Draft linkage configuration

This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/914,594 entitled “TURNBUCKLE ADJUSTMENT FOR TILLAGE IMPLEMENT TRACKING”, filed Dec. 11, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to agricultural tillage implements, and, more particularly, to agricultural field cultivators.

2. Description of the Related Art

Farmers utilize a wide variety of agricultural tillage implements to prepare soil for planting. Some such implements include two or more sections coupled together to perform multiple functions as they are pulled through fields by a tractor. For example, a field cultivator is capable of simultaneously tilling soil and leveling the tilled soil in preparation for planting. A field cultivator has a frame that carries a number of cultivator shanks with shovels at their lower ends for tilling the soil. The field cultivator converts compacted soil into a level seedbed with a consistent depth for providing excellent conditions for planting of a crop. Grass or residual crop material disposed on top of the soil is also worked into the seedbed so that it does not interfere with a seeding implement subsequently passing through the seedbed.

A field cultivator as described above may also include an optional rear auxiliary implement for finishing the seedbed for seeding. For example, a rear auxiliary implement may include a spike tooth harrow, spring tooth harrow, rolling (aka. crumbler) basket, etc., or any combination thereof.

As agricultural tillage implements become wider and wider over time, it becomes more difficult to keep the transport size of the implement within manageable limits. It also becomes more difficult to convert the agricultural tillage implement from an operating configuration to a transport configuration, or vice versa, without requiring too much time and difficulty on the part of the operator. It is desirable for the agricultural tillage implement to be converted from one mode to the other while the operator remains within the operator cab, through the use of hydraulics or other actuators. It is also desirable for the agricultural tillage implement to remain within certain geometric constraints so that it is not necessary to use a separate “escort vehicle” or the like when traveling on public roads.

The present invention provides an agricultural tillage implement with wing sections that are foldable to a compact transport configuration.

The invention in one form is directed to an agricultural tillage implement including a main frame section having a pull hitch tube extending in a travel direction and a plurality of pivotally coupled wing sections coupled about generally vertical axes with the main frame section. The plurality of pivotally coupled wing sections can be pivoted forward about the generally vertical axes to a position adjacent to and generally parallel with the pull hitch tube when in the transport configuration, or may be pivoted outward about the generally vertical axes to a position perpendicular to the pull hitch tube when in the operating configuration. Each of the pivotally coupled wing sections has a wing front shank frame pivotally coupled to it, which wing front shank frame may be pivoted to a generally vertical position when in the transport configuration, or may be pivoted to a generally horizontal position when in the operating configuration. Stand-off brackets extend forward from the plurality of pivotally coupled wing sections sufficiently far that they extend forward beyond the space occupied by the wing front shank frames when the wing front shank frames are in their generally vertical positions. Pivoting swing arms are connected to the stand-off brackets, and are able to pivot inwards towards the wing sections, or to pivot forwards towards the forward end of the pull hitch tube. Draft members are coupled to the pivoting swing arms and to the forward end of the pull hitch tube.

The invention in another form is directed to a draft linkage assembly for an agricultural tillage implement. The draft linkage assembly has at least one stand-off bracket attached to a wing section of the agricultural tillage implement, which stand-off bracket extends forward from the wing section beyond the space occupied by a plurality of wing front shank frames which are pivotally attached to the wing section when the wing front shank frames are in generally vertical positions. A pivoting swing arm is connected to the stand-off bracket, and can be pivoted inwards towards the wing section, or pivoted forwards towards the front of the pull hitch tube which makes up part of the main frame of the agricultural tillage implement. A draft member is coupled to the pivoting swing arm and to the forward end of the pull hitch tube.

