Abstract: A hydraulically-foldable agricultural machine frame includes a hydraulic cylinder assembly that connects and pivots two lateral parts of the hydraulically-foldable agricultural machine frame relative to one another, wherein unrestricted pivoting or folding of the lateral parts is prevented by movement of the hydraulic cylinder assembly only being guided or delimited laterally.

Abstract: A work machine with a first tire having a first tire pressure sensor configured to identify a first tire pressure, a load sensor coupled to the work machine and configured to measure an actual load weight, and a controller in communication with the first tire pressure sensor and the load sensor. Wherein, the controller identifies a tire pressure value with the first tire pressure sensor and the controller determines a current load weight threshold from a plurality of load weight thresholds with the tire pressure value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an implement load balancing method comprising sensing respective loads on one or more wheels supporting a central portion and one or more wheels supporting a wing portion, the central portion and the wing portion comprising segments of an implement; and causing, via actuation of a fluid-type cylinder, pivotal movement between the central portion and the wing portion based on the sensed loads, wherein the causing comprises causing fluid flow in one direction through the fluid-type cylinder based on a load on the one or more wheels supporting the central portion being greater than a load on the one or more wheels supporting the wing portion and causing fluid flow in an opposing direction through the fluid-type cylinder based on a load on the one or more wheels supporting the central portion being less than a load on the one or more wheels supporting the wing portion.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a main frame including fore-to-aft and cross frame members. Main lift and transport wheels are connected to rockshaft pedestal arms that are pivotally connected to the main frame by way of a rockshaft held by the main frame. The rockshaft is held spanning a distance between upper and lower fore-to-aft frame member components.

Abstract: A hose caddy is pivotally mounted on a powered implement connected to the boom arms of a loader to control the positioning of hydraulic hoses or electrical wiring. The hose caddy is formed with an elongated retention member that provides for the detachable mounting of a first support member at the upper end and a second support member at the lower end. Each support member has a detachable hose clamp member for engaging the hoses and controlling the positioning of the hoses relative to the retention member. The retention member is pivotally connected to an implement mounting bracket by a pivot pin. A spring biasing mechanism mounts on the pivot pin to bias the pivotal movement of the implement mounting bracket toward the retention member. A bunk defacing apparatus is also disclosed to facilitate the operation of dislodging and collecting silage material from a compacted bunker of silage material.

Abstract: In a swather a support arm is attached to the header to carry the heavy hydraulic hoses which are connected to the tractor for supplying the drive fluid to the hydraulic system of the header. The support arm is articulated so as to accommodate the up-and-down and twisting movement of the header relative to the tractor during harvesting action and this supported to prevent collapse when the hoses are disconnected from the tractor manifold. The support arm is attached at the rear to the tractor preferably at the wheel strut by a releasable ball joint coupling. From the coupling at the wheel strut, there is a free portion of the hydraulic hoses which extends to the manifold at the tractor where the ends of the hoses are attached to manually graspable handle portions which can be lifted away and the attached to a bracket on the support arm.

Abstract: An agricultural planter has at least one wing section that can rotate forward to a transport configuration and can also rotate outward to a working configuration. The at least one wing section has a caster assembly attached to a strut pivotable between a raised position forward of the at least one wing section and a lowered position beneath the at least one wing section. At least one wing section lift cylinder is located above and horizontally rearward of the at least one wing section, and is connected to the at least one wing section using a rearward extending wing section lift cylinder mounting bracket. The at least one wing section lift cylinder is connected to at least one bell crank, which is connected to at least one drop link, which is connected to the strut.

Abstract: A tractor attachment for installing tubing beneath the ground includes a frame having a toolbar to which multiple plow assemblies are coupled and spaced apart by rigid spacers. Each plow assembly includes a plow blade and a drop feed tube, mile plow blades extend downwardly in a first direction from the toolbar and the drop feed tubes extend downwardly in a second direction from the toolbar. In operation, the multi-plow attachment is lowered such that the plow blades engage a body of soil at a desired depth. The desired depth at which the plow blades engage the soil is based at least in part on the pitch of the plow blades. The tractor moves forward to cause the plow blades to create trenches in the soil at substantially the desired depth and strands of conduit (e.g., drip irrigation tubing) are fed from the drop feed tubes to the created trenches.

