Vertically Adjustable Or Selectively Lockable Hitch Patents (Class 172/396)
  • Patent number: 10883246
    Abstract: A depth gauge tool for a grader blade includes a first mounting bracket, a first depth wheel assembly carried on the first mounting bracket, a second mounting bracket and a second depth wheel assembly carried on the second mounting bracket. Each depth wheel assembly includes a plurality of radially arrayed fingers. A grader blade assembly and a method of grading are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventor: Danny Ray Easley
  • Patent number: 10368474
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a frame member, a secondary frame member and at least one double rolling basket assembly coupled to the secondary frame member. A plurality of linkage assemblies interconnect the frame member and the secondary frame member. Each linkage assembly includes an upper link connected to upper connections of the frame member and the secondary frame member and a lower link connected to lower connections of the frame member and the secondary frame member. A force applicator operates against one of the links to move the baskets up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Gaylen J. Kromminga
  • Patent number: 8763717
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an innovative arrangement to control the height of ground engaging tools located on agricultural implements via gauge wheel assemblies, particularly for supporting and adjusting the height of winged extensions of the implement frame. The gauge wheel assemblies may provide an adjustment assembly in the form of a screw jack, which can be coupled to a support bracket that is attached to the implement frame and also coupled to a support tube that is coupled to a gauge wheel via pivot assembly and a bracket. The bracket and support tube may be coupled at discrete positions according to the height adjustment of the screw jack via pins and holes in the bracket and tube. When coupled, the pins and holes of the support bracket and tube may reduce the load of the winged extensions on the screw jack mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Greg S. Smart
  • Patent number: 8336639
    Abstract: A tongue-hitch structure for a pull-type implement may comprise a tongue locking mechanism. A work frame for the pull-type implement may comprise a vertically adjustable rear wheel suspension comprising an actuator for moving the work frame between a lowered, working position and a raised, transport position. The tongue-hitch structure may be adapted to allow vertical movement between the tongue-hitch structure and the work frame. A leveling arrangement may be coupled between the work frame and the hitch-tongue structure operable to prevent and/or allow vertical movement between the tongue-hitch structure and the work frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Nelson J. Palen
  • Patent number: 8291997
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an innovative arrangement to control the height of ground engaging tools located on agricultural implements via gauge wheel assemblies, particularly for supporting and adjusting the height of winged extensions of the implement frame. The gauge wheel assemblies may provide an adjustment assembly in the form of a screw jack, which can be coupled to a support bracket that is attached to the implement frame and also coupled to a support tube that is coupled to a gauge wheel via pivot assembly and a bracket. The bracket and support tube may be coupled at discrete positions according to the height adjustment of the screw jack via pins and holes in the bracket and tube. When coupled, the pins and holes of the support bracket and tube may reduce the load of the winged extensions on the screw jack mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G Kovach, Greg S Smart
  • Patent number: 8261845
    Abstract: A tillage machine has an undercarriage that utilizes a triple axle walking beam wheel assembly for each load-supporting wheel assembly of the center section of the machine. Hydraulically powered lift arms are connected with the wheel assemblies to raise and lower the chassis of the machine as the wheel arms are swung downwardly and upwardly relative to the chassis. Each wheel assembly includes a primary walking beam pivoted to the lower end of the wheel arm, and a secondary walking beam pivoted to the rear end of the primary beam. A single front wheel is disposed at the front end of the primary beam, while a pair of wheels are disposed on the secondary beam on opposite fore-and-aft sides of the pivot connection with the primary beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Nelson J. Palen
  • Publication number: 20100307780
    Abstract: A land roller implement has a center frame and a center roller. Wings are pivotally mounted to a wing bracket pivotally mounted to, and extending rearward from, each side of the center frame. The wings and center frame thus move independently up and down when operating. The bracket is locked and wheels mounted on the brackets move the rollers up for transport. Inner and outer rollers on each wing are aligned and separated by a roller spacing. An overlap roller rolls over the spacing. In transport position the right and left wings extend rearward from the center frame and right and left overlap rollers are aligned with, and adjacent to, each other. During a turn, the wings pivot and move closer to each other. To avoid contact with each other the right and left overlap rollers move forward and rearward to offset positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Les Hulicsko
  • Publication number: 20100084149
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an innovative arrangement to control the height of ground engaging tools located on agricultural implements via gauge wheel assemblies, particularly for supporting and adjusting the height of winged extensions of the implement frame. The gauge wheel assemblies may provide an adjustment assembly in the form of a screw jack, which can be coupled to a support bracket that is attached to the implement frame and also coupled to a support tube that is coupled to a gauge wheel via pivot assembly and a bracket. The bracket and support tube may be coupled at discrete positions according to the height adjustment of the screw jack via pins and holes in the bracket and tube. When coupled, the pins and holes of the support bracket and tube may reduce the load of the winged extensions on the screw jack mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Greg S. Smart
