With Ground Support Vertically Adjustable Relative To Frame Patents (Class 172/395)
  • Patent number: 11849669
    Abstract: A flexible mower deck includes a center deck with a plurality of rotary cutting blades rotated by a belt engaging a driven pulley for each blade. A first wing deck and a second wing deck are pivotably attached to a first end and a second end of the center deck. Each of the wing decks are pivotable between a lowered mowing position and a raised transport position. A height of cut mechanism on each of the first and second wing decks raises and lowers the wing deck and includes a four bar caster wheel level mechanism holding a caster wheel sleeve in front of the wing deck in vertical alignment at any height of cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Chad C. Steen
  • Patent number: 11510356
    Abstract: A ground-opening apparatus for an agricultural implement. The ground-opening apparatus comprises an opening disc for excavating a furrow in the ground, and a support assembly securing the opening disc to the agricultural implement. The support assembly comprises an upper bar, a lower bar, a forward bar, and a rearward bar. The upper bar and the lower bar extend generally in parallel relationship. The lower bar and the rearward bar are joined at a lower, rearward joint. A rotational axis of the opening disc extends through the lower, rearward joint of the support assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Ptacek, Gregory W. Arnett, Verne A. Hubalek
  • Publication number: 20140262363
    Abstract: A tillage apparatus includes a wheeled frame configured with a plurality of concave blades arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending columns and transversely extending rows. The rows are longitudinally spaced apart by a progressively increasing distance. The blades of each column are transversely tilted alternately to the left and right. The blades of each column are transversely offset from one another to create a swath of tilled ground along the width of the column. In operation, soil is thrown left and right between successive blades of a column to till the soil across the width of the column and leave a substantially level soil surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, Jacobus A. Rozendaal, John Mark Averink, Simon Goveia
  • Patent number: 8763717
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an innovative arrangement to control the height of ground engaging tools located on agricultural implements via gauge wheel assemblies, particularly for supporting and adjusting the height of winged extensions of the implement frame. The gauge wheel assemblies may provide an adjustment assembly in the form of a screw jack, which can be coupled to a support bracket that is attached to the implement frame and also coupled to a support tube that is coupled to a gauge wheel via pivot assembly and a bracket. The bracket and support tube may be coupled at discrete positions according to the height adjustment of the screw jack via pins and holes in the bracket and tube. When coupled, the pins and holes of the support bracket and tube may reduce the load of the winged extensions on the screw jack mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Greg S. Smart
  • Patent number: 8684102
    Abstract: A seeding implement is provided that includes a depth adjustment mechanism configured to facilitate rapid reconfiguration of a ground engaging tool for varying penetration depths. In an exemplary embodiment, the seeding implement includes a ground engaging tool and a packer arm pivotally coupled to a packer support structure. The seeding implement also includes a packer wheel rotatably coupled to the packer arm, and configured to rotate across a soil surface to limit a penetration depth of the ground engaging tool into the soil. The seeding implement further includes a depth adjustment assembly including a slot within the packer support structure, a corresponding slot within the packer arm, and a fastener disposed through the slots. In this configuration, the penetration depth of the ground engaging tool is varied by adjusting a position of the fastener within the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicholas George Alfred Ryder, Kevin Hall
  • Patent number: 8678102
    Abstract: A seeding implement is provided that includes a depth adjustment mechanism configured to facilitate rapid reconfiguration of a ground engaging tool for varying penetration depths. In an exemplary embodiment, the seeding implement includes a ground engaging tool and a packer arm pivotally coupled to a packer support structure. The seeding implement also includes a packer wheel rotatably coupled to the packer arm, and configured to rotate across a soil surface to limit a penetration depth of the ground engaging tool into the soil. The seeding implement further includes a depth adjustment assembly including a slot within the packer support structure, a corresponding slot within the packer arm, and a fastener disposed through the slots. In this configuration, the penetration depth of the ground engaging tool is varied by adjusting a position of the fastener within the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicholas George Alfred Ryder, Kevin Hall
