Abstract: A ground-engaging paired row furrow forming tool includes a tool body having fore and aft ends with an outer edge defined on each of two opposing sides of the tool body. A furrowing wing is located adjacent each of the opposing sides and protrudes from bottom portions of the tool body. The tool body has lower surfaces including a central front surface portion which is angled upwards towards the fore end and a center passage is defined between the furrowing wings. This passageway is in part defined by a central rear surface portion which is adapted to be substantially aligned fore to aft in a direction of travel T during operation of the ground engaging tool. This paired row opener works well without compromise in a broad range of soil conditions without fouling and enables planting of seed rows spaced widely apart while minimizing soil surface disturbance.

Abstract: A ripper carriage assembly has a transverse cross beam fixedly mounted at a central portion of the cross beam to a ripper implement support structure. The distal ends of arms extending outwardly from the central portion of the transverse cross beam are adapted for pivotal connection to a pitch control mechanism. Stress relief notches are formed in the transverse cross beam at a position between the distal ends of the arms and the central rigidly mounted portion of the beam. Energy generated as a. result of the ripper tip twisting upon impact with rock or other solid objects in hardened ground is stored in the transverse cross beam, and subsequently returned to the ripper tip to bring the tip into a desired operational orientation.

Abstract: Apparatus for the subsurface disruption of soil which includes horizontal and vertical members enabling operation at great depths without excessive driving force. The apparatus includes vertical members having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is removably connectable to a driver, such as a tractor, and the bottom end is attached to a horizontal member. The apparatus includes horizontal members having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface comprising a leading surface and a tailing surface. The substantially horizontal bottom surface, upon intersection with the leading top surface and the trailing top surface, forms a triangular cross section, preferably that of a scalene triangle. This cross sectional form allows for optimum operation.

Abstract: A movable implement for loosening soil below ground, in which a row of blades with blade holders are located perpendicular to a direction of motion of the implement. A supporting arm has one end articulated to each blade, and a frame is articulated to another end of the supporting arm. The supporting arm is engaged by a connecting rod of a crank device, which operates in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of motion. The supporting arm mounts a blade adjustment lever with two arms. The adjustment lever pivots coaxially with an articulating shaft. A stop is mounted on a downward-extending arm of the blade-adjustment lever, and points below the articulating shaft. A lever-adjusting device has a variable angle to the supporting arm for varying the angle of the blade to the ground. A spring forces a blade holder against the stop. The blades are forced away from the stop during movement of the implement.

Abstract: A blade includes at least one blade body attached to a chassis to be hitched to a tractor vehicle. The blade includes at least one part which is laterally inclined in relation to a vertical plane parallel to the tractor vehicle's line of advancement. This inclined part includes a heel at a positive angle to the ground. The heel is equipped with a wear plate having at least one tip that is laterally displaced in relation to the front edge of the inclined part of the blade body and in relation to the front edge of the heel.

Abstract: A deep subsoiler (50) consists of a plurality of carriages (58) abreast on a frame (52) and a plurality of shanks (60) mounted on each of said carriages. The mounting for each of said shanks provides a fail-safe mechanism consisting of a pair of rosettes (72) with shear-bolts (86). Said rosettes enable the operator to minutely set an angle of attack for each shank tip (P37). Said carriages align parallel with a direction of travel. Each shank on the carriage functions at an increasing depth which provides a staged sequence with a shortest shank (60c) in a forward position. Theory and tests indicate a draft reduction using staged shanks. Said tips for these shanks produce larger voids in the subsoil and increase the flow of subsoil to the surface. Staged shank standards (P40) cut narrower grooves in the surface that inhibit rivulets. The larger voids hold more water and organic material and this material adheres better to the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus controls the movement of a ripper for a machine. Tilt and lift cylinders controllably actuate the ripper. Hydraulic control valves control the flow of hydraulic fluid to the respective cylinder. An auto-return button produces an auto-return signal in response to being depressed by the machine operator. A controller receives the auto-return signal and delivers a ripper control signal to the hydraulic control valves to automatically raise the ripper to a predetermined position.

Abstract: An agricultural implement that includes a plurality of ground penetrating units for shattering the hard pan in a relatively wide pattern as the implement is drawn across the field while causing minimum disturbance to the top surface of the ground. Each ground penetrating unit includes a depending shank with a three piece plow point assembly releasably and symmetrically connected to a forward projecting lower end of the shank. The plow point assembly includes a shoe with first and second vanes attached to the shank rearwardly of a rear surface of the shoe and diverging outwardly from opposite sides of the shank. The shoe and vanes of each plow point assembly are separately and releasably attached to the shank such that any one component of the plow point assembly can be repaired or replaced independent of the other components.

