With Ground Support Engageable With Ground For Transport Only Patents (Class 172/240)
  • Patent number: 11490564
    Abstract: A header including a cutter bar configured to cut crop for harvesting and a header frame supporting the cutter bar. A transport assembly is operatively connected to the header frame. A support arm is rotatably coupled to an axle of the transport assembly and is pivotably coupled to a mounting frame coupled to the header frame. A cam linkage is disposed at the support arm to provide a mechanical advantage for an operator when moving the transport assembly from a transport position to a harvest position. The cam linkage includes a lift assist device having a first end connected to the mounting frame and a second end coupled to a cam arm. Extension of the second end from the first end of the lift assist device applies the cam arm to a cam surface of the support arm to move the transport assembly to the harvest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael C. LaVally, Michael L. Vandeven
  • Patent number: 11236558
    Abstract: An attachment that is configured for attachment to an arm of a piece of heavy construction equipment. The attachment is configured to rotate a section of pipe during break-out (i.e. disconnection or disassembly) from another section of pipe and/or make-up (i.e. connection or assembly) with another section of pipe. The attachment is configured to break the joint or torque the joint, unthread or thread pipe, and lift the pipe under the power of the heavy construction equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: LAVALLEY INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jason LaValley, Craig Larson, Matt Michel, Rod Wurgler, John Busuttil
  • Patent number: 10448558
    Abstract: A towable farm implement having a frame element having a field end, a fold gate, and an inner wing tow bar rotatably connected to the frame member. The farm implement having a wing having a wing frame extending from a center end to an outer end. The fold gate can be rotatable between a transport position in which the fold gate is parallel to the main carrier and a field position in which the fold gate is perpendicular to the main carrier. Rotating the fold gate into the transport position can pivot the wing about the inner wing tow bar into a parallel orientation relative to the frame member. Rotating the fold gate into the field position can pivots the wing about the inner wing tow bar into a transverse orientation relative to the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Norwood Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Lykken
  • Patent number: 10412877
    Abstract: A remotely positionable stabilizer wheel arrangement for a towable agricultural implement utilizes a control unit that receives an input signal indicative of a desired position of the stabilizer wheel, and/or a desired depth of penetration of tillage tools operatively attached to the front and rear of the implement frame, to automatically control a hydraulic positioning cylinder of the remotely positionable stabilizer wheel arrangement to position and hold the stabilizer wheel at the desired position of the stabilizer wheel, by controlling pressure in the hydraulic cylinder to hold the stabilizer wheel at a target position determined from the desired position input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, John Endsley, James W. Henry, Tracey Meiners, Kevin McKee, John Posselius, Kena Shah
  • Patent number: 10143138
    Abstract: An agricultural mower including a chassis, a pivotal tongue coupled to the chassis and a transport arrangement coupled to the chassis. The transport arrangement has a first suspension element pivotal about a first axis and a second suspension element pivotal about a second axis. The second suspension element additionally being pivotal about the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Fay, II, Brendon Earl
  • Patent number: 9955621
    Abstract: A forward folding agricultural implement frame has a center frame with pivotally connected wings that fold forward for storage and laterally for use. A pair of draft links connects the wings to a telescopic hitch that extends forward from the center frame. A pivot pin operably mounted to a forward portion of the telescopic hitch defines a generally vertical pivot axis. A pivot link is connected to the pivot pin to pivot about the generally vertical pivot axis. The pivot link having a first portion on one side of the pivot pin and a second portion on an opposite of the pivot pin from the first portion. The draft links are pivotally connected to the first and second portions of the pivot link. When the wings are flexed in opposite directions (or when one wing is neutral and the other wing is flexed), the pivot link will permit opposite relative movement of the draft link ends relative to the inner hitch, which reduces internal stress and prevents permanent strain of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Vaughan G. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 9801324
