Abstract: A process for the separation of electrolyte from the carbon in a solid carbon/electrolyte cathode product formed at the cathode during molten carbonate electrolysis. The processes allows for easy separation of the solid carbon product from the electrolyte without any observed detrimental effect on the structure and/or stability of the resulting solid carbon nanomaterial.

Abstract: A method for mounting a surface-formation equipment to a mobile unit includes an equipment-engaging support and has a traction point in contact with the ground. The method includes configuring the equipment-engaging support of the mobile unit at a minimum height; configuring the surface-formation equipment with respect to the mobile unit in a configuration wherein a lower surface of the surface-formation equipment is in a same plane as the traction point on the ground of the mobile unit. The surface-formation equipment mounts to the equipment-engaging support of the mobile unit with the equipment-engaging support being maintained at the minimum height and with the lower surface of the surface-formation equipment being in the same plane as the traction point on the ground of the mobile unit.

Abstract: A track support member and drive assembly are disclosed. The drive assembly includes the track support member, an axle housing, driveshaft, hub, drive wheel, track drive frame, rollers and track. The driveshaft extends through the axle housing. The track support member is connected to the axle housing, and the driveshaft extends through the track support member. The hub rotates with the driveshaft, and the drive wheel. The drive frame is connected to the track support member, and the rollers are connected to the drive frame. The track is connected to the drive wheel and rollers. Rotation of the driveshaft rotates the hub and drive wheel which rotates the track about the drive wheel and rollers. The track support member can be a single integrated piece including an attachment ring for connecting to the axle housing, and undercarriage support arm(s) for connecting to the track drive frame.

Abstract: A trailer includes a chassis having a hitch, an axle having a pair of tractive elements rotatably coupled to the chassis, an actuator coupled to the chassis and positioned to steer the pair of tractive elements, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit has an input for receiving a transmission gear of a tractor vehicle and a variable output for engaging the actuator. The processing circuit is configured to control the steering of the pair of tractive elements according to a control strategy that varies based on the transmission gear of the tractor vehicle.

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: An improved spreader/grader system, which includes a frame having a pair of parallel sidewalls; a plurality of spreader/grader blades positioned between the sidewalls and secured within a slot along the length of each of the sidewalls, each blade having a lower edge for spreading or grading a surface upon which the spreader/grader rests; a hydraulic cylinder attached to each end of each blade to allow each blade to be moveable along the length of the sidewall in a parallel or non-parallel relationship as desired by the operator; and a hydraulic cylinder system for attaching the frame to a vehicle, such as a tractor, for pulling the spreader/grader during the spreading/grading process. The blades of the spreader/grader may alternatively be secured in fixed positions between the sidewalls of the frame with a bolt/nut combination.

Abstract: A tillage support includes a tool free adjustable tension leveling harrow bar that allows for an operator to adjust the tension of a leveling bar tool free. The tillage support includes a tensioning link coupled to a tensioning device. The tensioning link includes a plurality of coupling points. The tillage support includes a leveling bar mount arm with at least one coupling point and capable of being independently rotated about an axis. The leveling bar mount arm can be coupled to the tensioning link by a coupling link, and the coupling link can be adjusted by an operator tool free. The coupling link can engage any of the at least one coupling point of the leveling bar mount arm and the coupling points of the tensioning link, and the tension can be adjusted by engaging different coupling points with the coupling link.

Abstract: A tractor-based box blade is used to move and condition soil. The box blade has a plurality of rippers, which are forwardly- and downwardly-extending shanks terminating in relatively narrow teeth that extend into the ground. Each ripper is deployable to extend into the ground independent of the other rippers, and each ripper is stowable away from the ground independent of the other rippers. At least one scraping blade is disposed behind the rippers for smoothing soil.

