Abstract: A mower deck can include a linkage that enables adjusting the height of the mower deck with a single action. The mower deck can include a rolling mechanism support arm at each corner and a coupling mechanism that extends between the front and rear rolling mechanism support arms on each side of the mower deck. A shaft can extend between the two front rolling mechanism support arms and can be rotated via an actuator. When the shaft is rotated, the front rolling mechanism support arms will rotate in unison, and the coupling mechanisms will cause the rear rolling mechanism support arms to also rotate in unison. In this way, a single action can cause the height of the mower deck to be adjusted. Alternatively, a mower deck can include a height adjustment mechanism at each corner of the mower deck which can be controlled synchronously to adjust the height.

Abstract: The ditch-cleaning device is an accessory for a continuous track machinery that is either dragged along or driven forwardly via the machinery in order to clear out and forcibly throw undergrowth from a ditch or depressed surface. The accessory is constructed of a drum upon which a plurality of scoops and digger teeth adorn specific regions along an exterior and of which strip and subsequently throw said undergrowth. The drum is rotated while the machinery moves along a ditch or depressed surface such that the digger teeth strip said undergrowth, and subsequently the scoops forcibly throw said undergrowth away from the ditch or depressed surface. A protective cover may be included with and cover a top half of said drum so as to prevent debris from being thrown from said device.

Abstract: A device is suspended from cables or other flexible or articulated structures, for the mixing in situ of earth for the formation of underground walls or diaphragms includes in its lower part a disaggregator (1) for the disaggregation of the earth. Above the disaggregator is positioned a corrector (5, 13) for the direction of the excavation.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for excavating rock, minerals and the like, which includes a hub 22 connected to a rotatable drive. Cutting elements such as picks 20a are supported by tool holders connected to the hub. The picks 20a project radially from the hub, and are arranged in oblique relationship to the axis of rotation of the hub. The drive means is preferably designed to impart an eccentric, superimposed percussive action on the hub 22. During use the hub 22 is positioned facing a rock surface and urged along the rock face in transverse relationship to the axis of rotation of the hub, thereby causing the picks 20a to undercut an adjacent region of rock, and thereby excavating successivel layers of rock.

Abstract: A self-propelled trench-cutting machine includes a chassis and a drive assembly mounted to the chassis for driving the machine along a surface to be cut. The machine includes a boom and a rock cutting wheel that is mounted on the boom for rotation about a wheel axis. The boom has a first end and a second end and is mounted along a side of the chassis for pivotal movement about a pivot axis at the first end. A mechanism is provided for rotating the rock cutting wheel about the wheel axis, and a locking mechanism is provided that is adapted to lock the second end of the boom to the chassis.

Abstract: A self-propelled rotary excavator having a plurality of booms forming a boom assembly attached to a chassis, with a rotary cutting device attached to the end of the boom assembly. The boom assembly positions the rotary cutting device at a desired position in regard to the chassis or moving portion of the self-propelled rotary excavator. The position of the rotary cutting device is maintainable (preferably controlled by lasers) so as to provide a ditch which has a constant grade regardless of the undulations of the land upon which the self-propelled rotary excavator traverses. An operator of the self-propelled rotary excavator can also independently control both the depth of the cut produced by the rotary cutting device and the distance in a direction perpendicular to the depth of the cut produced by the rotary cutting device.

Abstract: A stump grinder designed for pivotable attachment to the three point hitch of an agricultural tractor via a pivot frame and includes a stump grinding wheel driven by the tractor PTO. The stump grinder includes a frame with an outer sleeve which telescopes over an inner sleeve, which inner sleeve is attached, in turn, to a stump grinder assembly which includes the grinding wheel. A first, telescoping hydraulic piston & cylinder unit selectively extends the stump grinding assembly and a second reciprocating piston & cylinder unit selectively pivots or reciprocates the stump grinder assembly from side to side. An optional hydraulic pump can be attached to the stump grinder assembly to drive one or both piston & cylinder units if the tractor is not so equipped.

Abstract: A rotary ditcher has a flywheel type rotor carrying impeller blades that pick up and throw soil to the side of the rotor as the rotor is advanced into a body of soil in the direction of its axis of rotation. In advance of the rotor are two ripper blades that loosen the soil to be picked up and discharged by the rotor.

