Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a main section including a hitch extending in a travel direction, a plurality of foldable wing sections coupled with the main section, at least one auxiliary implement assembly coupled to each of the wing sections and a control system. Each auxiliary implement assembly includes at least one support member, at least one pivotal arm pivotally coupled to the support member, at least one actuator coupled to both the support member and the pivotal arm and a ground contacting implement coupled to the pivotal arm. The control system is configured to actuate the actuators to control a position of each ground contacting implement in each of the sections when the agricultural implement is transitioning to a transport mode.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes: a frame member; and a leveling blade assembly. The leveling blade assembly includes: a leveling blade; an arm coupling the frame member with the leveling blade; and a spring assembly including a spring and a spring guide assembly, the spring and the spring guide assembly being coupled with the arm and the frame member, the spring guide assembly including a sleeve which is slidably related to the spring and which is made of an ultra-high-molecular-weight (UHMW) plastic.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a carriage frame assembly having a pull hitch extending in a travel direction, an axle with a rocker arm extending therefrom, a tube pivotally attached to an end of the rocker arm, and a depth control assembly associated with the tube. The depth control assembly includes a slide surrounding the tube and slidably movable along the tube, and a rod threaded with an opening associated with the slide. The rod has an opposing end with a crank arm and a handle at a distal end of the crank arm. The handle is configured as a ballast to prevent inadvertent adjustment of the depth control assembly during operation of the tillage implement.

Abstract: Systems for mounting a plurality of agricultural tools on a transverse support bar and a method for operating an agricultural implement having a transverse support bar are disclosed. The systems include a lateral positioning structure that can attach to the transverse support bar and a detachable base that can be releasably coupled to the lateral positioning structure.

Abstract: A ripper assembly includes a ripper frame, which has at least one slot disposed in each of two opposing sidewalls. The ripper frame accommodates a ripper shank in a channel within the ripper frame. A pin is provided to pass through the at least one slot and through a through-way in the ripper shank to constrain the ripper shank within the ripper frame. At least one pressure source supplies pressure to the ripper shank to engage the ripper shank in a position.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a tool bar assembly configured to couple to a main frame of the agricultural implement and a pull frame. The tool bar assembly includes a first tool with a height that is adjustable relative to a soil surface. The pull frame includes a hitch assembly configured to be coupled to a work vehicle, a mounting portion configured to be removably coupled to the main frame of the agricultural implement, and a hollow portion that extends over the first tool bar between the hitch assembly and the mounting portion while the tool bar assembly and the pull frame are coupled to the main frame. The hollow portion is configured to accommodate one or more conduits.

Abstract: A reconfigurable farm implement for tilling soil is described. The farm implement may comprise a frame having a plurality of mounting surfaces. A plurality of interchangeable tillage modules may be releasably coupled to the mounting surfaces. The interchangeable tillage modules may be arranged in a predetermined order based on a tillage requirement.

Abstract: A ground working machine having a frame, a ground engaging wheel mounted to the frame and movable between a raised position not engaging the ground and a working position engaging the ground. The ground engaging wheel, when in the working position, rotating about a wheel axis as the machine is moved over the ground. An actuator raises and lowers the ground engaging wheels. A control system includes a sensor to detect rotation of the ground engaging wheel and a controller that receives an input from the sensor. The controller commands the actuator to raise the ground engaging wheel when the sensor detects that the ground engaging wheel is not rotating.

Abstract: A mount for a trash whipping implement for connection to a planter is disclosed. A height and force adjustable mounting system is also disclosed for use with a planter that enables the force of such an implement on the soil to be modulated as desired.

Abstract: A combination fertilizer and seeding Implement includes a front section of disk type fertilizer openers and a rear section of frame mounted seed openers. The fertilizer openers are connected by drawbars to a rockshaft which is vertically adjustable to accommodate different ranges of operating depths of the frame mounted tools. Shank depth is set by frame height, and the vertical adjustability of the rockshaft facilitates a wide range of frame operating heights for different tool depths while maintaining optimum disk opener drawbar angles.

Abstract: A counterweight system for maintain stability of a tractor and the ability to compress a support surface when desired includes a tractor. A frame is selectively hitched to the tractor. A counterweight is coupled to the frame. The counterweight has a weight to balance weight positioned at the front of the tractor. A plurality of hitch balls is coupled to the frame. A trailer receives one of the hitch balls to allow the trailer to be coupled to the frame and to be towed to a different location.

Abstract: A suspension system for fixed-frame, towed agricultural implements having at least one floating head. A hydraulic cylinder is used for both lift and suspension of the floating head. A hydraulic accumulator provides expansion room for hydraulic fluid to move in and out of the hydraulic cylinder during suspension.

