Self-propelled agricultural implement

• US 6,129,372 A
• Filed: 09/13/1999
• Issued: 10/10/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald J. Gallenberg
• Original Assignee: Ronald J. Gallenberg
• Inventors: Gallenberg, Ronald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US09/394,584
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 280/495, 280/496, 280/43, 280/46, 280/33.991, 280/33.996, 280/481, 180/209, 180/418, 180/53.4, 180/53.7
• US Class Current: 280/481
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 51/026 of the automotive vehicle type, e.g. including driver accommodation A01B51/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 49/065 Coupling of multi-purpose tractors with equipment towing bars B60D; with load transfer B62D53/08; power take-off B60K; with lifting devices B62D49/02; pushing gear B62D49/04

Abstract

A self-propelled agricultural implement having a power unit with a pair of steerable drive wheels and a pair of rearward balance wheels. The forward end of the power unit is selectively connectable to an implement attachment having forward attachment wheels and power connections from the power unit.

Claims

1. The combination of an implement having a power unit and an implement attachment comprising:

the power unit having a forward end, a rearward end and an operator seat facing toward said forward end;

a plurality of different implement attachments, each having a forward end and a rearward end and each being selectively connectable to the forward end of said power unit, wherein the rearward end of at least one of said implement attachments is connected to the forward end of said power unit; and

one or more steerable attachment wheels connected near the forward end of said implement attachment, said one or more steerable attachment wheels being steerable from said power unit.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said one or more attachment wheels are steerable.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said one or more attachment wheels are powered.

4. The combination of claim 1 including a power unit mounting surface at the forward end of said power unit and an implement attachment mounting surface at the rearward end of said implement attachment, said power unit mounting surface and said implement attachment mounting surface being selectively connectable to one another.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said power unit includes a hydraulic power source and wherein said one or more attachment wheels are powered from said hydraulic power source.

6. A combination power unit and implement attachment comprising:

a self propelled power unit having a forward end and a rearward end;

a pair of drive wheels connected with said power unit;

an operator seat facing toward said forward end;

a hydraulic power source on said power unit;

an implement attachment having a forward end and a rearward end wherein the rearward end of said implement attachment is selectively connectable to the forward end of said power unit;

an implement member connected with said implement attachment and moveable relative to said implement attachment between an operative and a nonoperative position;

one or more steerable attachment wheels mounted near the forward end of said implement attachment and being steerable from said power unit when said implement attachment is connected with said power unit; and

at least one hydraulic cylinder connected to said implement attachment and to said implement member to move said implement member between said operative and nonoperative positions, said at least one hydraulic cylinder being provided with hydraulic power from said hydraulic power source.

7. The implement of claim 6 wherein said one or more attachment wheels are powered.

8. The implement of claim 7 wherein said hydraulic power unit mounted at the forward end of said attachment and operatively connected with at least one of said attachment wheels.

9. The implement of claim 6 including a power unit mounting surface at the forward end of said power unit and an attachment mounting surface at the rearward end of said attachment, said power unit mounting surface and said attachment mounting surface being selectively connectable to one another.

10. The implement of claim 9 wherein said power unit mounting surface and said attachment mounting surface include a plurality of aligned mounting holes and corresponding connecting members extending through said mounting holes.