Earth working – Plural wheeled implements – Outrigged implement adjustable inwardly
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-09
2001-04-24
Novosad, Christopher J. (Department: 3671)
Earth working
Plural wheeled implements
Outrigged implement adjustable inwardly
C701S050000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220366
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to agricultural implements and, more specifically, to folding implements with vertically movable ground support wheels or other vertically movable elements.
2) Related Art
Folding implement frames are widely used for agricultural applications to provide a wide field-working width and a narrower transport width. Some implements have tool-carrying frames with five sections or more, including outermost wing sections that fold over corresponding inner wing sections for transport. The inner wing sections are hinged to a main frame section so that the folded inner wing/outer wing combination on each side of the implement can be folded to an upright transport position. In the transport position, tools and lift wheel assemblies on the opposite outermost wing sections are in close proximity to each other over the central portion of the main frame. The lift wheel assemblies or other vertically adjustable components on the outermost wing sections, if not fully retracted or moved to a particular storage position, can interfere with each other as the sections are moved towards their final transport positions. Such interference can result in component damage and limit the pivoting of the frame sections so that transport width is not minimized. In addition, the lift assemblies projecting outwardly from the inner wing sections in the transport position can increase the transport width and move the center of gravity of the sections outwardly.
Various devices have been employed to prevent interference, such as mechanical locks for wheel assemblies of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,684 assigned to Deere & Company. Relatively complex hydraulic control circuits such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,784 have also been devised. However, these have not been entirely effective and are not readily adaptable to automatic control systems utilizing an implement control unit (ICU) which provides individual control of implement lift cylinders of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,218 also assigned to Deere & Company.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved folding system for a multi-sectioned implement having wing sections with lift wheels or other vertically adjustable members. It is another object to provide such a system wherein structure located on adjacent sections is automatically moved to non-interfering locations as the sections are moved towards a folded transport position. It is yet another object to provide such a system with a center of gravity closer to the center of the implement for increased stability in transport.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved folding system for a multi-sectioned implement having wing sections. It is yet another object to provide such a system which facilitates a narrow transport width and improved center of gravity by controlling the lift wheels or other vertically adjustable members as the implement is folded to a transport position.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved folding system for a multi-sectioned implement having a controller for automatic height and/or level control, wherein the controller is advantageously utilized to move components on the implement sections to facilitate a narrow transport width. It is another object to provide such a system with a simple wing fold position detection structure connected to the controller, wherein the detection structure can include numerous types of sensors including mechanically operated switches, mercury or proximity switches, or rotary or linear potentiometers.
Accordingly, a folding system for a multi-sectioned implement such as a five section field cultivator or chisel plow includes wing-fold structure for folding the two outermost wing sections with lift wheel assemblies over corresponding inner wing sections. Inner wing-fold structure then is activated to pivot the two inner wing sections with the folded outer wings upwardly and inwardly towards each other over a central main frame. A proximity switch or other simple inner wing position indicating device is positioned to provide a fold condition signal to a controller that in turn provides lift signals to lift wheel modules on the wing sections. As each inner wing/outer wing pair approach a preselected position between a fully extended position and a fully folded position, the indicating device provides the signal. When both folded wing pairs pass the preselected position, the controller sends a signal to an electrohydraulic control valve connected to the lift wheel assemblies (or other vertically adjustable components on the implement) to retract the lift wheels to a predetermined position and thereby prevent interference between the wheels on the folded pairs as the sections approach each other over the main frame and move the center of gravity inwardly for increased transport stability.
As the folded wing pairs are pivoted outwardly and downwardly from the transport position, the wing position indicating device provides a signal to the controller. When a signal is received at the controller, indicating that the wheel modules are no longer in a position of interference, the controller causes the electrohydraulic control valve to move the lift wheel modules to an extended position for supporting the wings above the ground in preselected position. In the preferred embodiment, the wing wheel modules on one side of the implement extend only after the indicating device for that side of the implement provides a position signal.
The switching arrangement assures that the lift wheel assemblies will not be retracted until both outer wing sections are lifted from the ground. The arrangement also assures that the wheel assemblies for each side of the implement will be extended before the corresponding wing frames approach the fully unfolded position. The system is simple and easy to implement, and the switches reliably provide position signals to the ICU. The controller can match the extended position of the lift wheels on the wing sections to the position of the lift wheel assemblies on the main frame so the implement is level when fully unfolded. By having the switches mounted between the mainframe and the inner wing, the operator has the option of using a five-section machine as a three-section machine in narrow areas or hard ground conditions by simply folding the outer wings. The wheel modules will operate correctly despite the fact that the outer wings are not doing any work. The system can also be used to control other lift assemblies on the wing sections, such as implement gangs or row units, to prevent interference when the sections are folded to a transport position and to properly position the assemblies as they are moved to the field-working position.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description in view of the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4700784 (1987-10-01), Wiebe et al.
patent: 4867245 (1989-09-01), Stevens
patent: 4974684 (1990-12-01), Stevens
patent: 5957218 (1999-09-01), Noonan et al.
Mosdal Brian Thomas
Noonan James Thomas
Parker Paul David
Payne David Alan
Deere & Company
Novosad Christopher J.
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