Abstract: An agricultural device with a wear resistant coating comprising a shank portion that may be attached to an agricultural implement. First and second rear wings connect to an intermediate portion that connects to the shank portion. First and second shoulders are formed at the points where the rear wings meet the intermediate portion, and a patch of wear resistant coating is applied at each of the first and second shoulders. A first edge tapers forwardly from the first rear wing to a point, and a second edge tapers forwardly from the second rear wing to the point. Wear resistant coating may also be applied to the first and second edges or the point. Wear resistant coating may be applied to the agricultural device in a pattern that is specific to soil type.

Abstract: A seeding opener system which allows seeds or other particulate materials to be spread at an appropriate depth with minimal disruption of the ground surface. The seeding opener system generally includes an implement which is driven by a tractor. A cutter extends from the implement which includes a blade adapted to cut into the ground surface beneath the implement. The cutter is adjustable so as to lower the blade to a desired depth beneath the ground surface, or raise the blade above the ground surface when not in use. The blade includes a configuration which ensures that soil backfills over the blade to minimize disturbance of the ground surface during seeding operations. A deflector on the lower end of the blade ensures that seeds are uniformly distributed beneath the ground surface when in use.

Abstract: A tillage point (10) includes a body (12) with a flat nose (21) angled from the horizontal approximately 35 degrees, a more shallowly angled intermediate flat portion (22) behind the nose, and aft flat surfaces (28) angled downwardly in the outward direction to connections with rear wings (14). The wings (14) may be angled approximately 16 degrees downwardly in the outward direction and upwardly about 28 degrees in the aft direction to significantly improve soil fracture, vertical force and draft. The wings (14) may be positioned far back on the point body entirely above an increased strength shank mounting area (16). Use of the flat angled surfaces (21, 22, 28) improves soil rupture compared to points with more rounded surfaces. The downwardly angled flat surfaces (28) above and adjacent the wings (14) provide soil parting for improved flow around the shank.

Abstract: An apparatus for storage vessel deployment includes a plow for deployment of a flexible vessel that includes a body having an outer wall and an inner wall extending along a bore passing through the body. The body also has an intermediate wall extending between the outer wall and the inner wall, wherein a vessel cavity is formed between the inner and outer walls that is configured to receive the flexible vessel in a pre-deployment configuration.

Abstract: The present invention has several aspects to it, one of which is the provision of a chisel point which is straight and tapered from its thinnest part at the extreme front to a thicker part at the rear thereof for causing a sweep to wear longer than prior art sweeps. This sweep also improves soil penetration and is self-sharpening. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an earth working sweep having a front end, a right side, a left side, and a central upper portion for connecting the sweep to an implement. It also has a right rear wing portion and a left rear wing portion with an intermediate portion connecting the front end to the central upper rear portion and the left and right rear wing portions. A right edge and a left edge have concave edges on the front and convex edges on the back so as to form a somewhat S-shaped configuration which reduces scrap when being made and adds to the longevity and performance of the sweep.

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: 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: An agricultural sweep has a main body with a cutting edge including a tip and winged portions extending away from the tip. The tip and winged portions have hardfacing material on them. In the improvement, the width of the hardfacing material on the tip is greater than the width of the hardfacing material on the winged portions, thereby conforming the location of hardfacing material to a soil pressure gradient along the cutting edge. A new method for applying a hardfacing material to an agricultural sweep includes the steps of (a) determining a face pressure gradient resulting from soil passing across the face and applying hardfacing material to those portions of the face at which the gradient exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A soil working tool in the form of a streamlined tool 10 having a concave ridge-like edge 11 extending along a major portion of the length of the tool and being equipped with recessed holes 12 and 13 so the tool can be secured to a shank. The tool has a relatively narrow deep body including a leading toe section 14 which is square and bevelled at 15. The body diverges rearwardly to a heel 16 and the ridge-like edge 11 is upright and inclined rearwardly and extends from a point 17 in close proximity to the toe section 14 for the full length of the tool to an upper end 18.The ridge-like edge is initially shallow and then has a relatively pronounced change in inclination about one third the way along the ridge-like edge but is still generally monotonically curved to provide a uniform action over the length of the tool.

