Abstract: A depth control system particularly useful for single point depth control on an agricultural implement includes a valve and actuator mounted directly to the pivotal connection areas of a hydraulic cylinder that controls height. Cylinder motion directly controls valve actuation independently of complicated linkages to reduce the size and cost of the system and substantially overcome hysteresis problems.

Abstract: A tower and wheel arm assembly for an implement frame includes a pair of identical single piece pivot castings which are selectively connectible at different locations along the frame and provide both wheel arm pivoting and a cylinder anchor tower pivoting. The wheel arm axle extends between the castings pivots within cylindrical cavities located in the castings. External cylindrical surfaces concentric with the cavities rotatably support a pair of tower plates which include circular openings received over the external cylindrical surfaces. Casting symmetry allows the same part to be used interchangeably for either the right-hand or left-hand support.

Abstract: A depth control system particularly useful for single point depth control on an agricultural implement includes a valve and actuator mounted directly to the pivotal connection areas of a hydraulic cylinder that controls height. Cylinder motion directly controls valve actuation independently of complicated linkages to reduce the size and cost of the system and substantially overcome hysteresis problems.

Abstract: A rockshaft is mounted over the front rank of the implement frame and is operated by cylinders located at opposite ends of the rockshaft connected to lift arms extending radially adjacent bearing mounts. Fore-and-aft extending links aligned with the lift arms and mounts operate lift wheel assemblies. A hitch arm connected near the center of the rockshaft is directly connected to a hitch turnbuckle for level lift operation. An aligned arrangement of cylinders, cylinder brackets, links and arms provides minimal torsional loading, particularly when the rockshaft is rotated to fully raise the implement frame for transport and is in the most susceptible shock loading condition. Moment arms are controlled to minimize rockshaft torsional loading during highest stress conditions. The front-mounted rockshaft provides simplicity and advantageous weight distribution.

Abstract: Lift wheel structure for an implement includes four bar linkage having a curved lower link connected to the frame closely adjacent a first tool-carrying rank. A caster wheel is supported at the forward end of the linkage for castering in an accommodation area defined by the curved lower link. Plates are bolted to the sides of the lower link and extend along sides of an upper link to a connection with a lift cylinder directly above the upper link. The link and the cylinder closely overlie the frame to limit interference with other components mounted above the frame and to facilitate compact folding of implement sections. Loads, including cylinder lift loads, are transmitted primarily through the lower link. A protected transducer assembly is connected between the lower link and the frame to maximize and linearize transducer response in the depth control range.

Abstract: A hitch link structure includes two hitch tubes angled with respect to each other and having forward ends connected by upper and lower hitch plates welded to the tubes. The plates include weld cutouts designed so the same plates can be used with a variety of different hitch tube angles, depending on the width of the mainframe hitch mount-up. Three apertures in the forward end of each of the plates receive bolts which connect the selected hitch link to the plates. The apertures also act as weld fixturing locators to speed hitch construction. The weld cutouts, in generally a half moon configuration, facilitate low cost fillet welds at easily accessible locations regardless of hitch tube angle and facilitate fillet weld connections in relatively lowly stressed areas. The lower plate is apertured to define an intermediate support hole for the safety chain, and the central bolt connecting the hitch link also attaches to the safety chain so the chain is accommodated without additional parts.

Abstract: A hinge structure for a folding implement frame includes a reversible mounting bracket on the wing side of the hinge to accommodate positioning of the mounting around obstructions such as the tool mounting brackets for certain tool spacing arrangements on the implement frame. A wing bump stop integrated into the mounting bracket on the main or inner frame side of the hinge reduces the number of parts and eliminates another potential obstruction on the frame. The stop includes a mounting hole for the base end of the hydraulic folding cylinder to further reduce parts, obstructions and cost.

Abstract: A hitch link structure includes two hitch tubes angled with respect to each other and having forward ends connected by upper and lower hitch plates welded to the tubes. The plates include weld cutouts designed so the same plates can be used with a variety of different hitch tube angles, depending on the width of the mainframe hitch mount-up. Three apertures in the forward end of each of the plates receive bolts which connect the selected hitch link to the plates. The apertures also act as weld fixturing locators to speed hitch construction. The weld cutouts, in generally a half moon configuration, facilitate low cost fillet welds at easily accessible locations regardless of hitch tube angle and facilitate fillet weld connections in relatively lowly stressed areas. The lower plate is apertured to define an intermediate support hole for the safety chain, and the central bolt connecting the hitch link also attaches to the safety chain so the chain is accommodated without additional parts.

