US2648919A

US2648919A - Moldboard adjustment for v-type ditching machines

Info

Publication number: US2648919A
Application number: US772935A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles H Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-09-09
Filing date: 1947-09-09
Publication date: 1953-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 1970-08-18

Description

C. H. BROWN Aug. 18, 1953 MOLDBOARD ADJUSTMENT FOR V TYPE DITCHING MACHINES Filed Sept. 9, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet l RI!!! I ms AGENTI CHAR LE-$.H.BROWN Aug. 18, 1953 c. H. BROWN 2,643,919

MOLDBOARD ADJUSTMENT FOR V TYPE DITCHING MACHINES Filed Sept. 9, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IAIVENTOR. CHARLES H.BROWN HIS AGENT C. H. BROWN Aug. 18, 1953 MOLDBOARD ADJUSTMENT FOR v TYPE DITCHING MACHINES Filed Sept. 9, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. CHARLES H. BROWN Aug. 18, 1953 c. H. BROWN 2,648,919

MOLDBOARD ADJUSTMENT FOR V TYPE DITCHING MACHINES Filed Sept. 9, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

CH AF? LES H. BROWN BY WW HIS .HGEN T.

Patented Aug. 18, 1953 UNITED STATES MOLDBOARD ADJUSTMENT FOR V-TYPE DITCHING MACHINES Charles H. Brown, Breckenridge, Tex.

Application September 9, 1947, Serial No. 772,935

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in earth handling implements, and more particularly to an implement, the mechanism of which may be rearranged so as to adapt a single implement to the performance of various types of earth handling work.

Various earth handling implements have been proposed heretofore, but they have been limited in their scope of operation and therefore a different type of implement was required for the different types of earth handling work.

In the present invention the basic parts of the mechanism are so constructed as to lend themselves to rearrangement, so that one implement may be adapted to perform a variety of earth handling operations, as for example digging ditches, filling ditches, grading and leveling, the building of terraces, levees and the like.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a machine, the mechanism of which may be rearranged so as to perform a variety of dirt handling operations with a single machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dirt handling implement that may be connected to a tractor in such manner that the implement may be raised and lowered with a conventional tractor power lift so that the entire unit is supported by the tractor, when the unit is in raised position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dirt handling implement that may be raised by. the power lift of a tractor in pro-. gressive stages so that the entire weight of the implement will not be put on the tractor while said implement is still engaged in the earth.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an implement which, with the mechanism arranged in one way, can be used to form a V-type ditch with a flat bottom.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an implement which has a wide range of adjustments for making ditches, back filling, grading and other earth handling operations.

The present implement is so arranged. and constructed that, by reassembly and adjustment of the mechanism, various types of earth handling machines are provided, thus making it possible to do, with one machine, the work that has heretofore required the use of several different machines.

This implement is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the implement showing the parts thereof arranged so as to p vide a ditching machine, and with the power lift bar of the tractor shown in dot-dash outline;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the front end portion of the implement, with the parts arranged as a ditcher;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows:

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a rear end view of the moldboard blades of the implement, with certain portions broken away and other parts removed to show the details of construction;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a perspective View of the implement with the parts arranged to form a back filler, and showing the power lift tractor draw bar in dot-dash outline; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the implement showing the arrangement of the parts to form a grader.

In the following description the same numerals are used to indicate like parts in the several views of the drawings, but in Figs. 1 to 9, which show the invention applied to a ditcher, the numerals only are used, in Fig. 10, that shows the invention applied to a back filler, the numerals designating corresponding parts will be primed and in Fig. 11, the invention is shown applied as a grader, the corresponding parts on the drawings will be indicated by the numerals double primed It is believed that this will distinguish the different use of the several parts, so that they do not lose their identity, but show their co-relation with the machine adjusted for different uses.

With more detailed reference to the drawing Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, these illustrate the implement as formed to operate as a ditcher which is attached to the power lift draw bar of a tractor, which draw bar is designated as D and usually is a conventional part of a farm type tractor T. The power lift draw bar D has central clamps 2 which are bolted into binding engagement with the tractor draw bar D in side-by:

side relation, approximately in the center thereof. The clamps 2 extend rearwardly from the draw bar to form lugs 4, to which plow beams B, positioned in side-by-side relation, are attached by bolts 8. The bolts 8 are adapted to pass through the lugs and through the plow beams to secure the beams in fixed relation to the lugs.

