Large field cultivator narrow fold

This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/914,502 entitled “TILLAGE IMPLEMENT WITH FOLDABLE SHANK FRAME”, filed Dec. 11, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.

1. Field of the Invention

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

2. Description of the Related Art

Farmers utilize a wide variety of agricultural implements to prepare soil for planting. Some such agricultural 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 implements become wider and wider over time, it becomes more difficult to keep the transport size of the agricultural implement within manageable limits. It also becomes more difficult to convert the agricultural 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 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 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 implement with wings that are foldable to a compact transport configuration.

The invention in one form is directed to an agricultural implement including a main frame having a pull hitch tube extending in a travel direction, and a pair of pivotally coupled wings coupled about generally vertical axes with the main frame. The pair of pivotally coupled wings can be pivoted forward about the generally vertical axes to positions adjacent to and generally parallel with the pull hitch tube when in a transport configuration, or may be pivoted outward about the generally vertical axes to positions perpendicular to the pull hitch tube when in an operating configuration. Each of the pivotally coupled wings has a plurality of wing front sections pivotally coupled to it, which wing front section 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. Each of the pivotally coupled wings also has a plurality of wing rear sections pivotally coupled to it, which wing rear section 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.

The invention in another form is directed to an agricultural implement including a main frame having a pull hitch tube extending in a travel direction and a set of inner wing segments attached to the main frame. A plurality of pivotally coupled additional wing segments are coupled about generally vertical axes with the inner wing segments. The plurality of pivotally coupled additional wing segments can be pivoted forward about the generally vertical axes to positions generally parallel with the pull hitch tube when in a transport configuration, or may be pivoted outward about the generally vertical axes to positions perpendicular to the pull hitch tube when in an operating configuration. Each of the pivotally coupled additional wing segments has a wing front section pivotally coupled to it, which wing front section 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. Each of the pivotally coupled additional wing segments also has a wing rear section pivotally coupled to it, which wing rear section 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.

The invention in yet another form is directed to a wing for an agricultural implement including a plurality of wing tool bar segments, a plurality of wing front sections, and a plurality of wing rear sections. Each of the wing front sections may be pivoted to a generally vertical position when in a transport configuration, or may be pivoted to a generally horizontal position when in an operating configuration. Similarly, each of the wing rear sections 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.

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

Another advantage is that reconfiguring the agricultural implement from the operating configuration to the 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 implement of the present invention, in the form of a field cultivator, with wing front sections and wing rear sections pivoted to generally horizontal positions in the operating configuration;

FIG. 2 is the same top perspective view shown in FIG. 1 , with wing front sections and wing rear sections pivoted to generally vertical positions;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the agricultural implement shown in FIGS. 1-2 , with the wings folded forward to a transport configuration;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the agricultural implement shown in FIGS. 1-3 , with the middle and outer wing segments folded forward to a transport configuration.

FIG. 5 is a simplified top perspective view similar to FIG. 1 , showing a set of generally vertical axes about which the entire wings fold forward when placed in the transport configuration and an alternate set of generally vertical axes about which only a portion of the wings fold forward when placed in the transport configuration. FIG. 5 further shows the generally longitudinal axes about which the wing segments articulate vertically when following ground contours; and

FIG. 6 is the same top perspective view shown in FIG. 5 with the generally longitudinal axes, showing the wing segments articulating vertically.

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 FIGS. 1 through 4 , there is shown an embodiment of an agricultural implement of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the agricultural implement 10 is configured as a multi-section field cultivator for tilling and finishing soil prior to seeding, and includes a main frame 12 and a plurality of wing segments 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B. The left wing segments are designated 14 A, 16 A and 18 A, and the right wing segments are designated 14 B, 16 B and 18 B. Wing segments 14 A and 14 B are each inner wing segments, wing segments 16 A and 16 B are each middle wing segments, and wing segments 18 A and 18 B are each outer wing segments. Each wing segment 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B may be provided with a tool bar segment, so that left inner wing segment 14 A is provided with left inner tool bar segment 24 A, right inner wing segment 14 B is provided with right inner tool bar segment 24 B, left middle wing segment 16 A is provided with left middle tool bar segment 24 C, right middle wing segment 16 B is provided with right middle tool bar segment 24 D, left outer wing segment 18 A is provided with left outer tool bar segment 24 E, and right outer wing segment 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 12 , and may provide generally vertical axes 86 and 88 about which the plurality of wing segments 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B pivot. Alternately, inner wing segments 14 A and 14 B may not pivot about vertical axes 86 and 88 , and may instead remain fixed in positions perpendicular to main frame 12 , while middle wing segments 16 A and 16 B and outer wing segments 18 A and 18 B pivot about generally vertical axes 92 and 94 located at outer ends of inner wing segments 14 A and 14 B.

