Abstract: The present invention relates to a compression spring assembly for a hay rake. The compression spring assembly has a rod that slidably receives a first stop, a compression spring, and a second stop. A limiter assembly is connected to the rod and has a limiting member that is received through a guide of a guide assembly that is connected to the rod. The guide encompasses the limiting member.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a main section including a hitch extending in a travel direction, a plurality of foldable wing sections coupled with the main section, a plurality of ground engaging tilling elements, a plurality of wheel assemblies and a control system. The tilling elements are coupled to the main section and wing sections. Each of the wheel assemblies include an actuator. The wheel assemblies include a first plurality of wheel assemblies associated with the main section and a second plurality of wheel assemblies associated with the plurality of wing sections. The actuators of the first plurality of wheel assemblies being independent of the actuators of the second plurality of wheel assemblies. The control system is configured to actuate the actuators to effect a profile minimizing operation of the foldable wing sections when the implement is being transitioned into a transport mode.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly is provided which includes a vehicle frame having a first axle, a wheel assembly having a housing with an aperture engaging the first axle and enabling the wheel assembly to pivot in a first plane about a first axis formed by the first axle. A cylindrical member is carried by the housing of the wheel assembly, the cylindrical member and housing are arranged perpendicular to the first axle. A first wheel is pivotably connected to a first portion of the cylindrical member and a second wheel is pivotably connected to a second portion of the cylindrical member. The first wheel and second wheel independently pivot in a second plane about a second axis formed by the cylindrical member. The first axis is arranged perpendicular to the second axis and the first plane is arranged perpendicular to the second plane.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly is provided which includes a vehicle frame having a first axle, a wheel assembly having a housing with an aperture engaging the first axle and enabling the wheel assembly to pivot in a first plane about a first axis formed by the first axle. A cylindrical member is carried by the housing of the wheel assembly, the cylindrical member and housing are arranged perpendicular to the first axle. A first wheel is pivotably connected to a first portion of the cylindrical member and a second wheel is pivotably connected to a second portion of the cylindrical member. The first wheel and second wheel independently pivot in a second plane about a second axis formed by the cylindrical member. The first axis is arranged perpendicular to the second axis and the first plane is arranged perpendicular to the second plane.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a system for providing a height change command for an implement, comprises a height control module configured to interact with a computer, and configured to receive topographical data, provide a virtual field map based on said topographical data, provide a forward view polygon for an implement based on said virtual field map, and provide a height change command for said implement based on said forward view polygon and an implement control unit configured to receive said height change command and control movement of said implement.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly is provided which includes a vehicle frame having a first axle, a wheel assembly having a housing with an aperture engaging the first axle and enabling the wheel assembly to pivot in a first plane about a first axis formed by the first axle. A cylindrical member is carried by the housing of the wheel assembly, the cylindrical member and housing are arranged perpendicular to the first axle. A first wheel is pivotably connected to a first portion of the cylindrical member and a second wheel is pivotably connected to a second portion of the cylindrical member. The first wheel and second wheel independently pivot in a second plane about a second axis formed by the cylindrical member. The first axis is arranged perpendicular to the second axis and the first plane is arranged perpendicular to the second plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating steering, height adjustment and transport of a farm implement towed by a vehicle. The implement includes a main frame and a hitch that extends from the frame for linking to the vehicle. The apparatus comprises a wheel support member supported below the frame, at least a first ground engaging wheel supported by the wheel support member for rotation about a first wheel axis and to engage a ground surface below the frame thereby supporting the frame above the ground, a first hydraulic lift cylinder linked between the frame and the wheel support member and controllable to adjust the height of the frame above the ground, and a hydraulic steering cylinder mounted to the wheel support member and controllable to steer the first wheel independent of the state of the first lift cylinder.

Abstract: A soil raking and leveling device includes a rectangular frame having a rake secured to the front and a grading bar secured to the back. A side rail is attached to each side of the frame with each side rail having a bottom edge tapered forwardly and upwardly beginning from a point intermediate both ends of the side rail where a bottom edge of the scraper blade is positioned and tapered rearwardly and upwardly from the point to form a fulcrum about which the side rail pivots. A handle formed by a cross bar and a draw bar is pivotally attached to the front of the device and may be pivoted from a collapsed storage position to a first position extending outwardly and upwardly, a second position extending generally horizontally and a third position at a point lower than the second position and also extending horizontally outwardly. A pair of rear wheels are mounted adjacent the ends of the side rails.

Abstract: A folding tool bar implement converts from a transversely extending operating configuration to a longitudinally extending transport configuration. The implement includes a rotating rockshaft supported by a wheel assembly at each opposing end thereof. The wheel assembly is formed as a walking beam assembly having an L-shaped member defining perpendicular axes of movement for the wheel assembly. A castering axis is oriented vertically to permit a castering action of the wheel assembly when the rockshaft is rotated into a working configuration. The rotation of the rockshaft re-positions the castering axis to a horizontal orientation when rotated into a transport configuration. A caster lock moves by gravity to lock the wheel assembly from moving about the castering axis when the rockshaft is in the transport configuration. The caster lock includes a latch mounted to the wheel assembly and a pivoted latch tongue mounted on the L-shaped member.

