Folding implement with tractor assist

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10506757-B2
Application number	US-201715470969-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 28, 2017
Priority date	Mar 28, 2017
Publication date	Dec 17, 2019
Grant date	Dec 17, 2019

Abstract

A towed implement, such as a cultivator is configured between an unfolded operational position and a folded transport position in which wing sections are pivoted about a vertical axis into a forward direction where they are alongside a telescoping tool bar. Sensors on the cultivator send signals initiating the folding/unfolding sequence to send commands through the implement controller to a tractor controller having a ISOBUS class 3 configuration. The tractor is commanded to forward and rearward movement in synchronism with the folding/unfolding process to steer wing supporting wheel assemblies toward the correct position for the intended transport direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An agricultural implement connected to a towing vehicle capable of commanded forward and rearward movement, said agricultural implement foldable between a laterally extending unfolded operational position and folded transport position, said agricultural implement comprising:
a center frame having a tow bar for connection to the towing vehicle at the end of the tow bar;
at least one ground support wheel assembly on said center frame for supporting said center section;
at least one articulated wing frame displaceable between a laterally extending unfolded operational position and a folded transport position, said tow bar being displaceable between a retracted operational position and an extended transport position as said articulated wing frame is displaced from said field position to said transport position;
at least one extended support wheel assembly on said at least one articulated wing frame swivel mounted to said frame to permit omni directional movement; and,
a control system responsive to the initiation of folding and unfolding displacement by said at least the wing frame for respectively commanding the towing vehicle toward at least one of the forward and rearward direction in synchronism with the displacement of said at least one wing frame and said tow bar to steer said swivel mounted ground support wheel assembly toward the correct position for the intended transportation direction during the folding and unfolding process while minimizing movement of the ground support wheel assembly relative to the ground.

2. The agricultural implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control system further comprises a sensor detecting the initiation of the folding and unfolding displacement of said at least one wing frame and said tow bar.

3. The agricultural implement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sensor is responsive to force on said tow bar.

4. The agricultural implement as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising an actuator for displacing said at least one wing section between said operational and transport position and wherein said sensor is responsive to force on said actuator.

5. The agricultural implement as claimed in claim 4 , having a hydraulic actuator and said sensor is responsive to hydraulic pressure on said actuator.

6. The agricultural implement as claimed in claim 1 , having a pair of wing frames extending on either side of said center frame.

7. The agricultural implement as claimed in claim 1 , having a plurality of ground support wheel assemblies on said at least one wing frame and said control system synchronizes movement of the towing vehicle about the inner most wheel assembly.

8. The agricultural implement as claimed in claim 7 , having three wheel assemblies for said at least one wing frame.

9. The agricultural implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said at least one articulated wing frame is pivotally connected to said main frame about a vertical axis.

10. The agricultural implement as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
a towing vehicle capable of commanded forward and rearward movement; and,
said control system commanding the towing vehicle to move forward and rearward in synchronism with the displacement of said at least one wing frame and said tow bar.

11. The agricultural implement as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the control system further comprises a sensor detecting the initiation of the folding and unfolding displacement of said at least one wing frame and said tow bar.

12. The agricultural implement as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said towing vehicle has an ISOBUS class 3 control input and said sensor is configured to provide signals to the towing vehicle compatible with the ISOBUS class 3.

13. The agricultural implement as claimed in claim 12 , wherein said sensor is responsive to force on said tow bar.

14. The agricultural implement as claimed in claim 11 , further comprising an actuator for displacing said at least one wing frame and said sensor is responsive to force on said actuator.

15. The agricultural implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said tow bar is telescoping, said telescoping tow bar being displaceable between a retracted operational position and an extended transport position as said articulated wing frame is displaced from said field operating position to said transport position.

16. The agricultural implement as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said at least one wing frame pivots forward between said extended field position and said folded transport position.

17. The agricultural implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said at least one wing frame pivots rearward between said extended field position and said folded transport position.

Assignees

• Cnh Ind Canada Ltd

Inventors

• Magarity Brice
• Henry James W

Classifications

• A01B73/048

  the axis being oriented in transverse direction (A01B73/042 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A01B73/067

  to a position essentially rearward of the axis, in relation to the direction of travel · CPC title

• A01B73/065 Primary

  to a position essentially forward of the axis, in relation to the direction of travel · CPC title