Abstract: A system for ensuring the uniform height of gauge wheels for a towed implement assembly such as a seeder. The seeder has a frame structure with a series of front gauge wheels suspended by the front of the frame structure. A greater number of rear wheels are suspended by the frame structure to the rear of the front gauge wheel. A tow hitch is pivotally connected from the front of the frame structure for coupling to a work vehicle. A front bar having a first end and a second end is coupled to the tow hitch. A center actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder is coupled to one end of the front bar. A rear bar is placed in contact with the opposite end of the hydraulic cylinder. The front gauge wheels are raised by extending the cylinder and causing force to be applied to the front and rear bars. In this manner, the weight on the front wheels is distributed to the work vehicle via the tow hitch and the rear wheels.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure takeout apparatus for use on a tractor having a hydraulic device with right and left lift arms for raising and lowering a working implement. The hydraulic pressure takeout apparatus includes a valve assembly mounted on a hydraulic housing forming part of the hydraulic device, and between the right and left lift arms. With this construction, oil lines for transmitting pressure oil to the valve assembly are not exposed to the outside, which is particularly advantageous where the tractor frequently engages in an operation on wet, soft soil. The valve assembly may be maintained with facility, and oil leakage is unlikely. Where the valve assembly is mounted on the hydraulic housing through a spacer defining connecting oil lines therein, oil leakage is prevented with increased assurance. The valve assembly may include a plurality of valves stacked one upon another to enable multiple or multi-purpose hydraulic pressure takeout.

Abstract: A hydraulic rockshaft control circuit which includes a three-way valve that normally operates the rockshaft is connected to the lift cylinder on a trailing implement. A hitch lock valve connected to the rockshaft control valve maintains the rockshaft in a preselected position regardless of changes in pressure at the valve output. The extend side of the lift cylinder is connected to the control valve output so that the tractor hitch control is used to operate the trailing implement cylinder. To overcome the inability of the three-way valve to positively retract the trailing implement cylinder, a reducing/relieving valve is connected to the retract side of the cylinder and is adjusted to provide just enough pressure to retract the cylinder and raise the implement wheels from ground contact when the extend side is connected to return pressure.A position feedback system on the implement is connected to the hitch control unit (HCU) on the tractor.

Abstract: A towed implement with an implement cylinder may be coupled to the hitch of a tractor which includes a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic sump, a rockshaft cylinder for raising and lowering the hitch, a hitch control valve for controlling fluid flow to the rockshaft cylinder, a control unit for controlling the hitch control valve as a function of a sensed parameter signal and an operator generated command signal. A two-position, four-way selector valve selectively connects the hitch control valve to the implement cylinder and operates to automatically raise the hitch to its top position when the selector valve connects the hitch control valve to the implement cylinder. A manually operated four position, four-way selective control valve is connected between the selector valve and the implement cylinder and a towed implement position sensor is connected to the electronic control unit of the tractor hitch control system.

Abstract: An industrial vehicle has a tool adaptor mounted on the outer ends of a pair of support arms. A self contained hydro-electric unit is mounted on the tool adaptor or on a support arm closely adjacent to the tool adaptor. The unit comprises a hydraulic reservoir, a hydraulic pump, and an electric motor which drives the pump to pass hydraulic fluid under pressure to one or more double acting hydraulic control cylinders to move an associated locking pin from a retracted position to a locking position wherein it engages a frame element of a tool to lock the tool in place in the tool adaptor.

Abstract: A weight-balancing system for a farm implement, such as a disk harrow with foldable wings operated by wingfold cylinders, includes a selective control valve for controlling fluid communication to the head and rod ends of the wingfold cylinders. A pair of pressure-reducing/relieving valves permit individual adjustment of the pressures in both the head and rod ends to achieve the desired balance. In a preferred embodiment, a pilot-operated, two-position valve is connected between the rod ends and one of the pressure-responsive valves. The two-position valve is operated by pressure signals generated by a flow-responsive switching valve connected between the two-position valve and the selective control valve. The switching valve and the two-position valve cooperate to block the pressure-controlled outlet of the one pressure-responsive valve and the rod ends and to bypass return fluid flow from the rod ends to sump when the cylinders are being extended.

Abstract: A compact flexible mounting system for connection of an agricultural implement to a tractor includes a load transfer member pivotally attached to the upper stabilizing link of a three-point hitch and to the implement support frame to which the lower links of the hitch are attached. A compression spring is interposed between a portion of the load transfer member and a portion of the implement support frame to yieldably resist rotation of the pivotal load transfer member away from the tractor for stress relief purposes while transmitting down-pressure forces from the hitch to the implement.

Abstract: A flexible tool bar apparatus including a first tool bar adapted to have earth working implements attached thereto and a second tool bar also adapted to have earth working implements attached thereto. Two tool bars are pivotally attached at the inner ends thereof. A hydraulic cylinder mechanism is operatively attached at one end thereof to the first tool bar and is operatively attached at the other end thereof to the second tool bar. A fluid device is provided for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to a hydraulic cylinder mechanism for causing the hydraulic cylinder mechanism to hold the tool bar from flexing. The tool bar can flex when the fluid pressure is released.