  • Patent number: 8342258
    Abstract: A seeding implement is provided that includes a depth adjustment mechanism configured to facilitate rapid reconfiguration of a ground engaging tool for varying penetration depths. In an exemplary embodiment, the seeding implement includes a ground engaging tool and a packer arm pivotally coupled to a packer support structure. The seeding implement also includes a packer wheel rotatably coupled to the packer arm, and configured to rotate across a soil surface to limit a penetration depth of the ground engaging tool into the soil. The seeding implement further includes a depth adjustment assembly including a slot within the packer support structure, a corresponding slot within the packer arm, and a fastener disposed through the slots. In this configuration, the penetration depth of the ground engaging tool is varied by adjusting a position of the fastener within the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicholas George Alfred Ryder, Kevin Hall
  • Patent number: 8291997
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an innovative arrangement to control the height of ground engaging tools located on agricultural implements via gauge wheel assemblies, particularly for supporting and adjusting the height of winged extensions of the implement frame. The gauge wheel assemblies may provide an adjustment assembly in the form of a screw jack, which can be coupled to a support bracket that is attached to the implement frame and also coupled to a support tube that is coupled to a gauge wheel via pivot assembly and a bracket. The bracket and support tube may be coupled at discrete positions according to the height adjustment of the screw jack via pins and holes in the bracket and tube. When coupled, the pins and holes of the support bracket and tube may reduce the load of the winged extensions on the screw jack mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G Kovach, Greg S Smart
  • Publication number: 20120073843
    Abstract: A suspension device for a work vehicle is capable of not only providing improved ride quality during nonoperational traveling such as on-site movement over uneven terrain, but also ensuring stable driving power during operational traveling such as an excavation operation on uneven terrain. The suspension device 60 has an equalizer bar 61 for coupling undercarriages 4, 4? provided on both sides, respectively, of a vehicle body 3, the equalizer bar 61 being provided in the vehicle body 3 so as to be freely swingable up and down. This suspension device 60 has pitch angle change cylinders 65 as maximum pitch angle changing mechanism for changing the maximum pitch angle of the equalizer bar 61.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Kazuki Kure
  • Publication number: 20120006572
    Abstract: The stadium groomer includes a hitch adapted to be pulled by a vehicle. An adjustable hitching mechanism is disposed on one side of the hitch. The hitch includes a base having wheels disposed at the bottom of the base. A grooming frame is pivotally mounted to the opposite side of the base. The grooming frame includes a tank that can be selectively filled with water to increase the weight of the grooming frame. A plurality of plow blades are disposed on opposite sides of the tank in a relatively staggered pattern, and the penetration depth of each of the blades Is adjustable. An adjustable base leveling bar and a pivotal smoothing bar are mounted to the tank on the trailing side thereof. The leveling bar levels the plowed soil beneath the penetration depth of the plow blades while the smoothing bar smoothes the disturbed surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: ROZANNE E. ADAMS, Alan Dale
  • Patent number: 8028759
    Abstract: A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly includes a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a lost motion linkage, a hoe opener, and a packer wheel. The design provides improved seeding accuracy, by adjusting assembly components to and compensating for changes in terrain elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicholas George Alfred Ryder, Montgomerie Summach, Gerard James Gadzella
  • Publication number: 20110100654
    Abstract: A vertical tilling implement to be pulled behind and agricultural vehicle having a number of gangs of fluted-concave disc blades, rolling baskets, and wheels connected to a main frame. As the vertical tilling implement is pulled, the fluted-concave disc blades move the soil in a direction lateral to the side of the blades as well as up. Meanwhile, the rolling bars aid in leveling the seedbed and crushing the remaining large pieces of soil. The vertical tilling implement reduces the amount of subsoil compaction and cuts through heavy residue making it ideal for use in the fall or in the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael George Kovach, Tracey Duane Meiners, Dean Alan Knobloch, Gaylen James Kromminga, Gregory S. Smart
  • Patent number: 7900711