The invention in yet another form is directed to a hydraulic system for a draft linkage assembly for an agricultural tillage implement. The agricultural tillage implement has a plurality of pivotally coupled wing sections that can be folded forward about the generally vertical axes to a position adjacent to and generally parallel with the pull hitch tube that makes up part of the main frame of the agricultural tillage implement when in the transport configuration, or may be pivoted outward about the generally vertical axes to a position perpendicular to the pull hitch tube when in the operating configuration. The plurality of pivotally coupled wing sections are actuated by main fold hydraulic cylinders. The agricultural tillage implement further has a plurality of wing front shank frames pivotally attached to the front of the wing sections and actuated by wing front shank frame hydraulic cylinders to pivot between generally vertical positions when in the transport configuration and generally horizontal positions when in the operating configuration. The draft linkage assembly has pivoting swing arms connected to stand-off brackets that extend forward of the wing sections, and which connect to draft members which also connect to the front of the pull hitch tube. Pivoting swing arm hydraulic cylinders actuate the pivoting swing arms. At least one interlock is provided that prevents pivoting inwards of the pivoting swing arms unless the plurality of wing front shank frames are in their generally vertical positions, and which prevents the forward folding of the pivotally coupled wing sections unless the pivoting swing arms are folded inwards.

An advantage of the present invention is that the agricultural tillage implement may be quickly and efficiently reconfigured from the operating configuration to the transport configuration.

Another advantage is that the transport configuration of the agricultural tillage implement is kept within manageable limits while still allowing for the desired width and functionality of the agricultural tillage implement when in the operating configuration.

Another advantage is that reconfiguring the agricultural tillage implement from operating configuration to transport configuration and vice versa is accomplished without excessive time and difficulty on the part of the operator, and without requiring the operator to exit the operator cab.

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of an agricultural tillage implement of the present invention, in the form of a field cultivator;

FIG. 2 is the same top perspective view shown in FIG. 1 , with the main shank frame folded to a transport configuration;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the center frame section with the main shank frame in the operating configuration;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the agricultural tillage implement shown in FIGS. 1-3 , with the main shank frame folded rearward to a transport configuration and the wing front shank frames and wing section rear auxiliary implements folded upwards to a transport configuration;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the agricultural tillage implement shown in FIGS. 1-4 , with the wing sections folded forward to a transport configuration;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the agricultural tillage implement shown in FIGS. 1-4 , with the wing sections folded forward to a transport configuration;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the agricultural tillage implement showing additional detail of the draft linkage assembly; and

FIG. 8 is a detail view of the draft member.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 6 , there is shown an embodiment of an agricultural tillage implement of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the agricultural tillage implement is in the form of a field cultivator 10 for tilling and finishing soil prior to seeding.

Agricultural tillage implement 10 is configured as a multi-section field cultivator, and includes a main frame section 12 and a plurality of wing sections 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A and 18 B. The left wing sections are designated 14 A, 16 A, and 18 A, and the right wing sections are designated 14 B, 16 B, and 18 B. Wing sections 14 A and 14 B are each inner wing sections, wing sections 16 A and 16 B are each middle wing sections, and wing sections 18 A and 18 B are each outer wing sections. Each wing section 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A and 18 B may be provided with a tool bar segment 24 , so that left inner wing section 14 A is provided with left inner tool bar segment 24 A, right inner wing section 14 B is provided with right inner tool bar segment 24 B, left middle wing section 16 A is provided with left middle tool bar segment 24 C, right middle wing section 16 B is provided with right middle tool bar segment 24 D, left outer wing section 18 A is provided with left outer tool bar segment 24 E, and right outer wing section 18 B is provided with right outer tool bar segment 24 F. Intermediate wings 13 A and 13 B may be attached to main frame section 12 , and may provide generally vertical axes 86 and 88 about which the plurality of segmented wing sections 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A and 18 B pivot.

Main frame section 12 is the center section that is directly towed by a traction unit, such as an agricultural tractor (not shown). Main frame section 12 includes a pull hitch tube 20 , which may be a telescoping pull hitch tube 20 , including a forward end 20 A and a rearward end 20 B, extending in a travel direction 22 , and a tool bar 24 which is coupled with and extends transverse to pull hitch tube 20 . Reinforcing gusset plates 26 may be used to strengthen the connection between pull hitch tube 20 and tool bar 24 . Main frame section 12 generally functions to carry a main shank frame 28 for tilling the soil, and a main rear auxiliary implement 30 for finishing the soil. Main rear auxiliary implement 30 includes a spring tooth drag 32 and a rolling (aka, crumbler) basket 34 which coact with each other to finish the soil. However, main rear auxiliary implement 30 can be differently configured, such as a spike tooth drag, cultivator shanks, etc.

