Abstract: An implement includes a hydraulic control to move rear wheels upward and downward. A hitch frame has a rear end pivotally connected to a front of the implement's frame about an upper hitch pivot axis and a front end connectable to a tractor drawbar. A tension link has a rear end pivotally connected to the front end of the implement about a lower hitch pivot axis located below and parallel to the upper hitch pivot, and a front end movably mounted to a front of the hitch frame. A front hydraulic cylinder moves the front end of the tension link forward and rearward. The hydraulic control activates the front hydraulic cylinder to move the tension link rearward as the rear hydraulic cylinder moves the rear wheels upward with respect to the implement frame, and to move the front end of the tension link forward as the rear wheels move downward.

Abstract: An implement includes a hydraulic control to move rear wheels upward and downward. A hitch frame has a rear end pivotally connected to a front of the implement's frame about an upper hitch pivot axis and a front end connectable to a tractor drawbar. A tension link has a rear end pivotally connected to the front end of the implement about a lower hitch pivot axis located below and parallel to the upper hitch pivot, and a front end movably mounted to a front of the hitch frame. A front hydraulic cylinder moves the front end of the tension link forward and rearward. The hydraulic control activates the front hydraulic cylinder to move the tension link rearward as the rear hydraulic cylinder moves the rear wheels upward with respect to the implement frame, and to move the front end of the tension link forward as the rear wheels move downward.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a hitch frame, a center frame pivotally attached rearward of the hitch frame about a hitch pivot axis. Wing frames are pivotally attached to ends of the center frame and a center actuator is pivots the center and wing frames from a rearward extending operating position to an upward extending transport position. Caster wheels are pivotally mounted on front sides of the wing frames about caster and transport axes. In the operating position, the caster axes are oriented vertically and the transport axes are oriented horizontally, and in the initial transport position, the caster axes are oriented horizontally, perpendicular to the hitch pivot, the transport axes are oriented vertically, and caster wheel actuators pivot the caster wheels 90 degrees about the transport axes to align the caster axes with the hitch pivot axis. The caster wheels support the wing frames in both operating and transport positions.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a center frame supported on center wheels and right and left interframes are pivotally attached to corresponding ends of the center frame about wing pivot axes. Right and left wing frames are pivotally attached at front inner ends thereof to front ends of corresponding interframes about front interframe pivot axes. Rear inner portions of the wing frames are movably attached to corresponding interframes. Latch mechanisms selectively lock the rear inner portions each wing frame to rear portions of the corresponding interframes. A center actuator pivots the center frame such that the frames move from an operating position extending rearward to an initial transport position extending upward where the interframes and wing frames can pivot rearward about the upright wing pivot axes. The front interframe pivot axes are oriented perpendicular to the wing pivot axes.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of tanks supported on the frame and housing particulate, an unloading system, a lifting mechanism, and a positioning system. The unloading system includes a plurality of individual carriers, each of which corresponds to one or more of the tanks. Each of the carriers defines a discharge opening for dispensing particulate unloaded from one or more of the tanks. The carriers are mounted to the frame such that the carriers are supported independently of the tanks. The lifting mechanism includes a shiftable positioning rail that at least partially supports each of the carriers, with generally vertical shifting of the positioning rail simultaneously raising or lowering each of the discharge openings. The positioning system includes a plurality of positioning devices, with shifting of each of the positioning devices resulting in fore-and-aft shifting of the corresponding one or more of the discharge openings.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a hitch frame, a center frame pivotally attached rearward of the hitch frame about a hitch pivot axis. Wing frames are pivotally attached to ends of the center frame and a center actuator is pivots the center and wing frames from a rearward extending operating position to an upward extending transport position. Caster wheels are pivotally mounted on front sides of the wing frames about caster and transport axes. In the operating position, the caster axes are oriented vertically and the transport axes are oriented horizontally, and in the initial transport position, the caster axes are oriented horizontally, perpendicular to the hitch pivot, the transport axes are oriented vertically, and caster wheel actuators pivot the caster wheels 90 degrees about the transport axes to align the caster axes with the hitch pivot axis. The caster wheels support the wing frames in both operating and transport positions.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a center frame supported on center wheels and right and left interframes are pivotally attached to corresponding ends of the center frame about wing pivot axes. Right and left wing frames are pivotally attached at front inner ends thereof to front ends of corresponding interframes about front interframe pivot axes. Rear inner portions of the wing frames are movably attached to corresponding interframes. Latch mechanisms selectively lock the rear inner portions each wing frame to rear portions of the corresponding interframes. A center actuator pivots the center frame such that the frames move from an operating position extending rearward to an initial transport position extending upward where the interframes and wing frames can pivot rearward about the upright wing pivot axes. The front interframe pivot axes are oriented perpendicular to the wing pivot axes.