    Abstract: A farm implement having rotatable wings rotatably connected to a main carrier and also having a folding bar linkage, which folds as the corresponding wing is rotated into a stowed position and extends as the wing rotates into a deployed position. A fixed length control bar rotatably linking a tow bar of the folding bar linkage to the main carrier controls the folding and unfolding of the bar linkage as the wing rotates between the deployed and stowed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: NORWOOD SALES Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Lykken
  • Patent number: 9386742
    Abstract: A pull-type rotary mower comprises a frame with a transverse main beam mounted on transversely spaced field ground wheels for movement with a central hitch arm extending to a tractor and a transport assembly attached to the main beam the frame for moving downwardly to a transport position so that in the transport position the hitch arm extends from one end of the frame generally in the transverse direction for towing the machine in the transverse direction. The transport includes front and rear transport ground wheel which act to support the machine on the wheels. A shield assembly, which in the field position extends rearwardly behind the frame to engage the crop emerging from a conditioner within a center discharge opening, includes at least a portion which is moved to a retracted position at the frame to allow the rear transport wheel to move to the transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignees: MacDon Industries Ltd., Maschinenfabrik Bernard Krone GmbH
    Inventors: Neil Gordon Barnett, Geoffrey U. Snider, Konstantin Kolegaev, Andreas Afting
  • Patent number: 9386748
    Abstract: A folding wheel transport assembly is attachable to a header frame of an agricultural harvester and includes a wheel, a wheel axle support member carrying the wheel, a linkage connected to the wheel axle support member, and an actuator for moving the linkage and the wheel from a transportation position to a harvesting position. The wheel axle support member is pivotably connected to the linkage whereby the wheel pivots inwardly toward the header frame as the wheel moves between the transportation and harvesting positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Joel Timothy Cook, Andrew V. Lauwers, Blaine Noll
  • Patent number: 8910726
    Abstract: A harvester has an attachment, for rotatably supporting the support arm of the support wheel to the frame of the header, that includes a first bearing device with a substantially horizontal axis for rotatably supporting the support arm of the support wheel to the attachment, so that the support arm is tiltable between an operating position and a stowed position. The attachment further has a second bearing device with a substantially vertical axis, for rotatably supporting the attachment to the frame, so that the attachment is tiltable between a first position whereby the axis of the first bearing device substantially transverses the direction of travel and a second position whereby the axis of the first bearing device is substantially parallel to the direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Eddy Lammerant, Johan A. E. Vande Ryse, Bart Ryckaert
  • Patent number: 8209946
    Abstract: A rotary mower has a center deck and wing decks extend laterally outward from the center deck and are oriented horizontally when in the field position. An actuator moves each wing deck from the field position to the raised transport position where the wing decks extend upward. A transport wheel and a field wheel are mounted on each side so that in the field position, the transport wheel is above the ground and the field wheel is supports the wing deck and in the raised transport position the field wheel is above the ground and the transport wheel supports the wing deck. A wing wheel supports each wing deck when in the field position. As the center deck is towed forward in the raised transport position, the wing decks pivot rearward with respect to the center deck from the raised transport position to the trailing transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Highline Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: Blake Neudorf, Cam Wilson, Monty Summach
  • Publication number: 20110265699
    Abstract: A land roller implement includes a wheel aligned with the respective gap between the inner roller and the outer roller of each wing in which the wheel is pivotal between a packing position in the working position of the rollers and a transport position supporting the rollers in the transport position of the implement. The wings can also include a drive motor associated with each transport wheel to drive forward rotation of the wheel for displacing the wings from the transport position to the working position without displacing the implement in a rearward direction. A levelling beam attachment and a seeding attachment can also optionally be used on the land roller implement. Optional latchable brace members pivotally supported on the wings may provide additional support to the wings when using the levelling beam attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: David Gary McCrea, Thomas Edward McCrea
  • Patent number: 7926249
    Abstract: A harvest header includes a transport system for converting the harvest header between a harvesting configuration and a transport configuration. The transport system may be retrofitted to existing headers or may be integrally constructed with a header. The transport system includes wheels that are retracted or rotated into a compact storage position against the rear wall surface of the header in a harvest configuration so as not to substantially increase the width of the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Joel Timothy Cook
