Abstract: An assembly for facilitating steering of an agricultural implement linkable to a work vehicle is disclosed. The assembly comprises at least a first ground-engaging wheel to engage a ground surface below a frame of the agricultural implement to support the frame above the ground surface. The assembly further comprises a positioning system for receiving a positioning signal from a positioning source. The positioning system determines a current position of the agricultural implement from at least the positioning signal, and the positioning system generates a control signal derived from the current position of the agricultural implement. The assembly further comprises a steering cylinder connected to the first ground-engaging wheel. The steering cylinder operatively connects to the positioning system to steer the first ground-engaging wheel based on the control signal.
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 30, 1992
Date of Patent:
November 16, 1993
Assignee:
Deere & Company
Inventors:
Michael D. Snyder, John D. Long, Daniel M. Foley
Abstract: An adjustable width plow having at least three aligned sections with adjacent ends of the sections joined for relative motion about horizontal axes includes a forward furrow wheel mounted to the forward end of the front plow section for caster movement, a rear furrow wheel mounted to the rear end of the rear plow section for caster movement, a first or forward pair of land wheels supporting the plow adjacent the rear end of the forward section, and a second or rear pair of land wheels supporting the plow adjacent the rear end of the intermediate plow section. A steering mechanism controls the forward land wheels in turns in response to the turning of the tractor pulling the plow, and this steering mechanism also adjusts the forward land wheels for proper steering and toeing as the width of the furrow cut by the plows is adjusted. The rear land wheels are not steered in response to the turning of the tractor, but they are adjusted for proper steering and toeing when the plow units are adjusted.
Abstract: A plow system includes a number of individual plow units mounted on a beam which is inclined relative to the direction of travel of a traction vehicle. The units are mounted for continuous rotation about vertical axes so that they may be opened or closed to adjust the width of a cut between adjacent units over a continuous, wide range. The plow unit is supported by a forward furrow wheel located to ride in previously-plowed ground and a rear furrow wheel, and the main frame is pulled by a tongue or draft member connected between a tractor hitch and an intermediate location of the inclined beam. A hydraulic unit adjusts the individual plow units in unison, and at the same time, through a linkage, adjusts the tongue relative to the inclined beam to keep the forward furrow wheel at a constant distance from the rear tractor wheel for all width adjustments.