Abstract: A seed drill planting apparatus includes an opener configured to plant a row of seeds at locations corresponding to the wing tips of the openers and a row of fertilizer at the center of the opener. The press wheels for the opener are constructed of a pair of skewed wheels that are arranged to throw soil inwardly to provide a proper cover for the rows of seeds and fertilizer placed into the ground by the opener. The skewed press wheels are connected to an adjusting mechanism that is operable to selectively vary the angle at which the press wheels are skewed with respect to the direction of travel. A one-way castering wheel is also provided to function to caster for tight turns on the side of the implement at the inside of the turn, but automatically locks into a stable position when the implement is converted into a transport position.

Abstract: A flexible rockshaft includes joint structure facilitating the adjustment of the rotational angle of rockshaft segments relative to each other. A link inserted between a rockshaft segment and the rockshaft flex member rotates on the same or a parallel pivot as adjacent rockshaft segment, and an adjustable length connecting mechanism on the link provides angular adjustment. In one embodiment, shims supported on the link are selectively clamped between a threaded stop and an internally threaded link. The number of shims may be easily varied to change the angular position of one rockshaft segment relative to the adjacent segment. In another embodiment, a simpler threaded member with positioning nuts is located on the additional link and provides inexpensive angular adjustability.

Abstract: A farm equipment hitch comprises a hitch frame, a lift linkage, a lift cradle, a ram and a plurality of locking mechanisms.

Abstract: An earth working apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus generally includes a frame, a harrow cultivator connected to the frame and adapted to be angled and adjusted for height with respect to the frame, a plow cultivator connected to the frame and adapted to be adjusted for height, a seed and fertilizer dispensing hopper connected to the frame, a drag and compactor device connected to the frame, a height adjustment for setting the soil depth of the harrow cultivator and plow cultivator and an adjustable one-point hitch attachment. The apparatus is adapted to be attached to a wide variety of prime movers.

Abstract: An agricultural implement, having ground engaging tools mounted on subframes that are movable through hydraulic actuators between raised transport and lowered working positions, is provided with a hydraulic circuit in which the actuators are connected in parallel with one another within a grouping of the actuators. The positioning of the ground engaging tools into a lowered working position closes the hydraulic circuit for the group of actuators. The subframes are arranged to float over ground undulations to maintain a common working depth for the ground engaging tools. The vertical movement of any one of the actuators in the common group will force a displacement of a corresponding amount of hydraulic fluid, which will then be shared by all of the remaining actuators in the corresponding group. A depth averaging control for the ground engaging tools and a mechanical headland stop apparatus are also provided for the agricultural implement.

Abstract: An agricultural planter is provided with hydraulically operated devices to effect the folding and unfolding of the planter support structure between operative and transport configurations. The planter includes a telescopic hitch apparatus that lengthens as the pivoted wing members are folded forwardly to position a transport lock mechanism for engagement with vertically oriented wing latch retainer bars mounted in a latch tower on the draw bar. A hitch latch mechanism is also provided to control the movement of the telescopic draw bar. A caster lock apparatus is also provided to control the castering action of a wheel device positioned near the ends of the wing members. In operation, the laterally extending tool bar is pivoted on a transverse axis to forwardly roll the tool bar toward an intermediate transport position.

Abstract: A cultivator for towing by an ATV comprises a cultivator frame including a plurality of horizontal parallel tool bars and a pair of side rails interconnecting the tool bars to hold the tool bars at right angels to a direction of forward movement of the frame. The middle tool bar is of a length to extend only between the rails. The front tool bar is of intermediate length and extends beyond the rails to leave free ends. The rear tool bar is longest. Each tool bar carries a plurality of S-tines. A pair of ground wheels is mounted on a cross-shaft of the frame at the front tool bar for pivotal movement relative to the frame and including an actuation lever operable by an electric actuator for raising a height of the frame relative to the ground. A hitch pole is connected to the frame by a pair of collars under the front tool bar and the middle tool bar and extends forwardly therefrom to a hitch connection for connecting to the vehicle.

Abstract: The automated ripper depth adjustor apparatus includes a pivot tube raised above the side plates of a box scraper attached to the three-point hitch of a tractor and extending across the width of the box scraper. The shanks of each ripper are connected to the pivot tube by articulated arms to that the rippers are able to slide vertically in slots defined in the front box beam of the scraper in response to rotational movement of the pivot tube. A tie rod pivotally attached to the pivot tube may be activated by the operator of the tractor from the seat of the tractor, in one embodiment by a mechanical lever, in a second embodiment by a hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement, and in a third embodiment by an electrical gear motor. In the embodiment with the mechanical lever, a pair of springs attached to the top edge of the back wall of the scraper by spring support arms attached to the pivot tube bias the rippers in a normally up position and assist movement of the lever.

Abstract: An agricultural apparatus comprises a main frame with ground wheels supporting the frame for movement across the ground and a plurality of ground engaging openers mounted on the frame for engaging the ground. Each opener includes a depth control wheel mounted on the opener frame member for movement in a direction for varying the height of the depth control wheel on the opener frame member to vary the depth of the opener element in the ground. A common adjustment apparatus for all the depth control wheels comprises an actuator, a common drive linkage mounted on the main frame and driven by the actuator and a plurality of individual adjustment members. A cam plate operable by the adjustment member. The depth control wheel is mounted on an arm on which is pivotally mounted on the opener frame member on a first pivot pin, the arm including a portion thereof for engaging the cam plate.