Main frame 12 is the center section that is directly towed by a traction unit, such as an agricultural tractor (not shown). Main frame 12 includes a pull hitch tube 20 extending in a travel direction 22 , and a main frame 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 main frame tool bar 24 . Main frame 12 may function 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 may include 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 may be pivotally coupled with main frame tool bar 24 , so that it may be positioned in front of the main frame tool bar 24 when in an operating configuration, and may be foldable up and over the main frame tool bar 24 to a position rearward of main frame tool bar 24 when in a transport configuration. Main shank frame 28 may also include one or more gauge wheel assemblies 56 . A hydraulic cylinder 58 may be used to fold main shank frame 28 from the operating configuration to the transport configuration, and vice versa.

Each of the plurality of wing segments 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B carries a wing front section, so that left inner wing segment 14 A is provided with left inner wing front section 66 A, right inner wing segment 14 B is provided with right inner wing front section 66 B, left middle wing segment 16 A is provided with left middle wing front section 66 C, right middle wing segment 16 B is provided with right middle wing front section 66 D, left outer wing segment 18 A is provided with left outer wing front section 66 E, and right outer wing segment 18 B is provided with right outer wing front section 66 F. Each wing front section 66 A, 66 B, 66 C, 66 D, 66 E, and 66 F is foldable upwards to a generally vertical position using hydraulic cylinders 68 , and is lockable in the generally vertical position, when in the transport configuration. Each wing front section 66 A, 66 B, 66 C, 66 D, 66 E, and 66 F is further foldable downwards to a generally horizontal position when in the operating configuration. Hydraulic cylinders 68 may optionally be placed in a “float mode” such that gauge wheel assemblies 70 at the front of wing front sections 66 A, 66 B, 66 C, 66 D, 66 E, and 66 F are operable to float up and down as they traverse across a field and thereby set the operating depth at the front edge of wing front sections 66 A, 66 B, 66 C, 66 D, 66 E, and 66 F. In the embodiment shown, each of wing front sections 66 A, 66 B, 66 C, 66 D, 66 E, and 66 F are shank frames having cultivator shanks 36 with shovels 38 at their lower ends for tilling the soil.

Each of the plurality of wing segments 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B also carries a wing rear section, so that left inner wing segment 14 A is provided with left inner wing rear section 78 A, right inner wing segment 14 B is provided with right inner wing rear section 78 B, left middle wing segment 16 A is provided with left middle wing rear section 78 C, right middle wing segment 16 B is provided with right middle wing rear section 78 D, left outer wing segment 18 A is provided with left outer wing rear section 78 E, and right outer wing segment 18 B is provided with right outer wing rear section 78 F. Each wing rear section 78 A, 78 B, 78 C, 78 D, 78 E, and 78 F is foldable upwards to a generally vertical position, and is lockable in the generally vertical position, when in the transport configuration. Each wing rear section 78 A, 78 B, 78 C, 78 D, 78 E, and 78 F is further foldable downwards to a generally horizontal position when in the operating configuration. Wing rear sections 78 A, 78 B, 78 C, 78 D, 78 E, and 78 F may optionally be placed in a “float mode” such that they are operable to float up and down as they traverse across a field. In the embodiment shown, each of wing rear sections 78 A, 78 B, 78 C, 78 D, 78 E, and 78 F are auxiliary implements, which may include spring tooth drags, crumbler baskets, spike tooth drags, cultivator shanks, or any combination thereof.

During use, it is periodically necessary to move the agricultural implement 10 from an unfolded (operating) configuration to a folded (transport) configuration. A hydraulic cylinder (not shown) may first be actuated to lift the main frame 12 to the raised transport configuration using rear lift wheels 52 in cooperation with hydraulic cylinder 55 connected to pull hitch 124 . Toolbar lift wheels 53 may lift wing segments 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B to the raised transport position along with main frame 12 , which toolbar lift wheels 53 may then be allowed to caster or pivot. Hydraulic cylinder 58 may then actuated to fold main shank frame 28 up and over main frame tool bar 24 to an inverted position rearward of main frame tool bar 24 . Crumbler basket 34 of main rear auxiliary implement 30 may then also be moved to a raised position.