Abstract: A multi-section implement frame with outer wing sections which fold relative to an inner section includes a bump stop tube assembly having a simple tube with faces slotted at one end to receive the bight portion of a U-bolt. The legs of the U-bolt are threaded and extend around the faces of an inner frame section tube, and a two-hole strap is positioned over the ends secured against the bottom of the frame section tube by two nuts. A tapered stop includes a connecting portion received within the projecting contact end of the tube to eliminate a welding step during manufacture. The slotted end of the tube is coped to generally conform to the shape of the frame section tube. The assembly is very simple and inexpensive and can be slid easily on the frame section tube to avoid standards, wheel modules or various other obstructions mounted on the frame.

Abstract: A hitch link structure includes two hitch tubes angled with respect to each other and having forward ends connected by upper and lower hitch plates welded to the tubes. The plates include weld cutouts designed so the same plates can be used with a variety of different hitch tube angles, depending on the width of the mainframe hitch mount-up. Three apertures in the forward end of each of the plates receive bolts which connect the selected hitch link to the plates. The apertures also act as weld fixturing locators to speed hitch construction. The weld cutouts, in generally a half moon configuration, facilitate low cost fillet welds at easily accessible locations regardless of hitch tube angle and facilitate fillet weld connections in relatively lowly stressed areas. The lower plate is apertured to define an intermediate support hole for the safety chain, and the central bolt connecting the hitch link also attaches to the safety chain so the chain is accommodated without additional parts.

Abstract: A multi-section implement frame includes outer wing sections which fold relative to inner wing sections and then over a main center frame to a transport position. The wing sections include selectively extendable and retractable structure such as lift wheel assemblies which, if extended in the transport position, can interfere with each other. Transducers detect the position of the inner wing sections during folding and unfolding and provide signals to an implement control unit (ICU) to automatically operate the lift wheel assemblies to prevent interference during folding and unfolding and to assure the lift wheels are extended before the implement frame reaches the fully unfolded position. Proximity switches supported above the center frame or other transducer devices such as mercury switches on the wing sections responsive to section angle provide the signals to the ICU. During folding, the ICU causes the lift structure to retract after both switches are activated.

Abstract: A flat fold hinge assembly for implement frame sections that fold substantially greater than 90 degrees includes a modular hinge having first and second hinge portions that bolt solidly to the frame sections. A folding cylinder is protectively cradled between the sides of a cast mounting bracket closely adjacent the frame tube. Floating links are connected to the rod end of the cylinder generally below the main pivot which is offset above the frame tube a distance substantially less than most previously available hinge structures for compact storage of the wing frame close to the inner frame. The design, preferably utilizing four cast components, is more compact than previous designs so the frame sections fold more compactly. The simple mounting arrangement provides versatility in locating the hinge assembly to accommodate a wide variety implement configurations and implement attachments.

Abstract: A cylinder mounting arrangement for a folding implement includes reversible L-shaped plates supporting an auxiliary tube above a transverse tool supporting beam. The attaching location on the beam can be changed to avoid interference with the desired tool spacing by reversing the plates. The same plates and auxiliary tubes can be used on a number of different implements and with different main frame widths to reduce manufacturing costs and the number of parts that have to be stocked. The reversible plates can be selectively mounted on the main frame with the plates inside or outside of the fore-and-aft tubes connected to the transversely extending tube, depending on the tool placement on the main frame. Therefore, a wide variety of tool spacings can be accommodated in the region under the tube and between the fore-and-aft tubes.

Abstract: An implement frame construction includes a fore-and-aft extending apertured tube with transversely extending tool mounting tubes with cross section matching the shape of the apertures. The tubes are inserted through the apertures to provide a mechanical connection not solely reliant on joint weld strength. The resulting joints are fillet welded on both sides of the fore-and-aft tube and provide more bending and torsional resistance than a butt-welded joint without need for gussets. The smaller tube runs continuously through the joint to reduce the number of components and welds necessary for a given frame configuration. The components themselves position the frame tubes relative to each other to simplify weld fixturing and increase resistance to parallelograming. Hinge areas are provided with welded tube-within-tube construction to prevent wall collapse and retain mounting bolt torque.

Abstract: A toolbar bracket assembly for mounting an agricultural rig or row unit on different toolbars includes a bracket having a pair of upright fore-and-aft extending plates with stepped cutouts or notches defining at least two toolbar-receiving areas of different sizes. The plates are supported in parallel relationship by a transversely extending upright connecting plate which is apertured to receive U-bolts or the bolts of a strap assembly which conform to the dimensions of the toolbar. A larger notched area is defined for embracing a portion of a toolbar of first cross section. A second smaller notched area is defined at a location centered with respect to the larger area for embracing a portion of a toolbar with a smaller cross section. The bracket can be attached to either toolbar by simply using a correctly sized U-bolt or a bolt and strap assembly.