Abstract: A row unit of an agricultural implement includes an opening system configured to engage soil to form a furrow, sensors configured to detect a soil tightness, soil conditions, operational conditions, or a combination thereof, and a closing system configured to close the furrow. The closing system includes a first closing disc configured to engage the soil and close the furrow and a second closing disc configured to engage the soil and close the furrow. The row unit also includes a controller configured to receive feedback from the sensors and to control a position, an orientation, or both, of the first closing disc, the second closing disc, or both, in response to feedback from the sensors.

Abstract: A tillage implement, a tillage machine, and a method of tilling soil is provided. The tillage implement includes a mounting bracket that couples to a rolling frame, a shank pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket via a hinge assembly, a soil working tool operatively coupled to a distal end of the shank, and a preload assembly for moving the shank to a loaded position that is rotationally offset from an unloaded position. The tillage machine includes a rolling frame that is pulled by a tow vehicle when tilling a field and multiple ones of the tillage implements operatively coupled to the rolling frame that contact and till the field. And the method includes attaching the tillage implement to a rolling frame, preloading the hinge assembly by moving the shank to a loaded position that is rotationally offset from the unloaded position, and contacting the soil with the soil working tool.

Abstract: A depth control system for a frame mounted to a movement system is provided. The frame is mounted such that the frame can be raised and lowered in relation to the movement system by a height adjustment mechanism. The depth control system includes a depth control arm connected to the movement system, a height adjustment mechanism, and a mechanical stop. The height adjustment mechanism is configured to engage with the depth control arm to adjust the height of the frame. The mechanical stop is configured to engage with the depth control arm to prevent the frame from moving in at least one direction with respect to the movement system and disengage from the depth control arm when the height of the frame is being adjusted.

Abstract: A multi-piece cutting edge attachment for a circular shaft of a harrow tine features a mounting member formed of a material that is weldable to, and distinct from, a first material of the harrow tine. A cutting edge member is formed of a third material that is harder than the first and second materials and less weldable to harrow tine than the second material of the mounting member. The cutting edge member has a front face and an opposing rear face that is conformingly shaped for placement against a front face of the mounting member at a lower end thereof. The multi-piece arrangement forms a cutting edge of greater hardness than that which is achievable by a material directly attachable to the tine itself.

Abstract: A mobile trailer having an easily raisable and lowerable ground engaging scraper/leveler planar type plate that a single user can raise and lower by a lever arm. Various spring type members allow for the plate to be easily moved upward and downward, and the plate can be locked in a raised position. The trailer can be easily towed behind small tractors and all terrain vehicles(ATVs). Another embodiment allows the plate to be easily raised and lowered by a single arm having one end pivotally attached t a support frame on the mobile trailer. The arm can be slid into side catches so that the plate is at selected heights as needed. Another embodiment allows for a barrel to be pivotally attached to the frame so that raising and lowering the arm allows for a filled barrel to be turned upside down discharging any contents in the barrel.

Abstract: An automatic spring-reset shank for agricultural use has a high retaining force and an improved trip clearance. The field use position of the shank is defined by a saddle in the mount weldment. The raised position of the shank is defined by the upper edge of a slot in a vertical guide plate for the shank assembly, located in the mounting weldment. The shank assembly pivots about a location which is below and forward of the transverse frame member or toolbar to which it is mounted. The action line of the spring is located at an angle of approximately 65° above the horizontal, and it is inclined rearwardly and upwardly, never crossing the horizontal axis (i.e., center) of the main pivot.

Abstract: A spring trip standard for a tillage implement includes a coil spring freely compressed between an upper spring-abutting surface on the mounting bracket and a lower spring-abutting surface on a casting which is connected by a transverse pivot to the mounting bracket. A tool supporting shank is bolted to the casting and biased downwardly into a ground working position by the spring. The casting includes an integral downstop extending forwardly from the pivot. The downstop contacts the bottom of the bracket when the shank is in the ground working position so that a tension link between the bracket and casting is eliminated. A positive upstop limits upward pivoting of the casting to prevent spring breakage or permanent deformation of the spring. Shoulder areas on the casting contact rear edges of the mounting bracket to limit upward pivoting.

Abstract: A disc mounting system includes the attachment of each disc to a disc gang bar via a dedicated leaf spring. Each of the leaf springs, which can be generally U shaped, are attached at a top end to the gang bar and at a lower leg to a disc spindle such that the disc is positioned at least partially alongside the spring lower leg. The mounting system allows the disc to deflect vertically, laterally or torsionally when the disc encounters an obstacle. An optional shield can be attached to the leaf spring to prevent soil and debris thrown out by adjacent discs from entering the spring. A disc scraper blade can also be attached to the shield.