    Abstract: An agricultural implement pulled by a traction vehicle is convertible between use and transport configurations. The implement includes a carrier frame coupled to the vehicle via the combination of a hitch and a draft tongue having an aft portion pivotally coupled to the carrier frame and including a generally vertical cornered post rotatable about a vertical pivot axis. A lift frame having plural spaced row units includes an integral center frame section with a sleeve closely engaging and vertically slideable along the cornered post. A first displacement arrangement moves the aft portion of the draft tongue between the use position and a first elevated position for avoiding obstructions and to facilitate turning in a field, while second and third displacement arrangements respectively raise the lift frame higher on the vertical post and rotate the post and lift frame about the vertical axis to a longitudinal position for transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon E. Kinzenbaw
  • Patent number: 7866410
    Abstract: A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly includes a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a lost motion linkage, a hoe opener, and a packer wheel. The design provides improved seeding accuracy, by adjusting assembly components to and compensating for changes in terrain elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicholas George Alfred Ryder, Montgomerie Summach, Gerard James Gadzella
  • Patent number: 7481278
    Abstract: A disc opener system for attachment to an agricultural vehicle for opening a seed trench. The system includes a main arm, a disc opener mounted to the main arm, a gauge wheel mounted about a pivot axis to the main arm, a gauge wheel mounted for rotation on the gauge arm, and a depth adjustment assembly for adjusting and positively locking a position of the gauge wheel relative to disc opener. The depth adjustment assembly includes an adjustment link mounted to the main arm, an adjustment coupling attached to the gauge arm, a handle pivotably attached to the adjustment coupling and a clip attached to the adjustment coupling. The clip locks the handle in a position where it mates the adjustment link and adjustment coupling to fix the position of the gauge wheel relative to the disc opener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: CNH America, LLC
    Inventors: Barry Pomedli, Brad Hicks, Eric Anderson
  • Patent number: 7401657
    Abstract: A ground scraper designed to be pulled by a tractor or the like includes a pair of parallel frame rails with a scraper blade between them and perpendicular to them. The scraper blade can lowered to a preferred depth of scraping and can be raised above the bottom of the frame for towing. Dual-wheeled trucks on the rear of the frame can be raised off the ground to allow the frame to contact the ground for scraping and can be lowered into contact with the ground, also raising the frame off the ground, for towing on roads or the like. The rear of a tongue can be raised relative to the front of the tongue to pick up the front of the ground scraper frame for transporting the ground scraper and then the rear of the tongue can be lowered relative to the front of the tongue, allowing the frame to contact the ground. The exact angle of the tongue can float up and down in order to allow towing on uneven terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventor: Charles A. Huber
  • Patent number: 7063166
    Abstract: An earth grooming device for attachment to a vehicle includes a rectangular frame having a plurality of teeth secured to the front thereof to form a rake and a scraper blade secured to the rear of the frame. A side rail is attached to each side of the frame with each side rail having a bottom edge tapered forwardly and upwardly beginning from a point intermediate both ends of the side rail where a bottom edge of the scraper blade is positioned and tapered rearwardly and upwardly from the point to form a fulcrum about which the side rail pivots. A pair of rear wheels are mounted adjacent the ends of the side rail and a pair of adjustable wheels are mounted intermediate of the frame. Actuator means are also provided for adjusting a height of the pair of adjustable wheels relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Country Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. Grosberg
  • Patent number: 6745849
    Abstract: A towed, agricultural implement includes an undercarriage supported on ground wheels that are attached to the undercarriage by trailing support arms. An adjusting motor is coupled between the undercarriage and a transverse torsion rod having its opposite ends coupled to the wheel support arms by braces. The adjusting motor is selectively operable for raising and lowering the ground wheels relative to the undercarriage, with the torsion rod acting to absorb shocks between the undercarriage and the wheel support arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Lionel Guiet
  • Patent number: 6679339
