Folding implement frame for grain drills and the like

• US 4,664,202 A
• Filed: 09/07/1984
• Issued: 05/12/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing Incorporated (Kubota Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing Incorporated (Kubota Corporation)
• Inventors: Johnson, Eric, Adee, Ray A., Applequist, Roy E.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brown, Terrence L. B.
• Application Number:
  US06/648,761
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 172/310-311, 172/331, 172/443, 172/446, 172/456-459, 172/502, 172/624, 172/624.5, 172/631, 172/652, 172/657, 172/662, 172/776, 172/445.1, 172/449, 172/450, 111/57, 280/411 A, 280/411 R, 280/413
• US Class Current: 172/311
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 73/065 to a position essentially forward of the axis, in relation to the direction of travel
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/005 Undercarriages, tanks, hoppers, stirrers specially adapted for seeders or fertiliser distributors
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/208 Chassis; Coupling means to a tractor or the like; Lifting means; Side markers

Abstract

A pull-type folding implement, such as a grain drill, has individual and independent radial flotation for each of its drill units such that each unit can rise and fall, while remaining level, independently of the other, as well as cock and cant independently of the other as may be necessary to accommodate uneven ground terrain, yet the units may be folded into compact, fore-and-aft extending transport positions in which ground wheels thereof are retracted off the ground and the units are carried by a main, fore-and-aft carrier frame of the implement. A third, center unit may be provided between the two outer units and utilizes its own set of ground wheels during both field working and over-the-road travel when the other units are folded in, the center unit likewise having a floating connection with the carrier frame which permits the center unit to rise and fall, cock and cant when experiencing terrain irregularities. Because the weight of the two outer units is borne entirely by the carrier frame when the outer units are folded in for transport, a safety interlock is provided which prevents unfolding of the outer units from the carrier frame unless the ground wheels of the outer units have first been lowered into ground engaging positions capable of supporting the load of the outer units. Special cocked pivot assemblies coupling the outer units with the central carrier frame cause the units to be likewise cocked about their longitudinal axes when folded into the transport position such that depending, outboard extremities of the units are provided with an extra measure of ground clearance at that time.

Claims

1. In a folding agricultural implement, the improvement comprising:

at least a pair of elongated tool units each provided with retractable ground wheels supporting the units for ground travel in field-working positions wherein the units are disposed at least generally end-to-end with their longitudinal axes extending transversely of the path of travel of the implement;

a carrier frame adapted for ground travel;

means coupling said units with said frame for towing thereby in said field-working position,

said coupling means including structure adapting said units for independent swiveling movement about first respective fore-and-aft axes located between the opposite ends of the respective units,

said units being selectively positionable in transport positions wherein said longitudinal axes thereof extend generally fore-and-aft to render the implement folded into a laterally compacted condition; and

apparatus supporting said units on said carrier for transport thereby when the units are in said transport positions with said ground wheels retracted,

said coupling means further including components permitting the units and their respective first axes to swing independently up and down about second respective fore-and-aft axes spaced inwardly from and located between said first axes as the ground wheels of the units encounter terrain irregularities,

said component for each unit including a beam pivotally connected to one end to the frame for up-and-down and fore-and-aft swinging movement with its corresponding unit between said working and transport positions and releasably retainable in either of said positions,

said structure including swivel connector means between each beam and its corresponding unit,

said swivel connector means for each unit including a pair of generally horizontally spaced lower links having swivel connections at their opposite ends with the beam and the unit, and an upper link spaced above and between said lower links having a rigid connection with its beam and a swivel connection with its unit.

2. In a folding agricultural implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame is provided with a third, elongated transversely extending tool unit disposed between and in at least generally end-to-end alignment with said pair of units when the latter are in said working positions, said third unit being attached to said frame for up-and-down movement relative thereto independently of the other units and being provided with ground wheel means supporting said third unit for both field-working and over-the-road travel.

3. In a folding agricultural implement as claimed in claim 2, wherein said ground wheel means is retractable relative to said third unit for raising and lowering the latter.

4. In a folding agricultural implement as claimed in claim 2, wherein said third unit is provided with swivel means attaching the same to the frame in a manner to adapt the third unit for free-swiveling movement about a fore-and-aft axis located between its opposite ends.

