Automatically retracting tiller for mounting on one side of a tractor
First Claim
1. An automatically retracting tiller for installation at one side of a tractor, including in combination:
- a stationary frame adapted to be secured to a side frame attachment of a tractor,a gimbal having a gimbal frame pivoted to said stationary frame by a stationary horizontal pivot rod and having first and second vertical pivot rods,first power means for tilting said gimbal frame about said horizontal pivot rod,a tiller frame pivoted to said first vertical pivot rod and carrying tilling apparatus,second power means for swinging said tiller frame about said first vertical pivot bar,control means for said second power means having a control lever,a cam mounted on said second vertical pivot rod in contact with said control lever for operation of said control means, anda sensor arm connected to said second vertical pivot rod extending horizontally out from said gimbal frame, so that when it engages a vine trunk, tree, fence post, or grapestake, it rotates said cam and thereby actuates said control means to energize said second power means to retract said tiller frame and thereby protect the vine trunk from said tilling apparatus.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automatically retracting tiller for installation at one or both sides of a tractor. A stationary frame is adapted to be secured to a side frame attachment of the tractor. A gimbal frame is pivoted to the stationary frame by a stationary horizontal pivot rod and carries first and second vertical pivot rods. A double-acting vertical hydraulic apparatus has a cylinder secured to the stationary frame and a piston rod secured to the gimbal frame, for tilting the gimbal frame about the horizontal pivot rod. A tiller frame is pivoted to the first vertical pivot rod and carries the tilling apparatus. A double-acting horizontal hydraulic apparatus has a cylinder secured to the stationary frame and a piston rod secured to the tiller frame for swinging the tiller frame about the first vertical pivot bar. A control valve for the horizontal hydraulic apparatus is mounted on the tiller frame and has a control lever. A cam is mounted on the second vertical pivot rod in contact with the control lever for operation of the valve. A spring-released sensor arm is connected to the second vertical pivot rod and extends out horizontally from the gimbal frame so that when it engages a vine or tree trunk or post or grapestake, it rotates the cam and actuates the valve to cause the horizontal hydraulic apparatus to retract the tiller frame and thereby protect the vine trunk from the tilling apparatus. The head is mounted for rotation normally in a horizontal plane and has five depending tines, set at 3° off vertical. A hydraulic motor rotates the tiller head at a speed of about 150-300 r.p.m.
15 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An automatically retracting tiller for installation at one side of a tractor, including in combination:
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a stationary frame adapted to be secured to a side frame attachment of a tractor, a gimbal having a gimbal frame pivoted to said stationary frame by a stationary horizontal pivot rod and having first and second vertical pivot rods, first power means for tilting said gimbal frame about said horizontal pivot rod, a tiller frame pivoted to said first vertical pivot rod and carrying tilling apparatus, second power means for swinging said tiller frame about said first vertical pivot bar, control means for said second power means having a control lever, a cam mounted on said second vertical pivot rod in contact with said control lever for operation of said control means, and a sensor arm connected to said second vertical pivot rod extending horizontally out from said gimbal frame, so that when it engages a vine trunk, tree, fence post, or grapestake, it rotates said cam and thereby actuates said control means to energize said second power means to retract said tiller frame and thereby protect the vine trunk from said tilling apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An automatically retracting tiller for installation at one side of a tractor, including in combination:
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a stationary frame adapted to be secured to a side frame attachment of a tractor, a gimbal having a gimbal frame pivoted to said stationary frame by a stationary horizontal pivot rod and having first and second vertical pivot rods, a double-acting vertical hydraulic apparatus having a cylinder secured to said stationary frame and a piston rod secured to said gimbal frame, for tilting said gimbal frame about said horizontal pivot rod, a tiller frame pivoted to said first vertical pivot rod and carrying tilling apparatus, a double-acting horizontal hydraulic apparatus having a cylinder secured to said stationary frame and a piston rod secured to said tiller frame for swinging said tiller frame about said first vertical pivot bar, a control valve for said horizontal hydraulic apparatus mounted on said tiller frame and having a control lever, a cam mounted on said second vertical pivot rod in contact with said control lever for operation of said valve, a sensor arm connected to said second vertical pivot rod and extending out horizontally from said gimbal frame so that when it engages a vine trunk, tree trunk, fence post, or grapestake, it rotates said cam and actuates said valve to cause said horizontal hydraulic apparatus to retract said tiller frame and thereby protect the vine trunk from said tilling apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A tilling device, comprising
a self powered retractor having at least one side frame attachment, a stationary frame secured to said side frame attachment, a gimbal having a gimbal frame pivoted to said stationary frame by a stationary horizontal pivot rod and having first and second vertical pivot rods, first power means for tilting said gimbal frame about said horizontal pivot rod, a tiller frame pivoted to said first vertical pivot rod and carrying tilling apparatus, second power means for swinging said tiller frame about said first vertical pivot bar, control means for said second power means having a control lever, a cam mounted on said second vertical pivot rod in contact with said control lever for operation of said control means, and a sensor arm connected to said second vertical pivot rod extending horizontally out from said gimbal frame, so that when it engages a vine trunk or grapestake, it rotates said cam and thereby actuates said control means to energize said second power means to retract said tiller frame and thereby protect the vine trunk from said tilling apparatus.
Specification