U.S. patent number 3,700,040 [Application Number 05/051,203] was granted by the patent office on 1972-10-24 for foldable implement cart with forwardly offset wing sections and tacking means for the cable arm retaining means.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Noble Manufacturing Company. Invention is credited to Max L. Jarnagin, Lyle M. Meusburger, Harry Sosalla.
United States Patent |
3,700,040 |
Sosalla , et al. |
October 24, 1972 |
FOLDABLE IMPLEMENT CART WITH FORWARDLY OFFSET WING SECTIONS AND
TACKING MEANS FOR THE CABLE ARM RETAINING MEANS
Abstract
A foldable sectional tow-type implement, including a wheel cart
having a centrally located section which is revolvably mounted on a
horizontal axis extending transversely of the direction of travel
for movement between a lower, generally horizontal, operative
position and a generally vertical transport position, and a pair of
outboard sections interconnected to the centrally located section
and each being revolvable with the center section and also
swingable in a fore and aft direction relative to the center
section when revolved to the vertical transport position to permit
folding of the outboard sections rearwardly relative to the center
section. Each of the sections support or mount agricultural type
tools. At least portions of each of the outboard sections are
offset forwardly of the centrally located section to provide bypass
clearance for the tools when the outboard sections are folded
rearwardly and also to shift the center of gravity of the entire
implement forwardly to facilitate revolving the sections to the
vertical transport position. Wheels for all of the sections are
mounted on a common horizontal axis forward of the sections.
Flexible cables are connected between the outboard sections and the
end of a swingable arm pivoted to the cart forward of the sections.
The arm is locked in a lowered position to support the outboard
sections when the implement is in its operative position. The arm
is released for swinging to a rearward position to permit the
outboard sections to be folded rearwardly, but the cables remain
connected to the arm and outboard sections whereby the outboard
sections pull the arm rearwardly during folding. An independent
positive lock, hydraulically actuated when the outboard sections
are lowered to their operative positions, is provided to lock the
cable arm in its lowered position. The outboard sections are
hingedly connected to the center section with a lost motion
structure to provide for limited vertical movement of the outboard
sections relative to the center section about the hinge connections
to accommodate irregular terrain when the implement is moved
thereover while in its folded transport position.
Inventors: |
Sosalla; Harry (Sac City,
IA), Meusburger; Lyle M. (Sac City, IA), Jarnagin; Max
L. (Sac City, IA) |
Assignee: |
Noble Manufacturing Company
(N/A)
|
Family
ID: |
21969945 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/051,203 |
Filed: |
June 30, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
172/311;
172/456 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01B
73/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01B
73/02 (20060101); A01B 73/00 (20060101); A01b
065/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;172/310,311,456
;280/411-413 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pulfrey; Robert E.
Assistant Examiner: Hanor; C. W.
Claims
We claim:
1. In a mobile foldable sectional agricultural type implement which
includes a mobile cart for travel over the ground in a forward
direction, said cart being adapted for connection to a prime mover
and including a frame having tool carrying means, said frame being
mounted on the cart and extending transversely of the direction of
travel and being revolvable about an axis transversely of the
direction of travel for movement between a generally horizontal
operative position and a generally vertical inoperative or
transport position, said frame having a central section and a pair
of end sections, the end sections being hinged to the central
section for swinging movement relative to the central section to a
rearward folded position in angular relation to the central section
when the frame is in said vertical transport position, and power
means on said cart for revolving said frame about said axis to
permit folding said end sections, the improvement comprising means
hingedly connecting said central section to each end section with
the end sections and the ground engaging tools carried thereby
being offset forwardly of said central section and the
corresponding ground engaging tools carried thereby so that when
said end sections are folded about said hinge means, ground
engaging tools on said end sections will be vertically displaced
from the ground engaging tools on said central section to preclude
interfering contact therebetween, and support means on each section
for ground engaging wheels, each extending forwardly distances to
locate each wheel center forwardly of said axis when said sections
are in said horizontal operative positions, said forwardly located
sections placing the center of gravity of the frame closer to said
axis for lessening the pressure on said power means.