Abstract: Knock-on sweep mounting structure includes a combination of first and second tapers, and mating notch structure in the sweep connecting portion and in the mounting structure on the shank, to provide easy installation and prevent sweep loss. The notch structure facilitates easy connection of the sweep on the mounting structure by rotational movement of the sweep at a single narrowed attaching location between the tapers. Once on the mounting structure, the sweep can slide along the shank. By forcing the sweep upwardly, the sweep is wedge-locked in the field-working position on the first taper. The second taper, opposite in direction from the first taper, fits against the naturally occurring shape of the bottom of the sweep connecting portion to retain the sweep on the shank if the sweep is dislodged from the first taper. The combination of tapers with the notch structure located therebetween substantially reduces the possibility of a sweep accidentally falling off the shank.

Abstract: An agricultural sweep for being attached to a tractor for pulling the agricultural sweep across the ground. The agricultural sweep incudes a ground engaging portion having a cutting edge for cutting through the ground as the sweep is pulled across the ground; a stem portion for attaching the ground engaging portion to a tractor; and an extended wear portion applied to the stem portion for rendering the stem portion resistant to abrasion.

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: In a sprigger a tiller aligned with a plow and weighted to disks. The tiller breaks the ground forming narrow grooves into which fertilizer may be distributed and a plow following behind, preferably at a depth less than that of the tiller, forms a substantially flat bottomed furrow in the path of the groove. A plurality of chutes are aligned, one over each of the furrows, and a separator mounted above the chutes loosens the sprigs and distributes them through the chutes into the furrows. Weighted disks shift the ridges of loose soil over the sprigs and trailing tires on the sprigger transport carriage compact the earth over the sprigs. Each of the plows operates in a three-stage fashion, with V-shaped blades cutting the horizontal path through the earth, a lifting wedge raising the cut earth at a modest angle above the furrow and a pair of curling plates having convex surfaces curling the uplifted earth into ridges on either side of the plow to provide a clean, consistent furrow.

Abstract: A blade construction for a cultivator blade or a cultivator sweep, wherein the blade is adapted to sever plants from the ground by digging up the roots, to permit collection of the plants and subsequent separation of the fruit contained thereon. The blade includes first and second elongated body portions that have respective upper surfaces that are disposed relative to each other to define an obtuse included angle. The forward body portion includes a cutting edge that extends longitudinally of the blade, the cutting edge defined by the intersection of the upper planar surface of the first body portion with a longitudinally-extending grinding surface that is oriented at an acute angle relative to the forward upper planar surface. The obtuse included angle between the first and second body portions can range from about 150.degree. to about 170.degree., and the acute angle at the grinding surface can range from about 25.degree. to about 35.degree..

Abstract: A method of killing soil pathogens to improve the agricultural production of a field comprises the steps of moving a plurality of agricultural tools through the soil and during this movement emitting microwave energy into the soil at a frequency within the range of 2GH.sub.z to 12GH.sub.z. The microwave energy heats the soil organisms to levels sufficient to kill the organisms.

Abstract: An agricultural share having a working portion with a front face, a rear face and two sides converging to a forward point. A plurality of depressions are formed on the rear face of the working portion in the vicinity of the two sides for the purpose of achieving a reduction in the "footprint" area of the share. Additionally, the depressions serve to trap soil therein with the result that there is a reduction in wear on the rear face.

Abstract: A multi-function draft implement for opening, seeding, and fertilizing is disclosed. The implement provides a vertical knife opener for creating a vertical trench in the ground, a horizontal sweep for opening a horizontal swath in the ground and creating a seed-supporting shelf. The seed-supporting shelf thus created allows the seeds to be deposited on the shelf on either side of the vertical trench. Fertilizer can be placed in the vertical trench and the ground is replaced over the shelf-supported seed and fertilizer. In one embodiment, the vertical knife is biased with respect to the horizontal sweep and depth-controlling ground-engaging wheels are provided for controlling the depth of the planting sweep. In another embodiment, the vertical knife and the horizontal sweep are in adjustable fixed relation.