Abstract: A movable, row crop soil conditioner apparatus for conditioning soil prior to planting including a mechanism for first cutting a row length furrow opening in the soil when the soil conditioner is moved. A subsoiler is positioned behind the first cutting mechanism. It is selectively inserted into the furrow opening when the subsoiler is moved. The subsoiler includes a tooth, and a first pressure applicator for maintaining pressure on the soil directly and laterally on the subsoiler tooth when the tooth is inserted into the furrow opening. The tooth causes an eruption furrow in the furrow opening. The pressure applicator then controls the eruption soil wakes on either side of the subsoiler when the row crop conditioner is moved down a row. The subsoiler also includes a mechanism for turning the soil wakes on either side of the furrow inwardly towards each other to crush and shear the soil and to urge it downwardly into the eruption furrow, thereby closing the eruption furrow.

Abstract: A root grubber tool for brush which is attached to the boom of an excavator, such as, a track excavator or backhoe. The tool includes a framework which has a pair of side members which support, at the lower end thereof, a cutting blade with its leading edge swept inward and downward to accommodate centering the cutting blade on the roots and providing a deeper cut at the center than at the edges. The framework includes mounting arms to secure the tool onto the boom for working the tool. The framework may include a cross support for assisting in gathering smaller brush. Also, the lower edges of the side members are bevelled to aid in the cutting operation. The tool may be maneuvered to depths of 18 to 24 inches to grub out the roots of the brush and secure it between the boom and the tool for displacement from the right-of-way.

Abstract: In an excavating apparatus including a bucket removably coupled to a distal end of a hydraulically powered boom, a field-detachable and field-attachable ripper comprises a shank portion having a lower tip, a mounting portion disposed along an upper area of the shank portion and a detachable and re-attachable coupling element disposed along the mounting portion. The detachable and re-attachable coupling element secures the ripper to the bucket. There is optionally further included a detachable ripper tip coupled to the lower tip. The detachable ripper tip comprises a metal piece having a point disposed at a first end thereof and having a hollow disposed at a second end thereof. The hollow is adapted to accommodate the lower tip therein. The detachable ripper tip further includes an opening disposed on one side thereof and extending into the hollow. The opening is adapted to accommodate a fastener extending from the side and into the lower tip.

Abstract: A soilbed having a topsoil stratum and a subsurface hardpan stratum is fractured by a subsoiling tine to form a trench-like path which extends in depth at least partially into the hardpan stratum. One or more pairs of rotatable blades are operated thereafter which lift up, invert, and mound nutrient-rich topsoil from the topsoil stratum on either side of the trench-like path into the trench-like path. The mounded topsoil provides an unusually hospitable environment for plant growth, especially for the root systems of plants. Additional features, such as blade attachments, coulter disks, and a bulldozer blade may be provided to enable efficient operation with consistently beneficial results.

Abstract: The present invention relates to soil agitation, and in particular to machines which are used to dig decompacted soil and agitate the turf on sporting greens, such as golf greens and football fields. The present invention in particular presents a new type of blade for the soil agitation device, the blade being mountable to a soil agitation device and having a leading cutting edge which presents a shallow angle of attack to the soil. The leading edge slopes away from the top part of the blade at an angle to the horizontal which is preferably in between 15.degree.-35.degree.. The blade preferably mounts "bullets", protruberances from the side of the blade, which assist in decompaction of the soil. These bullets are mounted in between the top and bottom of the blade, which is different from the prior art blades, which are mountable to the bottom of the blade.

Abstract: The subsoiler has shank assemblies which are designed to cut a thin, clean slice in the soil without frontal upheaval forces that would cause eruption of the soil in a turbulent manner ahead of the shank line. The soil lifting components at the bottom of the shank are configured to produce generally laminar soil flow over and around their lifting surfaces so that the upwardly and outwardly directed fracturing forces occur behind the leading shank line in a readily controllable manner and without disturbing residue and other materials on top of the ground. The subsoiling profile at the bottom of the shank may be varied by interchanging variously configured points and caps which are securely but removably secured to the shank. An alternate embodiment provides adjustment of the profile presented to the soil by having a portion of the component angularly vertically adjustable to vary the angle of attack of its lifting surfaces.

