Tillage implement with sectional down force control

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018192573-A1
Application number	US-201715400669-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 6, 2017
Priority date	Jan 6, 2017
Publication date	Jul 12, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

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 with the main frame section. Each of the plurality of wing sections has at least one pivotal sub-frame. A hydraulic actuator is connected between the wing frame and the sub-frame to urge the sub-frame between an operating position and an elevated transport position. An actuator controller is configured to apply a predetermined force of the sub-frame towards the ground independently of other sub-frames so as to provide a more uniform tillage of the ground.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A tillage implement comprising:
a main frame section including a pull hitch extending in a travel direction; at least one wing section pivotally coupled with said main frame section abut at least one axis to pivot outward to a laterally extending operating position; at least one sub-frame pivotally connected to said at least one wing section about a generally horizontal axis; a gauge wheel assembly connected to said at least one sub-frame for establishing the elevation of said at least one sub-frame relative to the ground; an actuator connected between said at least one wing section and said at least one sub-frame to pivot the said at least one sub-frame between operating position where the gauge wheel contacts the ground and an elevated transport position; a controller formatted to and energizing said actuator to displace said at least one sub-frame between said operating and transport positions; said controller being configured to urge said actuator is pivot said at least one sub-frame towards the ground in said operating position.

2 . The tillage implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said controller is configured to apply a predetermined force urging the said at least one sub-frame towards the ground.

3 . The tillage implement as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said actuator is a hydraulic actuator.

4 . The tillage implement as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said actuator operates on hydraulic pressure and said implement further comprises a pressure regulator regulating the pressure urging the said at least one sub-frame towards the ground in proportion to the pressure set by the regulator.

5 . The tillage implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said at least one sub-frame is positioned forward of said wing section.

6 . The tillage implement as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising ground engaging components fixed to said at least one sub-frame.

7 . The tillage implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said at least one sub-frame is positioned rearward of said at least one wing section.

8 . The tillage implement as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said at least one sub-frame further comprises a rocker frame.

9 . The tillage implement as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising ground engaging components on said rocker frame with the said at least one sub-frame being connected to said rocker frame in between adjacent said ground engaging components.

10 . The tillage implement as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said ground engaging components comprise at least one of a spring tooth drag, crumbler basket, spike tooth drag, and cultivator shank.

11 . The tillage implement as claimed in claim 1 , having right and left wing sections connected to said main frame section.

12 . The tillage implement as claimed in claim 1 , having front and rear sub-frames pivotally connected to said at least one wing section and said controller is configured to energize the actuators for said front and rear sub-frames independent of one another.

13 . The tillage implement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said actuator is interconnected between said at least on wing section and said at least one sub-frame with connections permitting only pivotal relative movement.

14 . A method of managing ground engaging loads on a tillage implement having a main frame and at least one wing section pivotally coupled to the main frame to pivot outward to a laterally extending operating position and at least one sub-frame pivotally connected to the at least one wing section and an actuator connected between the said at least one wing section and the sub-frame to pivot the at least one sub-frame between an operating position towards the ground and an elevated transport position, said method comprising the step of lowering said at least one sub-frame to its operating position; and,
applying a predetermined force on said sub-frame towards the ground.

15 . The method as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the tillage implement has forward and rearward at least one sub-frames and said method includes the step of applying a downward force to the front and rear sub-frames independent of one another.

16 . The method as claimed in claim 14 , including a step of applying a predetermined force in a direction towards the ground.

Assignees

• Cnh Ind Canada Ltd

Inventors

• Henry James W

Classifications

• A01B23/043

  specially adapted for harrows with non-rotating tools · CPC title

• A01B49/027

  with a rotating, soil working support element, e.g. a roller · CPC title

• A01B73/044

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

• A01B73/048

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

• A01B63/32 Primary

  operated by hydraulic or pneumatic means {without automatic control} · CPC title