Abstract: A tiller (100) configured to be pulled by a tractor includes a support structure (110) comprising a hitch assembly (112), a rotor housing (120), and a rear support (114). A rotary tiller assembly (150) is rotatably mounted in the rotor housing. A drive assembly (130) includes a gear box that receives power from a power takeoff and splits the power between left and right belt drives that engage either end of the tiller rotor (151). A bed former assembly (170) extends rearward from the tiller and includes a pan with a converging channel and a distal portion, positioned to receive tilled soil to form a raised bed. Shovel assemblies (190) are disposed on either side of the rotary tiller assembly.

Abstract: A tongue pulled spreader and grader system having a pair of spaced apart sidewalls and cross beams to define a frame portion, a plurality of moveable or fixed blades extending between the sidewalls, each blade positionable along the length of each sidewall and fixed in position at a predetermined angle; a tongue for mounting the frame to the rear of a vehicle; a pair of wheels positioned on an axle on either side of the sidewalls; means for manually or hydraulically extending the wheels to a down position to make contact with a surface in order to transport the spreader and grader and for retracting the wheels to an up position so that the spreader and grader can undertake the grading process. The spreader and grader can attach to and be operated by ATVs, SUVs, light trucks, lawn tractors, sub compact tractors, side by side ATVs and fork trucks.

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: The present invention generally relates to a method for treating a subterranean formation with an aqueous viscoelastic treating fluid that an aqueous base fluid and one or more non-ionic amido amine oxide surfactant gelling agents. The treatment method comprises injecting the aqueous viscoelastic surfactant treating fluid through a wellbore and into the subterranean formation under conditions effective to control fluid loss, and breaking the gel of the aqueous viscoelastic treating fluid subsequent to treating said formation.

Abstract: A milling unit for the beating of snow-covered slopes consisting of a box-shaped structure comprising a central part to which two side parts are connected by hinging elements, in order to allow for oscillation. The structure has two hooking elements for its connection to a tool-holder, in turn connected to a rear part of the vehicle and, on the opposite side the structure has a rake for the beating of the snow. Inside each of the side portions of the structure there is a side miller and within the central structure there is a central miller, where the side millers can be activated in rotation by at least one motor, and each one of them is connected to the central miller by a constant-velocity transmission. The hinging axles do not pass through the axles of the central and the side millers.

Abstract: A horizontal-axis cutter for soil cultivation of the type comprising a horizontal-axis rotor (2) fitted with a number of blades and a gear motor (4), connected on one side to the power take-off of the tractor and on the other to the rotor, in which the gear motor is located in the front part of the machine, forward of a vertical axis A--A passing through the rotor axis.The cutter includes a pair of stiffening bars (10. 11), one fitted at the front of the machine and the other at the back of it, the stiffening bars constituting an integral part of the machine frame and being able to slide inside corresponding seatings in a support (1) to be connected to the power take-off of the tractor.

Abstract: A hood assembly includes a hood member and an adjustable length stabilizing link. The stabilizing link is movable between a first position at which the link maintains a bottom surface of the hood member in a substantially parallel relationship with a ground, or soil, surface and a second position at which the link tilts, or rotates, the hood member and thereby moves the bottom surface of the hood member to a nonparallel orientation with the ground surface. When in the tilted position, a portion of the bottom surface of the hood member is spaced from the ground surface at a distance sufficient to permit access for the repair or service of elements normally protectively enclosed by the hood member.

Abstract: A hood support assembly (18) for controllably supporting a hood member (16) on an earth working machine (10) includes a support member (20) that is pivotally mounted, at each of two end portions (22,24) to the frame (12) of the machine. Arm members (26,28) and stop members (42,44) are attached to each of the end portions (22,24) of the support member (20). A pair of adjustable links (34,36) respectively pivotally connect the hood member (16) to each of the arm members (26,28). A pair of springs (52,54) attached to the frame (12) cooperate with the stop members (42,44) to maintain the lateral orientation of the hood member (16) with respect to the frame (12) and support a portion of the weight of the hood member during ground engaging operation of the machine (10).