Main shank frame 28 generally functions to carry cultivator shanks 36 with shovels 38 at their lower ends for tilling the soil. Main shank frame 28 is pivotally coupled with tool bar 24 , preferably at the top of tool bar 24 , such as with couplings 40 . Main shank frame 28 is positioned in front of the tool bar 24 when in an operating configuration ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ), and is foldable up and over the tool bar 24 to a position rearward of tool bar 24 when in a transport configuration ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ). Main shank frame 28 includes two sets of longitudinal frame members 42 which are pivotally coupled with tool bar 24 at one end thereof using couplings 40 .

A plurality of cross frame members 44 are coupled with the longitudinal frame members 42 . Each of the cross frame members 44 have a pair of opposite outboard ends 46 which extend horizontally past longitudinal frame members 42 , then in a downwardly angled direction, whereby the outboard ends 46 are positioned on opposite lateral sides of the pull hitch tube 20 when in an operating configuration. The outboard ends 46 of cross frame members 44 are coupled with a pair of respective main shank sub-frames, including left main shank sub-frame 48 A and right main shank sub-frame 48 B. Main shank sub-frames 48 A and 48 B are spaced apart from each other in a direction transverse to pull hitch tube 20 and are positioned on respective opposite lateral sides of pull hitch tube 20 when in an operating configuration.

A center shank sub-frame 50 is attached to and positioned below pull hitch tube 20 . Since main shank sub-frames 48 A and 48 B are spaced apart on either side of pull hitch tube 20 , center shank sub-frame 50 functions to till the soil in the intermediate open space between the two main shank sub-frames 48 A and 48 B. Center shank sub-frame 50 includes a number of cultivator shanks 36 and corresponding shovels 38 ; three in the illustrated embodiment. Center shank sub-frame 50 may be raised up and down with the raising and lowering of the main frame section 12 using rear lift wheels 52 using hydraulic cylinder 54 and using hydraulic cylinder 55 connected to pull hitch 124 . Alternately, center shank sub-frame 50 may be raised or lowered independently of main frame section 12 .

Main shank frame 28 also includes one or more gauge wheel assemblies 56 which function to level main shank sub-frames 48 A and 48 B. In the illustrated embodiment, main shank frame 28 includes two gauge wheel assemblies 56 which are respectively coupled with a front of a respective main shank sub-frame 48 A or 48 B. A main shank frame hydraulic cylinder 58 is used to fold main shank frame 28 from the operating configuration to the transport configuration, and vice versa. Main shank frame hydraulic cylinder 58 may optionally be placed in a “float mode” such that gauge wheel assemblies 56 are operable to float up and down as they traverse across a field and thereby set the operating depth at the front edge of main shank frame 28 .

Main shank frame 28 may also include additional support frame members 60 and 62 which provide structural rigidity. Support frame members 60 extend diagonally across the top of main shank frame 28 , and support frame members 62 extend diagonally between the outboard ends 46 of cross frame members 44 .

During use, it is periodically necessary to move the field cultivator 10 from an unfolded (operating) configuration to a folded (transport) configuration. Rear lift wheel hydraulic cylinder 54 may first be actuated to lift the main frame section 12 to the raised transport configuration using rear lift wheels 52 in cooperation with hydraulic cylinder 55 connected to pull hitch 124 . Center shank sub-frame 50 may then be independently moved to a raised position if agricultural tillage implement 10 is provided with an independently movable center shank sub-frame 50 . Toolbar lift wheels 53 lift wing sections 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A and 18 B to the raised transport position along with main frame section 12 , which toolbar lift wheels 53 are then allowed to caster or pivot. Main shank frame hydraulic cylinder 58 is then actuated to fold main shank frame 28 up and over tool bar 24 to an inverted position rearward of tool bar 24 ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ). Crumbler basket 34 of main rear auxiliary implement 30 may then also be moved to a raised position.

Then left inner wing front shank frame 66 A, right inner wing front shank frame 66 B, left middle wing front shank frame 66 C, right middle wing front shank frame 66 D, left outer wing front shank frame 66 E, and right outer wing front shank frame 66 F of the wing sections 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B are folded upwards to a generally vertical position using wing front shank frame hydraulic cylinders 68 and are locked in the generally vertical position. Wing front shank frames 66 A, 66 B, 66 C, 66 D, 66 E, and 66 F of the wing sections 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B may be folded upwards to the generally vertical position at the same time, or may be folded upwards to the generally vertical position sequentially.

