Abstract: A drawbar assembly for a motor grader is provided. The drawbar assembly defines a longitudinal axis and includes a first frame member and a second frame member. The first frame member is adapted to be movably coupled to main frame of the motor grader. The first frame member includes a first base member extending along longitudinal axis and a first mating portion bent away relative to first base member to extend transversely relative to longitudinal axis. The second frame member includes a second base member extending along longitudinal axis and a second mating portion bent away relative to second base member to extend transversely relative to longitudinal axis. The second mating portion is configured to mate with first mating portion to form a connection joint therebetween, facilitating the first frame member and second frame member to be conjoined to together support a circle assembly of the motor grader thereunder.

Abstract: A method for reducing an overall transport profile of a multi-section tillage implement. The tillage implement includes a frame including a center frame section and at least one wing frame section. The tillage implement includes a plurality of ground-engaging tools pivotally mounted to the frame. The method includes pivoting each of the plurality of ground-engaging tools away from the ground surface from a ground-engaging position to a retracted position. The frame is disposed at an initial height relative to the ground surface before pivoting. After pivoting, the frame is lowered to a transport height relative to the ground surface. At least one wing frame section is folded relative to the center frame section from an operating position to a transport position to reduce a width of the tillage implement in the widthwise direction.

Abstract: A method for reducing an overall transport profile of a multi-section tillage implement. The tillage implement may include a frame including a center frame section and at least one wing frame section. The tillage implement may include a plurality of ground-engaging tools pivotally mounted to the frame. The method may include pivoting each of the plurality of ground-engaging tools away from the ground surface from a ground-engaging position to a retracted position. The frame may be disposed at an initial height relative to the ground surface before pivoting. After pivoting, the frame may be lowered to a transport height relative to the ground surface. At least one wing frame section may be folded relative to the center frame section from an operating position to a transport position to reduce a width of the tillage implement in the widthwise direction.

Abstract: A folding frame for an agricultural implement such as a wheel rake. The frame includes ground engaging wheels and two toolbars foldable for operation and for transport. The folding frame is provided flexibility to conform to uneven surfaces, yet stability against the torques and forces of operation. A slidable tongue provides folding action between the transport position and the operating position. A spacing between rear ends of the two toolbars may be altered hydraulically for wider or narrower windrows. A novel caster wheel provides support for the toolbars and is located so that the implement's transport position is narrower than the prior art's.

Abstract: A marker assembly mountable to an agricultural implement includes a set of interconnected frame sections that can be pivoted with respect to one another to retract the marker assembly for transport and/or storage. The marker assembly has a support wheel that supports the marker assembly above the ground as the marker assembly is being deployed and when in an extended working position. The point at which the support wheel engages the ground is controlled by a rigid link and cam assembly. The rigid link has a first end connected to a first frame section and a second end connected to a lever arm that is connected to a link of a second frame section. The rigid link is operative to pull down on the lever arm when the marker assembly is being deployed so as to force the second frame section away from the first frame section. The amount the second frame section pulls away from the first frame section is determined by the cam assembly.

Abstract: An aerator includes a frame supported on a pair of forward drive wheels and a pair of rearward caster wheels. An aerator head is mounted on a pivot frame on the forward end of the aerator frame, pivotable to move the aerator head from a disengaged position above the ground, downwardly to an engaged position wherein tines on the aerator head work the soil. The pivot frame includes a forwardly projecting arm upon which the aerator head is mounted, and a rearwardly projecting arm upon which the forward wheels of the frame are mounted, such that movement of the pivot frame will engage either the forward wheels of the frame or the aerator head with the ground. The aerator head is mounted forwardly of the forward end of the frame such that the tines on the aerator head form the forward most part of the aerator.

Abstract: A hitch linkage for hitching an implement to a front mount riding mower including a plurality of hitch arms detachably mounted to the lift arms of the riding mower. A cross-link is pivotally mounted between the hitch arms. The support struts of a support wheel are fixably mounted to the cross-link. A cylinder selectively pivots the cross-link to raise or lower the support wheel. When the support wheel is lowered into ground engaging position, the support wheel is leading to the drive wheels of the riding mower during implement transport.

Abstract: In a haying machine, a chassis, a plurality of rotors mounted side-by-side on the chassis for displacing plants on the ground, a shaft pivoted to the chassis for coupling the chassis to a pulling vehicle, a retractable support, wheels mounted on said support for carrying the machine during transportation thereof, and which are positioned substantially level with the chassis when the machine operates; and a hydraulic jack for simultaneously displacing the chassis with respect to the shaft and the retractable support with respect to the chassis.

Abstract: A ground working implement is disclosed which comprises three rectangular frames connected together by means of hinges. A center frame is provided with a tongue for attachment to a traction device such as a tractor. Each of the frames is provided with a packer wheel attached to and extending along the rear portion thereof and each of the frames is also provided with a separate frame from which S tines depend. S tines are sometimes referred to as Danish tines. The separate frames are connected to the first frame by means of a bell crank which is fulcrumed on members depending from the first frame and which are connected together by means of levers which in turn are connected to a rotatable shaft. Each frame is provided with a rotatable shaft which are connected together for concurrent rotation by an articulated connection permitting the outermost frames to be rotated 180.degree. by means of hydraulic cylinders and supported on the center frame for road transportation.

Abstract: A tool bar control mechanism for an agricultural implement or the like having a frame, a pair of generally transverse tool bars mounted on the frame for rotation about their longitudinal axes and carrying ground working tools such as spring teeth for movement therewith, and transport wheels mounted on the frame and movable between lowered transport positions wherein the frame and ground working tools are raised for transport and raised positions wherein the frame and tools are lowered for ground working operation, the tool bar control mechanism including linkage means operatively interconnecting the transport wheels with the tool bars so as to effect predetermined rotation of the tool bars and ground working tools in response to movement of the transport wheels between their lowered and raised positions and positively maintain the tools in set position during ground working operation.

Abstract: Land surfacing apparatus, comprising an elongate blade and a towing structure which includes a tow connection portion forward of the blade and which is connected to the blade so that the blade can be towed with its longitudinal dimension transverse to the tow direction while biased by its own weight into engagement with the ground with a longitudinal edge thereof serving as a soil cutting edge and a leading face extending upwardly from the cutting edge. The connection of the tow structure to the blade permits adjustment of the blade through a range of forwardly leaning orientations at which it extends both upwardly as well as forwardly in the tow direction from said cutting edge. The blade is carried by an elongated hollow triangular structure which carries ground wheels mounted on supports extending toward the towing structure, and inboard of opposite ends of the blade.

Abstract: An earth working apparatus comprising a main frame having a hitch for detachably connecting the apparatus to a prime mover, a first ground working implement mounted on the main frame, a pair of support arms operatively connected at forwardly disposed ends thereof to the main frame for pivotal movement about a first transverse axis, ground engaging wheels mounted on the support arm, a lift arm operatively connected to each of the support arms for pivotal movement about a second transverse axis, a second earthworking implement mounted on the lift arms, chains interconnecting each of the lift arms and the main frame, a ground engaging wheel mounted on one of the frames and hydraulic cylinders operatively interconnecting each of the support arms and the main frame for angularly displacing the support arms relative to the main frame whereby upon actuation of the hydraulic cylinders when the ground engaging wheel is not in engagement with the ground, the working implements will be caused to move into and out of eng