Abstract: An agricultural implement having a main chassis member having a support structure with support arms connected to the support structure for movement between a working position and a transport position, the support arms being provided with operating elements remote from the support structure, the support structure defining a working width between the operating elements and the main chassis member, and the support arms being adjustable in the working position between a length corresponding to minimum working width and a length greater than the minimum working width. In the transport position a distance between the operating elements and the main chassis member is less than the minimum working width. In a headland position the support arms are adjustable such that a distance between the operating elements and the main chassis member is less than the minimum working width.

Abstract: A mount for carrying a plurality of field-conditioning implements selected from trash whipping implements, rolling baskets and coulters for connection to a planter or other multi-row implement is disclosed. A height and force adjustable mounting system is also disclosed that enables the force of such an implement on the soil to be modulated as desired.

Abstract: The combination of a rolling basket tillage implement and a seed distribution implement is disclosed. A height-adjustable mounting system for a rolling basket soil tillage implement is also disclosed for use with a planter that enables such an implement to be raised above the soil as needed to avoid wet conditions.

Abstract: The combination of a rolling basket tillage implement and a seed distribution implement is disclosed. A height-adjustable mounting system for a rolling basket soil tillage implement is also disclosed for use with a planter that enables such an implement to be raised above the soil as needed to avoid wet conditions.

Abstract: A simplified spike tooth harrow includes an apertured bracket pivotally connected to the fore-and-aft connecting strap extending between the tine bars. The bracket adjustably supports a tine bar from the strap. A pin selectively secured in one of the apertures contacts the strap to set the working angle of the tines on the bar when the harrow is operated in the field. A chain or link connected to the bracket at a location offset from the bracket pivot suspends the harrow from an upper drawbar assembly which is movable vertically between field-working and transport positions. When the drawbar assembly is raised to the transport position so the harrow is out of ground contact, the bracket pivots so the pin is offset from the strap and can be easily and quickly removed from the aperture and reinserted in a different aperture to change the tine angle.

Abstract: A bedding plow suited for forestry planting operations includes a plow frame that is attached to a tractor or other tow vehicle. The frame holds a pair of trailing disk assemblies that are arranged along opposite longitudinal sides of the bed being plowed. A center-cut disk assembly is mounted pivotably to the frame between and forwardly of the trailing disk assemblies. A resilient biasing assembly such as a hydraulic or pneumatic relief mechanism interconnects an arm of the center-cut disk assembly and the frame. The resilient biasing device urges the center-cut disk assembly to engage the ground under normal circumstances and permits the disk assembly to retract upwardly and ride over obstructions that are encountered while the plow cultivates the bed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a seed drilling implement (10) which comprises a frame (11), a coupling device (12) at the forward end of the frame (11), drilling elements (13) mounted on the frame (11) at or near the rear end of the frame, coulters (14) mounted on the frame (11) forwardly of the respective drilling elements (13), forward packer elements (15) mounted on the frame (11) forwardly of the coulters (14) and arranged at least partly to support the frame (11) in order to control the operating depths of the coulters (14) and the drilling elements (13), and an associated rear packer element (16) mounted rearwardly of the respective drilling element (13), and arranged to exert a soil-packing operation over each seeded row formed by the drilling element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shankless strip tillage tool for no-till preparation of surface soil for the planting of seeds. The strip tillage apparatus has a frame for mounting the apparatus to a tool bar mounted on a draft vehicle. The frame has a pivotally mounted tandem walking beam with a pair of angled coulters rotably mounted on the walking beam for displacing soil. The angled coulters displace soil as they are pulled through the soil by the draft vehicle and urges the soil toward the center of the strip to accomplish the no-till preparation.

Abstract: A seed drill particularly adapted for contouring uneven ground and accommodating rocks, especially where depth of furrow and placement of seed against wet soil is critical, as in dry land farming. Each drill in a set of drills is a separate unit which is mounted on a vehicle. Each unit includes a split press wheel with an opener mounted within the wheel. The units can easily be individually mounted or adjusted on the vehicle for spacing and height. The opener has an articulating adjusting arm which allows easy adjustment to all preferred positions.