While the 'plow beams 6, to meet the needs of the present adaptation, are shown to be curved so that the beams project forward when the foot portions project downward, it is to be understood that variations in tractor construction will require that the shape of the plow vbeam be adapted to conform to the requirements of the particular tractor, and a beam that extends vertically instead of forwardlymightbe required.

A plow, generally designated at 9, has a moldboard It and a plow point I i A U-shaped-member I2 is provided and secured to the moldboard ID as by welding, as will best be seen in Fig. '5. The U-s'haped member l2 extends a substantial length of the moldboard H3 and hasbolts Mand l6 which pass therethrough to secure the plow beam 6 in rigid relation with the U-member 12. The U-member 62 has aloop i8 secured at the bottom portion thereof and which loop projects rearwardly in such position as to loosely embrace the lower:end of 'an adjustment member, generally designated as 20. The upper end of the adjustment member 25] is pivoted to lugs 22 of U-member 12 by bolt 24, .as will best be seen'in Figs. 3 and 5. The :adjustment member 20 is adapted for limited pivotal movement around bolt'z lwithinthe confines 'of U-member i2 and loop l8.

The 'adjustm'ent member Zllis preferably square tubular stock, as will bestibe seen'in Figs. 4:and.5, and has a cap '26 to close the upper end of said member and a shoulder 28 positioned immediately below said cap, which cap and shoulder'are held in place by bolts 39. Thecap ZB and shoulder '28 confine'a boss 32 of the rodSfl so as .to permit rotary movement of the rod 34, but said boss32 constrains the rod'34 against :longitudinal movement. The rod 34 is threadedat its lower'end and adapted 'for engagement with threaded .nut 36, which threaded nut 36 isseoured to the 'upper end of a square member38 which is slidablypositionedwithin the-square tube of theadjustment member 20. The slidable member 38 ,has a transverse hole i) therethrough to receive aabolt 42. The bolt 42 :extends outward through slots 44 on'either side of adjustment member 29 and passes'throughlugs of a universal pivot member 46, as willbe more fully described hereinafter.

Thethreadedrod 34 passes throughnut 35 into an axial opening within ;slidable member :38

which, upon turning of the rod 34, moves'the slidable member-38 upward or downward to move bolt '42, carrying a universal "pivot member 46, so astoadjust a follower plow, generally :designated as 68, with respect'to'the plow 9.

The plow 48 has a blade 49 on the lower edge thereof, which blade has substantially-a straight lower side and a concave forward surface so as to form a flat bottom in'the' ditch made-by the plow 9, 'of substantially the width that the blade is long. The blade 39 is 'so constructed that :it

may be:reversed'andwill-thus give double wearing qualities thereto. The construction of the blade 49 isalso suchfasito cause the dirt to .roll forward and be urged vertically upward until engaged by the angular upper portion .of the pl-ow 48. When the dirt reaches a point meat 7 thereon so as to give a pivotal movement of the block about the horizontal axis thereof (Fig. 8).

:AgpiVOt bolt 58 passes through universal connection block 55 at right angles to the trunnion pins 56 'so 'as'to give lateral swinging movement about pivotbolt 58, which pivot bolt 58 is slightly at an angle to the vertical.

=With the universal pivot member 16 mounted on bolt 42, adjustment thereof may be made by screw'threadedmod within the limits ofslots i l so as to raise or lower the'follower plow 48 with-respectto the plow point H of the plow :9. A pivotal movement between the moldboard plow 9 and the follower plow '58 is accorded by the universal pivot member d6 pivoting on pins '56. By having the adjustment member .29 confined within loop 18, the :universal pivot member 55 Will compensate to hold the follower plow 48 :a short distance behind the plow i9, and makesiit possible for the mechanism 'to :make relatively short turns. The universalpivot member dfi will also allowpivotal movement ofthe follower ;plow 48 about the horizontal axis on the :trunnion pins "56 which will permit raising the plow 19 -'a' substantial distance out .of the ground before the pair of upright armst iitightenthe looselinkage connection, shown as formed of a chain 62 and astrut ,or.rod:62a,zwhich loose linkage is. attached to the'arm 64 at the forward end of :said linkage and at the rear thereof it .israttached to 'astrut on the moldboardififi of the ditcher (see Fig. '1) This will enable the lifting oflthe roundengaging .mechanism in stages which will .make possible the lifting of zmuch larger plows with a smaller tractor than has heretofore been :possible, dueto the fact'that, inthepresent invention, the plows are liftedzin stages.