  • Patent number: 7661210
    Abstract: A support or hitch box supports a mounting bar in a selected vertical position. The mounting bar is received in a standard hitch receiver of any car, truck or other vehicle. A plow head is a light weight, strong, box like structure with oppositely directed mold boards so that the plow can operate in both forward and reverse directions. A linkage permits the mold board to be raised or lowered relative to the hitch box. The linkage includes upper and lower links to maintain the vertical orientation of the mold board. The plow head is mounted for pivoting in a horizontal plane. A pivot driver is user controlled to pivot the plow head and a lift driver is user operated to raise and lower the plow head. The plow head carries indicator lights. A spring, preloaded by the lift driver, applies a continuous down force to the plow head when it is the lower, plowing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: John D. Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20080230244
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for moving a scraping device are provided. The scraping device has a frame, a blade attached to the bottom of the frame, a tongue attached to a front end of the frame and a beam attached to a back end of the frame. Tires are connected to the beam. The scraping device has a front lift mechanism at the front end of the frame and/or a rear lift mechanism at the back end of the frame. The front lift mechanism has a front cylinder connected to the tongue and the front end of the frame. The rear lift mechanism has a rear cylinder attached to the back end of the frame. Movement of the front cylinder and the rear cylinder results in raising and/or lowering of the corresponding ends of the frame of the scraping device. Raising and/or lowering of the front end and/or the back end of the frame adjusts the angle of the frame relative to the ground, adjusts the angle of the blade relative to the ground and/or adjusts the ground clearance of the scraping device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: John P. Moyna
  • Patent number: 4715610
    Abstract: A self-storing hitch for a single rear wheeled vehicle including a generally C-shaped support having opposite ends pivotally attached to the vehicle frame on opposite sides of the single rear wheel. The support carries a hitch plate and is movable between a lowered towing position and a raised stored position. Spring pins lock the hitch in the selected position. In the towing position, the hitch plate extends horizontally rearward of the rear wheel. In the stored position, the rear section of the C-shaped support conforms generally to the contour of an upper rear section of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: James N. Wisdom
  • 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: 4214634
    Abstract: An arrangement for coupling a cultivating attachment to a cultivating machine has a spring-suspended support articulately coupling a respective roller unit of the attachment to a main frame of the machine. The support includes elements for adjusting the relative elevation of the main frame and the roller unit while permitting relative vertical movement between the same. The support includes spring element opposing such relative movement with shock-absorbing action. A blocking element is provided cooperating with the spring-suspension support and movable between a blocking setting preventing the above-mentioned relative movement and an unblocking setting not preventing such limited movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1980
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rau GmbH
    Inventors: Willy Rau, Christian Taus
  • Patent number: 4106568
    Abstract: A plow for chiselling the earth at substantial depths, including a framework having a plurality of arcuate chisel blades mounted thereon. A towing tongue is pivotally connected to the forward side of the framework, and a hydraulic piston and cylinder system is connected between the towing tongue and the framework for pivoting the framework between a position of coplanar alignment with the towing tongue, and positions in which the framework is angulated with respect to the plane of the towing tongue. Gauge wheels are pivotally mounted on the framework for selective elevation in relation to the blades, and a hydraulic system is provided for selectively elevating and lowering the gauge wheels by pivotation on the framework. The hydraudlic system for the gauge wheels includes a transversely extending tubular control member mounted on the framework for the plow forwardly of the gauge wheels. Each gauge wheel is connected with the control member by a turnbuckle subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Inventor: Ted L. Cline
  • Patent number: 4036154
    Abstract: A rotary harrow or cultivator has a first frame portion linked to a second frame portion. The second frame portion supports rotary soil working members and a roller is adjustably connected to the rear of the second frame portion to govern the working depths of the soil working members. The first frame portion has forward coupling means for connection to a three-point lift at the rear of a tractor. The first and second frame portions are linked to one another with a parallelogram linkage and movable relative to one another during travel. Supporting ground wheels are connected to the first portion via arms and bear on the ground to the rear of the roller to avoid overloading the roller with weight. A delivery mechanism is supported on the implement with delivery tubes extending downwardly to pivot connections on the roller supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1977
    Inventor: Cornelis van der Lely
  • 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.