Abstract: A combination tillage and incorporating implement having widely spaced sweeps in several rows at the forward portion of the main frame with tow trailing rows of angled spider wheels supported in pairs, for ground contour following ability and ease and flexibility of manufacture, by rockable arms extending rearwardly from the frame. Spray nozzles or the like, positioned rearwardly of the sweeps and forwardly of the spider wheels, apply material to the soil loosened and leveled by the sweeps to eliminate banding and uneven application otherwise causded by sweeps parting the soil or by material being deposited on rough ground surfaces. The rotational axes of the wheels of each row are parallel and angled with respect to the transverse direction with the rear row of wheels being angled in the opposite direction to that of the leading row to provide aggressive mixing and smooth uninterrupted soil flow across the width of the implement.

Abstract: A method for fracturing below ground hardpan which includes entering a sub-soil tine beneath the lower surface of a layer of hardpan, with the upper surface angle of the tine in range of orientation which provides an improved fracturing width.

Abstract: A chicane system is provided in a belt filter press in a gravity drainage zone. The gravity drainage zone includes a movable filter belt, an inlet section for receiving a suspension on the filter belt, and an outlet for discharging separated liquid and solid components of the suspension. A support member is mounted over the filter belt and has a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the filter belt movement. A plurality of flow turners depend from the support member and engage the filter belt to prevent clogging of the filter belt by the suspension solid component. Each flow turner includes a plow portion extending into the suspension and engaging the filter belt and a coupling portion fixed to the support member. The opposite ends of the support member are slidably coupled to the retaining walls for floating translatory movement of the support member and flow turners in a vertical direction toward and away from the filter belt during operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for fracturing below ground hard pans which includes entering a sub-soil tyne beneath the hard pan with upper surface angle in range of orientation which provides improved fracturing width.

Abstract: An agricultural tilling implement is described which is adapted to be connected to the rear of a tractor having a three-point hitch. The implement comprises an elongated tool bar which preferably has two attachments thereon, spaced from each other, for connection to the three-point hitch of the tractor. A plurality of tilling units are carried by the tool bar. Each tilling unit comprises a downwardly depending ripper member and two rotatable wheels adjacent the ripper member. The wheels are vertically adjustable and, preferably, are also adjustable inwardly and outwardly as well as forwardly and rearwardly. The wheels are adaptable to hold the soil firmly in the rows so that the ripper member does not disturb or injure the roots of growing row crops. Preferably the tilling units are also adapted to tow a secondary tiller unit.

Abstract: A rotary incorporator for one pass incorporation of chemicals or small grains in previously tilled soil. The incorporator includes two rows of aggressive, large diameter spider wheels supported from a toolbar for rotation in the soil about axes offset at an acute angle to the transverse direction. The spider wheels, arranged to balance the forces transmitted to the toolbar, are angled in opposite directions on each half portion of the implement, with the wheels of the trailing row angled in opposite direction to and offset transversely with respect to the forwardly adjacent wheels in the forward row. The innermost wheels of each of the two rows are more widely spaced and smaller in diameter than most of the remaining wheels, and two additional smaller diameter spider wheels are centrally located between the innermost wheels and cooperate therewith to provide good incorporation and a smooth seed bed without hilling or chemical banding.

Abstract: A rake having independently pivotal tines which have eccentric portions designed so that the rake moves through the soil on edge upon displacement of the support in one direction and moves through the ground broadside upon displacement of the rake through the ground in an opposite direction.

Abstract: An improved fertilizer applicator includes a rolling coulter and a knife both mounted to a single tool bar mount but with separate spring cushions for independent clearing action and designed for improved clearance suitable for use in heavy residue.

Abstract: A cultivator of the type having a vertically movable harrow bar followed by a vertically movable harrow roller. A plurality of springs biases the roller down against the ground. The springs are operatively connected to the harrow bar in a manner to have vertical movement of the bar automatically vary the pressure exerted by the roller.