Attached to the rear portionrofithe plow '48is a lug'filiwhich lughas. out-turned. opposite ears or portions 68 which have boltslfl'threadablyengaging therein and adapted to project therethrough'to form azpivot forilugs i2 mounted-on the forward ends of :moldboards I60. The lugs 12 have;recesses formed therein to receive the reduced ends of bolts 70 so'as'to permit vertical and angular adjustments of bladesifil). The forward end of each moldboard B0 has'anear 14 secured thereto, as by'welding, an'dwhich ears are slottedtoreceive-a bolt I6. Positioned-along the rear upper portions of the moldboards 60 are ears 118 having aplurality of holes 19 therethrough, to receive bolts 80. Blade posts 81 are adapted to be secured to a bar 83 and to depend downwardly therefrom, and which blade posts are adapted to receive bolts 180 and 84 therethrough to secure blade posts and ears together. Immediately below each ear 'la'isa pair of lugs 82 through which a bolt 85 passes and which bolt also passes through the lower end of .post 8| to be in alignment with the bolt 10 so as to form an axial pivot along the lower portion of each moldboard 6B. When the moldboards 60 are each properly adjusted :to the :same vertical 'and angulariposition, azbolt an ispassedthrough '5 the desired hole 19 and through post 8|; then the bolt 16 is tightened to secure the ears 14 together and thus hold the moldboards 68 in fixed adjusted positions.

A cutter blade 86 is disposed along the lower edge of moldboard 60 and is secured thereto by bolts 88. The cutter blade 86 is longitudinally concave and of a relatively short radius, which radius is tangential with the radius of the longitudinally concave moldboard 60. By having the moldboard constructed in this manner, the nose portion of the moldboard will follow closely the follower plow 48 and cut the edges from the ditch formed by the plows 9 and 48 so as to give a ditch with downwardly converging sides and a flat bottom.

The wheels 90 are rotatably mounted on axles disposed on semi-flexible shanks 92, which shanks 92 are clamped to bar 83 by clamps 94. The shank 92 may be adjusted vertically and clamp 94 tightened to secure the shank in binding relation with the bar 83. The wheels 90 are adjusted to as to support the rear portions of the moldboards iis'i while the implement is being transported from one place to another, and to regulate the depth of the cut of ditcher moldboards 60. The plow 48 carrying the forward ends of the moldboards 60, may be raised or lowered by adjustment screw 34 so as to obtain relative adjustment between plow 9 and the moldboards 60. I

Loose linkage arrangement, shown as formed of a chain 96 and a strut or rod 96a, is provided extending somewhat diagonally of the machine in crossed relation (see Fig. 1), to connect the draw bar D with transverse bar 83, so that this loose linkage arrangement 9696a will sway brace the ditcher and prevent side sway while the machine is being transported.

Bars 98 are attached to angles I00, which angles are positioned on the inner, lower sides of moldboards 60. The opposite ends of said bars 98 are positioned in overlapping relation and each has a series of holes I92 therein, which are adapted to register with the holes of the overlapping bar so that bolts I04 may be used to secure the'bars together and hold the rear portions of the blades 60 at the desired spaced distance from each other. When the blades are properly spaced to obtain the desired divergence, posts 8| are clamped to transverse bar 83 by bolts I06.

In the operation of the device as described above, ditches, such as irrigation and drainage ditches, may be accurately and expeditiously formed, at comparatively small cost, and to con- :form to modern engineering practices. The implement with the mechanism thereof arranged as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, may be adjusted to construct a flat bottom ditch with sloping sides. Sides of a ditch so formed have much greater endurance, than if formed with straight sides, and a minimum of impedance is given any fluid that must be passed therethrough.