2. In a mobile foldable sectional agricultural type implement which
includes a mobile cart for travel over the ground in a forward
direction, said cart being adapted for connection to a prime mover
and including a frame having tool carrying means, said frame being
mounted on the cart and extending transversely of the direction of
travel and being revolvable about an axis transversely of the
direction of travel for movement between a generally horizontal
operative position and a generally vertical inoperative or
transport position, said frame having a central section and a pair
of end sections, the end sections being hinged to the central
section for swinging movement relative to the central section to a
rearward folded position in angular relation to the central section
when the frame is in said vertical transport position, and power
means on said cart for revolving said frame about said axis to
permit folding said end sections, the improvement comprising
hingedly connecting said frame end sections to said central section
with at least one-half of each of said frame end sections disposed
forwardly of said central section in said operative position so as
to shift the center of gravity of the frame forwardly to lessen the
pressure on said power means and so as to provide bypass clearance
between the tools on said end sections and the tools on said
central section when in said folded or transport position.
3. A foldable sectional tow type implement, including a wheel cart
having a centrally located section which is revolvably mounted on a
horizontal axis extending transversely of the direction of travel
for movement between a lower, generally horizontal, operative
position and a generally vertical transport position, and a pair of
outboard sections interconnected to the centrally located section
and each being revolvable with the center section and also
swingable in a fore and aft direction relative to the center
section when revolved to the vertical transport position to permit
folding of the outboard sections rearwardly relative to the center
section, a cable control arm pivotally mounted to the wheel cart
forward of said sections and swingable from a forward, lower
generally horizontal position and a rearward, upper generally
vertical position, a pair of flexible cables connected between the
outboard sections and the cable control arm to support the outboard
sections when the implement is in its operative position and the
control arm is in its lower position, power means on said cart for
revolving said sections about said axis to raise and lower said
sections and to permit folding of said outboard sections, and a
positive lock means operated by said power means to lock said cable
control arm in its lower horizontal position after initial lowering
of said sections to their operative positions, said power means
comprising a piston and cylinder device, said lock means including
a rod movably operable by said device, a rod receiving member on
said cable control arm positioned to engage said rod when said arm
is in its lowered position, said rod being moved into locking
relationship with said rod receiving member upon initial movement
of said piston and cylinder device to lower said sections.
4. A foldable sectional tow type implement, including a wheel cart
having a centrally located section which is revolvably mounted on a
horizontal axis extending transversely of the direction of travel
for movement between a lower, generally horizontal, operative
position and a generally vertical transport position, and a pair of
outboard sections interconnected to the centrally located section
and each being revolvable with the center section and also
swingable in a fore and aft direction relative to the center
section when revolved to the vertical transport position to permit
folding of the outboard sections rearwardly relative to the center
section, a cable control arm pivotally mounted to the wheel cart
forward of said sections and swingable from a forward, lower
generally horizontal position and a rearward, upper generally
vertical position, a pair of flexible cables connected between the
outboard sections and the cable control arm to support the outboard
sections when the implement is in its operative position and the
control arm is in its lower position, power means on said cart for
revolving said sections about said axis to raise and lower said
sections and to permit folding of said outboard sections, and a
positive lock means operated by said power means to lock said cable
control arm in its lower horizontal position after initial lowering
of said sections to their operative positions, said lock means
being operable to lock said cable control arm in its lower position
at all times except when said sections are substantially in said
vertical position; wherein said lock means comprises a first lock
element mounted on said control arm and movable therewith and a
second lock element mounted on said cart for movement to and from a
locking position engaging said first lock element, and means
interconnecting said power means and said second lock element and
for moving said second lock element into locking engagement with
said first lock element except when said power means has revolved
said sections substantially to said vertical position thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a sectional tow-type implement cart which
has at least a pair of outboard sections which are movable from a
laterally extending operative position to a folded inoperative or
transport position with the outboard sections extending generally
parallel to the direction of travel and rearwardly of a center
section.