  • Patent number: 7866409
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided to facilitate the transport and storage of tilling machines and specifically mini-tillers. A wheel apparatus can attach to a tilling machine, such as by attachment to a drag bar, in a transport position or a storage position. In the transport position, the wheel apparatus can maintain tiller tines of the tilling machine above the ground surface with the weight of the tilling machine supported on the wheel apparatus, thereby allowing the tilling machine to be rolled for transport. In the storage position, the wheel apparatus can be attached to the drag bar, whereby both the tiller tines and the wheel apparatus rest on the ground surface to provide stability to the tilling machine. During operation the wheel apparatus can be removed from the tilling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Wayne Vaughn, Andrew Joseph McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7591323
    Abstract: A walk-behind lawn aerator has a left and right aerator reels both journalled side by side on the same axle and rotatable independently of one another. Left and right hydraulic drives provide motive power to the left and right reels, and each is capable of rotating the associated reel forward, reverse, or at intermediate speeds. A wheel boom carries front wheels, and is raised and lowered using a hydraulic cylinder. With the wheel boom lowered, the unit is capable of a zero-radius turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Inventor: Ross Wynings
  • Patent number: 5642607
    Abstract: An implement includes a mid-mounted pivot tongue that is movable in a normal range of movement when the implement is working and to a transport position for towing the implement endwise when the implement is to be transported. Two embodiments of a stroke control device are provided and each acts to limit the stroke of a tongue-swing hydraulic actuator to operate for swinging the tongue through its operating range during normal operation of the implement, with each stroke control device being selectively operable to a stroke-freeing position permitting the actuator to operate through its entire stroke for moving the tongue beyond its operating range to a transport position. The stroke control devices and the tongue include cooperating structure for locking the tongue in its transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Roger Dale Stephenson, Mark Alan Jordan, Stephen Kenneth Parsons
  • Patent number: 5485690
    Abstract: A lightweight snowplow configured of a number of small components, each easily lifted, moved, assembled, dis-assembled and stored by an average individual. The snowplow is especially suitable for use with small vehicles such as small trucks, utility vehicles and cars. The snowplow features novel alternate arrangements for operational lifting, stopping and lowering of the snowplow and a quick-hitch/release mechanism for easy plow attachment purposes. Finally, the mounting structure to which the plow is attached and detached is designed so as to be able to fit most small utility vehicles with two fore and aft frame chassis members and a frame mounted metal bumper without need for welding or special custom fit-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Inventor: James P. MacQueen
  • Patent number: 5408765
    Abstract: Removal and mounting apparatus for a snowplow assembly wherein wheel assemblies are removably clamped to the blade lower edge so that the plow assembly may be easily manually wheeled about and maneuvered for positioning during removal and mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Inventor: Charles A. Lozensky
  • Patent number: 5086847
    Abstract: An improved height adjustment mechanism comprises a height adjustment arm permanently affixed to a wheel mounting member, the wheel mounting member pivoting around a bracket which is permanently connected to the underside of a longitudinal structural member. The height adjusting arm comprises two opposed parallel guide plates, arranged vertically, and attached at their lower extreme to the wheel mounting member. The height adjustment arm is raised and lowered by operation of height adjustment means attached to the top of the arm, the height adjustment means having both ends pivotally attached to the top side of the platform frame member. The guide plates of the height adjustment arm are pierced through with a series of opposing pairs of support openings, to which a support pin may be fitted. Placement of the pin then serves as a physical stop for the underside of the longitudinal structural member as the frame is lowered. The weight of the platform is thus borne by the support pin and the wheel arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Inventor: Elmo R. Meiners
  • Patent number: 5000268