Abstract: A tine for mounting on an agricultural soil-working implement includes a mounting portion at the upper end of the tine for mounting the tine in cantilever manner on a frame portion of the implement. A shank portion projects downwardly from the mounting portion to a lower end. A tine point is mounted on the lower end of the shank portion. The tine point comprises a cutting blade extending generally in a vertical plane and has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading edge is adapted to cut a slit in the ground during forward travel of the implement. The cutting blade has first and second laterally projecting wing formations formed on the trailing edge. The first wing formation extends to a first side of the cutting blade and is operative to widen the slit formed by the leading edge. The second wing formation extends to a second opposite side of the cutting blade and is secured to the shank portion.

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: A ground leveler attachment for a ground working device comprises a bracket fastened to a shank supporting a ground breaking tool, a carrier arm connected to the bracket, a pair of leg supports in pivotal contact with the carrier arm, a pair of springs biasing the legs supports into pivotal contact with the carrier arm, a pair of leg members extending from the leg supports, and a pair of levelers rotatably mounted upon the leg members and biased into a ground engagement position by the springs. The levelers independently and resiliently retract upon contact with a relatively immoveable object or objects to avoid being broken off from the leg members or severely damaged beyond usefulness.

Abstract: A flexible tooth of a tilling device includes several flat "e" shaped blades mounted side by side, one end of the blades being attached to a cross member of the tilling implement, the other ends of the blades being attached to a downwardly extending arm that holds a replaceable tool. The flexible tooth allows the tool to move upward or sideways to circumvent obstacles buried in the ground. The flexible tooth may include a reinforcing blade mounted on the cross member and having an upper curved portion that contacts an upper inner portion of the "e" shaped blades after they have flexed a certain amount to impart greater rigidity to the flexible tooth. The reinforcing blade may also include a lower curved portion that contacts the downwardly extending arm to further increase the rigidity of the flexible tooth.

Abstract: A shank assembly for mounting on a tool bar of a farm implement includes a first upper mount section firmly clamped to a tool bar at one end thereof and fixedly attached to a second lower section at the other end thereof. A ground working tool is fixedly attached to the lower section. The first section is wider than the second section providing strength to the assembly and lessening the likelihood of damage to the first section. The first section includes a generally transverse slot through which the second section extends. A nut and bolt arrangement fixedly attaches the first and second sections at a location near and generally above the slot.

Abstract: An improved disk harrow C-spring with a tapered cross section which reduces the compressive stresses in the inside radius and improves vertical and side-to-side flexibility. The curved portion of the C-spring has a constant cross section at the top and around three-fourths of the bend. At a location on the bend 45 degrees down from the horizontal, the thickness tapers to a location forward of the bearing hanger. The cross section is constant from the end of the taper to the end of the spring. The tapered cross section allows a thicker section to be used on the most highly stressed areas in the upper quadrant of the curved portion of the C-spring. The lower quadrant taper results in uniform stress distribution along the entire C-spring with the maximum compressive stress on the inside radius reduced substantially over a conventional C-spring. In addition, the tapered design provides an increase in both vertical and side-to-side flexibility for improved operation in rocky soil.

Abstract: A snow plow member is attached to selected ones of the shanks of a cultivator frame by inserting the leading edges of the sweep at the lower end of the shank into slots formed on the rear surface of the snow plow member. A leading edge of the snow plow member follows the C-shaped curvature of the shank. The shank is clamped to the underside of the snow plow member. With such snow plow members attached to selected ones of the cultivator shanks, the snow plow members can be used to form furrows in the snow which acts to trap additional snow and to prevent the snow from being stripped from the field. The resultant increased accumulations of snow provide additional moisture retention for the field.

Abstract: A soil cultivator has a new cultivator shank and a new plow blade which has a fixed lock structure. The plow blade is held to the shank by a movable snap action lock mechanism in a working end of the shank. A new method of quickly changing plow blades with a snap action lock in a cultivator shank is also provided.

Abstract: Conventionally, a cultivator and a packer are required as well as a tine harrow in most grain farming operations. The present device consists of a small sweep of approximately two inches width that can be detachably secured to the tines of a tine harrow and adjusted vertically to cultivate the surface of the soil or at any depth up to the maximum depth penetrated by the harrow tines. Alternatively, the sweeps can be reversed on the tines and used as packers. The device may be used for relatively light weeding operations, to facilitate the proper incorporation of herbicides and to provide a level and prepared seed bed.