Left inner wing section rear auxiliary implement 78 A, right inner wing section rear auxiliary implement 78 B, left middle wing section rear auxiliary implement 78 C, right middle wing section rear auxiliary implement 78 D, left outer wing section rear auxiliary implement 78 E, and right outer wing section rear auxiliary implement 78 F, each of which may include spring tooth drags, crumbler baskets, spike tooth drags, cultivator shanks, or any combination thereof, may then also be folded upwards to a generally vertical position and are locked in the generally vertical position. Wing section rear auxiliary implements 78 A, 78 B, 78 C, 78 D, 78 E, and 78 F may also be folded upwards to a generally vertical position at the same time, or may be folded upwards to the generally vertical position sequentially. Further, crumbler basket 34 of main rear auxiliary implement 30 may be moved to its raised position at the same time that wing section rear auxiliary implements 78 are folded upwards to their generally vertical positions.

Pivoting swing arms 98 A and 98 B of draft members 72 A and 72 B extending between the forward end 20 A of pull hitch tube 20 and the pair of middle wing sections 16 A and 16 B are then folded inward, and wing sections 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B are then folded forward by left main fold hydraulic cylinder 116 A and right main fold hydraulic cylinder 116 B about generally vertical axes 86 and 88 which pass through intermediate wings 13 A and 13 B to a position adjacent to and generally parallel with pull hitch tube 20 ( FIG. 5 ). Pull hitch tube 20 may be a telescoping pull hitch tube 20 , in which arrangement the draft members 72 extend between the telescoping forward end 20 A of the telescoping pull hitch tube 20 , which extends 20 C as wing sections 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B pivot forward about generally vertical axes 86 and 88 , and contracts 20 D as wing sections 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B pivot outward about generally vertical axes 86 and 88 . Gauge wheel assemblies 56 at the front of main shank frame 28 and gauge wheel assemblies 70 at the front of wing sections 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B are all configured as caster wheels and are not in contact with the ground when field cultivator 10 is in the folded or transport configuration. For unfolding the field cultivator 10 to the operating configuration, the reverse folding sequence is carried out.

Looking now to FIG. 7 , draft linkage assembly 200 , of which right draft member 72 B is a part, is shown in more specific detail. A standoff bracket 94 , in this embodiment right standoff bracket 94 B, extends forward from right middle wing section 16 B, though such right standoff bracket 94 B could also be attached to right inner wing section 14 B or right outer wing section 18 B. The distance to which right standoff bracket 94 B extends forward of right middle wing section 16 B, shown here as reference character 96 , is less than the distance shown as reference character 92 , which is the lateral distance between the right generally vertical axis 88 about which the wing section 14 B, 16 B, and 18 B pivots and the telescoping pull hitch tube 20 of the main frame section 12 . In this way, right standoff bracket 94 B, and draft linkage assembly 200 in general, does not interfere with telescoping pull hitch tube 20 of main frame section 12 when right main fold hydraulic cylinder 116 B folds wing section 14 B, 16 B, and 18 B into the transport configuration. Note that main fold hydraulic cylinder 116 B is shown in a rear mounted configuration, acting on intermediate wing 13 B of wing sections 14 B, 16 B, and 18 B directly. It is also contemplated that main fold hydraulic cylinder may be mounted longitudinally on telescoping pull hitch tube 20 , causing extending telescoping pull hitch tube 20 to pull wing sections 14 B, 16 B, and 18 B into the transport configuration by action of the draft linkage assembly 200 .

Draft linkage assembly 200 is further provided with right pivoting swing arm 98 B, which is configured as a bell crank arrangement 100 . Bell crank arrangement 100 has a pivoting swing arm center pivot 104 , which is connected to the right standoff bracket 94 B, as well as a pivoting swing arm second pivot 106 , which is connected to the right draft member 72 B. A pivoting swing arm third pivot 108 is connected to a right pivoting swing arm hydraulic cylinder 110 B, which serves to rotate right pivoting swing arm 98 B inwards toward right inner wing section 14 B upon contraction, and serves to rotate right pivoting swing arm 98 B forwards towards pull hitch tube forward end 20 A upon extension. Right pivoting swing arm 98 B may be provided with a pivoting swing arm recess 102 (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 8 ), which allows it to nest with right draft member 72 B when in the folded configuration, as explained further below.