Abstract: An agricultural implement has a hitch frame, a center frame pivotally attached rearward of the hitch frame about a hitch pivot axis. Wing frames are pivotally attached to ends of the center frame and a center actuator is pivots the center and wing frames from a rearward extending operating position to an upward extending transport position. Caster wheels are pivotally mounted on front sides of the wing frames about caster and transport axes. In the operating position, the caster axes are oriented vertically and the transport axes are oriented horizontally, and in the initial transport position, the caster axes are oriented horizontally, perpendicular to the hitch pivot, the transport axes are oriented vertically, and caster wheel actuators pivot the caster wheels 90 degrees about the transport axes to align the caster axes with the hitch pivot axis. The caster wheels support the wing frames in both operating and transport positions.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of tanks supported on the frame and housing particulate, an unloading system, a lifting mechanism, and a positioning system. The unloading system includes a plurality of individual carriers, each of which corresponds to one or more of the tanks. Each of the carriers defines a discharge opening for dispensing particulate unloaded from one or more of the tanks. The carriers are mounted to the frame such that the carriers are supported independently of the tanks. The lifting mechanism includes a shiftable positioning rail that at least partially supports each of the carriers, with generally vertical shifting of the positioning rail simultaneously raising or lowering each of the discharge openings. The positioning system includes a plurality of positioning devices, with shifting of each of the positioning devices resulting in fore-and-aft shifting of the corresponding one or more of the discharge openings.

Abstract: A conveyor is arranged to be mounted underneath a hopper bottom highway transportation truck which has two longitudinally spaced dump hoppers each with a bottom discharge opening to carry the discharged material to the side of the trailer from each of the hoppers in turn. The conveyor is thus carried between the bottom discharge openings so that it can be raised up between them during transport. From the mounting point at one side between the openings the conveyor is lowered so that its loading end is lowered and then the conveyor pivots to one side or the other so that its loading end is underneath the selected bottom discharge opening. The conveyor runs in a direction so that it lifts the material from the selected discharge opening upwardly to the mounting point at the one side for discharge to the side.

Abstract: A conveyor is arranged to be mounted underneath a hopper bottom highway transportation truck which has two longitudinally spaced dump hoppers each with a bottom discharge opening to carry the discharged material to the side of the trailer from each of the hoppers in turn. The conveyor is thus carried between the bottom discharge openings so that it can be raised up between them during transport. From the mounting point at one side between the openings the conveyor is lowered so that its loading end is lowered and then the conveyor pivots to one side or the other so that its loading end is underneath the selected bottom discharge opening. The conveyor runs in a direction so that it lifts the material from the selected discharge opening upwardly to the mounting point at the one side for discharge to the side.

Abstract: A hitch extension apparatus for attaching an implement with a pto driven drive shaft having front and rear universal joints to a tractor drawbar. The apparatus comprises a first member adapted for attachment to the tractor drawbar by insertion of a drawbar pin through the drawbar such that the first member is fixed with respect to the drawbar. An extension member is pivotally attached to the first member about a horizontal pitch axis oriented perpendicular to the travel direction, and about a horizontal roll axis oriented parallel to the operating travel direction. The extension member defines a pivotal attachment location rearward of the draw pin hole adapted for pivotal attachment of the implement about a vertical yaw axis located equidistant from the front and rear universal joints when the drive shaft is connected to the tractor power take off. The pitch axis can be located forward of the yaw axis, and forward of the draw pin hole in order to reduce bending forces on the drawbar.