Abstract: A trail grooming device connectable to a towing vehicle so that the towing vehicle can pull the device over a surface includes a connection assembly that connects the device to the vehicle; a cutting bed to cut, level and process the surface and with a front portion connected to the connection assembly; a suspension system coupled to the cutting bed to raise or lower the cutting bed; a rear assembly connected to a rear portion of the cutting bed; and a roller connected to the rear assembly to compact the surface after the cutting bed has cut, leveled and processed the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combine agricultural machine (1) comprising a planting device (3), in particular a potato planting device, provided with at least one storage container (10), an extraction device associated thereto, a setting plow (7) and an downstream mounted end damming device (4). A loosening tool (2) for preparing a seedbed is arranged upstream of the planting device (3) in a travelling direction and one or several wheels (18) for disintegrating soil and supporting the machine are mounted upstream of said loosening tool (2) in said travelling direction. The invention also relates to a method for mechanically planting seeds comprising a stage for preparing the seedbed, a sowing stage and a final damming stage which are simultaneously carried out by means of tools mounted on the agricultural machine (1).

Abstract: A tool carrier assembly of an earthworking implement is comprised of two components that contact a surface being worked; an earthworking tool and a depth guide. The tool carrier assembly is pivotably connected to a support structure. The support structure is removably attached to a lift arm assembly of a motive source. As the front wheels of the motive source are raised off the ground by downward force applied to the lift arm assembly, the depth guide assumes the function of bearing the load of the implement and a portion of the motive source. The vehicle steered and powered by the rear wheels may then move in any direction and the tool carrier assembly will articulate on a controllably variable vertical axis. As the earthworking tool moves material on the surface, the tool carrier pivots about a controllably variable horizontal axis to maintain contact with the surface as the tool carrier assembly pivots in response to uneven terrain.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a framework configured to be towed behind a vehicle, and a plurality of shanks mounted to the framework and configured to engage the soil. A tillage point is mounted on each shank. Each shank tillage point includes a body having a top surface and a nose extending from the top surface. The tillage point also includes two wings each disposed on a lateral side of the body and extending laterally outward. In certain embodiments, a slope of the nose relative to a horizontal plane of movement of the tillage point through soil is greater than a slope of the top surface of the body. In further embodiments, the wings are configured to engage the soil at a shallower depth than the nose, and/or a tip of each wing is configured to engage the soil at a greater depth than a respective wing root. In yet further embodiments, the tillage point includes a boss positioned forward of openings configured to receive a fastener for coupling the tillage point to a shank.

Abstract: A modified box scraper system that is fitted with a first, second and third plurality of attachment devices located on the rearward end and both sides of the box scraper allowing for the attachment of a variety of modified work implements, the modified work implements including box scraper extensions, a road repair fabric applicator, a trench compaction wheel, a slope board, a rear forklift system, a windrow scraper, a backfill blade and a serrated cutting blade.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning a drainage structure comprises a rod having a center longitudinal axis, a barrel housing having a proximal opening and a distal opening, the barrel housing having a center longitudinal axis and coupled coaxially to the rod, the barrel housing having an outside dimension that can be accommodated within the drainage structure, the distal opening of the barrel housing having a sinusoidal tearing contour. The tool further comprises a plurality of cutting implements radially coupled to and between the rod and the barrel housing, the cutting implements having a distal cutting edge and being angularly oriented to facilitate sweeping debris in a selected direction, and the barrel housing and cutting implements operable to rotate about the center longitudinal axis of the rod to dislodge and loosen debris inside the drainage structure.

Abstract: A knife opener includes a pair of flared blades designed to cut spaced, but paired furrows. The knife opener is particularly well-suited for use in no-till or minimum-till agricultural operations primarily in conjunction with seed and/or fertilizer placement adjacent a soil cut-line generally in the direction of travel. In addition to being angled away from the main body of the knife, one of the blades is angled forward and the other blade is angled rearward. Seed and/or fertilizer dispensing receivers may be associated with each of the blades.

Abstract: A knife opener includes a pair of flared blades designed to cut spaced, but paired furrows. The knife opener is particularly well-suited for use in no-till or minimum-till agricultural operations primarily in conjunction with seed and/or fertilizer placement adjacent a soil cut-line generally in the direction of travel. In addition to being angled away from the main body of the knife, one of the blades is angled forward and the other blade is angled rearward. Seed and/or fertilizer dispensing receivers may be associated with each of the blades.

