A system for installing continuous elongated tubular material (e.g. fiber optic cable) in the ground is provided. The system utilizes an agricultural tractor, preferably having rubber tires or tracks, to draw a plow for creating a trench in the ground in which to install the tubular material. The system is equipped with one or more of a specialized plow mount, an infinitely variable speed transmission on the tractor, a “power beyond” valve on the tractor and global positioning systems on the tractor and plow to more effectively install the tubular material in the ground.

A system for installing continuous elongated tubular material (e.g. fiber optic cable) in the ground is provided. The system utilizes an agricultural tractor, preferably having rubber tires or tracks, to draw a plow for creating a trench in the ground in which to install the tubular material. The system is equipped with one or more of a specialized plow mount, an infinitely variable speed transmission on the tractor, a “power beyond” valve on the tractor and global positioning systems on the tractor and plow to more effectively install the tubular material in the ground.

A ripper assembly for a machine includes a main ripper unit and at least one auxiliary ripper unit. The main ripper unit is adapted to be coupled to a frame of the machine and is moveable relative to the frame along a height of the machine. The main ripper unit includes a main ripper. The auxiliary ripper unit is pivotably coupled to the main ripper unit, and is pivotable infinitely between a first position and a second position with respect to the main ripper unit. A distance between the main ripper unit and the auxiliary ripper unit, defined laterally in relation to a direction of travel of the machine, varies as the auxiliary ripper unit pivots from the first position to the second position.

A ripper assembly for a machine includes a main ripper unit and at least one auxiliary ripper unit. The main ripper unit is adapted to be coupled to a frame of the machine and is moveable relative to the frame along a height of the machine. The main ripper unit includes a main ripper. The auxiliary ripper unit is pivotably coupled to the main ripper unit, and is pivotable infinitely between a first position and a second position with respect to the main ripper unit. A distance between the main ripper unit and the auxiliary ripper unit, defined laterally in relation to a direction of travel of the machine, varies as the auxiliary ripper unit pivots from the first position to the second position.

A hay bale fork assembly includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders that is each connected to a rear end of a tractor. A pair of mounting brackets is each pivotally coupled to a respective first lateral side and a second lateral side of the tractor having each of the mounting brackets extending away from the rear end of the tractor. Each of the mounting brackets is pivotally attached to a respective one of the hydraulic cylinders for urging the mounting brackets between a lifted position and a lowered position. A lifting fork is coupled between each of the mounting brackets. The lifting fork has a first tine that is disposed on the lifting fork to penetrate a first hay bale. The lifting fork has a pair of second tines each being disposed on the lifting fork to penetrate a second hay bale.

A hay bale fork assembly includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders that is each connected to a rear end of a tractor. A pair of mounting brackets is each pivotally coupled to a respective first lateral side and a second lateral side of the tractor having each of the mounting brackets extending away from the rear end of the tractor. Each of the mounting brackets is pivotally attached to a respective one of the hydraulic cylinders for urging the mounting brackets between a lifted position and a lowered position. A lifting fork is coupled between each of the mounting brackets. The lifting fork has a first tine that is disposed on the lifting fork to penetrate a first hay bale. The lifting fork has a pair of second tines each being disposed on the lifting fork to penetrate a second hay bale.

A semi-active suspension system includes a suspension element having a damping coefficient range. The suspension element optionally includes an implement end and a chassis end. The semi-active suspension system includes a suspension control circuit in communication with the suspension element. The suspension control circuit optionally includes a kinematic assessment circuit in communication with one or more sensors. The kinematic assessment circuit is configured to measure or determine kinematic characteristics of one or more of the agricultural implement and the chassis. The suspension control circuit optionally includes a damping control circuit, and the damping control circuit generates a specified damping characteristic based on the measured or determined kinematic characteristics. The damping control circuit optionally directs the suspension element to operate within the damping coefficient range based on the specified damping characteristic.

A semi-active suspension system includes a suspension element having a damping coefficient range. The suspension element optionally includes an implement end and a chassis end. The semi-active suspension system includes a suspension control circuit in communication with the suspension element. The suspension control circuit optionally includes a kinematic assessment circuit in communication with one or more sensors. The kinematic assessment circuit is configured to measure or determine kinematic characteristics of one or more of the agricultural implement and the chassis. The suspension control circuit optionally includes a damping control circuit, and the damping control circuit generates a specified damping characteristic based on the measured or determined kinematic characteristics. The damping control circuit optionally directs the suspension element to operate within the damping coefficient range based on the specified damping characteristic.

An implement comprising a center section and a pair of wing sections, each of the sections comprising a pair of parallel frame members pivotably coupled to each other, wherein one of the frame members comprises a toolbar; and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders enabling rotational movement between the parallel frame members, wherein the hydraulic cylinders of the wing sections comprise double-rod cylinders and the hydraulic cylinders of the center section comprises single-rod cylinders.

An implement comprising a center section and a pair of wing sections, each of the sections comprising a pair of parallel frame members pivotably coupled to each other, wherein one of the frame members comprises a toolbar; and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders enabling rotational movement between the parallel frame members, wherein the hydraulic cylinders of the wing sections comprise double-rod cylinders and the hydraulic cylinders of the center section comprises single-rod cylinders.