    Abstract: An auxiliary support for permitting longitudinal travel of transversely elongated agricultural implements comprises a pivoted lifting frame adapted to extend outwardly and downwardly to elevationally raise the implement framework at one side. The outer end of the lifting frame is provided with a wheel aligned in the desired longitudinal direction of travel. An adjustable and removable saddle has an extension that overlies the implement frame to permit interposition of a conventional jack to raise and lower the implement framework as required. The elevated implement framework is held in a travel position by chains extending between the outer end of the lifting frame and brackets attached to the implement framework. A foldable hitch frame can be provided at one side of the implement framework to facilitate towing of the implement in a direction perpendicular to its normal direction of field movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Inventor: Robert Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 4971154
    Abstract: A harrow assembly adapted to be towed by a towing vehicle in either a working mode or a transport mode. The harrow assembly includes front and rear offset disc harrow units pivoted at one end portion. Each offset disc harrow unit includes a transport wheel assembly, each assembly having a pair of opposed, spaced transport wheels arranged on either side of the respective harrow units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Rome Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: George R. McKemie
  • Patent number: 4811794
    Abstract: A garden tilling apparatus has a frame with movable arms extending out of the frame and soil-working tines connected to the forward-most portion of the movable arms. Inside the frame, a crankshaft is mounted coupled to the arms and the arms pivotally attached to the frame. A drive mechanism mounted on top of the frame rotates the crankshaft which in turn reciprocates in an elliptical manner the soil-working tines which engage the soil. Handles extend upwardly from the rear of the frame so that one operator may move and use the apparatus to till the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Inventor: Benjamin F. Greene
  • Patent number: 4768449
    Abstract: A cultivator has a blade secured to a frame. The blade is downwardly projected from the frame and has an edge at the forward side thereof. An air injector is provided at a lower portion of the blade. The frame is supported with the blade and the injector above the ground by a pair of supporting wheels and a stand which are changeable to a criss-crossed stored position to permit the cultivator to be moved downwardly to its operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignees: Fuji Robin Kabushiki Kaisha, Kobashi Kogyo Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuji Kaneko, Akira Sasai, Tomoo Taguchi, Hirofumi Kayahara
  • Patent number: 4621697
    Abstract: A fulcrum assembly for a tiller of the type having auger shafts usable in a horizontal or vertical disposition provides a fulcrum point between the handle bars and the auger shafts, so that during operation by moving the tiller handle down an operator can change the downward motion of the auger shafts to an upward motion, thereby enabling the retrieval of the auger shafts from the soil after vertical augering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Inventor: Roger C. Webb
  • Patent number: 4619329
    Abstract: A soil aerator is shown which includes a frame and a rotatable drum mounted on the frame. The drum has an outer cylindrical surface. The opposing ends of the drum are enclosed and carry axles which are mounted within the frame whereby the drum is rotatable with respect to the frame about the longitudinal axis of the drum. A plurality of triangular-shaped teeth are arranged in rows on the outer cylindrical surface of the drum. Each of the rows of teeth forms a chevron-shaped pattern with respect to the next succeeding row of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Inventor: Cleon Gorbett
  • Patent number: 4585076
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting an earth working implement, most specifically, a roller-chopper unit for use in forestry, wherein a transporting wheel assembly is disposed upon the earth working implement or its frame thereby providing transportation for the earth working implement from job site to job site. The wheel assembly has a stored position in which the wheels are maintained while the earth implement is performing its task at a specific job site and the transporting wheel assembly further being movable between a working position in which the wheels are maintained against the ground and support the earth working implement during transportation between job sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Robert J. Stevens, Clinton E. Bromley
  • Patent number: 4569296
    Abstract: A wheeled agricultural implement that serves as a tool bar and transporter and disburser of agricultural chemicals. The implement provides a storage reservoir, a spray type disbursement system and apparatus for attachment to other agricultural implements for injection of chemicals into the soil. Pumping and metering systems are provided to aid measured disbursement of the chemicals. The implement provides secondary wheel structure to allow it to be moved, perpendicularly to its normal course of field travel, for transport over roadways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Inventors: Bill Miller, Jerry H. Boub