Abstract: A soil cultivating machine comprises two transverse rows of fixed tines and three transversely extending rollers. The front roller has discs which cut parallel slits in the soil. The two following rollers have transversely extending releasable blades mounted on angle-irons which form shallow V's pointed in the direction of the rollers' rotation and which are twisted about 90.degree. from their outboard ends to their centers. The rollers are drivingly interconnected by a chain transmission so that the middle roller rotates slower than the other two and the rear roller rotates faster than it would if freely rotating on the ground. The tines are in rows between the rollers and their depth of soil penetration relative to the underlying soil is adjustable. The rollers are mounted on a generally horizontal framework which is adjustable, however, so it can be inclined slightly either forward or aft to increase or decrease the penetration of the front roller's discs.

Abstract: A compaction and support apparatus for packing the ground immediately after tillage includes a frame and a wheel support gang movably mounted adjacent a rearward end of the frame. A plurality of tillers are supported in spaced relation from the frame, and a plurality of compaction and support wheels are rotatably mounted on the wheel support gang. Adjacent wheels are staggered longitudinally to track spaced apart substantially parallel paths on the ground. The path of each wheel is aligned behind one of the tillers mounted on the frame and the wheel is mounted on the wheel support gang so that the wheel substantially follows the contour of the ground while supporting the frame for transport and operation. The frame height is adjustable relative to the wheel support gang for controlling the extent of tiller penetration into the ground.

Abstract: A machine for burying slurry, sewage, or other soil-improving fluids has a hollow straight forward-leaning tine which carries at its bottom end an arched, forward-sloping delta-shaped shoe for lifting the soil into the form of a tunnel. The hollow interior of the tine opens through the roof of this shoe, and slurry is delivered through the tine into the cavity under the shoe. A free-running vibrator on the tine vibrates it and the shoe vertically. The tine is resiliently loaded by a spring to its working position, and the reaction of the spring is applied directly to a reaction lever separately pivoted on a subframe carrying the tine. The spring reaction biases the lever downwards, and the lever is supported at its rearward end behind the tine by a roller which closes the slit formed by the tapered leading edge of the tine.

Abstract: The planter includes a number of forward tillage units each followed by an aligned planting unit. Both units are independently mounted by four-bar linkages to the planter frame. Each tillage unit includes a leading banded coulter followed by a pair of rolling row cleaning discs which are, in turn, followed by a fluted coulter. The system may be used in any of the following planting modes: (1) no-till planting, in which the fluted coulter only is used to prepare a narrow band of soil for planting with no trash removal; (2) ridge planting or till-planting, in which the row cleaning discs clear a deeper wide band before the fluted coulter while leaving bands between the row crops untilled; (3) minimum tillage planting, in which the row cleaning discs may be used to clear a shallow band of surface trash before the fluted coulter; and (4) conventional planting, in which the tillage units are raised and not used.

Abstract: A weeder for row crops has a main frame adapted to be mounted at the rear of a tractor. A pair of upright skid boards, spaced at the front and rearwardly divergent, are adjustably interconnected so that their spacing and angular relationship may be varied, and are mounted on the main frame for lateral movement relative to the main frame. When the weeder is advanced the skid boards travel to both sides of the plants and in the furrow in which they are planted, throwing to both sides the soil and uprooting weeds in the furrow, into which the loose soil falls as the implement passes.

Abstract: This invention provides a new method of ploughing in which the cut ridge is inverted in its own furrow. The plough for doing this consists of at least two upright main bodies (4) parallelly spaced and elongated in the ploughing direction. At the front portion the respective main body is provided with a ploughshare (6) extending in the horizontal plane. A mouldboard (7) designed in known manner extends from the rear edge of the share on the side of the one main body facing the second main body, while a second mouldboard (8) is arranged on the other main body on the side thereof facing the first main body. The second mouldboard (8) turns from an upright position connecting to the front portion of the main body (4) to a position where the lower edge of the mouldboard diverges from the main body at an even level while the upper edge of the plate (8) approaches that level.