    Abstract: A rockshaft is mounted over the front rank of the implement frame and is operated by cylinders located at opposite ends of the rockshaft connected to lift arms extending radially adjacent bearing mounts. Fore-and-aft extending links aligned with the lift arms and mounts operate lift wheel assemblies. A hitch arm connected near the center of the rockshaft is directly connected to a hitch turnbuckle for level lift operation. An aligned arrangement of cylinders, cylinder brackets, links and arms provides minimal torsional loading, particularly when the rockshaft is rotated to fully raise the implement frame for transport and is in the most susceptible shock loading condition. Moment arms are controlled to minimize rockshaft torsional loading during highest stress conditions. The front-mounted rockshaft provides simplicity and advantageous weight distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David Lee Steinlage, Brian Thomas Mosdal, James Thomas Noonan, Garrett Lee Goins, Anthony Scott Royer, David Alan Payne
  • Patent number: 6666010
    Abstract: A towed farm implement includes a set of auxiliary wheels mounted for elevating the implement to a height which permits the implement to be pulled over and lowered onto a transport trailer or which permits the trailer to be otherwise maneuvered to a loading position beneath the implement. Once the implement is loaded, a pivoted tongue of the implement is positioned so as to be used for the endwise transport of loaded implement. In one embodiment, the auxiliary wheels are mounted on their own lift arms for being swung vertically by an adjusting mechanism that is independent of that use to effect vertical adjustment of the ground wheels. In another embodiment, the wheel support arms of the ground wheels and the lift arms to which the auxiliary wheels are mounted are secured together for being swung by the same adjusting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David Beaufort, Damien Faivre, Heinrich Tepe, Matthew Mentzer
  • Patent number: 6354383
    Abstract: An attachment device for attaching an implement to an attachment plate for a vehicle. The attachment device includes at least two sets of two or more arms, each arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of each arm being operably coupled to the implement and the second end of each arm being operably coupled to the attachment plate, wherein the two sets of two or more arms allow the implement to be tilted such that a first end of the implement may be raised to a higher vertical position than a second end of the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventor: Harold D. Muilenburg
  • Patent number: 5996704
    Abstract: A towed, three row cultivator including a frame, a hitch bar, primary and secondary implement bars and vertical columns slidable within bearing housings attached at each side of the frame. The columns are attached to each other at the upper end by a bridge member and terminate in wheel assembles at the lower end. Actuators are provided for lifting and lowering the frame relative to the columns. Fertilizer and chemical tanks may also be provided for attachment to the bridge member, thereby placing the weight of such tanks and their contents directly on the wheels independent of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Paul J. Landry
  • Patent number: 5957219
    Abstract: A system for opening and closing ground has a coulter blade for cutting and opening the ground at a first angle to create an angled furrow, and a closing wheel for following the coulter blade for closing the ground. The closing wheel is inclined relative to the ground and engages the ground at a second different angle. The closing wheel is adjustable in height relative to the coulter blade at a plurality of heights. In use, in all adjustable positions the angles and the relative position of the coulter blade and the closing wheel are maintained such that the closing wheel engages the ground substantially in the line of travel of the coulter and closes the furrow cut by the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Flexi-Coil, Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Friggstad
  • Patent number: 5628371
    Abstract: A hydraulic lift apparatus for a farm implement has a sleeve mounted to the frame of the cultivator in a substantially upright position, and a fluidic cylinder mounted atop the sleeve. A caster wheel with a shaft is fully, rotatably, and slidably received within the sleeve and cylinder. When the cylinder is actuated, the cylinder piston pushes downward on the caster shaft and forces the shaft partially out of the cylinder and sleeve, thereby raising the frame of the farm implement and the blades attached to the frame. When the farm implement is to be returned to an operating position, the pressure on the cylinder is released and gravity returns the frame to its original position. A washer and cap screw on the caster shaft interact with a shoulder in the sleeve to prevent the caster shaft from falling out of the sleeve. A guide bushing at the bottom of the sleeve interact with a stop member on the caster shaft to limit upward motion of the caster shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Inventor: Harry Behrens
  • Patent number: 5582256
    Abstract: A manually displaceable implement for ground treatment comprising a housing (1), a rotor drum (2) rotatably maintained therein and driven by a motor, a connecting piece (3) and height-adjustable running wheels (5). In the non-operating state, the running wheels (5) are lowered, so that the rotor drum (2) is raised off the ground (B) to be treated. In the process, at least one running wheel (5) rests against a stop disposed on the housing (1) and is blocked in this manner. The implement for ground treatment is secured by this blocking means (10) and does not make any uncontrolled movements, even if the drive motor of the rotor drum (2) is switched on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Pamag AG