To construct a ditch in this manner, the implement is connected to a power lift draw bar D, which draw bar is attached to the rear portion of the tractor T. The plow is lowered into the ground to the proper depth, by the manipulation of the power lift draw bar D. With the plow 9 positioned to the proper depth, the threaded rod 34 is rotated until the follower plow, generally designated as 48, is positioned to the proper depth with respect to the plow 9; then, by the proper adjustment, the ditcher is lowered into position, and may be set into operation so as to give, normally, a finished irrigation ditch or drainage ditch at one passage of the machine over the terrain. However, if it is desired, a ditch may be enlarged, but with the walls maintained in substantiallythe same angular relation to the wall of the'ditch as originally formed, by passing the machine over the same ditch a sec.- ond time.

One of the pronounced characteristics of the plow 9 is the particular manner in which the point and moldboard are constructed. The point I I carries a rather widely diverging obtuse angle, which angle converges at varying degrees, from approximately 120 degrees at the place where the point joins to the moldboard Ill. The moldboard II! is likewise distorted so that the angle will vary from approximately 120 degrees where it joins the point II to approximately 90 degrees at the uppermost part. By this particular construction the machine is given the unusual characteristic of loosening the earth to the depth of the ditch, with the point II acting as a wedge; the ground is initially broken from the bottom and sides of the ditch, due to this distorted shape of the point and moldboard, which starts as a wide obtuse angle and is reduced to approximately 90 degrees at the top; which causes the earth to be first lifted directly upward by the point II, to follow the moldboard vertically upward through a spiral, to be thrown outward, which results in a ditch substantially the width of the plow.

This particular construction of the machine gives it the unusual characteristics of loosening the earth to the depth of the ditch and causing it to boil directly upward with just sufficient angular divergence to' throw the earth clear of the ditch. The follower plow 48 may be adjusted so that the flat bottom point blade 49 will dig slightly below the bottom of thefurrow opened by the point I I. Since the curvature of the plow point blade, is cylindrical and transverse with respect to the furrow being opened, the dirt will be caused to move vertically upward along the face of the follower plow 48, which plow has an angular divergence, to pass the dirt outward as it moves forward along the ditch. The wings 5| on the follower plow 48 transfer the dirt being moved fromthe ditch to a point ahead of the spreader moldboards'iiil. The cutter blade 86, disposed on the lower portion of moldboard 60, will cut away the side of the ditch so as to' form a substantially V-shaped ditch with a flat bottom, as the tractor pulls the machine along.

The present ditcher, as designed, requires less horsepower for the lifting of the ditching mechanism from the ground than has heretofore'been possible. With ditchers that have been'inuse heretofore, much power has been required to raise the plow from the ground, once it has been put into operating position. The present machine is so constructed and has the various connections so arranged that the plow 9 is raised by the rotation of the draw bar D of the tractor T. After the plow 9 has been raised clear of the ground, or nearly so, the universal connection between the plows 9 and 48 has not lifted the moldboards 6i appreciably. However, upon continued rotation of draw bar D to which arms '64 are attached and rotatable therewith, the

loose linkage

62, 62a is engaged so as to lift the rear portions of moldboards clear of the ground. By lifting the plow 9 in one stage and the moldboards 60 in another stage the power requirement to do this lifting in this manner is greatly reduced, making. possible the use ofa much smaller tractor.

Itis pointed. out that. the crossedloose. linkage eta-ace are attached to the transverse bar 8-3 and: to'draw bar I soas: tosway-bracethe device while being: transported. It has been previously has been thrown from-.the ditchas it was formed by the ditcher as shown in Figs. 1 to 9., inclusive,

may be returned or back filled into the ditch in ansexpeditious manner.

- With more detailed. reference to this form of the draavingsas shown in Fig- 10, the clamps. 2 are moved-a spaced distance from the center of bar CD.v The rear portion A ofv the clamps 2' are secured to beams 6 by bolts 8". The beams 6' project downward and pass through ears 7" so as to furnish' a pull connection. at the forward ends of. the moldboards 66 as they are now being used. Posts 8-1 are secured to transverse bar 83' at their upper ends and are .pivotally connected to lugs 84' at their lower ends. The vertical angular disposition of the moldboards 68" is gauged by positioning bolts 85! in the correct holes in cars 78 at the rearward. ends of the: moldboards 60', as is the adjustment of the bar 9 8, which bar is attached to the forward end ofthe blade near theupper edge. thereof. Loose linkage arrangement 96,. 96a" projects rearward and in crossed relation and connects with transverse bar 83' so as to swaybrace. draw bar D to the transverse bar 83. The cross bar bracing prevents distortion of the frame of the implement when used as a back filler,- or during transportation.