5. A pull-type folding agricultural implement comprising:

a carrier frame provided with means supporting the same for ground travel;

a pair of beams projecting from opposite sides of said frame and provided with means pivotally coupling the same to the frame for fore-and-aft swinging movement between laterally outwardly extending field-working positions and folded-in, fore-and-aft extending transport positions,

said pivotal coupling means also providing free-floating, up-and-down swinging movement of the beams relative to one another and to the frame;

means for releasably retaining the beams in said working position;

an elongated tool unit for each of said beams respectively provided with retractable ground wheel means supporting the unit for ground travel;

means coupling each of said units to its respective beam in such a manner that the longitudinal axes of the units extend at least generally parallel to the beams and the units are disposed in at least generally end-to-end alignment in said working position,

said coupling means for each unit including structure permitting the unit to swivel freely relative to its beam about a fore-and-aft axis located between the opposite ends of the unit when the units are in said working position; and

apparatus for supporting the beams and the units on the frame for transport thereby when the beams and units are folded into said transport position and the ground wheel means of the units are retracted off the ground,

said swivel structure for each unit including a pair of lower, longitudinally spaced links having swivel connections at one end with the unit and swivel connections at the opposite end with the beam, and a third, upper link between and above the lower links having a swivel connection at one end with the unit and a rigid connection at the opposite end with the beam.

6. An implement as claimed in claim 5, wherein the beams are adapted to fold forwardly when moving from said working positions to said transport position.

7. An implement as claimed in claim 5, and power means for effecting said swinging of the beams between said working and transport positions.

8. An implement as claimed in claim 5, wherein said frame is provided with a third, elongated transversely extending tool unit disposed between and in at least generally end-to-end alignment with said pair of units when the latter are in said working positions, said third unit being attached to said frame for free-floating up-and-down movement relative thereto independently of the other units and being provided with ground wheel means supporting said third unit for both field-working and over-the-road travel.

9. An implement as claimed in claim 8, wherein said third unit is further provided with swivel means attaching the same to the frame in a manner to adapt the third unit for free swiveling movement about a fore-and-aft axis located between its opposite ends.

10. A pull-type folding agricultural implement comprising:

a carrier frame provided with means supporting the same for ground level;

a pair of beams projecting from opposite sides of said frame and provided with means pivotally coupling the same to the frame for fore-and-aft swinging movement between laterally outwardly extending field-working positions and folded-in, fore-and-aft extending transport positions,

said pivotal coupling means also providing free-floating, up-and-down swinging movement of the beam relative to one another and to the frame;

means for releasably retaining the beams in said working position;

an elongated tool unit for each of said beams respectively provided with retractable ground wheel means supporting the unit for ground travel;

means coupling each of said units to its respective beam in such a manner that the longitudinal axes of the units extend at least generally parallel to the beams and the units are disposed in at least generally end-to-end alignment in said working position,

said coupling means for each unit including structure permitting the unit to swivel freely relative to its beam about a fore-and-aft axis located between the opposite ends of the unit when the units are in said working position; and

apparatus for supporting the beams and the units on the frame for transport thereby when the beams and units are folded into said transport position and the ground wheel means of the units are retracted off the ground,

said pivotal coupling means for the beams being cocked slightly in such a manner that the beams rotate slightly about their longitudinal axes as they move from said working position to said transport position, whereby to increase the ground clearance in the transport position for portions of said units disposed below and outboard of the beams.

11. A pull-type folding agricultural implement comprising:

a carrier frame provided with means supporting the same for ground travel;

a pair of beams projecting from opposite sides of said frame and provided with means pivotally coupling the same to the frame for fore-and-aft swinging movement between laterally outwardly extending field-working positions and folded-in, fore-and-aft extending transport positions,

said pivotal coupling means also providing free-floating, up-and-down swinging movement of the beams relative to one another and to the frame;

means for releasably retaining the beams in said working position;

an elongated tool unit for each of said beams respectively provided with retractable ground wheel means supporting the unit for ground travel;

means coupling each of said units to its respective beam in such a manner that the longitudinal axes of the units extend at least generally parallel to the beams and the units are disposed in at least generally end-to-end alignment in said working position,

said coupling means for each unit including structure permitting the unit to swivel freely relative to its beam about a fore-and-aft axis located between the opposite ends of the unit when the units are in said working position; and

apparatus for supporting the beams and the units on the frame for transport thereby when the beams and units are folded into said transport position and the ground wheel means of the units are retracted off the ground,

said frame being provided with a pair of ledges located one each on opposite sides of the frame, said units having projections receivable on a corresponding pair of ledges when the units are in the transport position.

12. An implement as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of said ledges is provided with an entry guide ramp, each of said projections having an anti-friction roller at the outer end thereof for rolling engagement with the corresponding ramp as the projection approaches the ledge.