    Inventor: Paul Dummermuth
  • Patent number: 5497715
    Abstract: A metering drive mechanism is provided for use with a seed depositing implement adapted for movement across the ground. The mechanism includes a gauge wheel, an arm assembly supporting the gauge wheel for rolling engagement with the ground, and a mounting bracket on which the arm assembly pivots. The mechanism restricts upward pivoting movement of the arm assembly beyond a predetermined position, thus establishing the height of the implement. However, downward movement of the arm assembly is allowed in order to permit the gauge wheel to remain in contact with the ground at all times during travel. A spring urges the wheel against the ground with a force that remains constant, even when the predetermined position of the arm assembly relative to the bracket is changed to vary the height of the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing Incorporated
    Inventors: Roger L. Meek, J. Michael McClure
  • Patent number: 5485690
    Abstract: A lightweight snowplow configured of a number of small components, each easily lifted, moved, assembled, dis-assembled and stored by an average individual. The snowplow is especially suitable for use with small vehicles such as small trucks, utility vehicles and cars. The snowplow features novel alternate arrangements for operational lifting, stopping and lowering of the snowplow and a quick-hitch/release mechanism for easy plow attachment purposes. Finally, the mounting structure to which the plow is attached and detached is designed so as to be able to fit most small utility vehicles with two fore and aft frame chassis members and a frame mounted metal bumper without need for welding or special custom fit-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Inventor: James P. MacQueen
  • Patent number: 5427184
    Abstract: A depth control includes an actuator tube connected for movement with the rockshaft and having a threaded crank supported on the forward end of the tube. A valve operator bracket is slidably and nonrotatably received over the tube and includes a threaded portion engaging the crank threads to positively locate the bracket relative to the tube. The bracket carries a plunger which, as the rockshaft lowers the implement to the working position, is moved into contact with a valve actuator to close a valve and prevent further lowering of the implement. One turn of the crank gives the same positive movement along the tube each time the depth setting is adjusted so that working depth can be set very accurately and easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Donald R. Peck
  • Patent number: 5291954
    Abstract: A front folding tool carrier bar for agricultural applications includes a frame having opposite sides and having ground-engaging wheels mounter thereon. Mounted on the frame is a device for coupling the frame to a vehicle. Also mounted on the frame are a pair of forwardly folding wing bars having first and second ends, each of the first ends pivotally mounted on the frame such that the wing bars may pivot about a substantially vertical pivot axis between a forwardly folding transport position and a transversely extended working position. Each wing bar is pivotally mounted at opposite sides of the frame. For securing the wing bars in transversely extended working position, a pair of outrigger braces extend outwardly from the frame and are connected to opposite wing bars whereby the wing bars may be braced in working position. Mounted on each wing bar is at least one ground-engaging wheel. Finally, a device for pivoting the wing bars between the transport position and the working position is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Inventor: Gerald R. Kirwan
  • Patent number: 5235922
    Abstract: For multi-row planting a seed planter having furrow-opening discs and associated gauge wheels the independent support arms of which are operatively interconnected by an equalizer arm whereby the combined load carried by the gauge wheels is distributed substantially equally therebetween so as to compensate for ground surface irregularities encountered by the gauge wheels. The distance a planter rises when a gauge wheel rolls over a stone is cut in half thereby reducing shock and minimizing interference with seed metering and dispensing. The equalizer arm may be mounted on adjustable support linkage whereby the gauge wheels may be positioned at different heights for different depth furrows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Allied Products Corporation
    Inventor: Harry C. Deckler
  • Patent number: 5232055
    Abstract: Device for carrying a load behind a vehicle, comprising:a frame whereon the load is to be placed;one or more support wheels for supporting the frame; andone or more arms for causing one or more shafts of the support wheels to move between a first position wherein the frame rests on a ground and a second position wherein the frame (and the load) are at least partially supported by the support wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventor: Johannes Van Vuuren