  • Patent number: 4555897
    Abstract: A transportable trailing wide-swath wheel-supported implement such as a rock windrower is conveniently able to convert from wide-swath working mode to a transversely narrower folded mode for convenient transport of the implement. The folding elements are a drawbar and the wheel legs, each of these being pivotally attached to the implement frame about a substantially vertical pivotal axis. In working mode, the wheel legs and drawbar are extended at a relatively large acute angle or right angle to the frame whereas in transport mode they pivotally retract to assume relatively small acute angles to the frame. The wheel legs may be locked in either extended or retracted position. Between the drawbar and the frame is preferably pivotally connected a hydraulic piston-cylinder arrangement, permitting the angle of the drawbar to the frame to be adjusted and controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Degelman Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Wilfred J. Degelman
  • Patent number: 4483400
    Abstract: A removable transport wheel assembly for a ground penetrating machine such as a roto tiller for providing removable wheels for movement of the machine from place to place and loading and unloading. The machine has a transverse power driven shaft carrying earth working implements and having tubular transverse ends. Pin assemblies have shanks that pass diametrically through the transverse ends of the shaft. A pair of wheels are provided each having a stub axle with a diameter to be slip fitted in a transverse end of the shaft, and with an enlarged shoulder to engage the transverse end of the shaft to limit axle movement of the axle into the shaft. Each stub axle has a slot which engages the shank of the pin assembly. At the inner end of the slot is a groove which provides a seat for the shank of the pin assembly to releasably fasten the wheels to the shaft of the machine for transport from place to place. The wheels are readily removed for using the machine in an earth working function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Inventor: Walter E. Arndt
  • Patent number: 4446926
    Abstract: A transport device for an agricultural drill is disclosed. Individually mounted, hydraulically actuated transport wheels are described. The transport wheels may be lowered in order to raise the drill to allow movement in a direction perpendicular to the ordinary operating direction of the drill. A mounting system for the wheels which absorbs shocks along three axes is described. Co-action between a coupling device and a hitch device which allows the drill to be transported over uneven ground is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Inventor: Milford D. Hoaglen
  • Patent number: 4427211
    Abstract: Cargo in the nature of a farm machine, such as a grain drill, is combined with transport structure in the form of a mobile carrier to improve upon over-the-road travel and other movement in a manner to permit rolling support by the ground wheels of both the carrier and the machine during the towing operation. The carrier has a normally inclined bed to facilitate loading of the machine thereupon. Power means, for example, that with which the machine is equipped to control depth, is then used to raise the lower end of the carrier off the ground prior to coupling the carrier-machine unit with a tractor or other towing vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Inventors: Charles Bruna, Lynn Bruna
  • Patent number: 4360215
    Abstract: A hitch transport assembly for use with end wheel grain drills which permits pulling a plurality of such end wheel grain drills in an end to end relationship across the field, and which permits folding the outer drills rearwardly into a transport position for moving the drills from field to field. A frame assembly supports the end wheels of the drills off the ground for transport. Changing the connections to convert from a working hitch to a transport hitch is rapid and simple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Inventors: Arthur H. Nohl, DeWayne A. Nohl, Alvin L. Nohl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4315547
    Abstract: An attachment for agricultural machines includes a frame having a leading and trailing portion, a first soil-treating unit located at the leading portion of the frame and a second soil-treating unit located at the trailing portion of the frame. Between the first unit and the second unit there is located on the frame wheels for supporting the frame when an agricultural machine provided with the attachment moves along a road. The wheels are displaceable relative to the frame between a first position in which the wheels engage the ground and a second position in which the wheels do not engage the ground. The frame is so coupled to a lifting device of the agricultural machine that, when the wheels are in the second position, the trailing portion of the frame is supported on the ground by the second soil-treating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1982
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rau GmbH
    Inventors: Willy Rau, Christian Taus
  • Patent number: 4308919