Then wing front sections 66 A, 66 B, 66 C, 66 D, 66 E, and 66 F of the wing segments 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B are folded upwards to the generally vertical position and locked. Wing front sections 66 A, 66 B, 66 C, 66 D, 66 E, and 66 F of the wing segments 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. Wing rear sections 78 A, 78 B, 78 C, 78 D, 78 E, and 78 F are also folded upwards to the generally vertical position and locked. Similarly, wing rear sections 78 A, 78 B, 78 C, 78 D, 78 E, and 78 F may be folded upwards to the generally vertical position at the same time, or may be folded upwards to the generally vertical position sequentially.

Diagonally angled draft tubes 72 extending between pull hitch tube 20 and a respective tool bar 24 C and 24 D associated with the pair of middle wing segments 16 A and 16 B are then folded inward, and wing segments 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. 3 ). Alternately, only middle wing segments 16 A and 16 B and outer wing segments 18 A and 18 B may fold forward about generally vertical axes 92 and 94 located at outer ends of inner wing segments 14 A and 14 B. Gauge wheel assemblies 56 at the front of main shank frame 28 and gauge wheel assemblies 70 at the front of wing front sections 66 A, 66 B, 66 C, 66 D, 66 E, and 66 F are all configured as caster wheels and are not in contact with the ground when agricultural implement 10 is in the folded or transport configuration. For unfolding the agricultural implement 10 to the operating configuration, the reverse folding sequence is carried out.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show simplified views of the main frame 12 of the agricultural implement 10 with pull hitch tube 20 . Main shank frame 28 is shown in its operating configuration and is positioned down and forward of main frame tool bar 24 . Left inner wing segment 14 A is provided with left inner tool bar segment 24 A, and is connected to main frame 12 at left intermediate wing 13 A and can pivot about left generally vertical axis 86 and left inner longitudinal axis 90 A. Right inner wing segment 14 B is provided with right inner tool bar segment 24 B, and is connected to main frame 12 at right intermediate wing 13 B and can pivot about right generally vertical axis 88 and right inner longitudinal axis 90 B. Left middle wing segment 16 A is provided with left middle tool bar segment 24 C, and is connected to left inner wing segment 14 A and can pivot about left middle longitudinal axis 90 C. Right middle wing segment 16 B is provided with right middle tool bar segment 24 C, and is connected to right inner wing segment 14 B and can pivot about right middle longitudinal axis 90 D. Left outer wing segment 18 A is provided with left outer tool bar segment 24 E, and is connected to left middle wing segment 16 A and can pivot about left outer longitudinal axis 90 E. Right outer wing segment 18 B is provided with right outer tool bar segment 24 F, and is connected to right middle wing segment 16 B and can pivot about right outer longitudinal axis 90 F. In this way, wing segments 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B can articulate vertically to follow ground contours and can further pivot forward to a position adjacent to and generally parallel with pull hitch tube 20 or can pivot outward to a position generally perpendicular to pull hitch tube 20 .

In an alternate embodiment, left and right inner wing segments 14 A and 14 B are connected to main frame 12 such that they pivot about left inner longitudinal axis 90 A and right inner longitudinal axis 90 B, respectively, but do not pivot about left generally vertical axis 86 and right generally vertical axis 88 . Instead, left middle wing segment 16 A pivots about generally vertical axis 92 at the end of left inner wing segment 14 A as well as about left middle longitudinal axis 90 C, and right middle wing segment 16 B pivots about generally vertical axis 94 at the end of right inner wing segment 14 B as well as about right middle longitudinal axis 90 D. Again, left outer wing segment 18 A pivots about left outer longitudinal axis 90 E and right outer wing segment 18 B pivots about right outer longitudinal axis 90 F. In this way, wing segments 14 A, 14 B, 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B can still articulate vertically to follow ground contours, while only middle and outer wing segments 16 A, 16 B, 18 A, and 18 B pivot forward to a position generally parallel with pull hitch tube 20 or outward to the position generally perpendicular to pull hitch tube 20 .

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.