  • Patent number: 5230208
    Abstract: Lawn mower height-adjust systems include three embodiments. Two permit the user to adjust the position of the deck relative to each wheel individually. The third permits the user to adjust the positions of all four wheels simultaneously, aided by a counterbalance system. A modification of the third embodiment is available to automatically bypass the height-adjust mechanism in the event an abnormally high load is placed on the deck. One of the two individual systems permits an operator to adjust the position of a respective wheel simply by removing a single nut and washer from an axle bolt. The second individual height-adjust system permits the operator to adjust the height of an individual wheel by using one hand, and without having to disassemble the mechanism. The system which adjusts all four wheels simultaneously links front and rear axle subassemblies with a connecting rod, and indexes all four wheels simultaneously through a release handle which is recessed in a cavity formed in the lawn mower deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Kristoffer A. Hess, Ronald G. Hare, Ronald A. Jackson, Courtney F. Bond
  • Patent number: 5167286
    Abstract: A disc harrow implement having a wheel supported frame to carry the gang discs for transport over-the-road operating mechanism in the frame to selectively extend the wheels and to retract the wheels during ground discing, a shiftable bar to support a fluid pressure motor connected to the wheels, and a transport link that cooperates with the shiftable bar and the wheel supports to allow the implement to be converted between transport configuration and ground discing configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Inventor: John Bossler
  • Patent number: 4840020
    Abstract: There is disclosed a rotary mower which is comprised of a top deck and sidewalls, a connecting structure for supporting the front of the mower on a tracking three-point hitch, a drive shaft connectable to a tractor power take-off, a gearbox and rotor to drive the mower blade and a tail wheel for varying blade cutting height adjustably supported by a support tube pivotally carried by the mower deck. The tail wheel adjustment structure is carried between the mower deck and wheel support tube to reduce stresses and resulting deformation on the deck and sidewalls and is compactly designed to minimize projection of parts above the tail wheel support tube both during operation and shipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Ken K. Oka
  • Patent number: 4819737
    Abstract: A row crop cultivator particularly adapted for ridge-hill and minimum tillage farming conditions. The cultivator carries a number of tools including spaced hilling disks, a coulter wheel and a sweep for effectively pitching soil and cutting crop residues and weeds between the planted rows. A gauge wheel assembly is provided for controlling the depth of penetration of the tools into the soil. The gauge wheel assembly includes a pair of elongated arms pivotally connected between a pair of parallel plates on the cultivator frame. Series of vertically spaced adjustment holes are formed in the plates and a pin member is selectively insertable in any aligned pair of holes to limit pivotal movement of the gauge wheel arms the elevation of the gauge wheel relative to the frame. The gauge wheel adjustments are easily made by hand in the field without the use of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventor: Roland J. Frase
  • Patent number: 4594951
    Abstract: The device is mounted on a seeder provided with a hopper, with a seed distributor and with a plowshare or work disk. It comprises two lateral gauge wheels mounted on two bearings borne by two arms pivotably articulated around an axis on the chassis of the seeder. A class 1 lever formed from a rod is extended by two sliding sleeves articulated respectively at its middle around a ball-joint adjustable in position with respect to the chassis and at its two ends around the two other ball-joints fastened to the oscillating support arms. The device is useful in agricultural machines having a plowshare or work disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventor: Xavier R. Grataloup
  • Patent number: 4579179
    Abstract: An improved cultivator having support wheels swingably and adjustably mounted under its frame to easily adjust the depth of the cultivating elements. The improved cultivator also has support bars arranged in pairs and carrying cultivating elements thereon. The bars in each pair extend in opposite directions and are connected to the frame by a single wedge having a pair of comming surfaces acting on both bars simultaneously. This wedge can be loosened to easily, slidably, adjust the support bars. The improved cultivator may also comprise a pair of wedge members connected by a bolt for quickly and easily connecting a cultivating element to an end of the support bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Ber Vac Inc.
