Abstract: An implement weight transfer system having a feedback control system to vary the amount of weight transfer as product stored on the implement is used.

Abstract: An implement weight transfer system having a feedback control system to vary the amount of weight transfer as product stored on the implement is used.

Abstract: A pair of grain drills are positional for side by side operation in the field and connected to a towing tractor by weight transfer hitch having a rear end portion connected to the grain drills and a forward tongue portion having its front end connectable to the tractor drawbar and its rearward end totally connected to the forward end of the rear hitch portion for swinging about a transverse horizontal pivot. A hydraulic cylinder has its ends respectively connected to the tongue and the rear hitch portion and pressure to the cylinder is controlled by an adjustable pressure control valve that delivers pressurized fluid from the tractor hydraulic system to the cylinder at a pre-selected pressure below the tractor system pressure, whereby the force exerted by the cylinder on the tongue transfers a portion of the weight of the machine to the tractor drawbar.

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 plurality of parallel arm type openers are mounted on a frame tube, and a rockshaft is supported directly below the tube. Adjacent each of the openers, a lever arm is fixed for rotation with the rockshaft and, upon rotation of the rockshaft in a first direction, the lever arm engages the parallel arms to lift the opener while the frame tube remains stationary in the vertical direction. A tension spring assembly connected between the parallel arms and the lever arm applies varying down force when the opener is lowered by rotating the rockshaft in the opposite direction. The amount of down pressure can be adjusted for varying conditions by rotation of the rockshaft, and adjustment can be made on-the-go from the tractor cab to compensate for changing ground conditions in a given field. Locking structure on the row units permits selective lock-up of row units with a single cycle of the hydraulic lift system.

Abstract: Lift arms on a gang of implements support transport wheels which are movable from a raised field-working position to a lowered endwise towing position. Several of the wheels at the forward and aft ends of the towed gang of implements are fitted with castering pivots located adjacent the wheel hubs close to the wheel centerlines to lessen side loading and tire scuffing during turns. The castering wheels include a caster control assembly having at least four functions. First, a lock feature includes a spring-biased pin selectively engageable with the control assembly to secure the wheels in an in-line position to permit easy backing of the implements in the towing configuration. Second, a contact on the implement frame which engages the caster control assembly when the wheels are raised off the ground, cams the caster wheel to a preselected field-working position and prevents rocking of the wheel. Third, a bellevue washer on the caster control assembly limits shimmying of the wheel during transport.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for joining two implements together for side-by-side field operations. Half of the hitch assembly is carried by each implement drawbar and consists of a collapsable linkages pivotally mounted to the drawbar in a cantilvered fashion. Springs floatingly suspend each linkage for ease for movement between its collapsed stored configuration and an unfolded, extended configuration assembled with the other linkage. Equalizer linkages extend between the assembled hitch assembly and the two implements to maintain fore-and-aft alignment of the two implements and bumper-cable means control the side-to-side spacing of the two implements.

Abstract: A latching device for a security gate of the type used at the entrance of subterranean garages for apartments or condominiums or secured storage rental areas is disclosed which is mechanically actuated by operation of the motor drive system to open the security gate. The latching device effectively prevents the security gate from being forced open, and in one embodiment includes a mechanism for preventing manual disengagement of the latch from attempts to force the gate laterally until the latch disengages. The latching device of the present invention is substantially cheaper than other security gate locking devices, as well as being highly reliable and wear-resistant.