Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for folding an articulated agricultural implement such as a multisection plow in order to facilitate movement of the implement from field to field along available roadways. Stability in the folded condition and minimization of the number of hydraulic cylinders required are achieved through the use of a gravity operated lock arrangement associated with adjacent sections of the foldable wing frame units of the implement. The number of locks and hydraulic cylinders depends upon the total number of hinged sections used to form the base and wing units of the frame assembly. The inboard hydraulic cylinders are pivotally connected to respective draft beams on the base unit and each acts directly between such beam and the associated wing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for folding an articulated agricultural implement such as a multisection plow in order to facilitate movement of the implement from field to field along available roadways. Stability in the folded condition and minimization of the number of hydraulic cylinders required are achieved through the use of a gravity operated lock arrangement associated with adjacent sections of the foldable wing frame units of the implement. The number of locks and hydraulic cylinders depends upon the total number of hinged sections used to form the base and wing units of the frame assembly. The inboard hydraulic cylinders are pivotally connected to respective draft beams on the base unit and each acts directly between such beam and the associated wing unit.

Abstract: An agricultural implement such as a disc or treader is provided with a counterpoise connection between the frame of the implement and the tongue for holding the tongue in a normal operative position. The counterpoise employs a spring-loaded compensator link of normally fixed length which prevents relative movement of the tongue and frame under the reaction forces against the tillage tools produced by the resistance of the soil, but the springs permit the length of the link to change to allow the tongue to self-adjust in response to the higher forces against the tongue encountered when uneven terrain is traversed. The design provides for the use of a selected number of springs in a symmetrical cluster with each spring being employed in both the extension and shortening of the link. The illustrated embodiment is a double offset disc wherein the front gangs of discs cut a furrow in the soil in which the center transport wheels of the implement are forced to run.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for folding an articulated agricultural implement such as a multisection plow in order to facilitate movement of the implement from field to field along available roadways. Stability in the folded condition and minimization of the number of hydraulic cylinders required are achieved through the use of a gravity operated lock arrangement associated with adjacent sections of the foldable wing frame units of the implement. The number of locks and hydraulic cylinders depends upon the total number of hinged sections used to form the base and wing units of the frame assembly. The inboard hydraulic cylinders are pivotally connected to respective draft beams on the base unit and each acts directly between such beam and the associated wing unit.