    Abstract: Two gang disc harrow units are pivotally joined near corresponding ends by a vertical axis hinge coupling. Near their opposite corresponding ends, the harrow units are connected by a collapsible toggle linkage which operates in a horizontal plane under influence of a power cylinder, whereby the harrow units can be positioned at a prescribed angle for working the soil and in parallel relationship for transport. Two transport wheels are pivotally attached to the rear harrow unit on transverse pivot axes which are parallel to the rear unit. Power cylinders interconnecting these wheels with the rear harrow unit are operable to lower and raise the wheels for lifting and lowering the rear unit. The front harrow unit has a pivotal connection with a drawbar which in turn is coupled through a draft tongue with the hitch of a towing or transport vehicle. Another power cylinder connected between the pivoted drawbar and front harrow unit is operable to lift and lower the front unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1982
    Assignee: Rome Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel J. Coughran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4272092
    Abstract: A transporter for a pair of transversely elongated agricultural implements (20, 21) having first, mutually remote ends and second ends in abuting apposition, the implements including forward support wheels (36) and arrays (44, 45, 46) of pivotally mounted rearward packer wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Inventor: Gerald T. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4260172
    Abstract: An implement hitch for ganging multiple implements and towing them forwardly in a field-working position and endwise in a transport position. Trusses extend between hitch assemblies on the implements to provide endwise spacing of the implements. Stabilizers extend rearwardly from the trusses to the front of the implements to maintain the proper fore-and-aft alignment while allowing the implements to move up and down freely over uneven terrain. A main beam pivotally connected to an outermost truss serves as a common link between a towing vehicle and the hitch assembly for both the field-working and transport positions. Transport wheel assemblies mounted near the rear of the implements are provided for raising and lowering the implements to and from the transport position. The inner transport wheel assemblies include means for automatically connecting the adjacent corners of adjacent implements together as they are raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Vernon E. Rettig, John R. Myers
  • Patent number: 4223741
    Abstract: A vehicle to be moved in either of two mutually perpendicular directions, and including a first plurality of caster wheels, a second plurality of wheels rotatable on parallel axes to follow a common track aligned with one of the directions, apparatus for moving said second plurality of wheels into and out of contact with the ground, and coupling members for applying tractive force to the vehicle in either of said directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Assignee: Blumhardt Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: Harold Blumhardt
  • Patent number: 4211288
    Abstract: A foldable implement construction includes an implement tool carrying center frame pivotally connected to a draft frame and is provided with a pair of transversely extending outrigger tool sections connected on respective opposite sides of the center frame by a single ball and socket-like hinge which provides a single hinge for both horizontal swinging of the outrigger sections from their transversely extending working position to a longitudinally extending transport position, and further provides for radial pivotal movement of the outrigger sections in their working position to allow the latter to cant and rise and fall in accordance with uneven terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing Incorporated
    Inventor: Roy E. Applequist
  • Patent number: 4157735
    Abstract: A plurality of grain drills are coupled together in end-to-end relation for towing behind a tractor for operation and alternately in an endwise direction for transport. Each drill is supported in field operation by a forward caster wheel and a plurality of side-by-side gangs of press wheels disposed along the rear of the drill. The drills are coupled to the tractor for operation by duplex (or triplex) hitch structure. For endwise transport an endmost drill is provided with a hitch swingable to a transport position for coupling to the tractor. A single transport wheel is mounted on the rear of this drill for movement to a position providing endwise transport. A press wheel gang lock mechanism is arranged for movement to a position locking the gangs against downward movement in response to swinging the endwise hitch to its transport position. This leading drill is thus supported in transport by the front caster wheel, the transport wheel, and the tractor through the endwise hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1979
    Assignee: International Harvester Company
    Inventors: Nils O. Olsson, William Flood
  • Patent number: 4127283