Abstract: A soil cultivating machine has a beamed frame, and working members arranged in pairs. Two working members are mounted one behind the other, preferably on a common carrier beam which is releasably secured to transverse beams of the frame. Thus the two working members and the carrier beam constitute a working unit which is readily releasable from the frame. The two working members of the pair are interlinked by a connecting rod to ensure a uniform operating depth over irregular ground and the members can be located on opposite sides of the carrier beam as viewed in plan. In one embodiment, the working members are mounted on pivot pins journalled to different frame beams and the members are arranged in rows that are inclined to the direction of travel. The beams with working members can be arranged in groups that are hinged to one another for elevation to a reduced transport position.

Abstract: A soil working machine comprises two interconnected soil working members. Each working member comprises a support that is preferably resilient and a lower working element. Deflection of one working member results in an opposite deflection of the other, but the orientation of the working elements is preferably maintained by a control arm. Levers pivoted to the frame and associated with the supports are interconnected by a rigid coupling. Alternatively, the supports can be attached to brackets which are pivoted to the frame and levers or parallelogram linkages interconnected to the brackets are connected by a rigid coupling.

Abstract: The present invention provides in an agricultural ground treating device particularly but not exclusively a seed drill arranged to be towed over the ground and having a plurality of ground engaging implements, means for causing all of the implements to engage the ground with a substantially equal force.Preferably the means to equalizing the forces comprises a pivotal beam arrangement in which the implements are movably mounted on the chassis of the device and connected in pairs at each end of an associated balance beam, these balance beams are pivotally mounted at their mid points on respective ends of further balance beams which are mounted by their mid points at respective ends of yet further balance beams, and so on according to the number of implements on the device, the final balance beam or final pair of balance beams being connected to means on the chassis of the device for urging them, and the implements connected thereto towards the ground.

Abstract: A soil working machine, such as a cultivator, has a frame beam to which a working element is connected by a support. The support is resilient or resiliently mounted and can deflect when the working element meets an obstruction, or heavy ground resistance, but the working element maintains its orientation in the soil. A control rod coextends with the support and four pivot points enable the element to be displaced without loosing its orientation. The working element is pivotally connected to the support by a pivot pin and the control arm also can be pivoted to that element. In a variant, the control arm is eliminated and a V-shaped share is hinged to pivot up and down between stops.

Abstract: A planter for seed crops, such as grains. A wheeled framework supports the apparatus for movement about a field. At the front of the framework is a row of transversely spaced chisels which produce tilled areas parallel to the path of movement of the framework and separated from one another by strips of untilled soil. Each chisel carries a roller that breaks up any resulting clods of soil. Liquid fertilizer is directed to the tilled areas by delivery conduits extending along the rear of each chisel to their respective lower ends. The rollers provide a cover of soil to the liquid fertilizer. A drill apparatus is mounted to the framework behind the chisels, with individual openers in longitudinal alignment with the respective chisels for planting seeds in the tilled soil at an elevation above the elevation at which fertilizer has been supplied and without the strips of untilled soil.

Abstract: A sub-soil planter machine has a frame, including front and rear transverse tool bars; a plurality of sub-soil blades mounted on and transversely spaced along the front tool bar; a plurality of rotary tilling assemblies mounted on and transversely spaced along the rear tool bar; and a plurality of planter units mounted on and transversely spaced along the rear tool bar in trailing relationship to the rotary tilling assemblies. The sub-soil blades, rotary tilling assemblies and planter units are so arranged in close proximity to one another such that the depth of the machine has been reduced whereby a given sized tractor, to which the machine is mounted on, is capable of lifting a larger machine than heretofore been accomplished due to the closeness of the machine to the rear end of the tractor resulting in a shorter length movement arm.