Note that draft linkage assembly 200 as shown in FIG. 7 has right pivoting swing arm hydraulic cylinder 110 B located outwards along right middle wing section 16 B from right standoff bracket 94 B. An alternate embodiment would place right pivoting swing arm hydraulic cylinder 110 B inwards along right middle wing section 16 B from right standoff bracket 94 B, such that right pivoting swing arm hydraulic cylinder 110 B would cause right pivoting swing arm 98 B to pivot inwards toward right inner wing section 14 B upon extension, and forwards towards pull hitch tube forward end 20 A upon contraction.

Right standoff bracket 94 B extends sufficiently forward from right middle wing section 16 B so that when wing front shank frames 66 , shown here as right wing front shank frames 66 B, 66 D, and 66 F, are rotated to their generally vertical positions, right standoff bracket 94 B extends beyond longitudinal length 120 of the space 118 forward of the wing sections 14 B, 16 B, and 18 B occupied by the wing front shank frames 66 A, 66 B, 66 C, 66 D, 66 E, and 66 F (see FIGS. 1 and 4 ). In this way, right pivoting swing arm 98 B does not interfere with right inner wing front shank frame 66 B when right pivoting swing arm 98 B pivots inwards towards right inner wing section 14 B. Pivoting right pivoting swing arm 98 B inwards towards right inner wing section 14 B allows wing sections 14 B, 16 B, and 18 B to fold to the transport configuration as right draft member 72 B nests with pivoting swing arm recess 102 , whereas pivoting right pivoting swing arm 98 B forwards towards pull hitch tube forward end 20 A allows wing sections 14 B, 16 B, and 18 B to unfold to the operating configuration while still allowing right inner wing shank frame 66 B to pivot to the generally horizontal position.

Right draft member 72 B may have a right draft tube 112 B and a right turnbuckle 114 B arranged so that right turnbuckle 114 B may be used to adjust the angle of wing sections 14 B, 16 B, and 18 B when in the position perpendicular to the pull hitch tube in the operating configuration, in order to provide for proper tracking of the agricultural tillage implement. It must of course be appreciated that the draft linkage assembly 200 shown in FIG. 7 is shown in a right hand embodiment, and that the agricultural tillage implement may be possessed of a left hand embodiment, including left draft member 72 A, left standoff bracket 94 A, left pivoting swing arm 98 A, left pivoting swing arm hydraulic cylinder 110 A, left draft tube 112 A, and left turnbuckle 114 A, all symmetrically opposite to the draft linkage assembly 200 shown in FIG. 7 . Further, the agricultural tillage implement may be possessed of both left and right hand draft linkage assemblies 200 .

To prevent improper operation of the agricultural tillage implement, including the sequence of pivoting the plurality of pivotally coupled wing sections 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B forward about the generally vertical axes 86 and 88 to the position adjacent to and generally parallel with the pull hitch tube 20 when changing to the transport configuration or pivoting the plurality of pivotally couple wing sections 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B outward about the generally vertical axes 86 and 88 to the position perpendicular to the pull hitch tube 20 when changing to the operating configuration, pivoting the wing front shank frames 66 A, 66 B, 66 C, 66 D, 66 E, and 66 F to the generally vertical position when changing to the transport configuration or pivoting the wing front shank frames 66 A, 66 B, 66 C, 66 D, 66 E, and 66 F to the generally horizontal position when changing to the operating configuration, or pivoting the pivoting swing arms 98 A and 98 B inwards towards the wing sections 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B when changing to the transport configuration or pivoting the pivoting swing arms 98 A and 98 B forwards towards the forward end 20 A of the pull hitch tube 20 when changing to the operating configuration, a hydraulic system with at least one interlock may be provided. The at least one interlock prevents pivoting inwards of the pivoting swing arms 98 A and 98 B unless the plurality of wing front shank frames 66 A, 66 B, 66 C, 66 D, 66 E, and 66 F are in their generally vertical positions, and prevents the forward folding of the pivotally coupled wing sections 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B unless the pivoting swing arms 98 A and 98 B are folded inwards.

While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.