Abstract: A motor grader is disclosed having a coated wear insert.

Abstract: A road drag for medium and heavy grading projects is provided. The road drag includes a pair of side members and front, center and rear transverse bars that define a rectangular shaped platform. A V-member is disposed adjacent each corner of the platform and steel blades are attached to a first arm of each of the V-members in a downward direction. A center V-member is further attached to the center bar. Steel blades are further attached to ends of the center V-member in a downward direction. A tail board is secured to a pair of extensions that extend from the rear bar of the platform that defines a rear section. The rear section includes means to prevent the tail board from bouncing or hopping during application in order to better distribute material during use. The road drag further includes an axle and preferably dual wheels near or adjacent the tail board.

Abstract: A modified box scraper system that is fitted with a first, second and third plurality of attachment means located on the rearward end and both sides of the box scraper allowing for the attachment of a variety of modified work implements, said modified work implements including a trench backfill blade that attaches to the box scraper and allows the operator to backfill a trench with increased precision because the trenched row material can be funneled back into the trench.

Abstract: A box scraper for use with a pulling or a pushing vehicle, having a continuous box-form main frame above, with a lower portion of the rear wall, the moldboard, hinged to the side wall at one end and held to the opposite side wall by a lock mechanism such that one end of the moldboard can be released backwards from that sidewall; when thus released allowing for a smooth and continuous lateral release of scraped materials outside the confines of the scraper box.

Abstract: A scraper system for scraping and ripping a support surface includes a frame being pulled behind the vehicle. The frame includes an adjustment beam slidably mounted to a front beam. A pair of mounting ends of the adjustment beam extends from opposing ends of the front beam. The frame includes a pair of side walls. Each of the mounting ends of the adjustment beam has one of the side walls coupled thereto. The adjustment beam is slid with respect to the front beam to adjust a lateral positioning of the side walls with respect to the front beam. A scraper assembly is coupled to and extends downwardly from the frame. The scraper assembly scrapes the support surface to smooth out the support surface. The scraper assembly is coupled to and extends between the side walls of the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving debris such as chicken manure away from a wall including a frame assembly movable across a floor, a scraping member suspended from the frame assembly and a guide member connected to the scraping member. The scraping member is arranged for scraping debris away from the wall and causing movement of the scraping member and frame assembly toward the wall when the frame assembly is moved in a predetermined direction across the floor. The guide member causes movement of the scraping member away from the wall and around objects projecting out from the wall such as support beams.

Abstract: A knife assembly includes a unique finned point with angled soil-engaging surfaces defining several fracture areas and preventing slabbing to avoid excessive soil disturbance and knife wear. The knife has an extended length between the point and upper mounting brackets to facilitate operation of the point over a substantial range of depths, and the mounting brackets operate above ground level even at maximum point depth operation.

Abstract: The invention is a land clearing rake that is typically mounted on a moldboard on a conventional bulldozer. The land clearing rake pivots about a shaft that is horizontally connected to the front of the moldboard. The rake is comprised of teeth connected to each other by heavy-duty plates between each of the teeth. The teeth may be arranged in one or more sections wherein the sections can be simultaneously raised or lowered by winches mounted on the moldboard. The winches are remotely controlled from the operator's seat. Thus, the land clearing rake is capable of being quickly raised or lowered by the operator while the earth moving equipment is moving back to prepare for another forward move. The ability to quickly transition between raking and grading modes significantly improves the efficiency of land clearing operations.

Abstract: A roller assembly is provided for connection behind a towing vehicle, for example a road grader vehicle. The roller assembly includes a frame supporting a plurality of walking beams extending generally in the forwarding working direction of the grader with packing rollers supported at each end thereof. Each walking beam is centrally pivoted on a support arm which is in turn pivoted on the frame to permit each pivot of each walking beam to be moveable generally upwardly and downwardly in relation to the pivots of the other walking beams. A common hydraulic circuit is arranged to provide a common downward force to the pivots of the walking beams. Pivoting movement of the walking beams accommodates for varying ground contours in the longitudinal direction while independent upward and downward movement of the walking beam pivots relative to one another permits accommodation of varying ground contours in the lateral direction.