Linkages 62', 62a are connected to transverse bar 83 and to upright levers 64' so that the back filler may be raised or lowered by the power lift draw bar D. The rear end of the implement is provided with wheels 90 which are. positioned on vertical standards 92 so as to gauge the depth of the back fill for transporting. the implement across country.

Moldboard extensions 61 are provided for moldboards 86' so. as to provide the moldboards with the proper shape at the forward ends thereof so. as to gather the dirt without its. spilling over the forward ends of. the moldboards.

It can be readily appreciated that any angular convergence of the blades may be made by the proper adjustment of posts 81' and bar 98, and resetting clamps 2.

After a ditch has been made, it is frequently desirable to fill back thereinto, the earth removed therefrom. Various implements have been provided to perform this back-filling function,v but they have been machines capable of performing this one earth moving operation, and these machines handle the dirt from one side only of a ditch and usually require two or more men to properly handle the machine, and other single operation machines arerequired to perform other earth moving operations. With the present implement, the same mechanism, from. which a .78 ditGhSIiSi formed. as hasbeen described. above, may be rearranged and; converted. and with few, if any. additional parts. a. back. filling implement can be readily constructed.v

With. the. implement arranged as shown in Fig. Lil,v and with the moldboards-v 60' converging so asterdirect the: dirt from each side of the back thereinto; the implement attached toa tractor power liftdra-w bar D,. so when thetractor straddles the ditch and moves therealong, the earth. at-either side: of. the ditch is moved angelarly inward to be returned into the ditch The degree of. .angulamity of the: moldboards: at the forward endsthereof may be accomplished by the adjustment of bar .98" tothe proper length and the adjustment of the posts 8| in the proper spaced relation'on the bar 83.. The wheels 90' may be usedlas. gauge wheels to space the. blades 86' the desired. distance above the surfaceof the ground.

The implementas: shown in Fig. 10* and described for' use in back-filling may also be used to form levees such-as. are used to retain water in rice fields. By the use of the implement as shown Fig. 10', levees may be formed expeditiously and-- atvery little cost, as comparedto other methods now in use.v With the use oi the present machine, one man can construct levees approximately twice as fastas the same work can hedone with. some. types of machines now in general use, and which require the work of two men for the operationthereof. Therefore the userof the present invention results: inapproximately savings inlabor.

In the farming of rice, it is desirable to drill the seed rather deeply in a well leveled. seed bed before the seed has sprouted, and to term cross levees from a shallow draft 0t soil taken. from above the seed bed-.. In this manner only the seed that is actually under the levee formed is disturbed or buried, and as a result the rice. grows close tothe levee and thus permits the use at the maximum: amount of land. In-order to take a cut from above the seed bed, theblades of. the

. machine are adjustedto an angle of approximately 3e degrees to the line of travel, and. to converge-rearward-ly so themoldboard blades will scrape the soilfrom both sides, in a shallow draft, to form an even topped levee. This leveebuilder, thusnformed' willpullrevenly without developing azside draft, as would be the case if the implement used only one blade; These blades may be angularly disposed with respect to the ground to causethef ront end portion to dig indeep so as to throw up a highlevee such as used for borders, when: desired.

The implement as a grader or terracer A grader: or terracer may be. constructed from the parts-oi the ditcher, as is illustrated in Fig. 1-1, and like parts. of the drawing are indicated by the same numbers as in Figs. I to 9, but as double prime t") except as. indicated.

The power lift draw bar D" 'is shown in dotdash. outline, and to this. beams 6 are attached in spaced relation. The bar 83" is attached to one of the beams 5" by a bolt Ea; A post .8 1 projects: downwardly from bar 83-" so as to connect with mold-board 59! ina manner similar to. that shown in Fig... '7. The lower end of the other beam 6-" is connected to alug- 'i' in a man;- ner similar to that shown in Fig. 10. The forward endv of the. moldboard 6 8 connects with a beam. 6" insuchmanneras to give the moldboarcl thecorrect. angular divergence with respect to the line of travel. A heel b is provided for engaging a strap 60 so as to engage the beam on the upward movement so as to lift the bar 83" which extends rearwardly of the beam '6" and in longitudinal alignment therewith. The beams 8" are spaced apart to give the proper angular movement of the dirt when the blade is engaging in the surface of the earth.

