Abstract: An improvement in furrow followers of a type adapted for connection to an automatic steering mechanism for causing a vehicle to selectively follow a furrow is disclosed. The improvement provides a first and a second probe unit which are adapted to lie in a field furrow. The first probe unit is pivotally connected to a horizontal displacement arm. The second probe unit is pivotally connected to the first probe unit and is disposed in spaced trail position behind the first probe unit. A spacing bend is also provided in the second probe unit.

Abstract: An automatically retracting tiller for installation at one or both sides of a tractor. A stationary frame is adapted to be secured to a side frame attachment of the tractor. A gimbal frame is pivoted to the stationary frame by a stationary horizontal pivot rod and carries first and second vertical pivot rods. A double-acting vertical hydraulic apparatus has a cylinder secured to the stationary frame and a piston rod secured to the gimbal frame, for tilting the gimbal frame about the horizontal pivot rod. A tiller frame is pivoted to the first vertical pivot rod and carries the tilling apparatus. A double-acting horizontal hydraulic apparatus has a cylinder secured to the stationary frame and a piston rod secured to the tiller frame for swinging the tiller frame about the first vertical pivot bar. A control valve for the horizontal hydraulic apparatus is mounted on the tiller frame and has a control lever.

Abstract: A soil preparing device for preparing forest soil to a planting bed. The device comprises a frame intended to be mounted on a forest tractor, a support arm mounted on the frame pivotally around a horizontal link, and a preparing element supported by a slide mounted vertically movably on said support arm. The slide is fastened to a hydraulic cylinder supported by said support arm for continuously adjusting the vertical position of said slide and, accordingly, of the position of the preparing element with respect to the ground during the preparation. A deviation of the support arm upwardly or downwardly from a neutral position activates said hydraulic cylinder of the slide to displace the preparing element upward and downward, respectively, due to variations in the ground level and obstacles on the ground. The preparing element can therefore be displaced clear of any unevennesses in the ground without substantially deviating from its working angle in relation to the ground.

Abstract: A plough for working between rows in a plantation comprises a chassis with pivotally-mounted, laterally-movable members having arms to carry earth-working tools. Movably connected to the chassis are curved sensors to contact the plants in two rows between which the plough is operating. There is a guide device for automatically centering the plough between the two rows, and there is a control including double-acting hydraulic rams for shifting the laterally-movable members to suit the width between the rows.

Abstract: A farming implement, particularly for row cultivation, wherein the operator device comprises a mill or harrow having substantially vertical axes or slightly inclined to the vertical, and connected to the tractor by the interposition of an automatic device for transverse movement relative to the tractor, transversely displacing the implement and securing it at any intermediate position.

Abstract: A guidance assist system is mounted on an agricultural machine for directing the lateral movement thereof with respect to the severed edge of the crop material being harvested thereby. The crop, including the severed edge, is periodically, optically, scanned and an output signal, in response to the reflected illumination therefrom, is generated having a discontinuity therein representative of the severed crop edge. The deviation of this discontinuity from a predetermined point along the scan is determined by the apparatus and an error signal representative thereof is coupled to the utilization means for directing the lateral movement of the agricultural machine such that the error signal is reduced towards zero.

Abstract: This invention provides a planting apparatus which includes a mobile frame mounted on wheels or the like and adapted to be towed over the ground. An arm is swingably mounted to the frame and extends rearwardly from the mounting location. The arm carries a dibble on its moveable end, which is adapted to cut into the ground during forward travel of the mobile frame. A planter is carried by the arm rearwardly of the dibble and is adapted to support a seedling for planting in the cut made by the dibble. Means is provided to dislodge the seedling from the planter into the cut. Detection means is provided for detecting when the dibble has cut to a predetermined depth into the ground, and for activating the dislodging means whenever that depth is reached. The arm is swung regularly toward and away from the ground, such that the dislodging means fails to operate if the dibble achieves less than the pre-determined depth due to an obstacle. Thus seedlings are planted only where no obstacles are located.