Abstract: A soil working implement for being dragged behind a towing vehicle. The implement includes a hitch part and a soil working part. The soil working part may be pivoted about the hitch part by extending or retracting a longitudinal linkage member interposed between the hitch part and the soil working part.

Abstract: A ground scraper designed to be pulled by a tractor or the like includes a pair of parallel frame rails with a scraper blade between them and perpendicular to them. The scraper blade can lowered to a preferred depth of scraping and can be raised above the bottom of the frame for towing. Dual-wheeled trucks on the rear of the frame can be raised off the ground to allow the frame to contact the ground for scraping and can be lowered into contact with the ground, also raising the frame off the ground, for towing on roads or the like. The rear of a tongue can be raised relative to the front of the tongue to pick up the front of the ground scraper frame for transporting the ground scraper and then the rear of the tongue can be lowered relative to the front of the tongue, allowing the frame to contact the ground. The exact angle of the tongue can float up and down in order to allow towing on uneven terrain.

Abstract: A scraping device, a system and a method for collecting a material are provided. The scraping device may have a bowl having a first end and a second end. A lip may be positioned at the first end and may cover an opening at the first end. In an embodiment, direct mounted cylinders may be attached to the lip and may move the lip to completely cover or uncover the opening. The scraping device may have a tongue mounted to the bowl having a triangular-shaped plate mechanism that may be used to raise and to lower a cutting edge attached to the bowl. Cylinders connected to the mechanism may be retracted or extended to raise or to lower the scraping device. A load within the scraping device may be lifted by force exerted from a barrel end of a cylinder, thus utilizing a maximum potential of the cylinder.

Abstract: A towed snowplow includes a frame which is carried by at least one wheel. The frame includes at least one moldboard and is arranged to be towed behind a vehicle and movable from a transport position directly behind the vehicle to a deployed position in which the frame extends diagonally from the vehicle to enable plowing of pavement alongside and to the rear of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A modified box scraper system that is fitted with a first, second and third plurality of attachment means located on the rearward end and both sides of the box scraper allowing for the attachment of a variety of modified work implements, said modified work implements including box scraper extensions, a road repair fabric applicator, a trench compaction wheel, a slope board, a rear forklift system, a windrow scraper, a backfill blade and a serrated cutting blade.

Abstract: Tractor towed ground levelling apparatus includes an elongate cutting edge mounted on a cylindrical steel beam. The beam carries road wheels and is connected to a foldable drawbar hitched to the plough arms of the tractor. Alternatively, the drawbar may be connected to the drawbar of the tractor through a height adjusting mechanism. When folded the drawbar is nestled against the beam and can be hitched to a road vehicle. The road wheels lift when the drawbar is unfolded, lowering the beam to the ground. The beam has a skid bar that skids over the ground in use. The cutting edge is mounted close to the skid bar and positioned so that its ground engaging edge is level with and parallel to the skid bar. The cutting edge is lifted or lowered by the plough arms or the height adjusting mechanism.

Abstract: A grading implement including main body having a left end, a right end and a length that extends between the left and right ends. The main body also includes a front side and a back side. A claw-blade is positioned at the front side of the main body. Side blades are positioned at the left and right ends of the main body. The side blades include portions that extend rearwardly from the main body so as to define a volume located behind the back side of the main body between the side blades. The volume receives grading material when the implement is moved rearwardly.

Abstract: A device for filling an open trench with the dirt previously removed from the trench lying alongside the trench, using a skid-mounted frame having blades to initially fill the trench and leveling the dirt, followed by a compactor.

Abstract: An earth handling apparatus operable in a trailered manner behind an ATV includes a rolling framework containing a tiltable accumulating bowl having a pivotable front door. Winch devices operated by the electrical system of the ATV control the tilting of the framework, the bowl and the front door to enable the bowl to accumulate, transport and controllably discharge earth, sand, gravel, snow or other surface substrate.