It is necessary to use only a single moldboard 50" to accomplish a grading operation or for building certain forms of terraces or levees. While it is preferable to have a weight element W attached to the moldboard 89", for the best operation thereof, it is not entirely essential. Furthermore, it is desirable to have an additional wing 60a attached to the rear portion of the moldboard 89 so as to carry the dirt a greater distance, but the use of such a wing is elective.

To operate the grader as shown in Fig. 11, and described above, the beams G" are attached to power lift draw bar D" so that the blade and the moldboard 69" will be disposed at an acute angle of approximately 34 degrees to the line of travel of the implement. The beams 6 are so connected to the draw bar of the tractor that they may be lowered so that the blade 83" will come into proper contact relation with the earth and will be maintained at the proper depth by the lift on the draw bar or by the weights in weight box W. As the tractor moves along, the blade 80 and moldboard 80" will move the earth therealong, level the ground thereunder, and discharge any excess soil at the rear thereof.

The proper connection of the moldboard when used as a terracer may be determined by shifting beams along draw bar D to a position so as to counteract the side draft created by a single moldboard. It will be appreciated readily that various adjustments of the vertical pitch of the moldboard may be made by manipulation of the moldboard with respect to post 8! and to hold the blade in adjusted position by the arrangement similar to that shown in Fig. 7, for the adjustment of the moldboard 80 with respect to the post 8 i.

It is to be appreciated that the versatility of this machine to perform the various earth handling operations, by the convertibility mechanism, is a great saver in time, labor and investment in machinery, and that the transition from one type of machine is quickly and easily accomplished, and requires no special skill or equipment.

Having thus described the invention; what is claimed is:

1. In a ditcher for forming ditches in the earth, a traction element for pulling said ditcher, a moldboard plow connected to said traction element for initially opening a ditch in said earth, a follower plow disposed rearward of said moldboard plow and connected thereto to perform an additional ditch opening operation in said earth, means connected with said plows for adjusting said follower plow with respect to said moldboard plow, a pair of outwardly diverging moldboard blades disposed rearwardly of said follower plow and connected therewith adapted to remove dirt from the edge of said ditch opening in said earth, means connected with the moldboard blades for varying the angular disposition of said moldboard blades with respect to the vertical so as to form a ditch with downwardly converging sides, said follower plow having a rearwardly extending lug near the bottom thereof, said lug having outturned ears on the rear portion thereof, each of said ears having a threaded bolt therethrough, said bolts projecting forwardly of said ears, and a lug positioned on and secured to the inner and lower side of each of said moldboard blades and having a recess therein engaged by the bolt, so as to permit adjustment of said moldboard blades with respect to said follower plow.

2. A ditching machine for forming ditches adapted to be adjustably connected to a traction element, comprising a draw bar, a moldboard plow for initially opening a ditch and adjustably connected to said draw bar, a follower plow for forming a flat bottom to said ditch disposed rearwardly of said moldboard plow and adjustably connected thereto, a pair of moldboard blades disposed rearwardly of the follower plow and connected therewith, the moldboard blades being angularly divergent to each other, means connected with the moldboard blades for varying the degree of divergence of said moldboard blades, and a loose linkage having an arm connected therewith and with the moldboard plow and connecting the moldboard plow with the moldboard blades, adapted to raise said follower plow and said moldboard blades after said moldboard plow has been raised a predetermined distance.

3. In a machine for forming ditches in the earth, a moldboard plow, a follower plow disposed rearward of said moldboard plow and connected thereto to perform an additional ditch opening operation in said earth, a pair of outwardly diverging moldboard blades disposed rearwarclly of said follower plow and connected therewith adapted to remove dirt from the edge of said ditch opening in said earth, said follower plow having a re'arwardly extending lug near the bottom thereof, said lug having outturned ears on the rear portion thereof, each of said ears having a threaded bolt therethrough, said bolts projecting forwardly of said ears, and a lug positioned on and secured to the inner and lower side of each of said moldboard blades and having a recess therein engaged by the bolt, so as to permit adjustment of said moldboard blades with respect to said follower plow.

CHARLES H. BROWN.

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