Power folded sectional tow-type implements of the character
described are being used extensively by farmers, and such power
folding implements fall into two general classifications: those
which require an operator to dismount from the tractor to manually
release the foldable outboard sections after they have been
revolved to a raised inoperative position so that they may be
folded, and those which permit an operator to shift the various
sections between operative and transport positions without
dismounting from the tractor.
Exemplary structures of the first type may be seen by reference to
such U.S. Pat. Nos. as Clark 2,944,615; Marvin 2,973,818; and
Gellner 3,086,598. Each of these foldable structures require the
operator to dismount from his tractor to release the outboard
sections. Such U.S. Pat. Nos. as French 3,122,210 and 3,173,497
show exemplary structures of the second type (the raising and
lowering of the outboard sections and folding and unfolding of
those sections are accomplished without the operator dismounting
from the tractor). Assignee's application, Ser. No. 855,840, filed
Sept. 8, 1969, and entitled "Foldable Harrow Cart" points out the
disadvantages of the prior art structures of the second type,
referred to above, and discloses certain improvements thereover.
This application relates to and discloses further improvements in
such power folded sectional tow-type implements.
Therefore, a principal object of this invention is to provide a new
and improved foldable sectional tow-type implement wherein an
operator may shift the various sections between operative and
transport positions without dismounting from his tractor.
Another object of the invention is to provide a foldable sectional
working implement of the character described in the preceding
paragraph which is power operated, such as by hydraulic power means
mounted on the mobile cart, for revolving the sections about a
horizontal axis to permit folding of the outboard sections. A pair
of wheels are rotatably journaled on a pair of arms fixed to a
drawbar of the centrally located section and extend forwardly
thereof when the implement is in its lowered operative position.
The wheels have a common axis of rotation and form the axis about
which the centrally located section and the outboard sections are
revolved to the vertical inoperative position.
Certain improvements are provided to lessen the pressure on the
hydraulic power means. More particularly, the outboard sections are
offset forwardly relative to the central section with at least
portions of the outboard sections disposed forwardly of the center
section drawbar to shift the center of gravity of the implement
forwardly to lessen the pressure on the hydraulic power means.
Furthermore, each of the outboard sections has at least one wheel
disposed forwardly thereof on the common axis for the center
section wheels to provide a longer moment arm for the outboard
sections to further lessen the pressure on the hydraulic power
means. The offsetting of the outboard sections relative to the
center section is important also to provide bypass clearance for
agricultural tools mounted on the outboard sections and tools
mounted on the center section when in the folded transport
position.
Flexible cables are connected between the outboard sections and an
arm which is pivotally mounted to a wheel cart forward of the
center section. The arm is locked in a lowered position to support
the outboard sections when the implement is in its lowered
operative position. The arm is released for swinging to a rearward,
generally upright position to permit the outboard sections to fold
rearwardly, but the cables remain connected to the arm and outboard
sections whereby the outboard sections pull the arm upwardly and
rearwardly during folding against the biasing of a spring means
between the arm and the wheel cart. During unfolding of the cart,
the spring means biases the arm back to its lowered forward
position where it is locked in place. Thus tension remains in the
cables at all times during folding and unfolding. An independent
positive lock, hydraulically actuated when the outboard sections
are lowered to their operative positions, is provided to lock the
cable arm in its lowered position.
An additional feature of the invention is that a lost motion means
is provided in the hinge connections between the outboard sections
and the central section when the outboard sections are in their
folded, transport positions to provide for limited vertical
movement or pivoting of the outboard sections relative to the
center section about the hinge connections to accommodate for
irregular terrain when the implement is moved thereover while the
implement is in its fully folded transport position.