Abstract: A golf green roller apparatus that can be hitched to a golf cart or any vehicle utilizing a clevis pin-type coupler. The roller is mounted on an articulated frame. A pair of wheels having tires thereon is also mounted on the frame. An easy-to-operate electric actuator functions to lower or raise the wheels while simultaneously lowering or raising the roller. When the wheels are lowered, the roller is raised to a storage position. Conversely, when the wheels are raised the roller is lowered to contact the surface to be rolled. The electric actuator can be powered by a twelve-volt battery. Connector cables are provided so that the roller apparatus can be easily attached to the battery of a golf cart or the like.

Abstract: A bi-directional drag grader comprising a rigid overhead support, attachable to a self propelled machine using a common receiver hitch or directly attached, a substantially rectangular rigid and collapsible frame, the frame having a leading edge and trailing edge with attachable blades, the blades having a planer sections along the length and inclined with respect to each other, the frame and support are operatively attached by forward and rearward chain lengths. Runners with stops are attached across the frame to support and position weights and prevent bending of the blades or frame while encountering loads in use. The frame and blades further comprise a design to use alternate configurations of cutting blades. The grader is configured so that the forward chains are in tension and the rearward chains are relaxed when the vehicle moves forward and vice-versa. This configuration allows for bi-directional operation.

Abstract: A sand trap rake having a frame, a pair of rear wheels supporting the frame, a single front wheel supporting the frame, and a steering system operably interconnecting the steering wheel to the single front wheel. A grading device is coupled to the frame and is raised and lowered in response to a grading device actuation system. A steering limiting system is further coupled with the steering system. The steering limiting system is operable in a normal reaction mode and a slow reaction mode. A switch device is connected with the grading device actuation system such that the switch device outputs a control signal when the grading device is in the raised position. In response to the control signal, the steering limiting system consequently causes the steering system to operate in a slow reaction mode.

Abstract: An earth working scraper for use removing and transporting earth is disclosed. The scraper includes a scraper blade for scraping earth from a ground surface, a receiving area located near the blade for receiving earth scraped from the ground surface by the blade, a rotatable axle for providing transportation of the scraper connected with respect to the blade and receiving area, and a track apparatus connected with respect to the rotatable axle. The track apparatus may include a continuous flexible track having an upper length and a ground-engaging lower length and including an inner surface, an axle wheel mountable to the rotatable axle for rotational movement therewith, the axle wheel engaging the inner surface of the flexible track along the upper length to drive the flexible track in response to rotation of the axle, and a frame for mounting the axle wheel.

Abstract: A road paving equipment tire track remover having a pair of blade assemblies, each including a semi-flexible blade with a lower edge and an upper edge. The upper edge is affixed to and shaped by a V-shaped frame so as to create a concave front side of the blade. The blade assembly is attached to the surface of a road paving vehicle near and behind the rear wheels of the vehicle in such a manner that the lower edge of the blade is in contact with the road surface. The blade assembly also includes a parallel scissors assembly to allow for vertical movement of the blade while in use, and a weight box to selectively adjust the pressure exerted by the blade on the road surface.

Abstract: An aerator plug-core cleaning system for ground surface collection of turf cores extracted from a turf core-aerating apparatus. The core-cleaning system comprises a core-cleaner that primarily attaches to either a walk-behind or tractor pulled aerator machine. The core-cleaner entraps and pushes the extracted cores along behind the core-aeration machine until being lifted in about a vertical manner by secondary attachment to a rear raise-able portion of the core-aeration machine at which point the cores are left in a pile for disposal.

Abstract: A grader for attachment to a lift unit of a material handling vehicle and adapted to spread and smooth particulate material. The grader includes a first horizontally elongate beam adapted to engage, spread and smooth the material and a second horizontally elongate beam coupled to the first horizontally elongate beam and having a length greater than the length of the first beam to further engage the material. The first and second beams each have two ground-engaging sides which correspond in orientation to each other. A linkage assembly is used to releasably attach the first beam to the lift unit of the material handling vehicle. In use, the grader is adapted to be pulled in a first direction wherein the lift unit of the material handling vehicle may engage the material first, followed by the first beam and then followed by the second beam. Thus, as the grader is pulled in the first direction the first sides of the elongate beams face the material.