Abstract: The flexible tiller has a center and two end sections, each including a cutter bar, frame, apron and grooming bar. The two tiller end sections are connected flexibly to the ends of the center section by frame to frame hinges and by cutter to cutter universal joints, so that the end sections can rotate freely about the hinges. The tiller center section is secured to the towing mechanism to oscillate about a central horizontal axis in the direction of travel. The oscillating center section and the two pivotally attached end sections cooperate to enable the tiller to closely conform to and thoroughly groom rolling snow paths without reducing them to flat ones. The rolling paths are enjoyable to ski, and are slower and safer. A controllable hydraulic ram is mounted to act across each hinge, so that the operator may select the degree of bending permitted at each hinge, and may hydraulically lock it into selected position, if desired.

Abstract: A ground-working implement which comprises a rotary tiller or like groundosening unit and a smoothing board located behind the tiller. Both the unit and the smoothing board are subdivided generally centrally and the sections are connected by a ball and hinge joint, respectively, for the unit and the board to allow compensatory adjustment of the inclinations of the sections for varying terrains.

Abstract: A ground-working implement for rotary field tilling or ice or snow-tending n ski slopes or the like which is drawn by a tractor or a tracked vehicle and which comprises a holder connected to the vehicle pendulously by a longitudinal beam which can be raised and lowered. The holder is connected to a rotary ground-loosening unit and a smoothing board by a four-point linkage whose cranks are dimensioned so that upon raising of the ground-loosening unit the orientation of the smoothing board remains largely unaltered thereby allowing the latter to be used for leveling the ground when the ground-loosening unit is in its raised or rest position.

Abstract: A tiller cover assembly covering a rotary tiller unit is provided inside thereof with rake members arranged at a spacing along the width of cultivation for sieving lumps or blocks of soil carried around by the tiller unit. Each of the raker members is made of a resilient rod which has a coiled portion toward its base end and is fixed to an attaching member at the base end above the coiled portion. The coiled portions of the rake members are projected toward an upwardly or downwardly movable rear cover of the cover assembly, permitting the rear cover to contact the coiled portions. A clearance is formed between sieving portions of the rake members extending downward from the coiled portions to their free ends and the rear cover. A protector is provided on the inner side of the coiled portions, by which the lumps or blocks of soil carried around by the tiller unit are prevented from striking the coiled portions.

Abstract: A rotation control system for the mattock (2) of a tuft-building forest mattock, whereby rotation of the mattock is adapted to be braked or stopped stepwise in a manner that each pick (3) in turn works a whole in the first stage, in the second stage the pick (3) of the mattock removes surface deposit from between the obtained hole and a tuft to be built, and in the third stage, as mattock (2) is allowed to rotate freely, pick (3) leaves the loosened earth behind as a tuft. In order to make the sticking angle and depth dictated by the start moment of braking stages readily adjustable according to various qualities of soil, at a certain angle of rotation of the mattock a first impulse sensor actuates a first delay timer (6), adapted after a settable delay time to turn on a brake (11) for setting out the first stage of the mattock (2).

Abstract: A tractor drawn tillage implement having a front hood, rippers, a rotary tiller and a row former, conditions tight adobe soil ready for planting in one pass. The front hood, having rock deflectors, protects the operator from airborne objects while containing dust and soil disturbed by the rippers and the tiller. The rippers fracture the soil to aid water and root penetration, to increase water retention of the subsoil and to constrain development of hard pan. The rotatary tiller, driven by an auxiliary power unit and having its axis of rotation at or submerged below the ground surface, mulches the soil and plant residue and aerates the soil commensurate with rearward airborne discharge of the soil. A row former deflects the airborne soil into rows of predetermined height and width ready for planting and provides an air tight shroud to control dust and airborne objects. A tool bar is also incorporated for supporting add ons, such as fertilizers and planters.

Abstract: A cultivating machine has groups of soil working tines that are mounted on an elongated support that is driven to rotate about a horizontal axis. The tines are mounted in spaced apart groups and guide members converge at the rear of the groups to form ridges of worked soil. Each group includes tine units that are formed by opposing bracket portions clamped to the support. Strikers can be mounted on the support between groups of tines and the strikers are pivotable about respective horizontal axes spaced from the support's axis of rotation. The strikers are positioned to excise crop leaves or emerged growth on the ridges. Hoods and a grating ensure that the top layer of worked soil is free of debris. Screening plates having obliquely upwardly and inwardly inclined inner edges are located at the lower, front, outer corners of the hood to prevent the rearwardly adjacent time groups from displacing soil too far laterally.