Abstract: A vibratory plow assembly 201 incorporates a vertical ground parting blade 202 with a front cutting edge 203 and a ripper tooth 208. The blade 202 is bifurcated rearwardly of the cutting edge 203, the blade 202 being formed by two spaced-apart side plates 214. The upper part of the plates 214 constitute a support frame which is pivotally connected by a pin 205 to a base plate 240. Attached rearwardly of the pivot pin 205 and preferably cantilevered beyond the plates 214 is a vibrator unit 232. The vibrator unit 232 when operational provides a vibratory frequency of between 5 Hz and 17 Hz to the ripper tooth 208 in both a vertical and arcuate path. The pivot pin 205 is preferably located above or forwardly of the cutting edge 203. The base plate 240 and support frame, by virtue of the vibratory unit 232, experience relative movement in the manner of a pair of jaws the mouth of which extends rearwardly.

Abstract: An apparatus (102) assists an earthmoving vehicle (104) in the fracture of material (106). The apparatus (102) includes a ripping structure (108) having at least one ripper (112) and one electrode (130). The apparatus (102) generates electrical energy and discharges the electrical energy into the material through the ripping structure (108).

Abstract: A self-sharpening pyramidal shaped insert of a refractory hard metal for use as a leading penetrating element of a soil opener member of an agricultural tool. The insert includes a boss member of a generally frustoconical shape including a circular bottom and outwardly curved side surface extending upwardly from the circular bottom and terminating in a flange, and a penetrating tip having four nonparallel triangular sides, each triangular side having a common leg with a bordering triangular side and a third leg contiguous the flange. The triangular sides converge to a common vertex. The insert inhibits wear of the agricultural tool and contributes to proper soil flow as the agricultural tool cuts a slice in the soil.

Abstract: An impact ripper (2) mounted on the rear portion of a construction machine, such as a bulldozer (1), for digging a hard soil layer is automatically controlled to reduce the operator's fatigue, to improve operability with regard to the posture of the impact ripper during operation of its vibrating mechanism (3), and to prevent breakdown of the impact ripper caused by wasteful striking. A vehicle tractive force and a vehicle speed required by digging resistance applied to a blade end (2a) of the impact ripper (2) are detected and signals obtained from the detections are inputted to a controller (4). When an automatic strike switch is on, an activating signal is outputted from the controller (4) to the vibrating mechanism (3) of the impact ripper (2) regardless of a vehicle body tractive force when a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A field breaking or tilling implement. The implement is mounted or located at a lower end of a shank which is adapted to be drawn behind a tractor. At the lower forward end of the shank is located a chisel point adapted to be pulled through the soil at a position just below a sub-surface hard pan soil layer. Extending rearwardly from the shank is a plow extension which mounts a plow member in spaced relation from the shank. The plow member is located directly behind the chisel, and serves to lift and break the soil. A method of tilling is also disclosed in which a plow member is pulled through the soil directly behind a chisel member.

Abstract: A subsoil plowing implement having winged subsoil plows that break and lift the soil thereby loosening said soil. The plows are mounted so that an upper surface of the wing of the plow may be oriented at varying degrees of incline to horizontal. Spikes are located at a leading edge of the wing and a shank so that said spikes precede the wing and shank through the soil. The spikes initially break the ground and reduce the resistance that the wing and shank experience as they progress through the soil. A bevelled and sharpened deflection strip fixed to a leading edge of the shank making said shank more knifelike and allowing it to cut through the soil with reduced friction. By varying the arrangement and orientation of the plows, areas of loosened soil with different cross-sectional shapes are created.

Abstract: The point is adapted to fit onto the forwardly projecting mounting wedge of a tillage shank and has a downwardly and forwardly inclined, elongated crown provided with a transverse, sharpened tip at its lower front end. An underslung transverse wall looped under the crown at the front end of the point defines a rearwardly opening socket that matingly receives the apex of the mounting wedge of the shank, and depending sidewalls on the crown adjacent its opposite lateral edges rearwardly of the underslung wall serve to present a protective trough on the underside of the crown that matingly receives the upper surface of the mounting wedge so as to protectively cover otherwise exposed side portions of the wedge and thus shield such areas from exposure of abrasive soils.

Abstract: A soil loosening device connected with a pulling means provides for an intensive deep loosening of compact mainly agriculturally used soils and has for each loosening furrow two oppositely driven teeth in tandem arrangement, equipped with blades which form a joint blade surface subdivided into blade partial surfaces wherein the forward partial blade surface and the rear partial blade surface perform alternately with the forward surface first cutting the soil and the rear surface then lifting the soil which has been cut.