Abstract: A novel and practical track-filling apparatus for smoothing rutted soil formed by the repeated passage of wheels. This apparatus includes a frame, a system for attaching the frame to a tractor, and a soil moving blade assembly mounted to the frame. This blade assembly has laterally disposed and spaced apart left and right blades. A system for adjusting the included blade angle between these blades is also provided. This system for adjusting includes a single blade adjusting hydraulic ram that is operatively connected to the blades via a novel yet simple and reliable linkage assembly. Additionally, systems for lifting and tilting the apparatus optimizes operation of this track-filling apparatus over irregular and differing terrain.

Abstract: Device and methods for air assisted loading of soil in an earth moving apparatus are disclosed. One aspect of a device includes a source of a current of air and at least one conduit for directing the current of air towards soil moved by the earth moving apparatus. The device is configured to be operatively connected to the earth moving apparatus. An earth moving apparatus is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame having opposing sides, supported by at least two ground engaging wheels, and a bucket having a floor and a pair of upstanding side walls. A cutting blade may be attached to the bucket or disposed between the opposing sides of the frame. An air supply system for delivering a current of air to soil moved by the earth moving apparatus is also included. Methods for loading soil into an earth moving apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ditch digger is attached to the square hitch located proximate the rear bumper of a vehicle and uses a stock member that has a first section and an angled second section. A plurality of openings are located along the first section whereby a connector is attached to the stock member by passing a pin through openings on the connector and on the stock member. The connector also attaches to the vehicle. A furrowing blade is attached to the second section of the stock member as is a loop member to which electrical conduit and the like may be attached.

Abstract: A road scraper includes a frame having forwardly positioned blades extending rearwardly and laterally for directing loose material against a rear blade extending angularly in the opposite direction between rearwardly extending side frame members thereby causing loose material on the road to be redistributed across the road under the rear blade on the back side of the frame. A rearwardly positioned dam blade cooperates with the rear angular blade to cause loose material to be accumulated and then discharged through a passageway between the rear end of the dam blade and the angular blade.

Abstract: A multi-function implement for attachment to a tractor or the like for trenching, cutting, burying cable, and similar functions. The implement has a universal frame with a tractor attachment portion and a tool attachment portion. A series of tools are individually connectable to the universal frame, with each tool having a frame attachment portion which is complementary to the tool attachment portion of the universal frame. The tools are selectively connectable to the universal frame with the frame attachment portion of the tool joining the tool attachment portion of the universal frame. Each of the tools is individually formed to perform a particular function, such as cutting a trench, burying a cable, or removing a swath of sod.

Abstract: A marine plough includes twin, complementary steering mechanisms, one or more soil-engaging fins, which are able to be steered, and a tow rope attachment mechanism that enables adjustment of the position of the tow rope retention point relative to the plough. This alters the position at which the line of a tow rope crosses the longitudinal axis of the plough, so that the plough can operate at offset tow positions. The tow rope attachment mechanism includes a bridle having two bridle limbs terminating at respective bridle limb retention points. The adjustment of the position of the tow rope retention point relative to the plough is done by moving the bridle rope retention points or adjusting the relative length of the bridle limbs. The bridle limb retention points can be moved, using cylinders, from towing positions to lifting positions at which the tow bridle can be used to lift plough in a substantially level attitude.

Abstract: An implement for preparing seedbeds and lawns includes a main frame member upon which are mounted scarifying teeth to penetrate the soil and tines which work the soil and prepare the final grade after the soil has been scarified. A subframe is pivotally mounted on the main frame and carries a grading blade ahead of the scarifying teeth when the implement is move in the forward direction. The blade is allowed to float relative to the main frame on the subframe to thereby knock down vegetation, remove rocks and lightly grade the soil. The subframe can be moved relative the main frame to a position lifting the scarifying teeth and the tines off of the ground and allowing the blade to provide a deeper grading of the soil or the subframe may be moved to a position lifting the blade off of the soil so that the sold is contacted only by the scarifying teeth and the tines.