    Inventor: Bertrand Vachon
  • Patent number: 4496005
    Abstract: A gauge wheel arm pivotally connected to an implement frame carries a first slotted plate, and a second slotted plate is fixed to the frame with the slots of the respective plates overlapping to receive a single bolt at the area of overlap. The slots, which provide for continuous adjustment of the arm, are angled with respect to each other to provide a scissors- or ramp-type action on the bolt which positively fixes the arm relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: James A. Swartzendruber
  • Patent number: 4448274
    Abstract: An agricultural tractor comprises lifting devices to which are hitched rotary supports in the form of rollers. The lifting devices push the rollers downwardly relatively to the rest of the tractor. This transfers some or all of the weight of the tractor to the rollers which reduces or eliminates pressure on the underlying surface, and consequent soil compaction, applied by wheels of the tractor. The rotary supports may be drivable and improve traction. If all of the weight of the tractor is placed on the rotary supports, the wheels are raised from the ground.A system is also described for automatically detecting and eliminating or correcting for skidding of the wheels of the tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Inventor: Cornelis van der Lely
  • Patent number: 4356780
    Abstract: An apparatus to be towed that includes a frame supported, rotatably mounted, pair of furrow forming disks that are arranged to substantially contact each other at the approximate point of entry into the soil and diverge apart rearwardly and upwardly, a pair of rotatable gauge wheels having supports that individually and pivotally connect the wheels to the frame to regulate furrow depth, with each wheel being located generally adjacent an outer surface of a disk, and an equalizer assembly connecting the supports so that movement of a gauge wheel by an obstacle upward produces an equal movement of the other gauge wheel downward to produce a frame height and hence related furrow depth that is the average between the gauge wheel elevations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: International Harvester Co.
    Inventor: Jack L. Bauman
  • Patent number: 4299292
    Abstract: A folding boom construction comprising a wheeled frame, a boom disposed transversely of the wheeled frame, the boom being adapted to support one or more cultivating tools, the boom being coupled to the wheeled frame to be rotatable about a substantially transverse axis of the wheeled frame, the boom being rotatable about an axis transverse of the boom such that on rotation about the axis transverse to the wheeled frame the cultivating tools can be raised or lowered from the ground and when the tools are in the raised position the transverse axis is substantially upright such that the boom can be swung from the transverse position to a fore-and-aft position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Assignee: Australian Agricultural Machinery Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: William F. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4247126
    Abstract: A generally rectangular frame having a vertical support column at each corner thereof mounted for vertical movement relative to the frame. Four hydraulic rams, all of the same diameter and one for each support columns, are used are used to connect the frame to the columns, with the two rams at one end causng raising or lowering of the frames by contraction or extension of the rams while corresponding movement of the other end of the frame is caused by opposite movement of the rams thereat. A hydraulic control system selectively: raises or lowers the frame relative to all four columns, raises or lowers the frame relative to one side only of the frame, or or raises one side of the frame while lowering the other. Additionally, the system allows the columns at one end of the frame to move freely, in equal and opposite directions relative to the frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Assignee: Up-Right, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald L. Claxton
  • Patent number: 4157877
    Abstract: An apparatus for compacting subgrade and pavement materials during a road building operation, and which is characterized by the ability to selectively perform a plurality of distinct road rolling functions to thereby facilitate a road building operation. The apparatus is self-propelled and includes compacting means which comprises a pair of steel cylindrical rollers and two sets of rubber wheels having overlapping tracks. Provision is made for selectively moving the sets of rubber wheels into and out of operative engagement with the ground, whereby selective compaction by the independent operation of either the steel cylindrical rollers or the rubber wheels may be effected, and without simultaneous operation by the non-operating compacting means. A unitary steering system is also provided whereby the direction of the apparatus may be controlled when either compacting means is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1979
    Assignee: B.R. Lee Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Billy R. Lee
  • Patent number: 4109729
    Abstract: The device is pulled behind conventional sod cutting apparatus and includes an angled roller that diverts the various sod rolls sequentially discharged from the apparatus, doing so to one side of the path traversed by the apparatus. The device also includes a frame having ground supports for supporting the roller at a slight elevation above the ground so that the roller is free to rotate in a direction determined by the still moving rolls of sod. Provision is made for optimumly adjusting the roller angle and once adjusted to maintain the same angle when changing the setting back and forth to divert rolls either to the left or right. The device also includes a hitch by which the device can be quickly unhitched at the end of each run to permit the sod cutting apparatus to be turned around more readily. Also, the roller supporting frame is adjustable to accept rollers of different lengths for accommodating sod rolls of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1978
    Inventor: William C. Kaercher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4058068
    Abstract: A cultivator or rotary harrow has soil working members rotatable about upwardly extending shafts journalled in a frame portion that extends transverse to the direction of travel. The front of the frame is supported by a coupling attached to a prime mover and the rear of the implement is supported by two ground wheels. One wheel is located at each lateral side of the frame portion at the rear thereof and a bracket is pivoted to the frame with rearwardly extending arms connected to the wheel axle mountings. An extensible connecting member interconnects the axle mountings to the frame above the bracket so that the wheels can be vertically displaced by shortening or lengthening the connecting members. A sowing mechanism, including a feed box, is mounted to the rear of the soil working members with delivery tubes leading to shoes. A flow control mechanism is driven by a transmission from the wheel mountings and the shoes can be raised or lowered by a linkage and control lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1977
    Assignee: C. van der Lely N. V.