Abstract: A mounting for an axle spindle of an agricultural implement is described which is adjustable between a substantially horizontal travel position and a downwardly inclined field working position. The downwardly inclined position is used in order to enhance performance of the agricultural implement, especially dual wing implements.

Abstract: An active rotary harrow is towed with its longitudinal horizontal axis at an acute angle relative to a line perpendicular to the direction of travel. A plurality of unitary tines are mounted by bolts or rivets on mounting plates which are secured to a shaft aligned along the horizontal axis. Each tine is made from spring steel which is flattened on one end, the flattened portion being mounted directly on the mounting plate by two or more fasteners. The tines are curved such that the outer end of the tine, being rounded in shape, is directed towards the trailing end of the harrow when in operation. The tines, and to a lesser extent, the mounting plates, are resilient in nature and can be deflected towards the trailing end of the harrow, when obstacles such as rocks are encountered. The tines are also capable of some pivotal deflection, to a lesser extent.

Abstract: Hitch structure for connecting first and second implements for operation side-by-side in the field, and one directly behind the other for transport. A freely rockable swing hitch has a forward end connected to one side of the first implement frame for pivoting less than 180.degree. about an upright axis located inwardly from the side. A latch on the swing hitch mates with a frame-mounted rear bracket to secure the hitch in the transport position. The same latch secures the swing hitch to a bracket on the forward towing hitch when the swing hitch and towing hitch are in the field-working position. A sliding tubular member and two-position latch selectively secure the towing hitch in either a central transport position or an offset field-working position. Both latches have release levers for changing from one position to the other, and the latches automatically lock in the new position when the desired position is attained.

Abstract: A pull type swather is provided with an adjustable hitch assembly for converting the swather as between a field position in which it is pulled widthwise by a tractor and a transport position in which it is pulled substantially lengthwise. The hitch assembly comprises a hitch pole pivotally connected to the swather frame, a telescopic assembly pivotally connected between the swather frame and the hitch pole and a hydraulic cylinder for extending and retracting the telescopic assembly so as to change the angle of the hitch pole as between the field and transport positions. The swather also includes pivotal wheel assemblies movable by separate hydraulic cylinders as between field and transport wheel positions. The respective hydraulic cylinders are connected in series in a hydraulic circuit for least-resistance sequence operation when converting the apparatus as between the field and transport configurations. The apparatus allows for effortless conversion as between the field and transport configurations.

Abstract: This invention teaches an improved collapsible farm implement of the type having a wheeled frame or cart and right and left side elongated toolbars pivoted at their inboard ends about vertical axes relative to the frame so as to allow toolbar rotation rearward through approximately a quarter turn between a fully elevated field use position disposed crosswise to the path of implement travel and a road transit position disposed parallel to the path of implement travel. A wheeled truck assembly is mounted near the outboard end of each toolbar for providing rolling support of the latter, and each wheeled truck assembly can be rotated relative to the toolbar about an axis disposed substantially normal to the toolbar through approximately a quarter turn operable to steer the outboard end of the toolbar, upon appropriate forward or rearward implement movement, between the respective fully elevated field use and road transit positions.

Abstract: The table knife and reel assemblies of a swather are bolted to a main mounting beam which in turn is mounted on a pair of double wheel assemblies one each adjacent each end thereof. The hitch pole from the tractor or other source of power is pivotally secured adjacent one end of said main mounting beam. In the hydraulic embodiment, piston and cylinder assemblies move the pole and the wheels between the field and transport positions and in the mechanical embodiment, linkage is provided between the pole and the wheel assemblies and the pole is moved by the tractor. In the hydraulic embodiment, a sequencing valve may be provided in conjunction with the table adjusting piston and cylinder which operates the piston and cylinder controlling the wheels when the table is raised and lowered between the field and transport positions.

Abstract: An implement that includes a central subframe, a center frame, a pair of wing frames pivotally connected to the ends of the center frame for movement between a transversely aligned operating position and a rearwardly folded transport position, and a set of extendable transport wheels mounted on the rear end of the subframe generally adjacent the wing transport wheels, wherein the noted transport wheels provide the sole ground contact of the implement during transport for desirable handling characteristics.

Abstract: A drawbar for mounting two or more farm implement tool bars to a vehicle, such as a tractor, includes a single elongated crossbar with running gear. The crossbar extends transverse to the direction of vehicle travel and is hitched to the vehicle by a bracket and hitch assembly. Multiple farm implement tool bars are attached to the cross bar for field operation. The crossbar is hinged at its center and by proper adjustment of the bracket assembly may be folded to extend in the direction of vehicle travel. The drawbar is thereby converted to a narrow profile acceptable for road travel.