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: An implement lift with a plurality of individual electrohydraulically controlled lift cylinders spaced on a tool frame includes a bypass system for facilitating continued implement operation in the event of a failure of the electronics or wiring. The system includes an electrically controlled valve at each cylinder normally operated by an electronic controller but manually lockable in an open position if there is a circuit failure so the operator can control the implement from the tractor selective control valve (SCV). Hydraulic hoses with quick disconnects compatible with both the tractor SCV connections and the main electrohydraulic valve on the tractor are connected to the tractor valve for normal automatic operation but can be easily rerouted to the SCV connections for control by the SCV when the cylinder valves are manually locked in the open position.

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: An implement lift system including a plurality of individual electrohydraulically controlled cylinders spaced on a tool frame and connected to lift wheel. An implement control unit (ICU) in the towing vehicle cab is connected to feedback potentiometers or similar transducers which provide signals corresponding to cylinder stroke length or suspension position. The feedback signals are compared at the ICU to a control signal obtained by rotation of a lever or knob on an operator control unit in the cab. Depending on the cylinder position relative to the operator selected position, the ICU provides an output signal to the electrohydraulic valve to achieve a proportional amount of flow for the desired cylinder position. The ICU also compares feedback signals from the transducers and adjusts the output voltage to each of the valves so that the frame can be raised and lowered evenly.

Abstract: A tillage sweep assembly includes a base sweep with a central fore-and-aft slot. A support strap or stem includes a corresponding fore-and-aft extending protrusion which mates with the slot. A filet weld connects the top of the base sweep to the support strap with the weld extending around the strap. A plug weld is added to the underside of the sweep in an offset or lifted portion of the bottom of the base sweep above the cutting plane of the sweep. The extra plug weld adds strength to the existing filet weld joint and significantly reduces the chance of inadvertent base sweep loss. The location of the plug weld above the cutting plane protects the plug weld from wear. The strap or step of the sweep assembly is slotted for ease of pitch adjustment, and the base sweep has wings with substantial fore-and-aft extending end portions to retain working width over the life of the sweep.

Abstract: A large diameter, short toothed rolling shield fabricated by vacuum forming talc filled polyethylene sheet having a smooth surface and sufficient flexibility to resist soil build-up in damp conditions. Preferably the diameter of the shield is substantially greater than twenty inches and on the order of twenty four inches and includes teeth uniformly spaced around the periphery, each tooth having a length less than approximately ten percent of the shield radius. A circular rib near the center of the shield and radial reinforcing ribs extending from the circular rib on the convex side of the shield to the base of alternating teeth provide stiffness and strength. The concave tool side of the shield is devoid of protrusions to reduce churning of thrown soil.

Abstract: A tube clamp assembly is provided having a one-piece clamp or casting with four clamping and aligning lugs projecting from each side of the casting. The four lugs on the first side of the casting are symmetrically arranged at the corner of an imaginary square and have two sets of clamping and aligning surfaces that lie in planes perpendicular to each other. The surfaces are spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between the faces of a first tube so that the casting can embrace the tube sides in either a first position or a second position rotated 90 degrees from the first position. On the second side of the casting, four lugs similar to the lugs on the first side project the opposite direction and also define two sets of clamping and aligning surfaces.

Abstract: A relatively short tunnel shield is connected to a light weight floating arm including a first tube telescopingly received within a second tube. Multiple holes in the double tube arm allow optimum positioning of the shield relative to a ground engaging element such as a single wide sweep to match different operating speeds without need of a longer and heavier shield. The second tube is pivotally connected to the rig by double plate mounting assembly to minimize side-to-side play. Slots in the double plate mounting assembly provide infinitely adjustable down stop for precision shield height control. The arm can be raised, and by installing a cross pin in the mounting assembly, the shield is maintained in a storage position out of the way of more mature crops.

Abstract: A floating row crop cultivator rig is supported behind a rigid guide tire. A guide wheel standard straddles a bracket which mounts the forward end of a rig parallel bar linkage to a toolbar. A tool support depends from the aft end of the parallel bar linkage and carries a ground engaging element directly rearwardly of the guide tire. Instead of a conventional rig tire to control rig depth, an adjustable length member with a lost motion connection controls the lowermost position of the linkage and thus of the tool support while permitting upward movement of the linkage when an obstacle is encountered. A rod threaded through a trunnion on the tool support has a forward end supported in a slotted bracket on the lower bar of the parallel linkage to adjustably limit the lowermost position of the linkage while permitting the linkage to pivot upwardly against the bias of rig weight and an adjustable down pressure spring arrangement to clear obstacles.