Abstract: Closely spaced cultivating tools are mounted along a tool bar and each tool may be locked in a raised position relative to the ground or may be lowered into floating engagement with the ground during use of the implement. A small tool bar is mounted parallel to a larger tool bar and the cultivating tools are slidably clamped on the small tool bar. Improved mounting structure allows each cultivating tool to be mounted on the small tool bar without having to slide each cultivating tool onto or off of the tool bar from the ends of the tool bar and without having to disassemble the mounting structure. The tool bar assembly includes row indicia for indicating where the tools are to be located along the tool bar and which tools should engage the ground and which tools should be raised away from the ground for various cultivating operations on row crops. A tool angling mechanism allows selective adjustment of the angle to the line of draft of each tool without the use of wrenches or other hand tools.

Abstract: A cultivator has a frame normally carried on the back of a tractor and pulled in a predetermined direction along the ground. A plurality of tines extend downwardly from this cultivator and penetrate the ground. Each tine is pivotal about a respective axis perpendicular to the direction of travel and parallel to the ground and is biased into a normal central position by means of a respective hydraulic actuator. The cylinders of all of the hydraulic actuators are connected together in a closed network so that if one tine is forced backwardly the other tines will be urged correspondingly forwardly and vice versa. In addition each such tine, which also may be mounted on a parallelogrammatic linkage, may carry a V-shaped backwardly extending blade increasing the mixing and aeration effect of the cultivator.

Abstract: Four or more cultivator arms or shanks are pivoted to the front and rear of a main frame and are interconnected by linkage so that if a cultivator blade on one arm strikes an obstruction, then it moves rearwardly to clear same and at the same time the others that are interconnected, move forwardly by a lesser amount thus absorbing the movement of the cultivator blade striking the obstruction. When the obstruction is passed, the engagement of the remaining blades with the ground, returns them to the original position thus returning the tripped blade to the original 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 mechanism for sowing seeds having a seed supply device which is carried by a sower frame. Front and rear wheels for supporting the frame are carried by arms pivotally coupled to the frame, which arms include lever arm appendages which are coupled together by a coupling rod of variable length pivotally coupled at opposite ends thereof to the lever arm appendages so as to provide for correlated movements of the front and rear arms.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for pulverizing the top layer of the soil. It comprises a positively coupled pair of rollers rolling over the ground at unequal surface speeds so that at least one of the rollers is constantly slipping. A harrow is mounted in front of each roller. The assembly of rollers and harrows is pressed onto the ground by a rod comprising a built-in compression spring, which may be adjustable. Each roller is composed of a set of longitudinal strips mounted on an axle.

Abstract: A cultivator has an elongated beamed frame and a plurality of soil working groups pivoted to a forward beam by at least one parallelogram linkage. The groups are pivoted to turn about pivot connections, that define horizontal axes that extend transverse to the direction of travel, responsive to ground undulations. Driving connection to each group is obtained through gear boxes mounted along a support that extends transverse to the direction of travel, between forward and rearward beams of the frame and each group is rotated about an axis defined by an upwardly extending shaft that is engaged by a transverse driving shaft housed in the support. The support can also be formed by elongated frame portions that are mounted side-by-side with driving shafts mounted on the tops of the frame portions.

Abstract: A folding sectional tool bar for agricultural implements and including a hollow horizontal main section and wing sections hingedly connected thereto for independent movement between lowered operative positions and raised inoperative over-center parked positions. An articulated actuating linkage mechanism for each wing section embodies a hydraulic cylinder wholly positioned within the main section and having a plunger operatively connected to a crank arm on the adjacent wing section by means of a draw link which functions initially as the plunger is extended to engage the crank arm and transmit torque to the latter so as to raise the wing section by a powerful leverage action, and which subsequently functions, as the plunger continues to be extended, to move away from the crank arm and act in tension and transmit the necessary torque to raise the wing section and force it over to its parked position.

Abstract: A support is connectable with an agricultural machine, and a plurality of agricultural tools is provided which are mounted by mounting elements on the support so that they can be adjusted relative to the support. A single arresting element is provided which arrests all of the tools in their respective positions. The tools have mounting portions extending into a passage in the support and either the passage itself or an auxiliary element in the passage has a wedge face to engage the tool mounting portions.