13. A pull-type folding agricultural implement comprising:

a carrier frame provided with means supporting the same for ground travel;

a pair of beams projecting from opposite sides of said frame and provided with means pivotally coupling the same to the frame for fore-and-aft swinging movement between laterally outwardly extending field-working positions and folded-in, fore-and-aft extending transport positions,

said pivotal coupling means also providing free-floating, up-and-down swinging movement of the beams relative to one another and to the frame;

means for releasably retaining the beams in said working position;

an elongated tool unit for each of said beam respectively provided with retractable ground wheel means supporting the unit for ground travel;

means coupling each of said units to its respective beam in such a manner that the longitudinal axes of the units extend at least generally parallel to the beams and the units are disposed in at least generally end-to-end alignment in said working position,

said coupling means for each unit including structure permitting the unit to swivel freely relative to its beam about a fore-and-aft axis located between the opposite ends of the unit when the units are in said working position; and

apparatus for supporting the beams and the units on the frame for transport thereby when the beams and units are folded into said transport position and the ground wheel means of the units are retracted off the ground,

said frame and said wheel means of the units being provided with a safety interlock therebetween for assuring that the wheel means are lowered to the ground before the units are removed from their transport positions on the carrier frame,

said interlock for each unit including a protrusion associated with the wheel means of each unit respectively and a catch on the frame for each of said protrusions, said protrusions being movable with their respective wheel means during retraction of the latter into positions received by said catches when the units are in the transport position.

14. In a folding agricultural implement, the improvement comprising:

a mobile fore-and-aft extending carrier frame;

a pair of tool beams on opposite sides of the frame;

a tool unit associated with each of said beams respectively and having a portion thereof projecting below the beam and laterally outwardly therefrom to an outboard extremity;

a pivot assembly joining the inner ends of each of the beams respectively with said frame in a manner to adapt the beams for movement between a laterally outwardly projecting field-working position and an inwardly folded transport position; and

apparatus supporting the beams and units on said frame for transport by the latter in said transport position,

said pivot assemblies each including a generally upright pivot member having an upper end cocked inwardly toward the frame out of a vertical disposition in such a direction as to cause the corresponding beam to rotate slightly about its longitudinal axis during swinging thereof from the working to the transport position thereof whereby to raise the lower outboard extremity of the tool unit for extra ground clearance,

each of said pivot assemblies further including a second pivot member transverse to the other member adapting the beams for up-and-down swinging movement.

15. In an implement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the beams are adapted to fold forwardly when moving from said working position to said transport position.

16. A pull-type folding agricultural implement comprising:

a carrier frame provided with means supporting the same for ground travel;

a pair of tool sections on opposite sides of said frame and provided with means pivotally coupling the same to the frame for fore-and-aft swinging movement between laterally outwardly extending field-working positions and folded-in, fore-and-aft extending transport positions,

said pivotal coupling means also providing for up-and-down swinging movement of the sections relative to the frame;

means for releasably retaining the sections in said working position,

each of said sections including retractable ground wheel means supporting the sections for ground travel in said working position;

apparatus supporting the sections on the frame for transport thereby when the sections are folded into said transport position and the ground wheel means thereof are retracted off the ground; and

a safety interlock between the wheel means and the frame for assuring that the wheel means are lowered to the ground before the sections are removed from their transport positions on the carrier frame,

said interlock for each section including a protrusion associated with the wheel means of the section and a catch on the frame for each of said protrusions, said protrusions being movable with their respective wheel means into positions received by said catches during retraction of the wheel means when the sections are in the transport position.

17. In an implement as claimed in claim 16, wherein the sections are adapted to fold forwardly when moving from said working position to said transport position.

18. In a pull-type folding agricultural implement, the improvement comprising:

a carrier frame provided with ground wheels supporting the same for ground travel;

a pair of outrigger tool sections on opposite sides of said frame and provided with means pivotally coupling the same to the frame for fore-and-aft swinging movement between laterally outwardly extending field-working positions and folded-in, fore-and-aft extending transport positions,

each of said sections including retractable ground wheel means supporting the sections for ground travel in said working position;

apparatus supporting the sections on the frame for transport thereby when the sections are folded into said transport position and the ground wheel means thereof are retracted off the ground; and

a third, trailering center tool section coupled with said carrier frame at the rear end of the latter between said outrigger sections and provided with ground wheels, separate from the ground wheels of the carrier frame, supporting the center section during both field working when the outrigger sections are in said working position and over-the-road travel when the outrigger sections are in said transport position.