Abstract: A moldboard plow apparatus having alternate and cooperating moldboards or so-called "scoops". The first of the moldboards digs out and lifts a first soil section from a ground surface thereby forming a first furrow or so-called "cut". The second moldboard or so-called "scoop" cuts and lifts a second soil section thereby forming a second furrow, parallel to and usually adjacent to the first furrow. The moldboards are shaped such that a rearward movement of the soil sections on the respective moldboards causes the soil sections to be inverted and thrown from the moldboards into the opposite furrow in an upside-down condition. Thus the first soil section is thrown into the section furrow and the second soil section is thrown into the first furrow.

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: A soil-working tine has a recess extending along its wearing edge. The recess captures some soil as the tine passes through the soil. The soil captured in the recess acts as a wearing edge, reducing wear on the material of the tine.

Abstract: A shank mounting assembly for a soil opening point permits adjustment of the spacing between a pair of mounting bolts of the assembly for permitting attachment of the assembly to farm implement shanks having bolt holes of various spacings. The assembly includes an elongated adapter having a hidden, internal cavity to which access is gained only by an elongated slot on the backside of the adapter. The cavity and slot are so dimensioned that while the bolts may move lengthwise within the slot for positioning adjustment, the enlarged heads of the bolts remain in the cavity and cannot pass through the slot. By having the cavity accessible only from the back of the adapter and by providing the front face of the adapter with a smooth, continuous, soil-engaging surface, the heads of the bolts are protectively unexposed to abrasive contact with the soil during use.

Abstract: A chicane system is provided in a belt filter press in a gravity drainage zone. The gravity drainage zone includes a movable filter belt, an inlet section for receiving a suspension on the filter belt, and an outlet for discharging separated liquid and solid components of the suspension. A support member is mounted over the filter belt and has a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the filter belt movement. A plurality of flow turners depend from the support member and engage the filter belt to prevent clogging of the filter belt by the suspension solid component. Each flow turner includes a plow portion extending into the suspension and engaging the filter belt and a coupling portion fixed to the support member. The opposite ends of the support member are slidably coupled to the retaining walls for floating translatory movement of the support member and flow turners in a vertical direction toward and away from the filter belt during operation.

Abstract: Standard shovels, particularly shovels used in deep tillage implements, vibra chisel or vibra shank cultivators and the like tend to push or roll the soil ahead in front of the shovel leading to high wear and heavy draft conditions. The present shovel is V-shaped with a relatively high center thus giving a plowing effect and turning the soil over and away upon each side thereof. A substantially centrally located depression is formed when the shovel is pressed out thereby forming a recess on the front side and a flattened bearing surface on the rear side thus providing a good anchoring and bearing area when bolted through the flattened portion and onto the shank. The bolt heads are protected and the invention can be incorporated also on shovels with wings or sweeps on each side of the high center central portion.

Abstract: An agricultural clean-out drag particularly adapted to smooth out dikes, is mounted upon a boom. The drag is pivoted rearward of center so the front of the drag tends to hang down to bear against the ground. The drag is a shell, semi-circular in shape. The front is flat. The boom is pivoted behind the plow shank and is spring biased downward. The front of the drag is chained to the boom to limit the downward travel of the front of the drag.

Abstract: A plow shank has a digging blade attached to the lower extremity thereof by an adaptor. The digging blade has an inclined upper arcuate surface to which the adaptor is releasably secured. The adaptor is also releasably secured to the lower extremity of the shank, such that the blade is located below the lower extremity of the shank to enable the blade to present a low forward facing rounded profile.

Abstract: In the art of plant propagation having as its object increased yields and profits for the agricultural industry through proper techniques of soil and furrow preparation, in conjunction with controlled seed orientation, a multi-purpose, wedge-shaped follower is provided for use with a soil-slicing, furrow opener of a seed planter, specially configured and sized, and strategically located on a runner in a manner to assure a truly V-shaped, seed-receiving furrow having firmed side walls, and to increase the useful life of the slicer by decreasing the wear caused by the abrasive effect of the soil thereon.