Another feature is the provision of means on the outboard sections
to prevent the released flexible cables from dropping onto the
ground when the outboard sections are in their fully folded
transport position during turning movement of the tractor and
implement.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the foldable, sectional, tow-type
implement of the present invention in its lowered, extended
operative position;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view, partially cut away and on a reduced
scale, of the mobile implement in its fully folded transport
position;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the wheel cart which is forward of
the center section of the implement, with the cable arm in position
when the outboard sections are folded rearwardly;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mobile implement, on a reduced
scale from that shown in FIG. 1, attached to a tractor and in its
extended operative position with harrow teeth in engagement with
the ground;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the hinge connections
between the outboard sections of the implement and the center
section when the sections are folded, on an enlarged scale from
that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and with portions of the sections cut
away;
FIG. 6 is another perspective view of a hinge connection and
showing one of the outwardly protruding arms which prevent the
cables from dropping onto the ground when the implement is turned
during travel;
FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view illustrating the bypass
clearance for the tools mounted on the implement, when in folded
position;
FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken
generally in the direction of line 8--8 of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 9, at the bottom thereof, is a partial vertical elevation
looking in the direction of line 9--9 in FIG. 1, with a schematic
diagram at the top thereof showing the triangle formed by the
cables and cable control arm.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings in greater detail, the invention as
illustrated herein is embodied in a foldable, tow-type, mobile
sectional implement, designated generally by the numeral 10 in
FIGS. 1 and 4.
The implement 10 includes a fore and aft extending mobile wheel
cart, generally designated 11, and shown best in FIG. 3. The cart
11 is comprised of a cart frame which includes a pair of fore and
aft extending frame members 13 which are rigidly interconnected at
their forward ends where a hitch 15 is provided. The frame members
13 diverge rearwardly and are structurally rigid with three
cross-frame members 14a, 14b, 14c which extend transversely between
the fore and aft frame members 13.
The rear ends of the frame members 13 are pivoted at 16 (FIG. 3) to
an elongate transversely extending center drawbar 19 of a center
section, generally designated 20, for the implement. This center
section includes a rear transverse frame member 20a joined to the
drawbar 19 by a pair of fore and aft extending frame members 20b
rigidly forming a rectangular center section for the implement. A
plurality of harrow spring teeth 21 are secured to the drawbar 19
and frame member 20a of the center section for engagement with the
ground to work the ground as shown in FIG. 4. The center section
fore and aft frame members 20b extend forwardly of the drawbar 19
and have housings 22 for housing the axle of a pair of
ground-engaging wheels 24, with the wheels 24 having a common axis
of rotation forwardly of the drawbar 19. The drawbar 19 and, thus,
center section 20 are revolvable through an arc of approximately
90.degree. between a lowered operative position as illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 4 to an elevated inoperative position where the drawbar
19 is disposed generally vertically above the horizontal axis of
rotation of the wheels 24. It will be noted that when the drawbar
19 is in the lower operative position (FIGS. 1 and 4), the center
section 20 carried thereby will be in a horizontal position so that
the harrow spring teeth 21 carried thereby will engage the surface
of the earth. Similarly, when the drawbar 19 and section 20 are
revolved to the elevated inoperative position, the center section
20 will be disposed in an upright position generally vertically
above the axis for the wheels 24.
Means (FIGS. 1 and 3) are provided for revolving the drawbar 19,
and thus the entire implement (as well be described hereinafter),
about its longitudinal axis between the aforesaid operative and
inoperative positions and this means comprises a linkage which
includes an actuating lever 26 pivotally mounted on a frame element
28 which extends between the cross-frame members l4b and 14c, for
fore and aft swinging movement of the actuating lever 26 about a
substantially horizontal transverse axis. The upper end of the
actuating lever 26 is pivotally connected to the forward end of a
motion-transmitting link structure which includes diverging links
30 and pivot links 31. The pivot links 31 are pivotally connected
to a pair of arms 32 (FIG. 3) which are fixed to the drawbar
19.