Abstract: An attachment system for mounting road-maintenance equipment on a vehicle such as a motor grader includes a frame for mounting on the nose plate of the vehicle to support the conditioning equipment forwardly and partly outboard of the vehicle. The system includes pivotal attachment mounts for the front and rear ends of a draft frame of the conditioning equipment together with a strut for supporting the draft frame at a desired orientation during operation, and for raising the draft frame and surface conditioning equipment to a retracted position when not in use. A mast on the attachment system frame directs a cable to the rear end of the draft frame to effect raising movement of the latter to the transport position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dirt leveling device adapted for towing by a tractor which is characterized by one or more chisels attached to a transverse shaft on the front of the dirt leveling device having a rotatable relationship thereto, and a dirt leveling blade rotatably attached to the frame and controlled by a second hydraulically actuated ylinder. The hydraulically actuated cylinder for the chisels and the hydraulically actuated cylinder for the blade may be controlled by extensions to the vicinity of the driver of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: This invention is a simple, safe, and inexpensive beam structure for tractor forward mounting of a blade (24). A pivot plate (11) is mounted at the tractor lower mid-section. Parallel beams (12) are positioned through the pivot plate (11) and extend beyond the tractor front and rear. The aft ends of beams (12) are attached to the tractor 2 or 3 point rear hydraulic lift arms (26). The forward ends of the beams (12) are the blade primary attachment points. A counterweight (13) attached rearward will raise the blade (24) when the tractor 2 or 3 point rear hydraulic lift arms (26) are lowered. The blade (24) is lowered by raising the 2 and 3 point rear hydraulic lift arms (26), thereby, giving effective vertical control of the front mounted blade.

Abstract: A farm implement has a rigid frame from which is supported a mechanism for breaking and loosening compacted soil. A first plurality of S-tines are supported by the frame and disposed behind the breaking and loosening mechanism. Each S-tine has a sweep disposed on a lower end thereof. A reel is supported by the frame and disposed behind the first plurality of S-tines. The reel has a plurality of blades for chopping debris and breaking soil clods. A second plurality of S-tines are supported by the frame and disposed in offset rows behind the reel. Each S-tine has a sweep disposed on a lower end thereof. A roller mechanism is rotatably supported by the frame and disposed behind the second plurality of S-tines. The roller mechanism mixes and blends the soil with a rolling action. A finished roller breaks down remaining dirt clods and seals moisture in the ground.

Abstract: An apparatus, for stabilizing a plowing implement mounted on a motor vehicle, comprising a rigid stabilizer member having first and second opposed ends. One end of the stabilizer member supports an attachment device for attaching the stabilizer member to a plowing frame secured to a motor vehicle. The attachment device allows pivoting motion of the stabilizer member relative to the plowing frame. The second end of the stabilizer member has an abutment surface for abutting against a pivotable portion of the plowing implement when the plowing implement is raised into travel position. The stabilizer member is pivotable into an inoperative position where complete freedom of movement of the plow is achieved and an operative position by a control mechanism. When the stabilizer member is in its operative position, the abutment surface abuts against a pivotable portion of the plowing implement to minimize undesired bouncing of the plowing implement while the vehicle is traveling on a roadway.

Abstract: A chain is connected at its distal end to the pin at the rod end of a cylinder on an implement lift and depth control assembly. An intermediate portion of the chain is trained around a gear which rotates about the axis of the pin connecting the base end of the cylinder to the implement frame. An adjustable length, spring-biased rod is connected to the proximal end of the chain to maintain tension in the chain and operate a single point depth control valve to establish a highly accurate and repeatable depth setting which is dependent directly on cylinder rod extension and therefore less susceptible to looseness in the implement lift system.

Abstract: A self-propelling agricultural machine, especially a self-propelling harvester thresher comprises a machine part having a front side, a working implement mounted on the front side of the machine part and turnable in a direction which is transverse to a travelling direction, and a unit for mounting the working implement on the machine part and including two cylinder-piston units having pistons with piston rods which are connected with the working implement and also having cylinders which are connected with the machine part, the connecting unit also having a switching valve, the cylinders of the cylinder-piston units having piston-side chambers which are connected with one another and piston rod-side chambers which are individually connected to the switching valve.

Abstract: A self-propelling agricultural machine, particularly a harvester thresher, comprises a machine unit provided with supporting elements, a front working implement turnable transversely to a traveling direction and having upper receiving elements for the supporting elements, and lower locking elements, and cylinder-piston units each having a cylinder and a piston with a piston rod having a free end, the supporting elements being mounted on the free ends of the piston rods of the cylinder-piston units, while the cylinders being connected with the machine unit.

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.