagement to the soil working member. In one form, a pinion gear to the soil working member has an outer toothed portion that can rotate relative to a central portion that is connected to the rotary shaft mounting the soil working member. Ball members in channels formed in the central portion are biased radially into recesses of the toothed portion. In another form, ball members are biased radially to engage the soil working member to its corresponding rotary shaft.

Abstract: A cultivator implement has a row of soil working members mounted on upwardly extending shafts. The shafts extend to meshed pinion gears housed within an elongated hollow frame portion. Below each pinion two spaced apart bearings support the shaft and the bearings are mounted in a housing that is bolted to the upper surface of the lower part of the frame portion. The lower part can be profiled to receive the housings which include an enlarged circular or rectangular flange which is bolted to the profiled lower part. Each working member has a carrier mounted on a lower shaft portion and a group of tines is journalled for free rotation about an axis located at each opposite end of the carrier. The tines are secured in holders on arms and are angled to trail with respect to their normal directions of rotation.

Abstract: A cultivating machine has subsoil tines and corresponding plate-shaped elements are pivoted to the lower portions of the tines. A driving mechanism, including at least one eccentric is connected to one or more of the elements or tines and the elements are caused to pivot up and down at their working depths to only partially raise the subsoil. The driving mechanism can also be connected to a further soil working member with soil engaging bars positioned to oscillate and work the topsoil.

Abstract: An implement assembly includes two elongated frame portions with respective coupling members that are linked to one another. Either frame portion can be leading or trailing and in a preferred arrangement, the leading frame portion has tined soil working members that work overlapping strips of top soil while the trailing frame portion has tined tools that work subsoil in non-overlapping paths. A common transmission can be fixed to either respective gear box that rotates the members and the tools. In either arrangment, the transmission is connected to the driving gears for both the members and the tools which can be rotated at different speeds from that of the members. A ground engaging wheel can be positioned at either side of the center of the assembly to bear on ground that is located between neighboring tools and/or members. The member can work paths of soil having different widths from those of the tools.

Abstract: A cultivating machine (FIG. 1) having a frame (1) for mounting of the machine on a tractor, and having arms (34) on which angle drives (6) for the cultivating tools (26) are mounted, resiliently joined thereto by way of arms (29) and connectors (33, 35, 36). A transverse shaft (7), by way of bevel gears, drives the tool holders (24) for rotation of the tools (26). The transverse shaft directly drives output shafts to which the tool holders are connected.

Abstract: A cultivating implement with a coupling mechanism for attachment to the rear of a prime mover has a row of rotatable tined supports mounted on upwardly extending shafts. The implement has an elongated frame to house the drive elements for the row of supports which extend transverse to the direction of travel. A ground roller is pivoted to the frame to trail the tined supports and interconnected with the frame through arms that have adjusting means. The adjusting device can vary the distance between the frame and the ground roller so that, in effect, the working depths of the tines are regulated. The implement is supported solely by the roller, coupling mechanism and the tines. A seed drill with coulters is connected to the implement so that seeds can be directly sown in the soil worked by the tines. The tines are configured to intensely work the soil and the roller is positioned to support much of the weight of the implement and crumble the soil.

Abstract: A cultivating implement has a row of soil working members that are driven to rotate about upwardly extending axes and work overlapping paths. The working members each have freely rotatable tools which turn about further upwardly extending axes responsive to ground contact. The tools' axes of rotation can be angled to that of the corresponding working member. Also, one or more tines can be fixed in place to a support of the working member. A distribution member can be secured to the frame at the rear of each region of overlap of the soil working members to displace soil laterally. Also, an elongated supporting roller has portions with bent rods located to the rear of the distribution members. The rods engage the soil worked by the rotation working members and initially displaced by the distribution members. The bends of the rods can be positioned in line with the distribution members to further urge soil laterally of the direction of implement travel.

Abstract: A rotary harrow has a row of soil working members that are rotatable about upwardly extending axes defined by shafts journalled in an elongated, hollow frame portion. The frame portion is formed by opposing U-shaped upper and lower portions that have abutting rims clamped together by releasable fastening means. Driving gears are housed, together with lubricant, within the frame portion. The lateral sides of the frame portion are closed by vertical sector plates which are attached to the lower frame portion. Inwardly projecting ribs on the plates coextend with the inner surfaces of the upper frame portion and a gasket is sandwiched between those surfaces and the ribs. A supporting roller is located to the rear of the soil working members and arms pivotably interconnect the roller to the sector plates so that adjustment can be made to regulate the working depths of the working members.

Abstract: A soil cultivating implement has a row of working rotors which are supported by a plurality of elongate, resilient rod-like elements that are arranged to afford a grating immediately to the rear of the rotors. The elments are C-shaped with their convex sides extending in the direction of travel, horizontal lower portions that ride on the ground and upper fastening portions, including coils, that are secured to a beam support. The support, together with elements, are interconnected to the frame via pivoted arms that can be vertically adjusted to change the working depths of the rotors. The elements are positioned at varying distances behind the rotors so that their foremost parts define an imaginary sinusoidal line, when viewed in plan.

Abstract: A cultivating implement has a main frame comprised of beams that support an elongated central frame portion that has rotatable soil working members mounted in a transverse row. At each lateral side of the central portion, an outer elongated frame portion, with a corresponding group of further soil working members, is pivoted. In working position, the outer portions comprise extensions of the central portion so that a broad strip of ground is worked. For transport, the outer portions can be pivoted upwardly by hydraulic assemblies about pivots that interconnect same to the central portion, and the central portion can be raised out of ground contact by further hydraulic assemblies that move rear ground wheels into supporting position. Each of the hydraulic assemblies has a latch that cooperates with a pin to retain the outer portions and ground wheels in transport position. A cable or rope to the operator can pivot and release the latch so that a working position can be assumed.

Abstract: An implement, preferrably a harrow having a row of soil working members mounted on upwardly extending shafts, has spraying nozzles for dispensing material on the ground adjacent the rear of the soil working members. The nozzles communicate with liquid material under pressure. The implement is coupled to a tractor and the operator of the tractor can monitor the material being sprayed by various devices in an electrical circuit that leads to the tractor. Wires are positioned to be bridged by the spray and indicator lights on the tractor dash board provide a visual signal when material is sprayed by each nozzle. Similarly, a micro switch or camera, or other actuation means can be located adjacent each nozzle to provide a signal for each nozzle spray. The nozzles communicate with an elongated pipe and the pipe is supported on the implement frame with adjusting means to change the direction of spray by the nozzles.