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 compact, leaf spring biased shank assembly with a shank bracket which clamps to a tube and leaves the upper portion of the tube relatively unobstructed to eliminate interference with the lift mechanism and/or implement frame. The shank bracket includes easily accessible down pressure and shank height pins for quick, effortless adjustments of the shank assembly. The leaf spring is C-shaped and is designed to approach a straightened condition as the shank moves.

Abstract: A compact drive assembly including a flexible drive for transmitting power from a ground engaging wheel or wheels to a driven mechanism such as a seed meter on an implement. A set of cross helical spur gears are mounted in an enclosed case. The input gear is clamped to the ground engaging wheel shaft, and the output gear is fastened to a shaft which drives a flexible cable. The flexible cable is enclosed in a flexible housing and is connected to the remainder of the drive train.

Abstract: A shank assembly including a rearwardly opening bracket pivotally mounting a shank. A tension link extends upwardly from a central portion of the shank and through an apertured strap. A stop member at the upper end of the link limits the downward rocking of the shank. An adjustable arm assembly including a trunnion slidably received over the tension link is pivotally connected to the bracket and adjustably compresses a down-pressure spring which encircles the link between the trunnion and the shank. Individual down-pressure adjustments can be made without affecting the transport height of the assembly.

Abstract: Three-point hitch structure for connecting an implement to a towing vehicle wherein the upper link is made variable by means of a hydraulic cylinder pinned to a plate to provide three pivot points. When the cylinder is retracted, the two components act as a fixed length link, with the middle pivot point maintained slightly off center with respect to the two outer pivot points by a stop member. When the cylinder is extended, the middle pivot moves away from the centerline joining the two outer pivot points to allow the overall length to either lengthen or shorten. The towed vehicle is therefore free to rock with respect to the hitch and includes gauge and stabilizing wheels to maintain the implement in proper relationship with the ground contour.

Abstract: A two-wheeled trailer hitch supporting two three-point hitch mounted implements side-by-side for field operation. The implements are mounted on outriggers which are foldable forwardly to narrow the unit for transport. A pair of rigid diagonal drag links movable fore-and-aft by a cylinder-activated slide block is connected to the outriggers for pivoting them approximately ninety degrees between the field and transport positions. Lift frame structures selectively engage the three-point hitch linkages to raise the implements on the respective outriggers. The lift frame structure is disengaged from the linkages when the implements are lowered for greater flexibility in the field-working position.

Abstract: An implement hitch for ganging multiple implements and towing them forwardly in a field-working position and endwise in a transport position. Trusses extend between hitch assemblies on the implements to provide endwise spacing of the implements. Stabilizers extend rearwardly from the trusses to the front of the implements to maintain the proper fore-and-aft alignment while allowing the implements to move up and down freely over uneven terrain. A main beam pivotally connected to an outermost truss serves as a common link between a towing vehicle and the hitch assembly for both the field-working and transport positions. Transport wheel assemblies mounted near the rear of the implements are provided for raising and lowering the implements to and from the transport position. The inner transport wheel assemblies include means for automatically connecting the adjacent corners of adjacent implements together as they are raised.