Flotation for agricultural implements

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9795073-B2
Application number	US-201614992454-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 11, 2016
Priority date	Mar 30, 2012
Publication date	Oct 24, 2017
Grant date	Oct 24, 2017

Abstract

An agricultural implement has front flotation wheels with a significantly increased diameter, increasing flotation and improving rolling characteristics, especially in soft soil conditions. The implement has a frame supported on front and rear wheels. Front flotation wheels are pivotally mounted to the frame about vertical axes. A hitch tongue is pivotally attached to the frame about a vertical hitch pivot axis. A wheel control mechanism connects the front flotation wheels to the hitch tongue, and is configured such that when the hitch tongue is in a neutral position the front flotation wheels roll in the operating direction, and pivoting the hitch tongue causes the front flotation wheels to pivot in the same direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An agricultural implement apparatus comprising:
a frame supported on rear wheels and right and left flotation front wheels for movement along the ground in an operating travel direction, and a plurality of ground engaging tools mounted on the frame substantially equally on each side of a frame axis extending parallel to the operating travel direction;
wherein the right and left flotation front wheels are pivotally mounted to the frame about corresponding substantially vertical right and left wheel pivot axes;
a hitch tongue having a rear end pivotally attached to a lateral mid-point of the frame about a substantially vertical hitch pivot axis located substantially on the frame axis, and having a front end adapted for pivotal attachment to a drawbar of a towing vehicle by a substantially vertical drawbar pin;
a wheel control mechanism connecting the right and left flotation front wheels to the hitch tongue such that pivotal movement of the right and left flotation front wheels about the corresponding right and left wheel pivot axes follows pivotal movement of the hitch tongue about the hitch pivot axis;
the wheel control mechanism configured such that when the hitch tongue is in a neutral position aligned with the frame axis, the right and left flotation front wheels are oriented to roll in the operating travel direction, and pivoting the hitch tongue about the hitch pivot axis away from the neutral position causes the right and left flotation front wheels to pivot about the corresponding right and left wheel pivot axes; and
right and left flotation outboard front wheels mounted to the frame about substantially vertical wheel pivot axes, and a control linkage connecting the right and left flotation outboard front wheels to the hitch tongue such that moving the hitch tongue away from the neutral position in a selected direction turns the flotation outboard front wheels in the selected direction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein moving the hitch tongue to a selected maximum degree from the neutral position pivots the right and left flotation front wheels and the right and left flotation outboard front wheels about their respective vertical wheel pivot axes such that rotational axes of the right and left flotation front wheels and the right and left flotation outboard front wheels intersect at a desired turning axis.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the desired turning axis is located outside the frame.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a right pair of control hydraulic cylinders comprising a first hydraulic cylinder connected to the hitch tongue and to the frame, and a second hydraulic cylinder connected to the frame and to the right flotation outboard front wheel, wherein chambers of the first and second hydraulic cylinders are connected such that movement of the hitch tongue away from the neutral position moves hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic cylinder into the second hydraulic cylinder to turn the right flotation outboard front wheel in the direction moved by the hitch tongue.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the hitch tongue extends rearward of the hitch pivot axis and the first hydraulic cylinder of the right pair of control hydraulic cylinders is connected to the hitch tongue rearward of the hitch pivot axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 comprising a left pair of control hydraulic cylinders comprising a first hydraulic cylinder connected to the hitch tongue and to the frame, and a second hydraulic cylinder connected to the frame and to the left flotation outboard front wheel, wherein chambers of the first and second hydraulic cylinders are connected such that movement of the hitch tongue away from the neutral position moves hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic cylinder into the second hydraulic cylinder to turn the left flotation outboard front wheel in the direction moved by the hitch tongue, and wherein the first hydraulic cylinder of the left pair of control hydraulic cylinders is connected to the hitch tongue rearward of the hitch pivot axis.

Assignees

• Bourgault Ind Ltd

Inventors

• Scherman Scott
• Lung Devin

Classifications

• A01B69/005

  by an additional operator · CPC title

• A01B69/004 Primary

  automatic · CPC title

• A01B69/003 Primary

  Steering or guiding of machines or implements pushed or pulled by or mounted on agricultural vehicles such as tractors, e.g. by lateral shifting of the towing connection · CPC title

• A01C7/208

  Chassis; Coupling means to a tractor or the like; Lifting means; Side markers · CPC title