Abstract: A trailing floating mount for agricultural finish tools is connected to the wheeled frame of an implement carriage and includes an elongated, longitudinally oriented finish tool draw bar attached to the carriage by a double-stop bracket which allows the bar freedom to pivot in a vertical plane through an angle sufficient to follow ground contours but limited so that when the implement frame is raised for transport, the draw bar, with the finish tools attached, is also raised but prevented from folding into the implement carriage or tools.

Abstract: A depth control and protective apparatus is disclosed as particularly useful in a tillage assembly for sod seeding purposes. The apparatus includes a pair of skids mounted upon a pivoted arm, which arm has also mounted thereon a pair of cutter wheels for cutting a furrow in ground to be seeded, each skid including a ground engaging portion to determine the maximum depth of furrow cut by the cutter wheel. Each skid is mounted for essentially vertical movement with respect to the associated arm and cutter wheel mounted thereon to thereby determine and control the depth of furrow cut by the associated cutter wheel. A substantially circular plate has an oval aperture in the central portion through which the axle and drive for the cutter wheel extends, and an inwardly directed cylindrical flange extends to the periphery of the circular plate to protect the axle and to provide for movement of the skid relative to the cutter wheel and axle.

Abstract: A lightweight pasture harrow for breaking up and scattering piles of manure and like material in a pasture including a shaped wire mesh framework secured to a front crossbar which provides a tow bar for pulling the harrow across a field, or pasture. The wire mesh framework includes a plurality of longitudinal wires and a plurality of transverse wires. Ends of the longitudinal wires may serve as harrow teeth, or separate harrow teeth may be provided.

Abstract: A field drag particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a post-plowing cultivating implement includes a mounting bar section pivotally secured to the frame of the implement and extending in a rearward direction behind the implement. A plurality of spaced, soil-working teeth are secured to the bar section and extend downwardly therefrom and generally toward one end of the bar section so as to form an acute included angle with respect to the bar section. An adjustable spring tension arrangement pulls the bar section resiliently toward the implement thereby urging the teeth into the soil as the drag is pulled across a seedbed to break up and pulverize clods and smaller chunks of earth into loose soil. In a modified form, the teeth may be fastened to the bar section to slant selectively toward one end or the other of the bar section.

Abstract: A large moldboard plow utilizing a multi-piece backbone or main frame connected by a hinge or hinges and a floatation land wheel or wheels. The hinge or hinges being arranged such that a uniform interval is maintained between the last plow bottom on the front section and the first plow bottom on the rear section. The floatation wheel follows the contour of the land which causes flexing of the backbone at the hinge resulting in uniform depth of all bottoms. The hinge or hinges are located to provide a practical line of draft for the rear section thus maintaining balance of the entire unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a subsoil plow which includes a supporting frame having front and rear sides. A plurality of plow elements are mounted on the frame for pivotable movement on a horizontal axis in a direction fore and aft of the frame. The plow elements are transversely spaced on the frame. Latching means are provided for releasably holding each plow element generally upright in plowing position. Each plow element is spring urged to plowing position whereby forward movement of the plow through the soil may be accompanied by a vibratory pivotal motion thereof.

Abstract: A laminated structure includes a wafer member with a membrane attached thereto, the membrane being formed of substantially hydrogen-free boron nitride having a nominal composition B.sub.3 N. The structure may be a component in a mechanical device for effecting a mechanical function, or the membrane may form a masking layer on the wafer. The structure includes a body formed of at least two wafer members laminated together with a cavity formed therebetween, with the boron nitride membrane extending into the cavity so as to provide the structural component such as a support for a heating element or a membrane in a gas valve. In another aspect borom is selectively diffused from the boron nitride into a <100> surface of a silicon wafer. The surface is then exposed to EDP etchant to which the diffusion layer is resistant, thereby forming a channel the wafer member with smooth walls for fluid flow.