Means (FIGS. 1 and 3) are provided for power shifting this linkage
and includes a fluid pressure piston and cylinder unit comprising a
cylinder 34 which is pivotally connected at one end to the rear
cross-frame member 14c to permit pivoting movement about a
substantially horizontal transverse axis. The cylinder 34 has a
piston movable therein and which is connected to a piston rod 36
that projects exteriorly therefrom. The piston rod extends
forwardly and is pivotally connected to the actuating lever 26.
This hydraulic unit is of the double acting type and a pair of
conduits 38 are connected to a source of fluid under pressure in a
known manner through appropriate valve controls to permit selective
extension and retraction of the piston rod. The controls for
operating the hydraulic system are located on the tractor T (FIG.
4) as is convention, and it will be seen that the center section,
and thus the entire implement, may be effectively revolved between
the aforesaid operative and inoperative positions.
A pair of elongate outboard or end sections, generally designated
40, are connected to opposite sides of the center section 20 and
each outboard section includes a generally rectangular frame
comprising horizontal transversely extending frame members 40a
joined at their ends by horizontal fore and aft (in their operative
positions as shown in FIG. 1) frame members 40b. Each outboard
section 40 is hingedly connected by a pair of hinges, generally
designated 42, between the inner frame member 40b of each outboard
section 40 and the adjacent frame member 20b of the center section
20. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the hinges
42, when the implement is in its lowered horizontal position, have
generally horizontal pivot axes so that the outboard sections 40
are capable of a floating action when in the lowered operative
position to accommodate irregular ground surfaces, as seen in FIG.
4.
It should be pointed out that the outboard sections 40, of the
embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, also include a
plurality of spring harrow teeth 21 for earth engagement and
working as described above. The use of the spring harrow teeth is
for illustration purposes, for the form of the invention shown
herein may be used with numerous agricultural tools.
Each of the outboard sections 40 are hinged to the center section
20 in positions (as viewed in FIG. 1) offset forwardly relative to
the center section 20 and the center section drawbar 19. The
forward offsetting of the outboard sections shifts the center of
gravity of the entire implement closer to the implement revolving
axis defined by the axles for the wheels 24, and consequently, less
cylinder pressure is required. It should also be noted that by
offsetting the outboard sections, sufficient clearance is provided
so that the harrow spring teeth may bypass each other when the
implement is in its folded transport position (see in FIGS. 2 and
7). In addition, each of the outboard sections 40 has a
ground-engaging wheel 44 disposed forwardly of the outboard
sections, when in their lowered operative positions, on extensions
of the frame members 40b, with the axis of rotation of the outboard
section wheels 44 in line with the axis of rotation of the center
section wheels 24. Such a forward disposition of the wheels further
lessens the pressure required by the piston and cylinder device
described above by (a) further shifting the center of gravity
forward and (b) providing a longer moment arm for the outboard
sections during revolvement.
The outboard sections 40 are shiftable between an operative
extended lowered position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 and an
inoperative folded elevated position, as is known in the art. FIG.
2 shows the outboard sections 40 extending rearwardly from the
mobile cart 11 in a conventional folded, transport position. When
the outboard sections are in the lowered operative position, the
outermost end of each section is supported by the ground-engaging
wheels 44 journaled at the forward ends of the frame members 40b.
The ground-engaging wheels 44, however, are shifted out of engaging
relation with respect to the surface of the ground when the
implement is revolved to the inoperative elevated position, and the
outer end of each outboard section 40 is provided with a transport
wheel 46, which engages the surface of the ground when the
associated outboard section 40 is in the transport position.
However, this transport wheel is disposed out of engagement with
respect to the surface of the ground, as shown in FIG. 1, when the
associated outboard section 40 is in the operative extended
position.