    Inventors: Ary van der Lely, Cornelis Johannes Gerardus Bom
  • Patent number: 4050704
    Abstract: A harvester-thresher machine having a body flanked by a pair of hydraulic cylinders for tilting the body of the machine into an upright position in response to a tilt of the harvester-thresher, the cylinders being selectively connected to a source of pressurized liquid whose rate of flow is automatically adjusted in response to the degree of tilt of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Assignee: Institutul de Cercetari si Proiectari de Masini Agricole-ICPMA
    Inventors: Mihail Duca, Dan Vasiliu, Teodor Demetrescu, Ion Cimpoias, Ion Linca, Stefan Breazu, Virgil Antonescu, Iosif Cojocaru
  • Patent number: 4044842
    Abstract: An implement frame construction includes rigid implement frame sections positioned in side-by-side relation and joined by a linkage system which permits the sections to universally flex within desired limits with respect to each other without substantial variation in lateral spacing therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignees: Charles W. Fleming, Gerald H. Meier, Milton Rasdall, William Laas
    Inventor: Richard A. Worick
  • Patent number: 4042038
    Abstract: A rotary harrow has a ground engaging supporting member mounted in front of soil working members. The supporting member can be an elongated cylinder that is rotatable or a non rotatable generally cylindrical member that has its largest cross section dimension extending generally parallel to the normal direction of travel. The supporting member can be secured to a frame portion with arms that hold the member close to the soil working member connections with the frame portion. The supporting member can be pivoted or moved within limits responsive to ground irregularities and affords protection to tine connections and associated parts from stones and the like due to its close proximity to these elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Inventor: Cornelis van der Lely
  • Patent number: 4018288
    Abstract: A rotary harrow has a plurality of soil-working members rotatably mounted on upwardly extending shafts and the shafts are journalled in an elongated frame portion that extends transverse to the direction of travel. A protective and supporting member of elongated and generally cylindrical configuration is secured to the frame portion by arms that are pivoted to that portion. The protective member can be rotatable or nonrotatable but is angularly displaceable about a horizontal axis that extends generally parallel to the frame portion. The protective member has an outer surface that can be of curved configuration and that outer surface extends adjacent the soil working members and is positioned relative to those members to direct debris downwardly to the ground. Stops on the frame portion and protective member limit the latter's movement relative to the remainder of the harrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Inventor: Cornelis van der Lely
  • Patent number: 4009759
    Abstract: A cultivator apparatus attached to a draw bar hitched to a tractor and having a tool bar attached to the draw bar and movable therewith. A cultivating mechanism is attached to the tool bar and is movable between positions of engagement and disengagement with the ground when the tool bar is moved. A plurality of cultivating units comprise the cultivating mechanism and are independently movable about the tool bar. A lateral support mechanism is comprised of gauge wheels mounted intermediate the ends of each of the cultivating units. Each gauge wheel is laterally offset with respect to the cultivating unit to which it is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1977
    Inventor: Arnold E. Ernst