A01B31/00

Articulating pitch-adjustable hitches for surface conditioning tools
10765053 · 2020-09-08 · ·

One exemplary embodiment is a hitch assembly including forward and rearward lateral members, first and second longitudinal members and a lifting member which are coupled together to form a laterally-articulating pitch-adjustable quadrilateral. The forward lateral member is coupled with the first longitudinal member by a first joint and the second longitudinal member by a second joint. The rearward lateral member is coupled with the first longitudinal member by a third joint and the second longitudinal member by a fourth joint. The lifting member is coupled with the rearward lateral member by a first flexible rigging member and a second flexible rigging member. The quadrilateral can articulate between a left-leaning configuration, a rectangular configuration, and a right-leaning configuration. The lifting member can be adjusted to vary an amount of slack in one or both of the flexible rigging members and to raise and lower the rearward lateral member.

Articulating pitch-adjustable hitches for surface conditioning tools
10765053 · 2020-09-08 · ·

One exemplary embodiment is a hitch assembly including forward and rearward lateral members, first and second longitudinal members and a lifting member which are coupled together to form a laterally-articulating pitch-adjustable quadrilateral. The forward lateral member is coupled with the first longitudinal member by a first joint and the second longitudinal member by a second joint. The rearward lateral member is coupled with the first longitudinal member by a third joint and the second longitudinal member by a fourth joint. The lifting member is coupled with the rearward lateral member by a first flexible rigging member and a second flexible rigging member. The quadrilateral can articulate between a left-leaning configuration, a rectangular configuration, and a right-leaning configuration. The lifting member can be adjusted to vary an amount of slack in one or both of the flexible rigging members and to raise and lower the rearward lateral member.

Land Plane
20200217041 · 2020-07-09 ·

A land plane that may be moved over an agricultural field to smooth any irregularities in the surface of the field is pulled by a tow vehicle and has a blade assembly in a general diamond shape. The general diamond shape may be between 30 and 35 feet wide and 35 and 40 feet long. Thus, the land plane may have a sufficient length for drag and earth moving capability to economically and properly level a field, and a sufficient width to cover a substantially large area in single pass over the field. Further, the land plane may have foldable wing sections that enable the land plane to be transported over a typical state or county road or highway.

AGRICULTURAL TILLAGE IMPLEMENT WHEEL CONTROL

An agricultural tillage implement includes a main section including a hitch extending in a travel direction, a plurality of foldable wing sections coupled with the main section, a plurality of ground engaging tilling elements, a plurality of wheel assemblies and a control system. The tilling elements are coupled to the main section and wing sections. Each of the wheel assemblies include an actuator. The wheel assemblies include a first plurality of wheel assemblies associated with the main section and a second plurality of wheel assemblies associated with the plurality of wing sections. The actuators of the first plurality of wheel assemblies being independent of the actuators of the second plurality of wheel assemblies. The control system is configured to actuate the actuators to effect a profile minimizing operation of the foldable wing sections when the implement is being transitioned into a transport mode.

Agricultural tillage implement wheel control

An agricultural tillage implement includes a main section including a hitch extending in a travel direction, a plurality of foldable wing sections coupled with the main section, a plurality of ground engaging tilling elements, a plurality of wheel assemblies and a control system. The tilling elements are coupled to the main section and wing sections. Each of the wheel assemblies include an actuator. The wheel assemblies include a first plurality of wheel assemblies associated with the main section and a second plurality of wheel assemblies associated with the plurality of wing sections. The actuators of the first plurality of wheel assemblies being independent of the actuators of the second plurality of wheel assemblies. The control system is configured to actuate the actuators to effect a profile minimizing operation of the foldable wing sections when the implement is being transitioned into a transport mode.

Grading tools for work machines and operation thereof
10508411 · 2019-12-17 · ·

One embodiment includes a grading tool structured for attachment to a work machine. The grading tool includes a frame, ground contacting wheels coupled with the frame, a comb coupled with the frame and extending from a first end of the frame, and a coupling member coupled with the frame and structured to be accessible from a second end of the frame. When the ground contacting wheels are in contact with the ground a depth of penetration of the comb into the ground surface is adjustable by changing the pitch of the grading tool.

Grading tools for work machines and operation thereof
10508411 · 2019-12-17 · ·

One embodiment includes a grading tool structured for attachment to a work machine. The grading tool includes a frame, ground contacting wheels coupled with the frame, a comb coupled with the frame and extending from a first end of the frame, and a coupling member coupled with the frame and structured to be accessible from a second end of the frame. When the ground contacting wheels are in contact with the ground a depth of penetration of the comb into the ground surface is adjustable by changing the pitch of the grading tool.

Adjustable hitches for coupling surface conditioning tools and work machines
11904645 · 2024-02-20 · ·

An apparatus comprises a first elongate member configured to detachably and fixedly couple with a work machine in a tow-behind configuration, a two-axis joint member coupled with the first elongate member at a first joint permitting rotation of the two-axis joint member relative to the first elongate member about a first axis of rotation, a rigid frame portion including a second elongate member coupled with the two-axis joint member at a second joint permitting rotation of the second elongate member relative to the two-axis joint member about a second axis of rotation perpendicular to the first axis of rotation and a third elongate member extending perpendicular to the second elongate member, a surface conditioning tool extending parallel to the third elongate member and coupled with the rigid frame portion at a third joint and at a fourth joint permitting rotation of the surface conditioning tool relative to the rigid frame portion about a third axis of rotation parallel to the second axis of rotation, and a variable-length tool coupling member coupled with the rigid frame portion at a fifth joint and coupled with the surface conditioning tool at a sixth joint.

Adjustable hitches for coupling surface conditioning tools and work machines
11904645 · 2024-02-20 · ·

An apparatus comprises a first elongate member configured to detachably and fixedly couple with a work machine in a tow-behind configuration, a two-axis joint member coupled with the first elongate member at a first joint permitting rotation of the two-axis joint member relative to the first elongate member about a first axis of rotation, a rigid frame portion including a second elongate member coupled with the two-axis joint member at a second joint permitting rotation of the second elongate member relative to the two-axis joint member about a second axis of rotation perpendicular to the first axis of rotation and a third elongate member extending perpendicular to the second elongate member, a surface conditioning tool extending parallel to the third elongate member and coupled with the rigid frame portion at a third joint and at a fourth joint permitting rotation of the surface conditioning tool relative to the rigid frame portion about a third axis of rotation parallel to the second axis of rotation, and a variable-length tool coupling member coupled with the rigid frame portion at a fifth joint and coupled with the surface conditioning tool at a sixth joint.

Grading tool compatible with light duty work machine
10501912 · 2019-12-10 · ·

A grading tool comprises a frame extending between a hitch and a ground contacting member. A first adjustment mechanism and a lever are coupled with the frame. A suspension assembly including a spring is coupled with the lever. A grading box assembly is coupled with the frame and with the suspension assembly. The spring is compressible to accommodate motion between the lever and the grading box assembly. A second adjustment mechanism is coupled with the frame and the grading box assembly and is adjustable to selectably increase and decrease in length. A fixation member is coupled with the grading box assembly and is selectably coupleable with the frame to fix a first side of the grading box assembly vertically relative to the frame while allowing vertical movement of a second side of the of the grading box assembly relative to the frame.