Abstract: A trenching plow blade having replaceable wear components is disclosed. A preferably octagonal rod with regularly spaced transverse holes drilled therethrough is welded to the leading edge of the blade. Replaceable leading edge cover pieces each have a channel therein with a shape complementary to the front face of the rod, and transverse holes adapted to align with the transverse holes in the rod. Pins are positioned through the holes to hold the covers in place. Preferably, straight and curved sections of the covers are provided as required. For the toe of the blade, a toe cover is preferably provided. The rod and covers may be supplied as a kit, which is readily installed since the only operation required is welding.

Abstract: A tillage unit 1 reducing soil surface and soil surface crop residue disturbance is provded, including a thin vertical support shank 13 with a generally V-shaped horizontal blade support assembly 2 mounted to its lowest forward-shaped tip by bolts 8. The blade support assembly 2 is fabricated from the blade backup support 3, primary reinforcing plates 4, secondary reinforcing plates 5, main vertical mounts 6, and load block 7 attached together to form a generally V-shaped inclined structure with the front marginal apex portion forward and lowermost and the widest rear marginal portion opposite the apex and uppermost. The tillage unit's lower bottom-most edges are shaped and positioned to allow incresing clearance proceeding from front to back between the tillage unit 1 and the uncut soil below to allow for adjustment of the operating incline of the soil-contacting blade surface attached to the face of the blade support assembly 2 where the tillage unit 1 is fastened to the carrier frame 18.

Abstract: A bentleg plow apparatus has a forward direction and includes a mounting frame, an upper blade-like portion secured to the frame and extending generally downwardly, a first lower blade-like portion connected to the upper portion and extending downwardly and laterally to one side, a second lower blade-like portion connected to the upper portion and extending downwardly and laterally to the other side. Each lower portion has a rake angle with respect to the forward direction, the rake angle being defined, when the plow apparatus is moving horizontally on a horizontal terrain, as the angle made to the horizontal by the intersection of the respective lower portion with a vertical plane parallel to said forward direction, the rake angle being such that the lower portions tend to penetrate further into soil being plowed as the plow apparatus is moved in forward direction.

Abstract: Ripper assemblies are normally utilized for ripping hardened ground, rock, and so forth. Due to the type of ground being ripped, it is many times advantageous to selectively change the pitch angle of the ripper tip during the ripping operation. Furthermore, it is advantageous to have a push block associated with the ripper assembly in order to allow the second vehicle to provide an additional pushing force for ripping of the ground. When a ripper assembly incorporates an adjustable pitch control and has a push block, the visibility of the ripper tip by the operator is many times limited or totally lost. In this subject arrangement, a push block is integral with a frame assembly and a ripper carriage assembly is pivotally secured to the frame assembly. By the push block being integral with the frame assembly, the ripper carriage assembly is simple and compact allowing better visibility by the operator to the rear of the ripper assembly.

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 tooth point for earth working, particularly ripping, which includes a relatively elongated body having rearwardly projecting tongue and recess means which cooperate with complementary tongue and recess means on a ripper shank protector.

Abstract: Apparatus for deep plowing highly compacted soil includes successively forming troughs of loosened soil immediately adjacent a previously formed trough. After each pass the plow leaves a trough of loosened soil having a transverse vertical profile (called a "fracture profile") in the general shape of a parallelogram with sides inclined upwardly and toward the unplowed ground. Each successive trough is formed by pulling a first set of point plows located on the unplowed side of said successive swath and at a depth of approximately one-half the desired depth to loosen soil in the upper portion of the fracture profile. A second point plow located to the rear of the first plows and at the desired depth is pulled approximately midway of the bottom of the fracture profile to loosen the remaining soil in the lower portion of the fracture profile.

Abstract: A cutting tooth assembly for heavy duty earth working machines has a replaceable cutting point comprised of a length of metal bar of constant transverse cross-section, which is frictionally held on a shank by a reusable holding clamp and which is repositionable on the shank. A used length of the metal bar is welded to an unused length of metal bar or to another used length of metal bar, thus permitting the entire length of the cutting point material to be utilized, thus limiting discarded scrap to a minimum and reducing operation costs.