Abstract: A cultivator shank is adapted for mounting at one end on a cultivator frame and has an open C-shaped central section with its other end receiving a ground engaging tool. In between its ends, the shank tapers through a profile of changing sectional dimension so that its central section is deeper or thicker, in line with the direction of travel, than the dimension of the central section transverse to the direction of travel.

Abstract: A spring tine for an agricultural implement for soil cultivation, composed of a bent spring blade having an upper end constituting a point of fastening for releasable attachment to the implement and having a lower end, and a carrier for the attachment of a working member for performing soil cultivation which causes a force to act on the tine along the line of action, the carrier being connected to the lower end of the spring blade and the spring blade having a cross section which varies over its length in such a manner that the axial area moment of inertia I of a cross-sectional plane, divided by one-half the blade thickness, is proportional to the linear distance of that cross-sectional plane from the line of action of the force acting on the tine.

Abstract: A cultivating tool assembly for attachment to the tool bar of a cultivator frame utilizes an upright bracket for connection to the tool bar and an arm member pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and extending substantially horizontally therebehind. A coil spring biasing arrangement is also pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and extends in parallel relation to the arm member, connecting to a cradle forming a leverage arm extending upwardly from an outer end of the arm member. A tool shank having an elongate, generally horizontally extending upper end is affixed to the arm member and curves outwardly and downwardly in a semi-circular arrangement, culminating at a tool tip. The biasing arrangement is adjustable to vary the amount of force applied by the coil spring between the mounting bracket and cradle to control the running depth of the tool and to set the trip pressure.

Abstract: An adjustable Danish tine for a farm implement includes a notched vertical run for attachment to a tool bar by a U clamp.

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: 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 cultivating implement has an elongated, rotatable cultivating member that is driven to rotate about a horizontal axis. The cultivating member has a central support that defines its axis of rotation and the support is polygonal in cross-section with tines resiliently fastened to each side along the length of the support. Each tine has an outer, arcuately curved portion that is fastened to an inner portion through a coil having turns located to the rear and adjacent a succeeding side relative to the direction of its rotation. The outer portion has a replaceable blade at its outer free end and different blades can be secured to that free end. A further row of fixed but resilient tines is connected to the frame in front of the rotatable member and an additional row of resilient tines is pivoted to the frame, at the rear of the rotatable member.

Abstract: A plow bottom is pivotally connected to the stub beam on a substantially vertical axis and yieldable biasing devices are provided which permit the moldboard to pivot about the axis as plowing speed is increased. Both mechanical and fluid biasing devices are disclosed together with an additional embodiment wherein a hydraulic actuator under the control of the operator is used to pivotally adjust the plow bottom.

Abstract: A flexible earth-working tine is releasably fastened to a transverse tool bar by use of a pair of identical clamping parts, a keeper element and releasable fastening means. The clamping parts are disposed on vertically opposite sides of the tool bar and have corresponding front ends with aligned vertical openings to receive a bolt extending downwardly therethrough, the bolt also connecting with the mounting end of the flexible tine. Corresponding rear ends of the clamping parts are maintained in assembled relationship by a keeper element and the flexible tine extends from its mounting end in encircling relation to the tool bar with an upwardly extending portion passing between transversely spaced fingers extending rearwardly from the upper and lower clamping parts. The upwardly extending portion of the earth-working tine disposed between the fingers serves to maintain the keeper element in its operative position on the fingers.

Abstract: An earthworking implement mounted on a three-point hitch of a draft vehicle with a hitch assembly. The hitch assembly has L-shaped members mounted in clamps secured to a main transverse beam. A plurality of parallel linkages movably connect a transverse tool bar to the beam. Row guide units having longitudinally aligned guide wheels and furrowing tools are mounted with clamps to the tool bar. Earthworking tools are mounted with clamps to the tool bar. In one form, the earthworking tool is a blade sequentially moved into and out of the soil with a lifting wheel to dig water and snow holding basins or trenches in the soil.

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 disc mounting system includes the attachment of each disc to a disc gang bar via a dedicated leaf spring. Each of the leaf springs, which can be generally U shaped, are attached at a top end to the gang bar and at a lower leg to a disc spindle such that the disc is positioned at least partially alongside the spring lower leg. The mounting system allows the disc to deflect vertically, laterally or torsionally when the disc encounters an obstacle. An optional shield can be attached to the leaf spring to prevent soil and debris thrown out by adjacent discs from entering the spring. A disc scraper blade can also be attached to the shield.