Abstract: Adjustable link structure for providing on-to-go disk harrow adjustment from the cab of the towing vehicle. The mechanism for automatically maintaining the frame of a disk harrow at a level condition as the frame is raised and lowered relative to the ground includes an adjustable link member with a rotary hydraulic motor utilized to adjust a mechanical screw type mechanism to maintain a set adjustment position independently of continued fluid pressure to the motor.

Abstract: The soil scraper of the present invention is adapted for use with a tractor or vehicle having a three point hitch. The device includes an elongated frame having a three point hitch receptacle mounted on its forward end and having an elongated scraper blade pivotally mounted to its rearward end. The scraper blade pivots about a horizontal axis and power means are provided for controlling the pivotal movement of the scraper blade about this horizontal axis. The frame has a length of at least five feet between the scraper blade and the three point hitch receptacle. The device can be used for scraping out the bottom of drainage ditches or other areas where it is desired to achieve the scraping action without placing the vehicle in the vicinity of the area being scraped.

Abstract: Components suitable to be sold in kits can be readily applied to cultivators of different makes to be able to raise and to lower independently the ground-working tools on either side of the cultivators. A typical kit contains an upper supporting member, two crossbars, and fastening means for readily attaching the components to a typical cultivator of any make. After installation, the upper support extends upwardly and rearward from the front drawbar to provide a point of support above carriers of a cultivator that are to be ganged for lifting. A crossbar is connected to the rear portion of each of the carriers to be ganged, and then a hydraulic cylinder positioned substantially vertically is connected between each crossbar and the upper support.

Abstract: A tillage system includes forward and rear sets of widely spaced discs and a set of plow points. The discs in the forward set are mounted at spaced intervals so as to leave alternate strips of worked and unworked soil of substantially equal width. Each disc of the rear set is mounted in a strip of soil left unworked by the forward set to complete the working of the top soil. The plow points are located in the furrows of one of the sets of discs (preferably the rear set) to permit some deep plowing. The working depths of the points and discs are independently adjustable. The system is designed for operation at high speed to provide complete coverage of the soil with minimal double working by the discs. It permits deeper penetration by the discs and a controlled amount of deeper plowing by the points while leaving a finished contour which is substantially free of ridges and furrows.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for remote selective operator adjustment and display of the position of adjustment of a plurality of ground-supported planting units of a planter. The apparatus includes a planter gauge wheel on each unit adjustably mounted thereto and supporting each unit over the ground. A position sensor on each unit conveys gauge wheel adjustment information for numerical display on a central control box mounted adjacent to the planter operator's position. A hydraulic or electric cylinder mounted on each unit selectively effects positional adjustment of the respective gauge wheel according to operator control signals. The units are controlled in one embodiment via individual planter unit switches or a single planter adjustment switch manipulated by the operator. In other embodiments the units are controlled via microprocessor control systems wherein operator commands are entered via a keyboard or a rotary switch.

Abstract: A land plane for leveling or grading the surface of a land area. The plane includes a frame defined by a center section and end sections pivotally connected to the center section, with each connection permitting relative physical movement about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the plane. A first hydraulic system is provided for pivoting the end sections about their transverse axes for raising and lowering the center section with respect to ground level, wherein the system includes a device for equalizing fluid between hydraulic cylinders carried by the end sections to permit adjustment of the grader assembly with respect to ground level under different operating conditions.

Abstract: Seed drill has a row of coulters which are raised and lowered by a beam positioned above the coulters and connected to the coulters by spring assemblies. The beam is journalled for pivotal movement about its longitudinal axis and the spring assemblies are connected to the beam so that some exert reaction forces on the beam having clockwise moments about the beam's pivot axis, and others anticlockwise moments, whereby changes in loading of the coulters can be distributed between the coulters by angular movement of the beam about its pivot axis.

Abstract: A tractor towed vehicle having a frame and hydraulic functions powered by a plurality of hydraulic devices. An electrohydraulic valve assembly is coupled to the devices and is rigidly secured to the frame of the towed vehicle. A switching assembly having a plurality of switches is adapted for electrically switching the valve assembly with a cable coupled between the switching assembly and the valve assembly. The switching assembly is disposed within the tractor cab for easy access of the plurality of switches to the operator of the tractor.

Abstract: A large moldboard plow utilizing a multi-piece backbone or main frame connected by a hinge or hinges and a floatation land wheel or wheels. The hinge or hinges being arranged such that a uniform interval is maintained between the last plow bottom on the front section and the first plow bottom on the rear section. The floatation wheel follows the contour of the land which causes flexing of the backbone at the hinge resulting in uniform depth of all bottoms. The hinge or hinges are located to provide a practical line of draft for the rear section thus maintaining balance of the entire unit.