Abstract: Tilling apparatus, particularly for deep ripping of the soil, adapted to be towed by a tractor having teeth for penetrating the ground, each tooth being hollow, having an unbalanced rotor housed therein adjacent its lower end, a motor mounted on the side of the tooth adjacent its upper end, and drive means housed in the tooth driven by the motor and operable to drive the rotor for causing vibration of the lower end portion of the tooth.

Abstract: A root cutting cable laying plow adapted for attachment to a tractor is provided. The plow includes a shank having a longitudinal blade formed in the leading edge of a lower portion of the shank and having a flat transverse cutting surface above the blade. A cutter having a sharpened lower end is movable with respect to the shank into engagement with the flat cutting surface by a double acting hydraulic cylinder. The cutter and the cylinder rod move between parallel mounting flanges of the tractor, allowing the hydraulic cylinder itself to be attached to the shank above the mounting flanges.

Abstract: Combination sweep and subtiller having a plurality of leg shanks extending downward from the sweep. Each shank is angled in the direction of travel to push soil toward the center of the sweep, and simultaneously to provide minimal draft. In addition there is a horizontal bend midway between the upper and lower extremities of the shank so that the lower extremity is bent toward the center of the sweep in order to cause a soil fracture plane in the direction of the center of the sweep. The lower end of the shank has a diagonal bend toward the center of the sweep to agitate the soil thereby.

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: A tillage point for attachment to an excavating or earthmoving apparatus includes a tapered point extending below its longitudinal axis and formed by a convex top surface and concave bottom surface when viewed in side elevation. A convex protuberance axially extending along the bottom surface, combined with the tapered point permits enhanced soil penetration with reduced drag and friction.

Abstract: A scarifier suspended beneath the body of an automotive vehicle such that it is vertically movable by means of cylinders. It comprises a suspending frame provided on a main frame vertically movable by means of the cylinders so that it may be freely slidable in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body, a plurality of supporting bars horizontally disposed within the suspending frame so that they may extend in the longitudinal direction of the suspending frame and so that any two adjacent bars may be connected in series to each other by means of a pin, said supporting bars being each connected to a cylinder vertically provided on the suspending frame so that each bar may be inclined in the longitudinal direction, and a multiplicity of claws provided, at prescribed intervals, on the supporting bars by way of pins in such a manner that they extend downwards from the pins and that they are swingable about the pins.

Abstract: The applicator comprises a relatively thin, streamlined knife blade adapted to be positioned with its longitudinal axis inclined upwardly and rearwardly during use with a leading edge of the applicator slicing through the subsoil and a lowermost and forwardmost point thereof penetrating the subsoil for the progressive entry of a wedge immediately behind the point which firms up and smooths the lowermost portion of the slice being created by the knife. Upwardly and rearwardly inclined, streamlined wings at the bottom of the blade but above the wedge project beyond the rear of the wedge to define a pocket into which anhydrous ammonia or other substances can be deposited. In one embodiment, the wings commence at the point and diverge rearwardly therefrom at a faster rate than the wedge to provide increased surface area for lifting and fracturing the soil as the knife moves therethrough, providing particular relief in root-bound subsoils.

Abstract: A cultivator has a blade downwardly projected from a frame, an injector provided at a lower portion of the blade, a compressor mounted on the frame and an air tank for storing air compressed by the compressor. An unloading valve provided in a hydraulic circuit for supplying compressed air in the air tank to the injector. The unloading valve is arranged to be opened when the pressure in the air tank is higher than a predetermined value. A master valve is provided in the circuit means, for passing the compressed air to the injector. A mechanical valve is provided to be opened when the depth of the injector reaches a predetermined value, so that the compressed air is supplied to the master valve to open it, whereby air is injected from the injector when the pressure in the air tank is higher than the predetermined value at the predetermined position of the injector.

Abstract: This invention teaches a simple, rigid and compact ripper attachment for skid steer loaders. The ripper attachment has a triangular frame, a mounting plate attached at the base of the triangular frame, and a scarifier receptacle attached at the apex of the triangular frame. A single shank scarifier is fastened to the apex receptacle and is oriented downward so that the tooth is driveable into the ground for ripping purposes.

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 blade shank assembly useful in an applicator for delivering liquid or gaseous fertilizer to a subsoil location, the blade shank assembly including an elongated curved shank plate, a generally V-shaped insert secured to the blade shank at the leading edge thereof and adjacent the forward lower point of the blade shank. The insert is constructed of hard metal and is configured to afford maximum protection to the blade shank plate, and extended service life to the assembly.