Abstract: A hitch extension apparatus for attaching an implement with a pto driven drive shaft having front and rear universal joints to a tractor drawbar. The apparatus comprises a first member adapted for attachment to the tractor drawbar by insertion of a drawbar pin through the drawbar such that the first member is fixed with respect to the drawbar. An extension member is pivotally attached to the first member about a horizontal pitch axis oriented perpendicular to the travel direction, and about a horizontal roll axis oriented parallel to the operating travel direction. The extension member defines a pivotal attachment location rearward of the draw pin hole adapted for pivotal attachment of the implement about a vertical yaw axis located equidistant from the front and rear universal joints when the drive shaft is connected to the tractor power take off. The pitch axis can be located forward of the yaw axis, and forward of the draw pin hole in order to reduce bending forces on the drawbar.

Abstract: An offset tow arm apparatus for towing an implement supported by at least one wheel having a rotational axis perpendicular to the operating travel direction comprises a tow arm having an inner end and an outer end. A pivot arm has a rear end pivotally attached to an inner portion of the tow arm and a front end adapted for pivotal attachment to a towing vehicle hitch. A lock is operative to lock the pivot arm in a fixed position with respect to the tow arm. An outer castor wheel is pivotally attached to the apparatus to support the outer end of the lateral, and an inner castor wheel is pivotally attached to support the inner end of the tow arm. An implement hitch is attached to an outer portion of the tow arm between the outer and inner castor wheels and is adapted for attachment of an implement to be towed behind the tow arm. The apparatus is adapted to prevent lateral movement of the implement with respect to the tow arm.

Abstract: An offset tow arm apparatus for towing an implement supported by at least one wheel having a rotational axis perpendicular to the operating travel direction comprises a tow arm having an inner end and an outer end. A pivot arm has a rear end pivotally attached to an inner portion of the tow arm and a front end adapted for pivotal attachment to a towing vehicle hitch. A lock is operative to lock the pivot arm in a fixed position with respect to the tow arm. An outer castor wheel is pivotally attached to the apparatus to support the outer end of the lateral, and an inner castor wheel is pivotally attached to support the inner end of the tow arm. An implement hitch is attached to an outer portion of the tow arm between the outer and inner castor wheels and is adapted for attachment of an implement to be towed behind the tow arm. The apparatus is adapted to prevent lateral movement of the implement with respect to the tow arm.

Abstract: A rotary mower of the type used for mowing shallow angle furrows has a wing lift mechanism that will lift both wings simultaneously to a common height but permits both wings to follow the contours of the ground when the ground angle exceeds the preset angle of the mower.

Abstract: A rotary mower is used for mowing shallow angle furrows. The mower has two wings carrying large side cutters for cutting opposite sides of the furrow. The side cutters are spaced apart at the center to eliminate any need for synchronization of their rotors. A small center cutter is carried at a trailing location, between the main side cutters to cut the center area between the two side cutters.

Abstract: A rotary mower of extra wide configuration has five cutters. The center cutter is mounted on a center section of the mower, while two wings on opposite sides of the center section carrying two cutters each. The cutters only wings include inner cutters offset forwardly from the center cutter and outer cutters offset rearwardly from the inner cutters. This provides the necessary overlap of the swaths cut by the individual cutters while providing a relatively compact mower in terms of overall length. The wheels supporting the center section are mounted outboard of the center section, behind the respective wings to provide good transport stability.

Abstract: A windrower drum is journalled for rotation on the lower ends of and between a pair of arms each of which forms part of a transverse support member supported by the chassis. An arm extends upwardly from the transverse support and forms a crank arm with the aforementioned arms supporting the windrower drum. A floating cylinder lug is pivoted intermediate the ends thereof to said chassis and a piston and cylinder assembly extends between the distal ends of said crank arm and said floating cylinder lug. The weight of the drum and arms engages the drum with the ground with the depth of penetration being controlled by the effective length of the piston and cylinder assembly which acts as a rigid link when set. The drum, support arms, floating cylinder lug and crank arm all act as one unit so that the drum can elevate if an obstruction is encountered and returned by gravity to the preset position after passing the obstruction thereby eliminating any counterbalance springs and the like.