Abstract: A hammer plow is provided with a series of disks spaced along and rotatable with a sleeve that turns about an axle on a number of bearings located therebetween. Each of the disks has a plurality of hammers rotatably attached thereto, which are free to rotate in complete circles. The rotatable length of the hammers is shorter than the distance from the points of attachment to the disks to the sleeves or spacers therebetween. A hammer striking an obstruction in ground to be plowed will not break, but is free to counter-rotate relative to the disk to which it is attached. Numerous agricultural and construction grading operations can be performed in a single pass of the device over ground to be plowed.

Abstract: A ground working implement comprises a frame, a rotary ground working unit supported by the frame and rotatable about a horizontal axis, a transmission for the working unit, a cover assembly covering the working unit and including a movable cover, and a holder detachably engageable with the frame and the cover to hold the cover while the cover is in contact with the ground at a position to the rear of and spaced from the peripheral portion of the working unit in contact with the ground. Thus the cover cooperates with the working unit to serve as a stand for holding the implement in its upright position. The cover is also holdable in a raised position by the holder to facilitate the maintenance of the working unit. The cover can also be shaped to have a front contact portion and a rear contact portion continuous therewith and positioned at a lower level than the front contact portion with an intermediate portion therebetween held out of contact with the ground by a space.

Abstract: A cultivating implement has rotatable soil working members that are driven about upwardly extending axes to work overlapping paths of soil. The cultivating members have downwardly extending tines. Neighboring members cooperate and are driven to turn in relative opposite directions. At the rear of the cultivating members, a beam with soil distributing members is positioned near the ground level to receive soil from cooperating members and distribute same laterally. The beam and distributing members can pivot against spring opposition to deflect rearward and avoid an obstacle.

Abstract: A soil working implement for use in forming a raised soil bed is disclosed. The implement includes a carriage assembly and a plowing tool mounted for rotation on the carriage assembly. The plowing tool includes a cylindrical rim and an array of soil digging teeth rigidly secured to the rim and projecting radially with respect thereto for moving soil laterally relative to the line of travel of the implement. Each tooth is characterized by an inclined face slanting away from the direction of rotation of the rim and converging to form a cutting edge which is canted at an oblique angle with respect to the line of travel.

Abstract: Improvements in rotary harrows whereby an odd number of soil-working members are rotatably journalled thereon, the members having an even number on each side of a gear box located over one of the members, the gear box being in driving engagement with mechanism for rotating all of the members. The soil-working members include downwardly extending soil engaging tines removably mounted on the harrow, some of the tines differing in length than other of the tines. Shaper plates may be provided before the conventional roller of the harrow and improved crowders may be provided between the tines and the shaper plates. Tunnels to protect plants may also be provided between the tines and the plates aligned with spacing therebetween. Side shields may also be provided on the harrow for containing soil or the like within the area being plowed by the harrow.

Abstract: A cultivating machine has tines mounted on an elongated horizontal support that is driven to move the tines forwardly through the soil towards the normal direction of travel. The tines are in groups along the length of the support and each group has a number of pairs of opposing units. Each unit includes bracket portions having two rims and a tine is fastened to each rim. Opposing portions are bolted together to form a whole bracket that mounts four tines around the support. Each tine is a strip-shaped member that is hook-like in configuration with an inner straight portion and an outer soil working portion having a pointed tip. The inner portion has a series of holes along its length which can be releasably fastened to a respective rim in any one of a plurality of positions that change the working length of the tine. A front hood partially surrounds the tines and support and a rod grating is positioned at the rear of the tines. A rear hood is connected to the machine and located behind the grating.