Retaining means, in the form of flexible cables 48, are connected
between the outboard sections 40 and the forward end of the mobile
cart 11. The flexible cables are connected to each of the outboard
sections 40 intermediate the ends thereof and extend forwardly
therefrom for connection to an elongated cable control arm or
release member, generally designated 50, and pivotally mounted
between the mobile cart frame members 13 by a pivot shaft 52 (FIG.
3). When the implement is in the lowered, horizontal operative
position, the cables 46 support the outboard sections in a
horizontal direction against rearward movement as the earth
engaging harrow teeth 21, for instance, move along and work the
ground. As shown in my aforesaid patent application, the cable
control arm 50 is held downwardly in a generally horizontal
position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 by a latch means, generally
designated 53. Generally, the latch means 53 includes a tongue 54
which is biased by a spring 55 (FIG. 8) rearwardly in latching
engagement over a front plate 56 rigidly secured to the free end of
the cable control arm 50. To fold the implement 10 after the ground
engaging tools are raised to the aforesaid inoperative position,
the tongue 54 is pulled forwardly against the biasing of spring 55
by means of a rope 57 (FIG. 8) or the like leading up to the
tractor seat for grasping by the driver. The control arm 50 then is
released and the outboard sections 38 may fold rearwardly (FIG. 2)
with the flexible cables 46 moving therewith whereby the control
arm 50 is pulled or pivoted rearwardly about shaft 52 by the
outboard sections, through the cables. As seen in FIG. 9, the pivot
point (shaft 52) for the cable control arm 50 must be maintained
below the cables 46 when the control arm is in its latched position
so that the control arm will be pulled back by the outboard
sections during folding.
When the implement is unfolded back to its operative position, a
coil spring 58 urges the control arm 50 (which, in turn, brings the
cable 48 therewith) back into locked engagement with the latch
means 54.
The cables 46 thus are maintained taut during the folding and
unfolding of the implement.
As seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, an arm member 60 is connected by a
bracket 60a to the forwardmost outboard section frame member 40a
(FIG. 1) and extends outwardly therefrom when the outboard sections
are in their fully folded positions (FIG. 2). These arms 60 prevent
the flexible cables 48 from dropping onto the ground when the
tractor makes a somewhat sharp turn during transport of the fully
folded implement. Should a sharp turn be made and one of the cables
becomes slack, the cable will come to rest on the arm 60 on the
respective side of the implement.
Another feature of the invention is the provision of lost-motion
means in the hinges 42 to provide for limited vertical movement of
the outboard sections 40 relative to the center section 20 about
the hinges 42 to accommodate for irregular terrain when the
implement 11 is moved thereover while the implement is in its fully
folded transport position. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, each hinge
42 between the center section 20 and the outboard sections 40
comprises an ear 42a secured to either the respective outboard
section 40 or the center section 20, the ear 42a being sandwiched
between a pair of ears 42b on the adjacent section, with a pin 62
extending through generally aligned openings in the ears 42a, 42b.
The openings are generally vertically oriented when the implement
is in the folded transport position (FIGS. 2, 5, and 6), and
generally horizontal when in the lowered operative position of the
implement (FIG. 1). Either the opening in the one ear 42a or the
openings in the pair of ears 42b are enlarged to provide a
lost-motion connection to permit vertical movement of the outboard
sections relative to the center section about the hinge connection
42, as aforesaid. Washers 63 prevent the pins 62 from falling
through the enlarged openings.