    Abstract: A plurality of conventional grain drills or other agricultural implements are arranged in a staggered transverse pattern within individual peripheral frameworks. The frameworks are pivoted to one another about longitudinal axes. They are adjustably supported for rolling ground engagement by hydraulically controlled wheel assemblies. Separate hitch tongues are provided at the center of the arrangement for field use, and at one end of the arrangment for travel purposes. The wheels on the framework are adapted to assist in supporting the conventional implements during field use, and are arranged transversely to support the implements in an elevated condition during road travel. A provision is made for use of a single implement with minimum disruption of hitch combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1978
    Assignee: Agricot Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Baden
  • Patent number: 4089430
    Abstract: A farm implement trailer for towing a farm implement laterally on a highway, dirt road, or the like. The trailer straddling the back of the farm implement and raising the back of the implement above the ground surface. The trailer co-acting with caster wheels mounted on the front of the farm implement thereby allowing the farm implement to be towed on the trailer laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1978
    Inventor: Andrew F. Gosselin
  • Patent number: 4034623
    Abstract: This invention relates to a hydraulic servomotor-actuated folding mechanism for swinging the hinged extension of an implement frame horizontally between an extended and a retracted position characterized by a two-part foldable strut, the adjacent ends of its sections being hingedly interconnected for pivotal movement, a first link connected between the piston rod of the servomotor and the foldable strut section, and a second link pivotally connected to the main strut section at a point displaced from the pivotal connection between its sections, said second link having its other end connected to the first link at a point intermediate its ends so as to cooperate therewith and with the strut sections to define a pair of fixed length lever arms movable upon actuation between a crossed relation and a side-by-side relation to effect folding and unfolding of the strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1977
    Assignee: Ideal Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Boone, Galen R. Huffman, Galen L. Neher
  • Patent number: 3998276
    Abstract: This invention relates to earth processing equipment and, more particularly, to a scarifier or plow apparatus capable of deep soil penetration which has an attached earth fragmentation assembly. The apparatus comprises a frame mounting on its forward end, a scarifier assembly which is adjustable from the frame to provide varying soil penetration. An earth fragmentation assembly is permanently affixed to the frame immediately behind the scarifier and comprises a scoop bucket with internal, shaft-mounted rotatable arms or cudgelers for fragmentizing earth passing interiorly of the fragmentation assembly and with a fixed bottom support for the soil within the scoop bucket. This apparatus is particularly useful for the single pass processing of compacted agricultural beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1974
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1976
    Inventor: Douglas M. MacMillan
  • Patent number: 3935906
    Abstract: A soil conditioner for use in combination with a cultivating implement drawn behind a tractor to break up the soil and leave a prepared seedbed in a single operation. The conditioner is mounted to a framework extending rearwardly behind the cultivator. It comprises a set of reels each mounted to the framework for free rotation about a transverse axis. Two sets of axial blade members are provided about each reel. The blades are equiangularly spaced about the axis and are arranged so that each blade of one set is angularly spaced midway between adjacent blades of the other set. The first set of blades include ground-engaging edges spaced a first radius from the axis. The corresponding edges of the remaining set of blades are spaced a second radius from the axis that is less than the first radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1976
    Assignee: J. E. Love Company
    Inventors: Archie E. Neal, Paul Moore
  • Patent number: RE33822
    Abstract: Two gang disc harrow units are pivotally joined near corresponding ends by a vertical axis hinge coupling. Near their opposite corresponding ends, the harrow units are connected by a collapsible toggle linkage which operates in a horizontal plane under influence of a power cylinder, whereby the harrow units can be positioned at a prescribed angle for working the soil and in parallel relationship for transport. Two transport wheels are pivotally attached to the rear harrow unit on transverse pivot axes which are parallel to the rear unit. Power cylinders interconnecting these wheels with the rear harrow unit are operable to lower and raise the wheels for lifting and lowering the rear unit. The front harrow unit has a pivotal connection with a drawbar which in turn is coupled through a draft tongue with the hitch of a towing or transport vehicle. Another power cylinder connected between the pivoted drawbar and front harrow unit is operable to lift and lower the front unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Rome Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel J. Coughran, Jr.