Abstract: A tillage machine includes a main frame that supports rotary soil working tined members and various additional tools that can be detachably fastened to the main frame in combination with the rotary tined members to landscape in one pass. For primary use, a ripper assembly is detachably fastened at the front of the frame in advance of the rotary soil working members. A pulverizer-support roller is detachably fastened to the frame in a trailing position and a leveler bar supported between the roller and the rotary members to prevent ridging. A seed box with delivery system can be mounted on the roller frame and driven by a transmission connected to the roller axle. A packer roller is detachably pivoted to the frame to leave the ground in a finished condition.

Abstract: A towed levee forming apparatus and method of using for forming a dike or levee which is particularly suited for use with agriculture operations. The apparatus includes a plurality of laterally spaced digger means for forming corresponding ditches in the ground surface and having a helical auger means transporting the earth removed from the ditches to a predetermined location on the apparatus. The removed earth is then deposited at the predetermined location on the earth surface and worked to form a levee of desired cross-section. The levee formation is preferably accomplished in a single pass of the apparatus.

Abstract: A soil cultivating machine has a row of driven rotatable soil working members and a tool bar at the rear thereof to which tools, such as seed drills can be attached. The machine is connectable to a tractor lift and the members are driven via a p.t.o. At least one supporting member is detachably connected to the machine frame and the tool bar for operational support and transport purposes. The supporting member is elongated and extends rearwardly from the frame above the tool bar and to a rear support wheel. The supporting member includes a forward support that is pivoted to a rear arm and a hydraulic assembly bridges the pivot connection. Actuation of the assembly lifts the machine, including any tools on the tool bar so that the entire machine with attachments are supported solely by the tractor lift and the rear wheel or wheels.

Abstract: A tractor drawn cultivator comprises a frame extending transversely to the direction of movement of the tractor. A plurality of spaced apart vertical axis rotary driven cultivator members comprising downwardly extending tines are supported from the frame. Surrounding each cultivating member and suspended from the frame is a screen having two spaced apart side walls and an interconnecting rear wall. The side walls have forwardly and outwardly diverging front parts with rearwardly and downwardly extending leading edges. At least a portion of the rear wall is vertically adjustable to control the rate of soil release from the screen. A tool bar to the rear of the main frame may support a plurality of ridging bodies, one behind each cultivator member.

Abstract: A device in the nature of a rotary tiller equipped for traveling through fields as well as uneven terrain, for effectively chopping up encountered clods, vegetation and debris, and mixing same with the soil. We utilize a framework in which either of two different types of bladed, couner-rotating rotors may be effectively mounted, with one type of rotor having a number of outwardly extending teeth that are adapted for penetrating the ground as the tiller device moves thereover. The outermost portion of each tooth is provided with a novel cutting blade, which may interact with a stationary shear bar, with this type of blade being well adapted for chopping up encountered vegetation and for mixing it thoroughly with the soil.

Abstract: A horizontal frame coupled to a tractor is provided with a single disc mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis on the center line of the frame and driven by the power take off shaft of a tractor with the disc carrying a plurality of cutter teeth which are curved radially and whose outboard ends are bent alternately in the opposite axial direction for loosening the soil in front of a pair of discs mounted on either side of a coulter. A pair of soil guide plates are positioned on each side of the trench being dug and behind the coulter, converging plates mounted to the frame and extending vertically above the plane of the coulter and the soil guide plates and converging behind the guide plates, fill in the trench while rollers mounted for rotation about their axis on either side of the center line of the coulter and to the rear of the converging plates press the soil of the filled in trench in the direction of the trench center line.

Abstract: A cultivator has soil working blade members mounted on a horizontal shaft which is driven to rotate the members forwardly through the soil in the normal direction of travel. A baffle comprised of screen segments are mounted on the cultivator frame to partially surround the blade members. The screen segments are biased about respective pivots and a rod grating is connected to the baffle to extend downardly immediately to the rear of the blade members. The rear screen segment has V-shaped guides to ridge the soil. A hopper communicates with dosing outlets, each outlet being a nozzle device that extends between a pair of guides. Each nozzle device is pivotable to either one of two positions for planting tubers deep or shallow. A pair of rear wheels is connected to the rear of the frame and the wheels are drivenly connected to dosing conveyors leading to the outlets. An adjusting device is associated with each wheel to raise and lower the soil working blade members.