Abstract: A rotatable apparatus for placing lengths of flexible pipe and cable a distance beneath the surface of the ground leaving the soil substantially intact. The pipe laying apparatus includes a shaft having an exterior, a plurality of cutting bits removably mounted on the shaft and a device for securing the cutting bits on the shaft. The cutting bits each have a base, a tool bit, and an attachment device to prevent any rotation by the cutting bits relative to the shaft. The tool bits have a leading cutting edge, a cutting surface extending from the leading cutting edge, and an inclined surface separating the cutting surface and the base. As the shaft rotates, the leading cutting edge and the cutting surface cut through the soil and push it in towards the inclined surface, which in turn displaces the soil in an axial direction. The pipe laying apparatus also includes a plurality of spacers removably mounted to the shaft separating the cutting bits.

Abstract: A folding boom side-ditcher which has a two-stage chain (or belt) drive from the power take-off (PTO) of a tractor. A laterally movable counterweight is provided so the folding boom has maximum side reach without danger of upset. Hydraulic actuating cylinders are provided for moving and positioning the boom and the counterweight, which are connected to the hydraulic system of the tractor in the conventional manner. The two-stage chain (or belt) drive for operating the digger head transfers more power through a two-stage reduction sprocket system, and the digging capacity at the digger head is increased substantially. This side-ditcher is more versatile because of the flexible boom, and it is considerably less expensive than the prior hydraulic drive systems of conventional side-ditchers.

Abstract: The ditching apparatus includes a prime mover (A) and an arm assembly (B) for selectively positioning a ditching head (C). The ditching head includes a rotatably mounted circular supporting member (34) to which a plurality of mounting brackets (44) are mounted transversely and radially about an axis of rotation (36). A plurality of blades (50) are mounted to the brackets by a plurality of bolts (84). Each blade has first and second faces (66, 68) which are disposed symmetrically about a face axis (78). The faces terminate at first and second edges (52, 54) which are disposed symmetrically about an edge axis (56) and at first and second ends (60, 62) which are symmetric about an end axis (64). The blade includes a plurality of mounting apertures (80, 82) which are symmetrical with respect to both the end and edge axes. In this manner, the blade is reversible about both the end and edge axes to be mounted selectively in any one of four positions.

Abstract: The ditching apparatus includes a prime mover (A) and an arm assembly (B) for selectively positioning a ditching head (C). The ditching head includes a rotatably mounted circular supporting member (34) to which a plurality of mounting brackets (44) are mounted transversely and radially about an axis of rotation (36). A plurality of blades (50) are mounted to the brackets by a plurality of bolts (84). Each blade has first and second faces (66, 68) which are disposed symmetrically about a face axis (78). The faces terminate at first and second edges (52, 54) which are disposed symmetrically about an edge axis (56) and at first and second ends (60, 62) which are symmetric about an end axis (64). The blade includes a plurality of mounting apertures (80, 82) which are symmetrical with respect to both the end and edge axes. In this manner, the blade is reversible about both the end and edge axis to be mounted selectively in any one of four positions.

Abstract: A tractor supported and driven mechanism for removing tree stumps which cause linear movement of a rotary cutter disk for milling away stumps from the side portions thereof. The mechanism incorporates a frame structure having a hydraulically driven slide supported and guided by parallel structural members of the frame. The cutter disk is rotatably supported on the slide structure and is driven by the power take-off of the tractor by means of an elongated non-circular drive shaft which is received in driving engagement by a central non-circular drive opening of the cutter. The cutter disk is movable along the length of the non-circular drive shaft while maintaining driving engagement therewith.

Abstract: A prime mover (A) has an arm assembly (B) pivotally connected thereto. A cutting assembly (C) is operatively connected with the arm assembly to be positioned thereby. The arm assembly is connected to the tractor to pivot about both vertical and horizontal axes such that the cutting means is positionable fore-and-aft as well as up and down. A hydraulic control circuit (D) controls the position of the arm assembly. The control circuit includes a first through-rod-type hydraulic cylinder (60) which includes a piston (62) slidably disposed therein to divide the cylinder into two equidiameter chambers (64, 66). A through-rod (68) is connected with the piston and extends through both chambers of the cyylinder. The hydraulic cylinder and the piston rod each have the same diameter in both chambers such that as the piston moves, one of the chambers draws the same amount of fluid as the other chamber discharges.