Abstract: An improved reciprocatory self-loading dual-ended earth excavation vehicle pivotally connected to two or more unmanned self-leveling and self-maneuvering telescopic conveyor vehicles, the latter in turn are pivotally connected to a multi-function dual-ended distribution vehicle capable of conveying, spreading, wetting, impacting and grading the earth fill. The above-mentioned articulated vehicles provide the means to excavate, convey and discharge a virtually continuous flow of earth while traveling in a forward or rearward direction. The excavation and telescopic conveyor vehicles are readily adaptable to surface mining of various minerals including coal and oil shale by simply exchanging the above-mentioned distribution vehicle for a pivotally connected boom conveyer vehicle which provides the means for discharging the ore at a mill site or for the loading of long haul ore carriers.

Abstract: The specification describes a beet harvesting machine having apparatus for digging the beets and apparatus for elevating them either to a truck or to a holding tank in which the holding tank is provided with a horizontal conveyor for discharging the beets from the holding tank and with a downwardly and inwardly sloping front wall which terminates short of the horizontal conveyor and the bottom portion of which is hinged on a horizontal axis so that it can be swung to a vertical position to minimize the opening between the front wall and the horizontal conveyor or to a forward extended position to maximize the opening between the front wall and the horizontal conveyor.

Abstract: A material unloader for forage or the like includes a closed box-type body having interior unloading mechanism for delivering material to an exterior chute and has at least one, and preferably two, latchable closures for providing access to the body interior. The unloading mechanism is designed for connection to a source of power exteriorly of the body and locking apparatus on the closures is arranged for purposes of safety so that the unloading mechanism must be rendered inoperable to effect the opening of any closure and cannot be made operable while any closure is open and affording access to such mechanism. This unloader may be mounted on a wheeled chassis for towing or mounted on a self-propelled vehicle.

Abstract: In a crop roll forming machine having a reversibly rotatable bale forming means and a drive means there is provided a control means affixed to the frame movable between at least a first position and a second position for cooperative interaction with the drive means and the bale forming means to selectively cause the bale forming means to cease being driven in a first direction and cause it to be driven in an opposing second direction when the control means is moved from the first position to the second position so that a completed crop roll is ejected rearwardly from the machine onto the ground.

Abstract: A fast acting clutching and de-clutching mechanism in combination with a safety apparatus for a forage wagon is disclosed. Two interconnected alternative input drive shafts, one of the unloading from the front of the wagon and the other for the unloading to the rear thereof, are connected to the operable components of the wagon via a two-jaw clutch. Manually operated trip mechanisms adjacent the main openings in the wagon box are used to rapidly disengage the clutch jaws whenever sufficient contact is made therewith. A manual reset device is employed to engage the clutch jaws and reactivate the trip mechanisms.

Abstract: A self-propelled sod harvesting machine includes a cutter head which separates a strip of sod from the ground, an elevator for raising the sod strip on the machine, and a blade assembly for cutting individual sod pads from the strip. A conveyer for the sod pads includes a plurality of spaced apart chains drawn around sprockets and carrying outwardly projecting teeth which penetrate the pads from the top. The teeth are arranged to pinch the sod in a manner to retain it on the conveyer as the individual pads are successively carried to a sod box containing a pallet. A stripping mechanism is lowered in a rocking type stroke to strip the sod pads off of the conveyer teeth and onto the pallet in a stack.

Abstract: A bale wagon having a bale-receiving area, a bale-accumulating area, means for transferring bales from the bale-receiving area to the bale-accumulating area, and an improved means for sensing the location of bales on the bale-receiving area and activating the means for transferring is disclosed. The improved sensing and activating means includes a cantilevered arm pivotable about a vertical axis between first and second predetermined sensing locations. A follower fixed to the arm and movable therewith either activates a sensor after a predetermined amount of radial movement corresponding to the second sensing location, or engages a spacer which is caused to activate the sensor after another smaller amount of radial movement corresponding to the first sensing location.

Abstract: An apparatus for laying sod comprising a wheeled frame which is propelled and steered by means of an engine which drives hydraulic motors connected to the drive wheels thereof. A sod platform is pivotally mounted adjacent its forward end to the wheeled frame and may be raised from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position by means of a hydraulic cylinder connected thereto. A fork-like support is provided at the forward end of the platform and is adapted to be inserted into a sod pallet when the platform is in the vertical position. As the platform is moved to the horizontal position, the sod members are positioned on the platform at the forward end thereof. A first conveyor is movably mounted on the platform to convey the sod members towards the rearward end of the platform. An upstanding support is secured to the conveyor for movement therewith for maintaining the sod members in a substantial upstanding position on the conveyor.