Abstract: A trench digging device (1) for attachment to the three point linkages of a tractor, comprising a frame (2), a downwardly and forwardly directed elongate chisel (3) mounted for longitudinal movement with respect to the frame (2), chisel adjustment means connected with the frame (2) and the chisel (3) to adjustably position the chisel (3) relative to the frame (2), and spoil displacement means (4) mounted to the frame (2) to move spoil displaced from a trench by the chisel (3) away from the trench.

Abstract: A fertilizer knife for subsurface application of fertilizer in liquid or vapor form in a ground furrow comprises a narrow, elongated blade having a width W.sub.1, a leading edge with a soil breaking segment and a trailing edge. An elongated, hollow, fertilizer conduit having a width W.sub.2 is located behind the trailing edge and is shaped to correspond to the trailing edge. A foot portion on the blade has a bottom edge extending from the leading edge upwardly toward and beyond the trailing edge to form a rearwardly extending shoulder. The conduit terminates above and is spaced from the shoulder to prevent back pressure in the conduit during movement of the knife through the furrow and to provide for flow of fertilizer away from vertical walls of the furrow. A hard, abrasion-resistant material over the soil-breaking segment forms a substantially flat surface having a width W.sub.3 on the leading edge. Soil contacting surfaces on the blade and conduit are covered by a dried, abrasion-resistant coating.

Abstract: A vibratory plow blade having a tapered leading edge, a trailing edge, and a tapered bottom edge wherein the plow blade is configured such that its longitudinal axis regresses or is arcuately angled away from the towing vehicle. The tapered leading edge of the plow blade includes an upper straight cutting section and a plurality of forward angled serrations along its length which provide for downward and upward cutting and fracturing of the soil with each successive stroke of the blade during vibratory action. The guide chute for the cable is mounted to the trailing edge at a substantial bend radius for reducing the flexing required of the cable and reducing the weight of the guide chute. The construction permits close proximity between the plow blade and guide chute for providing increased chute protection and a reduction in the chute frictional drag thereby leaving more vibrational energy for soil displacement.

Abstract: A fertilizer applicator knife assembly including an elongated blade shank having a concave leading edge and a concave trailing edge with a fertilizer tube attached to the trailing edge. An arcuate wear insert of hard metal is attached to the leading edge of the blade shank near the lower end thereof. The wear insert has a pair of convergent side surfaces which converge in a radiused leading edge, and also has a head at its lower end which carries a generally triangularly shaped spur which projects downwardly and rearwardly from said head to hook under the forward lower end of the blade shank.

Abstract: An improved ripper tiller implement is described which utilizes novel shank members including a soil fracturing member on the lower end of the shank. A replaceable shoe member may also be used on the shank.

Abstract: A knife for dispensing anhydrous material within the subsoil consisting of a configured body of cast metal, the lower end defining a sacrificial mass providing the knife with excellent wear characteristics. A dispensing tube is cast within the body having orifices protected from plugging and a soil replacement and compacting element is homogeneously defined on the rear portion of the knife body immediately replacing the displaced soil to close the formed slit and retain the dispensed material.

Abstract: A vibratory plow blade which increases the efficiency of the plowing action. The tapered leading edge of the plow blade includes a plurality of saw-like teeth or serrations. The uppermost serration acts as a soil cutter as the plow blade moves along the ground slot formed by the blade during vibration, thereby relieving surface tension created by packed soil or sod. The intermediate serration provides an upward fracturing of the subsoil with each successive up stroke from the vibratory action. This fracturing reduces the amount of work required to move the plow blade through the soil in the direction of plowing. The lower serration also provides an upward fracturing of the deep subsoil directly above the serration. Further, the upper leading edge of the lower serration is sloped to a greater extent than the upper leading edges of the other serrations to provide blade pull for maintaining the proper plowing depth during the plowing operation.

Abstract: A blade shank assembly useful in an applicator for delivering liquid or gaseous fertilizer to a subsoil location, the blade shank assembly including an elongated curved shank plate, a generally V-shaped insert secured to the blade shank at the leading edge thereof and adjacent the forward lower point of the blade shank. The insert is constructed of hard metal and is configured to afford maximum protection to the blade shank plate, and extended service life to the assembly.

Abstract: A wear resistant and impact tolerant plow blade comprising a plurality of ternate layers of wear resistant and impact resistant materials. Each layer extends from the leading edges of the plow blade rearwardly and is fabricated of a homogeneous material. Each layer has substantially parallel sides and abuts an adjacent layer or layers to form a substantially seamless plow.