Means in the form of an independent locking device hydraulically
actuated by the piston and cylinder device described above is
provided to lock the cable control arm 50 in its lower position. In
certain instances, the latch means 53 may be rendered inoperative
by rust, dirt, or the like, clogging the device and preventing the
latch tongue 54 from moving rearwardly over the plate 56 on the
free end of the cable control arm 50. Without a positive lock,
should the latch means 53 become inoperative, damage may be done to
the hinges or other portions of the implement when an operator
moves the tractor while the implement sections are not in their
fully raised or fully lowered position. Thus, and referring to
FIGS. 3 and 8, an independent positive lock is provided in the form
of a rod 70 extending front to rear of the cart and connected at
its rear end to the lower end of the actuating lever 26 which is
actuated by the piston and cylinder device. The front end of the
rod 70, as best seen in FIG. 8, is guided in a sleeve 72 welded to
the frame members 13. A bracket 74 is fixed to the underside of the
plate 56 on the free end of the cable control arm 50 and has an
aperture 76 therethrough for receiving the locking rod 70. As seen
in FIG. 3, the connection of the front end of the locking rod 70 to
the actuating lever 26 is relatively close to the pivot point for
the lever so that a relatively short moment arm is formed for
reciprocating the rod 70 axially within the sleeve 72. FIG. 8 shows
the locking rod disposed within the aperture 76 on the underside of
the control arm 50, with the control arm in its lowermost position.
Thus it can be seen that as the piston and cylinder device is
actuated to move the top of the actuating lever 26 rearwardly to
raise the implement sections from their lowered operative position
to their upper, vertical inoperative position, the locking rod 70
is moved axially rearwardly out of locking engagement within the
aperture 76 in the brackets 74 on the underside of the cable
control arm 50. The amount of movement of the locking rod 70 in
correlation with the raising and lowering of the implement sections
should be such that the rod does not move completely out of the
aperture 76 until the very end of the piston travel of the piston
and cylinder device. This is important so that the positive lock
for the cable control arm is not released until the implement
sections substantially reach their vertical positions. Such a
structure prevents damage to the implement in the case that the
latch 53 fails to lock, or becomes unlocked, in an intermediate
angular position of the implement sections.
During operation of the implement, the hitch 15 will be connected
to a prime mover such as the tractor T (FIG. 4), and the implement
will be towed therebehind. If it is assumed that the implement is
in the operative position shown in FIG. 1, the piston rod 36 will
be retracted so that the actuating lever 26 is disposed in the
position illustrated in FIG. 1. The center section 20 and the
outboard sections 40 will be disposed generally horizontal in their
lowered working positions. In this position, the outer ends of the
outboard sections will be supported for travel by the
ground-engaging wheels 44 and the outboard sections will be
permitted to "float," due to the hinge connection 42, to
accommodate irregularities in the terrain.
When it is desirable to shift the implement to the transport
position, the operator of the tractor will actuate the controls
located on the tractor whereby the piston rod 36 shifts the
actuating lever 26 in a forward direction. This movement is
transmitted through the transmitting link 30 to the center section
drawbar 19 to rotate the latter and also to produce revolving
movement in the forward direction with respect to the outboard
sections 40. Rotation of the outboard sections in this direction
elevates the associated tools (spring harrow teeth 21 in the
embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings). The transport
wheels 46 will be rotated from their raised positions to
ground-engaging positions while the ground-engaging wheels 44 will
be moved out of engaging relationship with respect to the
ground.
With the tools, the outboard sections 40 and the center section 20
in their raised inoperative position, the operator of the tractor
will pull on rope 57 to move tongue 54 from its latch position over
the front plate 56 on the forward end of the cable control arm 50,
and the cables 48 will pull the control arm rearwardly as the
outboard sections 40 are swung to the rearward folded position
(FIG. 2) upon forward movement of the tractor or prime mover. The
offsetting of the outboard sections permit the harrow teeth 21 to
bypass at the juncture of the center section and the outboard
sections.
When it is desirable to shift the implement back to the operative
lowered position, the operator backs the tractor rearwardly whereby
the transport wheels will shift the outboard section to the
extended position and the front plate 56 on the cable control arm
50 will automatically latch, because of the biasing of the spring
58, under the latch tongue 54. The operator then actuates the
hydraulic unit to retract the piston rod thereof so that the center
drawbar and outboard sections 40 are revolved to allow the
associated tools to be lowered.
The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of
understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be
understood therefrom as some modifications will be obvious to those
skilled in the art.
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